Then said he , `` Sweet , will you grant me a favour ? '' And she answered , `` It may be that I will . '' And he said , `` Do not dance with that man tonight , Alicia . I mistrust him much . '' His voice had more of a husband 's command than a lover 's entreaty . She looked at him with some scorn , but when she saw his face grow black -- for the Montressors brooked scant disregard of their authority , as I had good reason to know -- she seemed to change , and a smile came to her lips , though her eyes glowed balefully . Then she laid her arms about his neck and -- though it seemed to me that she had as soon strangled as embraced him -- her voice was wondrous sweet and caressing as she murmured in his ear . He laughed and his brow cleared , though he said still sternly , `` Do not try me too far , Alicia . '' Then they went out , she a little in advance and very stately . After that my aunts also came in , very beautifully and modestly dressed , but they seemed to me as nothing after Alicia . For I was caught in the snare of her beauty , and the longing to see her again so grew upon me that after a time I did an undutiful and disobedient 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 , XXXXX I understood not then what I afterwards did .
about at behind from in of that though to with