esenthimroundtheeveningpaper,andabookthatmightihim,andthathewouldbeattheclubateight-fifteen.HeopeheSt.Jamesslanguidly,andlookedthroughit.Aredpencil-markohpagecaughthiseye.Itdrewattentiontothefollowingparagraph:

    IONANACTRESS.--AniwasheldthismattheBellTavern,HoxtonRoad,byMr.Danby,theDistricter,onthebodyofSibylVane,ayoungactressretlyeheRoyalTheatre,Holborn.Averdictofdeathbymisadventurewasreturned.siderablesympathyressedforthemotherofthedeceased,whowasgreatlyaffectedduringthegivingofherownevidendthatofDr.Birrell,whohadmadethepost-mortemexaminationofthedeceased.

    Hefrowned,andtearingthepaperintwo,wentacrosstheroomandflungthepiecesaway.Howuglyitallwas!Andhowhorriblyrealuglinessmadethings!HefeltalittleahLordHenryforhavihimthereport.Anditwascertainlystupidofhimtohavemarkeditwithredpencil.Viighthavereadit.ThemanknewmorethanenoughEnglishforthat.

    Perhapshehadreaditandhadbeguntosuspeething.A,whatdiditmatter?WhathadDraytodowithSibylVah?Therewasnothingtofear.Drayhadnotkilledher.

    HiseyefellontheyellowbookthatLordHenryhadsenthim.Whatwasit,hewondered.Hewenttowardsthelittle,pearl-colouredoctagonalstandthathadalwayslookedtohimliketheworkofsomestraiahatwroughtinsilver,andtakingupthevolume,flunghimselfintoanarm-chairaoturheleaves.Afterafewminuteshebecameabsorbed.Itwasthestrabookthathehadeverread.Itseemedtohimthatinexquisiteraiment,andtothedelicatesoundofflutes,thesinsoftheworldwerepassingindumbshowbeforehim.Thingsthathehaddimlydreamedofweresuddenlymaderealtohim.Thingsof