obehindandseeher,aftertheplaywasover?"

    "Yes."

    "Ifeltsureyouhad.Didyoumakeasewithher?"

    "Iwasbrutal,Harry--perfectlybrutal.Butitisallrightnow.Iamnotsorryforanythingthathashappehastaughtmetoknowmyselfbetter."

    "Ah,Dorian,Iamsogladyoutakeitinthatway!IwasafraidIwouldfindyouplungedinremorseandtearingthatnicecurlyhairofyours."

    "Ihaveghallthat,"saidDorian,shakinghisheadandsmiling."Iamperfectlyhappynow.Iknowwhatsceis,tobeginwith.Itisnotwhatyoutoldmeitwas.Itisthedivihinginus.Doit,Harry,anymore--atleastnotbeforeme.Iwanttobegood.Itbeartheideaofmysoulbeinghideous."

    "Averycharmingartisticbasisforethics,Dorian!Igratulateyouonit.Buthowareyougoingtobegin?"

    "BymarryingSibylVane."

    "MarryingSibylVane!"criedLordHenry,standingupandlookingathiminperplexedamazement."But,mydearDorian--"

    "Yes,Harry,Iknowwhatyoingtosay.Somethingdreadfulaboutmarriage.Dontsayit.Donteversaythingsofthatkindtomeagain.TwodaysagoIaskedSibyltomarryme.Iamnotgoingtobreakmywordtoher.Sheistobemywife."

    "Yourwife!Dorian!...Didntyougetmyletter?Iwrotetoyouthism,ahenotedownbymyownman."

    "Yourletter?Oh,yes,Iremember.Ihaveyet,Harry.IwasafraidtheremightbesomethinginitthatIwouldntlike.Youcutlifetopieceswithyrams."

    "Youknownothingthen?"

    "Whatdoyoumean?"

    LordHenrywalkedacrosstheroom,andsittingdo