Портрет Доріана Грея
Preface
Itwasrecklessofme,butIaskedLadyBrandontointroducemetohim. Perhapsitwasnotsoreckless,afterall.Itwassimplyinevitable. Wewouldhavespokentoeachotherwithoutanyintroduction.Iamsureofthat. Doriantoldmesoafterwards.He,too,feltthatweweredestinedtoknoweachother."
"AndhowdidLadyBrandondescribethiswonderfulyoungman?"askedhiscompanion. "Iknowshegoesinforgivingarapidprécisofallherguests. Irememberherbringingmeuptoatruculentandred-facedoldgentlemancoveredalloverwithordersandribbons,andhissingintomyear,inatragicwhisperwhichmusthavebeenperfectlyaudibletoeverybodyintheroom,themostastoundingdetails. Isimplyfled.Iliketofindoutpeopleformyself. ButLadyBrandontreatsherguestsexactlyasanauctioneertreatshisgoods. Sheeitherexplainsthementirelyaway,ortellsoneeverythingaboutthemexceptwhatonewantstoknow."
"PoorLadyBrandon!Youarehardonher,Harry!"saidHallward,listlessly.
"Mydearfellow,shetriedtofoundasalon,andonlysucceededinopeningarestaurant. HowcouldIadmireher?Buttellme,whatdidshesayaboutMr.DorianGray?"
"Oh,somethinglike,‘Charmingboy—poordearmotherandIabsolutelyinseparable. Quiteforgetwhathedoes—afraidhe—doesn’tdoanything—oh,yes,playsthepiano—orisittheviolin,dearMr.Gray?’ Neitherofuscouldhelplaughing,andwebecamefriendsatonce."
"Laughterisnotatallabadbeginningforafriendship,anditisfarthebestendingforone," saidtheyounglord,pluckinganotherdaisy.
