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第4章 战厉政恒

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

"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

"Can you really love such an ugly creature as I am?" said theBeast faintly. "Ah! Beauty, you only came just in time. I wasdying because I thought you had forgotten your promise. But goback now and rest, I shall see you again by-and-by."

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

There were more birds in a room farther on, parrots and cock-atoos that could talk, and they greeted Beauty by name; indeed,she found them so entertaining that she took one or two back toher room, and they talked to her while she was at supper; afterwhich the Beast paid her his usual visit, and asked the samequestions as before, and then with a gruff "good-night" he tookhis departure, and Beauty went to bed to dream of her mysteriousPrince. The days passed swiftly in different amusements, andafter a while Beauty found out another strange thing in the palace,which often pleased her when she was tired of being alone. Therewas one room which she had not noticed particularly; it wasempty, except that under each of the windows stood a verycomfortable chair; and the first time she had looked out of the

The merchant was too terrified to reply, but Beauty answeredsweetly:

"Who told you that you might gather my roses? Was it notenough that I allowed you to be in my palace and was kindto you? This is the way you show your gratitude, by stealingmy flowers! But your insolence shall not go unpunished." Themerchant, terrified by these furious words, dropped the fatal rose,and, throwing himself on his knees, cried: "Pardon me, noblesir. I am truly grateful to you for your hospitality, which was somagnificent that I could not imagine that you would be offendedby my taking such a little thing as a rose." But the Beast's angerwas not lessened by this speech.

The merchant accepted this proposal, though he did not reallythink any of his daughters would be persuaded to come. Hepromised to return at the time appointed, and then, anxious toescape from the presence of the Beast, he asked permission toset off at once. But the Beast answered that he could not go untilthe next day.

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