I made up my mind that I would return home the next day, as the city with all its noise and confusion was not agreeable to my taste. The next morning I walked out on Broadway for the purpose of making a few purchases, when who should be the first person I met but Laura Castleton, my old teacher at B… Seminary—and the first who initiated me in the delights of love.
Laura was dressed in the height of fashion and was as beautiful as ever. She recognized me immediately and kissed me affectionately. We immediately adjourned to Taylor's, where we could converse in private. I told her everything that had occurred to me since I had seen her, disguising nothing. Her eyes sparkled and her bottom heaved when I depicted all the love scenes I had gone through.
"And now, dear Laura," said I, when I had finished, "tell me what you are doing now."
"I am the mistress of the head maison de joie in New York."
"What!" I returned, "do you mean to tell me that you keep a house of that kind?"
"I do indeed, and a delightful time I have of it."
"How I should love to know its mysteries."
"That you can easily do—come and spend tonight with us. You shall see everything without being seen yourself. I have twenty-four magnificent girls living with me and every one of them will be gloriously embraced tonight, you may depend upon it. The rooms are so arranged that we can see everything that transpires in them. Say you will come."
"My dear, I should love to—only tell me where it is, and at what hour
I should come."
"I live at No.—Mercer street, and come at seven o'clock."