Портрет Доріана Грея

           Howdifferenthewasnowfromtheshy,frightenedboyhehadmetinBasilHallward’sstudio! Hisnaturehaddevelopedlikeaflower,hadborneblossomsofscarletflame. Outofitssecrethiding-placehadcrepthisSoul,andDesirehadcometomeetitontheway. 

           "Andwhatdoyouproposetodo?"saidLordHenry,atlast. 

           "IwantyouandBasiltocomewithmesomenightandseeheract. Ihavenottheslightestfearoftheresult.Youarecertaintoacknowledgehergenius. ThenwemustgetheroutoftheJew’shands.Sheisboundtohimforthreeyears—atleastfortwoyearsandeightmonths—fromthepresenttime. Ishallhavetopayhimsomething,ofcourse.Whenallthatissettled,IshalltakeaWestEndtheatreandbringheroutproperly. Shewillmaketheworldasmadasshehasmademe." 

           "Thatwouldbeimpossible,mydearboy?" 

           "Yes,shewill.Shehasnotmerelyart,consummateart-instinct,inher,butshehaspersonalityalso; andyouhaveoftentoldmethatitispersonalities,notprinciples,thatmovetheage." 

           "Well,whatnightshallwego?" 

           "Letmesee.To-dayisTuesday.Letusfixto-morrow.SheplaysJulietto-morrow." 

           "Allright.TheBristolateighto’clock;andIwillgetBasil." 

           "Noteight,Harry,please.Half-pastsix.Wemustbetherebeforethecurtainrises. Youmustseeherinthefirstact,whereshemeetsRomeo." 

           "Half-pastsix!Whatanhour!Itwillbelikehavingameat-tea,orreadinganEnglishnovel. Itmustbeseven.Nogentlemandinesbeforeseven.