138
absinthe, I returned home, took a cold bath, dressed, and called the girl into my room.
"When she saw my jaded look, my pale face, my hollow eyes, she stared at me, then—
"'Are you ill, sir?' she asked.
"'Yes; I am not well.'
"'And where were you last night?'
"'Where?' I asked, scornfully.
"'Yes; you did not come home,' said she, defiantly.
"I answered her with a nervous laugh.
"I understood that a nature like hers had to be mastered all of a sudden rather than tamed by degrees. I therefore caught her within my arms and pressed my lips upon hers. She tried to free herself, but rather like a defenceless bird fluttering with its wings than like a cat thrusting out its claws from inside its velvet paws.
"She writhed within my arms, rubbing her breasts against my chest, her thighs against my legs. Nevertheless, I kept her crushed against my body, kissing her mouth, pressing my burning lips against her own, breathing her fresh and healthy breath.
