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Its mysteries have all the charm of a flirtation, a woman once

told me, and I can quite understand it. Besides, nothing makes

one so vain as being told that one is a sinner. Conscience makes

egotists of us all. Yes; there is really no end to the

consolations that women find in modern life. Indeed, I have not

mentioned the most important one."

"What is that, Harry?" said the lad listlessly.

"Oh, the obvious consolation. Taking some one else's admirer when

one loses one's own. In good society that always whitewashes a

woman. But really, Dorian, how different Sibyl Vane must have

been from all the women one meets! There is something to me quite

beautiful about her death. I am glad I am living in a century

when such wonders happen. They make one believe in the reality of

the things we all play with, such as romance, passion, and love."

"I was terribly cruel to her. You forget that."