Ientreatyou。
　　Theladhesitated，andlookedoveratLordHenry，whowaswatchingthemfromthetea-tablewithanamusedsmile。
　　Imustgo，Basil，heanswered。
　　Verywell，saidHallward，andhewentoverandlaiddownhiscuponthetray。Itisratherlate，and，asyouhavetodress，youhadbetterlosenotime。Good-bye，Harry。Good-bye，Dorian。Comeandseemesoon。Cometo-morrow。
　　Certainly。
　　Youwon’tforget？
　　No，ofcoursenot，criedDorian。
　　And……Harry！
　　Yes，Basil？
　　RememberwhatIaskedyou，whenwewereinthegardenthismorning。
　　Ihaveforgottenit。
　　Itrustyou。
　　IwishIcouldtrustmyself，saidLordHenry，laughing。Come，Mr。Gray，myhansomisoutside，andIcandropyouatyourownplace。Good-bye，Basil。Ithasbeenamostinterestingafternoon。
　　Asthedoorclosedbehindthem，thepainterflunghimselfdownonasofa，andalookofpaincameintohisface。
　　ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter3Chapter3Athalf-pasttwelvenextdayLordHenryWottonstrolledfromCurzonStreetovertotheAlbanytocallonhisuncle，LordFermor，agenialifsomewhatrough-manneredoldbachelor，whomtheoutsideworldcalledselfishbecauseitderivednoparticularbenefitfromhim，butwhowasconsideredgenerousbySocietyashefedthepeoplewhoamusedhim。HisfatherhadbeenourambassadoratMadridwhenIsabellawasyoungandPrimunthoughtof，buthadretiredfromthediplomaticserviceinacapriciousmomentofannoyanceonnotbeingofferedtheEmbassyatParis，aposttowhichheconsideredthathewasfullyentitledbyreasonofhisbirth，hisindolence，thegoodEnglishofhisdispatches，andhisinordinatepassionforpleasure。Theson，whohadbeenhisfather’ssecretary，hadresignedalongwithhischief，somewhatfoolishlyaswasthoughtatthetime，andonsucceedingsomemonthslatertothetitle，hadsethimselftotheseriousstudyofthegreataristocraticartofdoingabsolutelynothing。Hehadtwolargetownhouses，butpreferredtoliveinchambersasitwaslesstrouble，andtookmostofhismealsathisclub。HepaidsomeattentiontothemanagementofhiscollieriesintheMidlandcounties，excusinghimselfforthistaintofindustryonthegroundthattheoneadvantageofhavingcoalwasthatitenabledagentlemantoaffordthedecencyofburningwoodonhisownhearth。InpoliticshewasaTory，exceptwhentheTorieswereinoffice，duringwhichperiodheroundlyabusedthemforbeingapackofRadicals。Hewasaherotohisvalet，whobulliedhim，andaterrortomostofhisrelations，whomhebulliedinturn。OnlyEnglandcouldhaveproducedhim，andhealwayssaidthatthecountrywasgoingtothedogs。Hisprincipleswereoutofdate，buttherewasagooddealtobesaidforhisprejudices。
　　WhenLordHenryenteredtheroom，hefoundhisunclesittinginaroughshooting-coat，smokingacherootandgrumblingoverTheTimes。
　　Well，Harry，saidtheoldgentleman，whatbringsyououtsoearly？I
　　thoughtyoudandiesnevergotuptilltwo，andwerenotvisibletillfive。
　　Purefamilyaffection，Iassureyou，UncleGeorge。Iwanttogetsomethingoutofyou。
　　Money，Isuppose，saidLordFermor，makingawryface。Well，sitdownandtellmeallaboutit。Youngpeople，nowadays，imaginethatmoneyiseverything。
　　Yes，murmuredLordHenry，settlinghisbutton-holeinhiscoat。
　　andwhentheygrowoldertheyknowit。ButIdon’twantmoney。Itisonlypeoplewhopaytheirbillswhowantthat，UncleGeorge，andIneverpaymine。Creditisthecapitalofayoungerson，andonelivescharminglyuponit。Besides，IalwaysdealwithDartmoor’stradesmen，andconsequentlytheyneverbotherme。WhatIwantisinformation：notusefulinformation，ofcourse。uselessinformation。
　　Well，IcantellyouanythingthatisinanEnglishBlueBook，Harry，althoughthosefellowsnowadayswritealotofnonsense。WhenI
　　wasintheDiplomatic，thingsweremuchbetter。ButIheartheylettheminnowbyexamination。Whatcanyouexpect？Examinations，sir，arepurehumbugfrombeginningtoend。Ifamanisagentleman，heknowsquiteenough，andifheisnotagentleman，whateverheknowsisbadforhim。
　　Mr。DorianGraydoesnotbelongtoBlueBooks，UncleGeorge，
　　saidLordHenrylanguidly。
　　Mr。DorianGray？Whoishe？askedLordFermor，knittinghisbushywhiteeyebrows。
　　ThatiswhatIhavecometolearn，UncleGeorge。Orrather，I
　　knowwhoheis。HeisthelastLordKelso’sgrandson。HismotherwasaDevereux，LadyMargaretDevereaux。Iwantyoutotellmeabouthismother。
　　Whatwasshelike？Whomdidshemarry？Youhaveknownnearlyeverybodyinyourtime，soyoumighthaveknownher。IamverymuchinterestedinMr。Grayatpresent。Ihaveonlyjustmethim。
　　Kelso’sgrandson！echoedtheoldgentleman。Kelso’sgrandson！……Ofcourse……Iknewhismotherintimately。IbelieveIwasatherchristening。Shewasanextraordinarilybeautifulgirl，MargaretDevereux，andmadeallthemenfranticbyrunningawaywithapennilessyoungfellow——
　　amerenobody，sir，asubalterninafootregiment，orsomethingofthatkind。Certainly。Irememberthewholethingasifithappenedyesterday。
　　ThepoorchapwaskilledinaduelatSpaafewmonthsafterthemarriage。
　　Therewasanuglystoryaboutit。TheysaidKelsogotsomerascallyadventurer，someBelgianbrute，toinsulthisson-in-lawinpublic——paidhim，sir，todoit，paidhim——andthatthefellowspittedhismanasifhehadbeenapigeon。Thethingwashushedup，but，egad，Kelsoatehischopaloneattheclubforsometimeafterwards。Hebroughthisdaughterbackwithhim，Iwastold，andsheneverspoketohimagain。Oh，yes。itwasabadbusiness。Thegirldied，too，diedwithinayear。Sosheleftason，didshe？Ihadforgottenthat。Whatsortofboyishe？Ifheislikehismother，hemustbeagood-lookingchap。
　　Heisverygood-looking，assentedLordHenry。
　　Ihopehewillfallintoproperhands，continuedtheoldman。
　　HeshouldhaveapotofmoneywaitingforhimifKelsodidtherightthingbyhim。Hismotherhadmoney，too。AlltheSelbypropertycametoher，throughhergrandfather。HergrandfatherhatedKelso，thoughthimameandog。Hewas，too。CametoMadridoncewhenIwasthere。Egad，Iwasashamedofhim。TheQueenusedtoaskmeabouttheEnglishnoblewhowasalwaysquarrellingwiththecabmenabouttheirfares。Theymadequiteastoryofit。Ididn’tdareshowmyfaceatCourtforamonth。Ihopehetreatedhisgrandsonbetterthanhedidthejarvies。
　　Idon’tknow，answeredLordHenry。Ifancythattheboywillbewelloff。Heisnotofageyet。HehasSelby，Iknow。Hetoldmeso。
　　And……hismotherwasverybeautiful？
　　MargaretDevereuxwasoneoftheloveliestcreaturesIeversaw，Harry。Whatonearthinducedhertobehaveasshedid，Inevercouldunderstand。
　　Shecouldhavemarriedanybodyshechose。Carlingtonwasmadafterher。
　　Shewasromantic，though。Allthewomenofthatfamilywere。Themenwereapoorlot，but，egad！thewomenwerewonderful。Carlingtonwentonhiskneestoher。Toldmesohimself。Shelaughedathim，andtherewasn’tagirlinLondonatthetimewhowasn’tafterhim。Andbytheway，Harry，talkingaboutsillymarriages，whatisthishumbugyourfathertellsmeaboutDartmoorwantingtomarryanAmerican？Ain’tEnglishgirlsgoodenoughforhim？
