H . . ., that stood in the same circumstances and had done
for me, and with me, what he had done.
There are not, on earth at least, eternal griefs; mine
were, if not at an end, at least suspended: my heart, which
had been so long overloaded with anguish and vexation, began
to dilate and open to the least gleam of diversion or amuse-
ment. I wept a little, and my tears reliev'd me; I sigh'd,
and my sighs seem'd to lighten me of a load that oppress'd
me; my countenance grew, if not cheerful, at least more
compos'd and free.
Mr. H . . ., who had watched, perhaps brought on this
change, knew too well not to seize it; he thrust the table
imperceptibly from between us, and bringing his chair to
face me, he soon began, after preparing me by all the en-
dearments of assurances and protestations, to lay hold of
my hands, to kiss me, and once more to make free with my
bosom, which, being at full liberty from the disorder of a
loose dishabille, now panted and throbb'd, less with in-
dignation than with fear and bashfulness at being used so
familiarly by still a stranger. But he soon gave me
greater occasion to exclaim, by stooping down and slipping
his hand above my garters: thence he strove to regain the
pass, which he had before found so open, and unguarded: but
not he could not unlock the twist of my thighs; I gently
complained, and begg'd him to let me alone; told him I was
now well.
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