Anonymous - Emily - Or, the voluptuous delights of a once-innocent young lady

Such is possible-and shall be done. The hearing will be quiet, discreet. I alone shall attend with you. Such matters can arrange themselves by force of influence. You have no need to see your husband ever more. You will be free, my dear, be free. The ring you wear upon your finger may be cast off as an old glove is, and laid aside and never to be worn again'. The brisk, bright table-talk of Lumley, Esmeralda, Mark, had vanished on the wind. The grass beneath our feet assumed a darker shade of green as dusk fell. On we walked. The gate to the paddock swung and jarred. A rough turf came beneath my feet, caused me to stumble. Papa placed his arm around my shoulders while my questions twittered, nervous and excited as they were. The matter would be over in a month, he said. Mama was pleased. Was I not, too? 'Ecstatic, Papa! I cannot believe it yet! I thought I would have to go and live with him again, and that life would be horrid. Oh, how wonderful!' 'I who was the cause of all the grievous happenings, Emily, have now at least resolved my sin'. The ground rose slightly. To one side, a small and darkling clump of trees. Before us stood the stable. Its door yawned. Two crows flew-long complaining- then were gone. 'How happy Jane will be as well, Papa. I must go and tell her. May I not?' I made to turn. His arm still held me firm. The stable loomed before us. Glimmering within, an oil lamp shone. A labourer appeared and made me start. 'I tidied up, sir.

Will you need me more tonight?' 'No, Smithers. I will douse the lamp'. 'Yes, sir. Goodnight, sir-and you, too, Miss Emily. A lovely night it is-a fair old night'. 'Goodnight', I said, and knew a quaver in my voice. The floor within was rough, straw-covered.

Papa closed the doors and barred them and I stood all of a sudden trembling, then felt his hands upon my shoulders and leaned back to him. 'A fair night, Emily, and one to celebrate', he said with gentle quietness in his tone. His hands sleeked to my hips and held me thus. And I said yes, said yes, and closed my eyes. Before me, underneath the hanging lamp that slowly swung, was a huge bale of straw-a piece of sacking cast across its width. Nearby was a trestle, and across it hung a thin, black whip.