Портрет Доріана Грея

           Therecameaknockatthedoor,andthebutlerenteredwithaladentea-trayandsetitdownuponasmallJapanesetable. TherewasarattleofcupsandsaucersandthehissingofaflutedGeorgianurn. Twoglobe-shapedchinadisheswerebroughtinbyapage. DorianGraywentoverandpouredoutthetea. Thetwomensaunteredlanguidlytothetable,andexaminedwhatwasunderthecovers. 

           "Letusgotothetheatreto-night,"saidLordHenry. "Thereissuretobesomethingon,somewhere. IhavepromisedtodineatWhite’s,butitisonlywithanoldfriend,soIcansendhimawiretosaythatIamill, orthatIampreventedfromcominginconsequenceofasubsequentengagement. Ithinkthatwouldbearatherniceexcuse:itwouldhaveallthesurpriseofcandour." 

           "Itissuchaboreputtingonone’sdress-clothes,"mutteredHallward. "And,whenonehasthemon,theyaresohorrid." 

           "Yes,"answeredLordHenry,dreamily,"thecostumeofthenineteenthcenturyisdetestable. Itissosombre,sodepressing. Sinistheonlyrealcolour-elementleftinmodernlife." 

           "YoureallymustnotsaythingslikethatbeforeDorian,Harry." 

           "BeforewhichDorian?Theonewhoispouringoutteaforus,ortheoneinthepicture?" 

           "Beforeeither." 

           "Ishouldliketocometothetheatrewithyou,LordHenry,"saidthelad. 

           "Thenyoushallcome;andyouwillcometoo,Basil,won’tyou?" 

           "Ican’treally.Iwouldsoonernot.Ihavealotofworktodo."