How long a time seemed to have passed! Either she was not the same or the aspect of everything had changed.

But she believed that as soon as she got over the ordeal of meeting her friends, and was home again, she would soon see things rationally.
At last the train sheered away from the broad Hudson and entered the environs of New York.

Carley sat perfectly still, to all outward appearances a calm, superbly-poised New York woman returning home, but inwardly raging with contending tides.

In her own sight she was a disgraceful failure, a prodigal sneaking back to the ease and protection of loyal friends who did not know her truly.

Every familiar landmark in the approach to the city gave her a thrill, yet a vague unsatisfied something lingered after each sensation.
Then the train with rush and roar crossed the Harlem River to enter New York City.