第6章

Hisnighthadbeenuntroubledbyanyimagesofpleasureorofpain。Butyouthsmileswithoutanyreason。Itisoneofitschiefestcharms。

Heturnedround，andleaninguponhiselbow，begantosiphischocolate。ThemellowNovembersuncamestreamingintotheroom。Theskywasbright，andtherewasagenialwarmthintheair。ItwasalmostlikeamorninginMay。

Graduallytheeventsoftheprecedingnightcreptwithsilent，blood-stainedfeetintohisbrainandreconstructedthemselvestherewithterribledistinctness。Hewincedatthememoryofallthathehadsuffered，andforamomentthesamecuriousfeelingofloathingforBasilHallwardthathadmadehimkillhimashesatinthechaircamebacktohim，andhegrewcoldwithpassion。Thedeadmanwasstillsittingthere，too，andinthesunlightnow。Howhorriblethatwas！Suchhideousthingswereforthedarkness，notfortheday。

Hefeltthatifhebroodedonwhathehadgonethroughhewouldsickenorgrowmad。Thereweresinswhosefascinationwasmoreinthememorythaninthedoingofthem，strangetriumphsthatgratifiedthepridemorethanthepassions，andgavetotheintellectaquickenedsenseofjoy，greaterthananyjoytheybrought，orcouldeverbring，tothesenses。

Butthiswasnotoneofthem。Itwasathingtobedrivenoutofthemind，tobedruggedwithpoppies，tobestrangledlestitmightstrangleoneitself。

Whenthehalf-hourstruck，hepassedhishandacrosshisforehead，andthengotuphastilyanddressedhimselfwithevenmorethanhisusualcare，givingagooddealofattentiontothechoiceofhisnecktieandscarf-pinandchanginghisringsmorethanonce。Hespentalongtimealsooverbreakfast，tastingthevariousdishes，talkingtohisvaletaboutsomenewliveriesthathewasthinkingofgettingmadefortheservantsatSelby，andgoingthroughhiscorrespondence。Atsomeoftheletters，hesmiled。Threeofthemboredhim。Onehereadseveraltimesoverandthentoreupwithaslightlookofannoyanceinhisface。Thatawfulthing，awoman’smemory！asLordHenryhadoncesaid。

Afterhehaddrunkhiscupofblackcoffee，hewipedhislipsslowlywithanapkin，motionedtohisservanttowait，andgoingovertothetable，satdownandwrotetwoletters。Oneheputinhispocket，theotherhehandedtothevalet。

Takethisroundto152，HertfordStreet，Francis，andifMr。

Campbellisoutoftown，gethisaddress。

Assoonashewasalone，helitacigaretteandbegansketchinguponapieceofpaper，drawingfirstflowersandbitsofarchitecture，andthenhumanfaces。SuddenlyheremarkedthateveryfacethathedrewseemedtohaveafantasticlikenesstoBasilHallward。Hefrowned，andgettingup，wentovertothebook-caseandtookoutavolumeathazard。

Hewasdeterminedthathewouldnotthinkaboutwhathadhappeneduntilitbecameabsolutelynecessarythatheshoulddoso。

Whenhehadstretchedhimselfonthesofa，helookedatthetitle-pageofthebook。ItwasGautier’sEmauxetCamees，Charpentier’sJapanese-paperedition，withtheJacquemartetching。Thebindingwasofcitron-greenleather，withadesignofgilttrellis-workanddottedpomegranates。IthadbeengiventohimbyAdrianSingleton。Asheturnedoverthepages，hiseyefellonthepoemaboutthehandofLacenaire，thecoldyellowhanddusuppliceencoremallavé。：e，withitsdownyredhairsanditsdoigtsdefaune。Heglancedathisownwhitetaperfingers，shudderingslightlyinspiteofhimself，andpassedon，tillhecametothoselovelystanzasuponVenice：

Surunegammechromatique，Leseindeperiesruisselant，LaVé。nusdel’AdriatiqueSortdel’eausoncorpsroseetblanc。Lesdô。mes，surl’azurdesondesSuivantlaphraseaupurcontour，S’enflentcommedesgorgesrondesQuesoulè。veunsoupird’amour。L’esquifabordeetmedé。pose，Jetantsonamarreaupilier，Devantunefaç。aderose，Surlemarbred’unescalier。

Howexquisitetheywere！Asonereadthem，oneseemedtobefloatingdownthegreenwater-waysofthepinkandpearlcity，seatedinablackgondolawithsilverprowandtrailingcurtains。Themerelineslookedtohimlikethosestraightlinesofturquoise-bluethatfollowoneasonepushesouttotheLido。Thesuddenflashesofcolourremindedhimofthegleamoftheopal-and-iris-throatedbirdsthatflutterroundthetallhoneycombedCampanile，orstalk，withsuchstatelygrace，throughthedim，dust-stainedarcades。Leaningbackwithhalf-closedeyes，hekeptsayingoverandovertohimself：

Devantunefaç。aderose，Surlemarbred’unescalier。

ThewholeofVenicewasinthosetwolines。Herememberedtheautumnthathehadpassedthere，andawonderfullovethathadstirredhimtomaddelightfulfollies。Therewasromanceineveryplace。ButVenice，likeOxford，hadkeptthebackgroundforromance，and，tothetrueromantic，backgroundwaseverything，oralmosteverything。Basilhadbeenwithhimpartofthetime，andhadgonewildoverTintoret。PoorBasil！Whatahorriblewayforamantodie！

Hesighed，andtookupthevolumeagain，andtriedtoforget。

HereadoftheswallowsthatflyinandoutofthelittlecafeatSmyrnawheretheHadjissitcountingtheiramberbeadsandtheturbanedmerchantssmoketheirlongtasselledpipesandtalkgravelytoeachother。hereadoftheObeliskinthePlacedelaConcordethatweepstearsofgraniteinitslonelysunlessexileandlongstobebackbythehot，lotus-coveredNile，wherethereareSphinxes，androse-redibises，andwhitevultureswithgildedclaws，andcrocodileswithsmallberyleyesthatcrawloverthegreensteamingmud。hebegantobroodoverthoseverseswhich，drawingmusicfromkiss-stainedmarble，tellofthatcuriousstatuethatGautiercomparestoacontraltovoice，themonstrecharmantthatcouchesintheporphyry-roomoftheLouvre。Butafteratimethebookfellfromhishand。Hegrewnervous，andahorriblefitofterrorcameoverhim。

WhatifAlanCampbellshouldbeoutofEngland？Dayswouldelapsebeforehecouldcomeback。Perhapshemightrefusetocome。Whatcouldhedothen？

Everymomentwasofvitalimportance。

Theyhadbeengreatfriendsonce，fiveyearsbefore——almostinseparable，indeed。Thentheintimacyhadcomesuddenlytoanend。Whentheymetinsocietynow，itwasonlyDorianGraywhosmiled：AlanCampbellneverdid。

Hewasanextremelycleveryoungman，thoughhehadnorealappreciationofthevisiblearts，andwhateverlittlesenseofthebeautyofpoetryhepossessedhehadgainedentirelyfromDorian。Hisdominantintellectualpassionwasforscience。AtCambridgehehadspentagreatdealofhistimeworkinginthelaboratory，andhadtakenagoodclassintheNaturalScienceTriposofhisyear。Indeed，hewasstilldevotedtothestudyofchemistry，andhadalaboratoryofhisowninwhichheusedtoshuthimselfupalldaylong，greatlytotheannoyanceofhismother，whohadsetherheartonhisstandingforParliamentandhadavagueideathatachemistwasapersonwhomadeupprescriptions。Hewasanexcellentmusician，however，aswell，andplayedboththeviolinandthepianobetterthanmostamateurs。

Infact，itwasmusicthathadfirstbroughthimandDorianGraytogether——musicandthatindefinableattractionthatDorianseemedtobeabletoexercisewheneverhewished——and，indeed，exercisedoftenwithoutbeingconsciousofit。TheyhadmetatLadyBerkshire’sthenightthatRubinsteinplayedthere，andafterthatusedtobealwaysseentogetherattheoperaandwherevergoodmusicwasgoingon。Foreighteenmonthstheirintimacylasted。

