صفحة 240 من 490

"Dorian, this is horrible! Something has changed you completely.

You look exactly the same wonderful boy who, day after day, used

to come down to my studio to sit for his picture. But you were

simple, natural, and affectionate then. You were the most

unspoiled creature in the whole world. Now, I don't know what has

come over you. You talk as if you had no heart, no pity in you.

It is all Harry's influence. I see that."

The lad flushed up and, going to the window, looked out for a few

moments on the green, flickering, sun-lashed garden. "I owe a

great deal to Harry, Basil," he said at last, "more than I owe to

you. You only taught me to be vain."

"Well, I am punished for that, Dorian-or shall be some day."

"I don't know what you mean, Basil," he exclaimed, turning round.

"I don't know what you want. What do you want?"

"I want the Dorian Gray I used to paint," said the artist sadly.