　　ItisratherfashionabletomarryAmericansjustnow，UncleGeorge。
　　I’llbackEnglishwomenagainsttheworld，Harry，saidLordFermor，strikingthetablewithhisfist。
　　ThebettingisontheAmericans。
　　Theydon’tlast，Iamtold，mutteredhisuncle。
　　Alongengagementexhauststhem，buttheyarecapitalatasteeplechase。
　　Theytakethingsflying。Idon’tthinkDartmoorhasachance。
　　Whoareherpeople？grumbledtheoldgentleman。Hasshegotany？
　　LordHenryshookhishead。Americangirlsareascleveratconcealingtheirparents，asEnglishwomenareatconcealingtheirpast，hesaid，risingtogo。
　　Theyarepork-packers，Isuppose？
　　Ihopeso，UncleGeorge，forDartmoor’ssake。Iamtoldthatpork-packingisthemostlucrativeprofessioninAmerica，afterpolitics。
　　Isshepretty？
　　Shebehavesasifshewasbeautiful。MostAmericanwomendo。
　　Itisthesecretoftheircharm。
　　Whycan’ttheseAmericanwomenstayintheirowncountry？Theyarealwaystellingusthatitistheparadiseforwomen。
　　Itis。Thatisthereasonwhy，likeEve，theyaresoexcessivelyanxioustogetoutofit，saidLordHenry。Good-bye，UncleGeorge。I
　　shallbelateforlunch，ifIstopanylonger。ThanksforgivingmetheinformationIwanted。Ialwaysliketoknoweverythingaboutmynewfriends，andnothingaboutmyoldones。
　　Whereareyoulunching，Harry？
　　AtAuntAgatha’s。IhaveaskedmyselfandMr。Gray。Heisherlatestproté。gé。e。
　　Humph！tellyourAuntAgatha，Harry，nottobothermeanymorewithhercharityappeals。Iamsickofthem。Why，thegoodwomanthinksthatIhavenothingtodobuttowritechequesforhersillyfads。
　　Allright，UncleGeorge，I’lltellher，butitwon’thaveanyeffect。Philanthropicpeopleloseallsenseofhumanity。Itistheirdistinguishingcharacteristic。
　　Theoldgentlemangrowledapprovinglyandrangthebellforhisservant。LordHenrypassedupthelowarcadeintoBurlingtonStreetandturnedhisstepsinthedirectionofBerkeleySquare。
　　SothatwasthestoryofDorianGray’sparentage。Crudelyasithadbeentoldtohim，ithadyetstirredhimbyitssuggestionofastrange，almostmodernromance。Abeautifulwomanriskingeverythingforamadpassion。
　　Afewwildweeksofhappinesscutshortbyahideous，treacherouscrime。
　　Monthsofvoicelessagony，andthenachildborninpain。Themothersnatchedawaybydeath，theboylefttosolitudeandthetyrannyofanoldandlovelessman。Yes。itwasaninterestingbackground。Itposedthelad，madehimmoreperfect，asitwere。Behindeveryexquisitethingthatexisted，therewassomethingtragic。Worldshadtobeintravail，thatthemeanestflowermightblow……Andhowcharminghehadbeenatdinnerthenightbefore，aswithstartledeyesandlipspartedinfrightenedpleasurehehadsatoppositetohimattheclub，theredcandleshadesstainingtoaricherrosethewakeningwonderofhisface。Talkingtohimwaslikeplayinguponanexquisiteviolin。Heansweredtoeverytouchandthrillofthebow……Therewassomethingterriblyenthrallingintheexerciseofinfluence。
　　Nootheractivitywaslikeit。Toprojectone’ssoulintosomegraciousform，andletittarrythereforamoment。tohearone’sownintellectualviewsechoedbacktoonewithalltheaddedmusicofpassionandyouth。
　　toconveyone’stemperamentintoanotherasthoughitwereasubtlefluidorastrangeperfume：therewasarealjoyinthat——perhapsthemostsatisfyingjoylefttousinanagesolimitedandvulgarasourown，anagegrosslycarnalinitspleasures，andgrosslycommoninitsaims……Hewasamarvelloustype，too，thislad，whombysocuriousachancehehadmetinBasil’sstudio，orcouldbefashionedintoamarvelloustype，atanyrate。Gracewashis，andthewhitepurityofboyhood，andbeautysuchasoldGreekmarbleskeptforus。Therewasnothingthatonecouldnotdowithhim。
　　HecouldbemadeaTitanoratoy。Whatapityitwasthatsuchbeautywasdestinedtofade！……AndBasil？Fromapsychologicalpointofview，howinterestinghewas！Thenewmannerinart，thefreshmodeoflookingatlife，suggestedsostrangelybythemerelyvisiblepresenceofonewhowasunconsciousofitall。thesilentspiritthatdweltindimwoodland，andwalkedunseeninopenfield，suddenlyshowingherself，Dryadlikeandnotafraid，becauseinhissoulwhosoughtforhertherehadbeenwakenedthatwonderfulvisiontowhichalonearewonderfulthingsrevealed。themereshapesandpatternsofthingsbecoming，asitwere，refined，andgainingakindofsymbolicalvalue，asthoughtheywerethemselvespatternsofsomeotherandmoreperfectformwhoseshadowtheymadereal：howstrangeitallwas！Herememberedsomethinglikeitinhistory。WasitnotPlato，thatartistinthought，whohadfirstanalyzedit？WasitnotBuonarottiwhohadcarveditinthecolouredmarblesofasonnet-sequence？Butinourowncenturyitwasstrange……Yes。hewouldtrytobetoDorianGraywhat，withoutknowingit，theladwastothepainterwhohadfashionedthewonderfulportrait。Hewouldseektodominatehim——hadalready，indeed，halfdoneso。Hewouldmakethatwonderfulspirithisown。Therewassomethingfascinatinginthissonofloveanddeath。
　　Suddenlyhestoppedandglancedupatthehouses。Hefoundthathehadpassedhisaunt’ssomedistance，and，smilingtohimself，turnedback。Whenheenteredthesomewhatsombrehall，thebutlertoldhimthattheyhadgoneintolunch。Hegaveoneofthefootmenhishatandstickandpassedintothedining-room。
　　Lateasusual，Harry，criedhisaunt，shakingherheadathim。
　　Heinventedafacileexcuse，andhavingtakenthevacantseatnexttoher，lookedroundtoseewhowasthere。Dorianbowedtohimshylyfromtheendofthetable，aflushofpleasurestealingintohischeek。
　　OppositewastheDuchessofHarley，aladyofadmirablegood-natureandgoodtemper，muchlikedbyeveryonewhoknewher，andofthoseamplearchitecturalproportionsthatinwomenwhoarenotduchessesaredescribedbycontemporaryhistoriansasstoutness。Nexttohersat，onherright，SirThomasBurdon，aRadicalmemberofParliament，whofollowedhisleaderinpubliclifeandinprivatelifefollowedthebestcooks，diningwiththeToriesandthinkingwiththeLiberals，inaccordancewithawiseandwell-knownrule。
　　ThepostonherleftwasoccupiedbyMr。ErskineofTreadley，anoldgentlemanofconsiderablecharmandculture，whohadfallen，however，intobadhabitsofsilence，having，asheexplainedoncetoLadyAgatha，saideverythingthathehadtosaybeforehewasthirty。HisownneighbourwasMrs。Vandeleur，oneofhisaunt’soldestfriends，aperfectsaintamongstwomen，butsodreadfullydowdythatsheremindedoneofabadlyboundhymn-book。FortunatelyforhimshehadontheothersideLordFaudel，amostintelligentmiddle-agedmediocrity，asbaldasaministerialstatementintheHouseofCommons，withwhomshewasconversinginthatintenselyearnestmannerwhichistheoneunpardonableerror，asheremarkedoncehimself，thatallreallygoodpeoplefallinto，andfromwhichnoneofthemeverquiteescape。