CampbellwasalwayseitheratSelbyRoyalorinGrosvenorSquare。Tohim，astomanyothers，DorianGraywasthetypeofeverythingthatiswonderfulandfascinatinginlife。Whetherornotaquarrelhadtakenplacebetweenthemnooneeverknew。ButsuddenlypeopleremarkedthattheyscarcelyspokewhentheymetandthatCampbellseemedalwaystogoawayearlyfromanypartyatwhichDorianGraywaspresent。Hehadchanged，too——wasstrangelymelancholyattimes，appearedalmosttodislikehearingmusic，andwouldneverhimselfplay，givingashisexcuse，whenhewascalledupon，thathewassoabsorbedinsciencethathehadnotimeleftinwhichtopractise。

Andthiswascertainlytrue。Everydayheseemedtobecomemoreinterestedinbiology，andhisnameappearedonceortwiceinsomeofthescientificreviewsinconnectionwithcertaincuriousexperiments。

ThiswasthemanDorianGraywaswaitingfor。Everysecondhekeptglancingattheclock。Astheminuteswentbyhebecamehorriblyagitated。

Atlasthegotupandbegantopaceupanddowntheroom，lookinglikeabeautifulcagedthing。Hetooklongstealthystrides。Hishandswerecuriouslycold。

Thesuspensebecameunbearable。Timeseemedtohimtobecrawlingwithfeetoflead，whilehebymonstrouswindswasbeingswepttowardsthejaggededgeofsomeblackcleftofprecipice。Heknewwhatwaswaitingforhimthere。sawit，indeed，and，shuddering，crushedwithdankhandshisburninglidsasthoughhewouldhaverobbedtheverybrainofsightanddriventheeyeballsbackintotheircave。Itwasuseless。Thebrainhaditsownfoodonwhichitbattened，andtheimagination，madegrotesquebyterror，twistedanddistortedasalivingthingbypain，dancedlikesomefoulpuppetonastandandgrinnedthroughmovingmasks。Then，suddenly，timestoppedforhim。Yes：thatblind，slow-breathingthingcrawlednomore，andhorriblethoughts，timebeingdead，racednimblyoninfront，anddraggedahideousfuturefromitsgrave，andshowedittohim。Hestaredatit。Itsveryhorrormadehimstone。

Atlastthedooropenedandhisservantentered。Heturnedglazedeyesuponhim。

Mr。Campbell，sir，saidtheman。

Asighofreliefbrokefromhisparchedlips，andthecolourcamebacktohischeeks。

Askhimtocomeinatonce，Francis。Hefeltthathewashimselfagain。Hismoodofcowardicehadpassedaway。

Themanbowedandretired。Inafewmoments，AlanCampbellwalkedin，lookingverysternandratherpale，hispallorbeingintensifiedbyhiscoal-blackhairanddarkeyebrows。

Alan！Thisiskindofyou。Ithankyouforcoming。

Ihadintendednevertoenteryourhouseagain，Gray。Butyousaiditwasamatteroflifeanddeath。Hisvoicewashardandcold。Hespokewithslowdeliberation。TherewasalookofcontemptinthesteadysearchinggazethatheturnedonDorian。HekepthishandsinthepocketsofhisAstrakhancoat，andseemednottohavenoticedthegesturewithwhichhehadbeengreeted。

Yes：itisamatteroflifeanddeath，Alan，andtomorethanoneperson。Sitdown。

Campbelltookachairbythetable，andDoriansatoppositetohim。Thetwomen’seyesmet。InDorian’stherewasinfinitepity。Heknewthatwhathewasgoingtodowasdreadful。

Afterastrainedmomentofsilence，heleanedacrossandsaid，veryquietly，butwatchingtheeffectofeachworduponthefaceofhimhehadsentfor，Alan，inalockedroomatthetopofthishouse，aroomtowhichnobodybutmyselfhasaccess，adeadmanisseatedatatable。

Hehasbeendeadtenhoursnow。Don’tstir，anddon’tlookatmelikethat。

Whothemanis，whyhedied，howhedied，aremattersthatdonotconcernyou。Whatyouhavetodoisthis——

Stop，Gray。Idon’twanttoknowanythingfurther。Whetherwhatyouhavetoldmeistrueornottruedoesn’tconcernme。Ientirelydeclinetobemixedupinyourlife。Keepyourhorriblesecretstoyourself。Theydon’tinterestmeanymore。

Alan，theywillhavetointerestyou。Thisonewillhavetointerestyou。Iamawfullysorryforyou，Alan。ButIcan’thelpmyself。Youaretheonemanwhoisabletosaveme。Iamforcedtobringyouintothematter。

Ihavenooption。Alan，youarescientific。Youknowaboutchemistryandthingsofthatkind。Youhavemadeexperiments。Whatyouhavegottodoistodestroythethingthatisupstairs——todestroyitsothatnotavestigeofitwillbeleft。Nobodysawthispersoncomeintothehouse。

Indeed，atthepresentmomentheissupposedtobeinParis。Hewillnotbemissedformonths。Whenheismissed，theremustbenotraceofhimfoundhere。You，Alan，youmustchangehim，andeverythingthatbelongstohim，intoahandfulofashesthatImayscatterintheair。

Youaremad，Dorian。

Ah！IwaswaitingforyoutocallmeDorian。

Youaremad，Itellyou——madtoimaginethatIwouldraiseafingertohelpyou，madtomakethismonstrousconfession。Iwillhavenothingtodowiththismatter，whateveritis。DoyouthinkIamgoingtoperilmyreputationforyou？Whatisittomewhatdevil’sworkyouareupto？

Itwassuicide，Alan。

Iamgladofthat。Butwhodrovehimtoit？You，Ishouldfancy。

Doyoustillrefusetodothisforme？

OfcourseIrefuse。Iwillhaveabsolutelynothingtodowithit。Idon’tcarewhatshamecomesonyou。Youdeserveitall。Ishouldnotbesorrytoseeyoudisgraced，publiclydisgraced。Howdareyouaskme，ofallmenintheworld，tomixmyselfupinthishorror？Ishouldhavethoughtyouknewmoreaboutpeople’scharacters。YourfriendLordHenryWottoncan’thavetaughtyoumuchaboutpsychology，whateverelsehehastaughtyou。Nothingwillinducemetostirasteptohelpyou。Youhavecometothewrongman。Gotosomeofyourfriends。Don’tcometome。

Alan，itwasmurder。Ikilledhim。Youdon’tknowwhathehadmademesuffer。Whatevermylifeis，hehadmoretodowiththemakingorthemarringofitthanpoorHarryhashad。Hemaynothaveintendedit，theresultwasthesame。

Murder！GoodGod，Dorian，isthatwhatyouhavecometo？Ishallnotinformuponyou。Itisnotmybusiness。Besides，withoutmystirringinthematter，youarecertaintobearrested。Nobodyevercommitsacrimewithoutdoingsomethingstupid。ButIwillhavenothingtodowithit。

Youmusthavesomethingtodowithit。Wait，waitamoment。listentome。Onlylisten，Alan。AllIaskofyouistoperformacertainscientificexperiment。Yougotohospitalsanddead-houses，andthehorrorsthatyoudotheredon’taffectyou。Ifinsomehideousdissecting-roomorfetidlaboratoryyoufoundthismanlyingonaleadentablewithredguttersscoopedoutinitforthebloodtoflowthrough，youwouldsimplylookuponhimasanadmirablesubject。Youwouldnotturnahair。Youwouldnotbelievethatyouweredoinganythingwrong。Onthecontrary，youwouldprobablyfeelthatyouwerebenefitingthehumanrace，orincreasingthesumofknowledgeintheworld，orgratifyingintellectualcuriosity，orsomethingofthatkind。WhatIwantyoutodoismerelywhatyouhaveoftendonebefore。Indeed，todestroyabodymustbefarlesshorriblethanwhatyouareaccustomedtoworkat。And，remember，itistheonlypieceofevidenceagainstme。Ifitisdiscovered，Iamlost。anditissuretobediscoveredunlessyouhelpme。

