eoclock.Writetomewhenyouareing.Ishouldbesorrytomissyou."

    "Basil,"criedDray,"ifLordHenryWottongoes,Ishallgo,too.Youneveropenyourlipswhileyouarepainting,anditishorriblydullstandingonaplatformandtryingtolookpleasant.Askhimtostay.Iinsistuponit."

    "Stay,Harry,toobligeDorian,andtoobligeme,"saidHallward,gazingilyathispicture."Itisquitetrue,IalkwhenIamw,andneverlisteher,anditmustbedreadfullytediousformyunfortuers.Ibegyoutostay."

    "ButwhataboutmymanattheOrleans?"

    Thepainterlaughed."Idontthinktherewillbeanydifficultyaboutthat.Sitdownagain,Harry.Andnow,Doriaupoform,anddontmoveabouttoomuch,orpayanyattentiontowhatLordHenrysays.Hehasaverybadinfluenceoverallhisfriends,withthesingleexceptionofmyself."

    DraysteppeduponthedaiswiththeairofayoungGreekmartyr,andmadealittlemoueofdistenttoLordHenry,towhomhehadrathertakenafancy.HewassounlikeBasil.Theymadeadelightfultrast.Andhehadsuchabeautifulvoice.Afterafewmomentshesaidtohim,"Haveyoureallyaverybadinfluence,LordHenry?AsbadasBasilsays?"

    "Thereisnosuchthingasagoodinfluence,Mr.Gray.Allinfluenceisimmoral--immoralfromthestifitofview."

    "Why?"

    "Becausetoinfluenceapersonistogivehimonesownsoul.Hedoesnotthinkhisnaturalthoughts,orburnwithhisnaturalpassions.Hisvirtuesareohim.Hissins,iftherearesuchthingsassins,areborrowed.Hebeesaneeoneelsesmusiactorofapartthathasnotbeenwrittenforhim.Theaimoflifeisself-developmen