Портрет Доріана Грея

           "Idaren’t,Mr.Gray. Why,sheinventshatsforme. YouremembertheoneIworeatLadyHilstone’sgarden-party? Youdon’t,butitisniceofyoutopretendthatyoudo. Well,shemadeitoutofnothing. Allgoodhatsaremadeoutofnothing." 

           "Likeallgoodreputations,Gladys,"interruptedLordHenry. "Everyeffectthatoneproducesgivesoneanenemy. Tobepopularonemustbeamediocrity." 

           "Notwithwomen,"saidtheDuchess,shakingherhead; "andwomenruletheworld. Iassureyouwecan’tbearmediocrities. Wewomen,assomeonesays,lovewithourears,justasyoumenlovewithyoureyes,ifyoueverloveatall." 

           "Itseemstomethatweneverdoanythingelse,"murmuredDorian. 

           "Ah!then,youneverreallylove,Mr.Gray,"answeredtheDuchess,withmocksadness. 

           "MydearGladys!"criedLordHenry."Howcanyousaythat? Romancelivesbyrepetition,andrepetitionconvertsanappetiteintoanart. Besides,eachtimethatonelovesistheonlytimeonehaseverloved. Differenceofobjectdoesnotaltersinglenessofpassion. Itmerelyintensifiesit. Wecanhaveinlifebutonegreatexperienceatbest,andthesecretoflifeistoreproducethatexperienceasoftenaspossible." 

           "Evenwhenonehasbeenwoundedbyit,Harry? "askedtheDuchess,afterapause. 

           "Especiallywhenonehasbeenwoundedbyit,"answeredLordHenry.