The Lustful Turk (1828)

[Asiaticus]

The Lustful Turk (1828)

Can be read here;

[April]

LETTER 1

Emily Barlow to Sylvia Carey
Portsmouth, Crown Hotel

18 June 1814

Dearest Sylvia

We arrived here early this morning after a most melancholy journey.
Time alone can remove the painful impressions which the appearance
of poor Henry created as we parted. Never shall I forget the picture of
despair he exhibited. Do all you can to comfort him, tell him although I
obey my mother's and my uncle's wishes, still my heart in every clime
will be true to him. Poor Eliza did everything in her power on the road
to this place to amuse my wounded feelings, but it was beyond the
extent of her artless sophistry to remove the weight that pressed upon
my heart. Oh, Sylvia! how cruel is the sacrifice exacted in our
obedience to our parents; how happy had I been if this uncle of mine
had never existed! My mother, my friend, my lover-all, all I hold dearsacrificed
to the prospect of possessing this uncle's wealth. Heaven
knows how fondly I dwelt upon the hopes of shortly becoming the
happy wife of your brother, you may guess (but I pray that you may
never feel) the anguish caused by such a separation. But it is decided. I
can now only supplicate heaven for a speedy return.
On our arrival we found the captain of the Indiaman anxiously
expecting us. The wind having been fair for some hours, if we had not
appeared as we did, he would have sailed without us; truly happy
should I have been if he had; and if I had known that a trifling delay on
the road would have prevented our departure, I most certainly would
have created it.
Adieu, my dear Sylvia, a long adieu. The boat waits to convey us on
board at the Momerbank, as the captain calls it Farewell, Sylvia,
comfort poor Henry, when I think of him I feel what it is impossible to
describe.

Your unhappy friend,
EMILY BARLOW

[April]

LETTER 2

Ali, Dey of Algiers, to Muzra, Bey of Tunis

20 September 1814.

Muzra, thy friend greets thee, with thanks for thy late present I allude
to the Grecian maid (for so she was) you sent me with the treasure. The
bearer of this dispatch has (be care of a pair of beautiful stallions
which I lately captured from a tribe of Askulites; they made an inroad
into a part of my territories from the desert, but I came upon them by
surprise, and properly chastised their presumption: not more than a
hundred escaped out of two thousand; indeed I was in no humour to
spare them, they having disturbed me in a scene of pleasure, for which
mere could be no pardon, but more of this hereafter. The Grecian slave,
I rejoice to say again, I found a pure maid; her virginity I sacrificed on
the Beiram feast of our Holy Prophet To cull her sweet flower, I was
obliged to infuse an opiate in her coffee. Again, and again, I thank you
for the present-her beauties are indeed luxurious; in her soft embraces
I find a sure solace from my anxieties of state, but how strange it is,
Muzra, that these slaves, whose destinies depend on our will, rarely
give that fervent return to our pleasure so absolutely necessary to the
full voluptuous energy of enjoyment It is true nature will always exert
its power over the softer sex, and they frequently give way to its
excitement, but the pleasure they experience is merely animal. Thus it
is with Zena (so I have named your present): even in the height of our
ecstasies, a cloud seems to hang on her beauteous countenance, clearly
indicating that it is nature, not love, that creates her transport. This
knowledge considerably diminishes the enjoyment her beauties afford
me, yet still she has become extremely necessary to my pleasures.
Although the novelty of her charms has gone by, the certainty of
having cropped her virgin rose has created a lasting interest in my
bosom, which the dissolving lustre and modest, bashful expression of
her eyes daily increases-indeed her charms frequently entice me from
the arms of another beauty, whom I may say for these last two months I
have continually enjoyed without me least abatement of my ardouron
the contrary, my appetite seems to increase by what I feed on. It is
true when I think of the pensive charms of Zena I devote a few hours to
her arms, but she only acts like the whetstone to the knife, and sends
4
me back to the embraces of my English slave with redoubled vigour
and zest. In my next dispatch I will give you an account of my
becoming possessed of this girl, who has so enchanted thy friend's
desires. May our Prophet have thee in his holy keeping.

ALI

[April]

LETTER 3

Sylvia Carey to Emily Barlow

London, 19 June

Fare thee well, dear Emily, and a safe voyage is the nightly prayer of
your now lonely friend. I received your letter of yesterday, and hope
you will receive this before you sail. Poor Henry has only been once
out of his room since your departure. I will not shock you with an
account of his wretchedness, but be assured nothing will be left
undone to relieve his sufferings, though I tremble for the result; your
mother saw him today, she was much shocked at his dejection; but I
trust time will do much, and that you may yet be happy in the
possession of each other. The providence that separates may again join.
It is useless to despond. Take every opportunity of writing to us, by
every ship you meet on your passage! God bless you.

SYLVIA CAREY

(This letter Emily never received, the ship having sailed before it
arrived at Portsmouth.)

[April]

