CHAPTER VI.

ishpeoplearecolourless.Theylackindividuality.Still,therearecertaintemperamentsthatmarriagemakesmorecomplex.Theyretaintheiregotism,andaddtoitmanyotheregos.Theyareforcedtohavemorethanonelife.Theybecomemorehighlyorganized,andtobehighlyorganizedis,Ishouldfancy,theobjectofman’sexistence.Besides,everyexperienceisofvalue,andwhateveronemaysayagainstmarriage,itiscertainlyanexperience.IhopethatDorianGraywillmakethisgirlhiswife,passionatelyadoreherforsixmonths,andthensuddenlybecomefascinatedbysomeoneelse.Hewouldbeawonderfulstudy.” “Youdon’tmeanasinglewordofallthat,Harryyouknowyoudon’t.IfDorianGray’slifewerespoiled,noonewouldbesorrierthanyourself.Youaremuchbetterthanyoupretendtobe.” LordHenrylaughed.“Thereasonweallliketothinksowellofothersisthatweareallafraidforourselves.Thebasisofoptimismissheerterror.Wethinkthatwearegenerousbecausewecreditourneighbourwiththepossessionofthosevirtuesthatarelikelytobeabenefittous.Wepraisethebankerthatwemayoverdrawouraccount,andfindgoodqualitiesinthehighwaymaninthehopethathemayspareourpockets.ImeaneverythingthatIhavesaid.Ihavethegreatestcontemptforoptimism.Asforaspoiledlife,nolifeisspoiledbutonewhosegrowthisarrested.Ifyouwanttomaranature,youhavemerelytoreformit.Asformarriage,ofcoursethatwouldbesilly,butthereareotherandmoreinterestingbondsbetweenmenandwomen.Iwillcertainlyencouragethem.Theyhavethecharmofbeingfashionable.ButhereisDorianhimself.HewilltellyoumorethanIcan.” “MydearHarry,mydearBasil,youmustbothcongratulateme!”saidthelad,throwingoffhiseveningcapewithitssatin-linedwingsandshakingeachofhisfriendsbythehandinturn.“Ihaveneverbeensohappy.Ofcourse,itissudden—allreallydelightfulthingsare.AndyetitseemstometobetheonethingIhavebeenlookingforallmylife.”Hewasflushedwithexcitementandpleasure,andlookedextraordinarilyhandsome. “Ihopeyouwillalwaysbeveryhappy,Dorian,”saidHallward,“butIdon’tquiteforgiveyoufornothavingletmeknowofyourengagement.YouletHarryknow.” “AndIdon’tforgiveyouforbeinglatefordinner,”brokeinLordHenry,puttinghishandonthelad’sshoulderandsmilingashespoke.“Come,letussitdownandtrywhatthenewchefhereislike,andthenyouwilltellushowitallcameabout.” “Thereisreallynotmuchtotell,”criedDorianastheytooktheirseatsatthesmallroundtable.“Whathappenedwassimplythis.AfterIleftyouyesterdayevening,Harry,Idressed,hadsomedinneratthatlittleItalianrestaurantinRupertStreetyouintroducedmeto,andwentdownateighto’clocktothetheatre.SibylwasplayingRosalind.Ofcourse,thescenerywasdreadfulandtheOrlandoabsurd.ButSibyl!Youshouldhaveseenher!Whenshecameoninherboy’sclothes,shewasperfectlywonderful.S