第3章

Suddenlyshefelttheneedtospeak。Thewordysilencetroubledher。Mother，Mother，shecried，whydoeshelovemesomuch？IknowwhyIlovehim。Ilovehimbecauseheislikewhatlovehimselfshouldbe。Butwhatdoesheseeinme？Iamnotworthyofhim。Andyet——why，I

cannottell——thoughIfeelsomuchbeneathhim，Idon’tfeelhumble。I

feelproud，terriblyproud。Mother，didyoulovemyfatherasIlovePrinceCharming？

Theelderwomangrewpalebeneaththecoarsepowderthatdaubedhercheeks，andherdrylipstwitchedwithaspasmofpain。Sybilrushedtoher，flungherarmsroundherneck，andkissedher。Forgiveme，Mother。

Iknowitpainsyoutotalkaboutourfather。Butitonlypainsyoubecauseyoulovedhimsomuch。Don’tlooksosad。Iamashappyto-dayasyouweretwentyyearsago。Ah！letmebehappyforever！

Mychild，youarefartooyoungtothinkoffallinginlove。

Besides，whatdoyouknowofthisyoungman？Youdon’tevenknowhisname。

Thewholethingismostinconvenient，andreally，whenJamesisgoingawaytoAustralia，andIhavesomuchtothinkof，Imustsaythatyoushouldhaveshownmoreconsideration。However，asIsaidbefore，ifheisrich……

Ah！Mother，Mother，letmebehappy！

Mrs。Vaneglancedather，andwithoneofthosefalsetheatricalgesturesthatsooftenbecomeamodeofsecondnaturetoastage-player，claspedherinherarms。Atthismoment，thedooropenedandayoungladwithroughbrownhaircameintotheroom。Hewasthick-setoffigure，andhishandsandfeetwerelargeandsomewhatclumsyinmovement。Hewasnotsofinelybredashissister。Onewouldhardlyhaveguessedthecloserelationshipthatexistedbetweenthem。Mrs。Vanefixedhereyesonhimandintensifiedhersmile。Shementallyelevatedhersontothedignityofanaudience。

Shefeltsurethatthetableauwasinteresting。

Youmightkeepsomeofyourkissesforme，Sibyl，Ithink，saidtheladwithagood-naturedgrumble。

Ah！butyoudon’tlikebeingkissed，Jim，shecried。Youareadreadfuloldbear。Andsheranacrosstheroomandhuggedhim。

JamesVanelookedintohissister’sfacewithtenderness。Iwantyoutocomeoutwithmeforawalk，Sibyl。Idon’tsupposeIshalleverseethishorridLondonagain。IamsureIdon’twantto。

Myson，don’tsaysuchdreadfulthings，murmuredMrs。Vane，takingupatawdrytheatricaldress，withasigh，andbeginningtopatchit。Shefeltalittledisappointedthathehadnotjoinedthegroup。Itwouldhaveincreasedthetheatricalpicturesquenessofthesituation。

Whynot，Mother？Imeanit。

Youpainme，myson。ItrustyouwillreturnfromAustraliainapositionofaffluence。IbelievethereisnosocietyofanykindintheColonies——nothingthatIwouldcallsociety——sowhenyouhavemadeyourfortune，youmustcomebackandassertyourselfinLondon。

Society！mutteredthelad。Idon’twanttoknowanythingaboutthat。IshouldliketomakesomemoneytotakeyouandSibyloffthestage。

Ihateit。

Oh，Jim！saidSibyl，laughing，howunkindofyou！Butareyoureallygoingforawalkwithme？Thatwillbenice！Iwasafraidyouweregoingtosaygood-byetosomeofyourfriends——toTomHardy，whogaveyouthathideouspipe，orNedLangton，whomakesfunofyouforsmokingit。Itisverysweetofyoutoletmehaveyourlastafternoon。Whereshallwego？Letusgotothepark。

Iamtooshabby，heanswered，frowning。Onlyswellpeoplegotothepark。

Nonsense，Jim，shewhispered，strokingthesleeveofhiscoat。

Hehesitatedforamoment。Verywell，hesaidatlast，butdon’tbetoolongdressing。Shedancedoutofthedoor。Onecouldhearhersingingassheranupstairs。Herlittlefeetpatteredoverhead。

Hewalkedupanddowntheroomtwoorthreetimes。Thenheturnedtothestillfigureinthechair。Mother，aremythingsready？heasked。

Quiteready，James，sheanswered，keepinghereyesonherwork。

Forsomemonthspastshehadfeltillateasewhenshewasalonewiththisroughsternsonofhers。Hershallowsecretnaturewastroubledwhentheireyesmet。Sheusedtowonderifhesuspectedanything。Thesilence，forhemadenootherobservation，becameintolerabletoher。Shebegantocomplain。

Womendefendthemselvesbyattacking，justastheyattackbysuddenandstrangesurrenders。Ihopeyouwillbecontented，James，withyoursea-faringlife，shesaid。Youmustrememberthatitisyourownchoice。Youmighthaveenteredasolicitor’soffice。Solicitorsareaveryrespectableclass，andinthecountryoftendinewiththebestfamilies。

Ihateoffices，andIhateclerks，hereplied。Butyouarequiteright。Ihavechosenmyownlife。AllIsayis，watchoverSibyl。

Don’tlethercometoanyharm。Mother，youmustwatchoverher。

James，youreallytalkverystrangely。OfcourseIwatchoverSibyl。

Ihearagentlemancomeseverynighttothetheatreandgoesbehindtotalktoher。Isthatright？Whataboutthat？

Youarespeakingaboutthingsyoudon’tunderstand，James。Intheprofessionweareaccustomedtoreceiveagreatdealofmostgratifyingattention。Imyselfusedtoreceivemanybouquetsatonetime。Thatwaswhenactingwasreallyunderstood。AsforSibyl，Idonotknowatpresentwhetherherattachmentisseriousornot。Butthereisnodoubtthattheyoungmaninquestionisaperfectgentleman。Heisalwaysmostpolitetome。Besides，hehastheappearanceofbeingrich，andtheflowershesendsarelovely。

Youdon’tknowhisname，though，saidtheladharshly。

No，answeredhismotherwithaplacidexpressioninherface。

Hehasnotyetrevealedhisrealname。Ithinkitisquiteromanticofhim。Heisprobablyamemberofthearistocracy。

JamesVanebithislip。WatchoverSibyl，Mother，hecried，watchoverher。

Myson，youdistressmeverymuch。Sibylisalwaysundermyspecialcare。Ofcourse，ifthisgentlemaniswealthy，thereisnoreasonwhysheshouldnotcontractanalliancewithhim。Itrustheisoneofthearistocracy。

Hehasalltheappearanceofit，Imustsay。ItmightbeamostbrilliantmarriageforSibyl。Theywouldmakeacharmingcouple。Hisgoodlooksarereallyquiteremarkable。everybodynoticesthem。

Theladmutteredsomethingtohimselfanddrummedonthewindow-panewithhiscoarsefingers。HehadjustturnedroundtosaysomethingwhenthedooropenedandSibylranin。

Howseriousyoubothare！shecried。Whatisthematter？

Nothing，heanswered。Isupposeonemustbeserioussometimes。

Good-bye，Mother。Iwillhavemydinneratfiveo’clock。Everythingispacked，exceptmyshirts，soyouneednottrouble。

Good-bye，myson，sheansweredwithabowofstrainedstateliness。

Shewasextremelyannoyedatthetonehehadadoptedwithher，andtherewassomethinginhislookthathadmadeherfeelafraid。

Kissme，Mother，saidthegirl。Herflowerlikelipstouchedthewitheredcheekandwarmeditsfrost。

Mychild！mychild！criedMrs。Vane，lookinguptotheceilinginsearchofanimaginarygallery。

Come，Sibyl，saidherbrotherimpatiently。Hehatedhismother’saffectations。

Theywentoutintotheflickering，wind-blownsunlightandstrolleddownthedrearyEustonRoad。Thepassersbyglancedinwonderatthesullenheavyyouthwho，incoarse，ill-fittingclothes，wasinthecompanyofsuchagraceful，refined-lookinggirl。Hewaslikeacommongardenerwalkingwitharose。

