Портрет Дориана Грея

           Sheseemedtothemtobeabsolutelyincompetent. Theywerehorriblydisappointed. 

           YettheyfeltthatthetruetestofanyJulietisthebalconysceneofthesecondact. Theywaitedforthat. Ifshefailedthere,therewasnothinginher. 

           Shelookedcharmingasshecameoutinthemoonlight. Thatcouldnotbedenied. Butthestaginessofheractingwasunbearable,andgrewworseasshewenton. Hergesturesbecameabsurdlyartificial.Sheover-emphasisedeverythingthatshehadtosay. Thebeautifulpassage— 

           Thouknowestthemaskofnightisonmyface, 

           Elsewouldamaidenblushbepaintmycheek 

           Forthatwhichthouhastheardmespeakto-night— 

           wasdeclaimedwiththepainfulprecisionofaschoolgirlwhohasbeentaughttorecitebysomesecond-rateprofessorofelocution. Whensheleanedoverthebalconyandcametothosewonderfullines— 

           AlthoughIjoyinthee, 

           Ihavenojoyofthiscontractto-night: 

           Itistoorash,toounadvised,toosudden; 

           Toolikethelightning,whichdothceasetobe 

           Ereonecansay,"Itlightens."Sweet,good-night! 

           Thisbudoflovebysummer’sripeningbreath 

           Mayproveabeauteousflowerwhennextwemeet—