The studio was filled with the rich scent of roses, and the light summer wind brought in the fragrance of flowers from the garden. Lord Henry Wotton, lying on a sofa, could see the honey-coloured blossoms and the shadows of birds on the silk curtains. It reminded him of Japanese art. The buzzing of bees and the distantroar of London added to the atmosphere.
In the centre of the room, there was a full-length portrait of a young man of extraordinary beauty. Basil Hallward, the artist, looked at his work with pleasure and pride for his skill, and then closed his eyes. He looked like he was trying to capture a dream. Lord Henry praised the portrait and suggested it be sent to the Grosvenor Gallery, not the overcrowded Academy. Basil, however, refused to exhibit it, “I have put too much of myself into it,” he explained.
Lord Henry found this odd and teased Basil about his vanity: he compared Basil's ordinary appearance with the beauty of the young man in the portrait.
“I do not wish to be like him. People who are better than others – physically or intellectually – always suffer more,” Basil said. He feared for the fate of himself, Lord Henry, and the subject of his painting, Dorian Gray.
Lord Henry was intrigued by the name. Basil did not want to speak about it. He liked secrecy, because it added mystery and romance to life. Lord Henry, who also enjoyed secrecy – in his own marriage – found this amusing. Despite Basil's serious tone, Lord Henry's cynical comments lightened the mood, and the two men moved to the garden.
Before leaving, Lord Henry once again asked Basil for the real reason he wouldn't exhibit the portrait. Basil confessed that every portrait painted with feeling reveals more about the artist than the subject. He feared that the world would see his soul in the portrait. Lord Henry laughed.
Basil shared the story of his first meeting with Dorian Gray. “It was a party, where I felt an immediate and intense connection, as if Dorian's presence would control my life and art. This sensation was both exciting and terrifying. I realised that Dorian's personality influenced my work profoundly. It gave me a new artistic vision.”
Lord Henry was fascinated by Basil's obsession. “I must meet Dorian Gray,” he insisted. Basil warned that while Dorian Gray was a mere inspiration for him, he feared the world would not understand. However, Lord Henry remained sceptical. “Artists often put their emotions into their work. The public's reaction shouldn't discourage you from displaying your best piece.”
“Dorian Gray has become essential to my happiness and artistry,” Basil admitted, “though his thoughtless actions sometimes hurt me”. Lord Henry spoke about the fading nature of beauty, suggesting that Basil might eventually grow tired of Dorian.
Basil did not agree. He was adamant that Dorian's influence would always be significant to him. Cynically, Lord Henry remarked that true understanding of love's tragedies comes from being faithless, not faithful. The men continued their conversation.
“Mr. Dorian Gray is in the studio, sir,” the butler announced. “You must introduce me now,” Lord Henry insisted.
Glossary
adamant ['ædəmənt] – adj непреклонный
add to [æd tə] – v усиливать
amusing [ə'mju:zɪŋ] – adj забавный
announce [ə'naʊns] – v объявлять
artistry ['ɑ:tɪstri] – n мастерство
blossom ['blɒs(ə)m] – n цветок
butler ['bʌtlə(r)] – n дворецкий
buzzing ['bʌzɪŋ] – n жужжание
capture ['kæptʃə(r)] – v поймать
confess [kən'fes] – v признаваться
cynical ['sɪnɪk(ə)l] – adj циничный
discourage [dɪ'skʌrɪdʒ] – v отбивать охоту
display [dɪ'spleɪ] – v выставлять (для показа)
distant ['dɪst(ə)nt] – adj далекий
exhibit [ɪɡ'zɪbɪt] – v выставлять
extraordinary [ɪk'strɔ:d(ə)n(ə)ri] – adj необыкновенный, невероятный
fading ['feɪdɪŋ] – adj угасающий
fascinated ['fæsɪneɪtɪd] – adj увлеченный
fate [feɪt] – n судьба, участь
fragrance ['freɪɡrəns] – n аромат
insist [ɪn'sɪst] – v настаивать
intense [ɪn'tens] – adj интенсивный
intrigued ['ɪntrɪɡd] – adj заинтересованный
introduce [,ɪntrə'dju:s] – v знакомить
mere [mɪə(r)] – adj всего лишь
obsession [əb'seʃ(ə)n] – n одержимость
pleasure ['pleʒə(r)] – n удовольствие
praise [preɪz] – v хвалить
presence ['prez(ə)ns] – n присутствие
pride [praɪd] – n гордость
profoundly [prə'faʊndlɪ] – adv глубоко, серьезно
remark [rɪ'mɑ:k] – v замечать, отмечать
reveal [rɪ'vi:l] – v раскрывать
roar [rɔ:(r)] – n рев, рычание
scent [sent] – n запах
sceptical ['skeptɪk(ə)l] – adj скептический
sensation [sen'seɪʃ(ə)n] – n ощущение
significant [sɪɡ'nɪfɪk(ə)nt] – adj важный
soul [səʊl] – n душа
tease [ti:z] – v дразнить
terrifying ['tɛrɪfʌɪɪŋ] – adj ужасающий
thoughtless ['θɔ:tləs] – adj эгоистичный
vanity ['vænəti] – n тщеславие
vision ['vɪʒ(ə)n] – n мечта, образ
