Count Alexis

CHAPTER TWO

"Not far from the Varennes, on the banks of the Aire," she began in a dreamy way, "stands a convent, in a little valley nestling among the mountains.

"The good nuns there spend their lives in prayer and in sewing for the orphans of the village. Their number, when the convent is full, is about forty. The little church, situated in the middle of the village, counts among its flock the inhabitants of the country for ten miles round and includes the convent in question.

"The officiating priest being old and feeble, was assisted by a young Abbe who had arrived only a few days previous to the opening of this story. The young Abbe was of such modest demeanour, that even the oldest bigots of the parish took him for a saint in swaddling clothes.

"The young girls all remarked that he was undeniably handsome and when they went to the confessional, each one went early to be sure to get a chance to confess during the day.

"The old curate was not sorry to be relieved of his arduous work and it was only right that the poor man should have some rest. He now only confessed the nuns at the convent every fortnight, when they sent their old coach for him.

"It was always a treat at the convent when the venerable priest visited them. They dined in the great refectory and he seemed to bring with him an odour of out-of-doors, which always touched the hearts of the novices, who sighed every now and then under its influence.

"One day, however, the old vehicle brought the young Abbe to the convent. The old curate was ill and had sent his excuses to the Lady Superior. The latter received the young man in the parlour on the ground floor and was quite charmed with his modest bearing. They conversed at first about the curate, then about the crops, then the church. They had been repairing the chapel of St. Anthony, etc.

"The Lady Superior finally assembled the nuns in order to present them to their new pastor, and one after another they passed before him and curtsied without raising their eyes to his face. Why should they, since he was only to speak words of peace and comfort to them from behind the wooden grating.

"Three novices were the last to enter. One of them had examined the young Abbe through a crack in the door before coming in, and her cheeks became crimson as she curtsied to him.

"After the presentation the Lady Superior made a little speech and then accompanied the Abbe to the chapel, followed by the whole party of nuns.

"The young priest opened the centre door and closed it carefully after him a moment later. A slight rustling told his auditors that he was slipping on a white surplice that was hanging inside the door, then came the noise of a stool sliding across the floor, and all was silent.

"The nuns were all present except those occupied with the household duties. They had glided into the chapel more like shadows than like human beings. Two of them knelt in the confessional.

"Presently the sound of a deep voice, followed by soft whisperings was heard. The murmur ceased, then commenced again. Then came a long silence. The arms of the sinner moved restlessly as she pronounced mea culpa. The Lady Superior rose with a bowed head, her arms crossed on her breast, moved towards the little chapel of the Holy Virgin.

"All the nuns in turn came and knelt on either side of the confessional.

Finally it was the turn of the youngest novice.

"Trembling with fear and yet impatient to hear the Abbe's voice on the other side of the grating, she knelt down on her little wooden stool. By closing her eyes and stopping her ears she tried to examine her conscience. The image of the Abbe, however, would rise up before her.

She waited until the rattle of the little window warned her that he was ready to listen to her, and the confession began!

"'Your blessing, my father,' etc., etc., until the solemn moment arrived when her most secret thoughts must be unveiled.

"'My child, have you sinned in thought; have you longed for the world and the pleasures thereof?' "She gave no answer.

"Then the Abbe whispered low: 'Have you ever had any bad thoughts?

Did you ever commit any sinful deeds?'

"Still she could not answer.

"'Have you listened to the demon tempting you to sensual actions?

Speak without fear, my child, God is good and will forgive.' "'My father,' stammered the poor little novice, not understanding and yet trying to see the priest who was plying her with these terrible questions.

"She could only distinguish, however, through the grating, two flashing eyes which stirred her very soul with a magnetic influence, which the poor little novice would have been unable to define.

"'Yes, father!' she replied at last, forced to say something.

"'Have you sinned in thoughts and deeds, my child. How many times?' he then inquired, his voice trembling slightly. 'Did you commit these sins alone or have you a companion in sin? Speak, my child, to obtain pardon, you must confess all, as you can only obtain peace after a full confession. Have you given yourself up to Satan by day or by night?

