Cloudless,andpiercedbyonesolitarystar,acopper-greenskygleamedthroughthewindows。Hereadonbyitswanlighttillhecouldreadnomore。Then,afterhisvalethadremindedhimseveraltimesofthelatenessofthehour,hegotup,andgoingintothenextroom,placedthebookonthelittleFlorentinetablethatalwaysstoodathisbedsideandbegantodressfordinner。
Itwasalmostnineo’clockbeforehereachedtheclub,wherehefoundLordHenrysittingalone,inthemorning-room,lookingverymuchbored。
Iamsosorry,Harry,hecried,butreallyitisentirelyyourfault。ThatbookyousentmesofascinatedmethatIforgothowthetimewasgoing。
Yes,Ithoughtyouwouldlikeit,repliedhishost,risingfromhischair。
Ididn’tsayIlikedit,Harry。Isaiditfascinatedme。Thereisagreatdifference。
Ah,youhavediscoveredthat?murmuredLordHenry。Andtheypassedintothedining-room。
ThePictureofDorianGray:Chapter11Chapter11Foryears,DorianGraycouldnotfreehimselffromtheinfluenceofthisbook。Orperhapsitwouldbemoreaccuratetosaythatheneversoughttofreehimselffromit。HeprocuredfromParisnolessthanninelarge-papercopiesofthefirstedition,andhadthemboundindifferentcolours,sothattheymightsuithisvariousmoodsandthechangingfanciesofanatureoverwhichheseemed,attimes,tohavealmostentirelylostcontrol。Thehero,thewonderfulyoungParisianinwhomtheromanticandthescientifictemperamentsweresostrangelyblended,becametohimakindofprefiguringtypeofhimself。And,indeed,thewholebookseemedtohimtocontainthestoryofhisownlife,writtenbeforehehadlivedit。
Inonepointhewasmorefortunatethanthenovel’sfantastichero。Heneverknew——never,indeed,hadanycausetoknow——thatsomewhatgrotesquedreadofmirrors,andpolishedmetalsurfaces,andstillwaterwhichcameupontheyoungParisiansoearlyinhislife,andwasoccasionedbythesuddendecayofabeauthathadonce,apparently,beensoremarkable。
Itwaswithanalmostcrueljoy——andperhapsinnearlyeveryjoy,ascertainlyineverypleasure,crueltyhasitsplace——thatheusedtoreadthelatterpartofthebook,withitsreallytragic,ifsomewhatoveremphasized,accountofthesorrowanddespairofonewhohadhimselflostwhatinothers,andtheworld,hehadmostdearlyvalued。
ForthewonderfulbeautythathadsofascinatedBasilHallward,andmanyothersbesideshim,seemednevertoleavehim。Eventhosewhohadheardthemostevilthingsagainsthim——andfromtimetotimestrangerumoursabouthismodeoflifecreptthroughLondonandbecamethechatteroftheclubs——couldnotbelieveanythingtohisdishonourwhentheysawhim。Hehadalwaysthelookofonewhohadkepthimselfunspottedfromtheworld。MenwhotalkedgrosslybecamesilentwhenDorianGrayenteredtheroom。Therewassomethinginthepurityofhisfacethatrebukedthem。
Hismerepresenceseemedtorecalltothemthememoryoftheinnocencethattheyhadtarnished。Theywonderedhowonesocharmingandgracefulashewascouldhaveescapedthestainofanagethatwasatoncesordidandsensual。
Often,onreturninghomefromoneofthosemysteriousandprolongedabsencesthatgaverisetosuchstrangeconjectureamongthosewhowerehisfriends,orthoughtthattheywereso,hehimselfwouldcreepupstairstothelockedroom,openthedoorwiththekeythatneverlefthimnow,andstand,withamirror,infrontoftheportraitthatBasilHallwardhadpaintedofhim,lookingnowattheevilandagingfaceonthecanvas,andnowatthefairyoungfacethatlaughedbackathimfromthepolishedglass。Theverysharpnessofthecontrastusedtoquickenhissenseofpleasure。Hegrewmoreandmoreenamouredofhisownbeauty,moreandmoreinterestedinthecorruptionofhisownsoul。Hewouldexaminewithminutecare,andsometimeswithamonstrousandterribledelight,thehideouslinesthatsearedthewrinklingforeheadorcrawledaroundtheheavysensualmouth,wonderingsometimeswhichwerethemorehorrible,thesignsofsinorthesignsofage。Hewouldplacehiswhitehandsbesidethecoarsebloatedhandsofthepicture,andsmile。Hemockedthemisshapenbodyandthefailinglimbs。
Thereweremoments,indeed,atnight,when,lyingsleeplessinhisowndelicatelyscentedchamber,orinthesordidroomofthelittleill-famedtavernnearthedockswhich,underanassumednameandindisguise,itwashishabittofrequent,hewouldthinkoftheruinhehadbroughtuponhissoulwithapitythatwasallthemorepoignantbecauseitwaspurelyselfish。Butmomentssuchasthesewererare。ThatcuriosityaboutlifewhichLordHenryhadfirststirredinhim,astheysattogetherinthegardenoftheirfriend,seemedtoincreasewithgratification。Themoreheknew,themorehedesiredtoknow。Hehadmadhungersthatgrewmoreravenousashefedthem。
Yethewasnotreallyreckless,atanyrateinhisrelationstosociety。Onceortwiceeverymonthduringthewinter,andoneachWednesdayeveningwhiletheseasonlasted,hewouldthrowopentotheworldhisbeautifulhouseandhavethemostcelebratedmusiciansofthedaytocharmhisguestswiththewondersoftheirart。Hislittledinners,inthesettlingofwhichLordHenryalwaysassistedhim,werenotedasmuchforthecarefulselectionandplacingofthoseinvited,asfortheexquisitetasteshowninthedecorationofthetable,withitssubtlesymphonicarrangementsofexoticflowers,andembroideredcloths,andantiqueplateofgoldandsilver。Indeed,thereweremany,especiallyamongtheveryyoungmen,whosaw,orfanciedthattheysaw,inDorianGraythetruerealizationofatypeofwhichtheyhadoftendreamedinEtonorOxforddays,atypethatwastocombinesomethingoftherealcultureofthescholarwithallthegraceanddistinctionandperfectmannerofacitizenoftheworld。TothemheseemedtobeofthecompanyofthosewhomDantedescribesashavingsoughttomakethemselvesperfectbytheworshipofbeauty。LikeGautier,hewasoneforwhomthevisibleworldexisted。
And,certainly,tohimlifeitselfwasthefirst,thegreatest,ofthearts,andforitalltheotherartsseemedtobebutapreparation。
Fashion,bywhichwhatisreallyfantasticbecomesforamomentuniversal,anddandyism,which,initsownway,isanattempttoasserttheabsolutemodernityofbeauty,had,ofcourse,theirfascinationforhim。Hismodeofdressing,andtheparticularstylesthatfromtimetotimeheaffected,hadtheirmarkedinfluenceontheyoungexquisitesoftheMayfairballsandPallMallclubwindows,whocopiedhimineverythingthathedid,andtriedtoreproducetheaccidentalcharmofhisgraceful,thoughtohimonlyhalf-seriousfopperies。
For,whilehewasbuttooreadytoacceptthepositionthatwasalmostimmediatelyofferedtohimonhiscomingofage,andfound,indeed,asubtlepleasureinthethoughtthathemightreallybecometotheLondonofhisowndaywhattoimperialNeronianRometheauthoroftheSatyricononcehadbeen,yetinhisinmosthearthedesiredtobesomethingmorethanamerearbiterelegantiarum,tobeconsultedonthewearingofajewel,ortheknottingofanecktie,ortheconductofacane。Hesoughttoelaboratesomenewschemeoflifethatwouldhaveitsreasonedphilosophyanditsorderedprinciples,andfindinthespiritualizingofthesensesitshighestrealization。
Theworshipofthesenseshasoften,andwithmuchjustice,beendecried,menfeelinganaturalinstinctofterroraboutpassionsandsensationsthatseemstrongerthanthemselves,andthattheyareconsciousofsharingwiththelesshighlyorganizedformsofexistence。ButitappearedtoDorianGraythatthetruenatureofthesenseshadneverbeenunderstood,andthattheyhadremainedsavageandanimalmerelybecausetheworldhadsoughttostarvethemintosubmissionortokillthembypain,insteadofaimingatmakingthemelementsofanewspirituality,ofwhichafineinstinctforbeautywastobethedominantcharacteristic。Ashelookedbackuponmanmovingthroughhistory,hewashauntedbyafeelingofloss。Somuchhadbeensurrendered!andtosuchlittlepurpose!Therehadbeenmadwilfulrejections,monstrousformsofself-tortureandself-denial,whoseoriginwasfearandwhoseresultwasadegradationinfinitelymoreterriblethanthatfancieddegradationfromwhich,intheirignorance,theyhadsoughttoescape。Nature,inherwonderfulirony,drivingouttheanchoritetofeedwiththewildanimalsofthedesertandgivingtothehermitthebeastsofthefieldashiscompanions。
Yes:therewastobe,asLordHenryhadprophesied,anewHedonismthatwastorecreatelifeandtosaveitfromthatharshuncomelypuritanismthatishaving,inourownday,itscuriousrevival。Itwastohaveitsserviceoftheintellect,certainly,yetitwasnevertoacceptanytheoryorsystemthatwouldinvolvethesacrificeofanymodeofpassionateexperience。
