Calico Illustrated Classics: Picture of Dorian Gray
I must meet him Lord Henry exclaimed Basil was reluctant I don’t want you to meet him You don’t want me to meet him No Basil said But it was too late The butler entered saying Mr Dorian Gray is here sir You have to introduce me now cried Lord Henry laughing The painter turned to the butler who stood blinking in the sunlight Ask Mr Gray to wait a few moments The man bowed and left Basil turned to Lord Henry Dorian Gray is my dearest friend he said Please don’t be a bad infl uence on him My art has improved since I met Dorian Please don’t do anything to hurt that Nonsense said Lord Henry smiling Then he led Basil from the studio 8
2 As they entered the music room they saw Dorian Gray He was seated at the piano looking over some of the sheet music You must lend me some of these Basil he cried I want to learn to play them They are perfectly charming Well Basil teased that depends on how well you pose today I’m tired of sitting and posing And I don’t want a life-sized portrait of myself he said as he spun around on the music stool His cheeks blushed when he saw Lord Henry standing there I beg your pardon Basil I didn’t know you had anyone with you This is Lord Henry Wotton Basil said He’s an old Oxford friend of mine I have 9
been telling him what a patient art subject you are Now you’ve spoiled it Henry stepped forward and extended his hand You have not spoiled anything Mr Gray It is my pleasure to meet you My aunt Lady Agatha has often spoken of you You are one of her favorites I’m afraid Lady Agatha is upset with me at present Dorian said I promised to go to the club with her last Tuesday and completely forgot Don’t worry Lord Henry told him She’ll forgive you She likes you very much Lord Henry looked at Dorian thinking he was very handsome with his blue eyes and gold hair And there was something in his face that made you trust him right away The painter set about mixing his colors and getting his brushes ready He looked worried Harry Basil said to Lord Henry would you think I was being rude if I asked you to go away 10
Lord Henry turned to Dorian Do you want me to leave he asked No I’d like you to stay Besides Basil is in one of his bad moods I don’t like being with him when he acts this way Fine Basil said If Dorian wishes you to stay then you must stay But Lord Henry picked up his hat and gloves I really should be going anyway I am meeting someone later Mr Gray come and see me some afternoon I am nearly always at home at fi ve o’clock Let me know ahead of time when you’re coming Basil cried Dorian Gray if Lord Henry goes then I go too You are always so quiet when you paint It gets so boring around here Please ask him to stay Basil let out a sigh Have a seat Harry It seems Dorian wants you here Lord Henry watched as Basil painted The gods have been good to you Dorian You are young and handsome Youth is so important 11
