The next day I was curious to know how much she had told the marchioness, and on hearing nothing of the principal fact I felt certain she would not lock her door that evening.

When the evening came I defied her to skew the same confidence in me as I had shewn in her.  She replied that she would do so with pleasure, if I would blow out my candle and promise not to put my hand on her.  I easily gave her the required promise, for I meant to keep myself fresh for Leonilda.

I undressed hastily, followed her with bare feet, and laid myself beside her.

She took my hands and held them, to which I offered no resistance.  We were afraid of awakening her bedfellow, and kept perfect silence.  Our lips however gave themselves free course, and certain motions, natural under the circumstances, must have made her believe that I was in torments.  The half hour I passed beside her seemed extremely long to me, but it must have been delicious to her, as giving her the idea that she could do what she liked with me.

When I left her after we had shared an ecstatic embrace, I returned to my room, leaving the door open.  As soon as I had reason to suppose that she was asleep, I returned, and passed through her room to Leonilda’s.  She was expecting me, but did not know of my presence till I notified it with a kiss.

After I had given her a strong proof of my love, I told her of my adventure with Anastasia, and then our amorous exploits began again, and I did not leave her till I had spent two most delicious hours.  We agreed that they should not be the last, and I returned to my room on tiptoe as I had come.

I did not get up till noon, and the marquis and his wife jested with me at dinner on the subject of my late rising.  At supper it was Anastasia’s turn, and she seemed to enjoy the situation.  She told me in the evening that she would not lock her door, but that I must not come into her room, as it was dangerous.  It would be much better, she said, for us to talk in my room, where there would be no need of putting out the light.  She added that I had better go to bed, as then she would feel certain that she was not tiring me in any way.

I could not say no, but I flattered myself that I would keep my strength intact for Leonilda.

I reckoned without my host, as the proverb goes.

When I held Anastasia between my arms in bed, her lips glued to mine, I told her, as in duty bound, that she did not trust in me enough to lie beside me with her clothes off.

Thereupon she asked me if I would be very discreet.

If I had said no, I should have looked a fool.  I made up my mind, and told her yes, determined to satisfy the pretty girl’s desires.

In a moment she was in my arms, not at all inclined to keep me to my promise.

Appetite, it is said, comes in eating.  Her ardour made me amorous, and I rendered homage to her charms till I fell asleep with fatigue.