One night in particular, something having occurred abroad to sour his naturally morose temper, he as usual was venting his spleen upon his unoffending wife, which she resented in becoming language; how did my blood boil with indignation as I plainly heard the cowardly ruffian degrade her with a blow! Gladly would I have flown to her rescue, but I well knew that any interference on my part would have acted as a signal for new outrages on her. Shortly after I hear the brute prepare for bed and call on her to follow when nothing could exceed the satisfaction with which I listened to her rather loudly expressed and firm determination that from that time forth she would avoid his loathed embraces; vainly doth he growlingly remonstrate, in the most absolute terms; she declared her intention of sitting up till morning; and I afterwards discovered that she reclined her head upon the table while the unworthy wretch, having vented his passion to the very dregs, fell asleep and snored until the alarm roused him to his daily labour.
I lay till the usual hour of breakfast had long passed without the customary summons; when, fearing that my loved one was unwell and suffering for the treatment she had so recently experienced, I arose, dressed myself, and knocked softly at the door; on receiving no answer I ventured to try the lock-the door opened-and with cautious steps I entered the apartment. As I suspected, exhausted and faint from the fatigue of the preceding night she had, upon her husband's departure, thrown herself upon the bed and fallen into a profound slumber. How did I despise the mean-spirited villain and author of her woes; she evidently had been weeping during the night, her face seemed absolutely swollen with anguish. As I imprinted a glowing kiss upon her lips she awoke.
At first she appeared alarmed at seeing me so near her, but on beholding the expression of pity with which I regarded her, her fears were instantly dispelled.
I assisted her to rise; and having informed her of what I had heard the previous night, I entreated her to withdraw herself at once from her tormentor and no longer submit to such harsh usage; but notwithstanding her husband's injurious treatment she still endeavoured to find excuses in extenuation of his conduct; for though the affection she at one time felt for him was greatly diminished, she yet disdained the thought of retaliating at the expense of her honour…
I assisted her in preparing the breakfast; and as she remarked my assiduities, she exclaimed with a sigh, "Oh, had E- possessed but half your tenderness, how happily we might have lived. Heaven grant that I may some day be at liberty to requite your generous affection."
As I gazed upon her haggard features, and saw fatigue hang heavy on her eyelids, I, with some difficulty, prevailed on her to take a little brandy in her coffee, describing to her its invigorating qualities when taken as a medicine, and, breakfast being over, left her with a recommendation to seek the soothing influence of balmy sleep.
Such was the agitation of my mind as I pondered on my charmer's injuries that I found it quite impossible to pursue my morning studies, and throwing myself upon the sofa soon sunk into a slumber from which I awoke as the clock was striking twelve. Anxious to know how my dear Bessy found herself, I once more entered her apartment.
I found her reclining on her bed, her senses fast locked up in sweet forgiveness, but evidently much refreshed; her features had assumed their usual tranquil tone, and as if under the influence of some pleasing dream a sweet smile illumined her interesting face.
As I gazed upon the sleeping beauty all virtuous resolutions vanished, and in their place my former wild desires returned with redoubled violence.
"What!" I mentally exclaimed, "shall an ungrateful brute remain in the undivided possession of this world of charms? Charms which his groveling soul knows not the way to estimate or value-what even now prevents me, sleeping as she is, from seizing at once the blessing, of making her happy in her own despite-her heart is mine alreadyand once the transport over, never to be recalled, will she not bless the happy moment when by love inspired, I stole the intoxicating rapture and, with my own, secured her everlasting happiness."
Unable to control my highly excited feelings I throw myself beside her and gently pass one arm beneath her head; it clasps her neck; I with my hand now venture lightly to press the heaving breasts on which I feast my ravished sight; she moves! — Gods, let her not awake! — No! she turns half round-her lips now face mine-I cautiously approach still nearer, they meet! the soft concussion throws me off my guard, and as I pressed her to my bosom she awoke. She struggles to extricate herself from my dangerous embrace as I remonstrate, "Nay, fear me not, my love, I have long sought this glorious opportunity to prove to you how pure, how fervent is my brotherly affection. Oh strive not thus to leave me, my wife; you are so-nay, have you not oftentimes declared that you would glory in that title had fortune given you a right to it; let us indulge the sweet anticipation-I henceforth am your husbandfrom this moment, without one criminal design, I'll call you my dear wife! Seek not to escape me; do not deprive me of this trifling libertytrifling to you, to me invaluable-thus — thus to hold you in my arms, to press your lips to mine- I ask no more! Have I not given you proofs of this during the two heavenly hours I've held you in my arms? You look surprised, but it is even so; no sooner had you sank to sleep than gently entering I locked you in my fond embrace and pillowed your loved head upon my faithful bosom; what but my profound respect could have prevented me from snatching greater joys during your trancelike slumbers? Surely, my love, my long forbearance merits some reward? — and having for two hours unknowingly endured the imaginary danger, can you not confront it for a short time longer?"
During the time I was thus entreating her, spite of her struggles to escape, I held her fast-nay at every useless effort pressed her still closer to my throbbing heart; but when she heard me vow that I had been so long reclining by her side-an assertion which I well knew she could not contradict-when she perceived the struggles I endured and saw the flames of love now gleaming in my eyes, she whispered as she gently pressed my hand, "Heaven forgive me should I be doing wrong! I feel I cannot bid you leave me with a conviction that I am cruel or unjust; yet if, knowing my own weakness, I venture to trust myself within your arms, oh, do not, pray, abuse my confidence!"
I answered only with a kiss, and with her arms entwined around my neck I feigned a sudden drowsiness, and shortly after the most experienced observer would have pronounced me fast locked in the arms of Morpheus; while she, believing me insensible to her caresses, having kissed my lips, eyes and forehead, with an innocent confidence resigned herself to sleep.
In order to satisfy myself that she slept securely, I remained perfectly quiet for a few minutes, when cautiously raising my head I gazed upon her for some time before I ventured to place my hand upon her bosom; finding the daring act had not disturbed her, I proceeded to the most unwarrantable liberties.
But-hold! she moves! Quick as lightning I withdraw my hand and sink upon the pillow. All is once more still; the involuntary moment did but improve the position of my love and rendered visible the haven of my hopes. Now, while my dazzled eyes rove over the enchanting prospect, IGreat God of love! what mortal could endure it longer? all caution's dictates now are disobeyed-timidity no longer regulates my actions, while with frantic daring I pursue the advantage, undismayed, and boldly stretch myself between her thighs. Startled at the audacious attempt, she suddenly awakes and, sensible of the mighty peril, vainly essays to shriek; but her exhausted breath, half stifled by my kisses, in accents unintelligible fall upon the ear; her strength deserts her; and tears escaping from her jet black eyes, fast course each other down her lovely cheeks; each moment her resistance grows more feeble; already in imagination I had gained the wished-for victory, when, aided by the strength of some vindictive fiend-an enemy alike to love and mewith one spasmodic, wild, and convulsive effort, she hurled me from her!