Jimfrownedfromtimetotimewhenhecaughttheinquisitiveglanceofsomestranger。Hehadthatdislikeofbeingstaredat，whichcomesongeniuseslateinlifeandneverleavesthecommonplace。Sibyl，however，wasquiteunconsciousoftheeffectshewasproducing。Herlovewastremblinginlaughteronherlips。ShewasthinkingofPrinceCharming，and，thatshemightthinkofhimallthemore，shedidnottalkofhim，butprattledonabouttheshipinwhichJimwasgoingtosail，aboutthegoldhewascertaintofind，aboutthewonderfulheiresswhoselifehewastosavefromthewicked，red-shirtedbushrangers。Forhewasnottoremainasailor，orasupercargo，orwhateverhewasgoingtobe。Oh，no！Asailor’sexistencewasdreadful。Fancybeingcoopedupinahorridship，withthehoarse，hump-backedwavestryingtogetin，andablackwindblowingthemastsdownandtearingthesailsintolongscreamingribands！HewastoleavethevesselatMelbourne，bidapolitegood-byetothecaptain，andgooffatoncetothegold-fields。Beforeaweekwasoverhewastocomeacrossalargenuggetofpuregold，thelargestnuggetthathadeverbeendiscovered，andbringitdowntothecoastinawaggonguardedbysixmountedpolicemen。

Thebushrangersweretoattackthemthreetimes，andbedefeatedwithimmenseslaughter。Or，no。Hewasnottogotothegold-fieldsatall。Theywerehorridplaces，wheremengotintoxicated，andshoteachotherinbar-rooms，andusedbadlanguage。Hewastobeanicesheep-farmer，andoneevening，ashewasridinghome，hewastoseethebeautifulheiressbeingcarriedoffbyarobberonablackhorse，andgivechase，andrescueher。Ofcourse，shewouldfallinlovewithhim，andhewithher，andtheywouldgetmarried，andcomehome，andliveinanimmensehouseinLondon。Yes，thereweredelightfulthingsinstoreforhim。Buthemustbeverygood，andnotlosehistemper，orspendhismoneyfoolishly。Shewasonlyayearolderthanhewas，butsheknewsomuchmoreoflife。Hemustbesure，also，towritetoherbyeverymail，andtosayhisprayerseachnightbeforehewenttosleep。Godwasverygood，andwouldwatchoverhim。Shewouldprayforhim，too，andinafewyearshewouldcomebackquiterichandhappy。

Theladlistenedsulkilytoherandmadenoanswer。Hewasheart-sickatleavinghome。

Yetitwasnotthisalonethatmadehimgloomyandmorose。Inexperiencedthoughhewas，hehadstillastrongsenseofthedangerofSibyl’sposition。

Thisyoungdandywhowasmakinglovetohercouldmeanhernogood。Hewasagentleman，andhehatedhimforthat，hatedhimthroughsomecuriousrace-instinctforwhichhecouldnotaccount，andwhichforthatreasonwasallthemoredominantwithinhim。Hewasconsciousalsooftheshallownessandvanityofhismother’snature，andinthatsawinfiniteperilforSibylandSibyl’shappiness。Childrenbeginbylovingtheirparents。astheygrowoldertheyjudgethem。sometimestheyforgivethem。

Hismother！Hehadsomethingonhismindtoaskofher，somethingthathehadbroodedonformanymonthsofsilence。Achancephrasethathehadheardatthetheatre，awhisperedsneerthathadreachedhisearsonenightashewaitedatthestage-door，hadsetlooseatrainofhorriblethoughts。Heremembereditasifithadbeenthelashofahunting-cropacrosshisface。Hisbrowsknittogetherintoawedgelikefurrow，andwithatwitchofpainhebithisunderlip。

YouarenotlisteningtoawordIamsaying，Jim，criedSibyl，andIammakingthemostdelightfulplansforyourfuture。Dosaysomething。

Whatdoyouwantmetosay？

Oh！thatyouwillbeagoodboyandnotforgetus，sheanswered，smilingathim。

Heshruggedhisshoulders。YouaremorelikelytoforgetmethanIamtoforgetyou，Sibyl。

Sheflushed。Whatdoyoumean，Jim？sheasked。

Youhaveanewfriend，Ihear。Whoishe？Whyhaveyounottoldmeabouthim？Hemeansyounogood。

Stop，Jim！sheexclaimed。Youmustnotsayanythingagainsthim。Ilovehim。

Why，youdon’tevenknowhisname，answeredthelad。Whoishe？Ihavearighttoknow。

HeiscalledPrinceCharming。Don’tyoulikethename。Oh！yousillyboy！youshouldneverforgetit。Ifyouonlysawhim，youwouldthinkhimthemostwonderfulpersonintheworld。Somedayyouwillmeethim——whenyoucomebackfromAustralia。Youwilllikehimsomuch。Everybodylikeshim，andI……lovehim。Iwishyoucouldcometothetheatreto-night。

Heisgoingtobethere，andIamtoplayJuliet。Oh！howIshallplayit！Fancy，Jim，tobeinloveandplayJuliet！Tohavehimsittingthere！

Toplayforhisdelight！IamafraidImayfrightenthecompany，frightenorenthrallthem。Tobeinloveistosurpassone’sself。PoordreadfulMr。Isaacswillbeshouting’genius’tohisloafersatthebar。Hehaspreachedmeasadogma。to-nighthewillannouncemeasarevelation。I

feelit。Anditisallhis，hisonly，PrinceCharming，mywonderfullover，mygodofgraces。ButIampoorbesidehim。Poor？Whatdoesthatmatter？

Whenpovertycreepsinatthedoor，lovefliesinthroughthewindow。Ourproverbswantrewriting。Theyweremadeinwinter，anditissummernow。

spring-timeforme，Ithink，averydanceofblossomsinblueskies。

Heisagentleman，saidtheladsullenly。

Aprince！shecriedmusically。Whatmoredoyouwant？

Hewantstoenslaveyou。

Ishudderatthethoughtofbeingfree。

Iwantyoutobewareofhim。

Toseehimistoworshiphim。toknowhimistotrusthim。

Sibyl，youaremadabouthim。

Shelaughedandtookhisarm。YoudearoldJim，youtalkasifyouwereahundred。Somedayyouwillbeinloveyourself。Thenyouwillknowwhatitis。Don’tlooksosulky。Surelyyoushouldbegladtothinkthat，thoughyouaregoingaway，youleavemehappierthanIhaveeverbeenbefore。Lifehasbeenhardforusboth，terriblyhardanddifficult。

Butitwillbedifferentnow。Youaregoingtoanewworld，andIhavefoundone。Herearetwochairs。letussitdownandseethesmartpeoplegoby。

Theytooktheirseatsamidstacrowdofwatchers。Thetulip-bedsacrosstheroadflamedlikethrobbingringsoffire。Awhitedust——tremulouscloudoforris-rootitseemed——hunginthepantingair。Thebrightlycolouredparasolsdancedanddippedlikemonstrousbutterflies。

Shemadeherbrothertalkofhimself，hishopes，hisprospects。

Hespokeslowlyandwitheffort。Theypassedwordstoeachotherasplayersatagamepasscounters。Sibylfeltoppressed。Shecouldnotcommunicateherjoy。Afaintsmilecurvingthatsullenmouthwasalltheechoshecouldwin。Aftersometimeshebecamesilent。Suddenlyshecaughtaglimpseofgoldenhairandlaughinglips，andinanopencarriagewithtwoladiesDorianGraydrovepast。

Shestartedtoherfeet。Thereheis！shecried。

Who？saidJimVane。

PrinceCharming，sheanswered，lookingafterthevictoria。

Hejumpedupandseizedherroughlybythearm。Showhimtome。

Whichishe？Pointhimout。Imustseehim！heexclaimed。butatthatmomenttheDukeofBerwick’sfour-in-handcamebetween，andwhenithadleftthespaceclear，thecarriagehadsweptoutofthepark。

Heisgone，murmuredSibylsadly。Iwishyouhadseenhim。

IwishIhad，forassureasthereisaGodinheaven，ifheeverdoesyouanywrong，Ishallkillhim。

Shelookedathiminhorror。Herepeatedhiswords。Theycuttheairlikeadagger。Thepeopleroundbegantogape。Aladystandingclosetohertittered。

