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"There is no good in prolonging this scene. I absolutely refuse

to do anything in the matter. It is insane of you to ask me."

"You refuse?"

"Yes."

"I entreat you, Alan."

"It is useless."

The same look of pity came into Dorian Gray's eyes. Then he

stretched out his hand, took a piece of paper, and wrote

something on it. He read it over twice, folded it carefully, and

pushed it across the table. Having done this, he got up and went

over to the window.

Campbell looked at him in surprise, and then took up the paper,

and opened it. As he read it, his face became ghastly pale and he

fell back in his chair. A horrible sense of sickness came over

him. He felt as if his heart was beating itself to death in some

empty hollow.

After two or three minutes of terrible silence, Dorian turned

round and came and stood behind him, putting his hand upon his

shoulder.