Hisnighthadbeenuntroubledbyanyimagesofpleasureorofpain。Butyouthsmileswithoutanyreason。Itisoneofitschiefestcharms。
Heturnedround，andleaninguponhiselbow，begantosiphischocolate。ThemellowNovembersuncamestreamingintotheroom。Theskywasbright，andtherewasagenialwarmthintheair。ItwasalmostlikeamorninginMay。
Graduallytheeventsoftheprecedingnightcreptwithsilent，blood-stainedfeetintohisbrainandreconstructedthemselvestherewithterribledistinctness。Hewincedatthememoryofallthathehadsuffered，andforamomentthesamecuriousfeelingofloathingforBasilHallwardthathadmadehimkillhimashesatinthechaircamebacktohim，andhegrewcoldwithpassion。Thedeadmanwasstillsittingthere，too，andinthesunlightnow。Howhorriblethatwas！Suchhideousthingswereforthedarkness，notfortheday。
Hefeltthatifhebroodedonwhathehadgonethroughhewouldsickenorgrowmad。Thereweresinswhosefascinationwasmoreinthememorythaninthedoingofthem，strangetriumphsthatgratifiedthepridemorethanthepassions，andgavetotheintellectaquickenedsenseofjoy，greaterthananyjoytheybrought，orcouldeverbring，tothesenses。
Butthiswasnotoneofthem。Itwasathingtobedrivenoutofthemind，tobedruggedwithpoppies，tobestrangledlestitmightstrangleoneitself。
Whenthehalf-hourstruck，hepassedhishandacrosshisforehead，andthengotuphastilyanddressedhimselfwithevenmorethanhisusualcare，givingagooddealofattentiontothechoiceofhisnecktieandscarf-pinandchanginghisringsmorethanonce。Hespentalongtimealsooverbreakfast，tastingthevariousdishes，talkingtohisvaletaboutsomenewliveriesthathewasthinkingofgettingmadefortheservantsatSelby，andgoingthroughhiscorrespondence。Atsomeoftheletters，hesmiled。Threeofthemboredhim。Onehereadseveraltimesoverandthentoreupwithaslightlookofannoyanceinhisface。Thatawfulthing，awoman’smemory！asLordHenryhadoncesaid。
Afterhehaddrunkhiscupofblackcoffee，hewipedhislipsslowlywithanapkin，motionedtohisservanttowait，andgoingovertothetable，satdownandwrotetwoletters。Oneheputinhispocket，theotherhehandedtothevalet。
Takethisroundto152，HertfordStreet，Francis，andifMr。
Campbellisoutoftown，gethisaddress。
Assoonashewasalone，helitacigaretteandbegansketchinguponapieceofpaper，drawingfirstflowersandbitsofarchitecture，andthenhumanfaces。SuddenlyheremarkedthateveryfacethathedrewseemedtohaveafantasticlikenesstoBasilHallward。Hefrowned，andgettingup，wentovertothebook-caseandtookoutavolumeathazard。
Hewasdeterminedthathewouldnotthinkaboutwhathadhappeneduntilitbecameabsolutelynecessarythatheshoulddoso。
Whenhehadstretchedhimselfonthesofa，helookedatthetitle-pageofthebook。ItwasGautier’sEmauxetCamees，Charpentier’sJapanese-paperedition，withtheJacquemartetching。Thebindingwasofcitron-greenleather，withadesignofgilttrellis-workanddottedpomegranates。IthadbeengiventohimbyAdrianSingleton。Asheturnedoverthepages，hiseyefellonthepoemaboutthehandofLacenaire，thecoldyellowhanddusuppliceencoremallavé。：e，withitsdownyredhairsanditsdoigtsdefaune。Heglancedathisownwhitetaperfingers，shudderingslightlyinspiteofhimself，andpassedon，tillhecametothoselovelystanzasuponVenice：
Surunegammechromatique，Leseindeperiesruisselant，LaVé。nusdel’AdriatiqueSortdel’eausoncorpsroseetblanc。Lesdô。mes，surl’azurdesondesSuivantlaphraseaupurcontour，S’enflentcommedesgorgesrondesQuesoulè。veunsoupird’amour。L’esquifabordeetmedé。pose，Jetantsonamarreaupilier，Devantunefaç。aderose，Surlemarbred’unescalier。
Howexquisitetheywere！Asonereadthem，oneseemedtobefloatingdownthegreenwater-waysofthepinkandpearlcity，seatedinablackgondolawithsilverprowandtrailingcurtains。Themerelineslookedtohimlikethosestraightlinesofturquoise-bluethatfollowoneasonepushesouttotheLido。Thesuddenflashesofcolourremindedhimofthegleamoftheopal-and-iris-throatedbirdsthatflutterroundthetallhoneycombedCampanile，orstalk，withsuchstatelygrace，throughthedim，dust-stainedarcades。Leaningbackwithhalf-closedeyes，hekeptsayingoverandovertohimself：
Devantunefaç。aderose，Surlemarbred’unescalier。
ThewholeofVenicewasinthosetwolines。Herememberedtheautumnthathehadpassedthere，andawonderfullovethathadstirredhimtomaddelightfulfollies。Therewasromanceineveryplace。ButVenice，likeOxford，hadkeptthebackgroundforromance，and，tothetrueromantic，backgroundwaseverything，oralmosteverything。Basilhadbeenwithhimpartofthetime，andhadgonewildoverTintoret。PoorBasil！Whatahorriblewayforamantodie！
Hesighed，andtookupthevolumeagain，andtriedtoforget。
HereadoftheswallowsthatflyinandoutofthelittlecafeatSmyrnawheretheHadjissitcountingtheiramberbeadsandtheturbanedmerchantssmoketheirlongtasselledpipesandtalkgravelytoeachother。hereadoftheObeliskinthePlacedelaConcordethatweepstearsofgraniteinitslonelysunlessexileandlongstobebackbythehot，lotus-coveredNile，wherethereareSphinxes，androse-redibises，andwhitevultureswithgildedclaws，andcrocodileswithsmallberyleyesthatcrawloverthegreensteamingmud。hebegantobroodoverthoseverseswhich，drawingmusicfromkiss-stainedmarble，tellofthatcuriousstatuethatGautiercomparestoacontraltovoice，themonstrecharmantthatcouchesintheporphyry-roomoftheLouvre。Butafteratimethebookfellfromhishand。Hegrewnervous，andahorriblefitofterrorcameoverhim。
WhatifAlanCampbellshouldbeoutofEngland？Dayswouldelapsebeforehecouldcomeback。Perhapshemightrefusetocome。Whatcouldhedothen？
Everymomentwasofvitalimportance。
Theyhadbeengreatfriendsonce，fiveyearsbefore——almostinseparable，indeed。Thentheintimacyhadcomesuddenlytoanend。Whentheymetinsocietynow，itwasonlyDorianGraywhosmiled：AlanCampbellneverdid。
Hewasanextremelycleveryoungman，thoughhehadnorealappreciationofthevisiblearts，andwhateverlittlesenseofthebeautyofpoetryhepossessedhehadgainedentirelyfromDorian。Hisdominantintellectualpassionwasforscience。AtCambridgehehadspentagreatdealofhistimeworkinginthelaboratory，andhadtakenagoodclassintheNaturalScienceTriposofhisyear。Indeed，hewasstilldevotedtothestudyofchemistry，andhadalaboratoryofhisowninwhichheusedtoshuthimselfupalldaylong，greatlytotheannoyanceofhismother，whohadsetherheartonhisstandingforParliamentandhadavagueideathatachemistwasapersonwhomadeupprescriptions。Hewasanexcellentmusician，however，aswell，andplayedboththeviolinandthepianobetterthanmostamateurs。