Comeaway，Jim。comeaway，shewhispered。Hefollowedherdoggedlyasshepassedthroughthecrowd。Hefeltgladatwhathehadsaid。

WhentheyreachedtheAchillesStatue，sheturnedround。Therewaspityinhereyesthatbecamelaughteronherlips。Sheshookherheadathim。Youarefoolish，Jim，utterlyfoolish。abad-temperedboy，thatisall。Howcanyousaysuchhorriblethings？Youdon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout。Youaresimplyjealousandunkind。Ah！Iwishyouwouldfallinlove。Lovemakespeoplegood，andwhatyousaidwaswicked。

Iamsixteen，heanswered，andIknowwhatIamabout。Motherisnohelptoyou。Shedoesn’tunderstandhowtolookafteryou。IwishnowthatIwasnotgoingtoAustraliaatall。Ihaveagreatmindtochuckthewholethingup。Iwould，ifmyarticleshadn’tbeensigned。

Oh，don’tbesoserious，Jim。YouarelikeoneoftheheroesofthosesillymelodramasMotherusedtobesofondofactingin。Iamnotgoingtoquarrelwithyou。Ihaveseenhim，andoh！toseehimisperfecthappiness。Wewon’tquarrel。IknowyouwouldneverharmanyoneIlove，wouldyou？

Notaslongasyoulovehim，Isuppose，wasthesullenanswer。

Ishalllovehimforever！shecried。

Andhe？

Forever，too！

Hehadbetter。

Sheshrankfromhim。Thenshelaughedandputherhandonhisarm。Hewasmerelyaboy。

AttheMarbleArchtheyhailedanomnibus，whichleftthemclosetotheirshabbyhomeintheEustonRoad。Itwasafterfiveo’clock，andSibylhadtoliedownforacoupleofhoursbeforeacting。Jiminsistedthatsheshoulddoso。Hesaidthathewouldsoonerpartwithherwhentheirmotherwasnotpresent。Shewouldbesuretomakeascene，andhedetestedscenesofeverykind。

InSybil’sownroomtheyparted。Therewasjealousyinthelad’sheart，andafiercemurderoushatredofthestrangerwho，asitseemedtohim，hadcomebetweenthem。Yet，whenherarmswereflungroundhisneck，andherfingersstrayedthroughhishair，hesoftenedandkissedherwithrealaffection。Thereweretearsinhiseyesashewentdownstairs。

Hismotherwaswaitingforhimbelow。Shegrumbledathisunpunctuality，asheentered。Hemadenoanswer，butsatdowntohismeagremeal。Thefliesbuzzedroundthetableandcrawledoverthestainedcloth。Throughtherumbleofomnibuses，andtheclatterofstreet-cabs，hecouldhearthedroningvoicedevouringeachminutethatwaslefttohim。

Aftersometime，hethrustawayhisplateandputhisheadinhishands。Hefeltthathehadarighttoknow。Itshouldhavebeentoldtohimbefore，ifitwasashesuspected。Leadenwithfear，hismotherwatchedhim。Wordsdroppedmechanicallyfromherlips。Atatteredlacehandkerchieftwitchedinherfingers。Whentheclockstrucksix，hegotupandwenttothedoor。Thenheturnedbackandlookedather。Theireyesmet。Inhershesawawildappealformercy。Itenragedhim。

Mother，Ihavesomethingtoaskyou，hesaid。Hereyeswanderedvaguelyabouttheroom。Shemadenoanswer。Tellmethetruth。Ihavearighttoknow。Wereyoumarriedtomyfather？

Sheheavedadeepsigh。Itwasasighofrelief。Theterriblemoment，themomentthatnightandday，forweeksandmonths，shehaddreaded，hadcomeatlast，andyetshefeltnoterror。Indeed，insomemeasureitwasadisappointmenttoher。Thevulgardirectnessofthequestioncalledforadirectanswer。Thesituationhadnotbeengraduallyledupto。Itwascrude。Itremindedherofabadrehearsal。

No，sheanswered，wonderingattheharshsimplicityoflife。

Myfatherwasascoundrelthen！criedthelad，clenchinghisfists。

Sheshookherhead。Iknewhewasnotfree。Welovedeachotherverymuch。Ifhehadlived，hewouldhavemadeprovisionforus。Don’tspeakagainsthim，myson。Hewasyourfather，andagentleman。Indeed，hewashighlyconnected。

Anoathbrokefromhislips。Idon’tcareformyself，heexclaimed，butdon’tletSibyl……Itisagentleman，isn’tit，whoisinlovewithher，orsaysheis？Highlyconnected，too，Isuppose。

Foramomentahideoussenseofhumiliationcameoverthewoman。

Herheaddrooped。Shewipedhereyeswithshakinghands。Sibylhasamother，

shemurmured。Ihadnone。

Theladwastouched。Hewenttowardsher，andstoopingdown，hekissedher。IamsorryifIhavepainedyoubyaskingaboutmyfather，

hesaid，butIcouldnothelpit。Imustgonow。Good-bye。Don’tforgetthatyouwillhaveonlyonechildnowtolookafter，andbelievemethatifthismanwrongsmysister，Iwillfindoutwhoheis，trackhimdown，andkillhimlikeadog。Iswearit。

Theexaggeratedfollyofthethreat，thepassionategesturethataccompaniedit，themadmelodramaticwords，madelifeseemmorevividtoher。Shewasfamiliarwiththeatmosphere。Shebreathedmorefreely，andforthefirsttimeformanymonthsshereallyadmiredherson。Shewouldhavelikedtohavecontinuedthesceneonthesameemotionalscale，buthecuthershort。Trunkshadtobecarrieddownandmufflerslookedfor。

Thelodging-housedrudgebustledinandout。Therewasthebargainingwiththecabman。Themomentwaslostinvulgardetails。Itwaswitharenewedfeelingofdisappointmentthatshewavedthetatteredlacehandkerchieffromthewindow，ashersondroveaway。Shewasconsciousthatagreatopportunityhadbeenwasted。SheconsoledherselfbytellingSibylhowdesolateshefeltherlifewouldbe，nowthatshehadonlyonechildtolookafter。Sherememberedthephrase。Ithadpleasedher。Ofthethreatshesaidnothing。Itwasvividlyanddramaticallyexpressed。Shefeltthattheywouldalllaughatitsomeday。

ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter6Chapter6Isupposeyouhaveheardthenews，Basil？saidLordHenrythateveningasHallwardwasshownintoalittleprivateroomattheBristolwheredinnerhadbeenlaidforthree。

No，Harry，answeredtheartist，givinghishatandcoattothebowingwaiter。Whatisit？Nothingaboutpolitics，Ihope！Theydon’tinterestme。ThereishardlyasinglepersonintheHouseofCommonsworthpainting，thoughmanyofthemwouldbethebetterforalittlewhitewashing。

DorianGrayisengagedtobemarried，saidLordHenry，watchinghimashespoke。

Hallwardstartedandthenfrowned。Dorianengagedtobemarried！

hecried。Impossible！

Itisperfectlytrue。

Towhom？

Tosomelittleactressorother。

Ican’tbelieveit。Dorianisfartoosensible。

Dorianisfartoowisenottodofoolishthingsnowandthen，mydearBasil。

Marriageishardlyathingthatonecandonowandthen，Harry。

ExceptinAmerica，rejoinedLordHenrylanguidly。ButIdidn’tsayhewasmarried。Isaidhewasengagedtobemarried。Thereisagreatdifference。Ihaveadistinctremembranceofbeingmarried，butIhavenorecollectionatallofbeingengaged。IaminclinedtothinkthatI

neverwasengaged。

ButthinkofDorian’sbirth，andposition，andwealth。Itwouldbeabsurdforhimtomarrysomuchbeneathhim。

Ifyouwanttomakehimmarrythisgirl，tellhimthat，Basil。

Heissuretodoit，then。Wheneveramandoesathoroughlystupidthing，itisalwaysfromthenoblestmotives。

Ihopethegirlisgood，Harry。Idon’twanttoseeDoriantiedtosomevilecreature，whomightdegradehisnatureandruinhisintellect。

