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"It is quite true, Dorian," said Lord Henry, gravely. "It is in

all the morning papers. I wrote down to you to ask you not to see

any one till I came. There will have to be an inquest, of course,

and you must not be mixed up in it. Things like that make a man

fashionable in Paris. But in London people are so prejudiced.

Here, one should never make one's debut with a scandal. One

should reserve that to give an interest to one's old age. I

suppose they don't know your name at the theatre? If they don't,

it is all right. Did any one see you going round to her room?

That is an important point."

Dorian did not answer for a few moments. He was dazed with

horror. Finally he stammered, in a stifled voice, "Harry, did you

say an inquest? What did you mean by that? Did Sibyl-? Oh, Harry,

I can't bear it! But be quick. Tell me everything at once."