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第3章 红衣女子

"I will forgive you on one condition--that is, that you will giveme one of your daughters."

As soon as Beauty was alone she hastened to fill the boxeswith all the rare and precious things she saw about her, and onlywhen she was tired of heaping things into them did they seem tobe full.

Beauty could not help seeing that this seemed very probable;still, when she thought of her dear Prince who was so handsome,she did not feel at all inclined to marry the Beast. At any rate,for two months she need not decide, but could enjoy herselfwith her sisters. But though they were rich now, and lived in atown again, and had plenty of acquaintances, Beauty found thatnothing amused her very much; and she often thought of the

one answered, and not a trace of him could she find; until at last,

But, in spite of her anxiety, she could not help admiring allthe wonderful things she saw.

"I cannot refuse you anything you ask, even though it shouldcost me my life. Take the four boxes you will find in the roomnext to your own, and fill them with everything you wish to takewith you. But remember your promise and come back when thetwo months are over, or you may have cause to repent it, for ifyou do not come in good time you will find your faithful Beastdead. You will not need any chariot to bring you back. Onlysay good-bye to all your brothers and sisters the night before youcome away, and when you have gone to bed turn this ring roundupon your finger and say firmly: 'I wish to go back to my palaceand see my Beast again.' Good-night, Beauty. Fear nothing,sleep peacefully, and before long you shall see your father oncemore."

As soon as Beauty was alone she hastened to fill the boxeswith all the rare and precious things she saw about her, and onlywhen she was tired of heaping things into them did they seem tobe full.

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.

When his extreme hunger wakened him after several hours, hewas still alone; but a little table, upon which was a good dinner,had been drawn up close to him, and, as he had eaten nothingfor twenty-four hours, he lost no time in beginning his meal,hoping that he might soon have an opportunity of thanking hisconsiderate entertainer, whoever it might be.