Oh，sheisbetterthangood——sheisbeautiful，murmuredLordHenry，sippingaglassofvermouthandorange-bitters。Doriansayssheisbeautiful，andheisnotoftenwrongaboutthingsofthatkind。Yourportraitofhimhasquickenedhisappreciationofthepersonalappearanceofotherpeople。Ithashadthatexcellenteffect，amongstothers。Wearetoseeherto-night，ifthatboydoesn’tforgethisappointment。

Areyouserious？

Quiteserious，Basil。IshouldbemiserableifIthoughtIshouldeverbemoreseriousthanIamatthepresentmoment。

Butdoyouapproveofit，Harry？askedthepainter，walkingupanddowntheroomandbitinghislip。Youcan’tapproveofit，possibly。

Itissomesillyinfatuation。

Ineverapprove，ordisapprove，ofanythingnow。Itisanabsurdattitudetotaketowardslife。Wearenotsentintotheworldtoairourmoralprejudices。Inevertakeanynoticeofwhatcommonpeoplesay，andIneverinterferewithwhatcharmingpeopledo。Ifapersonalityfascinatesme，whatevermodeofexpressionthatpersonalityselectsisabsolutelydelightfultome。DorianGrayfallsinlovewithabeautifulgirlwhoactsJuliet，andproposestomarryher。Whynot？IfheweddedMessalina，hewouldbenonethelessinteresting。YouknowIamnotachampionofmarriage。

Therealdrawbacktomarriageisthatitmakesoneunselfish。Andunselfishpeoplearecolourless。Theylackindividuality。Still，therearecertaintemperamentsthatmarriagemakesmorecomplex。Theyretaintheiregotism，andaddtoitmanyotheregos。Theyareforcedtohavemorethanonelife。

Theybecomemorehighlyorganized，andtobehighlyorganizedis，Ishouldfancy，theobjectofman’sexistence。Besides，everyexperienceisofvalue，andwhateveronemaysayagainstmarriage，itiscertainlyanexperience。

IhopethatDorianGraywillmakethisgirlhiswife，passionatelyadoreherforsixmonths，andthensuddenlybecomefascinatedbysomeoneelse。

Hewouldbeawonderfulstudy。

Youdon’tmeanasinglewordofallthat，Harry。youknowyoudon’t。IfDorianGray’slifewerespoiled，noonewouldbesorrierthanyourself。Youaremuchbetterthanyoupretendtobe。

LordHenrylaughed。Thereasonweallliketothinksowellofothersisthatweareallafraidforourselves。Thebasisofoptimismissheerterror。Wethinkthatwearegenerousbecausewecreditourneighbourwiththepossessionofthosevirtuesthatarelikelytobeabenefittous。Wepraisethebankerthatwemayoverdrawouraccount，andfindgoodqualitiesinthehighwaymaninthehopethathemayspareourpockets。

ImeaneverythingthatIhavesaid。Ihavethegreatestcontemptforoptimism。

Asforaspoiledlife，nolifeisspoiledbutonewhosegrowthisarrested。

Ifyouwanttomaranature，youhavemerelytoreformit。Asformarriage，ofcoursethatwouldbesilly，butthereareotherandmoreinterestingbondsbetweenmenandwomen。Iwillcertainlyencouragethem。Theyhavethecharmofbeingfashionable。ButhereisDorianhimself。HewilltellyoumorethanIcan。

MydearHarry，mydearBasil，youmustbothcongratulateme！

saidthelad，throwingoffhiseveningcapewithitssatin-linedwingsandshakingeachofhisfriendsbythehandinturn。Ihaveneverbeensohappy。Ofcourse，itissudden——allreallydelightfulthingsare。AndyetitseemstometobetheonethingIhavebeenlookingforallmylife。

Hewasflushedwithexcitementandpleasure，andlookedextraordinarilyhandsome。

Ihopeyouwillalwaysbeveryhappy，Dorian，saidHallward，butIdon’tquiteforgiveyoufornothavingletmeknowofyourengagement。

YouletHarryknow。

AndIdon’tforgiveyouforbeinglatefordinner，brokeinLordHenry，puttinghishandonthelad’sshoulderandsmilingashespoke。

Come，letussitdownandtrywhatthenewchefhereislike，andthenyouwilltellushowitallcameabout。

Thereisreallynotmuchtotell，criedDorianastheytooktheirseatsatthesmallroundtable。Whathappenedwassimplythis。AfterIleftyouyesterdayevening，Harry，Idressed，hadsomedinneratthatlittleItalianrestaurantinRupertStreetyouintroducedmeto，andwentdownateighto’clocktothetheatre。SibylwasplayingRosalind。Ofcourse，thescenerywasdreadfulandtheOrlandoabsurd。ButSibyl！Youshouldhaveseenher！Whenshecameoninherboy’sclothes，shewasperfectlywonderful。Sheworeamoss-colouredvelvetjerkinwithcinnamonsleeves，slim，brown，cross-garteredhose，adaintylittlegreencapwithahawk’sfeathercaughtinajewel，andahoodedcloaklinedwithdullred。Shehadneverseemedtomemoreexquisite。ShehadallthedelicategraceofthatTanagrafigurinethatyouhaveinyourstudio，Basil。Herhairclusteredroundherfacelikedarkleavesroundapalerose。Asforheracting——well，youshallseeherto-night。Sheissimplyabornartist。Isatinthedingyboxabsolutelyenthralled。IforgotthatIwasinLondonandinthenineteenthcentury。Iwasawaywithmyloveinaforestthatnomanhadeverseen。

Aftertheperformancewasover，Iwentbehindandspoketoher。Asweweresittingtogether，suddenlytherecameintohereyesalookthatIhadneverseentherebefore。Mylipsmovedtowardshers。Wekissedeachother。I

can’tdescribetoyouwhatIfeltatthatmoment。Itseemedtomethatallmylifehadbeennarrowedtooneperfectpointofrose-colouredjoy。

Shetrembledalloverandshooklikeawhitenarcissus。Thensheflungherselfonherkneesandkissedmyhands。IfeelthatIshouldnottellyouallthis，butIcan’thelpit。Ofcourse，ourengagementisadeadsecret。Shehasnoteventoldherownmother。Idon’tknowwhatmyguardianswillsay。LordRadleyissuretobefurious。Idon’tcare。Ishallbeofageinlessthanayear，andthenIcandowhatIlike。Ihavebeenright，Basil，haven’tI，totakemyloveoutofpoetryandtofindmywifeinShakespeare’splays？LipsthatShakespearetaughttospeakhavewhisperedtheirsecretinmyear。IhavehadthearmsofRosalindaroundme，andkissedJulietonthemouth。

Yes，Dorian，Isupposeyouwereright，saidHallwardslowly。

Haveyouseenherto-day？askedLordHenry。

DorianGrayshookhishead。IleftherintheforestofArden。

IshallfindherinanorchardinVerona。

LordHenrysippedhischampagneinameditativemanner。Atwhatparticularpointdidyoumentionthewordmarriage，Dorian？Andwhatdidshesayinanswer？Perhapsyouforgotallaboutit。

MydearHarry，Ididnottreatitasabusinesstransaction，andIdidnotmakeanyformalproposal。ItoldherthatIlovedher，andshesaidshewasnotworthytobemywife。Notworthy！Why，thewholeworldisnothingtomecomparedwithher。

Womenarewonderfullypractical，murmuredLordHenry，muchmorepracticalthanweare。Insituationsofthatkindweoftenforgettosayanythingaboutmarriage，andtheyalwaysremindus。

Hallwardlaidhishanduponhisarm。Don’t，Harry。YouhaveannoyedDorian。Heisnotlikeothermen。Hewouldneverbringmiseryuponanyone。Hisnatureistoofineforthat。

LordHenrylookedacrossthetable。Dorianisneverannoyedwithme，beanswered。Iaskedthequestionforthebestreasonpossible，fortheonlyreason，indeed，thatexcusesoneforaskinganyquestion——simplecuriosity。Ihaveatheorythatitisalwaysthewomenwhoproposetous，andnotwewhoproposetothewomen。Except，ofcourse，inmiddle-classlife。Butthenthemiddleclassesarenotmodern。

