The only thing I had to worry about was a setting of my stage. I was
undecided about it. One often has to leave things to circumstances,
being guided by any momentary points that may arise. My first task
was to create an impression, something that would get people talking
about me. I did not want to show any sensational parvenuism; London
is not impressed by that.

Rather, I must become known for some eccentricity that would arouse
legitimate curiosity. Your Britisher, the women included, are always
interested in a man of travel, a hunter, a desultory globe-trotter;
and nothing attracts the English mind so quickly as a well-bred
eccentricity in manner or habit. The broad lines of my plan
determined upon, I left the precise setting of the stage until the
last minute.

I quartered myself at first at the Russel Square Hotel, in a few days
transferring to the patrician Langham. I began by making tentative
inquiries. I purchased all society papers which I read from cover to
cover, and then carefully feeling my way put further questions that
would locate the set in which my lady was a central figure. From
acquaintances I made around the hotel, from the society reporters of
newspapers, I began to get little scraps of information. Fortunately
it was the season in London and everybody was coming into town. I
soon knew who the Lady's intimates were and their favorite rendezvous.
The next step was to become familiar with the personality of the lady
and to gain some idea as to her habits, her likes and dislikes. I
heard that the lady was in the habit of going horseback riding in Hyde
Park. Every day I made it my business to take a two-hour canter along
the bridle path. My patience was rewarded on the fifth morning, for I