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"I daren't, Mr. Gray. Why, she invents hats for me. You remember

the one I wore at Lady Hilstone's garden-party? You don't, but it

is nice of you to pretend that you do. Well, she made it out of

nothing. All good hats are made out of nothing."

"Like all good reputations, Gladys," interrupted Lord Henry.

"Every effect that one produces gives one an enemy. To be popular

one must be a mediocrity."

"Not with women," said the duchess, shaking her head; "and women

rule the world. I assure you we can't bear mediocrities. We

women, as some one says, love with our ears, just as you men love

with your eyes, if you ever love at all."

"It seems to me that we never do anything else," murmured Dorian.

"Ah! then, you never really love, Mr. Gray," answered the duchess

with mock sadness.