Dorian continues to stray away from his initial innocence in this section of the novel. He continues to succumb to the influence of Lord Henry, who is rather unpopular among all of Dorian's acquaintances. Last Narborough, for example, is quick to voice her disgust of Lord Henry's lateness, indicating her impatience with him (129). Dorian is also at this party, which he finds extremely bored without Lord Henry's company. This boredom is evident when he sees "some consultation that Harry was to be" at the party (129). Even after almost twenty years of friendship with Lord Henry, Dorian cannot help but be heavily dependent upon him for friendship and influence.
Dorian is still unable to confess of his murder of Basil, even when he comes across more perfect opportunities to do so. When Lord Henry shows concern about Dorian's suspicious behavior at Lady Narborough's party, Dorian responds dismissively, "I am quite well, Harry. I am tired. That is all" (133). At this point, Lord Henry is the one man who may still be able to empathize with Dorian for anything; as both Basil and the reader can observe, Lord Henry is the closest thing to friend that Dorian has left. Even so, Dorian is still unable to confide in Lord Henry. The fact that he is unwilling to tell his most trusted friend, in the one situation in which he is least likely to be the subject of the intense judgment of his peers, is evidence that Dorian is still unwilling to take responsibility for and learn from his crime.
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