Itsaim,indeed,wastobeexperienceitself,andnotthefruitsofexperience,sweetorbitterastheymightbe。Oftheasceticismthatdeadensthesenses,asofthevulgarprofligacythatdullsthem,itwastoknownothing。Butitwastoteachmantoconcentratehimselfuponthemomentsofalifethatisitselfbutamoment。
Therearefewofuswhohavenotsometimeswakenedbeforedawn,eitherafteroneofthosedreamlessnightsthatmakeusalmostenamouredofdeath,oroneofthosenightsofhorrorandmisshapenjoy,whenthroughthechambersofthebrainsweepphantomsmoreterriblethanrealityitself,andinstinctwiththatvividlifethatlurksinallgrotesques,andthatlendstoGothicartitsenduringvitality,thisartbeing,onemightfancy,especiallytheartofthosewhosemindshavebeentroubledwiththemaladyofreverie。Graduallywhitefingerscreepthroughthecurtains,andtheyappeartotremble。Inblackfantasticshapes,dumbshadowscrawlintothecornersoftheroomandcrouchthere。Outside,thereisthestirringofbirdsamongtheleaves,orthesoundofmengoingforthtotheirwork,orthesighandsobofthewindcomingdownfromthehillsandwanderingroundthesilenthouse,asthoughitfearedtowakethesleepersandyetmustneedscallforthsleepfromherpurplecave。Veilafterveilofthinduskygauzeislifted,andbydegreestheformsandcoloursofthingsarerestoredtothem,andwewatchthedawnremakingtheworldinitsantiquepattern。Thewanmirrorsgetbacktheirmimiclife。Theflamelesstapersstandwherewehadleftthem,andbesidethemliesthehalf-cutbookthatwehadbeenstudying,orthewiredflowerthatwehadwornattheball,ortheletterthatwehadbeenafraidtoread,orthatwehadreadtoooften。Nothingseemstouschanged。Outoftheunrealshadowsofthenightcomesbackthereallifethatwehadknown。Wehavetoresumeitwherewehadleftoff,andtherestealsoverusaterriblesenseofthenecessityforthecontinuanceofenergyinthesamewearisomeroundofstereotypedhabits,orawildlonging,itmaybe,thatoureyelidsmightopensomemorninguponaworldthathadbeenrefashionedanewinthedarknessforourpleasure,aworldinwhichthingswouldhavefreshshapesandcolours,andbechanged,orhaveothersecrets,aworldinwhichthepastwouldhavelittleornoplace,orsurvive,atanyrate,innoconsciousformofobligationorregret,theremembranceevenofjoyhavingitsbitternessandthememoriesofpleasuretheirpain。
ItwasthecreationofsuchworldsasthesethatseemedtoDorianGraytobethetrueobject,oramongstthetrueobjects,oflife。andinhissearchforsensationsthatwouldbeatoncenewanddelightful,andpossessthatelementofstrangenessthatissoessentialtoromance,hewouldoftenadoptcertainmodesofthoughtthatheknewtobereallyalientohisnature,abandonhimselftotheirsubtleinfluences,andthen,having,asitwere,caughttheircolourandsatisfiedhisintellectualcuriosity,leavethemwiththatcuriousindifferencethatisnotincompatiblewitharealardouroftemperament,andthat,indeed,accordingtocertainmodernpsychologists,isoftenaconditionofit。
ItwasrumouredofhimoncethathewasabouttojointheRomanCatholiccommunion,andcertainlytheRomanritualhadalwaysagreatattractionforhim。Thedailysacrifice,moreawfulreallythanallthesacrificesoftheantiqueworld,stirredhimasmuchbyitssuperbrejectionoftheevidenceofthesensesasbytheprimitivesimplicityofitselementsandtheeternalpathosofthehumantragedythatitsoughttosymbolize。Helovedtokneeldownonthecoldmarblepavementandwatchthepriest,inhisstiffflowereddalmatic,slowlyandwithwhitehandsmovingasidetheveilofthetabernacle,orraisingaloftthejewelled,lantern-shapedmonstrancewiththatpallidwaferthatattimes,onewouldfainthink,isindeedthepaniscaelestis,thebreadofangels,or,robedinthegarmentsofthePassionofChrist,breakingtheHostintothechaliceandsmitinghisbreastforhissins。Thefumingcensersthatthegraveboys,intheirlaceandscarlet,tossedintotheairlikegreatgiltflowershadtheirsubtlefascinationforhim。Ashepassedout,heusedtolookwithwonderattheblackconfessionalsandlongtositinthedimshadowofoneofthemandlistentomenandwomenwhisperingthroughtheworngratingthetruestoryoftheirlives。
Butheneverfellintotheerrorofarrestinghisintellectualdevelopmentbyanyformalacceptanceofcreedorsystem,orofmistaking,forahouseinwhichtolive,aninnthatisbutsuitableforthesojournofanight,orforafewhoursofanightinwhichtherearenostarsandthemoonisintravail。Mysticism,withitsmarvellouspowerofmakingcommonthingsstrangetous,andthesubtleantinomianismthatalwaysseemstoaccompanyit,movedhimforaseason。andforaseasonheinclinedtothematerialisticdoctrinesoftheDarwinismusmovementinGermany,andfoundacuriouspleasureintracingthethoughtsandpassionsofmentosomepearlycellinthebrain,orsomewhitenerveinthebody,delightingintheconceptionoftheabsolutedependenceofthespiritoncertainphysicalconditions,morbidorhealthy,normalordiseased。Yet,ashasbeensaidofhimbefore,notheoryoflifeseemedtohimtobeofanyimportancecomparedwithlifeitself。Hefeltkeenlyconsciousofhowbarrenallintellectualspeculationiswhenseparatedfromactionandexperiment。Heknewthatthesenses,nolessthanthesoul,havetheirspiritualmysteriestoreveal。
Andsohewouldnowstudyperfumesandthesecretsoftheirmanufacture,distillingheavilyscentedoilsandburningodorousgumsfromtheEast。
Hesawthattherewasnomoodofthemindthathadnotitscounterpartinthesensuouslife,andsethimselftodiscovertheirtruerelations,wonderingwhattherewasinfrankincensethatmadeonemystical,andinambergristhatstirredone’spassions,andinvioletsthatwokethememoryofdeadromances,andinmuskthattroubledthebrain,andinchampakthatstainedtheimagination。andseekingoftentoelaboratearealpsychologyofperfumes,andtoestimatetheseveralinfluencesofsweet-smellingrootsandscented,pollen-ladenflowers。ofaromaticbalmsandofdarkandfragrantwoods。ofspikenard,thatsickens。ofhovenia,thatmakesmenmad。andofaloes,thataresaidtobeabletoexpelmelancholyfromthesoul。
Atanothertimehedevotedhimselfentirelytomusic,andinalonglatticedroom,withavermilion-and-goldceilingandwallsofolive-greenlacquer,heusedtogivecuriousconcertsinwhichmadgipsiestorewildmusicfromlittlezithers,orgrave,yellow-shawledTunisianspluckedatthestrainedstringsofmonstrouslutes,whilegrinningNegroesbeatmonotonouslyuponcopperdrumsand,crouchinguponscarletmats,slimturbanedIndiansblewthroughlongpipesofreedorbrassandcharmed——orfeignedtocharm——greathoodedsnakesandhorriblehornedadders。TheharshintervalsandshrilldiscordsofbarbaricmusicstirredhimattimeswhenSchubert’sgrace,andChopin’sbeautifulsorrows,andthemightyharmoniesofBeethovenhimself,fellunheededonhisear。Hecollectedtogetherfromallpartsoftheworldthestrangestinstrumentsthatcouldbefound,eitherinthetombsofdeadnationsoramongthefewsavagetribesthathavesurvivedcontactwithWesterncivilizations,andlovedtotouchandtrythem。HehadthemysteriousjuruparisoftheRioNegroIndians,thatwomenarenotallowedtolookatandthatevenyouthsmaynotseetilltheyhavebeensubjectedtofastingandscourging,andtheearthenjarsofthePeruviansthathavetheshrillcriesofbirds,andflutesofhumanbonessuchasAlfonsodeOvalleheardinChile,andthesonorousgreenjaspersthatarefoundnearCuzcoandgiveforthanoteofsingularsweetness。Hehadpaintedgourdsfilledwithpebblesthatrattledwhentheywereshaken。thelongclarinoftheMexicans,intowhichtheperformerdoesnotblow,butthroughwhichheinhalestheair。theharshtureoftheAmazontribes,thatissoundedbythesentinelswhositalldaylonginhightrees,andcanbeheard,itissaid,atadistanceofthreeleagues。theteponaztli,thathastwovibratingtonguesofwoodandisbeatenwithsticksthataresmearedwithanelasticgumobtainedfromthemilkyjuiceofplants。theyotl-bellsoftheAztecs,thatarehunginclusterslikegrapes。
andahugecylindricaldrum,coveredwiththeskinsofgreatserpents,liketheonethatBernalDiazsawwhenhewentwithCortesintotheMexicantemple,andofwhosedolefulsoundhehasleftussovividadescription。
Thefantasticcharacteroftheseinstrumentsfascinatedhim,andhefeltacuriousdelightinthethoughtthatart,likeNature,hashermonsters,thingsofbestialshapeandwithhideousvoices。Yet,aftersometime,heweariedofthem,andwouldsitinhisboxattheopera,eitheraloneorwithLordHenry,listeninginraptpleasuretoTannhä。userandseeinginthepreludetothatgreatworkofartapresentationofthetragedyofhisownsoul。
