Passer le texte de l’article
There was a long silence , and the shadows crept in from the garden . At last Dorian looked up . “ You have explained me to myself , Harry , ” he said with a sigh of relief . “ I felt all that you have said , but I was afraid of it . How well you know me , Harry ! We will not talk again about what has happened . It has been a wonderful experience , that is all . ” “ Life has everything in store for you , Dorian . With your extraordinary good looks , there is nothing that you will not be able to do . ” “ But what if I became old and wrinkled , Harry ? ” “ Ah , then you would have to fight for your victories . As it is , they are brought to you . No , you must keep your good looks , and now you had better dress and come to the opera . I shall see you there before half past nine . ” As soon as he was alone , Dorian pulled the screen aside again . There was no new change in the picture . It must have received the news of Sibyl’s death before he did . The cruel look had probably appeared at the very moment when the girl drank the poison . For a moment he thought of praying that the strange bond between him and the picture might end . But who would give up the chance of staying young for ever , however dangerous it might be ? He realised that the choice had already been made . Eternal youth , wild joys and wilder sins : he would have all these things , and the portrait would carry the burden of his shame . It would be a real pleasure to watch it . As it had shown him his own body , so it would show him his own soul . The face on the canvas would grow old , but he would always be young . What did it matter what happened to the coloured picture ? He would be safe , and that was everything . He pulled the screen back into its place , smiling as he did so . An hour later he was at the opera , and Lord Henry was leaning over his chair . IX . A Room at the Top of the House The next morning Basil Hallward came to see Dorian while he was having breakfast . He had read about Sibyl Vane’s death in an evening paper and had come to comfort his friend . “ Did you go to see the girl’s mother ? ” he asked . “ Poor woman , what a state she must be in ! ” “ My dear Basil , how do I know ? ” answered Dorian , sipping some pale yellow wine and looking bored . “ I was at the opera , and you should have come too . I met Harry’s sister , Lady Gwendolen , for the first time , and she is perfectly charming . Don’t talk about horrid subjects . If one doesn’t talk about a thing , it has never happened . ”
Précédent Page 17 sur 32 Page 17 sur 32 Suivant Continuez à lire avec les traductions Créez un compte gratuit : 7 jours de Pro, puis 20 traductions de mots par jour ou une formule payante.
