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"Basil," said the lad, going over to him and putting his hand on

his shoulder, "you have come too late. Yesterday, when I heard

that Sibyl Vane had killed herself-"

"Killed herself! Good heavens! is there no doubt about that?"

cried Hallward, looking up at him with an expression of horror.

"My dear Basil! Surely you don't think it was a vulgar accident?

Of course she killed herself."

The elder man buried his face in his hands. "How fearful," he

muttered, and a shudder ran through him.