But come with me , child , if you will , for I have taken a strange fancy to your solemn eyes . Perchance the warmth of your young life may thaw out the ice that has frozen around my heart ever since I came among these cold Montressors . '' And , though I understood not her meaning , I went , glad to see the Red Room once more . So she made me sit down and talk to her , which I did , for shyness was no failing of mine ; and she asked me many questions , and some that I thought she should not have asked , but I could not answer them , so ` twere little harm . After that I spent a part of every day with her in the Red Room . And my Uncle Hugh was there often , and he would kiss her and praise her loveliness , not heeding my presence -- for I was but a child . Yet it ever seemed to me that she endured rather than welcomed his caresses , and at times the ever-burning flame in her eyes glowed so luridly that a chill dread would creep over me , and I would remember what my Aunt Elizabeth had said , she being a bitter-tongued woman , though kind at heart -- that this strange creature would bring on us all some evil fortune yet . Then would I strive to banish such thoughts and chide myself for doubting one so kind to me . When Christmas Eve drew nigh my silly head was full of the ball day and night . But a grievous disappointment befell me , for I awakened that day very ill with a most severe cold ; and though I bore me bravely , my aunts discovered it soon , when , despite my piteous pleadings , I was put to bed , where I cried bitterly and would not be comforted . For I thought I should not see the fine folk and , more than all , Alicia . But that disappointment , at least , was spared me , for at night she came into my room , knowing of my longing -- she was ever indulgent to my little wishes . And when I saw her I forgot my aching limbs and burning brow , and even the ball I was not to see , for never was mortal creature so lovely as she , standing there by my bed . Her gown was of white , and there was nothing I could liken the stuff to save moonshine falling athwart a frosted pane , and out from it swelled her gleaming breast and arms , so bare that it seemed to me a shame to look upon them . Yet it could not be denied they were of wondrous beauty , white as polished marble . And all about her snowy throat and rounded arms , and in the masses of her splendid hair , were sparkling , gleaming stones , with hearts of pure light , which I know now to have been diamonds , but knew not then , for never had I seen aught of their like . And I gazed at her , drinking in her beauty until my soul was filled , as she stood like some goddess before her worshipper . I think she read my thought in my face and liked it -- for she was a vain woman , and to such even the admiration of a child is sweet . Then she leaned down to me until her splendid eyes looked straight into my dazzled ones . `` Tell me , little Beatrice -- for they say the word of a child is to be believed -- tell me , do you think me beautiful ? ''
I found my voice and told her truly XXXXX I thought her beautiful beyond my dreams of angels -- as indeed she was .
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