on
and misery, until driven, on that terrible winter's night, to
supplicate for a slight and temporary relief at the door of one whom
she had formerly so much despised, but on whom she was now so
dependent.

"It was a cold evening, and her ladyship and myself were seated before
a comfortable fire. An abundance of wholesome food, and every comfort
which it was in my power to procure for her, had improved her
appearance greatly. Her form had regained much of its natural
roundness, and her countenance had recovered all its original beauty.
She was gazing pensively into the fire; while I regarded _her_ with an
eye of admiration, and a heart full of amorous longings. At length I
broke the silence. 'To-morrow night, madam,' said I, 'the week for
which you stipulated, will have expired.' She sighed deeply, and
murmured, in an almost inaudible tone, 'It is so, indeed.' Noticing
the sigh which accompanied her words, a frown of displeasure gathered
on my brow; but it was almost instantly dispelled, in the delight I
felt at my approaching happiness. 'Yes,' I continued, 'to-morrow night
I shall be the happiest of men; but madam, why delay until to-morrow
night that felicity which may as well be enjoyed to-night? You can
never be more beautiful or more voluptuous than you are at this
moment.' During the utterance of these words, I had drawn my chair
close to hers, and encircled her enchanting waist with my arm; I felt
her heart throbbing wildly beneath my hand, which had invaded the
snowy regions of her swelling charms--and I took it to be the wild
throbbing of passion. We were alone--not a soul was stirring in the
house; propitious moment! How longingly I gazed upon her dewy lips,
which reminded me of the lines in Moore's _Anacreon_--which, I
suppose, is all Latin and Greek to you, comrades:--

"Her lips, so rich in blisses,
Sweet petitioners for kisses!
Pouting nest of bland persuasion,
Ripely suing Love's invasion."

And they did not long sue in vain; for such vigorous salute as I gave
them would have put even Captain St. Clair to the blush. While thus
tasting the honey of the sweetest and most luscious pair of lips in
the three kingdoms, I fancied that I felt her trembling with delight
in my arms; but too soon did I become aware that she was only
shuddering with disgust; for by a vigorous effort she struggled from
my embrace, and, breathle