Chapter 9

           Whenhisservantentered,helookedathimsteadfastly,andwonderedifhehadthoughtofpeeringbehindthescreen. Themanwasquiteimpassive,andwaitedforhisorders. Dorianlitacigarette,andwalkedovertotheglassandglancedintoit. HecouldseethereflectionofVictor’sfaceperfectly. Itwaslikeaplacidmaskofservility. Therewasnothingtobeafraidof,there. Yethethoughtitbesttobeonhisguard. 

           Speakingveryslowly,hetoldhimtotellthehousekeeperthathewantedtoseeher,andthentogototheframe-makerandaskhimtosendtwoofhismenroundatonce. Itseemedtohimthatasthemanlefttheroomhiseyeswanderedinthedirectionofthescreen. Orwasthatmerelyhisownfancy? 

           Afterafewmoments,inherblacksilkdress,withold-fashionedthreadmittensonherwrinkledhands,Mrs.Leafbustledintothelibrary. Heaskedherforthekeyoftheschoolroom. 

           "Theoldschoolroom,Mr.Dorian?"sheexclaimed. "Why,itisfullofdust. Imustgetitarranged,andputstraightbeforeyougointoit. Itisnotfitforyoutosee,sir. Itisnot,indeed." 

           "Idon’twantitputstraight,Leaf. Ionlywantthekey." 

           "Well,sir,you’llbecoveredwithcobwebsifyougointoit. Why,ithasn’tbeenopenedfornearlyfiveyears,notsincehislordshipdied." 

           Hewincedatthementionofhisgrandfather. Hehadhatefulmemoriesofhim. "Thatdoesnotmatter,"heanswered. "Isimplywanttoseetheplace—thatisall. Givemethekey."