Kitabı oku: «The Picture of Dorian Gray. B1 / Портрет Дориана Грея», sayfa 5

Chapter II

Lord Henry and Basil found Dorian Gray at the piano,flipping through Schumann's “Forest Scenes”. Dorian asked Basil to lend him those, so that he could learn to play this charming music.

“It depends on how well you will sit for the portrait today,” Basil joked. Dorian started complaining about sitting for the portrait, but when he saw Lord Henry, he blushed andapologised for not realising Basil had company.

Basil introduced Lord Henry as an old friend from Oxford. Lord Henryobserved Dorian's remarkable beauty and youthfulness. For Lord Henry, these characteristics inspired trust and admiration. Dorian was friends with many famous philanthropists. Lord Henry joked that Dorian was too charming for charity. Basil was busy with his painting preparations, and politely asked Lord Henry to leave so he could finish the portrait in peace. However, Dorian insisted Lord Henry stay, as he found Basil's silence while painting tiresome.

Lord Henry stayed,lounging on the sofa. He continued his speech as Dorian was posing. “There is no such thing as a good influence, Mr. Gray. All influence is immoral from the scientific point of view, because it leads the person away from their own soul,” he spoke, confusing Dorian, “and true fulfilment comes from embracing one's desires. That is the only way to overcome them.”