Theartististhecreatorofbeautifulthings。
　　Torevealartandconcealtheartistisart’saim。
　　Thecriticishewhocantranslateintoanothermanneroranewmaterialhisimpressionofbeautifulthings。
　　Thehighestasthelowestformofcriticismisamodeofautobiography。
　　Thosewhofinduglymeaningsinbeautifulthingsarecorruptwithoutbeingcharming。
　　Thisisafault。
　　Thosewhofindbeautifulmeaningsinbeautifulthingsarethecultivated。Forthesethereishope。
　　Theyaretheelecttowhombeautifulthingsmeanonlybeauty。
　　Thereisnosuchthingasamoraloranimmoralbook。Booksarewellwritten，orbadlywritten。
　　Thatisall。
　　ThenineteenthcenturydislikeofrealismistherageofCalibanseeinghisownfaceinaglass。
　　ThenineteenthcenturydislikeofromanticismistherageofCalibannotseeinghisownfaceinaglass。
　　Themorallifeofmanformspartofthesubject-matteroftheartist，butthemoralityofartconsistsintheperfectuseofanimperfectmedium。Noartistdesirestoproveanything。Eventhingsthataretruecanbeproved。
　　Noartisthasethicalsympathies。
　　Anethicalsympathyinanartistisanunpardonablemannerismofstyle。Noartistisevermorbid。Theartistcanexpresseverything。
　　Thoughtandlanguagearetotheartistinstrumentsofanart。
　　Viceandvirtuearetotheartistmaterialsforanart。
　　Fromthepointofviewofform，thetypeofalltheartsistheartofthemusician。
　　Fromthepointofviewoffeeling，theactor’scraftisthetype。
　　Allartisatoncesurfaceandsymbol。
　　Thosewhogobeneaththesurfacedosoattheirperil。
　　Thosewhoreadthesymboldosoattheirperil。
　　Itisthespectator，andnotlife，thatartreallymirrors。
　　Diversityofopinionaboutaworkofartshowsthattheworkisnew，complex，andvital。
　　Whencriticsdisagree，theartistisinaccordwithhimself。
　　Wecanforgiveamanformakingausefulthingaslongashedoesnotadmireit。Theonlyexcuseformakingauselessthingisthatoneadmiresitintensely。
　　Allartisquiteuseless。OSCARWILDE
　　Thestudiowasfilledwiththerichodourofroses，andwhenthelightsummerwindstirredamidstthetreesofthegarden，therecamethroughtheopendoortheheavyscentofthelilac，orthemoredelicateperfumeofthepink-floweringthorn。
　　FromthecornerofthedivanofPersiansaddle-bagsonwhichhewaslying，smoking，aswashiscustom，innumerablecigarettes，LordHenryWottoncouldjustcatchthegleamofthehoney-sweetandhoney-colouredblossomsofalaburnum，whosetremulousbranchesseemedhardlyabletobeartheburdenofabeautysoflamelikeastheirs。andnowandthenthefantasticshadowsofbirdsinflightflittedacrossthelongtussore-silkcurtainsthatwerestretchedinfrontofthehugewindow，producingakindofmomentaryJapaneseeffect，andmakinghimthinkofthosepallid，jade-facedpaintersofTokyowho，throughthemediumofanartthatisnecessarilyimmobile，seektoconveythesenseofswiftnessandmotion。Thesullenmurmurofthebeesshoulderingtheirwaythroughthelongunmowngrass，orcirclingwithmonotonousinsistenceroundthedustygilthornsofthestragglingwoodbine，seemedtomakethestillnessmoreoppressive。ThedimroarofLondonwaslikethebourdonnoteofadistantorgan。
　　Inthecentreoftheroom，clampedtoanuprighteasel，stoodthefull-lengthportraitofayoungmanofextraordinarypersonalbeauty，andinfrontofit，somelittledistanceaway，wassittingtheartisthimself，BasilHallward，whosesuddendisappearancesomeyearsagocaused，atthetime，suchpublicexcitementandgaverisetosomanystrangeconjectures。
　　Asthepainterlookedatthegraciousandcomelyformhehadsoskilfullymirroredinhisart，asmileofpleasurepassedacrosshisface，andseemedabouttolingerthere。Buthesuddenlystartedup，andclosinghiseyes，placedhisfingersuponthelids，asthoughhesoughttoimprisonwithinhisbrainsomecuriousdreamfromwhichhefearedhemightawake。
　　Itisyourbestwork，Basil，thebestthingyouhaveeverdone，
　　saidLordHenrylanguidly。YoumustcertainlysenditnextyeartotheGrosvenor。TheAcademyistoolargeandtoovulgar。WheneverIhavegonethere，therehavebeeneithersomanypeoplethatIhavenotbeenabletoseethepictures，whichwasdreadful，orsomanypicturesthatIhavenotbeenabletoseethepeople，whichwasworse。TheGrosvenorisreallytheonlyplace。
　　Idon’tthinkIshallsenditanywhere，heanswered，tossinghisheadbackinthatoddwaythatusedtomakehisfriendslaughathimatOxford。No，Iwon’tsenditanywhere。
　　LordHenryelevatedhiseyebrowsandlookedathiminamazementthroughthethinbluewreathsofsmokethatcurledupinsuchfancifulwhorlsfromhisheavy，opium-taintedcigarette。Notsenditanywhere？
　　Mydearfellow，why？Haveyouanyreason？Whatoddchapsyoupaintersare！
　　Youdoanythingintheworldtogainareputation。Assoonasyouhaveone，youseemtowanttothrowitaway。Itissillyofyou，forthereisonlyonethingintheworldworsethanbeingtalkedabout，andthatisnotbeingtalkedabout。AportraitlikethiswouldsetyoufarabovealltheyoungmeninEngland，andmaketheoldmenquitejealous，ifoldmenareevercapableofanyemotion。
　　Iknowyouwilllaughatme，hereplied，butIreallycan’texhibitit。Ihaveputtoomuchofmyselfintoit。
　　LordHenrystretchedhimselfoutonthedivanandlaughed。Yes，Iknewyouwould。butitisquitetrue，allthesame。Toomuchofyourselfinit！Uponmyword，Basil，Ididn’tknowyouweresovain。andIreallycan’tseeanyresemblancebetweenyou，withyourruggedstrongfaceandyourcoal-blackhair，andthisyoungAdonis，wholooksasifhewasmadeoutofivoryandrose-leaves。Why，mydearBasil，heisaNarcissus，andyou——well，ofcourseyouhaveanintellectualexpressionandallthat。
　　Butbeauty，realbeauty，endswhereanintellectualexpressionbegins。
　　Intellectisinitselfamodeofexaggeration，anddestroystheharmonyofanyface。Themomentonesitsdowntothink，onebecomesallnose，orallforehead，orsomethinghorrid。Lookatthesuccessfulmeninanyofthelearnedprofessions。Howperfectlyhideoustheyare！Except，ofcourse，intheChurch。ButthenintheChurchtheydon’tthink。Abishopkeepsonsayingattheageofeightywhathewastoldtosaywhenhewasaboyofeighteen，andasanaturalconsequencehealwayslooksabsolutelydelightful。
　　Yourmysteriousyoungfriend，whosenameyouhavenevertoldme，butwhosepicturereallyfascinatesme，neverthinks。Ifeelquitesureofthat。
　　Heissomebrainlessbeautifulcreaturewhoshouldbealwayshereinwinterwhenwehavenoflowerstolookat，andalwayshereinsummerwhenwewantsomethingtochillourintelligence。Don’tflatteryourself，Basil：youarenotintheleastlikehim。
　　Youdon’tunderstandme，Harry，answeredtheartist。OfcourseIamnotlikehim。Iknowthatperfectlywell。Indeed，Ishouldbesorrytolooklikehim。Youshrugyourshoulders？Iamtellingyouthetruth。