　　WearetalkingaboutpoorDartmoor，LordHenry，criedtheduchess，noddingpleasantlytohimacrossthetable。Doyouthinkhewillreallymarrythisfascinatingyoungperson？
　　Ibelieveshehasmadeuphermindtoproposetohim，Duchess。
　　Howdreadful！exclaimedLadyAgatha。Really，someoneshouldinterfere。
　　Iamtold，onexcellentauthority，thatherfatherkeepsanAmericandry-goodsstore，saidSirThomasBurdon，lookingsupercilious。
　　Myunclehasalreadysuggestedpork-packingSirThomas。
　　Dry-goods！WhatareAmericandry-goods？askedtheduchess，raisingherlargehandsinwonderandaccentuatingtheverb。
　　Americannovels，answeredLordHenry，helpinghimselftosomequail。
　　Theduchesslookedpuzzled。
　　Don’tmindhim，mydear，whisperedLadyAgatha。Henevermeansanythingthathesays。
　　WhenAmericawasdiscovered，saidtheRadicalmember——andhebegantogivesomewearisomefacts。Likeallpeoplewhotrytoexhaustasubject，heexhaustedhislisteners。Theduchesssighedandexercisedherprivilegeofinterruption。Iwishtogoodnessitneverhadbeendiscoveredatall！sheexclaimed。Really，ourgirlshavenochancenowadays。Itismostunfair。
　　Perhaps，afterall，Americaneverhasbeendiscovered，saidMr。Erskine。Imyselfwouldsaythatithadmerelybeendetected。
　　Oh！butIhaveseenspecimensoftheinhabitants，answeredtheduchessvaguely。Imustconfessthatmostofthemareextremelypretty。
　　Andtheydresswell，too。TheygetalltheirdressesinParis。IwishI
　　couldaffordtodothesame。
　　TheysaythatwhengoodAmericansdietheygotoParis，chuckledSirThomas，whohadalargewardrobeofHumour’scast-offclothes。
　　Really！AndwheredobadAmericansgotowhentheydie？inquiredtheduchess。
　　TheygotoAmerica，murmuredLordHenry。
　　SirThomasfrowned。Iamafraidthatyournephewisprejudicedagainstthatgreatcountry，hesaidtoLadyAgatha。Ihavetravelledalloveritincarsprovidedbythedirectors，who，insuchmatters，areextremelycivil。Iassureyouthatitisaneducationtovisitit。
　　ButmustwereallyseeChicagoinordertobeeducated？askedMr。Erskineplaintively。Idon’tfeeluptothejourney。
　　SirThomaswavedhishand。Mr。ErskineofTreadleyhastheworldonhisshelves。Wepracticalmenliketoseethings，nottoreadaboutthem。TheAmericansareanextremelyinterestingpeople。Theyareabsolutelyreasonable。Ithinkthatistheirdistinguishingcharacteristic。Yes，Mr。
　　Erskine，anabsolutelyreasonablepeople。IassureyouthereisnononsenseabouttheAmericans。
　　Howdreadful！criedLordHenry。Icanstandbruteforce，butbrutereasonisquiteunbearable。Thereissomethingunfairaboutitsuse。
　　Itishittingbelowtheintellect。
　　Idonotunderstandyou，saidSirThomas，growingratherred。
　　Ido，LordHenry，murmuredMr。Erskine，withasmile。
　　Paradoxesareallverywellintheirway……rejoinedthebaronet。
　　Wasthataparadox？askedMr。Erskine。Ididnotthinkso。
　　Perhapsitwas。Well，thewayofparadoxesisthewayoftruth。Totestrealitywemustseeitonthetightrope。Whentheveritiesbecomeacrobats，wecanjudgethem。
　　Dearme！saidLadyAgatha，howyoumenargue！IamsureInevercanmakeoutwhatyouaretalkingabout。Oh！Harry，Iamquitevexedwithyou。WhydoyoutrytopersuadeourniceMr。DorianGraytogiveuptheEastEnd？Iassureyouhewouldbequiteinvaluable。Theywouldlovehisplaying。
　　Iwanthimtoplaytome，criedLordHenry，smiling，andhelookeddownthetableandcaughtabrightansweringglance。
　　ButtheyaresounhappyinWhitechapel，continuedLadyAgatha。
　　Icansympathizewitheverythingexceptsuffering，saidLordHenry，shrugginghisshoulders。Icannotsympathizewiththat。Itistoougly，toohorrible，toodistressing。Thereissomethingterriblymorbidinthemodernsympathywithpain。Oneshouldsympathizewiththecolour，thebeauty，thejoyoflife。Thelesssaidaboutlife’ssores，thebetter。
　　Still，theEastEndisaveryimportantproblem，remarkedSirThomaswithagraveshakeofthehead。
　　Quiteso，answeredtheyounglord。Itistheproblemofslavery，andwetrytosolveitbyamusingtheslaves。
　　Thepoliticianlookedathimkeenly。Whatchangedoyoupropose，then？heasked。
　　LordHenrylaughed。Idon’tdesiretochangeanythinginEnglandexcepttheweather，heanswered。Iamquitecontentwithphilosophiccontemplation。But，asthenineteenthcenturyhasgonebankruptthroughanover-expenditureofsympathy，Iwouldsuggestthatweshouldappealtosciencetoputusstraight。Theadvantageoftheemotionsisthattheyleadusastray，andtheadvantageofscienceisthatitisnotemotional。
　　Butwehavesuchgraveresponsibilities，venturedMrs。Vandeleurtimidly。
　　Terriblygrave，echoedLadyAgatha。
　　LordHenrylookedoveratMr。Erskine。Humanitytakesitselftooseriously。Itistheworld’soriginalsin。Ifthecavemanhadknownhowtolaugh，historywouldhavebeendifferent。
　　Youarereallyverycomforting，warbledtheduchess。IhavealwaysfeltratherguiltywhenIcametoseeyourdearaunt，forItakenointerestatallintheEastEnd。ForthefutureIshallbeabletolookherinthefacewithoutablush。
　　Ablushisverybecoming，Duchess，remarkedLordHenry。
　　Onlywhenoneisyoung，sheanswered。Whenanoldwomanlikemyselfblushes，itisaverybadsign。Ah！LordHenry，Iwishyouwouldtellmehowtobecomeyoungagain。
　　Hethoughtforamoment。Canyourememberanygreaterrorthatyoucommittedinyourearlydays，Duchess？heasked，lookingatheracrossthetable。
　　Agreatmany，Ifear，shecried。
　　Thencommitthemoveragain，hesaidgravely。Togetbackone’syouth，onehasmerelytorepeatone’sfollies。
　　Adelightfultheory！sheexclaimed。Imustputitintopractice。
　　Adangeroustheory！camefromSirThomas’stightlips。LadyAgathashookherhead，butcouldnothelpbeingamused。Mr。Erskinelistened。
　　Yes，hecontinued，thatisoneofthegreatsecretsoflife。
　　Nowadaysmostpeopledieofasortofcreepingcommonsense，anddiscoverwhenitistoolatethattheonlythingsoneneverregretsareone’smistakes。
　　Alaughranroundthetable。
　　Heplayedwiththeideaandgrewwilful。tosseditintotheairandtransformedit。letitescapeandrecapturedit。madeitiridescentwithfancyandwingeditwithparadox。Thepraiseoffolly，ashewenton，soaredintoaphilosophy，andphilosophyherselfbecameyoung，andcatchingthemadmusicofpleasure，wearing，onemightfancy，herwine-stainedrobeandwreathofivy，dancedlikeaBacchanteoverthehillsoflife，andmockedtheslowSilenusforbeingsober。Factsfledbeforeherlikefrightenedforestthings。HerwhitefeettrodthehugepressatwhichwiseOmarsits，tilltheseethinggrape-juiceroseroundherbarelimbsinwavesofpurplebubbles，orcrawledinredfoamoverthevat’sblack，dripping，slopingsides。Itwasanextraordinaryimprovisation。HefeltthattheeyesofDorianGraywerefixedonhim，andtheconsciousnessthatamongsthisaudiencetherewasonewhosetemperamenthewishedtofascinateseemedtogivehiswitkeennessandtolendcolourtohisimagination。Hewasbrilliant，fantastic，irresponsible。Hecharmedhislistenersoutofthemselves，andtheyfollowedhispipe，laughing。DorianGraynevertookhisgazeoffhim，butsatlikeoneunderaspell，smileschasingeachotheroverhislipsandwondergrowinggraveinhisdarkeningeyes。
