Summary

The wedding plans cause people to either lavishly congratulate the happy couple, vying for invitations or a part in the ceremonies, or castigating them for the strange pairing and unsuitable union. It is viewed as a royal event, with spectators lining the streets and the church front. Three days before the wedding, however, Margot informs Paul of difficulties her new recruits are facing in boarding their ship at Marseilles. She needs Paul to travel out there to deal with the situation.

Feeling very much a man of the world engaged in international commerce, Paul encounters Potts on his journey to Europe. Then in Marseilles, he finds several of Margot’s employees, who the reader realizes are prostitutes. However, Paul still does not realize the nature of Margot’s business. He visits the offices and bureaus, and gets the needed clearance for the ship by paying...