Портрет Дориана Грея

           Ifindthat,ultimately,thereareonlytwokindsofwomen,theplainandthecoloured. Theplainwomenareveryuseful.Ifyouwanttogainareputationforrespectability,youhavemerelytotakethemdowntosupper. Theotherwomenareverycharming.Theycommitonemistake,however.Theypaintinordertotryandlookyoung. Ourgrandmotherspaintedinordertotryandtalkbrilliantly.Rougeandespritusedtogotogether.Thatisallovernow. Aslongasawomancanlooktenyearsyoungerthanherowndaughter,sheisperfectlysatisfied. Asforconversation,thereareonlyfivewomeninLondonworthtalkingto,andtwoofthesecan’tbeadmittedintodecentsociety. However,tellmeaboutyourgenius.Howlonghaveyouknownher?" 

           "Ah!Harry,yourviewsterrifyme." 

           "Nevermindthat.Howlonghaveyouknownher?" 

           "Aboutthreeweeks." 

           "Andwheredidyoucomeacrossher?" 

           "Iwilltellyou,Harry;butyoumustn’tbeunsympatheticaboutit. Afterall,itneverwouldhavehappenedifIhadnotmetyou.Youfilledmewithawilddesiretoknoweverythingaboutlife. FordaysafterImetyou,somethingseemedtothrobinmyveins.AsIloungedinthePark,orstrolleddownPiccadilly,Iusedtolookateveryonewhopassedme,andwonder,withamadcuriosity, whatsortoflivestheyled.Someofthemfascinatedme. Othersfilledmewithterror. Therewasanexquisitepoisonintheair.Ihadapassionforsensations....