　　Thereisafatalityaboutallphysicalandintellectualdistinction，thesortoffatalitythatseemstodogthroughhistorythefalteringstepsofkings。Itisbetternottobedifferentfromone’sfellows。Theuglyandthestupidhavethebestofitinthisworld。Theycansitattheireaseandgapeattheplay。Iftheyknownothingofvictory，theyareatleastsparedtheknowledgeofdefeat。Theyliveasweallshouldlive——undisturbed，indifferent，andwithoutdisquiet。Theyneitherbringruinuponothers，noreverreceiveitfromalienhands。Yourrankandwealth，Harry。mybrains，suchastheyare——myart，whateveritmaybeworth。DorianGray’sgoodlooks——weshallallsufferforwhatthegodshavegivenus，sufferterribly。
　　DorianGray？Isthathisname？askedLordHenry，walkingacrossthestudiotowardsBasilHallward。
　　Yes，thatishisname。Ididn’tintendtotellittoyou。
　　Butwhynot？
　　Oh，Ican’texplain。WhenIlikepeopleimmensely，Inevertelltheirnamestoanyone。Itislikesurrenderingapartofthem。Ihavegrowntolovesecrecy。Itseemstobetheonethingthatcanmakemodernlifemysteriousormarvelloustous。Thecommonestthingisdelightfulifoneonlyhidesit。WhenIleavetownnowInevertellmypeoplewhereIamgoing。IfIdid，Iwouldloseallmypleasure。Itisasillyhabit，Idaresay，butsomehowitseemstobringagreatdealofromanceintoone’slife。Isupposeyouthinkmeawfullyfoolishaboutit？
　　Notatall，answeredLordHenry，notatall，mydearBasil。
　　YouseemtoforgetthatIammarried，andtheonecharmofmarriageisthatitmakesalifeofdeceptionabsolutelynecessaryforbothparties。
　　Ineverknowwheremywifeis，andmywifeneverknowswhatIamdoing。
　　Whenwemeet——wedomeetoccasionally，whenwedineouttogether，orgodowntotheDuke’s——wetelleachotherthemostabsurdstorieswiththemostseriousfaces。Mywifeisverygoodatit——muchbetter，infact，thanIam。Shenevergetsconfusedoverherdates，andIalwaysdo。Butwhenshedoesfindmeout，shemakesnorowatall。Isometimeswishshewould。
　　butshemerelylaughsatme。
　　Ihatethewayyoutalkaboutyourmarriedlife，Harry，saidBasilHallward，strollingtowardsthedoorthatledintothegarden。I
　　believethatyouarereallyaverygoodhusband，butthatyouarethoroughlyashamedofyourownvirtues。Youareanextraordinaryfellow。Youneversayamoralthing，andyouneverdoawrongthing。Yourcynicismissimplyapose。
　　Beingnaturalissimplyapose，andthemostirritatingposeIknow，criedLordHenry，laughing。andthetwoyoungmenwentoutintothegardentogetherandensconcedthemselvesonalongbambooseatthatstoodintheshadeofatalllaurelbush。Thesunlightslippedoverthepolishedleaves。Inthegrass，whitedaisiesweretremulous。
　　Afterapause，LordHenrypulledouthiswatch。IamafraidI
　　mustbegoing，Basil，hemurmured，andbeforeIgo，IinsistonyouransweringaquestionIputtoyousometimeago。
　　Whatisthat？saidthepainter，keepinghiseyesfixedontheground。
　　Youknowquitewell。
　　Idonot，Harry。
　　Well，Iwilltellyouwhatitis。Iwantyoutoexplaintomewhyyouwon’texhibitDorianGray’spicture。Iwanttherealreason。
　　Itoldyoutherealreason。
　　No，youdidnot。Yousaiditwasbecausetherewastoomuchofyourselfinit。Now，thatischildish。
　　Harry，saidBasilHallward，lookinghimstraightintheface，everyportraitthatispaintedwithfeelingisaportraitoftheartist，notofthesitter。Thesitterismerelytheaccident，theoccasion。Itisnothewhoisrevealedbythepainter。itisratherthepainterwho，onthecolouredcanvas，revealshimself。ThereasonIwillnotexhibitthispictureisthatIamafraidthatIhaveshowninitthesecretofmyownsoul。
　　LordHenrylaughed。Andwhatisthat？heasked。
　　Iwilltellyou，saidHallward。butanexpressionofperplexitycameoverhisface。
　　Iamallexpectation，Basil，continuedhiscompanion，glancingathim。
　　Oh，thereisreallyverylittletotell，Harry，answeredthepainter。andIamafraidyouwillhardlyunderstandit。Perhapsyouwillhardlybelieveit。
　　LordHenrysmiled，andleaningdown，pluckedapink-petalleddaisyfromthegrassandexaminedit。IamquitesureIshallunderstandit，
　　hereplied，gazingintentlyatthelittlegolden，white-feathereddisk，andasforbelievingthings，Icanbelieveanything，providedthatitisquiteincredible。
　　Thewindshooksomeblossomsfromthetrees，andtheheavylilac-blooms，withtheirclusteringstars，movedtoandfrointhelanguidair。Agrasshopperbegantochirrupbythewall，andlikeabluethreadalongthindragon-flyfloatedpastonitsbrowngauzewings。LordHenryfeltasifhecouldhearBasilHallward’sheartbeating，andwonderedwhatwascoming。
　　Thestoryissimplythis，saidthepainteraftersometime。
　　TwomonthsagoIwenttoacrushatLadyBrandon’s。Youknowwepoorartistshavetoshowourselvesinsocietyfromtimetotime，justtoremindthepublicthatwearenotsavages。Withaneveningcoatandawhitetie，asyoutoldmeonce，anybody，evenastock-broker，cangainareputationforbeingcivilized。Well，afterIhadbeenintheroomabouttenminutes，talkingtohugeoverdresseddowagersandtediousacademicians，Isuddenlybecameconsciousthatsomeonewaslookingatme。Iturnedhalf-wayroundandsawDorianGrayforthefirsttime。Whenoureyesmet，IfeltthatIwasgrowingpale。Acurioussensationofterrorcameoverme。IknewthatIhadcomefacetofacewithsomeonewhosemerepersonalitywassofascinatingthat，ifIallowedittodoso，itwouldabsorbmywholenature，mywholesoul，myveryartitself。Ididnotwantanyexternalinfluenceinmylife。Youknowyourself，Harry，howindependentIambynature。I
　　havealwaysbeenmyownmaster。hadatleastalwaysbeenso，tillImetDorianGray。Then——butIdon’tknowhowtoexplainittoyou。SomethingseemedtotellmethatIwasonthevergeofaterriblecrisisinmylife。
　　Ihadastrangefeelingthatfatehadinstoreformeexquisitejoysandexquisitesorrows。Igrewafraidandturnedtoquittheroom。Itwasnotconsciencethatmademedoso：itwasasortofcowardice。Itakenocredittomyselffortryingtoescape。
　　Conscienceandcowardicearereallythesamethings，Basil。Conscienceisthetrade-nameofthefirm。Thatisall。
　　Idon’tbelievethat，Harry，andIdon’tbelieveyoudoeither。
　　However，whateverwasmymotive——anditmayhavebeenpride，forIusedtobeveryproud——Icertainlystruggledtothedoor。There，ofcourse，IstumbledagainstLadyBrandon。’Youarenotgoingtorunawaysosoon，Mr。Hallward？’shescreamedout。Youknowhercuriouslyshrillvoice？
　　Yes。sheisapeacockineverythingbutbeauty，saidLordHenry，pullingthedaisytobitswithhislongnervousfingers。