Infact，itwasmusicthathadfirstbroughthimandDorianGraytogether——musicandthatindefinableattractionthatDorianseemedtobeabletoexercisewheneverhewished——and，indeed，exercisedoftenwithoutbeingconsciousofit。TheyhadmetatLadyBerkshire’sthenightthatRubinsteinplayedthere，andafterthatusedtobealwaysseentogetherattheoperaandwherevergoodmusicwasgoingon。Foreighteenmonthstheirintimacylasted。
CampbellwasalwayseitheratSelbyRoyalorinGrosvenorSquare。Tohim，astomanyothers，DorianGraywasthetypeofeverythingthatiswonderfulandfascinatinginlife。Whetherornotaquarrelhadtakenplacebetweenthemnooneeverknew。ButsuddenlypeopleremarkedthattheyscarcelyspokewhentheymetandthatCampbellseemedalwaystogoawayearlyfromanypartyatwhichDorianGraywaspresent。Hehadchanged，too——wasstrangelymelancholyattimes，appearedalmosttodislikehearingmusic，andwouldneverhimselfplay，givingashisexcuse，whenhewascalledupon，thathewassoabsorbedinsciencethathehadnotimeleftinwhichtopractise。
Andthiswascertainlytrue。Everydayheseemedtobecomemoreinterestedinbiology，andhisnameappearedonceortwiceinsomeofthescientificreviewsinconnectionwithcertaincuriousexperiments。
ThiswasthemanDorianGraywaswaitingfor。Everysecondhekeptglancingattheclock。Astheminuteswentbyhebecamehorriblyagitated。
Atlasthegotupandbegantopaceupanddowntheroom，lookinglikeabeautifulcagedthing。Hetooklongstealthystrides。Hishandswerecuriouslycold。
Thesuspensebecameunbearable。Timeseemedtohimtobecrawlingwithfeetoflead，whilehebymonstrouswindswasbeingswepttowardsthejaggededgeofsomeblackcleftofprecipice。Heknewwhatwaswaitingforhimthere。sawit，indeed，and，shuddering，crushedwithdankhandshisburninglidsasthoughhewouldhaverobbedtheverybrainofsightanddriventheeyeballsbackintotheircave。Itwasuseless。Thebrainhaditsownfoodonwhichitbattened，andtheimagination，madegrotesquebyterror，twistedanddistortedasalivingthingbypain，dancedlikesomefoulpuppetonastandandgrinnedthroughmovingmasks。Then，suddenly，timestoppedforhim。Yes：thatblind，slow-breathingthingcrawlednomore，andhorriblethoughts，timebeingdead，racednimblyoninfront，anddraggedahideousfuturefromitsgrave，andshowedittohim。Hestaredatit。Itsveryhorrormadehimstone。
Atlastthedooropenedandhisservantentered。Heturnedglazedeyesuponhim。
Mr。Campbell，sir，saidtheman。
Asighofreliefbrokefromhisparchedlips，andthecolourcamebacktohischeeks。
Askhimtocomeinatonce，Francis。Hefeltthathewashimselfagain。Hismoodofcowardicehadpassedaway。
Themanbowedandretired。Inafewmoments，AlanCampbellwalkedin，lookingverysternandratherpale，hispallorbeingintensifiedbyhiscoal-blackhairanddarkeyebrows。
Alan！Thisiskindofyou。Ithankyouforcoming。
Ihadintendednevertoenteryourhouseagain，Gray。Butyousaiditwasamatteroflifeanddeath。Hisvoicewashardandcold。Hespokewithslowdeliberation。TherewasalookofcontemptinthesteadysearchinggazethatheturnedonDorian。HekepthishandsinthepocketsofhisAstrakhancoat，andseemednottohavenoticedthegesturewithwhichhehadbeengreeted。
Yes：itisamatteroflifeanddeath，Alan，andtomorethanoneperson。Sitdown。
Campbelltookachairbythetable，andDoriansatoppositetohim。Thetwomen’seyesmet。InDorian’stherewasinfinitepity。Heknewthatwhathewasgoingtodowasdreadful。
Afterastrainedmomentofsilence，heleanedacrossandsaid，veryquietly，butwatchingtheeffectofeachworduponthefaceofhimhehadsentfor，Alan，inalockedroomatthetopofthishouse，aroomtowhichnobodybutmyselfhasaccess，adeadmanisseatedatatable。
Hehasbeendeadtenhoursnow。Don’tstir，anddon’tlookatmelikethat。
Whothemanis，whyhedied，howhedied，aremattersthatdonotconcernyou。Whatyouhavetodoisthis——
Stop，Gray。Idon’twanttoknowanythingfurther。Whetherwhatyouhavetoldmeistrueornottruedoesn’tconcernme。Ientirelydeclinetobemixedupinyourlife。Keepyourhorriblesecretstoyourself。Theydon’tinterestmeanymore。
Alan，theywillhavetointerestyou。Thisonewillhavetointerestyou。Iamawfullysorryforyou，Alan。ButIcan’thelpmyself。Youaretheonemanwhoisabletosaveme。Iamforcedtobringyouintothematter。
Ihavenooption。Alan，youarescientific。Youknowaboutchemistryandthingsofthatkind。Youhavemadeexperiments。Whatyouhavegottodoistodestroythethingthatisupstairs——todestroyitsothatnotavestigeofitwillbeleft。Nobodysawthispersoncomeintothehouse。
Indeed，atthepresentmomentheissupposedtobeinParis。Hewillnotbemissedformonths。Whenheismissed，theremustbenotraceofhimfoundhere。You，Alan，youmustchangehim，andeverythingthatbelongstohim，intoahandfulofashesthatImayscatterintheair。
Youaremad，Dorian。
Ah！IwaswaitingforyoutocallmeDorian。
Youaremad，Itellyou——madtoimaginethatIwouldraiseafingertohelpyou，madtomakethismonstrousconfession。Iwillhavenothingtodowiththismatter，whateveritis。DoyouthinkIamgoingtoperilmyreputationforyou？Whatisittomewhatdevil’sworkyouareupto？
Itwassuicide，Alan。
Iamgladofthat。Butwhodrovehimtoit？You，Ishouldfancy。
Doyoustillrefusetodothisforme？
OfcourseIrefuse。Iwillhaveabsolutelynothingtodowithit。Idon’tcarewhatshamecomesonyou。Youdeserveitall。Ishouldnotbesorrytoseeyoudisgraced，publiclydisgraced。Howdareyouaskme，ofallmenintheworld，tomixmyselfupinthishorror？Ishouldhavethoughtyouknewmoreaboutpeople’scharacters。YourfriendLordHenryWottoncan’thavetaughtyoumuchaboutpsychology，whateverelsehehastaughtyou。Nothingwillinducemetostirasteptohelpyou。Youhavecometothewrongman。Gotosomeofyourfriends。Don’tcometome。
Alan，itwasmurder。Ikilledhim。Youdon’tknowwhathehadmademesuffer。Whatevermylifeis，hehadmoretodowiththemakingorthemarringofitthanpoorHarryhashad。Hemaynothaveintendedit，theresultwasthesame。
Murder！GoodGod，Dorian，isthatwhatyouhavecometo？Ishallnotinformuponyou。Itisnotmybusiness。Besides，withoutmystirringinthematter，youarecertaintobearrested。Nobodyevercommitsacrimewithoutdoingsomethingstupid。ButIwillhavenothingtodowithit。
Youmusthavesomethingtodowithit。Wait，waitamoment。listentome。Onlylisten，Alan。AllIaskofyouistoperformacertainscientificexperiment。Yougotohospitalsanddead-houses，andthehorrorsthatyoudotheredon’taffectyou。Ifinsomehideousdissecting-roomorfetidlaboratoryyoufoundthismanlyingonaleadentablewithredguttersscoopedoutinitforthebloodtoflowthrough，youwouldsimplylookuponhimasanadmirablesubject。Youwouldnotturnahair。Youwouldnotbelievethatyouweredoinganythingwrong。Onthecontrary，youwouldprobablyfeelthatyouwerebenefitingthehumanrace，orincreasingthesumofknowledgeintheworld，orgratifyingintellectualcuriosity，orsomethingofthatkind。WhatIwantyoutodoismerelywhatyouhaveoftendonebefore。Indeed，todestroyabodymustbefarlesshorriblethanwhatyouareaccustomedtoworkat。And，remember，itistheonlypieceofevidenceagainstme。Ifitisdiscovered，Iamlost。anditissuretobediscoveredunlessyouhelpme。
