BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

There was once a merchant who had been very rich at one time, but
who, having had heavy losses, was compelled to retire to a little
cottage in the country; where he lived with his three daughters. The
two elder ones were very much discontented at their poverty, and
were always grumbling and making complaints. But the youngest one,
who was called Beauty, and who was as amiable as she was
handsome, tried all she could to comfort her father and make his
home happy.

Once, when he was going on a journey to try and mend his affairs, he
called them around him, and asked them what he should bring them
when he returned. The two elder ones wanted each a number of nice
presents; but Beauty, kissing him sweetly, said she would be content
with a rose. So when the merchant was on his way back, he came to
an elegant garden, of which the gate stood open; and thinking of
Beauty's rose, he went in, and plucking a beautiful one, prepared to
proceed on his journey.

As he turned to go, he saw a hideous Beast coming towards him,

armed with a sword! This terrible creature reproached him for stealing
his flowers, of which he was very choice; and threatened to kill him on
the spot! The merchant begged for his life, and said, that he had only
taken "a single one to please his daughter Beauty." On this, the beast
said gruffly, "well, I will let you off, if you will bring one of your
daughters here in your place. But she must come here _willingly_, and
meanwhile you may stay and rest in my palace until to-morrow." But,
as you may well believe, the poor father did not feel much like eating
or sleeping; although everything was done for his comfort, and, in the
morning, the Beast sent him home upon a beautiful horse. But though
the birds sang around him, and the sun shone brightly, and all nature
was smiling on his path, the heart of the poor merchant was heavy,
when he thought of his beloved daughters.

When he came near his home, his children came forth to meet him;
but, seeing the sadness of his face, and his eyes filled with tears, they
asked him the cause of his trouble. Giving the rose to Beauty, he told
her all. The two elder sisters laid all the blame upon Beauty; who cried
bitterly, and said that as _she_ was the cause of her father's
misfortune, she alone must suffer for it, and was quite willing to go. So
Beauty got ready for the journey at once. The father (who meant to
return to the Beast _himself_, after embracing his children) tried to
dissuade her, but in vain; and so the two set out together for the
Beast's palace, much to the secret joy of the envious sisters.

When they arrived at the palace, the doors opened of themselves,

sweet music was heard, and they found an elegant supper prepared.
As soon as they had refreshed themselves, the Beast entered, and
said in a mild tone, "Beauty, did you come here willingly to take the
place of your father?" "Yes, sir," she answered in a sweet but trembling
voice. "So much the better for you," replied the Beast. "Your father can
stay here to-night, but he must go home in the morning." The Beast
then retired, giving Beauty so kind a look as he went out, that she felt
quite encouraged. The next morning, when her father left her, she
cheered his heart by telling him that she thought she could soften the
Beast's heart, and induce him to spare her life. After he was gone, she
entered an elegant room, on the door of which was written, in letters
of gold, "Beauty's room."

Lying on the table was a portrait of herself, set in gold and diamonds,
and on the wall, these words: "_Beauty is Queen here; all things will
obey her._" Her meals were served to the sound of music; and at
supper-time, the Beast after knocking timidly, would walk in and talk
so amiably, that she soon lost all fear of him; and once when he failed
to come, felt quite disappointed! At last, one night, he said to her, "Am
I so _very_ ugly?" "Yes, indeed, you are," said Beauty, "but you are so
kind and generous, that I do not mind your looks." "Will you marry me,
then, dear Beauty?" said the poor Beast, with a look of such eager
entreaty in his eyes, that Beauty's heart melted within her, and she
was upon the point of saying "Yes!"

But happening to look towards him, at that moment her courage failed
her, and, turning away her head, she replied softly, "Oh! do not ask
me." The Beast then bade her good-night, with a sad voice, and went
away sighing as if his heart would break. The palace was full of rooms,
containing the most beautiful objects. In one room she saw a
numerous troupe of monkeys, of all sizes and colors. They came to
meet her, making her very low bows, and treating her with the
greatest respect. Beauty was much pleased with them, and asked
them to show her about the palace. Instantly, two tall and graceful
apes, in rich dresses, placed themselves, with great gravity, one on
each side of her, while two sprightly little monkeys held up her train as
pages. And from this time forth they waited upon her wherever she
went, with all the attention and respect, that officers of a royal palace
are accustomed to pay to the greatest Queens and Princesses.

