Портрет Доріана Грея

           WhenamansaysthatoneknowsthatLifehasexhaustedhim. LordHenryisverywicked,andIsometimeswishthatIhadbeen; butyouaremadetobegood—youlooksogood. Imustfindyouanicewife. LordHenry,don’tyouthinkthatMr. Grayshouldgetmarried?" 

           "Iamalwaystellinghimso,LadyNarborough,"saidLordHenry,withabow. 

           "Well,wemustlookoutforasuitablematchforhim. IshallgothroughDebrettcarefullyto-night,anddrawoutalistofalltheeligibleyoungladies." 

           "Withtheirages,LadyNarborough? "askedDorian. 

           "Ofcourse,withtheirages,slightlyedited. Butnothingmustbedoneinahurry. IwantittobewhatTheMorningPostcallsasuitablealliance,andIwantyoubothtobehappy." 

           "Whatnonsensepeopletalkabouthappymarriages! "exclaimedLordHenry. "Amancanbehappywithanywoman,aslongashedoesnotloveher." 

           "Ah!whatacynicyouare! "criedtheoldlady,pushingbackherchair,andnoddingtoLadyRuxton. "Youmustcomeanddinewithmesoonagain. Youarereallyanadmirabletonic,muchbetterthanwhatSirAndrewprescribesforme. Youmusttellmewhatpeopleyouwouldliketomeet,though. Iwantittobeadelightfulgathering." 

           "Ilikemenwhohaveafuture,andwomenwhohaveapast,"heanswered. "Ordoyouthinkthatwouldmakeitapetticoatparty?" 

           "Ifearso,"shesaid,laughing,asshestoodup. "Athousandpardons,mydearLadyRuxton,"sheadded. "Ididn’tseeyouhadn’tfinishedyourcigarette."