LETTER 4

Emily Barlow to Sylvia Carey

Algiers, 24 July 1814

Dearest Sylvia-I think I see the expression of surprise you experience
on perceiving my letter dated from this place. Oh, God, Sylvia, to what
a wretched fate has the intended kindness of my uncle devoted your
miserable unfortunate friend. Pity me, Sylvia; pity my wretchedness.
You have no doubt heard of the cruel treatment experienced by
females who are unfortunate enough to fall into the power of these
barbarous Turks, particularly those who have any pretensions to
beauty; but it is utterly impossible for you, Sylvia, to conjecture
anything like my sufferings since we parted. I shudder with agony
when I look back to what I have been forced to undergo. Pity me, my
dear friend. My tears blot out the words nearly as quick as I write them.
Oh God, Sylvia, I have no longer any claim to chastity. Surely never
was poor maid so unfeelingly deprived of her virtue. The very day the
accursed pirate brought me to this place did the Dey, with cruel force,
in spite of my entreaties, deprive me of my virginity. In vain I resisted
with all the strength nature had bestowed on me. It was no use. In vain I
made the harem resound with my cries but no help or assistance came
to succour your poor friend; at length, wearied out by struggling in
defence of my innocence, my strength at last completely failed me,
and my powerful ravisher unrelentingly completed my undoing. Oh,
Sylvia, your poor friend is now the polluted concubine of this most
worthless Turk.
You no doubt are anxious to hear how I came into his power. The story
of my ruin is short. The day after I wrote to you from Portsmouth we
sailed down the English Channel with most delightful weather, but in
losing sight of land I became extremely seasick, so much so that I could
not even crawl upon deck. In this state I continued about three weeks.
One day I heard a most unusual noise upon deck, and when I sent Eliza
to learn the cause of it, a mate told her that the ship was likely to be
attacked by Moorish pirates. You may easily guess our terror at this
information, which turned out to be all too true, for shortly the
discharge of guns with the shouts of the combatants informed us the
7
work of destruction was begun. The firing continued a considerable
time without intermission, and when the discharge of our guns was
discontinued, the uproar, cries and groans on the deck became too
horrid to describe, or to last long. On a sudden everything became
quiet, but a rush we heard coming towards the cabin too surely warned
us of our approaching captivity. In an instant the door was burst open,
and in rushed a crowd of armed Turks covered with blood. Unable
longer to sustain the various emotions with which for the last two hours
I had been agitated, and still suffering from the remains of my sickness,
I fainted in the arms of Eliza. On recovering my senses I found myself in
my berth attended by Eliza, from whom I learned we had been
captured by an Algerine corsair, who had ordered every attention to
be paid me, and she believed the corsair was making for the Straits of
Gibraltar.
In short, about a week after passing Gibraltar, the firing of a salute
announced we were under the walls of Algiers; during the passage to
this place I was not troubled with any visit from the captain, but
immediately the vessel was safely anchored, he came to the cabin, and
ordered us in good English to get ourselves ready to go ashore in the
course of half an hour. Hearing him speak English so well, I took this
opportunity of enquiring what his intentions were respecting us, but
was struck speechless by his answering that his intention was to make
a present of us to the Dey! He added he thought I was particularly
wormy of that honour. So profound was my horror at this information,
that I in vain essayed for several minutes to speak, and had I not found
relief in a flood of tears, most certainly my emotions would have been
fatal to me. The brute of a captain observed my tears and coolly
remarked, ‘Oh! oh! waterworks! Ah! ah!' he continued, laughing aloud,
‘if you should happen to be a maid, the Dey will make you cry in
another way I guess.' He then returned to the deck. I have since learned
that this barbarian is an English renegade.
Poor Eliza appeared as much overcome as myself, for in point of
personal attractions few girls could be more well endowed. A strong
presentiment of my approaching fate had taken forcible possession of
8
my mind. All Eliza could do or say, brought no relief to my
apprehensions. The expiration of this time again brought the captain
to the cabin, who, covering us with thick veils, conducted us both on
deck. In a few minutes we entered the Watergate of the Dey's harem.
It was about half-past six o'clock in the evening of the 12th of this
month that I entered this palace, so fatal to my modesty. I had scarcely
been in it half an hour ere my virtue received so severe an insult that
the complete loss of chastity only could exceed what I suffered. In less
than five hours the cruel Dey had thoroughly deprived me of every
claim to virginity. But you shall know all, just as it happened.
Directly we were in the harem we were rather dragged than led into a
most sumptuous chamber, at the far end of which sat the Dey,
apparently about forty-five years of age, smoking a peculiar kind of
pipe. The captain immediately prostrated himself, and spoke to him in
the Turkish language, pointing at the same time to me and Eliza. The
Dey surveyed us for a few moments without rising. He then said
something to the captain, who rose from his prostrate position, took
Eliza by the hand, and led her out of the room. I was about to follow, but
was ordered by the captain to remain. Trembling with terror I was
forced to obey.
No sooner were the captain and Eliza withdrawn than the Dey rose
from the couch, walked leisurely towards me, and laid hold of my
hand, which trembled in his grasp. After considering a few moments,
he chucked me under the chin and said in good English that Mahomet
had been kind in blessing him with so fair a slave as myself. I was not
much surprised to hear the Dey speak English, the captain having
spoken it so well, but the terror his address gave me cannot be
described, and indeed good reason I had for my apprehensions.
Directly he had spoken, he began leading me towards the couch, but I
instantaneously drew back, on which without further ceremony he
caught me around the waist and in spite of the resistance I made,
forced me to it; then, seating himself, he drew me to him and forced me
to seat myself upon his knees. If it had been in my power to resist, the
9
excess of my confusion alone would have prevented my throwing any
effectual obstacle in the way of his proceedings. Directly he had got
me thus he threw one of his arms round my neck, and drew my lips to
his, closing my mouth with his audacious kisses. Whilst his lips were as
it were glued to mine, he forced his tongue into my mouth in a manner
which created a sensation it is quite impossible to describe. It was the
first liberty of the kind I ever sustained.
You may guess the shock it at first gave me, but you will scarcely
credit it when I own that my indignation was not of long continuance.
Nature, too powerful nature, had become aroused and assisted his
lascivious proceedings, conveying his kisses, brutal as they were, to the
inmost recesses of my heart On a sudden, new and wild sensations
blended with my shame and rage, which exerted themselves but
faintly, in fact, Sylvia, in a few short moments his kisses and his tongue
threw my senses into a complete tumult and an unknown fire rushed
through every part of me, hurried on-by a strange pleasure. All my
loud cries dwindled into gentle sighs, and in spite of my inward rage
and grief, I could not resist; wanting strength for self-defence, I could
only bewail my situation. I told you he had me on his knees, with one of
his arms round my neck. Finding how little I resisted, and having me
thus with our lips closely joined, his other hand he suddenly thrust
under my petticoats. Incensed by this vital insult, I strove to break from
his arms, but it was of no use. He held me firm, my cries and reproaches
he heeded not! If by my struggles I contrived to free my lips, they were
quickly regained again; thus with his hand and his lips he kept me in
the greatest disorder, whilst in proportion as it increased I felt my fury
and strength diminish. At last a dizzy sensation seized on every sense. I
felt his hand rapidly divide my thighs, and quickly one of his fingers
penetrated that place which, God knows, no male hand had ever
before touched. If anything was wanting to complete my confusion, it
was the thrilling sensation I felt, caused by the touches of his finger.
What a dreadful moment was this for my virtue! with all the highest
notions of the charms of that dear innocence which I was doomed to be
so soon deprived of, dreading even in my soul's disorder nothing so
much as losing it, how strange then it was that pleasure should not be
10
overcome by such fears. Why did they not instantly snatch me from
the pleasure? I wished some help would come to save me from the
danger, but I no sooner formed the wish than a kiss and his finger
created a contrary emotion, and each following kiss grew more and
more pleasing, till at last I almost wished nothing might oppose my
absolute defeat In blushing at what I felt, I blush to write, I longed to
feel more. Without an idea what that which I panted for could be, I
eagerly awaited the instruction, until the impetuous ardour began to
be too powerful for the senses.
Finding that I made no attempt to withdraw my lips from his thrilling
pressure, his arm which was around my neck he removed to my waist,
thus drawing me more strongly to his bosom; his right arm became
closely confined between his body and mine, my hand being placed
and held firmly between his thighs. Whilst in this position, I felt
something beneath his clothes gradually enlarging and moving
against my hand; from the length I felt it against my arm, I judged it to
be very long and thick also. If I had wished to remove my hand from its
position I could not; and so wonderful was the fascination I felt from the
mere touch of this unknown object, I think I could not have removed
my hand had it been perfectly at liberty. Without knowing what it
was, every throb created in me a tremor unaccountable. I little
dreamed the dreadful anguish I was doomed to experience by that
which my hand was warming and raising to life.
By this time the Dey had satisfied himself of my being a virgin. Sunk
though I was in sensual lethargy, I had not been able to silence an
unfortunate monitor within my breast who, though hitherto
unsuccessful, was yet reproaching me for my weakness. The Dey, fully
perceiving the impression he had made, resolved to take immediate
advantage of it. But how shall I describe what I still blush to think of,
but it must be done. He withdrew his hand from between my thighs,
forced me on my back on the couch, and in an instant turned up my
clothes above my navel. Thus all my secret charms became exposed to
his view. Exhausted as I was and lost in desire, I could make no further
resistance. His hands quickly divided my thighs and he got between
11
them. During my struggles my neckerchief had become loose and
disordered. He now entirely removed it, leaving my neck and breast
quite bare.
Although I could scarcely keep my eyes open from the tumult of my
senses, still I could not help observing as he was on his knees between
my thighs that he was divesting himself of his lower garments. For the
first time in my life I caught a view of that terrible instrument, that
fatal foe to virginity. With unutterable sensations I felt his naked
glowing body join mine, again my lips were glued to his, softening me
to ruin with his inflamed suctions. In a delirium little short of pleasure,
panting with desire, I waited my coming fate. (I really think if at this
moment he had completed my seduction, I should not have regretted
my loss of virtue; but no, it was decreed that on being deprived of my
innocence I should be entirely free of all those soft desires he had so
powerfully excited, and that I should suffer during my defloration
every anguish a maid can feel, personal as well as mental. But to my
unfortunate tale.) The Dey had properly fixed himself to do that which
I ought but certainly at that moment did not dread. No, even as his
daring hand fixed the head of his terrible instrument where his
lascivious fingers had so potently assisted in reducing me to my then
passive state, I own I felt it even with pleasure stiffly distending my
until that moment untouched modesty. But on the very instant when I
had willingly resigned everything to what I then considered my fixed
destiny, his eyes, whose lustre and expression I could scarcely sustain
of, on a sudden were filled with languor. He seemed as it were abashed,
and kissing me with less violence, he grew by degrees even weaker
than myself. Suddenly I felt my thighs overflowed by something warm
that spurted in torrents from his instrument. At last he sank in my arms
in a kind of trance.
The Day's weakness continuing, my confusion began to dissipate so
much that by making an effort I found no difficulty in disengaging
myself from his arms. I got off the couch. As I grew composed and
capable of recollection, the more I became sensible of my shame,
together with the dreadful shock my modesty had experienced. A
12
melancholy seized me. I shuddered at what I was likely to encounter
judging by what I had already experienced. However, I returned
thanks to heaven for my present escape. By this time I had adjusted my
dress and the Dey had done the same thing and, coming up to me, he
again placed his arm around my waist Hardly recovered from my first
confusion, I trembled for fear the same scene was again commencing,
but fortunately I was deceived. He only kissed my cheek in a manner
which had nothing displeasing in it, and said, as well as I can recollect,
‘Lovely Christian, it is not the pleasure of our Holy prophet that I
should at present be indulged in the enjoyment of your beauties, but
when I return from a journey I am about to make, I shall no doubt be
able to do justice to your charms. Until my return I shall order
everything for your pleasure and amusement. But come,' he continued,
‘I will conduct you to the apartment I intend you shall occupy.'
I now summoned up courage to address him, although I could scarcely
look in his face. I told him my exact situation, of my affection for Henry,
that no doubt my uncle would pay a very high ransom if I was released
without any further attempts against my virtue. This I threw out to
tempt his cupidity, supposing, as I always understood the Algerines to
be a most rapacious set of men, the hopes of gaining a large sum would
induce him to spare me. He listened very patiently to all I advanced.
Encouraged by his attention, I proceeded to add entreaties and
supplications supported by tears, but on a sudden he drew me to his
bosom and kissed away my tears, replying in these decisive words-'It
cannot be; it is in vain you plead; your fate is fixed. I would not part
with you for all the treasure of the combined world, let alone what one
individual could produce. Do not indulge yourself, lovely one, with
any vain hopes of ransom, for if the Commander of the Faithful was to
order it, I would not part with you. The delicious odour of your virgin
flower is reserved for my enjoyment In a few days I shall return, and
then, lovely houri, you must resign yourself without reluctance or
coyness to my fierce desires, and in return I will teach you such sweet
pleasure that you will soon cease to regret having been thrown in my
power. How could you for a moment imagine I should be foolish
enough to resign beauties such as yours to the arms of a rival, too? to let
13
a favoured Christian pluck your maiden rose. No, sweet virgin, the soft
pleasure is surely reserved for me,' and he drew my lips to his; ‘it is I that
am doomed to cull the flower. To me belongs the delightful task of
transforming you into a finished woman, and cropping that delicate
treasure, so much sought after, but so seldom found.' My heart entirely
failed me at the decided refusal, and he led me trembling to the
apartments I was to occupy. They consisted of a suite of three rooms,
situated at the end of a long gallery. As we entered he explained to me
the use of each room.
The first was me general apartment for eating or receiving company
in, the second for dressing, whilst the third and innermost one was the
bedroom; this last could be approached only through the other two
rooms-at least so it appeared to me. In the bedroom were three large
windows. On examination I found them to look out to the sea, which
was beating the walls underneath at a great depth. There was no
possibility of any approach or escape on that side. Whilst I was gazing
at the shipping in the harbour, the Dey seized my hand and gently
drew me towards the bed, which was in one of the corners of the room,
made of large velvet cushions in the most magnificent style, after the
Eastern fashion. The two sides of the wall which formed the angle in
which the bed was placed were entirely covered with looking-glass, as
was the ceiling above. A sudden trembling seized me on viewing the
fatal bed, which the Dey observing, he took me in his arms and kissing
me said, ‘On my return I shall soon release you from all these
tremblings and fear. He kept his word, but it was much sooner than I
expected or than he promised. After he had pointed out all the
conveniences of the room, together with their several uses, he gave me
a key, informing me it was the key of my sleeping apartment. He then
took me in his arms, covering my lips and neck with kisses, and bid me
to expect his return in a week, by which time, he said, he had no doubt
of my entire submission to his desires. The way these intimations were
given was so peculiar and new to me, combining so much of me
authority of a master, that it was entirely out of my power to make any
reply, and he left me. The first thing I did when he was gone was to
inspect me door of the bedroom. To my great joy I found the lock was
14
on the inside and me key being in my possession I felt comparatively
safe.
I next examined the room most attentively, and after a strict searching
felt convinced mere was no other entrance but the door, it being
entirely impossible for anyone to approach by the windows. I was
much relieved in mind after this inspection.
Just as I had finished my examination, in came four female slaves
whom the Dey had appointed to attend me. One of them spoke
English. I enquired of her if I could have Eliza, but was informed me
Dey considered her too handsome to be an attendant. At present she
was considered one of his mistresses, and would remain so if she was
found worthy of that honour by being still a maid. This information
caused me to sigh for poor Eliza. The slaves now brought all kinds of
refreshments, of which I stood much in need.
After dinner I retired to the bedroom, and seated myself on a couch in
one of the recesses of the windows; the prospect was beautiful; the sun
had just sunk on me western horizon behind the white terraces of the
city but still there was sufficient light to discern everything going on in
the harbour, and on me mole-indeed me scene was delightful; for a few
moments my unfortunate state was forgotten. I was disturbed by the
slave who spoke English bringing in a parcel of English books, with a
silver bell to ring should I want anything. Whilst she was in me room a
discharge of guns took place from the castle and batteries, and she
informed me that whenever the Dey left or returned to me city he was
always saluted in that way. She further added he was not expected to
return for a fortnight. Feeling assured I should not be troubled by me
Dey for some time, and finding myself much overcome from what I had
undergone, I rang for lights, determined to retire to bed. Directly they
understood my intentions, the slaves came round me for the purpose of
undressing me, but I commanded them to retire, which they did, after
placing everything for my service. I then locked the door, determined
on again searching the room; still finding nothing to create any fear, I
proceeded to undress myself, but at the very moment I had taken off
15
my chemise, preparatory to putting on night linen, you may guess my
terror on hearing a noise by the side of the bed. Ere I could have turned
my head I found myself in the arms of the Dey, who was as naked as
myself. Oh, God! you cannot imagine my terror and despair at this
moment. You see how I was lulled into security that I might become an
easy victim. I felt assured the Dey had left Algiers-the firing of the
guns, the slave's account, was all trumped up to lull me to my ruin, all
invented to throw me off my guard; in short, he allowed me no time for
reflection. Defenceless and naked in his arms, I was carried to the bed
and thrown down on it My shrieks must have been heard through the
palace but no help was nigh to prevent my ruin. What could a feeble
maid like myself effect against so powerful an antagonist? nothing-for
in less time than it takes to write it, he forcibly extended my thighs and
placed himself between them. Oh, God! even now, when it is all over,
and recompensed as I have most certainly been for my sufferings, I
tremble at the bare recollection of the dreadful anguish I suffered
when he reduced my chastity to a bleeding ruin. I soon found it was
useless to struggle or resist, I was a mere child in his arms; as to strength,
he moved and placed me just as was convenient to his pleasure. I
quickly felt his finger again introducing the head of that terrible
engine I had before felt, and which now felt like a pillar of ivory
entering me.
Directly he had secured its head within me, he withdrew his hand,
placed his arm round my neck, and drew my lips to his. At this moment
I was nearly insensible to everything he did, so much were my feelings
overcome by fear and shame. But I was not doomed to remain long in
this state, for I quickly felt him forcing his way into me, with a fury that
caused me to scream with anguish. My petitions, supplications and
tears were of no use. I was on the altar, and, butcher-like, he was
determined to complete the sacrifice; indeed, my cries seemed only to
excite him to the finishing of my ruin, and sucking my lips and breasts
with fury, he unrelentingly rooted up all obstacles my virginity
offered, tearing and cutting me to pieces, until the complete junction of
our bodies announced that the whole of his terrible shaft was buried
16
within me. I could bear the dreadful torment no longer: uttering a
piercing cry I sank insensible in the arms of my cruel ravisher.
How long I continued in this happy state of insensibility, I know not,
but I was brought back to life feeling the same thrilling agony which
caused my fainting. Still grasped in his arms, I felt him moving up and
down upon me with a force and energy that made me feel every
motion of the instrument which I was impaled upon like the cutting of
a knife. Every thrust he made was followed by some ejaculation, such
as, ‘Delirious creature, how tight she is! Holy Mahomet, I thank you. Oh!
Ah', who would be without it There sweet infidel,' as he drove himself
up to the hilt in me, with many other words in the Turkish language
which I did not understand, until the fury of his thrusts became so
cruelly savage that I a second time fainted.
Stretched beyond bearing, as I may say I was, by the instrument of my
martyrdom before my second fainting, I now in spite of my suffering
could not help being considerably surprised at the very great
alteration I experienced, although I most sensibly felt it, but still it had
lost most of that fierce stiffness with which it first tore me to pieces.
Whilst my mind was thus occupied with reflections on this novel
change, my astonishment was augmented by feeling it as it were, by
degrees, assuming all its former strength and erection within me, while
the Dey was amusing himself with sucking my lips, me nipples of my
breasts, and arranging my hair over my shoulders and bosom, in
various ways to please his fancy, also moving my face into different
positions, as he said, to see which way it appeared the most lovelyuntil
the return of the same cruel distention of the parts painfully
informed me his instrument had recovered its fierce condition.
The Dey now withdrew it all but the head, which he left between the
lips of the sheath, which it had so lately formed for itself, and having
with his hand satisfied himself as to its strength for performing the
third assault, he withdrew his hand and keeping me firmly to his
bosom, at one tremendous thrust drove it up into me, distending the
tender, wounded and torn parts, until the mutual mixture of our hair
17
stopped his further progress. He now lay for some time quiet in my
arms, to all appearance from his various exclamations swimming in a
sea of pleasure, sucking my breast and neck, until they became quite
sore; all the time I lay gasping and stretched beyond bearing. Soon
again I felt me commencement of his dreadful thrusts-at first, to be
sure, they were not quite so fierce; but as his feelings were excited by
enjoyment, so did the fury of his movements increase. I could not
restrain my cries, and just at the moment his lunges were creating an
anguish intolerable, a loud knocking at his door caused the Dey to
jump from my arms. So dreadful was the anguish from the sudden way
in which the cause of my suffering was withdrawn from me, that I again
fainted. When I recovered, I found myself tying in the arms of the Dey,
who was anxiously watching over me. He then informed me that the
disturbance which had forced him so precipitately to leave my
embraces was occasioned by one of his eunuchs coming to inform him
of a sudden invasion of part of his territories by some Arabs which
rendered it necessary he should immediately proceed to join his
troops; but he swore by his Prophet severely to chastise them for
disturbing him in a scene of pleasure so truly delicious-so he termed
my ruin and shame. After kissing me over and over again, and
bestowing various other caresses, he arose and retired through a
sliding panel by the bedside, leaving me in the theatre of my undoing
overpowered with anguish, more dead than alive. My sufferings,
weakness and agitation soon threw me into slumber, in which my ruin
and misery were for a time forgotten. Dreadful, indeed, were my
sufferings in being deflowered. Never was poor maid so
unceremoniously debauched, nor is it possible for anyone to suffer
more cruel anguish than I did, in receiving my first lesson from this
powerful Turk.
I did not awake from the refreshing sleep I so soundly fell into until
late next morning. Upon attempting to rise, I found I was unable, from
the dreadful stiffness of the parts that had been so terribly and
unmercifully stretched. Unable to rise, I was obliged to remain in the
scene of my undoing until the slaves came to awake me. With their
assistance I got out of bed. Had you seen the sheets, you would indeed
18
have pitied your poor friend. I found by the care, tenderness and
respect with which I was treated that the Bey's orders respecting me
must have been very particular.
I learned that he was not expected to return for some time. This news,
being unexpected on my part^ acted as reprieve would upon a
condemned criminal. It, of course, contributed considerably to soothe
my wounded feelings; but at the end of a week, just as the flurry of my
spirits had in some measure subsided to a degree of composure, I was
again thrown into a state of alarm on being informed of his return, as
well as his intention to pass that very night with me. I had just retired
to bed when the communication was made to me, and his orders were
scarcely delivered ere he was in my chamber. The news of his arrival
had thrown me into a kind of stupor, from which I did not recover until
his fierce kisses brought me to a sense of collection, when I found my
second martyrdom was about to commence. You may be assured, from
what I have already described of him, that I had nothing to expect
from supplication or entreaties; still I did not fail to use them,
supported by torrents of tears. These he paid no regard to, but took me
in his arms, drawing me to his bosom and calling me foolish and silly to
make such opposition to his pleasures. ‘Reason a little,' said he, drawing
my lips to his, ‘consider the indispensable necessity that all loving
creatures like yourself are under to lose the sweet flower I so lately
gathered from you, which seems to have been so dear to you; consider
the great end that nature has created you for, give over these
unavailing tears, which only delay your tasting of the sweetest joys.
Then you talk about your virtue-pray, can you tell me in what it
consists?' cried he, sucking my lips. I could only answer with tears. ‘Do
you think,' said he, ‘if I enjoy you against your will, you are a bit the less
virtuous? Or is it possible,' he continued, ‘that you are so simple as to
believe that virtue depends upon any part of your beautiful body
being a little larger or a little less. Of what consideration can it be to
Ali whether this part is opened or unopened by man?' and to make me
understand the part he meant, he forced his hand between my thighs,
where his fiery touches left me in no doubt as to the part he alluded to.
He then was proceeding to place me in a situation convenient to
19
satisfy his desires, but because I resisted his attempts, he flew upon me
like a tiger, forcibly turned me on my back and divided my thighs;
indeed, I found resistance of no avail.
The few days he had been absent seemed to have augmented his
desires into a kind of frenzy. I cannot give you anything like a
description of my sufferings as he now again forced his dreadful engine
into me. The pain I felt was as cruel as when he first deflowered me. The
chamber resounded with my shrieks. But he heeded them not; on the
contrary, he increased the fury of his thrusts. Three times in the course
of a quarter of an hour did I faint in his arms from the dreadful anguish.
On recovering I found, during my last insensibility, he had got off me. I
cannot tell whether my tears and cries had made any impression on
him, or what induced him to get out of bed; but he went to a closet in
the room, where I plainly saw him anointing his instrument out of the
contents of a small jar. After cleansing his hands, he returned to bed. It
was not long ere he again got between my thighs. I lay trembling,
expecting the cruel torment; but guess my astonishment when instead
of experiencing the thrilling pain which had before always
accompanied his penetration I felt him drive it into me up to the very
hilt comparatively with no more pain than made me cry out two or
three ‘Ohs'; but I still felt an extreme tightness accompanied with
heated stretching. When I had received him up to the very quick, he
tenderly kissed me, and asked if he hurt as much as before. I could not
answer such a question, but I believe my blushes must have satisfied
him on the point. Indeed, so great was the difference I now felt that I
sustained this assault with very little suffering, until nature, unable
longer to bear the tumult of pleasure with which the Dey seemed
agitated, assisted him, and I for the first time felt with indescribable
emotion something warm flowing from him in rapid streams, which
deliciously cooled the parts he had so potently warmed. As I felt the
last drop ejected from him, he sank on my bosom, without the least sign
of animation, stretching himself out to his utmost length, which was the
means of drawing his instrument from within me. It hung between my
20
thighs quite bereft of all its power and erection, apparently as lifeless
as its owner.
The reason of my escape from his first attack, the night I was brought
to the harem, was now sufficiently explained to me. It was not long ere
he recovered from his trance. I now perceived a wonderful attention in
his behaviour. All his commanding and imperious looks had given way
to respectful impassioned regards, although he still did just what he
pleased; but there was some change in his manner of acting that I
could not in any way account for. Remarkable as I found his attention,
it was exceeded by what I soon experienced. Spite of my love for poor
Henry, or the repugnance I naturally felt against the Dey as the
violator of my chastity-spite of my sufferings in his furious embraces
the difference of our religion and ages-can you credit what I felt, even
at this early time of my undoing? I blush to write and confess it, but I
am obliged to own I felt a voluptuous softness in his kisses, which acted
as a balm, soothing me for the pains I had suffered. It is true my lips did
not as yet return his pressures, but they submissively received them,
inhaling every moment a dissolving poison, which quickly spread
through my veins.
By this time I was aware, from the excessive hardness of his instrument,
which was now lying on my belly, that it had recovered its wanton life
and vigour, and presently the movement of his right hand gave notice I
was again about to receive it But how shall I describe my emotion
when, for the first time, I felt it enter me without the smallest particle of
pain, with no more difficulty than the mere widening, as he penetrated
and stretched each soft furrow, until the whole was completely
sheathed and we reached the most complete union without my
uttering anything more than a few tremulous sighs-which I could not
prevent escaping me in view of the unutterable rapture which the
fierce suction created, a sensation which, from being entirely new, was
so deliriously indefinable. Do not think me a wanton for thus stating
what I experienced. Believe me, I had not the power to resist the soft
pleasure he now caused me to taste by the sweet to-and-fro friction of
his voluptuous engine.
21
You, Sylvia, who are yet, I believe, an inexperienced maid, can have
no conception of the seductive powers of this wonderful instrument of
nature-this terror of virgins, but delight of women. Indeed there can be
no description given of the pure delight, I may even say agony of
enjoyment, excited by the excessive friction which the rapidity of its
thrusts caused. I was soon taught that it was the uncontrolled master
key of my feelings. My trembling it quickly banished; my confusion
became breathless astonishment, which with the rapidity of lightning
changed to a respect for my enjoyer so submissive in its nature that I
already looked upon him as the disposer of my future destiny, and my
soul became completely and securely resigned to him as he enjoyed
my soft body and instructed me in the softest pleasure nature can
participate in. My heart, my soul, my very being was melted by his
thrilling thrusts, until at last my recollection failed me. I lost sight, and
then again sank insensible in his arms, but from a very different cause
from my other faintness.
I recovered from this lethargy of pleasure only to be again thrown into
the same dissolving state, for the Dey, charmed with my entire
submission, seemed determined that nothing should be wanting on his
part to make my bliss complete. Being entirely relieved of pain, I swam
in the sea of thrilling delight and enjoyment only known to the young
maids just released from the pangs of expiring virginity. With these all
my pains and fears vanished, together with the remains of my virgin
bashfulness, the only thing that could throw any obstacle in the way of
this luxurious novelty which so ravishingly filled my soul with ecstasy
and astonishment. Although I yet had scarcely summed up courage to
look my enjoyer in the face, the warmth of my caresses and tenderness
of my kisses, the voluptuous agitation of my whole body, all
sufficiently satisfied him how firmly the pleasure had fixed its
seductive influence on my senses; and in the midst of our enjoyment, at
the very moment he had worked my feelings into a state of delirium
indescribable, he suddenly stopped his ravishing, luxurious
movements, and kissing me with a softness that rushed thrilling to my
heart, said, ‘Lovely houri, will you pardon me for the little respect I
paid you in teaching you the mysteries of love?' Nearly fainting with
22
the joy I possessed, I languishingly, for the first time, ventured to lift my
eyes full in the face of my seducer but, unable to bear the brilliant
lustre of his eyes, I hid my blushes in his bosom, where he felt his
pardon sealed by a burning kiss. This unequivocal and tender
acknowledgement of his power over me rekindled all his nearly
satisfied desires, and, drawing my lips to his with a gust of passion time
can never obliterate the remembrance of, he made me feel him in a
manner so exquisitely touching, by such lovely and timely degrees,
that I blessed the happy chance that had thrown me into his powerful
arms.
In this manner was a great part of the night spent, until exhausted
nature requiring a truce to our conflicts, we unconsciously fell asleep
in each other's arms. In the morning I awoke first; the Dey was tying on
his back, with one of his arms under his head, the other by his side.
There was not the slightest particle of bedclothes on either of us. In my
sleep the pillow had got from under my head; on raising myself to
replace it, I caught a glimpse of that terrible machine which had so
furiously agitated me with pain and pleasure. I assure you, Sylvia, I
could not look at it without considerable remains of terror, but my
alarm was strongly mixed up with feelings of tenderness and respect I
thought my eyes would now be satisfied with inspecting it, but was
much disappointed with its present appearance. It hung over his thigh
shrunk up into a small size, seemingly perfectly incapable of exciting
the various sensations I had so potently felt However, reduced as it was
in appearance, it had the same power of fascination over me which is
attributed to the serpent's eye over the bird. I could not withdraw mine