Ihavenodesiretohelpyou。Youforgetthat。Iamsimplyindifferenttothewholething。Ithasnothingtodowithme。
Alan，Ientreatyou。ThinkofthepositionIamin。JustbeforeyoucameIalmostfaintedwithterror。Youmayknowterroryourselfsomeday。No！don’tthinkofthat。Lookatthematterpurelyfromthescientificpointofview。Youdon’tinquirewherethedeadthingsonwhichyouexperimentcomefrom。Don’tinquirenow。Ihavetoldyoutoomuchasitis。ButI
begofyoutodothis。Wewerefriendsonce，Alan。
Don’tspeakaboutthosedays，Dorian——theyaredead。
Thedeadlingersometimes。Themanupstairswillnotgoaway。
Heissittingatthetablewithbowedheadandoutstretchedarms。Alan！
Alan！Ifyoudon’tcometomyassistance，Iamruined。Why，theywillhangme，Alan！Don’tyouunderstand？TheywillhangmeforwhatIhavedone。
Thereisnogoodinprolongingthisscene。Iabsolutelyrefusetodoanythinginthematter。Itisinsaneofyoutoaskme。
Yourefuse？
Yes。
Ientreatyou，Alan。
Itisuseless。
ThesamelookofpitycameintoDorianGray’seyes。Thenhestretchedouthishand，tookapieceofpaper，andwrotesomethingonit。Hereaditovertwice，foldeditcarefully，andpusheditacrossthetable。Havingdonethis，hegotupandwentovertothewindow。
Campbelllookedathiminsurprise，andthentookupthepaper，andopenedit。Ashereadit，hisfacebecameghastlypaleandhefellbackinhischair。Ahorriblesenseofsicknesscameoverhim。Hefeltasifhisheartwasbeatingitselftodeathinsomeemptyhollow。
Aftertwoorthreeminutesofterriblesilence，Dorianturnedroundandcameandstoodbehindhim，puttinghishanduponhisshoulder。
Iamsosorryforyou，Alan，hemurmured，butyouleavemenoalternative。Ihavealetterwrittenalready。Hereitis。Youseetheaddress。Ifyoudon’thelpme，Imustsendit。Ifyoudon’thelpme，I
willsendit。Youknowwhattheresultwillbe。Butyouaregoingtohelpme。Itisimpossibleforyoutorefusenow。Itriedtospareyou。Youwilldomethejusticetoadmitthat。Youwerestern，harsh，offensive。Youtreatedmeasnomanhaseverdaredtotreatme——nolivingman，atanyrate。Iboreitall。Nowitisformetodictateterms。
Campbellburiedhisfaceinhishands，andashudderpassedthroughhim。
Yes，itismyturntodictateterms，Alan。Youknowwhattheyare。Thethingisquitesimple。Come，don’tworkyourselfintothisfever。
Thethinghastobedone。Faceit，anddoit。
AgroanbrokefromCampbell’slipsandheshiveredallover。Thetickingoftheclockonthemantelpieceseemedtohimtobedividingtimeintoseparateatomsofagony，eachofwhichwastooterribletobeborne。
Hefeltasifanironringwasbeingslowlytightenedroundhisforehead，asifthedisgracewithwhichhewasthreatenedhadalreadycomeuponhim。
Thehanduponhisshoulderweighedlikeahandoflead。Itwasintolerable。
Itseemedtocrushhim。
Come，Alan，youmustdecideatonce。
Icannotdoit，hesaid，mechanically，asthoughwordscouldalterthings。
Youmust。Youhavenochoice。Don’tdelay。
Hehesitatedamoment。Isthereafireintheroomupstairs？
Yes，thereisagas-firewithasbestos。
Ishallhavetogohomeandgetsomethingsfromthelaboratory。
No，Alan，youmustnotleavethehouse。Writeoutonasheetofnotepaperwhatyouwantandmyservantwilltakeacabandbringthethingsbacktoyou。
Campbellscrawledafewlines，blottedthem，andaddressedanenvelopetohisassistant。Doriantookthenoteupandreaditcarefully。
Thenherangthebellandgaveittohisvalet，withorderstoreturnassoonaspossibleandtobringthethingswithhim。
Asthehalldoorshut，Campbellstartednervously，andhavinggotupfromthechair，wentovertothechimney-piece。Hewasshiveringwithakindofague。Fornearlytwentyminutes，neitherofthemenspoke。
Aflybuzzednoisilyabouttheroom，andthetickingoftheclockwaslikethebeatofahammer。
Asthechimestruckone，Campbellturnedround，andlookingatDorianGray，sawthathiseyeswerefilledwithtears。Therewassomethinginthepurityandrefinementofthatsadfacethatseemedtoenragehim。
Youareinfamous，absolutelyinfamous！hemuttered。
Hush，Alan。Youhavesavedmylife，saidDorian。
Yourlife？Goodheavens！whatalifethatis！Youhavegonefromcorruptiontocorruption，andnowyouhaveculminatedincrime。IndoingwhatIamgoingtodo——whatyouforcemetodo——itisnotofyourlifethatIamthinking。
Ah，Alan，murmuredDorianwithasigh，IwishyouhadathousandthpartofthepityformethatIhaveforyou。Heturnedawayashespokeandstoodlookingoutatthegarden。Campbellmadenoanswer。
Afterabouttenminutesaknockcametothedoor，andtheservantentered，carryingalargemahoganychestofchemicals，withalongcoilofsteelandplatinumwireandtworathercuriouslyshapedironclamps。
ShallIleavethethingshere，sir？heaskedCampbell。
Yes，saidDorian。AndIamafraid，Francis，thatIhaveanothererrandforyou。WhatisthenameofthemanatRichmondwhosuppliesSelbywithorchids？
Harden，sir。
Yes——Harden。YoumustgodowntoRichmondatonce，seeHardenpersonally，andtellhimtosendtwiceasmanyorchidsasIordered，andtohaveasfewwhiteonesaspossible。Infact，Idon’twantanywhiteones。Itisalovelyday，Francis，andRichmondisaveryprettyplace——
otherwiseIwouldn’tbotheryouaboutit。
Notrouble，sir。AtwhattimeshallIbeback？
DorianlookedatCampbell。Howlongwillyourexperimenttake，Alan？hesaidinacalmindifferentvoice。Thepresenceofathirdpersonintheroomseemedtogivehimextraordinarycourage。
Campbellfrownedandbithislip。Itwilltakeaboutfivehours，
heanswered。
Itwillbetimeenough，then，ifyouarebackathalf-pastseven，Francis。Orstay：justleavemythingsoutfordressing。Youcanhavetheeveningtoyourself。Iamnotdiningathome，soIshallnotwantyou。
Thankyou，sir，saidtheman，leavingtheroom。
Now，Alan，thereisnotamomenttobelost。Howheavythischestis！I’lltakeitforyou。Youbringtheotherthings。Hespokerapidlyandinanauthoritativemanner。Campbellfeltdominatedbyhim。Theylefttheroomtogether。
Whentheyreachedthetoplanding，Doriantookoutthekeyandturneditinthelock。Thenhestopped，andatroubledlookcameintohiseyes。Heshuddered。Idon’tthinkIcangoin，Alan，hemurmured。
Itisnothingtome。Idon’trequireyou，saidCampbellcoldly。
Dorianhalfopenedthedoor。Ashedidso，hesawthefaceofhisportraitleeringinthesunlight。Onthefloorinfrontofitthetorncurtainwaslying。Herememberedthatthenightbeforehehadforgotten，forthefirsttimeinhislife，tohidethefatalcanvas，andwasabouttorushforward，whenhedrewbackwithashudder。
