Портрет Дориана Грея

           "Youwerecharminglastnight. ThelittleDuchessisquitedevotedtoyou. ShetellsmesheisgoingdowntoSelby." 

           "Shehaspromisedtocomeonthetwentieth." 

           "IsMonmouthtobetheretoo?" 

           "Oh,yes,Harry." 

           "Heboresmedreadfully,almostasmuchasheboresher. Sheisveryclever,toocleverforawoman. Shelackstheindefinablecharmofweakness. Itisthefeetofclaythatmakesthegoldoftheimageprecious. Herfeetareverypretty,buttheyarenotfeetofclay. Whiteporcelainfeet,ifyoulike. Theyhavebeenthroughthefire,andwhatfiredoesnotdestroy,ithardens. Shehashadexperiences." 

           "Howlonghasshebeenmarried? "askedDorian. 

           "Aneternity,shetellsme. Ibelieve,accordingtothepeerage,itistenyears, buttenyearswithMonmouthmusthavebeenlikeeternity,withtimethrownin. Whoelseiscoming?" 

           "Oh,theWilloughbys,LordRugbyandhiswife,ourhostess,GeoffreyClouston,theusualset. IhaveaskedLordGrotrian." 

           "Ilikehim,"saidLordHenry. "Agreatmanypeopledon’t,butIfindhimcharming. Heatonesforbeingoccasionallysomewhatover-dressed,bybeingalwaysabsolutelyover-educated. Heisaverymoderntype." 

           "Idon’tknowifhewillbeabletocome,Harry. HemayhavetogotoMonteCarlowithhisfather."