　　Atlast，liveriedinthecostumeoftheage，realityenteredtheroomintheshapeofaservanttotelltheduchessthathercarriagewaswaiting。Shewrungherhandsinmockdespair。Howannoying！shecried。
　　Imustgo。Ihavetocallformyhusbandattheclub，totakehimtosomeabsurdmeetingatWillis’sRooms，whereheisgoingtobeinthechair。
　　IfIamlateheissuretobefurious，andIcouldn’thaveasceneinthisbonnet。Itisfartoofragile。Aharshwordwouldruinit。No，Imustgo，dearAgatha。Good-bye，LordHenry，youarequitedelightfulanddreadfullydemoralizing。IamsureIdon’tknowwhattosayaboutyourviews。Youmustcomeanddinewithussomenight。Tuesday？AreyoudisengagedTuesday？
　　ForyouIwouldthrowoveranybody，Duchess，saidLordHenrywithabow。
　　Ah！thatisverynice，andverywrongofyou，shecried。somindyoucome。andshesweptoutoftheroom，followedbyLadyAgathaandtheotherladies。
　　WhenLordHenryhadsatdownagain，Mr。Erskinemovedround，andtakingachairclosetohim，placedhishanduponhisarm。
　　Youtalkbooksaway，hesaid。whydon’tyouwriteone？
　　Iamtoofondofreadingbookstocaretowritethem，Mr。Erskine。
　　Ishouldliketowriteanovelcertainly，anovelthatwouldbeaslovelyasaPersiancarpetandasunreal。ButthereisnoliterarypublicinEnglandforanythingexceptnewspapers，primers，andencyclopaedias。OfallpeopleintheworldtheEnglishhavetheleastsenseofthebeautyofliterature。
　　Ifearyouareright，answeredMr。Erskine。Imyselfusedtohaveliteraryambitions，butIgavethemuplongago。Andnow，mydearyoungfriend，ifyouwillallowmetocallyouso，mayIaskifyoureallymeantallthatyousaidtousatlunch？
　　IquiteforgetwhatIsaid，smiledLordHenry。Wasitallverybad？
　　Verybadindeed。InfactIconsideryouextremelydangerous，andifanythinghappenstoourgoodduchess，weshallalllookonyouasbeingprimarilyresponsible。ButIshouldliketotalktoyouaboutlife。
　　ThegenerationintowhichIwasbornwastedious。Someday，whenyouaretiredofLondon，comedowntoTreadleyandexpoundtomeyourphilosophyofpleasureoversomeadmirableBurgundyIamfortunateenoughtopossess。
　　Ishallbecharmed。AvisittoTreadleywouldbeagreatprivilege。
　　Ithasaperfecthost，andaperfectlibrary。
　　Youwillcompleteit，answeredtheoldgentlemanwithacourteousbow。AndnowImustbidgood-byetoyourexcellentaunt。IamdueattheAthenaeum。Itisthehourwhenwesleepthere。
　　Allofyou，Mr。Erskine？
　　Fortyofus，infortyarm-chairs。WearepractisingforanEnglishAcademyofLetters。
　　LordHenrylaughedandrose。Iamgoingtothepark，hecried。
　　Ashewaspassingoutofthedoor，DorianGraytouchedhimonthearm。Letmecomewithyou，hemurmured。
　　ButIthoughtyouhadpromisedBasilHallwardtogoandseehim，
　　answeredLordHenry。
　　Iwouldsoonercomewithyou。yes，IfeelImustcomewithyou。
　　Doletme。Andyouwillpromisetotalktomeallthetime？Noonetalkssowonderfullyasyoudo。
　　Ah！Ihavetalkedquiteenoughforto-day，saidLordHenry，smiling。AllIwantnowistolookatlife。Youmaycomeandlookatitwithme，ifyoucareto。
　　ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter4Chapter4Oneafternoon，amonthlater，DorianGraywasreclininginaluxuriousarm-chair，inthelittlelibraryofLordHenry’shouseinMayfair。Itwas，initsway，averycharmingroom，withitshighpanelledwainscotingofolive-stainedoak，itscream-colouredfriezeandceilingofraisedplasterwork，anditsbrickdustfeltcarpetstrewnwithsilk，long-fringedPersianrugs。
　　OnatinysatinwoodtablestoodastatuettebyClodion，andbesideitlayacopyofLesCentNouvelles，boundforMargaretofValoisbyClovisEveandpowderedwiththegiltdaisiesthatQueenhadselectedforherdevice。Somelargebluechinajarsandparrot-tulipswererangedonthemantelshelf，andthroughthesmallleadedpanesofthewindowstreamedtheapricot-colouredlightofasummerdayinLondon。
　　LordHenryhadnotyetcomein。Hewasalwayslateonprinciple，hisprinciplebeingthatpunctualityisthethiefoftime。Sotheladwaslookingrathersulky，aswithlistlessfingersheturnedoverthepagesofanelaboratelyillustratededitionofManonLescautthathehadfoundinoneofthebook-cases。TheformalmonotonoustickingoftheLouisQuatorzeclockannoyedhim。Onceortwicehethoughtofgoingaway。
　　Atlastheheardastepoutside，andthedooropened。Howlateyouare，Harry！hemurmured。
　　IamafraiditisnotHarry，Mr。Gray，answeredashrillvoice。
　　Heglancedquicklyroundandrosetohisfeet。Ibegyourpardon。
　　Ithought——
　　Youthoughtitwasmyhusband。Itisonlyhiswife。Youmustletmeintroducemyself。Iknowyouquitewellbyyourphotographs。Ithinkmyhusbandhasgotseventeenofthem。
　　Notseventeen，LadyHenry？
　　Well，eighteen，then。AndIsawyouwithhimtheothernightattheopera。Shelaughednervouslyasshespoke，andwatchedhimwithhervagueforget-me-noteyes。Shewasacuriouswoman，whosedressesalwayslookedasiftheyhadbeendesignedinarageandputoninatempest。
　　Shewasusuallyinlovewithsomebody，and，asherpassionwasneverreturned，shehadkeptallherillusions。Shetriedtolookpicturesque，butonlysucceededinbeinguntidy。HernamewasVictoria，andshehadaperfectmaniaforgoingtochurch。
　　ThatwasatLohengrin，LadyHenry，Ithink？
　　Yes。itwasatdearLohengrin。IlikeWagner’smusicbetterthananybody’s。Itissoloudthatonecantalkthewholetimewithoutotherpeoplehearingwhatonesays。Thatisagreatadvantage，don’tyouthinkso，Mr。Gray？
　　Thesamenervousstaccatolaughbrokefromherthinlips，andherfingersbegantoplaywithalongtortoise-shellpaper-knife。
　　Doriansmiledandshookhishead：IamafraidIdon’tthinkso，LadyHenry。Inevertalkduringmusic——atleast，duringgoodmusic。Ifonehearsbadmusic，itisone’sdutytodrownitinconversation。
　　Ah！thatisoneofHarry’sviews，isn’tit，Mr。Gray？IalwayshearHarry’sviewsfromhisfriends。ItistheonlywayIgettoknowofthem。ButyoumustnotthinkIdon’tlikegoodmusic。Iadoreit，butI
　　amafraidofit。Itmakesmetooromantic。Ihavesimplyworshippedpianists——
　　twoatatime，sometimes，Harrytellsme。Idon’tknowwhatitisaboutthem。Perhapsitisthattheyareforeigners。Theyallare，ain’tthey？
　　EventhosethatareborninEnglandbecomeforeignersafteratime，don’tthey？Itissocleverofthem，andsuchacomplimenttoart。Makesitquitecosmopolitan，doesn’tit？Youhaveneverbeentoanyofmyparties，haveyou，Mr。Gray？Youmustcome。Ican’taffordorchids，butIsharenoexpenseinforeigners。Theymakeone’sroomslooksopicturesque。ButhereisHarry！