DorianGraylaughed，andtossedhishead。Youarequiteincorrigible，Harry。butIdon’tmind。Itisimpossibletobeangrywithyou。WhenyouseeSibylVane，youwillfeelthatthemanwhocouldwrongherwouldbeabeast，abeastwithoutaheart。Icannotunderstandhowanyonecanwishtoshamethethingheloves。IloveSibylVane。Iwanttoplaceheronapedestalofgoldandtoseetheworldworshipthewomanwhoismine。

Whatismarriage？Anirrevocablevow。Youmockatitforthat。Ah！don’tmock。ItisanirrevocablevowthatIwanttotake。Hertrustmakesmefaithful，herbeliefmakesmegood。WhenIamwithher，Iregretallthatyouhavetaughtme。Ibecomedifferentfromwhatyouhaveknownmetobe。

Iamchanged，andthemeretouchofSibylVane’shandmakesmeforgetyouandallyourwrong，fascinating，poisonous，delightfultheories。

Andthoseare……？askedLordHenry，helpinghimselftosomesalad。

Oh，yourtheoriesaboutlife，yourtheoriesaboutlove，yourtheoriesaboutpleasure。Allyourtheories，infact，Harry。

Pleasureistheonlythingworthhavingatheoryabout，heansweredinhisslowmelodiousvoice。ButIamafraidIcannotclaimmytheoryasmyown。ItbelongstoNature，nottome。PleasureisNature’stest，hersignofapproval。Whenwearehappy，wearealwaysgood，butwhenwearegood，wearenotalwayshappy。

Ah！butwhatdoyoumeanbygood？criedBasilHallward。

Yes，echoedDorian，leaningbackinhischairandlookingatLordHenryovertheheavyclustersofpurple-lippedirisesthatstoodinthecentreofthetable，whatdoyoumeanbygood，Harry？

Tobegoodistobeinharmonywithone’sself，hereplied，touchingthethinstemofhisglasswithhispale，fine-pointedfingers。

Discordistobeforcedtobeinharmonywithothers。One’sownlife——thatistheimportantthing。Asforthelivesofone’sneighbours，ifonewishestobeaprigoraPuritan，onecanflauntone’smoralviewsaboutthem，buttheyarenotone’sconcern。Besides，individualismhasreallythehigheraim。Modernmoralityconsistsinacceptingthestandardofone’sage。I

considerthatforanymanofculturetoacceptthestandardofhisageisaformofthegrossestimmorality。

But，surely，ifonelivesmerelyforone’sself，Harry，onepaysaterriblepricefordoingso？suggestedthepainter。

Yes，weareoverchargedforeverythingnowadays。Ishouldfancythattherealtragedyofthepooristhattheycanaffordnothingbutself-denial。

Beautifulsins，likebeautifulthings，aretheprivilegeoftherich。

Onehastopayinotherwaysbutmoney。

Whatsortofways，Basil？

Oh！Ishouldfancyinremorse，insuffering，in……well，intheconsciousnessofdegradation。

LordHenryshruggedhisshoulders。Mydearfellow，mediaevalartischarming，butmediaevalemotionsareoutofdate。Onecanusetheminfiction，ofcourse。Butthentheonlythingsthatonecanuseinfictionarethethingsthatonehasceasedtouseinfact。Believeme，nocivilizedmaneverregretsapleasure，andnouncivilizedmaneverknowswhatapleasureis。

Iknowwhatpleasureis，criedDorianGray。Itistoadoresomeone。

Thatiscertainlybetterthanbeingadored，heanswered，toyingwithsomefruits。Beingadoredisanuisance。Womentreatusjustashumanitytreatsitsgods。Theyworshipus，andarealwaysbotheringustodosomethingforthem。

Ishouldhavesaidthatwhatevertheyaskfortheyhadfirstgiventous，murmuredtheladgravely。Theycreateloveinournatures。

Theyhavearighttodemanditback。

Thatisquitetrue，Dorian，criedHallward。

Nothingiseverquitetrue，saidLordHenry。

Thisis，interruptedDorian。Youmustadmit，Harry，thatwomengivetomentheverygoldoftheirlives。

Possibly，hesighed，buttheyinvariablywantitbackinsuchverysmallchange。Thatistheworry。Women，assomewittyFrenchmanonceputit，inspireuswiththedesiretodomasterpiecesandalwayspreventusfromcarryingthemout。

Harry，youaredreadful！Idon’tknowwhyIlikeyousomuch。

Youwillalwayslikeme，Dorian，hereplied。Willyouhavesomecoffee，youfellows？Waiter，bringcoffee，andfine-champagne，andsomecigarettes。No，don’tmindthecigarettes——Ihavesome。Basil，Ican’tallowyoutosmokecigars。Youmusthaveacigarette。Acigaretteistheperfecttypeofaperfectpleasure。Itisexquisite，anditleavesoneunsatisfied。Whatmorecanonewant？Yes，Dorian，youwillalwaysbefondofme。Irepresenttoyouallthesinsyouhaveneverhadthecouragetocommit。

Whatnonsenseyoutalk，Harry！criedthelad，takingalightfromafire-breathingsilverdragonthatthewaiterhadplacedonthetable。

Letusgodowntothetheatre。WhenSibylcomesonthestageyouwillhaveanewidealoflife。Shewillrepresentsomethingtoyouthatyouhaveneverknown。

Ihaveknowneverything，saidLordHenry，withatiredlookinhiseyes，butIamalwaysreadyforanewemotion。Iamafraid，however，that，formeatanyrate，thereisnosuchthing。Still，yourwonderfulgirlmaythrillme。Iloveacting。Itissomuchmorerealthanlife。Letusgo。Dorian，youwillcomewithme。Iamsosorry，Basil，butthereisonlyroomfortwointhebrougham。Youmustfollowusinahansom。

Theygotupandputontheircoats，sippingtheircoffeestanding。

Thepainterwassilentandpreoccupied。Therewasagloomoverhim。Hecouldnotbearthismarriage，andyetitseemedtohimtobebetterthanmanyotherthingsthatmighthavehappened。Afterafewminutes，theyallpasseddownstairs。Hedroveoffbyhimself，ashadbeenarranged，andwatchedtheflashinglightsofthelittlebroughaminfrontofhim。Astrangesenseoflosscameoverhim。HefeltthatDorianGraywouldneveragainbetohimallthathehadbeeninthepast。Lifehadcomebetweenthem……Hiseyesdarkened，andthecrowdedflaringstreetsbecameblurredtohiseyes。

Whenthecabdrewupatthetheatre，itseemedtohimthathehadgrownyearsolder。

ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter7Chapter7Forsomereasonorother，thehousewascrowdedthatnight，andthefatJewmanagerwhometthematthedoorwasbeamingfromeartoearwithanoilytremuloussmile。Heescortedthemtotheirboxwithasortofpompoushumility，wavinghisfatjewelledhandsandtalkingatthetopofhisvoice。

DorianGrayloathedhimmorethanever。HefeltasifhehadcometolookforMirandaandhadbeenmetbyCaliban。LordHenry，upontheotherhand，ratherlikedhim。Atleasthedeclaredhedid，andinsistedonshakinghimbythehandandassuringhimthathewasproudtomeetamanwhohaddiscoveredarealgeniusandgonebankruptoverapoet。Hallwardamusedhimselfwithwatchingthefacesinthepit。Theheatwasterriblyoppressive，andthehugesunlightflamedlikeamonstrousdahliawithpetalsofyellowfire。Theyouthsinthegalleryhadtakenofftheircoatsandwaistcoatsandhungthemovertheside。Theytalkedtoeachotheracrossthetheatreandsharedtheirorangeswiththetawdrygirlswhosatbesidethem。Somewomenwerelaughinginthepit。Theirvoiceswerehorriblyshrillanddiscordant。

Thesoundofthepoppingofcorkscamefromthebar。

Whataplacetofindone’sdivinityin！saidLordHenry。

Yes！answeredDorianGray。ItwashereIfoundher，andsheisdivinebeyondalllivingthings。Whensheacts，youwillforgeteverything。

Thesecommonroughpeople，withtheircoarsefacesandbrutalgestures，becomequitedifferentwhensheisonthestage。Theysitsilentlyandwatchher。Theyweepandlaughasshewillsthemtodo。Shemakesthemasresponsiveasaviolin。Shespiritualizesthem，andonefeelsthattheyareofthesamefleshandbloodasone’sself。

