 thence to my new-discover'd sphere of Venus, I was
melted into a softness that could refuse him nothing. When now he managed his
caresses and endearments so artfully as to insinuate the most soothing
consolations for the past pain and the most pleasing expectations of future
pleasure, but whilst mere modesty kept my eyes from seeing his and rather
declined them, I had a glimpse of that instrument of the mischief which was now,
obviously even to me, who had scarce had snatches of a comparative observation
of it, resuming its capacity to renew it, and grew greatly alarming with its
increase of size, as he bore it no doubt designedly, hard and stiff against one
of my hands carelessly dropt; but then he employ'd such tender prefacing, such
winning progressions, that my returning passion of desire being now so strongly
prompted by the engaging circumstances of the sight and incendiary touch of his
naked glowing beauties, I yielded at length at the force of the present
impressions, and he obtained of my tacit blushing consent all the gratifications
of pleasure left in the power of my poor person to bestow, after he had cropt
its richest flower, during my suspension of life and abilities to guard it.
    Here, according to the rule laid down, I should stop; but I am so much in
motion, that I could not if I would. I shall only add, however, that I got home
without the least discovery, or suspicion of what had happened. I met my young
ravisher several times after, whom I now passionately lov'd and who, tho' not of
age to claim a small but independent fortune, would have married me; but as the
accidents that prevented it, and their consequences which threw me on the
publick, contain matters too moving and serious to introduce at present, I cut
short here.«
    Louisa, the brunette whom I mentioned at first, now took her turn to treat
the company with her history. I have already hinted to you the graces of her
person, than which nothing could be more exquisitely touching; I repeat
touching, as a just distinction from striking, which is ever a less lasting
effect, and more generally belongs to the fair complexions: but leaving that
decision to every one's taste, I proceed to give you Louisa's narrative as
follows:
    »According to practical maxims of life, I ought to boast of my birth, since
I owe it to pure love, without marriage; but this I know, it was scarce possible
to inherit a stronger propensity to that cause of my being than I did