Ihavenodesiretohelpyou。Youforgetthat。Iamsimplyindifferenttothewholething。Ithasnothingtodowithme。

Alan，Ientreatyou。ThinkofthepositionIamin。JustbeforeyoucameIalmostfaintedwithterror。Youmayknowterroryourselfsomeday。No！don’tthinkofthat。Lookatthematterpurelyfromthescientificpointofview。Youdon’tinquirewherethedeadthingsonwhichyouexperimentcomefrom。Don’tinquirenow。Ihavetoldyoutoomuchasitis。ButI

begofyoutodothis。Wewerefriendsonce，Alan。

Don’tspeakaboutthosedays，Dorian——theyaredead。

Thedeadlingersometimes。Themanupstairswillnotgoaway。

Heissittingatthetablewithbowedheadandoutstretchedarms。Alan！

Alan！Ifyoudon’tcometomyassistance，Iamruined。Why，theywillhangme，Alan！Don’tyouunderstand？TheywillhangmeforwhatIhavedone。

Thereisnogoodinprolongingthisscene。Iabsolutelyrefusetodoanythinginthematter。Itisinsaneofyoutoaskme。

Yourefuse？

Yes。

Ientreatyou，Alan。

Itisuseless。

ThesamelookofpitycameintoDorianGray’seyes。Thenhestretchedouthishand，tookapieceofpaper，andwrotesomethingonit。Hereaditovertwice，foldeditcarefully，andpusheditacrossthetable。Havingdonethis，hegotupandwentovertothewindow。

Campbelllookedathiminsurprise，andthentookupthepaper，andopenedit。Ashereadit，hisfacebecameghastlypaleandhefellbackinhischair。Ahorriblesenseofsicknesscameoverhim。Hefeltasifhisheartwasbeatingitselftodeathinsomeemptyhollow。

Aftertwoorthreeminutesofterriblesilence，Dorianturnedroundandcameandstoodbehindhim，puttinghishanduponhisshoulder。

Iamsosorryforyou，Alan，hemurmured，butyouleavemenoalternative。Ihavealetterwrittenalready。Hereitis。Youseetheaddress。Ifyoudon’thelpme，Imustsendit。Ifyoudon’thelpme，I

willsendit。Youknowwhattheresultwillbe。Butyouaregoingtohelpme。Itisimpossibleforyoutorefusenow。Itriedtospareyou。Youwilldomethejusticetoadmitthat。Youwerestern，harsh，offensive。Youtreatedmeasnomanhaseverdaredtotreatme——nolivingman，atanyrate。Iboreitall。Nowitisformetodictateterms。

Campbellburiedhisfaceinhishands，andashudderpassedthroughhim。

Yes，itismyturntodictateterms，Alan。Youknowwhattheyare。Thethingisquitesimple。Come，don’tworkyourselfintothisfever。

Thethinghastobedone。Faceit，anddoit。

AgroanbrokefromCampbell’slipsandheshiveredallover。Thetickingoftheclockonthemantelpieceseemedtohimtobedividingtimeintoseparateatomsofagony，eachofwhichwastooterribletobeborne。

Hefeltasifanironringwasbeingslowlytightenedroundhisforehead，asifthedisgracewithwhichhewasthreatenedhadalreadycomeuponhim。

Thehanduponhisshoulderweighedlikeahandoflead。Itwasintolerable。

Itseemedtocrushhim。

Come，Alan，youmustdecideatonce。

Icannotdoit，hesaid，mechanically，asthoughwordscouldalterthings。

Youmust。Youhavenochoice。Don’tdelay。

Hehesitatedamoment。Isthereafireintheroomupstairs？

Yes，thereisagas-firewithasbestos。

Ishallhavetogohomeandgetsomethingsfromthelaboratory。

No，Alan，youmustnotleavethehouse。Writeoutonasheetofnotepaperwhatyouwantandmyservantwilltakeacabandbringthethingsbacktoyou。

Campbellscrawledafewlines，blottedthem，andaddressedanenvelopetohisassistant。Doriantookthenoteupandreaditcarefully。

Thenherangthebellandgaveittohisvalet，withorderstoreturnassoonaspossibleandtobringthethingswithhim。

Asthehalldoorshut，Campbellstartednervously，andhavinggotupfromthechair，wentovertothechimney-piece。Hewasshiveringwithakindofague。Fornearlytwentyminutes，neitherofthemenspoke。

Aflybuzzednoisilyabouttheroom，andthetickingoftheclockwaslikethebeatofahammer。

Asthechimestruckone，Campbellturnedround，andlookingatDorianGray，sawthathiseyeswerefilledwithtears。Therewassomethinginthepurityandrefinementofthatsadfacethatseemedtoenragehim。

Youareinfamous，absolutelyinfamous！hemuttered。

Hush，Alan。Youhavesavedmylife，saidDorian。

Yourlife？Goodheavens！whatalifethatis！Youhavegonefromcorruptiontocorruption，andnowyouhaveculminatedincrime。IndoingwhatIamgoingtodo——whatyouforcemetodo——itisnotofyourlifethatIamthinking。

Ah，Alan，murmuredDorianwithasigh，IwishyouhadathousandthpartofthepityformethatIhaveforyou。Heturnedawayashespokeandstoodlookingoutatthegarden。Campbellmadenoanswer。

Afterabouttenminutesaknockcametothedoor，andtheservantentered，carryingalargemahoganychestofchemicals，withalongcoilofsteelandplatinumwireandtworathercuriouslyshapedironclamps。

ShallIleavethethingshere，sir？heaskedCampbell。

Yes，saidDorian。AndIamafraid，Francis，thatIhaveanothererrandforyou。WhatisthenameofthemanatRichmondwhosuppliesSelbywithorchids？

Harden，sir。

Yes——Harden。YoumustgodowntoRichmondatonce，seeHardenpersonally，andtellhimtosendtwiceasmanyorchidsasIordered，andtohaveasfewwhiteonesaspossible。Infact，Idon’twantanywhiteones。Itisalovelyday，Francis，andRichmondisaveryprettyplace——

otherwiseIwouldn’tbotheryouaboutit。

Notrouble，sir。AtwhattimeshallIbeback？

DorianlookedatCampbell。Howlongwillyourexperimenttake，Alan？hesaidinacalmindifferentvoice。Thepresenceofathirdpersonintheroomseemedtogivehimextraordinarycourage。

Campbellfrownedandbithislip。Itwilltakeaboutfivehours，

heanswered。

Itwillbetimeenough，then，ifyouarebackathalf-pastseven，Francis。Orstay：justleavemythingsoutfordressing。Youcanhavetheeveningtoyourself。Iamnotdiningathome，soIshallnotwantyou。

Thankyou，sir，saidtheman，leavingtheroom。

Now，Alan，thereisnotamomenttobelost。Howheavythischestis！I’lltakeitforyou。Youbringtheotherthings。Hespokerapidlyandinanauthoritativemanner。Campbellfeltdominatedbyhim。Theylefttheroomtogether。

Whentheyreachedthetoplanding，Doriantookoutthekeyandturneditinthelock。Thenhestopped，andatroubledlookcameintohiseyes。Heshuddered。Idon’tthinkIcangoin，Alan，hemurmured。

Itisnothingtome。Idon’trequireyou，saidCampbellcoldly。

Dorianhalfopenedthedoor。Ashedidso，hesawthefaceofhisportraitleeringinthesunlight。Onthefloorinfrontofitthetorncurtainwaslying。Herememberedthatthenightbeforehehadforgotten，forthefirsttimeinhislife，tohidethefatalcanvas，andwasabouttorushforward，whenhedrewbackwithashudder。

