ly full and fat mounts of Venus. We were
perfectly innocent of guile and quite habituated to let each other look
at all our naked bodies without the slightest hesitation; and when
playing in the garden, if one wanted to relieve the pressure on the
bladder, we all squatted down together, and crossed waters, each trying
who could piddle fastest. Notwithstanding these symptoms of passion
when excited, in a state of calm I might have passed for a boy of ten
or eleven.

My father had left us but moderately provided for, and mamma, wishing
to live comfortably, preferred giving me lessons along with my sisters
at home to sending me to school; but her health beginning to fail, she
inserted an advertisement in the _Times_ for a governess. Out of a
large number of applicants, a young lady, of the name of Evelyn, was
selected. Some ten days afterwards she arrived, and became one of the
family.

We did not see much of her the first evening, but after breakfast the
following morning, mamma accompanied her to what was considered our
school-room, and said, "Now, my dears, I place you under Miss Evelyn's
care; you must obey her in all things; she will teach you your lessons,
as I am unable to do so any longer." Then, turning to our new
governess, "I fear you will find them somewhat spoiled, and unruly; but
there is a horse, and Susan will make you excellent birch rods whenever
you require them. If you spare their bottoms when they deserve
whipping, you will seriously offend me." As mamma said this, I observed
Miss Evelyn's eyes appeared to dilate with a sort of joy, and I felt
certain that, severely as mamma had often whipped us, if we should now
deserve it, Miss Evelyn would administer it much more severely. She
looked amiability itself, and was truly beautiful in face and person,
twenty-two years of age, full and finely formed, and dressed always
with the most studied neatness. She was, in truth, a seductive
creature. She made an instantaneous impression on my senses. There was,
however, somewhat of a sternness of expression, and a dignity of
carriage, which caused at once to fear and respect her. Of course, at
first, all went smoothly enough, and seeing that mamma treated me
precisely as she did my sisters, I came to be regarded as quite a child
by Miss Evelyn. She found that she had to sleep in the same room with
my sisters and myself. I fancied that on the first night Miss Evelyn
did not approve of this arrangement, but graduall