They walked up backwards, still holding up their clothes for fear of wetting them, and it was then my duty to wipe them dry with all the handkerchiefs I had. This pleasant task left me at freedom to touch and see, and the reader will imagine that I did my best in that direction. The fair theologian told me I wanted to know too much, but Helen let me do what I liked with such a tender and affectionate expression that it was as much as I could do to keep within bounds. At last, when I had drawn on their shoes and stockings, I told them that I was delighted to have seen the hidden charms of the two prettiest girls in Geneva. “What effect had it on you?” asked Hedvig. “I daren’t tell you to look, but feel, both of you.” “Do you bathe, too.” “It’s out of the question, a man’s undressing takes so much trouble.” “But we have still two hours before us, in which we need not fear any interruption.” This reply gave me a foretaste of the bliss I had to gain, but I did not wish to expose myself to an illness by going into the water in my present state. I noticed a summer-house at a little distance, and feeling sure that M. Tronchin had left the door open, I took the two girls on my arm and led them there without giving them any hint of my intentions. The summer-house was scented with vases of pot-pourri and adorned with engravings; but, best of all, there was a large couch which seemed made for repose and pleasure. I sat down on it between my two sweethearts, and as I caressed them I told them I was going to shew them something they had never seen before, and without more ado I displayed to their gaze the principal agent in the preservation of the human race. They got up to admire it, and taking a hand of each one I procured them some enjoyment, but in the middle of their labours an abundant flow of liquid threw them into the greatest astonishment. “That,” said I, “is the Word which makes men.” “It’s beautiful!” cried Helen, laughing at the term “word.” “I have a word too,” said Hedvig, “and I will shew it to you if you will wait a minute.” “Come, Hedvig, and I will save you the trouble of making it yourself, and will do it better.” “I daresay, but I have never done it with a man.” “No more have I,” said Helen. Placing them in front of me I gave them another ecstacy. We then sat down, and while I felt all their charms I let them touch me as much as they liked till I watered their hands a second time.