taboutmusic.Wehavequitethesameideas.No;Ithinkourideasarequitedifferent.Buthehasbeenmostpleasant.IamsogladIveseenhim."

    "Iamcharmed,mylove,quitecharmed,"saidLordHenry,elevatinghisdark,crest-shapedeyebrowsandlookingatthembothwithanamusedsmile."SosorryIamlate,DoriaolookafterapieceofoldbrocadeinWardourStreetandhadtainforhoursforit.Noeopleknowthepriceofeverythingandthevalueofnothing."

    "IamafraidImustbegoing,"exclaimedLadyHenry,breakinganawkwardsilehhersillysuddenlaugh."Ihavepromisedtodrivewiththeduchess.Good-bye,Mr.Gray.Good-bye,Harry.Youarediningout,Isuppose?SoamI.PerhapsIshallseeyouatLadyThornburys."

    "Idaresay,mydear,"saidLordHenry,shuttingthedoorbehindheras,lookinglikeabirdofparadisethathadbeenoutallnightintheraitedoutoftheroom,leavingafaintodouripanni.Theacigaretteandflunghimselfdownonthesofa.

    "Nevermarryawomanwithstraw-colouredhair,Dorian,"hesaidafterafewpuffs.

    "Why,Harry?"

    "Becausetheyaresoseal."

    "ButIlikesealpeople."

    "Nevermarryatall,Dorian.Menmarrybecausetheyaretired;women,becausetheyarecurious:botharedisappointed."

    "IdontthinkIamlikelytomarry,Harry.Iamtoomulove.Thatisoneofyouraphorisms.Iamputtingitintopractice,asIdoeverythingthatyousay."

    "Whoareyouih?"askedLordHenryafterapause.

    "Withanactress,"saidDray,blushing.

    LordHenryshruggedhisshoulders."Thatisarat