The next morning Lord Henry went to visit his aunt, Lady Agatha. She was surprised
to see him. ‘I though you fashionable young man never got up until the
afternoon,’ she said. ‘Ah, but my dear aunt, I need some information, you
see,’ replied Lord Henry. ‘ I met Dorian Gray yesterday and I’d like to
know more about him.’ ‘Oh, he’s Lord Kelso’s grandson,’ said Lady
Agatha. ‘His mother was Lady Margareth Devereux, a very beautiful woman. Se
ran away from home to marry a poor soldier. He was killed a few months later and
she died soon after her son was born. She was a lovely woman. Dorian Gray has
her beauty and he will, I understand, have his grandfather’s money.’ ‘He
is’, agreed Lord Henry, ‘extraordinary good-looking.’ ‘Come to lunch,’
invited his aunt. ‘Dorian Gray will be here and you can meet him again.’
‘I’d love to come,’ smiled Lord Henry.
As he left, Lord Henry thought about this sad story. He became more
interested than ever in this beautiful young man, Dorian Gray. He remembered the
night before when Dorian had watched him with his bright blue eyes, half
wondering, half afraid. ‘He does not yet know himself,’ thought Lord Henry,
with a smile. ‘But I can teach him. Yes, I can influence him in any way that I
please. I will teach him to discover the fire of youth, and love, and life.