　　Icouldnotgetridofher。Shebroughtmeuptoroyalties，andpeoplewithstarsandgarters，andelderlyladieswithgigantictiarasandparrotnoses。Shespokeofmeasherdearestfriend。Ihadonlymetheroncebefore，butshetookitintoherheadtolionizeme。Ibelievesomepictureofminehadmadeagreatsuccessatthetime，atleasthadbeenchatteredaboutinthepennynewspapers，whichisthenineteenth-centurystandardofimmortality。SuddenlyIfoundmyselffacetofacewiththeyoungmanwhosepersonalityhadsostrangelystirredme。Wewerequiteclose，almosttouching。Oureyesmetagain。Itwasrecklessofme，butIaskedLadyBrandontointroducemetohim。Perhapsitwasnotsoreckless，afterall。Itwassimplyinevitable。Wewouldhavespokentoeachotherwithoutanyintroduction。Iamsureofthat。Doriantoldmesoafterwards。
　　He，too，feltthatweweredestinedtoknoweachother。
　　AndhowdidLadyBrandondescribethiswonderfulyoungman？
　　askedhiscompanion。Iknowshegoesinforgivingarapidprecisofallherguests。Irememberherbringingmeuptoatruculentandred-facedoldgentlemancoveredalloverwithordersandribbons，andhissingintomyear，inatragicwhisperwhichmusthavebeenperfectlyaudibletoeverybodyintheroom，themostastoundingdetails。Isimplyfled。Iliketofindoutpeopleformyself。ButLadyBrandontreatsherguestsexactlyasanauctioneertreatshisgoods。Sheeitherexplainsthementirelyaway，ortellsoneeverythingaboutthemexceptwhatonewantstoknow。
　　PoorLadyBrandon！Youarehardonher，Harry！saidHallwardlistlessly。
　　Mydearfellow，shetriedtofoundasalon，andonlysucceededinopeningarestaurant。HowcouldIadmireher？Buttellme，whatdidshesayaboutMr。DorianGray？
　　Oh，somethinglike，’Charmingboy——poordearmotherandIabsolutelyinseparable。Quiteforgetwhathedoes——afraidhe——doesn’tdoanything——oh，yes，playsthepiano——orisittheviolin，dearMr。Gray？’Neitherofuscouldhelplaughing，andwebecamefriendsatonce。
　　Laughterisnotatallabadbeginningforafriendship，anditisfarthebestendingforone，saidtheyounglord，pluckinganotherdaisy。
　　Hallwardshookhishead。Youdon’tunderstandwhatfriendshipis，Harry，hemurmured——orwhatenmityis，forthatmatter。Youlikeeveryone。thatistosay，youareindifferenttoeveryone。
　　Howhorriblyunjustofyou！criedLordHenry，tiltinghishatbackandlookingupatthelittlecloudsthat，likeravelledskeinsofglossywhitesilk，weredriftingacrossthehollowedturquoiseofthesummersky。Yes。horriblyunjustofyou。Imakeagreatdifferencebetweenpeople。
　　Ichoosemyfriendsfortheirgoodlooks，myacquaintancesfortheirgoodcharacters，andmyenemiesfortheirgoodintellects。Amancannotbetoocarefulinthechoiceofhisenemies。Ihavenotgotonewhoisafool。
　　Theyareallmenofsomeintellectualpower，andconsequentlytheyallappreciateme。Isthatveryvainofme？Ithinkitisrathervain。
　　Ishouldthinkitwas，Harry。ButaccordingtoyourcategoryImustbemerelyanacquaintance。
　　MydearoldBasil，youaremuchmorethananacquaintance。
　　Andmuchlessthanafriend。Asortofbrother，Isuppose？
　　Oh，brothers！Idon’tcareforbrothers。Myelderbrotherwon’tdie，andmyyoungerbrothersseemnevertodoanythingelse。
　　Harry！exclaimedHallward，frowning。
　　Mydearfellow，Iamnotquiteserious。ButIcan’thelpdetestingmyrelations。Isupposeitcomesfromthefactthatnoneofuscanstandotherpeoplehavingthesamefaultsasourselves。IquitesympathizewiththerageoftheEnglishdemocracyagainstwhattheycallthevicesoftheupperorders。Themassesfeelthatdrunkenness，stupidity，andimmoralityshouldbetheirownspecialproperty，andthatifanyoneofusmakesanassofhimself，heispoachingontheirpreserves。WhenpoorSouthwarkgotintothedivorcecourt，theirindignationwasquitemagnificent。AndyetIdon’tsupposethattenpercentoftheproletariatlivecorrectly。
　　Idon’tagreewithasinglewordthatyouhavesaid，and，whatismore，Harry，Ifeelsureyoudon’teither。
　　LordHenrystrokedhispointedbrownbeardandtappedthetoeofhispatent-leatherbootwithatasselledebonycane。HowEnglishyouareBasil！Thatisthesecondtimeyouhavemadethatobservation。IfoneputsforwardanideatoatrueEnglishman——alwaysarashthingtodo——heneverdreamsofconsideringwhethertheideaisrightorwrong。Theonlythingheconsidersofanyimportanceiswhetheronebelievesitoneself。
　　Now，thevalueofanideahasnothingwhatsoevertodowiththesincerityofthemanwhoexpressesit。Indeed，theprobabilitiesarethatthemoreinsincerethemanis，themorepurelyintellectualwilltheideabe，asinthatcaseitwillnotbecolouredbyeitherhiswants，hisdesires，orhisprejudices。However，Idon’tproposetodiscusspolitics，sociology，ormetaphysicswithyou。Ilikepersonsbetterthanprinciples，andIlikepersonswithnoprinciplesbetterthananythingelseintheworld。TellmemoreaboutMr。DorianGray。Howoftendoyouseehim？
　　Everyday。Icouldn’tbehappyifIdidn’tseehimeveryday。
　　Heisabsolutelynecessarytome。
　　Howextraordinary！Ithoughtyouwouldnevercareforanythingbutyourart。
　　Heisallmyarttomenow，saidthepaintergravely。Isometimesthink，Harry，thatthereareonlytwoerasofanyimportanceintheworld’shistory。Thefirstistheappearanceofanewmediumforart，andthesecondistheappearanceofanewpersonalityforartalso。Whattheinventionofoil-paintingwastotheVenetians，thefaceofAntinouswastolateGreeksculpture，andthefaceofDorianGraywillsomedaybetome。ItisnotmerelythatIpaintfromhim，drawfromhim，sketchfromhim。Ofcourse，Ihavedoneallthat。Butheismuchmoretomethanamodelorasitter。Iwon’ttellyouthatIamdissatisfiedwithwhatIhavedoneofhim，orthathisbeautyissuchthatartcannotexpressit。Thereisnothingthatartcannotexpress，andIknowthattheworkIhavedone，sinceImetDorianGray，isgoodwork，isthebestworkofmylife。Butinsomecuriousway——Iwonderwillyouunderstandme？——hispersonalityhassuggestedtomeanentirelynewmannerinart，anentirelynewmodeofstyle。Iseethingsdifferently，Ithinkofthemdifferently。Icannowrecreatelifeinawaythatwashiddenfrommebefore。’Adreamofformindaysofthought’——whoisitwhosaysthat？Iforget。butitiswhatDorianGrayhasbeentome。Themerelyvisiblepresenceofthislad——forheseemstomelittlemorethanalad，thoughheisreallyovertwenty——
　　hismerelyvisiblepresence——ah！Iwondercanyourealizeallthatthatmeans？Unconsciouslyhedefinesformethelinesofafreshschool，aschoolthatistohaveinitallthepassionoftheromanticspirit，alltheperfectionofthespiritthatisGreek。Theharmonyofsoulandbody——howmuchthatis！Weinourmadnesshaveseparatedthetwo，andhaveinventedarealismthatisvulgar，anidealitythatisvoid。Harry！ifyouonlyknewwhatDorianGrayistome！Yourememberthatlandscapeofmine，forwhichAgnewofferedmesuchahugepricebutwhichIwouldnotpartwith？ItisoneofthebestthingsIhaveeverdone。Andwhyisitso？Because，whileI
