A great copper-breasted pheasant came beating through the boughs overhead.
After a few moments--that were to him, in his perturbed state, like endless hours of pain--he felt a hand laid on his shoulder.

He started and looked round.
"Dorian," said Lord Henry, "I had better tell them that the shooting is stopped for to-day.

It would not look well to go on." "I wish it were stopped for ever, Harry," he answered bitterly.

"The whole thing is hideous and cruel.

Is the man ... ?" He could not finish the sentence.
"I am afraid so," rejoined Lord Henry.