from it, and so intense was my survey that I did not observe the Dey
had awoke, and was enjoying my abstraction of mind.
His laughing at me broke the spell which the sight I was engaged in
had worked round my senses. To be caught in this occupation, you may
be sure, threw me into infinite confusion; every part of me was covered
with blushes, which I strived to hide in the bedclothes; but he took me
in his arms, still laughing, covering me with kisses, and told me I had
seen everything at a great disadvantage, but I should presently be
23
gratified by a view which would please me. This kind of discourse,
instead of diminishing, added to my confusion. But, to crown all, he
seized my right hand, and, with gentle compulsion, forced into it what
may be termed nature's grand masterpiece. I faintly struggled as I
received it, but he was determined I should observe the effect of my
hand on his sensible part At first it was as soft as a piece of sponge, but
immediately it felt the warmth of my pressure, it began to throb, then
to expand, and in a few moments that which at first I held with ease
became a column of ivory, which I declare I could not even grasp. As
he drew my hand up and down, it every moment seemed to increase in
strength and length, until it attained so magnificent an erection that I
could scarcely credit my sight Is it possible, said I to myself, that so
tremendous a pillar could have been buried within me? My other
hand, governed by my thoughts, strayed between my thighs to
examine the possibility of my entertaining such a guest.
This movement of my hand in an instant discovered my thoughts to the
Dey, ‘What,' said he, drawing me to his bosom, ‘do you doubt the
possibility? Come, come, I shall soon remove your doubts; besides it is
just you should reap the crop your hand has raised. Saying miss, he
softly turned me on my bade, and got between my thighs, which I now
willingly extended to receive him. Seeing my hair was in considerable
confusion from our overnight's conflict, he leisurely placed it in order,
laying the curls on my neck and breasts in the manner he thought most
tempting. Having finished this employment, with his light hand he
seized my left and, forcing it between his thighs, told me to pilot the
vessel, as: he called it, safe into port You may guess how completely he
had subdued and mastered my feelings when I tell you, Sylvia, that I
instantly obeyed his directions. When he felt I had lodged it between
the lips, he withdrew my hand, and I quickly felt the fierce insertion up
to the quick. The narrowness was now no more than what heightened
the pleasure of me Dey in the strict embraces of that tender, warm
sheath round the instrument that had made it fit for that which it was
so luxuriously adapted. After three or four thrusts, which he made, as it
were, to satisfy me as to its being entirely engulfed, he directed me to
place my legs over his back. I instantly did as he requested. As a
24
reward for my compliance, he drew out his shaft, all but the head, then
drove it home into me eight or nine times in rapid succession, until I
was stirred beyond bearing by the furious agitation it caused within
me. I lay gasping, gorged and crammed to suffocation with rapture, till
his short breathings, faltering accents, eyes twinkling with humid fires,
and lunges more furious with increased stiffness gave me full notice of
the approach of the dissolving period. It came-he died away on my
bosom, distilling a flood within me that shot into the innermost recesses
of my body, every conduit of which was upon the flow to meet and
voluptuously to mix with his melting essence. As our mutual juices met
and became one fluid, I sank insensible, drowned in a sea of delight of
which words can convey no description.
Thus passed the second night of my undoing. After he had left me in
the morning, and reason had resumed its empire, I was ‘fully sensible of
my deviation from strict virtue in the return I had made to his pleasure.
This for a time filled my mind with melancholy thoughts, but I
reflected it was the will of Heaven that my virginity should be
reserved for the Dey. It was a thing settled by fate, that he should
possess it, and I soon became entirety resigned, ceasing to reproach
myself about that which I had no control over. The next day I was
introduced to three of his other ladies-one French, one Italian, and one
Greek. They were all lovely. The Grecian is named Zena, and I think I
never beheld anything so lovely. She appeared about seventeen years
of age, fair as a lily, with all the charms and freshness of her age, whilst
the modest languish of her fine dark eyes, combined with a settled
melancholy, gave an interesting appearance to her countenance
which made her look peculiarly attractive. I felt great interest in this
young girl, and will give you an outline of her history, and also that of
the French and Italian ladies. I shall begin with the Italian, who spoke
French equally as well as the Frenchwoman herself, and who related to
me the short history of her coming into the possession of the Dey. I shall
relate just as she repeated it to me. She was a most lovely woman,
gracefully formed, with fine black languishing eyes, capable of
creating the greatest interest; but she appeared of delicate health; her
voice was tender, her mouth was rather large, but her admirably made
25
lips with regular teeth, quite hid the defect; so fine and beautiful a
head of hair I think I never saw; in fact, her person altogether was
sufficient to create desire in the bosom of age itself. She related her
story in nearly the following words:
The city of Genoa, where I was born, has been always famed above any
town in Europe for the refinement of its gallantry. It is common there
for a gentleman to profess himself the humble servant of a handsome
woman and to wait upon her to serve in every public place for twenty
years together without ever seeing her in private or being entitled to
any greater favour than a kind look or a touch of her fair hand. Of all
this sighing tribe, the most constant, and the most respectful of all those
I knew was Signer Ludovico, my lover. My name is Honoria Grimaldi, I
am the only daughter of a senator of that name, and I was esteemed a
very great beauty in Genoa, but at the same time quite a prude, and
most reserved.' The remark made me laugh, for she had the look of a
very great libertine. ‘You may smile, but so great was nicety then, inpoint
of love, that although I could not be insensible to the address of
Signer Ludovico, yet I could not bring myself to think of marrying my
lover, which would have admitted him to freedoms which I thought
entirely inconsistent with true modesty-freedoms which then, I assure
you, made me shudder to think of.'
I here asked whether the Dey had not rectified her ideas on that point.
She blushed and sighed, ‘Indeed, Madame, he was not long in effecting
that change of opinion. In vain, Madame, did Ludovico speak of the
violence of his passion for me. I answered that mine for him was no less
so. But it was his mind I loved; I enjoyed that without having to go to
bed with him, the very thought of which shocked and alarmed me. My
lover was ready to despair at these discourses; he could not but admire
such fine sentiments, yet he wished I had not been so perfect. He wrote
me a long, melancholy letter. I returned him one for answer in verses,
full of sublime expressions about my love, but not a word that tended
to satisfy the poor man's impatience. At last he applied himself to my
father, and to engage him to use his authority, offered to take me
26
without a portion. My father, who was a plain man, was mighty pleased
with this proposal, and made no difficulty to promise him success.
Accordingly he very roughly told me that I must be married the next
day or go to a nunnery. This dilemma startled me very much. In spite of
all my repugnance to the marriage bed, I found something about me
extremely averse to a cloister. An absolute separation from Ludovico
was what I could not bear; it was even worse than absolute conjunction.
In this distress, not knowing what to do, I turned over about a hundred
romances in search for precedents. After many struggles with myself, I
resolved to surrender upon terms; therefore, I told my lover I consented
to be his wife, provided I might be so by degrees, and that after the
ceremony was over he should not pretend at once to all the rights and
privileges of a husband, but allow my modesty to make a decent and
gradual surrender. Ludovico did not much like such a capitulation, but
rather than not have me, he was content to pay the last compliment to
my delicacy. We were united, and at the end of the first month he was
happy to find himself arrived at full enjoyment of my lips.
'Whilst he was thus gaining ground, inch by inch, his father died, and
left him a large estate in Corsica. His presence was necessary there, but
he could not think of parting with me, so we embarked together, and
Ludovico had good hopes that he should not take possession of his
estate only, but of my virginity too, at his arrival. Whether it was that
Venus, who is said to have been born out of the sea, was more powerful
mere than on land, or whether it was from the freedom that is usual on
board a ship, but whatever the reason it is sure that during the voyage I
indulged him in greater liberties than he ever presumed to take
before, for my neck and breasts were moulded by his bold hand. But
while he was thus by degrees, as it were, reducing me to his wishes,
fortune, who took a pleasure in persecuting him, brought an African
corsair in our way, who quickly put an end to our dalliance by making
us both slaves. Who can express our affliction and despair at so sudden
and ill-timed a captivity? Ludovico saw himself bereft of his virgin
bride on the very point of obtaining all his wishes, and I had reason to
apprehend from the rough hands I had fallen into that my virginity
was likely to be taken from me, whether I resisted or not But the
27
martyrdom I looked for on the instant was unexpectedly deferred, for
the corsair, seeing I was handsome, thought me worthy of the embraces
of the Dey, and to him I was presented on our arrival here-unfortunate
end to all my pure and heroic sentiments! The time was now arrived
when I was doomed to be courted in a, manner opposite to that
adopted by Ludovitio. My being a married woman was known to my
captor, and was a (act which, of course, he communicated to me Dey.
'He naturally supposed me to be a finished woman. When I was
brought to him he appeared much struck with my appearance, and
instantly ordered everyone out of the apartment; then, rising off the
couch he was sitting on, he took my hand and led me towards it.
On approaching it to my great astonishment he desired me in good
Italian to be seated. I obeyed trembling, and he seated himself by my
side. Directly he had seated himself he took hold of one of my hands,
and demanded from what part of Italy I came, From the mildness of his
speech and manner, I thought I could assume the same authority with
him as I had done with Ludovico, so would scarcely answer any of his
questions, whereupon the Dey, seeing the more tender and respectful
his behaviour was, the more I presumed on his forbearance, suddenly
seized me round the waist, and drawing my lips forcibly to his,
continued sucking them with such force that he nearly made me faint.
The suddenness of the attack threw me into extreme confusion. Ere I
recovered from it, the Dey had uncovered my breasts and was
handling them just as he pleased, exclaiming every moment, as he
pressed and handled them, "By Mahomet, how deliciously formed
they are! how firm! how delightfully the nipples pout!" and such-like
observations, which covered me with burning blushes.
'By this time I had recovered somewhat from my confusion, observing
which the Dey, rising from the coach, said, in a low, determined tone,
"How now, audacious slave, do you presume to oppose the will of thy
master? Show again the least opposition to my desires and in an instant
I shall have thee scourged properly for thy presumption. So mark me,
slave!" After this menace he again seated himself and drew me upon
28
his knees, with his arms round my waist. His determined manner of
treating me had such an effect that I dared not resist his forcing his
hand again into my breasts; but after he had sufficiently satisfied
himself with feeling and moulding them, he suddenly turned his hands
under my petticoats. His threats were now forgotten; I again
strenuously resisted and struggled, whereupon he immediately
desisted, and getting off the couch, with a small whistle which hung on
his belt, he called in his black eunuchs, to one of whom he gave some
orders in the Turkish language; the fellow went out, but quickly
returned with a whip, which had about a dozen tails. I was now seized
by the two eunuchs, who forced me across the couch with my face
downwards; each of the eunuchs held me over the couch by the arm, so
that I could not possibly get away. Having me thus secure and
unmindful of my tears or entreaties, the Dey lifted up my clothes, and
threw them all over my shoulders, leaving everything below my waist
as naked as when I was born. Would you believe it, Madame, he began
to flog me in so unmerciful a manner that I could not retain my
screams, of which he took not the least notice until he thought he had
sufficiently punished my first offence. He then left off, and demanded
if I would dare to oppose his wishes again. I could not at the moment
have answered him, even if death had been the consequence.
However, he allowed me very little rime, but recommenced his
flogging again, saying, "Oh, you are sullen are you? but I shall soon
subdue you." Indeed, so painfully did I feel his lashes that at last I was
able to cry that I would be submissive to his desires.
I was directly relieved from the position I was in, and the eunuchs were
dismissed, when the Dey, just as if nothing had happened, placed
himself by my side; but, seeing I sat extremely uneasily from the
soreness of the part he had so unmercifully whipped, he caused me to
lie down on my side, laying himself beside me. He then drew me to his
bosom and after kissing away my tears, sucking my lips and forcing his
tongue into my mouth (which created great disgust in me), presently
demanded if I was not married, I shuddered out an affirmative. "Curses
on the Christian dog, I say, that has plucked your virginity!" he replied;
"by Ali, I would have possessed it." You may be sure, Madame, this
29
made me blush, which made him remark how much my blushes
increased my beauty. Again my lips became his prey. "How long have
you been joined to the Christian dog?" demanded he, withdrawing his
lips to let me answer him. I stammered out, "Only a month." "A month
have thy blushes, then, been polluted. Well, I must be content with you
as you are. Indeed, you are a feast fit for a monarch. How languishingly
delicious is the modest cast of your eyes! Kiss me, trembler!' I dared not
disobey, and, covered with blushes, Joined my lips to his. He seemed
much pleased with my obedience, and continued for some time most
passionately kissing me. Whilst thus occupied, he slipped his right
hand again under my petticoats and shift. A dreadful trembling seized
me, but my fears prevented the least resistance, whilst his burning
hand travelled over my most secret charms. Here was a change,
Madame, from the respect of poor Ludovico! The smallest favour was
not granted to him until after the most urgent persuasions, whilst the
Dey took every liberty he thought fit, and I believe thought he was
conferring an honour upon me. He had now got his hand between my
thighs and, drawing my lips closer to his, he desired me to open them a
little wider, that he might have full command of the shrine of pleasure
where he said he meant presently to sacrifice. I did not at the moment
obey him. "How now," he cried, changing his tone from the soliciting to
the commanding, "darest thou neglect my orders?" Oh, Madame, the
gradual extension of my thighs plainly spoke my fears. My tears
flowed in torrents; my breasts heaved in convulsive agony. For a
moment or so the Dey played with the soft down that crowns the
mount of pleasure, and then slipped his finger between the lips of the
road which until then had never been travelled, little dreaming of the
discovery he was about to make. Indeed, on forcing his finger as far as
he could into me, with great astonishment he found some difficulty in
effecting entry, his efforts making me cry out that he hurt me.
Surprised at my cries, he instantly started up, and forcing me on my
back, extended my thighs to their utmost width, "Why, by Mahomet,
you are a maid!" he cried, as he minutely examined me. "What
punishment do you think you deserve for thus deceiving me as to your
virginity?" Trembling and panting with shame and fear, I replied that I
had not deceived him, as he had only asked how long I had been
30
married, and I had told him the truth. "Then how is it," he demanded,
"that your husband has not reaped his rights?" I at last confessed my
maiden bashfulness had been the reason. At this the Dey laughed
heartily, saying, "Whatever is the cause, holy Mahomet, I thank you
for this unexpected treasure, but it shall not hang long on the stock for
want of plucking." He then got off the couch, also assisting me to rise
off my back; then applying the whistle to his mouth he summoned the
same eunuchs, to whom he gave some directions as before. In
obedience to his instructions they conducted me into a small room,
every side of which was covered with glass: even the door at which I
entered I could not discover when shut. In the centre of the room was a
low dark-cushioned velvet couch, with one large cushion at the head;
it was nothing but a plain broad couch, in the centre of which was
fastened, properly extended, a beautiful white damask cloth.
'I was stripped in an instant by the eunuchs of every particle of my
dress; they even untied the fillets which fastened up my hair; then,
having reduced me to a complete state of nature, they retired, taking
away my clothes. So much were my feelings overcome, that I was
obliged to seat myself on the couch, or else I must have fallen. I was not
doomed to wait long in suspense, for in a few seconds the Dey entered,
as naked as myself. You, Madame, no doubt well know how little
ceremony, in cases of this kind, he uses. He took me in his arms, after
kissing me, and told me he was now come to redress the wrongs I had
suffered in the cruel neglect of my husband. "But," he said, "it will soon
be repaired; you quickly shall taste such joys as your beauties so well
deserve you should partake of. But why these tears and sighs? Is this
the way you meet my caresses and kindness? Is this the return you
make my generosity in preparing to teach you those pleasure which
your husband has neglected. Come, come, let me have no more of this
folly!" So drawing me to his bosom, he gently forced me on my back.
"There now," he said, "lie down-no, not that way," seeing I was placing
myself on my side, "it is on your back you must receive your first
instructions. There, that's right; now open your soft thighs!" In an instant
he was between them. I found I could not dare disobey. Finding my
thighs were not quite extended enough, he soon widened them to his
31
wish. I need not tell you how tremendously large the Dey is; turn in
which way I would I could not help seeing in the glass the terrible
pillar with which he was preparing to skewer me; quickly discovering
the cause of my excessive alarm, whilst he was fixing its head between
the lips of my virgin sheath, he tried by every kind of endearment to
soothe me, assuring me the pain would be nothing-that my fears were
unfounded; besides it was a sacrifice which nature had decreed, and
once over the sweetest joys would be my reward; then why these
foolish fears? Thus did he soften me to his desires. The head of his
instrument was no sooner fixed in the opening than by four or five
sudden shoves he contrived to insert the whole of it entirely, so that I
could not see any part of it as my face turned towards the glass. At this
moment his penetration was not deep enough to make me experience
any great pain, but he, well knowing what was coming, forcibly
secured one of his arms around my body.
'Everything was now prepared and favourable. My legs were glued to
his, and I lay in his arms as it were insensible from despair, shame and
confusion. He now began to improve his advantage by forcibly
deepening his penetration; his prodigious stiffness and size gave me
such dreadful anguish, from the separation of the sides of the soft
passage by such a hard substance, that I could not refrain from
screaming. Delicate as I was, he found great difficulty; but his
Herculean strength in the end broke down all my virgin defences. My
piercing cries spoke of my sufferings. In my agony I strove to escape,
but the Dey, perfectly used to such attempts, easily foiled them by his
able thrusts, and quickly buried his tremendous instrument too far
within me to leave me any chance of escape. He now paid no kind of
attention to my sufferings, but followed up his movements with fury,
until the tender texture altogether gave way to his fierce tearing and
rending, and one merciless, violent thrust broke in and carried all
before it, sending his weapon, imbued and reeking with the blood of
my virginity, up to its utmost length in my body. The piercing shriek I
gave proclaimed that I felt it up to the very quick; in short, his victory
was complete.
32
'What my sufferings at first were I need not dwell upon, as no doubt
you must have experienced them as painfully as myself, from his
extraordinary size. It was also increased from the want of delicacy he
used in subduing me. But my suffering did not seem to be any
consideration with him, for he gave me no respite in his proceedings,
but by enjoyment after enjoyment very soon blunted the sharpness of
the pain, and ere he withdrew from me I had sustained four assaults,
which from their amorous fury had so stretched and opened me as to
ensure I need never again complain on the score of suffering. Being
satisfied on this point, he withdrew his shaft, and laying himself for a
short time by my side, covered every part of me with burning kisses
and caresses, assuring me that my sufferings were ended, and that I
should shortly enjoy the pleasure of unmixed and pure delight in a
manner that would reward me for all the anguish I had experienced in
his fierce embraces. After reposing a short time on my bosom he got up
and assisted me off the couch, which bore crimson evidence of my late
loss. "Look," he cried, "my sweet slave," fondly pressing me in his arms,
"I shall have your name worked in letters of gold on it, and it will then
be deposited with a number of others that ornament a room in my
harem. By virtue of this you are entitled to many privileges, which will
be explained to you. Among others you are forever exempt from any
kind of attendance on my wives or chief sultanas, unless you choose to
amuse yourself. But the slaves who will attend you will explain all the
things which the blushing testimony of your chastity entitles you to."
He then placed such a thrilling kiss on my lips that it threw me into the
greatest confusion.
'He now called some Turkish slaves, who brought every kind of female
clothing. They were not long in completing my toilet. This finished, he
conducted me into a magnificent room, where refreshments were laid
out During the repast the Dey, by the most assiduous attention, strove
to render himself agreeable, but as yet I could scarcely venture to look
on him. It was still early in the morning. When we had finished our
repast, he tenderly enquired if I felt inclined to refresh myself by
taking some repose alone. He could not have proposed anything more
agreeable, which must have been evident by the immediate assent I
33
gave to his offer. I was directly supported by him to a sleeping
apartment, where, after again and again tenderly kissing me, he left
me with a female slave, who soon undressed me; and in a soft slumber,
which I soon fell into, my misfortunes were forgotten. My sleep was
long and of course refreshing. I was awoken by the slave, who informed
me that dinner was nearly ready, I got up and was assisted by her to
dress. I then took dinner. After dinner the slave drew my attention to a
large quantity of books, in my own language, which the Dey had
caused to be sent to me. I found them to consist of our choicest authors.
In my sitting-room he had occasioned a grand pianoforte to be placed,
also an excellent lute, with a quantity of music, that I might not want
amusement. I soon found several large portfolios of all kinds of prints,
which alone were an inexhaustible store of amusement. The time
imperceptibly passed in inspecting the various things which were
placed for my recreation, until the slave reminded me that it was time I
retired, as it was the Dey's intention to pass the night with me. What
could I do? Resistance was now out of the question; my virtue and
modesty had received their mortal wounds. I had, even if I wished, no
resource; indeed, nothing was left to me but to submit to my fate.
Scarcely knowing where I was going, I was conducted to the
bedchamber, and soon was reduced to a proper state to meet the Dey's
desires, being placed in bed in a state of panting, blushing confusion,
very little different from that state I was in in the morning, when he
debauched me. I was not long kept in suspense. I soon found myself in
his strong arms. But, oh, how changed I now found him! All the
authority of a master which he had so strongly assumed in the morning
was now lost in the most passionate and tender regards of a most
devoted and even submissive lover-even poor Ludovico could not be
more so. I soon found his present proceedings more fatal to my morality
than all the favours he had ravished from me by force under the
influence of punishment. Indeed, I cannot explain the feeling he soon
created. As I lay on his bosom he kissed me in a manner quite new,
keeping my mouth to his several minutes, every now and then
thrusting in his tongue and sucking mine. All the time he was doing
this his hand was travelling over every part of my body with burning
touches, creating the greatest disorder. The unopposed enjoyment of
34
my lips, and feeling every secret beauty I possessed had now so heated
his spirits, that to prevent the fluid that was boiling within him being
improperly lost, it was absolutely necessary there should be no delay
in my resigning to him the possession of the gates of pleasure. So for
had his pressures and touches heated and inflamed me, that he found
no obstacle in turning me on my back and again placing himself
between my extended thighs. I scarcely recollect how it was, but I
certainly felt at the moment he was fixing his instrument the soft
prelude of pleasure illuminating within me. From trembling and fear I
already began to desire; and, good God! how can I describe the surprise
I felt when with one energetic shove he lodged himself up to the hilt in
me without the smallest sensation of pain. Never, oh never shall I forget
the delicious transports that followed the stiff insertion; and then, ah
me! by what thrilling degrees did he, by his luxurious movements, fiery
kisses, and strange touches of his hand in the most private parts of my
body, reduce me to a voluptuous state of insensibility. I blush to say so
powerfully did his ravishing instrument stir up nature within me, that
by mere instinct I returned him kiss for kiss, responsively meeting his
fierce thrusts, until the fury of the pleasure and ravishment became so
overpowering that, unable longer to support the excitement I so
luxuriously felt, I fainted in his arms with pleasure, Ludovico, the
flogging, and everything else was entirely driven out of my head. So
lively, so repeated were the enjoyments that the Dey caused me to
participate in with him, I wondered how nature could have slumbered
so long within me. I was lost in astonishment that in all the caresses I
received from Ludovico he had not contrived to give the slightest
alarm or feeling to nature. I could not help smiling at my ignorance
when I considered the ridiculous airs I had assumed to Ludovico about
my chastity. The Dey, indeed, had soon discovered my folly, and like a
man of sense, took the proper method to subdue me. In this way, in one
short night, you see, he put to the rout all my pure modest virgin
scruples, rapturously teaching me the nature of love's sacred mysteries,
and the great end for which we poor weak females are created.
'During the first month of my captivity, my senses were kept in such a
continual flow of rapture that what with sustaining his embraces at
35
night and refreshing myself with sleep during the day, I had little else
to do. But by degrees his visits to my apartment became less and less
frequent, from the numerous beauties that came into his possession it
could not be otherwise, but when I am honoured with embraces, so
tender, so kind are his caresses, that I feel sufficiently repaid for his
long absence, although I cannot but wish his visits were more frequent.
But I am content with my lot. I have now been in the harem nearly two
years. This is my short history. Of Ludovico I have never heard
anything since we parted, and under all circumstances I think it as
well I should not, for it would now be impossible for me to return to him
with anything like satisfaction to myself, so firmly has the Dey fixed
himself in my affections.'
I have now, dear Sylvia, given you the history of the Italian beauty. I
must confess the latter part of her history, which related to the gradual
decrease of the Dey's visits, gave me a very uncomfortable sensation at
first; but I was afterwards angry with myself for entertaining it a
moment, when I considered during the whole time I have been in his
possession, three nights out of every week have as yet been spent in his
arms. Nor have I observed the least relaxation in either his attentions
or desires. But I have been most dreadfully alarmed by something this
Italian has communicated, which at first I did not give the least credit
to. When we had related to each other our histories, of course we
became considerably more intimate and familiar in our conversation.
She asked me whether I felt any pleasure when the Dey enjoyed me
behind. I told her I did not understand what she meant by behind. She
laughed most immoderately at my ignorance, and would scarcely
credit what I had asserted, particularly as she knew the Dey was so
fond of the other route. I requested her to explain herself. ‘Are you not
aware,' said she, ‘that a woman has two maidenheads to take?' On my
replying in the negative, she answered, ‘You have, though. Under the
alter of Venus is another grotto, a little more obscure, to be sure; but
there the Dey will offer up his sacrifices with characteristic energy.' I
was all in a tremble at this discourse, and demanded of her if the Dey
had ever enjoyed her in that position. ‘Most certainly, many times,' was
her reply. ‘If you doubt what I say, the next time I am favoured with a
36
morning visit by the Dey, you shall judge with your own eyes as to the
fact; it can be easily managed, as our suites of rooms are contiguous.'
'Is it possible,' cried I, ‘that you receive any pleasure from a conjunction
so beastly and unnatural?'
'What innocence, my dear, what childishness!' replied the libertine.
‘Do you not know that the men consider every part of us formed
entirely for their pleasures; one enjoys us one way, one another, each
man according to his lechery. You may rely upon it one of these days
the Dey will instruct you in this way and rectify your ideas on the
subject.'
This conversation, and other matters which this Italian informed me of
and which I could not drive from my thoughts, threw a considerable
gloom over my feelings. In the evening the Dey visited me, and
immediately saw by my countenance that something had disordered
me. After considerable persuasion he contrived to extract what had
caused my distress.
'And why should this, dearest Zulima, give you any uneasiness?' said
he, tenderly taking me in his arms and kissing me.
'I can see no reason why it should have raised a cloud on this lovely
face; nor could I for a moment have supposed, if I had requested my
sweet slave to have administered to my joys in that way, there would
have been any denial. I hid my face in his bosom, and told him in our
country it was considered the most degrading crime that could be
committed, that it was punished with death.
'I am aware,' replied he, ‘that the English nation consider it a crime, but
I was not acquainted with the magnitude of the punishment. But,
Zulima' (I forgot to mention before that I received a new name from the
Dey, as is customary with all captives), ‘your country is the only one in
the world that either considers it a crime or punishes it. Besides,
Zulima, you are not in England now, nor are you likely ever to go there
37
again. You are mine until one of us shall shake off this mortal form;
therefore, you must submit to everything that I conceive will be an
addition to my pleasures. Does not the English law direct that the wife
shall be obedient to the husband in all lawful desires?'
'Yes,' I replied.
'Well, then, although you are not my wife in fact, still you are,
according to our laws, considered the same. To become my married
wife you must change your religion. But still you are considered my
wife, therefore must submit to my lawful desires. By our laws we are
permitted to enjoy our wives or concubines in any way that adds to our
luxuries; in other words it is lawful that I may enjoy, and you must
resign, your second virginity whenever I require you to do so. After all,
dear Zulima, how can it possibly be construed into a crime? It is true
that the seed which I have so often distilled within you with such
dissolving pleasure is given by nature to multiply our species, so to
divert its natural course may in some measure be construed as an
offence against nature by those who do not give it any consideration.
Put the case thus: to divert and cast away seed is a crime. Now it is clear
that the seed, even when deposited in its natural receiver, is entirely
lost forty-nine times out of fifty. For instance, immediately sufficient
seed is injected into the womb, the female conceives; then the mouth of
the womb closes, and until the delivery of the child does not open
again. If the female is fruitful, and properly enjoyed, she will conceive
to a certainty in three months; it is six months more at least ere she will
be delivered of her burden; consequently at every embrace the female
sustains after conception, the seed that is shot within her is entirely lost
or misused. Now what difference can there be as to where the seed is
lost if it be lost? Where is the offence or crime? What difference
whether the seed is uselessly deposited in the grotto of Venus, or
injected in the temple below it? None in the world, lovely slave! My
Grecian and Corsican slaves submit to any kind of enjoyment as a
matter of duty and submission, in which they are instructed from their
infancy. I have two Italians who think it no kind of crime; to my French
slave it is a mere bagatelle. I was aware of the prejudices of your
38
nation, and from the joys I found in your embraces did not like even to
broach the subject to you.'
'Then,' cried I, throwing my arms round his neck and fondly kissing
him, ‘let the pleasures you confess I have afforded you save me from
what I consider would be the greatest disgrace I could possibly
experience.'
'This is folly,' cried the Dey, ‘I can make no promise of the kind.'
'But you must,' I replied.
'How?' demanded he. ‘You have sworn by your holy Prophet to grant
me any favour I choose to request; you recollect your sacred oath?'
'I do certainly.'
'Well, then, the favour I request is that I may be spared the pollution
we have been discoursing of.'
'Can Zulima think that any act of Ali would pollute her?' cried he,
rising from the couch with great heat and indignation. It was the first
unkind word he had used to me since he had me. My heart sank within
me whilst he continued, ‘It is true I made the oath, and must religiously
observe it. I shall leave you to reflect, foolish slave, on your childishness
in thus attempting to bind my pleasures by an oath made in a moment
when your deceitful blandishments had softened me into a belief that
your love and devotion to me was as sincere as your person is beautiful.
When you have altered your opinion you can inform the chief eunuch.
I may, perhaps, then pardon this insult, and restore you to favour.' He
then left me, muttering the word ‘pollution', unmindful of my tears,
which quickly began to flow at his angry looks.
As he went out of the room my spirits failed me entirely. I sank on the
couch overwhelmed with grief, railing against the mischance that
brought me acquaintance with this Italian, whom I considered as the
39
cause of my rupture with the Dey. My tears continued for nearly an
hour after his departure, which no doubt considerably relieved me.
However, I began to comfort myself with the hopes that his anger
would not last. But, indeed, I did not properly estimate his character.
The next day passed without my seeing him; a second, third, fourth
passed in anxious, I may say almost breathless anguish, watching and
listening for the approach of his well-known footstep. Guess the cruel
suspense I suffered. Habituated to the sweet pleasure of his embraces,
my desires began rapidly to overpower the scruples which early
precept had instilled in me. My unsatisfied feelings became every hour
stronger and stronger, until on the fifth day I was again visited by
Honoria, the Italian, who entertained me with a long account of her
happiness, having passed two nights running with the Dey; her
transports went like daggers to my heart, but gave the decisive turn to
my wavering indecision. I instantly resolved to submit to the Bey's
desires, and wrote him a letter accordingly.

