Портрет Дориана Грея / The Picture of Dorian Gray (+ аудиоприложение)

But what the gods give they quickly take away. You have only a few years in which to really live, perfectly and fully. Live your life now, while you are still young!”

Suddenly the painter appeared at the door and waved at them to come in. They turned to each other and smiled.

“I am waiting,” he cried. “Do come in. The light is quite perfect, and you can bring your drinks.”

They got up and walked towards the house together.

“You are glad you have met me, Mr. Gray,” said Lord Henry, looking at him.

“Yes, I am glad now. I wonder whether I will always be glad.”

“Always! That is a terrible word. Women are so fond of using it.”

After about a quarter of an hour Hallward stopped painting. He stood back and looked at the portrait for a few moments. Then he bent down and signed his name in red paint on the bottom left-hand corner.

“It is finished,” he cried. “And you have sat splendidly to-day. I am awfully obliged to you.”

Lord Henry came over and examined the picture.

“My dear man,” he said. “It is the best portrait of our time. Mr. Gray, come over and look at yourself.”

Dorian walked across to look at the painting. When he saw it his cheeks went red with pleasure. He felt that he recognized his own beauty for the first time. But then he remembered what Lord Henry had said. His beauty would only be there for a few years. One day he would be old and ugly.

“Don’t you like it?” cried Hallward, not understanding why the boy was silent.

“Of course he likes it,” said Lord Henry. “Who wouldn’t like it? It is one of the greatest paintings in modern art. I will give you anything you like to ask for it. I must have it.”

“It is not my property, Harry.”

“Whose is it?”

“Dorian’s, of course,” answered the painter.

“He is a very lucky fellow.”

“How sad it is!” said Dorian Gray, who was still staring at his own portrait. “I will grow old and horrible.

“What do you mean?” asked Hallward.

“If I could stay young and the picture grow old! For that – for that – I would give everything! Yes, there is nothing in the whole world I would not give! I would give my soul for that!”

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.