第2章

Ientreatyou。

Theladhesitated，andlookedoveratLordHenry，whowaswatchingthemfromthetea-tablewithanamusedsmile。

Imustgo，Basil，heanswered。

Verywell，saidHallward，andhewentoverandlaiddownhiscuponthetray。Itisratherlate，and，asyouhavetodress，youhadbetterlosenotime。Good-bye，Harry。Good-bye，Dorian。Comeandseemesoon。Cometo-morrow。

Certainly。

Youwon’tforget？

No，ofcoursenot，criedDorian。

And……Harry！

Yes，Basil？

RememberwhatIaskedyou，whenwewereinthegardenthismorning。

Ihaveforgottenit。

Itrustyou。

IwishIcouldtrustmyself，saidLordHenry，laughing。Come，Mr。Gray，myhansomisoutside，andIcandropyouatyourownplace。Good-bye，Basil。Ithasbeenamostinterestingafternoon。

Asthedoorclosedbehindthem，thepainterflunghimselfdownonasofa，andalookofpaincameintohisface。

ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter3Chapter3Athalf-pasttwelvenextdayLordHenryWottonstrolledfromCurzonStreetovertotheAlbanytocallonhisuncle，LordFermor，agenialifsomewhatrough-manneredoldbachelor，whomtheoutsideworldcalledselfishbecauseitderivednoparticularbenefitfromhim，butwhowasconsideredgenerousbySocietyashefedthepeoplewhoamusedhim。HisfatherhadbeenourambassadoratMadridwhenIsabellawasyoungandPrimunthoughtof，buthadretiredfromthediplomaticserviceinacapriciousmomentofannoyanceonnotbeingofferedtheEmbassyatParis，aposttowhichheconsideredthathewasfullyentitledbyreasonofhisbirth，hisindolence，thegoodEnglishofhisdispatches，andhisinordinatepassionforpleasure。Theson，whohadbeenhisfather’ssecretary，hadresignedalongwithhischief，somewhatfoolishlyaswasthoughtatthetime，andonsucceedingsomemonthslatertothetitle，hadsethimselftotheseriousstudyofthegreataristocraticartofdoingabsolutelynothing。Hehadtwolargetownhouses，butpreferredtoliveinchambersasitwaslesstrouble，andtookmostofhismealsathisclub。HepaidsomeattentiontothemanagementofhiscollieriesintheMidlandcounties，excusinghimselfforthistaintofindustryonthegroundthattheoneadvantageofhavingcoalwasthatitenabledagentlemantoaffordthedecencyofburningwoodonhisownhearth。InpoliticshewasaTory，exceptwhentheTorieswereinoffice，duringwhichperiodheroundlyabusedthemforbeingapackofRadicals。Hewasaherotohisvalet，whobulliedhim，andaterrortomostofhisrelations，whomhebulliedinturn。OnlyEnglandcouldhaveproducedhim，andhealwayssaidthatthecountrywasgoingtothedogs。Hisprincipleswereoutofdate，buttherewasagooddealtobesaidforhisprejudices。

WhenLordHenryenteredtheroom，hefoundhisunclesittinginaroughshooting-coat，smokingacherootandgrumblingoverTheTimes。

Well，Harry，saidtheoldgentleman，whatbringsyououtsoearly？I

thoughtyoudandiesnevergotuptilltwo，andwerenotvisibletillfive。

Purefamilyaffection，Iassureyou，UncleGeorge。Iwanttogetsomethingoutofyou。

Money，Isuppose，saidLordFermor，makingawryface。Well，sitdownandtellmeallaboutit。Youngpeople，nowadays，imaginethatmoneyiseverything。

Yes，murmuredLordHenry，settlinghisbutton-holeinhiscoat。

andwhentheygrowoldertheyknowit。ButIdon’twantmoney。Itisonlypeoplewhopaytheirbillswhowantthat，UncleGeorge，andIneverpaymine。Creditisthecapitalofayoungerson，andonelivescharminglyuponit。Besides，IalwaysdealwithDartmoor’stradesmen，andconsequentlytheyneverbotherme。WhatIwantisinformation：notusefulinformation，ofcourse。uselessinformation。

Well，IcantellyouanythingthatisinanEnglishBlueBook，Harry，althoughthosefellowsnowadayswritealotofnonsense。WhenI

wasintheDiplomatic，thingsweremuchbetter。ButIheartheylettheminnowbyexamination。Whatcanyouexpect？Examinations，sir，arepurehumbugfrombeginningtoend。Ifamanisagentleman，heknowsquiteenough，andifheisnotagentleman，whateverheknowsisbadforhim。

Mr。DorianGraydoesnotbelongtoBlueBooks，UncleGeorge，

saidLordHenrylanguidly。

Mr。DorianGray？Whoishe？askedLordFermor，knittinghisbushywhiteeyebrows。

ThatiswhatIhavecometolearn，UncleGeorge。Orrather，I

knowwhoheis。HeisthelastLordKelso’sgrandson。HismotherwasaDevereux，LadyMargaretDevereaux。Iwantyoutotellmeabouthismother。

Whatwasshelike？Whomdidshemarry？Youhaveknownnearlyeverybodyinyourtime，soyoumighthaveknownher。IamverymuchinterestedinMr。Grayatpresent。Ihaveonlyjustmethim。

Kelso’sgrandson！echoedtheoldgentleman。Kelso’sgrandson！……Ofcourse……Iknewhismotherintimately。IbelieveIwasatherchristening。Shewasanextraordinarilybeautifulgirl，MargaretDevereux，andmadeallthemenfranticbyrunningawaywithapennilessyoungfellow——

amerenobody，sir，asubalterninafootregiment，orsomethingofthatkind。Certainly。Irememberthewholethingasifithappenedyesterday。

ThepoorchapwaskilledinaduelatSpaafewmonthsafterthemarriage。

Therewasanuglystoryaboutit。TheysaidKelsogotsomerascallyadventurer，someBelgianbrute，toinsulthisson-in-lawinpublic——paidhim，sir，todoit，paidhim——andthatthefellowspittedhismanasifhehadbeenapigeon。Thethingwashushedup，but，egad，Kelsoatehischopaloneattheclubforsometimeafterwards。Hebroughthisdaughterbackwithhim，Iwastold，andsheneverspoketohimagain。Oh，yes。itwasabadbusiness。Thegirldied，too，diedwithinayear。Sosheleftason，didshe？Ihadforgottenthat。Whatsortofboyishe？Ifheislikehismother，hemustbeagood-lookingchap。

Heisverygood-looking，assentedLordHenry。

Ihopehewillfallintoproperhands，continuedtheoldman。

HeshouldhaveapotofmoneywaitingforhimifKelsodidtherightthingbyhim。Hismotherhadmoney，too。AlltheSelbypropertycametoher，throughhergrandfather。HergrandfatherhatedKelso，thoughthimameandog。Hewas，too。CametoMadridoncewhenIwasthere。Egad，Iwasashamedofhim。TheQueenusedtoaskmeabouttheEnglishnoblewhowasalwaysquarrellingwiththecabmenabouttheirfares。Theymadequiteastoryofit。Ididn’tdareshowmyfaceatCourtforamonth。Ihopehetreatedhisgrandsonbetterthanhedidthejarvies。

Idon’tknow，answeredLordHenry。Ifancythattheboywillbewelloff。Heisnotofageyet。HehasSelby，Iknow。Hetoldmeso。

And……hismotherwasverybeautiful？

MargaretDevereuxwasoneoftheloveliestcreaturesIeversaw，Harry。Whatonearthinducedhertobehaveasshedid，Inevercouldunderstand。

Shecouldhavemarriedanybodyshechose。Carlingtonwasmadafterher。

Shewasromantic，though。Allthewomenofthatfamilywere。Themenwereapoorlot，but，egad！thewomenwerewonderful。Carlingtonwentonhiskneestoher。Toldmesohimself。Shelaughedathim，andtherewasn’tagirlinLondonatthetimewhowasn’tafterhim。Andbytheway，Harry，talkingaboutsillymarriages，whatisthishumbugyourfathertellsmeaboutDartmoorwantingtomarryanAmerican？Ain’tEnglishgirlsgoodenoughforhim？

