Howlateitwas！Hesatup，andhavingsippedsometea，turnedoverhisletters。OneofthemwasfromLordHenry，andhadbeenbroughtbyhandthatmorning。Hehesitatedforamoment，andthenputitaside。
Theothersheopenedlistlessly。Theycontainedtheusualcollectionofcards，invitationstodinner，ticketsforprivateviews，programmesofcharityconcerts，andthelikethatareshoweredonfashionableyoungmeneverymorningduringtheseason。TherewasaratherheavybillforachasedsilverLouis-Quinzetoilet-setthathehadnotyethadthecouragetosendontohisguardians，whowereextremelyold-fashionedpeopleanddidnotrealizethatweliveinanagewhenunnecessarythingsareouronlynecessities。
andtherewereseveralverycourteouslywordedcommunicationsfromJermynStreetmoney-lendersofferingtoadvanceanysumofmoneyatamoment’snoticeandatthemostreasonableratesofinterest。
Afterabouttenminuteshegotup，andthrowingonanelaboratedressing-gownofsilk-embroideredcashmerewool，passedintotheonyx-pavedbathroom。Thecoolwaterrefreshedhimafterhislongsleep。Heseemedtohaveforgottenallthathehadgonethrough。Adimsenseofhavingtakenpartinsomestrangetragedycametohimonceortwice，buttherewastheunrealityofadreamaboutit。
Assoonashewasdressed，hewentintothelibraryandsatdowntoalightFrenchbreakfastthathadbeenlaidoutforhimonasmallroundtableclosetotheopenwindow。Itwasanexquisiteday。Thewarmairseemedladenwithspices。Abeeflewinandbuzzedroundtheblue-dragonbowlthat，filledwithsulphur-yellowroses，stoodbeforehim。Hefeltperfectlyhappy。