Портрет Дориана Грея
Chapter 3
Itissocleverofthem,andsuchacomplimenttoart.Makesitquitecosmopolitan,doesn’tit? Youhaveneverbeentoanyofmyparties,haveyou,Mr.Gray?Youmustcome. Ican’taffordorchids,butIsparenoexpenseinforeigners.Theymakeone’sroomslooksopicturesque. ButhereisHarry!—Harry,Icameintolookforyou,toaskyousomething—Iforgetwhatitwas—andIfoundMr.Grayhere. Wehavehadsuchapleasantchataboutmusic.Wehavequitethesameideas. No;Ithinkourideasarequitedifferent.Buthehasbeenmostpleasant.IamsogladI’veseenhim."
"Iamcharmed,mylove,quitecharmed,"saidLordHenry,elevatinghisdarkcrescent-shapedeyebrowsandlookingatthembothwithanamusedsmile. "SosorryIamlate,Dorian.IwenttolookafterapieceofoldbrocadeinWardourStreet,andhadtobargainforhoursforit. Nowadayspeopleknowthepriceofeverything,andthevalueofnothing."
"IamafraidImustbegoing,"exclaimedLadyHenry,breakinganawkwardsilencewithhersillysuddenlaugh. "IhavepromisedtodrivewiththeDuchess.Good-bye,Mr.Gray.Good-bye,Harry. Youarediningout,Isuppose?SoamI.PerhapsIshallseeyouatLadyThornbury’s."
"Idaresay,mydear,"saidLordHenry,shuttingthedoorbehindher, as,lookinglikeabirdofparadisethathadbeenoutallnightintherain,sheflittedoutoftheroom,leavingafaintodouroffrangipanni. Thenhelitacigarette,andflunghimselfdownonthesofa.
"Nevermarryawomanwithstraw-colouredhair,Dorian,"hesaid,afterafewpuffs.
"Why,Harry?"
"Becausetheyaresosentimental."