Whatareyoutwotalkingabout？saidLordHenry，strollingovertothetableandputtinghiscupdown。IhopeDorianhastoldyouaboutmyplanforrechristeningeverything，Gladys。Itisadelightfulidea。
ButIdon’twanttoberechristened，Harry，rejoinedtheduchess，lookingupathimwithherwonderfuleyes。Iamquitesatisfiedwithmyownname，andIamsureMr。Grayshouldbesatisfiedwithhis。
MydearGladys，Iwouldnotaltereithernamefortheworld。
Theyarebothperfect。Iwasthinkingchieflyofflowers。YesterdayIcutanorchid，formybutton-hole。Itwasamarvellousspottedthing，aseffectiveasthesevendeadlysins。InathoughtlessmomentIaskedoneofthegardenerswhatitwascalled。HetoldmeitwasafinespecimenofRobinsoniana，orsomethingdreadfulofthatkind。Itisasadtruth，butwehavelostthefacultyofgivinglovelynamestothings。Namesareeverything。Ineverquarrelwithactions。Myonequarreliswithwords。ThatisthereasonIhatevulgarrealisminliterature。Themanwhocouldcallaspadeaspadeshouldbecompelledtouseone。Itistheonlythingheisfitfor。
Thenwhatshouldwecallyou，Harry？sheasked。
HisnameisPrinceParadox，saidDorian。
Irecognizehiminaflash，exclaimedtheduchess。
Iwon’thearofit，laughedLordHenry，sinkingintoachair。
Fromalabelthereisnoescape！Irefusethetitle。
Royaltiesmaynotabdicate，fellasawarningfromprettylips。
Youwishmetodefendmythrone，then？
Yes。
Igivethetruthsofto-morrow。
Ipreferthemistakesofto-day，sheanswered。
Youdisarmme，Gladys，hecried，catchingthewilfulnessofhermood。
Ofyourshield，Harry，notofyourspear。
Inevertiltagainstbeauty，hesaid，withawaveofhishand。
Thatisyourerror，Harry，believeme。Youvaluebeautyfartoomuch。
Howcanyousaythat？IadmitthatIthinkthatitisbettertobebeautifulthantobegood。Butontheotherhand，nooneismorereadythanIamtoacknowledgethatitisbettertobegoodthantobeugly。
Uglinessisoneofthesevendeadlysins，then？criedtheduchess。
Whatbecomesofyoursimileabouttheorchid？
Uglinessisoneofthesevendeadlyvirtues，Gladys。You，asagoodTory，mustnotunderratethem。Beer，theBible，andthesevendeadlyvirtueshavemadeourEnglandwhatsheis。
Youdon’tlikeyourcountry，then？sheasked。
Iliveinit。
Thatyoumaycensureitthebetter。
WouldyouhavemetaketheverdictofEuropeonit？heinquired。
Whatdotheysayofus？
ThatTartuffehasemigratedtoEnglandandopenedashop。
Isthatyours，Harry？
Igiveittoyou。
Icouldnotuseit。Itistootrue。
Youneednotbeafraid。Ourcountrymenneverrecognizeadescription。
Theyarepractical。
Theyaremorecunningthanpractical。Whentheymakeuptheirledger，theybalancestupiditybywealth，andvicebyhypocrisy。
Still，wehavedonegreatthings。
Greatthingshavebeenthrustonus，Gladys。
Wehavecarriedtheirburden。
OnlyasfarastheStockExchange。
Sheshookherhead。Ibelieveintherace，shecried。
Itrepresentsthesurvivalofthepushing。
Ithasdevelopment。
Decayfascinatesmemore。
Whatofart？sheasked。
Itisamalady。
Love？
Anillusion。
Religion？
Thefashionablesubstituteforbelief。
Youareasceptic。
Never！Scepticismisthebeginningoffaith。
Whatareyou？
Todefineistolimit。
Givemeaclue。
Threadssnap。Youwouldloseyourwayinthelabyrinth。
Youbewilderme。Letustalkofsomeoneelse。
Ourhostisadelightfultopic。YearsagohewaschristenedPrinceCharming。
Ah！don’tremindmeofthat，criedDorianGray。
Ourhostisratherhorridthisevening，answeredtheduchess，colouring。IbelievehethinksthatMonmouthmarriedmeonpurelyscientificprinciplesasthebestspecimenhecouldfindofamodernbutterfly。
Well，Ihopehewon’tstickpinsintoyou，Duchess，laughedDorian。
Oh！mymaiddoesthatalready，Mr。Gray，whensheisannoyedwithme。
Andwhatdoesshegetannoyedwithyouabout，Duchess？
Forthemosttrivialthings，Mr。Gray，Iassureyou。UsuallybecauseIcomeinattenminutestonineandtellherthatImustbedressedbyhalf-pasteight。
Howunreasonableofher！Youshouldgiveherwarning。
Idaren’t，Mr。Gray。Why，sheinventshatsforme。YouremembertheoneIworeatLadyHilstone’sgarden-party？Youdon’t，butitisniceofyoutopretendthatyoudo。Well，shemadeifoutofnothing。Allgoodhatsaremadeoutofnothing。
Likeallgoodreputations，Gladys，interruptedLordHenry。Everyeffectthatoneproducesgivesoneanenemy。Tobepopularonemustbeamediocrity。
Notwithwomen，saidtheduchess，shakingherhead。andwomenruletheworld。Iassureyouwecan’tbearmediocrities。Wewomen，assomeonesays，lovewithourears，justasyoumenlovewithyoureyes，ifyoueverloveatall。
Itseemstomethatweneverdoanythingelse，murmuredDorian。
Ah！then，youneverreallylove，Mr。Gray，answeredtheduchesswithmocksadness。
MydearGladys！criedLordHenry。Howcanyousaythat？Romancelivesbyrepetition，andrepetitionconvertsanappetiteintoanart。Besides，eachtimethatonelovesistheonlytimeonehaseverloved。Differenceofobjectdoesnotaltersinglenessofpassion。Itmerelyintensifiesit。
Wecanhaveinlifebutonegreatexperienceatbest，andthesecretoflifeistoreproducethatexperienceasoftenaspossible。
Evenwhenonehasbeenwoundedbyit，Harry？askedtheduchessafterapause。
Especiallywhenonehasbeenwoundedbyit，answeredLordHenry。
TheduchessturnedandlookedatDorianGraywithacuriousexpressioninhereyes。Whatdoyousaytothat，Mr。Gray？sheinquired。
Dorianhesitatedforamoment。Thenhethrewhisheadbackandlaughed。IalwaysagreewithHarry，Duchess。
Evenwhenheiswrong？
Harryisneverwrong，Duchess。
Anddoeshisphilosophymakeyouhappy？
Ihaveneversearchedforhappiness。Whowantshappiness？Ihavesearchedforpleasure。
Andfoundit，Mr。Gray？
Often。Toooften。
Theduchesssighed。Iamsearchingforpeace，shesaid，andifIdon’tgoanddress，Ishallhavenonethisevening。
Letmegetyousomeorchids，Duchess，criedDorian，startingtohisfeetandwalkingdowntheconservatory。
Youareflirtingdisgracefullywithhim，saidLordHenrytohiscousin。Youhadbettertakecare。Heisveryfascinating。
Ifhewerenot，therewouldbenobattle。
GreekmeetsGreek，then？
IamonthesideoftheTrojans。Theyfoughtforawoman。
Theyweredefeated。
Thereareworsethingsthancapture，sheanswered。
Yougallopwithalooserein。
Pacegiveslife，wastheriposte。
Ishallwriteitinmydiaryto-night。
What？
Thataburntchildlovesthefire。
Iamnotevensinged。Mywingsareuntouched。
Youusethemforeverything，exceptflight。
Couragehaspassedfrommentowomen。Itisanewexperienceforus。
