for a minute she was joinedby

She was half round the room before they took their eyes off her,for they could not help admiring her, although they thought it a littleodd that a woman of her age should enjoy dancing. 　　Directly Helen was left alone for a minute she was joinedby St. John Hirst, who had been watching for an opportunity. 　　"Should you mind sitting out with me?" he asked. "I'm quiteincapable of dancing." He piloted Helen to a corner which wassupplied with two arm-chairs, and thus enjoyed the advantageof semi-privacy. They sat down, and for a few minutes Helenwas too much under the influence of dancing to speak. 　　"Astonishing!" she exclaimed at last. "What sort of shape canshe think her body is?" This remark was called forth by a ladywho came past them, waddling rather than walking, and leaningon the arm of a stout man with globular green eyes set in a fatwhite face. Some support was necessary, for she was very stout,and so compressed that the upper part of her body hung considerablyin advance of her feet, which could only trip in tiny steps,owing to the tightness of the skirt round her ankles. 　　The dress itself consisted of a small piece of shiny yellow satin,adorned here and there indiscriminately with round shields of blueand green beads made to imitate hues of a peacock's breast. 　　On the summit of a frothy castle of hair a purple plume stood erect,while her short neck was encircled by a black velvet ribbon knobbedwith gems, and golden bracelets were tightly wedged into the fleshof her fat gloved arms. She had the face of an impertinentbut jolly little pig, mottled red under a dusting of powder. 　　St. John could not join in Helen's laughter.