[April]

LETTER 5

Emily to the Dey

Oh, Ali, is it possible that you, who have so often sworn that it made
you unhappy to be for a day absent from your Zulima, can it be
believed that for a whole week you would thus desert her? Your
cruelty makes me suffer more than words can speak. You know I had
no intention to give offence in what I uttered at our last interview. How
could you leave me in the way you did? Oh, Ali, I am with child;
hasten to comfort your miserable slave. You cannot doubt my love.
Since the day you overpowered my innocence (the day I consider the
happiest of my existence, although truly it was a painful one), how
many proofs have you received of my love and devotion? Hasten then
to do me justice, I conjure you. Surely I need not remind you of what I
lost in becoming yours-my native country, innumerable friends, virtue.
Oh, Ali, do not longer punish me; I am all devotion to your every
desire, your submissive slave,

ZULIMA

[April]

LETTER 6

Ali to his slave Zulima

I have received your letter. I was aware of your being with child. Were
it possible to increase my love for you this would be the cause, but
lovely as you are, and dote upon you as I do, I am determined to tear
myself from your tempting arms until I find your submission perfect
You write about your loss of virtue, country and friends by falling into
my power. Recollect the pleasure I have taught you and caused you to
experience-have they not sufficiently rewarded you for the virginity
you brought me? You say you are all devotion and submission to my
every desire-be more explicit. Have you made up your mind to
absolve me from my oath? Mark me! never more will these arms enfold
you until by resigning your second maidenhead I have put it out of
your power to dispute with me on this point Write to me more
explicitly-say you meant to absolve and submit to my embraces in the
way I wish, and then you will meet with a return of my most ardent
affection.

ALI

My veins were on fire-I could deny him nothing, and wrote the
following note:

[April]

LETTER 7

Emily to the Dey

I submit-I absolve you from your oath-fly to the arms of your longing
ZULIMA
Directly he was assured of my wish to absolve him of his oath, he
appointed the same day to receive the last proof of my entire
submission. In the evening when he entered my chamber I could not
help flying to his arms. Unconsciously my eyes were filled with tears;
but I did not consider them tears of sorrow, but rather of the pleasure I
felt at feeling myself pressed in his arms again. He gave me a long and
thrilling kiss, but seeing I was about to reproach him for his neglect, he
stopped my mouth by informing me that he could not have his joys
dampened by any silly upbraidings, but should instantly proceed, to
prevent a repetition of our quarrel, by at once removing its cause; and
he began immediately to undress me, which from the nature of my
Turkish attire was soon accomplished. From the ardent caresses he
placed upon my neck and breasts, and indeed every other part that
became exposed, I felt assured the power of my attractions had not
diminished. When he had stripped me naked he disrobed himself, then
taking me in his arms, placed me on the couch, my stomach
underneath, on two round pillows, one of them coming against the
lower part of my belly, so as to elevate my bottom considerably.
Having placed me thus, he divided my thighs to their utmost
extension, leaving the route he intended to penetrate fairly open to his
attack. He now got upon me, and having, as he thought, placed himself
securely, he encircled my body round my loins with both his arms, and
strove to penetrate the obstacle nature had placed in his way; but so
largely is he proportioned that his efforts were at first without effect.
Again he attempted, but again failed, and making a desperate lunge,
his arrow, instead of piercing where he intended it should, slipped into
the shrine of Venus, and before he found out his mistake, to my
inexpressible delight it was nearly buried in its proper sanctuary. But
he was not to be foiled in that way; he instantly withdrew it and again
fixing its head proceeded with great caution and fierceness; in short, he
43
soon got the head entirely fixed. His efforts then became more and
more energetic. But he was as happy as the satisfying of his beastly
will could make him. He regarded me not, but profiting by his success,
soon completed my second undoing; and then, indeed, with mingled
emotions of disgust and pain, I sensibly felt the debasement of being
the slave of a luxurious Turk.
I was now, indeed, wretched and oppressed with mental anguish, until
at last my outraged feeling could no longer sustain the shock A
delirious fever seized me. Bereft of my senses, I know not what further
took place at that time. The Dey has since informed me that a
considerable time elapsed ere he found out my loss of reason, but
immediately he ascertained the state I was in, he was compelled to
desist by his religion, for it is sacrilege to touch or injure any person,
Turk or Christian, who is deranged. Every advice and medical
assistance were immediately procured to restore my senses, which was
soon effected; and when my health was again sufficiently reestablished
to enable me to receive his visits, again was I compelled in
silence to resign myself to his infamous desires, until by repeated
engagements I became accustomed to his proceedings. But the only
result is, if anything, an augmentation of my disgust and horror. By my
submission I was reinstated in his affections, and everything proceeds
as usual. But the charm is broken. It is true he can, when he pleases,
bewilder my senses in the softest confusion; but when the tumult is
over, and my blood cooled from the fermentation he causes-when
reason resumes its sway, I feel that the silken cords of affection which
bound me so securely to him have been so much loosened that he will
never again be able to draw them together so closely as they were
before he subdued me to his abominable desires.
My depression of spirits made me quite the laughing stock of the
Italian woman and the French woman, who were perfectly acquainted
with the cause. They affected to despise my feelings. The only
consolation I received was from the Grecian girl, with whom I had
become extremely intimate and to whom I was much attached. She
was a beautiful girl, tall and slender; her face was rather pale and
44
languid, overcast with a melancholy resignation, but her light-blue
eyes were mild and expressive as the soft ray of an autumnal moon
tingeing a fading evening sky. With the help of books I had been able
to teach her the English language, and her progress in attaining it was
almost incredible. We could now converse freely together, and mourn
over our misfortunes and captivity. I shall narrate her distressing
history in nearly the same words as she stated it to me.
History of Adianti the Grecian Slave
My name is Adianti. I was born in the delightful island of Macaria,
where my father was a merchant, called Theodoricus. I am his only
child. Like all Greeks or Christians who reside under the power of
Turks, my father was obliged to live in a style of the utmost simplicity.
It was only by stealth he ventured on any little luxurious indulgence,
well knowing that the governor of the district was upon the watch to
pounce upon him the moment he made a show of property. Slavery, the
most powerful agent in the degradation of mankind, has given to the
modern Greeks a melancholy propensity to indulge in all kinds of
gloomy presages and forebodings. I was not exempt from the feelings of
my countrymen, and my very name, being that of one of the Danaides,
whenever I heard it mentioned, always carried an ominous feeling to
my heart.
In our neighbourhood resided a youth named Demetrius, the only son
of an aged and infirm widow. He was born for a land of freedom, and
one might have predicted from his appearance that he was destined to
chafe and struggle not a little under the restraints and mortifications
which ever fall to the lot of those who show the least spirit of
independence. His stature was tall; he carried his head higher than a
Bashaw; he was of easy carriage, and his body as straight as a palm;
active and graceful in his walk, clear in his eye, and impatient of insult
to the last degree. He was eloquent, poetical, romantic, enterprising
and a lover of the arts-he could have achieved great things had his lot
been cast in a more happy age and country. Were he now living he
would be foremost among the heroes who are defending our religion.
45
An ancient intimacy had subsisted between our families, and we were
much together. Demetrius had never exhibited any particular marks
of affection for me, yet I cannot deny that I had for some time cherished
a growing preference for the handsome, high-spirited companion of
my youth. It was the superstitious feeling I have before mentioned that
induced me to consult the Oracle of the Sweet Waters as to how my
young passion for Demetrius would thrive; and I returned from my
enquiry disconsolate and overpowered, as all the answers of the oracle
turned out unfavourable to my hopes. Under the dominion of a long
cherished superstition, handed down from generation to generation,
and sanctioned by the examples of all around, I would as soon have
thought of counteracting the declared decrees of providence as of
cherishing a hope in opposition to the oracle. You may suppose my
agitation on being informed by my father that he was going to the
governor to request permission for our marriage. With trembling
anxiety I waited the result. Our governor was a Bashaw of three tails
who, although a native of Stampalier and originally a Latin Christian,
had long ago changed the cross for the crescent Ali Ozman was the
Turkish name he assumed. It is usual, in asking a favour of our
governors, to accompany it with a present. The one my father carried
with him in support of his petition did not exactly please Ozman (for, of
course, my father was afraid of exciting suspicions of his wealth by
being too liberal), and Ozman received it with contemptuous
indifference. Though he had turned Turk, he had enough of the Latin
Christian in him to hate one of the Greek church mortally. My father
prostrated himself three times as he presented his offering. ‘Is thy
daughter handsome, Christian dog?' asked Ozman. At this, a French
renegade, who had insinuated himself into the confidence of Ozman,
whispered to him that I was the fairest virgin in the isle.
Ozman considered a few moments, and said with a smile, ‘I accept thy
present, and permit thy daughter to wed the young Greek on
condition that thou grant a feast before the marriage, and bid me be a
guest.' My father returned home in a melancholy mood, and gave
direction for the preparation of the feast and the reception of the cruel
Ozman. From a sudden recollection of the disastrous omen of the
46
oracle, darker and more dreary became my thoughts than they had
ever been since the hour I became convinced Demetrius loved me. He
also all that day seemed labouring under a depression, and departed
early in the evening oppressed by vague forebodings he could not
define. The feast was, however, prepared, the company bidden and,
after waiting a considerable time for the arrival of Ozman, who did not
appear, the ceremony proceeded with Demetrius and myself each
choosing a godfather to attend us. At the altar we were met by the
aged papa, or Greek priest, who, after blessing two crowns of foliage
intertwined with ribbons and laces, placed them on our heads. He then
in like manner blessed two rings, one of silver, the other of gold, placing
the former on my finger, the latter on that of Demetrius. After these
rings had been exchanged and we had taken our vows, the old priest
was preparing to distribute the bread and wine which was to conclude
the ceremony when a light strain of Turkish music at a distance caught
our attention. In a little while Ozman was seen advancing at the head
of twenty or thirty of his guards. Demetrius earnestly besought the
priest to finish the ceremony before the barbarians should arrive to
interrupt it, but the old man trembled so that the wine was spilled and
the consecrated bread fell from his hands. In a few moments Ozman
and his train entered the church with their scimitars drawn and
scattered the bridal train, leaving me, my father, Demetrius and the
priest alone at the altar.
'Stop, dog!' cried Ozman. ‘I forbid the marriage in the name of the
prophet.'
'It is too late,' replied the old priest, meekly.
'Be silent, Christian dog! or I will stop thy howlings,' Ozman cried. ‘But
what is this I smell-wine? You have been carousing, you swine! You
have been swilling of that accursed beverage abhorred by Allah, and
denounced by his Prophet. It is enough; seize the virgin and trample
into dust all that oppose us.' During the whole of the fateful
proceedings my poor father supported himself against the side of the
smouldering altar in speechless horror. I could not speak, but my eyes
47
were fixed on Demetrius, whose inflexible silence I but too well
understood. The youth was too indignant to speak, but the clenched
hands, quivering lips and blazing eye spoke a prologue to opposition
and vengeance.
'Seize the virgin!' repeated Ozman, ‘she will be only too honoured and
happy to escape the pollution of this blaspheming wine bibber.'
Ozman advanced as he uttered these insulting words. At that instant
Demetrius sprang like lightning upon the foremost of the ravishers,
and wrenched the scimitar from his hand before he was aware of his
purpose. He rushed on Ozman: the first blow made his scimitar fly
ringing into the air, the second was arrested by one of the guards,
which saved the life of the tyrant, who exclaimed, almost choking with
passion, ‘He has struck a Mussulman; he has outraged the law of the
Prophet; he has polluted the person of the representative of the
Commander of the Faithful. Hew him to the earth! cut him into atoms!
scatter his flesh to the beasts of the field! let the dogs feed on the
Christian reptile!' The crisis was come; my poor father took courage
from despair, and seizing upon Ozman's scimitar, which still lay upon
the ground, placed himself besides Demetrius, determined to share his
fate and the with him. Guess my indescribable anguish. I was seized by
several of the guards, whilst others attacked my father and lover. A
desperate conflict ensued. My father fought bravely, but soon fell dead
by the side of Demetrius, who had rushed towards the tyrant thinking
he had him within his power, but a scimitar from behind had cleaved
open his head. He sank on the ground never more to rise. At this
dreadful sight my senses forsook me, and I do not know how long I
continued insensible, for when I was brought back to life I was in a
state of raving delirium, in which I have been informed I continued for
many weeks. When I finally recovered, I found myself the property of
a slave merchant on board a Turkish vessel which was sailing for Tunis.
On arriving there I was sold to the Bey. It was at Tunis I learned how I
escaped the brutish lust of the villain Ozman. After the slaughter of
my father and lover he had me conveyed to his harem, no doubt for the
purpose of sacrificing my chastity to his abominable desires; but from
the state I was in it became necessary for a doctor to be sent for, and he,
48
after administering such medicines as brought me to myself, instantly
declared me to be in a state of complete insanity. By the laws of
Mahomet no one, under penalty of death, can abuse or take any liberty
with the person of one of unsound mind. Thus for the moment I escaped
ravishment. Shortly afterwards, in consequence of some act of
peculation the wretch committed, the Sultan caused him to be
strangled and his effects to be sold; being found among his slaves I
became the property of the slave merchant, who quickly conveyed me
from my country, home and friends, well knowing where my person
would find a good market.
It appears such as I am I did not exactly strike the taste of the Bey, for
he shortly afterwards sent me as a gift to our present master, who it
seems it was decreed should enjoy the virgin treasures which the
wicked Ozman dared not deprive me of and the Bey of Tunis
neglected or did not think worth his time to take from me. After my
first interview with the Dey I clearly saw that my chastity was in
considerably more danger than it had been while I was in the power of
Ozman, and that I was now without the protection I then enjoyed.
After my recovery from the dreadful malady with which I was seized
at the cruel butchery of my lover and father, a fixed melancholy
settled on me in the place of the disorder. This the Dey on seeing me
perceived, and he became anxious to know the cause why one so
young and beautiful (as he was pleased to describe me) should be
afflicted with such a determined lowness of spirits. In compliance with
his urgent wishes, I related the history of my misfortunes. During my
narrative he sat by my side and took one of my hands in his. I could
clearly feel and see by his agitation how much my story affected him;
The tear of sensibility stood trembling in his eye at the relation of my
sufferings.
When I had finished he drew me trembling to his bosom, and tenderly
kissing my forehead, said he blushed that such a villain as Ozman
should disgrace the name of Mussulman. ‘Have you no relations that I
can return you to?' he demanded. I told him I knew of no relation but
my father, and he and Demetrius were dead. ‘No wonder,' he
49
continued, your beauties are clouded; the misfortunes felt by one so
young have been enough to sink you to the very earth. But cheer up,
sweet maid, here you shall be free from all importunity. It is true you
are my slave, and by our laws I can, if I think fit, violate your beauties;
but no. As yet you have experienced nothing but oppression at our
hands. I will try by kindness to deserve the enjoyment of your charms.'
Again he pressed me fondly to his bosom, but instead of kissing me as
before, my lips received his pressures until their fierceness threw me
into a confusion indescribable; but on seeing me in tears he
immediately desisted, assuring me that my modesty had nothing to
fear from him. But young and inexperienced as I was, nature assured
me I had more to fear from the soft pity and seeming sensibility of the
amorous Ali than the villainous proceedings of the ferocious Ozman.
Ozman might have debauched me by force it is true, but with Ali I had
more than force to guard against-I mean nature, which the persuasive
Ali, even on my first interview, had contrived to alarm by his kisses,
which (I know not why) I scarcely dared to refuse him, particularly as
he always desisted when the fervency of his proceedings gave my
modesty reason to complain. But I soon became conscious that at each
new interview the liberties he took became more daring, so much so
that I had determined to request he would send me home to my native
isle as he had offered to do.
The very evening I had come to this resolution he sent word by one of
his eunuchs that he would take his coffee with me. He came
accordingly. After coffee was served (as was his usual custom) he
reclined on the sofa, directing me to place myself by his side. I obeyed,
as he never had refused to permit my rising when the fear of his
proceedings had alarmed me. This evening I though he seemed
particularly tender, but somewhat thoughtful. As usual, my lips
became his prey. Without my knowledge he contrived to unbutton my
bodice at the bosom, and ere I could oppose it his burning hand had
invaded and was moulding one of my breasts. This new proceeding
threw me into considerable agitation. I requested him to desist; to take
his hand away. He immediately complied, merely demanding whether
his caresses gave me uneasiness. Indeed so very kind did he appear
50
that evening, I at last summoned up courage to make my request of
being sent home. His kindness I confessed I should never forget I
supported my petition with all the artless sophistry I was capable of.
Ah, I little knew the value of the favour I was soliciting.
At first he seemed much astonished, and I thought affected, but with
pleasure I saw the frown fade from his brow. He called me unkind,
ungenerous, to wish to desert him at the very moment he had nearly
persuaded himself that his attention and forbearance had created a
sentiment in my bosom favourable to his hopes. ‘Say, sweet maid,' he
cried, fondly kissing me, ‘you cannot, will not abandon me.' I hardly
know how I resisted his pressure and importunities, but I did, and at last
received the joyful assurance from him that I should return to my
country-home I had none. But his promise was all deception, for even
at the very moment he made it, his plans for my ruin were taking effect.
Determined on my enjoyment, he had caused to be infused in the
coffee which had been handed to me, a strong sleeping draught. Thus
at the very moment I was soliciting for the safety of my virtue, my
virgin hour was rapidly expiring, and my eyes were growing heavy
with the effect of the opium. In fact, sleep overtook me in his arms, and I
did not recover from the stupefying quality of the narcotic drug before
my virginity and all hopes of escape were destroyed. I was no sooner
asleep than the Dey had me undressed and conveyed to bed,
whereupon he quickly followed. I became his unresisting prey. The
acuteness of the painful sensations which I am told always accompany
the transformation of the maid into the finished woman are unknown
to me, for so powerful was the medicine that I continued buried all the
night in the most profound insensibility-in fact, during all the time the
Dey was in uncontrolled possession of my person; indeed so thoroughly
had he prepared me to meet his pleasures when I should recover my
senses, that during his first enjoyment of me, when perfectly awake, I
felt not the least sensation that could be possibly called painful. You
may guess my astonishment and sorrow, on awakening from my
deathlike stupor, to find myself naked in the arms of the Dey, who was
fast asleep, his head reclining on my bosom. From a certain stiffness I
felt in a particular part, the truth crashed upon my mind instantly. I
51
could not refrain from crying aloud, which awoke the Dey. He was not
slow in pleading an excuse for what he had done, stating that, burning
for my enjoyment, and plainly seeing my invincible modesty would
oppose the most strenuous resistance to the completion of his desires,
he determined, by rendering me insensible to my seduction, to spare
my feelings and blushes.
'How could you suppose, lovely creature,' he cried, passionately, ‘that
it was possible I could part with charms like yours? Where would you
fly to? no one to protect you-no home! your beauties are too great to
suffer you long to escape the snares which some brutal renegade like
Ozman would set to trap you. Then, sweet slave, pardon my offence; in
me you will always find a kind and faithful protector. Come, dry those
lovely eyes,' he continued; ‘no longer rend my heart with those
agonising looks.' In this manner, joined with the softest caresses, did Ali
strive to soothe me after giving my first burst of passion its free vent.
What he said was very true. I had no home or friend. Where was I to fly
to? My state of wretchedness was too apparent. It required very little
reflection to convince me the grand ordeal was past, my virginity
being his. In short, he soothed me with the soft asseverations of the
tenderest love, giving his persuasions with the most lively caresses,
until at last by degrees he stemmed the tide of sorrow that flowed over
my feelings. Seeing my grief was somewhat pacified, he considered
this a fit opportunity to begin to prepare me to submit to his desires. I
was entirely unconscious of his intentions. He suddenly turned me on
my back, forcibly extended my thighs with one of his knees and in an
instant was secure between them; without further ceremony he fixed
himself in me, and vigorously making play, his quick thrusts soon sent
him in fierce erection to his utmost length into me; indeed, I felt him up
to the very quick; I was literally gorged by him. You may suppose my
astonishment at finding the insertion of his instrument unaccompanied
by the least particle of pain. [I interrupted her by enquiring if she felt
not the least suffering.] None whatever, and I can only attribute it to
the number of times he must have enjoyed me while I was under the
influence of the opiate, for I assure you the pains accompanying the
loss of virginity are entirely unknown to me. Nay, on the contrary, I felt
52
not the least inconvenience. So you may guess my emotions at the
awful moment when he had driven himself into me, joining as it were
our bodies into one by the close junction of the parts. My hands were
clenched-my whole body immovable-my teeth, fixed. I was lost to
everything but the wonderful instrument that was sheathed within me.
I call it wonderful, and I think not improperly; for wonderful must that
thing be that in the midst of the most poignant grief can so rapidly
dissolve our senses with the softest sensations, spite of inclination, so
quickly cause us to forget our early impressions, our first affections, and
in the most forlorn and wretched moments of our existence make us
taste such voluptuous delight and lustful pleasure! This was my case.
At the very moment I thought myself the most wretched of all human
beings did the Dey, by his luxurious movements, cause me to
experience the most sensual of all enjoyments, which every instant
became more and more poignant and dissolving, until I was
completely ravished with unutterable delight. I unconsciously
grasped him in my arms, unable to conceal the joys I was convulsed
with; and soon in my agony of bliss, amounting to little less than
delirium, did I feel spouting from him the milk of life, which rushed in
delicious streams into my womb, and quickly drew down from me with
shuddering ecstasy my maiden tribute of the melting essence.
After the first ecstasy, as he lay in my arms, whilst I was still
languishing from the joy I had experienced, did he extract from me an
unqualified kiss of forgiveness for his deceit and treachery, and on my
lips did he seal an oath to Allah never to desert me. I now became
passive if not resigned to my fate. Drawing his shaft out of me, and
removing himself from between my thighs, he informed me that in the
evening when his strength was sufficiently recruited, it was his
intention to give me my finishing instructions in love's mysteries; for as
yet, though it was evident to him I had enjoyed the pleasure, yet I had
much to learn and to do ere (as he said) I could enjoy the ecstasy
properly. He then left me. I shall not tire you with an account of how I
passed the day; it is sufficient to say that towards evening the female
slaves, after having conducted me to the bath, and properly
ornamented my hair, and every way prepared me, helped me into bed
53
to await the Bey's coming. He came covered only by a robe, which
thrown off left him entirely naked, and he came to bed to me. If I had
any repugnance left, this might certainly have removed it entirely.
Directly he was laid by my side he first threw off me bedclothes, then
untying the ribbons which closed my dress in front, he threw it open,
leaving my person naked to his view. He then examined every part of
me, covering me as he did so with numberless kisses. Having satisfied
his curiosity as to my person, he drew me to his bosom, and desired me
to place my lips to his. He then taught me several ways of kissing. The
first was merely drawing my lips softly across his, which he called
dove-kissing. The second was keeping my lips glued to his, returning
his suction until he withdrew his lips: this he called the kiss of
enjoyment; and the third was the same with the difference of thrusting
his tongue into my mouth-this was described by him as the kiss of
desire.
When he thought he had sufficiently taught me the manner of kissing
which pleased him, he desired me particularly to remember that
whenever he got between my thighs I must immediately extend them
to their utmost width, and when I found he had completely entered me,
then, and not till then, I was to embrace his body with my arms, and
pass my lips softly over his when I felt him beginning to thrust; as he
withdrew out of me, I was also to withdraw from him, but not so much
as to throw him out; and as he thrust home again, J was also to meet
him with all my force, my arms all the time encircling him firmly-all
my kisses to be entirely governed by his manner of kissing, and
immediately I felt him beginning to discharge himself within me, I was
instantly to throw my legs over his back and keep myself immovably
fixed in the closest junction with him, until the very last drop was
ejected from him; but, above all, he particularly pressed upon me to
obey him in everything he directed implicitly, assuring me I should
find my reward in obedience. With blushes I promised to obey his
desires in every particular. He then got between my thighs, which I
extended to his wishes; this I saw gratified him; then, on his knees
between them, he desired me to take hold of his instrument, and pass
my hand up and down it two or three times. I did as he directed, but
54
could not look him in the face. Ah, I could scarcely grasp the stately
pillar! As my hand slipped up and down it, I felt it throb and leap
freely. I was struck with astonishment at how I could have entertained
so superb and magnificent a shaft! I was not given long to consider
about it. He laid himself down on me; with his left hand he unclosed
the luscious lips of the mouth of nature, while with the right he bent his
mighty instrument-so stiff was its erection that he appeared with
difficulty to force it down to the opening-and presently I felt its broad
shelving head entering between the lips which the fingers kept
extended. When he got in, as if he meant to spin out his pleasure and
give it more play, he passed his instrument up so slowly that it
appeared an age to me until I had fairly received it into the soft
laboratory of love. At last our mossy mounts fairly rubbed against each
other. But ah! how silly were the directions he had given me as to not
embracing him until this moment! it was out of my power to resist the
impulse I felt. If my life had depended upon it I could not have
forborne from grasping him to my breast. As to his other directions, I
believe I gave him perfect satisfaction. At first I was passive by force,
but as he made play, the in-and-out friction soon awakened, touched
and roused me to the quick, so that, unable to contain myself, I could
not but comply with his motions as quickly as the delicacy of my make
and my inexperience would admit of, until the pleasure rose to such a
height that it made me wild with ravishing sensations, in fact I threw
my legs about at random, entirely lost in the sweet agitation. As to the
Dey, his ecstasy declared itself by the increasing quickness and
fierceness of his thrusts, his rough grasping of my body, his burning
kisses and eyes darting humid fires. As the last moment, the critical
moment came, I had barely sufficient recollection to follow my
instructions. I instantly entwined my legs over his loins, every part of us
was strictly joined, and, oh God! he distilled into me a flood of rapture
which was met by me, I scarcely know how, for the transport was so
great that I actually fainted in his arms.
When I recovered, the endearing language and tender caresses of the
Dey fully spoke his entire satisfaction, and from that moment I became
his favourite slave; so I continued until you were brought into the
55
harem. But pray, Madame [she said, tenderly throwing herself into my
arms and kissing me], do not think me jealous of your superior
attractions, for although in our unfortunate situations the pleasures of
the Dey's embraces are an extreme source of consolation as well as
gratification, yet I assure you [her beautiful eyes filled with tears as
she spoke] no one but Demetrius could ever make me jealous.
Demetrius was my true, my only love.