Whatwasthatloathsomereddewthatgleamed，wetandglistening，ononeofthehands，asthoughthecanvashadsweatedblood？Howhorribleitwas！——morehorrible，itseemedtohimforthemoment，thanthesilentthingthatheknewwasstretchedacrossthetable，thethingwhosegrotesquemisshapenshadowonthespottedcarpetshowedhimthatithadnotstirred，butwasstillthere，ashehadleftit。
Heheavedadeepbreath，openedthedooralittlewider，andwithhalf-closedeyesandavertedhead，walkedquicklyin，determinedthathewouldnotlookevenonceuponthedeadman。Then，stoopingdownandtakingupthegold-and-purplehanging，heflungitrightoverthepicture。
Therehestopped，feelingafraidtoturnround，andhiseyesfixedthemselvesontheintricaciesofthepatternbeforehim。HeheardCampbellbringingintheheavychest，andtheirons，andtheotherthingsthathehadrequiredforhisdreadfulwork。HebegantowonderifheandBasilHallwardhadevermet，and，ifso，whattheyhadthoughtofeachother。
Leavemenow，saidasternvoicebehindhim。
Heturnedandhurriedout，justconsciousthatthedeadmanhadbeenthrustbackintothechairandthatCampbellwasgazingintoaglisteningyellowface。Ashewasgoingdownstairs，heheardthekeybeingturnedinthelock。
ItwaslongaftersevenwhenCampbellcamebackintothelibrary。
Hewaspale，butabsolutelycalm。Ihavedonewhatyouaskedmetodo，
hemutteredAndnow，good-bye。Letusneverseeeachotheragain。
Youhavesavedmefromruin，Alan。Icannotforgetthat，saidDoriansimply。
AssoonasCampbellhadleft，hewentupstairs。Therewasahorriblesmellofnitricacidintheroom。Butthethingthathadbeensittingatthetablewasgone。
ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter15Chapter15Thatevening，ateight-thirty，exquisitelydressedandwearingalargebutton-holeofParmaviolets，DorianGraywasusheredintoLadyNarborough’sdrawing-roombybowingservants。Hisforeheadwasthrobbingwithmaddenednerves，andhefeltwildlyexcited，buthismannerashebentoverhishostess’shandwasaseasyandgracefulasever。Perhapsoneneverseemssomuchatone’seaseaswhenonehastoplayapart。CertainlynoonelookingatDorianGraythatnightcouldhavebelievedthathehadpassedthroughatragedyashorribleasanytragedyofourage。Thosefinelyshapedfingerscouldneverhaveclutchedaknifeforsin，northosesmilinglipshavecriedoutonGodandgoodness。Hehimselfcouldnothelpwonderingatthecalmofhisdemeanour，andforamomentfeltkeenlytheterriblepleasureofadoublelife。
Itwasasmallparty，gotupratherinahurrybyLadyNarborough，whowasaverycleverwomanwithwhatLordHenryusedtodescribeastheremainsofreallyremarkableugliness。Shehadprovedanexcellentwifetooneofourmosttediousambassadors，andhavingburiedherhusbandproperlyinamarblemausoleum，whichshehadherselfdesigned，andmarriedoffherdaughterstosomerich，ratherelderlymen，shedevotedherselfnowtothepleasuresofFrenchfiction，Frenchcookery，andFrenchespritwhenshecouldgetit。
Dorianwasoneofherespecialfavourites，andshealwaystoldhimthatshewasextremelygladshehadnotmethiminearlylife。Iknow，mydear，Ishouldhavefallenmadlyinlovewithyou，sheusedtosay，andthrownmybonnetrightoverthemillsforyoursake。Itismostfortunatethatyouwerenotthoughtofatthetime。Asitwas，ourbonnetsweresounbecoming，andthemillsweresooccupiedintryingtoraisethewind，thatIneverhadevenaflirtationwithanybody。However，thatwasallNarborough’sfault。Hewasdreadfullyshort-sighted，andthereisnopleasureintakinginahusbandwhoneverseesanything。
Hergueststhiseveningwererathertedious。Thefactwas，assheexplainedtoDorian，behindaveryshabbyfan，oneofhermarrieddaughtershadcomeupquitesuddenlytostaywithher，and，tomakemattersworse，hadactuallybroughtherhusbandwithher。Ithinkitismostunkindofher，mydear，shewhispered。OfcourseIgoandstaywiththemeverysummerafterIcomefromHomburg，butthenanoldwomanlikememusthavefreshairsometimes，andbesides，Ireallywakethemup。Youdon’tknowwhatanexistencetheyleaddownthere。Itispureunadulteratedcountrylife。Theygetupearly，becausetheyhavesomuchtodo，andgotobedearly，becausetheyhavesolittletothinkabout。TherehasnotbeenascandalintheneighbourhoodsincethetimeofQueenElizabeth，andconsequentlytheyallfallasleepafterdinner。Youshan’tsitnexteitherofthem。
Youshallsitbymeandamuseme。
Dorianmurmuredagracefulcomplimentandlookedroundtheroom。
Yes：itwascertainlyatediousparty。Twoofthepeoplehehadneverseenbefore，andtheothersconsistedofErnestHarrowden，oneofthosemiddle-agedmediocritiessocommoninLondonclubswhohavenoenemies，butarethoroughlydislikedbytheirfriends。LadyRuxton，anoverdressedwomanofforty-seven，withahookednose，whowasalwaystryingtogetherselfcompromised，butwassopeculiarlyplainthattohergreatdisappointmentnoonewouldeverbelieveanythingagainsther。Mrs。Erlynne，apushingnobody，withadelightfullispandVenetian-redhair。LadyAliceChapman，hishostess’sdaughter，adowdydullgirl，withoneofthosecharacteristicBritishfacesthat，onceseen，areneverremembered。andherhusband，ared-cheeked，white-whiskeredcreaturewho，likesomanyofhisclass，wasundertheimpressionthatinordinatejovialitycanatoneforanentirelackofideas。
Hewasrathersorryhehadcome，tillLadyNarborough，lookingatthegreatormolugiltclockthatsprawledingaudycurvesonthemauve-drapedmantelshelf，exclaimed：HowhorridofHenryWottontobesolate！Isentroundtohimthismorningonchanceandhepromisedfaithfullynottodisappointme。
ItwassomeconsolationthatHarrywastobethere，andwhenthedooropenedandheheardhisslowmusicalvoicelendingcharmtosomeinsincereapology，heceasedtofeelbored。
Butatdinnerhecouldnoteatanything。Plateafterplatewentawayuntasted。LadyNarboroughkeptscoldinghimforwhatshecalledaninsulttopoorAdolphe，whoinventedthemenuspeciallyforyou，andnowandthenLordHenrylookedacrossathim，wonderingathissilenceandabstractedmanner。Fromtimetotimethebutlerfilledhisglasswithchampagne。
Hedrankeagerly，andhisthirstseemedtoincrease。
Dorian，saidLordHenryatlast，asthechaud-froidwasbeinghandedround，whatisthematterwithyouto-night？Youarequiteoutofsorts。
Ibelieveheisinlove，criedLadyNarborough，andthatheisafraidtotellmeforfearIshouldbejealous。Heisquiteright。I
certainlyshould。
DearLadyNarborough，murmuredDorian，smiling，Ihavenotbeeninloveforawholeweek——not，infact，sinceMadamedeFerrollefttown。
Howyoumencanfallinlovewiththatwoman！exclaimedtheoldlady。Ireallycannotunderstandit。
Itissimplybecausesheremembersyouwhenyouwerealittlegirl，LadyNarborough，saidLordHenry。Sheistheonelinkbetweenusandyourshortfrocks。