Whatwasthatloathsomereddewthatgleamed，wetandglistening，ononeofthehands，asthoughthecanvashadsweatedblood？Howhorribleitwas！——morehorrible，itseemedtohimforthemoment，thanthesilentthingthatheknewwasstretchedacrossthetable，thethingwhosegrotesquemisshapenshadowonthespottedcarpetshowedhimthatithadnotstirred，butwasstillthere，ashehadleftit。

Heheavedadeepbreath，openedthedooralittlewider，andwithhalf-closedeyesandavertedhead，walkedquicklyin，determinedthathewouldnotlookevenonceuponthedeadman。Then，stoopingdownandtakingupthegold-and-purplehanging，heflungitrightoverthepicture。

Therehestopped，feelingafraidtoturnround，andhiseyesfixedthemselvesontheintricaciesofthepatternbeforehim。HeheardCampbellbringingintheheavychest，andtheirons，andtheotherthingsthathehadrequiredforhisdreadfulwork。HebegantowonderifheandBasilHallwardhadevermet，and，ifso，whattheyhadthoughtofeachother。

Leavemenow，saidasternvoicebehindhim。

Heturnedandhurriedout，justconsciousthatthedeadmanhadbeenthrustbackintothechairandthatCampbellwasgazingintoaglisteningyellowface。Ashewasgoingdownstairs，heheardthekeybeingturnedinthelock。

ItwaslongaftersevenwhenCampbellcamebackintothelibrary。

Hewaspale，butabsolutelycalm。Ihavedonewhatyouaskedmetodo，

hemutteredAndnow，good-bye。Letusneverseeeachotheragain。

Youhavesavedmefromruin，Alan。Icannotforgetthat，saidDoriansimply。

AssoonasCampbellhadleft，hewentupstairs。Therewasahorriblesmellofnitricacidintheroom。Butthethingthathadbeensittingatthetablewasgone。

ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter15Chapter15Thatevening，ateight-thirty，exquisitelydressedandwearingalargebutton-holeofParmaviolets，DorianGraywasusheredintoLadyNarborough’sdrawing-roombybowingservants。Hisforeheadwasthrobbingwithmaddenednerves，andhefeltwildlyexcited，buthismannerashebentoverhishostess’shandwasaseasyandgracefulasever。Perhapsoneneverseemssomuchatone’seaseaswhenonehastoplayapart。CertainlynoonelookingatDorianGraythatnightcouldhavebelievedthathehadpassedthroughatragedyashorribleasanytragedyofourage。Thosefinelyshapedfingerscouldneverhaveclutchedaknifeforsin，northosesmilinglipshavecriedoutonGodandgoodness。Hehimselfcouldnothelpwonderingatthecalmofhisdemeanour，andforamomentfeltkeenlytheterriblepleasureofadoublelife。

Itwasasmallparty，gotupratherinahurrybyLadyNarborough，whowasaverycleverwomanwithwhatLordHenryusedtodescribeastheremainsofreallyremarkableugliness。Shehadprovedanexcellentwifetooneofourmosttediousambassadors，andhavingburiedherhusbandproperlyinamarblemausoleum，whichshehadherselfdesigned，andmarriedoffherdaughterstosomerich，ratherelderlymen，shedevotedherselfnowtothepleasuresofFrenchfiction，Frenchcookery，andFrenchespritwhenshecouldgetit。

Dorianwasoneofherespecialfavourites，andshealwaystoldhimthatshewasextremelygladshehadnotmethiminearlylife。Iknow，mydear，Ishouldhavefallenmadlyinlovewithyou，sheusedtosay，andthrownmybonnetrightoverthemillsforyoursake。Itismostfortunatethatyouwerenotthoughtofatthetime。Asitwas，ourbonnetsweresounbecoming，andthemillsweresooccupiedintryingtoraisethewind，thatIneverhadevenaflirtationwithanybody。However，thatwasallNarborough’sfault。Hewasdreadfullyshort-sighted，andthereisnopleasureintakinginahusbandwhoneverseesanything。

Hergueststhiseveningwererathertedious。Thefactwas，assheexplainedtoDorian，behindaveryshabbyfan，oneofhermarrieddaughtershadcomeupquitesuddenlytostaywithher，and，tomakemattersworse，hadactuallybroughtherhusbandwithher。Ithinkitismostunkindofher，mydear，shewhispered。OfcourseIgoandstaywiththemeverysummerafterIcomefromHomburg，butthenanoldwomanlikememusthavefreshairsometimes，andbesides，Ireallywakethemup。Youdon’tknowwhatanexistencetheyleaddownthere。Itispureunadulteratedcountrylife。Theygetupearly，becausetheyhavesomuchtodo，andgotobedearly，becausetheyhavesolittletothinkabout。TherehasnotbeenascandalintheneighbourhoodsincethetimeofQueenElizabeth，andconsequentlytheyallfallasleepafterdinner。Youshan’tsitnexteitherofthem。

Youshallsitbymeandamuseme。

Dorianmurmuredagracefulcomplimentandlookedroundtheroom。

Yes：itwascertainlyatediousparty。Twoofthepeoplehehadneverseenbefore，andtheothersconsistedofErnestHarrowden，oneofthosemiddle-agedmediocritiessocommoninLondonclubswhohavenoenemies，butarethoroughlydislikedbytheirfriends。LadyRuxton，anoverdressedwomanofforty-seven，withahookednose，whowasalwaystryingtogetherselfcompromised，butwassopeculiarlyplainthattohergreatdisappointmentnoonewouldeverbelieveanythingagainsther。Mrs。Erlynne，apushingnobody，withadelightfullispandVenetian-redhair。LadyAliceChapman，hishostess’sdaughter，adowdydullgirl，withoneofthosecharacteristicBritishfacesthat，onceseen，areneverremembered。andherhusband，ared-cheeked，white-whiskeredcreaturewho，likesomanyofhisclass，wasundertheimpressionthatinordinatejovialitycanatoneforanentirelackofideas。

Hewasrathersorryhehadcome，tillLadyNarborough，lookingatthegreatormolugiltclockthatsprawledingaudycurvesonthemauve-drapedmantelshelf，exclaimed：HowhorridofHenryWottontobesolate！Isentroundtohimthismorningonchanceandhepromisedfaithfullynottodisappointme。

ItwassomeconsolationthatHarrywastobethere，andwhenthedooropenedandheheardhisslowmusicalvoicelendingcharmtosomeinsincereapology，heceasedtofeelbored。

Butatdinnerhecouldnoteatanything。Plateafterplatewentawayuntasted。LadyNarboroughkeptscoldinghimforwhatshecalledaninsulttopoorAdolphe，whoinventedthemenuspeciallyforyou，andnowandthenLordHenrylookedacrossathim，wonderingathissilenceandabstractedmanner。Fromtimetotimethebutlerfilledhisglasswithchampagne。

Hedrankeagerly，andhisthirstseemedtoincrease。

Dorian，saidLordHenryatlast，asthechaud-froidwasbeinghandedround，whatisthematterwithyouto-night？Youarequiteoutofsorts。

Ibelieveheisinlove，criedLadyNarborough，andthatheisafraidtotellmeforfearIshouldbejealous。Heisquiteright。I

certainlyshould。

DearLadyNarborough，murmuredDorian，smiling，Ihavenotbeeninloveforawholeweek——not，infact，sinceMadamedeFerrollefttown。

Howyoumencanfallinlovewiththatwoman！exclaimedtheoldlady。Ireallycannotunderstandit。

Itissimplybecausesheremembersyouwhenyouwerealittlegirl，LadyNarborough，saidLordHenry。Sheistheonelinkbetweenusandyourshortfrocks。

Shedoesnotremembermyshortfrocksatall，LordHenry。ButIrememberherverywellatViennathirtyyearsago，andhowdé。colleté。eshewasthen。

