wnbyDray,tookbothhishandsinhisownahemtightly."Dorian,"hesaid,"myletter--dontbefrightened--wastotellyouthatSibylVaneisdead."

    Acryofpainbrokefromtheladslips,andheleapedtohisfeet,tearinghishandsawayfromLordHenrysgrasp."Dead!Sibyldead!Itisnottrue!Itisahorriblelie!Howdareyousayit?"

    "Itisquitetrue,Dorian,"saidLordHenry,gravely."Itisinallthempapers.IwrotedowntoyoutoaskyounottoseeaillIcame.Therewillhavetobeani,ofcourse,andyoumustnotbemixedupinit.ThingslikethatmakeamanfashionableinParis.ButinLondonpeoplearesoprejudiced.Here,oneshouldnevermakeonesdébutwithasdal.Oneshouldreservethattogiveatoonesoldage.Isupposetheydontknowyourhetheatre?Iftheydont,itisallright.Didanyoneseeyougoingroundtoherroom?Thatisanimportantpoint."

    Doriandidnotanswerforafewmoments.Hewasdazedwithhorror.Finallyhestammered,inastifledvoice,"Harry,didyousayani?Whatdidyoumeanbythat?DidSibyl--?Oh,Harry,Itbearit!Butbequick.Tellmeeverythingatonce."

    "Ihavenodoubtitwasnotanact,Dorian,thoughitmustbeputinthatwaytothepublic.Itseemsthatasshewasleaviheatrewithhermother,abouthalf-pasttwelveorso,shesaidshehadfottehingupstairs.Theywaitedsometimeforher,butshedidnotedownagaiimatelyfoundherlyingdeadonthefloorofherdressing-room.Shehadswallowedsomethingbymistake,somedreadfulthingtheyuseattheatres.Idontknowwhatitwas,butithadeitherprussicacidorwhiteleadinit.Ishouldfancyitrussicacid,assheseemstohavediedinstantaneously."

    "Harry,Harry,iti