Youhavearival。
Who？
Helaughed。LadyNarborough，hewhispered。Sheperfectlyadoreshim。
Youfillmewithapprehension。Theappealtoantiquityisfataltouswhoareromanticists。
Romanticists！Youhaveallthemethodsofscience。
Menhaveeducatedus。
Butnotexplainedyou。
Describeusasasex，washerchallenge。
Sphinxeswithoutsecrets。
Shelookedathim，smiling。HowlongMr。Grayis！shesaid。
Letusgoandhelphim。Ihavenotyettoldhimthecolourofmyfrock。
Ah！youmustsuityourfrocktohisflowers，Gladys。
Thatwouldbeaprematuresurrender。
Romanticartbeginswithitsclimax。
Imustkeepanopportunityforretreat。
IntheParthianmanner？
Theyfoundsafetyinthedesert。Icouldnotdothat。
Womenarenotalwaysallowedachoice，heanswered，buthardlyhadhefinishedthesentencebeforefromthefarendoftheconservatorycameastifledgroan，followedbythedullsoundofaheavyfall。Everybodystartedup。Theduchessstoodmotionlessinhorror。Andwithfearinhiseyes，LordHenryrushedthroughtheflappingpalmstofindDorianGraylyingfacedownwardsonthetiledfloorinadeathlikeswoon。
Hewascarriedatonceintothebluedrawing-roomandlaidupononeofthesofas。Afterashorttime，hecametohimselfandlookedroundwithadazedexpression。
Whathashappened？heasked。Oh！Iremember。AmIsafehere，Harry？Hebegantotremble。
MydearDorian，answeredLordHenry，youmerelyfainted。Thatwasall。Youmusthaveovertiredyourself。Youhadbetternotcomedowntodinner。Iwilltakeyourplace。
No，Iwillcomedown，hesaid，strugglingtohisfeet。Iwouldrathercomedown。Imustnotbealone。
Hewenttohisroomanddressed。Therewasawildrecklessnessofgaietyinhismannerashesatattable，butnowandthenathrillofterrorranthroughhimwhenherememberedthat，pressedagainstthewindowoftheconservatory，likeawhitehandkerchief，hehadseenthefaceofJamesVanewatchinghim。
ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter18Chapter18Thenextdayhedidnotleavethehouse，and，indeed，spentmostofthetimeinhisownroom，sickwithawildterrorofdying，andyetindifferenttolifeitself。Theconsciousnessofbeinghunted，snared，trackeddown，hadbeguntodominatehim。Ifthetapestrydidbuttrembleinthewind，heshook。Thedeadleavesthatwereblownagainsttheleadedpanesseemedtohimlikehisownwastedresolutionsandwildregrets。Whenheclosedhiseyes，hesawagainthesailor’sfacepeeringthroughthemist-stainedglass，andhorrorseemedoncemoretolayitshanduponhisheart。
Butperhapsithadbeenonlyhisfancythathadcalledvengeanceoutofthenightandsetthehideousshapesofpunishmentbeforehim。Actuallifewaschaos，buttherewassomethingterriblylogicalintheimagination。
Itwastheimaginationthatsetremorsetodogthefeetofsin。Itwastheimaginationthatmadeeachcrimebearitsmisshapenbrood。Inthecommonworldoffactthewickedwerenotpunished，northegoodrewarded。Successwasgiventothestrong，failurethrustupontheweak。Thatwasall。Besides，hadanystrangerbeenprowlingroundthehouse，hewouldhavebeenseenbytheservantsorthekeepers。Hadanyfoot-marksbeenfoundontheflower-beds，thegardenerswouldhavereportedit。Yes，ithadbeenmerelyfancy。SibylVane’sbrotherhadnotcomebacktokillhim。Hehadsailedawayinhisshiptofounderinsomewintersea。Fromhim，atanyrate，hewassafe。
Why，themandidnotknowwhohewas，couldnotknowwhohewas。Themaskofyouthhadsavedhim。
Andyetifithadbeenmerelyanillusion，howterribleitwastothinkthatconsciencecouldraisesuchfearfulphantoms，andgivethemvisibleform，andmakethemmovebeforeone！Whatsortoflifewouldhisbeif，dayandnight，shadowsofhiscrimeweretopeerathimfromsilentcorners，tomockhimfromsecretplaces，towhisperinhisearashesatatthefeast，towakehimwithicyfingersashelayasleep！Asthethoughtcreptthroughhisbrain，hegrewpalewithterror，andtheairseemedtohimtohavebecomesuddenlycolder。Oh！inwhatawildhourofmadnesshehadkilledhisfriend！Howghastlythemerememoryofthescene！Hesawitallagain。Eachhideousdetailcamebacktohimwithaddedhorror。
Outoftheblackcaveoftime，terribleandswathedinscarlet，rosetheimageofhissin。WhenLordHenrycameinatsixo’clock，hefoundhimcryingasonewhoseheartwillbreak。
Itwasnottillthethirddaythatheventuredtogoout。Therewassomethingintheclear，pine-scentedairofthatwintermorningthatseemedtobringhimbackhisjoyousnessandhisardourforlife。Butitwasnotmerelythephysicalconditionsofenvironmentthathadcausedthechange。Hisownnaturehadrevoltedagainsttheexcessofanguishthathadsoughttomaimandmartheperfectionofitscalm。Withsubtleandfinelywroughttemperamentsitisalwaysso。Theirstrongpassionsmusteitherbruiseorbend。Theyeitherslaytheman，orthemselvesdie。Shallowsorrowsandshallowlovesliveon。Thelovesandsorrowsthataregreataredestroyedbytheirownplenitude。Besides，hehadconvincedhimselfthathehadbeenthevictimofaterror-strickenimagination，andlookedbacknowonhisfearswithsomethingofpityandnotalittleofcontempt。
Afterbreakfast，hewalkedwiththeduchessforanhourinthegardenandthendroveacrosstheparktojointheshooting-party。Thecrispfrostlaylikesaltuponthegrass。Theskywasaninvertedcupofbluemetal。Athinfilmoficeborderedtheflat，reed-grownlake。
Atthecornerofthepine-woodhecaughtsightofSirGeoffreyClouston，theduchess’sbrother，jerkingtwospentcartridgesoutofhisgun。Hejumpedfromthecart，andhavingtoldthegroomtotakethemarehome，madehiswaytowardshisguestthroughthewitheredbrackenandroughundergrowth。
Haveyouhadgoodsport，Geoffrey？heasked。
Notverygood，Dorian。Ithinkmostofthebirdshavegonetotheopen。Idaresayitwillbebetterafterlunch，whenwegettonewground。
Dorianstrolledalongbyhisside。Thekeenaromaticair，thebrownandredlightsthatglimmeredinthewood，thehoarsecriesofthebeatersringingoutfromtimetotime，andthesharpsnapsofthegunsthatfollowed，fascinatedhimandfilledhimwithasenseofdelightfulfreedom。Hewasdominatedbythecarelessnessofhappiness，bythehighindifferenceofjoy。
Suddenlyfromalumpytussockofoldgrasssometwentyyardsinfrontofthem，withblack-tippedearserectandlonghinderlimbsthrowingitforward，startedahare。Itboltedforathicketofalders。SirGeoffreyputhisguntohisshoulder，buttherewassomethingintheanimal’sgraceofmovementthatstrangelycharmedDorianGray，andhecriedoutatonce，Don’tshootit，Geoffrey。Letitlive。
