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 Hugh kept his word , and Alicia was no more wife to him , save only in name .
Yet XXXXX 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 .
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