The Comédie Humaine continued. Two seats away from him a rather stout lady, accompanied by three Pomeranian dogs, seated herself. She was half-buried in furs above the waist, and half-naked below, but apparently suffered no discomfort. John could not help looking at her ankles, which were shapely, a diamond watch-bangle encircling the right. The lady noticed John's gaze and did not seem to mind, for she smiled. Slightly embarrassed, he thought it right to smile back, transferring his gaze to the Pomeranians, in suggestion that they were amusing. The exchange of smiles, however, made him aware that the lady was of indeterminable age, but had a very fresh complexion. The wind also told him that she liked expensive perfume. He continued to watch the horses and the people, and caught whiffs of conversation. He heard, from the young men, that certain things, he could not hear what, were "rather priceless" and "topping." One voice was ecstatic over Pavlova, "but Novikoff!" exclaimed an adoring feminine voice, "you've seen the Bacchanale?" Presently a long purple limousine drew up to the edge of the curb. The lady with the dogs rose and went towards it, the chauffeur opening the door. She was just entering the car when one of the leashes dropped from her hands. The dog immediately ran off in the direction of John. "Naughty Topsie!" she called. "Come here!" But Topsie welcomed liberty and sped on, John in pursuit. He soon retrieved the runaway and towed it back. "Thank you so much," said the lady sweetly. "Topsie is such a rebel--I love dogs, don't you?" "Yes," said John. He thought she looked critically at him. "Have you got one?" she asked. "No--I have just left school--it is difficult there." "Oh--and are you starting business; I suppose you're quite thrilled!" She laughed again and John responded. "I have not started yet--I have just come to London to-day." "All alone?" asked the lady, arching her eyebrows. "Yes." "But how romantic! You sound like Dick Whittington, without a cat or a dog!" She laughed again at her joke. He noticed she had beautiful small teeth; a rope of pearls lay on her throat. "Do you know London?" she asked again. "No--I have never stayed here for any time," he answered. The chauffeur still waited with his hand on the door. "This park is very lovely," she said, gathering her furs about her. "You should see it--will you drive through it with me?"