[April]

LETTER 7

Emily to the Dey

I submit-I absolve you from your oath-fly to the arms of your longing
ZULIMA
Directly he was assured of my wish to absolve him of his oath, he
appointed the same day to receive the last proof of my entire
submission. In the evening when he entered my chamber I could not
help flying to his arms. Unconsciously my eyes were filled with tears;
but I did not consider them tears of sorrow, but rather of the pleasure I
felt at feeling myself pressed in his arms again. He gave me a long and
thrilling kiss, but seeing I was about to reproach him for his neglect, he
stopped my mouth by informing me that he could not have his joys
dampened by any silly upbraidings, but should instantly proceed, to
prevent a repetition of our quarrel, by at once removing its cause; and
he began immediately to undress me, which from the nature of my
Turkish attire was soon accomplished. From the ardent caresses he
placed upon my neck and breasts, and indeed every other part that
became exposed, I felt assured the power of my attractions had not
diminished. When he had stripped me naked he disrobed himself, then
taking me in his arms, placed me on the couch, my stomach
underneath, on two round pillows, one of them coming against the
lower part of my belly, so as to elevate my bottom considerably.
Having placed me thus, he divided my thighs to their utmost
extension, leaving the route he intended to penetrate fairly open to his
attack. He now got upon me, and having, as he thought, placed himself
securely, he encircled my body round my loins with both his arms, and
strove to penetrate the obstacle nature had placed in his way; but so
largely is he proportioned that his efforts were at first without effect.
Again he attempted, but again failed, and making a desperate lunge,
his arrow, instead of piercing where he intended it should, slipped into
the shrine of Venus, and before he found out his mistake, to my
inexpressible delight it was nearly buried in its proper sanctuary. But
he was not to be foiled in that way; he instantly withdrew it and again
fixing its head proceeded with great caution and fierceness; in short, he
43
soon got the head entirely fixed. His efforts then became more and
more energetic. But he was as happy as the satisfying of his beastly
will could make him. He regarded me not, but profiting by his success,
soon completed my second undoing; and then, indeed, with mingled
emotions of disgust and pain, I sensibly felt the debasement of being
the slave of a luxurious Turk.
I was now, indeed, wretched and oppressed with mental anguish, until
at last my outraged feeling could no longer sustain the shock A
delirious fever seized me. Bereft of my senses, I know not what further
took place at that time. The Dey has since informed me that a
considerable time elapsed ere he found out my loss of reason, but
immediately he ascertained the state I was in, he was compelled to
desist by his religion, for it is sacrilege to touch or injure any person,
Turk or Christian, who is deranged. Every advice and medical
assistance were immediately procured to restore my senses, which was
soon effected; and when my health was again sufficiently reestablished
to enable me to receive his visits, again was I compelled in
silence to resign myself to his infamous desires, until by repeated
engagements I became accustomed to his proceedings. But the only
result is, if anything, an augmentation of my disgust and horror. By my
submission I was reinstated in his affections, and everything proceeds
as usual. But the charm is broken. It is true he can, when he pleases,
bewilder my senses in the softest confusion; but when the tumult is
over, and my blood cooled from the fermentation he causes-when
reason resumes its sway, I feel that the silken cords of affection which
bound me so securely to him have been so much loosened that he will
never again be able to draw them together so closely as they were
before he subdued me to his abominable desires.
My depression of spirits made me quite the laughing stock of the
Italian woman and the French woman, who were perfectly acquainted
with the cause. They affected to despise my feelings. The only
consolation I received was from the Grecian girl, with whom I had
become extremely intimate and to whom I was much attached. She
was a beautiful girl, tall and slender; her face was rather pale and
44
languid, overcast with a melancholy resignation, but her light-blue
eyes were mild and expressive as the soft ray of an autumnal moon
tingeing a fading evening sky. With the help of books I had been able
to teach her the English language, and her progress in attaining it was
almost incredible. We could now converse freely together, and mourn
over our misfortunes and captivity. I shall narrate her distressing
history in nearly the same words as she stated it to me.
History of Adianti the Grecian Slave
My name is Adianti. I was born in the delightful island of Macaria,
where my father was a merchant, called Theodoricus. I am his only
child. Like all Greeks or Christians who reside under the power of
Turks, my father was obliged to live in a style of the utmost simplicity.
It was only by stealth he ventured on any little luxurious indulgence,
well knowing that the governor of the district was upon the watch to
pounce upon him the moment he made a show of property. Slavery, the
most powerful agent in the degradation of mankind, has given to the
modern Greeks a melancholy propensity to indulge in all kinds of
gloomy presages and forebodings. I was not exempt from the feelings of
my countrymen, and my very name, being that of one of the Danaides,
whenever I heard it mentioned, always carried an ominous feeling to
my heart.
In our neighbourhood resided a youth named Demetrius, the only son
of an aged and infirm widow. He was born for a land of freedom, and
one might have predicted from his appearance that he was destined to
chafe and struggle not a little under the restraints and mortifications
which ever fall to the lot of those who show the least spirit of
independence. His stature was tall; he carried his head higher than a
Bashaw; he was of easy carriage, and his body as straight as a palm;
active and graceful in his walk, clear in his eye, and impatient of insult
to the last degree. He was eloquent, poetical, romantic, enterprising
and a lover of the arts-he could have achieved great things had his lot
been cast in a more happy age and country. Were he now living he
would be foremost among the heroes who are defending our religion.
45
An ancient intimacy had subsisted between our families, and we were
much together. Demetrius had never exhibited any particular marks
of affection for me, yet I cannot deny that I had for some time cherished
a growing preference for the handsome, high-spirited companion of
my youth. It was the superstitious feeling I have before mentioned that
induced me to consult the Oracle of the Sweet Waters as to how my
young passion for Demetrius would thrive; and I returned from my
enquiry disconsolate and overpowered, as all the answers of the oracle
turned out unfavourable to my hopes. Under the dominion of a long
cherished superstition, handed down from generation to generation,
and sanctioned by the examples of all around, I would as soon have
thought of counteracting the declared decrees of providence as of
cherishing a hope in opposition to the oracle. You may suppose my
agitation on being informed by my father that he was going to the
governor to request permission for our marriage. With trembling
anxiety I waited the result. Our governor was a Bashaw of three tails
who, although a native of Stampalier and originally a Latin Christian,
had long ago changed the cross for the crescent Ali Ozman was the
Turkish name he assumed. It is usual, in asking a favour of our
governors, to accompany it with a present. The one my father carried
with him in support of his petition did not exactly please Ozman (for, of
course, my father was afraid of exciting suspicions of his wealth by
being too liberal), and Ozman received it with contemptuous
indifference. Though he had turned Turk, he had enough of the Latin
Christian in him to hate one of the Greek church mortally. My father
prostrated himself three times as he presented his offering. ‘Is thy
daughter handsome, Christian dog?' asked Ozman. At this, a French
renegade, who had insinuated himself into the confidence of Ozman,
whispered to him that I was the fairest virgin in the isle.
Ozman considered a few moments, and said with a smile, ‘I accept thy
present, and permit thy daughter to wed the young Greek on
condition that thou grant a feast before the marriage, and bid me be a
guest.' My father returned home in a melancholy mood, and gave
direction for the preparation of the feast and the reception of the cruel
Ozman. From a sudden recollection of the disastrous omen of the
46
oracle, darker and more dreary became my thoughts than they had
ever been since the hour I became convinced Demetrius loved me. He
also all that day seemed labouring under a depression, and departed
early in the evening oppressed by vague forebodings he could not
define. The feast was, however, prepared, the company bidden and,
after waiting a considerable time for the arrival of Ozman, who did not
appear, the ceremony proceeded with Demetrius and myself each
choosing a godfather to attend us. At the altar we were met by the
aged papa, or Greek priest, who, after blessing two crowns of foliage
intertwined with ribbons and laces, placed them on our heads. He then
in like manner blessed two rings, one of silver, the other of gold, placing
the former on my finger, the latter on that of Demetrius. After these
rings had been exchanged and we had taken our vows, the old priest
was preparing to distribute the bread and wine which was to conclude
the ceremony when a light strain of Turkish music at a distance caught
our attention. In a little while Ozman was seen advancing at the head
of twenty or thirty of his guards. Demetrius earnestly besought the
priest to finish the ceremony before the barbarians should arrive to
interrupt it, but the old man trembled so that the wine was spilled and
the consecrated bread fell from his hands. In a few moments Ozman
and his train entered the church with their scimitars drawn and
scattered the bridal train, leaving me, my father, Demetrius and the
priest alone at the altar.
'Stop, dog!' cried Ozman. ‘I forbid the marriage in the name of the
prophet.'
'It is too late,' replied the old priest, meekly.
'Be silent, Christian dog! or I will stop thy howlings,' Ozman cried. ‘But
what is this I smell-wine? You have been carousing, you swine! You
have been swilling of that accursed beverage abhorred by Allah, and
denounced by his Prophet. It is enough; seize the virgin and trample
into dust all that oppose us.' During the whole of the fateful
proceedings my poor father supported himself against the side of the
smouldering altar in speechless horror. I could not speak, but my eyes
47
were fixed on Demetrius, whose inflexible silence I but too well
understood. The youth was too indignant to speak, but the clenched
hands, quivering lips and blazing eye spoke a prologue to opposition
and vengeance.
'Seize the virgin!' repeated Ozman, ‘she will be only too honoured and
happy to escape the pollution of this blaspheming wine bibber.'
Ozman advanced as he uttered these insulting words. At that instant
Demetrius sprang like lightning upon the foremost of the ravishers,
and wrenched the scimitar from his hand before he was aware of his
purpose. He rushed on Ozman: the first blow made his scimitar fly
ringing into the air, the second was arrested by one of the guards,
which saved the life of the tyrant, who exclaimed, almost choking with
passion, ‘He has struck a Mussulman; he has outraged the law of the
Prophet; he has polluted the person of the representative of the
Commander of the Faithful. Hew him to the earth! cut him into atoms!
scatter his flesh to the beasts of the field! let the dogs feed on the
Christian reptile!' The crisis was come; my poor father took courage
from despair, and seizing upon Ozman's scimitar, which still lay upon
the ground, placed himself besides Demetrius, determined to share his
fate and the with him. Guess my indescribable anguish. I was seized by
several of the guards, whilst others attacked my father and lover. A
desperate conflict ensued. My father fought bravely, but soon fell dead
by the side of Demetrius, who had rushed towards the tyrant thinking
he had him within his power, but a scimitar from behind had cleaved
open his head. He sank on the ground never more to rise. At this
dreadful sight my senses forsook me, and I do not know how long I
continued insensible, for when I was brought back to life I was in a
state of raving delirium, in which I have been informed I continued for
many weeks. When I finally recovered, I found myself the property of
a slave merchant on board a Turkish vessel which was sailing for Tunis.
On arriving there I was sold to the Bey. It was at Tunis I learned how I
escaped the brutish lust of the villain Ozman. After the slaughter of
my father and lover he had me conveyed to his harem, no doubt for the
purpose of sacrificing my chastity to his abominable desires; but from
the state I was in it became necessary for a doctor to be sent for, and he,
48
after administering such medicines as brought me to myself, instantly
declared me to be in a state of complete insanity. By the laws of
Mahomet no one, under penalty of death, can abuse or take any liberty
with the person of one of unsound mind. Thus for the moment I escaped
ravishment. Shortly afterwards, in consequence of some act of
peculation the wretch committed, the Sultan caused him to be
strangled and his effects to be sold; being found among his slaves I
became the property of the slave merchant, who quickly conveyed me
from my country, home and friends, well knowing where my person
would find a good market.
It appears such as I am I did not exactly strike the taste of the Bey, for
he shortly afterwards sent me as a gift to our present master, who it
seems it was decreed should enjoy the virgin treasures which the
wicked Ozman dared not deprive me of and the Bey of Tunis
neglected or did not think worth his time to take from me. After my
first interview with the Dey I clearly saw that my chastity was in
considerably more danger than it had been while I was in the power of
Ozman, and that I was now without the protection I then enjoyed.
After my recovery from the dreadful malady with which I was seized
at the cruel butchery of my lover and father, a fixed melancholy
settled on me in the place of the disorder. This the Dey on seeing me
perceived, and he became anxious to know the cause why one so
young and beautiful (as he was pleased to describe me) should be
afflicted with such a determined lowness of spirits. In compliance with
his urgent wishes, I related the history of my misfortunes. During my
narrative he sat by my side and took one of my hands in his. I could
clearly feel and see by his agitation how much my story affected him;
The tear of sensibility stood trembling in his eye at the relation of my
sufferings.
When I had finished he drew me trembling to his bosom, and tenderly
kissing my forehead, said he blushed that such a villain as Ozman
should disgrace the name of Mussulman. ‘Have you no relations that I
can return you to?' he demanded. I told him I knew of no relation but
my father, and he and Demetrius were dead. ‘No wonder,' he
49
continued, your beauties are clouded; the misfortunes felt by one so
young have been enough to sink you to the very earth. But cheer up,
sweet maid, here you shall be free from all importunity. It is true you
are my slave, and by our laws I can, if I think fit, violate your beauties;
but no. As yet you have experienced nothing but oppression at our
hands. I will try by kindness to deserve the enjoyment of your charms.'
Again he pressed me fondly to his bosom, but instead of kissing me as
before, my lips received his pressures until their fierceness threw me
into a confusion indescribable; but on seeing me in tears he
immediately desisted, assuring me that my modesty had nothing to
fear from him. But young and inexperienced as I was, nature assured
me I had more to fear from the soft pity and seeming sensibility of the
amorous Ali than the villainous proceedings of the ferocious Ozman.
Ozman might have debauched me by force it is true, but with Ali I had
more than force to guard against-I mean nature, which the persuasive
Ali, even on my first interview, had contrived to alarm by his kisses,
which (I know not why) I scarcely dared to refuse him, particularly as
he always desisted when the fervency of his proceedings gave my
modesty reason to complain. But I soon became conscious that at each
new interview the liberties he took became more daring, so much so
that I had determined to request he would send me home to my native
isle as he had offered to do.
The very evening I had come to this resolution he sent word by one of
his eunuchs that he would take his coffee with me. He came
accordingly. After coffee was served (as was his usual custom) he
reclined on the sofa, directing me to place myself by his side. I obeyed,
as he never had refused to permit my rising when the fear of his
proceedings had alarmed me. This evening I though he seemed
particularly tender, but somewhat thoughtful. As usual, my lips
became his prey. Without my knowledge he contrived to unbutton my
bodice at the bosom, and ere I could oppose it his burning hand had
invaded and was moulding one of my breasts. This new proceeding
threw me into considerable agitation. I requested him to desist; to take
his hand away. He immediately complied, merely demanding whether
his caresses gave me uneasiness. Indeed so very kind did he appear
50
that evening, I at last summoned up courage to make my request of
being sent home. His kindness I confessed I should never forget I
supported my petition with all the artless sophistry I was capable of.
Ah, I little knew the value of the favour I was soliciting.
At first he seemed much astonished, and I thought affected, but with
pleasure I saw the frown fade from his brow. He called me unkind,
ungenerous, to wish to desert him at the very moment he had nearly
persuaded himself that his attention and forbearance had created a
sentiment in my bosom favourable to his hopes. ‘Say, sweet maid,' he
cried, fondly kissing me, ‘you cannot, will not abandon me.' I hardly
know how I resisted his pressure and importunities, but I did, and at last
received the joyful assurance from him that I should return to my
country-home I had none. But his promise was all deception, for even
at the very moment he made it, his plans for my ruin were taking effect.
Determined on my enjoyment, he had caused to be infused in the
coffee which had been handed to me, a strong sleeping draught. Thus
at the very moment I was soliciting for the safety of my virtue, my
virgin hour was rapidly expiring, and my eyes were growing heavy
with the effect of the opium. In fact, sleep overtook me in his arms, and I
did not recover from the stupefying quality of the narcotic drug before
my virginity and all hopes of escape were destroyed. I was no sooner
asleep than the Dey had me undressed and conveyed to bed,
whereupon he quickly followed. I became his unresisting prey. The
acuteness of the painful sensations which I am told always accompany
the transformation of the maid into the finished woman are unknown
to me, for so powerful was the medicine that I continued buried all the
night in the most profound insensibility-in fact, during all the time the
Dey was in uncontrolled possession of my person; indeed so thoroughly
had he prepared me to meet his pleasures when I should recover my
senses, that during his first enjoyment of me, when perfectly awake, I
felt not the least sensation that could be possibly called painful. You
may guess my astonishment and sorrow, on awakening from my
deathlike stupor, to find myself naked in the arms of the Dey, who was
fast asleep, his head reclining on my bosom. From a certain stiffness I
felt in a particular part, the truth crashed upon my mind instantly. I
51
could not refrain from crying aloud, which awoke the Dey. He was not
slow in pleading an excuse for what he had done, stating that, burning
for my enjoyment, and plainly seeing my invincible modesty would
oppose the most strenuous resistance to the completion of his desires,
he determined, by rendering me insensible to my seduction, to spare
my feelings and blushes.
'How could you suppose, lovely creature,' he cried, passionately, ‘that
it was possible I could part with charms like yours? Where would you
fly to? no one to protect you-no home! your beauties are too great to
suffer you long to escape the snares which some brutal renegade like
Ozman would set to trap you. Then, sweet slave, pardon my offence; in
me you will always find a kind and faithful protector. Come, dry those
lovely eyes,' he continued; ‘no longer rend my heart with those
agonising looks.' In this manner, joined with the softest caresses, did Ali
strive to soothe me after giving my first burst of passion its free vent.
What he said was very true. I had no home or friend. Where was I to fly
to? My state of wretchedness was too apparent. It required very little
reflection to convince me the grand ordeal was past, my virginity
being his. In short, he soothed me with the soft asseverations of the
tenderest love, giving his persuasions with the most lively caresses,
until at last by degrees he stemmed the tide of sorrow that flowed over
my feelings. Seeing my grief was somewhat pacified, he considered
this a fit opportunity to begin to prepare me to submit to his desires. I
was entirely unconscious of his intentions. He suddenly turned me on
my back, forcibly extended my thighs with one of his knees and in an
instant was secure between them; without further ceremony he fixed
himself in me, and vigorously making play, his quick thrusts soon sent
him in fierce erection to his utmost length into me; indeed, I felt him up
to the very quick; I was literally gorged by him. You may suppose my
astonishment at finding the insertion of his instrument unaccompanied
by the least particle of pain. [I interrupted her by enquiring if she felt
not the least suffering.] None whatever, and I can only attribute it to
the number of times he must have enjoyed me while I was under the
influence of the opiate, for I assure you the pains accompanying the
loss of virginity are entirely unknown to me. Nay, on the contrary, I felt
52
not the least inconvenience. So you may guess my emotions at the
awful moment when he had driven himself into me, joining as it were
our bodies into one by the close junction of the parts. My hands were
clenched-my whole body immovable-my teeth, fixed. I was lost to
everything but the wonderful instrument that was sheathed within me.
I call it wonderful, and I think not improperly; for wonderful must that
thing be that in the midst of the most poignant grief can so rapidly
dissolve our senses with the softest sensations, spite of inclination, so
quickly cause us to forget our early impressions, our first affections, and
in the most forlorn and wretched moments of our existence make us
taste such voluptuous delight and lustful pleasure! This was my case.
At the very moment I thought myself the most wretched of all human
beings did the Dey, by his luxurious movements, cause me to
experience the most sensual of all enjoyments, which every instant
became more and more poignant and dissolving, until I was
completely ravished with unutterable delight. I unconsciously
grasped him in my arms, unable to conceal the joys I was convulsed
with; and soon in my agony of bliss, amounting to little less than
delirium, did I feel spouting from him the milk of life, which rushed in
delicious streams into my womb, and quickly drew down from me with
shuddering ecstasy my maiden tribute of the melting essence.
After the first ecstasy, as he lay in my arms, whilst I was still
languishing from the joy I had experienced, did he extract from me an
unqualified kiss of forgiveness for his deceit and treachery, and on my
lips did he seal an oath to Allah never to desert me. I now became
passive if not resigned to my fate. Drawing his shaft out of me, and
removing himself from between my thighs, he informed me that in the
evening when his strength was sufficiently recruited, it was his
intention to give me my finishing instructions in love's mysteries; for as
yet, though it was evident to him I had enjoyed the pleasure, yet I had
much to learn and to do ere (as he said) I could enjoy the ecstasy
properly. He then left me. I shall not tire you with an account of how I
passed the day; it is sufficient to say that towards evening the female
slaves, after having conducted me to the bath, and properly
ornamented my hair, and every way prepared me, helped me into bed
53
to await the Bey's coming. He came covered only by a robe, which
thrown off left him entirely naked, and he came to bed to me. If I had
any repugnance left, this might certainly have removed it entirely.
Directly he was laid by my side he first threw off me bedclothes, then
untying the ribbons which closed my dress in front, he threw it open,
leaving my person naked to his view. He then examined every part of
me, covering me as he did so with numberless kisses. Having satisfied
his curiosity as to my person, he drew me to his bosom, and desired me
to place my lips to his. He then taught me several ways of kissing. The
first was merely drawing my lips softly across his, which he called
dove-kissing. The second was keeping my lips glued to his, returning
his suction until he withdrew his lips: this he called the kiss of
enjoyment; and the third was the same with the difference of thrusting
his tongue into my mouth-this was described by him as the kiss of
desire.
When he thought he had sufficiently taught me the manner of kissing
which pleased him, he desired me particularly to remember that
whenever he got between my thighs I must immediately extend them
to their utmost width, and when I found he had completely entered me,
then, and not till then, I was to embrace his body with my arms, and
pass my lips softly over his when I felt him beginning to thrust; as he
withdrew out of me, I was also to withdraw from him, but not so much
as to throw him out; and as he thrust home again, J was also to meet
him with all my force, my arms all the time encircling him firmly-all
my kisses to be entirely governed by his manner of kissing, and
immediately I felt him beginning to discharge himself within me, I was
instantly to throw my legs over his back and keep myself immovably
fixed in the closest junction with him, until the very last drop was
ejected from him; but, above all, he particularly pressed upon me to
obey him in everything he directed implicitly, assuring me I should
find my reward in obedience. With blushes I promised to obey his
desires in every particular. He then got between my thighs, which I
extended to his wishes; this I saw gratified him; then, on his knees
between them, he desired me to take hold of his instrument, and pass
my hand up and down it two or three times. I did as he directed, but
54
could not look him in the face. Ah, I could scarcely grasp the stately
pillar! As my hand slipped up and down it, I felt it throb and leap
freely. I was struck with astonishment at how I could have entertained
so superb and magnificent a shaft! I was not given long to consider
about it. He laid himself down on me; with his left hand he unclosed
the luscious lips of the mouth of nature, while with the right he bent his
mighty instrument-so stiff was its erection that he appeared with
difficulty to force it down to the opening-and presently I felt its broad
shelving head entering between the lips which the fingers kept
extended. When he got in, as if he meant to spin out his pleasure and
give it more play, he passed his instrument up so slowly that it
appeared an age to me until I had fairly received it into the soft
laboratory of love. At last our mossy mounts fairly rubbed against each
other. But ah! how silly were the directions he had given me as to not
embracing him until this moment! it was out of my power to resist the
impulse I felt. If my life had depended upon it I could not have
forborne from grasping him to my breast. As to his other directions, I
believe I gave him perfect satisfaction. At first I was passive by force,
but as he made play, the in-and-out friction soon awakened, touched
and roused me to the quick, so that, unable to contain myself, I could
not but comply with his motions as quickly as the delicacy of my make
and my inexperience would admit of, until the pleasure rose to such a
height that it made me wild with ravishing sensations, in fact I threw
my legs about at random, entirely lost in the sweet agitation. As to the
Dey, his ecstasy declared itself by the increasing quickness and
fierceness of his thrusts, his rough grasping of my body, his burning
kisses and eyes darting humid fires. As the last moment, the critical
moment came, I had barely sufficient recollection to follow my
instructions. I instantly entwined my legs over his loins, every part of us
was strictly joined, and, oh God! he distilled into me a flood of rapture
which was met by me, I scarcely know how, for the transport was so
great that I actually fainted in his arms.
When I recovered, the endearing language and tender caresses of the
Dey fully spoke his entire satisfaction, and from that moment I became
his favourite slave; so I continued until you were brought into the
55
harem. But pray, Madame [she said, tenderly throwing herself into my
arms and kissing me], do not think me jealous of your superior
attractions, for although in our unfortunate situations the pleasures of
the Dey's embraces are an extreme source of consolation as well as
gratification, yet I assure you [her beautiful eyes filled with tears as
she spoke] no one but Demetrius could ever make me jealous.
Demetrius was my true, my only love.

[April]

LETTER 8

Emily Barlow to Sylvia Carey (continued)

I had forgot to mention before the unhappy fate of my companion
Eliza, whom I never saw after my first introduction to the Dey; she was
presented by the Dey to the Bey of Tunis, whose shocking barbarity to
his female slaves was the common gossip of our harem.
One day the Dey came into my room, and throwing down a letter, told
me it contained all the particulars of the ravishment of my friend,
adding, ‘She has had a little worse treatment than my slaves generally
meet with.'
I seized the letter, and you may judge my feelings on reading the
following:

[April]

LETTER 9

The Bey of Tunis to the Dey of Algiers

A pretty trick you have played me. By Mahomet's beard, it is
abominable! to look at her, who would have credited it? such a meekeyed,
timid-looking thing! By Allah, Ali, merely for thrusting my
hands into her breasts did she fly at me like a tiger, and my face was
instantly furrowed by her cursed nails like unto a field new ploughed.
But I wrong you to suppose you could have known what a termagant
she was; if you had, you certainly would have communicated the
character of your present. I may properly say she was a termagant for
she is now tamed. When somewhat recovered from the surprise her
sudden attack created, I summoned some of the eunuchs, into whose
care I delivered her, determined to defer my revenge until the wounds
of my face were healed-and you shall hear how then this vixen was
subdued.
In a few days my face was well; my directions that she should be
treated with every possible respect in the meantime had quite put her
off her guard. One morning the eunuchs conveyed her to my
experiment room, where, before she could tell what they were about,
her hands were securely fastened together and drawn above her head,
through a pulley fixed in the ceiling. I directed her to be pulled up so
as not to lift her off the ground, but that she should not be able to throw
herself down. When this was effected I entered the room and dismissed
the eunuchs. There she stood trembling with rage, but unable to help
herself. I now drew a couch towards her, and having seated myself
close to her, placed one arm around her waist, and with the other was
about to lift up her clothes.
It is impossible to describe the exertions she made to prevent my
proceedings, she twisted herself about and writhed and kicked until I
was obliged to abandon my attempt for a moment and call in the
eunuchs, who quickly (in spite of her kicking) secured each of her feet
to a ring placed in the floor, about two feet and a half from each other.
This, of course, considerably extended her legs and thighs. She was
then secure every way. After dismissing the eunuchs, I again drew the
58
couch close to her, and without further ceremony lifted up her clothes.
Oh, Ali, what delicious transport shot through my veins at the
voluptuous charms exhibited to my ardent gaze! How lovely was her
round mount of love, just above the temple of Venus, superbly covered
with beautiful black hair, how soft and smooth as ivory her belly and
her swelling, delicately formed thighs! The cygnet down instantly
disclosed that she was a maid, for where the bodies have been properly
joined in the fierce encounter, the hair (particularly of the female)
loses that sleek downy appearance, and by the constant friction the
smooth hair becomes rubbed into delightful little curls. But, to put the
fact beyond dispute, I thrust my forefinger into the little hole below.
Her loud cries, and the difficulty of entering which was found, set the
fact beyond dispute. Immediately dropping on my knees, grasping in
each hand one of her buttocks, I placed on her virgin toy a most
delicious kiss. I then got up and began to undress her. She appeared
nearly choked with passion; her tears flowed down her beautiful face
in torrents. But her rage was of no use. Proceeding leisurely, first taking
off one thing, then another, and with the help of scissors, I quickly rid
her of every covering.
Holy Mahomet! What a glorious sight she exhibited: beautiful
breasts-finely placed, sufficiently firm to support themselvesshoulders,
belly, thighs, legs, everything was deliriously voluptuous!
But what most struck my fancy was the beautiful whiteness, roundness
and voluptuous swell of firm flesh of her lovely buttocks and thighs.
‘Soon,' I said to myself, handling her delicious bum, ‘soon shall this
lovely whiteness be mixed with a crimson blush!' I placed burning
kisses upon every part of her; wherever my lips travelled instantly the
part was covered with scarlet blushes. Having directed two rods to be
placed on the couch, also a leather whip with broad lashes, I took one
of the rods and (shoving the couch out of the way) began gently to lay
it on the beautiful posterior of my sobbing captive. At first I did it
gently enough-it could have no other effect than just to tickle her; but
shortly I began every now and then to lay on a smart lash, which made
her wince and cry out. This tickling and cutting I kept up for some
time-until the alabaster cheeks of her bum had become suffused with
59
a slight blush-then suddenly I began to give the rod with all my might;
then indeed was every lash followed by a cry, or an exclamation for
pity, such as ‘Oh! spare me, for God's sake! have pity on me! you cut me
in pieces!'
'Ah, I cannot bear it! I shall die!' Her winces and the delicious wiggling
of her backside increased in proportion to the increase of the force of
my lashes and these continued, heedless of her cries, entreaties and
complaints, until both the rods and myself were exhausted. To recover
breath I drew the couch close to her and seated myself; the entire
surface of her beautiful buttocks was covered with welts; every here
and there, where the stem of the leaves had caught her, appeared a
little spot of crimson blood, which went trickling down the lily thighs.
Again and again did I slide my hand over her numerous beauties.
Again and again did my forefinger intrude itself into her delicate
little hole of pleasure. She could not avoid anything I thought fit to do.
Her thighs were stretched wide enough for me to have enjoyed her if I
had thought fit, but that was not my immediate intention. I had settled
she was to receive the quantity of punishment allotted her before she
was deflowered.
Having recovered my breath, I stripped myself, and, seizing the
leather whip, began to flog her with such effect that the blood
followed every lash. Vain were her cries and supplications-still lash
followed lash in rapid succession. I was now in so princely a state of
erection that I could have made a hole where there had been none
before, let alone drive myself into a place which nature had been so
bountiful as to form of stretching material. Quickly summoning the
eunuchs, I directed them to lay her on her back on the couch, properly
securing an arm on each side to one of the legs of the couch. It was
accomplished as quickly as ordered. They retired, leaving me with my
exhausted victim to complete the sacrifice. I was not long in rooting up
her modesty, deprived as she was of the use of her arms and exhausted
by her sufferings. A pillow having been placed under her sufficiently
to raise her bottom so as to leave a fair mark for my engine, I threw her
legs over my shoulders, and softly (as a tender mother playing with her
60
infant) opened the lips of paradise and love to reveal its coral hue and
mossy little grotto-and each fold closed upon the intruding finger,
repelling the unwelcome guest. Inconceivable is the delight one feels
in these transporting situations! There is nothing on earth so much
enhances the joy with me as to know the object that affords me the
pleasure detests me, but cannot help from satisfying my desires-her
tears and looks of anguish are sources of unutterable joy to me! Being
satisfied in every way, by sight, by touch, by every sense, that I was the
first possessor, I placed the head of my instrument between the
distended lips, grasping her thighs with her legs over my shoulders,
then making a formidable thrust, lodged the head entirely in her; she
turned her beautiful eyes up to heaven as if looking there for
assistance-her exhaustion precluded any opposition; another fierce
thrust deepened the insertion; tears in torrents followed my efforts, but
she disdained to speak; still I thrust, but no complaint; but growing
fiercer, one formidable plunge proved too mighty for her forbearanceshe
not only screamed, but struggled. However, I was safely in her.
Another thrust finished the job; it was done, and nobly done, by
Mahomet! Europa was never half so well unvirgined, although love
might have had the strength of a bull. After having cooled my burning
passion by a copious discharge, I withdrew myself. Crimson tears
followed my exit; with a handkerchief I wiped away the precious
drops, and falling on my knees between her thighs, placed on the torn
and wounded lips a delicious kiss-delicious beyond measure. Only
consider, Ali, to know beyond dispute that no one but myself had
divided these pouting, fresh, warm, clasping and gaping gates of
pleasure! Indeed it was rapturous beyond description. I now thought it
time to untie the silken cord that confined the arms of this young vixen.
On feeling her arms released, her only motion was to cover her eyes
with her hands; there she lay on her back immovable-but for her sobs I
could not have told whether she existed. I left her, but ordered the
eunuchs to convey her to her apartments, directing the greatest care to
be taken of her until my return from an excursion I was about to make
to Bona.
61
I was gone twelve days. During my journey, I had refrained from
women, consequently on my return I felt myself in an extremely
amorous mood. Not intending to give her modesty (if she had any left)
an excuse for resistance, I directed her to be again secured, but this
time I had her fastened face downwards to a curious couch made on
purpose, at the end of which, by means of a handle, the positions may
be elevated or lowered to any height convenient On lifting up her
clothes, to my great joy I found there was not the least remains of the
flagellation so liberally administered to her. Her swelling ivory thighs
and voluptuous firm buttocks had perfectly recovered their beautiful
freshness. I think it is utterly impossible for anyone to possess charms
exceeding in beauty the rising plumpness of her lovely limbs! How
delightful the touch and squeeze of her bum! After tucking her clothes
securely up as high as the small of her back, so that her twisting could
not unloosen them, I undressed myself, and arming myself with a
magnificent rod, commenced giving her a second lesson in birch
discipline. Not intending this bout to make her suffer much, having (as
I said) completely broken her spirit when I deflowered her, all that I
now intended was to enjoy the luxurious wriggling, plunging and
kicking which usually attends a smart flagellation. From the tears that
already filled her beautiful eyes, I plainly perceived she expected the
same treatment she had before experienced; but she was deceived for
this time I did not lay into her with more strength than was necessary
to cover her posterior with a slight carnation blush. But still the
delicious struggles and writhes, as the expected cat fell upon her round
buttocks, threw me into so luxurious a frenzy that it caused me soon to
abandon the rod. By means of the wheel and handle I raised her
buttocks until her delicate little hole of pleasure was properly placed
to receive me. I directed myself to the entrance. Having thoroughly
stretched her on my first attack, three or four thrusts were enough to
engulf my fullest length into her; in fact she sustained the insertion
without making any great complaint, only a little cry or so. Nothing
adds to the enjoyment so much as the active reciprocation of the
female when she returns the transport; when that return is not
willingly given, its place must be supplied in the best way available. It
could hardly be expected that any return would be made by my
62
captive, consequently I was obliged to make the best substitute I could;
so, seizing her round the loins as I drove myself into her, grasping her
close and drawing her towards me, I made her meet the coming thrusts,
thus famously supplying the want of her own free will in the exertions
of my pleasures. Master of the place, I gave way with all my energy to
the voluptuous joys with which my senses were surrounded. At every
fierce insertion my stones slapped against the soft lips of her delicate
slit. Everything conspired to excite, to gratify my senses. Driving close
into her, I for a moment stopped my furious thrusts to play with the soft
silly hair which covered her mount of love; then slipping my hand over
her ivory belly up to her breasts, I made her rosy nipples my next prey.
Then, All, I again commenced my ravishing in-and-out strokes. Oh,
how beautiful was the sight in the mirror by my side, as I drew myself
out of her, of the rosy lips of her sheath protruding out clasping my
instrument as if fearing to lose it! then again, as the column returned up
to the quick, to see the crimson edging that surrounded me gradually
retreating inwards, until it was entirely lost in the black circles of her
mossy hair! In short, All, overcome with voluptuous sensations, the crisis
seized me. I distilled, as it were, my very soul into her! Satisfied, I now
withdrew myself, then releasing her hands, I stripped her of her clothes
(all but her shift) and carried her to a more commodious couch, on
which I threw her, and placed myself by her side. She had now nothing
to lose. Fear, no doubt, prevented her making resistance to my
proceedings. The view and touch of so many beauties again fired my
blood. I seized her, threw myself upon her, divided her thighs, quickly
buried myself in her, and again and again drowned myself in a sea of
sensual delight, in which it must be confessed the sweet girl did not to
appearances participate. But in my next I hope to give a better
account of her.

MUZRA

This letter you may be assured made me feel quite unhappy. While on
this subject I will give you the contents of the subsequent letter,
written about a week afterwards.