Shedoesnotremembermyshortfrocksatall，LordHenry。ButIrememberherverywellatViennathirtyyearsago，andhowdé。colleté。eshewasthen。
Sheisstilldé。colleté。e，heanswered，takinganoliveinhislongfingers。andwhensheisinaverysmartgownshelookslikeané。ditiondeluxeofabadFrenchnovel。Sheisreallywonderful，andfullofsurprises。Hercapacityforfamilyaffectionisextraordinary。Whenherthirdhusbanddied，herhairturnedquitegoldfromgrief。
Howcanyou，Harry！criedDorian。
Itisamostromanticexplanation，laughedthehostess。Butherthirdhusband，LordHenry！Youdon’tmeantosayFerrolisthefourth？
Certainly，LadyNarborough。
Idon’tbelieveawordofit。
Well，askMr。Gray。Heisoneofhermostintimatefriends。
Isittrue，Mr。Gray？
Sheassuresmeso，LadyNarborough，saidDorian。Iaskedherwhether，likeMargueritedeNavarre，shehadtheirheartsembalmedandhungathergirdle。Shetoldmeshedidn’t，becausenoneofthemhadhadanyheartsatall。
Fourhusbands！Uponmywordthatistropdezè。le。
Tropd’audace，Itellher，saidDorian。
Oh！sheisaudaciousenoughforanything，mydear。AndwhatisFerrollike？Idon’tknowhim。
Thehusbandsofverybeautifulwomenbelongtothecriminalclasses，
saidLordHenry，sippinghiswine。
LadyNarboroughhithimwithherfan。LordHenry，Iamnotatallsurprisedthattheworldsaysthatyouareextremelywicked。
Butwhatworldsaysthat？askedLordHenry，elevatinghiseyebrows。
Itcanonlybethenextworld。ThisworldandIareonexcellentterms。
EverybodyIknowsaysyouareverywicked，criedtheoldlady，shakingherhead。
LordHenrylookedseriousforsomemoments。Itisperfectlymonstrous，
hesaid，atlast，thewaypeoplegoaboutnowadayssayingthingsagainstonebehindone’sbackthatareabsolutelyandentirelytrue。
Isn’theincorrigible？criedDorian，leaningforwardinhischair。
Ihopeso，saidhishostess，laughing。Butreally，ifyouallworshipMadamedeFerrolinthisridiculousway，Ishallhavetomarryagainsoastobeinthefashion。
Youwillnevermarryagain，LadyNarborough，brokeinLordHenry。
Youwerefartoohappy。Whenawomanmarriesagain，itisbecauseshedetestedherfirsthusband。Whenamanmarriesagain，itisbecauseheadoredhisfirstwife。Womentrytheirluck。menrisktheirs。
Narboroughwasn’tperfect，criedtheoldlady。
Ifhehadbeen，youwouldnothavelovedhim，mydearlady，
wastherejoinder。Womenloveusforourdefects。Ifwehaveenoughofthem，theywillforgiveuseverything，evenourintellects。Youwillneveraskmetodinneragainaftersayingthis，Iamafraid，LadyNarborough，butitisquitetrue。
Ofcourseitistrue，LordHenry。Ifwewomendidnotloveyouforyourdefects，wherewouldyouallbe？Notoneofyouwouldeverbemarried。Youwouldbeasetofunfortunatebachelors。Not，however，thatthatwouldalteryoumuch。Nowadaysallthemarriedmenlivelikebachelors，andallthebachelorslikemarriedmen。
Findesiè。cle，murmuredLordHenry。
Finduglobe，answeredhishostess。
Iwishitwerefinduglobe，saidDorianwithasigh。
Lifeisagreatdisappointment。
Ah，mydear，criedLadyNarborough，puttingonhergloves，don’ttellmethatyouhaveexhaustedlife。Whenamansaysthatoneknowsthatlifehasexhaustedhim。LordHenryisverywicked，andIsometimeswishthatIhadbeen。butyouaremadetobegood——youlooksogood。Imustfindyouanicewife。LordHenry，don’tyouthinkthatMr。Grayshouldgetmarried？
Iamalwaystellinghimso，LadyNarborough，saidLordHenrywithabow。
Well，wemustlookoutforasuitablematchforhim。IshallgothroughDebrettcarefullyto-nightanddrawoutalistofalltheeligibleyoungladies。
Withtheirages，LadyNarborough？askedDorian。
Ofcourse，withtheirages，slightlyedited。Butnothingmustbedoneinahurry。IwantittobewhatTheMorningPostcallsasuitablealliance，andIwantyoubothtobehappy。
Whatnonsensepeopletalkabouthappymarriages！exclaimedLordHenry。Amancanbehappywithanywoman，aslongashedoesnotloveher。
Ah！whatacynicyouare！criedtheoldlady，pushingbackherchairandnoddingtoLadyRuxton。Youmustcomeanddinewithmesoonagain。Youarereallyanadmirabletonic，muchbetterthanwhatSirAndrewprescribesforme。Youmusttellmewhatpeopleyouwouldliketomeet，though。Iwantittobeadelightfulgathering。
Ilikemenwhohaveafutureandwomenwhohaveapast，heanswered。
Ordoyouthinkthatwouldmakeitapetticoatparty？
Ifearso，shesaid，laughing，asshestoodup。Athousandpardons，mydearLadyRuxton，sheadded，Ididn’tseeyouhadn’tfinishedyourcigarette。
Nevermind，LadyNarborough。Ismokeagreatdealtoomuch。I
amgoingtolimitmyself，forthefuture。
Praydon’t，LadyRuxton，saidLordHenry。Moderationisafatalthing。Enoughisasbadasameal。Morethanenoughisasgoodasafeast。
LadyRuxtonglancedathimcuriously。Youmustcomeandexplainthattomesomeafternoon，LordHenry。Itsoundsafascinatingtheory，
shemurmured，asshesweptoutoftheroom。
Now，mindyoudon’tstaytoolongoveryourpoliticsandscandal，
criedLadyNarboroughfromthedoor。Ifyoudo，wearesuretosquabbleupstairs。
Themenlaughed，andMr。Chapmangotupsolemnlyfromthefootofthetableandcameuptothetop。DorianGraychangedhisseatandwentandsatbyLordHenry。Mr。ChapmanbegantotalkinaloudvoiceaboutthesituationintheHouseofCommons。Heguffawedathisadversaries。
Theworddoctrinaire——wordfullofterrortotheBritishmind——
reappearedfromtimetotimebetweenhisexplosions。Analliterativeprefixservedasanornamentoforatory。HehoistedtheUnionJackonthepinnaclesofthought。Theinheritedstupidityoftherace——soundEnglishcommonsensehejoviallytermedit——wasshowntobetheproperbulwarkforsociety。
AsmilecurvedLordHenry’slips，andheturnedroundandlookedatDorian。
Areyoubetter，mydearfellow？heasked。Youseemedratheroutofsortsatdinner。
Iamquitewell，Harry。Iamtired。Thatisall。
Youwerecharminglastnight。Thelittleduchessisquitedevotedtoyou。ShetellsmesheisgoingdowntoSelby。
Shehaspromisedtocomeonthetwentieth。
IsMonmouthtobethere，too？
Oh，yes，Harry。
Heboresmedreadfully，almostasmuchasheboresher。Sheisveryclever，toocleverforawoman。Shelackstheindefinablecharmofweakness。Itisthefeetofclaythatmakethegoldoftheimageprecious。
Herfeetareverypretty，buttheyarenotfeetofclay。Whiteporcelainfeet，ifyoulike。Theyhavebeenthroughthefire，andwhatfiredoesnotdestroy，ithardens。Shehashadexperiences。
Howlonghasshebeenmarried？askedDorian。
Aneternity，shetellsme。Ibelieve，accordingtothepeerage，itistenyears，buttenyearswithMonmouthmusthavebeenlikeeternity，withtimethrownin。Whoelseiscoming？
Oh，theWilloughbys，LordRugbyandhiswife，ourhostess，GeoffreyClouston，theusualset。IhaveaskedLordGrotrian。
Ilikehim，saidLordHenry。Agreatmanypeopledon’t，butIfindhimcharming。Heatonesforbeingoccasionallysomewhatoverdressedbybeingalwaysabsolutelyover-educated。Heisaverymoderntype。
