Портрет Доріана Грея

           Dorian,youmustnotstayhereanylonger. Itisnotgoodforone’smoralstoseebadacting. Besides,Idon’tsupposeyouwillwantyourwifetoact. SowhatdoesitmatterifsheplaysJulietlikeawoodendoll? Sheisverylovely,andifsheknowsaslittleaboutlifeasshedoesaboutacting,shewillbeadelightfulexperience. Thereareonlytwokindsofpeoplewhoarereallyfascinating—peoplewhoknowabsolutelyeverything,andpeoplewhoknowabsolutelynothing. Goodheavens,mydearboy,don’tlooksotragic!Thesecretofremainingyoungisnevertohaveanemotionthatisunbecoming. CometotheclubwithBasilandmyself. WewillsmokecigarettesanddrinktothebeautyofSibylVane.Sheisbeautiful.Whatmorecanyouwant?" 

           "Goaway,Harry,"criedthelad."Iwanttobealone. Basil,youmustgo.Ah!can’tyouseethatmyheartisbreaking?" Thehottearscametohiseyes. Hislipstrembled,and,rushingtothebackofthebox,heleanedupagainstthewall,hidinghisfaceinhishands. 

           "Letusgo,Basil,"saidLordHenry,withastrangetendernessinhisvoice;andthetwoyoungmenpassedouttogether. 

           Afewmomentsafterwardsthefootlightsflaredup,andthecurtainroseonthethirdact. DorianGraywentbacktohisseat. Helookedpale,andproud,andindifferent. Theplaydraggedon,andseemedinterminable.Halfoftheaudiencewentout,trampinginheavyboots,andlaughing. Thewholethingwasafiasco. Thelastactwasplayedtoalmostemptybenches.Thecurtainwentdownonatitter,andsomegroans. 

           Assoonasitwasover,DorianGrayrushedbehindthescenesintothegreenroom.