Whatnonsense，Dorian！laughedhiscompanion，andasthehareboundedintothethicket，hefired。Thereweretwocriesheard，thecryofahareinpain，whichisdreadful，thecryofamaninagony，whichisworse。
Goodheavens！Ihavehitabeater！exclaimedSirGeoffrey。Whatanassthemanwastogetinfrontoftheguns！Stopshootingthere！hecalledoutatthetopofhisvoice。Amanishurt。
Thehead-keepercamerunningupwithastickinhishand。
Where，sir？Whereishe？heshouted。Atthesametime，thefiringceasedalongtheline。
Here，answeredSirGeoffreyangrily，hurryingtowardsthethicket。
Whyonearthdon’tyoukeepyourmenback？Spoiledmyshootingfortheday。
Dorianwatchedthemastheyplungedintothealder-clump，brushingthelitheswingingbranchesaside。Inafewmomentstheyemerged，draggingabodyafterthemintothesunlight。Heturnedawayinhorror。Itseemedtohimthatmisfortunefollowedwhereverhewent。HeheardSirGeoffreyaskifthemanwasreallydead，andtheaffirmativeanswerofthekeeper。
Thewoodseemedtohimtohavebecomesuddenlyalivewithfaces。Therewasthetramplingofmyriadfeetandthelowbuzzofvoices。Agreatcopper-breastedpheasantcamebeatingthroughtheboughsoverhead。
Afterafewmoments——thatweretohim，inhisperturbedstate，likeendlesshoursofpain——hefeltahandlaidonhisshoulder。Hestartedandlookedround。
Dorian，saidLordHenry，Ihadbettertellthemthattheshootingisstoppedforto-day。Itwouldnotlookwelltogoon。
Iwishitwerestoppedforever，Harry，heansweredbitterly。
Thewholethingishideousandcruel。Istheman……？
Hecouldnotfinishthesentence。
Iamafraidso，rejoinedLordHenry。Hegotthewholechargeofshotinhischest。Hemusthavediedalmostinstantaneously。Come。letusgohome。
Theywalkedsidebysideinthedirectionoftheavenuefornearlyfiftyyardswithoutspeaking。ThenDorianlookedatLordHenryandsaid，withaheavysigh，Itisabadomen，Harry，averybadomen。
Whatis？askedLordHenry。Oh！thisaccident，Isuppose。Mydearfellow，itcan’tbehelped。Itwastheman’sownfault。Whydidhegetinfrontoftheguns？Besides，itisnothingtous。ItisratherawkwardforGeoffrey，ofcourse。Itdoesnotdotopepperbeaters。Itmakespeoplethinkthatoneisawildshot。AndGeoffreyisnot。heshootsverystraight。
Butthereisnousetalkingaboutthematter。
Dorianshookhishead。Itisabadomen，Harry。Ifeelasifsomethinghorribleweregoingtohappentosomeofus。Tomyself，perhaps，
headded，passinghishandoverhiseyes，withagestureofpain。
Theeldermanlaughed。Theonlyhorriblethingintheworldisennui，Dorian。Thatistheonesinforwhichthereisnoforgiveness。
Butwearenotlikelytosufferfromitunlessthesefellowskeepchatteringaboutthisthingatdinner。Imusttellthemthatthesubjectistobetabooed。Asforomens，thereisnosuchthingasanomen。Destinydoesnotsendusheralds。Sheistoowiseortoocruelforthat。Besides，whatonearthcouldhappentoyou，Dorian？Youhaveeverythingintheworldthatamancanwant。Thereisnoonewhowouldnotbedelightedtochangeplaceswithyou。
ThereisnoonewithwhomIwouldnotchangeplaces，Harry。Don’tlaughlikethat。Iamtellingyouthetruth。ThewretchedpeasantwhohasjustdiedisbetteroffthanIam。Ihavenoterrorofdeath。Itisthecomingofdeaththatterrifiesme。Itsmonstrouswingsseemtowheelintheleadenairaroundme。Goodheavens！don’tyouseeamanmovingbehindthetreesthere，watchingme，waitingforme？
LordHenrylookedinthedirectioninwhichthetremblingglovedhandwaspointing。Yes，hesaid，smiling，Iseethegardenerwaitingforyou。Isupposehewantstoaskyouwhatflowersyouwishtohaveonthetableto-night。Howabsurdlynervousyouare，mydearfellow！Youmustcomeandseemydoctor，whenwegetbacktotown。
Dorianheavedasighofreliefashesawthegardenerapproaching。
Themantouchedhishat，glancedforamomentatLordHenryinahesitatingmanner，andthenproducedaletter，whichhehandedtohismaster。HerGracetoldmetowaitforananswer，hemurmured。
Dorianputtheletterintohispocket。TellherGracethatI
amcomingin，hesaid，coldly。Themanturnedroundandwentrapidlyinthedirectionofthehouse。
Howfondwomenareofdoingdangerousthings！laughedLordHenry。
ItisoneofthequalitiesinthemthatIadmiremost。Awomanwillflirtwithanybodyintheworldaslongasotherpeoplearelookingon。
Howfondyouareofsayingdangerousthings，Harry！Inthepresentinstance，youarequiteastray。Iliketheduchessverymuch，butIdon’tloveher。
Andtheduchesslovesyouverymuch，butshelikesyouless，soyouareexcellentlymatched。
Youaretalkingscandal，Harry，andthereisneveranybasisforscandal。
Thebasisofeveryscandalisanimmoralcertainty，saidLordHenry，lightingacigarette。
Youwouldsacrificeanybody，Harry，forthesakeofanepigram。
Theworldgoestothealtarofitsownaccord，wastheanswer。
IwishIcouldlove，criedDorianGraywithadeepnoteofpathosinhisvoice。ButIseemtohavelostthepassionandforgottenthedesire。
Iamtoomuchconcentratedonmyself。Myownpersonalityhasbecomeaburdentome。Iwanttoescape，togoaway，toforget。Itwassillyofmetocomedownhereatall。IthinkIshallsendawiretoHarveytohavetheyachtgotready。Onayachtoneissafe。
Safefromwhat，Dorian？Youareinsometrouble。Whynottellmewhatitis？YouknowIwouldhelpyou。
Ican’ttellyou，Harry，heansweredsadly。AndIdaresayitisonlyafancyofmine。Thisunfortunateaccidenthasupsetme。Ihaveahorriblepresentimentthatsomethingofthekindmayhappentome。
Whatnonsense！
Ihopeitis，butIcan’thelpfeelingit。Ah！hereistheduchess，lookinglikeArtemisinatailor-madegown。Youseewehavecomeback，Duchess。
Ihaveheardallaboutit，Mr。Gray，sheanswered。PoorGeoffreyisterriblyupset。Anditseemsthatyouaskedhimnottoshootthehare。
Howcurious！
Yes，itwasverycurious。Idon’tknowwhatmademesayit。Somewhim，Isuppose。Itlookedtheloveliestoflittlelivethings。ButIamsorrytheytoldyouabouttheman。Itisahideoussubject。
Itisanannoyingsubject，brokeinLordHenry。Ithasnopsychologicalvalueatall。NowifGeoffreyhaddonethethingonpurpose，howinterestinghewouldbe！Ishouldliketoknowsomeonewhohadcommittedarealmurder。
Howhorridofyou，Harry！criedtheduchess。Isn’tit，Mr。
Gray？Harry，Mr。Grayisillagain。Heisgoingtofaint。
Doriandrewhimselfupwithaneffortandsmiled。Itisnothing，Duchess，hemurmured。mynervesaredreadfullyoutoforder。Thatisall。IamafraidIwalkedtoofarthismorning。Ididn’thearwhatHarrysaid。Wasitverybad？Youmusttellmesomeothertime。IthinkImustgoandliedown。Youwillexcuseme，won’tyou？
