professorofelocution.Whensheleanedoverthebalyandcametothosewonderfullines--

    AlthoughIjoyinthee,

    Ihavenojoyofthistractto-night:

    Itistoorash,toounadvised,toosudden;

    Toolikethelightning,whichdothceasetobe

    Ereonesay,"Itlightens."Sweet,good-night!

    Thisbudoflovebysummersripenih

    Mayproveabeauteousflowerwhewemeet--

    shespokethewordsasthoughtheyveyednomeaningtoher.Itwasnotnervousness.Indeed,sofarfrombeingnervous,shewasabsolutelyself-taiwassimplybadart.Sheletefailure.

    Eventheonuneducatedaudiehepitandgallerylosttheiriintheplay.Theygotrestless,aotalkloudlyandtowhistle.TheJewmanager,whowasstandingatthebackofthedress-circle,stampedandsworewithrage.Theonlypersonunmovedwasthegirlherself.

    Whenthesedactwasover,therecameastormofhisses,andLordHenrygotupfromhischairandputonhiscoat."Sheisquitebeautiful,Dorian,"hesaid,"butshetact.Letusgo."

    "Iamgoingtoseetheplaythrough,"ahelad,inahardbittervoice."IamawfullysorrythatIhavemadeyouwasteanevening,Harry.Iapologizetoyouboth."

    "MydearDorian,IshouldthinkMissVanewasill,"interruptedHallward."Wewillesomeht."

    "Iwishshewereill,"herejoined."Butsheseemstometobesimplycallousandcold.Shehasentirelyaltered.Lastnightshewasagreatartist.Thiseveningsheismerelyaonplacemediocreactress."

    "Donttalklikethataboutanyoneyoulove,Dorian.Loveisamorewonderfulthingthanart."

    "Theya