Thesamefleshandbloodasone’sself！Oh，Ihopenot！exclaimedLordHenry，whowasscanningtheoccupantsofthegallerythroughhisopera-glass。

Don’tpayanyattentiontohim，Dorian，saidthepainter。I

understandwhatyoumean，andIbelieveinthisgirl。Anyoneyoulovemustbemarvellous，andanygirlwhohastheeffectyoudescribemustbefineandnoble。Tospiritualizeone’sage——thatissomethingworthdoing。

Ifthisgirlcangiveasoultothosewhohavelivedwithoutone，ifshecancreatethesenseofbeautyinpeoplewhoseliveshavebeensordidandugly，ifshecanstripthemoftheirselfishnessandlendthemtearsforsorrowsthatarenottheirown，sheisworthyofallyouradoration，worthyoftheadorationoftheworld。Thismarriageisquiteright。Ididnotthinksoatfirst，butIadmititnow。ThegodsmadeSibylVaneforyou。

Withoutheryouwouldhavebeenincomplete。

Thanks，Basil，answeredDorianGray，pressinghishand。Iknewthatyouwouldunderstandme。Harryissocynical，heterrifiesme。Buthereistheorchestra。Itisquitedreadful，butitonlylastsforaboutfiveminutes。Thenthecurtainrises，andyouwillseethegirltowhomIamgoingtogiveallmylife，towhomIhavegiveneverythingthatisgoodinme。

Aquarterofanhourafterwards，amidstanextraordinaryturmoilofapplause，SibylVanesteppedontothestage。Yes，shewascertainlylovelytolookat——oneoftheloveliestcreatures，LordHenrythought，thathehadeverseen。Therewassomethingofthefawninhershygraceandstartledeyes。Afaintblush，liketheshadowofaroseinamirrorofsilver，cametohercheeksassheglancedatthecrowdedenthusiastichouse。Shesteppedbackafewpacesandherlipsseemedtotremble。BasilHallwardleapedtohisfeetandbegantoapplaud。Motionless，andasoneinadream，satDorianGray，gazingather。LordHenrypeeredthroughhisglasses，murmuring，Charming！charming！

ThescenewasthehallofCapulet’shouse，andRomeoinhispilgrim’sdresshadenteredwithMercutioandhisotherfriends。Theband，suchasitwas，struckupafewbarsofmusic，andthedancebegan。Throughthecrowdofungainly，shabbilydressedactors，SibylVanemovedlikeacreaturefromafinerworld。Herbodyswayed，whileshedanced，asaplantswaysinthewater。Thecurvesofherthroatwerethecurvesofawhitelily。

Herhandsseemedtobemadeofcoolivory。

Yetshewascuriouslylistless。SheshowednosignofjoywhenhereyesrestedonRomeo。Thefewwordsshehadtospeak——

Goodpilgrim，youdowrongyourhandtoomuch，Whichmannerlydevotionshowsinthis。Forsaintshavehandsthatpilgrims’handsdotouch，Andpalmtopalmisholypalmers’kiss——

withthebriefdialoguethatfollows，werespokeninathoroughlyartificialmanner。Thevoicewasexquisite，butfromthepointofviewoftoneitwasabsolutelyfalse。Itwaswrongincolour。Ittookawayallthelifefromtheverse。Itmadethepassionunreal。

DorianGraygrewpaleashewatchedher。Hewaspuzzledandanxious。

Neitherofhisfriendsdaredtosayanythingtohim。Sheseemedtothemtobeabsolutelyincompetent。Theywerehorriblydisappointed。

YettheyfeltthatthetruetestofanyJulietisthebalconysceneofthesecondact。Theywaitedforthat。Ifshefailedthere，therewasnothinginher。

Shelookedcharmingasshecameoutinthemoonlight。Thatcouldnotbedenied。Butthestaginessofheractingwasunbearable，andgrewworseasshewenton。Hergesturesbecameabsurdlyartificial。Sheoveremphasizedeverythingthatshehadtosay。Thebeautifulpassage——

Thouknowestthemaskofnightisonmyface，ElsewouldamaidenblushbepaintmycheekForthatwhichthouhastheardmespeakto-night——

wasdeclaimedwiththepainfulprecisionofaschoolgirlwhohasbeentaughttorecitebysomesecond-rateprofessorofelocution。Whensheleanedoverthebalconyandcametothosewonderfullines——

AlthoughIjoyinthee，Ihavenojoyofthiscontractto-night：Itistoorash，toounadvised，toosudden。Toolikethelightning，whichdothceasetobeEreonecansay，Itlightens。Sweet，good-night！Thisbudoflovebysummer’sripeningbreathMayproveabeauteousflowerwhennextwemeet——

shespokethewordsasthoughtheyconveyednomeaningtoher。Itwasnotnervousness。Indeed，sofarfrombeingnervous，shewasabsolutelyself-contained。Itwassimplybadart。Shewasacompletefailure。

Eventhecommonuneducatedaudienceofthepitandgallerylosttheirinterestintheplay。Theygotrestless，andbegantotalkloudlyandtowhistle。TheJewmanager，whowasstandingatthebackofthedress-circle，stampedandsworewithrage。Theonlypersonunmovedwasthegirlherself。

Whenthesecondactwasover，therecameastormofhisses，andLordHenrygotupfromhischairandputonhiscoat。Sheisquitebeautiful，Dorian，hesaid，butshecan’tact。Letusgo。

Iamgoingtoseetheplaythrough，answeredthelad，inahardbittervoice。IamawfullysorrythatIhavemadeyouwasteanevening，Harry。Iapologizetoyouboth。

MydearDorian，IshouldthinkMissVanewasill，interruptedHallward。Wewillcomesomeothernight。

Iwishshewereill，herejoined。Butsheseemstometobesimplycallousandcold。Shehasentirelyaltered。Lastnightshewasagreatartist。Thiseveningsheismerelyacommonplacemediocreactress。

Don’ttalklikethataboutanyoneyoulove，Dorian。Loveisamorewonderfulthingthanart。

Theyarebothsimplyformsofimitation，remarkedLordHenry。

Butdoletusgo。Dorian，youmustnotstayhereanylonger。Itisnotgoodforone’smoralstoseebadacting。Besides，Idon’tsupposeyouwillwantyourwifetoact，sowhatdoesitmatterifsheplaysJulietlikeawoodendoll？Sheisverylovely，andifsheknowsaslittleaboutlifeasshedoesaboutacting，shewillbeadelightfulexperience。Thereareonlytwokindsofpeoplewhoarereallyfascinating——peoplewhoknowabsolutelyeverything，andpeoplewhoknowabsolutelynothing。Goodheavens，mydearboy，don’tlooksotragic！Thesecretofremainingyoungisnevertohaveanemotionthatisunbecoming。CometotheclubwithBasilandmyself。

WewillsmokecigarettesanddrinktothebeautyofSibylVane。Sheisbeautiful。Whatmorecanyouwant？

Goaway，Harry，criedthelad。Iwanttobealone。Basil，youmustgo。Ah！can’tyouseethatmyheartisbreaking？Thehottearscametohiseyes。Hislipstrembled，andrushingtothebackofthebox，heleanedupagainstthewall，hidinghisfaceinhishands。

Letusgo，Basil，saidLordHenrywithastrangetendernessinhisvoice，andthetwoyoungmenpassedouttogether。

Afewmomentsafterwardsthefootlightsflaredupandthecurtainroseonthethirdact。DorianGraywentbacktohisseat。Helookedpale，andproud，andindifferent。Theplaydraggedon，andseemedinterminable。

Halfoftheaudiencewentout，trampinginheavybootsandlaughing。Thewholethingwasafiasco。Thelastactwasplayedtoalmostemptybenches。

Thecurtainwentdownonatitterandsomegroans。

Assoonasitwasover，DorianGrayrushedbehindthescenesintothegreenroom。Thegirlwasstandingtherealone，withalookoftriumphonherface。Hereyeswerelitwithanexquisitefire。Therewasaradianceabouther。Herpartedlipsweresmilingoversomesecretoftheirown。

Whenheentered，shelookedathim，andanexpressionofinfinitejoycameoverher。HowbadlyIactedto-night，Dorian！shecried。

