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第0章 赤血天

Turning to ask the Beast what it could all mean, Beauty foundthat he had disappeared, and in his place stood her long-lovedPrince! At the same moment the wheels of a chariot were heardupon the terrace, and two ladies entered the room. One of themBeauty recognized as the stately lady she had seen in her dreams;the other was also so grand and queenly that Beauty hardly knewwhich to greet first.

Poor Beauty, much distressed, said to them:

"Beauty, will you marry me?" she answered softly:

And then she tenderly embraced Beauty and the Prince, whohad meanwhile been greeting the Fairy and receiving her con-gratulations.

in a tone that might have struck terror into the boldest heart,though he did not seem to be angry:

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

Beauty found her dreams so interesting that she was in nohurry to awake, but presently the clock roused her by calling hername softly twelve times, and then she got up and found herdressing-table set out with everything she could possibly want;and when her toilet was finished she found dinner was waiting inthe room next to hers. But dinner does not take very long whenyou are all by yourself, and very soon she sat down cosily in thecorner of a sofa, and began to think about the charming Princeshe had seen in her dream.

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

"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."