Pauline

that.

The mistress of the establishment had the kindness to introduce me to this handsome woman (I had previously told her I was a stranger in the city) and I found her charming, indeed. I told her something about myself, she told me a little about herself, and all in all, we found each other splendid company. She said that she purchased all her gowns in that particular shop, thus leading me to believe she must be well-to-do, and that being the type I sought, I encouraged her. When she discovered that I had traveled more or less extensively, she asked, “You have been in Russia?'

When I told her I had never been in that country, but that I had had the pleasure of meeting several Russians and that I admired them a great deal, she smiled and said, “I am Russian, as you have undoubtedly noted.'

'And I am German,” I laughed. “We should make a good foil for these delightful Parisians.” And so I gained another friend.

I had never cared very much for French people; those I had met seemed to be narrow-minded and distant, but there is one thing to be said in their favor. When a Parisian does something, he or she does it well. And this held true in this shop.

Shortly after we had entered the place, the models began to make their appearance, and it was these very models who gave me my first look into Parisian ideas and the way they did things.

The first model, a beautiful black-haired creature, came out wearing a long black cape and low slippers. Gaining the front of the stage, the girl smiled down at us and dropped off the gown, and there before us, she stood stark naked.

Nudity was no new thing to me, but this, I thought, was about the strangest thing I had ever seen. I called my new friend's attention to this, but she simply shrugged her shapely shoulders, saying, “It is nothing, my friend. One becomes used to so much nudity, and we think nothing of it here.'

'You have lived here long?” I asked.

'A year,” she answered. “I like Paris very much.'

Wondering what she meant about so much nudity, I said, “You speak as though you were a frequent visitor here. Is that what you meant about the nudity?'

She smiled. “No. You see, I have been a professional woman; I was a member of the ballet, but I injured an ankle and,” she shrugged her shoulders again, “well, I never took it up again.'

I found myself liking the woman more and more. I said, “I can quite understand, since you were an actress. It happens that I, too, have been an actress and am used to nudity, but one sees here and there one she likes better than another perhaps.” Pointing toward one of the models who was just coming upon the stage, I continued, “That one, for instance. I am anxious to see her undraped; she must be beautiful.'

My friend smiled. My lure had been taken, for she said, “We all have our tastes. For my part, I would prefer the one over there, the little one who came on first. I could just eat her with kisses. I think her the most beautiful of them all.'

A thrill passed over me. This business of eating a girl was one that you know interested me. I said, “Strange, isn't it, but I was thinking the same of the golden-haired one.'

My Russian friend thawed; my last remark had had its effect. Reaching across and patting my hand, she said, “I do not wish to be misunderstood, but-well, the one you refer to is rather acceptable and can be had.'

Taking the bull by the horns, I said: “Passive or active?'

'Both,” came the ready answer. “You will find Madam more than willing to accommodate.'

We talked for a few minutes more, made a few selections, and as I was about to leave, my Russian friend said, “If I am understanding correctly that you are quite alone in the city, why not come and have dinner with me. I am quite alone this evening.'

I accepted.

I discovered she had her own carriage, and in this we were driven to her apartment. I found it furnished tastefully. Costly furnishings were scattered about everywhere. Rugs, many of them very expensive, covered the floors, while in the center of the front, or parlor room, stood a low, broad couch. Upon this was the largest bearskin I had ever seen. It was perfectly white.

A maid took our wraps, and when she disappeared, I said, “That couch-it looks interesting,” and I looked roguishly at her.

She dropped her eyes and I wondered if I had been too hasty.

'You will undoubtedly think me a dreadful person,” she said, her eyes still cast down, “but, well the gentleman with whom I share this apartment is not my husband.'

I laughed. “Naughty,” I said, “I knew it all the time, but do not allow it to worry you. I have had lovers at different times and I wish I had one even now.'

'That makes it ever so much easier,” she said. “I was afraid you wouldn't understand.'

Her name, I learned, was Camilla. She was in her early twenties and what she had said about being a ballet dancer was true. She was the mistress of a gentleman connected with the Spanish government who held a responsible position in the French capitol.

Summoning her maid, Camilla ordered wine. “Just an appetizer before dinner,” she said, smiling. After two or three glasses, Camilla began talking on life, and soon we were discussing-quite freely I thought-our affairs, previous and present.

Looking longingly at the skin-decked couch, I said, “It must be something of a thrill to entertain a lover while lying in his arms on such a couch.'

She laughed. “I'm sorry I cannot furnish you with a desirable man at the moment, but…'

'Then I should have brought that golden-haired beauty with me,” I said, giving a slight rotating motion with my loins. “I could do with her very nicely, at the moment.'

'Tomorrow,” she said, “if you have nothing important to do, I shall show you about our famed city, and who knows-perhaps we might find someone for you.'

'Indeed! That sounds perfect!'

We enjoyed a delightful dinner, and long before it was time to depart, Camilla was telling me many things about her lover.

'That couch,” she said, nodding toward the other room. “You would hardly believe me when I tell you of the strange part it plays in our affectionate encounters.'

'Indeed,” I said, “tell me about it. I am interested.'

'Would you believe that my lover, Henri, never receives me unless he is fully dressed? And it is only after I have aroused him by performing strange rites that he undresses me?'

Not wishing to ask a direct question, I said, “Lovers are often strange, so nothing you can tell would surprise me!'

'Just the same,” she continued, bent, it seemed, upon telling me about her Henri, “you have never heard of anything like what I am going to tell you. Would you believe,” she went on, “that before he is able to have me, I must first straddle across his chest-while we are fully dressed-and pee-pee on his shirt front?'

I laughed. “There are many men like that, so your story is in no way unusual.” Then I told her of the strange experience I had had with the old man, and how he made me “pee-pee” all over him.

She laughed at this. “And that is the reason why I am so pale. Henri insists that I take something to increase the desire to pee-pee; it's something he heard of from a friend and he says it's perfectly harmless.'

I had my doubts about that, however. I said, “After that I suppose he is quite capable of satisfying you? Most men are, afterward.'

'Then I send for my pet at Madam's establishment; the black-haired one, I mean.'

'And what does your lover say to that?” I asked.

'He's a dear and doesn't mind a bit. He knows I like a girl, that way, and as long as I remain true to him, I can have anything I like.'

'And where is your lover now?'

'At the moment he is off somewhere” she said, and looking naughtily at me, continued. “That's why I suggested seeing the city tomorrow, if the idea appeals to you, of course.'

'Must we wait until tomorrow?” I asked. I thought this was sufficient to bring her to time, but again she failed to rise to the lure. Camilla was undoubtedly waiting for me to make the first move, but I fully intended it would be she who did so.