　　waspaintingit，DorianGraysatbesideme。Somesubtleinfluencepassedfromhimtome，andforthefirsttimeinmylifeIsawintheplainwoodlandthewonderIhadalwayslookedforandalwaysmissed。
　　Basil，thisisextraordinary！ImustseeDorianGray。
　　Hallwardgotupfromtheseatandwalkedupanddownthegarden。
　　Aftersometimehecameback。Harry，hesaid，DorianGrayistomesimplyamotiveinart。Youmightseenothinginhim。Iseeeverythinginhim。
　　Heisnevermorepresentinmyworkthanwhennoimageofhimisthere。
　　Heisasuggestion，asIhavesaid，ofanewmanner。Ifindhiminthecurvesofcertainlines，inthelovelinessandsubtletiesofcertaincolours。
　　Thatisall。
　　Thenwhywon’tyouexhibithisportrait？askedLordHenry。
　　Because，withoutintendingit，Ihaveputintoitsomeexpressionofallthiscuriousartisticidolatry，ofwhich，ofcourse，Ihavenevercaredtospeaktohim。Heknowsnothingaboutit。Heshallneverknowanythingaboutit。Buttheworldmightguessit，andIwillnotbaremysoultotheirshallowpryingeyes。Myheartshallneverbeputundertheirmicroscope。
　　Thereistoomuchofmyselfinthething，Harry——toomuchofmyself！
　　Poetsarenotsoscrupulousasyouare。Theyknowhowusefulpassionisforpublication。Nowadaysabrokenheartwillruntomanyeditions。
　　Ihatethemforit，criedHallward。Anartistshouldcreatebeautifulthings，butshouldputnothingofhisownlifeintothem。Weliveinanagewhenmentreatartasifitweremeanttobeaformofautobiography。
　　Wehavelosttheabstractsenseofbeauty。SomedayIwillshowtheworldwhatitis。andforthatreasontheworldshallneverseemyportraitofDorianGray。
　　Ithinkyouarewrong，Basil，butIwon’targuewithyou。Itisonlytheintellectuallylostwhoeverargue。Tellme，isDorianGrayveryfondofyou？
　　Thepainterconsideredforafewmoments。Helikesme，heansweredafterapause。Iknowhelikesme。OfcourseIflatterhimdreadfully。
　　IfindastrangepleasureinsayingthingstohimthatIknowIshallbesorryforhavingsaid。Asarule，heischarmingtome，andwesitinthestudioandtalkofathousandthings。Nowandthen，however，heishorriblythoughtless，andseemstotakearealdelightingivingmepain。ThenI
　　feel，Harry，thatIhavegivenawaymywholesoultosomeonewhotreatsitasifitwereaflowertoputinhiscoat，abitofdecorationtocharmhisvanity，anornamentforasummer’sday。
　　Daysinsummer，Basil，areapttolinger，murmuredLordHenry。
　　Perhapsyouwilltiresoonerthanhewill。Itisasadthingtothinkof，butthereisnodoubtthatgeniuslastslongerthanbeauty。Thataccountsforthefactthatwealltakesuchpainstoover-educateourselves。Inthewildstruggleforexistence，wewanttohavesomethingthatendures，andsowefillourmindswithrubbishandfacts，inthesillyhopeofkeepingourplace。Thethoroughlywell-informedman——thatisthemodernideal。
　　Andthemindofthethoroughlywell-informedmanisadreadfulthing。Itislikeabric-a-bracshop，allmonstersanddust，witheverythingpricedaboveitspropervalue。Ithinkyouwilltirefirst，allthesame。Somedayyouwilllookatyourfriend，andhewillseemtoyoutobealittleoutofdrawing，oryouwon’tlikehistoneofcolour，orsomething。Youwillbitterlyreproachhiminyourownheart，andseriouslythinkthathehasbehavedverybadlytoyou。Thenexttimehecalls，youwillbeperfectlycoldandindifferent。Itwillbeagreatpity，foritwillalteryou。Whatyouhavetoldmeisquitearomance，aromanceofartonemightcallit，andtheworstofhavingaromanceofanykindisthatitleavesonesounromantic。
　　Harry，don’ttalklikethat。AslongasIlive，thepersonalityofDorianGraywilldominateme。Youcan’tfeelwhatIfeel。Youchangetoooften。
　　Ah，mydearBasil，thatisexactlywhyIcanfeelit。Thosewhoarefaithfulknowonlythetrivialsideoflove：itisthefaithlesswhoknowlove’stragedies。AndLordHenrystruckalightonadaintysilvercaseandbegantosmokeacigarettewithaself-consciousandsatisfiedair，asifhehadsummeduptheworldinaphrase。Therewasarustleofchirrupingsparrowsinthegreenlacquerleavesoftheivy，andthebluecloud-shadowschasedthemselvesacrossthegrasslikeswallows。Howpleasantitwasinthegarden！Andhowdelightfulotherpeople’semotionswere！——
　　muchmoredelightfulthantheirideas，itseemedtohim。One’sownsoul，andthepassionsofone’sfriends——thosewerethefascinatingthingsinlife。HepicturedtohimselfwithsilentamusementthetediousluncheonthathehadmissedbystayingsolongwithBasilHallward。Hadhegonetohisaunt’s，hewouldhavebeensuretohavemetLordGoodbodythere，andthewholeconversationwouldhavebeenaboutthefeedingofthepoorandthenecessityformodellodging-houses。Eachclasswouldhavepreachedtheimportanceofthosevirtues，forwhoseexercisetherewasnonecessityintheirownlives。Therichwouldhavespokenonthevalueofthrift，andtheidlegrowneloquentoverthedignityoflabour。Itwascharmingtohaveescapedallthat！Ashethoughtofhisaunt，anideaseemedtostrikehim。HeturnedtoHallwardandsaid，Mydearfellow，Ihavejustremembered。
　　Rememberedwhat，Harry？
　　WhereIheardthenameofDorianGray。
　　Wherewasit？askedHallward，withaslightfrown。
　　Don’tlooksoangry，Basil。Itwasatmyaunt，LadyAgatha’s。
　　ShetoldmeshehaddiscoveredawonderfulyoungmanwhowasgoingtohelpherintheEastEnd，andthathisnamewasDorianGray。Iamboundtostatethatshenevertoldmehewasgood-looking。Womenhavenoappreciationofgoodlooks。atleast，goodwomenhavenot。Shesaidthathewasveryearnestandhadabeautifulnature。Iatoncepicturedtomyselfacreaturewithspectaclesandlankhair，horriblyfreckled，andtrampingaboutonhugefeet。IwishIhadknownitwasyourfriend。
　　Iamverygladyoudidn’t，Harry。
　　Why？
　　Idon’twantyoutomeethim。
　　Youdon’twantmetomeethim？
　　No。
　　Mr。DorianGrayisinthestudio，sir，saidthebutler，comingintothegarden。
　　Youmustintroducemenow，criedLordHenry，laughing。
　　Thepainterturnedtohisservant，whostoodblinkinginthesunlight。
　　AskMr。Graytowait，Parker：Ishallbeininafewmoments。Themanbowedandwentupthewalk。
　　ThenhelookedatLordHenry。DorianGrayismydearestfriend，
　　hesaid。Hehasasimpleandabeautifulnature。Yourauntwasquiterightinwhatshesaidofhim。Don’tspoilhim。Don’ttrytoinfluencehim。Yourinfluencewouldbebad。Theworldiswide，andhasmanymarvellouspeopleinit。Don’ttakeawayfrommetheonepersonwhogivestomyartwhatevercharmitpossesses：mylifeasanartistdependsonhim。Mind，Harry，I
　　trustyou。Hespokeveryslowly，andthewordsseemedwrungoutofhimalmostagainsthiswill。
　　Whatnonsenseyoutalk！saidLordHenry，smiling，andtakingHallwardbythearm，healmostledhimintothehouse。
　　ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter2Chapter2AstheyenteredtheysawDorianGray。Hewasseatedatthepiano，withhisbacktothem，turningoverthepagesofavolumeofSchumann’sForestScenes。Youmustlendmethese，Basil，hecried。Iwanttolearnthem。
