Pagina 14 de 490

You know yourself, Harry, how independent I am by nature. I have

always been my own master; had at least always been so, till I

met Dorian Gray. Then-but I don't know how to explain it to you.

Something seemed to tell me that I was on the verge of a terrible

crisis in my life. I had a strange feeling that fate had in store

for me exquisite joys and exquisite sorrows. I grew afraid and

turned to quit the room. It was not conscience that made me do

so: it was a sort of cowardice. I take no credit to myself for

trying to escape."

"Conscience and cowardice are really the same things, Basil.

Conscience is the trade-name of the firm. That is all."

"I don't believe that, Harry, and I don't believe you do either.

However, whatever was my motive-and it may have been pride, for I

used to be very proud-I certainly struggled to the door. There,

of course, I stumbled against Lady Brandon. 'You are not going to

run away so soon, Mr. Hallward?' she screamed out. You know her

curiously shrill voice?"