collectallmybestpicturesforaspecialexhibitionintheRuedeSeze,whichwillopenthefirstweekinOctober.Theportraitwillonlybeawayamonth.Ishouldthinkyoucouldeasilyspareitforthattime.Infact,youaresuretobeoutoftown.Andifyoukeepitalwaysbehindas,youtcaremuchaboutit."

    Draypassedhishandoverhisforehead.Therewerebeadsofperspirationthere.Hefeltthathewasonthebrinkofahorribledanger."Youtoldmeamonthagothatyouwouldneverexhibitit,"hecried."Whyhaveyougedyourmind?Youpeoplewhogoinforbeingsistenthavejustasmanymoodsasothershave.Theonlydifferehatyourmoodsarerathermeaningless.Youthavefottenthatyouassuredmemostsolemnlythatnothingintheworldwouldiosendittoanyexhibition.YoutoldHarryexactlythesamething."Hestoppedsuddenly,andagleamoflightcameintohiseyes.HerememberedthatLordHenryhadsaidtohimonce,halfseriouslyandhalfi,"IfyouwanttohaveastrangequarterofanhetBasiltotellyouwhyhewontexhibityourpicture.Hetoldmewhyhewouldnt,anditwasarevelationtome."Yes,perhapsBasil,too,hadhissecret.Hewouldaskhimandtry.

    "Basil,"hesaid,ingoverquitecloseandlookinghimstraightintheface,"wehaveeachofusasecret.Letmeknowyours,andIshalltellyoumine.Whatwasyourreasonforrefusingtoexhibitmypicture?"

    Thepaintershudderedinspiteofhimself."Dorian,ifItoldyou,youmightlikemelessthanyoudo,andyouwouldcertainlylaughatme.Icouldnotbearyourdoiherofthosetwothings.Ifyouwishmeolookatyourpictureagain,Iamtent.Ihavealwaysyoutolookat.IfyouwishthebestworkIhaveeverdoobehiddenfromtheworld,Iams