What an arrival it was! She was attended by two maids, one French, the other Italian. She had trained them--she and their former fashionable mistresses--to treat her as if she was a royal person, requiring the most minute assistance, incapable even of ascertaining for herself whether it was daylight or dark, rain or shine. She was clad in the latest Paris fashions, adapted and improved for her own especial charms. She wore much jewelry, but nothing noisy. There never was anything noisy about her--any more than there is about a burst of sunshine that fills and floods the whole place, permeating everywhere and dominating everything. She talked by turns in English--with a superb British accent--in French that sounded Parisian and in Italian that seemed as liquid and swift as the Italian maid’s. It was a vast ship, and there were about a thousand passengers, and much luggage. To me, to all on the pier that day, there seemed to be but one landing and but one lot of luggage. How many trunks had she? Heaven only knows. The customs people were glad to expedite her after a glance at the exhibit imposing both in extent and in costliness. She affected a delightful, most aristocratic unconsciousness of the stir she was making, of the excited admiration of men, of the gaping or jeering envy of women. Yes, it was a great day, and as I accompanied her in the auto to the Plaza, I felt dowdy and insignificant--felt like a humble male menial, a courier or valet. “I did not fully appreciate your magnificence,” said I, “until I saw you on these humble shores.” “It is shocking here--isn’t it?” said she. “So incomplete, so crude. No wonder the ideals are low. The surroundings give no inspiration.” “None--except for work,” said I. “It’s a land for working people only. No doubt you’ll be going back soon?” “As soon as I can,” replied she. With a friendly but not tender smile: “As soon as you’ll let me.” The absence of her customary effusiveness confirmed my theory of her coming. I had thought all out with the utmost care. I felt it would be in every way unwise to let her see that I was eager for the divorce. She must open the subject. It had ever been my rule, when I wanted anything, so to maneuver that the other person should propose the exchange. It is the rule of successful operation in every department of life. Therefore, adhering strictly to my prearranged programme, I could only sit tight and wait.