Beauty and the Beast | Page 2

months she grew stronger and
healthier than ever. After she had done her work, she read, played on
the harpsichord, or else sung whilst she spun. On the contrary, her two
sisters did not know how to spend their time; they got up at ten, and did
nothing but saunter about the whole day, lamenting the loss of their
fine clothes and acquaintance. "Do but see our youngest sister, (said
they one to the other,) what a poor, stupid mean-spirited creature she is,
to be contented with such an unhappy situation." The good merchant

was of a quite different opinion; he knew very well that Beauty
out-shone her sisters, in her person as well as her mind, and admired
her humility, industry, and patience; for her sisters not only left her all
the work of the house to do, but insulted her every moment.
[Illustration: Beauty Making the Family's Breakfast]
The family had lived about a year in this retirement, when the merchant
received a letter, with an account that a vessel, on board of which he
had effects, was safely arrived. This news had liked to have turned the
heads of the two eldest daughters, who immediately flattered
themselves with the hopes of returning to town; for they were quite
weary of a country life; and when they saw their father ready to set out,
they begged of him to buy them new gowns, caps, rings, and all manner
of trifles; but Beauty asked for nothing, for she thought to herself, that
all the money her father was going to receive would scarce be sufficient
to purchase every thing her sisters wanted. "What will you have,
Beauty?" said her father. "Since you are so kind as to think of me,
(answered she,) be so kind as to bring me a rose, for as none grow
hereabouts, they are a kind of rarity." Not that Beauty cared for a rose,
but she asked for something, lest she should seem by her example to
condemn her sisters' conduct, who would have said she did it only to
look particular. The good man went on his journey; but when he came
there, they went to law with him about the merchandize, and after a
great deal of trouble and pains to no purpose, he came back as poor as
before.
He was within thirty miles of his own house, thinking on the pleasure
he should have in seeing his children again, when going through a large
forest he lost himself. It rained and snowed terribly, besides, the wind
was so high, that it threw him twice off his horse; and night coming on,
he began to apprehend being either starved to death with cold and
hunger, or else devoured by the wolves, whom he heard howling all
around him, when, on a sudden, looking through a long walk of trees,
he saw a light at some distance, and going on a little farther, perceived
it came from a palace illuminated from top to bottom. The merchant
returned God thanks for this happy discovery, and hasted to the palace;
but was greatly surprised at not meeting with anyone in the out-courts.
His horse followed him, and seeing a large stable open, went in, and
finding both hay and oats, the poor beast, who was almost famished,

fell to eating very heartily. The merchant tied him up to the manger,
and walked towards the house, where he saw no one, but entering into a
large hall, he found a good fire, and a table plentifully set out, with but
one cover laid. As he was wet quite through with the rain and snow, he
drew near the fire to dry himself. "I hope, (said he,) the master of the
house, or his servants, will excuse the liberty I take; I suppose it will
not be long before some of them appear."
He waited a considerable time, till it struck eleven, and still nobody
came: at last he was so hungry that he could stay no longer, but took a
chicken and ate it in two mouthfuls, trembling all the while. After this,
he drank a few glasses of wine, and growing more courageous, he went
out of the hall, and crossed through several grand apartments with
magnificent furniture, till he came into a chamber, which had an
exceeding good bed in it, and as he was very much fatigued, and it was
past midnight, he concluded it was best to shut the door, and go to bed.
It was ten the next morning before the merchant waked, and as he was
going to rise, he was astonished to see a good suit of clothes in the
room of his own, which were quite spoiled. "Certainly, (said he,) this
palace belongs to some kind fairy, who has