Theyhadreachedthegreatflightofstepsthatledfromtheconservatoryontotheterrace。AstheglassdoorclosedbehindDorian，LordHenryturnedandlookedattheduchesswithhisslumberouseyes。Areyouverymuchinlovewithhim？heasked。
Shedidnotanswerforsometime，butstoodgazingatthelandscape。
IwishIknew，shesaidatlast。
Heshookhishead。Knowledgewouldbefatal。Itistheuncertaintythatcharmsone。Amistmakesthingswonderful。
Onemayloseone’sway。
Allwaysendatthesamepoint，mydearGladys。
Whatisthat？
Disillusion。
Itwasmydebutinlife，shesighed。
Itcametoyoucrowned。
Iamtiredofstrawberryleaves。
Theybecomeyou。
Onlyinpublic。
Youwouldmissthem，saidLordHenry。
Iwillnotpartwithapetal。
Monmouthhasears。
Oldageisdullofhearing。
Hasheneverbeenjealous？
Iwishhehadbeen。
Heglancedaboutasifinsearchofsomething。Whatareyoulookingfor？sheinquired。
Thebuttonfromyourfoil，heanswered。Youhavedroppedit。
Shelaughed。Ihavestillthemask。
Itmakesyoureyeslovelier，washisreply。
Shelaughedagain。Herteethshowedlikewhiteseedsinascarletfruit。
Upstairs，inhisownroom，DorianGraywaslyingonasofa，withterrorineverytinglingfibreofhisbody。Lifehadsuddenlybecometoohideousaburdenforhimtobear。Thedreadfuldeathoftheunluckybeater，shotinthethicketlikeawildanimal，hadseemedtohimtopre-figuredeathforhimselfalso。HehadnearlyswoonedatwhatLordHenryhadsaidinachancemoodofcynicaljesting。
Atfiveo’clockheranghisbellforhisservantandgavehimorderstopackhisthingsforthenight-expresstotown，andtohavethebroughamatthedoorbyeight-thirty。HewasdeterminednottosleepanothernightatSelbyRoyal。Itwasanill-omenedplace。Deathwalkedthereinthesunlight。Thegrassoftheforesthadbeenspottedwithblood。
ThenhewroteanotetoLordHenry，tellinghimthathewasgoinguptotowntoconsulthisdoctorandaskinghimtoentertainhisguestsinhisabsence。Ashewasputtingitintotheenvelope，aknockcametothedoor，andhisvaletinformedhimthatthehead-keeperwishedtoseehim。Hefrownedandbithislip。Sendhimin，hemuttered，aftersomemoments’hesitation。
Assoonasthemanentered，Dorianpulledhischequebookoutofadrawerandspreaditoutbeforehim。
Isupposeyouhavecomeabouttheunfortunateaccidentofthismorning，Thornton？hesaid，takingupapen。
Yes，sir，answeredthegamekeeper。
Wasthepoorfellowmarried？Hadheanypeopledependentonhim？
askedDorian，lookingbored。Ifso，Ishouldnotlikethemtobeleftinwant，andwillsendthemanysumofmoneyyoumaythinknecessary。
Wedon’tknowwhoheis，sir。ThatiswhatItookthelibertyofcomingtoyouabout。
Don’tknowwhoheis？saidDorian，listlessly。Whatdoyoumean？Wasn’theoneofyourmen？
No，sir。Neversawhimbefore。Seemslikeasailor，sir。
ThependroppedfromDorianGray’shand，andhefeltasifhishearthadsuddenlystoppedbeating。Asailor？hecriedout。Didyousayasailor？
Yes，sir。Helooksasifhehadbeenasortofsailor。tattooedonbotharms，andthatkindofthing。
Wasthereanythingfoundonhim？saidDorian，leaningforwardandlookingatthemanwithstartledeyes。Anythingthatwouldtellhisname？
Somemoney，sir——notmuch，andasix-shooter。Therewasnonameofanykind。Adecent-lookingman，sir，butrough-like。Asortofsailorwethink。
Dorianstartedtohisfeet。Aterriblehopeflutteredpasthim。
Heclutchedatitmadly。Whereisthebody？heexclaimed。Quick！Imustseeitatonce。
ItisinanemptystableintheHomeFarm，sir。Thefolkdon’tliketohavethatsortofthingintheirhouses。Theysayacorpsebringsbadluck。
TheHomeFarm！Gothereatonceandmeetme。Telloneofthegroomstobringmyhorseround。No。Nevermind。I’llgotothestablesmyself。Itwillsavetime。
Inlessthanaquarterofanhour，DorianGraywasgallopingdownthelongavenueashardashecouldgo。Thetreesseemedtosweeppasthiminspectralprocession，andwildshadowstoflingthemselvesacrosshispath。Oncethemareswervedatawhitegate-postandnearlythrewhim。
Helashedheracrosstheneckwithhiscrop。Sheclefttheduskyairlikeanarrow。Thestonesflewfromherhoofs。
AtlasthereachedtheHomeFarm。Twomenwereloiteringintheyard。Heleapedfromthesaddleandthrewthereinstooneofthem。Inthefartheststablealightwasglimmering。Somethingseemedtotellhimthatthebodywasthere，andhehurriedtothedoorandputhishanduponthelatch。
Therehepausedforamoment，feelingthathewasonthebrinkofadiscoverythatwouldeithermakeormarhislife。Thenhethrustthedooropenandentered。
Onaheapofsackinginthefarcornerwaslyingthedeadbodyofamandressedinacoarseshirtandapairofbluetrousers。Aspottedhandkerchiefhadbeenplacedovertheface。Acoarsecandle，stuckinabottle，sputteredbesideit。
DorianGrayshuddered。Hefeltthathiscouldnotbethehandtotakethehandkerchiefaway，andcalledouttooneofthefarm-servantstocometohim。
Takethatthingofftheface。Iwishtoseeit，hesaid，clutchingatthedoor-postforsupport。
Whenthefarm-servanthaddoneso，hesteppedforward。Acryofjoybrokefromhislips。ThemanwhohadbeenshotinthethicketwasJamesVane。
Hestoodthereforsomeminuteslookingatthedeadbody。Asherodehome，hiseyeswerefulloftears，forheknewhewassafe。
ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter19Chapter19Thereisnouseyourtellingmethatyouaregoingtobegood，criedLordHenry，dippinghiswhitefingersintoaredcopperbowlfilledwithrose-water。
Youarequiteperfect。Pray，don’tchange。
DorianGrayshookhishead。No，Harry，Ihavedonetoomanydreadfulthingsinmylife。Iamnotgoingtodoanymore。Ibeganmygoodactionsyesterday。
Wherewereyouyesterday？
Inthecountry，Harry。Iwasstayingatalittleinnbymyself。
Mydearboy，saidLordHenry，smiling，anybodycanbegoodinthecountry。Therearenotemptationsthere。Thatisthereasonwhypeoplewholiveoutoftownaresoabsolutelyuncivilized。Civilizationisnotbyanymeansaneasythingtoattainto。Thereareonlytwowaysbywhichmancanreachit。Oneisbybeingcultured，theotherbybeingcorrupt。Countrypeoplehavenoopportunityofbeingeither，sotheystagnate。
Cultureandcorruption，echoedDorian。Ihaveknownsomethingofboth。Itseemsterribletomenowthattheyshouldeverbefoundtogether。
ForIhaveanewideal，Harry。Iamgoingtoalter。IthinkIhavealtered。
