Page:Teleny, or The Reverse of the Medal, t. I.djvu/42

 me tightly, pressing me against his whole body for a few seconds. That short space of time seemed to me an eternity.

"I could feel his hot and panting breath against my lips. Below, our knees touched, and I felt something hard press and move against my thigh.

"My emotion just then was such that I could hardly stand; for a moment I thought he would kiss me—nay, the crisp hair of his moustache was slightly tickling my lips, producing a most delightful sensation. However, he only looked deep into my eyes with a demoniac fascination.

"I felt the fire of his glances sink deep into my breast, and far below. My blood began to boil and bubble like a burning fluid, so that I felt my, (what the Italians call a 'birdie,' and what they have portrayed as a winged cherub) struggle within its prison, lift up its head, open its tiny lips, and again spout one or two drops of that creamy, life-giving fluid.

"But those few tears—far from being a soothing balm—seemed to be drops of caustic,