rprise when
I raised my eyes and saw her coming down the hall alone, her bright
head shining against the dark old walls.

When she paused by me and asked me lightly of what I was dreaming,
since I had such a sober face, I answered her truly that it was of
her--whereat she laughed, as one not ill pleased, and said half
mockingly:

"Waste not your thoughts so, little Beatrice. 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 o