Idon’tknowifhewillbeabletocome，Harry。HemayhavetogotoMonteCarlowithhisfather。
Ah！whatanuisancepeople’speopleare！Tryandmakehimcome。
Bytheway，Dorian，youranoffveryearlylastnight。Youleftbeforeeleven。Whatdidyoudoafterwards？Didyougostraighthome？
Dorianglancedathimhurriedlyandfrowned。
No，Harry，hesaidatlast，Ididnotgethometillnearlythree。
Didyougototheclub？
Yes，heanswered。Thenhebithislip。No，Idon’tmeanthat。
Ididn’tgototheclub。Iwalkedabout。IforgetwhatIdid……Howinquisitiveyouare，Harry！Youalwayswanttoknowwhatonehasbeendoing。
IalwayswanttoforgetwhatIhavebeendoing。Icameinathalf-pasttwo，ifyouwishtoknowtheexacttime。Ihadleftmylatch-keyathome，andmyservanthadtoletmein。Ifyouwantanycorroborativeevidenceonthesubject，youcanaskhim。
LordHenryshruggedhisshoulders。Mydearfellow，asifIcared！
Letusgouptothedrawing-room。Nosherry，thankyou，Mr。Chapman。Somethinghashappenedtoyou，Dorian。Tellmewhatitis。Youarenotyourselfto-night。
Don’tmindme，Harry。Iamirritable，andoutoftemper。Ishallcomeroundandseeyouto-morrow，ornextday。MakemyexcusestoLadyNarborough。Ishan’tgoupstairs。Ishallgohome。Imustgohome。
Allright，Dorian。IdaresayIshallseeyouto-morrowattea-time。
Theduchessiscoming。
Iwilltrytobethere，Harry，hesaid，leavingtheroom。Ashedrovebacktohisownhouse，hewasconsciousthatthesenseofterrorhethoughthehadstrangledhadcomebacktohim。LordHenry’scasualquestioninghadmadehimlosehisnervesforthemoment，andhewantedhisnervestill。
Thingsthatweredangeroushadtobedestroyed。Hewinced。Hehatedtheideaofeventouchingthem。
Yetithadtobedone。Herealizedthat，andwhenhehadlockedthedoorofhislibrary，heopenedthesecretpressintowhichhehadthrustBasilHallward’scoatandbag。Ahugefirewasblazing。Hepiledanotherlogonit。Thesmellofthesingeingclothesandburningleatherwashorrible。
Ittookhimthree-quartersofanhourtoconsumeeverything。Attheendhefeltfaintandsick，andhavinglitsomeAlgerianpastillesinapiercedcopperbrazier，hebathedhishandsandforeheadwithacoolmusk-scentedvinegar。
Suddenlyhestarted。Hiseyesgrewstrangelybright，andhegnawednervouslyathisunderlip。BetweentwoofthewindowsstoodalargeFlorentinecabinet，madeoutofebonyandinlaidwithivoryandbluelapis。Hewatcheditasthoughitwereathingthatcouldfascinateandmakeafraid，asthoughitheldsomethingthathelongedforandyetalmostloathed。Hisbreathquickened。Amadcravingcameoverhim。Helitacigaretteandthenthrewitaway。Hiseyelidsdroopedtillthelongfringedlashesalmosttouchedhischeek。Buthestillwatchedthecabinet。Atlasthegotupfromthesofaonwhichhehadbeenlying，wentovertoit，andhavingunlockedit，touchedsomehiddenspring。Atriangulardrawerpassedslowlyout。Hisfingersmovedinstinctivelytowardsit，dippedin，andclosedonsomething。
ItwasasmallChineseboxofblackandgold-dustlacquer，elaboratelywrought，thesidespatternedwithcurvedwaves，andthesilkencordshungwithroundcrystalsandtasselledinplaitedmetalthreads。Heopenedit。
Insidewasagreenpaste，waxyinlustre，theodourcuriouslyheavyandpersistent。
Hehesitatedforsomemoments，withastrangelyimmobilesmileuponhisface。Thenshivering，thoughtheatmosphereoftheroomwasterriblyhot，hedrewhimselfupandglancedattheclock。Itwastwentyminutestotwelve。Heputtheboxback，shuttingthecabinetdoorsashedidso，andwentintohisbedroom。
Asmidnightwasstrikingbronzeblowsupontheduskyair，DorianGray，dressedcommonly，andwithamufflerwrappedroundhisthroat，creptquietlyoutofhishouse。InBondStreethefoundahansomwithagoodhorse。Hehaileditandinalowvoicegavethedriveranaddress。
Themanshookhishead。Itistoofarforme，hemuttered。
Hereisasovereignforyou，saidDorian。Youshallhaveanotherifyoudrivefast。
Allright，sir，answeredtheman，youwillbethereinanhour，
andafterhisfarehadgotinheturnedhishorseroundanddroverapidlytowardstheriver。
ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter16Chapter16Acoldrainbegantofall，andtheblurredstreet-lampslookedghastlyinthedrippingmist。Thepublic-houseswerejustclosing，anddimmenandwomenwereclusteringinbrokengroupsroundtheirdoors。Fromsomeofthebarscamethesoundofhorriblelaughter。Inothers，drunkardsbrawledandscreamed。
Lyingbackinthehansom，withhishatpulledoverhisforehead，DorianGraywatchedwithlistlesseyesthesordidshameofthegreatcity，andnowandthenherepeatedtohimselfthewordsthatLordHenryhadsaidtohimonthefirstdaytheyhadmet，Tocurethesoulbymeansofthesenses，andthesensesbymeansofthesoul。Yes，thatwasthesecret。
Hehadoftentriedit，andwouldtryitagainnow。Therewereopiumdenswhereonecouldbuyoblivion，densofhorrorwherethememoryofoldsinscouldbedestroyedbythemadnessofsinsthatwerenew。
Themoonhunglowintheskylikeayellowskull。Fromtimetotimeahugemisshapencloudstretchedalongarmacrossandhidit。Thegas-lampsgrewfewer，andthestreetsmorenarrowandgloomy。Oncethemanlosthiswayandhadtodrivebackhalfamile。Asteamrosefromthehorseasitsplashedupthepuddles。Thesidewindowsofthehansomwerecloggedwithagrey-flannelmist。
Tocurethesoulbymeansofthesenses，andthesensesbymeansofthesoul！Howthewordsranginhisears！Hissoul，certainly，wassicktodeath。Wasittruethatthesensescouldcureit？Innocentbloodhadbeenspilled。Whatcouldatoneforthat？Ah！forthattherewasnoatonement。butthoughforgivenesswasimpossible，forgetfulnesswaspossiblestill，andhewasdeterminedtoforget，tostampthethingout，tocrushitasonewouldcrushtheadderthathadstungone。Indeed，whatrighthadBasiltohavespokentohimashehaddone？Whohadmadehimajudgeoverothers？Hehadsaidthingsthatweredreadful，horrible，nottobeendured。
Onandonploddedthehansom，goingslower，itseemedtohim，ateachstep。Hethrustupthetrapandcalledtothemantodrivefaster。
Thehideoushungerforopiumbegantognawathim。Histhroatburnedandhisdelicatehandstwitchednervouslytogether。Hestruckatthehorsemadlywithhisstick。Thedriverlaughedandwhippedup。Helaughedinanswer，andthemanwassilent。
Thewayseemedinterminable，andthestreetsliketheblackwebofsomesprawlingspider。Themonotonybecameunbearable，andasthemistthickened，hefeltafraid。
Thentheypassedbylonelybrickfields。Thefogwaslighterhere，andhecouldseethestrange，bottle-shapedkilnswiththeirorange，fanliketonguesoffire。Adogbarkedastheywentby，andfarawayinthedarknesssomewanderingsea-gullscreamed。Thehorsestumbledinarut，thenswervedasideandbrokeintoagallop。
Aftersometimetheylefttheclayroadandrattledagainoverrough-pavenstreets。Mostofthewindowsweredark，butnowandthenfantasticshadowsweresilhouettedagainstsomelamplitblind。Hewatchedthemcuriously。
