t."

    "T!Surelynot,mydearfellow?Itisanadmirableplaceforit.Letmeseeit."AndHallwardwalkedtowardstheeroftheroom.

    Acryofterrorbrokefrrayslips,andherushedbetweenthepainterandthes."Basil,"hesaid,lookingverypale,"youmustnotlookatit.Idontwishyouto."

    "Notlookatmyownwork!Youarenotserious.WhyshouldntIlookatit?"exclaimedHallward,laughing.

    "Ifyoutrytolookatit,Basil,onmywordofhonourIwillneverspeaktoyouagainaslongasIlive.Iamquiteserious.Idontofferanyexplanation,andyouarenottoaskforany.But,remember,ifyoutouchthiss,everythingisoverbetweenus."

    Hallwardwasthuruck.HelookedatDrayinabsoluteamazement.Hehadneverseenhimlikethisbefore.Theladwasactuallypallidwithrage.Hishandswereched,andthepupilsofhiseyeswerelikedisksofbluefire.Hewastremblingallover.

    "Dorian!"

    "Dontspeak!"

    "Butwhatisthematter?OfcourseIwontlookatitifyoudontwao,"hesaid,rathercoldly,turningonhisheelandgoiowardsthewindow."But,really,itseemsratherabsurdthatIshouldntseemyownwork,especiallyasIamgoingtoexhibititinParisiumn.Ishallprobablyhavetogiveitanothercoatofvarnishbeforethat,soImustseeitsomeday,andwhynotto-day?"

    "Toexhibitit!Youwanttoexhibitit?"exclaimedDray,astrangeseerrorcreepingoverhim.Wasthewoingtobeshownhissecret?Werepeopletogapeatthemysteryofhislife?Thatossible.Something--hedidnotknowwhat--hadtobedoonce.

    "Yes;Idontsupposeyouwillobjecttothat.GeesPetitisgoingto