[April]

LETTER 10

Muzra to Ali

Ah, Ali, the English slave has indeed been a fatal present to your
friend. You will scarcely credit the dreadful recompense she has taken
for her lost virginity.
Yes, Ali, nothing but my life would satisfy her. Doubtless her wishes
will be gratified, for I feel life ebbing fast from me. As I informed you in
my last, I supposed that her spirit was quite subdued; but I little knew
the mind I had to contend with, or how terrible a retribution she would
exact for my trespass on her charms! But I must quickly finish. Several
times I had enjoyed her in the daytime, but had not slept with her. One
night, truly fatal for me, I ordered the eunuchs to bring her to my
sleeping apartment. Oh, Ali, nothing could exceed the docility, mixed
with the timid bashfulness of her behaviour. In the midst of my joys she
clasped me in her arms, returning my kisses as ardently as they were
given, and appearing to receive as much ecstatic pleasure as she
herself gave. But it was all deceit, to lull me to my destruction.
Wearied by bliss, I sank by her side into a delightful slumber, from
which I was awoken by the piercing of a knife through my bosom. It
was daylight; she was leaning over me with a savage joy, brandishing
the fatal instrument that had already pierced me. Again it fell on my
defenceless bosom. ‘That's for my lost virtue!' she cried. Again she
struck me, ‘That's for my cruel scourging!' And again flourishing it
before my eyes, she cried, ‘Receive that for the many times you have
forced my poor body to submit to your loathsome pollutions.' Again it
fell unerring on my breast. I shrieked aloud for help. Two of the
eunuchs rushed in. She had sprung out of bed. The first (who attempted
to seize her) paid with his life the forfeit of temerity, but the other
overpowered her. Weak from the loss of blood, I had still strength
enough to order she should not be hurt. My orders were obeyed. To
prevent any ill usage to her in case I should not recover, I have sent her
back to you. I can dictate no more at present. If I should depart to
Paradise, as you respect your friend, let no one injure her. Farewell.
May happiness attend you.
MUZRA
64
I can hardly describe my feelings on reading this last letter. I was
pleased to think Eliza has returned, for I am in hopes now of having
some of her company. I have asked the Dey to permit her to visit me,
and he has promised me that I shall be gratified. The Bey of Tunis is
recovering from his wounds, but will not, I presume, want Eliza back
again, for fear of her taking further vengeance on him. Adieu, dearest
Sylvia.

EMILY BARLOW

[April]

LETTER 11

Sylvia Carey to Emily Barlow
Toulon, France

Emily-It is impossible at once to shake off our earliest acquaintance; if
it had been you ought not to have expected that I should have taken
any notice of your disgusting letters. What offence have I ever given
that you should insult me by writing in the language you have? Why
annoy me with an account of the libidinous scenes acted between you
and the beast whose infamous and lustful acts you so particularly
describe? Did I not know the character of your writing well, I should be
in hopes I was deceived by some wretch. But no, every part of your
writing carries conviction. I have to thank God the letters fell into my
hands, else your infamy would have dragged another crime on your
guilty head by the death of my unfortunate brother who most
certainly would have fallen under the dreadful discovery if he had by
accident gone (which he most usually does) to the post office for our
letters. Although the letters were directed to me, he would assuredly
have opened them had he seen your writing. But thank God this pang
has at present been spared him. After you sailed from Portsmouth,
Henry's health became daily worse, and the physicians declared that
nothing but a warmer climate would save his life. I was therefore
determined to pass the summer in the South of France and the
neighbourhood of this place was fixed upon for our residence. Your
mother determined to accompany us. We made the journey by stages,
and on arriving here hired a most delightful cottage, a short walk
outside the fortifications of the town, opposite the sea. Here Henry's
health has daily improved, and both our parents are in hopes of his
entire recovery. The time when he expects to hear from you in India is
not yet expired, so at present he is easy on this point. God knows what
the result will be when he hears of your debased situation, and the
infamous satisfaction it gives you! Your mother is the only person I
have dared to communicate the sad tidings to, and we have given
particular direction to the postmaster at Toulon not to permit Henry to
have any letters directed to either of us. We therefore feel sure that
none of your letters can fall into his hands. I cannot describe your
mother's grief, which she is obliged to hide from my brother; it is
66
evidently making rapid inroads on her constitution. I am enabled to
write to you direct as a vessel is now leaving for the port of Algiers
with some missionaries on board for the redemption of slaves; but the
nature of your letters has so distracted your mother that she does not
know how to proceed, or whether it is your wish to be released from the
infamous subjection in which your beastly ravisher seems to hold both
your person and senses. If there is a spark of feeling, on your mother's
account (or modesty on your own) left, make no delay in letting me
know if you wish to escape from the wretch who thus holds you in his
thraldom. I subscribe myself still your friend (if you deserve it),

SYLVIA CAREY

This letter was written before the receipt of Emily's last letter.

[April]

LETTER 12

The Dey to Abdallah

Abdallah-A short time back several missionaries arrived here from
the South of France since their arrival they have been employed in
redeeming several worn-out old male slaves, mostly Frenchmen. They
have petitioned me to grant them a passage home in the first ship that
leaves for the port of Toulon.
For the reason herein explained, I have appointed you to carry them to
France. As these holy hypocrites have great influence in their own
country, be careful you treat them with the proper respect and
attention during their voyage, as their countenance may be
serviceable, particularly Father Angelo, who will supply you with
every information you want respecting an English family now residing
in the neighbourhood of Toulon. In this family is a young woman
named Sylvia Carey.-'This girl, Abdallah, you must contrive to secure
and bring back with you to Algiers.
The eunuch who delivers this will give you a private signet, which you
may show as soon as you think proper to Father Angelo; it will
command his services, and you may rely implicitly upon everything
the Christian dog says or does. Mind, Abdallah, I have set my mind on
having possession of the girl; do not return without her. Name your own
reward, but be careful she is mine.

ALI

[April]

LETTER 13

Pedro to Angelo

Angelo-You remember my informing you of the young and lovely
daughter of the Marquis of Mezzia having been forced to take the veil
in our neighbouring Ursuline Convent. It now appears this beautiful
creature has become a sacrifice to the pride of the family; its revenue
being comparatively beggarly, no fortune could be given with her in
marriage, so there was no choice. Either the brother must have been
reduced to the necessity of seeking a support by some profession (or
other means equally disgusting to the pride of the old Marquis), or this
young innocent must be sacrificed. I need not explain to you, who was
so long the confessor of the late Marquis, the poverty and pride of both
him and young Mezzia. Paternal feeling or any other social tie which
should have protected and supported the beauteous flower, all sank
before the imaginary stain that might be inflicted on the honour of the
house by curtailing the means of one of its descendants. This quickly
decided the proud, unfeeling father and cruel brother, so at the age of
seventeen, all her young beauties just ripening into perfection, was the
almost broken-hearted Julia Mezzia forced to utter oaths her heart
abhorred, devoting her voluptuous charms to the service of religioncharms,
Angelina, only fit for the service of vigorous man.
As I before gave you the full particulars of the distressing ceremony, I
need not revert to it. But although beauty may be strictly confined by
walls and bars, nature will still assume its mighty empire. This lovely
virgin has been caught in an attempt to escape from the horrors of a
cell for life. She was taken in the act of descending the wall, being
betrayed by a sister of the convent, to whom in youthful confidence
she had imparted her design. The penalty is death, unless mercy can be
purchased for her; but such means as is necessary I do not think the
Mezzia family can command, and if they could I shall take care with
his Holiness that it has no effect.
You see, Angelo, this blushing rose must be mine. She will be shortly
brought to her trial and condemned by the abbess to be buried alive. A
report will then be forwarded to the grand vicar, who will procure his
69
Holiness's fiat. It will be my duty to prevent any petitions in her favour
being heard. Fare thee well! you will soon hear of my success.

PEDRO, ABBOT OF ST FRANCIS

[April]

LETTER 14

Pedro to Angelo

She is mine, soul and body mine. I have the delicious angel safe in my
secret apartments in the convent, where uncontrolled I revel and feed
upon her thrilling beauties. She came to my fierce embrace a blushing,
timid maid. Oh, Angelo, how delicious were the moments spent in
unravelling the Gordian knot of her coy chastity! How sweet to the ear
was the soft cry that announced the expiration of her virginity. Angelo
(believe me when I write it), the very moment I saw the parlour grating
close upon the lovely Mezzia on the afternoon she received the veil, a
prophetic spirit whispered in mine ear, ‘She is mine.' She is mine-only
mine-wholly mine. Nearly the whole of last night was I voluptuously
encircled by her wary limbs, her young budding breasts rapturously
beating against my manly bosom, her glowing cheek fondly pressed to
mine, and only removed to resign her balmy lips to my burning kisses.
Night of exquisite rapture! May it never be weakened in the tablet of
memory! As I predicted, Angelo, for her attempt to escape from the
convent, the austere Abbess of St Ursuline immediately called a
chapter to try this lovely disgrace to our holy religion. Her friends
were notified of her infamous attempt, and in due time the trial took
place, in the presence of her father, brother and friends. Sister Sophia,
the nun in whom my young pupil had misplaced her confidence, was
the principal evidence against her. It appears before she was excluded
from the world an attachment had subsisted between her and a young
nobleman, whose name was the only thing Julia had not acquainted
Sister Sophia with. As he luckily escaped in the confusion of securing
Julia, he has nothing to fear. The poor girl had no defence. The
detection was too public. What she urged in mitigation of her fault not
only incensed the abbess more and more against her, but absolutely
caused her father and brother to deny and abandon her to her fate
altogether.
She publicly avowed that she was compelled to take the veil by her
father and brother, and called on heaven to witness the truth of her
assertion and protect her in her distress. Her father and brother fled
the convent venting curses on her, and she was condemned by the
71
chapter to be buried alive. Oh, Angelo, how great was my joy at
hearing this sentence. You are the only one of the order to whom I have
communicated the fact of the existence of a subterraneous passage
from my dormitory to the tomb of death in the convent of St Ursuline.
Guess with what impatience I waited the result of the case from Rome.
The sentence of the chapter being confirmed, the following day was
appointed for depositing the victim in the dreadful sepulchre. In the
meantime, I descended and conveyed by our subterraneous entrance a
comfortable mattress and other conveniences, and I also cleaned out
the dungeon of the filth and vermin, so that the tender girl should be
able at least to sleep without interruption during the time I intended
she should stay there; that you may be sure would be no longer than to
make her thankful to surrender her person to my desires when I
afforded her an opportunity to escape from death by starvation. I shall
not disgust you with an account of the ceremony of forcing this young
creature down the marble jaws of the tomb opened in the Ursuline
church. Suffice it to say that a rope of sufficient length was fixed firmly
round her waist, and, in spite of her struggles and screams, she was
carried and held over the dreadful opening and then gradually
lowered into the frightful abyss, her cries making the church echo,
until the marble slab enclosed her, as it was supposed, from the world
forever. I had placed by the side of the mattress sufficient provisions to
last her for a day, intending to leave her to reflection for about two or
three days; by that time I had no doubt hunger and fear would have so
reduced her that to escape from her horrid prison she would quickly
submit to any terms I should propose.
On the third day of the incarceration, after vespers, I took my dark
lantern and again trod the subterraneous passage. On arriving at the
secret entrance of the tomb, I waited a considerable time ere I could
ascertain whether she was awake. At last I was assured she slept. With
caution I opened the door and silently approached the unconscious
sleeper. Removing the shade off the light by degrees, I turned it on her
face, fearing to awaken her by letting it flash instantly on her. Poor girl!
how evident was the inroad of care and despair on her lovely
countenance. She lay her full length on the mattress, her head resting
72
on her right arm, her beautiful tresses playing in confusion over her
ivory neck, while the disorder of her veil only half concealed her
young, delicious breasts. Her cheeks still retained the traces of recent
tears, and her slumbers were disturbed with the horrors of her situation,
for unknowingly she uttered, ‘Oh, Father, save me!' her whole frame
becoming convulsed with the agony even in her dream. I could bear
this no longer, but shading my light, coughed loud enough to break the
bonds of sleep.
'What noise was that?' exclaimed the poor sufferer. ‘I thought I heard
someone move. Oh, no, it was the deception of my giddy brain. Alas,
there is no hope for a wretch like me!'
I seized this opportunity and slowly uttered the word ‘Hope.'
A faint scream, evidently mixed with pleasure, followed my response.
After a few second's silence she exclaimed, ‘Oh, pray do not play with
my wretchedness! If there is anyone near do not drive to despair a
miserable girl!'
'Help is nigh,' was my reply. ‘But let not joy deceive you with hopes
that may not be fulfilled, your release from death depends entirely
upon your submission to certain terms.'
'Oh, for heaven's sake name them,' she cried; ‘keep me not thus in
agonising suspense! say what I am to do to save myself from the
dreadful lingering anguish of famine I now so powerfully feel.'
'Listen,' I replied, ‘the only terms upon which you can be released from
this den of horrors and certain lingering death is the entire submission
of your person to enjoyment; this is the only way you can be saved.' At
this moment I unshaded my lamp, and let it reflect full on my face. She
covered her eyes with her hands, but she did not answer. ‘Come,' I cried,
‘time wears apace, you must be quick in your resolve, if I leave this
dungeon your fate is fixed for ever.' Still there was no answer. I again
73
covered the lamp and solemnly said, ‘Well then, farewell,' and moved
from her as if I were leaving the tomb.
'Oh, save me,' she cried, believing I was going.
'Well then, you consent to submit to my desires-to every desire or
request I choose to make?'
'Oh, yes, everything; save me from death, I will submit to anything.'
'Then you are saved,' I replied, approaching and taking her in my arms.
Her soft lips I drew to mine, and sucking her perfumed breath, I sealed
our contract. I now told her it was sometimes the case that the abbess
would cause the marble covering to be removed from the tomb to point
out to any disobedient nuns the punishment that might await them,
therefore her clothes must be laid immediately under the opening that
they might be seen. Should such event occur, the depth of the tomb
would prevent any possibility of ascertaining whether she was in them,
else an immediate search might be made in the tomb, and perhaps her
retreat eventually discovered, in which case the power of the church
would drag her back to her punishment. I again uncovered my lantern
and could clearly see her modesty struggling with her fears. Therefore
I told her there must be no delay made. ‘Come, come,' I cried; ‘we must
depart this moment, you must yield to the necessity of plucking off
your habit.' She trembled, and said she could not think of being naked,
with a confusion which made her look on the escape as scarcely a
recompense for the shame she must undergo. No doubt she would have
debated the proprietary of it, but I peremptorily cut her short by
beginning to get rid of her dress by degrees, getting off one thing, then
another, until she was wholly stripped of everything. For the trouble I
took in her toilet I rewarded myself as I proceeded. I laid her dress at
full length on the ground immediately under the opening of the vault,
so that it could plainly be perceived from above bearing the
appearance of covering a body. I then fixed a handkerchief over the
eyes of Julia, and taking her round the waist, led her out of the vault. In
a few minutes she was safe in my private apartments, where a table
74
well laid out with every kind of refreshment awaited her. Carrying her
to the sofa by the side of the table, I gently laid her on it, and taking off
the bandage from her eyes, with a loving kiss assured her of her safety.
Although I well knew she must have been suffering considerably from
hunger at the time, still I could not refrain from indulging myself with
a few moments' toying with her young beauties ere I permitted her to
satisfy nature's wants. It is true as I conducted her through the
subterraneous passage, every part of her delicate body had been felt
by my eager hands, but that you know, Angelo, was in the dark. Now I
had her in my arms, every charm was exposed to the broad glare of
day. The unrivalled whiteness of her skin was emphasised by the black
velvet of the sofa on which she was laid. Quickly my daring hand
seized her most secret treasure, regardless of her soft complaints, which
my burning kisses reduced to mere murmurs, while my fingers
penetrated into the covered way of love. How transporting is the
combat between coy modesty and newborn pleasure. How delicious
appears the first blushes of shame on the snowy purity of the virgin's
bosom. Ah! Angelo, do you not envy my joys? Guess how I dissolved as
my lips wandered over her sweet body! How soft were her cries of ‘Ah!'
and ‘Fie!' I discerned a bright falling tear, but it was the tear of
pleasure. Then she tried (but in vain) to remove my hand, whilst her
closed eyes clearly told the soft languor was gently creeping on her
senses. I scarcely know how to account for my not at that moment
exacting my recompense for saving her from the jaws of death. But I
did not. I suddenly desisted, and raising her from the position I held her
in, drew the table towards the couch, desired she would assist herself to
what she thought fit and left the apartment. In my bedroom I had some
fine chemises, one of which I brought her and assisted her to put on; it
was quite large enough, but of course it was no defence to my curious
hands, which I could easily slip to any part of her I pleased. However, I
did not interrupt her during her repast, but attended to her wants with
the greatest care, forcing her to take two or three glasses of mulled
wine, which was already prepared. As the cravings of her appetite
were assuaged, mine were every minute growing more furious. Seeing
she had finished, although she pretended still to be eating, I gently
encircled my arm around her neck; I drew this soft, languishing,
75
sighing and nearly fainting beauty to my bosom, then fixing upon her
humid lips a long, burning kiss, I nearly sucked her life away. Whilst
occupied in this sweet employment, I unloosened the cord which kept
my gown tight around me, and told her I then intended to reap the
reward for the service I had rendered her.
The poor affrighted maid pleaded hard for a moment's pause and,
weeping, strove to persuade me to spare her innocence-a token
defence of virtue's laws. But I took her into my arms, and then began
the soft contention preparatory to the fiercer fight How delicious was
the glow upon her beauteous neck and bare ivory shoulders, as I forced
her on her back on the couch! With what voluptuous modesty did she
hang her head as in the full tide of vigour I divided her swelling thighs.
Quickly was the unspotted maid placed in that position which I did
not permit her to rise from until she had forfeited every claim on that
name. How luxuriously did her snowy hillocks rise against my bosom in
wild confusion. Luckily she did not know what she was about to suffer.
The confusion which seized her on my fingers again entering the cell of
Venus for the purpose of introducing myself considerably favoured my
proceedings. I felt the head of my weapon between her lips, and with a
vigorous thrust strove to penetrate, but so cruelly tore her delicate
little entrance that she screamed, tried to escape, and effectually
threw me out. Inflamed with lechery and rage at this repulse, I swore
by heaven if she again resisted I would convey her back to the tomb.
Again I forcibly fixed myself between the lips of her yet untasted first
fruits. I saw she was much alarmed at my rage and threats. It had a
good effect: her fears lessened her defence. I then took every care to
make my attack quite certain, and I began the fight of fierce delight, of
pleasure mixed with pain. However enormous the disproportion
between the place assailed and the attacking instrument, I soon found
it piercing inward; her loud cries announced its victorious progress.
Nothing now could appease my fury; the more she implored grace the
more I pressed on with vigour. But never was conquest more difficult.
Oh, how I was obliged to tear her up in forcing her virgin defences!
With what delicious tightness she clasped my rod of Aaron, as it
entered the inmost recesses of her till then virgin sanctuary. How
76
voluptuous was the heat of her young body! I was mad with enjoyment!
Her young breasts rising and falling in wild confusion attracted my
caresses. Guess my state of excitement. I sucked them, and at last bit
them with delight. Although Julia was much overcome with her
suffering, still she reproachfully turned her lovely eyes swimming with
pain and languor on me. At this instant, with a final energetic thrust, I
buried myself up to the very hair in her. A shriek proclaimed the
change in her state; the ecstasy seized me and I shot into the inmost
recesses of the womb of this innocent and beautiful child as copious a
flood of burning sperm as ever was fermented under the cloak of a
monk; whereupon, oh, marvellous effects of nature, the lovely Mezzia,
spite of her cruel sufferings, ceded to my vigorous impressments. The
pleasure overcame the pain, and the stretching of her ivory limbs, the
quivering of her body, the eager clasping of her delicate arms, clearly
spoke that nature's first effusion was distilling within her.
When somewhat recovered from my ecstasy, without giving up
possession of my prize, I lay on her soft bosom contemplating the
numerous beauties fate had thrown into my possession. A profusion of
dark brown tresses flowed negligently in luxurious curls to below her
slender waist; under her fine-formed brows beamed the brightest eyes
of ethereal blue ever created; her nose is Roman; her soft blushing
cheeks imitate the rose; her teeth are like oriental pearls, whilst her
yielding, pouting lips are most admirably turned. But at that moment
these delicious inhalers of our fondest impressments were terribly
wounded, so boisterous had been my enjoyment of them. Her face is
decidedly Grecian, her bosom, shoulders, and neck resemble the purest
ivory. On turning my eyes lower, on her young snowy hillocks, I
blushed to see the crimson marks which my teeth had left on those
lovely orbs. Softly insinuating my arms round her neck, I drew her
blushing face to mine, and after impressing a few soft kisses on her yet
bleeding lips, anxiously entreated the sweet girl to pardon my cruelty,
assuring her with the tenderest oaths that I knew not what I was about,
so much had the maddening transports overpowered me. She replied
not I placed one of her beautiful arms around my neck. She suffered it
to remain. Again from her pouting lips did I inhale luxurious sweets.
77
Although I thought I had distilled my very existence into her, the lifeinspiring
suction completely reanimated my whole frame. I felt myself
in as proud a state of erection within her as when I commenced her
defloration; her young breasts heaving quickly, soft sighs, blushes and
tremblings, sufficiently told that my prey also felt the return of my
vigour. I determined the second enjoyment should amply repay her for
all she had suffered, and began my movements with a caution and
slowness which made her sigh with voluptuous ecstasy. It was now
indeed that I leisurely enjoyed the lingering bliss, as by tender and
ravishing degrees I forced myself up to the very quick within her.
Scarcely mistress of her feelings, her yielding lips with delicious kisses
joined more and more close to mine, blushes deeper and deeper
covered her neck and blooming cheeks, her arms closely grasped me.
By degrees my thrusts became quicker, but no complaint interrupted
my joys. She panted with rapture; her limbs encircled me; she
voluptuously heaved to my thrusts, whilst the wanton movements of
her body and limbs, her ardent transports, her soft kisses, gave ample
testimony of how quick the transition is from coy chastity to
unrestrained luxurious enjoyment.
In short, I was as blessed as youth and voluptuous beauty could make
me, until forced to retire from her arms to attend to my monastery
duties. They were quickly dispatched, and after refreshing myself with
a few hours' rest, I returned to my captive with recruited strength for
the night's soft enjoyment. A smile of welcome was on her lovely
countenance; she was dressed from a wardrobe I had pointed out to her,
containing everything fit for her sex, with grateful pleasure I instantly
perceived that her toilet had not been made for the mere purpose of
covering her person, but every attention had been paid to setting off
her numerous charms. The most care had been given to the disposing of
her hair, whilst the lawn which covered her broad voluptuous breasts
was so temptingly disposed that it was impossible to look upon her
without burning desire. She sprang off the couch to meet me; for a
moment I held her from me in an ecstasy of astonishment, then drawing
her to my bosom, planted on her lips a kiss so long and so thrilling it
was some moments ere we recovered from its effects. My passions were
78
instantly in a blaze. I carried her to the side of the couch, placed her on
it, and whilst sucking her delicious lips, uncovered her neck and
breasts, then seizing her legs lifted them up, and threw up her clothes.
A dissolving sentiment struggled with my more amorous desires. I
stooped down to examine the voluptuous, glorious view. How luscious
was the sight! Every part of her body was ivory whiteness, firmness and
delicacy; the whole was perfect, everything charming; the white
interspersed with small blue veins showed the transparency of the skin,
whilst the darkness of the hair, softer than velvet, formed most
beautiful shades, making a delicious contrast with the vermilion lips of
her new-stretched love sheath, the brilliant vermilion of the shell
evidently heightened with the blood of her defunct virginity.
Tired of admiring without enjoyment, I carried my mouth and hand to
everything before me, until I could no longer bear myself. Raising
myself from my stooping position, I extended her thighs to the utmost,
and placed myself standing between them, then letting loose my rod of
Aaron, which was no sooner at liberty but it flew up with the same
impetuosity with which a tree straightens itself when the cord that
keeps it bent towards the ground comes to be cut, with my right hand I
directed it towards the pouting slit so that the head was soon in.
Laying myself down on her, I drew her lips to mine; again I thrust, I
entered. Another thrust buried it deeper; she closed her eyes, but
tenderly squeezed me to her bosom; again I pushed; her soft lips
rewarded me. Another shove caused her to sigh deliciously-another
push made our junction complete. I scarcely knew what I was about;
everything now was in active exertion-tongues, lips, bellies, arms,
thighs, legs, bottoms, every part in voluptuous motion until our spirits
completely abandoned every part of our bodies to convey themselves
into the place where pleasures reigned with so furious but still with so
delicious a sentiment. I dissolved myself into her at the very moment
nature had caused her to give down her tribute to the intoxicating joy.
My lovely prey soon came to herself, but it was only to invite me by her
numberless charms to plunge her into the same condition. She passed
her arms round my neck and sucked my lips with dovelike kisses. I
opened my eyes and fixed them on hers; they were filled with
79
dissolving languor; I moved within her, her eyes closed instantly. The
tender squeeze of her love sheath round my instrument satisfied me as
to the state she was in. Again I thrust. ‘Ah!' she sighed, ‘the pleasure
suffocates me.' I thrust furiously; her limbs gradually stiffened, she
gave one more movement in response to the fierce thrusts made into
her organ; we both discharged together.
It will be no use, Angelo, to give you any further description of my
enjoyment of this adorable child, but the agonising reflection that I
must part with my delicious prize nearly drives me to distraction.
During cooler moments I have explained to her the necessity of a
separation, and pointed out to her the danger of her remaining in this
country. The solemn assurance I have given her of her safety from the
fangs of the church has tendered to comfort her. But then, Angelo, how
can I force myself to part with so voluptuous a creature? Advise and
counsel your friend.

PEDRO

[April]

LETTER 15

Angela to Pedro

Holy St Peter, spare me! What in the name of Beelzebub has taken
possession of you? How can you force yourself to part with this
voluptuous creature? How did your reverence contrive to force
yourself from the arms of Camilla, Rosa St Peter, the poor fisherman's
daughter Bianca, and the half a dozen other young beauties whom I
have conveyed over the sea to the great gratification of the Turks in
Algiers and Tunis, but to the much greater gratification of ourselves,
by well lining our own pockets with African gold? Write to me again
in about a fortnight; let me know if the fever is still hot upon you. I
guess about that time you will be somewhat cooler; at all events a
month is the utmost time I can afford you for your amusement with
your new-found charmer. In six weeks I shall be ready to depart with
the cartel for Algiers. You know that under our agreement I ought to
have at least a fortnight's enjoyment of the girl on shore. The time spent
on the voyage to Algiers is so very short that these young creatures,
from sickness, very rarely afford me any pleasure. I wish you could
contrive to get a pure maid or two for the Dey of Algiers. I could get
almost any price for one, so fond is he of cutting off maidenheads. But I
forget myself, you are equally as bad as the Dey himself in that
respect, so I must try to procure one myself. Let me know at your
earliest leisure when I may expect the young Mezzia.

[April]

LETTER 16

Pedro to Angela

You are correct in your observation, Angelo-uncontrolled possession,
in time, surely abates the fiercest passions. It is now three weeks since I
relieved the youthful Mezzia of her virginity, every subsequent night
having been passed in her delicious arms, the novelty of her beauties
begins I find to lose its invigorating effect. But still, Angelo, I dread the
arrival of the day I must part with her. She has been particularly
inquisitive as to where she is to be sent. I have pacified her by stating
she is going to Ireland, part of the kingdom of Great Britain, where the
great mass of the population are Catholic. When she heard they were
Catholic her fears at first resumed their sway, but were removed when
she was solemnly assured that it was out of the power of the clergy
there to contemn or punish anyone, convents and incarceration of
females being no part of the law of that kingdom.
This day week is appointed for our separation. She has begun to amuse
herself by sorting the clothes I have given her in trunks previous to her
departure. I have been extremely liberal in my gifts, particularly in the
old jewels and ornaments which you know have served for the same
purpose so many times. She is very lovely, Angelo, and will fetch a
magnificent price, maid or no maid. I suppose it would be of no use
attempting to pass her off at Algiers as a virgin? I am afraid the
eunuchs belonging to the Dey's seraglio are too well experienced in
these matters. Farewell. But I forgot I have informed her that she will
be consigned to my sister, the Lady Abbess at the Convent of St
Theresa. So you must for a few hours assume your old disguise of the
abbess, which will deliver her to your enjoyment without trouble. May
the saint you most approve of have you in his holy keeping.

PEDRO

[April]

LETTER 17

Angela to Pedro

I do not wonder at your regret at parting with the young, beautiful
Mezzia. She is indeed a bijou. Happy Pedro! indeed I envy you the joys
supreme-joys you must have tasted in her arms when with amorous
fury you plucked the virgin rose. She arrived here in safety. I had her
conveyed unseen into our unknown and private retreat. Of course I
assumed the disguise of the lady abbess, your sister, which I think I
acted extremely well. The poor innocent had no suspicion of the
deception, although the kiss I gave her in receiving her from your
messenger was warm enough. I gave her to understand that I was
aware of her escape from the tomb, but made not the least hint of any
knowledge as to what had passed between you. She appeared
extremely low and dejected. I did everything to comfort her. But I must
leave off until tomorrow, when you shall hear how I get on with her.
After supper I told her, as it was a very lonely part of the convent, we
would pass the night together, but that for a short time I should leave
her to get the key of the convent from the porter sister; during my
absence she might get into bed, which, you know, is quite large enough
for two. In seven or eight minutes I returned with a key in my hand,
which I laid on the table. She was nearly undressed. I sat down
pretending to read a missal, but in fact was wandering over the
numerous charms she disclosed at every turn to my ardent (but to her
unseen) gaze. At last she got into bed, upon which I drew the curtains
and got undressed myself. This I despatched as well as the
awkwardness of the dress would let me, and having put on a proper
female nightdress, I got into bed, intending to lie still until she was
asleep, and then to make myself master of her person whilst she was
unconscious of what I was about. But accident gave her up to my
enjoyment sooner than I expected.
You may suppose the state I was in, placed by the side of such a
delicious creature. In fact I was in the most fierce erection possible
when, in turning herself, the unsuspecting girl placed her hand upon
my throbbing instrument. You had too well cultivated her to leave her
in doubt as to what she had felt. A faint scream satisfied me as to the
83
discovery. It was no use to carry on the deception further with her. I
therefore seized her in my arms and stopped her cries with my kisses; in
fact she screamed so loud at being suddenly grasped by me that I was
almost afraid she might be heard by someone. I quickly reminded her
of how much depended on her silence-her life might be the forfeit of
her folly, you may rely upon it that whilst trying to quiet her screams I
was not otherwise idle. I threw myself on her-her thighs were quickly
divided. Her cries subsided but tears flowed. I gave her very little time
to reflect whether it was best to alarm the convent, or to suffer in peace.
It was not more than fourteen or fifteen seconds from the time of her
discovering my sex ere what she had laid her hand on was safely
lodged to its full extent in its natural receiver. There can be no doubt
she gained by its discovery. How magical is the influence of the
distinction of our sex over the feelings of the softer one. Shrieks, cries,
tears and resistance accompanied the discovery and my seizing of her,
but directly she felt its head dividing her lips of life her resistance
ceased, and her cries became hushed; as it penetrated her tears
became dried; but when it pierced her up to the quick, soft
exclamations, tremulous sighs and a general trembling of the limbs
and body only accompanied our complete junction. Nature had
already assumed its sway-a few rapid thrusts gave a fillip to pleasure
and as my movements became quicker, so did the seduction overpower
the little remains of modesty you had left her. In short, she quickly
received as much pleasure as she bestowed, if I may judge from the
sweetness of her kisses, the ardency of her pressures, with a thousand
other little etceteras which cannot be described and are only felt in
the high enjoyment. In short, so mutually had the ecstasy operated on
us that the dissolving moment seized us at the same time. Oh, Pedro,
how ecstatic was her joy as the essence of life was shot up to her vitals!
Her delicate arms closely encircled my body, her legs were crossed
over my loins holding me as strongly as if grasped by a vice, nor did she
loosen her hold until she had extracted the very last drop from me.
Then the gradual unclasping of her arms and legs, the conclusive
stretching of her body, the delicious trembling shudder, all feelingly
spoke how much her senses had been gratified. This was indeed a night
of joy for me! I had for a month refrained from sexual intercourse and
84
consequently was in a state to give as well as taste myself the most
luxurious transports. If beauty is necessary to renew the vigour after
repeated enjoyment, Mezzia possesses every charm to excite the desires
enjoyment has cooled. We did not close our eyes during the night,
which was spent in a continued round of varied pleasure of the most
delicious nature. The sun had risen in the east ere Morpheus placed his
heavy finger on our eyelids.
She has asked me the reason for your deceiving her about your sister. I
put the best face on it, and informed her it arose from your wish not to
alarm her by letting her know she was to be consigned to a friar. I also
gave her to understand that I was perfectly acquainted with all that
had passed between you and her, and as an excuse for myself boldly
told her it was utterly impossible to resist the temptation thrown in my
way by fortune of making myself as happy with her as you had been. I
only regretted that the time she was doomed to be mine was so short.
After three or four days passed with her she became extremely curious
in her enquiries as to what kind of place Ireland was. I parried her
enquiries by informing her that so much had her charms affected me
that I had determined to abandon Italy altogether, and should marry
her when we arrived in Ireland (when we do, perhaps I may). The child
believed me. Indeed her charms do provoke me exceedingly.
Although every night is spent in her soft embraces, there is not a day
passes but I gratify my senses of seeing, feeling and enjoying her with
every excitement the sight and touch are capable of giving. In fact I do
not recollect a female who had the power of so strongly exciting my
passions, nor do I think I ever enjoyed a girl with half the assiduity or
rapidity I have her. I consider her superior in her motions to any
woman I ever enjoyed, and the heat and tightness of her love sheath
give an indescribable voluptuousness to the rapture. Adieu, Pedro. If I
do not write to you again before I sail for Algiers, you may not expect
to hear from me until I return.

