The Picture of Dorian Gray. B1 / Портрет Дориана Грея. Оскар УайльдЧитать онлайн книгу.
towards women, Lord Henry listened attentively as Dorian shared the story of how he and Sibyl first met. Three weeks ago, Lord Henry sparked Dorian's desire to know everything about the world. So one evening, although the city was dull, grey, and monstrous, Dorian went out and, feeling oddlydelighted, wandered into a little theatre, where he encountered the greatest love of his life. The word 'greatest' made Lord Henry laugh, but Dorian continued. Sibyl's beauty captivated him, and he started going to that theatre every night.
Dorian also spoke about Sibyl's personality. She was shy, gentle, and child-like. When she talked to Dorian, she was always nervous and called him Prince Charming. She lived with her mother, who was also an actress, and knew so little about the real world.
Noticing Lord Henry's reaction, Dorian regretted telling him about Sibyl.
“You can't help it,” Lord Henry noted, “all through your life, you will tell me everything you do.”
“You're right,” Dorian agreed, “you understand me. If I ever committed a crime, I would come and confess it to you.”
Lord Henry was pleased. He realised that the shy boy he had met weeks ago was no longer frightened. He wasn't fighting his desire to be with Sibyl. Dorian invited Lord Henry and Basil to see Sibyl in a play. It was a part of his plan to help Sibyl get out of her theatre contract. Intrigued, Lord Henry agreed.
Soon, he received a telegram: Dorian Gray and Sibyl Vane were engaged.
according to [ə'kɔ:dɪŋ tu] – adv согласно
admit [əd'mɪt] – v признавать
adore [ə'dɔ:(r)] – v обожать
advise [əd'vaɪz] – v советовать
annoyed [ə'nɔɪd] – adj раздраженный
attentively [ə'tɛntɪvli] – adv внимательно
captivate ['kæptɪveɪt] – v пленять, очаровывать
commit [kə'mɪt] – v совершать (что-либо плохое)
contract ['kɒntrækt] – n контракт
crime [kraɪm] – n преступление
curious ['kjʊəriəs] – adj странный, любопытный
delighted [dɪ'laɪtɪd] – adj довольный, радостный
disappointed [,dɪsə'pɔɪntɪd] – adj разочарованный
dull [dʌl] – adj скучный, пасмурный
encounter [ɪn'kaʊntə(r)] – v встретить (неожиданно)
engaged [ɪn'ɡeɪdʒd] – adj обрученный
fabric ['fæbrɪk] – n ткань
footstep ['fʊtstep] – n звук шагов
genius ['dʒi:niəs] – n гений
gentle ['dʒentl] – adj нежный
haggle ['hæɡl] – v торговаться
illustrated ['ɪləstreɪtɪd] – adj иллюстрированный
luxurious [lʌɡ'ʒʊəriəs] – adj роскошный
monstrous ['mɒnstrəs] – adj чудовищный
mutual ['mju:tʃuəl] – adj взаимный
note [nəʊt] – v замечать
oak [əʊk] – n дуб
oddly ['ɒdli] – adv странно
panel ['pæn(ə)l] – n панель
peculiar [pɪ'kju:liə(r)] – adj своеобразный, странный
performance [pə'fɔ:məns] – n выступление
principle ['prɪnsəp(ə)l] – n принцип
regret [rɪ'ɡret] – v сожалеть
rush [rʌʃ] – n спешка
scepticism ['skeptɪsɪz(ə)m] – n скептицизм
shy [ʃaɪ] – adj застенчивый, стеснительный
spark [spɑ:k] – v вызывать
thief [θi:f] – n вор
untidy [ʌn'taɪdi] – adj неопрятный, неряшливый
value ['vælju:] – n ценность
wander ['wɒndə(r)] – v бродить
Chapter V
“Mother, Mother, I am so happy! and you must be happy too!” Sibyl whispered, hugging her mother.
Mrs. Vane put her hands on her daughter's head. “I am only happy, Sibyl, when I see you act. You must focus on your acting. Mr. Isaacs from the theatre has been very good to us, and we owe him money.”
“What does money matter? Love is more than money!” Sibyl pouted.
“Mr. Isaacs gave us fifty pounds to pay off our debts. It is a large sum. I don't know how we could manage without him.”
“I hate the way he talks to me. We don't need him anymore, Mother. Prince Charming rules our life now,” she paused, a blush spreading on her cheeks, “I love him!”
“Foolish child!” replied Mrs. Vane.
Sibyl laughed again. Her joy was infectious. She closed her eyes to get lost in her dream, where Prince Charming was next to her.
“Mother, why does he love me so much? I am not worthy of him, but I don't feel humble. I feel terribly proud! Mother, did you love my father as I love Prince Charming?”
Mrs. Vane grew pale. “My child, you are too young to think of love. Besides, what do you know of this young man? However, if he is rich…”
Mrs. Vane hugged her daughter theatrically. At that moment, James, Sibyl's brother, entered the room. Mrs. Vane greeted him with a smile. Sibyl hugged him, calling him a dreadful old bear.
James and Sibyl went for a walk in the park. James hesitated. While Sibyl was getting dressed, he came up to his mother. “Mother, you must watch over Sibyl. Don't let her come to any harm.”
Mrs. Vane was surprised to hear that. James asked her about the man who came to