Sheisstilldé。colleté。e，heanswered，takinganoliveinhislongfingers。andwhensheisinaverysmartgownshelookslikeané。ditiondeluxeofabadFrenchnovel。Sheisreallywonderful，andfullofsurprises。Hercapacityforfamilyaffectionisextraordinary。Whenherthirdhusbanddied，herhairturnedquitegoldfromgrief。

Howcanyou，Harry！criedDorian。

Itisamostromanticexplanation，laughedthehostess。Butherthirdhusband，LordHenry！Youdon’tmeantosayFerrolisthefourth？

Certainly，LadyNarborough。

Idon’tbelieveawordofit。

Well，askMr。Gray。Heisoneofhermostintimatefriends。

Isittrue，Mr。Gray？

Sheassuresmeso，LadyNarborough，saidDorian。Iaskedherwhether，likeMargueritedeNavarre，shehadtheirheartsembalmedandhungathergirdle。Shetoldmeshedidn’t，becausenoneofthemhadhadanyheartsatall。

Fourhusbands！Uponmywordthatistropdezè。le。

Tropd’audace，Itellher，saidDorian。

Oh！sheisaudaciousenoughforanything，mydear。AndwhatisFerrollike？Idon’tknowhim。

Thehusbandsofverybeautifulwomenbelongtothecriminalclasses，

saidLordHenry，sippinghiswine。

LadyNarboroughhithimwithherfan。LordHenry，Iamnotatallsurprisedthattheworldsaysthatyouareextremelywicked。

Butwhatworldsaysthat？askedLordHenry，elevatinghiseyebrows。

Itcanonlybethenextworld。ThisworldandIareonexcellentterms。

EverybodyIknowsaysyouareverywicked，criedtheoldlady，shakingherhead。

LordHenrylookedseriousforsomemoments。Itisperfectlymonstrous，

hesaid，atlast，thewaypeoplegoaboutnowadayssayingthingsagainstonebehindone’sbackthatareabsolutelyandentirelytrue。

Isn’theincorrigible？criedDorian，leaningforwardinhischair。

Ihopeso，saidhishostess，laughing。Butreally，ifyouallworshipMadamedeFerrolinthisridiculousway，Ishallhavetomarryagainsoastobeinthefashion。

Youwillnevermarryagain，LadyNarborough，brokeinLordHenry。

Youwerefartoohappy。Whenawomanmarriesagain，itisbecauseshedetestedherfirsthusband。Whenamanmarriesagain，itisbecauseheadoredhisfirstwife。Womentrytheirluck。menrisktheirs。

Narboroughwasn’tperfect，criedtheoldlady。

Ifhehadbeen，youwouldnothavelovedhim，mydearlady，

wastherejoinder。Womenloveusforourdefects。Ifwehaveenoughofthem，theywillforgiveuseverything，evenourintellects。Youwillneveraskmetodinneragainaftersayingthis，Iamafraid，LadyNarborough，butitisquitetrue。

Ofcourseitistrue，LordHenry。Ifwewomendidnotloveyouforyourdefects，wherewouldyouallbe？Notoneofyouwouldeverbemarried。Youwouldbeasetofunfortunatebachelors。Not，however，thatthatwouldalteryoumuch。Nowadaysallthemarriedmenlivelikebachelors，andallthebachelorslikemarriedmen。

Findesiè。cle，murmuredLordHenry。

Finduglobe，answeredhishostess。

Iwishitwerefinduglobe，saidDorianwithasigh。

Lifeisagreatdisappointment。

Ah，mydear，criedLadyNarborough，puttingonhergloves，don’ttellmethatyouhaveexhaustedlife。Whenamansaysthatoneknowsthatlifehasexhaustedhim。LordHenryisverywicked，andIsometimeswishthatIhadbeen。butyouaremadetobegood——youlooksogood。Imustfindyouanicewife。LordHenry，don’tyouthinkthatMr。Grayshouldgetmarried？

Iamalwaystellinghimso，LadyNarborough，saidLordHenrywithabow。

Well，wemustlookoutforasuitablematchforhim。IshallgothroughDebrettcarefullyto-nightanddrawoutalistofalltheeligibleyoungladies。

Withtheirages，LadyNarborough？askedDorian。

Ofcourse，withtheirages，slightlyedited。Butnothingmustbedoneinahurry。IwantittobewhatTheMorningPostcallsasuitablealliance，andIwantyoubothtobehappy。

Whatnonsensepeopletalkabouthappymarriages！exclaimedLordHenry。Amancanbehappywithanywoman，aslongashedoesnotloveher。

Ah！whatacynicyouare！criedtheoldlady，pushingbackherchairandnoddingtoLadyRuxton。Youmustcomeanddinewithmesoonagain。Youarereallyanadmirabletonic，muchbetterthanwhatSirAndrewprescribesforme。Youmusttellmewhatpeopleyouwouldliketomeet，though。Iwantittobeadelightfulgathering。

Ilikemenwhohaveafutureandwomenwhohaveapast，heanswered。

Ordoyouthinkthatwouldmakeitapetticoatparty？

Ifearso，shesaid，laughing，asshestoodup。Athousandpardons，mydearLadyRuxton，sheadded，Ididn’tseeyouhadn’tfinishedyourcigarette。

Nevermind，LadyNarborough。Ismokeagreatdealtoomuch。I

amgoingtolimitmyself，forthefuture。

Praydon’t，LadyRuxton，saidLordHenry。Moderationisafatalthing。Enoughisasbadasameal。Morethanenoughisasgoodasafeast。

LadyRuxtonglancedathimcuriously。Youmustcomeandexplainthattomesomeafternoon，LordHenry。Itsoundsafascinatingtheory，

shemurmured，asshesweptoutoftheroom。

Now，mindyoudon’tstaytoolongoveryourpoliticsandscandal，

criedLadyNarboroughfromthedoor。Ifyoudo，wearesuretosquabbleupstairs。

Themenlaughed，andMr。Chapmangotupsolemnlyfromthefootofthetableandcameuptothetop。DorianGraychangedhisseatandwentandsatbyLordHenry。Mr。ChapmanbegantotalkinaloudvoiceaboutthesituationintheHouseofCommons。Heguffawedathisadversaries。

Theworddoctrinaire——wordfullofterrortotheBritishmind——

reappearedfromtimetotimebetweenhisexplosions。Analliterativeprefixservedasanornamentoforatory。HehoistedtheUnionJackonthepinnaclesofthought。Theinheritedstupidityoftherace——soundEnglishcommonsensehejoviallytermedit——wasshowntobetheproperbulwarkforsociety。

AsmilecurvedLordHenry’slips，andheturnedroundandlookedatDorian。

Areyoubetter，mydearfellow？heasked。Youseemedratheroutofsortsatdinner。

Iamquitewell，Harry。Iamtired。Thatisall。

Youwerecharminglastnight。Thelittleduchessisquitedevotedtoyou。ShetellsmesheisgoingdowntoSelby。

Shehaspromisedtocomeonthetwentieth。

IsMonmouthtobethere，too？

Oh，yes，Harry。

Heboresmedreadfully，almostasmuchasheboresher。Sheisveryclever，toocleverforawoman。Shelackstheindefinablecharmofweakness。Itisthefeetofclaythatmakethegoldoftheimageprecious。

Herfeetareverypretty，buttheyarenotfeetofclay。Whiteporcelainfeet，ifyoulike。Theyhavebeenthroughthefire，andwhatfiredoesnotdestroy，ithardens。Shehashadexperiences。

Howlonghasshebeenmarried？askedDorian。

Aneternity，shetellsme。Ibelieve，accordingtothepeerage，itistenyears，buttenyearswithMonmouthmusthavebeenlikeeternity，withtimethrownin。Whoelseiscoming？

Oh，theWilloughbys，LordRugbyandhiswife，ourhostess，GeoffreyClouston，theusualset。IhaveaskedLordGrotrian。

Ilikehim，saidLordHenry。Agreatmanypeopledon’t，butIfindhimcharming。Heatonesforbeingoccasionallysomewhatoverdressedbybeingalwaysabsolutelyover-educated。Heisaverymoderntype。