ItisratherfashionabletomarryAmericansjustnow，UncleGeorge。

I’llbackEnglishwomenagainsttheworld，Harry，saidLordFermor，strikingthetablewithhisfist。

ThebettingisontheAmericans。

Theydon’tlast，Iamtold，mutteredhisuncle。

Alongengagementexhauststhem，buttheyarecapitalatasteeplechase。

Theytakethingsflying。Idon’tthinkDartmoorhasachance。

Whoareherpeople？grumbledtheoldgentleman。Hasshegotany？

LordHenryshookhishead。Americangirlsareascleveratconcealingtheirparents，asEnglishwomenareatconcealingtheirpast，hesaid，risingtogo。

Theyarepork-packers，Isuppose？

Ihopeso，UncleGeorge，forDartmoor’ssake。Iamtoldthatpork-packingisthemostlucrativeprofessioninAmerica，afterpolitics。

Isshepretty？

Shebehavesasifshewasbeautiful。MostAmericanwomendo。

Itisthesecretoftheircharm。

Whycan’ttheseAmericanwomenstayintheirowncountry？Theyarealwaystellingusthatitistheparadiseforwomen。

Itis。Thatisthereasonwhy，likeEve，theyaresoexcessivelyanxioustogetoutofit，saidLordHenry。Good-bye，UncleGeorge。I

shallbelateforlunch，ifIstopanylonger。ThanksforgivingmetheinformationIwanted。Ialwaysliketoknoweverythingaboutmynewfriends，andnothingaboutmyoldones。

Whereareyoulunching，Harry？

AtAuntAgatha’s。IhaveaskedmyselfandMr。Gray。Heisherlatestproté。gé。e。

Humph！tellyourAuntAgatha，Harry，nottobothermeanymorewithhercharityappeals。Iamsickofthem。Why，thegoodwomanthinksthatIhavenothingtodobuttowritechequesforhersillyfads。

Allright，UncleGeorge，I’lltellher，butitwon’thaveanyeffect。Philanthropicpeopleloseallsenseofhumanity。Itistheirdistinguishingcharacteristic。

Theoldgentlemangrowledapprovinglyandrangthebellforhisservant。LordHenrypassedupthelowarcadeintoBurlingtonStreetandturnedhisstepsinthedirectionofBerkeleySquare。

SothatwasthestoryofDorianGray’sparentage。Crudelyasithadbeentoldtohim，ithadyetstirredhimbyitssuggestionofastrange，almostmodernromance。Abeautifulwomanriskingeverythingforamadpassion。

Afewwildweeksofhappinesscutshortbyahideous，treacherouscrime。

Monthsofvoicelessagony，andthenachildborninpain。Themothersnatchedawaybydeath，theboylefttosolitudeandthetyrannyofanoldandlovelessman。Yes。itwasaninterestingbackground。Itposedthelad，madehimmoreperfect，asitwere。Behindeveryexquisitethingthatexisted，therewassomethingtragic。Worldshadtobeintravail，thatthemeanestflowermightblow……Andhowcharminghehadbeenatdinnerthenightbefore，aswithstartledeyesandlipspartedinfrightenedpleasurehehadsatoppositetohimattheclub，theredcandleshadesstainingtoaricherrosethewakeningwonderofhisface。Talkingtohimwaslikeplayinguponanexquisiteviolin。Heansweredtoeverytouchandthrillofthebow……Therewassomethingterriblyenthrallingintheexerciseofinfluence。

Nootheractivitywaslikeit。Toprojectone’ssoulintosomegraciousform，andletittarrythereforamoment。tohearone’sownintellectualviewsechoedbacktoonewithalltheaddedmusicofpassionandyouth。

toconveyone’stemperamentintoanotherasthoughitwereasubtlefluidorastrangeperfume：therewasarealjoyinthat——perhapsthemostsatisfyingjoylefttousinanagesolimitedandvulgarasourown，anagegrosslycarnalinitspleasures，andgrosslycommoninitsaims……Hewasamarvelloustype，too，thislad，whombysocuriousachancehehadmetinBasil’sstudio，orcouldbefashionedintoamarvelloustype，atanyrate。Gracewashis，andthewhitepurityofboyhood，andbeautysuchasoldGreekmarbleskeptforus。Therewasnothingthatonecouldnotdowithhim。

HecouldbemadeaTitanoratoy。Whatapityitwasthatsuchbeautywasdestinedtofade！……AndBasil？Fromapsychologicalpointofview，howinterestinghewas！Thenewmannerinart，thefreshmodeoflookingatlife，suggestedsostrangelybythemerelyvisiblepresenceofonewhowasunconsciousofitall。thesilentspiritthatdweltindimwoodland，andwalkedunseeninopenfield，suddenlyshowingherself，Dryadlikeandnotafraid，becauseinhissoulwhosoughtforhertherehadbeenwakenedthatwonderfulvisiontowhichalonearewonderfulthingsrevealed。themereshapesandpatternsofthingsbecoming，asitwere，refined，andgainingakindofsymbolicalvalue，asthoughtheywerethemselvespatternsofsomeotherandmoreperfectformwhoseshadowtheymadereal：howstrangeitallwas！Herememberedsomethinglikeitinhistory。WasitnotPlato，thatartistinthought，whohadfirstanalyzedit？WasitnotBuonarottiwhohadcarveditinthecolouredmarblesofasonnet-sequence？Butinourowncenturyitwasstrange……Yes。hewouldtrytobetoDorianGraywhat，withoutknowingit，theladwastothepainterwhohadfashionedthewonderfulportrait。Hewouldseektodominatehim——hadalready，indeed，halfdoneso。Hewouldmakethatwonderfulspirithisown。Therewassomethingfascinatinginthissonofloveanddeath。

Suddenlyhestoppedandglancedupatthehouses。Hefoundthathehadpassedhisaunt’ssomedistance，and，smilingtohimself，turnedback。Whenheenteredthesomewhatsombrehall，thebutlertoldhimthattheyhadgoneintolunch。Hegaveoneofthefootmenhishatandstickandpassedintothedining-room。

Lateasusual，Harry，criedhisaunt，shakingherheadathim。

Heinventedafacileexcuse，andhavingtakenthevacantseatnexttoher，lookedroundtoseewhowasthere。Dorianbowedtohimshylyfromtheendofthetable，aflushofpleasurestealingintohischeek。

OppositewastheDuchessofHarley，aladyofadmirablegood-natureandgoodtemper，muchlikedbyeveryonewhoknewher，andofthoseamplearchitecturalproportionsthatinwomenwhoarenotduchessesaredescribedbycontemporaryhistoriansasstoutness。Nexttohersat，onherright，SirThomasBurdon，aRadicalmemberofParliament，whofollowedhisleaderinpubliclifeandinprivatelifefollowedthebestcooks，diningwiththeToriesandthinkingwiththeLiberals，inaccordancewithawiseandwell-knownrule。

ThepostonherleftwasoccupiedbyMr。ErskineofTreadley，anoldgentlemanofconsiderablecharmandculture，whohadfallen，however，intobadhabitsofsilence，having，asheexplainedoncetoLadyAgatha，saideverythingthathehadtosaybeforehewasthirty。HisownneighbourwasMrs。Vandeleur，oneofhisaunt’soldestfriends，aperfectsaintamongstwomen，butsodreadfullydowdythatsheremindedoneofabadlyboundhymn-book。FortunatelyforhimshehadontheothersideLordFaudel，amostintelligentmiddle-agedmediocrity，asbaldasaministerialstatementintheHouseofCommons，withwhomshewasconversinginthatintenselyearnestmannerwhichistheoneunpardonableerror，asheremarkedoncehimself，thatallreallygoodpeoplefallinto，andfromwhichnoneofthemeverquiteescape。

