Wheered,shelookedathim,andanexpressionofinfinitejoycameoverher."HowbadlyIactedto-night,Dorian!"shecried.

    "Horribly!"heanswered,gazingatherinamazement."Horribly!Itwasdreadful.Areyouill?Youhavenoideawhatitwas.YouhavenoideawhatIsuffered."

    Thegirlsmiled."Dorian,"sheanswered,lingeringoverhishlong-drawnmusihervoice,asthoughitweresweeterthaheredpetalsofhermouth."Dorian,youshouldhaveuood.Butyouuandnow,dontyou?"

    "Uandwhat?"heasked,angrily.

    "WhyIwassobadto-night.WhyIshallalwaysbebad.WhyIshallwellagain."

    Heshruggedhisshoulders."Youareill,Isuppose.Whenyouareillyoushouldntaakeyourselfridiyfriendswerebored.Iwasbored."

    Sheseemednottolistentohim.Shewastransfiguredwithjoy.Aasyofhappinessdominatedher.

    "Dorian,Dorian,"shecried,"beforeIknewyou,agwastheoyofmylife.ItwasonlyiheatrethatIlived.Ithoughtthatitwasalltrue.IwasRosalindonenightandPortiatheother.ThejoyofBeatricewasmyjoy,andthesorrowsofCordeliawereminealso.Ibelievedihing.Theonpeoplewhoactedwithmeseemedtometobegodlike.Thepaintedsesweremyworld.Ikhingbutshadows,andIthoughtthemreal.Youcame--oh,mybeautifullove!--andyoufreedmysoulfromprison.Youtaughtmewhatrealityreallyis.To-night,forthefirsttimeinmylife,Isawthroughthehollowhesham,thesillinessoftheemptypageantinwhichIhadallayed.To-night,forthefirsttime,IbecamesciousthattheRomeowashideous,andold,andpaihatthemoonlightintheorchardwasfalse,thattheserywasvul