Idon’tknowifhewillbeabletocome，Harry。HemayhavetogotoMonteCarlowithhisfather。

Ah！whatanuisancepeople’speopleare！Tryandmakehimcome。

Bytheway，Dorian，youranoffveryearlylastnight。Youleftbeforeeleven。Whatdidyoudoafterwards？Didyougostraighthome？

Dorianglancedathimhurriedlyandfrowned。

No，Harry，hesaidatlast，Ididnotgethometillnearlythree。

Didyougototheclub？

Yes，heanswered。Thenhebithislip。No，Idon’tmeanthat。

Ididn’tgototheclub。Iwalkedabout。IforgetwhatIdid……Howinquisitiveyouare，Harry！Youalwayswanttoknowwhatonehasbeendoing。

IalwayswanttoforgetwhatIhavebeendoing。Icameinathalf-pasttwo，ifyouwishtoknowtheexacttime。Ihadleftmylatch-keyathome，andmyservanthadtoletmein。Ifyouwantanycorroborativeevidenceonthesubject，youcanaskhim。

LordHenryshruggedhisshoulders。Mydearfellow，asifIcared！

Letusgouptothedrawing-room。Nosherry，thankyou，Mr。Chapman。Somethinghashappenedtoyou，Dorian。Tellmewhatitis。Youarenotyourselfto-night。

Don’tmindme，Harry。Iamirritable，andoutoftemper。Ishallcomeroundandseeyouto-morrow，ornextday。MakemyexcusestoLadyNarborough。Ishan’tgoupstairs。Ishallgohome。Imustgohome。

Allright，Dorian。IdaresayIshallseeyouto-morrowattea-time。

Theduchessiscoming。

Iwilltrytobethere，Harry，hesaid，leavingtheroom。Ashedrovebacktohisownhouse，hewasconsciousthatthesenseofterrorhethoughthehadstrangledhadcomebacktohim。LordHenry’scasualquestioninghadmadehimlosehisnervesforthemoment，andhewantedhisnervestill。

Thingsthatweredangeroushadtobedestroyed。Hewinced。Hehatedtheideaofeventouchingthem。

Yetithadtobedone。Herealizedthat，andwhenhehadlockedthedoorofhislibrary，heopenedthesecretpressintowhichhehadthrustBasilHallward’scoatandbag。Ahugefirewasblazing。Hepiledanotherlogonit。Thesmellofthesingeingclothesandburningleatherwashorrible。

Ittookhimthree-quartersofanhourtoconsumeeverything。Attheendhefeltfaintandsick，andhavinglitsomeAlgerianpastillesinapiercedcopperbrazier，hebathedhishandsandforeheadwithacoolmusk-scentedvinegar。

Suddenlyhestarted。Hiseyesgrewstrangelybright，andhegnawednervouslyathisunderlip。BetweentwoofthewindowsstoodalargeFlorentinecabinet，madeoutofebonyandinlaidwithivoryandbluelapis。Hewatcheditasthoughitwereathingthatcouldfascinateandmakeafraid，asthoughitheldsomethingthathelongedforandyetalmostloathed。Hisbreathquickened。Amadcravingcameoverhim。Helitacigaretteandthenthrewitaway。Hiseyelidsdroopedtillthelongfringedlashesalmosttouchedhischeek。Buthestillwatchedthecabinet。Atlasthegotupfromthesofaonwhichhehadbeenlying，wentovertoit，andhavingunlockedit，touchedsomehiddenspring。Atriangulardrawerpassedslowlyout。Hisfingersmovedinstinctivelytowardsit，dippedin，andclosedonsomething。

ItwasasmallChineseboxofblackandgold-dustlacquer，elaboratelywrought，thesidespatternedwithcurvedwaves，andthesilkencordshungwithroundcrystalsandtasselledinplaitedmetalthreads。Heopenedit。

Insidewasagreenpaste，waxyinlustre，theodourcuriouslyheavyandpersistent。

Hehesitatedforsomemoments，withastrangelyimmobilesmileuponhisface。Thenshivering，thoughtheatmosphereoftheroomwasterriblyhot，hedrewhimselfupandglancedattheclock。Itwastwentyminutestotwelve。Heputtheboxback，shuttingthecabinetdoorsashedidso，andwentintohisbedroom。

Asmidnightwasstrikingbronzeblowsupontheduskyair，DorianGray，dressedcommonly，andwithamufflerwrappedroundhisthroat，creptquietlyoutofhishouse。InBondStreethefoundahansomwithagoodhorse。Hehaileditandinalowvoicegavethedriveranaddress。

Themanshookhishead。Itistoofarforme，hemuttered。

Hereisasovereignforyou，saidDorian。Youshallhaveanotherifyoudrivefast。

Allright，sir，answeredtheman，youwillbethereinanhour，

andafterhisfarehadgotinheturnedhishorseroundanddroverapidlytowardstheriver。

ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter16Chapter16Acoldrainbegantofall，andtheblurredstreet-lampslookedghastlyinthedrippingmist。Thepublic-houseswerejustclosing，anddimmenandwomenwereclusteringinbrokengroupsroundtheirdoors。Fromsomeofthebarscamethesoundofhorriblelaughter。Inothers，drunkardsbrawledandscreamed。

Lyingbackinthehansom，withhishatpulledoverhisforehead，DorianGraywatchedwithlistlesseyesthesordidshameofthegreatcity，andnowandthenherepeatedtohimselfthewordsthatLordHenryhadsaidtohimonthefirstdaytheyhadmet，Tocurethesoulbymeansofthesenses，andthesensesbymeansofthesoul。Yes，thatwasthesecret。

Hehadoftentriedit，andwouldtryitagainnow。Therewereopiumdenswhereonecouldbuyoblivion，densofhorrorwherethememoryofoldsinscouldbedestroyedbythemadnessofsinsthatwerenew。

Themoonhunglowintheskylikeayellowskull。Fromtimetotimeahugemisshapencloudstretchedalongarmacrossandhidit。Thegas-lampsgrewfewer，andthestreetsmorenarrowandgloomy。Oncethemanlosthiswayandhadtodrivebackhalfamile。Asteamrosefromthehorseasitsplashedupthepuddles。Thesidewindowsofthehansomwerecloggedwithagrey-flannelmist。

Tocurethesoulbymeansofthesenses，andthesensesbymeansofthesoul！Howthewordsranginhisears！Hissoul，certainly，wassicktodeath。Wasittruethatthesensescouldcureit？Innocentbloodhadbeenspilled。Whatcouldatoneforthat？Ah！forthattherewasnoatonement。butthoughforgivenesswasimpossible，forgetfulnesswaspossiblestill，andhewasdeterminedtoforget，tostampthethingout，tocrushitasonewouldcrushtheadderthathadstungone。Indeed，whatrighthadBasiltohavespokentohimashehaddone？Whohadmadehimajudgeoverothers？Hehadsaidthingsthatweredreadful，horrible，nottobeendured。

Onandonploddedthehansom，goingslower，itseemedtohim，ateachstep。Hethrustupthetrapandcalledtothemantodrivefaster。

Thehideoushungerforopiumbegantognawathim。Histhroatburnedandhisdelicatehandstwitchednervouslytogether。Hestruckatthehorsemadlywithhisstick。Thedriverlaughedandwhippedup。Helaughedinanswer，andthemanwassilent。

Thewayseemedinterminable，andthestreetsliketheblackwebofsomesprawlingspider。Themonotonybecameunbearable，andasthemistthickened，hefeltafraid。

Thentheypassedbylonelybrickfields。Thefogwaslighterhere，andhecouldseethestrange，bottle-shapedkilnswiththeirorange，fanliketonguesoffire。Adogbarkedastheywentby，andfarawayinthedarknesssomewanderingsea-gullscreamed。Thehorsestumbledinarut，thenswervedasideandbrokeintoagallop。