WearetalkingaboutpoorDartmoor，LordHenry，criedtheduchess，noddingpleasantlytohimacrossthetable。Doyouthinkhewillreallymarrythisfascinatingyoungperson？

Ibelieveshehasmadeuphermindtoproposetohim，Duchess。

Howdreadful！exclaimedLadyAgatha。Really，someoneshouldinterfere。

Iamtold，onexcellentauthority，thatherfatherkeepsanAmericandry-goodsstore，saidSirThomasBurdon，lookingsupercilious。

Myunclehasalreadysuggestedpork-packingSirThomas。

Dry-goods！WhatareAmericandry-goods？askedtheduchess，raisingherlargehandsinwonderandaccentuatingtheverb。

Americannovels，answeredLordHenry，helpinghimselftosomequail。

Theduchesslookedpuzzled。

Don’tmindhim，mydear，whisperedLadyAgatha。Henevermeansanythingthathesays。

WhenAmericawasdiscovered，saidtheRadicalmember——andhebegantogivesomewearisomefacts。Likeallpeoplewhotrytoexhaustasubject，heexhaustedhislisteners。Theduchesssighedandexercisedherprivilegeofinterruption。Iwishtogoodnessitneverhadbeendiscoveredatall！sheexclaimed。Really，ourgirlshavenochancenowadays。Itismostunfair。

Perhaps，afterall，Americaneverhasbeendiscovered，saidMr。Erskine。Imyselfwouldsaythatithadmerelybeendetected。

Oh！butIhaveseenspecimensoftheinhabitants，answeredtheduchessvaguely。Imustconfessthatmostofthemareextremelypretty。

Andtheydresswell，too。TheygetalltheirdressesinParis。IwishI

couldaffordtodothesame。

TheysaythatwhengoodAmericansdietheygotoParis，chuckledSirThomas，whohadalargewardrobeofHumour’scast-offclothes。

Really！AndwheredobadAmericansgotowhentheydie？inquiredtheduchess。

TheygotoAmerica，murmuredLordHenry。

SirThomasfrowned。Iamafraidthatyournephewisprejudicedagainstthatgreatcountry，hesaidtoLadyAgatha。Ihavetravelledalloveritincarsprovidedbythedirectors，who，insuchmatters，areextremelycivil。Iassureyouthatitisaneducationtovisitit。

ButmustwereallyseeChicagoinordertobeeducated？askedMr。Erskineplaintively。Idon’tfeeluptothejourney。

SirThomaswavedhishand。Mr。ErskineofTreadleyhastheworldonhisshelves。Wepracticalmenliketoseethings，nottoreadaboutthem。TheAmericansareanextremelyinterestingpeople。Theyareabsolutelyreasonable。Ithinkthatistheirdistinguishingcharacteristic。Yes，Mr。

Erskine，anabsolutelyreasonablepeople。IassureyouthereisnononsenseabouttheAmericans。

Howdreadful！criedLordHenry。Icanstandbruteforce，butbrutereasonisquiteunbearable。Thereissomethingunfairaboutitsuse。

Itishittingbelowtheintellect。

Idonotunderstandyou，saidSirThomas，growingratherred。

Ido，LordHenry，murmuredMr。Erskine，withasmile。

Paradoxesareallverywellintheirway……rejoinedthebaronet。

Wasthataparadox？askedMr。Erskine。Ididnotthinkso。

Perhapsitwas。Well，thewayofparadoxesisthewayoftruth。Totestrealitywemustseeitonthetightrope。Whentheveritiesbecomeacrobats，wecanjudgethem。

Dearme！saidLadyAgatha，howyoumenargue！IamsureInevercanmakeoutwhatyouaretalkingabout。Oh！Harry，Iamquitevexedwithyou。WhydoyoutrytopersuadeourniceMr。DorianGraytogiveuptheEastEnd？Iassureyouhewouldbequiteinvaluable。Theywouldlovehisplaying。

Iwanthimtoplaytome，criedLordHenry，smiling，andhelookeddownthetableandcaughtabrightansweringglance。

ButtheyaresounhappyinWhitechapel，continuedLadyAgatha。

Icansympathizewitheverythingexceptsuffering，saidLordHenry，shrugginghisshoulders。Icannotsympathizewiththat。Itistoougly，toohorrible，toodistressing。Thereissomethingterriblymorbidinthemodernsympathywithpain。Oneshouldsympathizewiththecolour，thebeauty，thejoyoflife。Thelesssaidaboutlife’ssores，thebetter。

Still，theEastEndisaveryimportantproblem，remarkedSirThomaswithagraveshakeofthehead。

Quiteso，answeredtheyounglord。Itistheproblemofslavery，andwetrytosolveitbyamusingtheslaves。

Thepoliticianlookedathimkeenly。Whatchangedoyoupropose，then？heasked。

LordHenrylaughed。Idon’tdesiretochangeanythinginEnglandexcepttheweather，heanswered。Iamquitecontentwithphilosophiccontemplation。But，asthenineteenthcenturyhasgonebankruptthroughanover-expenditureofsympathy，Iwouldsuggestthatweshouldappealtosciencetoputusstraight。Theadvantageoftheemotionsisthattheyleadusastray，andtheadvantageofscienceisthatitisnotemotional。

Butwehavesuchgraveresponsibilities，venturedMrs。Vandeleurtimidly。

Terriblygrave，echoedLadyAgatha。

LordHenrylookedoveratMr。Erskine。Humanitytakesitselftooseriously。Itistheworld’soriginalsin。Ifthecavemanhadknownhowtolaugh，historywouldhavebeendifferent。

Youarereallyverycomforting，warbledtheduchess。IhavealwaysfeltratherguiltywhenIcametoseeyourdearaunt，forItakenointerestatallintheEastEnd。ForthefutureIshallbeabletolookherinthefacewithoutablush。

Ablushisverybecoming，Duchess，remarkedLordHenry。

Onlywhenoneisyoung，sheanswered。Whenanoldwomanlikemyselfblushes，itisaverybadsign。Ah！LordHenry，Iwishyouwouldtellmehowtobecomeyoungagain。

Hethoughtforamoment。Canyourememberanygreaterrorthatyoucommittedinyourearlydays，Duchess？heasked，lookingatheracrossthetable。

Agreatmany，Ifear，shecried。

Thencommitthemoveragain，hesaidgravely。Togetbackone’syouth，onehasmerelytorepeatone’sfollies。

Adelightfultheory！sheexclaimed。Imustputitintopractice。

Adangeroustheory！camefromSirThomas’stightlips。LadyAgathashookherhead，butcouldnothelpbeingamused。Mr。Erskinelistened。

Yes，hecontinued，thatisoneofthegreatsecretsoflife。

Nowadaysmostpeopledieofasortofcreepingcommonsense，anddiscoverwhenitistoolatethattheonlythingsoneneverregretsareone’smistakes。

Alaughranroundthetable。

Heplayedwiththeideaandgrewwilful。tosseditintotheairandtransformedit。letitescapeandrecapturedit。madeitiridescentwithfancyandwingeditwithparadox。Thepraiseoffolly，ashewenton，soaredintoaphilosophy，andphilosophyherselfbecameyoung，andcatchingthemadmusicofpleasure，wearing，onemightfancy，herwine-stainedrobeandwreathofivy，dancedlikeaBacchanteoverthehillsoflife，andmockedtheslowSilenusforbeingsober。Factsfledbeforeherlikefrightenedforestthings。HerwhitefeettrodthehugepressatwhichwiseOmarsits，tilltheseethinggrape-juiceroseroundherbarelimbsinwavesofpurplebubbles，orcrawledinredfoamoverthevat’sblack，dripping，slopingsides。Itwasanextraordinaryimprovisation。HefeltthattheeyesofDorianGraywerefixedonhim，andtheconsciousnessthatamongsthisaudiencetherewasonewhosetemperamenthewishedtofascinateseemedtogivehiswitkeennessandtolendcolourtohisimagination。Hewasbrilliant，fantastic，irresponsible。Hecharmedhislistenersoutofthemselves，andtheyfollowedhispipe，laughing。DorianGraynevertookhisgazeoffhim，butsatlikeoneunderaspell，smileschasingeachotheroverhislipsandwondergrowinggraveinhisdarkeningeyes。