Ononeoccasionhetookupthestudyofjewels,andappearedatacostumeballasAnnedeJoyeuse,AdmiralofFrance,inadresscoveredwithfivehundredandsixtypearls。Thistasteenthralledhimforyears,and,indeed,maybesaidnevertohavelefthim。Hewouldoftenspendawholedaysettlingandresettlingintheircasesthevariousstonesthatbehadcollected,suchastheolive-greenchrysoberylthatturnsredbylamplight,thecymophanewithitswirelikelineofsilver,thepistachio-colouredperidot,rose-pinkandwine-yellowtopazes,carbunclesoffieryscarletwithtremulous,four-rayedstars,flame-redcinnamon-stones,orangeandvioletspinels,andamethystswiththeiralternatelayersofrubyandsapphire。
Helovedtheredgoldofthesunstone,andthemoonstone’spearlywhiteness,andthebrokenrainbowofthemilkyopal。HeprocuredfromAmsterdamthreeemeraldsofextraordinarysizeandrichnessofcolour,andhadaturquoisedelavieillerochethatwastheenvyofalltheconnoisseurs。
Hediscoveredwonderfulstories,also,aboutjewels。InAlphonso’sClericalisDisciplinaaserpentwasmentionedwitheyesofrealjacinth,andintheromantichistoryofAlexander,theConquerorofEmathiawassaidtohavefoundinthevaleofJordansnakeswithcollarsofrealemeraldsgrowingontheirbacks。Therewasageminthebrainofthedragon,Philostratustoldus,andbytheexhibitionofgoldenlettersandascarletrobethemonstercouldbethrownintoamagicalsleepandslain。Accordingtothegreatalchemist,PierredeBoniface,thediamondrenderedamaninvisible,andtheagateofIndiamadehimeloquent。Thecornelianappeasedanger,andthehyacinthprovokedsleep,andtheamethystdroveawaythefumesofwine。Thegarnetcastoutdemons,andthehydropicusdeprivedthemoonofhercolour。Theselenitewaxedandwanedwiththemoon,andthemeloceus,thatdiscoversthieves,couldbeaffectedonlybythebloodofkids。LeonardusCamillushadseenawhitestonetakenfromthebrainofanewlykilledtoad,thatwasacertainantidoteagainstpoison。Thebezoar,thatwasfoundintheheartoftheArabiandeer,wasacharmthatcouldcuretheplague。InthenestsofArabianbirdswastheaspilates,that,accordingtoDemocritus,keptthewearerfromanydangerbyfire。
TheKingofCeilanrodethroughhiscitywithalargerubyinhishand,astheceremonyofhiscoronation。ThegatesofthepalaceofJohnthePriestweremadeofsardius,withthehornofthehornedsnakeinwrought,sothatnomanmightbringpoisonwithin。Overthegableweretwogoldenapples,inwhichweretwocarbuncles,sothatthegoldmightshinebydayandthecarbunclesbynight。InLodge’sstrangeromanceA
MargariteofAmerica,itwasstatedthatinthechamberofthequeenonecouldbeholdallthechasteladiesoftheworld,inchasedoutofsilver,lookingthroughfairmirroursofchrysolites,carbuncles,sapphires,andgreeneemeraults。MarcoPolohadseentheinhabitantsofZipanguplacerose-colouredpearlsinthemouthsofthedead。Asea-monsterhadbeenenamouredofthepearlthatthediverbroughttoKingPerozes,andhadslainthethief,andmournedforsevenmoonsoveritsloss。WhentheHunsluredthekingintothegreatpit,heflungitaway——Procopiustellsthestory——norwasiteverfoundagain,thoughtheEmperorAnastasiusofferedfivehundred-weightofgoldpiecesforit。TheKingofMalabarhadshowntoacertainVenetianarosaryofthreehundredandfourpearls,oneforeverygodthatheworshipped。
WhentheDukedeValentinois,sonofAlexanderVI,visitedLouisXIIofFrance,hishorsewasloadedwithgoldleaves,accordingtoBrantome,andhiscaphaddoublerowsofrubiesthatthrewoutagreatlight。CharlesofEnglandhadriddeninstirrupshungwithfourhundredandtwenty-onediamonds。RichardIIhadacoat,valuedatthirtythousandmarks,whichwascoveredwithbalasrubies。HalldescribedHenryVIII,onhiswaytotheTowerprevioustohiscoronation,aswearingajacketofraisedgold,theplacardembroideredwithdiamondsandotherrichstones,andagreatbauderikeabouthisneckoflargebalasses。ThefavouritesofJamesI
woreear-ringsofemeraldssetingoldfiligrane。EdwardIIgavetoPiersGavestonasuitofred-goldarmourstuddedwithjacinths,acollarofgoldrosessetwithturquoise-stones,andaskull-capparsemé。withpearls。HenryIIworejewelledglovesreachingtotheelbow,andhadahawk-glovesewnwithtwelverubiesandfifty-twogreatorients。TheducalhatofCharlestheRash,thelastDukeofBurgundyofhisrace,washungwithpear-shapedpearlsandstuddedwithsapphires。
Howexquisitelifehadoncebeen!Howgorgeousinitspompanddecoration!Eventoreadoftheluxuryofthedeadwaswonderful。
ThenheturnedhisattentiontoembroideriesandtothetapestriesthatperformedtheofficeoffrescoesinthechillroomsofthenorthernnationsofEurope。Asheinvestigatedthesubject——andhealwayshadanextraordinaryfacultyofbecomingabsolutelyabsorbedforthemomentinwhateverhetookup——hewasalmostsaddenedbythereflectionoftheruinthattimebroughtonbeautifulandwonderfulthings。He,atanyrate,hadescapedthat。Summerfollowedsummer,andtheyellowjonquilsbloomedanddiedmanytimes,andnightsofhorrorrepeatedthestoryoftheirshame,buthewasunchanged。Nowintermarredhisfaceorstainedhisflowerlikebloom。Howdifferentitwaswithmaterialthings!Wherehadtheypassedto?Wherewasthegreatcrocus-colouredrobe,onwhichthegodsfoughtagainstthegiants,thathadbeenworkedbybrowngirlsforthepleasureofAthena?WherethehugevelariumthatNerohadstretchedacrosstheColosseumatRome,thatTitansailofpurpleonwhichwasrepresentedthestarrysky,andApollodrivingachariotdrawnbywhite,gilt-reinedsteeds?Helongedtoseethecurioustable-napkinswroughtforthePriestoftheSun,onwhichweredisplayedallthedaintiesandviandsthatcouldbewantedforafeast。themortuaryclothofKingChilperic,withitsthreehundredgoldenbees。thefantasticrobesthatexcitedtheindignationoftheBishopofPontusandwerefiguredwithlions,panthers,bears,dogs,forests,rocks,hunters——all,infact,thatapaintercancopyfromnature。andthecoatthatCharlesofOrleansoncewore,onthesleevesofwhichwereembroideredtheversesofasongbeginningMadame,jesuistoutjoyeux,
themusicalaccompanimentofthewordsbeingwroughtingoldthread,andeachnote,ofsquareshapeinthosedays,formedwithfourpearls。HereadoftheroomthatwaspreparedatthepalaceatRheimsfortheuseofQueenJoanofBurgundyandwasdecoratedwiththirteenhundredandtwenty-oneparrots,madeinbroidery,andblazonedwiththeking’sarms,andfivehundredandsixty-onebutterflies,whosewingsweresimilarlyornamentedwiththearmsofthequeen,thewholeworkedingold。CatherinedeMé。dicishadamourning-bedmadeforherofblackvelvetpowderedwithcrescentsandsuns。Itscurtainswereofdamask,withleafywreathsandgarlands,figureduponagoldandsilverground,andfringedalongtheedgeswithbroideriesofpearls,anditstoodinaroomhungwithrowsofthequeen’sdevicesincutblackvelvetuponclothofsilver。LouisXIVhadgoldembroideredcaryatidesfifteenfeethighinhisapartment。ThestatebedofSobieski,KingofPoland,wasmadeofSmyrnagoldbrocadeembroideredinturquoiseswithversesfromtheKoran。Itssupportswereofsilvergilt,beautifullychased,andprofuselysetwithenamelledandjewelledmedallions。IthadbeentakenfromtheTurkishcampbeforeVienna,andthestandardofMohammedhadstoodbeneaththetremulousgiltofitscanopy。
Andso,forawholeyear,hesoughttoaccumulatethemostexquisitespecimensthathecouldfindoftextileandembroideredwork,gettingthedaintyDelhimuslins,finelywroughtwithgold-threadpalmatesandstitchedoverwithiridescentbeetles’wings。theDaccagauzes,thatfromtheirtransparencyareknownintheEastaswovenair,andrunningwater,
andeveningdew。strangefiguredclothsfromJava。elaborateyellowChinesehangings。booksboundintawnysatinsorfairbluesilksandwroughtwithfleurs-de-lys,birdsandimages。veilsoflacisworkedinHungarypoint。SicilianbrocadesandstiffSpanishvelvets。Georgianwork,withitsgiltcoins,andJapaneseFoukousas,withtheirgreen-tonedgoldsandtheirmarvellouslyplumagedbirds。
Hehadaspecialpassion,also,forecclesiasticalvestments,asindeedhehadforeverythingconnectedwiththeserviceoftheChurch。
Inthelongcedarcheststhatlinedthewestgalleryofhishouse,hehadstoredawaymanyrareandbeautifulspecimensofwhatisreallytheraimentoftheBrideofChrist,whomustwearpurpleandjewelsandfinelinenthatshemayhidethepallidmaceratedbodythatiswornbythesufferingthatsheseeksforandwoundedbyself-inflictedpain。Hepossessedagorgeouscopeofcrimsonsilkandgold-threaddamask,figuredwitharepeatingpatternofgoldenpomegranatessetinsix-petalledformalblossoms,beyondwhichoneithersidewasthepine-appledevicewroughtinseed-pearls。TheorphreysweredividedintopanelsrepresentingscenesfromthelifeoftheVirgin,andthecoronationoftheVirginwasfiguredincolouredsilksuponthehood。ThiswasItalianworkofthefifteenthcentury。Anothercopewasofgreenvelvet,embroideredwithheart-shapedgroupsofacanthus-leaves,fromwhichspreadlong-stemmedwhiteblossoms,thedetailsofwhichwerepickedoutwithsilverthreadandcolouredcrystals。Themorseboreaseraph’sheadingold-threadraisedwork。Theorphreyswerewoveninadiaperofredandgoldsilk,andwerestarredwithmedallionsofmanysaintsandmartyrs,amongwhomwasSt。Sebastian。Hehadchasubles,also,ofamber-colouredsilk,andbluesilkandgoldbrocade,andyellowsilkdamaskandclothofgold,figuredwithrepresentationsofthePassionandCrucifixionofChrist,andembroideredwithlionsandpeacocksandotheremblems。dalmaticsofwhitesatinandpinksilkdamask,decoratedwithtulipsanddolphinsandfleurs-de-lys。altarfrontalsofcrimsonvelvetandbluelinen。
andmanycorporals,chalice-veils,andsudaria。Inthemysticofficestowhichsuchthingswereput,therewassomethingthatquickenedhisimagination。
Forthesetreasures,andeverythingthathecollectedinhislovelyhouse,weretobetohimmeansofforgetfulness,modesbywhichhecouldescape,foraseason,fromthefearthatseemedtohimattimestobealmosttoogreattobeborne。Uponthewallsofthelonelylockedroomwherehehadspentsomuchofhisboyhood,hehadhungwithhisownhandstheterribleportraitwhosechangingfeaturesshowedhimtherealdegradationofhislife,andinfrontofithaddrapedthepurple-and-goldpallasacurtain。
Forweekshewouldnotgothere,wouldforgetthehideouspaintedthing,andgetbackhislightheart,hiswonderfuljoyousness,hispassionateabsorptioninmereexistence。Then,suddenly,somenighthewouldcreepoutofthehouse,godowntodreadfulplacesnearBlueGateFields,andstaythere,dayafterday,untilhewasdrivenaway。Onhisreturnhewouldsitinfrontofthehertimes,withthatprideofindividualismthatishalfthefascinationofsin,andsmilingwithsecretpleasureatthemisshapenshadowthathadtobeartheburdenthatshouldhavebeenhisown。
AfterafewyearshecouldnotenduretobelongoutofEngland,andgaveupthevillathathehadsharedatTrouvillewithLordHenry,aswellasthelittlewhitewalled-inhouseatAlgierswheretheyhadmorethanoncespentthewinter。Hehatedtobeseparatedfromthepicturethatwassuchapartofhislife,andwasalsoafraidthatduringhisabsencesomeonemightgainaccesstotheroom,inspiteoftheelaboratebarsthathehadcausedtobeplaceduponthedoor。
Hewasquiteconsciousthatthiswouldtellthemnothing。Itwastruethattheportraitstillpreserved,underallthefoulnessanduglinessoftheface,itsmarkedlikenesstohimself。butwhatcouldtheylearnfromthat?Hewouldlaughatanyonewhotriedtotaunthim。Hehadnotpaintedit。Whatwasittohimhowvileandfullofshameitlooked?Evenifhetoldthem,wouldtheybelieveit?
Yethewasafraid。SometimeswhenhewasdownathisgreathouseinNottinghamshire,entertainingthefashionableyoungmenofhisownrankwhowerehischiefcompanions,andastoundingthecountybythewantonluxuryandgorgeoussplendourofhismodeoflife,hewouldsuddenlyleavehisguestsandrushbacktotowntoseethatthedoorhadnotbeentamperedwithandthatthepicturewasstillthere。Whatifitshouldbestolen?
Themerethoughtmadehimcoldwithhorror。Surelytheworldwouldknowhissecretthen。Perhapstheworldalreadysuspectedit。
For,whilehefascinatedmany,therewerenotafewwhodistrustedhim。HewasverynearlyblackballedataWestEndclubofwhichhisbirthandsocialpositionfullyentitledhimtobecomeamember,anditwassaidthatononeoccasion,whenhewasbroughtbyafriendintothesmoking-roomoftheChurchill,theDukeofBerwickandanothergentlemangotupinamarkedmannerandwentout。Curiousstoriesbecamecurrentabouthimafterhehadpassedhistwenty-fifthyear。ItwasrumouredthathehadbeenseenbrawlingwithforeignsailorsinalowdeninthedistantpartsofWhitechapel,andthatheconsortedwiththievesandcoinersandknewthemysteriesoftheirtrade。Hisextraordinaryabsencesbecamenotorious,and,whenheusedtoreappearagaininsociety,menwouldwhispertoeachotherincorners,orpasshimwithasneer,orlookathimwithcoldsearchingeyes,asthoughtheyweredeterminedtodiscoverhissecret。
Ofsuchinsolencesandattemptedslightshe,ofcourse,tooknonotice,andintheopinionofmostpeoplehisfrankdebonairmanner,hischarmingboyishsmile,andtheinfinitegraceofthatwonderfulyouththatseemednevertoleavehim,wereinthemselvesasufficientanswertothecalumnies,forsotheytermedthem,thatwerecirculatedabouthim。Itwasremarked,however,thatsomeofthosewhohadbeenmostintimatewithhimappeared,afteratime,toshunhim。Womenwhohadwildlyadoredhim,andforhissakehadbravedallsocialcensureandsetconventionatdefiance,wereseentogrowpallidwithshameorhorrorifDorianGrayenteredtheroom。
Yetthesewhisperedscandalsonlyincreasedintheeyesofmanyhisstrangeanddangerouscharm。Hisgreatwealthwasacertainelementofsecurity。Society——civilizedsociety,atleast——isneververyreadytobelieveanythingtothedetrimentofthosewhoarebothrichandfascinating。
Itfeelsinstinctivelythatmannersareofmoreimportancethanmorals,and,initsopinion,thehighestrespectabilityisofmuchlessvaluethanthepossessionofagoodchef。And,afterall,itisaverypoorconsolationtobetoldthatthemanwhohasgivenoneabaddinner,orpoorwine,isirreproachableinhisprivatelife。Eventhecardinalvirtuescannotatoneforhalf-coldentré。es,asLordHenryremarkedonce,inadiscussiononthesubject,andthereispossiblyagooddealtobesaidforhisview。Forthecanonsofgoodsocietyare,orshouldbe,thesameasthecanonsofart。Formisabsolutelyessentialtoit。
Itshouldhavethedignityofaceremony,aswellasitsunreality,andshouldcombinetheinsincerecharacterofaromanticplaywiththewitandbeautythatmakesuchplaysdelightfultous。Isinsinceritysuchaterriblething?Ithinknot。Itismerelyamethodbywhichwecanmultiplyourpersonalities。
Such,atanyrate,wasDorianGray’sopinion。Heusedtowonderattheshallowpsychologyofthosewhoconceivetheegoinmanasathingsimple,permanent,reliable,andofoneessence。Tohim,manwasabeingwithmyriadlivesandmyriadsensations,acomplexmultiformcreaturethatborewithinitselfstrangelegaciesofthoughtandpassion,andwhoseveryfleshwastaintedwiththemonstrousmaladiesofthedead。Helovedtostrollthroughthegauntcoldpicture-galleryofhiscountryhouseandlookatthevariousportraitsofthosewhosebloodflowedinhisveins。
HerewasPhilipHerbert,describedbyFrancisOsborne,inhisMemoiresontheReignsofQueenElizabethandKingJames,asonewhowascaressedbytheCourtforhishandsomeface,whichkepthimnotlongcompany。WasityoungHerbert’slifethathesometimesled?Hadsomestrangepoisonousgermcreptfrombodytobodytillithadreachedhisown?Wasitsomedimsenseofthatruinedgracethathadmadehimsosuddenly,andalmostwithoutcause,giveutterance,inBasilHallward’sstudio,tothemadprayerthathadsochangedhislife?Here,ingold-embroideredreddoublet,jewelledsurcoat,andgilt-edgedruffandwristbands,stoodSirAnthonySherard,withhissilver-and-blackarmourpiledathisfeet。Whathadthisman’slegacybeen?HadtheloverofGiovannaofNaplesbequeathedhimsomeinheritanceofsinandshame?Werehisownactionsmerelythedreamsthatthedeadmanhadnotdaredtorealize?Here,fromthefadingcanvas,smiledLadyElizabethDevereux,inhergauzehood,pearlstomacher,andpinkslashedsleeves。Aflowerwasinherrighthand,andherleftclaspedanenamelledcollarofwhiteanddamaskroses。Onatablebyhersidelayamandolinandanapple。Therewerelargegreenrosettesuponherlittlepointedshoes。
Heknewherlife,andthestrangestoriesthatweretoldaboutherlovers。
Hadhesomethingofhertemperamentinhim?Theseoval,heavy-liddedeyesseemedtolookcuriouslyathim。WhatofGeorgeWilloughby,withhispowderedhairandfantasticpatches?Howevilhelooked!Thefacewassaturnineandswarthy,andthesensuallipsseemedtobetwistedwithdisdain。Delicatelacerufflesfellovertheleanyellowhandsthatweresooverladenwithrings。Hehadbeenamacaronioftheeighteenthcentury,andthefriend,inhisyouth,ofLordFerrars。WhatofthesecondLordBeckenham,thecompanionofthePrinceRegentinhiswildestdays,andoneofthewitnessesatthesecretmarriagewithMrs。Fitzherbert?Howproudandhandsomehewas,withhischestnutcurlsandinsolentpose!Whatpassionshadhebequeathed?
Theworldhadlookeduponhimasinfamous。HehadledtheorgiesatCarltonHouse。ThestaroftheGarterglittereduponhisbreast。Besidehimhungtheportraitofhiswife,apallid,thin-lippedwomaninblack。Herblood,also,stirredwithinhim。Howcuriousitallseemed!AndhismotherwithherLadyHamiltonfaceandhermoist,wine-dashedlips——heknewwhathehadgotfromher。Hehadgotfromherhisbeauty,andhispassionforthebeautyofothers。ShelaughedathiminherlooseBacchantedress。Therewerevineleavesinherhair。Thepurplespilledfromthecupshewasholding。
Thecarnationsofthepaintinghadwithered,buttheeyeswerestillwonderfulintheirdepthandbrilliancyofcolour。Theyseemedtofollowhimwhereverhewent。
Yetonehadancestorsinliteratureaswellasinone’sownrace,nearerperhapsintypeandtemperament,manyofthem,andcertainlywithaninfluenceofwhichonewasmoreabsolutelyconscious。ThereweretimeswhenitappearedtoDorianGraythatthewholeofhistorywasmerelytherecordofhisownlife,notashehadliveditinactandcircumstance,butashisimaginationhadcreateditforhim,asithadbeeninhisbrainandinhispassions。Hefeltthathehadknownthemall,thosestrangeterriblefiguresthathadpassedacrossthestageoftheworldandmadesinsomarvellousandevilsofullofsubtlety。Itseemedtohimthatinsomemysteriouswaytheirliveshadbeenhisown。
Theheroofthewonderfulnovelthathadsoinfluencedhislifehadhimselfknownthiscuriousfancy。Intheseventhchapterhetellshow,crownedwithlaurel,lestlightningmightstrikehim,hehadsat,asTiberius,inagardenatCapri,readingtheshamefulbooksofElephantis,whiledwarfsandpeacocksstruttedroundhimandtheflute-playermockedtheswingerofthecenser。and,asCaligula,hadcarousedwiththegreen-shirtedjockeysintheirstablesandsuppedinanivorymangerwithajewel-frontletedhorse。and,asDomitian,hadwanderedthroughacorridorlinedwithmarblemirrors,lookingroundwithhaggardeyesforthereflectionofthedaggerthatwastoendhisdays,andsickwiththatennui,thatterribletaediumvitae,thatcomesonthosetowhomlifedeniesnothing。
andhadpeeredthroughaclearemeraldattheredshamblesofthecircusandthen,inalitterofpearlandpurpledrawnbysilver-shodmules,beencarriedthroughtheStreetofPomegranatestoaHouseofGoldandheardmencryonNeroCaesarashepassedby。and,asElagabalus,hadpaintedhisfacewithcolours,andpliedthedistaffamongthewomen,andbroughttheMoonfromCarthageandgivenherinmysticmarriagetotheSun。
OverandoveragainDorianusedtoreadthisfantasticchapter,andthetwochaptersimmediatelyfollowing,inwhich,asinsomecurioustapestriesorcunninglywroughtenamels,werepicturedtheawfulandbeautifulformsofthosewhomviceandbloodandwearinesshadmademonstrousormad:Filippo,DukeofMilan,whoslewhiswifeandpaintedherlipswithascarletpoisonthatherlovermightsuckdeathfromthedeadthinghefondled。PietroBarbi,theVenetian,knownasPaultheSecond,whosoughtinhisvanitytoassumethetitleofFormosus,andwhosetiara,valuedattwohundredthousandflorins,wasboughtatthepriceofaterriblesin。GianMariaVisconti,whousedhoundstochaselivingmenandwhosemurderedbodywascoveredwithrosesbyaharlotwhohadlovedhim。theBorgiaonhiswhitehorse,withFratricideridingbesidehimandhismantlestainedwiththebloodofPerotto。PietroRiario,theyoungCardinalArchbishopofFlorence,childandminionofSixtusIV,whosebeautywasequalledonlybyhisdebauchery,andwhoreceivedLeonoraofAragoninapavilionofwhiteandcrimsonsilk,filledwithnymphsandcentaurs,andgildedaboythathemightserveatthefeastasGanymedeorHylas。Ezzelin,whosemelancholycouldbecuredonlybythespectacleofdeath,andwhohadapassionforredblood,asothermenhaveforredwine——thesonoftheFiend,aswasreported,andonewhohadcheatedhisfatheratdicewhengamblingwithhimforhisownsoul。GiambattistaCibo,whoinmockerytookthenameofInnocentandintowhosetorpidveinsthebloodofthreeladswasinfusedbyaJewishdoctor。SigismondoMalatesta,theloverofIsottaandthelordofRimini,whoseeffigywasburnedatRomeastheenemyofGodandman,whostrangledPolyssenawithanapkin,andgavepoisontoGinevrad’Esteinacupofemerald,andinhonourofashamefulpassionbuiltapaganchurchforChristianworship。CharlesVI,whohadsowildlyadoredhisbrother’swifethataleperhadwarnedhimoftheinsanitythatwascomingonhim,andwho,whenhisbrainhadsickenedandgrownstrange,couldonlybesoothedbySaracencardspaintedwiththeimagesofloveanddeathandmadness。and,inhistrimmedjerkinandjewelledcapandacanthuslikecurls,GrifonettoBaglioni,whoslewAstorrewithhisbride,andSimonettowithhispage,andwhosecomelinesswassuchthat,ashelaydyingintheyellowpiazzaofPerugia,thosewhohadhatedhimcouldnotchoosebutweep,andAtalanta,whohadcursedhim,blessedhim。
Therewasahorriblefascinationinthemall。Hesawthematnight,andtheytroubledhisimaginationintheday。TheRenaissanceknewofstrangemannersofpoisoning——poisoningbyahelmetandalightedtorch,byanembroideredgloveandajewelledfan,byagildedpomanderandbyanamberchain。DorianGrayhadbeenpoisonedbyabook。Thereweremomentswhenhelookedonevilsimplyasamodethroughwhichhecouldrealizehisconceptionofthebeautiful。
ThePictureofDorianGray:Chapter12Chapter12ItwasontheninthofNovember,theeveofhisownthirty-eighthbirthday,asheoftenrememberedafterwards。
Hewaswalkinghomeabouteleveno’clockfromLordHenry’s,wherehehadbeendining,andwaswrappedinheavyfurs,asthenightwascoldandfoggy。AtthecornerofGrosvenorSquareandSouthAudleyStreet,amanpassedhiminthemist,walkingveryfastandwiththecollarofhisgreyulsterturnedup。Hehadabaginhishand。Dorianrecognizedhim。
ItwasBasilHallward。Astrangesenseoffear,forwhichhecouldnotaccount,cameoverhim。Hemadenosignofrecognitionandwentonquicklyinthedirectionofhisownhouse。
ButHallwardhadseenhim。Dorianheardhimfirststoppingonthepavementandthenhurryingafterhim。Inafewmoments,hishandwasonhisarm。
Dorian!Whatanextraordinarypieceofluck!Ihavebeenwaitingforyouinyourlibraryeversincenineo’clock。FinallyItookpityonyourtiredservantandtoldhimtogotobed,asheletmeout。IamofftoParisbythemidnighttrain,andIparticularlywantedtoseeyoubeforeIleft。Ithoughtitwasyou,orratheryourfurcoat,asyoupassedme。
ButIwasn’tquitesure。Didn’tyourecognizeme?
Inthisfog,mydearBasil?Why,Ican’tevenrecognizeGrosvenorSquare。Ibelievemyhouseissomewhereabouthere,butIdon’tfeelatallcertainaboutit。Iamsorryyouaregoingaway,asIhavenotseenyouforages。ButIsupposeyouwillbebacksoon?
No:IamgoingtobeoutofEnglandforsixmonths。IintendtotakeastudioinParisandshutmyselfuptillIhavefinishedagreatpictureIhaveinmyhead。However,itwasn’taboutmyselfIwantedtotalk。Hereweareatyourdoor。Letmecomeinforamoment。Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。
Ishallbecharmed。Butwon’tyoumissyourtrain?saidDorianGraylanguidlyashepassedupthestepsandopenedthedoorwithhislatch-key。
Thelamplightstruggledoutthroughthefog,andHallwardlookedathiswatch。Ihaveheapsoftime,heanswered。Thetraindoesn’tgotilltwelve-fifteen,anditisonlyjusteleven。Infact,Iwasonmywaytotheclubtolookforyou,whenImetyou。Yousee,Ishan’thaveanydelayaboutluggage,asIhavesentonmyheavythings。AllIhavewithmeisinthisbag,andIcaneasilygettoVictoriaintwentyminutes。
Dorianlookedathimandsmiled。Whatawayforafashionablepaintertotravel!AGladstonebagandanulster!Comein,orthefogwillgetintothehouse。Andmindyoudon’ttalkaboutanythingserious。Nothingisseriousnowadays。Atleastnothingshouldbe。
Hallwardshookhishead,asheentered,andfollowedDorianintothelibrary。Therewasabrightwoodfireblazinginthelargeopenhearth。
Thelampswerelit,andanopenDutchsilverspirit-casestood,withsomesiphonsofsoda-waterandlargecut-glasstumblers,onalittlemarqueterietable。
Youseeyourservantmademequiteathome,Dorian。HegavemeeverythingIwanted,includingyourbestgold-tippedcigarettes。Heisamosthospitablecreature。IlikehimmuchbetterthantheFrenchmanyouusedtohave。WhathasbecomeoftheFrenchman,bythebye?
Dorianshruggedhisshoulders。IbelievehemarriedLadyRadley’smaid,andhasestablishedherinParisasanEnglishdressmaker。Anglomanieisveryfashionableovertherenow,Ihear。ItseemssillyoftheFrench,doesn’tit?But——doyouknow?——hewasnotatallabadservant。Ineverlikedhim,butIhadnothingtocomplainabout。Oneoftenimaginesthingsthatarequiteabsurd。Hewasreallyverydevotedtomeandseemedquitesorrywhenhewentaway。Haveanotherbrandy-and-soda?Orwouldyoulikehock-and-seltzer?Ialwaystakehock-and-seltzermyself。Thereissuretobesomeinthenextroom。
Thanks,Iwon’thaveanythingmore,saidthepainter,takinghiscapandcoatoffandthrowingthemonthebagthathehadplacedinthecorner。Andnow,mydearfellow,Iwanttospeaktoyouseriously。
Don’tfrownlikethat。Youmakeitsomuchmoredifficultforme。
Whatisitallabout?criedDorianinhispetulantway,flinginghimselfdownonthesofa。Ihopeitisnotaboutmyself。Iamtiredofmyselfto-night。Ishouldliketobesomebodyelse。
Itisaboutyourself,answeredHallwardinhisgravedeepvoice,andImustsayittoyou。Ishallonlykeepyouhalfanhour。
Doriansighedandlitacigarette。Halfanhour!hemurmured。
Itisnotmuchtoaskofyou,Dorian,anditisentirelyforyourownsakethatIamspeaking。IthinkitrightthatyoushouldknowthatthemostdreadfulthingsarebeingsaidagainstyouinLondon。
Idon’twishtoknowanythingaboutthem。Ilovescandalsaboutotherpeople,butscandalsaboutmyselfdon’tinterestme。Theyhavenotgotthecharmofnovelty。
Theymustinterestyou,Dorian。Everygentlemanisinterestedinhisgoodname。Youdon’twantpeopletotalkofyouassomethingvileanddegraded。Ofcourse,youhaveyourposition,andyourwealth,andallthatkindofthing。Butpositionandwealtharenoteverything。Mindyou,Idon’tbelievetheserumoursatall。Atleast,Ican’tbelievethemwhenIseeyou。Sinisathingthatwritesitselfacrossaman’sface。Itcannotbeconcealed。Peopletalksometimesofsecretvices。Therearenosuchthings。Ifawretchedmanhasavice,itshowsitselfinthelinesofhismouth,thedroopofhiseyelids,themouldingofhishandseven。Somebody——I
won’tmentionhisname,butyouknowhim——cametomelastyeartohavehisportraitdone。Ihadneverseenhimbefore,andhadneverheardanythingabouthimatthetime,thoughIhaveheardagooddealsince。Heofferedanextravagantprice。Irefusedhim。TherewassomethingintheshapeofhisfingersthatIhated。IknownowthatIwasquiterightinwhatIfanciedabouthim。Hislifeisdreadful。Butyou,Dorian,withyourpure,bright,innocentface,andyourmarvellousuntroubledyouth——Ican’tbelieveanythingagainstyou。AndyetIseeyouveryseldom,andyounevercomedowntothestudionow,andwhenIamawayfromyou,andIhearallthesehideousthingsthatpeoplearewhisperingaboutyou,Idon’tknowwhattosay。
Whyisit,Dorian,thatamanliketheDukeofBerwickleavestheroomofaclubwhenyouenterit?WhyisitthatsomanygentlemeninLondonwillneithergotoyourhouseorinviteyoutotheirs?YouusedtobeafriendofLordStaveley。Imethimatdinnerlastweek。Yournamehappenedtocomeupinconversation,inconnectionwiththeminiaturesyouhavelenttotheexhibitionattheDudley。Staveleycurledhislipandsaidthatyoumighthavethemostartistictastes,butthatyouwereamanwhomnopure-mindedgirlshouldbeallowedtoknow,andwhomnochastewomanshouldsitinthesameroomwith。IremindedhimthatIwasafriendofyours,andaskedhimwhathemeant。Hetoldme。Hetoldmerightoutbeforeeverybody。Itwashorrible!Whyisyourfriendshipsofataltoyoungmen?
TherewasthatwretchedboyintheGuardswhocommittedsuicide。Youwerehisgreatfriend。TherewasSirHenryAshton,whohadtoleaveEnglandwithatarnishedname。Youandhewereinseparable。WhataboutAdrianSingletonandhisdreadfulend?WhataboutLordKent’sonlysonandhiscareer?I
methisfatheryesterdayinSt。James’sStreet。Heseemedbrokenwithshameandsorrow。WhatabouttheyoungDukeofPerth?Whatsortoflifehashegotnow?Whatgentlemanwouldassociatewithhim?
Stop,Basil。Youaretalkingaboutthingsofwhichyouknownothing,
saidDorianGray,bitinghislip,andwithanoteofinfinitecontemptinhisvoice。YouaskmewhyBerwickleavesaroomwhenIenterit。ItisbecauseIknoweverythingabouthislife,notbecauseheknowsanythingaboutmine。Withsuchbloodashehasinhisveins,howcouldhisrecordbeclean?YouaskmeaboutHenryAshtonandyoungPerth。DidIteachtheonehisvices,andtheotherhisdebauchery?IfKent’ssillysontakeshiswifefromthestreets,whatisthattome?IfAdrianSingletonwriteshisfriend’snameacrossabill,amIhiskeeper?IknowhowpeoplechatterinEngland。Themiddleclassesairtheirmoralprejudicesovertheirgrossdinner-tables,andwhisperaboutwhattheycalltheprofligaciesoftheirbettersinordertotryandpretendthattheyareinsmartsocietyandonintimatetermswiththepeopletheyslander。Inthiscountry,itisenoughforamantohavedistinctionandbrainsforeverycommontonguetowagagainsthim。Andwhatsortoflivesdothesepeople,whoposeasbeingmoral,leadthemselves?Mydearfellow,youforgetthatweareinthenativelandofthehypocrite。
Dorian,criedHallward,thatisnotthequestion。EnglandisbadenoughIknow,andEnglishsocietyisallwrong。ThatisthereasonwhyIwantyoutobefine。Youhavenotbeenfine。Onehasarighttojudgeofamanbytheeffecthehasoverhisfriends。Yoursseemtoloseallsenseofhonour,ofgoodness,ofpurity。Youhavefilledthemwithamadnessforpleasure。Theyhavegonedownintothedepths。Youledthemthere。
Yes:youledthemthere,andyetyoucansmile,asyouaresmilingnow。
Andthereisworsebehind。IknowyouandHarryareinseparable。Surelyforthatreason,iffornoneother,youshouldnothavemadehissister’snameaby-word。
Takecare,Basil。Yougotoofar。
Imustspeak,andyoumustlisten。Youshalllisten。WhenyoumetLadyGwendolen,notabreathofscandalhadevertouchedher。IsthereasingledecentwomaninLondonnowwhowoulddrivewithherinthepark?
