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 to do with my lone self today . Time hangs heavily in this gloomy house . I do verily think this Red Room has an evil influence over me . See if your childish prattle can drive away the ghosts that riot in these dark old corners -- ghosts of a ruined and shamed life ! Nay , shrink not -- do I talk wildly ? I mean not all I say -- my brain seems on fire , little Beatrice . Come ; it may be you know some grim old legend of this room -- it must surely have one . Never was place fitter for a dark deed ! Tush ! never be so frightened , child -- forget my vagaries . Tell me now and I will listen . '' Whereat she cast herself lithely on the satin couch and turned her lovely face on me . So I gathered up my small wits and told her what I was not supposed to know -- how that , generations agone , a Montressor had disgraced himself and his name , and that , when he came home to his mother , she had met him in that same Red Room and flung at him taunts and reproaches , forgetting whose breast had nourished him ; and that he , frantic with shame and despair , turned his sword against his own heart and so died . But his mother went mad with her remorse , and was kept a prisoner in the Red Room until her death . So lamely told I the tale , as I had heard my Aunt Elizabeth tell it , when she knew not I listened or understood . Alicia heard me through and said nothing , save that it was a tale worthy of the Montressors . Whereat I bridled , for I too was a Montressor , and proud of it . But she took my hand soothingly in hers and said , `` Little Beatrice , if tomorrow or the next day they should tell you , those cold , proud women , that Alicia was unworthy of your love , tell me , would you believe them ? ''
And I , remembering what I had seen in the blue parlour , was silent -- XXXXX I could not lie .
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