Horribly！heanswered，gazingatherinamazement。Horribly！

Itwasdreadful。Areyouill？Youhavenoideawhatitwas。YouhavenoideawhatIsuffered。

Thegirlsmiled。Dorian，sheanswered，lingeringoverhisnamewithlong-drawnmusicinhervoice，asthoughitweresweeterthanhoneytotheredpetalsofhermouth。Dorian，youshouldhaveunderstood。Butyouunderstandnow，don’tyou？

Understandwhat？heasked，angrily。

WhyIwassobadto-night。WhyIshallalwaysbebad。WhyIshallneveractwellagain。

Heshruggedhisshoulders。Youareill，Isuppose。Whenyouareillyoushouldn’tact。Youmakeyourselfridiculous。Myfriendswerebored。

Iwasbored。

Sheseemednottolistentohim。Shewastransfiguredwithjoy。

Anecstasyofhappinessdominatedher。

Dorian，Dorian，shecried，beforeIknewyou，actingwastheonerealityofmylife。ItwasonlyinthetheatrethatIlived。Ithoughtthatitwasalltrue。IwasRosalindonenightandPortiatheother。ThejoyofBeatricewasmyjoy，andthesorrowsofCordeliawereminealso。

Ibelievedineverything。Thecommonpeoplewhoactedwithmeseemedtometobegodlike。Thepaintedscenesweremyworld。Iknewnothingbutshadows，andIthoughtthemreal。Youcame——oh，mybeautifullove！——andyoufreedmysoulfromprison。Youtaughtmewhatrealityreallyis。To-night，forthefirsttimeinmylife，Isawthroughthehollowness，thesham，thesillinessoftheemptypageantinwhichIhadalwaysplayed。To-night，forthefirsttime，IbecameconsciousthattheRomeowashideous，andold，andpainted，thatthemoonlightintheorchardwasfalse，thatthescenerywasvulgar，andthatthewordsIhadtospeakwereunreal，werenotmywords，werenotwhatIwantedtosay。Youhadbroughtmesomethinghigher，somethingofwhichallartisbutareflection。Youhadmademeunderstandwhatlovereallyis。Mylove！Mylove！PrinceCharming！Princeoflife！Ihavegrownsickofshadows。Youaremoretomethanallartcaneverbe。WhathaveItodowiththepuppetsofaplay？WhenIcameonto-night，Icouldnotunderstandhowitwasthateverythinghadgonefromme。IthoughtthatIwasgoingtobewonderful。IfoundthatIcoulddonothing。Suddenlyitdawnedonmysoulwhatitallmeant。Theknowledgewasexquisitetome。Iheardthemhissing，andIsmiled。Whatcouldtheyknowoflovesuchasours？Takemeaway，Dorian——takemeawaywithyou，wherewecanbequitealone。Ihatethestage。ImightmimicapassionthatIdonotfeel，butIcannotmimiconethatburnsmelikefire。Oh，Dorian，Dorian，youunderstandnowwhatitsignifies？EvenifIcoulddoit，itwouldbeprofanationformetoplayatbeinginlove。Youhavemademeseethat。

Heflunghimselfdownonthesofaandturnedawayhisface。Youhavekilledmylove，hemuttered。

Shelookedathiminwonderandlaughed。Hemadenoanswer。Shecameacrosstohim，andwithherlittlefingersstrokedhishair。Shekneltdownandpressedhishandstoherlips。Hedrewthemaway，andashudderranthroughhim。

Thenheleapedupandwenttothedoor。Yes，hecried，youhavekilledmylove。Youusedtostirmyimagination。Nowyoudon’tevenstirmycuriosity。Yousimplyproducenoeffect。Ilovedyoubecauseyouweremarvellous，becauseyouhadgeniusandintellect，becauseyourealizedthedreamsofgreatpoetsandgaveshapeandsubstancetotheshadowsofart。Youhavethrownitallaway。Youareshallowandstupid。MyGod！howmadIwastoloveyou！WhatafoolIhavebeen！Youarenothingtomenow。

Iwillneverseeyouagain。Iwillneverthinkofyou。Iwillnevermentionyourname。Youdon’tknowwhatyouweretome，once。Why，once……Oh，Ican’tbeartothinkofit！IwishIhadneverlaideyesuponyou！Youhavespoiledtheromanceofmylife。Howlittleyoucanknowoflove，ifyousayitmarsyourart！Withoutyourart，youarenothing。Iwouldhavemadeyoufamous，splendid，magnificent。Theworldwouldhaveworshippedyou，andyouwouldhavebornemyname。Whatareyounow？Athird-rateactresswithaprettyface。

Thegirlgrewwhite，andtrembled。Sheclenchedherhandstogether，andhervoiceseemedtocatchinherthroat。Youarenotserious，Dorian？

shemurmured。Youareacting。

Acting！Ileavethattoyou。Youdoitsowell，heansweredbitterly。

Sherosefromherkneesand，withapiteousexpressionofpaininherface，cameacrosstheroomtohim。Sheputherhanduponhisarmandlookedintohiseyes。Hethrustherback。Don’ttouchme！hecried。

Alowmoanbrokefromher，andsheflungherselfathisfeetandlaytherelikeatrampledflower。Dorian，Dorian，don’tleaveme！shewhispered。IamsosorryIdidn’tactwell。Iwasthinkingofyouallthetime。ButIwilltry——indeed，Iwilltry。Itcamesosuddenlyacrossme，myloveforyou。IthinkIshouldneverhaveknownitifyouhadnotkissedme——ifwehadnotkissedeachother。Kissmeagain，mylove。Don’tgoawayfromme。Icouldn’tbearit。Oh！don’tgoawayfromme。Mybrother……No。nevermind。Hedidn’tmeanit。Hewasinjest……Butyou，oh！can’tyouforgivemeforto-night？Iwillworksohardandtrytoimprove。

Don’tbecrueltome，becauseIloveyoubetterthananythingintheworld。

Afterall，itisonlyoncethatIhavenotpleasedyou。Butyouarequiteright，Dorian。Ishouldhaveshownmyselfmoreofanartist。Itwasfoolishofme，andyetIcouldn’thelpit。Oh，don’tleaveme，don’tleaveme。

Afitofpassionatesobbingchokedher。Shecrouchedonthefloorlikeawoundedthing，andDorianGray，withhisbeautifuleyes，lookeddownather，andhischiselledlipscurledinexquisitedisdain。Thereisalwayssomethingridiculousabouttheemotionsofpeoplewhomonehasceasedtolove。SibylVaneseemedtohimtobeabsurdlymelodramatic。Hertearsandsobsannoyedhim。

Iamgoing，hesaidatlastinhiscalmclearvoice。Idon’twishtobeunkind，butIcan’tseeyouagain。Youhavedisappointedme。

Sheweptsilently，andmadenoanswer，butcreptnearer。Herlittlehandsstretchedblindlyout，andappearedtobeseekingforhim。Heturnedonhisheelandlefttheroom。Inafewmomentshewasoutofthetheatre。

Wherehewenttohehardlyknew。Herememberedwanderingthroughdimlylitstreets，pastgaunt，black-shadowedarchwaysandevil-lookinghouses。Womenwithhoarsevoicesandharshlaughterhadcalledafterhim。

Drunkardshadreeledby，cursingandchatteringtothemselveslikemonstrousapes。Hehadseengrotesquechildrenhuddledupondoor-steps，andheardshrieksandoathsfromgloomycourts。

Asthedawnwasjustbreaking，hefoundhimselfclosetoCoventGarden。Thedarknesslifted，and，flushedwithfaintfires，theskyholloweditselfintoaperfectpearl。Hugecartsfilledwithnoddingliliesrumbledslowlydownthepolishedemptystreet。Theairwasheavywiththeperfumeoftheflowers，andtheirbeautyseemedtobringhimananodyneforhispain。Hefollowedintothemarketandwatchedthemenunloadingtheirwaggons。

Awhite-smockedcarterofferedhimsomecherries。Hethankedhim，wonderedwhyherefusedtoacceptanymoneyforthem，andbegantoeatthemlistlessly。

