The Picture
‘A face without a heart.’
‘You’re going to be good?’ said Lord Henry. ‘Don’t’ tell me that, You’re wonderful as you are. Please don’t change.’ His long. White fingers played with a flower on the table. It was spring in London, and the two friends were having dinner at Lord Henry’s house. Dorian Gray shook his head. ‘No, Harry, I’ve done too many terrible things in my life and I’m going to change. I began my good life yesterday, in the country.’ ‘My dear boy,’ smiled Lord Henry. ‘Everybody can be good in the country. There’s nothing to do in the country, so it’s impossible to do anything bad. But tell me, how did you begin your good life?’ There was a girl in a village. A very beautiful girl, an honest, country girl. She loved me and was ready to come away with me yesterday, but I said no. I refused to destroy her young life and I’ve left her as honest as I found her.’ Lord Henry laughed. ‘You’ve left her with a broken heart, you mean. How can she be happy now with a country boy, after she has known you?’ Don’t, Harry!’ cried Dorian. ‘Can you never be serious? I’m sorry that I told you now. Let’s talk about other things. What’s been happening in London?’ ‘Oh, people are still discussing poor Basil and how he disappeared. I don’t know why, because there are plenty of other things that they can talk about – my wife has run away with another man, Alan Campbell has killed himself…’
