Pagina 342 de 490

There was the madness of pride in every word he uttered. He

stamped his foot upon the ground in his boyish insolent manner.

He felt a terrible joy at the thought that some one else was to

share his secret, and that the man who had painted the portrait

that was the origin of all his shame was to be burdened for the

rest of his life with the hideous memory of what he had done.

"Yes," he continued, coming closer to him and looking steadfastly

into his stern eyes, "I shall show you my soul. You shall see the

thing that you fancy only God can see."

Hallward started back. "This is blasphemy, Dorian!" he cried.

"You must not say things like that. They are horrible, and they

don't mean anything."

"You think so?" He laughed again.

"I know so. As for what I said to you to-night, I said it for

your good. You know I have been always a stanch friend to you."

"Don't touch me. Finish what you have to say."