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第1章 阻截陷阱

and, hastily fetching some water from the nearest fountain, she

found him, she ran up and stroked his head, but to her horror he

"Do not get up to-morrow," he added, "until you see the sunand hear a golden bell ring. Then you will find your breakfastwaiting for you here, and the horse you are to ride will be readyin the courtyard. He will also bring you back again when youcome with your daughter a month hence. Farewell. Take a roseto Beauty, and remember your promise!"

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.

At length he made out some sort of track, and though at thebeginning it was so rough and slippery that he fell down morethan once, it presently became easier, and led him into an avenueof trees which ended in a splendid castle. It seemed to the mer-chant very strange that no snow had fallen in the avenue, whichwas entirely composed of orange trees, covered with flowers andfruit. When he reached the first court of the castle he saw before

ite of his weariness the howling of the wolves kept him awake,and even when at last the day broke he was not much better off,for the falling snow had covered up every path, and he did notknow which way to turn.

The Beast considered for a moment, and then he said, in a lessfurious tone:

Beauty was so terrified by this dream that the next morningshe announced her intention of going back at once, and that verynight she said good-bye to her father and all her brothers andsisters, and as soon as she was in bed she turned her ring roundupon her finger, and said firmly:

standing opposite the shady path she had seen in her dream. She