Pagina 211 van 490

He made no answer at first, but remained quite still. The

knocking still continued and grew louder. Yes, it was better to

let Lord Henry in, and to explain to him the new life he was

going to lead, to quarrel with him if it became necessary to

quarrel, to part if parting was inevitable. He jumped up, drew

the screen hastily across the picture, and unlocked the door.

"I am so sorry for it all, Dorian," said Lord Henry as he

entered. "But you must not think too much about it."

"Do you mean about Sibyl Vane?" asked the lad.

"Yes, of course," answered Lord Henry, sinking into a chair and

slowly pulling off his yellow gloves. "It is dreadful, from one

point of view, but it was not your fault. Tell me, did you go

behind and see her, after the play was over?"

"Yes."

"I felt sure you had. Did you make a scene with her?"

"I was brutal, Harry-perfectly brutal. But it is all right now. I

am not sorry for anything that has happened. It has taught me to

know myself better."