　　Harry，Icameintolookforyou，toaskyousomething——Iforgetwhatitwas——andIfoundMr。Grayhere。Wehavehadsuchapleasantchataboutmusic。Wehavequitethesameideas。No。Ithinkourideasarequitedifferent。
　　Buthehasbeenmostpleasant。IamsogladI’veseenhim。
　　Iamcharmed，mylove，quitecharmed，saidLordHenry，elevatinghisdark，crescent-shapedeyebrowsandlookingatthembothwithanamusedsmile。SosorryIamlate，Dorian。IwenttolookafterapieceofoldbrocadeinWardourStreetandhadtobargainforhoursforit。Nowadayspeopleknowthepriceofeverythingandthevalueofnothing。
　　IamafraidImustbegoing，exclaimedLadyHenry，breakinganawkwardsilencewithhersillysuddenlaugh。Ihavepromisedtodrivewiththeduchess。Good-bye，Mr。Gray。Good-bye，Harry。Youarediningout，Isuppose？SoamI。PerhapsIshallseeyouatLadyThornbury’s。
　　Idaresay，mydear，saidLordHenry，shuttingthedoorbehindheras，lookinglikeabirdofparadisethathadbeenoutallnightintherain，sheflittedoutoftheroom，leavingafaintodouroffrangipanni。
　　Thenhelitacigaretteandflunghimselfdownonthesofa。
　　Nevermarryawomanwithstraw-colouredhair，Dorian，hesaidafterafewpuffs。
　　Why，Harry？
　　Becausetheyaresosentimental。
　　ButIlikesentimentalpeople。
　　Nevermarryatall，Dorian。Menmarrybecausetheyaretired。
　　women，becausetheyarecurious：botharedisappointed。
　　Idon’tthinkIamlikelytomarry，Harry。Iamtoomuchinlove。
　　Thatisoneofyouraphorisms。Iamputtingitintopractice，asIdoeverythingthatyousay。
　　Whoareyouinlovewith？askedLordHenryafterapause。
　　Withanactress，saidDorianGray，blushing。
　　LordHenryshruggedhisshoulders。Thatisarathercommonplacedé。but。
　　Youwouldnotsaysoifyousawher，Harry。
　　Whoisshe？
　　HernameisSibylVane。
　　Neverheardofher。
　　Noonehas。Peoplewillsomeday，however。Sheisagenius。
　　Mydearboy，nowomanisagenius。Womenareadecorativesex。
　　Theyneverhaveanythingtosay，buttheysayitcharmingly。Womenrepresentthetriumphofmatterovermind，justasmenrepresentthetriumphofmindovermorals。
　　Harry，howcanyou？
　　MydearDorian，itisquitetrue。Iamanalysingwomenatpresent，soIoughttoknow。ThesubjectisnotsoabstruseasIthoughtitwas。
　　Ifindthat，ultimately，thereareonlytwokindsofwomen，theplainandthecoloured。Theplainwomenareveryuseful。Ifyouwanttogainareputationforrespectability，youhavemerelytotakethemdowntosupper。Theotherwomenareverycharming。Theycommitonemistake，however。Theypaintinordertotryandlookyoung。Ourgrandmotherspaintedinordertotryandtalkbrilliantly。Rougeandespritusedtogotogether。Thatisallovernow。Aslongasawomancanlooktenyearsyoungerthanherowndaughter，sheisperfectlysatisfied。Asforconversation，thereareonlyfivewomeninLondonworthtalkingto，andtwoofthesecan’tbeadmittedintodecentsociety。However，tellmeaboutyourgenius。Howlonghaveyouknownher？
　　Ah！Harry，yourviewsterrifyme。
　　Nevermindthat。Howlonghaveyouknownher？
　　Aboutthreeweeks。
　　Andwheredidyoucomeacrossher？
　　Iwilltellyou，Harry，butyoumustn’tbeunsympatheticaboutit。Afterall，itneverwouldhavehappenedifIhadnotmetyou。Youfilledmewithawilddesiretoknoweverythingaboutlife。FordaysafterImetyou，somethingseemedtothrobinmyveins。AsIloungedinthepark，orstrolleddownPiccadilly，Iusedtolookateveryonewhopassedmeandwonder，withamadcuriosity，whatsortoflivestheyled。Someofthemfascinatedme。Othersfilledmewithterror。Therewasanexquisitepoisonintheair。Ihadapassionforsensations……Well，oneeveningaboutseveno’clock，Ideterminedtogooutinsearchofsomeadventure。IfeltthatthisgreymonstrousLondonofours，withitsmyriadsofpeople，itssordidsinners，anditssplendidsins，asyouoncephrasedit，musthavesomethinginstoreforme。Ifanciedathousandthings。Themeredangergavemeasenseofdelight。Irememberedwhatyouhadsaidtomeonthatwonderfuleveningwhenwefirstdinedtogether，aboutthesearchforbeautybeingtherealsecretoflife。Idon’tknowwhatIexpected，butIwentoutandwanderedeastward，soonlosingmywayinalabyrinthofgrimystreetsandblackgrasslesssquares。Abouthalf-pasteightIpassedbyanabsurdlittletheatre，withgreatflaringgas-jetsandgaudyplay-bills。AhideousJew，inthemostamazingwaistcoatIeverbeheldinmylife，wasstandingattheentrance，smokingavilecigar。Hehadgreasyringlets，andanenormousdiamondblazedinthecentreofasoiledshirt。’Haveabox，myLord？’hesaid，whenhesawme，andhetookoffhishatwithanairofgorgeousservility。
　　Therewassomethingabouthim，Harry，thatamusedme。Hewassuchamonster。
　　Youwilllaughatme，Iknow，butIreallywentinandpaidawholeguineaforthestage-box。TothepresentdayIcan’tmakeoutwhyIdidso。andyetifIhadn’t——mydearHarry，ifIhadn’t——Ishouldhavemissedthegreatestromanceofmylife。Iseeyouarelaughing。Itishorridofyou！
　　Iamnotlaughing，Dorian。atleastIamnotlaughingatyou。
　　Butyoushouldnotsaythegreatestromanceofyourlife。Youshouldsaythefirstromanceofyourlife。Youwillalwaysbeloved，andyouwillalwaysbeinlovewithlove。Agrandepassionistheprivilegeofpeoplewhohavenothingtodo。Thatistheoneuseoftheidleclassesofacountry。
　　Don’tbeafraid。Thereareexquisitethingsinstoreforyou。Thisismerelythebeginning。
　　Doyouthinkmynaturesoshallow？criedDorianGrayangrily。
　　No。Ithinkyournaturesodeep。
　　Howdoyoumean？
　　Mydearboy，thepeoplewholoveonlyonceintheirlivesarereallytheshallowpeople。Whattheycalltheirloyalty，andtheirfidelity，Icalleitherthelethargyofcustomortheirlackofimagination。Faithfulnessistotheemotionallifewhatconsistencyistothelifeoftheintellect——simplyaconfessionoffailure。Faithfulness！Imustanalyseitsomeday。Thepassionforpropertyisinit。Therearemanythingsthatwewouldthrowawayifwewerenotafraidthatothersmightpickthemup。ButIdon’twanttointerruptyou。Goonwithyourstory。
　　Well，Ifoundmyselfseatedinahorridlittleprivatebox，withavulgardrop-scenestaringmeintheface。Ilookedoutfrombehindthecurtainandsurveyedthehouse。Itwasatawdryaffair，allCupidsandcornucopias，likeathird-ratewedding-cake。Thegalleryandpitwerefairlyfull，butthetworowsofdingystallswerequiteempty，andtherewashardlyapersoninwhatIsupposetheycalledthedress-circle。Womenwentaboutwithorangesandginger-beer，andtherewasaterribleconsumptionofnutsgoingon。
　　ItmusthavebeenjustlikethepalmydaysoftheBritishdrama。
　　Justlike，Ishouldfancy，andverydepressing。IbegantowonderwhatonearthIshoulddowhenIcaughtsightoftheplay-bill。Whatdoyouthinktheplaywas，Harry？
