正文预览

第4章 很喜欢

window it had seemed to her that a black curtain prevented herfrom seeing anything outside. But the second time she wentinto the room, happening to be tired, she sat down in one of thechairs, when instantly the curtain was rolled aside, and a mostamusing pantomime was acted before her; there were dances andcolored lights, and music, and pretty dresses, and it was all sogay that Beauty was in ecstacies. After that she tried the otherseven windows in turn, and there was some new and surprisingentertainment to be seen from each of them, so that Beauty nevercould feel lonely any more. Every evening after supper the Beastcame to see her, and always before saying good-night asked herin his terrible voice:

So everything went on for a long time, until at last, happy asshe was, Beauty began to long for the sight of her father and herbrothers and sisters; and one night, seeing her look very sad, theBeast asked her what was the matter. Beauty had quite ceased tobe afraid of him. Now she knew that he was really gentle in spiteof his ferocious looks and his dreadful voice. So she answeredthat she was longing to see her home once more. Upon hearingthis the Beast seemed sadly distressed, and cried miserably.

"It seems, then, that this horrible Beast keeps him a prisoner.How can I set him free? I wonder why they both told me not totrust to appearances? I don't understand it. But, after all, it wasonly a dream, so why should I trouble myself about it? I hadbetter go and find something to do to amuse myself."

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

But one day a most unexpected misfortune befell them. Theirhouse caught fire and was speedily burnt to the ground, withall the splendid furniture, the books, pictures, gold, silver, andprecious goods it contained; and this was only the beginning oftheir troubles. Their father, who had until this moment prosperedin all ways, suddenly lost every ship he had upon the sea, eitherby dint of pirates, shipwreck, or fire. Then he heard that hisclerks in distant countries, whom he trusted entirely, had provedunfaithful; and at last from great wealth he fell into the direstpoverty.

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

"You are very ready with excuses and flattery," he cried; "butthat will not save you from the death you deserve."

revive.

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: