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第7章 秋叶大会（6）

it lay the Beast--asleep, as Beauty thought. Quite glad to have

"Well, dear father," she said, "as you insist upon it, I beg thatyou will bring me a rose. I have not seen one since we camehere, and I love them so much."

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.

"All this must be meant for me. I will go this minute and bringmy children to share all these delights."

But then, looking at him again, she fancied he still breathed,

Just then a strange sound woke her--someone was speakingnot very far away; and opening her eyes she found herself in aroom she had never seen before, which was certainly not nearlyso splendid as those she was used to in the Beast's palace. Wherecould she be? She got up and dressed hastily, and then sawthat the boxes she had packed the night before were all in theroom. While she was wondering by what magic the Beast hadtransported them and herself to this strange place she suddenlyheard her father's voice, and rushed out and greeted him joyfully.Her brothers and sisters were all astonished at her appearance,as they had never expected to see her again, and there was noend to the questions they asked her. She had also much to hearabout what had happened to them while she was away, and ofher father's journey home. But when they heard that she had onlycome to be with them for a short time, and then must go back tothe Beast's palace for ever, they lamented loudly. Then Beautyasked her father what he

"Oh! what shall I say?" cried Beauty, for she was afraid tomake the Beast angry by refusing.

And it seemed to Beauty, now she understood him better,that when she said, "No, Beast," he went away quite sad. Buther happy dreams of the handsome young Prince soon made herforget the poor Beast, and the only thing that at all disturbed herwas to be constantly told to distrust appearances, to let her heartguide her, and not her eyes, and many other equally perplexingthings, which, consider as she would, she could not understand.

"He said I could make him happy," said Beauty to herself.