I had not yet known women but, like all the unfortunate children of our society, I was already no longer innocent.

I was tortured, as you were, I am sure, and as are tortured ninety-nine one-hundredths of our boys.

I lived in a frightful dread, I prayed to God, and I prostrated myself.
"I was already perverted in imagination, but the last steps remained to be taken.

I could still escape, when a friend of my brother, a very gay student, one of those who are called good fellows,--that is, the greatest of scamps,--and who had taught us to drink and play cards, took advantage of a night of intoxication to drag us THERE.

We started.
My brother, as innocent as I, fell that night, and I, a mere lad of sixteen, polluted myself and helped to pollute a sister-woman, without understanding what I did.