The next day he did not leave the house. In fact, for most of the day he stayed in his room, sick with fear. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw again the sailor’s face. He tried to tell himself that he had dreamt it. Yes, it was impossible. Sybil Vane’s brother did not know his name and was probably on his ship at sea. No, of course he had not seen James Vane’s face at the window. But the fear stayed with him, dream or not dream.
Two days passed and Dorian grew less afraid. On the third day, a clear, bright winter morning, Dorian joined his friends in a shooting- party. With Lady Monmouth by his side, he walked to the edge of the forest where the men were shooting at birds and small animals. The cold air and the sounds and smells of the forest filled Dorian with happiness. Suddenly one of the men shot into the trees near them. There were two cries in the morning air – the cry of an animal and the cry of a man, both in pain. There were shouts and calls from the men, and then a man’s body was pulled from the trees. Dorian turned away in horror. Bad luck seemed to follow him everywhere. People began to walk back towards the house. Lord Henry came over to tell Dorian that the man was dead.
