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His hand shook, and the candle fell from its socket on the floor

and lay there sputtering. He placed his foot on it and put it

out. Then he flung himself into the rickety chair that was

standing by the table and buried his face in his hands.

"Good God, Dorian, what a lesson! What an awful lesson!" There

was no answer, but he could hear the young man sobbing at the

window. "Pray, Dorian, pray," he murmured. "What is it that one

was taught to say in one's boyhood? 'Lead us not into temptation.

Forgive us our sins. Wash away our iniquities.' Let us say that

together. The prayer of your pride has been answered. The prayer

of your repentance will be answered also. I worshipped you too

much. I am punished for it. You worshipped yourself too much. We

are both punished."

Dorian Gray turned slowly around and looked at him with

tear-dimmed eyes. "It is too late, Basil," he faltered.