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第7章 传授

ran down into the garden to search for him. Up and down the

Beauty found her dreams so interesting that she was in nohurry to awake, but presently the clock roused her by calling hername softly twelve times, and then she got up and found herdressing-table set out with everything she could possibly want;and when her toilet was finished she found dinner was waiting inthe room next to hers. But dinner does not take very long whenyou are all by yourself, and very soon she sat down cosily in thecorner of a sofa, and began to think about the charming Princeshe had seen in her dream.

Then her sisters seemed to have got quite used to being withouther, and even found her rather in the way, so she would not havebeen sorry when the two months were over but for her fatherand brothers, who begged her to stay, and seemed so grieved atthe thought of her departure that she had not the courage to saygood-bye to them. Every day when she got up she meant to sayit at night, and when night came she put it off again, until at lastshe had a dismal dream which helped her to make up her mind.She thought she was wandering in a lonely path in the palacegardens, when she heard groans which seemed to come fromsome bushes hiding the entrance of a cave, and running quicklyto see what could be the matter, she found the Beast stretchedout upon his side, apparently dying. He reproached her faintlywith being the cause of his distress, and at the same moment astately lady appeared, and said very gravely:

"What would that matter to you?" said the Prince. "Surely youwould not care?"

There were more birds in a room farther on, parrots and cock-atoos that could talk, and they greeted Beauty by name; indeed,she found them so entertaining that she took one or two back toher room, and they talked to her while she was at supper; afterwhich the Beast paid her his usual visit, and asked the samequestions as before, and then with a gruff "good-night" he tookhis departure, and Beauty went to bed to dream of her mysteriousPrince. The days passed swiftly in different amusements, andafter a while Beauty found out another strange thing in the palace,which often pleased her when she was tired of being alone. Therewas one room which she had not noticed particularly; it wasempty, except that under each of the windows stood a verycomfortable chair; and the first time she had looked out of the

Just then a strange sound woke her--someone was speakingnot very far away; and opening her eyes she found herself in aroom she had never seen before, which was certainly not nearlyso splendid as those she was used to in the Beast's palace. Wherecould she be? She got up and dressed hastily, and then sawthat the boxes she had packed the night before were all in theroom. While she was wondering by what magic the Beast hadtransported them and herself to this strange place she suddenlyheard her father's voice, and rushed out and greeted him joyfully.Her brothers and sisters were all astonished at her appearance,as they had never expected to see her again, and there was noend to the questions they asked her. She had also much to hearabout what had happened to them while she was away, and ofher father's journey home. But when they heard that she had onlycome to be with them for a short time, and then must go back tothe Beast's palace for ever, they lamented loudly. Then Beautyasked her father what he

Beauty, who had half expected that he would be angry withher, was reassured by his gentle voice, and went back to thepalace, where supper was awaiting her; and afterwards the Beastcame in as usual, and talked about the time she had spent withher father, asking if she had enjoyed herself, and if they had allbeen very glad to see her.

"Beauty, will you marry me?"

you will be rewarded for all you have suffered elsewhere. Yourevery wish shall be gratified. Only try to find me out, no matterhow I may be disguised, as I love you dearly, and in making mehappy you will find your own happiness. Be as true-hearted asyou are beautiful, and we shall have nothing left to wish for."