,andwrinkled?Whatthen?"

    "Ah,then,"saidLordHenry,risingtogo,"then,mydearDorian,youwouldhavetofightforyourvictories.Asitis,theyarebroughttoyou.No,youmustkeepyoodlooks.Weliveinareadstoomuchtobewise,andthatthinkstoomuchtobebeautiful.Weotspareyou.Andnowyouhadbetterdressanddrivedowntotheclub.Weareratherlate,asitis."

    "IthinkIshalljoinyouattheopera,Harry.Ifeeltootiredtoeatanything.Whatisthenumberofyoursistersbox?"

    "Twenty-seven,Ibelieve.Itisonthegrandtier.Youwillseeherhedoor.ButIamsorryyouwonteanddine."

    "Idooit,"saidDorianlistlessly."ButIamawfullyobligedtoyouforallthatyouhavesaidtome.Youarecertainlymybestfriend.Noonehaseveruoodmeasyouhave."

    "Weareonlyatthebeginningofourfriendship,Dorian,"answeredLordHenry,shakinghimbythehand."Good-bye.Ishallseeyoubeforehirty,Ihope.Remember,Pattiissinging."

    Asheclosedthedoorbehindhim,Draytouchedthebell,andinafewminutesVictorappearedwiththelampsaheblindsdowedimpatientlyforhimtogo.Themaotakeanintermiimeovereverything.

    Assoonashehadleft,herushedtothesabao;therewasnofurthergeiure.IthadreceivedthenewsofSibylVahbeforehehadknownofithimself.Itwassciousoftheeventsoflifeastheyoccurred.Theviciouscrueltythatmarredthefinelihemouthhad,nodoubt,appearedattheverymomentthatthegirlhaddrunkthepoison,whateveritwas.Orwasitindifferenttoresults?Diditmerelytakeizanceofassedwithinthesoul?Hewondered,andhopedthatsomedayhewouldseethegetakingplacebe