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had been rubbing himself against me like an over-heated cat, all at once clasped me in his arms and kissed me lustily.
"'Well, Briancourt,' said he, 'I congratulate you upon your new acquisition. Nobody's presence could have given me more pleasure than Des Grieux's.'
"Hardly had these words been uttered than a nimble hand snatched off my mask.
"Ten mouths at least were ready to kiss me, a score of hands were fondling me; but Briancourt put himself between them and me.
"'For this evening,' said he, 'Camille is like a sugar-plum on a cake, something to be looked at and not touched. Réné and he are on their honey-moon yet, and this fête is given in their honour, and in that of my new lover Achmet effendi.' And, turning round, he introduced us to the young man whom he was to pourtray as Jesus Christ. 'And now,' said he, 'let us go in to supper.'
"The room, or hall, into which we were led was furnished something like a triclinium, with beds or couches instead of chairs.