Youhavenotyettoldmewhatyourgoodactionwas。Ordidyousayyouhaddonemorethanone？askedhiscompanionashespilledintohisplatealittlecrimsonpyramidofseededstrawberriesand，throughaperforated，shell-shapedspoon，snowedwhitesugaruponthem。
Icantellyou，Harry。ItisnotastoryIcouldtelltoanyoneelse。Isparedsomebody。Itsoundsvain，butyouunderstandwhatI
mean。ShewasquitebeautifulandwonderfullylikeSibylVane。Ithinkitwasthatwhichfirstattractedmetoher。YourememberSibyl，don’tyou？Howlongagothatseems！Well，Hettywasnotoneofourownclass，ofcourse。Shewassimplyagirlinavillage。ButIreallylovedher。
IamquitesurethatIlovedher。AllduringthiswonderfulMaythatwehavebeenhaving，Iusedtorundownandseehertwoorthreetimesaweek。
Yesterdayshemetmeinalittleorchard。Theapple-blossomskepttumblingdownonherhair，andshewaslaughing。Weweretohavegoneawaytogetherthismorningatdawn。SuddenlyIdeterminedtoleaveherasflowerlikeasIhadfoundher。
Ishouldthinkthenoveltyoftheemotionmusthavegivenyouathrillofrealpleasure，Dorian，interruptedLordHenry。ButIcanfinishyouridyllforyou。Yougavehergoodadviceandbrokeherheart。
Thatwasthebeginningofyourreformation。
Harry，youarehorrible！Youmustn’tsaythesedreadfulthings。
Hetty’sheartisnotbroken。Ofcourse，shecriedandallthat。Butthereisnodisgraceuponher。Shecanlive，likePerdita，inhergardenofmintandmarigold。
AndweepoverafaithlessFlorizel，saidLordHenry，laughing，asheleanedbackinhischair。MydearDorian，youhavethemostcuriouslyboyishmoods。Doyouthinkthisgirlwilleverbereallycontentnowwithanyoneofherownrank？Isupposeshewillbemarriedsomedaytoaroughcarteroragrinningploughman。Well，thefactofhavingmetyou，andlovedyou，willteachhertodespiseherhusband，andshewillbewretched。Fromamoralpointofview，IcannotsaythatIthinkmuchofyourgreatrenunciation。
Evenasabeginning，itispoor。Besides，howdoyouknowthatHettyisn’tfloatingatthepresentmomentinsomestarlitmill-pond，withlovelywater-liliesroundher，likeOphelia？
Ican’tbearthis，Harry！Youmockateverything，andthensuggestthemostserioustragedies。IamsorryItoldyounow。Idon’tcarewhatyousaytome。IknowIwasrightinactingasIdid。PoorHetty！AsI
rodepastthefarmthismorning，Isawherwhitefaceatthewindow，likeasprayofjasmine。Don’tletustalkaboutitanymore，anddon’ttrytopersuademethatthefirstgoodactionIhavedoneforyears，thefirstlittlebitofself-sacrificeIhaveeverknown，isreallyasortofsin。
Iwanttobebetter。Iamgoingtobebetter。Tellmesomethingaboutyourself。
Whatisgoingonintown？Ihavenotbeentotheclubfordays。
ThepeoplearestilldiscussingpoorBasil’sdisappearance。
Ishouldhavethoughttheyhadgottiredofthatbythistime，
saidDorian，pouringhimselfoutsomewineandfrowningslightly。
Mydearboy，theyhaveonlybeentalkingaboutitforsixweeks，andtheBritishpublicarereallynotequaltothementalstrainofhavingmorethanonetopiceverythreemonths。Theyhavebeenveryfortunatelately，however。Theyhavehadmyowndivorce-caseandAlanCampbell’ssuicide。
Nowtheyhavegotthemysteriousdisappearanceofanartist。ScotlandYardstillinsiststhatthemaninthegreyulsterwholeftforParisbythemidnighttrainontheninthofNovemberwaspoorBasil，andtheFrenchpolicedeclarethatBasilneverarrivedinParisatall。IsupposeinaboutafortnightweshallbetoldthathehasbeenseeninSanFrancisco。Itisanoddthing，buteveryonewhodisappearsissaidtobeseenatSanFrancisco。Itmustbeadelightfulcity，andpossessalltheattractionsofthenextworld。
WhatdoyouthinkhashappenedtoBasil？askedDorian，holdinguphisBurgundyagainstthelightandwonderinghowitwasthathecoulddiscussthemattersocalmly。
Ihavenottheslightestidea。IfBasilchoosestohidehimself，itisnobusinessofmine。Ifheisdead，Idon’twanttothinkabouthim。
Deathistheonlythingthateverterrifiesme。Ihateit。
Why？saidtheyoungermanwearily。
Because，saidLordHenry，passingbeneathhisnostrilsthegilttrellisofanopenvinaigrettebox，onecansurviveeverythingnowadaysexceptthat。Deathandvulgarityaretheonlytwofactsinthenineteenthcenturythatonecannotexplainaway。Letushaveourcoffeeinthemusic-room，Dorian。YoumustplayChopintome。ThemanwithwhommywiferanawayplayedChopinexquisitely。PoorVictoria！Iwasveryfondofher。Thehouseisratherlonelywithouther。Ofcourse，marriedlifeismerelyahabit，abadhabit。Butthenoneregretsthelossevenofone’sworsthabits。
Perhapsoneregretsthemthemost。Theyaresuchanessentialpartofone’spersonality。
Doriansaidnothing，butrosefromthetable，andpassingintothenextroom，satdowntothepianoandlethisfingersstrayacrossthewhiteandblackivoryofthekeys。Afterthecoffeehadbeenbroughtin，hestopped，andlookingoveratLordHenry，said，Harry，diditeveroccurtoyouthatBasilwasmurdered？
LordHenryyawned。Basilwasverypopular，andalwaysworeaWaterburywatch。Whyshouldhehavebeenmurdered？Hewasnotcleverenoughtohaveenemies。Ofcourse，hehadawonderfulgeniusforpainting。ButamancanpaintlikeVelasquezandyetbeasdullaspossible。Basilwasreallyratherdull。Heonlyinterestedmeonce，andthatwaswhenhetoldme，yearsago，thathehadawildadorationforyouandthatyouwerethedominantmotiveofhisart。
IwasveryfondofBasil，saidDorianwithanoteofsadnessinhisvoice。Butdon’tpeoplesaythathewasmurdered？
Oh，someofthepapersdo。Itdoesnotseemtometobeatallprobable。IknowtherearedreadfulplacesinParis，butBasilwasnotthesortofmantohavegonetothem。Hehadnocuriosity。Itwashischiefdefect。
Whatwouldyousay，Harry，ifItoldyouthatIhadmurderedBasil？saidtheyoungerman。Hewatchedhimintentlyafterhehadspoken。
Iwouldsay，mydearfellow，thatyouwereposingforacharacterthatdoesn’tsuityou。Allcrimeisvulgar，justasallvulgarityiscrime。
Itisnotinyou，Dorian，tocommitamurder。IamsorryifIhurtyourvanitybysayingso，butIassureyouitistrue。Crimebelongsexclusivelytothelowerorders。Idon’tblametheminthesmallestdegree。Ishouldfancythatcrimewastothemwhatartistous，simplyamethodofprocuringextraordinarysensations。
Amethodofprocuringsensations？Doyouthink，then，thatamanwhohasoncecommittedamurdercouldpossiblydothesamecrimeagain？
Don’ttellmethat。
Oh！anythingbecomesapleasureifonedoesittoooften，criedLordHenry，laughing。Thatisoneofthemostimportantsecretsoflife。