Theymovedlikemonstrousmarionettesandmadegestureslikelivethings。
Hehatedthem。Adullragewasinhisheart。Astheyturnedacorner，awomanyelledsomethingatthemfromanopendoor，andtwomenranafterthehansomforaboutahundredyards。Thedriverbeatatthemwithhiswhip。
Itissaidthatpassionmakesonethinkinacircle。CertainlywithhideousiterationthebittenlipsofDorianGrayshapedandreshapedthosesubtlewordsthatdealtwithsoulandsense，tillhehadfoundinthemthefullexpression，asitwere，ofhismood，andjustified，byintellectualapproval，passionsthatwithoutsuchjustificationwouldstillhavedominatedhistemper。Fromcelltocellofhisbraincrepttheonethought。andthewilddesiretolive，mostterribleofallman’sappetites，quickenedintoforceeachtremblingnerveandfibre。Uglinessthathadoncebeenhatefultohimbecauseitmadethingsreal，becamedeartohimnowforthatveryreason。Uglinesswastheonereality。Thecoarsebrawl，theloathsomeden，thecrudeviolenceofdisorderedlife，theveryvilenessofthiefandoutcast，weremorevivid，intheirintenseactualityofimpression，thanallthegraciousshapesofart，thedreamyshadowsofsong。Theywerewhatheneededforforgetfulness。Inthreedayshewouldbefree。
Suddenlythemandrewupwithajerkatthetopofadarklane。
Overthelowroofsandjaggedchimney-stacksofthehousesrosetheblackmastsofships。Wreathsofwhitemistclunglikeghostlysailstotheyards。
Somewhereabouthere，sir，ain’tit？heaskedhuskilythroughthetrap。
Dorianstartedandpeeredround。Thiswilldo，heanswered，andhavinggotouthastilyandgiventhedrivertheextrafarehehadpromisedhim，hewalkedquicklyinthedirectionofthequay。Hereandtherealanterngleamedatthesternofsomehugemerchantman。Thelightshookandsplinteredinthepuddles。Aredglarecamefromanoutward-boundsteamerthatwascoaling。Theslimypavementlookedlikeawetmackintosh。
Hehurriedontowardstheleft，glancingbacknowandthentoseeifhewasbeingfollowed。Inaboutsevenoreightminuteshereachedasmallshabbyhousethatwaswedgedinbetweentwogauntfactories。Inoneofthetop-windowsstoodalamp。Hestoppedandgaveapeculiarknock。
Afteralittletimeheheardstepsinthepassageandthechainbeingunhooked。Thedooropenedquietly，andhewentinwithoutsayingawordtothesquatmisshapenfigurethatflatteneditselfintotheshadowashepassed。Attheendofthehallhungatatteredgreencurtainthatswayedandshookinthegustywindwhichhadfollowedhiminfromthestreet。
Hedraggeditasideandenteredalonglowroomwhichlookedasifithadoncebeenathird-ratedancing-saloon。Shrillflaringgas-jets，dulledanddistortedinthefly-blownmirrorsthatfacedthem，wererangedroundthewalls。Greasyreflectorsofribbedtinbackedthem，makingquiveringdisksoflight。Thefloorwascoveredwithochre-colouredsawdust，trampledhereandthereintomud，andstainedwithdarkringsofspilledliquor。
SomeMalayswerecrouchingbyalittlecharcoalstove，playingwithbonecountersandshowingtheirwhiteteethastheychattered。Inonecorner，withhisheadburiedinhisarms，asailorsprawledoveratable，andbythetawdrilypaintedbarthatranacrossonecompletesidestoodtwohaggardwomen，mockinganoldmanwhowasbrushingthesleevesofhiscoatwithanexpressionofdisgust。Hethinkshe’sgotredantsonhim，laughedoneofthem，asDorianpassedby。Themanlookedatherinterrorandbegantowhimper。
Attheendoftheroomtherewasalittlestaircase，leadingtoadarkenedchamber。AsDorianhurriedupitsthreericketysteps，theheavyodourofopiummethim。Heheavedadeepbreath，andhisnostrilsquiveredwithpleasure。Whenheentered，ayoungmanwithsmoothyellowhair，whowasbendingoveralamplightingalongthinpipe，lookedupathimandnoddedinahesitatingmanner。
Youhere，Adrian？mutteredDorian。
WhereelseshouldIbe？heanswered，listlessly。Noneofthechapswillspeaktomenow。
IthoughtyouhadleftEngland。
Darlingtonisnotgoingtodoanything。Mybrotherpaidthebillatlast。Georgedoesn’tspeaktomeeither……Idon’tcare，headdedwithasigh。Aslongasonehasthisstuff，onedoesn’twantfriends。
IthinkIhavehadtoomanyfriends。
Dorianwincedandlookedroundatthegrotesquethingsthatlayinsuchfantasticposturesontheraggedmattresses。Thetwistedlimbs，thegapingmouths，thestaringlustrelesseyes，fascinatedhim。Heknewinwhatstrangeheavenstheyweresuffering，andwhatdullhellswereteachingthemthesecretofsomenewjoy。Theywerebetteroffthanhewas。Hewasprisonedinthought。Memory，likeahorriblemalady，waseatinghissoulaway。FromtimetotimeheseemedtoseetheeyesofBasilHallwardlookingathim。Yethefelthecouldnotstay。ThepresenceofAdrianSingletontroubledhim。Hewantedtobewherenoonewouldknowwhohewas。Hewantedtoescapefromhimself。
Iamgoingontotheotherplace，hesaidafterapause。
Onthewharf？
Yes。
Thatmad-catissuretobethere。Theywon’thaveherinthisplacenow。
Dorianshruggedhisshoulders。Iamsickofwomenwholoveone。
Womenwhohateonearemuchmoreinteresting。Besides，thestuffisbetter。
Muchthesame。
Ilikeitbetter。Comeandhavesomethingtodrink。Imusthavesomething。
Idon’twantanything，murmuredtheyoungman。
Nevermind。
AdrianSingletonroseupwearilyandfollowedDoriantothebar。
Ahalf-caste，inaraggedturbanandashabbyulster，grinnedahideousgreetingashethrustabottleofbrandyandtwotumblersinfrontofthem。
Thewomensidledupandbegantochatter。DorianturnedhisbackonthemandsaidsomethinginalowvoicetoAdrianSingleton。
Acrookedsmile，likeaMalaycrease，writhedacrossthefaceofoneofthewomen。Weareveryproudto-night，shesneered。
ForGod’ssakedon’ttalktome，criedDorian，stampinghisfootontheground。Whatdoyouwant？Money？Hereitis。Don’tevertalktomeagain。
Tworedsparksflashedforamomentinthewoman’ssoddeneyes，thenflickeredoutandleftthemdullandglazed。Shetossedherheadandrakedthecoinsoffthecounterwithgreedyfingers。Hercompanionwatchedherenviously。
It’snouse，sighedAdrianSingleton。Idon’tcaretogoback。
Whatdoesitmatter？Iamquitehappyhere。
Youwillwritetomeifyouwantanything，won’tyou？saidDorian，afterapause。
Perhaps。
Goodnight，then。
Goodnight，answeredtheyoungman，passingupthestepsandwipinghisparchedmouthwithahandkerchief。
Dorianwalkedtothedoorwithalookofpaininhisface。Ashedrewthecurtainaside，ahideouslaughbrokefromthepaintedlipsofthewomanwhohadtakenhismoney。Theregoesthedevil’sbargain！
shehiccoughed，inahoarsevoice。
Curseyou！heanswered，don’tcallmethat。
Shesnappedherfingers。PrinceCharmingiswhatyouliketobecalled，ain’tit？sheyelledafterhim。
Thedrowsysailorleapedtohisfeetasshespoke，andlookedwildlyround。Thesoundoftheshuttingofthehalldoorfellonhisear。
