Портрет Доріана Грея
Chapter 6
Sheseemedtothemtobeabsolutelyincompetent. Theywerehorriblydisappointed.
YettheyfeltthatthetruetestofanyJulietisthebalconysceneofthesecondact. Theywaitedforthat. Ifshefailedthere,therewasnothinginher.
Shelookedcharmingasshecameoutinthemoonlight. Thatcouldnotbedenied. Butthestaginessofheractingwasunbearable,andgrewworseasshewenton. Hergesturesbecameabsurdlyartificial.Sheover-emphasisedeverythingthatshehadtosay. Thebeautifulpassage—
Thouknowestthemaskofnightisonmyface,
Elsewouldamaidenblushbepaintmycheek
Forthatwhichthouhastheardmespeakto-night—
wasdeclaimedwiththepainfulprecisionofaschoolgirlwhohasbeentaughttorecitebysomesecond-rateprofessorofelocution. Whensheleanedoverthebalconyandcametothosewonderfullines—
AlthoughIjoyinthee,
Ihavenojoyofthiscontractto-night:
Itistoorash,toounadvised,toosudden;
Toolikethelightning,whichdothceasetobe
Ereonecansay,"Itlightens."Sweet,good-night!
Thisbudoflovebysummer’sripeningbreath
Mayproveabeauteousflowerwhennextwemeet—