Ishouldfancy，however，thatmurderisalwaysamistake。Oneshouldneverdoanythingthatonecannottalkaboutafterdinner。ButletuspassfrompoorBasil。IwishIcouldbelievethathehadcometosuchareallyromanticendasyousuggest，butIcan’t。IdaresayhefellintotheSeineoffanomnibusandthattheconductorhushedupthescandal。Yes：Ishouldfancythatwashisend。Iseehimlyingnowonhisbackunderthosedull-greenwaters，withtheheavybargesfloatingoverhimandlongweedscatchinginhishair。Doyouknow，Idon’tthinkhewouldhavedonemuchmoregoodwork。Duringthelasttenyearshispaintinghadgoneoffverymuch。
Dorianheavedasigh，andLordHenrystrolledacrosstheroomandbegantostroketheheadofacuriousJavaparrot，alarge，grey-plumagedbirdwithpinkcrestandtail，thatwasbalancingitselfuponabambooperch。Ashispointedfingerstouchedit，itdroppedthewhitescurfofcrinkledlidsoverblack，glasslikeeyesandbegantoswaybackwardsandforwards。
Yes，hecontinued，turningroundandtakinghishandkerchiefoutofhispocket。hispaintinghadquitegoneoff。Itseemedtometohavelostsomething。Ithadlostanideal。Whenyouandheceasedtobegreatfriends，heceasedtobeagreatartist。Whatwasitseparatedyou？
Isupposeheboredyou。Ifso，heneverforgaveyou。It’sahabitboreshave。Bytheway，whathasbecomeofthatwonderfulportraithedidofyou？Idon’tthinkIhaveeverseenitsincehefinishedit。Oh！IrememberyourtellingmeyearsagothatyouhadsentitdowntoSelby，andthatithadgotmislaidorstolenontheway。Younevergotitback？Whatapity！itwasreallyamasterpiece。IrememberIwantedtobuyit。IwishIhadnow。ItbelongedtoBasil’sbestperiod。Sincethen，hisworkwasthatcuriousmixtureofbadpaintingandgoodintentionsthatalwaysentitlesamantobecalledarepresentativeBritishartist。Didyouadvertiseforit？Youshould。
Iforget，saidDorian。IsupposeIdid。ButIneverreallylikedit。IamsorryIsatforit。Thememoryofthethingishatefultome。Whydoyoutalkofit？Itusedtoremindmeofthosecuriouslinesinsomeplay——Hamlet，Ithink——howdotheyrun？——
Likethepaintingofasorrow，Afacewithoutaheart。
Yes：thatiswhatitwaslike。
LordHenrylaughed。Ifamantreatslifeartistically，hisbrainishisheart，heanswered，sinkingintoanarm-chair。
DorianGrayshookhisheadandstrucksomesoftchordsonthepiano。’Likethepaintingofasorrow，’herepeated，’afacewithoutaheart。’
Theeldermanlaybackandlookedathimwithhalf-closedeyes。
Bytheway，Dorian，hesaidafterapause，’whatdoesitprofitamanifhegainthewholeworldandlose——howdoesthequotationrun？——hisownsoul’？
Themusicjarred，andDorianGraystartedandstaredathisfriend。
Whydoyouaskmethat，Harry？
Mydearfellow，saidLordHenry，elevatinghiseyebrowsinsurprise，IaskedyoubecauseIthoughtyoumightbeabletogivemeananswer。
Thatisall。IwasgoingthroughtheparklastSunday，andclosebytheMarbleArchtherestoodalittlecrowdofshabby-lookingpeoplelisteningtosomevulgarstreet-preacher。AsIpassedby，Iheardthemanyellingoutthatquestiontohisaudience。Itstruckmeasbeingratherdramatic。
Londonisveryrichincuriouseffectsofthatkind。AwetSunday，anuncouthChristianinamackintosh，aringofsicklywhitefacesunderabrokenroofofdrippingumbrellas，andawonderfulphraseflungintotheairbyshrillhystericallips——itwasreallyverygoodinitsway，quiteasuggestion。
Ithoughtoftellingtheprophetthatarthadasoul，butthatmanhadnot。Iamafraid，however，hewouldnothaveunderstoodme。
Don’t，Harry。Thesoulisaterriblereality。Itcanbebought，andsold，andbarteredaway。Itcanbepoisoned，ormadeperfect。Thereisasoulineachoneofus。Iknowit。
Doyoufeelquitesureofthat，Dorian？
Quitesure。
Ah！thenitmustbeanillusion。Thethingsonefeelsabsolutelycertainaboutarenevertrue。Thatisthefatalityoffaith，andthelessonofromance。Howgraveyouare！Don’tbesoserious。WhathaveyouorI
todowiththesuperstitionsofourage？No：wehavegivenupourbeliefinthesoul。Playmesomething。Playmeanocturne，Dorian，and，asyouplay，tellme，inalowvoice，howyouhavekeptyouryouth。Youmusthavesomesecret。Iamonlytenyearsolderthanyouare，andIamwrinkled，andworn，andyellow。Youarereallywonderful，Dorian。Youhaveneverlookedmorecharmingthanyoudoto-night。YouremindmeofthedayIsawyoufirst。Youwererathercheeky，veryshy，andabsolutelyextraordinary。
Youhavechanged，ofcourse，butnotinappearance。Iwishyouwouldtellmeyoursecret。TogetbackmyyouthIwoulddoanythingintheworld，excepttakeexercise，getupearly，orberespectable。Youth！Thereisnothinglikeit。It’sabsurdtotalkoftheignoranceofyouth。TheonlypeopletowhoseopinionsIlistennowwithanyrespectarepeoplemuchyoungerthanmyself。Theyseeminfrontofme。Lifehasrevealedtothemherlatestwonder。Asfortheaged，Ialwayscontradicttheaged。Idoitonprinciple。Ifyouaskthemtheiropiniononsomethingthathappenedyesterday，theysolemnlygiveyoutheopinionscurrentin1820，whenpeopleworehighstocks，believedineverything，andknewabsolutelynothing。
Howlovelythatthingyouareplayingis！Iwonder，didChopinwriteitatMajorca，withtheseaweepingroundthevillaandthesaltspraydashingagainstthepanes？Itismarvellouslyromantic。Whatablessingitisthatthereisoneartlefttousthatisnotimitative！Don’tstop。Iwantmusicto-night。ItseemstomethatyouaretheyoungApolloandthatIamMarsyaslisteningtoyou。Ihavesorrows，Dorian，ofmyown，thatevenyouknownothingof。Thetragedyofoldageisnotthatoneisold，butthatoneisyoung。Iamamazedsometimesatmyownsincerity。Ah，Dorian，howhappyyouare！Whatanexquisitelifeyouhavehad！Youhavedrunkdeeplyofeverything。Youhavecrushedthegrapesagainstyourpalate。Nothinghasbeenhiddenfromyou。Andithasallbeentoyounomorethanthesoundofmusic。Ithasnotmarredyou。Youarestillthesame。
Iamnotthesame，Harry。
Yes，youarethesame。Iwonderwhattherestofyourlifewillbe。Don’tspoilitbyrenunciations。Atpresentyouareaperfecttype。
Don’tmakeyourselfincomplete。Youarequiteflawlessnow。Youneednotshakeyourhead：youknowyouare。Besides，Dorian，don’tdeceiveyourself。
