At this she blushed.
When the supper was done, the three ugly ladies each went apart to undress, while I took away the dishes, and my heroine began to write. I confess that I was almost infatuated enough to think that she was writing to me; however, I had too high an opinion of her to entertain the idea.
As soon as I had taken away the dishes, I stood by the door in the respectful manner becoming the occasion.
“What are you waiting for?” she said.
“For your orders, madam.”
“Thank you, I don’t want anything.”
“Your boots, madam, you will like them removed before you retire.”
“True, but still I don’t like to give you so much trouble.”
“I am here to attend on you, madam.”
So saying, I knelt on one knee before her, and slowly unplaced her boots while she continued writing. I went farther; I unbuckled her garters, delighting in the contemplation and still more in the touch of her delicately-shaped legs, but too soon for me she turned her head, and said,