Calico Illustrated Classics: Picture of Dorian Gray
1 The studio was fi lled with the rich odor of roses And when the wind stirred the heavy scent of lilacs fi lled the room In the center of the room clamped to an easel stood the portrait of handsome young man The studio belonged to an artist named Basil Hallward He’d been working on this special portrait and invited his friend Lord Henry Wotton over for a look Lord Henry gazed at the picture with a smile My my he said It is your best work Basil You must send it over to the Academy Everything is so dull there I don’t think I shall send it there Basil said tossing his head back No I won’t send it anywhere 4
Not send it anywhere Why not Henry couldn’t believe it You artists are odd fellows You want to gain fame but when you have the chance you throw it away That’s so silly There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about and that is not being talked about A portrait like this would set you high above all the young artists in England I know you will laugh at me Basil replied but I really can’t display this portrait to the public I’ve put too much of myself into it Lord Henry relaxed on the sofa and laughed Too much of yourself You look nothing like the man in this portrait You are rugged with coal-black hair This young man is golden blond with fair skin You don’t understand Harry the artist said Of course I am not like him I know that perfectly well But you would not understand You have wealth I have artistic talent And Dorian Gray has his good looks We may all suffer from them 5
Dorian Gray Is that his name asked Lord Henry walking across the studio Yes Basil replied Lord Henry stared at the portrait with intrigue And where did you meet Dorian Gray The story is simple the painter said Two months ago I attended a party at Lady Brandon’s estate You know we poor artists must show ourselves in society from time to time I was there about ten minutes when I had the feeling that someone was watching me I turned halfway around and saw Dorian Gray for the fi rst time I knew right off that he was a fascinating person yet I felt a chill of fear But once Lady Brandon introduced us we became friends at once Lord Henry nodded And you see him often Nearly every day now that I’m painting his portrait He has inspired me Because of him I am a better artist 6