　　IshouldthinkTheIdiotBoy，orDumbbutInnocent。Ourfathersusedtolikethatsortofpiece，Ibelieve。ThelongerIlive，Dorian，themorekeenlyIfeelthatwhateverwasgoodenoughforourfathersisnotgoodenoughforus。Inart，asinpolitics，lesgrandpè。resonttoujourstort。
　　Thisplaywasgoodenoughforus，Harry。ItwasRomeoandJuliet。
　　ImustadmitthatIwasratherannoyedattheideaofseeingShakespearedoneinsuchawretchedholeofaplace。Still，Ifeltinterested，inasortofway。Atanyrate，Ideterminedtowaitforthefirstact。Therewasadreadfulorchestra，presidedoverbyayoungHebrewwhosatatacrackedpiano，thatnearlydrovemeaway，butatlastthedrop-scenewasdrawnupandtheplaybegan。Romeowasastoutelderlygentleman，withcorkedeyebrows，ahuskytragedyvoice，andafigurelikeabeer-barrel。
　　Mercutiowasalmostasbad。Hewasplayedbythelow-comedian，whohadintroducedgagsofhisownandwasonmostfriendlytermswiththepit。
　　Theywerebothasgrotesqueasthescenery，andthatlookedasifithadcomeoutofacountry-booth。ButJuliet！Harry，imagineagirl，hardlyseventeenyearsofage，withalittle，flowerlikeface，asmallGreekheadwithplaitedcoilsofdark-brownhair，eyesthatwerevioletwellsofpassion，lipsthatwerelikethepetalsofarose。ShewastheloveliestthingI
　　hadeverseeninmylife。Yousaidtomeoncethatpathosleftyouunmoved，butthatbeauty，merebeauty，couldfillyoureyeswithtears。Itellyou，Harry，Icouldhardlyseethisgirlforthemistoftearsthatcameacrossme。Andhervoice——Ineverheardsuchavoice。Itwasverylowatfirst，withdeepmellownotesthatseemedtofallsinglyuponone’sear。Thenitbecamealittlelouder，andsoundedlikeafluteoradistanthautboy。
　　Inthegarden-sceneithadallthetremulousecstasythatonehearsjustbeforedawnwhennightingalesaresinging。Thereweremoments，lateron，whenithadthewildpassionofviolins。Youknowhowavoicecanstirone。YourvoiceandthevoiceofSibylVanearetwothingsthatIshallneverforget。WhenIclosemyeyes，Ihearthem，andeachofthemsayssomethingdifferent。Idon’tknowwhichtofollow。WhyshouldInotloveher？Harry，Idoloveher。Sheiseverythingtomeinlife。NightafternightIgotoseeherplay。OneeveningsheisRosalind，andthenexteveningsheisImogen。IhaveseenherdieinthegloomofanItaliantomb，suckingthepoisonfromherlover’slips。IhavewatchedherwanderingthroughtheforestofArden，disguisedasaprettyboyinhoseanddoubletanddaintycap。Shehasbeenmad，andhascomeintothepresenceofaguiltyking，andgivenhimruetowearandbitterherbstotasteof。Shehasbeeninnocent，andtheblackhandsofjealousyhavecrushedherreedlikethroat。
　　Ihaveseenherineveryageandineverycostume。Ordinarywomenneverappealtoone’simagination。Theyarelimitedtotheircentury。Noglamourevertransfiguresthem。Oneknowstheirmindsaseasilyasoneknowstheirbonnets。Onecanalwaysfindthem。Thereisnomysteryinanyofthem。
　　Theyrideintheparkinthemorningandchatterattea-partiesintheafternoon。Theyhavetheirstereotypedsmileandtheirfashionablemanner。
　　Theyarequiteobvious。Butanactress！Howdifferentanactressis！Harry！
　　whydidn’tyoutellmethattheonlythingworthlovingisanactress？
　　BecauseIhavelovedsomanyofthem，Dorian。
　　Oh，yes，horridpeoplewithdyedhairandpaintedfaces。
　　Don’trundowndyedhairandpaintedfaces。Thereisanextraordinarycharminthem，sometimes，saidLordHenry。
　　IwishnowIhadnottoldyouaboutSibylVane。
　　Youcouldnothavehelpedtellingme，Dorian。Allthroughyourlifeyouwilltellmeeverythingyoudo。
　　Yes，Harry，Ibelievethatistrue。Icannothelptellingyouthings。Youhaveacuriousinfluenceoverme。IfIeverdidacrime，I
　　wouldcomeandconfessittoyou。Youwouldunderstandme。
　　Peoplelikeyou——thewilfulsunbeamsoflife——don’tcommitcrimes，Dorian。ButIammuchobligedforthecompliment，allthesame。Andnowtellme——reachmethematches，likeagoodboy——thanks——whatareyouractualrelationswithSibylVane？
　　DorianGrayleapedtohisfeet，withflushedcheeksandburningeyes。Harry！SibylVaneissacred！
　　Itisonlythesacredthingsthatareworthtouching，Dorian，
　　saidLordHenry，withastrangetouchofpathosinhisvoice。Butwhyshouldyoubeannoyed？Isupposeshewillbelongtoyousomeday。Whenoneisinlove，onealwaysbeginsbydeceivingone’sself，andonealwaysendsbydeceivingothers。Thatiswhattheworldcallsaromance。Youknowher，atanyrate，Isuppose？
　　OfcourseIknowher。OnthefirstnightIwasatthetheatre，thehorridoldJewcameroundtotheboxaftertheperformancewasoverandofferedtotakemebehindthescenesandintroducemetoher。Iwasfuriouswithhim，andtoldhimthatJuliethadbeendeadforhundredsofyearsandthatherbodywaslyinginamarbletombinVerona。Ithink，fromhisblanklookofamazement，thathewasundertheimpressionthatIhadtakentoomuchchampagne，orsomething。
　　Iamnotsurprised。
　　ThenheaskedmeifIwroteforanyofthenewspapers。ItoldhimIneverevenreadthem。Heseemedterriblydisappointedatthat，andconfidedtomethatallthedramaticcriticswereinaconspiracyagainsthim，andthattheywereeveryoneofthemtobebought。
　　Ishouldnotwonderifhewasquiterightthere。But，ontheotherhand，judgingfromtheirappearance，mostofthemcannotbeatallexpensive。
　　Well，heseemedtothinktheywerebeyondhismeans，laughedDorian。Bythistime，however，thelightswerebeingputoutinthetheatre，andIhadtogo。Hewantedmetotrysomecigarsthathestronglyrecommended。
　　Ideclined。Thenextnight，ofcourse，Iarrivedattheplaceagain。Whenhesawme，hemademealowbowandassuredmethatIwasamunificentpatronofart。Hewasamostoffensivebrute，thoughhehadanextraordinarypassionforShakespeare。Hetoldmeonce，withanairofpride，thathisfivebankruptcieswereentirelydueto’TheBard，’asheinsistedoncallinghim。Heseemedtothinkitadistinction。
　　Itwasadistinction，mydearDorian——agreatdistinction。Mostpeoplebecomebankruptthroughhavinginvestedtooheavilyintheproseoflife。Tohaveruinedone’sselfoverpoetryisanhonour。ButwhendidyoufirstspeaktoMissSibylVane？
　　Thethirdnight。ShehadbeenplayingRosalind。Icouldnothelpgoinground。Ihadthrownhersomeflowers，andshehadlookedatme——atleastIfanciedthatshehad。TheoldJewwaspersistent。Heseemeddeterminedtotakemebehind，soIconsented。Itwascuriousmynotwantingtoknowher，wasn’tit？
　　No。Idon’tthinkso。
　　MydearHarry，why？
　　Iwilltellyousomeothertime。NowIwanttoknowaboutthegirl。
　　Sibyl？Oh，shewassoshyandsogentle。Thereissomethingofachildabouther。HereyesopenedwideinexquisitewonderwhenItoldherwhatIthoughtofherperformance，andsheseemedquiteunconsciousofherpower。Ithinkwewerebothrathernervous。TheoldJewstoodgrinningatthedoorwayofthedustygreenroom，makingelaboratespeechesaboutusboth，whilewestoodlookingateachotherlikechildren。Hewouldinsistoncallingme’MyLord，’soIhadtoassureSibylthatIwasnotanythingofthekind。Shesaidquitesimplytome，’Youlookmorelikeaprince。