Theyhadbeenpluckedatmidnight，andthecoldnessofthemoonhadenteredintothem。Alonglineofboyscarryingcratesofstripedtulips，andofyellowandredroses，defiledinfrontofhim，threadingtheirwaythroughthehuge，jade-greenpilesofvegetables。Undertheportico，withitsgrey，sun-bleachedpillars，loiteredatroopofdraggledbareheadedgirls，waitingfortheauctiontobeover。Otherscrowdedroundtheswingingdoorsofthecoffee-houseinthepiazza。Theheavycart-horsesslippedandstampedupontheroughstones，shakingtheirbellsandtrappings。Someofthedriverswerelyingasleeponapileofsacks。Iris-neckedandpink-footed，thepigeonsranaboutpickingupseeds。

Afteralittlewhile，hehailedahansomanddrovehome。Forafewmomentsheloitereduponthedoorstep，lookingroundatthesilentsquare，withitsblank，close-shutteredwindowsanditsstaringblinds。

Theskywaspureopalnow，andtheroofsofthehousesglistenedlikesilveragainstit。Fromsomechimneyoppositeathinwreathofsmokewasrising。

Itcurled，avioletriband，throughthenacre-colouredair。

InthehugegiltVenetianlantern，spoilofsomeDoge’sbarge，thathungfromtheceilingofthegreat，oak-panelledhallofentrance，lightswerestillburningfromthreeflickeringjets：thinbluepetalsofflametheyseemed，rimmedwithwhitefire。Heturnedthemoutand，havingthrownhishatandcapeonthetable，passedthroughthelibrarytowardsthedoorofhisbedroom，alargeoctagonalchamberonthegroundfloorthat，inhisnew-bornfeelingforluxury，hehadjusthaddecoratedforhimselfandhungwithsomecuriousRenaissancetapestriesthathadbeendiscoveredstoredinadisusedatticatSelbyRoyal。Ashewasturningthehandleofthedoor，hiseyefellupontheportraitBasilHallwardhadpaintedofhim。Hestartedbackasifinsurprise。Thenhewentonintohisownroom，lookingsomewhatpuzzled。Afterhehadtakenthebutton-holeoutofhiscoat，heseemedtohesitate。Finally，hecameback，wentovertothepicture，andexaminedit。Inthedimarrestedlightthatstruggledthroughthecream-colouredsilkblinds，thefaceappearedtohimtobealittlechanged。Theexpressionlookeddifferent。Onewouldhavesaidthattherewasatouchofcrueltyinthemouth。Itwascertainlystrange。

Heturnedroundand，walkingtothewindow，drewuptheblind。

Thebrightdawnfloodedtheroomandsweptthefantasticshadowsintoduskycorners，wheretheylayshuddering。Butthestrangeexpressionthathehadnoticedinthefaceoftheportraitseemedtolingerthere，tobemoreintensifiedeven。Thequiveringardentsunlightshowedhimthelinesofcrueltyroundthemouthasclearlyasifhehadbeenlookingintoamirrorafterhehaddonesomedreadfulthing。

Hewincedand，takingupfromthetableanovalglassframedinivoryCupids，oneofLordHenry’smanypresentstohim，glancedhurriedlyintoitspolisheddepths。Nolinelikethatwarpedhisredlips。Whatdiditmean？

Herubbedhiseyes，andcameclosetothepicture，andexamineditagain。Therewerenosignsofanychangewhenhelookedintotheactualpainting，andyettherewasnodoubtthatthewholeexpressionhadaltered。

Itwasnotamerefancyofhisown。Thethingwashorriblyapparent。

Hethrewhimselfintoachairandbegantothink。SuddenlythereflashedacrosshismindwhathehadsaidinBasilHallward’sstudiothedaythepicturehadbeenfinished。Yes，heremembereditperfectly。Hehadutteredamadwishthathehimselfmightremainyoung，andtheportraitgrowold。thathisownbeautymightbeuntarnished，andthefaceonthecanvasbeartheburdenofhispassionsandhissins。thatthepaintedimagemightbesearedwiththelinesofsufferingandthought，andthathemightkeepallthedelicatebloomandlovelinessofhisthenjustconsciousboyhood。

Surelyhiswishhadnotbeenfulfilled？Suchthingswereimpossible。Itseemedmonstrouseventothinkofthem。And，yet，therewasthepicturebeforehim，withthetouchofcrueltyinthemouth。

Cruelty！Hadhebeencruel？Itwasthegirl’sfault，nothis。

Hehaddreamedofherasagreatartist，hadgivenhislovetoherbecausehehadthoughthergreat。Thenshehaddisappointedhim。Shehadbeenshallowandunworthy。And，yet，afeelingofinfiniteregretcameoverhim，ashethoughtofherlyingathisfeetsobbinglikealittlechild。Herememberedwithwhatcallousnesshehadwatchedher。Whyhadhebeenmadelikethat？

Whyhadsuchasoulbeengiventohim？Buthehadsufferedalso。Duringthethreeterriblehoursthattheplayhadlasted，hehadlivedcenturiesofpain，aeonuponaeonoftorture。Hislifewaswellworthhers。Shehadmarredhimforamoment，ifhehadwoundedherforanage。Besides，womenwerebettersuitedtobearsorrowthanmen。Theylivedontheiremotions。

Theyonlythoughtoftheiremotions。Whentheytooklovers，itwasmerelytohavesomeonewithwhomtheycouldhavescenes。LordHenryhadtoldhimthat，andLordHenryknewwhatwomenwere。WhyshouldhetroubleaboutSibylVane？Shewasnothingtohimnow。

Butthepicture？Whatwashetosayofthat？Itheldthesecretofhislife，andtoldhisstory。Ithadtaughthimtolovehisownbeauty。

Woulditteachhimtoloathehisownsoul？Wouldheeverlookatitagain？

No。itwasmerelyanillusionwroughtonthetroubledsenses。

Thehorriblenightthathehadpassedhadleftphantomsbehindit。Suddenlytherehadfallenuponhisbrainthattinyscarletspeckthatmakesmenmad。Thepicturehadnotchanged。Itwasfollytothinkso。

Yetitwaswatchinghim，withitsbeautifulmarredfaceanditscruelsmile。Itsbrighthairgleamedintheearlysunlight。Itsblueeyesmethisown。Asenseofinfinitepity，notforhimself，butforthepaintedimageofhimself，cameoverhim。Ithadalteredalready，andwouldaltermore。Itsgoldwouldwitherintogrey。Itsredandwhiteroseswoulddie。

Foreverysinthathecommitted，astainwouldfleckandwreckitsfairness。

Buthewouldnotsin。Thepicture，changedorunchanged，wouldbetohimthevisibleemblemofconscience。Hewouldresisttemptation。HewouldnotseeLordHenryanymore——wouldnot，atanyrate，listentothosesubtlepoisonoustheoriesthatinBasilHallward’sgardenhadfirststirredwithinhimthepassionforimpossiblethings。HewouldgobacktoSibylVane，makeheramends，marryher，trytoloveheragain。Yes，itwashisdutytodoso。Shemusthavesufferedmorethanhehad。Poorchild！Hehadbeenselfishandcrueltoher。Thefascinationthatshehadexercisedoverhimwouldreturn。Theywouldbehappytogether。Hislifewithherwouldbebeautifulandpure。

Hegotupfromhischairanddrewalargescreenrightinfrontoftheportrait，shudderingasheglancedatit。Howhorrible！hemurmuredtohimself，andhewalkedacrosstothewindowandopenedit。Whenhesteppedoutontothegrass，hedrewadeepbreath。Thefreshmorningairseemedtodriveawayallhissombrepassions。HethoughtonlyofSibyl。Afaintechoofhislovecamebacktohim。Herepeatedhernameoverandoveragain。

Thebirdsthatweresinginginthedew-drenchedgardenseemedtobetellingtheflowersabouther。

ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter8Chapter8Itwaslongpastnoonwhenheawoke。Hisvalethadcreptseveraltimesontiptoeintotheroomtoseeifhewasstirring，andhadwonderedwhatmadehisyoungmastersleepsolate。Finallyhisbellsounded，andVictorcameinsoftlywithacupoftea，andapileofletters，onasmalltrayofoldSevreschina，anddrewbacktheolive-satincurtains，withtheirshimmeringbluelining，thathunginfrontofthethreetallwindows。

Monsieurhaswellsleptthismorning，hesaid，smiling。

Whato’clockisit，Victor？askedDorianGraydrowsily。

Onehourandaquarter，Monsieur。