In fact, Beauty was the Queen of this splendid palace. She had only to
wish for anything to have it; and she would have been _quite_
contented if she could have had some company; for, except at supper-
time, she was always alone! Then the Beast would come in and
behave so agreeably, that she liked him more and more. And when he
would say to her "dear Beauty will you marry me?" in his soft and
tender way, she could hardly find it in her heart to refuse him.

Now, although Beauty had everything that heart could wish, she could
not forget her father and sisters. At last, one evening she begged so
hard to go home for a visit, that the Beast consented to her wish, on
her promising not to stay more than two months. He then gave her a
ring, telling her to place it on her dressing-table, when she wished
either to go or return; and showed her a wardrobe filled with the most
elegant clothes, as well as a quantity of splendid presents for her
father and sisters.

The poor Beast was more sad than ever, after he had given his
consent to her absence. It seemed to him as if he could not look at her
enough, nor muster courage to leave her. She tried to cheer him,
saying, "Be of good heart, Beauty will soon return," but nothing
seemed to comfort him, and he went sadly away.

Beauty felt very badly when she saw how much the poor Beast
suffered. She tried, however, to dismiss him from her thoughts, and to
think only of the joy of seeing her dear father and sisters on the
morrow. Before retiring to rest, she took good care to place the ring
upon the table, and great was her joy, on awaking the next morning,
to find herself in her father's house, with the clothes and gifts from the
palace at her bed-side!

At first she hardly knew where she was, for everything looked strange
to her; but soon she heard the voice of her father, and, rushing out of
the room, threw her loving arms around his neck. Beauty then related
all the kindness and delicacy of the Beast toward her, and in return
discovered that _he_ had been as liberal to her father and sisters. He
had given them the large and handsome house in which they now
lived, with an income sufficient to keep them in comfort.
For a long time Beauty was happy with her father and sisters; but she
soon discovered that her sisters were jealous of her, and envied her
the fine dresses and jewels the Beast had given her. She often thought
tenderly of the poor Beast, alone in his palace; and as the two months
were now over, she resolved to return to him as she had promised. But
her father could not bear to lose her again, and coaxed her to stay
with him a few days longer; which she at last consented to do, with
many misgivings, when she thought of her broken promise to the
lonely beast. At last, on the night before she intended to return, she
dreamed that she saw the unhappy beast lying dead on the ground in
the palace garden! She awoke, all trembling with terror and remorse,
and, leaving a note on the table for her dear father; placed the ring
within her bosom, and wished herself back again in the palace. As
soon as daylight appeared, she called her attendants, and searched
the palace from top to bottom. But the Beast was nowhere to be
found! She then ran to the garden, and _there_, in the very spot that
she had seen in her dream, lay the poor Beast, gasping and senseless
upon the ground; and seeming to be in the agonies of death! At this
pitiful sight, Beauty clasped her hands, fell upon her knees, and
reproached herself bitterly for having caused his death.

"Alas! poor Beast!" she said, "_I_ am the cause of this. How can I ever
forgive myself for my unkindness to _you_, who were so good and
generous to me, and mine, and never even reproached me for my
cruelty?"

She then ran to a fountain for cold water, which she sprinkled over
him, her tears meanwhile falling fast upon his hideous face. In a few
moments the Beast opened his eyes, and said, "now, that I see _you_
once more, I shall die contented." "No, no,!" she cried, "you shall not
die; you shall live, and Beauty will be your faithful wife!" The moment
she uttered these words, a dazzling light shone around--the palace
was brilliantly lighted up, and the air was filled with delicious music.

In place of the terrible and dying Beast, she saw a young and
handsome Prince, who knelt at her feet, and told her that he had been
condemned to wear the form of a frightful Beast, until a beautiful girl
should love him in spite of his ugliness! At the same moment, the
Apes, and the Monkeys, who had been in attendance upon her, were
transformed into elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen, who ranged
themselves at a respectful distance, and performed their duties, as
Gentlemen, and Maids of Honor. The grateful Prince now claimed
Beauty for his wife; and _she_ who had loved him, even under the
form of the Beast, was now tenfold more in love with him, as he
appeared in his rightful form. So the very next day, Beauty and the
Prince were married with great splendor, and lived happily together for
ever after.