Life is not governed by will or intention.Life is a question of nerves, and fibres, and slowly built-up cells in which thought hides itself and passion has its dreams.You may fancy yourself safe and think yourself strong.But a chance tone of colour in a room or a morning sky, a particular perfume that you had once loved and that brings subtle memories with it, a line from a forgotten poem that you had come across again, a cadence from a piece of music that you had ceased to play-- I tell you, Dorian, that it is on things like these that our lives depend.Browning writes about that somewhere; but our own senses will imagine them for us.There are moments when the odour of lilas blanc passes suddenly across me, and I have to live the strangest month of my life over again.I wish I could change places with you, Dorian.The world has cried out against us both, but it has always worshipped you.It always will worship you.
You are the type of what the age is searching for, and what it is afraid it has found.I am so glad that you have never done anything, never carved a statue, or painted a picture, or produced anything outside of yourself!
Life has been your art.You have set yourself to music.Your days are your sonnets."Dorian rose up from the piano and passed his hand through his hair."Yes, life has been exquisite," he murmured, "but I am not going to have the same life, Harry.And you must not say these extravagant things to me.You don't know everything about me.I think that if you did, even you would turn from me.You laugh.Don't laugh.""Why have you stopped playing, Dorian? Go back and give me the nocturne over again.Look at that great, honey-coloured moon that hangs in the dusky air.She is waiting for you to charm her, and if you play she will come closer to the earth.You won't? Let us go to the club, then.
It has been a charming evening, and we must end it charmingly.There is some one at White's who wants immensely to know you--young Lord Poole, Bournemouth's eldest son.He has already copied your neckties, and has begged me to introduce him to you.He is quite delightful and rather reminds me of you.""I hope not," said Dorian with a sad look in his eyes."But Iam tired to-night, Harry.I shan't go to the club.It is nearly eleven, and I want to go to bed early.""Do stay.You have never played so well as to-night.There was something in your touch that was wonderful.It had more expression than I had ever heard from it before.""It is because I am going to be good," he answered, smiling."Iam a little changed already."
"You cannot change to me, Dorian," said Lord Henry."You and Iwill always be friends."
"Yet you poisoned me with a book once.I should not forgive that.
Harry, promise me that you will never lend that book to any one.It does harm.""My dear boy, you are really beginning to moralize.You will soon be going about like the converted, and the revivalist, warning people against all the sins of which you have grown tired.You are much too delightful to do that.Besides, it is no use.You and I are what we are, and will be what we will be.As for being poisoned by a book, there is no such thing as that.Art has no influence upon action.It annihilates the desire to act.It is superbly sterile.The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.That is all.But we won't discuss literature.Come round to-morrow.I am going to ride at eleven.We might go together, and I will take you to lunch afterwards with Lady Branksome.
She is a charming woman, and wants to consult you about some tapestries she is thinking of buying.Mind you come.Or shall we lunch with our little duchess? She says she never sees you now.Perhaps you are tired of Gladys?
I thought you would be.Her clever tongue gets on one's nerves.Well, in any case, be here at eleven.""Must I really come, Harry?"
"Certainly.The park is quite lovely now.I don't think there have been such lilacs since the year I met you.""Very well.I shall be here at eleven," said Dorian."Good night, Harry." As he reached the door, he hesitated for a moment, as if he had something more to say.Then he sighed and went out.
