Портрет Дориана Грея

           Fancybeingcoopedupinahorridship,withthehoarse,hump-backedwavestryingtogetin,andablackwindblowingthemastsdown,andtearingthesailsintolongscreamingribands! HewastoleavethevesselatMelbourne,bidapolitegood-byetothecaptain,andgooffatoncetothegold-fields. Beforeaweekwasoverhewastocomeacrossalargenuggetofpuregold,thelargestnuggetthathadeverbeendiscovered,andbringitdowntothecoastinawaggonguardedbysixmountedpolicemen. Thebushrangersweretoattackthemthreetimes,andbedefeatedwithimmenseslaughter. Or,no.Hewasnottogotothegold-fieldsatall. Theywerehorridplaces,wheremengotintoxicated,andshoteachotherinbar-rooms,andusedbadlanguage. Hewastobeanicesheep-farmer,andoneevening,ashewasridinghome,hewastoseethebeautifulheiressbeingcarriedoffbyarobberonablackhorse,andgivechase,andrescueher. Ofcourseshewouldfallinlovewithhim,andhewithher,andtheywouldgetmarried,andcomehome,andliveinanimmensehouseinLondon. Yes,thereweredelightfulthingsinstoreforhim. Buthemustbeverygood,andnotlosehistemper,orspendhismoneyfoolishly. Shewasonlyayearolderthanhewas,butsheknewsomuchmoreoflife. Hemustbesure,also,towritetoherbyeverymail,andtosayhisprayerseachnightbeforehewenttosleep. Godwasverygood,andwouldwatchoverhim.Shewouldprayforhim,too,andinafewyearshewouldcomebackquiterichandhappy. 

           Theladlistenedsulkilytoher,andmadenoanswer.Hewasheart-sickatleavinghome. 

           Yetitwasnotthisalonethatmadehimgloomyandmorose. Inexperiencedthoughhewas,hehadstillastrongsenseofthedangerofSibyl’sposition. Thisyoungdandywhowasmakinglovetohercouldmeanhernogood.