　　ImustcallyouPrinceCharming。’
　　Uponmyword，Dorian，MissSibylknowshowtopaycompliments。
　　Youdon’tunderstandher，Harry。Sheregardedmemerelyasapersoninaplay。Sheknowsnothingoflife。Sheliveswithhermother，afadedtiredwomanwhoplayedLadyCapuletinasortofmagentadressing-wrapperonthefirstnight，andlooksasifshehadseenbetterdays。
　　Iknowthatlook。Itdepressesme，murmuredLordHenry，examininghisrings。
　　TheJewwantedtotellmeherhistory，butIsaiditdidnotinterestme。
　　Youwerequiteright。Thereisalwayssomethinginfinitelymeanaboutotherpeople’stragedies。
　　SibylistheonlythingIcareabout。Whatisittomewhereshecamefrom？Fromherlittleheadtoherlittlefeet，sheisabsolutelyandentirelydivine。EverynightofmylifeIgotoseeheract，andeverynightsheismoremarvellous。
　　Thatisthereason，Isuppose，thatyouneverdinewithmenow。
　　Ithoughtyoumusthavesomecuriousromanceonhand。Youhave。butitisnotquitewhatIexpected。
　　MydearHarry，weeitherlunchorsuptogethereveryday，andIhavebeentotheoperawithyouseveraltimes，saidDorian，openinghisblueeyesinwonder。
　　Youalwayscomedreadfullylate。
　　Well，Ican’thelpgoingtoseeSibylplay，hecried，evenifitisonlyforasingleact。Igethungryforherpresence。andwhenIthinkofthewonderfulsoulthatishiddenawayinthatlittleivorybody，Iamfilledwithawe。
　　Youcandinewithmeto-night，Dorian，can’tyou？
　　Heshookhishead。To-nightsheisImogen，heanswered，andto-morrownightshewillbeJuliet。
　　WhenissheSibylVane？
　　Never。
　　Icongratulateyou。
　　Howhorridyouare！Sheisallthegreatheroinesoftheworldinone。Sheismorethananindividual。Youlaugh，butItellyoushehasgenius。Iloveher，andImustmakeherloveme。You，whoknowallthesecretsoflife，tellmehowtocharmSibylVanetoloveme！IwanttomakeRomeojealous。Iwantthedeadloversoftheworldtohearourlaughterandgrowsad。Iwantabreathofourpassiontostirtheirdustintoconsciousness，towaketheirashesintopain。MyGod，Harry，howIworshipher！Hewaswalkingupanddowntheroomashespoke。Hecticspotsofredburnedonhischeeks。Hewasterriblyexcited。
　　LordHenrywatchedhimwithasubtlesenseofpleasure。HowdifferenthewasnowfromtheshyfrightenedboyhehadmetinBasilHallward’sstudio！
　　Hisnaturehaddevelopedlikeaflower，hadborneblossomsofscarletflame。
　　Outofitssecrethiding-placehadcrepthissoul，anddesirehadcometomeetitontheway。
　　Andwhatdoyouproposetodo？saidLordHenryatlast。
　　IwantyouandBasiltocomewithmesomenightandseeheract。
　　Ihavenottheslightestfearoftheresult。Youarecertaintoacknowledgehergenius。ThenwemustgetheroutoftheJew’shands。Sheisboundtohimforthreeyears——atleastfortwoyearsandeightmonths——fromthepresenttime。Ishallhavetopayhimsomething，ofcourse。Whenallthatissettled，IshalltakeaWestEndtheatreandbringheroutproperly。
　　Shewillmaketheworldasmadasshehasmademe。
　　Thatwouldbeimpossible，mydearboy。
　　Yes，shewill。Shehasnotmerelyart，consummateart-instinct，inher，butshehaspersonalityalso。andyouhaveoftentoldmethatitispersonalities，notprinciples，thatmovetheage。
　　Well，whatnightshallwego？
　　Letmesee。To-dayisTuesday。Letusfixto-morrow。SheplaysJulietto-morrow。
　　Allright。TheBristolateighto’clock。andIwillgetBasil。
　　Noteight，Harry，please。Half-pastsix。Wemustbetherebeforethecurtainrises。Youmustseeherinthefirstact，whereshemeetsRomeo。
　　Half-pastsix！Whatanhour！Itwillbelikehavingameat-tea，orreadinganEnglishnovel。Itmustbeseven。Nogentlemandinesbeforeseven。ShallyouseeBasilbetweenthisandthen？OrshallIwritetohim？
　　DearBasil！Ihavenotlaideyesonhimforaweek。Itisratherhorridofme，ashehassentmemyportraitinthemostwonderfulframe，speciallydesignedbyhimself，and，thoughIamalittlejealousofthepictureforbeingawholemonthyoungerthanIam，ImustadmitthatI
　　delightinit。Perhapsyouhadbetterwritetohim。Idon’twanttoseehimalone。Hesaysthingsthatannoyme。Hegivesmegoodadvice。
　　LordHenrysmiled。Peopleareveryfondofgivingawaywhattheyneedmostthemselves。ItiswhatIcallthedepthofgenerosity。
　　Oh，Basilisthebestoffellows，butheseemstometobejustabitofaPhilistine。SinceIhaveknownyou，Harry，Ihavediscoveredthat。
　　Basil，mydearboy，putseverythingthatischarminginhimintohiswork。Theconsequenceisthathehasnothingleftforlifebuthisprejudices，hisprinciples，andhiscommonsense。TheonlyartistsIhaveeverknownwhoarepersonallydelightfularebadartists。Goodartistsexistsimplyinwhattheymake，andconsequentlyareperfectlyuninterestinginwhattheyare。Agreatpoet，areallygreatpoet，isthemostunpoeticalofallcreatures。Butinferiorpoetsareabsolutelyfascinating。Theworsetheirrhymesare，themorepicturesquetheylook。Themerefactofhavingpublishedabookofsecond-ratesonnetsmakesamanquiteirresistible。
　　Helivesthepoetrythathecannotwrite。Theotherswritethepoetrythattheydarenotrealize。
　　Iwonderisthatreallyso，Harry？saidDorianGray，puttingsomeperfumeonhishandkerchiefoutofalarge，gold-toppedbottlethatstoodonthetable。Itmustbe，ifyousayit。AndnowIamoff。Imogeniswaitingforme。Don’tforgetaboutto-morrow。Good-bye。
　　Ashelefttheroom，LordHenry’sheavyeyelidsdrooped，andhebegantothink。CertainlyfewpeoplehadeverinterestedhimsomuchasDorianGray，andyetthelad’smadadorationofsomeoneelsecausedhimnottheslightestpangofannoyanceorjealousy。Hewaspleasedbyit。
　　Itmadehimamoreinterestingstudy。Hehadbeenalwaysenthralledbythemethodsofnaturalscience，buttheordinarysubject-matterofthatsciencehadseemedtohimtrivialandofnoimport。Andsohehadbegunbyvivisectinghimself，ashehadendedbyvivisectingothers。Humanlife——thatappearedtohimtheonethingworthinvestigating。Comparedtoittherewasnothingelseofanyvalue。Itwastruethatasonewatchedlifeinitscuriouscrucibleofpainandpleasure，onecouldnotwearoverone’sfaceamaskofglass，norkeepthesulphurousfumesfromtroublingthebrainandmakingtheimaginationturbidwithmonstrousfanciesandmisshapendreams。Therewerepoisonssosubtlethattoknowtheirpropertiesonehadtosickenofthem。Thereweremaladiessostrangethatonehadtopassthroughthemifonesoughttounderstandtheirnature。And，yet，whatagreatrewardonereceived！Howwonderfulthewholeworldbecametoone！
　　Tonotethecurioushardlogicofpassion，andtheemotionalcolouredlifeoftheintellect——toobservewheretheymet，andwheretheyseparated，atwhatpointtheywereinunison，andatwhatpointtheywereatdiscord——therewasadelightinthat！Whatmatterwhatthecostwas？Onecouldneverpaytoohighapriceforanysensation。
