A woman like that ought to have caught an ourang-outang.
She guessed my thought in an uncanny manner, and smiled, showing strong, white, even teeth--the most marvellous teeth I have ever beheld--so even as to constitute almost a deformity.
"I'm fonder of bigger animals," she said.

"I was born among them.
My father was a lion tamer, so I know all the ways of beasts.

I love bears--I once trained one to drive a cart--but"-- with a sigh--"you can't keep bears in Cadogan Gardens." "You may get hold of a human one now and then," said Dale.
"I've no doubt Madame Brandt could train him to dance to whatever tune she played," said I.
She turned her dark golden eyes lazily, slumberously on me.
"Why do you say that, Mr.de Gex ?" This was disconcerting.

Why had I said it?
For no particular reason, save to keep up a commonplace conversation in which I took no absorbing interest.

It was a direct challenge.