Life in the Palace
Just as they had finished supper, the Beast entered. The monster asked if she came willingly. She tremblingly faltered out, "Y-e-s, y-e-s." "You are a good girl," he replied; "and I think myself much obliged to you." He said to her father, "You may go from the palace to-morrow morning, and take care never to return to it again." He then withdrew.
The father and daughter now wished each other a sorrowful good-night, and went to bed, thinking it would be impossible for them to close their eyes; but no sooner had they lain down, than they fell into a profound sleep, from which they did not awake till morning. Beauty dreamt that a lady approached her, who said, "I am much pleased, Beauty, with the generous affection you have shown, in being willing to give your life to save that of your father, and it shall not go unrewarded." Beauty, as soon as she awoke, related this dream to her father: but though it afforded him some comfort, he could not leave his darling child, without shedding the bitterest tears.
Beauty surveyed many parts of the palace, and at length came to a door, over which was written, "BEAUTY'S APARTMENT," where was an extensive library, furnished to illuminate the mind and cultivate the understanding: in addition to which were several exquisite pieces of music, whose chords vibrated through the vaulted rooms with more than usual melody. This gave Beauty a favourable opinion of the Beast, whom she before conceived hostile: she then opened the library, and perceived an elegantly bound book, in which was written in letters of gold: —
*Beauteous lady, dry your tears,* *Here's no cause for sighs or fears;* *Command as freely as you may,* *Compliance still shall mark your way.*
"Alas!" said she, sighing, "there is nothing I so much desire as to see my poor father, and to know what he is this moment doing;" when casting her eyes on a looking-glass that stood near her, she saw her home, and her father riding up to the cottage in the deepest affliction! Her sisters had come out to meet him, who, notwithstanding all their endeavours to look sorry, could not help betraying their joy. At noon Beauty found every delicacy prepared for her; and at supper, when she was going to place herself at the table, she heard the Beast advancing, who said, "Will you allow me, Beauty, the pleasure of seeing you sup?" "That is as you please," she replied, somewhat intimidated. Beauty, in the course of conversation, overcame her fears; but, when the Beast asked her if she would be wedded to him, she paused for a few moments, and then gave him an answer, which implied non-consent. The Beast, pitifully sighing, retired to give vent to tears.
Beauty felt for him the greatest compassion, and regretted his frightful appearance. One day she said to him, "You exceedingly distress me; but though I cannot love you, yet you shall ever be entitled to my esteem, for the attention and kindness which I here witness." He then made her promise she would not totally quit him. In answer she said, "I will not; but I am desirous of seeing my father; and if you refuse me this request, I fear I shall die of grief and despair." "Promise me," said the Beast, "to return in a week, and to-morrow morning you shall find yourself with him: when you wish to return, you have only to put your ring on a table when you go to bed." This said, he bade her farewell.