isobedient
thing.

I had been straitly charged to stay in bed, which I did not, but got
up and put on a gown. For it was in my mind to go quietly down, if by
chance I might again see Alicia, myself unseen.

But when I reached the great hall I heard steps approaching and,
having a guilty conscience, I slipped aside into the blue parlour and
hid me behind the curtains lest my aunts should see me.

Then Alicia came in, and with her a man whom I had never before seen.
Yet I instantly bethought myself of a lean black snake, with a
glittering and evil eye, which I had seen in Mrs. Montressor's garden
two summers agone, and which was like to have bitten me. John, the
gardener, had killed it, and I verily thought that if it had a soul,
it must have gotten into this man.

Alicia sat down and he beside her, and when he had put his arms about
her, he kissed her face and lips. Nor did she shrink from his embrace,
but even smiled and leaned nearer to him with a little smooth motion,
as they talked to each other in some strange, foreign tongue.

I was but a child and innocent, nor knew I aught of honour and
dishonour. Yet it seemed to me that no man should kiss her save only
my Uncle Hugh, and from that hour I mistrusted Alicia, though I
understood not then what I afterwards did.

And as I watched them--not thinking of playing the spy--I saw her face
grow suddenly cold, and she straightened herself up and pushed away
her lover's arms.

Then I followed her guilty eyes to the door, where stood my Uncle
Hugh, and all the pride and passion of the Montressors sat on his
lowering brow. Yet he came forward quietly as Alicia and the snake
drew apart and stood up.

At first he looked not at his guilty wife but at her lover, and smote
him heavily in the face. Whereat he, being a coward at heart, as are
all villains, turned white and slunk from the room with a muttered
oath, nor was he stayed.

My uncle turned to Alicia, and very calmly and terribly he said, "From
this hour you are no longer wife of mine!"

And there was that in his tone which told that his forgiveness and
love should be hers nevermore.

Then he motioned her out and she went, like a proud queen, with her
glorious head erect and no shame on her brow.

As for me, when they were gone I crept away, dazed and bewildered
enough, and went back to my bed, having seen and heard more than I had
a mind for, as disobedient people and eavesdroppers ever do.

But my Uncle H