Be careful not to commit sacrilege. I shall be obliged to refuse you absolution the next time if you do. Meanwhile examine your conscience carefully. Pray for help. Then you can approach the communion table. Pray every night with a contrite heart. Go, my child!' "With an unsteady step she left the chapel. That night the young nun, Sister Clemence by name, could not sleep. She tossed restlessly on her narrow bed, and could think of nothing but the words the Abbe had spoken.

"'Sinned in thoughts-yes, often I have longed to leave the convent and enter the beautiful shops in the city. Then there was Mr. Ernest, who used to come to my aunt's house. I have often thought how delightful it would be to ramble through the woods with him alone.

But are these bad thoughts-sensual thoughts?' she said.

"She finally closed her eyes and fell asleep and saw Satan! Yes, it was Satan. All at once, however, he assumed the form of the Abbe.

"He took her hand and placed it between her legs. Oh, what a delicious sensation, how delightful. 'Mr. Satan, Mr. Abbe, please, please go on… don't stop… ah, this is delicious!… oh!… Mr. Abbe!!' "Sister Clemence awoke suddenly, trembling like a leaf, weak and tired. She felt numb between her legs. Placing her hand there, she found it was wet… poor little novice, she could not understand.

"Daylight appeared at last, but Clemence was unable to rest. She threw back the coverings and raised her long white chemise. She wanted to see, but there was nothing but the little stain of blood which surprised her very much at this particular time of month.

"When the great bell gave the signal for rising, Sister Clemence, usually so quick and lively, crept out of bed with difficulty and dressed herself slowly. She was the last to enter the chapel and kneeling down, joined her hands mechanically for the morning prayer.

"In the refectory she was unable to eat. When the Lady Superior arrived she questioned her. She was a sort of physician but she perceived nothing extraordinary in the symptoms of her subordinate and advised a few days of rest.

"During the eight days that Sister Clemence remained in her cell, she did not seem to improve; on the contrary, she grew worse and worse.

She could not sleep and if she happened to fall into a feverish slumber, the same vision pursued her, accompanied by the same temptations. It sometimes happened that even half awake, her hands would seek the mysterious spot, centre of such delightful sensations, and unconsciously her fingers lingered there.

"Finally, entirely awake, the same irresistible power drew her fingers to the same place, but then it required a longer time to reach the point of supreme enjoyment.

"At first the novice's thoughts were not fixed upon any particular object. Then she thought of Mr. Ernest, and lastly of the Abbe What a sacrilege!

"If you had seen this little childish hand buried between those white thighs, smooth and firm as marble, her lovely eyes partly closed and those ripe red lips slightly parted, you would have seen her body motionless at first, become slightly agitated, then the legs move further and further apart, the little finger slip in and out of the rosy mouth, until with a deep sigh, she sank back, powerless to move hand or foot.

"Two weeks had elapsed and the Abbe returned to confess the nuns.

The Lady Superior called on the invalid and asked her if she wished to confess. She even said that the Abbe had kindly offered to come to her cell as she was not able to rise. How to thank the Abbe for such a favour!

"'Certainly, Mother, I should like to confess,' dutifully replied Sister Clemence.

"The Lady Superior left the cell and soon returned with the Abbe who entered with that bearing of humility he habitually assumed. He appeared most concerned at the illness of the novice and insisted that a full confession was the best possible remedy.

"Sister Clemence did not dare look at him, she was so confused. The Lady Superior retired, and the Abbe took a chair by the side of the bed.

"'Have you examined your sinful heart, my child; are you ready to make a full confession?' "'Yes, my father!' "The confession began. The poor little Sister did not know how to reveal what had happened. The fear, however, of not receiving absolution and communion gave her courage. She disclosed everything.

"The Abbe drew closer and closer, until she felt his breath upon her face. Her eyes were closed.

"Suddenly she felt his lips pressing hers in a long kiss. Unconsciously, a timid little kiss from her lips answered his. Then she felt a warm hand upon her body, which gradually seemed to move downward towards that spot where Satan had placed her finger on a certain night.

