Портрет Дориана Грея

           SomethingseemedtotellmethatIwasonthevergeofaterriblecrisisinmylife. IhadastrangefeelingthatFatehadinstoreformeexquisitejoysandexquisitesorrows. Igrewafraid,andturnedtoquittheroom. Itwasnotconsciencethatmademedoso;itwasasortofcowardice. Itakenocredittomyselffortryingtoescape." 

           "Conscienceandcowardicearereallythesamethings,Basil. Conscienceisthetrade-nameofthefirm.Thatisall." 

           "Idon’tbelievethat,Harry,andIdon’tbelieveyoudoeither. However,whateverwasmymotive—anditmayhavebeenpride,forIusedtobeveryproud—Icertainlystruggledtothedoor. There,ofcourse,IstumbledagainstLadyBrandon. ‘Youarenotgoingtorunawaysosoon,Mr.Hallward?’shescreamedout. Youknowhercuriouslyshrillvoice?" 

           "Yes;sheisapeacockineverythingbutbeauty,"saidLordHenry, pullingthedaisytobitswithhislong,nervousfingers. 

           "Icouldnotgetridofher. ShebroughtmeuptoRoyalties,andpeoplewithStarsandGarters,andelderlyladleswithgigantictiarasandparrotnoses. Shespokeofmeasherdearestfriend. Ihadonlymetheroncebefore,butshetookitintoherheadtolioniseme. Ibelievesomepictureofminehadmadeagreatsuccessatthetime,atleasthadbeenchatteredaboutinthepennynewspapers,whichisthenineteenth-centurystandardofimmortality. SuddenlyIfoundmyselffacetofacewiththeyoungmanwhosepersonalityhadsostrangelystirredme. Wewerequiteclose,almosttouching.Oureyesmetagain.