Chapter 1

           AstheyenteredtheysawDorianGray.Hewasseatedatthepiano,withhisbacktothem,turningoverthepagesofavolumeofSchumann’s"ForestScenes." "Youmustlendmethese,Basil,"hecried."Iwanttolearnthem.Theyareperfectlycharming." 

           "Thatentirelydependsonhowyousitto-day,Dorian." 

           "Oh,Iamtiredofsitting,andIdon’twantalife-sizedportraitofmyself,"answeredthelad, swingingroundonthemusic-stool,inawilful,petulantmanner. WhenhecaughtsightofLordHenry,afaintblushcolouredhischeeksforamoment,andhestartedup. "Ibegyourpardon,Basil,butIdidn’tknowyouhadanyonewithyou." 

           "ThisisLordHenryWotton,Dorian,anoldOxfordfriendofmine. Ihavejustbeentellinghimwhatacapitalsitteryouwere,andnowyouhavespoiledeverything." 

           "Youhavenotspoiledmypleasureinmeetingyou,Mr.Gray,"saidLordHenry,steppingforwardandextendinghishand. "Myaunthasoftenspokentomeaboutyou.Youareoneofherfavourites,and,Iamafraid,oneofhervictimsalso." 

           "IaminLadyAgatha’sblackbooksatpresent,"answeredDorian,withafunnylookofpenitence. "IpromisedtogotoaclubinWhitechapelwithherlastTuesday,andIreallyforgotallaboutit. Weweretohaveplayedaduettogether—threeduets,Ibelieve. Idon’tknowwhatshewillsaytome.Iamfartoofrightenedtocall." 

           "Oh,Iwillmakeyourpeacewithmyaunt.Sheisquitedevotedtoyou. AndIdon’tthinkitreallymattersaboutyournotbeingthere. Theaudienceprobablythoughtitwasaduet. WhenAuntAgathasitsdowntothepianoshemakesquiteenoughnoisefortwopeople."