Basil Hallward came into the room the next morning. Dorian Gray was sitting at the table, eating breakfast. Basil looked very serious. He told Dorian that he was glad to find him.
Basil said he went to Dorian’s house last night. The servants told him that Dorian was at the opera. Basil did not believe the servants. He had read a late newspaper at his club before visiting Dorian. It had reported the death of Sibyl Vane.
Basil felt very sad and miserable. He thought Dorian was suffering too. He asked Dorian if he had seen Sibyl’s mother. Basil wanted to help the poor woman because she lost her only daughter.
Dorian drank some yellow wine from a beautiful glass. He looked very bored. Dorian said he was at the opera last night. He met a charming lady and heard a great singer. He told Basil not to talk about sad things.
Basil spoke very slowly. He felt a lot of pain. He asked how Dorian could go to the opera. Sibyl was dead in a dirty room, but Dorian was happy. Basil said this was a horrible thing.
Dorian stood up quickly. He told Basil to stop talking. Dorian said the past was the past. He said that only weak people feel sad for a long time. He wanted to control his emotions.
Basil said that Dorian was different now. Before, Dorian was simple and kind. Now, he spoke like he had no heart. Basil said this was the influence of Lord Henry Wotton.
Dorian looked out the window at the garden. He said he learned a lot from Lord Henry. He said Basil only taught him to be vain. Basil felt very sad to hear this.
Dorian told Basil that Sibyl killed herself. Basil covered his face with his hands. He felt a shudder go through him. He thought the news was terrible.
Dorian said the death of Sibyl was like a play. He said she was a heroine. He said she died for love. Dorian said he cried yesterday, but now he was fine.
Dorian said he loved beautiful things and luxury. He said he was a man now with new ideas. He told Basil to stay his friend. Basil decided not to talk about Sibyl again.
Basil said an inquest was happening that day. He asked if the police wanted to speak to Dorian. Dorian said no. The police did not know his name.
Sibyl only called him Prince Charming. Dorian asked Basil to draw a picture of Sibyl. Basil said he would try. Then Basil asked Dorian to sit for a new portrait.
Dorian said he could never sit for a portrait again. Basil was surprised. He saw a screen in front of the old portrait. He wanted to look at his work.
Dorian ran between Basil and the screen. He looked very pale. He told Basil not to look at the painting. He said their friendship would be over if Basil touched the screen.
Basil was thunderstruck. He did not understand why Dorian was angry. Basil said he wanted to exhibit the portrait in Paris. He wanted to show it in October.
Dorian was terrified. He did not want the world to see his secret. He reminded Basil of a promise. Basil once said he would never show the painting in public.
Dorian asked Basil for his secret. He asked why Basil originally refused to show the painting. Basil sat down. He looked very troubled and worried.
Basil said Dorian had a great influence on him. He said he worshipped Dorian. He said he put too much of his own heart into the painting. He was afraid people would see his secret love.
Basil said he changed his mind later. He thought art was more important than his feelings. But he saw that Dorian was right. The portrait must stay hidden. He promised not to look at it again.
Dorian felt safe. He felt sorry for Basil. He thought Basil was a good man, but Lord Henry was more interesting. Basil said goodbye and left the room.
Dorian smiled when Basil left. He was happy because his secret was safe. But he knew he must hide the portrait in a better place. He did not want any of his friends to see it.