was a
delightful, pleasant place, and she was extremely surprised at seeing a
door, over which was written "~Beauty's Apartment~." She opened it
hastily, and was quite dazzled with the magnificence that reigned
throughout; but what chiefly took up her attention was a large library,
a harpsichord, and several music books. "Well," said she to herself, "I
see they will not let my time hang heavily on my hands for want of
amusement." Then she reflected, "Were I but to stay here a day, there
would not have been all these preparations." This consideration inspired
her with fresh courage, and opening the library, she took a book and
read these words in letters of gold:--

"Welcome, Beauty; banish fear,
You are queen and mistress here;
Speak your wishes, speak your will,
Swift obedience meets them still."

"Alas," said she, with a sigh, "there is nothing I desire so much as to
see my poor father, and to know what he is doing." She had no sooner
said this than, to her great amazement, she saw her own home, where her
father had arrived with a very dejected countenance; her sisters went to
meet him, and, notwithstanding their endeavours to appear sorrowful,
their joy, felt for having got rid of their sister, was visible in every
feature. A moment after, everything disappeared, with Beauty's
apprehensions at this proof of Beast's complaisance.

At noon she found dinner ready, and while at table was entertained with
an excellent concert of music, though without seeing anybody; but at
night, as she was going to sit down to supper, she heard the noise Beast
made, and could not help being sadly terrified.

"Beauty," said the monster, "will you give me leave to see you sup?"

"That is as you please," answered Beauty, trembling.

"No," replied the Beast; "you alone are mistress here; you need only bid
me begone, if my presence is troublesome, and I will immediately
withdraw. Everything here is yours, and I should be very uneasy if you
were not happy. My heart is good, though I am a monster."

"Among mankind," said Beauty, "there are many that deserve that name
more than you, and I prefer you, just as you are, to those who, under a
human form, hide a treacherous, corrupt, and ungrateful heart."

Beauty ate a hearty supper, and had almost conquered her dread of the
monster; but she had like to have fainted away when he said to her,
"Beauty, will you be my wife?"

It was some time before she durst answer, for she was afra