Dorian gathered up his books, put on his overcoat, and went out.

Mildred was dying! Perhaps she was about to begin that great journey into the unknown.

Would she be afraid?
Would she not need a strong hand to help her?
"Mildred," he whispered.
He walked on slowly up the street toward the Brown's.

Darkness came on.

The light gleamed softly through the closed blinds of the house.
Everything was very still.