　　Theyareperfectlycharming。
　　Thatentirelydependsonhowyousitto-day，Dorian。
　　Oh，Iamtiredofsitting，andIdon’twantalife-sizedportraitofmyself，answeredthelad，swingingroundonthemusic-stoolinawilful，petulantmanner。WhenhecaughtsightofLordHenry，afaintblushcolouredhischeeksforamoment，andhestartedup。Ibegyourpardon，Basil，butIdidn’tknowyouhadanyonewithyou。
　　ThisisLordHenryWotton，Dorian，anoldOxfordfriendofmine。
　　Ihavejustbeentellinghimwhatacapitalsitteryouwere，andnowyouhavespoiledeverything。
　　Youhavenotspoiledmypleasureinmeetingyou，Mr。Gray，saidLordHenry，steppingforwardandextendinghishand。Myaunthasoftenspokentomeaboutyou。Youareoneofherfavourites，and，Iamafraid，oneofhervictimsalso。
　　IaminLadyAgatha’sblackbooksatpresent，answeredDorianwithafunnylookofpenitence。IpromisedtogotoaclubinWhitechapelwithherlastTuesday，andIreallyforgotallaboutit。Weweretohaveplayedaduettogether——threeduets，Ibelieve。Idon’tknowwhatshewillsaytome。Iamfartoofrightenedtocall。
　　Oh，Iwillmakeyourpeacewithmyaunt。Sheisquitedevotedtoyou。AndIdon’tthinkitreallymattersaboutyournotbeingthere。
　　Theaudienceprobablythoughtitwasaduet。WhenAuntAgathasitsdowntothepiano，shemakesquiteenoughnoisefortwopeople。
　　Thatisveryhorridtoher，andnotverynicetome，answeredDorian，laughing。
　　LordHenrylookedathim。Yes，hewascertainlywonderfullyhandsome，withhisfinelycurvedscarletlips，hisfrankblueeyes，hiscrispgoldhair。Therewassomethinginhisfacethatmadeonetrusthimatonce。
　　Allthecandourofyouthwasthere，aswellasallyouth’spassionatepurity。
　　Onefeltthathehadkepthimselfunspottedfromtheworld。NowonderBasilHallwardworshippedhim。
　　Youaretoocharmingtogoinforphilanthropy，Mr。Gray——fartoocharming。AndLordHenryflunghimselfdownonthedivanandopenedhiscigarette-case。
　　Thepainterhadbeenbusymixinghiscoloursandgettinghisbrushesready。Hewaslookingworried，andwhenheheardLordHenry’slastremark，heglancedathim，hesitatedforamoment，andthensaid，Harry，Iwanttofinishthispictureto-day。WouldyouthinkitawfullyrudeofmeifIaskedyoutogoaway？
　　LordHenrysmiledandlookedatDorianGray。AmItogo，Mr。
　　Gray？heasked。
　　Oh，pleasedon’t，LordHenry。IseethatBasilisinoneofhissulkymoods，andIcan’tbearhimwhenhesulks。Besides，IwantyoutotellmewhyIshouldnotgoinforphilanthropy。
　　Idon’tknowthatIshalltellyouthat，Mr。Gray。Itissotediousasubjectthatonewouldhavetotalkseriouslyaboutit。ButIcertainlyshallnotrunaway，nowthatyouhaveaskedmetostop。Youdon’treallymind，Basil，doyou？Youhaveoftentoldmethatyoulikedyoursitterstohavesomeonetochatto。
　　Hallwardbithislip。IfDorianwishesit，ofcourseyoumuststay。Dorian’swhimsarelawstoeverybody，excepthimself。
　　LordHenrytookuphishatandgloves。Youareverypressing，Basil，butIamafraidImustgo。IhavepromisedtomeetamanattheOrleans。Good-bye，Mr。Gray。ComeandseemesomeafternooninCurzonStreet。
　　Iamnearlyalwaysathomeatfiveo’clock。Writetomewhenyouarecoming。
　　Ishouldbesorrytomissyou。
　　Basil，criedDorianGray，ifLordHenryWottongoes，Ishallgo，too。Youneveropenyourlipswhileyouarepainting，anditishorriblydullstandingonaplatformandtryingtolookpleasant。Askhimtostay。
　　Iinsistuponit。
　　Stay，Harry，toobligeDorian，andtoobligeme，saidHallward，gazingintentlyathispicture。Itisquitetrue，InevertalkwhenI
　　amworking，andneverlisteneither，anditmustbedreadfullytediousformyunfortunatesitters。Ibegyoutostay。
　　ButwhataboutmymanattheOrleans？
　　Thepainterlaughed。Idon’tthinktherewillbeanydifficultyaboutthat。Sitdownagain，Harry。Andnow，Dorian，getupontheplatform，anddon’tmoveabouttoomuch，orpayanyattentiontowhatLordHenrysays。Hehasaverybadinfluenceoverallhisfriends，withthesingleexceptionofmyself。
　　DorianGraysteppeduponthedaiswiththeairofayoungGreekmartyr，andmadealittlemoueofdiscontenttoLordHenry，towhomhehadrathertakenafancy。HewassounlikeBasil。Theymadeadelightfulcontrast。Andhehadsuchabeautifulvoice。Afterafewmomentshesaidtohim，Haveyoureallyaverybadinfluence，LordHenry？AsbadasBasilsays？
　　Thereisnosuchthingasagoodinfluence，Mr。Gray。Allinfluenceisimmoral——immoralfromthescientificpointofview。
　　Why？
　　Becausetoinfluenceapersonistogivehimone’sownsoul。
　　Hedoesnotthinkhisnaturalthoughts，orburnwithhisnaturalpassions。
　　Hisvirtuesarenotrealtohim。Hissins，iftherearesuchthingsassins，areborrowed。Hebecomesanechoofsomeoneelse’smusic，anactorofapartthathasnotbeenwrittenforhim。Theaimoflifeisself-development。
　　Torealizeone’snatureperfectly——thatiswhateachofusisherefor。
　　Peopleareafraidofthemselves，nowadays。Theyhaveforgottenthehighestofallduties，thedutythatoneowestoone’sself。Ofcourse，theyarecharitable。Theyfeedthehungryandclothethebeggar。Buttheirownsoulsstarve，andarenaked。Couragehasgoneoutofourrace。Perhapsweneverreallyhadit。Theterrorofsociety，whichisthebasisofmorals，theterrorofGod，whichisthesecretofreligion——thesearethetwothingsthatgovernus。Andyet——
　　Justturnyourheadalittlemoretotheright，Dorian，likeagoodboy，saidthepainter，deepinhisworkandconsciousonlythatalookhadcomeintothelad’sfacethathehadneverseentherebefore。
　　Andyet，continuedLordHenry，inhislow，musicalvoice，andwiththatgracefulwaveofthehandthatwasalwayssocharacteristicofhim，andthathehadeveninhisEtondays，Ibelievethatifonemanweretoliveouthislifefullyandcompletely，weretogiveformtoeveryfeeling，expressiontoeverythought，realitytoeverydream——Ibelievethattheworldwouldgainsuchafreshimpulseofjoythatwewouldforgetallthemaladiesofmediaevalism，andreturntotheHellenicideal——tosomethingfiner，richerthantheHellenicideal，itmaybe。Butthebravestmanamongstusisafraidofhimself。Themutilationofthesavagehasitstragicsurvivalintheself-denialthatmarsourlives。Wearepunishedforourrefusals。Everyimpulsethatwestrivetostranglebroodsinthemindandpoisonsus。Thebodysinsonce，andhasdonewithitssin，foractionisamodeofpurification。Nothingremainsthenbuttherecollectionofapleasure，ortheluxuryofaregret。Theonlywaytogetridofatemptationistoyieldtoit。Resistit，andyoursoulgrowssickwithlongingforthethingsithasforbiddentoitself，withdesireforwhatitsmonstrouslawshavemademonstrousandunlawful。Ithasbeensaidthatthegreateventsoftheworldtakeplaceinthebrain。Itisinthebrain，andthebrainonly，thatthegreatsinsoftheworldtakeplacealso。You，Mr。Gray，youyourself，withyourrose-redyouthandyourrose-whiteboyhood，youhavehadpassionsthathavemadeyouafraid，thoughtsthathavefinedyouwithterror，day-dreamsandsleepingdreamswhosemerememorymightstainyourcheekwithshame——
