Page 59 - Beauty and the Beast

two people. The merchant had not the heart to
eat, but Beauty, forcing herself to appear calm, sat
down and served him. Since the Beast had
provided such splendid fare, she thought to
herself, he must presumably be anxious to fatten
her up before eating her.
When they had finished supper they heard a
terrible noise. With tears the merchant bade
farewell to his daughter, for he knew it was the
Beast. Beauty herself could not help trembling at
the awful apparition, but she did her best to
compose herself. The Beast asked her if she had
come of her own free will, and she timidly
answered that such was the case.
'You are indeed kind,' said the Beast, 'and I am
much obliged to you. You, my good man, will
depart to-morrow morning, and you must not
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