“I or my sister, for she will get up early.”

“Your sister!  No, my dear; she would be afraid of giving me too much pleasure by touching me so near.”

“And I am only afraid of hurting you.  Is that right?  Good heavens! what a state your skin is in!”

“You have not finished yet.”

“I am so short-sighted; turn round.”

“With pleasure.  Here I am.”

The little wanton could not resist laughing at what she saw, doubtless, for the first time.  She was obliged to touch it to continue rubbing the ointment in, and I saw that she liked it, as she touched it when she had no need, and not being able to stand it any longer I took hold of her hand and made her stop her work in favour of a pleasanter employment.

When she had finished I burst out laughing to hear her ask, in the most serious way, the pot of ointment still in her left hand,

“Did I do it right!”

“Oh, admirably, dear Annette!  You are an angel, and I am sure you know what pleasure you gave me.  Can you come and spend an hour with me?”

“Wait a bit.”

She went out and shut the door, and I waited for her to return; but my patience being exhausted I opened the door slightly, and saw her undressing and getting into bed with her sister.  I went back to my room and to bed again, without losing all hope.  I was not disappointed, for in five minutes back she came, clad in her chemise and walking on tip-toe.

“Come to my arms, my love; it is very cold.”

“Here I am.  My sister is asleep and suspects nothing; and even if she awoke the bed is so large that she would not notice my absence.”

“You are a divine creature, and I love you with all my heart.”

“So much the better.  I give myself up to you; do what you like with me, on the condition that you think of my sister no more.”

“That will not cost me much.  I promise that I will not think of her.”

I found Annette a perfect neophyte, and though I saw no blood on the altar of love next morning I did not suspect her on that account.  I have often seen such cases, and I know by experience that the effusion of blood or its absence proves nothing.  As a general rule a girl cannot be convicted of having had a lover unless she be with child.

I spent two hours of delight with this pretty baby, for she was so small, so delicate, and so daintily shaped all over, that I can find no better name for her.  Her docility did not detract from the piquancy of the pleasure, for she was voluptuously inclined.

When I rose in the morning she came to my room with Veronique, and I was glad to see that while the younger sister was radiant with happiness the elder looked pleasant and as if she desired to make herself agreeable.  I asked her how she was, and she told me that diet and sleep had completely cured her.  “I have always found them the best remedy for a headache.”  Annette had also cured me of the curiosity I had felt about her.  I congratulated myself on my achievement.