as still
alone; but a little table, upon which was a good dinner, had been drawn up
close to him, and, as he had eaten nothing for twenty-four hours, he lost
no time in beginning his meal, hoping that he might soon have an
opportunity of thanking his considerate entertainer, whoever it might be.

But no one appeared, and even after another long sleep, from which he
awoke completely refreshed, there was no sign of anybody, though a fresh
meal of dainty cakes and fruit was prepared upon the little table at his
elbow. Being naturally timid, the silence began to terrify him, and he
resolved to search once more through all the rooms; but it was of no use.
Not even a servant was to be seen; there was no sign of life in the
palace! He began to wonder what he should do, and to amuse himself by
pretending that all the treasures he saw were his own, and considering how
he would divide them among his children. Then he went down into the
garden, and though it was winter everywhere else, here the sun shone, and
the birds sang, and the flowers bloomed, and the air was soft and sweet.
The merchant, in ecstacies with all he saw and heard, said to himself:

"All this must be meant for me. I will go this minute and bring my
children to share all these delights."

In spite of being so cold and weary when he reached the castle, he had
taken his horse to the stable and fed it. Now he thought he would saddle
it for his homeward journey, and he turned down the path which led to the
stable. This path had a hedge of roses on each side of it, and the
merchant thought he had never seen or smelt such exquisite flowers. They
reminded him of his promise to Beauty, and he stopped and had just
gathered one to take to her when he was startled by a strange noise behind
him. Turning round, he saw a frightful Beast, which seemed to be very
angry and said, in a terrible voice:

[Illustration]

"Who told you that you might gather my roses? Was it not enough that I
allowed you to be in my palace and was kind to you? This is the way you
show your gratitude, by stealing my flowers! But your insolence shall not
go unpunished." The merchant, terrified by these furious words, dropped
the fatal rose, and, throwing himself on his knees, cried: "Pardon me,
noble sir. I am truly grateful to you for your hospitality, which was so
magnificent that I could not imagine that you would be offended by my
taking such a little thing as a rose