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第3章 变异雷鲎

"How can you ask me, cruel one? Are you not leaving me tomy death perhaps?"

But this reply vexed her sisters, who fancied she was blamingthem for having asked for such costly things. Her father, how-ever, was pleased, but as he thought that at her age she certainlyought to like pretty presents, he told her to choose something.

"Indeed I should be ungrateful if I did not care for such a kindBeast," cried Beauty indignantly. "I would die to save him frompain. I assure you it is not his fault that he is so ugly."

e wouldnot be enough even to read the names of the books, there were so

"How can you ask me, cruel one? Are you not leaving me tomy death perhaps?"

Beauty answered politely, and quite enjoyed telling him allthat had happened to her. And when at last the time came forhim to go, and he asked, as he had so often asked before:

"The Beast must be very hungry," said Beauty, trying to laugh,

So she got up and began to explore some of the many roomsof the palace.

His sons and daughters, who had been very uneasy at his longabsence, rushed to meet him, eager to know the result of hisjourney, which, seeing him mounted upon a splendid horse andwrapped in a rich mantle, they supposed to be favorable. But hehid the truth from them at first, only saying sadly to Beauty ashe gave her the rose: