Портрет Дориана Грея

           Itissocleverofthem,andsuchacomplimenttoart.Makesitquitecosmopolitan,doesn’tit? Youhaveneverbeentoanyofmyparties,haveyou,Mr.Gray?Youmustcome. Ican’taffordorchids,butIsparenoexpenseinforeigners.Theymakeone’sroomslooksopicturesque. ButhereisHarry!—Harry,Icameintolookforyou,toaskyousomething—Iforgetwhatitwas—andIfoundMr.Grayhere. Wehavehadsuchapleasantchataboutmusic.Wehavequitethesameideas. No;Ithinkourideasarequitedifferent.Buthehasbeenmostpleasant.IamsogladI’veseenhim." 

           "Iamcharmed,mylove,quitecharmed,"saidLordHenry,elevatinghisdarkcrescent-shapedeyebrowsandlookingatthembothwithanamusedsmile. "SosorryIamlate,Dorian.IwenttolookafterapieceofoldbrocadeinWardourStreet,andhadtobargainforhoursforit. Nowadayspeopleknowthepriceofeverything,andthevalueofnothing." 

           "IamafraidImustbegoing,"exclaimedLadyHenry,breakinganawkwardsilencewithhersillysuddenlaugh. "IhavepromisedtodrivewiththeDuchess.Good-bye,Mr.Gray.Good-bye,Harry. Youarediningout,Isuppose?SoamI.PerhapsIshallseeyouatLadyThornbury’s." 

           "Idaresay,mydear,"saidLordHenry,shuttingthedoorbehindher, as,lookinglikeabirdofparadisethathadbeenoutallnightintherain,sheflittedoutoftheroom,leavingafaintodouroffrangipanni. Thenhelitacigarette,andflunghimselfdownonthesofa. 

           "Nevermarryawomanwithstraw-colouredhair,Dorian,"hesaid,afterafewpuffs. 

           "Why,Harry?" 

           "Becausetheyaresosentimental."