Prologue: On her first visit to Sir Stephen, O had disobeyed a direct order from him. In the morning when she awoke she was shown a note from him.
" Rene called to say he would pick you up at six pm. The whip is for your next visit". " The Story of O" page 89
The Summons
It was an ominous feeling. At Roissy the whipping had been delivered at the whim of the masters without her knowledge. This time she was fully aware that she would be whipped when Sir Stephen called for her. She had consented to it. It would be a simple matter to say that she wished to leave, Rene and him. That was not going to happen. They all knew it. O was involved in the most intense relationship of her life. Rene's subtle and not so subtle reminders at all time to lift her dress; open her legs, feel her nakedness beneath her dress. A nakedness which Rene and now Sir Stephen was free to use in any way. This emphasized once again the inner prostration she had felt ever since that fateful car ride...
O went about her daily tasks with a heightened awareness. She was not only ready for Rene's pleasure, a pleasure she shared, but was soon to be whipped by the man he had given her to. It was not going to happen in some strange chateau with people wearing bizarre costumes. No, she would be summoned from her ordinary life and brought to Sir Stephen's home. It was a house in a crowded part of the city. In the houses close by the neighbors would be: sitting having dinner, relaxing with a glass of wine, or other mundane affairs, unaware of what was taking place a few doors down from them. She would be naked, her legs spread, while Sir Stephen marked her with a riding crop. O's body responded to these thoughts. She was fully aware now what Rene had been trying to achieve with his orders too her. He wanted her at all times to be cognitive of those parts of her body which were now for the pleasure of others. She could feel herself responding physically when she opened her mouth and legs. The constant discipline of doing so aroused her as if she was being caressed at all times.
One night, after a light dinner, Rene delivered her to Sir Stephen. She had not been asked or even informed that she was going this evening. Rene walked her to the door and after saying hello to Sir Stephen, he left again. O was ordered to remove her clothes and kneel outside the study door. Sir Stephen watched her obey his command and ordered her hands behind her back. He then went into the study and left her waiting outside the door. O knew that the mind anticipates pain more severerly than it actually is, but she still could not help herself. Here she was totally naked waiting outside a door to be whipped. There were no chains or leather collars restraining her and her clothes were in a neat pile just a few feet away. As far as she knew no one was even watching her. All this changed nothing; she was as rooted to the spot as if she had been nailed there.
"Stand up!" Sir Stephen said.