he was returning from a lengthy tryst with one of his latest mistresses a lady-in-waiting who couldnt wait to give herself to him , even if it meant ( for she was getting on thirty and showing signs of staleness ) throwing her fifteen-year-old twin daughters into the bargain , his legs weak as sticks , his loins hurting from the exertion , and his bladder bursting from the vats of wine he had drained .