Портрет Дориана Грея
Chapter 16
HetoldmeitwasafinespecimenofRobinsoniana,orsomethingdreadfulofthatkind. Itisasadtruth,butwehavelostthefacultyofgivinglovelynamestothings. Namesareeverything. Ineverquarrelwithactions. Myonequarreliswithwords. ThatisthereasonIhatevulgarrealisminliterature. Themanwhocouldcallaspadeaspadeshouldbecompelledtouseone. Itistheonlythingheisfitfor."
"Thenwhatshouldwecallyou,Harry? "sheasked.
"HisnameisPrinceParadox,"saidDorian.
"Irecognisehiminaflash,"exclaimedtheDuchess.
"Iwon’thearofit,"laughedLordHenry,sinkingintoachair. "Fromalabelthereisnoescape! Irefusethetitle."
"Royaltiesmaynotabdicate,"fellasawarningfromprettylips.
"Youwishmetodefendmythrone,then?"
"Yes."
"Igivethetruthsofto-morrow."
"Ipreferthemistakesofto-day,"sheanswered.
"Youdisarmme,Gladys,"hecried,catchingthewilfulnessofhermood.
"Ofyourshield,Harry:notofyourspear."
"InevertiltagainstBeauty,"hesaid,withawaveofhishand.