As soon as we were alone, the plastered skeleton thrust its arms forward, and, without giving me time to know what I was about, the creature gave me a horrible kiss, and then one of her hands began to stray with the most bare-faced indecency.
“Let me see, my fine cock,” she said, “if you have a fine . . .”
I was shuddering, and resisted the attempt.
“Well, well! What a baby you are!” said the disgusting Messaline; “are you such a novice?”
“No, madam; but....”
“But what?”
“I have....”
“Oh, the villain!” she exclaimed, loosing her hold; “what was I going to expose myself to!”
I availed myself of the opportunity, snatched my hat, and took to my heels, afraid lest the door-keeper should stop me.
I took a coach and drove to Coraline’s, where I related the adventure. She laughed heartily, and agreed with me that the prince had played me a nasty trick. She praised the presence of mind with which I had invented an impediment, but she did not give me an opportunity of proving to her that I had deceived the duchess.