The Picture of Dorian Gray. B1 / Портрет Дориана Грея. Оскар Уайльд

Agatha not to send him any more charity cheques. “I'll try,” Lord Henry promised, “but you know, gene-rous people have no humanity in them.”

      On his way to Aunt Agatha's house, Lord Henry couldn't stop thinking about Dorian's tragic past. He arrived late, finding Dorian among the guests. Apart from him, there were gentlemen, duchesses, members of the Parliament and many other friends of Aunt Agatha's, who were all discussing America and Americans. Lord Henry let himself make a few jokes, which other guests did not enjoy, reprimanding him in front of his aunt.

      “How mean you are!” Aunt Agatha exclaimed, tired of their lengthy arguments, “Harry, why don't you persuade Mr. Dorian Gray to continue playing music?”

      The guests continued their discussions. They spoke about the weather in England, science, and their responsibilities. One of the duchesses blushed, and felt embarrassed about it.

      “A blush is very becoming,” Lord Henry comforted her.

      “Only when you are young,” the duchess concluded, and Lord Henry continued expressing his philosophicalviews, entertaining the guests. He charmed all his listeners. Dorian Gray's gaze was fixed on him. He sat at the table, motionless, as if he was under a spell. His smile grew wider and his eyes got darker.

      Mr. Erskine, a cultured old gentleman, invited Lord Henry to visit his home for further discussions, intrigued by his views on life and pleasure. The lunch came to an end with the ladies departing and Mr. Erskine once again inviting Lord Henry, promising engaging conversations.

      As Lord Henry was leaving Aunt Agatha's house to go to the park, Dorian Gray appeared next to him, touching him on his arm. “Can I come with you?” He asked. Lord Henry did not mind. However, he remembered that Dorian had already promised to visit Basil.

      “I feel I must come with you,” Dorian stated.

Glossary

      ambassador [æm'bæsədə(r)] – n посол

      apart from [ə'pɑ:t frɒm] – adv кроме, помимо

      aristocratic [,arɪstə'kratɪk] – adj аристократический

      bachelor ['bætʃ(ə)lə(r)] – n холостяк

      becoming [bɪ'kʌmɪŋ] – adj подобающий, идущий к лицу

      blush [blʌʃ] – v краснеть

      chamber ['tʃeɪmbə(r)] – n палата, зал

      charm [tʃɑ:m] – v очаровывать

      cheque [tʃek] – n чек

      conclude [kən'klu:d] – v заканчивать, делать вывод

      criticise ['krɪtɪsaɪz] – v критиковать

      cultured ['kʌltʃəd] – adj культурный

      duchess ['dʌtʃɪs] – n герцогиня

      embarrassed [ɪm'bærəst] – adj смущенный

      engaging [ɪn'ɡeɪdʒɪŋ] – adj располагающий, увлекательный

      entertain [,entə'teɪn] – v развлекать

      gaze [ɡeɪz] – n пристальный взгляд

      generosity [,dʒenə'rɒsəti] – n щедрость

      humanity [hju:'mænəti] – n человечность

      lengthy ['leŋθi] – adj длительный

      motionless ['məʊʃ(ə)nləs] – adj неподвижный

      penniless ['peniləs] – adj нищий, без гроша

      persuade [pə'sweɪd] – v уговаривать, убеждать

      philosophical [,fɪlə'sɒfɪk(ə)l] – adj философский

      promise ['prɒmɪs] – v обещать

      relative ['relətɪv] – n родственник

      remind [rɪ'maɪnd] – v напоминать

      reminisce [,remɪ'nɪs] – v предаваться воспоминаниям

      reprimand ['reprɪmɑ:nd] – v делать выговор

      responsibility [rɪ ,spɒnsə'bɪləti] – n обязанность

      retire [rɪ'taɪə(r)] – v уходить на пенсию

      rumour ['ru:mə(r)] – n слух

      selfish ['selfɪʃ] – adj эгоистичный

      shortly ['ʃɔ:tli] – adv скоро, вскоре

      spell [spel] – n заклинание

      state [steɪt] – v утверждать

      terror ['terə(r)] – n ужас

      tragic ['trædʒɪk] – adj трагический

      valet ['væleɪ] – n камердинер

      view [vju:] – n мнение, взгляд

      Chapter IV

      One afternoon, a month later, Dorian Gray was lying in a luxurious armchair at Lord Henry's house. The room was charming, with olive oakpanels, cream-coloured decorations, and Persian rugs. Warm light was making its way through the windows. Dorian felt bored as he flipped through an illustrated book, annoyed by the clock's ticking. Finally, he heard footsteps, and the door opened.

      Dorian was waiting for Lord Henry, who was always late. According to his principles, punctuality was a thief of time. Instead of Lord Henry, Lady Henry entered. She introduced herself and said that she recognised Dorian from the eighteen photographs of his that Lord Henry kept.

      Lady Henry was a curious woman. Her clothes always looked like she had put them on in a rush. She was full of romantic interest for someone else, but her love was never mutual. She looked peculiar, and often untidy.

      Dorian and Lady Henry chatted about music. Lady Henry adored loud music like Wagner's, as it allowed her to talk during performances, while Dorian preferred silence during good music. She noticed that Dorian's opinion was the same as her husband's.

      Lord Henry finally arrived, apologising for being late. He explained that he had been haggling over a piece of fabric. “Nowadays people