The Picture of Dorian Gray Page #3

Here.

"G" for Gladys.

Which do you prefer, Gladys,

Dorian Gray or his picture?

I like Dorian best.

You prefer him today, my dear,

but when you are a young lady

and are turning all the handsome heads

in London, you may prefer the portrait.

For it will look just as it does today,

but we shall all be changed.

And not for the better.

Your uncle and I and even Dorian.

Dorian won't change.

Dorian will stay just as he is

until I'm grown. Won't you, Dorian?

Of course I shall, darling.

You may say goodbye now, precious.

Nanny's waiting. Come along. Hurry.

On your way.

What about me, young lady,

has Dorian Gray

stolen you from me completely?

Goodbye, Lord Henry.

When this is known I shall be torn to

shreds in every drawing room in London.

Don't you think a gentleman

should remove his hat

in the presence of a lady, Parker?

I never take off my hat

except when I'm out of doors.

She'll be as lovely

as your sister was, Basil.

Yes. But I'm afraid Dorian has stolen

her heart from me, too.

I must congratulate you, Basil.

Look at yourself, Mr. Gray.

As I grow old,

this picture will remain always young.

lf it were only the other way.

lf it were I who was always to be young,

and the picture that was to grow old.

You would hardly care

for such an arrangement, Basil.

It would be rather hard lines on your work.

-I should object strongly, Harry.

-You oughtn't to express such a wish

in the presence of that cat, Dorian.

It's one of the seventy-three

great gods of Egypt,

and is quite capable of granting your wish.

Lord Henry is right.

I know now that when one loses

one's youth, one loses everything.

Perhaps a cup of tea

will bring you around, Dorian.

You'll have some, too, won't you, Harry?

Or do you object

to such simple pleasures?

I adore simple pleasures.

They're the last refuge of the complex.

It's more than a painting.

It's part of myself.

As soon as you're varnished and framed,

Dorian, you will be sent home.

Then you can do

whatever you like with yourself.

You better send along the Egyptian cat.

I don't think the god and the picture

should be separated.

I will, if Dorian wants it.

lf only the picture could change,

and I could be always what I am now.

For that I would give everything.

Yes, there's nothing in the whole world

I would not give.

I would give my soul for that.

Dorian began to venture alone

on warm summer evenings

into surroundings

which were strange to him.

Filled with curiosity about places and

people remote from his own experience,

he wandered to the half-world of London,

the words of Lord Henry

vibrating in his mind.

"Live! Let nothing be lost upon you.

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