THE+PICTURE+OF+DORIAN+GRAY

It was better not to think ofthe past. Nothing could change that.He had to think of his future. A-lan campbell had shot himself onenight, and his terrible secret had died with him. The inrerest in BasilHallward's disappearance would soon pass away. He was perfectlysafe there.'what worried him was the death of his own soul. Basil hadpainted the portrait that had destroyed his life. He could not forgivehim that. It was the portrait that had done everything. The murderhadjust been the madness of the momenr.As forAlan campbell, hehad killed himself. It was nothing to do with Dorian Gray.A new life! That was whar he wanred. That was what he waswaiting for. Perhaps it had begun already. He would never againspoil innocence. He would be good.He began to wonder if the portrait in the locked room hadchanged. was it still as horrible as it had been? Perhaps if his lifebecame pure, the face in the portrait would become beautiful again.He would go and look.He took the lamp from the table and went upstairs.As he openedthe door, a smile of happiness passed across his young face. yes, hewould be good, and the ugly thing he had locked away would norfrighten him any more. He felt happier already.He went in quietly, locking rhe door behind him. 'W'alkingstraight over to the portrait, he took off the purple curtain that wascovering it.An angry cry ofpain came from him. He could see nochange. The thing was still hateful - more hateful, even, than before.The red mark on the hand seemed brighter and more like newblood.And why was the red mark larger than it had been? It was allover the fingers now. There was blood on the painted feet, andblood on the hand that had not held the knife.what did it all mean? That he should go to the police? That heshould tell the whole story, and be pur to death? He laughed. Hefelt the idea was absurd.Ifhe did tell rhem now who would believehim? There was nothing left of the murdered man anywhere. He62