It was Lionel Johnson, the writer, a friend and intimate of Douglas at Winchester, who brought him to tea at Oscar's house in Tite Street.

Their mutual attraction had countless hooks.

Oscar was drawn by the lad's personal beauty, and enormously affected besides by Lord Alfred Douglas' name and position: he was a snob as only an English artist can be a snob; he loved titular distinctions, and Douglas is one of the few great names in British history with the gilding of romance about it.

No doubt Oscar talked better than his best because he was talking to Lord Alfred Douglas.

To the last the mere name rolled on his tongue gave him extraordinary pleasure.