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"Dorian Gray? Is that his name?" asked Lord Henry, walking across

the studio towards Basil Hallward.

"Yes, that is his name. I didn't intend to tell it to you."

"But why not?"

"Oh, I can't explain. When I like people immensely, I never tell

their names to any one. It is like surrendering a part of them. I

have grown to love secrecy. It seems to be the one thing that can

make modern life mysterious or marvellous to us. The commonest

thing is delightful if one only hides it. When I leave town now I

never tell my people where I am going. If I did, I would lose all

my pleasure. It is a silly habit, I dare say, but somehow it

seems to bring a great deal of romance into one's life. I suppose

you think me awfully foolish about it?"