CHAPTER XVII.
關燈
小
中
大
al.”
“Who?”
Helaughed.“LadyNarborough,”hewhispered.“Sheperfectlyadoreshim.”
“Youfillmewithapprehension.Theappealtoantiquityisfataltouswhoareromanticists.”
“Romanticists!Youhaveallthemethodsofscience.”
“Menhaveeducatedus.”
“Butnotexplainedyou.”
“Describeusasasex,”washerchallenge.
“Sphinxeswithoutsecrets.”
Shelookedathim,smiling.“HowlongMr.Grayis!”shesaid.“Letusgoandhelphim.Ihavenotyettoldhimthecolourofmyfrock.”
“Ah!youmustsuityourfrocktohisflowers,Gladys.”
“Thatwouldbeaprematuresurrender.”
“Romanticartbeginswithitsclimax.”
“Imustkeepanopportunityforretreat.”
“IntheParthianmanner?”
“Theyfoundsafetyinthedesert.Icouldnotdothat.”
“Womenarenotalwaysallowedachoice,”heanswered,buthardlyhadhefinishedthesentencebeforefromthefarendoftheconservatorycameastifledgroan,followedbythedullsoundofaheavyfall.Everybodystartedup.Theduchessstoodmotionlessinhorror.Andwithfearinhiseyes,LordHenryrushedthroughtheflappingpalmstofindDorianGraylyingfacedownwardsonthetiledfloorinadeathlikeswoon.
Hewascarriedatonceintothebluedrawing-roomandlaidupononeofthesofas.Afterashorttime,hecametohimselfandlookedroundwithadazedexpression.
“Whathashappened?”heasked.“Oh!Iremember.AmIsafehere,Harry?”Hebegantotremble.
“MydearDorian,”answeredLordHenry,“youmerelyfainted.Thatwasall.Youmusthaveovertiredyourself.Youhadbetternotcomedowntodinner.Iwilltakeyourplace.”
“No,Iwillcomedown,”hesaid,strugglingtohisfeet.“Iwouldrathercomedown.Imustnotbealone.”
Hewenttohisroomanddressed.Therewasawildrecklessnessofgaietyinhismannerashesatattable,butnowandthenathrillofterrorranthroughhimwhenherememberedthat,pressedagainstthewindowoftheconservatory,likeawhitehandkerchief,hehadseenthefaceofJamesVanewatchinghim.
