planding.Andhewipedhisshinyforehead.

    "Iamafraiditisratherheavy,"murmuredDorianasheunlockedthedoorthatopeotheroomthatwastokeepforhimthecurioussecretofhislifeandhidehissoulfromtheeyesofmen.

    Hehaderedtheplaorethanfouryears--not,indeed,sincehehaduseditfirstasaplay-roomwhenhewasachild,andthenasastudywhenhegrewsomewhatolder.Itwasalarge,well-proportionedroom,whichhadbeenspeciallybuiltbythelastLordKelsofortheuseofthelittlegrandsonwhom,forhisstrangelikeohismother,andalsoforotherreasons,hehadalwayshatedanddesiredtokeepatadistaappearedtoDoriantohavebutlittleged.TherewasthehugeItaliancassohitsfantasticallypaintedpanelsanditstarnishedgiltmouldings,inwhichhehadsooftenhiddenhimselfasaboy.Therethesatinwoodbook-casefilledwithhisdog-earedschoolbooks.OnthewallbehinditwashangingthesameraggedFlemishtapestrywhereafadedkingandqueenwereplayingchessinagarden,whileapanyofhawkersrodeby,carryinghoodedbirdsontheirgauedwrists.Howwellheremembereditall!Everymomentofhislonelychildhoodcamebaashelookedround.Herecalledthestainlesspurityofhisboyishlife,anditseemedhorribletohimthatitwasherethefatalportraitwastobehiddenaway.Howlittlehehadthought,inthosedeaddays,ofallthatwasinstoreforhim!

    Buttherewasnootherplathehousesosecurefreyesasthis.Hehadthekey,andnooneelsecoulde.Behitspurplepall,thefacepaihevascouldgrowbestial,sodden,andun.Whatdiditmatter?Noonecouldseeit.Hehimselfwould.Whyshouldhewatchthehideouscorruptionofhissoul?Hekepthisyouth--thatwasenough.And,besides,mightnothisnaturegrowfi