"Upon my word, Monsieur."

"Monsieur Dormeuil, at your service."

"Monsieur Dormeuil," continued the blonde, "you must forgive me. I like to laugh but I am not the worse for it. Be seated."

Before the charming creature could finish her sentence I was by her side.

"Never having had the happiness to meet you before, Madame, would it be an indiscretion on my part to ask your name?"

"Yes, sir, at least until I know you better."

"To know you better, Madame, is my dearest wish."

"Monsieur Dormeuil," answered the blonde, "men are ungrateful wretches. There is M. Lorille for instance, for whom I have sacrificed so much, but who does not even come as he promised to."

"Adorable blonde, just make half of that same sacrifice for me and…"

"What would you have then? I find you rather-what would you call it?" said the little woman impatiently.

"Call it ambitious, that is all!" I replied.

She gave me a look that sent a thrill through my flesh.

By degrees I got nearer to my charmer, I admired her earrings and found her dress in good taste; I wanted to see her shoes, but she refused.

However, a well-turned compliment on her dimpled cheeks gained me a smile, which made me notice her beautiful teeth. I tried to kiss my way to them but unsuccessfully.

"Ah, what a beautiful little hand, let me kiss it!" and I obtained permission to do so. Her arm was not withdrawn when I covered it with burning kisses. Little by little, the pretty blonde laughed oftener and easier. Her eyes lighted up; very soon I could see her foot and her ankle -afterwards I was allowed to kiss her cheek. Shyly, I tried to put my lips on her mouth but without success. Finally, on trying again, I not only had a kiss but it was returned.

Liberties now fast succeeded to more serious liberties. I unfastened her waist and feverishly pulled at the fine linen which covered the most beautiful breasts that I had ever seen. My lips wandered from one to the other, and when I had taken off the corset, I seized successively between my teeth, the two little nipples, pink as strawberries.