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"And how did Lady Brandon describe this wonderful young man?"

asked his companion. "I know she goes in for giving a rapid

precis of all her guests. I remember her bringing me up to a

truculent and red-faced old gentleman covered all over with

orders and ribbons, and hissing into my ear, in a tragic whisper

which must have been perfectly audible to everybody in the room,

the most astounding details. I simply fled. I like to find out

people for myself. But Lady Brandon treats her guests exactly as

an auctioneer treats his goods. She either explains them entirely

away, or tells one everything about them except what one wants to

know."

"Poor Lady Brandon! You are hard on her, Harry!" said Hallward

listlessly.

"My dear fellow, she tried to found a salon, and only succeeded

in opening a restaurant. How could I admire her? But tell me,

what did she say about Mr. Dorian Gray?"