Herushedoutasifinpursuit。
DorianGrayhurriedalongthequaythroughthedrizzlingrain。
HismeetingwithAdrianSingletonhadstrangelymovedhim，andhewonderediftheruinofthatyounglifewasreallytobelaidathisdoor，asBasilHallwardhadsaidtohimwithsuchinfamyofinsult。Hebithislip，andforafewsecondshiseyesgrewsad。Yet，afterall，whatdiditmattertohim？One’sdaysweretoobrieftotaketheburdenofanother’serrorsonone’sshoulders。Eachmanlivedhisownlifeandpaidhisownpriceforlivingit。Theonlypitywasonehadtopaysooftenforasinglefault。
Onehadtopayoverandoveragain，indeed。Inherdealingswithman，destinyneverclosedheraccounts。
Therearemoments，psychologiststellus，whenthepassionforsin，orforwhattheworldcallssin，sodominatesanaturethateveryfibreofthebody，aseverycellofthebrain，seemstobeinstinctwithfearfulimpulses。Menandwomenatsuchmomentslosethefreedomoftheirwill。Theymovetotheirterribleendasautomatonsmove。Choiceistakenfromthem，andconscienceiseitherkilled，or，ifitlivesatall，livesbuttogiverebellionitsfascinationanddisobedienceitscharm。Forallsins，astheologianswearynotofremindingus，aresinsofdisobedience。
Whenthathighspirit，thatmorningstarofevil，fellfromheaven，itwasasarebelthathefell。
Callous，concentratedonevil，withstainedmind，andsoulhungryforrebellion，DorianGrayhastenedon，quickeninghisstepashewent，butashedartedasideintoadimarchway，thathadservedhimoftenasashortcuttotheill-famedplacewherehewasgoing，hefelthimselfsuddenlyseizedfrombehind，andbeforebehadtimetodefendhimself，hewasthrustbackagainstthewall，withabrutalhandroundhisthroat。
Hestruggledmadlyforlife，andbyaterribleeffortwrenchedthetighteningfingersaway。Inasecondheheardtheclickofarevolver，andsawthegleamofapolishedbarrel，pointingstraightathishead，andtheduskyformofashort，thick-setmanfacinghim。
Whatdoyouwant？hegasped。
Keepquiet，saidtheman。Ifyoustir，Ishootyou。
Youaremad。WhathaveIdonetoyou？
YouwreckedthelifeofSibylVane，wastheanswer，andSibylVanewasmysister。Shekilledherself。Iknowit。Herdeathisatyourdoor。IsworeIwouldkillyouinreturn。ForyearsIhavesoughtyou。
Ihadnoclue，notrace。Thetwopeoplewhocouldhavedescribedyouweredead。Iknewnothingofyoubutthepetnamesheusedtocallyou。Ihearditto-nightbychance。MakeyourpeacewithGod，forto-nightyouaregoingtodie。
DorianGraygrewsickwithfear。Ineverknewher，hestammered。
Ineverheardofher。Youaremad。
Youhadbetterconfessyoursin，forassureasIamJamesVane，youaregoingtodie。Therewasahorriblemoment。Doriandidnotknowwhattosayordo。Downonyourknees！growledtheman。Igiveyouoneminutetomakeyourpeace——nomore。Igoonboardto-nightforIndia，andImustdomyjobfirst。Oneminute。That’sall。
Dorian’sarmsfelltohisside。Paralysedwithterror，hedidnotknowwhattodo。Suddenlyawildhopeflashedacrosshisbrain。Stop，
hecried。Howlongagoisitsinceyoursisterdied？Quick，tellme！
Eighteenyears，saidtheman。Whydoyouaskme？Whatdoyearsmatter？
Eighteenyears，laughedDorianGray，withatouchoftriumphinhisvoice。Eighteenyears！Setmeunderthelampandlookatmyface！
JamesVanehesitatedforamoment，notunderstandingwhatwasmeant。ThenheseizedDorianGrayanddraggedhimfromthearchway。
Dimandwaveringaswasthewind-blownlight，yetitservedtoshowhimthehideouserror，asitseemed，intowhichhehadfallen，forthefaceofthemanhehadsoughttokillhadallthebloomofboyhood，alltheunstainedpurityofyouth。Heseemedlittlemorethanaladoftwentysummers，hardlyolder，ifolderindeedatall，thanhissisterhadbeenwhentheyhadpartedsomanyyearsago。Itwasobviousthatthiswasnotthemanwhohaddestroyedherlife。
Heloosenedhisholdandreeledback。MyGod！myGod！hecried，andIwouldhavemurderedyou！
DorianGraydrewalongbreath。Youhavebeenonthebrinkofcommittingaterriblecrime，myman，hesaid，lookingathimsternly。
Letthisbeawarningtoyounottotakevengeanceintoyourownhands。
Forgiveme，sir，mutteredJamesVane。Iwasdeceived。AchancewordIheardinthatdamneddensetmeonthewrongtrack。
Youhadbettergohomeandputthatpistolaway，oryoumaygetintotrouble，saidDorian，turningonhisheelandgoingslowlydownthestreet。
JamesVanestoodonthepavementinhorror。Hewastremblingfromheadtofoot。Afteralittlewhile，ablackshadowthathadbeencreepingalongthedrippingwallmovedoutintothelightandcameclosetohimwithstealthyfootsteps。Hefeltahandlaidonhisarmandlookedroundwithastart。Itwasoneofthewomenwhohadbeendrinkingatthebar。
Whydidn’tyoukillhim？shehissedout，puttinghaggardfacequiteclosetohis。IknewyouwerefollowinghimwhenyourushedoutfromDaly’s。Youfool！Youshouldhavekilledhim。Hehaslotsofmoney，andhe’sasbadasbad。
HeisnotthemanIamlookingfor，heanswered，andIwantnoman’smoney。Iwantaman’slife。ThemanwhoselifeIwantmustbenearlyfortynow。Thisoneislittlemorethanaboy。ThankGod，Ihavenotgothisblooduponmyhands。
Thewomangaveabitterlaugh。Littlemorethanaboy！shesneered。
Why，man，it’snighoneighteenyearssincePrinceCharmingmademewhatIam。
Youlie！criedJamesVane。
Sheraisedherhanduptoheaven。BeforeGodIamtellingthetruth，shecried。
BeforeGod？
Strikemedumbifitain’tso。Heistheworstonethatcomeshere。Theysayhehassoldhimselftothedevilforaprettyface。It’snighoneighteenyearssinceImethim。Hehasn’tchangedmuchsincethen。
Ihave，though，sheadded，withasicklyleer。
Youswearthis？
Iswearit，cameinhoarseechofromherflatmouth。Butdon’tgivemeawaytohim，shewhined。Iamafraidofhim。Letmehavesomemoneyformynight’slodging。
Hebrokefromherwithanoathandrushedtothecornerofthestreet，butDorianGrayhaddisappeared。Whenhelookedback，thewomanhadvanishedalso。
ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter17Chapter17AweeklaterDorianGraywassittingintheconservatoryatSelbyRoyal，talkingtotheprettyDuchessofMonmouth，whowithherhusband，ajaded-lookingmanofsixty，wasamongsthisguests。Itwastea-time，andthemellowlightofthehuge，lace-coveredlampthatstoodonthetablelitupthedelicatechinaandhammeredsilveroftheserviceatwhichtheduchesswaspresiding。
Herwhitehandsweremovingdaintilyamongthecups，andherfullredlipsweresmilingatsomethingthatDorianhadwhisperedtoher。LordHenrywaslyingbackinasilk-drapedwickerchair，lookingatthem。Onapeach-coloureddivansatLadyNarborough，pretendingtolistentotheduke’sdescriptionofthelastBrazilianbeetlethathehadaddedtohiscollection。Threeyoungmeninelaboratesmoking-suitswerehandingtea-cakestosomeofthewomen。Thehouse-partyconsistedoftwelvepeople，andthereweremoreexpectedtoarriveonthenextday。