Chapter9

    Ashewassittingatbreakfastm,BasilHallwardwasshownintotheroom.

    "IamsogladIhavefoundyou,Dorian,"hesaidgravely."Icalledlastnight,aoldmeyouwereattheopera.Ofcourse,Ikhatossible.ButIwishyouhadleftwordwhereyouhadreallygoo.Ipassedadreadfulevening,halfafraidthatedymightbefollowedbyahinkyoumighthavetelegraphedformewhenyouheardofitfirst.IreadofitquitebyalateeditionofTheGlobethatIpickedupattheclub.Icamehereatondwasmiserableatnotfindingyou.Ittellyouhowheart-brokenIamaboutthewholething.Iknowwhatyoumustsuffer.Butwherewereyou?Didyougodownahegirlsmother?ForamomentIthoughtoffollowingyouthere.Theygavetheaddressinthepaper.SomewhereionRoad,isntit?ButIwasafraidofintrudinguponasorrowthatIcouldnotlighten.Poorwoman!Whatastateshemustbein!Andheronlychild,too!Whatdidshesayaboutitall?"

    "MydearBasil,howdoIknow?"murmuredDray,sippingsomepale-yellowwinefromadelicate,gold-beadedbubbleofVeianglassandlookingdreadfullybored."Iwasattheopera.Youshouldhaveeonthere.ImetLadyGwendolen,Harryssister,forthefirsttime.Wewereinherbox.Sheisperfectlycharming;andPattisangdivinely.Donttalkabouthorridsubjects.Ifoalkaboutathing,ithasneverhappeissimplyexpression,asHarrysays,thatgivesrealitytothings.Imaymentionthatshewasnotthewomansonlychild.Thereisason,acharmingfellow,Ibelieve.Butheisnotoage.Heisasailor,orsomething.Andnow,tellmeaboutyourselfandwhatyouarepainting."

    "Youwenttotheopera?"saidHallward,speakingveryslowlyandwithastraiouchofpaininhis