 gaz'd at, and addressed me all the time like a lover.
    After the cloth was taken away, and the hour of repose came on, Charles and
I were, without further ceremony, in quality of man and wife, shewn up together
to a very handsome apartment, and, all in course, the bed, they said, the best
in the inn.
    And here, Decency, forgive me! if once more I violate thy laws and keeping
the curtains undrawn, sacrifice thee for the last time to that confidence,
without reserve, with which I engaged to recount to you the most striking
circumstances of my youthful disorders.
    As soon, then, as we were in the room together, left to ourselves, the sight
of the bed starting the remembrance of our first joys, and the thought of my
being instantly to share it with the dear possessor of my virgin heart, mov'd me
so strongly, that it was well I lean'd upon him, or I must have fainted again
under the overpowering sweet alarm. Charles saw into my confusion, and forgot
his own, that was scarce less, to apply himself to the removal of mine.
    But now the true refining passion had regain'd thorough possession of me,
with all its train of symptoms: a sweet sensibility, a tender timidity,
love-sick yearnings temper'd with diffidence and modesty, all held me in a
subjection of soul, incomparably dearer to me than the liberty of heart which I
had been long, too long! the mistress of, in the course of those grosser
gallantries, the consciousness of which now made me sigh with a virtuous
confusion and regret. No real virgin, in view of the nuptial bed, could give
more bashful blushes to unblemish'd innocence than I did to a sense of guilt;
and indeed I lov'd Charles too truly not to feel severely that I did not deserve
him.
    As I kept hesitating and disconcerted under this soft distraction, Charles,
with a fond impatience, took the pains to undress me; and all I can remember
amidst the flutter and discomposure of my senses was some flattering
exclamations of joy and admiration, more specially at the feel of my breasts,
now set at liberty from my stays, and which panting and rising in tumultuous
throbs, swell'd upon his dear touch, and gave it the welcome pleasure of finding
them well form'd, and unfail'd in firmness.
    I was soon laid in bed, and scarce languish'd an instant for the darling
partner of it, before he was
