Портрет Дориана Грея

           Withhissubtlesmile,LordHenrywatchedhim. Heknewtheprecisepsychologicalmomentwhentosaynothing. Hefeltintenselyinterested.Hewasamazedatthesuddenimpressionthathiswordshadproduced,and,rememberingabookthathehadreadwhenhewassixteen, abookwhichhadrevealedtohimmuchthathehadnotknownbefore,hewonderedwhetherDorianGraywaspassingthroughasimilarexperience. Hehadmerelyshotanarrowintotheair.Hadithitthemark?Howfascinatingtheladwas! 

           Hallwardpaintedawaywiththatmarvellousboldtouchofhis,thathadthetruerefinementandperfectdelicacythatinart,atanyrate,comesonlyfromstrength. Hewasunconsciousofthesilence. "Basil,Iamtiredofstanding,"criedDorianGray,suddenly. "Imustgooutandsitinthegarden.Theairisstiflinghere." 

           "Mydearfellow,Iamsosorry.WhenIampainting,Ican’tthinkofanythingelse. Butyouneversatbetter.Youwereperfectlystill. AndIhavecaughttheeffectIwanted—thehalf-partedlips,andthebrightlookintheeyes. Idon’tknowwhatHarryhasbeensayingtoyou,buthehascertainlymadeyouhavethemostwonderfulexpression. Isupposehehasbeenpayingyoucompliments.Youmustn’tbelieveawordthathesays." "Hehascertainlynotbeenpayingmecompliments.PerhapsthatisthereasonthatIdon’tbelieveanythinghehastoldme." 

           "Youknowyoubelieveitall,"saidLordHenry,lookingathimwithhisdreamy,languorouseyes. "Iwillgoouttothegardenwithyou.Itishorriblyhotinthestudio. Basil,letushavesomethingicedtodrink,somethingwithstrawberriesinit." 

           "Certainly,Harry.Justtouchthebell,andwhenParkercomesIwilltellhimwhatyouwant. Ihavegottoworkupthisbackground,soIwilljoinyoulateron. Don’tkeepDoriantoolong.IhaveneverbeeninbetterformforpaintingthanIamto-day.