Selden smiled hopefully and modestly as Mr. Delancy surveyed him.
"Pray accept my hospitality, gentlemen," said Mr. Delancy, with a grim smile. "I've been ass enough to take a villa in this forsaken place. The food I have to offer you might be relished by squirrels, perhaps; the clothing resembles my own, and can be furnished you by the simple process of removing the sheets from your beds."
He rose, flung the flap of his toga over one shoulder, and passed his arm through Harroll's.
"Don't you like it here?" asked Harroll.
"Like it!" repeated Mr. Delancy.
"But—why did you come?"
"I came," said Mr. Delancy slowly, "because I desired to be rid of you."
Selden instinctively fell back out of earshot. Harroll reddened.
"I thought your theory was——"
"You smashed that theory—now you've shattered this—you and Catharine between you."