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You had brought me something higher, something of which all art

is but a reflection. You had made me understand what love really

is. My love! My love! Prince Charming! Prince of life! I have

grown sick of shadows. You are more to me than all art can ever

be. What have I to do with the puppets of a play? When I came on

to-night, I could not understand how it was that everything had

gone from me. I thought that I was going to be wonderful. I found

that I could do nothing. Suddenly it dawned on my soul what it

all meant. The knowledge was exquisite to me. I heard them

hissing, and I smiled. What could they know of love such as ours?

Take me away, Dorian-take me away with you, where we can be quite

alone. I hate the stage. I might mimic a passion that I do not

feel, but I cannot mimic one that burns me like fire. Oh, Dorian,

Dorian, you understand now what it signifies? Even if I could do

it, it would be profanation for me to play at being in love. You

have made me see that."