Aftersometimetheylefttheclayroadandrattledagainoverrough-pavenstreets。Mostofthewindowsweredark，butnowandthenfantasticshadowsweresilhouettedagainstsomelamplitblind。Hewatchedthemcuriously。

Theymovedlikemonstrousmarionettesandmadegestureslikelivethings。

Hehatedthem。Adullragewasinhisheart。Astheyturnedacorner，awomanyelledsomethingatthemfromanopendoor，andtwomenranafterthehansomforaboutahundredyards。Thedriverbeatatthemwithhiswhip。

Itissaidthatpassionmakesonethinkinacircle。CertainlywithhideousiterationthebittenlipsofDorianGrayshapedandreshapedthosesubtlewordsthatdealtwithsoulandsense，tillhehadfoundinthemthefullexpression，asitwere，ofhismood，andjustified，byintellectualapproval，passionsthatwithoutsuchjustificationwouldstillhavedominatedhistemper。Fromcelltocellofhisbraincrepttheonethought。andthewilddesiretolive，mostterribleofallman’sappetites，quickenedintoforceeachtremblingnerveandfibre。Uglinessthathadoncebeenhatefultohimbecauseitmadethingsreal，becamedeartohimnowforthatveryreason。Uglinesswastheonereality。Thecoarsebrawl，theloathsomeden，thecrudeviolenceofdisorderedlife，theveryvilenessofthiefandoutcast，weremorevivid，intheirintenseactualityofimpression，thanallthegraciousshapesofart，thedreamyshadowsofsong。Theywerewhatheneededforforgetfulness。Inthreedayshewouldbefree。

Suddenlythemandrewupwithajerkatthetopofadarklane。

Overthelowroofsandjaggedchimney-stacksofthehousesrosetheblackmastsofships。Wreathsofwhitemistclunglikeghostlysailstotheyards。

Somewhereabouthere，sir，ain’tit？heaskedhuskilythroughthetrap。

Dorianstartedandpeeredround。Thiswilldo，heanswered，andhavinggotouthastilyandgiventhedrivertheextrafarehehadpromisedhim，hewalkedquicklyinthedirectionofthequay。Hereandtherealanterngleamedatthesternofsomehugemerchantman。Thelightshookandsplinteredinthepuddles。Aredglarecamefromanoutward-boundsteamerthatwascoaling。Theslimypavementlookedlikeawetmackintosh。

Hehurriedontowardstheleft，glancingbacknowandthentoseeifhewasbeingfollowed。Inaboutsevenoreightminuteshereachedasmallshabbyhousethatwaswedgedinbetweentwogauntfactories。Inoneofthetop-windowsstoodalamp。Hestoppedandgaveapeculiarknock。

Afteralittletimeheheardstepsinthepassageandthechainbeingunhooked。Thedooropenedquietly，andhewentinwithoutsayingawordtothesquatmisshapenfigurethatflatteneditselfintotheshadowashepassed。Attheendofthehallhungatatteredgreencurtainthatswayedandshookinthegustywindwhichhadfollowedhiminfromthestreet。

Hedraggeditasideandenteredalonglowroomwhichlookedasifithadoncebeenathird-ratedancing-saloon。Shrillflaringgas-jets，dulledanddistortedinthefly-blownmirrorsthatfacedthem，wererangedroundthewalls。Greasyreflectorsofribbedtinbackedthem，makingquiveringdisksoflight。Thefloorwascoveredwithochre-colouredsawdust，trampledhereandthereintomud，andstainedwithdarkringsofspilledliquor。

SomeMalayswerecrouchingbyalittlecharcoalstove，playingwithbonecountersandshowingtheirwhiteteethastheychattered。Inonecorner，withhisheadburiedinhisarms，asailorsprawledoveratable，andbythetawdrilypaintedbarthatranacrossonecompletesidestoodtwohaggardwomen，mockinganoldmanwhowasbrushingthesleevesofhiscoatwithanexpressionofdisgust。Hethinkshe’sgotredantsonhim，laughedoneofthem，asDorianpassedby。Themanlookedatherinterrorandbegantowhimper。

Attheendoftheroomtherewasalittlestaircase，leadingtoadarkenedchamber。AsDorianhurriedupitsthreericketysteps，theheavyodourofopiummethim。Heheavedadeepbreath，andhisnostrilsquiveredwithpleasure。Whenheentered，ayoungmanwithsmoothyellowhair，whowasbendingoveralamplightingalongthinpipe，lookedupathimandnoddedinahesitatingmanner。

Youhere，Adrian？mutteredDorian。

WhereelseshouldIbe？heanswered，listlessly。Noneofthechapswillspeaktomenow。

IthoughtyouhadleftEngland。

Darlingtonisnotgoingtodoanything。Mybrotherpaidthebillatlast。Georgedoesn’tspeaktomeeither……Idon’tcare，headdedwithasigh。Aslongasonehasthisstuff，onedoesn’twantfriends。

IthinkIhavehadtoomanyfriends。

Dorianwincedandlookedroundatthegrotesquethingsthatlayinsuchfantasticposturesontheraggedmattresses。Thetwistedlimbs，thegapingmouths，thestaringlustrelesseyes，fascinatedhim。Heknewinwhatstrangeheavenstheyweresuffering，andwhatdullhellswereteachingthemthesecretofsomenewjoy。Theywerebetteroffthanhewas。Hewasprisonedinthought。Memory，likeahorriblemalady，waseatinghissoulaway。FromtimetotimeheseemedtoseetheeyesofBasilHallwardlookingathim。Yethefelthecouldnotstay。ThepresenceofAdrianSingletontroubledhim。Hewantedtobewherenoonewouldknowwhohewas。Hewantedtoescapefromhimself。

Iamgoingontotheotherplace，hesaidafterapause。

Onthewharf？

Yes。

Thatmad-catissuretobethere。Theywon’thaveherinthisplacenow。

Dorianshruggedhisshoulders。Iamsickofwomenwholoveone。

Womenwhohateonearemuchmoreinteresting。Besides，thestuffisbetter。

Muchthesame。

Ilikeitbetter。Comeandhavesomethingtodrink。Imusthavesomething。

Idon’twantanything，murmuredtheyoungman。

Nevermind。

AdrianSingletonroseupwearilyandfollowedDoriantothebar。

Ahalf-caste，inaraggedturbanandashabbyulster，grinnedahideousgreetingashethrustabottleofbrandyandtwotumblersinfrontofthem。

Thewomensidledupandbegantochatter。DorianturnedhisbackonthemandsaidsomethinginalowvoicetoAdrianSingleton。

Acrookedsmile，likeaMalaycrease，writhedacrossthefaceofoneofthewomen。Weareveryproudto-night，shesneered。

ForGod’ssakedon’ttalktome，criedDorian，stampinghisfootontheground。Whatdoyouwant？Money？Hereitis。Don’tevertalktomeagain。

Tworedsparksflashedforamomentinthewoman’ssoddeneyes，thenflickeredoutandleftthemdullandglazed。Shetossedherheadandrakedthecoinsoffthecounterwithgreedyfingers。Hercompanionwatchedherenviously。

It’snouse，sighedAdrianSingleton。Idon’tcaretogoback。

Whatdoesitmatter？Iamquitehappyhere。

Youwillwritetomeifyouwantanything，won’tyou？saidDorian，afterapause。

Perhaps。

Goodnight，then。

Goodnight，answeredtheyoungman，passingupthestepsandwipinghisparchedmouthwithahandkerchief。

Dorianwalkedtothedoorwithalookofpaininhisface。Ashedrewthecurtainaside，ahideouslaughbrokefromthepaintedlipsofthewomanwhohadtakenhismoney。Theregoesthedevil’sbargain！

shehiccoughed，inahoarsevoice。

Curseyou！heanswered，don’tcallmethat。

Shesnappedherfingers。PrinceCharmingiswhatyouliketobecalled，ain’tit？sheyelledafterhim。

Thedrowsysailorleapedtohisfeetasshespoke，andlookedwildlyround。Thesoundoftheshuttingofthehalldoorfellonhisear。

