第28章

"Come, let us sit down and try what the new chef here is like, and then you will tell us how it all came about.""There is really not much to tell," cried Dorian as they took their seats at the small round table."What happened was simply this.After I left you yesterday evening, Harry, I dressed, had some dinner at that little Italian restaurant in Rupert Street you introduced me to, and went down at eight o'clock to the theatre.Sibyl was playing Rosalind.Of course, the scenery was dreadful and the Orlando absurd.But Sibyl! You should have seen her! When she came on in her boy's clothes, she was perfectly wonderful.She wore a moss-coloured velvet jerkin with cinnamon sleeves, slim, brown, cross-gartered hose, a dainty little green cap with a hawk's feather caught in a jewel, and a hooded cloak lined with dull red.She had never seemed to me more exquisite.She had all the delicate grace of that Tanagra figurine that you have in your studio, Basil.Her hair clustered round her face like dark leaves round a pale rose.As for her acting--well, you shall see her to-night.She is simply a born artist.I sat in the dingy box absolutely enthralled.I forgot that I was in London and in the nineteenth century.I was away with my love in a forest that no man had ever seen.

After the performance was over, I went behind and spoke to her.As we were sitting together, suddenly there came into her eyes a look that I had never seen there before.My lips moved towards hers.We kissed each other.Ican't describe to you what I felt at that moment.It seemed to me that all my life had been narrowed to one perfect point of rose-coloured joy.

She trembled all over and shook like a white narcissus.Then she flung herself on her knees and kissed my hands.I feel that I should not tell you all this, but I can't help it.Of course, our engagement is a dead secret.She has not even told her own mother.I don't know what my guardians will say.Lord Radley is sure to be furious.I don't care.I shall be of age in less than a year, and then I can do what I like.I have been right, Basil, haven't I, to take my love out of poetry and to find my wife in Shakespeare's plays? Lips that Shakespeare taught to speak have whispered their secret in my ear.I have had the arms of Rosalind around me, and kissed Juliet on the mouth.""Yes, Dorian, I suppose you were right," said Hallward slowly.

"Have you seen her to-day?" asked Lord Henry.

Dorian Gray shook his head."I left her in the forest of Arden;I shall find her in an orchard in Verona."Lord Henry sipped his champagne in a meditative manner."At what particular point did you mention the word marriage, Dorian? And what did she say in answer? Perhaps you forgot all about it.""My dear Harry, I did not treat it as a business transaction, and I did not make any formal proposal.I told her that I loved her, and she said she was not worthy to be my wife.Not worthy! Why, the whole world is nothing to me compared with her.""Women are wonderfully practical," murmured Lord Henry, "much more practical than we are.In situations of that kind we often forget to say anything about marriage, and they always remind us."Hallward laid his hand upon his arm."Don't, Harry.You have annoyed Dorian.He is not like other men.He would never bring misery upon any one.His nature is too fine for that."Lord Henry looked across the table."Dorian is never annoyed with me," be answered."I asked the question for the best reason possible, for the only reason, indeed, that excuses one for asking any question-- simple curiosity.I have a theory that it is always the women who propose to us, and not we who propose to the women.Except, of course, in middle-class life.But then the middle classes are not modern."Dorian Gray laughed, and tossed his head."You are quite incorrigible, Harry; but I don't mind.It is impossible to be angry with you.When you see Sibyl Vane, you will feel that the man who could wrong her would be a beast, a beast without a heart.I cannot understand how any one can wish to shame the thing he loves.I love Sibyl Vane.I want to place her on a pedestal of gold and to see the world worship the woman who is mine.

What is marriage? An irrevocable vow.You mock at it for that.Ah! don't mock.It is an irrevocable vow that I want to take.Her trust makes me faithful, her belief makes me good.When I am with her, I regret all that you have taught me.I become different from what you have known me to be.

I am changed, and the mere touch of Sibyl Vane's hand makes me forget you and all your wrong, fascinating, poisonous, delightful theories.""And those are...?" asked Lord Henry, helping himself to some salad.