Pagina 447 de 490

Lord Henry looked in the direction in which the trembling gloved

hand was pointing. "Yes," he said, smiling, "I see the gardener

waiting for you. I suppose he wants to ask you what flowers you

wish to have on the table to-night. How absurdly nervous you are,

my dear fellow! You must come and see my doctor, when we get back

to town."

Dorian heaved a sigh of relief as he saw the gardener

approaching. The man touched his hat, glanced for a moment at

Lord Henry in a hesitating manner, and then produced a letter,

which he handed to his master. "Her Grace told me to wait for an

answer," he murmured.

Dorian put the letter into his pocket. "Tell her Grace that I am

coming in," he said, coldly. The man turned round and went

rapidly in the direction of the house.

"How fond women are of doing dangerous things!" laughed Lord

Henry. "It is one of the qualities in them that I admire most. A

woman will flirt with anybody in the world as long as other

people are looking on."