For a while the two men were silent. Then the older man lay back in his chair and looked at Dorian with half-closed eyes. ‘Tell me how you have kept your youth and your wonderful beauty, Dorian. You must have some secret. I’m only ten years older than you and I look like an old man. But you haven’t changed since the day when I first met you. What a wonderful life you’ve had!’
‘Yes,’ said Dorian slowly, ‘it’s been wonderful, Harry, but I’m going to change it now. You don’t know everything about me.’ His friend smiled. ‘You cannot change to me, Dorian. You and I will always be friends.’ Dorian stood up. ‘I’m tired tonight, Harry. I must go home. I’ll see you at lunch tomorrow. Good night.’ At the door he stopped for a moment and looked back, but then he turned and went out without another word.
At home he thought about his conversation with Lord Henry. Could he really change, he wondered? He had lived an evil life and had destroyed other people’s lives as well. Was there any hope for him? Why had he ever made that wish about the picture? He had kept his youth and beauty, but he had paid a terrible price for it. His beauty had destroyed his soul. He picked up a mirror and stared at his face. What was he now? A face without a heart.
