Page:The Sins of the Cities of the Plain.djvu/209

 till I was fairly excoriated and bleeding all over from the small of my back to the middle of my thighs, and the blood trickled down my legs, whilst neither prick nor balls escaped their merciless attack. Still, it was not so awful as one would imagine. The pain soon became dulled, and then was succeeded by a beautiful glow; such a lovely sensation—it is almost impossible to describe—pervaded my whole frame, and they must have seen it indicated in my face, for, throwing aside their rods, they let me loose, and embraced me with tears in their eyes.

Mr. Carton threw off all his clothes, and tore off the petticoats and every rag of covering from his two beautiful sisters.

Lady Emma was my mark at once, for