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THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY.

their secret in my ear. I have had the arms of Rosalind around me, and kissed Juliet on the mouth."

"Yes, Dorian, I suppose you were right," said Hallward, slowly.

"Have you seen her to-day?" asked Lord Henry.

Dorian Gray shook his head. "I left her in the forest of Arden, I shall find her in an orchard in Verona."

Lord Henry sipped his champagne in a meditative manner. "At what particular point did you mention the word marriage, Dorian? And what did she say in answer? Perhaps you forgot all about it."

"My dear Harry, I did not treat it as a business transaction and I did not make any formal proposal. I told her that I loved her, and she said she was not worthy to be my wife. Not worth! Why, the whole world is nothing to me compared with her."

"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."

Hailward 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."

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