Оскар Уайльд - Портрет Дориана Грея / The Picture of Dorian Gray стр 6.

Sibyl was happy. I think you will have a wonderful life in Australia, James. I think you will become rich

She stopped speaking because James was not listening to her.

You are not listening to a word I am saying, Jim, cried Sibyl, and I am making the most delightful plans for your future. Do say something. Whats bothering you?

I heard that there is a man who comes to see you every night at the theatre. Why havent you told me about him? He cant be any good for you[43].

Jim! Why do you say such things?

You dont know his name, do you?

Stop, Jim! she exclaimed. You must not say anything against him. I love him. I call him Prince Charming. I will love him for ever.

You dont know his name, James said again, angrily. He is a rich young man, and he will not marry you.

He is a prince! she cried musically. What more do you want?

He wants to enslave you. Sibyl, you are mad about him.

She laughed and took his arm.

Just then a carriage drove by. There were two women in it and a young man with curly blond hair and laughing eyes.

Oh, look! Look, there he is! Hes in that carriage! Sibyl shouted.

Who?

Prince Charming.

Where? Show him to me.

She pointed across the park at a carriage. James looked across the park. But, at that moment, another carriage suddenly passed in front of the brother and sister. James never saw Prince Charming.

Oh dear, said Sibyl, I wanted you to see him.

I wanted to see him too, replied her brother, because I will kill him if he ever hurts you. Do you hear me Sybil? Ill kill him!

James Vanes eyes looked red with anger. At first Sibyl was angry with her brother. But she remembered that he was sixteen years old. He was a boy. He had never been in love.

You wont hurt a man I love, will you, James? she said.

No, I wont, he said at last. I wont hurt him if you love him.

I will always love Prince Charming, said Sibyl. And he will always love me.

So Sibyl and James were friends again. But that evening, James spoke again to their mother.

If this young man hurts Sibyl, said he again. I will find him and I will kill him. I will kill him like a dog!

Jim, what are you saying? Come, let us go. You will be late for your boat.

Chapter 6

I suppose you have heard the news, Basil? said Lord Henry the following evening. They were in the dining-room of the Bristol Hotel.

No, Harry, answered the artist, giving his hat and coat to the waiter. What is it? Nothing about politics, I hope! They dont interest me.

Dorian Gray is going to be married, said Lord Henry, watching him as he spoke.

Hallward frowned. Impossible! he cried.

It is perfectly true.

To whom?

To some little actress.

I cant believe it. Dorian is far too sensible[44].

Basil, whenever a man does a completely stupid thing, it is always for a good reason.

I hope this girl is good, Harry. I dont want to see Dorian tied to some vile creature.

Oh, she is better than good  she is beautiful, murmured Lord Henry. Dorian says that she is beautiful and he is not often wrong about these things. Your portrait has helped him understand beauty in others. We are to see her tonight, if that boy doesnt forget.

Are you serious?

Quite serious, Basil.

But how can Dorian marry an actress, Harry? It is absurd, cried the painter, walking up and down the room, biting his lip. Do you approve of it, Harry? You cant approve of it, possibly.

I never approve, or disapprove, of anything now. You know I am not a champion of marriage. Dorian Gray falls in love with a beautiful actress who plays Juliet. He asks her to marry him. Why not? I hope that Dorian Gray marries this girl and worships her for six months. Then he can suddenly become fascinated by another woman.