"The Abbe took another kiss, his hand passed gently over her thighs and slipping under her bottom, forced her to turn over on her side. Now he slapped her gently and pushed his finger into her slit between the two hills of her bottom, and it finally found its way into what appeared to be his desire to reach.

"But his hand set everything on fire on its way. With the other hand he unbuttoned his robe, undid his trousers and pulled out a prick whose erection was fully justified by the beauties his hand had explored and was still exploring.

"With a sudden pull, to throw off the cover, he laid himself down on the edge of the couch, close to her. Then, pressing her in his arms he covered her lips with kisses and taking her hand, placed it upon his god of love, firm and rigid as a rock.

"The contact caused the novice to open her eyes. He called her by the most endearing names: 'My love, open your eyes-kiss me. Open your eyes-receive my tongue-give me yours- so! Do you know what you are holding and squeezing so hard, my dear? It is the tree of life that you have so often heard about and desired so ardently without knowing the reason why. Place it where you put your finger sometimes.

There! Not so quick! Open your legs… one minute… there it is!' and the enormous instrument presented its head to the little pussy as she instinctively drew nearer to the Abbe.

"He pushed gently, then raising her chemise, he uncovered her breasts and sucked them, bit them, then returned to her lips and with a shove he pushed his prick into its rightful place as he smothered a scream from the poor little novice. Now they are enlaced in the closest embrace and when his pizzle seemed to come out, she clung to him; when she seemed to recede, he boldly followed her up.

"He came out and went in; the action became accelerated; in her amorous transports she crossed her beautiful legs over his back and wriggled about like a dear little eel.

"'Go on, darling!'

"'Not so quick!'

"'Do you feel as if you were coming?'

"'Yes-it is coming!'

"'Quick!-your mouth-your tongue!' "'Father-oh, how delightful it is. I am coming-heavens, how big it is once more.' "'There!' said the Abbe, panting, as he gave a last shove. His engine disappeared in the tiny opening.

"ister Clemence held him in a close embrace and covered his face with grateful kisses for the good he had done her.

"From this day on, the Abbe, who had found means of corresponding with the attractive novice, succeeded in introducing himself into the convent many times and Sister Clemence often found herself amorously wriggling under the vigorous pizzle of the priest.

"She received a thorough education in the Art of Love and soon recovered her health. However, this state of affairs could not last much longer. The Abbe was no more to be made a priest and reside forever in the quiet little village than was Sister Clemence to remain in a convent.

"The old aunt who had brought her up had been an invalid for years and finally died, leaving her a handsome fortune. From that time, the whole convent busied itself in trying to persuade her to take her final vows and give up her fortune to the community.

"The Prior even condescended to come in order to preach to her and the poor little novice was about to accede to their wishes, when the Abbe proposed that they should elope.

"One night he came to the secret door of the convent, carrying under his arm a bundle containing a complete suit of boy's clothing, together with a long cloak. Sister Clemence quickly put them on and together they slipped out of the place unseen.

"The novice looked fairly bewitching in her new costume. She spread her legs however a little too much in walking, and after hurrying along for a couple of miles, the Abbe proposed making an examination to see what the trouble could be between those beautiful legs of hers.

"He made her lean up against a tree and unbuttoned her trousers for her. To handle the lips of her little secret mousetrap was his only object, as you may imagine. He soon had her so excited that he was obliged to put his mouth down to it and with his tongue play a thousand amorous tricks.

"In her voluptuous transport, she sought with feverish hand the Abbe's fiery monster, which was only too gratified at being set at liberty.

Seizing it, she stroked it vigorously.

"To describe that scene would be impossible. The Abbe's tongue was well educated. Sliding between those rosy lips of her slit, it suddenly came out to circle itself into a multiple of tongues, so rapid were its movements.

"Meanwhile Sister Clemence shook his wand furiously, convulsively, and the movement of her bottom indicated that her delicious moment was coming.

"The Abbe's tongue went slower but pressed harder, and when she gave him a great shove accompanied by a warm rub on his immense cock, a superb jet spouted from the latter, while he received her little amorous dew upon his tongue, the deserved tribute of conscientious labour.

