Chapter 16

           AweeklaterDorianGraywassittingintheconservatoryatSelbyRoyaltalkingtotheprettyDuchessofMonmouth,whowithherhusband,ajaded-lookingmanofsixty,wasamongsthisguests. Itwastea-time,andthemellowlightofthehugelace-coveredlampthatstoodonthetablelitupthedelicatechinaandhammeredsilveroftheserviceatwhichtheDuchesswaspresiding. Herwhitehandsweremovingdaintilyamongthecups,andherfullredlipsweresmilingatsomethingthatDorianhadwhisperedtoher. LordHenrywaslyingbackinasilk-drapedwickerchairlookingatthem. Onapeach-coloureddivansatLadyNarboroughpretendingtolistentotheDuke’sdescriptionofthelastBrazilianbeetlethathehadaddedtohiscollection. Threeyoungmeninelaboratesmoking-suitswerehandingtea-cakestosomeofthewomen. Thehouse-partyconsistedoftwelvepeople,andthereweremoreexpectedtoarriveonthenextday. 

           "Whatareyoutwotalkingabout? "saidLordHenry,strollingovertothetable,andputtinghiscupdown. "IhopeDorianhastoldyouaboutmyplanforrechristeningeverything,Gladys. Itisadelightfulidea." 

           "ButIdon’twanttoberechristened,Harry,"rejoinedtheDuchess,lookingupathimwithherwonderfuleyes. "Iamquitesatisfiedwithmyownname,andIamsureMr.Grayshouldbesatisfiedwithhis." 

           "MydearGladys,Iwouldnotaltereithernamefortheworld. Theyarebothperfect. Iwasthinkingchieflyofflowers. YesterdayIcutanorchid,formybuttonhole. Itwasamarvellousspottedthing,aseffectiveasthesevendeadlysins. InathoughtlessmomentIaskedoneofthegardenerswhatitwascalled.