I have before observed that Mr. E. was meanly avaricious; the love of gain was in his breast predominant; this induced him to deprive himself and wife of the comforts of a bedchamber. "For," said he, "what do we want with an extra room; I am very little at home myself and I am sure that one room is quite enough for us." Thus, notwithstanding the great inconvenience this arrangement must have been to his wife, a love of quietness urged her to comply, and accordingly the room was let.
The apartment in question was on the same floor as that in which I slept, and divided from mine by a landing place only five feet in width, and our doors faced each other. I am thus particular in describing the situation of these rooms, in order that my reader may clearly understand the adventures I have shortly to relate.
Mr. E., having determined upon letting this apartment, accepted as his tenants a young couple recently married: the man was a clicker to a lady's shoemaker and consequently went out to work; his wife being the only female in the house besides my landlady an intimacy was soon formed between them.
The newcomer was a woman of about twenty-five, rather above the middle stature, of slender make, a complexion delicately fair, hair of a golden tint, and large blue eyes, which beamed with such an expression of voluptuousness as could not fail to convince the gazer that she had no particle of nun's flesh in her composition.
A person more calculated to excite jealousy in the bosom of my gentle Bessy fortune could not have thrown in my way, and as we were frequently together I had soon the satisfaction to discover an uneasy watchfulness disturbing my charmer at every little attention I paid the other, who being of a lively disposition laughingly admitted freedoms which, though harmless in themselves, would have covered the cheeks of Bessy with crimson blushes. A game at romps delighted my fair neighbour, and when I had passed my arm around her waist, playfully tickling her under her arms, convulsed with laughter, she would seize me in her arms and repay me in my own coin, till each obstinately resolved to conquer, and overcome by the violence of our merriment, locked in each other's arms would sink upon the carpet till nature was unable to endure the pleasing though maddening sensation longer; laughter would change to a shriek, which was considered as the signal of defeat and our game was, for a time, suspended.
Bessy would take no part in these amusements, and when she sometimes did attempt a laugh her eyes would plainly tell her discontent; and often have I seen her bite her coral lips in order to conceal her too evident vexation.
To those who have been in the habit of indulging in pastimes such as those I have been describing I need not say that in the pleasing agony of excessive laughter we cannot at all times command our actions; the hands will, even without intention, sometimes wander where strict propriety would at other periods forbid their approach; this was the case with myself and frolicsome companion, whose full breasts would often during her playful struggles escape from their confinement, and I have hid my face between two snowy orbs whose warmth, plumpness, and rose-red nipples might have seduced an anchorite; yet so firmly were my affections fixed upon my beauteous landlady that I never for a moment entertained an idea of improving the advantages daily offered by my wanton playfellow. But man is frail, the flesh is often
stronger than the spirit. Who can at all times answer for himself? Not I, for one; I tell a plain unvarnished tale and seek not here to vaunt my strength or to conceal my weakness.
Although I certainly endeavoured to provoke the jealousy of Bessy by means of her new acquaintance, I never intended to give her other than imaginary cause; and but for her own obstinacy in withholding so long from me the food for which my soul was famishing, my intimacy with Emma would have ended quite as innocently as it began.
Let me not anticipate, but proceed with my story. I had for some days observed that poor Bessy had become more than usually serious; I sometimes could perceive the trace of tears, while her behaviour towards me became restrained and cold. I readily assigned a cause for this, not by any means unfavourable to myself; and opening her door one morning without knocking I beheld her seated in a most desponding attitude; her elbows were resting on the table while her face was concealed by her hands.
I immediately took a chair and placed it by her side, where being seated I begged to be made acquainted with the occasion of her grief; she raised her head, and, in accents that thrilled my soul, replied,
"Why do you desire to know, since you have ceased to feel the interest you once possessed for my happiness!"
I took her hand, and passing one arm around her waist, begged she would explain her meaning.
She mildly yet sorrowfully continued, "Yet why should I repine at what should really be a source of pleasure? I acknowledge Emma possesses attractions far superior to any I can boast, and perhaps is far less scrupulous. I was foolish to indulge a hope that your friendship would continue, and-"
I interrupted her: "Friendship! Oh, dearest girl, do not insult my love by giving it so cold a name. Emma! By heavens! I swear I never for a moment have entertained a thought or breathed a sentence to her that you could ere condemn; the little familiarities that have passed between us shall be forever discontinued, nay, never should have been indulged, could I have imagined they would have caused a sigh to you, my dearest, best, my only love."
She looked me in the face with a smile so sweet that, unable to control my feelings, I pressed her to my heart and stole a kiss from her pouting lips, which the dear girl returned; a sigh that seemed to rend her bosom in its passage burst from her throbbing heart, and giving vent to her excited feelings she whispered, "Oh heaven! why is it criminal to love as I do?"
Then, confused and blushing at having suffered the tender avowal to escape her, she threw her arms round my neck and hid her face upon my bosom. Unable to control my feelings at this blissful moment, I drew the senseless fair one closer to my heart, covering her lips and neck with kisses; while she, unconscious of my daring, reclined upon my breast.
Unable to control the impetuous feeling that pervaded my enraptured soul, I bore the fainting beauty to the couch and spear in hand was preparing for the last grand rite due to my mysterious love, when suddenly thought and strength returned and in a moment, perceiving the advantages I had gained during her trance, and feeling the extent of her danger, at the moment when I thought my prize secure, and when it appeared that nothing short of a miracle could have prevented me from winning the long sought for victory, with an herculean bound she thrust me from her, in another moment regained her feet, and ere I could recover from my surprise, with a look that would baffle all description, she struck me furiously upon the breast, and without uttering a word, with one great effort propelled me from the room, and secured the door.
For a moment I stood without sense or motion, being for a time perfectly stupefied; the events of the last hour seemed but as a disagreeable dream. After some short time spent in reflection, enraged, mortified and disappointed, I resolved that I would never see her more; and, with feelings almost amounting to hatred for the whole sex, I sought my chamber; but so great was my agitation, my hand trembled so violently, that the door resisted every attempt made by me to open it.
While vainly endeavouring to gain admission to my own apartment, Emma's door, which as I have before stated was opposite to mine, unclosed; fearing she would notice the trepidation I was in and ashamed of my own weakness I exclaimed in a peevish manner, "D-n the keys!"
"Oh, do not swear!" whispered Emma in a tone of playful reproach as I turned towards her.
The events of the morning had left a flush upon my face which I feared might betray me, more particularly when she anxiously enquired if I was unwell; I was rather confused for an instant, but quickly recovering my self-possession, answered carelessly, "I have been rather vexed this morning; something unpleasant has occurred. But no matter, a glass of brandy and water will speedily set all to rights."