Why,evenherchildrenarenotallowedtolivewithher。Thenthereareotherstories——storiesthatyouhavebeenseencreepingatdawnoutofdreadfulhousesandslinkingindisguiseintothefoulestdensinLondon。
Aretheytrue?Cantheybetrue?WhenIfirstheardthem,Ilaughed。I
hearthemnow,andtheymakemeshudder。Whataboutyourcountry-houseandthelifethatisledthere?Dorian,youdon’tknowwhatissaidaboutyou。Iwon’ttellyouthatIdon’twanttopreachtoyou。IrememberHarrysayingoncethateverymanwhoturnedhimselfintoanamateurcurateforthemomentalwaysbeganbysayingthat,andthenproceededtobreakhisword。Idowanttopreachtoyou。Iwantyoutoleadsuchalifeaswillmaketheworldrespectyou。Iwantyoutohaveacleannameandafairrecord。Iwantyoutogetridofthedreadfulpeopleyouassociatewith。
Don’tshrugyourshoulderslikethat。Don’tbesoindifferent。Youhaveawonderfulinfluence。Letitbeforgood,notforevil。Theysaythatyoucorrupteveryonewithwhomyoubecomeintimate,andthatitisquitesufficientforyoutoenterahouseforshameofsomekindtofollowafter。
Idon’tknowwhetheritissoornot。HowshouldIknow?Butitissaidofyou。Iamtoldthingsthatitseemsimpossibletodoubt。LordGloucesterwasoneofmygreatestfriendsatOxford。HeshowedmealetterthathiswifehadwrittentohimwhenshewasdyingaloneinhervillaatMentone。
YournamewasimplicatedinthemostterribleconfessionIeverread。I
toldhimthatitwasabsurd——thatIknewyouthoroughlyandthatyouwereincapableofanythingofthekind。Knowyou?IwonderdoIknowyou?BeforeIcouldanswerthat,Ishouldhavetoseeyoursoul。
Toseemysoul!mutteredDorianGray,startingupfromthesofaandturningalmostwhitefromfear。
Yes,answeredHallwardgravely,andwithdeep-tonedsorrowinhisvoice,toseeyoursoul。ButonlyGodcandothat。
Abitterlaughofmockerybrokefromthelipsoftheyoungerman。
Youshallseeityourself,to-night!hecried,seizingalampfromthetable。Come:itisyourownhandiwork。Whyshouldn’tyoulookatit?Youcantelltheworldallaboutitafterwards,ifyouchoose。Nobodywouldbelieveyou。Iftheydidbelieveyou,theywouldlikemeallthebetterforit。Iknowtheagebetterthanyoudo,thoughyouwillprateaboutitsotediously。Come,Itellyou。Youhavechatteredenoughaboutcorruption。
Nowyoushalllookonitfacetoface。
Therewasthemadnessofprideineverywordheuttered。Hestampedhisfootuponthegroundinhisboyishinsolentmanner。Hefeltaterriblejoyatthethoughtthatsomeoneelsewastosharehissecret,andthatthemanwhohadpaintedtheportraitthatwastheoriginofallhisshamewastobeburdenedfortherestofhislifewiththehideousmemoryofwhathehaddone。
Yes,hecontinued,comingclosertohimandlookingsteadfastlyintohissterneyes,Ishallshowyoumysoul。YoushallseethethingthatyoufancyonlyGodcansee。
Hallwardstartedback。Thisisblasphemy,Dorian!hecried。
Youmustnotsaythingslikethat。Theyarehorrible,andtheydon’tmeananything。
Youthinkso?Helaughedagain。
Iknowso。AsforwhatIsaidtoyouto-night,Isaiditforyourgood。YouknowIhavebeenalwaysastanchfriendtoyou。
Don’ttouchme。Finishwhatyouhavetosay。
Atwistedflashofpainshotacrossthepainter’sface。Hepausedforamoment,andawildfeelingofpitycameoverhim。Afterall,whatrighthadhetopryintothelifeofDorianGray?Ifhehaddoneatitheofwhatwasrumouredabouthim,howmuchhemusthavesuffered!Thenhestraightenedhimselfup,andwalkedovertothefire-place,andstoodthere,lookingattheburninglogswiththeirfrostlikeashesandtheirthrobbingcoresofflame。
Iamwaiting,Basil,saidtheyoungmaninahardclearvoice。
Heturnedround。WhatIhavetosayisthis,hecried。Youmustgivemesomeanswertothesehorriblechargesthataremadeagainstyou。Ifyoutellmethattheyareabsolutelyuntruefrombeginningtoend,Ishallbelieveyou。Denythem,Dorian,denythem!Can’tyouseewhatI
amgoingthrough?MyGod!don’ttellmethatyouarebad,andcorrupt,andshameful。
DorianGraysmiled。Therewasacurlofcontemptinhislips。
Comeupstairs,Basil,hesaidquietly。Ikeepadiaryofmylifefromdaytoday,anditneverleavestheroominwhichitiswritten。Ishallshowittoyouifyoucomewithme。
Ishallcomewithyou,Dorian,ifyouwishit。IseeIhavemissedmytrain。Thatmakesnomatter。Icangoto-morrow。Butdon’taskmetoreadanythingto-night。AllIwantisaplainanswertomyquestion。
Thatshallbegiventoyouupstairs。Icouldnotgiveithere。
Youwillnothavetoreadlong。
ThePictureofDorianGray:Chapter13Chapter13Hepassedoutoftheroomandbegantheascent,BasilHallwardfollowingclosebehind。Theywalkedsoftly,asmendoinstinctivelyatnight。Thelampcastfantasticshadowsonthewallandstaircase。Arisingwindmadesomeofthewindowsrattle。
Whentheyreachedthetoplanding,Doriansetthelampdownonthefloor,andtakingoutthekey,turneditinthelock。Youinsistonknowing,Basil?heaskedinalowvoice。
Yes。
Iamdelighted,heanswered,smiling。Thenheadded,somewhatharshly,Youaretheonemanintheworldwhoisentitledtoknoweverythingaboutme。Youhavehadmoretodowithmylifethanyouthink。and,takingupthelamp,heopenedthedoorandwentin。Acoldcurrentofairpassedthem,andthelightshotupforamomentinaflameofmurkyorange。Heshuddered。Shutthedoorbehindyou,hewhispered,asheplacedthelamponthetable。
Hallwardglancedroundhimwithapuzzledexpression。Theroomlookedasifithadnotbeenlivedinforyears。AfadedFlemishtapestry,acurtainedpicture,anoldItaliancassone,andanalmostemptybook-case——thatwasallthatitseemedtocontain,besidesachairandatable。AsDorianGraywaslightingahalf-burnedcandlethatwasstandingonthemantelshelf,hesawthatthewholeplacewascoveredwithdustandthatthecarpetwasinholes。Amouseranscufflingbehindthewainscoting。Therewasadampodourofmildew。
SoyouthinkthatitisonlyGodwhoseesthesoul,Basil?Drawthatcurtainback,andyouwillseemine。
Thevoicethatspokewascoldandcruel。Youaremad,Dorian,orplayingapart,mutteredHallward,frowning。
Youwon’t?ThenImustdoitmyself,saidtheyoungman,andhetorethecurtainfromitsrodandflungitontheground。
Anexclamationofhorrorbrokefromthepainter’slipsashesawinthedimlightthehideousfaceonthecanvasgrinningathim。Therewassomethinginitsexpressionthatfilledhimwithdisgustandloathing。
Goodheavens!itwasDorianGray’sownfacethathewaslookingat!Thehorror,whateveritwas,hadnotyetentirelyspoiledthatmarvellousbeauty。
Therewasstillsomegoldinthethinninghairandsomescarletonthesensualmouth。Thesoddeneyeshadkeptsomethingofthelovelinessoftheirblue,thenoblecurveshadnotyetcompletelypassedawayfromchisellednostrilsandfromplasticthroat。Yes,itwasDorianhimself。Butwhohaddoneit?Heseemedtorecognizehisownbrushwork,andtheframewashisowndesign。Theideawasmonstrous,yethefeltafraid。Heseizedthelightedcandle,andheldittothepicture。Intheleft-handcornerwashisownname,tracedinlonglettersofbrightvermilion。
Itwassomefoulparody,someinfamousignoblesatire。Hehadneverdonethat。Still,itwashisownpicture。Heknewit,andhefeltasifhisbloodhadchangedinamomentfromfiretosluggishice。Hisownpicture!Whatdiditmean?Whyhaditaltered?HeturnedandlookedatDorianGraywiththeeyesofasickman。Hismouthtwitched,andhisparchedtongueseemedunabletoarticulate。Hepassedhishandacrosshisforehead。Itwasdankwithclammysweat。
Theyoungmanwasleaningagainstthemantelshelf,watchinghimwiththatstrangeexpressionthatoneseesonthefacesofthosewhoareabsorbedinaplaywhensomegreatartistisacting。Therewasneitherrealsorrowinitnorrealjoy。Therewassimplythepassionofthespectator,withperhapsaflickeroftriumphinhiseyes。Hehadtakenthefloweroutofhiscoat,andwassmellingit,orpretendingtodoso。
Whatdoesthismean?criedHallward,atlast。Hisownvoicesoundedshrillandcuriousinhisears。
Yearsago,whenIwasaboy,saidDorianGray,crushingtheflowerinhishand,youmetme,flatteredme,andtaughtmetobevainofmygoodlooks。Onedayyouintroducedmetoafriendofyours,whoexplainedtomethewonderofyouth,andyoufinishedaportraitofmethatrevealedtomethewonderofbeauty。Inamadmomentthat,evennow,Idon’tknowwhetherIregretornot,Imadeawish,perhapsyouwouldcallitaprayer……
Irememberit!Oh,howwellIrememberit!No!thethingisimpossible。
Theroomisdamp。Mildewhasgotintothecanvas。ThepaintsIusedhadsomewretchedmineralpoisoninthem。Itellyouthethingisimpossible。
Ah,whatisimpossible?murmuredtheyoungman,goingovertothewindowandleaninghisforeheadagainstthecold,mist-stainedglass。
Youtoldmeyouhaddestroyedit。
Iwaswrong。Ithasdestroyedme。
Idon’tbelieveitismypicture。
Can’tyouseeyouridealinit?saidDorianbitterly。
Myideal,asyoucallit……
Asyoucalledit。
Therewasnothingevilinit,nothingshameful。YouweretomesuchanidealasIshallnevermeetagain。Thisisthefaceofasatyr。
Itisthefaceofmysoul。
Christ!whatathingImusthaveworshipped!Ithastheeyesofadevil。
Eachofushasheavenandhellinhim,Basil,criedDorianwithawildgestureofdespair。
Hallwardturnedagaintotheportraitandgazedatit。MyGod!
