Портрет Дориана Грея / The Picture of Dorian Gray

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Dorian Gray watched as Hallward walked over to the painting-table and picked up a knife. The boy jumped from the sofa, tore the knife from Hallward’s hand and threw it across the room. “Don’t, Basil, don’t!” he cried. “It would be murder!”

“I am glad that you appreciate my work at last, Dorian,” said the painter coldly. “I never thought you would.”

“Appreciate it? I am in love with it, Basil. It is part of myself. I feel that.”

“What silly people you are, both of you!” said Lord Henry.

“I don’t like scenes, except on the stage. Lets forget about the painting for one night and go to the theatre.”

“I would like to come to the theatre with you, Lord Henry.”

“And you will come too, won’t you, Basil?”

“I can’t,” said Hallward. “I have too much work to do.”

“Well, you and I will go together, Mr. Gray.”

The painter bit his lip and walked over to the picture.

Chapter 3

At half-past twelve next day Lord Henry Wotton strolled from Curzon Street over to the Albany to call on his uncle, Lord Fermor.

His father had been our ambassador at Madrid, but had retired from the diplomatic service.

When Lord Henry entered the room, he found his uncle sitting in a rough shooting-coat and smoking. “Well, Harry,” said the old gentleman, “what brings you out so early? I thought you dandies never got up till two, and were not visible till five.”

“Pure family affection,[20 - family affection – родственные связи] I assure you, Uncle George.

I want to get something out of you.[21 - I want to get something out of you. – Мне от вас кое-что нужно.]”

“Money, I suppose,” said Lord Fermor. “Well, sit down and tell me all about it. Young people, nowadays, imagine that money is everything.”

“Yes,” murmured Lord Henry, settling his button-hole in his coat, “and when they grow older they know it.

But I don’t want money. What I want is information: not useful information, of course; useless information. Do you know Mr. Dorian Gray?”

“Mr. Dorian Gray? Who is he?” asked Lord Fermor.

“That is what I have come to learn,[22 - That is what I have come to learn. – Вот это-то я и пришёл у вас узнать.] Uncle George. Or rather, I know who he is. He is the last Lord Kelso’s grandson.