Herushedoutasifinpursuit。

DorianGrayhurriedalongthequaythroughthedrizzlingrain。

HismeetingwithAdrianSingletonhadstrangelymovedhim，andhewonderediftheruinofthatyounglifewasreallytobelaidathisdoor，asBasilHallwardhadsaidtohimwithsuchinfamyofinsult。Hebithislip，andforafewsecondshiseyesgrewsad。Yet，afterall，whatdiditmattertohim？One’sdaysweretoobrieftotaketheburdenofanother’serrorsonone’sshoulders。Eachmanlivedhisownlifeandpaidhisownpriceforlivingit。Theonlypitywasonehadtopaysooftenforasinglefault。

Onehadtopayoverandoveragain，indeed。Inherdealingswithman，destinyneverclosedheraccounts。

Therearemoments，psychologiststellus，whenthepassionforsin，orforwhattheworldcallssin，sodominatesanaturethateveryfibreofthebody，aseverycellofthebrain，seemstobeinstinctwithfearfulimpulses。Menandwomenatsuchmomentslosethefreedomoftheirwill。Theymovetotheirterribleendasautomatonsmove。Choiceistakenfromthem，andconscienceiseitherkilled，or，ifitlivesatall，livesbuttogiverebellionitsfascinationanddisobedienceitscharm。Forallsins，astheologianswearynotofremindingus，aresinsofdisobedience。

Whenthathighspirit，thatmorningstarofevil，fellfromheaven，itwasasarebelthathefell。

Callous，concentratedonevil，withstainedmind，andsoulhungryforrebellion，DorianGrayhastenedon，quickeninghisstepashewent，butashedartedasideintoadimarchway，thathadservedhimoftenasashortcuttotheill-famedplacewherehewasgoing，hefelthimselfsuddenlyseizedfrombehind，andbeforebehadtimetodefendhimself，hewasthrustbackagainstthewall，withabrutalhandroundhisthroat。

Hestruggledmadlyforlife，andbyaterribleeffortwrenchedthetighteningfingersaway。Inasecondheheardtheclickofarevolver，andsawthegleamofapolishedbarrel，pointingstraightathishead，andtheduskyformofashort，thick-setmanfacinghim。

Whatdoyouwant？hegasped。

Keepquiet，saidtheman。Ifyoustir，Ishootyou。

Youaremad。WhathaveIdonetoyou？

YouwreckedthelifeofSibylVane，wastheanswer，andSibylVanewasmysister。Shekilledherself。Iknowit。Herdeathisatyourdoor。IsworeIwouldkillyouinreturn。ForyearsIhavesoughtyou。

Ihadnoclue，notrace。Thetwopeoplewhocouldhavedescribedyouweredead。Iknewnothingofyoubutthepetnamesheusedtocallyou。Ihearditto-nightbychance。MakeyourpeacewithGod，forto-nightyouaregoingtodie。

DorianGraygrewsickwithfear。Ineverknewher，hestammered。

Ineverheardofher。Youaremad。

Youhadbetterconfessyoursin，forassureasIamJamesVane，youaregoingtodie。Therewasahorriblemoment。Doriandidnotknowwhattosayordo。Downonyourknees！growledtheman。Igiveyouoneminutetomakeyourpeace——nomore。Igoonboardto-nightforIndia，andImustdomyjobfirst。Oneminute。That’sall。

Dorian’sarmsfelltohisside。Paralysedwithterror，hedidnotknowwhattodo。Suddenlyawildhopeflashedacrosshisbrain。Stop，

hecried。Howlongagoisitsinceyoursisterdied？Quick，tellme！

Eighteenyears，saidtheman。Whydoyouaskme？Whatdoyearsmatter？

Eighteenyears，laughedDorianGray，withatouchoftriumphinhisvoice。Eighteenyears！Setmeunderthelampandlookatmyface！

JamesVanehesitatedforamoment，notunderstandingwhatwasmeant。ThenheseizedDorianGrayanddraggedhimfromthearchway。

Dimandwaveringaswasthewind-blownlight，yetitservedtoshowhimthehideouserror，asitseemed，intowhichhehadfallen，forthefaceofthemanhehadsoughttokillhadallthebloomofboyhood，alltheunstainedpurityofyouth。Heseemedlittlemorethanaladoftwentysummers，hardlyolder，ifolderindeedatall，thanhissisterhadbeenwhentheyhadpartedsomanyyearsago。Itwasobviousthatthiswasnotthemanwhohaddestroyedherlife。

Heloosenedhisholdandreeledback。MyGod！myGod！hecried，andIwouldhavemurderedyou！

DorianGraydrewalongbreath。Youhavebeenonthebrinkofcommittingaterriblecrime，myman，hesaid，lookingathimsternly。

Letthisbeawarningtoyounottotakevengeanceintoyourownhands。

Forgiveme，sir，mutteredJamesVane。Iwasdeceived。AchancewordIheardinthatdamneddensetmeonthewrongtrack。

Youhadbettergohomeandputthatpistolaway，oryoumaygetintotrouble，saidDorian，turningonhisheelandgoingslowlydownthestreet。

JamesVanestoodonthepavementinhorror。Hewastremblingfromheadtofoot。Afteralittlewhile，ablackshadowthathadbeencreepingalongthedrippingwallmovedoutintothelightandcameclosetohimwithstealthyfootsteps。Hefeltahandlaidonhisarmandlookedroundwithastart。Itwasoneofthewomenwhohadbeendrinkingatthebar。

Whydidn’tyoukillhim？shehissedout，puttinghaggardfacequiteclosetohis。IknewyouwerefollowinghimwhenyourushedoutfromDaly’s。Youfool！Youshouldhavekilledhim。Hehaslotsofmoney，andhe’sasbadasbad。

HeisnotthemanIamlookingfor，heanswered，andIwantnoman’smoney。Iwantaman’slife。ThemanwhoselifeIwantmustbenearlyfortynow。Thisoneislittlemorethanaboy。ThankGod，Ihavenotgothisblooduponmyhands。

Thewomangaveabitterlaugh。Littlemorethanaboy！shesneered。

Why，man，it’snighoneighteenyearssincePrinceCharmingmademewhatIam。

Youlie！criedJamesVane。

Sheraisedherhanduptoheaven。BeforeGodIamtellingthetruth，shecried。

BeforeGod？

Strikemedumbifitain’tso。Heistheworstonethatcomeshere。Theysayhehassoldhimselftothedevilforaprettyface。It’snighoneighteenyearssinceImethim。Hehasn’tchangedmuchsincethen。

Ihave，though，sheadded，withasicklyleer。

Youswearthis？

Iswearit，cameinhoarseechofromherflatmouth。Butdon’tgivemeawaytohim，shewhined。Iamafraidofhim。Letmehavesomemoneyformynight’slodging。

Hebrokefromherwithanoathandrushedtothecornerofthestreet，butDorianGrayhaddisappeared。Whenhelookedback，thewomanhadvanishedalso。

ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter17Chapter17AweeklaterDorianGraywassittingintheconservatoryatSelbyRoyal，talkingtotheprettyDuchessofMonmouth，whowithherhusband，ajaded-lookingmanofsixty，wasamongsthisguests。Itwastea-time，andthemellowlightofthehuge，lace-coveredlampthatstoodonthetablelitupthedelicatechinaandhammeredsilveroftheserviceatwhichtheduchesswaspresiding。

Herwhitehandsweremovingdaintilyamongthecups，andherfullredlipsweresmilingatsomethingthatDorianhadwhisperedtoher。LordHenrywaslyingbackinasilk-drapedwickerchair，lookingatthem。Onapeach-coloureddivansatLadyNarborough，pretendingtolistentotheduke’sdescriptionofthelastBrazilianbeetlethathehadaddedtohiscollection。Threeyoungmeninelaboratesmoking-suitswerehandingtea-cakestosomeofthewomen。Thehouse-partyconsistedoftwelvepeople，andthereweremoreexpectedtoarriveonthenextday。