quot;Thankyou,Leaf.Thatwilldo."

    Shelingeredforafewmoments,andwasgarrulousoversomedetailofthehousehold.Hesighedandtoldhertomahingsasshethoughtbest.Shelefttheroom,wreathedinsmiles.

    Asthedoorclosed,Dorianputthekeyinhispocketandlookedroundtheroom.Hiseyefellonalarge,purplesatiheavilyembroideredwithgold,asplendidpieceoflateseveh-turyVeianworkthathisgrandfatherhadfoundinaventnearBologhatwouldservetothedreadfulthingin.Ithadperhapsservedoftenasapallforthedead.Nowitwastohidesomethingthathadacorruptionofitsown,worsethanthecorruptiohitself--somethingthatwouldbreedhorrorsawouldneverdie.Whatthewormwastothecorpse,hissinswouldbetothepaintedimageonthevas.Theywouldmaritsbeautyaawayitsgrace.Theywoulddefileitandmakeitshameful.Ahethingwouldstillliveon.Itwouldbealwaysalive.

    Heshuddered,andforamomentheregrettedthathehadnottoldBasilthetruereasonwhyhehadwishedtohidethepictureaway.BasilwouldhavehelpedhimtoresistLordHenrysinfluendthestillmorepoisonousinfluehatcamefromhisowntemperament.Thelovethatheborehim--foritwasreallylove--hadnothinginitthatwasnotnobleandintellectual.Itwasnotthatmerephysicaladmiratioythatisbornofthesensesandthatdieswhentheseire.ItwassuchloveasMichelangelohadknown,andMontaigne,andWinckelmann,andShakespearehimself.Yes,Basilcouldhavesavedhim.Butitwastoolatenow.Thepastcouldalwaysbeannihilated.Regret,denial,etfulnesscoulddothat.Butthefuturewasiable.Therewerepassionsinhimthatwouldfierribleoutlet,dreamsthatwouldmaketheshadowoftheirevilreal.

    Hetookupfromthec