outandtedious,andwhehem,theygoinatoninisces.Thatawfulmemoryofwoman!Whatafearfulthingitis!Andwhataellectualstagnationitreveals!Oneshouldabsorbthecolouroflife,butoneshouldneverrememberitsdetails.Detailsarealwaysvulgar."

    "Imustsowpoppiesinmygarden,"sighedDorian.

    "Thereisnoy,"rejoinedhispanion."Lifehasaloppiesinherhands.Ofcourse,nowahingslinger.Ionceworenothingbutvioletsallthroughoneseason,asaformofartisticmforaromawouldnotdie.Ultimately,however,itdiddie.Ifetwhatkilledit.Ithinkitwasherproposingtosacrificethewholeworldforme.Thatisalwaysadreadfulmoment.Itfillsohtheterrorofeternity.Well--wouldyoubelieveit?--aweekago,atLadyHampshires,Ifoundmyselfseatedatdinheladyiion,andsheinsistedongoihewholethingagain,anddiggingupthepast,andrakingupthefuture.Ihadburiedmyromanabedofasphodel.ShedraggeditoutagainandassuredmethatIhadspoiledherlife.Iamboundtostatethatsheateanenormousdinner,soIdidnotfeelanyay.Butwhatalackoftastesheshowed!Theonecharmofthepastisthatitisthepast.Butwomenneverknowwheainhasfallen.Theyalwayswantasixthadassoonastheioftheplayisentirelyover,theyproposetoti.Iftheywereallowedtheirownway,everyedywouldhaveatragiding,aragedywouldculminateinafarce.Theyarecharminglyartificial,buttheyhavenosenseofart.YouaremorefortuhanIam.Iassureyou,Dorian,thatnotohewomenIhaveknownwouldhavedoneformewhatSibylVanedidforyou.Ordinarywomenalwayssolethemselves.Someofthemdoitbygoinginforsealcolours.rustawomanwhowearsmauve,whateverheragemaybe,orawomahirty-fivewhoisfondo