Each had a lovely swishtail of birch in her right hand; not heavy rods, but just four or five pliant twigs of considerable length, elegantly tied together with blue velvet and magenta ribbons.
Advancing to me, "Come, Miss Eveline," said Lady Emma, "allow us to conduct you to punishment. We have a nice ladder in the next room, and our brother here shall enjoy the sight of your humiliation and disgrace."
"You shan't whip me! I didn't know what I was sent here for. No; indeed I won't, ladies! touch me if you dare!" I exclaimed. "Let me go! I've had enough of such nonsense!"
"Here, Walter, help us," they appealed to their brother. "She shall soon change her tune, the impudent hussey! What a joke to think she didn't expect it!"
Mr. Carton, who had placed himself before the door to prevent my attempted retreat, threw off his coat, and then all three seized and dragged me, in spite of my pretended resistance, as I cried and screamed by turns. Their excitement seemed to give them extraordinary strength, and I was soon fastened up by my hands to the ladder, and my dress, all in tatters from the struggle, was at once pinned up round my waist, then my drawers were opened behind, just as I found one ankle tied by some kind of cord to the bottom of the ladder.
"That's right, Eliza," cried Lady Emma. "Leave the other foot loose. Now the wicked girl shall get her deserts—my arm shall ache before I give over whipping her! What a horribly fast girl she must be to flirt and go on with officers of the Guards! How do you like that, Miss Eveline? and that? and that?" giving my poor bum three terribly sharp cuts.
I bit my lips to restrain any cries.
"Ha, you don't speak. Just let the naughty girl's drawers down to her knees, will you, Eliza dear?"
"Why, she's a man!" almost screamed Lady Eliza, when the drawers were let loose. "Look, sister! look! Don't spare the horrid creature!"
They both blushed deeply, especially when they saw that their brother had prepared a surprise, and was rather enjoying their confusion.