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"Oh, she is better than good-she is beautiful," murmured Lord

Henry, sipping a glass of vermouth and orange-bitters. "Dorian

says she is beautiful, and he is not often wrong about things of

that kind. Your portrait of him has quickened his appreciation of

the personal appearance of other people. It has had that

excellent effect, amongst others. We are to see her to-night, if

that boy doesn't forget his appointment."

"Are you serious?"

"Quite serious, Basil. I should be miserable if I thought I

should ever be more serious than I am at the present moment."

"But do you approve of it, Harry?" asked the painter, walking up

and down the room and biting his lip. "You can't approve of it,

possibly. It is some silly infatuation."