The Picture of Dorian Gray Page #6

caused wonder, but rarely suspicion.

Even those who had heard

the most evil things against him,

the strange rumors about his mode of life,

which spread through London

and became the chatter of the clubs,

could not believe anything

to his dishonor when they saw him.

He had always the look of one

who had kept himself

unspotted from the world.

But while he fascinated many,

there were not a few who distrusted him.

Curious stories were current about him.

It was rumored

that he had been seen in a low den

in the distant parts of Whitechapel.

His extraordinary absences

became notorious,

and when he reappeared again in society,

men would whisper to each other

in corners, or pass him with a sneer,

or look at him with cold, searching eyes.

Some of those

who had been most intimate with him

appeared after a time to shun him.

Women who, for his sake,

had set convention at defiance,

were seen to grow pale

if Dorian Gray entered the room.

He could not endure

to be long out of England,

or to be separated from the picture,

it was such a part of his life.

He was afraid that during his absence,

someone might gain access to the room

where it was hidden.

Then suddenly some night

he would go down

to dreadful places near Bluegate Fields,

and stay there, day after day.

When he had recovered

from these visits to the abyss,

he would stand in front of the picture,

sometimes loathing it and himself,

but filled at other times

with that pride of individualism

that is half the fascination of evil.

He would examine with minute care

the hideous lines

that scarred the wrinkling forehead,

or crawled

around the heavy sensual mouth,

wondering which were more horrible,

the signs of sin or the signs of age.

He found reasons to justify his actions.

He told himself that man was a being

with myriad lives and myriad sensations.

To live a simple, sincere,

honest life was hardly to live at all.

Was insincerity such a terrible thing?

Dorian thought not.

It was merely a method by which

we could multiply our personalities.

Yet, there was one person

towards whom he found it

difficult to be insincere.

It was Basil Hallward's niece, Gladys,

who had loved him since she was a child.

I was close by and came in for a moment.

I found this old song in your piano bench.

It's charming.

So is the face

that my uncle sketched on it.

He did do it, didn't he?

I know his style so well.

Did she sing this song? Who is she?

Do tell me about her.

She died many years ago,

when you were only a little girl.

Did you love her very much, Dorian?

Yes.

Goodbye, Dorian.

I'm looking forward to your party tonight.

I'm sure it will be wonderful.

Your parties always are.

I'm not really as lovely as that picture,

am I, darling?

Of course not.

I think I've discovered

why Dorian hasn't proposed to me.

And I've decided what to do about it.

And what have you decided to do about it?

I'm going to ask him

to marry me, tonight, perhaps.

What about David Stone?

Do you think he'd take you

to Dorian's party tonight

-if he knew what your intentions were?

-Of course he would.

Nothing petty about David,

but I don't intend to tell him.

-No, don't tell David.

-David, you cad.

I never thought you'd be an eavesdropper.

Don't be alarmed about Dorian Gray,

Mr. Hallward.

I'm the one Gladys will marry.

Of course, I have nothing to say about it.

Even if you weren't going to marry me,

I wouldn't let you marry that devil.

I'll not have you say anything

against him, David.

I don't have to.

There are plenty of others to say it for me.

Lies and jealousy, all of it.

There is no evil in Dorian.

Anybody can see that by looking at him.

Well, he hasn't asked you yet.

I'll say that for him.

You heard what I said.

I'm going to ask him myself, tonight.

-In front of all those people, I suppose.

-I'll get him alone. It's a big house.

-Good night, sir.

-Good night, David.

What's wrong, Dorian?

Why don't you answer me?

ls there something else?

Something I don't know about?

You must have heard the stories

they tell of me.

-Don't they frighten you?

-I don't believe them.

Suppose I were to tell you

that they're true.

I will never believe anything evil of you.

What do you know of evil?

I only know there is none in you.

lf you had some great trouble, Dorian,

I would want to share it.

lf I were to marry you,

it would be an incredible wickedness.

ls that a way of saying you don't love me?

lf you like.

It's very beautiful, Dorian. Thank you.

Would you find David for me?

I must go now.

I've been exploring your house, Dorian.

You don't mind, do you?

It's better than a museum.

I see.

You must have

some priceless possessions in that room

if you keep them locked up.

May I see them sometime?

What rare things have you

stored away there, Dorian?

Skeletons of inquisitive guests.

-I suspected as much.

-I want to leave now, David.

-Of course.

-Good night, Dorian.

-Good night.

-Good night.

Good night.

It was the ninth of November,

the eve of his own 38th birthday,

as Dorian often remembered afterwards.

He was walking home about 11.'oo

from Lord Henry's,

where he had been dining.

A strange sense of fear

for which he could not account

came over him

at the sight of Basil Hallward

and prevented him

from making any sign of recognition.

Dorian!

I thought it was you

or your fur coat, but I wasn't sure.

-Didn't you recognize me?

-In this fog?

I can't even recognize Grosvenor Square.

I think my house is somewhere about here

but I'm not certain of it.

I've been waiting for you

in your library ever since 9:00.

Finally, I took pity on your man

and told him to go to bed.

I'm off to Paris on the midnight train,

and I particularly wanted to see you

before I left.

It's a bit of luck, running into you like this.

I'm sorry you're going away.

I haven't seen you in ages.

I suppose you'll be back soon.

No. I shall be out of England

for several months.

I'm going to take a studio in Paris

and shut myself up

until I finish a picture I have in my head.

Gladys is coming over to join me later on.

May I come in for a moment?

Won't you miss your train?

It doesn't leave until 12:15,

and it's only just 11:00.

As a matter of fact, I was on my way

to the club to look for you.

There won't be any delay

about my luggage,

as I've sent on my heavy things.

All I have with me is in this bag.

Come in, or the fog will get into the house.

I hope you're not going to talk

about anything serious.

Nothing is serious nowadays.

At least nothing should be.

What I have to say to you

is serious, Dorian.

Don't frown like that.

You make it so much more difficult for me.

I hope it's not about myself.

I'm tired of myself.

It is about yourself

and I must say it to you.

-I'll only keep you half an hour.

-You sound terrifying, Basil.

It's for your sake I'm speaking.

I think you should know the things

that are being said against you in London.

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