　　Stop！falteredDorianGray，stop！youbewilderme。Idon’tknowwhattosay。Thereissomeanswertoyou，butIcannotfindit。Don’tspeak。Letmethink。Or，rather，letmetrynottothink。
　　Fornearlytenminuteshestoodthere，motionless，withpartedlipsandeyesstrangelybright。Hewasdimlyconsciousthatentirelyfreshinfluenceswereatworkwithinhim。Yettheyseemedtohimtohavecomereallyfromhimself。ThefewwordsthatBasil’sfriendhadsaidtohim——wordsspokenbychance，nodoubt，andwithwilfulparadoxinthem——hadtouchedsomesecretchordthathadneverbeentouchedbefore，butthathefeltwasnowvibratingandthrobbingtocuriouspulses。
　　Musichadstirredhimlikethat。Musichadtroubledhimmanytimes。
　　Butmusicwasnotarticulate。Itwasnotanewworld，butratheranotherchaos，thatitcreatedinus。Words！Merewords！Howterribletheywere！
　　Howclear，andvivid，andcruel！Onecouldnotescapefromthem。Andyetwhatasubtlemagictherewasinthem！Theyseemedtobeabletogiveaplasticformtoformlessthings，andtohaveamusicoftheirownassweetasthatofvioloroflute。Merewords！Wasthereanythingsorealaswords？
　　Yes。therehadbeenthingsinhisboyhoodthathehadnotunderstood。
　　Heunderstoodthemnow。Lifesuddenlybecamefiery-colouredtohim。Itseemedtohimthathehadbeenwalkinginfire。Whyhadhenotknownit？
　　Withhissubtlesmile，LordHenrywatchedhim。Heknewtheprecisepsychologicalmomentwhentosaynothing。Hefeltintenselyinterested。
　　Hewasamazedatthesuddenimpressionthathiswordshadproduced，and，rememberingabookthathehadreadwhenhewassixteen，abookwhichhadrevealedtohimmuchthathehadnotknownbefore，hewonderedwhetherDorianGraywaspassingthroughasimilarexperience。Hehadmerelyshotanarrowintotheair。Hadithitthemark？Howfascinatingtheladwas！
　　Hallwardpaintedawaywiththatmarvellousboldtouchofhis，thathadthetruerefinementandperfectdelicacythatinart，atanyratecomesonlyfromstrength。Hewasunconsciousofthesilence。
　　Basil，Iamtiredofstanding，criedDorianGraysuddenly。I
　　mustgooutandsitinthegarden。Theairisstiflinghere。
　　Mydearfellow，Iamsosorry。WhenIampainting，Ican’tthinkofanythingelse。Butyouneversatbetter。Youwereperfectlystill。AndIhavecaughttheeffectIwanted——thehalf-partedlipsandthebrightlookintheeyes。Idon’tknowwhatHarryhasbeensayingtoyou，buthehascertainlymadeyouhavethemostwonderfulexpression。Isupposehehasbeenpayingyoucompliments。Youmustn’tbelieveawordthathesays。
　　Hehascertainlynotbeenpayingmecompliments。PerhapsthatisthereasonthatIdon’tbelieveanythinghehastoldme。
　　Youknowyoubelieveitall，saidLordHenry，lookingathimwithhisdreamylanguorouseyes。Iwillgoouttothegardenwithyou。
　　Itishorriblyhotinthestudio。Basil，letushavesomethingicedtodrink，somethingwithstrawberriesinit。
　　Certainly，Harry。Justtouchthebell，andwhenParkercomesIwilltellhimwhatyouwant。Ihavegottoworkupthisbackground，soIwilljoinyoulateron。Don’tkeepDoriantoolong。IhaveneverbeeninbetterformforpaintingthanIamto-day。Thisisgoingtobemymasterpiece。
　　Itismymasterpieceasitstands。
　　LordHenrywentouttothegardenandfoundDorianGrayburyinghisfaceinthegreatcoollilac-blossoms，feverishlydrinkingintheirperfumeasifithadbeenwine。Hecameclosetohimandputhishanduponhisshoulder。Youarequiterighttodothat，hemurmured。Nothingcancurethesoulbutthesenses，justasnothingcancurethesensesbutthesoul。
　　Theladstartedanddrewback。Hewasbareheaded，andtheleaveshadtossedhisrebelliouscurlsandtangledalltheirgildedthreads。Therewasalookoffearinhiseyes，suchaspeoplehavewhentheyaresuddenlyawakened。Hisfinelychisellednostrilsquivered，andsomehiddennerveshookthescarletofhislipsandleftthemtrembling。
　　Yes，continuedLordHenry，thatisoneofthegreatsecretsoflife——tocurethesoulbymeansofthesenses，andthesensesbymeansofthesoul。Youareawonderfulcreation。Youknowmorethanyouthinkyouknow，justasyouknowlessthanyouwanttoknow。
　　DorianGrayfrownedandturnedhisheadaway。Hecouldnothelplikingthetall，gracefulyoungmanwhowasstandingbyhim。Hisromantic，olive-colouredfaceandwornexpressioninterestedhim。Therewassomethinginhislowlanguidvoicethatwasabsolutelyfascinating。Hiscool，white，flowerlikehands，even，hadacuriouscharm。Theymoved，ashespoke，likemusic，andseemedtohavealanguageoftheirown。Buthefeltafraidofhim，andashamedofbeingafraid。Whyhaditbeenleftforastrangertorevealhimtohimself？HehadknownBasilHallwardformonths，butthefriendshipbetweenthemhadneveralteredhim。Suddenlytherehadcomesomeoneacrosshislifewhoseemedtohavedisclosedtohimlife’smystery。
　　And，yet，whatwastheretobeafraidof？Hewasnotaschoolboyoragirl。
　　Itwasabsurdtobefrightened。
　　Letusgoandsitintheshade，saidLordHenry。Parkerhasbroughtoutthedrinks，andifyoustayanylongerinthisglare，youwillbequitespoiled，andBasilwillneverpaintyouagain。Youreallymustnotallowyourselftobecomesunburnt。Itwouldbeunbecoming。
　　Whatcanitmatter？criedDorianGray，laughing，ashesatdownontheseatattheendofthegarden。
　　Itshouldmattereverythingtoyou，Mr。Gray。
　　Why？
　　Becauseyouhavethemostmarvellousyouth，andyouthistheonethingworthhaving。
　　Idon’tfeelthat，LordHenry。
　　No，youdon’tfeelitnow。Someday，whenyouareoldandwrinkledandugly，whenthoughthassearedyourforeheadwithitslines，andpassionbrandedyourlipswithitshideousfires，youwillfeelit，youwillfeelitterribly。Now，whereveryougo，youcharmtheworld。Willitalwaysbeso？……Youhaveawonderfullybeautifulface，Mr。Gray。Don’tfrown。
　　Youhave。Andbeautyisaformofgenius——ishigher，indeed，thangenius，asitneedsnoexplanation。Itisofthegreatfactsoftheworld，likesunlight，orspring-time，orthereflectionindarkwatersofthatsilvershellwecallthemoon。Itcannotbequestioned。Ithasitsdivinerightofsovereignty。Itmakesprincesofthosewhohaveit。Yousmile？Ah！whenyouhavelostityouwon’tsmile……Peoplesaysometimesthatbeautyisonlysuperficial。Thatmaybeso，butatleastitisnotsosuperficialasthoughtis。Tome，beautyisthewonderofwonders。Itisonlyshallowpeoplewhodonotjudgebyappearances。Thetruemysteryoftheworldisthevisible，nottheinvisible……Yes，Mr。Gray，thegodshavebeengoodtoyou。Butwhatthegodsgivetheyquicklytakeaway。Youhaveonlyafewyearsinwhichtolivereally，perfectly，andfully。Whenyouryouthgoes，yourbeautywillgowithit，andthenyouwillsuddenlydiscoverthattherearenotriumphsleftforyou，orhavetocontentyourselfwiththosemeantriumphsthatthememoryofyourpastwillmakemorebitterthandefeats。Everymonthasitwanesbringsyounearertosomethingdreadful。
