Портрет Доріана Грея
Preface
Eachclasswouldhavepreachedtheimportanceofthosevirtues,forwhoseexercisetherewasnonecessityintheirownlives. Therichwouldhavespokenonthevalueofthrift,andtheidlegrowneloquentoverthedignityoflabour. Itwascharmingtohaveescapedallthat! Ashethoughtofhisaunt,anideaseemedtostrikehim. HeturnedtoHallward,andsaid, "Mydearfellow,Ihavejustremembered."
"Rememberedwhat,Harry?"
"WhereIheardthenameofDorianGray."
"Wherewasit?"askedHallward,withaslightfrown.
"Don’tlooksoangry,Basil. Itwasatmyaunt,LadyAgatha’s. Shetoldmeshehaddiscoveredawonderfulyoungman,whowasgoingtohelpherintheEastEnd,andthathisnamewasDorianGray. Iamboundtostatethatshenevertoldmehewasgood-looking. Womenhavenoappreciationofgoodlooks;atleast,goodwomenhavenot. Shesaidthathewasveryearnest,andhadabeautifulnature. Iatoncepicturedtomyselfacreaturewithspectaclesandlankhair,horriblyfreckled,andtrampingaboutonhugefeet. IwishIhadknownitwasyourfriend."
"Iamverygladyoudidn’t,Harry."
"Why?"
"Idon’twantyoutomeethim."
