Страница 319 из 490

Yet these whispered scandals only increased in the eyes of many

his strange and dangerous charm. His great wealth was a certain

element of security. Society-civilized society, at least-is never

very ready to believe anything to the detriment of those who are

both rich and fascinating. It feels instinctively that manners

are of more importance than morals, and, in its opinion, the

highest respectability is of much less value than the possession

of a good chef. And, after all, it is a very poor consolation to

be told that the man who has given one a bad dinner, or poor

wine, is irreproachable in his private life. Even the cardinal

virtues cannot atone for half-cold entrees, as Lord Henry

remarked once, in a discussion on the subject, and there is

possibly a good deal to be said for his view. For the canons of

good society are, or should be, the same as the canons of art.

Form is absolutely essential to it.