Lifeisnotgovernedbywillorintention。Lifeisaquestionofnerves，andfibres，andslowlybuilt-upcellsinwhichthoughthidesitselfandpassionhasitsdreams。Youmayfancyyourselfsafeandthinkyourselfstrong。Butachancetoneofcolourinaroomoramorningsky，aparticularperfumethatyouhadoncelovedandthatbringssubtlememorieswithit，alinefromaforgottenpoemthatyouhadcomeacrossagain，acadencefromapieceofmusicthatyouhadceasedtoplay——Itellyou，Dorian，thatitisonthingslikethesethatourlivesdepend。Browningwritesaboutthatsomewhere。butourownsenseswillimaginethemforus。Therearemomentswhentheodouroflilasblancpassessuddenlyacrossme，andIhavetolivethestrangestmonthofmylifeoveragain。IwishIcouldchangeplaceswithyou，Dorian。Theworldhascriedoutagainstusboth，butithasalwaysworshippedyou。Italwayswillworshipyou。
Youarethetypeofwhattheageissearchingfor，andwhatitisafraidithasfound。Iamsogladthatyouhaveneverdoneanything，nevercarvedastatue，orpaintedapicture，orproducedanythingoutsideofyourself！
Lifehasbeenyourart。Youhavesetyourselftomusic。Yourdaysareyoursonnets。
Dorianroseupfromthepianoandpassedhishandthroughhishair。Yes，lifehasbeenexquisite，hemurmured，butIamnotgoingtohavethesamelife，Harry。Andyoumustnotsaytheseextravagantthingstome。Youdon’tknoweverythingaboutme。Ithinkthatifyoudid，evenyouwouldturnfromme。Youlaugh。Don’tlaugh。
Whyhaveyoustoppedplaying，Dorian？Gobackandgivemethenocturneoveragain。Lookatthatgreat，honey-colouredmoonthathangsintheduskyair。Sheiswaitingforyoutocharmher，andifyouplayshewillcomeclosertotheearth。Youwon’t？Letusgototheclub，then。
Ithasbeenacharmingevening，andwemustenditcharmingly。ThereissomeoneatWhite’swhowantsimmenselytoknowyou——youngLordPoole，Bournemouth’seldestson。Hehasalreadycopiedyourneckties，andhasbeggedmetointroducehimtoyou。Heisquitedelightfulandratherremindsmeofyou。
Ihopenot，saidDorianwithasadlookinhiseyes。ButI
amtiredto-night，Harry。Ishan’tgototheclub。Itisnearlyeleven，andIwanttogotobedearly。
Dostay。Youhaveneverplayedsowellasto-night。Therewassomethinginyourtouchthatwaswonderful。IthadmoreexpressionthanIhadeverheardfromitbefore。
ItisbecauseIamgoingtobegood，heanswered，smiling。I
amalittlechangedalready。
Youcannotchangetome，Dorian，saidLordHenry。YouandI
willalwaysbefriends。
Yetyoupoisonedmewithabookonce。Ishouldnotforgivethat。
Harry，promisemethatyouwillneverlendthatbooktoanyone。Itdoesharm。
Mydearboy，youarereallybeginningtomoralize。Youwillsoonbegoingaboutliketheconverted，andtherevivalist，warningpeopleagainstallthesinsofwhichyouhavegrowntired。Youaremuchtoodelightfultodothat。Besides，itisnouse。YouandIarewhatweare，andwillbewhatwewillbe。Asforbeingpoisonedbyabook，thereisnosuchthingasthat。Arthasnoinfluenceuponaction。Itannihilatesthedesiretoact。Itissuperblysterile。Thebooksthattheworldcallsimmoralarebooksthatshowtheworlditsownshame。Thatisall。Butwewon’tdiscussliterature。Comeroundto-morrow。Iamgoingtorideateleven。Wemightgotogether，andIwilltakeyoutolunchafterwardswithLadyBranksome。
Sheisacharmingwoman，andwantstoconsultyouaboutsometapestriessheisthinkingofbuying。Mindyoucome。Orshallwelunchwithourlittleduchess？Shesayssheneverseesyounow。PerhapsyouaretiredofGladys？
Ithoughtyouwouldbe。Herclevertonguegetsonone’snerves。Well，inanycase，behereateleven。
MustIreallycome，Harry？
Certainly。Theparkisquitelovelynow。Idon’tthinktherehavebeensuchlilacssincetheyearImetyou。
Verywell。Ishallbehereateleven，saidDorian。Goodnight，Harry。Ashereachedthedoor，hehesitatedforamoment，asifhehadsomethingmoretosay。Thenhesighedandwentout。
ThePictureofDorianGray：Chapter20Chapter20Itwasalovelynight，sowarmthathethrewhiscoatoverhisarmanddidnotevenputhissilkscarfroundhisthroat。Ashestrolledhome，smokinghiscigarette，twoyoungmenineveningdresspassedhim。Heheardoneofthemwhispertotheother，ThatisDorianGray。Herememberedhowpleasedheusedtobewhenhewaspointedout，orstaredat，ortalkedabout。Hewastiredofhearinghisownnamenow。Halfthecharmofthelittlevillagewherehehadbeensooftenlatelywasthatnooneknewwhohewas。Hehadoftentoldthegirlwhomhehadluredtolovehimthathewaspoor，andshehadbelievedhim。Hehadtoldheroncethathewaswicked，andshehadlaughedathimandansweredthatwickedpeoplewerealwaysveryoldandveryugly。Whatalaughshehad！——justlikeathrushsinging。
Andhowprettyshehadbeeninhercottondressesandherlargehats！Sheknewnothing，butshehadeverythingthathehadlost。
Whenhereachedhome，hefoundhisservantwaitingupforhim。
Hesenthimtobed，andthrewhimselfdownonthesofainthelibrary，andbegantothinkoversomeofthethingsthatLordHenryhadsaidtohim。
Wasitreallytruethatonecouldneverchange？Hefeltawildlongingfortheunstainedpurityofhisboyhood——hisrose-whiteboyhood，asLordHenryhadoncecalledit。Heknewthathehadtarnishedhimself，filledhismindwithcorruptionandgivenhorrortohisfancy。thathehadbeenanevilinfluencetoothers，andhadexperiencedaterriblejoyinbeingso。andthatofthelivesthathadcrossedhisown，ithadbeenthefairestandthemostfullofpromisethathehadbroughttoshame。
Butwasitallirretrievable？Wastherenohopeforhim？
Ah！inwhatamonstrousmomentofprideandpassionhehadprayedthattheportraitshouldbeartheburdenofhisdays，andhekeeptheunsulliedsplendourofeternalyouth！Allhisfailurehadbeenduetothat。Betterforhimthateachsinofhislifehadbroughtitssureswiftpenaltyalongwithit。Therewaspurificationinpunishment。NotForgiveusoursins
butSmiteusforouriniquitiesshouldbetheprayerofmantoamostjustGod。
ThecuriouslycarvedmirrorthatLordHenryhadgiventohim，somanyyearsagonow，wasstandingonthetable，andthewhite-limbedCupidslaughedrounditasofold。Hetookitup，ashehaddoneonthatnightofhorrorwhenbehadfirstnotedthechangeinthefatalpicture，andwithwild，tear-dimmedeyeslookedintoitspolishedshield。Once，someonewhohadterriblylovedhimhadwrittentohimamadletter，endingwiththeseidolatrouswords：Theworldischangedbecauseyouaremadeofivoryandgold。Thecurvesofyourlipsrewritehistory。Thephrasescamebacktohismemory，andherepeatedthemoverandovertohimself。
Thenheloathedhisownbeauty，andflingingthemirroronthefloor，crusheditintosilversplintersbeneathhisheel。Itwashisbeautythathadruinedhim，hisbeautyandtheyouththathehadprayedfor。Butforthosetwothings，hislifemighthavebeenfreefromstain。Hisbeautyhadbeentohimbutamask，hisyouthbutamockery。Whatwasyouthatbest？Agreen，anunripetime，atimeofshallowmoods，andsicklythoughts。Whyhadhewornitslivery？Youthhadspoiledhim。
