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第4章 守陵人一脉

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.

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

"Take your father into the next room, and help him to chooseeverything you think your brothers and sisters would like to have.You will find two traveling-trunks there; fill them as full as youcan. It is only just that you should send them something veryprecious as a remembrance of yourself."

And in despair he began to tell the Beast all his misfortunes,and the reason of his journey, not forgetting to mention Beauty'srequest.

Then he asked if she thought she could be happy in his palace;and Beauty answered that everything was so beautiful that shewould be very hard to please if she could not be happy. And afterabout an hour's talk Beauty began to think that the Beast was notnearly so terrible as she had supposed at first. Then he got up toleave her, and said in his gruff voice:

So they did this and returned to the little room, where, to theirastonishment, they found breakfast ready. The merchant ate hiswith a good appetite, as the Beast's generosity made him believethat he might perhaps venture to come back soon and see Beauty.But she felt sure that her father was leaving her for ever, so shewas very sad when the bell rang sharply for the second time, andwarned them that the time was come for them to part. They wentdown into the courtyard, where two horses were waiting, oneloaded with the two trunks, the other for him to ride. They werepawing the ground in their impatience to start, and the merchantwas forced to bid Beauty a hasty farewell; and as soon as he wasmounted he went off at such a pace that she lost sight of him inan instant. Then Beauty began to cry, and wandered sadly backto her own room. But she soon found that she was very sleepy,and as she had nothing better to do she lay down and instantlyfell asleep. And then she dreamed that she was walking by abrook b

"What is the matter?" she cried.

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

standing opposite the shady path she had seen in her dream. She