My dearest Dorian;
I must admit that I have missed your company the last few weeks. I sincerely hope that the finishing of your portrait did not mean the conclusion of our friendship as well? You must know that you are always welcome in my home, Dorian, regardless of whether or not you have come to sit for me. I should be delighted to have your company at any time; it is rare for me to be out, and if I am, I should not be long. Parties bore me, you see, although every once in a while I must accept an invitation, if for no other reason than to prove to the world that I am, indeed, alive. It is dreadful to be an artist sometimes.
Ah, enough of my own silly worries, though. If I am to be entirely honest, there is a reason I am writing to you: Lord Henry has been spreading rumors regarding you and some esoteric actress, and I would, if I may, like to ask you about them myself. As much as I would like to believe you would tell me before you let Harry flaunt you both in his gossip, I am forced to acknowledge that I have seen you very little of late, indeed, only in passing, and so you would have had no way of letting me know anything about your topical life. If what Harry says is the truth that I simply was not aware of, I fear I have only myself to blame.
Write me soon, won't you? If only to assure me that you are, indeed, alive, and that Harry's poison has not killed you as of yet.
Your loyal friend,
BASIL