because I desired to be rid of you. I had two theories! both are smashed. I refuse to entertain any more theories concerning anything!" [Pg 38] Harroll laughed; then his attention became concentrated on the exquisite landscape, where amid green foliage white villas of Georgia marble glimmered, buried in blossoming thickets of oleander, wistaria, and Cherokee roses—where through the trees a placid lake lay reflecting the violet sky—where fallow-deer wandered, lipping young maple buds—where beneath a pergola heavily draped with golden jasmine a white-robed figure moved in the shade—a still, sunny world of green and gold and violet exhaling incense under a cloudless sky. "I would like to see Catharine," he said, slowly, "with your permission—and in view of the fate of the theories." "Jim," said Mr. Delancy, "you are doubtless unconscious of the trouble you have created in my family." "Trouble, sir?" repeated the young man, flushing up. [Pg 39] [Pg 39] "Trouble for two. My daughter and I believed you drowned." Harroll stood perfectly still. Mr. Delancy took a step or two forward, turned, and came back across the lawn. "She is sitting under that pergola yonder, looking out to sea, and I'm afraid she's crying her eyes out for something she wants. It's probably not good for her, either. But—such as it is—she may have it." The two men looked at one another steadily. "I'm rather glad you were not drowned," said Mr. Delancy, "but I'm not infatuated with you." They shook hands solemnly, then Mr. Delancy walked over and joined Selden, who appeared to be fascinated by an attractive girl in Greek robes and sandals who was playing handball on the green. "'Give up my dead!' she whispered. 'Give up my dead!'" "Young man," said Mr. Delancy, "there's always trouble for two in this world. That young woman with yellow hair and violet eyes who is playing handball with her sister, and who appears to hypnotize you, is here to recuperate from the loss of an elderly husband."
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