正文预览

第0章 迦图

The poor merchant, more dead than alive, went back to hisroom, where the most delicious supper was already served on thelittle table which was drawn up before a blazing fire. But he wastoo terrified to eat, and only tasted a few of the dishes, for fearthe Beast should be angry if he did not obey his orders. When hehad finished he heard a great noise in the next room, which heknew meant that the Beast was coming. As he could do nothingto escape his visit, the only thing that remained was to seem aslittle afraid as possible; so when the Beast appeared and askedroughly if he had supped well, the merchant answered humblythat he had, thanks to his host's kindness. Then the Beast warnedhim to remember their agreement, and to prepare his daughterexactly for what she had to expect.

and, hastily fetching some water from the nearest fountain, she

Beauty answered bravely that she was quite prepared to stay.

"No, dear Beast," answered Beauty softly, "I do not hate you,and I should be very sorry never to see you any more, but I longto see my father again. Only let me go for two months, and I

This morning she decided to amuse herself in the garden,for the sun shone, and all the fountains were playing; but shewas astonished to find that every place was familiar to her, andpresently she came to the brook where the myrtle trees weregrowing where she had first met the Prince in her dream, and thatmade her think more than ever that he must be kept a prisonerby the Beast. When she was tired she went back to the palace,and found a new room full of materials for every kind of work--ribbons to make into bows, and silks to work into flowers. Thenthere was an aviary full of rare birds, which were so tame thatthey flew to Beauty as soon as they saw her, and perched uponher shoulders and her head.

The merchant knew that this was meant for them, and Beauty,who was rather less frightened now that she had passed throughso many rooms and seen nothing of the Beast, was quite willing tobegin, for her long ride had made her very hungry. But they hadhardly finished their meal when the noise of the Beast's footstepswas heard approaching, and Beauty clung to her father in terror,which became all the greater when she saw how frightened hewas. But when the Beast really appeared, though she trembled atthe sight of him, she made a great effort to hide her horror, andsaluted him respectfully.

found him, she ran up and stroked his head, but to her horror he

The merchant was only too glad when the Beast went away,and though he could not sleep for sadness, he lay down until

"What can I do, Prince, to make you happy?" said Beauty.