our, and the immensity of what I appeared to suffer splitting
up with. Tired, however, at length, with such athletic drudgery, my
champion began now to give out, and to gladly embrace the refreshment of
some rest. Kissing me then with much affection, and recommending me to
my repose, he presently fell fast asleep, which, as soon as I had well
satisfied myself of, I with much composure of body, so as not to wake
him by any motion, with much ease and safety too, played of Mrs. Cole's
device for perfecting the signs of my virginity. In each of the head
bed-posts, just above where the bedsteads are inserted into them,
there was a small drawer, so artfully adapted to the mouldings of the
timber-work, that it might have escaped even the most curious search:
which drawers were easily opened or shut by the touch of a spring, and
were fitted each with a shallow glass tumbler, full of a prepared fluid
blood, in which lay soaked, for ready use, a sponge, that required no
more than gently reaching the hand to it, taking it out and properly
squeezing between the thighs, when it yelded a great deal more of the
red liquid than would save a girl's honour; after which, replacing
it, and touching the spring, all possibility of discovery, or even of
suspicion, was taken away; and this was not the work of the fourth part
of a minute, and of which ever side one lay, the thing was equally easy
and practicable, by the double care taken to have each bed-post provided
alike. True it is, that had he waked and caught me in the act, it would
at least have covered me with shame and confusion; but them, that he did
not, was, with the precautions I took, a risk of a thousand to one in my
favour.

At ease now, and out of all fear of any doubt or suspicion on his side,
I addressed myself in good earnest to my repose, but could obtain none;
and in about half an hour's time my gentleman waked again, and turning
towards me, I feigned a sound sleep, which he did not long respect; but
girding himself again to renew the onset, he began to kiss and caress
me, when now making as if I just waked, I complained of the disturbance,
and of the cruel pain that this little rest had stole my senses from.
Eager, however, for the pleasure, as well of consummating an entire
triumph over my virginity, he said every thing that could overcome my
resistance, and bribe my patience to the end, which now I was ready to
listen to, from being secure of the bloody proofs I had prep