Портрет Дориана Грея
Chapter 1
LordHenryflunghimselfintoalargewickerarm-chairandwatchedhim. Thesweepanddashofthebrushonthecanvasmadetheonlysoundthatbrokethestillness, exceptwhen,nowandthen,Hallwardsteppedbacktolookathisworkfromadistance. Intheslantingbeamsthatstreamedthroughtheopendoorwaythedustdancedandwasgolden. Theheavyscentoftherosesseemedtobroodovereverything.
AfteraboutaquarterofanhourHallwardstoppedpainting,lookedforalongtimeatDorianGray,andthenforalongtimeatthepicture, bitingtheendofoneofhishugebrushes,andfrowning. "Itisquitefinished,"hecriedatlast, andstoopingdownhewrotehisnameinlongvermilionlettersontheleft-handcornerofthecanvas.
LordHenrycameoverandexaminedthepicture. Itwascertainlyawonderfulworkofart,andawonderfullikenessaswell.
"Mydearfellow,Icongratulateyoumostwarmly,"hesaid. "Itisthefinestportraitofmoderntimes.Mr.Gray,comeoverandlookatyourself."
Theladstarted,asifawakenedfromsomedream. "Isitreallyfinished?"hemurmured,steppingdownfromtheplatform.
"Quitefinished,"saidthepainter. "Andyouhavesatsplendidlyto-day.Iamawfullyobligedtoyou."
"Thatisentirelyduetome,"brokeinLordHenry. "Isn’tit,Mr.Gray?"
Dorianmadenoanswer,butpassedlistlesslyinfrontofhispicture,andturnedtowardsit. Whenhesawithedrewback,andhischeeksflushedforamomentwithpleasure. Alookofjoycameintohiseyes,asifhehadrecognisedhimselfforthefirsttime. Hestoodtheremotionlessandinwonder,dimlyconsciousthatHallwardwasspeakingtohim,butnotcatchingthemeaningofhiswords.