御龙传奇

《 御龙传奇》

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:

"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."

The horse stopped at the foot of the flight of steps leading tothe terrace, and when they had dismounted her father led her tothe little room he had been in before, where they found a splendidfire burning, and the table daintily spread with a delicious supper.