Atlast，liveriedinthecostumeoftheage，realityenteredtheroomintheshapeofaservanttotelltheduchessthathercarriagewaswaiting。Shewrungherhandsinmockdespair。Howannoying！shecried。

Imustgo。Ihavetocallformyhusbandattheclub，totakehimtosomeabsurdmeetingatWillis’sRooms，whereheisgoingtobeinthechair。

IfIamlateheissuretobefurious，andIcouldn’thaveasceneinthisbonnet。Itisfartoofragile。Aharshwordwouldruinit。No，Imustgo，dearAgatha。Good-bye，LordHenry，youarequitedelightfulanddreadfullydemoralizing。IamsureIdon’tknowwhattosayaboutyourviews。Youmustcomeanddinewithussomenight。Tuesday？AreyoudisengagedTuesday？

ForyouIwouldthrowoveranybody，Duchess，saidLordHenrywithabow。

Ah！thatisverynice，andverywrongofyou，shecried。somindyoucome。andshesweptoutoftheroom，followedbyLadyAgathaandtheotherladies。

WhenLordHenryhadsatdownagain，Mr。Erskinemovedround，andtakingachairclosetohim，placedhishanduponhisarm。

Youtalkbooksaway，hesaid。whydon’tyouwriteone？

Iamtoofondofreadingbookstocaretowritethem，Mr。Erskine。

Ishouldliketowriteanovelcertainly，anovelthatwouldbeaslovelyasaPersiancarpetandasunreal。ButthereisnoliterarypublicinEnglandforanythingexceptnewspapers，primers，andencyclopaedias。OfallpeopleintheworldtheEnglishhavetheleastsenseofthebeautyofliterature。

Ifearyouareright，answeredMr。Erskine。Imyselfusedtohaveliteraryambitions，butIgavethemuplongago。Andnow，mydearyoungfriend，ifyouwillallowmetocallyouso，mayIaskifyoureallymeantallthatyousaidtousatlunch？

IquiteforgetwhatIsaid，smiledLordHenry。Wasitallverybad？

Verybadindeed。InfactIconsideryouextremelydangerous，andifanythinghappenstoourgoodduchess，weshallalllookonyouasbeingprimarilyresponsible。ButIshouldliketotalktoyouaboutlife。

ThegenerationintowhichIwasbornwastedious。Someday，whenyouaretiredofLondon，comedowntoTreadleyandexpoundtomeyourphilosophyofpleasureoversomeadmirableBurgundyIamfortunateenoughtopossess。

Ishallbecharmed。AvisittoTreadleywouldbeagreatprivilege。

Ithasaperfecthost，andaperfectlibrary。

Youwillcompleteit，answeredtheoldgentlemanwithacourteousbow。AndnowImustbidgood-byetoyourexcellentaunt。IamdueattheAthenaeum。Itisthehourwhenwesleepthere。

Allofyou，Mr。Erskine？

Fortyofus，infortyarm-chairs。WearepractisingforanEnglishAcademyofLetters。

LordHenrylaughedandrose。Iamgoingtothepark，hecried。

Ashewaspassingoutofthedoor，DorianGraytouchedhimonthearm。Letmecomewithyou，hemurmured。

ButIthoughtyouhadpromisedBasilHallwardtogoandseehim，

answeredLordHenry。

Iwouldsoonercomewithyou。yes，IfeelImustcomewithyou。

Doletme。Andyouwillpromisetotalktomeallthetime？Noonetalkssowonderfullyasyoudo。

Ah！Ihavetalkedquiteenoughforto-day，saidLordHenry，smiling。AllIwantnowistolookatlife。Youmaycomeandlookatitwithme，ifyoucareto。

ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter4Chapter4Oneafternoon，amonthlater，DorianGraywasreclininginaluxuriousarm-chair，inthelittlelibraryofLordHenry’shouseinMayfair。Itwas，initsway，averycharmingroom，withitshighpanelledwainscotingofolive-stainedoak，itscream-colouredfriezeandceilingofraisedplasterwork，anditsbrickdustfeltcarpetstrewnwithsilk，long-fringedPersianrugs。

OnatinysatinwoodtablestoodastatuettebyClodion，andbesideitlayacopyofLesCentNouvelles，boundforMargaretofValoisbyClovisEveandpowderedwiththegiltdaisiesthatQueenhadselectedforherdevice。Somelargebluechinajarsandparrot-tulipswererangedonthemantelshelf，andthroughthesmallleadedpanesofthewindowstreamedtheapricot-colouredlightofasummerdayinLondon。

LordHenryhadnotyetcomein。Hewasalwayslateonprinciple，hisprinciplebeingthatpunctualityisthethiefoftime。Sotheladwaslookingrathersulky，aswithlistlessfingersheturnedoverthepagesofanelaboratelyillustratededitionofManonLescautthathehadfoundinoneofthebook-cases。TheformalmonotonoustickingoftheLouisQuatorzeclockannoyedhim。Onceortwicehethoughtofgoingaway。

Atlastheheardastepoutside，andthedooropened。Howlateyouare，Harry！hemurmured。

IamafraiditisnotHarry，Mr。Gray，answeredashrillvoice。

Heglancedquicklyroundandrosetohisfeet。Ibegyourpardon。

Ithought——

Youthoughtitwasmyhusband。Itisonlyhiswife。Youmustletmeintroducemyself。Iknowyouquitewellbyyourphotographs。Ithinkmyhusbandhasgotseventeenofthem。

Notseventeen，LadyHenry？

Well，eighteen，then。AndIsawyouwithhimtheothernightattheopera。Shelaughednervouslyasshespoke，andwatchedhimwithhervagueforget-me-noteyes。Shewasacuriouswoman，whosedressesalwayslookedasiftheyhadbeendesignedinarageandputoninatempest。

Shewasusuallyinlovewithsomebody，and，asherpassionwasneverreturned，shehadkeptallherillusions。Shetriedtolookpicturesque，butonlysucceededinbeinguntidy。HernamewasVictoria，andshehadaperfectmaniaforgoingtochurch。

ThatwasatLohengrin，LadyHenry，Ithink？

Yes。itwasatdearLohengrin。IlikeWagner’smusicbetterthananybody’s。Itissoloudthatonecantalkthewholetimewithoutotherpeoplehearingwhatonesays。Thatisagreatadvantage，don’tyouthinkso，Mr。Gray？

Thesamenervousstaccatolaughbrokefromherthinlips，andherfingersbegantoplaywithalongtortoise-shellpaper-knife。

Doriansmiledandshookhishead：IamafraidIdon’tthinkso，LadyHenry。Inevertalkduringmusic——atleast，duringgoodmusic。Ifonehearsbadmusic，itisone’sdutytodrownitinconversation。

Ah！thatisoneofHarry’sviews，isn’tit，Mr。Gray？IalwayshearHarry’sviewsfromhisfriends。ItistheonlywayIgettoknowofthem。ButyoumustnotthinkIdon’tlikegoodmusic。Iadoreit，butI

amafraidofit。Itmakesmetooromantic。Ihavesimplyworshippedpianists——

twoatatime，sometimes，Harrytellsme。Idon’tknowwhatitisaboutthem。Perhapsitisthattheyareforeigners。Theyallare，ain’tthey？

EventhosethatareborninEnglandbecomeforeignersafteratime，don’tthey？Itissocleverofthem，andsuchacomplimenttoart。Makesitquitecosmopolitan，doesn’tit？Youhaveneverbeentoanyofmyparties，haveyou，Mr。Gray？Youmustcome。Ican’taffordorchids，butIsharenoexpenseinforeigners。Theymakeone’sroomslooksopicturesque。ButhereisHarry！

