"You will not be harsh?" asked Catherine after we had risen from a discussion of more mundane matters - as women are wont to - such as clothes, food and wine.
At this Pearl raised her eyebrows."There are times, Catherine, when a girl must be put over. Indeed, it happens to some mature ladies, too. Have we not all known it?"
"Yes, it is true," Catherine acceded and bestowed on each of us a kiss wherein a seeming purity mingled prettily with a fine tang of voluptuousness. I perceived then how fiery she would become when unleashed and had no doubt as to the future happiness of Mr. Maudsley who was plainly setting himself up a cosy little harem.
"Have no doubt, Arabella, that she will become a perfect queen of desire once the merry-go-round is in motion," Pearl said upon our exit, thus echo