　　Timeisjealousofyou，andwarsagainstyourliliesandyourroses。Youwillbecomesallow，andhollow-cheeked，anddull-eyed。Youwillsufferhorribly……Ah！realizeyouryouthwhileyouhaveit。Don’tsquanderthegoldofyourdays，listeningtothetedious，tryingtoimprovethehopelessfailure，orgivingawayyourlifetotheignorant，thecommon，andthevulgar。Thesearethesicklyaims，thefalseideals，ofourage。Live！
　　Livethewonderfullifethatisinyou！Letnothingbelostuponyou。Bealwayssearchingfornewsensations。Beafraidofnothing……AnewHedonism——thatiswhatourcenturywants。Youmightbeitsvisiblesymbol。
　　Withyourpersonalitythereisnothingyoucouldnotdo。Theworldbelongstoyouforaseason……ThemomentImetyouIsawthatyouwerequiteunconsciousofwhatyoureallyare，ofwhatyoureallymightbe。TherewassomuchinyouthatcharmedmethatIfeltImusttellyousomethingaboutyourself。Ithoughthowtragicitwouldbeifyouwerewasted。Forthereissuchalittletimethatyouryouthwilllast——suchalittletime。
　　Thecommonhill-flowerswither，buttheyblossomagain。ThelaburnumwillbeasyellownextJuneasitisnow。Inamonththerewillbepurplestarsontheclematis，andyearafteryearthegreennightofitsleaveswillholditspurplestars。Butwenevergetbackouryouth。Thepulseofjoythatbeatsinusattwentybecomessluggish。Ourlimbsfail，oursensesrot。Wedegenerateintohideouspuppets，hauntedbythememoryofthepassionsofwhichweweretoomuchafraid，andtheexquisitetemptationsthatwehadnotthecouragetoyieldto。Youth！Youth！Thereisabsolutelynothingintheworldbutyouth！
　　DorianGraylistened，open-eyedandwondering。Thesprayoflilacfellfromhishanduponthegravel。Afurrybeecameandbuzzedrounditforamoment。Thenitbegantoscrambleallovertheovalstellatedglobeofthetinyblossoms。Hewatcheditwiththatstrangeinterestintrivialthingsthatwetrytodevelopwhenthingsofhighimportmakeusafraid，orwhenwearestirredbysomenewemotionforwhichwecannotfindexpression，orwhensomethoughtthatterrifiesuslayssuddensiegetothebrainandcallsonustoyield。Afteratimethebeeflewaway。HesawitcreepingintothestainedtrumpetofaTyrianconvolvulus。Theflowerseemedtoquiver，andthenswayedgentlytoandfro。
　　Suddenlythepainterappearedatthedoorofthestudioandmadestaccatosignsforthemtocomein。Theyturnedtoeachotherandsmiled。
　　Iamwaiting，hecried。Docomein。Thelightisquiteperfect，andyoucanbringyourdrinks。
　　Theyroseupandsauntereddownthewalktogether。Twogreen-and-whitebutterfliesflutteredpastthem，andinthepear-treeatthecornerofthegardenathrushbegantosing。
　　Youaregladyouhavemetme，Mr。Gray，saidLordHenry，lookingathim。
　　Yes，Iamgladnow。IwondershallIalwaysbeglad？
　　Always！Thatisadreadfulword。ItmakesmeshudderwhenIhearit。Womenaresofondofusingit。Theyspoileveryromancebytryingtomakeitlastforever。Itisameaninglessword，too。Theonlydifferencebetweenacapriceandalifelongpassionisthatthecapricelastsalittlelonger。
　　Astheyenteredthestudio，DorianGrayputhishanduponLordHenry’sarm。Inthatcase，letourfriendshipbeacaprice，hemurmured，flushingathisownboldness，thensteppedupontheplatformandresumedhispose。
　　LordHenryflunghimselfintoalargewickerarm-chairandwatchedhim。Thesweepanddashofthebrushonthecanvasmadetheonlysoundthatbrokethestillness，exceptwhen，nowandthen，Hallwardsteppedbacktolookathisworkfromadistance。Intheslantingbeamsthatstreamedthroughtheopendoorwaythedustdancedandwasgolden。Theheavyscentoftherosesseemedtobroodovereverything。
　　AfteraboutaquarterofanhourHallwardstoppedpainting，lookedforalongtimeatDorianGray，andthenforalongtimeatthepicture，bitingtheendofoneofhishugebrushesandfrowning。Itisquitefinished，
　　hecriedatlast，andstoopingdownhewrotehisnameinlongvermilionlettersontheleft-handcornerofthecanvas。
　　LordHenrycameoverandexaminedthepicture。Itwascertainlyawonderfulworkofart，andawonderfullikenessaswell。
　　Mydearfellow，Icongratulateyoumostwarmly，hesaid。Itisthefinestportraitofmoderntimes。Mr。Gray，comeoverandlookatyourself。
　　Theladstarted，asifawakenedfromsomedream。
　　Isitreallyfinished？hemurmured，steppingdownfromtheplatform。
　　Quitefinished，saidthepainter。Andyouhavesatsplendidlyto-day。Iamawfullyobligedtoyou。
　　Thatisentirelyduetome，brokeinLordHenry。Isn’tit，Mr。Gray？
　　Dorianmadenoanswer，butpassedlistlesslyinfrontofhispictureandturnedtowardsit。Whenhesawithedrewback，andhischeeksflushedforamomentwithpleasure。Alookofjoycameintohiseyes，asifhehadrecognizedhimselfforthefirsttime。Hestoodtheremotionlessandinwonder，dimlyconsciousthatHallwardwasspeakingtohim，butnotcatchingthemeaningofhiswords。Thesenseofhisownbeautycameonhimlikearevelation。Hehadneverfeltitbefore。BasilHallward’scomplimentshadseemedtohimtobemerelythecharmingexaggerationoffriendship。
　　Hehadlistenedtothem，laughedatthem，forgottenthem。Theyhadnotinfluencedhisnature。ThenhadcomeLordHenryWottonwithhisstrangepanegyriconyouth，histerriblewarningofitsbrevity。Thathadstirredhimatthetime，andnow，ashestoodgazingattheshadowofhisownloveliness，thefullrealityofthedescriptionflashedacrosshim。Yes，therewouldbeadaywhenhisfacewouldbewrinkledandwizen，hiseyesdimandcolourless，thegraceofhisfigurebrokenanddeformed。Thescarletwouldpassawayfromhislipsandthegoldstealfromhishair。Thelifethatwastomakehissoulwouldmarhisbody。Hewouldbecomedreadful，hideous，anduncouth。
　　Ashethoughtofit，asharppangofpainstruckthroughhimlikeaknifeandmadeeachdelicatefibreofhisnaturequiver。Hiseyesdeepenedintoamethyst，andacrossthemcameamistoftears。Hefeltasifahandoficehadbeenlaiduponhisheart。
　　Don’tyoulikeit？criedHallwardatlast，stungalittlebythelad’ssilence，notunderstandingwhatitmeant。
　　Ofcoursehelikesit，saidLordHenry。Whowouldn’tlikeit？
　　Itisoneofthegreatestthingsinmodernart。Iwillgiveyouanythingyouliketoaskforit。Imusthaveit。
　　Itisnotmyproperty，Harry。
　　Whosepropertyisit？
　　Dorian’s，ofcourse，answeredthepainter。
　　Heisaveryluckyfellow。
　　Howsaditis！murmuredDorianGraywithhiseyesstillfixeduponhisownportrait。Howsaditis！Ishallgrowold，andhorrible，anddreadful。Butthispicturewillremainalwaysyoung。ItwillneverbeolderthanthisparticulardayofJune……Ifitwereonlytheotherway！IfitwereIwhowastobealwaysyoung，andthepicturethatwastogrowold！Forthat——forthat——Iwouldgiveeverything！Yes，thereisnothinginthewholeworldIwouldnotgive！Iwouldgivemysoulforthat！