Itwasbetternottothinkofthepast。Nothingcouldalterthat。
Itwasofhimself，andofhisownfuture，thathehadtothink。JamesVanewashiddeninanamelessgraveinSelbychurchyard。AlanCampbellhadshothimselfonenightinhislaboratory，buthadnotrevealedthesecretthathehadbeenforcedtoknow。Theexcitement，suchasitwas，overBasilHallward’sdisappearancewouldsoonpassaway。Itwasalreadywaning。Hewasperfectlysafethere。Nor，indeed，wasitthedeathofBasilHallwardthatweighedmostuponhismind。Itwasthelivingdeathofhisownsoulthattroubledhim。Basilhadpaintedtheportraitthathadmarredhislife。
Hecouldnotforgivehimthat。Itwastheportraitthathaddoneeverything。
Basilhadsaidthingstohimthatwereunbearable，andthathehadyetbornewithpatience。Themurderhadbeensimplythemadnessofamoment。
AsforAlanCampbell，hissuicidehadbeenhisownact。Hehadchosentodoit。Itwasnothingtohim。
Anewlife！Thatwaswhathewanted。Thatwaswhathewaswaitingfor。Surelyhehadbegunitalready。Hehadsparedoneinnocentthing，atanyrate。Hewouldneveragaintemptinnocence。Hewouldbegood。
AshethoughtofHettyMerton，hebegantowonderiftheportraitinthelockedroomhadchanged。Surelyitwasnotstillsohorribleasithadbeen？Perhapsifhislifebecamepure，hewouldbeabletoexpeleverysignofevilpassionfromtheface。Perhapsthesignsofevilhadalreadygoneaway。Hewouldgoandlook。
Hetookthelampfromthetableandcreptupstairs。Asheunbarredthedoor，asmileofjoyflittedacrosshisstrangelyyoung-lookingfaceandlingeredforamomentabouthislips。Yes，hewouldbegood，andthehideousthingthathehadhiddenawaywouldnolongerbeaterrortohim。
Hefeltasiftheloadhadbeenliftedfromhimalready。
Hewentinquietly，lockingthedoorbehindhim，aswashiscustom，anddraggedthepurplehangingfromtheportrait。Acryofpainandindignationbrokefromhim。Hecouldseenochange，savethatintheeyestherewasalookofcunningandinthemouththecurvedwrinkleofthehypocrite。
Thethingwasstillloathsome——moreloathsome，ifpossible，thanbefore——andthescarletdewthatspottedthehandseemedbrighter，andmorelikebloodnewlyspilled。Thenhetrembled。Haditbeenmerelyvanitythathadmadehimdohisonegooddeed？Orthedesireforanewsensation，asLordHenryhadhinted，withhismockinglaugh？Orthatpassiontoactapartthatsometimesmakesusdothingsfinerthanweareourselves？Or，perhaps，allthese？Andwhywastheredstainlargerthanithadbeen？Itseemedtohavecreptlikeahorriblediseaseoverthewrinkledfingers。Therewasbloodonthepaintedfeet，asthoughthethinghaddripped——bloodevenonthehandthathadnotheldtheknife。Confess？Diditmeanthathewastoconfess？Togivehimselfupandbeputtodeath？Helaughed。Hefeltthattheideawasmonstrous。Besides，evenifhedidconfess，whowouldbelievehim？Therewasnotraceofthemurderedmananywhere。Everythingbelongingtohimhadbeendestroyed。Hehimselfhadburnedwhathadbeenbelow-stairs。Theworldwouldsimplysaythathewasmad。Theywouldshuthimupifhepersistedinhisstory……Yetitwashisdutytoconfess，tosufferpublicshame，andtomakepublicatonement。TherewasaGodwhocalleduponmentotelltheirsinstoearthaswellastoheaven。Nothingthathecoulddowouldcleansehimtillhehadtoldhisownsin。Hissin？
Heshruggedhisshoulders。ThedeathofBasilHallwardseemedverylittletohim。HewasthinkingofHettyMerton。Foritwasanunjustmirror，thismirrorofhissoulthathewaslookingat。Vanity？Curiosity？Hypocrisy？
Hadtherebeennothingmoreinhisrenunciationthanthat？Therehadbeensomethingmore。Atleasthethoughtso。Butwhocouldtell？……No。Therehadbeennothingmore。Throughvanityhehadsparedher。Inhypocrisyhehadwornthemaskofgoodness。Forcuriosity’ssakehehadtriedthedenialofself。Herecognizedthatnow。
Butthismurder——wasittodoghimallhislife？Washealwaystobeburdenedbyhispast？Washereallytoconfess？Never。Therewasonlyonebitofevidenceleftagainsthim。Thepictureitself——thatwasevidence。Hewoulddestroyit。Whyhadhekeptitsolong？Onceithadgivenhimpleasuretowatchitchangingandgrowingold。Oflatehehadfeltnosuchpleasure。Ithadkepthimawakeatnight。Whenhehadbeenaway，hehadbeenfilledwithterrorlestothereyesshouldlookuponit。
Ithadbroughtmelancholyacrosshispassions。Itsmerememoryhadmarredmanymomentsofjoy。Ithadbeenlikeconsciencetohim。Yes，ithadbeenconscience。Hewoulddestroyit。
HelookedroundandsawtheknifethathadstabbedBasilHallward。
Hehadcleaneditmanytimes，tilltherewasnostainleftuponit。Itwasbright，andglistened。Asithadkilledthepainter，soitwouldkillthepainter’swork，andallthatthatmeant。Itwouldkillthepast，andwhenthatwasdead，hewouldbefree。Itwouldkillthismonstroussoul-life，andwithoutitshideouswarnings，hewouldbeatpeace。Heseizedthething，andstabbedthepicturewithit。
Therewasacryheard，andacrash。Thecrywassohorribleinitsagonythatthefrightenedservantswokeandcreptoutoftheirrooms。
Twogentlemen，whowerepassinginthesquarebelow，stoppedandlookedupatthegreathouse。Theywalkedontilltheymetapolicemanandbroughthimback。Themanrangthebellseveraltimes，buttherewasnoanswer。
Exceptforalightinoneofthetopwindows，thehousewasalldark。Afteratime，hewentawayandstoodinanadjoiningporticoandwatched。
Whosehouseisthat，Constable？askedtheelderofthetwogentlemen。
Mr。DorianGray’s，sir，answeredthepoliceman。
Theylookedateachother，astheywalkedaway，andsneered。OneofthemwasSirHenryAshton’suncle。
Inside，intheservants’partofthehouse，thehalf-claddomesticsweretalkinginlowwhisperstoeachother。OldMrs。Leafwascryingandwringingherhands。Franciswasaspaleasdeath。
Afteraboutaquarterofanhour，hegotthecoachmanandoneofthefootmenandcreptupstairs。Theyknocked，buttherewasnoreply。
Theycalledout。Everythingwasstill。Finally，aftervainlytryingtoforcethedoor，theygotontheroofanddroppeddownontothebalcony。
Thewindowsyieldedeasily——theirboltswereold。
Whentheyentered，theyfoundhanginguponthewallasplendidportraitoftheirmasterastheyhadlastseenhim，inallthewonderofhisexquisiteyouthandbeauty。Lyingonthefloorwasadeadman，ineveningdress，withaknifeinhisheart。Hewaswithered，wrinkled，andloathsomeofvisage。Itwasnottilltheyhadexaminedtheringsthattheyrecognizedwhoitwas。
THEEND