Pagina 42 di 490

Yes; there had been things in his boyhood that he had not

understood. He understood them now. Life suddenly became

fiery-coloured to him. It seemed to him that he had been walking

in fire. Why had he not known it?

With his subtle smile, Lord Henry watched him. He knew the

precise psychological moment when to say nothing. He felt

intensely interested. He was amazed at the sudden impression that

his words had produced, and, remembering a book that he had read

when he was sixteen, a book which had revealed to him much that

he had not known before, he wondered whether Dorian Gray was

passing through a similar experience. He had merely shot an arrow

into the air. Had it hit the mark? How fascinating the lad was!

Hallward painted away with that marvellous bold touch of his,

that had the true refinement and perfect delicacy that in art, at

any rate comes only from strength. He was unconscious of the

silence.