llyn Gallant and Sherilyn Moffit are in love -- bound to each other, literally. They are practitioners of bondage and sadomasochism, an alternative sexual lifestyle involving chains, leashes, whips -- and now discussions on the Net. Below, Allyn describes their relationship and the ties that bind.

"After finding and answering an ad on an Internet newsgroup (alt.sex.bondage.personals), I met my love. She and I have been together for three months now and plan to stay together for life. She and I belong to several discussion groups on the Internet. That's how we keep in contact with others with the same lifestyle. We have many interests in common, not the least of which are our shared sexual practices. She has signed a contract to be my slave for life. I love her and she loves me. We often go out in downtown San Francisco with a flogger attached to my belt, her hands cuffed behind her, a slave collar around her neck, and a leash attached to it that I hold and control."