Like an amoeba, the social forces of the world had split, the old values solidifying, the new values pulling away, coming back again, overrunning, defeating. But the Oligarchs had fled and here they had developed their particular systems to some final state.
Whatever they had waiting for him, to open his mind, it would be efficient.
She said, "You entered our Walls voluntarily. Why?"
She said it as though it were totally inconceivable that anyone beyond the Walls should seek to enter voluntarily. Maybe it was inconceivable.
"Curiosity," Danton said. He managed to smile at each of them in turn. "There have been so many rumors growing old, becoming legends and myths. I came in to find out for myself."
"You do not expect to escape?"
Danton shrugged. "I don't care one way or the other. I had hoped to remain here." He waited. He thought. Finally he added, "I had hoped to become one of you."
"What?" one of the men said in a whisper.
The man on Rhone's right said, "A curious type. Obviously he has insight. One might almost think—"
The woman said, "We can speculate later, if we have to, Weisser. Right now we are interested in facts. Facts!"