Портрет Дориана Грея / The Picture of Dorian Gray

“When we are happy we are always good, but when we are good we are not always happy.”

“I know what pleasure is,” cried Dorian Gray. “It is to worship someone.”

“That is certainly better than when someone worships you.”

“Harry, you are terrible! I don’t know why I like you so much. Let us go down to the theatre. When you see Sibyl you will change your ideas.”

They got up and put on their coats. The painter was silent and thoughtful. He felt very sad. Dorian Gray would never again be to him all that he had been in the past.

Life had come between them.

When he arrived at the theatre it seemed to Hallward that he had grown years older.

Chapter 7

The theatre was crowded that night. It was terribly hot and there were young people shouting to each other from across seats. Women were laughing loudly and their voices sounded horrible. People were eating oranges and drinking from bottles. Their voices were horribly shrill and discordant.

“What a place to find the perfect girl in!” said Lord Henry.

“Yes!” answered Dorian Gray. “It was here I found her. When you see her act, you will forget that you are in London. People in this theatre know nothing about acting, but even they change when she comes on stage. These ugly people become quite different when she appears. They sit silently and watch her. They weep and laugh as she wills them to do.”

“I understand what you mean, Dorian,” said the painter, “and I believe in this girl. Anyone you love must be wonderful.

This marriage is quite right. I did not think so at first, but I admit it now.”

“Thanks, Basil,” answered Dorian Gray. “I knew that you would understand me. In a few minutes you will see the girl to whom I am going to give all my life, to whom I have given everything that is good in me.”

Sibyl Vane stepped on to the stage. The crowd shouted and called her name. Yes, she was certainly lovely to look at – one of the loveliest creatures, Lord Henry thought.

Basil Hallward leaped to his feet and began to applaud. Dorian Gray sat staring at her like he was in a dream. Lord Henry peered through his glasses, murmuring, “Charming! charming!”

But Sibyl was acting badly. Something was wrong when she spoke, there was no emotion in her voice. Dorian Gray grew pale as he watched her. He was puzzled and anxious. Neither of his friends dared to say anything to him. She seemed to them to be absolutely incompetent.