ANGELO

[April]

LETTER 18

Emily Barlow to Maria Williams

London, 8 May 1816

Dearest Maria-You requested me in your last letter to write you an
account of my life while at Algiers. I thought I could not do better than
send you a copy of my letter to Sylvia Carey. I have also sent with
them a parcel of letters belonging to Father Angelo, a Roman Catholic
priest, who left them by accident on board Abdallah's ship while at
Toulon. This priest was employed by the Dey in concert with Abdallah
to secure my friend Sylvia, as you will see by the Bey's letter to
Abdallah.
I will now continue my history from the time that I received Sylvia's
last letter. I had been with child about six months, when the Bey's
neglect assured me some fresh worthy engaged his amorous moments.
A rumour ran that it was a countrywoman of mine. The Dey was
immovable; neither myself nor any of my companions could get the
secret out of him, until one day the chief eunuch told me in a
confidential manner that if I chose I could see my rival. Although I
hated her in my heart for robbing me of that which was dear to me, my
curiosity got the better of my feelings, and I accepted his offer. He led
me through several rooms I had never been in before, until we came to
a large chamber parted in the middle by a curtain. My guide motioned
me to look as he drew the curtain apart. The first object that met my
eyes was a naked female leaning on a couch, face downward, and the
Dey with his noble shaft plunged up to the hilt in her. At this moment
the Dey turned his head and discovered me. Surprise nailed me to the
spot. He clasped his hands around his lady, raised her from the
recumbent position, still keeping his weapon in her, wheeled round
and brought her full to my view. Imagine to yourself, dearest Maria,
what must have been my emotions on my beholding in his arms my
friend Sylvia, she who had added to my anxiety by her unfeeling
letter. I uttered a hurried exclamation and fainted.
On my recovery I found myself in bed and Sylvia bending over me.
‘Forgive me, dearest Emily,' she exclaimed, ‘for the harsh letter I wrote
86
you. Little did I then think that I too should fall a sacrifice to the dear
wicked Dey. I now wonder how you could have so eloquently
described the very things that have occurred to me. But compose
yourself, my dear, the Dey has forbid me giving you any account of
myself, as he wishes to narrate it himself.'
The next day I was sitting on the sofa when the Dey entered my
apartment. I tried to frown on him, but could not, for he drew his robe
on one side and disclosed that delightful instrument that attunes my
heart to harmony. I threw myself on my back, and in a moment his
highness was in the pinnacle of bliss. Thrice did he return my embraces
ere he withdrew; then, seating himself beside me on the couch, he
began as follows.
'You no doubt are dying with curiosity to know how your friend came
into my possession, but what a silly child you must have been to
suppose that I would have permitted you to write letters and receive
answers without myself knowing the contents. I had a hearty laugh
over what you told your friend, and I assure you I equally enjoyed the
answer you received from her, but was determined to pay the minx for
calling me a beast if it lay in my power. You recollect she stated she
was at Toulon. One of my ships was about to sail for that port. I sent for
Captain Abdallah and offered him a liberal reward to abduct the
young lady. He found little difficulty in effecting his purpose, and
about a month since he returned with this coy lady to Algiers. Whilst
he was gone I was much puzzled how I should proceed with her. After
canvassing twenty different modes of subduing her to my pleasure, I
determined on the following as the most likely to add to my
gratification in debauching her. I determined on her arrival to
represent a French physician, and make her fly into my arms in that
character to avoid me in my real one.
'In pursuance of this scheme I fitted up the slave driver's house at the
bottom of the palace gardens in every way proper to represent the
house of a medical man of some eminence. For a purpose which I shall
by and by explain I caused to be made in the principal sitting-room a
87
secret recess or cupboard, so well contrived that no one could discover
it, although at the same time those inside could see and hear quite
plainly everything passing in the room. My arrangements were quite
finished before she arrived. I had an interview with Abdallah prior to
her being brought on shore. When he had received his instructions for
his little part in the drama of deception, his description of her gratified
me much. I longed for the moment to arrive when her naked beauties
were to be offered to my inspection.
'If there is anything that tends to the subjection of a haughty woman, it
is the attacking of her modesty at once in the most sensible part.
Nothing tends to humble coy chastity so much as our system of the
slave market where captives are exposed, naked, and left unreservedly
to the sight and feel of whoever chooses to bid for them. The most
stubborn beauty will in time inevitably fall under its subduing
influence. Next morning she was brought on shore and placed in one of
the slave bazaars, under the direction of Abdallah. She was stripped
entirely naked, then a silk cloak was given her to wrap herself in, until
my eunuch came to examine whether she was worthy of being sent to
my serail, as I had first choice. This Abdallah informed her of in her
own language. You may guess her state of alarm. In the course of the
morning one of my eunuchs, attended by four black slaves, went to the
bazaar in state. Abdallah requested her to throw off her cloak; this she
refused to do; consequently they were obliged to take it from her by
force, as they were also obliged to lay her on her back on a couch so
that the eunuch might examine her properly as to her virginity. The
four slaves with difficulty held her down whilst the eunuch performed
his duty.
'She struggled and screamed without intermission whilst Hassan, the
eunuch, made his survey. When he had finished he asked Abdallah, in
French, what was demanded for her; he answered (in the same
language), twelve purses. Hassan replied that he doubted whether she
was a virgin, and that he did not think she would suit the Dey. "But,"
asked he, "of what country is she?"'
88
'On being informed she was English, "Oh," he replied, "the Dey has
sworn never to have another Englishwoman, since he was obliged to
strangle Zulima a few days ago." Theodora (the name I had ordered for
her), who understood perfectly every word that was spoken, on hearing
of your supposed death, forgot her own troubles and feinted. By proper
remedies she was quickly restored to her senses, but every precaution
was taken to make her believe no one cared about her swooning.
Hassan refused to purchase her and left the bazaar. This farce was
repeated by several of my eunuchs during the day, some objecting to
the price, some finding fault with her person-all declining to purchase
her, but all examining her and feeling her parts as to her fitness for the
station she was doomed to be placed in. It was evident to Abdallah
that she began to submit to her destiny, she plainly saw, however it
might outrage her modesty, there was no evading the examinations
which were scrupulously attended to in that most secret part for which
to be touched by man is nearly a death blow to chastity. Of course, I
did not permit her to be seen by anyone but my own slaves, in various
disguises; all the while the poor girl thought she was in the public
market for sale.
'Abdallah now, in her own language, began to abuse her for want of
attraction in not finding a quick sale. This was the moment appointed
for the performance of my part of the play. I accordingly entered the
room like the others, and made her undergo the necessary
examinations, first feeling her beautiful ivory breasts, then slipping my
hand down over her smooth satin belly till, descending, my fingers
mixed with the soft down which covered and beautifully shaded her
grotto of love.
'The poor girl I thought would have sunk to the ground whilst
undergoing this touching ceremony-indeed she would have had I not
supported her; but I proceeded in my search, heedless of her tears.
Softly I seized on the delicious lips of her virgin opening, and forced my
forefinger half in. I finished my search and asked Abdallah her price.
He treated me as if I had been a person of no consequence, and lowered
his demand from twelve to eight purses. I bid him seven purses for her,
89
which he refused to take. I told him I could not afford to give more, and
then enquired what country she came from. He then informed me from
France, at which, pretending to be much astonished, I asked her in
French (in which we had been talking all along) whether she had
understood what we said if she was a Frenchwoman? As well as her
feeling would permit her, she answered in good French that she was
English. Nearly choked with tears, she informed me of the manner in
which she had been torn from her friends, and submissively entreated
me to give the price demanded for her, assuring me I should have it
and much more for ransom. I pretended to take great interest in what
she said; asked her many questions as to the rank and property of her
friends, which she represented, there is no doubt, in their true light. On
my expressing doubts if I should get the sum back if I bought her, she
assured me over and over again there was no occasion to have the least
mistrust, and again and again piteously entreated me to save her from
further shame. I at last pretended to be overcome by her tears and
supplications and therefore told Abdallah he should have his demand.
He appeared quite glad to get rid of her. Under the pretence of
ordering a palanquin to convey her to my home, and purchasing some
dresses, I went out. Whilst I was absent Abdallah informed her I was a
Frenchman, and first physician in Algiers, also deputy consul for that
nation, and that she could not have fallen into better hands. On
returning I observed with pleasure a considerable alteration for the
better in her looks. When she had attired herself in the robes and veil I
had brought her, she was conducted to the palanquin, and the maid
was soon in the house at the bottom of the garden.
The large room had been fitted up in a very handsome style, suitable
to a man of my supposed rank. Among the necessaries, you may
suppose convenient couches were not omitted. Adjoining was a
smaller room, only partitioned off by a fine silk curtain; this was
arranged for sleeping or (more properly speaking) for the purpose of
enjoyment. In introducing her to the boudoir I plainly felt the hand of
Theodora tremble; no doubt the appearance of the place strongly
indicated its use. However, I took no notice of her fears, but told her at
present they were the apartments she was to occupy. I pointed out to
90
her where she would find every article of dress, and also informed her I
would send one of my women to attend and help her at her toilet, as
she might be in some difficulty as to how the garments were worn. She
timidly asked me what I meant by one of my women. I explained to her
the custom of the country-that it was usual to have as many women
here as we could support, who were bought in the same manner as I
had purchased her, that I had two slaves of the kind, one of whom
should attend and assist her; that it was impossible for me to marry a
Mahometan, being myself a Protestant Christian. She looked at me
fearfully, and said she hoped no advantage would be taken of her
unhappy condition and waited with breathless anxiety my answer. I
approached her, and taking one of her hands in mine and encircling
her waist with the other, solemnly assured her that her modesty or
virtue had nothing to fear from me. "I have bought you for the purpose
of returning you to your country and friends, and by this kiss of
friendship," said I, drawing her soft lips to mine, "you have nothing to
fear." She blushingly submitted her lips to my pressure. I did not
encroach upon her good nature, but requested she would make herself
as happy as possible and assured her that no time should be lost in
communicating with her friends.
'I left her and sent a handsome Circassian girl to assist her in dressing.
As the slave could not speak a word except in her native language,
there was no fear of her betraying who I was. I told her what she was to
do, and to return when she had finished. In about an hour the slave
came back, and I returned to the apartment of Theodora. I was indeed
struck by the blaze of beauty she exhibited when dressed after our
fashion, her coal-black hair, beautifully parted over her noble ivory
forehead, peeping out from beneath her headdress. "My God," I cried,
"how is it possible the chief eunuch of the Dey could have passed over
charms such as you possess?" The name of the Dey brought the
recollection of him to her, and she dropped on a couch overcome by
her feelings. She entreated me with tears not to name the Dey again to
her. Of course, I promised to comply with her wishes, but demanded
how it was the name of the Dey affected her so much, a person she
could know nothing of. "Ah," she replied, "I know more of him than you
91
are aware, of." On my expressing my surprise and incredulity, she was
induced to enter into the history of your falling into my hands. Every
now and then I interrupted her revelations with expressions of
astonishment, but she did not mention the last letter she had written to
you. Then she related what she had heard between Abdallah and
Hassan in the morning, and enquired whether I believed there was any
truth in it. I assured her it was impossible to tell, but such things the
Dey was particular in. It was nothing to him to order a female to be
strangled in consequence of the slightest offence. The poor girl was
much affected at my corroboration of Hassan's assertion. My respectful
behaviour was evidently every moment establishing me in her
confidence. After we had dined I informed her that the greater part of
the morning was devoted to attending my patients, but tomorrow
afternoon should be spent in preparing the necessary correspondence
with her friends in France. Towards the evening I asked her if she
would walk in the garden towards the sea. I had taken care to give
very particular orders that no one should be permitted in there, or on
the sea beach at the back of the harem. She took hold of my arm
during our walk, and seemed to gain courage and spirits as her fears
evidently decreased at my seeming respect. After walking until we
were tired, we returned to the house-
A blushing lovely maid she entered it,
But ere she left was quite another thing.
'I did not accompany her to her apartments, but took leave below,
respectfully kissing her hand, and assuring her that on the morrow I
would get back from my professional pursuits as early as possible, and
the remainder of the day should be devoted to her service. She little
dreamt of the service I meant.
'I had selected a slave to attend on her who spoke French, so there was
no difficulty as to anything she might want Next day, in the afternoon,
on being announced to her I found her comparatively easy in her mind.
After the usual compliments I proceeded to business. The writing
92
materials were brought and we set to work opposite the window which
commanded a view of the garden and the long walk but left us
entirely screened ourselves. Whilst busy on the letter, on a signal given
by one of my attendants, which was merely the imitation of the
chirping of a bird, I pretended to look accidentally out of the window,
and started up with astonishment, saying, "What can he want here?"
Getting up so suddenly alarmed Theodora, who with horror instantly
recognised Hassan coming up the long walk "My God," said I aloud to
myself, without paying any attention to her, but alive to her state of
mind. Her fears immediately acted just as I wished. She sprang forward
and clung round my neck, saying, "Oh, save me, save me! It is me he
wants; I fear it; I feel it. Oh, in the name of God save me." "I dare not-my
life, everything is at stake," I replied. "But stop, perhaps you are
alarmed without cause." I rang the bell. The servant who answered was
directed to meet Hassan, and if he asked for me to say I was gone to my
country house with a female slave. The papers were quickly carried to
the private recess ready provided, in which we also hid ourselves. We
had not been concealed long ere a considerable noise was heard
between Hassan and my servant. Presently they both entered the room
wrangling. The servant said, ‘"You see, he is not here." Hassan replied,
"But my orders are peremptory. I am to search for the English slave and
bring her to the Dey's harem. I have nearly lost my life for not
purchasing her yesterday."
'Here Theodora had sunk on my bosom; it was only with the greatest
difficulty I could stop her sobs. But there was no fear of Hassan hearing
her, even had she made more noise than she did. However, I took the
opportunity of closing her mouth with my lips, softly encouraging her
not to give way to her fears, assuring her she would be protected at the
risk of my life. Hassan proceeded to search the sleeping apartments,
but did not find what he sought. He told my servant that he must
proceed after me to my country seat, for his life depended on his
success. When he was gone we emerged from our confinement. It was
now necessary something should be done. To escape from Algiers was
utterly impossible. In the course of five or six hours Hassan would
surely return. For some time I appeared utterly lost. How to act I knew
93
not. She still clung to me, bathing me with tears, entreating me to kill
her rather than deliver her up to the cruel Dey. Time rapidly slipped
away-three hours had already passed-nothing decided on. Every
moment her despair was growing stronger. She was in my arms, her
head resting on my bosom, my waistcoat moistened with her tears.
Suddenly, starting up, I summoned the attendant and demanded if he
was a true believer. He replied he was. "Is it written," said I anxiously,
"in your Koran, and expressly forbidden by Mahomet, that no true
believer should meddle with the wife of another, whether Mussulman
or otherwise?" It was his reply, "So has the Prophet written." "Fetch me
a Koran." It was brought. The attendant pointed out a verse which I
pretended to translate to her. "It is your only chance of escape," I cried.
"Become my wife and you escape pollution, and perhaps something
more; there is no other way of avoiding the tyrant." Her fears of the
Dey quickly decided her fate; she consented.
'I instantly pretended to write a letter to the Protestant minister of the
English consul's family, which we both signed-I told her he would not
attend unless we both requested it. Everything had been fully
prepared. She saw me direct the letter to the English Consul.
Everything tended to lull her into security, in about an hour more Ben
Izacks, the English Jew diamond merchant whom I had directed to
perfect himself in the part of an English priest for the completion of my
scheme, arrived with all the assurance of his sect, cleverly disguised to
perform the ceremony. The ring was ready, the contract made out,
when my bride requested to speak a few words to the clergyman in
private. I immediately withdrew with the witnesses who were of course
my own slaves, in a few minutes I was summoned by the Jew. I
afterwards learned from him that the only question she asked of him
was whether he was certain I was a Christian. You may suppose he
perfectly satisfied her on that point. Without further delay the
ceremony proceeded. Izacks performed his part with proper solemnity.
She had just sufficient strength left to pronounce the mystic oath, and
at the very instant the ceremony was finished she sank fainting in my
arms, unable longer to support the flurry and disorder of her feelings. I
instantly dismissed Izacks and the attendants. Alone I supported her
94
into the boudoir, where I intended the consummation should directly
take place.
'Assuming now the privileges of a husband, I placed her on the couch,
and tenderly clasping her to my bosom soon reaped a rich harvest of
soft thrilling kisses. With a trembling sigh the languishing maid
opened her heavenly black eyes, but unable to bear my gaze quickly
shut them again. I now boldly explained to her the absolute and
immediate necessity of her resigning to me the blessing I was entitled
to in the enjoyment of her person, for in this country a marriage is a
nullity until the husband has consummated it. Should the wretch
Hassan return and find we had omitted any part of the ceremony,
instant advantage would be taken of it, therefore all we had done
would be of no use. Whilst I was thus explaining myself, I was also
busily unbuttoning the bodice which covered the beauties of her
bosom, every now and then placing on her soft rosy lips the most
delicious kisses. She but feebly resisted. How shall I describe her
delightful confusion when my hand boldly slid over her panting
globes? It is impossible; words cannot do justice to the situation.
Although I was using the absolute authority of a husband over her you
will recollect that her submission to my proceedings was entirely from
fear created by the dread of myself, only in another shape. Ours was
not a union of love, but one hastily submitted to by her to save herself
from the embraces of an imaginary brutal monster created by her fears
and false information alone. Under such circumstances there could of
course be very little love on her side, although there might be some
little respect for the service I had rendered her-in the supposed risk I
was running in offending the Dey by marrying her. Thus, although she
had no pretext left on which to oppose every liberty I now took with
her beautiful person, still I could plainly see, as I was divesting her
voluptuous body of its coverings, how dreadful was the shock her
modesty sustained in being obliged to resign herself even to a husband.
Modesty may struggle, but it very seldom struggles successfully with
me. It was evident from her agitation that her bashfulness would have
struggled against my proceedings had she not been fettered by the
oath of obedience she had just sworn on the altar of God. If she had
95
even found out the deception which had been practised on her, any
opposition would have now been fruitless. Her hour of instruction was
arrived. I had determined she should receive her lesson. Although not
assisted by any tie on her affections, I of course was perfectly aware
how quick is the influence of pleasure on the softer sex. If the land is
properly cultivated, it will always produce its crops. So it is with lovely
women. Rid them of their virginity, enjoy them properly, and it is
wonderful to observe the rapidity with which the seed of pleasure will
thrive and yield a rich harvest to the happy cultivator.
You may guess I was not long preparing myself or my trembling
victim for the mighty business. Clasping my lovely beauty in my arms I
easily laid her on the cushion and myself by her side. Her swelling
snowy breasts heaved with her laboured breathing, with one arm
round her neck, the other hand unresistedly traversed all her beauties,
until suddenly forcing my hand between her smooth, polished thighs, I
took possession of the port of love. Her tremblings, her sighs, increased
rapidly; with bashful modesty she entreated, she prayed me to remove
my hand. I promised everything for a kiss. However, the kiss taken, I
did not keep my word. My reasons were good. It had not been agreed
whether it should be given or taken. By dint of bargaining we agreed
on a second, which was to be received by me. Then with my
unoccupied hand guiding her trembling delicate arms around my
neck, and leaning over her to receive it, the soft, thrilling, delicious kiss
was not only received, but perfectly given, in such a manner that love
could not have done it better. So much good faith deserved to be
rewarded. I immediately withdrew my hand, but I do not know by
what accident one of my knees occupied the place I had just vacated.
A soft struggle ensued, during which half-breathed words and sighs
escaped her-every now and then, "Ah", and "you must not", "pray do
not", and so on until I had securely placed myself between her soft
swelling thighs. This effected, I found not the smallest difficulty in
stretching them at pleasure to their utmost spread. Shame and surprise
had now quite overpowered my charming, panting, blushing prize.
96
'I was not very eager or in great haste to finish my task. I delight in
delays when I am certain of coming to the end of the journey. I clearly
saw, in spite of her modesty, that my kisses and touches had
considerably inflamed her senses, so seizing her left hand with my
right, with gentle force I conducted it to the key which I told her was to
open the road to the sweetest enjoyments. I entreated her to take it in
her hand. She did not reply, but requested me to spare her modesty. "In
the name of God," she cried, "have pity on me." Her tears began to flow,
but they only added to her beauty, and inflamed me more strongly, so
pretending to be much astonished, I reminded her that she was on the
conjugal bed, and therefore it was necessary to our common pleasure
she should not now show any opposition to my wishes. But it was of no
use; she would not be persuaded to take it in her hand. During this
contention my member had become furious, and was beating his head
against the lips of the port shortly doomed to receive it.
'Finding her modesty was not to be overcome on this point, I desisted,
and taking my instrument in my hand, placed the head between the
lips and with my finger and thumb contrived to stretch the delicate
little opening sufficiently wide to insert the head entirely. As the
moment of her martyrdom approached, so by degrees did her
confusion and agitation increase. The insertion of the head of my stiff
virgin-stretcher caused her delicious ivory breasts to beat against my
bosom with the rapidity of lightning, whilst her milk-white neck and
shoulders were covered with burning blushes. She would have spoken,
but could not give utterance to the words. However, talking just then
was of no great consequence, so making a furious thrust I strove to
penetrate her virgin sanctuary, but the avenue was too tight to give
way to a first attempt. A second thrust, made with circumspection, was
a little more successful; a third and fourth deepened my penetration; at
last, as I followed up my success with strength and rapidity, the sweet
obstacle began to give way, until I had pierced myself halfway into
her. How delicious were the varying expressions which her sweet
countenance now exhibited. When she first felt the penetration her
confusion was so great she could not keep her eyes open, but as ground
was gained the confusion began to dissipate, her eyes lost their
97
unconsciousness, astonishment mixed with pain became clearly
marked on her lovely countenance and soft cries began to find vent in
spite of my fierce kisses. I now made a desperate effort to break
through the remaining defences of her coy chastity, but was prevented
by the ecstasy seizing me; the seed of life distilled from me like a
deluge.
'This stopped my proceedings for some moments, but did not force me
to withdraw from her. In fact, though I quite overflowed the part
penetrated, still very little of my stiffness or vigour was lost. Her soft
lips, the nipples of her well-formed breasts, soon renewed my strength.
During the cessation of hostilities she entreated me, if I loved her, to
withdraw my furious instrument. "You will kill me," she cried in a most
piteous voice. "I certainly shall die; it is impossible to sustain your cruel
tearing." "If I love you? Can you doubt it? Have I not risked my life for
you?" replied I, tenderly sucking her lips, and thrusting my tongue into
her mouth. "No doubt, delicious love, the pain you suffer is cruel, but it
is entailed upon your sex and it will quickly subside; nor can you
participate in the soft joys of love without undergoing the ordeal;
therefore, dear maid, submit with courage, the most voluptuous joys
will be your reward.' At this moment I began to pierce again with all
my force; the overflowing of my seed within her considerably assisted,
having oiled the road so much that I felt myself gradually stretching
her, but still it must have hurt her dreadfully, as her loud cries testified.
Pity for her sufferings caused me to stop a moment, to assure her that it
was nearly over. "Feel," I cried, "my sweet life, it is nearly all entered."
Agitation with her sufferings, or fear of further anguish, I know not
which, induced her to obey. She found the truth of my assertion, my
instrument was three parts within her, but there it stuck as if it were too
thick to enter further. Whilst her hand was upon it, I made a furious
effort-again it penetrated. "Ah!" she cried, "stay your cruel thrusts, you
murder me!" but collecting all my strength, and making one
tremendous lunge, I sent it gloriously and triumphantly into her to the
utmost length. The couch which was the field of battle trembled under
the shock You may judge of my vigour for the very curtains of the
98
apartment shook In vain she entreated me to withdraw the arrow
which was pierced up to her very entrails.
'"No," I replied, "it is now all over; you have nothing further to
apprehend; from a pure virgin you have become a chaste wife and all
that remains to be done is to make the travelling easy to me and
pleasurable to you. This, sweet love, can only be effected by judicious
and frequent enjoyments. Believe me, from the moment the close union
of our bodies proclaimed your maidenhead taken, your sufferings must
become less and less acute." My words were supported by actions.
Master of the citadel, I assumed all the conqueror's rights. Drawing
myself nearly out of her, with one vigorous thrust I plunged back
Again and again was the experiment repeated. Her tears flowed,
intermixed with cries, sobs and sighs. I desisted not, but whispered,
"Courage, courage, my dear love, soon you will feel the softest
pleasure." At every fresh thrust the difficulty of entry decreased. Now
lost in ravishment indefinable, I grasped her strongly in my arms, and
thrust with fury and without care.
'Her cries had subsided. The ecstatic moment again approaching, I
drove myself up to the very hilt; it was impossible to enjoy a more
voluptuous conjunction, a copious discharge filled the recesses of her
womb; her virginity was gone. I sank insensible in her arms, entirely
overcome with the most delicious the most perfect of all earthly
enjoyments.
'On recovering my senses I was still buried securely in my lovely
Theodora; her head was reclining on her right shoulder; with gentle
respiration her ivory breasts deliriously heaved against my bosom; her
eyes were closed, but the pearly dew still glistened in her dark silken
eyelashes. Tenderly encircling her neck with my arms, I kissed off the
trembling drops. How exquisite was the gratification of my senses at
this moment! Still trembling with the ecstasy of having deflowered as
pure and lovely a virgin as ever was stretched on the altar of Venus,
how thrilling was the joy when I again drew her soft lips to mine,
feeding my senses with the luxurious inhalement of her balmy breath,
99
amidst a shower of dove-like kisses! One of her arms, which lay by my
side, I gently placed around my neck. She withdrew it not. Gradually
her lovely eyes opened and although I could clearly read in their
dissolving expression how great was the pain she felt from the
enormous machine buried within her, but still with joy I saw by the
expression of her eyes that complete possession of her lovely body had
reared the bud of tenderness in the senses of my victim. Although at
present its blossom was a painful one, the sweetness of her kisses, the
voluptuous heaving of her breasts, that indescribable look which true
modesty surely shows at the moment it has received its irreparable
shock from powerful man, all tended quickly to renew the vigour I had
lost in unloosening her virgin zone. The burning blushes which with
rapidity covered her neck and shoulders, the increasing heaving of her
breasts, the trembling of her limbs and body, all proclaimed the
distention she internally felt, caused by her external beauties. To be in
this state and be quiet between the swelling thighs of such a beauty
was impossible. I gradually withdrew myself nearly out of her. A loud
sigh followed my motion-then in like gradual manner I sheathed
myself up to the hair-but again on our close junction a cry escaped her.
"Idol of my soul," I cried, "does it hurt you? Fear not; bear up but a short
time; your sufferings will cease forever." "Indeed, dear sir," she sobbed,
"you hurt me cruelly. I shall the-pray spare me." Again I slowly and
gradually withdrew myself and returned my instrument into its
delirious sheath; but, instead of driving it up to the hilt until our hair
mixed as before, when it was all but an inch and a half in I stopped.
Finding the insertion accompanied by a deep sigh only, again and
again I repeated the movement, tremulous agitation being the only
response. Satisfied as I was that this manner of enjoying her did not
hurt her much, still it was impossible to continue it long. The enjoyment
of her was too exciting to permit me to have complete command of my
feelings from the beginning to the end of enjoyment, consequently her
beauties soon worked me up into a fury, an agony of delight, my thrusts
keeping pace and becoming fiercer as the excitement increased. The
strength of my furious shocks made everything around us tremble by
their violence. In the intervals between lunges, as I withdrew myself
from her, she renewed her painful cries, loudly vociferating, "Oh, pray,
100
sir, spare me-for heaven's sake stop. I cannot bear it-indeed you tear
me to pieces-cruel. Ah! oh, I shall die." Then, "Oh, my God." Then again
(her voice subduing into softer supplication), "Oh, dear sir, for pity's
sake spare me! dear sir, pray forbear." I murmured it was impossible to
desist, I could only stop her complaints by closing her mouth with
kisses. She saw from my agitation it was in vain to supplicate, so
became resigned to her fate. No doubt she felt some consolation as
every moment lessened the pain; sighs began to usurp the place of cries
and when she withdrew her lips from mine it was only to regain the
breath I had nearly sucked away. At this moment I plainly saw that
her nature was touched by my energetic proceedings. The ecstasy
again seized me, and for the third time I dissolved myself away within
her.
'Thus did I consummate my marriage, and thus did the tender girl
forfeit her virginity for her prudery in attacking your feelings. It is true
the Rubicon was now passed with her, but I had made up my mind not
to undeceive her as to who possessed her maidenhead until she had
enjoyed the soft pleasures of coition sufficiently to reward her for the
loss, and to make the discovery a matter of no great consequence.
Twice more thereafter (making five in the whole) did I make play and
force the defunct maid to sustain the assault, each time piercing her up
to the quick with the most redoubtable and lively thrusts, and
bedewing her burning receiver with the dew of life; then thinking I
had effected sufficient for her first instruction, I got up for the purpose
of meeting Hassan on his return (as I assured her) but desired she would
not disturb herself. After a few more caresses I resigned her to the God
of sleep, the only arms but my own or a female's I intend she shall ever
repose in.
'Hassan came at the appointed time. Theodora had fallen into a
refreshing slumber, out of which I was obliged to disturb her, but
desired her not to be alarmed, assuring her no one should injure her. I
explained as quickly as possible that the Bey's eunuch was not
satisfied with the assertion that our marriage had been consummated,
which rendered it necessary she should again submit to be examined. I
101
pacified her as well as I could, assuring her there was no help for it, but
this was the last exposure her modesty would suffer. A pearly tear or
two dropped from her lovely eyes, but she submitted. I withdrew the
clothes whilst Hassan laid hold of her legs by the ankles, gently
dividing them; the bottom of her lily thighs and the sheet were
covered with crimson drops; the delicious entrance in the grove of
Venus, which before she had received my luxurious stretches had so
much the appearance of the bud of the rose, now hung flabby, loose
and inflamed by the tremendous friction it had suffered, satisfying the
beholder in a moment that the hymen had been broken and the
deflowering completed. Hassan immediately bowed his head as
satisfied and I conducted him out of the boudoir. On my return to her
she was still in tears, but I soon dried them. Having ordered dinner, I
told her a slave would attend to help her dress, and by the time her
toilet was finished the meal would be ready. I sent by the slave a
beautiful white satin dress, with diamond eardrops and pearl necklace
and with a letter stating it was my wish she would wear these
ornaments as a marriage gift.
'I waited her approach in the outer room. She came leaning on a slave.
Her appearing to be scarcely able to walk caused me to fly to her
support and her head sank on my shoulder unresistingly. I carried her
to a couch, where throwing my arms around her, I drew her to my
bosom and placing numerous soft kisses on her lips and neck, bestowed
on her every endearing tide I could give utterance to. But although
she trembled, blushed and sighed, and could hardly keep her eyes
open, still, to my great gratification, her lips returned my soft pressures,
and altogether there was something in her behaviour that satisfied me
I had created an interest in her feelings that was tantamount to
reciprocation; indeed every moment had the effect of removing the
natural coyness which every girl must feel in the company of the
happy possessor of her virginity so shortly after the loss. Dinner was
served, of which she partook with apparent satisfaction. During our
repast I caught her examining me when she thought I was engaged or
did not observe her; her cheeks, neck and shoulders were instantly
suffused with blushes on her discovering I had remarked what she was
102
about. I tenderly drew her to my bosom, assuring her there was no
reason for her blushes. In short the repast was enjoyed with double zest
by me from the numerous nameless delicate pleasures I received from
the maidenly confusion caused by the novelty of the situation in the
lovely girl. After the banquet was removed it was past sunset. As she
lay in my arms her eyes seemed heavy, which induced me to ask if she
would retire and snatch an hour or two of repose before I came to pass
the night with her, at the same time telling her she must not expect to
get much sleep that night She agreed to avail herself of my offer, on
which, summoning the slave to assist her to undress, I supported her to
the entrance of the boudoir, there resigning her into the slave's hands
and giving instructions to leave all the lamps burning and properly
supplied with oil.
'After reposing on a couch for about two hours I undressed myself. On
entering the boudoir, I saw that Theodora slept naked from the heat of
the weather; in her sleep she had removed nearly all the bedclothes.
Her head lay on one of her arms on the pillow, her other arm lying
carelessly by her side, whilst the treasures of her lovely breasts and
shoulders were unprotected by the slightest covering. Without
disturbing her, I laid myself by her side, bringing my mouth as nearly
as possibly to hers. Our lips at last touched for a moment. I sucked her
balmy breath. Lying thus examining the beauties of her delicate limbs,
suddenly I perceived a strange confusion seem to seize upon her. She
appeared as if struggling with someone; then she sighed. I caught the
flying bream and gave her another soft kiss; still she slept. Her sweet
disorder and struggles seemed to increase; she uttered some words,
broken and inarticulate. A blush spread itself on her face and bosom;
she turned upon her back as if impelled by the agency of someone, her
lovely thighs spread of themselves, her breasts heaved rapidly, her
whole body was agitated, her arms spread then of a sudden fell, and
then she became motionless as death. Certainly she had tasted in a
dream all those joys which the waking sense can know. A soft emotion
succeed the calm in which she had been absorbed. "Yes, thou lovest
me," she sighed, in the most tender accents; then sighed, breathed short,
and again said, "Oh, I cannot doubt it."
103
'More lost in transport even than she, I had not power to move. A
moment afterwards she became no less confounded than myself; her
soul seemed to give itself up to an ecstasy; again she trembled and
seemed convulsed with pleasure. Mahomet, how beautiful she
appeared! how infinitely did this confusion become her! I could bear it
no longer, but seized her in my arms and thus broke in upon her joys by
awakening her-thereafter there remained no more of the illusion that
had engrossed her faculties than that tender languishment to which
she had abandoned herself with a warmth that rendered her worthy of
the pleasures she had possessed. When she opened her eyes, where
love itself reigned, the glances she darted appeared still full of the fire
that was diffused through her veins; she had not yet lost the impression
that had been made in her sleeping fancy. Oh, how touching was her
very look. "Theodora," I cried, with rapture, pressing her to my bosom,
"lovely, amiable Theodora, how beautiful you appeared just now,"
kissing her with all the ardour I was capable of expressing. The dream
still retained some influence over her waking mind, the memory of her
late impulse insensibly increased upon her, and desires to which she
had hitherto been a stranger thrilled in her veins.
'Experienced as I am in womankind, my passion for Theodora now not
only made me attentive to all her motions but also enabled me to make
true conjectures as to their meaning. I saw quite enough to convince
me I was not an object of indifference to her, and that now more than
ever she regarded me with pleasure. The charming girl, altogether
artless and sincere by nature, knew not how to disguise her thoughts; so
if she did not tell me all she felt in my favour, it was only because of a
shamefacedness. However, I discovered everything I wished to know,
since I was alive to a consciousness of something more than her
modesty would let her speak. But my kisses and touches, combined
with her dream, now began to warm her. She now blushed less at every
liberty I took than she had done before at those she apprehended I
should take. In fact, in spite of herself she was beginning to partake of
my transport. Whilst I was sucking her soft lips my hand slipped
between her thighs but although it was between them still she kept
them closed. "How is this," I cried, "lovely Theodora; do you refuse to
104
make me happy again?" "Ah," she replied, unthinkingly, "you were
but too much so just now, and before you awoke me had all the
advantage you could wish." On pressure to explain the seeming
mystery her words contained, she held out against my entreaties
longer than I expected she would. Kisses and caresses, however, got the
better of her in the end, and her reluctance to speak of the subject
vanished by degrees. "If I should tell you," she said in a trembling voice,
"do not abuse me." I swore I would not, but with transports which
instead of removing her apprehension might have assured her it would
be impossible for me to keep my promise. Too little skilled in mankind
to be sensible of the effect of what she was about to reveal, she at least
confessed to me that being in a slumber the moment before I spoke to
her, she had seen me in a dream, and through my agency she felt a
rapture which before she had notice of. ‘Was I between your thighs?'
cried I, pressing her strenuously in my arms. Covered with blushes but
looking on me with eyes swimming with languor, she tremblingly
replied, "Yes." "Ah, then," rejoined I, more inflamed, "You love me
more in the idea than you do in my real person?" "That," she said,
"would be impossible-I could not love you more; but it is certain I was
less ashamed to tell you so." "But what more?" impatiently demanded
I. "Oh, ask me not," replied she, hiding her blushes on my bosom; "I
cannot enter in particulars; but I was indeed happy without regret."
Here she paused for a moment, and then added, "or pain."
'Whilst she was thus explaining the effect of her dream I had extended
her thighs, and with my forefinger for a few moments had been tickling
the inside of her delicious love-sheath. Her eyes were turned full on
me, charged with all the fires of love and soft desire, plainly intimating
what her thoughts were. It was impossible longer to restrain my
burning impatience, so turning her on her back, I got between her
thighs, and laying myself on her, entreated her to say she loved me. She
only answered with sighs, more impressive than words. I read in every
look and motion what she would have said if not restrained by shame.
One arm held her lips to mine, the other hand directed the instrument
which in her dream had made her so happy. Faint murmurings and
half-stifled sighs combating with the remains of modesty rendered her
105
if possible more beautiful than ever, whilst with energy my vigorous
instrument was driven up till it was at the end of its penetration, its
progress sending up through her eyes the sparks of the love fire that
now blazed in every vein-aye, in every pore in her. She had now taken
in love's arrow (from the point to the feather) in that part where, now
causing no pain, the lips, which owed their first breathing to my potent
instrument, clung as if sensible of gratitude in eager suction around it
with a warmth of zest, a compressive energy that gave it in its way the
most delicious welcome in nature, every part of her sheath gathering
tight around me, and straining as it were to come in for its blissful
touch. Buried in her this way, we were both lost in an ecstasy and
forgetfulness of ourselves or of what further was requisite to satisfy the
demands of nature. We seemed to breathe out our whole souls upon
each other's lips.
'We lay motionless through excess of bliss. After languishing for some
moments on her bosom, I at length recovered, but the lovely girl could
not bear the fierceness of my glances, and moved her head a little on
one side, with a sigh breathing nothing but love. "Ah, Theodora," I
softly exclaimed, "surely you did not in your dream turn away those
swimming eyes, those soft lips?" at the same time trying if it were
possible to strain myself further into her. Suddenly her arms encircled
my neck, her lips joined mine with soft thrilling pressures, whilst with
voluptuous activity she moved her young body to receive my thrusts,
murmuring with tenderness, "Does that content you, dear sir?-is it
thus?-how else can I act to satisfy you?' I had now no command of
myself. Holy Mahomet, how wild was ecstasy. The soft joy had seized
upon her senses, her tremblings, heaving, soft shudders, the active
movements of her arms and legs, quick breathings, graspings, return of
my kisses, all bespoke her dream realised. But nature, unable to
support the torrent of pleasure, deserted us both: we sank insensible in
each other's arms.
'I need not trouble you or excite your jealousy with any further
account of the amorous scenes which took place between us. Long
before morn she became (if anything) more submissive to my wishes
106
than you were on your education. In the morning as she lay on my
bosom, half asleep, moaning from the lassitude which a fierce
enjoyment had just thrown her into, she suddenly sighed out, "Poor
Emily!" I instantly comprehended the subject her thoughts were
wandering on, particularly as a tear escaped from beneath her
beautiful eyelid, rolled over her cheek and fell on my bosom.
Pretending great alarm, I anxiously enquired the cause of her sorrow,
when in the fullness of her grief she related the whole circumstances of
the letter she had received from you, nor did she conceal (as she did in
her first relation) the unkind reply she had written, which she now
much regretted. "How could I," said she fondly, hiding her face in my
bosom, "a poor silly maid as I was then, have any imagination of the
transports I have tasted in your arms tonight? But it was very cruel to
write to her as I did. Are you sure that the Dey ordered her to be
strangled?" "Why," I replied, "there was a report that an English slave
had been strangled; but there is no relying on anything we hear as to
what takes place in the seraglio, even if it comes from the eunuchs
themselves; there is so much deception carried on in respect of the
Dey's women." "Indeed?" she sighed. "Yes," I continued, "if by any
chance the letter you mention should have fallen into the Dey's hands,
there is no danger, trouble or expense that would have deterred him
from getting possession of your lovely person, and every artifice would
have been used until he had enjoyed your virginity; and if he could not
have enjoyed you by your own consent or deceit, he would not scruple
in using force for the satisfying of his desires." "How can he expect
anyone to love him?" she tenderly enquired. "It is reported," said I,
"that very few women can resist him long, so well does he know how to
please them. Besides, you do not form a true estimate of the power of
man over the passions of women. Yesterday you were an ignorant maid
who scarcely knew me! Now how many times during the night have
your lips with the sweetest caresses called on your God as a witness to
your love of me, whom a few short hours ago you had never seen
before? Is it not true,? said I fondly kissing her. "It is," she replied,
throwing her arms around my neck "But though at our marriage there
was no reason for love on my side, either my gratitude or what you
have taught me since yesterday have engendered it, and certainly the
107
Dey would not have made me feel as I do towards you now." This
tender avowal again forced my almost unbounded passions; I clasped
her with transport to my bosom, our lips joined, our breaths mingled;
when gently I turned her on her back, her swelling thighs, now
obedient to the intimations of love and nature, willingly extended,
resigning up the gateway to the entrance of pleasure. Dividing the
pouting lips and entering its velvet tip, the member was quickly
wedged into her to its extremity-she had it now to her heart's contentravished
to its utmost capacity by being so. Stretched as she was almost
to suffocation on a rack of pleasure, its point stung her so much that
catching at length the rage from my furious driving, she went wholly
out of her mind, her sense concentrating in that favourite part of her
body, the whole of which was so luxuriously filled and employed.
There alone she existed, all lost in those delicious transports, those
ecstasies of the senses, which her winking eyes, the brightened
vermilion of her lips and sighs of pleasure deeply fetched so
pathetically expressed. In short she was a machine (like any other
piece of machinery) obeying the impulses of the key that so potently
set her in motion, till the sense of pleasure foaming to a height
triggered the shower that was to allay this hurricane. She kept me
faithful company, going off with the old symptoms-a delicious
delirium, a tremulous shudder, an "Ah, me, where am I?" and two or
three long sighs, followed by the critical, dying, "Oh, oh!" When I got
off her, she lay motionless, pleasure-filled-stretched and drenchedquite
spent and gasping for breath, without any other sensations of life
than in those exquisite vibrations that trembled yet on the strings of
delight which had been so ravishingly touched and which nature had
too intensely striven with for the senses to be quickly at peace from.
'In this manner did I gratify my senses and take my revenge on the
lovely Theodora for the insult paid to me. Thus she became the slave of
my pleasures. She little knew the effect of the storm she was raising
and how potently she would feel it when it exploded. Having
deposited in her womb my burning revenge, I was satisfied, and all that
now remained was to undeceive her and to introduce you. It did not
require much ingenuity to bring this about Foreseeing clearly there
108
would be a few pearly tears shed between you, also that I should have
to listen to a few tender reproaches from Theodora, this also was no
great matter. Having devoted nearly three weeks to the enjoyment of
Theodora, yesterday I intended to withdraw the curtain which hung
before her eyes. I desired Hassan at a particular hour to bring you to
the apartments of Theodora, and when he heard me use a particular
expression to let you enter the boudoir. It is scarcely necessary to
explain that Theodora was now brought to submit to every, indeed
any, wish I could form. On this occasion I had stripped her entirely
naked, having nothing but a loose robe on myself. In this state I
directed her to lean on the couch with her face downwards, raising her
a little by placing a footstool for each foot to stand on at some distance
from each other, so that her thighs were properly extended, and the
entrance perfectly exposed. The head of my instrument was then fixed
in her. At this moment you entered according to my directions, but
dress disguised you so much that she did not know you, and Hassan
caught you as you fainted. I motioned for him to take you away, then
immediately resheathed the weapon in her hungry gap, as I well knew
that would suppress all enquiry regarding you for the present. I seized
her round the loins and demanded of her if she should like to be placed
in that situation with the Dey. She turned round her head, with
evident fear of some unknown danger marked in her lovely face, and
replied, "Ah, sir, you make me tremble." "Why should you tremble,
sweet one? He has been often near you during the last weeks and is at
this moment nearer than you suppose." "Oh, where," cried the visibly
alarmed girl, "where is he?" "Why up to your very quick," was my
reply, and I forced myself into her as far as I could go. "It is the Dey who
has enjoyed your virginity, whose wife you suppose yourself to be, and
whom you now feel up to the hilt in your vitals." She fainted, but my
violent thrusts soon brought her to life. The ecstasy seized me, I
discharged myself into her, and withdrawing from her exclaimed,
"There, my child, the deception is finished, you now know the beast in
all his beastliness. Know, sweet charmer," I exclaimed, "it was that
letter of yours that has procured the pleasure you have received in my
embraces; the female that just now interrupted us is your friend Emily."
To this she uttered a faint scream and fainted again. As I was ready for
109
action I was soon in her again, and a few fierce thrusts quickly brought
her to. To be brief, while my instrument was in her I had no difficulty in
obtaining her pardon. She entreated permission to fly to you, and I
granted her request. The rest you know.'
As the Dey ceased speaking his rampant tool (which I must confess I
was handling during his confession) gave tokens of preparation and
soon I had the delicious morsel where I fain would have kept it forever.
After this the Dey would often amuse himself with us alternately,
compelling one of us to guide into the other his instrument and handle
his pendant jewels; then he would throw his hand back and insert his
finger into the gaping place that awaited its turn. In this way we were
frequently (all three) dissolved at the same time in a flood of bliss.
This had continued for several weeks, when an awful catastrophe put
an end to our enjoyments. The Dey had received a Greek girl from one
of his captains. She passively submitted to his embraces, and uttered no
complaint until he commenced the attack upon her second
maidenhead; then did she seem inspired with the strength of a
Hercules. She suddenly seized a knife, which she had concealed under
a cushion, grasped his pinnacle of strength, and in less than a thought
drew the knife across it and severed it from his body, she then plunged
it into her own heart and expired immediately.
Aid was immediately summoned to stop the Dey's bleeding to death,
and with the fortitude that ever characterises greatness, he ordered his
physician to relieve him of his now useless remaining appendages, his
receptacles of the soul-stirring juice, remarking at the same time that
life would be hell if he retained the desire after the power was dead.
When the Dey had nearly recovered he sent for us, and disclosed to
our view the lost members preserved in spirits of wine in glass vases. He
affectionately bade us farewell, telling us that a ship would sail for
England in a few days, and as he had no further use for us, he would
send us back to our native land. His kindness had such an effect on my
feelings as to cause a miscarriage. I lay dangerously ill for two weeks,
110
during which time Sylvia attended me with the care of a mother. At
length the time of departure arrived. The Dey sent for us, and
presented one of his valuable vases to Sylvia and the other to me. It fell
to my lot to have the shaft. He also made us several other valuable
presents, and bade us farewell, hoping that in our own country we
should find partners to supply him. We left him with a heavy heart.
We embarked on board the ship and arrived here without accident.
Our friends here hushed up matters and reported that we had been at
a boarding school in France, instead of the boarding school of the Dey
of Algiers. Sylvia afterwards married a baronet, who lost his charge
before he effected his entrance, so well did she play the prude.
As for myself, you well know what my sentiments are. I will never
marry until I am assured that the chosen one possesses sufficient charm
and weight not only to erase the Dey's impression from my heart, but
also from a more sensitive part I have a young willing maid who
possesses wiles enough to catch any man, and sufficient experience to
answer my purpose; out of ten suitors, seven have passed through her
ordeal and been found wanting. My hopes at present are centred on an
Irish earl, who I have a presentiment will be found worthy of
acceptance. When I have changed my name, rest assured you shall
know the particulars.
You no doubt wish to know what became of the vases, therefore I must
ease your mind on that score. Sylvia has a female friend who keeps a
fashionable boarding school in London, and she persuaded me to leave
mine with hers in the keeping of this lady, who shows them as a reward
for good behaviour to the little lady scholars. Poor girls, how their little
mousetraps must gape at the sight!

