He was smiling with extreme urbanity, and talking in a low, mellifluous voice to the lady, who evidently was not listening to him.

At a considerable distance behind this couple strolled a young girl, apparently of about twenty.

She was tall and slender, and dressed with extreme elegance; she led by a cord a large poodle of the most fantastic aspect.

He was combed and decked like a ram for sacrifice; his trunk and haunches were of the most transparent pink, his fleecy head and shoulders as white as jeweler's cotton, and his tail and ears ornamented with long blue ribbons.

He stepped along stiffly and solemnly beside his mistress, with an air of conscious elegance.