第168页 / 共490页

"Women are wonderfully practical," murmured Lord Henry, "much

more practical than we are. In situations of that kind we often

forget to say anything about marriage, and they always remind

us."

Hallward laid his hand upon his arm. "Don't, Harry. You have

annoyed Dorian. He is not like other men. He would never bring

misery upon any one. His nature is too fine for that."

Lord Henry looked across the table. "Dorian is never annoyed with

me," he answered. "I asked the question for the best reason

possible, for the only reason, indeed, that excuses one for

asking any question-simple curiosity. I have a theory that it is

always the women who propose to us, and not we who propose to the

women. Except, of course, in middle-class life. But then the

middle classes are not modern."