I helped Scholastica to take off her coat and waistcoat, and then aided Armelline in a similar manner. When I brought them their chemises, Armelline told me to go and stand by the fire, and I did so. Before long a noise of kissing made me turn round, and I saw Scholastica, on whom the punch had taken effect, devouring Armelline’s breast with kisses. At last this treatment had the desired result; Armelline became gay, and gave as good as she got. At this sight the blood boiled in my veins, and running to them I found Scholastic was not ill pleased that I should do justice to her beautiful spheres, while for the nonce I transformed her into a nurse. Armelline was ashamed to appear less generous than her friend, and Scholastica was triumphant when she saw the peculiar use to which (for the first time) I put Armelline’s hands. Armelline called to her friend to help, and she was not backward; but in spite of her twenty years her astonishment at the catastrophe was great. After it was over I put on their chemises and took off their breeches with all the decency imaginable, and after spending a few minutes in the next room they came and sat down on my knee of their own accord. Scholastica, instead of being annoyed at my giving the preference to the hidden charms of Armelline, seemed delighted, watching what I did, and how Armelline took it, with the closest attention. She no doubt longed to see me perform the magnum opus, but the gentle Armelline would not allow me to go so far. After I had finished with Armelline I recollected I had duties towards Scholastica, and I proceeded to inspect her charms. It was difficult to decide which of the two deserved to carry off the apple. Scholastica, perhaps, was strictly speaking the more beautiful of the two, but I loved Armelline, and love casts a glamour over the beloved object. Scholastica appeared to me to be as pure a virgin as Armelline, and I saw that I might do what I liked with her. But I would not abuse my liberty, not caring to confess how powerful an ally the punch had been. However, I did all in my power to give her pleasure without giving her the greatest pleasure of all. Scholastica, was glutted with voluptuous enjoyment, and was certain that I had only eluded her desires from motives of delicacy. I took them back to the convent, assuring them that I would take them to the opera on the following evening. I went to bed, doubtful whether I had gained a victory or sustained a defeat; and it was not till I awoke that I was in a position to give a decided opinion. [There is here a considerable hiatus in the author’s manuscript.] EPISODE 29 -- FLORENCE TO TRIESTE CHAPTER XVIII Madame Denis--Dedini--Zanovitch--Zen--I Am Obliged to Leave-- I Arrive at Bologna--General Albergati