'Oh! I am so frightened!' said I.
'You will spend the night here, however,' cried she; 'and probably your whole life too; for no doubt the ruffian who brought you hither was employed by Lady Gwyn to entrap you.'
When I heard this terrible suggestion, my blood ran cold, and I began crying bitterly.
'Come, my love!' said my mother, 'and let me lull thee to repose on my soft bosom. What is the world to us? Here in each other's society, we will enjoy all that affection, all that virtue can confer. Come, my daughter, and let me clasp thee to my heart once more!'
'Ah,' cried I, 'spare me!'
'What!' exclaimed she, 'do you spurn my proffered embrace?'
'Dear, no, Madam,' answered I. 'But—but you squeeze one so!'
My mother made a huge stride towards me; then stood groaning and rolling her eyes.
'Help!' cried I, half frantic; 'help! help!'
I was stopped by a suppressed titter of infernal laughter, as if from many demons; and on looking towards the black curtain, whence the sound came, I saw it agitated; and about twenty terrific faces appeared peeping through slits in it, and making grins of a most diabolical nature. I hid my face in my hands.