　　Hewasconscious——andthethoughtbroughtagleamofpleasureintohisbrownagateeyes——thatitwasthroughcertainwordsofhis，musicalwordssaidwithmusicalutterance，thatDorianGray’ssoulhadturnedtothiswhitegirlandbowedinworshipbeforeher。Toalargeextenttheladwashisowncreation。Hehadmadehimpremature。Thatwassomething。
　　Ordinarypeoplewaitedtilllifedisclosedtothemitssecrets，buttothefew，totheelect，themysteriesoflifewererevealedbeforetheveilwasdrawnaway。Sometimesthiswastheeffectofart，andchieflyoftheartofliterature，whichdealtimmediatelywiththepassionsandtheintellect。
　　Butnowandthenacomplexpersonalitytooktheplaceandassumedtheofficeofart，wasindeed，initsway，arealworkofart，lifehavingitselaboratemasterpieces，justaspoetryhas，orsculpture，orpainting。
　　Yes，theladwaspremature。Hewasgatheringhisharvestwhileitwasyetspring。Thepulseandpassionofyouthwereinhim，buthewasbecomingself-conscious。Itwasdelightfultowatchhim。Withhisbeautifulface，andhisbeautifulsoul，hewasathingtowonderat。Itwasnomatterhowitallended，orwasdestinedtoend。Hewaslikeoneofthosegraciousfiguresinapageantoraplay，whosejoysseemtoberemotefromone，butwhosesorrowsstirone’ssenseofbeauty，andwhosewoundsarelikeredroses。
　　Soulandbody，bodyandsoul——howmysterioustheywere！Therewasanimalisminthesoul，andthebodyhaditsmomentsofspirituality。
　　Thesensescouldrefine，andtheintellectcoulddegrade。Whocouldsaywherethefleshlyimpulseceased，orthepsychicalimpulsebegan？Howshallowwerethearbitrarydefinitionsofordinarypsychologists！Andyethowdifficulttodecidebetweentheclaimsofthevariousschools！Wasthesoulashadowseatedinthehouseofsin？Orwasthebodyreallyinthesoul，asGiordanoBrunothought？Theseparationofspiritfrommatterwasamystery，andtheunionofspiritwithmatterwasamysteryalso。
　　Hebegantowonderwhetherwecouldevermakepsychologysoabsoluteasciencethateachlittlespringoflifewouldberevealedtous。Asitwas，wealwaysmisunderstoodourselvesandrarelyunderstoodothers。Experiencewasofnoethicalvalue。Itwasmerelythenamemengavetotheirmistakes。
　　Moralistshad，asarule，regardeditasamodeofwarning，hadclaimedforitacertainethicalefficacyintheformationofcharacter，hadpraiseditassomethingthattaughtuswhattofollowandshoweduswhattoavoid。
　　Buttherewasnomotivepowerinexperience。Itwasaslittleofanactivecauseasconscienceitself。Allthatitreallydemonstratedwasthatourfuturewouldbethesameasourpast，andthatthesinwehaddoneonce，andwithloathing，wewoulddomanytimes，andwithjoy。
　　Itwascleartohimthattheexperimentalmethodwastheonlymethodbywhichonecouldarriveatanyscientificanalysisofthepassions。
　　andcertainlyDorianGraywasasubjectmadetohishand，andseemedtopromiserichandfruitfulresults。HissuddenmadloveforSibylVanewasapsychologicalphenomenonofnosmallinterest。Therewasnodoubtthatcuriosityhadmuchtodowithit，curiosityandthedesirefornewexperiences，yetitwasnotasimple，butratheraverycomplexpassion。Whattherewasinitofthepurelysensuousinstinctofboyhoodhadbeentransformedbytheworkingsoftheimagination，changedintosomethingthatseemedtotheladhimselftoberemotefromsense，andwasforthatveryreasonallthemoredangerous。Itwasthepassionsaboutwhoseoriginwedeceivedourselvesthattyrannizedmoststronglyoverus。Ourweakestmotiveswerethoseofwhosenaturewewereconscious。Itoftenhappenedthatwhenwethoughtwewereexperimentingonotherswewerereallyexperimentingonourselves。
　　WhileLordHenrysatdreamingonthesethings，aknockcametothedoor，andhisvaletenteredandremindedhimitwastimetodressfordinner。Hegotupandlookedoutintothestreet。Thesunsethadsmittenintoscarletgoldtheupperwindowsofthehousesopposite。Thepanesglowedlikeplatesofheatedmetal。Theskyabovewaslikeafadedrose。Hethoughtofhisfriend’syoungfiery-colouredlifeandwonderedhowitwasallgoingtoend。
　　Whenhearrivedhome，abouthalf-pasttwelveo’clock，hesawatelegramlyingonthehalltable。HeopeneditandfounditwasfromDorianGray。ItwastotellhimthathewasengagedtobemarriedtoSibylVane。
　　ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter5Chapter5Mother，Mother，Iamsohappy！whisperedthegirl，buryingherfaceinthelapofthefaded，tired-lookingwomanwho，withbackturnedtotheshrillintrusivelight，wassittingintheonearm-chairthattheirdingysitting-roomcontained。Iamsohappy！sherepeated，andyoumustbehappy，too！
　　Mrs。Vanewincedandputherthin，bismuth-whitenedhandsonherdaughter’shead。Happy！sheechoed，Iamonlyhappy，Sibyl，whenIseeyouact。Youmustnotthinkofanythingbutyouracting。Mr。Isaacshasbeenverygoodtous，andweowehimmoney。
　　Thegirllookedupandpouted。Money，Mother？shecried，whatdoesmoneymatter？Loveismorethanmoney。
　　Mr。IsaacshasadvancedusfiftypoundstopayoffourdebtsandtogetaproperoutfitforJames。Youmustnotforgetthat，Sibyl。
　　Fiftypoundsisaverylargesum。Mr。Isaacshasbeenmostconsiderate。
　　Heisnotagentleman，Mother，andIhatethewayhetalkstome，saidthegirl，risingtoherfeetandgoingovertothewindow。
　　Idon’tknowhowwecouldmanagewithouthim，answeredtheelderwomanquerulously。
　　SibylVanetossedherheadandlaughed。Wedon’twanthimanymore，Mother。PrinceCharmingruleslifeforusnow。Thenshepaused。
　　Aroseshookinherbloodandshadowedhercheeks。Quickbreathpartedthepetalsofherlips。Theytrembled。Somesouthernwindofpassionsweptoverherandstirredthedaintyfoldsofherdress。Ilovehim，shesaidsimply。
　　Foolishchild！foolishchild！wastheparrot-phraseflunginanswer。Thewavingofcrooked，false-jewelledfingersgavegrotesquenesstothewords。
　　Thegirllaughedagain。Thejoyofacagedbirdwasinhervoice。
　　Hereyescaughtthemelodyandechoeditinradiance，thenclosedforamoment，asthoughtohidetheirsecret。Whentheyopened，themistofadreamhadpassedacrossthem。
　　Thin-lippedwisdomspokeatherfromthewornchair，hintedatprudence，quotedfromthatbookofcowardicewhoseauthorapesthenameofcommonsense。Shedidnotlisten。Shewasfreeinherprisonofpassion。
　　Herprince，PrinceCharming，waswithher。Shehadcalledonmemorytoremakehim。Shehadsenthersoultosearchforhim，andithadbroughthimback。Hiskissburnedagainuponhermouth。Hereyelidswerewarmwithhisbreath。
　　Thenwisdomaltereditsmethodandspokeofespialanddiscovery。
　　Thisyoungmanmightberich。Ifso，marriageshouldbethoughtof。Againsttheshellofherearbrokethewavesofworldlycunning。Thearrowsofcraftshotbyher。Shesawthethinlipsmoving，andsmiled。