was to
consult a young American lawyer practicing in Paris, with whom she felt
she could talk the more easily because he was not from New York, and
probably unacquainted with her history.

She was so ignorant of the procedure in such matters that she was
surprised and relieved at his asking few personal questions; but it was
a shock to learn that a divorce could not be obtained, either in New
York or Paris, merely on the ground of desertion or incompatibility.

"I thought nowadays... if people preferred to live apart... it could
always be managed," she stammered, wondering at her own ignorance, after
the many conjugal ruptures she had assisted at.

The young lawyer smiled, and coloured slightly. His lovely client
evidently intimidated him by her grace, and still more by her
inexperience.

"It can be--generally," he admitted; "and especially so if... as I
gather is the case... your husband is equally anxious...."

"Oh, quite!" she exclaimed, suddenly humiliated by having to admit it.

"Well, then--may I suggest that, to bring matters to a point, the best
way would be for you to write to him?"

She recoiled slightly. It had never occurred to her that the lawyers
would not "manage it" without her intervention.

"Write to him... but what about?"

"Well, expressing your wish... to recover your freedom.... The rest, I
assume," said the young lawyer, "may be left to Mr. Lansing."

She did not know exactly what he meant, and was too much perturbed by
the idea of having to communicate with Nick to follow any other train
of thought. How could she write such a letter? And yet how could she
confess to the lawyer that she had not the courage to do so? He
would, of course, tell her to go home and be reconciled. She hesitated
perplexedly.

"Wouldn't it be better," she suggested, "if the letter were to come
from--from your office?"

He considered this politely. "On the whole: no. If, as I take it, an
amicable arrangement is necessary--to secure the requisite evidence then
a line from you, suggesting an interview, seems to me more advisable."

"An interview? Is an interview necessary?" She was ashamed to show her
agitation to this cautiously smiling young man, who must wonder at
her childish lack of understanding; but the break in her voice was
uncontrollable.

"Oh, please write to him--I can't! And I can't see him! Oh, can't you
arrange it for me?" she pleaded.

She saw now that her idea of a divorce had been that i