Harry，Icameintolookforyou，toaskyousomething——Iforgetwhatitwas——andIfoundMr。Grayhere。Wehavehadsuchapleasantchataboutmusic。Wehavequitethesameideas。No。Ithinkourideasarequitedifferent。

Buthehasbeenmostpleasant。IamsogladI’veseenhim。

Iamcharmed，mylove，quitecharmed，saidLordHenry，elevatinghisdark，crescent-shapedeyebrowsandlookingatthembothwithanamusedsmile。SosorryIamlate，Dorian。IwenttolookafterapieceofoldbrocadeinWardourStreetandhadtobargainforhoursforit。Nowadayspeopleknowthepriceofeverythingandthevalueofnothing。

IamafraidImustbegoing，exclaimedLadyHenry，breakinganawkwardsilencewithhersillysuddenlaugh。Ihavepromisedtodrivewiththeduchess。Good-bye，Mr。Gray。Good-bye，Harry。Youarediningout，Isuppose？SoamI。PerhapsIshallseeyouatLadyThornbury’s。

Idaresay，mydear，saidLordHenry，shuttingthedoorbehindheras，lookinglikeabirdofparadisethathadbeenoutallnightintherain，sheflittedoutoftheroom，leavingafaintodouroffrangipanni。

Thenhelitacigaretteandflunghimselfdownonthesofa。

Nevermarryawomanwithstraw-colouredhair，Dorian，hesaidafterafewpuffs。

Why，Harry？

Becausetheyaresosentimental。

ButIlikesentimentalpeople。

Nevermarryatall，Dorian。Menmarrybecausetheyaretired。

women，becausetheyarecurious：botharedisappointed。

Idon’tthinkIamlikelytomarry，Harry。Iamtoomuchinlove。

Thatisoneofyouraphorisms。Iamputtingitintopractice，asIdoeverythingthatyousay。

Whoareyouinlovewith？askedLordHenryafterapause。

Withanactress，saidDorianGray，blushing。

LordHenryshruggedhisshoulders。Thatisarathercommonplacedé。but。

Youwouldnotsaysoifyousawher，Harry。

Whoisshe？

HernameisSibylVane。

Neverheardofher。

Noonehas。Peoplewillsomeday，however。Sheisagenius。

Mydearboy，nowomanisagenius。Womenareadecorativesex。

Theyneverhaveanythingtosay，buttheysayitcharmingly。Womenrepresentthetriumphofmatterovermind，justasmenrepresentthetriumphofmindovermorals。

Harry，howcanyou？

MydearDorian，itisquitetrue。Iamanalysingwomenatpresent，soIoughttoknow。ThesubjectisnotsoabstruseasIthoughtitwas。

Ifindthat，ultimately，thereareonlytwokindsofwomen，theplainandthecoloured。Theplainwomenareveryuseful。Ifyouwanttogainareputationforrespectability，youhavemerelytotakethemdowntosupper。Theotherwomenareverycharming。Theycommitonemistake，however。Theypaintinordertotryandlookyoung。Ourgrandmotherspaintedinordertotryandtalkbrilliantly。Rougeandespritusedtogotogether。Thatisallovernow。Aslongasawomancanlooktenyearsyoungerthanherowndaughter，sheisperfectlysatisfied。Asforconversation，thereareonlyfivewomeninLondonworthtalkingto，andtwoofthesecan’tbeadmittedintodecentsociety。However，tellmeaboutyourgenius。Howlonghaveyouknownher？

Ah！Harry，yourviewsterrifyme。

Nevermindthat。Howlonghaveyouknownher？

Aboutthreeweeks。

Andwheredidyoucomeacrossher？

Iwilltellyou，Harry，butyoumustn’tbeunsympatheticaboutit。Afterall，itneverwouldhavehappenedifIhadnotmetyou。Youfilledmewithawilddesiretoknoweverythingaboutlife。FordaysafterImetyou，somethingseemedtothrobinmyveins。AsIloungedinthepark，orstrolleddownPiccadilly，Iusedtolookateveryonewhopassedmeandwonder，withamadcuriosity，whatsortoflivestheyled。Someofthemfascinatedme。Othersfilledmewithterror。Therewasanexquisitepoisonintheair。Ihadapassionforsensations……Well，oneeveningaboutseveno’clock，Ideterminedtogooutinsearchofsomeadventure。IfeltthatthisgreymonstrousLondonofours，withitsmyriadsofpeople，itssordidsinners，anditssplendidsins，asyouoncephrasedit，musthavesomethinginstoreforme。Ifanciedathousandthings。Themeredangergavemeasenseofdelight。Irememberedwhatyouhadsaidtomeonthatwonderfuleveningwhenwefirstdinedtogether，aboutthesearchforbeautybeingtherealsecretoflife。Idon’tknowwhatIexpected，butIwentoutandwanderedeastward，soonlosingmywayinalabyrinthofgrimystreetsandblackgrasslesssquares。Abouthalf-pasteightIpassedbyanabsurdlittletheatre，withgreatflaringgas-jetsandgaudyplay-bills。AhideousJew，inthemostamazingwaistcoatIeverbeheldinmylife，wasstandingattheentrance，smokingavilecigar。Hehadgreasyringlets，andanenormousdiamondblazedinthecentreofasoiledshirt。’Haveabox，myLord？’hesaid，whenhesawme，andhetookoffhishatwithanairofgorgeousservility。

Therewassomethingabouthim，Harry，thatamusedme。Hewassuchamonster。

Youwilllaughatme，Iknow，butIreallywentinandpaidawholeguineaforthestage-box。TothepresentdayIcan’tmakeoutwhyIdidso。andyetifIhadn’t——mydearHarry，ifIhadn’t——Ishouldhavemissedthegreatestromanceofmylife。Iseeyouarelaughing。Itishorridofyou！

Iamnotlaughing，Dorian。atleastIamnotlaughingatyou。

Butyoushouldnotsaythegreatestromanceofyourlife。Youshouldsaythefirstromanceofyourlife。Youwillalwaysbeloved，andyouwillalwaysbeinlovewithlove。Agrandepassionistheprivilegeofpeoplewhohavenothingtodo。Thatistheoneuseoftheidleclassesofacountry。

Don’tbeafraid。Thereareexquisitethingsinstoreforyou。Thisismerelythebeginning。

Doyouthinkmynaturesoshallow？criedDorianGrayangrily。

No。Ithinkyournaturesodeep。

Howdoyoumean？

Mydearboy，thepeoplewholoveonlyonceintheirlivesarereallytheshallowpeople。Whattheycalltheirloyalty，andtheirfidelity，Icalleitherthelethargyofcustomortheirlackofimagination。Faithfulnessistotheemotionallifewhatconsistencyistothelifeoftheintellect——simplyaconfessionoffailure。Faithfulness！Imustanalyseitsomeday。Thepassionforpropertyisinit。Therearemanythingsthatwewouldthrowawayifwewerenotafraidthatothersmightpickthemup。ButIdon’twanttointerruptyou。Goonwithyourstory。

Well，Ifoundmyselfseatedinahorridlittleprivatebox，withavulgardrop-scenestaringmeintheface。Ilookedoutfrombehindthecurtainandsurveyedthehouse。Itwasatawdryaffair，allCupidsandcornucopias，likeathird-ratewedding-cake。Thegalleryandpitwerefairlyfull，butthetworowsofdingystallswerequiteempty，andtherewashardlyapersoninwhatIsupposetheycalledthedress-circle。Womenwentaboutwithorangesandginger-beer，andtherewasaterribleconsumptionofnutsgoingon。

ItmusthavebeenjustlikethepalmydaysoftheBritishdrama。

Justlike，Ishouldfancy，andverydepressing。IbegantowonderwhatonearthIshoulddowhenIcaughtsightoftheplay-bill。Whatdoyouthinktheplaywas，Harry？

