Page:Teleny, or The Reverse of the Medal, t. I.djvu/160

 "My acorn went in merrily, and then it was stopped in its career. Another mighty thrust gave me more pain than pleasure, for the resistance was so great that my ramrod seemed sprained in the action; the narrow and firm walls of the vagina dilated, and my piston was jammed in as though in a tight glove, and yet the hymeneal tissue was not reached.

"I asked myself why foolish nature has thus barred the way of pleasure? Is it to make the vain-glorious bridegroom believe that he is the pioneer of the unexplored regions, but does he not know that midwives are always artfully repairing the locks that adulterine keys have opened? Is it to make a religious ceremony out of it, and to give the plucking of this bud to some father confessor, this having long been among the many perquisites of the priestcraft?

"The poor girl felt as if a knife was being plunged within her, still she did not scream, nor moan, although her eyes filled with tears.

"Another thrust, one more effort, and the veil of the temple would be rent in twain.

"I stopped in time, however.