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 Hugh kept his word , and Alicia was no more wife to him , save only in name . Yet of gossip or scandal there was none , for the pride of his race kept secret his dishonour , nor did he ever seem other than a courteous and respectful husband . Nor did Mrs. Montressor and my aunts , though they wondered much among themselves , learn aught , for they dared question neither their brother nor Alicia , who carried herself as loftily as ever , and seemed to pine for neither lover nor husband . As for me , no one dreamed I knew aught of it , and I kept my own counsel as to what I had seen in the blue parlour on the night of the Christmas ball . After the New Year I went home , but ere long Mrs. Montressor sent for me again , saying that the house was lonely without little Beatrice . So I went again and found all unchanged , though the Place was very quiet , and Alicia went out but little from the Red Room . Of my Uncle Hugh I saw little , save when he went and came on the business of his estate , somewhat more gravely and silently than of yore , or brought to me books and sweetmeats from town . But every day I was with Alicia in the Red Room , where she would talk to me , oftentimes wildly and strangely , but always kindly . And though I think Mrs. Montressor liked our intimacy none too well , she said no word , and I came and went as I listed with Alicia , though never quite liking her strange ways and the restless fire in her eyes . Nor would I ever kiss her , after I had seen her lips pressed by the snake 's , though she sometimes coaxed me , and grew pettish and vexed when I would not ; but she guessed not my reason . March came in that year like a lion , exceedingly hungry and fierce , and my Uncle Hugh had ridden away through the storm nor thought to be back for some days . In the afternoon I was sitting in the wing hall , dreaming wondrous day-dreams , when Alicia called me to the Red Room . And as I went , I marvelled anew at her loveliness , for the blood was leaping in her face and her jewels were dim before the lustre of her eyes . Her hand , when she took mine , was burning hot , and her voice had a strange ring .
`` Come , little Beatrice , '' she said , `` come talk to me , for I know not what XXXXX do with my lone self today .
After Of before in like on through to with without