IshouldthinkTheIdiotBoy，orDumbbutInnocent。Ourfathersusedtolikethatsortofpiece，Ibelieve。ThelongerIlive，Dorian，themorekeenlyIfeelthatwhateverwasgoodenoughforourfathersisnotgoodenoughforus。Inart，asinpolitics，lesgrandpè。resonttoujourstort。

Thisplaywasgoodenoughforus，Harry。ItwasRomeoandJuliet。

ImustadmitthatIwasratherannoyedattheideaofseeingShakespearedoneinsuchawretchedholeofaplace。Still，Ifeltinterested，inasortofway。Atanyrate，Ideterminedtowaitforthefirstact。Therewasadreadfulorchestra，presidedoverbyayoungHebrewwhosatatacrackedpiano，thatnearlydrovemeaway，butatlastthedrop-scenewasdrawnupandtheplaybegan。Romeowasastoutelderlygentleman，withcorkedeyebrows，ahuskytragedyvoice，andafigurelikeabeer-barrel。

Mercutiowasalmostasbad。Hewasplayedbythelow-comedian，whohadintroducedgagsofhisownandwasonmostfriendlytermswiththepit。

Theywerebothasgrotesqueasthescenery，andthatlookedasifithadcomeoutofacountry-booth。ButJuliet！Harry，imagineagirl，hardlyseventeenyearsofage，withalittle，flowerlikeface，asmallGreekheadwithplaitedcoilsofdark-brownhair，eyesthatwerevioletwellsofpassion，lipsthatwerelikethepetalsofarose。ShewastheloveliestthingI

hadeverseeninmylife。Yousaidtomeoncethatpathosleftyouunmoved，butthatbeauty，merebeauty，couldfillyoureyeswithtears。Itellyou，Harry，Icouldhardlyseethisgirlforthemistoftearsthatcameacrossme。Andhervoice——Ineverheardsuchavoice。Itwasverylowatfirst，withdeepmellownotesthatseemedtofallsinglyuponone’sear。Thenitbecamealittlelouder，andsoundedlikeafluteoradistanthautboy。

Inthegarden-sceneithadallthetremulousecstasythatonehearsjustbeforedawnwhennightingalesaresinging。Thereweremoments，lateron，whenithadthewildpassionofviolins。Youknowhowavoicecanstirone。YourvoiceandthevoiceofSibylVanearetwothingsthatIshallneverforget。WhenIclosemyeyes，Ihearthem，andeachofthemsayssomethingdifferent。Idon’tknowwhichtofollow。WhyshouldInotloveher？Harry，Idoloveher。Sheiseverythingtomeinlife。NightafternightIgotoseeherplay。OneeveningsheisRosalind，andthenexteveningsheisImogen。IhaveseenherdieinthegloomofanItaliantomb，suckingthepoisonfromherlover’slips。IhavewatchedherwanderingthroughtheforestofArden，disguisedasaprettyboyinhoseanddoubletanddaintycap。Shehasbeenmad，andhascomeintothepresenceofaguiltyking，andgivenhimruetowearandbitterherbstotasteof。Shehasbeeninnocent，andtheblackhandsofjealousyhavecrushedherreedlikethroat。

Ihaveseenherineveryageandineverycostume。Ordinarywomenneverappealtoone’simagination。Theyarelimitedtotheircentury。Noglamourevertransfiguresthem。Oneknowstheirmindsaseasilyasoneknowstheirbonnets。Onecanalwaysfindthem。Thereisnomysteryinanyofthem。

Theyrideintheparkinthemorningandchatterattea-partiesintheafternoon。Theyhavetheirstereotypedsmileandtheirfashionablemanner。

Theyarequiteobvious。Butanactress！Howdifferentanactressis！Harry！

whydidn’tyoutellmethattheonlythingworthlovingisanactress？

BecauseIhavelovedsomanyofthem，Dorian。

Oh，yes，horridpeoplewithdyedhairandpaintedfaces。

Don’trundowndyedhairandpaintedfaces。Thereisanextraordinarycharminthem，sometimes，saidLordHenry。

IwishnowIhadnottoldyouaboutSibylVane。

Youcouldnothavehelpedtellingme，Dorian。Allthroughyourlifeyouwilltellmeeverythingyoudo。

Yes，Harry，Ibelievethatistrue。Icannothelptellingyouthings。Youhaveacuriousinfluenceoverme。IfIeverdidacrime，I

wouldcomeandconfessittoyou。Youwouldunderstandme。

Peoplelikeyou——thewilfulsunbeamsoflife——don’tcommitcrimes，Dorian。ButIammuchobligedforthecompliment，allthesame。Andnowtellme——reachmethematches，likeagoodboy——thanks——whatareyouractualrelationswithSibylVane？

DorianGrayleapedtohisfeet，withflushedcheeksandburningeyes。Harry！SibylVaneissacred！

Itisonlythesacredthingsthatareworthtouching，Dorian，

saidLordHenry，withastrangetouchofpathosinhisvoice。Butwhyshouldyoubeannoyed？Isupposeshewillbelongtoyousomeday。Whenoneisinlove，onealwaysbeginsbydeceivingone’sself，andonealwaysendsbydeceivingothers。Thatiswhattheworldcallsaromance。Youknowher，atanyrate，Isuppose？

OfcourseIknowher。OnthefirstnightIwasatthetheatre，thehorridoldJewcameroundtotheboxaftertheperformancewasoverandofferedtotakemebehindthescenesandintroducemetoher。Iwasfuriouswithhim，andtoldhimthatJuliethadbeendeadforhundredsofyearsandthatherbodywaslyinginamarbletombinVerona。Ithink，fromhisblanklookofamazement，thathewasundertheimpressionthatIhadtakentoomuchchampagne，orsomething。

Iamnotsurprised。

ThenheaskedmeifIwroteforanyofthenewspapers。ItoldhimIneverevenreadthem。Heseemedterriblydisappointedatthat，andconfidedtomethatallthedramaticcriticswereinaconspiracyagainsthim，andthattheywereeveryoneofthemtobebought。

Ishouldnotwonderifhewasquiterightthere。But，ontheotherhand，judgingfromtheirappearance，mostofthemcannotbeatallexpensive。

Well，heseemedtothinktheywerebeyondhismeans，laughedDorian。Bythistime，however，thelightswerebeingputoutinthetheatre，andIhadtogo。Hewantedmetotrysomecigarsthathestronglyrecommended。

Ideclined。Thenextnight，ofcourse，Iarrivedattheplaceagain。Whenhesawme，hemademealowbowandassuredmethatIwasamunificentpatronofart。Hewasamostoffensivebrute，thoughhehadanextraordinarypassionforShakespeare。Hetoldmeonce，withanairofpride，thathisfivebankruptcieswereentirelydueto’TheBard，’asheinsistedoncallinghim。Heseemedtothinkitadistinction。

Itwasadistinction，mydearDorian——agreatdistinction。Mostpeoplebecomebankruptthroughhavinginvestedtooheavilyintheproseoflife。Tohaveruinedone’sselfoverpoetryisanhonour。ButwhendidyoufirstspeaktoMissSibylVane？

Thethirdnight。ShehadbeenplayingRosalind。Icouldnothelpgoinground。Ihadthrownhersomeflowers，andshehadlookedatme——atleastIfanciedthatshehad。TheoldJewwaspersistent。Heseemeddeterminedtotakemebehind，soIconsented。Itwascuriousmynotwantingtoknowher，wasn’tit？

