Dorian felt sick and ashamed. He did not know what to do or what to think. Finally, he
sat down and wrote a long letter to Sybil Vane. He covered page after page with
wild words of love. Then, suddenly, he heard Lord Henry’s voice at the door.
Dorian jumped up and covered the picture. ‘My dear boy,’ said Lord Henry, as
he came in. ‘I’m so sorry. But you must not think too much about her.’
‘Do you mean about Sybil Vane?’ asked Dorian. ‘There’s nothing to be
sorry about. I want to be good and I’m going to be happy. I shall marry Sybil
Vane. I’m not going to break my promise to her.’ ‘Marry Sybil Vane!’
Lord Henry stared at Dorian. ‘Didn’t you get my letter?’ ‘I haven’t
read my letters today,’ said Dorian slowly. Lord Henry walked across the room
and took Dorian’s hands in his own. ‘Dorian,’ he said quietly, ‘don’t
be frightened – my letter told you that Sybil Vane is dead. She killed herself
at the theatre last night.’
‘No, no, that’s impossible!’ cried Dorian. He pulled his hands away and stared at
Lord Henry with his wild eyes. ‘This is terrible, Harry. I have murdered Sybil
Vane!’ ‘She killed herself,’ said Lord Henry calmly.‘You didn’t murder her.
She killed herself because she loved you. It’s very sad, of course, but you mustn’t
think too much about it. You must come and have dinner with me.’
