Pagina 269 di 490

"I will show you the way, Mr. Hubbard, if you will kindly follow

me. Or perhaps you had better go in front. I am afraid it is

right at the top of the house. We will go up by the front

staircase, as it is wider."

He held the door open for them, and they passed out into the hall

and began the ascent. The elaborate character of the frame had

made the picture extremely bulky, and now and then, in spite of

the obsequious protests of Mr. Hubbard, who had the true

tradesman's spirited dislike of seeing a gentleman doing anything

useful, Dorian put his hand to it so as to help them.

"Something of a load to carry, sir," gasped the little man when

they reached the top landing. And he wiped his shiny forehead.

"I am afraid it is rather heavy," murmured Dorian as he unlocked

the door that opened into the room that was to keep for him the

curious secret of his life and hide his soul from the eyes of

men.