No。Idon’tthinkso。

MydearHarry，why？

Iwilltellyousomeothertime。NowIwanttoknowaboutthegirl。

Sibyl？Oh，shewassoshyandsogentle。Thereissomethingofachildabouther。HereyesopenedwideinexquisitewonderwhenItoldherwhatIthoughtofherperformance，andsheseemedquiteunconsciousofherpower。Ithinkwewerebothrathernervous。TheoldJewstoodgrinningatthedoorwayofthedustygreenroom，makingelaboratespeechesaboutusboth，whilewestoodlookingateachotherlikechildren。Hewouldinsistoncallingme’MyLord，’soIhadtoassureSibylthatIwasnotanythingofthekind。Shesaidquitesimplytome，’Youlookmorelikeaprince。

ImustcallyouPrinceCharming。’

Uponmyword，Dorian，MissSibylknowshowtopaycompliments。

Youdon’tunderstandher，Harry。Sheregardedmemerelyasapersoninaplay。Sheknowsnothingoflife。Sheliveswithhermother，afadedtiredwomanwhoplayedLadyCapuletinasortofmagentadressing-wrapperonthefirstnight，andlooksasifshehadseenbetterdays。

Iknowthatlook。Itdepressesme，murmuredLordHenry，examininghisrings。

TheJewwantedtotellmeherhistory，butIsaiditdidnotinterestme。

Youwerequiteright。Thereisalwayssomethinginfinitelymeanaboutotherpeople’stragedies。

SibylistheonlythingIcareabout。Whatisittomewhereshecamefrom？Fromherlittleheadtoherlittlefeet，sheisabsolutelyandentirelydivine。EverynightofmylifeIgotoseeheract，andeverynightsheismoremarvellous。

Thatisthereason，Isuppose，thatyouneverdinewithmenow。

Ithoughtyoumusthavesomecuriousromanceonhand。Youhave。butitisnotquitewhatIexpected。

MydearHarry，weeitherlunchorsuptogethereveryday，andIhavebeentotheoperawithyouseveraltimes，saidDorian，openinghisblueeyesinwonder。

Youalwayscomedreadfullylate。

Well，Ican’thelpgoingtoseeSibylplay，hecried，evenifitisonlyforasingleact。Igethungryforherpresence。andwhenIthinkofthewonderfulsoulthatishiddenawayinthatlittleivorybody，Iamfilledwithawe。

Youcandinewithmeto-night，Dorian，can’tyou？

Heshookhishead。To-nightsheisImogen，heanswered，andto-morrownightshewillbeJuliet。

WhenissheSibylVane？

Never。

Icongratulateyou。

Howhorridyouare！Sheisallthegreatheroinesoftheworldinone。Sheismorethananindividual。Youlaugh，butItellyoushehasgenius。Iloveher，andImustmakeherloveme。You，whoknowallthesecretsoflife，tellmehowtocharmSibylVanetoloveme！IwanttomakeRomeojealous。Iwantthedeadloversoftheworldtohearourlaughterandgrowsad。Iwantabreathofourpassiontostirtheirdustintoconsciousness，towaketheirashesintopain。MyGod，Harry，howIworshipher！Hewaswalkingupanddowntheroomashespoke。Hecticspotsofredburnedonhischeeks。Hewasterriblyexcited。

LordHenrywatchedhimwithasubtlesenseofpleasure。HowdifferenthewasnowfromtheshyfrightenedboyhehadmetinBasilHallward’sstudio！

Hisnaturehaddevelopedlikeaflower，hadborneblossomsofscarletflame。

Outofitssecrethiding-placehadcrepthissoul，anddesirehadcometomeetitontheway。

Andwhatdoyouproposetodo？saidLordHenryatlast。

IwantyouandBasiltocomewithmesomenightandseeheract。

Ihavenottheslightestfearoftheresult。Youarecertaintoacknowledgehergenius。ThenwemustgetheroutoftheJew’shands。Sheisboundtohimforthreeyears——atleastfortwoyearsandeightmonths——fromthepresenttime。Ishallhavetopayhimsomething，ofcourse。Whenallthatissettled，IshalltakeaWestEndtheatreandbringheroutproperly。

Shewillmaketheworldasmadasshehasmademe。

Thatwouldbeimpossible，mydearboy。

Yes，shewill。Shehasnotmerelyart，consummateart-instinct，inher，butshehaspersonalityalso。andyouhaveoftentoldmethatitispersonalities，notprinciples，thatmovetheage。

Well，whatnightshallwego？

Letmesee。To-dayisTuesday。Letusfixto-morrow。SheplaysJulietto-morrow。

Allright。TheBristolateighto’clock。andIwillgetBasil。

Noteight，Harry，please。Half-pastsix。Wemustbetherebeforethecurtainrises。Youmustseeherinthefirstact，whereshemeetsRomeo。

Half-pastsix！Whatanhour！Itwillbelikehavingameat-tea，orreadinganEnglishnovel。Itmustbeseven。Nogentlemandinesbeforeseven。ShallyouseeBasilbetweenthisandthen？OrshallIwritetohim？

DearBasil！Ihavenotlaideyesonhimforaweek。Itisratherhorridofme，ashehassentmemyportraitinthemostwonderfulframe，speciallydesignedbyhimself，and，thoughIamalittlejealousofthepictureforbeingawholemonthyoungerthanIam，ImustadmitthatI

delightinit。Perhapsyouhadbetterwritetohim。Idon’twanttoseehimalone。Hesaysthingsthatannoyme。Hegivesmegoodadvice。

LordHenrysmiled。Peopleareveryfondofgivingawaywhattheyneedmostthemselves。ItiswhatIcallthedepthofgenerosity。

Oh，Basilisthebestoffellows，butheseemstometobejustabitofaPhilistine。SinceIhaveknownyou，Harry，Ihavediscoveredthat。

Basil，mydearboy，putseverythingthatischarminginhimintohiswork。Theconsequenceisthathehasnothingleftforlifebuthisprejudices，hisprinciples，andhiscommonsense。TheonlyartistsIhaveeverknownwhoarepersonallydelightfularebadartists。Goodartistsexistsimplyinwhattheymake，andconsequentlyareperfectlyuninterestinginwhattheyare。Agreatpoet，areallygreatpoet，isthemostunpoeticalofallcreatures。Butinferiorpoetsareabsolutelyfascinating。Theworsetheirrhymesare，themorepicturesquetheylook。Themerefactofhavingpublishedabookofsecond-ratesonnetsmakesamanquiteirresistible。

Helivesthepoetrythathecannotwrite。Theotherswritethepoetrythattheydarenotrealize。

Iwonderisthatreallyso，Harry？saidDorianGray，puttingsomeperfumeonhishandkerchiefoutofalarge，gold-toppedbottlethatstoodonthetable。Itmustbe，ifyousayit。AndnowIamoff。Imogeniswaitingforme。Don’tforgetaboutto-morrow。Good-bye。

Ashelefttheroom，LordHenry’sheavyeyelidsdrooped，andhebegantothink。CertainlyfewpeoplehadeverinterestedhimsomuchasDorianGray，andyetthelad’smadadorationofsomeoneelsecausedhimnottheslightestpangofannoyanceorjealousy。Hewaspleasedbyit。

Itmadehimamoreinterestingstudy。Hehadbeenalwaysenthralledbythemethodsofnaturalscience，buttheordinarysubject-matterofthatsciencehadseemedtohimtrivialandofnoimport。Andsohehadbegunbyvivisectinghimself，ashehadendedbyvivisectingothers。Humanlife——thatappearedtohimtheonethingworthinvestigating。Comparedtoittherewasnothingelseofanyvalue。Itwastruethatasonewatchedlifeinitscuriouscrucibleofpainandpleasure，onecouldnotwearoverone’sfaceamaskofglass，norkeepthesulphurousfumesfromtroublingthebrainandmakingtheimaginationturbidwithmonstrousfanciesandmisshapendreams。Therewerepoisonssosubtlethattoknowtheirpropertiesonehadtosickenofthem。Thereweremaladiessostrangethatonehadtopassthroughthemifonesoughttounderstandtheirnature。And，yet，whatagreatrewardonereceived！Howwonderfulthewholeworldbecametoone！