EMILY BARLOW

THE END

[April]

LETTER 18

Emily Barlow to Maria Williams

London, 8 May 1816

Dearest Maria-You requested me in your last letter to write you an
account of my life while at Algiers. I thought I could not do better than
send you a copy of my letter to Sylvia Carey. I have also sent with
them a parcel of letters belonging to Father Angelo, a Roman Catholic
priest, who left them by accident on board Abdallah's ship while at
Toulon. This priest was employed by the Dey in concert with Abdallah
to secure my friend Sylvia, as you will see by the Bey's letter to
Abdallah.
I will now continue my history from the time that I received Sylvia's
last letter. I had been with child about six months, when the Bey's
neglect assured me some fresh worthy engaged his amorous moments.
A rumour ran that it was a countrywoman of mine. The Dey was
immovable; neither myself nor any of my companions could get the
secret out of him, until one day the chief eunuch told me in a
confidential manner that if I chose I could see my rival. Although I
hated her in my heart for robbing me of that which was dear to me, my
curiosity got the better of my feelings, and I accepted his offer. He led
me through several rooms I had never been in before, until we came to
a large chamber parted in the middle by a curtain. My guide motioned
me to look as he drew the curtain apart. The first object that met my
eyes was a naked female leaning on a couch, face downward, and the
Dey with his noble shaft plunged up to the hilt in her. At this moment
the Dey turned his head and discovered me. Surprise nailed me to the
spot. He clasped his hands around his lady, raised her from the
recumbent position, still keeping his weapon in her, wheeled round
and brought her full to my view. Imagine to yourself, dearest Maria,
what must have been my emotions on my beholding in his arms my
friend Sylvia, she who had added to my anxiety by her unfeeling
letter. I uttered a hurried exclamation and fainted.
On my recovery I found myself in bed and Sylvia bending over me.
‘Forgive me, dearest Emily,' she exclaimed, ‘for the harsh letter I wrote
86
you. Little did I then think that I too should fall a sacrifice to the dear
wicked Dey. I now wonder how you could have so eloquently
described the very things that have occurred to me. But compose
yourself, my dear, the Dey has forbid me giving you any account of
myself, as he wishes to narrate it himself.'
The next day I was sitting on the sofa when the Dey entered my
apartment. I tried to frown on him, but could not, for he drew his robe
on one side and disclosed that delightful instrument that attunes my
heart to harmony. I threw myself on my back, and in a moment his
highness was in the pinnacle of bliss. Thrice did he return my embraces
ere he withdrew; then, seating himself beside me on the couch, he
began as follows.
'You no doubt are dying with curiosity to know how your friend came
into my possession, but what a silly child you must have been to
suppose that I would have permitted you to write letters and receive
answers without myself knowing the contents. I had a hearty laugh
over what you told your friend, and I assure you I equally enjoyed the
answer you received from her, but was determined to pay the minx for
calling me a beast if it lay in my power. You recollect she stated she
was at Toulon. One of my ships was about to sail for that port. I sent for
Captain Abdallah and offered him a liberal reward to abduct the
young lady. He found little difficulty in effecting his purpose, and
about a month since he returned with this coy lady to Algiers. Whilst
he was gone I was much puzzled how I should proceed with her. After
canvassing twenty different modes of subduing her to my pleasure, I
determined on the following as the most likely to add to my
gratification in debauching her. I determined on her arrival to
represent a French physician, and make her fly into my arms in that
character to avoid me in my real one.
'In pursuance of this scheme I fitted up the slave driver's house at the
bottom of the palace gardens in every way proper to represent the
house of a medical man of some eminence. For a purpose which I shall
by and by explain I caused to be made in the principal sitting-room a
87
secret recess or cupboard, so well contrived that no one could discover
it, although at the same time those inside could see and hear quite
plainly everything passing in the room. My arrangements were quite
finished before she arrived. I had an interview with Abdallah prior to
her being brought on shore. When he had received his instructions for
his little part in the drama of deception, his description of her gratified
me much. I longed for the moment to arrive when her naked beauties
were to be offered to my inspection.
'If there is anything that tends to the subjection of a haughty woman, it
is the attacking of her modesty at once in the most sensible part.
Nothing tends to humble coy chastity so much as our system of the
slave market where captives are exposed, naked, and left unreservedly
to the sight and feel of whoever chooses to bid for them. The most
stubborn beauty will in time inevitably fall under its subduing
influence. Next morning she was brought on shore and placed in one of
the slave bazaars, under the direction of Abdallah. She was stripped
entirely naked, then a silk cloak was given her to wrap herself in, until
my eunuch came to examine whether she was worthy of being sent to
my serail, as I had first choice. This Abdallah informed her of in her
own language. You may guess her state of alarm. In the course of the
morning one of my eunuchs, attended by four black slaves, went to the
bazaar in state. Abdallah requested her to throw off her cloak; this she
refused to do; consequently they were obliged to take it from her by
force, as they were also obliged to lay her on her back on a couch so
that the eunuch might examine her properly as to her virginity. The
four slaves with difficulty held her down whilst the eunuch performed
his duty.
'She struggled and screamed without intermission whilst Hassan, the
eunuch, made his survey. When he had finished he asked Abdallah, in
French, what was demanded for her; he answered (in the same
language), twelve purses. Hassan replied that he doubted whether she
was a virgin, and that he did not think she would suit the Dey. "But,"
asked he, "of what country is she?"'
88
'On being informed she was English, "Oh," he replied, "the Dey has
sworn never to have another Englishwoman, since he was obliged to
strangle Zulima a few days ago." Theodora (the name I had ordered for
her), who understood perfectly every word that was spoken, on hearing
of your supposed death, forgot her own troubles and feinted. By proper
remedies she was quickly restored to her senses, but every precaution
was taken to make her believe no one cared about her swooning.
Hassan refused to purchase her and left the bazaar. This farce was
repeated by several of my eunuchs during the day, some objecting to
the price, some finding fault with her person-all declining to purchase
her, but all examining her and feeling her parts as to her fitness for the
station she was doomed to be placed in. It was evident to Abdallah
that she began to submit to her destiny, she plainly saw, however it
might outrage her modesty, there was no evading the examinations
which were scrupulously attended to in that most secret part for which
to be touched by man is nearly a death blow to chastity. Of course, I
did not permit her to be seen by anyone but my own slaves, in various
disguises; all the while the poor girl thought she was in the public
market for sale.
'Abdallah now, in her own language, began to abuse her for want of
attraction in not finding a quick sale. This was the moment appointed
for the performance of my part of the play. I accordingly entered the
room like the others, and made her undergo the necessary
examinations, first feeling her beautiful ivory breasts, then slipping my
hand down over her smooth satin belly till, descending, my fingers
mixed with the soft down which covered and beautifully shaded her
grotto of love.
'The poor girl I thought would have sunk to the ground whilst
undergoing this touching ceremony-indeed she would have had I not
supported her; but I proceeded in my search, heedless of her tears.
Softly I seized on the delicious lips of her virgin opening, and forced my
forefinger half in. I finished my search and asked Abdallah her price.
He treated me as if I had been a person of no consequence, and lowered
his demand from twelve to eight purses. I bid him seven purses for her,
89
which he refused to take. I told him I could not afford to give more, and
then enquired what country she came from. He then informed me from
France, at which, pretending to be much astonished, I asked her in
French (in which we had been talking all along) whether she had
understood what we said if she was a Frenchwoman? As well as her
feeling would permit her, she answered in good French that she was
English. Nearly choked with tears, she informed me of the manner in
which she had been torn from her friends, and submissively entreated
me to give the price demanded for her, assuring me I should have it
and much more for ransom. I pretended to take great interest in what
she said; asked her many questions as to the rank and property of her
friends, which she represented, there is no doubt, in their true light. On
my expressing doubts if I should get the sum back if I bought her, she
assured me over and over again there was no occasion to have the least
mistrust, and again and again piteously entreated me to save her from
further shame. I at last pretended to be overcome by her tears and
supplications and therefore told Abdallah he should have his demand.
He appeared quite glad to get rid of her. Under the pretence of
ordering a palanquin to convey her to my home, and purchasing some
dresses, I went out. Whilst I was absent Abdallah informed her I was a
Frenchman, and first physician in Algiers, also deputy consul for that
nation, and that she could not have fallen into better hands. On
returning I observed with pleasure a considerable alteration for the
better in her looks. When she had attired herself in the robes and veil I
had brought her, she was conducted to the palanquin, and the maid
was soon in the house at the bottom of the garden.
The large room had been fitted up in a very handsome style, suitable
to a man of my supposed rank. Among the necessaries, you may
suppose convenient couches were not omitted. Adjoining was a
smaller room, only partitioned off by a fine silk curtain; this was
arranged for sleeping or (more properly speaking) for the purpose of
enjoyment. In introducing her to the boudoir I plainly felt the hand of
Theodora tremble; no doubt the appearance of the place strongly
indicated its use. However, I took no notice of her fears, but told her at
present they were the apartments she was to occupy. I pointed out to
90
her where she would find every article of dress, and also informed her I
would send one of my women to attend and help her at her toilet, as
she might be in some difficulty as to how the garments were worn. She
timidly asked me what I meant by one of my women. I explained to her
the custom of the country-that it was usual to have as many women
here as we could support, who were bought in the same manner as I
had purchased her, that I had two slaves of the kind, one of whom
should attend and assist her; that it was impossible for me to marry a
Mahometan, being myself a Protestant Christian. She looked at me
fearfully, and said she hoped no advantage would be taken of her
unhappy condition and waited with breathless anxiety my answer. I
approached her, and taking one of her hands in mine and encircling
her waist with the other, solemnly assured her that her modesty or
virtue had nothing to fear from me. "I have bought you for the purpose
of returning you to your country and friends, and by this kiss of
friendship," said I, drawing her soft lips to mine, "you have nothing to
fear." She blushingly submitted her lips to my pressure. I did not
encroach upon her good nature, but requested she would make herself
as happy as possible and assured her that no time should be lost in
communicating with her friends.
'I left her and sent a handsome Circassian girl to assist her in dressing.
As the slave could not speak a word except in her native language,
there was no fear of her betraying who I was. I told her what she was to
do, and to return when she had finished. In about an hour the slave
came back, and I returned to the apartment of Theodora. I was indeed
struck by the blaze of beauty she exhibited when dressed after our
fashion, her coal-black hair, beautifully parted over her noble ivory
forehead, peeping out from beneath her headdress. "My God," I cried,
"how is it possible the chief eunuch of the Dey could have passed over
charms such as you possess?" The name of the Dey brought the
recollection of him to her, and she dropped on a couch overcome by
her feelings. She entreated me with tears not to name the Dey again to
her. Of course, I promised to comply with her wishes, but demanded
how it was the name of the Dey affected her so much, a person she
could know nothing of. "Ah," she replied, "I know more of him than you
91
are aware, of." On my expressing my surprise and incredulity, she was
induced to enter into the history of your falling into my hands. Every
now and then I interrupted her revelations with expressions of
astonishment, but she did not mention the last letter she had written to
you. Then she related what she had heard between Abdallah and
Hassan in the morning, and enquired whether I believed there was any
truth in it. I assured her it was impossible to tell, but such things the
Dey was particular in. It was nothing to him to order a female to be
strangled in consequence of the slightest offence. The poor girl was
much affected at my corroboration of Hassan's assertion. My respectful
behaviour was evidently every moment establishing me in her
confidence. After we had dined I informed her that the greater part of
the morning was devoted to attending my patients, but tomorrow
afternoon should be spent in preparing the necessary correspondence
with her friends in France. Towards the evening I asked her if she
would walk in the garden towards the sea. I had taken care to give
very particular orders that no one should be permitted in there, or on
the sea beach at the back of the harem. She took hold of my arm
during our walk, and seemed to gain courage and spirits as her fears
evidently decreased at my seeming respect. After walking until we
were tired, we returned to the house-
A blushing lovely maid she entered it,
But ere she left was quite another thing.
'I did not accompany her to her apartments, but took leave below,
respectfully kissing her hand, and assuring her that on the morrow I
would get back from my professional pursuits as early as possible, and
the remainder of the day should be devoted to her service. She little
dreamt of the service I meant.
'I had selected a slave to attend on her who spoke French, so there was
no difficulty as to anything she might want Next day, in the afternoon,
on being announced to her I found her comparatively easy in her mind.
After the usual compliments I proceeded to business. The writing
92
materials were brought and we set to work opposite the window which
commanded a view of the garden and the long walk but left us
entirely screened ourselves. Whilst busy on the letter, on a signal given
by one of my attendants, which was merely the imitation of the
chirping of a bird, I pretended to look accidentally out of the window,
and started up with astonishment, saying, "What can he want here?"
Getting up so suddenly alarmed Theodora, who with horror instantly
recognised Hassan coming up the long walk "My God," said I aloud to
myself, without paying any attention to her, but alive to her state of
mind. Her fears immediately acted just as I wished. She sprang forward
and clung round my neck, saying, "Oh, save me, save me! It is me he
wants; I fear it; I feel it. Oh, in the name of God save me." "I dare not-my
life, everything is at stake," I replied. "But stop, perhaps you are
alarmed without cause." I rang the bell. The servant who answered was
directed to meet Hassan, and if he asked for me to say I was gone to my
country house with a female slave. The papers were quickly carried to
the private recess ready provided, in which we also hid ourselves. We
had not been concealed long ere a considerable noise was heard
between Hassan and my servant. Presently they both entered the room
wrangling. The servant said, ‘"You see, he is not here." Hassan replied,
"But my orders are peremptory. I am to search for the English slave and
bring her to the Dey's harem. I have nearly lost my life for not
purchasing her yesterday."
'Here Theodora had sunk on my bosom; it was only with the greatest
difficulty I could stop her sobs. But there was no fear of Hassan hearing
her, even had she made more noise than she did. However, I took the
opportunity of closing her mouth with my lips, softly encouraging her
not to give way to her fears, assuring her she would be protected at the
risk of my life. Hassan proceeded to search the sleeping apartments,
but did not find what he sought. He told my servant that he must
proceed after me to my country seat, for his life depended on his
success. When he was gone we emerged from our confinement. It was
now necessary something should be done. To escape from Algiers was
utterly impossible. In the course of five or six hours Hassan would
surely return. For some time I appeared utterly lost. How to act I knew
93
not. She still clung to me, bathing me with tears, entreating me to kill
her rather than deliver her up to the cruel Dey. Time rapidly slipped
away-three hours had already passed-nothing decided on. Every
moment her despair was growing stronger. She was in my arms, her
head resting on my bosom, my waistcoat moistened with her tears.
Suddenly, starting up, I summoned the attendant and demanded if he
was a true believer. He replied he was. "Is it written," said I anxiously,
"in your Koran, and expressly forbidden by Mahomet, that no true
believer should meddle with the wife of another, whether Mussulman
or otherwise?" It was his reply, "So has the Prophet written." "Fetch me
a Koran." It was brought. The attendant pointed out a verse which I
pretended to translate to her. "It is your only chance of escape," I cried.
"Become my wife and you escape pollution, and perhaps something
more; there is no other way of avoiding the tyrant." Her fears of the
Dey quickly decided her fate; she consented.
'I instantly pretended to write a letter to the Protestant minister of the
English consul's family, which we both signed-I told her he would not
attend unless we both requested it. Everything had been fully
prepared. She saw me direct the letter to the English Consul.
Everything tended to lull her into security, in about an hour more Ben
Izacks, the English Jew diamond merchant whom I had directed to
perfect himself in the part of an English priest for the completion of my
scheme, arrived with all the assurance of his sect, cleverly disguised to
perform the ceremony. The ring was ready, the contract made out,
when my bride requested to speak a few words to the clergyman in
private. I immediately withdrew with the witnesses who were of course
my own slaves, in a few minutes I was summoned by the Jew. I
afterwards learned from him that the only question she asked of him
was whether he was certain I was a Christian. You may suppose he
perfectly satisfied her on that point. Without further delay the
ceremony proceeded. Izacks performed his part with proper solemnity.
She had just sufficient strength left to pronounce the mystic oath, and
at the very instant the ceremony was finished she sank fainting in my
arms, unable longer to support the flurry and disorder of her feelings. I
instantly dismissed Izacks and the attendants. Alone I supported her
94
into the boudoir, where I intended the consummation should directly
take place.
'Assuming now the privileges of a husband, I placed her on the couch,
and tenderly clasping her to my bosom soon reaped a rich harvest of
soft thrilling kisses. With a trembling sigh the languishing maid
opened her heavenly black eyes, but unable to bear my gaze quickly
shut them again. I now boldly explained to her the absolute and
immediate necessity of her resigning to me the blessing I was entitled
to in the enjoyment of her person, for in this country a marriage is a
nullity until the husband has consummated it. Should the wretch
Hassan return and find we had omitted any part of the ceremony,
instant advantage would be taken of it, therefore all we had done
would be of no use. Whilst I was thus explaining myself, I was also
busily unbuttoning the bodice which covered the beauties of her
bosom, every now and then placing on her soft rosy lips the most
delicious kisses. She but feebly resisted. How shall I describe her
delightful confusion when my hand boldly slid over her panting
globes? It is impossible; words cannot do justice to the situation.
Although I was using the absolute authority of a husband over her you
will recollect that her submission to my proceedings was entirely from
fear created by the dread of myself, only in another shape. Ours was
not a union of love, but one hastily submitted to by her to save herself
from the embraces of an imaginary brutal monster created by her fears
and false information alone. Under such circumstances there could of
course be very little love on her side, although there might be some
little respect for the service I had rendered her-in the supposed risk I
was running in offending the Dey by marrying her. Thus, although she
had no pretext left on which to oppose every liberty I now took with
her beautiful person, still I could plainly see, as I was divesting her
voluptuous body of its coverings, how dreadful was the shock her
modesty sustained in being obliged to resign herself even to a husband.
Modesty may struggle, but it very seldom struggles successfully with
me. It was evident from her agitation that her bashfulness would have
struggled against my proceedings had she not been fettered by the
oath of obedience she had just sworn on the altar of God. If she had
95
even found out the deception which had been practised on her, any
opposition would have now been fruitless. Her hour of instruction was
arrived. I had determined she should receive her lesson. Although not
assisted by any tie on her affections, I of course was perfectly aware
how quick is the influence of pleasure on the softer sex. If the land is
properly cultivated, it will always produce its crops. So it is with lovely
women. Rid them of their virginity, enjoy them properly, and it is
wonderful to observe the rapidity with which the seed of pleasure will
thrive and yield a rich harvest to the happy cultivator.
You may guess I was not long preparing myself or my trembling
victim for the mighty business. Clasping my lovely beauty in my arms I
easily laid her on the cushion and myself by her side. Her swelling
snowy breasts heaved with her laboured breathing, with one arm
round her neck, the other hand unresistedly traversed all her beauties,
until suddenly forcing my hand between her smooth, polished thighs, I
took possession of the port of love. Her tremblings, her sighs, increased
rapidly; with bashful modesty she entreated, she prayed me to remove
my hand. I promised everything for a kiss. However, the kiss taken, I
did not keep my word. My reasons were good. It had not been agreed
whether it should be given or taken. By dint of bargaining we agreed
on a second, which was to be received by me. Then with my
unoccupied hand guiding her trembling delicate arms around my
neck, and leaning over her to receive it, the soft, thrilling, delicious kiss
was not only received, but perfectly given, in such a manner that love
could not have done it better. So much good faith deserved to be
rewarded. I immediately withdrew my hand, but I do not know by
what accident one of my knees occupied the place I had just vacated.
A soft struggle ensued, during which half-breathed words and sighs
escaped her-every now and then, "Ah", and "you must not", "pray do
not", and so on until I had securely placed myself between her soft
swelling thighs. This effected, I found not the smallest difficulty in
stretching them at pleasure to their utmost spread. Shame and surprise
had now quite overpowered my charming, panting, blushing prize.
96
'I was not very eager or in great haste to finish my task. I delight in
delays when I am certain of coming to the end of the journey. I clearly
saw, in spite of her modesty, that my kisses and touches had
considerably inflamed her senses, so seizing her left hand with my
right, with gentle force I conducted it to the key which I told her was to
open the road to the sweetest enjoyments. I entreated her to take it in
her hand. She did not reply, but requested me to spare her modesty. "In
the name of God," she cried, "have pity on me." Her tears began to flow,
but they only added to her beauty, and inflamed me more strongly, so
pretending to be much astonished, I reminded her that she was on the
conjugal bed, and therefore it was necessary to our common pleasure
she should not now show any opposition to my wishes. But it was of no
use; she would not be persuaded to take it in her hand. During this
contention my member had become furious, and was beating his head
against the lips of the port shortly doomed to receive it.
'Finding her modesty was not to be overcome on this point, I desisted,
and taking my instrument in my hand, placed the head between the
lips and with my finger and thumb contrived to stretch the delicate
little opening sufficiently wide to insert the head entirely. As the
moment of her martyrdom approached, so by degrees did her
confusion and agitation increase. The insertion of the head of my stiff
virgin-stretcher caused her delicious ivory breasts to beat against my
bosom with the rapidity of lightning, whilst her milk-white neck and
shoulders were covered with burning blushes. She would have spoken,
but could not give utterance to the words. However, talking just then
was of no great consequence, so making a furious thrust I strove to
penetrate her virgin sanctuary, but the avenue was too tight to give
way to a first attempt. A second thrust, made with circumspection, was
a little more successful; a third and fourth deepened my penetration; at
last, as I followed up my success with strength and rapidity, the sweet
obstacle began to give way, until I had pierced myself halfway into
her. How delicious were the varying expressions which her sweet
countenance now exhibited. When she first felt the penetration her
confusion was so great she could not keep her eyes open, but as ground
was gained the confusion began to dissipate, her eyes lost their
97
unconsciousness, astonishment mixed with pain became clearly
marked on her lovely countenance and soft cries began to find vent in
spite of my fierce kisses. I now made a desperate effort to break
through the remaining defences of her coy chastity, but was prevented
by the ecstasy seizing me; the seed of life distilled from me like a
deluge.
'This stopped my proceedings for some moments, but did not force me
to withdraw from her. In fact, though I quite overflowed the part
penetrated, still very little of my stiffness or vigour was lost. Her soft
lips, the nipples of her well-formed breasts, soon renewed my strength.
During the cessation of hostilities she entreated me, if I loved her, to
withdraw my furious instrument. "You will kill me," she cried in a most
piteous voice. "I certainly shall die; it is impossible to sustain your cruel
tearing." "If I love you? Can you doubt it? Have I not risked my life for
you?" replied I, tenderly sucking her lips, and thrusting my tongue into
her mouth. "No doubt, delicious love, the pain you suffer is cruel, but it
is entailed upon your sex and it will quickly subside; nor can you
participate in the soft joys of love without undergoing the ordeal;
therefore, dear maid, submit with courage, the most voluptuous joys
will be your reward.' At this moment I began to pierce again with all
my force; the overflowing of my seed within her considerably assisted,
having oiled the road so much that I felt myself gradually stretching
her, but still it must have hurt her dreadfully, as her loud cries testified.
Pity for her sufferings caused me to stop a moment, to assure her that it
was nearly over. "Feel," I cried, "my sweet life, it is nearly all entered."
Agitation with her sufferings, or fear of further anguish, I know not
which, induced her to obey. She found the truth of my assertion, my
instrument was three parts within her, but there it stuck as if it were too
thick to enter further. Whilst her hand was upon it, I made a furious
effort-again it penetrated. "Ah!" she cried, "stay your cruel thrusts, you
murder me!" but collecting all my strength, and making one
tremendous lunge, I sent it gloriously and triumphantly into her to the
utmost length. The couch which was the field of battle trembled under
the shock You may judge of my vigour for the very curtains of the
98
apartment shook In vain she entreated me to withdraw the arrow
which was pierced up to her very entrails.
'"No," I replied, "it is now all over; you have nothing further to
apprehend; from a pure virgin you have become a chaste wife and all
that remains to be done is to make the travelling easy to me and
pleasurable to you. This, sweet love, can only be effected by judicious
and frequent enjoyments. Believe me, from the moment the close union
of our bodies proclaimed your maidenhead taken, your sufferings must
become less and less acute." My words were supported by actions.
Master of the citadel, I assumed all the conqueror's rights. Drawing
myself nearly out of her, with one vigorous thrust I plunged back
Again and again was the experiment repeated. Her tears flowed,
intermixed with cries, sobs and sighs. I desisted not, but whispered,
"Courage, courage, my dear love, soon you will feel the softest
pleasure." At every fresh thrust the difficulty of entry decreased. Now
lost in ravishment indefinable, I grasped her strongly in my arms, and
thrust with fury and without care.
'Her cries had subsided. The ecstatic moment again approaching, I
drove myself up to the very hilt; it was impossible to enjoy a more
voluptuous conjunction, a copious discharge filled the recesses of her
womb; her virginity was gone. I sank insensible in her arms, entirely
overcome with the most delicious the most perfect of all earthly
enjoyments.
'On recovering my senses I was still buried securely in my lovely
Theodora; her head was reclining on her right shoulder; with gentle
respiration her ivory breasts deliriously heaved against my bosom; her
eyes were closed, but the pearly dew still glistened in her dark silken
eyelashes. Tenderly encircling her neck with my arms, I kissed off the
trembling drops. How exquisite was the gratification of my senses at
this moment! Still trembling with the ecstasy of having deflowered as
pure and lovely a virgin as ever was stretched on the altar of Venus,
how thrilling was the joy when I again drew her soft lips to mine,
feeding my senses with the luxurious inhalement of her balmy breath,
99
amidst a shower of dove-like kisses! One of her arms, which lay by my
side, I gently placed around my neck. She withdrew it not. Gradually
her lovely eyes opened and although I could clearly read in their
dissolving expression how great was the pain she felt from the
enormous machine buried within her, but still with joy I saw by the
expression of her eyes that complete possession of her lovely body had
reared the bud of tenderness in the senses of my victim. Although at
present its blossom was a painful one, the sweetness of her kisses, the
voluptuous heaving of her breasts, that indescribable look which true
modesty surely shows at the moment it has received its irreparable
shock from powerful man, all tended quickly to renew the vigour I had
lost in unloosening her virgin zone. The burning blushes which with
rapidity covered her neck and shoulders, the increasing heaving of her
breasts, the trembling of her limbs and body, all proclaimed the
distention she internally felt, caused by her external beauties. To be in
this state and be quiet between the swelling thighs of such a beauty
was impossible. I gradually withdrew myself nearly out of her. A loud
sigh followed my motion-then in like gradual manner I sheathed
myself up to the hair-but again on our close junction a cry escaped her.
"Idol of my soul," I cried, "does it hurt you? Fear not; bear up but a short
time; your sufferings will cease forever." "Indeed, dear sir," she sobbed,
"you hurt me cruelly. I shall the-pray spare me." Again I slowly and
gradually withdrew myself and returned my instrument into its
delirious sheath; but, instead of driving it up to the hilt until our hair
mixed as before, when it was all but an inch and a half in I stopped.
Finding the insertion accompanied by a deep sigh only, again and
again I repeated the movement, tremulous agitation being the only
response. Satisfied as I was that this manner of enjoying her did not
hurt her much, still it was impossible to continue it long. The enjoyment
of her was too exciting to permit me to have complete command of my
feelings from the beginning to the end of enjoyment, consequently her
beauties soon worked me up into a fury, an agony of delight, my thrusts
keeping pace and becoming fiercer as the excitement increased. The
strength of my furious shocks made everything around us tremble by
their violence. In the intervals between lunges, as I withdrew myself
from her, she renewed her painful cries, loudly vociferating, "Oh, pray,
100
sir, spare me-for heaven's sake stop. I cannot bear it-indeed you tear
me to pieces-cruel. Ah! oh, I shall die." Then, "Oh, my God." Then again
(her voice subduing into softer supplication), "Oh, dear sir, for pity's
sake spare me! dear sir, pray forbear." I murmured it was impossible to
desist, I could only stop her complaints by closing her mouth with
kisses. She saw from my agitation it was in vain to supplicate, so
became resigned to her fate. No doubt she felt some consolation as
every moment lessened the pain; sighs began to usurp the place of cries
and when she withdrew her lips from mine it was only to regain the
breath I had nearly sucked away. At this moment I plainly saw that
her nature was touched by my energetic proceedings. The ecstasy
again seized me, and for the third time I dissolved myself away within
her.
'Thus did I consummate my marriage, and thus did the tender girl
forfeit her virginity for her prudery in attacking your feelings. It is true
the Rubicon was now passed with her, but I had made up my mind not
to undeceive her as to who possessed her maidenhead until she had
enjoyed the soft pleasures of coition sufficiently to reward her for the
loss, and to make the discovery a matter of no great consequence.
Twice more thereafter (making five in the whole) did I make play and
force the defunct maid to sustain the assault, each time piercing her up
to the quick with the most redoubtable and lively thrusts, and
bedewing her burning receiver with the dew of life; then thinking I
had effected sufficient for her first instruction, I got up for the purpose
of meeting Hassan on his return (as I assured her) but desired she would
not disturb herself. After a few more caresses I resigned her to the God
of sleep, the only arms but my own or a female's I intend she shall ever
repose in.
'Hassan came at the appointed time. Theodora had fallen into a
refreshing slumber, out of which I was obliged to disturb her, but
desired her not to be alarmed, assuring her no one should injure her. I
explained as quickly as possible that the Bey's eunuch was not
satisfied with the assertion that our marriage had been consummated,
which rendered it necessary she should again submit to be examined. I
101
pacified her as well as I could, assuring her there was no help for it, but
this was the last exposure her modesty would suffer. A pearly tear or
two dropped from her lovely eyes, but she submitted. I withdrew the
clothes whilst Hassan laid hold of her legs by the ankles, gently
dividing them; the bottom of her lily thighs and the sheet were
covered with crimson drops; the delicious entrance in the grove of
Venus, which before she had received my luxurious stretches had so
much the appearance of the bud of the rose, now hung flabby, loose
and inflamed by the tremendous friction it had suffered, satisfying the
beholder in a moment that the hymen had been broken and the
deflowering completed. Hassan immediately bowed his head as
satisfied and I conducted him out of the boudoir. On my return to her
she was still in tears, but I soon dried them. Having ordered dinner, I
told her a slave would attend to help her dress, and by the time her
toilet was finished the meal would be ready. I sent by the slave a
beautiful white satin dress, with diamond eardrops and pearl necklace
and with a letter stating it was my wish she would wear these
ornaments as a marriage gift.
'I waited her approach in the outer room. She came leaning on a slave.
Her appearing to be scarcely able to walk caused me to fly to her
support and her head sank on my shoulder unresistingly. I carried her
to a couch, where throwing my arms around her, I drew her to my
bosom and placing numerous soft kisses on her lips and neck, bestowed
on her every endearing tide I could give utterance to. But although
she trembled, blushed and sighed, and could hardly keep her eyes
open, still, to my great gratification, her lips returned my soft pressures,
and altogether there was something in her behaviour that satisfied me
I had created an interest in her feelings that was tantamount to
reciprocation; indeed every moment had the effect of removing the
natural coyness which every girl must feel in the company of the
happy possessor of her virginity so shortly after the loss. Dinner was
served, of which she partook with apparent satisfaction. During our
repast I caught her examining me when she thought I was engaged or
did not observe her; her cheeks, neck and shoulders were instantly
suffused with blushes on her discovering I had remarked what she was
102
about. I tenderly drew her to my bosom, assuring her there was no
reason for her blushes. In short the repast was enjoyed with double zest
by me from the numerous nameless delicate pleasures I received from
the maidenly confusion caused by the novelty of the situation in the
lovely girl. After the banquet was removed it was past sunset. As she
lay in my arms her eyes seemed heavy, which induced me to ask if she
would retire and snatch an hour or two of repose before I came to pass
the night with her, at the same time telling her she must not expect to
get much sleep that night She agreed to avail herself of my offer, on
which, summoning the slave to assist her to undress, I supported her to
the entrance of the boudoir, there resigning her into the slave's hands
and giving instructions to leave all the lamps burning and properly
supplied with oil.
'After reposing on a couch for about two hours I undressed myself. On
entering the boudoir, I saw that Theodora slept naked from the heat of
the weather; in her sleep she had removed nearly all the bedclothes.
Her head lay on one of her arms on the pillow, her other arm lying
carelessly by her side, whilst the treasures of her lovely breasts and
shoulders were unprotected by the slightest covering. Without
disturbing her, I laid myself by her side, bringing my mouth as nearly
as possibly to hers. Our lips at last touched for a moment. I sucked her
balmy breath. Lying thus examining the beauties of her delicate limbs,
suddenly I perceived a strange confusion seem to seize upon her. She
appeared as if struggling with someone; then she sighed. I caught the
flying bream and gave her another soft kiss; still she slept. Her sweet
disorder and struggles seemed to increase; she uttered some words,
broken and inarticulate. A blush spread itself on her face and bosom;
she turned upon her back as if impelled by the agency of someone, her
lovely thighs spread of themselves, her breasts heaved rapidly, her
whole body was agitated, her arms spread then of a sudden fell, and
then she became motionless as death. Certainly she had tasted in a
dream all those joys which the waking sense can know. A soft emotion
succeed the calm in which she had been absorbed. "Yes, thou lovest
me," she sighed, in the most tender accents; then sighed, breathed short,
and again said, "Oh, I cannot doubt it."
103
'More lost in transport even than she, I had not power to move. A
moment afterwards she became no less confounded than myself; her
soul seemed to give itself up to an ecstasy; again she trembled and
seemed convulsed with pleasure. Mahomet, how beautiful she
appeared! how infinitely did this confusion become her! I could bear it
no longer, but seized her in my arms and thus broke in upon her joys by
awakening her-thereafter there remained no more of the illusion that
had engrossed her faculties than that tender languishment to which
she had abandoned herself with a warmth that rendered her worthy of
the pleasures she had possessed. When she opened her eyes, where
love itself reigned, the glances she darted appeared still full of the fire
that was diffused through her veins; she had not yet lost the impression
that had been made in her sleeping fancy. Oh, how touching was her
very look. "Theodora," I cried, with rapture, pressing her to my bosom,
"lovely, amiable Theodora, how beautiful you appeared just now,"
kissing her with all the ardour I was capable of expressing. The dream
still retained some influence over her waking mind, the memory of her
late impulse insensibly increased upon her, and desires to which she
had hitherto been a stranger thrilled in her veins.
'Experienced as I am in womankind, my passion for Theodora now not
only made me attentive to all her motions but also enabled me to make
true conjectures as to their meaning. I saw quite enough to convince
me I was not an object of indifference to her, and that now more than
ever she regarded me with pleasure. The charming girl, altogether
artless and sincere by nature, knew not how to disguise her thoughts; so
if she did not tell me all she felt in my favour, it was only because of a
shamefacedness. However, I discovered everything I wished to know,
since I was alive to a consciousness of something more than her
modesty would let her speak. But my kisses and touches, combined
with her dream, now began to warm her. She now blushed less at every
liberty I took than she had done before at those she apprehended I
should take. In fact, in spite of herself she was beginning to partake of
my transport. Whilst I was sucking her soft lips my hand slipped
between her thighs but although it was between them still she kept
them closed. "How is this," I cried, "lovely Theodora; do you refuse to
104
make me happy again?" "Ah," she replied, unthinkingly, "you were
but too much so just now, and before you awoke me had all the
advantage you could wish." On pressure to explain the seeming
mystery her words contained, she held out against my entreaties
longer than I expected she would. Kisses and caresses, however, got the
better of her in the end, and her reluctance to speak of the subject
vanished by degrees. "If I should tell you," she said in a trembling voice,
"do not abuse me." I swore I would not, but with transports which
instead of removing her apprehension might have assured her it would
be impossible for me to keep my promise. Too little skilled in mankind
to be sensible of the effect of what she was about to reveal, she at least
confessed to me that being in a slumber the moment before I spoke to
her, she had seen me in a dream, and through my agency she felt a
rapture which before she had notice of. ‘Was I between your thighs?'
cried I, pressing her strenuously in my arms. Covered with blushes but
looking on me with eyes swimming with languor, she tremblingly
replied, "Yes." "Ah, then," rejoined I, more inflamed, "You love me
more in the idea than you do in my real person?" "That," she said,
"would be impossible-I could not love you more; but it is certain I was
less ashamed to tell you so." "But what more?" impatiently demanded
I. "Oh, ask me not," replied she, hiding her blushes on my bosom; "I
cannot enter in particulars; but I was indeed happy without regret."
Here she paused for a moment, and then added, "or pain."
'Whilst she was thus explaining the effect of her dream I had extended
her thighs, and with my forefinger for a few moments had been tickling
the inside of her delicious love-sheath. Her eyes were turned full on
me, charged with all the fires of love and soft desire, plainly intimating
what her thoughts were. It was impossible longer to restrain my
burning impatience, so turning her on her back, I got between her
thighs, and laying myself on her, entreated her to say she loved me. She
only answered with sighs, more impressive than words. I read in every
look and motion what she would have said if not restrained by shame.
One arm held her lips to mine, the other hand directed the instrument
which in her dream had made her so happy. Faint murmurings and
half-stifled sighs combating with the remains of modesty rendered her
105
if possible more beautiful than ever, whilst with energy my vigorous
instrument was driven up till it was at the end of its penetration, its
progress sending up through her eyes the sparks of the love fire that
now blazed in every vein-aye, in every pore in her. She had now taken
in love's arrow (from the point to the feather) in that part where, now
causing no pain, the lips, which owed their first breathing to my potent
instrument, clung as if sensible of gratitude in eager suction around it
with a warmth of zest, a compressive energy that gave it in its way the
most delicious welcome in nature, every part of her sheath gathering
tight around me, and straining as it were to come in for its blissful
touch. Buried in her this way, we were both lost in an ecstasy and
forgetfulness of ourselves or of what further was requisite to satisfy the
demands of nature. We seemed to breathe out our whole souls upon
each other's lips.
'We lay motionless through excess of bliss. After languishing for some
moments on her bosom, I at length recovered, but the lovely girl could
not bear the fierceness of my glances, and moved her head a little on
one side, with a sigh breathing nothing but love. "Ah, Theodora," I
softly exclaimed, "surely you did not in your dream turn away those
swimming eyes, those soft lips?" at the same time trying if it were
possible to strain myself further into her. Suddenly her arms encircled
my neck, her lips joined mine with soft thrilling pressures, whilst with
voluptuous activity she moved her young body to receive my thrusts,
murmuring with tenderness, "Does that content you, dear sir?-is it
thus?-how else can I act to satisfy you?' I had now no command of
myself. Holy Mahomet, how wild was ecstasy. The soft joy had seized
upon her senses, her tremblings, heaving, soft shudders, the active
movements of her arms and legs, quick breathings, graspings, return of
my kisses, all bespoke her dream realised. But nature, unable to
support the torrent of pleasure, deserted us both: we sank insensible in
each other's arms.
'I need not trouble you or excite your jealousy with any further
account of the amorous scenes which took place between us. Long
before morn she became (if anything) more submissive to my wishes
106
than you were on your education. In the morning as she lay on my
bosom, half asleep, moaning from the lassitude which a fierce
enjoyment had just thrown her into, she suddenly sighed out, "Poor
Emily!" I instantly comprehended the subject her thoughts were
wandering on, particularly as a tear escaped from beneath her
beautiful eyelid, rolled over her cheek and fell on my bosom.
Pretending great alarm, I anxiously enquired the cause of her sorrow,
when in the fullness of her grief she related the whole circumstances of
the letter she had received from you, nor did she conceal (as she did in
her first relation) the unkind reply she had written, which she now
much regretted. "How could I," said she fondly, hiding her face in my
bosom, "a poor silly maid as I was then, have any imagination of the
transports I have tasted in your arms tonight? But it was very cruel to
write to her as I did. Are you sure that the Dey ordered her to be
strangled?" "Why," I replied, "there was a report that an English slave
had been strangled; but there is no relying on anything we hear as to
what takes place in the seraglio, even if it comes from the eunuchs
themselves; there is so much deception carried on in respect of the
Dey's women." "Indeed?" she sighed. "Yes," I continued, "if by any
chance the letter you mention should have fallen into the Dey's hands,
there is no danger, trouble or expense that would have deterred him
from getting possession of your lovely person, and every artifice would
have been used until he had enjoyed your virginity; and if he could not
have enjoyed you by your own consent or deceit, he would not scruple
in using force for the satisfying of his desires." "How can he expect
anyone to love him?" she tenderly enquired. "It is reported," said I,
"that very few women can resist him long, so well does he know how to
please them. Besides, you do not form a true estimate of the power of
man over the passions of women. Yesterday you were an ignorant maid
who scarcely knew me! Now how many times during the night have
your lips with the sweetest caresses called on your God as a witness to
your love of me, whom a few short hours ago you had never seen
before? Is it not true,? said I fondly kissing her. "It is," she replied,
throwing her arms around my neck "But though at our marriage there
was no reason for love on my side, either my gratitude or what you
have taught me since yesterday have engendered it, and certainly the
107
Dey would not have made me feel as I do towards you now." This
tender avowal again forced my almost unbounded passions; I clasped
her with transport to my bosom, our lips joined, our breaths mingled;
when gently I turned her on her back, her swelling thighs, now
obedient to the intimations of love and nature, willingly extended,
resigning up the gateway to the entrance of pleasure. Dividing the
pouting lips and entering its velvet tip, the member was quickly
wedged into her to its extremity-she had it now to her heart's contentravished
to its utmost capacity by being so. Stretched as she was almost
to suffocation on a rack of pleasure, its point stung her so much that
catching at length the rage from my furious driving, she went wholly
out of her mind, her sense concentrating in that favourite part of her
body, the whole of which was so luxuriously filled and employed.
There alone she existed, all lost in those delicious transports, those
ecstasies of the senses, which her winking eyes, the brightened
vermilion of her lips and sighs of pleasure deeply fetched so
pathetically expressed. In short she was a machine (like any other
piece of machinery) obeying the impulses of the key that so potently
set her in motion, till the sense of pleasure foaming to a height
triggered the shower that was to allay this hurricane. She kept me
faithful company, going off with the old symptoms-a delicious
delirium, a tremulous shudder, an "Ah, me, where am I?" and two or
three long sighs, followed by the critical, dying, "Oh, oh!" When I got
off her, she lay motionless, pleasure-filled-stretched and drenchedquite
spent and gasping for breath, without any other sensations of life
than in those exquisite vibrations that trembled yet on the strings of
delight which had been so ravishingly touched and which nature had
too intensely striven with for the senses to be quickly at peace from.
'In this manner did I gratify my senses and take my revenge on the
lovely Theodora for the insult paid to me. Thus she became the slave of
my pleasures. She little knew the effect of the storm she was raising
and how potently she would feel it when it exploded. Having
deposited in her womb my burning revenge, I was satisfied, and all that
now remained was to undeceive her and to introduce you. It did not
require much ingenuity to bring this about Foreseeing clearly there
108
would be a few pearly tears shed between you, also that I should have
to listen to a few tender reproaches from Theodora, this also was no
great matter. Having devoted nearly three weeks to the enjoyment of
Theodora, yesterday I intended to withdraw the curtain which hung
before her eyes. I desired Hassan at a particular hour to bring you to
the apartments of Theodora, and when he heard me use a particular
expression to let you enter the boudoir. It is scarcely necessary to
explain that Theodora was now brought to submit to every, indeed
any, wish I could form. On this occasion I had stripped her entirely
naked, having nothing but a loose robe on myself. In this state I
directed her to lean on the couch with her face downwards, raising her
a little by placing a footstool for each foot to stand on at some distance
from each other, so that her thighs were properly extended, and the
entrance perfectly exposed. The head of my instrument was then fixed
in her. At this moment you entered according to my directions, but
dress disguised you so much that she did not know you, and Hassan
caught you as you fainted. I motioned for him to take you away, then
immediately resheathed the weapon in her hungry gap, as I well knew
that would suppress all enquiry regarding you for the present. I seized
her round the loins and demanded of her if she should like to be placed
in that situation with the Dey. She turned round her head, with
evident fear of some unknown danger marked in her lovely face, and
replied, "Ah, sir, you make me tremble." "Why should you tremble,
sweet one? He has been often near you during the last weeks and is at
this moment nearer than you suppose." "Oh, where," cried the visibly
alarmed girl, "where is he?" "Why up to your very quick," was my
reply, and I forced myself into her as far as I could go. "It is the Dey who
has enjoyed your virginity, whose wife you suppose yourself to be, and
whom you now feel up to the hilt in your vitals." She fainted, but my
violent thrusts soon brought her to life. The ecstasy seized me, I
discharged myself into her, and withdrawing from her exclaimed,
"There, my child, the deception is finished, you now know the beast in
all his beastliness. Know, sweet charmer," I exclaimed, "it was that
letter of yours that has procured the pleasure you have received in my
embraces; the female that just now interrupted us is your friend Emily."
To this she uttered a faint scream and fainted again. As I was ready for
109
action I was soon in her again, and a few fierce thrusts quickly brought
her to. To be brief, while my instrument was in her I had no difficulty in
obtaining her pardon. She entreated permission to fly to you, and I
granted her request. The rest you know.'
As the Dey ceased speaking his rampant tool (which I must confess I
was handling during his confession) gave tokens of preparation and
soon I had the delicious morsel where I fain would have kept it forever.
After this the Dey would often amuse himself with us alternately,
compelling one of us to guide into the other his instrument and handle
his pendant jewels; then he would throw his hand back and insert his
finger into the gaping place that awaited its turn. In this way we were
frequently (all three) dissolved at the same time in a flood of bliss.
This had continued for several weeks, when an awful catastrophe put
an end to our enjoyments. The Dey had received a Greek girl from one
of his captains. She passively submitted to his embraces, and uttered no
complaint until he commenced the attack upon her second
maidenhead; then did she seem inspired with the strength of a
Hercules. She suddenly seized a knife, which she had concealed under
a cushion, grasped his pinnacle of strength, and in less than a thought
drew the knife across it and severed it from his body, she then plunged
it into her own heart and expired immediately.
Aid was immediately summoned to stop the Dey's bleeding to death,
and with the fortitude that ever characterises greatness, he ordered his
physician to relieve him of his now useless remaining appendages, his
receptacles of the soul-stirring juice, remarking at the same time that
life would be hell if he retained the desire after the power was dead.
When the Dey had nearly recovered he sent for us, and disclosed to
our view the lost members preserved in spirits of wine in glass vases. He
affectionately bade us farewell, telling us that a ship would sail for
England in a few days, and as he had no further use for us, he would
send us back to our native land. His kindness had such an effect on my
feelings as to cause a miscarriage. I lay dangerously ill for two weeks,
110
during which time Sylvia attended me with the care of a mother. At
length the time of departure arrived. The Dey sent for us, and
presented one of his valuable vases to Sylvia and the other to me. It fell
to my lot to have the shaft. He also made us several other valuable
presents, and bade us farewell, hoping that in our own country we
should find partners to supply him. We left him with a heavy heart.
We embarked on board the ship and arrived here without accident.
Our friends here hushed up matters and reported that we had been at
a boarding school in France, instead of the boarding school of the Dey
of Algiers. Sylvia afterwards married a baronet, who lost his charge
before he effected his entrance, so well did she play the prude.
As for myself, you well know what my sentiments are. I will never
marry until I am assured that the chosen one possesses sufficient charm
and weight not only to erase the Dey's impression from my heart, but
also from a more sensitive part I have a young willing maid who
possesses wiles enough to catch any man, and sufficient experience to
answer my purpose; out of ten suitors, seven have passed through her
ordeal and been found wanting. My hopes at present are centred on an
Irish earl, who I have a presentiment will be found worthy of
acceptance. When I have changed my name, rest assured you shall
know the particulars.
You no doubt wish to know what became of the vases, therefore I must
ease your mind on that score. Sylvia has a female friend who keeps a
fashionable boarding school in London, and she persuaded me to leave
mine with hers in the keeping of this lady, who shows them as a reward
for good behaviour to the little lady scholars. Poor girls, how their little
mousetraps must gape at the sight!

EMILY BARLOW

THE END