The issue had narrowed down to terrible straits: would it be utter ruin to Oscar or merely loss of the case and reputation?
We had only sixteen hours to wait; they seemed to me to hold the last hope.
I drove to Tite Street, hoping to see Oscar.

I was convinced that Carson had important witnesses at his command, and that the outcome of the case would be disastrous.

Why should not Oscar even now, this very evening, cross to Calais, leaving a letter for his counsel and the court abandoning the idiotic prosecution.
The house at Tite Street seemed deserted.

For some time no one answered my knocking and ringing, and then a man-servant simply told me that Mr.Wilde was not in: he did not know whether Mr.Wilde was expected back or not; did not think he was coming back.

I turned and went home.