"That very day the Abbe cast his robe to the four winds of heaven and carried little Sister Clemence off to Paris. Once in possession of her fortune, she took pretty lodgings and furnished them nicely. She made up her mind to have a good time between theatre-going and her amorous sports with the Abbe, who had also a comfortable income of his own."

"The story of Sister Clemence is excellent, Mademoiselle," said I, "and I would give much to make her acquaintance as well as that of the Abbe. Unfortunately, it is only fiction!" I added.

"On the contrary, it is a story of real life, M. Dormeuil, the true history of a person to whom I can introduce you, if you like," replied the little woman.

"Truly I would be charmed to know her and shall await an introduction with impatience," I answered.

"You will not have long to wait," was the unexpected reply of the blonde. She then rose and making a timid curtsy, her eyes modestly cast down, her hands joined, she said:

"Allow me to introduce to you Sister Clemence, Monsieur Dormeuil," and she broke into a merry laugh.

I was amazed. "And the Abbe?" I inquired.

"You have heard me speak of Monsieur Lorille? He is the Abbe," she answered quietly.

I had a good laugh over the whole adventure, and then we conversed pleasantly on many subjects until we were interrupted by the arrival of Pauline.

Pauline was certainly a very handsome girl, very tall and graceful, with rich brown hair, large full, frank eyes and tiny hands and feet. She was Pauline for everybody here but Madame L. de Portiera for Parisian Society.

There were only a few privileged persons at the Hotel X- who had seen her face. This house was a particularly exclusive one, and only frequented by the elite.

Indiscretion was unknown there. Amuse yourself as much as you like and as long as you like but never overstep the boundaries of good society. Such was the motto and the rule of this remarkable house.

A Minister, a Senator or a Prince could come here, give his name as Mr.

Toto and if he wished to remain incognito, he never would be anybody else but Mr. Toto while he remained there.

A mask to conceal your features was equally respected. A great many persons wore them, especially the ladies. That is why, as I said before, Madame de Portiera had only been seen by two or three privileged persons.

A few widowers and old bachelors like myself allowed their own names to be used because they had nothing to hide; and they never had cause to regret it.

Pauline (we will use her nom de guerre) wanted to see me to request that I would serve as sponsor to a new guest. I accepted at once and to the usual observations concerning the person, she merely said that he was a Russian.

That was all that I wanted to know. Being near supper time, I took leave of the handsome brunette and strolled over to my restaurant in the Boulevard and afterwards dropped into the Cafe Parisian where I met some old friends, and someone being always ready to play backgammon, we were soon deeply engaged in a game.

It lasted until nine o'clock, when after a few minutes walk on the Boulevard, I returned to the Hotel X. The company was numerous although there was no particular reason for it, and I was soon quite at home with the joyous band. It is true that I often gave the signal for the craziest games and this was perhaps the reason for its popularity.

They were waiting for me. Pauline left a corner of the main parlour and came to meet me, followed by an elegantly dressed man, who at first sight attracted my attention.

A perfect blond, with soft expressive blue eyes, he was my protege for the evening and I introduced him according to the prescribed rules. He was received at once with boisterous acclamations.

The conversation of the Count, as he was called, had a rare charm that evening, and he spoke our language with great elegance.

In a few words I put him au courant with the few things he did not already know, and he gave me an idea to propose to the assembled party which seemed to me so amusing that I at once communicated it to the party. The ladies then surrounded Count Alexis and tendered him their congratulations.

It was some time since we had an entertainment and we were most grateful to the newcomer for the idea, which was as follows:

The next night there would be a ball and supper in full evening dress, and the ladies were to dress in gentlemen's attire. It was absolutely forbidden, however, for any one to wear trousers. A light gauze was the most that was allowed for the ladies' covering of the lower parts of the body. Everyone was to disguise his or her identity in the most ingenious manner possible and a mask was obligatory.

After arranging the details of the new entertainment, we separated and sat talking in groups and couples, the latter to give themselves up to the pleasure of fingering, almost always followed by a voluptuous coit in a little room next to the parlour.