CHAPTER VI.

heworeamoss-colouredvelvetjerkinwithcinnamonsleeves,slim,brown,cross-garteredhose,adaintylittlegreencapwithahawk’sfeathercaughtinajewel,andahoodedcloaklinedwithdullred.Shehadneverseemedtomemoreexquisite.ShehadallthedelicategraceofthatTanagrafigurinethatyouhaveinyourstudio,Basil.Herhairclusteredroundherfacelikedarkleavesroundapalerose.Asforheracting—well,youshallseeherto-night.Sheissimplyabornartist.Isatinthedingyboxabsolutelyenthralled.IforgotthatIwasinLondonandinthenineteenthcentury.Iwasawaywithmyloveinaforestthatnomanhadeverseen.Aftertheperformancewasover,Iwentbehindandspoketoher.Asweweresittingtogether,suddenlytherecameintohereyesalookthatIhadneverseentherebefore.Mylipsmovedtowardshers.Wekissedeachother.Ican’tdescribetoyouwhatIfeltatthatmoment.Itseemedtomethatallmylifehadbeennarrowedtooneperfectpointofrose-colouredjoy.Shetrembledalloverandshooklikeawhitenarcissus.Thensheflungherselfonherkneesandkissedmyhands.IfeelthatIshouldnottellyouallthis,butIcan’thelpit.Ofcourse,ourengagementisadeadsecret.Shehasnoteventoldherownmother.Idon’tknowwhatmyguardianswillsay.LordRadleyissuretobefurious.Idon’tcare.Ishallbeofageinlessthanayear,andthenIcandowhatIlike.Ihavebeenright,Basil,haven’tI,totakemyloveoutofpoetryandtofindmywifeinShakespeare’splays?LipsthatShakespearetaughttospeakhavewhisperedtheirsecretinmyear.IhavehadthearmsofRosalindaroundme,andkissedJulietonthemouth.” “Yes,Dorian,Isupposeyouwereright,”saidHallwardslowly. “Haveyouseenherto-day?”askedLordHenry. DorianGrayshookhishead.“IleftherintheforestofArdenIshallfindherinanorchardinVerona.” LordHenrysippedhischampagneinameditativemanner.“Atwhatparticularpointdidyoumentionthewordmarriage,Dorian?Andwhatdidshesayinanswer?Perhapsyouforgotallaboutit.” “MydearHarry,Ididnottreatitasabusinesstransaction,andIdidnotmakeanyformalproposal.ItoldherthatIlovedher,andshesaidshewasnotworthytobemywife.Notworthy!Why,thewholeworldisnothingtomecomparedwithher.” “Womenarewonderfullypractical,”murmuredLordHenry,“muchmorepracticalthanweare.Insituationsofthatkindweoftenforgettosayanythingaboutmarriage,andtheyalwaysremindus.” Hallwardlaidhishanduponhisarm.“Don’t,Harry.YouhaveannoyedDorian.Heisnotlikeothermen.Hewouldneverbringmiseryuponanyone.Hisnatureistoofineforthat.” LordHenrylookedacrossthetable.“Dorianisneverannoyedwithme,”heanswered.“Iaskedthequestionforthebestreasonpossible,fortheonlyreason,indeed,thatexcusesoneforaskinganyquestion—simplecuriosity.Ihaveatheorythatitisalwaysthewomenwhoproposetous,andnotwewhoproposetothewomen.Except,ofcourse,inmiddle-classlife.Butthe