Портрет Доріана Грея

           Thereweremoments,indeed,atnight,when,lyingsleeplessinhisowndelicately-scentedchamber, orinthesordidroomofthelittleill-famedtavernneartheDocks,which,underanassumedname,andindisguise,itwashishabittofrequent, hewouldthinkoftheruinhehadbroughtuponhissoul,withapitythatwasallthemorepoignantbecauseitwaspurelyselfish. 

           Butmomentssuchasthesewererare. ThatcuriosityaboutlifewhichLordHenryhadfirststirredinhim,astheysattogetherinthegardenoftheirfriend,seemedtoincreasewithgratification. Themoreheknew,themorehedesiredtoknow. Hehadmadhungersthatgrewmoreravenousashefedthem. 

           Yethewasnotreallyreckless,atanyrateinhisrelationstosociety. Onceortwiceeverymonthduringthewinter,andoneachWednesdayeveningwhiletheseasonlasted,hewouldthrowopentotheworldhisbeautifulhouse andhavethemostcelebratedmusiciansofthedaytocharmhisguestswiththewondersoftheirart. Hislittledinners,inthesettlingofwhichLordHenryalwaysassistedhim,werenotedasmuchforthecarefulselectionandplacingofthoseinvited, asfortheexquisitetasteshowninthedecorationofthetable,withitssubtlesymphonicarrangementsofexoticflowers,andembroideredcloths,andantiqueplateofgoldandsilver. Indeed,thereweremany,especiallyamongtheveryyoungmen,whosaw,orfanciedthattheysaw,inDorianGraythetruerealisationofatypeofwhichtheyhadoftendreamedinEtonorOxforddays, atypethatwastocombinesomethingoftherealcultureofthescholarwithallthegraceanddistinctionandperfectmannerofacitizenoftheworld.