round his mouth, showing his pearly white teeth to such perfection that I was again strongly reminded of my husband.
"Lady Ellington, I hope, has had good time for reflection upon the heinousness of her sins, particularly those in contravention of her marriage vows; wantonness is as nothing compared to that. What has the penitent Lucille to say? Has her chastisement made her feel the pangs of real remorse?" he said, whisking a scourge before my face.
I was too frightened to speak; face, neck and bosom, I could feel, were in a burning heat, whilst my eyes could not meet his, for something more than shame instinctively told me what I might have to suffer at his hands,
"No sign of repentance here, Father Anthony; she must be stripped naked at once. Do you hear, Lucille? Strip—strip—strip at once, or it will be much the worse for you!" he said with rough ferocity.
Both priests helped me to undress, and in their impetuous haste almost tore the clothes
