CHAPTER XVII.
關燈
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中
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cried.
“Itrepresentsthesurvivalofthepushing.”
“Ithasdevelopment.”
“Decayfascinatesmemore.”
“Whatofart?”sheasked.
“Itisamalady.”
“Love?”
“Anillusion.”
“Religion?”
“Thefashionablesubstituteforbelief.”
“Youareasceptic.”
“Never!Scepticismisthebeginningoffaith.”
“Whatareyou?”
“Todefineistolimit.”
“Givemeaclue.”
“Threadssnap.Youwouldloseyourwayinthelabyrinth.”
“Youbewilderme.Letustalkofsomeoneelse.”
“Ourhostisadelightfultopic.YearsagohewaschristenedPrinceCharming.”
“Ah!don’tremindmeofthat,”criedDorianGray.
“Ourhostisratherhorridthisevening,”answeredtheduchess,colouring.“IbelievehethinksthatMonmouthmarriedmeonpurelyscientificprinciplesasthebestspecimenhecouldfindofamodernbutterfly.”
“Well,Ihopehewon’tstickpinsintoyou,Duchess,”laughedDorian.
“Oh!mymaiddoesthatalready,Mr.Gray,whensheisannoyedwithme.”
“Andwhatdoesshegetannoyedwithyouabout,Duchess?”
“Forthemosttrivialthings,Mr.Gray,Iassureyou.UsuallybecauseIcomeinattenminutestonineandtellherthatImustbedressedbyhalf-pasteight.”
“Howunreasonableofher!Youshouldgiveherwarning.”
“Idaren’t,Mr.Gray.Why,sheinventshatsforme.YouremembertheoneIworeatLadyHilstone’sgarden-party?Youdon’t,butitisniceofyoutopretendthatyoudo.Well,shemadeitoutofnothing.Allgoodhatsaremadeoutofnothing.”
“Likeallgoodreputations,Gladys,”interruptedLordHenry.“Everyeffectthatoneproducesgivesoneanenemy.Tobepopularonemustbeamediocrity.”
“Notwithwomen,”saidtheduchess,shakingherhead“andwomenruletheworld.Iassureyouwecan’tbearmediocrities.Wewomen,assomeonesays,lovewithourears,justasyoumenlovewithyoureyes,ifyoueverloveatall.”
“Itseemstomethatweneverdoanythingelse,”murmuredDorian.
“Ah!then,youneverreallylove,Mr.Gray,”answeredtheduchess
