I now carried my hand to her globes of alabaster and pressed and molded them, imitating her in all her actions. Nay, more, I turned down the bedclothes and, unbuttoning her nightdress in front, I exposed those charming, snowy hillocks to my delighted gaze. The light of the lamp shone directly upon them, and I was never tired of admiring the whiteness, firmness and splendid development of those glowing semiglobes. I buried my face between them and pressed a thousand kisses on the soft velvet surface. "Why Kate, you are a perfect volcano," said Laura, trembling under my embraces, "and I have been laboring under the delusion that you were an icicle." "I was an icicle, darling, but now I have been melted by your charms." "What a happy man your husband will be," said Laura. "Happy-why?" "To enfold such a glorious creature as you in his embrace. If you take so much delight with one of your own sex, what will you do when clasped in a man's arms?" "You are jesting, Laura. Do you suppose for a moment that I will ever allow a man to kiss and embrace me as you do?" "Certainly, my love--he will do a great deal more than I do." "More? What can you mean?" "Is it possible, Kate, that you do not know?" "I really do not know. Do tell me, there's a dear girl." "I can scarcely believe it possible that you are seventeen years of age--a perfectly developed woman, and that you know nothing of the mysteries of love. Are you not aware, darling, that you possess a jewel about you that a man would give half his lifetime to ravish?" "You speak in riddles, Laura. Where is this jewel?" "Lie perfectly quiet, and I will show you where it is."