Volume VI Part 64 (1/2)

As she left ave uiding her hand I skewed her the power she exercised over me She then went away, and I shall not say whether my behaviour irritated or pleased her

The next day I was curious to knoof the principal fact I felt certain she would not lock her door that evening

When the evening came I defied her to skew the same confidence in me as I had shewn in her She replied that she would do so with pleasure, if I would blow out ave her the required promise, for I meant to keep myself fresh for Leonilda

I undressed hastily, followed her with bare feet, and laid myself beside her

She took my hands and held them, to which I offered no resistance We were afraid of awakening her bedfellow, and kept perfect silence Our lips however gave themselves free course, and certain motions, natural under the circumstances, must have made her believe that I was in torments The half hour I passed beside her see toher the idea that she could do what she liked with me

When I left her after we had shared an ecstatic e the door open As soon as I had reason to suppose that she was asleep, I returned, and passed through her roo me, but did not know of my presence till I notified it with a kiss

After I had given her a strong proof of my love, I told her of an again, and I did not leave her till I had spent two reed that they should not be the last, and I returned to et up till noon, and the marquis and his wife jested withAt supper it was Anastasia's turn, and she see that she would not lock her door, but that I erous It would be much better, she said, for us to talk in ht

She added that I had better go to bed, as then she would feel certain that she was not tiring me in any way

I could not say no, but I flattered th intact for Leonilda

I reckoned without oes

When I held Anastasia between lued to mine, I told her, as in duty bound, that she did not trust in h to lie beside me with her clothes off

Thereupon she asked me if I would be very discreet

If I had said no, I should have looked a fool I made up irl's desires

In a moment she was in my arms, not at all inclined to keep me toHer ardour e to her charue

Anastasia left me while I was asleep, and when I awoke I found ed to make a full confession to the marchioness as to why I had failed in an to laugh and agreed that further visits were out of the question We made up our s only took place in the suarden

I had to receive Anastasia every night, and when I left for Rome and did not take her with ave reat surprise on the eve of an by saying that the Duke of Matalone had told hi Leonilda, and that he had always ad her a present of five thousand ducats, though I was far from rich

”These five thousand ducats,” he added, ”with seven thousand from the duke, composed her dower, and I have added a hundred thousand, so that she is sure of a co, even if I die without a successor

”Noant you to take back the five thousand ducats you gave her; and she herself is as desirous of your doing so as I am She did not like to ask you herself; she is too delicate”