Ifitistrue,heexclaimed,andthisiswhatyouhavedonewithyourlife,why,youmustbeworseeventhanthosewhotalkagainstyoufancyyoutobe!Heheldthelightupagaintothecanvasandexaminedit。Thesurfaceseemedtobequiteundisturbedandashehadleftit。Itwasfromwithin,apparently,thatthefoulnessandhorrorhadcome。Throughsomestrangequickeningofinnerlifetheleprosiesofsinwereslowlyeatingthethingaway。Therottingofacorpseinawaterygravewasnotsofearful。
Hishandshook,andthecandlefellfromitssocketonthefloorandlaytheresputtering。Heplacedhisfootonitandputitout。Thenheflunghimselfintothericketychairthatwasstandingbythetableandburiedhisfaceinhishands。
GoodGod,Dorian,whatalesson!Whatanawfullesson!Therewasnoanswer,buthecouldheartheyoungmansobbingatthewindow。Pray,Dorian,pray,hemurmured。Whatisitthatonewastaughttosayinone’sboyhood?’Leadusnotintotemptation。Forgiveusoursins。Washawayouriniquities。’Letussaythattogether。Theprayerofyourpridehasbeenanswered。Theprayerofyourrepentancewillbeansweredalso。Iworshippedyoutoomuch。Iampunishedforit。Youworshippedyourselftoomuch。Wearebothpunished。
DorianGrayturnedslowlyaroundandlookedathimwithtear-dimmedeyes。Itistoolate,Basil,hefaltered。
Itisnevertoolate,Dorian。Letuskneeldownandtryifwecannotrememberaprayer。Isn’tthereaversesomewhere,’Thoughyoursinsbeasscarlet,yetIwillmakethemaswhiteassnow’?
Thosewordsmeannothingtomenow。
Hush!Don’tsaythat。Youhavedoneenoughevilinyourlife。
MyGod!Don’tyouseethataccursedthingleeringatus?
DorianGrayglancedatthepicture,andsuddenlyanuncontrollablefeelingofhatredforBasilHallwardcameoverhim,asthoughithadbeensuggestedtohimbytheimageonthecanvas,whisperedintohisearbythosegrinninglips。Themadpassionsofahuntedanimalstirredwithinhim,andheloathedthemanwhowasseatedatthetable,morethaninhiswholelifehehadeverloathedanything。Heglancedwildlyaround。Somethingglimmeredonthetopofthepaintedchestthatfacedhim。Hiseyefellonit。Heknewwhatitwas。Itwasaknifethathehadbroughtup,somedaysbefore,tocutapieceofcord,andhadforgottentotakeawaywithhim。Hemovedslowlytowardsit,passingHallwardashedidso。Assoonashegotbehindhim,heseizeditandturnedround。Hallwardstirredinhischairasifhewasgoingtorise。Herushedathimanddugtheknifeintothegreatveinthatisbehindtheear,crushingtheman’sheaddownonthetableandstabbingagainandagain。
Therewasastifledgroanandthehorriblesoundofsomeonechokingwithblood。Threetimestheoutstretchedarmsshotupconvulsively,wavinggrotesque,stiff-fingeredhandsintheair。Hestabbedhimtwicemore,butthemandidnotmove。Somethingbegantotrickleonthefloor。Hewaitedforamoment,stillpressingtheheaddown。Thenhethrewtheknifeonthetable,andlistened。
Hecouldhearnothing,butthedrip,driponthethreadbarecarpet。
Heopenedthedoorandwentoutonthelanding。Thehousewasabsolutelyquiet。Noonewasabout。Forafewsecondshestoodbendingoverthebalustradeandpeeringdownintotheblackseethingwellofdarkness。Thenhetookoutthekeyandreturnedtotheroom,lockinghimselfinashedidso。
Thethingwasstillseatedinthechair,strainingoverthetablewithbowedhead,andhumpedback,andlongfantasticarms。Haditnotbeenfortheredjaggedtearintheneckandtheclottedblackpoolthatwasslowlywideningonthetable,onewouldhavesaidthatthemanwassimplyasleep。
Howquicklyithadallbeendone!Hefeltstrangelycalm,andwalkingovertothewindow,openeditandsteppedoutonthebalcony。Thewindhadblownthefogaway,andtheskywaslikeamonstrouspeacock’stail,starredwithmyriadsofgoldeneyes。Helookeddownandsawthepolicemangoinghisroundsandflashingthelongbeamofhislanternonthedoorsofthesilenthouses。Thecrimsonspotofaprowlinghansomgleamedatthecornerandthenvanished。Awomaninaflutteringshawlwascreepingslowlybytherailings,staggeringasshewent。Nowandthenshestoppedandpeeredback。Once,shebegantosinginahoarsevoice。Thepolicemanstrolledoverandsaidsomethingtoher。Shestumbledaway,laughing。A
bitterblastsweptacrossthesquare。Thegas-lampsflickeredandbecameblue,andtheleaflesstreesshooktheirblackironbranchestoandfro。
Heshiveredandwentback,closingthewindowbehindhim。
Havingreachedthedoor,heturnedthekeyandopenedit。Hedidnotevenglanceatthemurderedman。Hefeltthatthesecretofthewholethingwasnottorealizethesituation。Thefriendwhohadpaintedthefatalportraittowhichallhismiseryhadbeenduehadgoneoutofhislife。Thatwasenough。
Thenherememberedthelamp。ItwasarathercuriousoneofMoorishworkmanship,madeofdullsilverinlaidwitharabesquesofburnishedsteel,andstuddedwithcoarseturquoises。Perhapsitmightbemissedbyhisservant,andquestionswouldbeasked。Hehesitatedforamoment,thenheturnedbackandtookitfromthetable。Hecouldnothelpseeingthedeadthing。
Howstillitwas!Howhorriblywhitethelonghandslooked!Itwaslikeadreadfulwaximage。
Havinglockedthedoorbehindhim,hecreptquietlydownstairs。
Thewoodworkcreakedandseemedtocryoutasifinpain。Hestoppedseveraltimesandwaited。No:everythingwasstill。Itwasmerelythesoundofhisownfootsteps。
Whenhereachedthelibrary,hesawthebagandcoatinthecorner。
Theymustbehiddenawaysomewhere。Heunlockedasecretpressthatwasinthewainscoting,apressinwhichhekepthisowncuriousdisguises,andputthemintoit。Hecouldeasilyburnthemafterwards。Thenhepulledouthiswatch。Itwastwentyminutestotwo。
Hesatdownandbegantothink。Everyyear——everymonth,almost——
menwerestrangledinEnglandforwhathehaddone。Therehadbeenamadnessofmurderintheair。Someredstarhadcometooclosetotheearth……Andyet,whatevidencewasthereagainsthim?BasilHallwardhadleftthehouseateleven。Noonehadseenhimcomeinagain。MostoftheservantswereatSelbyRoyal。Hisvalethadgonetobed……Paris!Yes。ItwastoParisthatBasilhadgone,andbythemidnighttrain,ashehadintended。
Withhiscuriousreservedhabits,itwouldbemonthsbeforeanysuspicionswouldberoused。Months!Everythingcouldbedestroyedlongbeforethen。
Asuddenthoughtstruckhim。Heputonhisfurcoatandhatandwentoutintothehall。Therehepaused,hearingtheslowheavytreadofthepolicemanonthepavementoutsideandseeingtheflashofthebull’s-eyereflectedinthewindow。Hewaitedandheldhisbreath。
Afterafewmomentshedrewbackthelatchandslippedout,shuttingthedoorverygentlybehindhim。Thenhebeganringingthebell。Inaboutfiveminuteshisvaletappeared,half-dressedandlookingverydrowsy。
Iamsorrytohavehadtowakeyouup,Francis,hesaid,steppingin。butIhadforgottenmylatch-key。Whattimeisit?
Tenminutespasttwo,sir,answeredtheman,lookingattheclockandblinking。
Tenminutespasttwo?Howhorriblylate!Youmustwakemeatnineto-morrow。Ihavesomeworktodo。
Allright,sir。
Didanyonecallthisevening?
Mr。Hallward,sir。Hestayedheretilleleven,andthenbewentawaytocatchhistrain。
Oh!IamsorryIdidn’tseehim。Didheleaveanymessage?
No,sir,exceptthathewouldwritetoyoufromParis,ifhedidnotfindyouattheclub。
Thatwilldo,Francis。Don’tforgettocallmeatnineto-morrow。
No,sir。
Themanshambleddownthepassageinhisslippers。
DorianGraythrewhishatandcoatuponthetableandpassedintothelibrary。Foraquarterofanhourhewalkedupanddowntheroom,bitinghislipandthinking。ThenhetookdowntheBlueBookfromoneoftheshelvesandbegantoturnovertheleaves。AlanCampbell,152,HertfordStreet,Mayfair。Yes。thatwasthemanhewanted。
ThePictureofDorianGray:Chapter14Chapter14Atnineo’clockthenextmorninghisservantcameinwithacupofchocolateonatrayandopenedtheshutters。Dorianwassleepingquitepeacefully,lyingonhisrightside,withonehandunderneathhischeek。Helookedlikeaboywhohadbeentiredoutwithplay,orstudy。
Themanhadtotouchhimtwiceontheshoulderbeforehewoke,andasheopenedhiseyesafaintsmilepassedacrosshislips,asthoughhehadbeenlostinsomedelightfuldream。Yethehadnotdreamedatall。