　　Youwouldhardlycareforsuchanarrangement，Basil，criedLordHenry，laughing。Itwouldberatherhardlinesonyourwork。
　　Ishouldobjectverystrongly，Harry，saidHallward。
　　DorianGrayturnedandlookedathim。Ibelieveyouwould，Basil。
　　Youlikeyourartbetterthanyourfriends。Iamnomoretoyouthanagreenbronzefigure。Hardlyasmuch，Idaresay。
　　Thepainterstaredinamazement。ItwassounlikeDoriantospeaklikethat。Whathadhappened？Heseemedquiteangry。Hisfacewasflushedandhischeeksburning。
　　Yes，hecontinued，IamlesstoyouthanyourivoryHermesoryoursilverFaun。Youwilllikethemalways。Howlongwillyoulikeme？TillIhavemyfirstwrinkle，Isuppose。Iknow，now，thatwhenonelosesone’sgoodlooks，whatevertheymaybe，oneloseseverything。Yourpicturehastaughtmethat。LordHenryWottonisperfectlyright。Youthistheonlythingworthhaving。WhenIfindthatIamgrowingold，Ishallkillmyself。
　　Hallwardturnedpaleandcaughthishand。Dorian！Dorian！hecried，don’ttalklikethat。Ihaveneverhadsuchafriendasyou，andIshallneverhavesuchanother。Youarenotjealousofmaterialthings，areyou？——youwhoarefinerthananyofthem！
　　Iamjealousofeverythingwhosebeautydoesnotdie。Iamjealousoftheportraityouhavepaintedofme。WhyshoulditkeepwhatImustlose？Everymomentthatpassestakessomethingfrommeandgivessomethingtoit。Oh，ifitwereonlytheotherway！Ifthepicturecouldchange，andIcouldbealwayswhatIamnow！Whydidyoupaintit？Itwillmockmesomeday——mockmehorribly！Thehottearswelledintohiseyes。hetorehishandawayand，flinginghimselfonthedivan，heburiedhisfaceinthecushions，asthoughhewaspraying。
　　Thisisyourdoing，Harry，saidthepainterbitterly。
　　LordHenryshruggedhisshoulders。ItistherealDorianGray——
　　thatisall。
　　Itisnot。
　　Ifitisnot，whathaveItodowithit？
　　YoushouldhavegoneawaywhenIaskedyou，hemuttered。
　　Istayedwhenyouaskedme，wasLordHenry’sanswer。
　　Harry，Ican’tquarrelwithmytwobestfriendsatonce，butbetweenyoubothyouhavemademehatethefinestpieceofworkIhaveeverdone，andIwilldestroyit。Whatisitbutcanvasandcolour？Iwillnotletitcomeacrossourthreelivesandmarthem。
　　DorianGrayliftedhisgoldenheadfromthepillow，andwithpallidfaceandtear-stainedeyes，lookedathimashewalkedovertothedealpainting-tablethatwassetbeneaththehighcurtainedwindow。Whatwashedoingthere？Hisfingerswerestrayingaboutamongthelitteroftintubesanddrybrushes，seekingforsomething。Yes，itwasforthelongpalette-knife，withitsthinbladeoflithesteel。Hehadfounditatlast。
　　Hewasgoingtoripupthecanvas。
　　Withastifledsobtheladleapedfromthecouch，and，rushingovertoHallward，toretheknifeoutofhishand，andflungittotheendofthestudio。Don’t，Basil，don’t！hecried。Itwouldbemurder！
　　Iamgladyouappreciatemyworkatlast，Dorian，saidthepaintercoldlywhenhehadrecoveredfromhissurprise。Ineverthoughtyouwould。
　　Appreciateit？Iaminlovewithit，Basil。Itispartofmyself。
　　Ifeelthat。
　　Well，assoonasyouaredry，youshallbevarnished，andframed，andsenthome。Thenyoucandowhatyoulikewithyourself。Andhewalkedacrosstheroomandrangthebellfortea。Youwillhavetea，ofcourse，Dorian？Andsowillyou，Harry？Ordoyouobjecttosuchsimplepleasures？
　　Iadoresimplepleasures，saidLordHenry。Theyarethelastrefugeofthecomplex。ButIdon’tlikescenes，exceptonthestage。Whatabsurdfellowsyouare，bothofyou！Iwonderwhoitwasdefinedmanasarationalanimal。Itwasthemostprematuredefinitionevergiven。Manismanythings，butheisnotrational。Iamgladheisnot，afterall——
　　thoughIwishyouchapswouldnotsquabbleoverthepicture。Youhadmuchbetterletmehaveit，Basil。Thissillyboydoesn’treallywantit，andIreallydo。
　　Ifyouletanyonehaveitbutme，Basil，Ishallneverforgiveyou！criedDorianGray。andIdon’tallowpeopletocallmeasillyboy。
　　Youknowthepictureisyours，Dorian。Igaveittoyoubeforeitexisted。
　　Andyouknowyouhavebeenalittlesilly，Mr。Gray，andthatyoudon’treallyobjecttobeingremindedthatyouareextremelyyoung。
　　Ishouldhaveobjectedverystronglythismorning，LordHenry。
　　Ah！thismorning！Youhavelivedsincethen。
　　Therecameaknockatthedoor，andthebutlerenteredwithaladentea-trayandsetitdownuponasmallJapanesetable。TherewasarattleofcupsandsaucersandthehissingofaflutedGeorgianurn。Twoglobe-shapedchinadisheswerebroughtinbyapage。DorianGraywentoverandpouredoutthetea。Thetwomensaunteredlanguidlytothetableandexaminedwhatwasunderthecovers。
　　Letusgotothetheatreto-night，saidLordHenry。Thereissuretobesomethingon，somewhere。IhavepromisedtodineatWhite’s，butitisonlywithanoldfriend，soIcansendhimawiretosaythatIamill，orthatIampreventedfromcominginconsequenceofasubsequentengagement。Ithinkthatwouldbearatherniceexcuse：itwouldhaveallthesurpriseofcandour。
　　Itissuchaboreputtingonone’sdress-clothes，mutteredHallward。
　　And，whenonehasthemon，theyaresohorrid。
　　Yes，answeredLordHenrydreamily，thecostumeofthenineteenthcenturyisdetestable。Itissosombre，sodepressing。Sinistheonlyrealcolour-elementleftinmodernlife。
　　YoureallymustnotsaythingslikethatbeforeDorian，Harry。
　　BeforewhichDorian？Theonewhoispouringoutteaforus，ortheoneinthepicture？
　　Beforeeither。
　　Ishouldliketocometothetheatrewithyou，LordHenry，saidthelad。
　　Thenyoushallcome。andyouwillcome，too，Basil，won’tyou？
　　Ican’t，really。Iwouldsoonernot。Ihavealotofworktodo。
　　Well，then，youandIwillgoalone，Mr。Gray。
　　Ishouldlikethatawfully。
　　Thepainterbithislipandwalkedover，cupinhand，tothepicture。
　　IshallstaywiththerealDorian，hesaid，sadly。
　　IsittherealDorian？criedtheoriginaloftheportrait，strollingacrosstohim。AmIreallylikethat？
　　Yes。youarejustlikethat。
　　Howwonderful，Basil！
　　Atleastyouarelikeitinappearance。Butitwillneveralter，
　　sighedHallward。Thatissomething。
　　Whatafusspeoplemakeaboutfidelity！exclaimedLordHenry。
　　Why，eveninloveitispurelyaquestionforphysiology。Ithasnothingtodowithourownwill。Youngmenwanttobefaithful，andarenot。oldmenwanttobefaithless，andcannot：thatisallonecansay。
　　Don’tgotothetheatreto-night，Dorian，saidHallward。Stopanddinewithme。
　　Ican’t，Basil。
　　Why？
　　BecauseIhavepromisedLordHenryWottontogowithhim。
　　Hewon’tlikeyouthebetterforkeepingyourpromises。Healwaysbreakshisown。Ibegyounottogo。
　　DorianGraylaughedandshookhishead。