Tonotethecurioushardlogicofpassion，andtheemotionalcolouredlifeoftheintellect——toobservewheretheymet，andwheretheyseparated，atwhatpointtheywereinunison，andatwhatpointtheywereatdiscord——therewasadelightinthat！Whatmatterwhatthecostwas？Onecouldneverpaytoohighapriceforanysensation。

Hewasconscious——andthethoughtbroughtagleamofpleasureintohisbrownagateeyes——thatitwasthroughcertainwordsofhis，musicalwordssaidwithmusicalutterance，thatDorianGray’ssoulhadturnedtothiswhitegirlandbowedinworshipbeforeher。Toalargeextenttheladwashisowncreation。Hehadmadehimpremature。Thatwassomething。

Ordinarypeoplewaitedtilllifedisclosedtothemitssecrets，buttothefew，totheelect，themysteriesoflifewererevealedbeforetheveilwasdrawnaway。Sometimesthiswastheeffectofart，andchieflyoftheartofliterature，whichdealtimmediatelywiththepassionsandtheintellect。

Butnowandthenacomplexpersonalitytooktheplaceandassumedtheofficeofart，wasindeed，initsway，arealworkofart，lifehavingitselaboratemasterpieces，justaspoetryhas，orsculpture，orpainting。

Yes，theladwaspremature。Hewasgatheringhisharvestwhileitwasyetspring。Thepulseandpassionofyouthwereinhim，buthewasbecomingself-conscious。Itwasdelightfultowatchhim。Withhisbeautifulface，andhisbeautifulsoul，hewasathingtowonderat。Itwasnomatterhowitallended，orwasdestinedtoend。Hewaslikeoneofthosegraciousfiguresinapageantoraplay，whosejoysseemtoberemotefromone，butwhosesorrowsstirone’ssenseofbeauty，andwhosewoundsarelikeredroses。

Soulandbody，bodyandsoul——howmysterioustheywere！Therewasanimalisminthesoul，andthebodyhaditsmomentsofspirituality。

Thesensescouldrefine，andtheintellectcoulddegrade。Whocouldsaywherethefleshlyimpulseceased，orthepsychicalimpulsebegan？Howshallowwerethearbitrarydefinitionsofordinarypsychologists！Andyethowdifficulttodecidebetweentheclaimsofthevariousschools！Wasthesoulashadowseatedinthehouseofsin？Orwasthebodyreallyinthesoul，asGiordanoBrunothought？Theseparationofspiritfrommatterwasamystery，andtheunionofspiritwithmatterwasamysteryalso。

Hebegantowonderwhetherwecouldevermakepsychologysoabsoluteasciencethateachlittlespringoflifewouldberevealedtous。Asitwas，wealwaysmisunderstoodourselvesandrarelyunderstoodothers。Experiencewasofnoethicalvalue。Itwasmerelythenamemengavetotheirmistakes。

Moralistshad，asarule，regardeditasamodeofwarning，hadclaimedforitacertainethicalefficacyintheformationofcharacter，hadpraiseditassomethingthattaughtuswhattofollowandshoweduswhattoavoid。

Buttherewasnomotivepowerinexperience。Itwasaslittleofanactivecauseasconscienceitself。Allthatitreallydemonstratedwasthatourfuturewouldbethesameasourpast，andthatthesinwehaddoneonce，andwithloathing，wewoulddomanytimes，andwithjoy。

Itwascleartohimthattheexperimentalmethodwastheonlymethodbywhichonecouldarriveatanyscientificanalysisofthepassions。

andcertainlyDorianGraywasasubjectmadetohishand，andseemedtopromiserichandfruitfulresults。HissuddenmadloveforSibylVanewasapsychologicalphenomenonofnosmallinterest。Therewasnodoubtthatcuriosityhadmuchtodowithit，curiosityandthedesirefornewexperiences，yetitwasnotasimple，butratheraverycomplexpassion。Whattherewasinitofthepurelysensuousinstinctofboyhoodhadbeentransformedbytheworkingsoftheimagination，changedintosomethingthatseemedtotheladhimselftoberemotefromsense，andwasforthatveryreasonallthemoredangerous。Itwasthepassionsaboutwhoseoriginwedeceivedourselvesthattyrannizedmoststronglyoverus。Ourweakestmotiveswerethoseofwhosenaturewewereconscious。Itoftenhappenedthatwhenwethoughtwewereexperimentingonotherswewerereallyexperimentingonourselves。

WhileLordHenrysatdreamingonthesethings，aknockcametothedoor，andhisvaletenteredandremindedhimitwastimetodressfordinner。Hegotupandlookedoutintothestreet。Thesunsethadsmittenintoscarletgoldtheupperwindowsofthehousesopposite。Thepanesglowedlikeplatesofheatedmetal。Theskyabovewaslikeafadedrose。Hethoughtofhisfriend’syoungfiery-colouredlifeandwonderedhowitwasallgoingtoend。

Whenhearrivedhome，abouthalf-pasttwelveo’clock，hesawatelegramlyingonthehalltable。HeopeneditandfounditwasfromDorianGray。ItwastotellhimthathewasengagedtobemarriedtoSibylVane。

ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter5Chapter5Mother，Mother，Iamsohappy！whisperedthegirl，buryingherfaceinthelapofthefaded，tired-lookingwomanwho，withbackturnedtotheshrillintrusivelight，wassittingintheonearm-chairthattheirdingysitting-roomcontained。Iamsohappy！sherepeated，andyoumustbehappy，too！

Mrs。Vanewincedandputherthin，bismuth-whitenedhandsonherdaughter’shead。Happy！sheechoed，Iamonlyhappy，Sibyl，whenIseeyouact。Youmustnotthinkofanythingbutyouracting。Mr。Isaacshasbeenverygoodtous，andweowehimmoney。

Thegirllookedupandpouted。Money，Mother？shecried，whatdoesmoneymatter？Loveismorethanmoney。

Mr。IsaacshasadvancedusfiftypoundstopayoffourdebtsandtogetaproperoutfitforJames。Youmustnotforgetthat，Sibyl。

Fiftypoundsisaverylargesum。Mr。Isaacshasbeenmostconsiderate。

Heisnotagentleman，Mother，andIhatethewayhetalkstome，saidthegirl，risingtoherfeetandgoingovertothewindow。

Idon’tknowhowwecouldmanagewithouthim，answeredtheelderwomanquerulously。

SibylVanetossedherheadandlaughed。Wedon’twanthimanymore，Mother。PrinceCharmingruleslifeforusnow。Thenshepaused。

Aroseshookinherbloodandshadowedhercheeks。Quickbreathpartedthepetalsofherlips。Theytrembled。Somesouthernwindofpassionsweptoverherandstirredthedaintyfoldsofherdress。Ilovehim，shesaidsimply。

Foolishchild！foolishchild！wastheparrot-phraseflunginanswer。Thewavingofcrooked，false-jewelledfingersgavegrotesquenesstothewords。

Thegirllaughedagain。Thejoyofacagedbirdwasinhervoice。

Hereyescaughtthemelodyandechoeditinradiance，thenclosedforamoment，asthoughtohidetheirsecret。Whentheyopened，themistofadreamhadpassedacrossthem。

Thin-lippedwisdomspokeatherfromthewornchair，hintedatprudence，quotedfromthatbookofcowardicewhoseauthorapesthenameofcommonsense。Shedidnotlisten。Shewasfreeinherprisonofpassion。

Herprince，PrinceCharming，waswithher。Shehadcalledonmemorytoremakehim。Shehadsenthersoultosearchforhim，andithadbroughthimback。Hiskissburnedagainuponhermouth。Hereyelidswerewarmwithhisbreath。

Thenwisdomaltereditsmethodandspokeofespialanddiscovery。

Thisyoungmanmightberich。Ifso，marriageshouldbethoughtof。Againsttheshellofherearbrokethewavesofworldlycunning。Thearrowsofcraftshotbyher。Shesawthethinlipsmoving，andsmiled。