back--"a
husband's first kiss is like the fundamental axiom that serves as a
basis for a whole volume. Be prudent, Captain. She is there beyond that
wall, the fair young bride, who is awaiting you; her ear on the alert,
her neck outstretched, she is listening to each of your movements. At
every creak of the boards she shivers, dear little soul."

As I said this, I took off my coat and my cravat. "Your line of conduct
lies before you ready traced out," I added; "be impassioned with due
restraint, calm with some warmth, good, kind, tender; but at the same
time let her have a glimpse of the vivacities of an ardent affection and
the attractive aspect of a robust temperament." Suddenly I put my coat
on again. I felt ashamed to enter my wife's room in a dressing-gown and
night attire. Was it not equal to saying to her: "My dear, I am at home;
see how I make myself so"? It was making a show of rights which I
did not yet possess, so I rearranged my dress, and after the thousand
details of a careful toilette I approached the door and gave three
discreet little taps. Oh! I can assure you that I was all in a tremble,
and my heart was beating so violently that I pressed my hand to my chest
to restrain its throbs.

She answered nothing, and after a moment of anguish I decided to knock
again. I felt tempted to say in an earnest voice, "It is I, dear; may I
come in?" But I also felt that it was necessary that this phrase should
be delivered in the most perfect fashion, and I was afraid of marring
its effect; I remained, therefore, with a smile upon my lips as if she
had been able to see me, and I twirled my moustache, which, without
affectation, I had slightly perfumed.

I soon heard a faint cough, which seemed to answer me and to grant me
admission. Women, you see, possess that exquisite tact, that extreme
delicacy, which is wholly lacking to us. Could one say more cleverly, in
a more charming manner, "Come, I await you, my love, my spouse"? Saint
Peter would not have hit upon it. That cough was heaven opening to me.
I turned the handle, the door swept noiselessly over the soft carpet. I
was in my wife's room.

A delightful warmth met me face to face, and I breathed a vague perfume
of violets and orris-root, or something akin, with which the air of the
room was laden. A charming disorder was apparent, the ball dress was
spread upon a lounging-chair, two candles were discreetly burning
beneath rose-colored shades.

I drew near t