wholly deserted. He passed through several BEAUTY
galleries and empty rooms—all illuminated and all AND THE

empty—and finally stayed his course in a smaller
apartment where a fire was burning, and a couch
was prepared as if for some one to lieonit. Being
very tired and cold, he cast himself down on the
couch and fell asleep.
After a pleasant and refreshing slumber he awoke,
and found he was still alone; but a little table
stood by him, and on it was spread a delicious
repast. As he was extremely hungry, he sat at
the table, and partook of all the good thing:s on it.
Then he threw himself on the couch again, and
again fell asleep.
When he awoke, the morning sun shone into the
room, the little table was still at his side, but on
it was now spread an excellent breakfast.
The merchant began now to be very uneasy at the
intense stilness of the house, and perplexed at
seeing noone. He left the little room and entered
the garden, which was beautifully laid out, and
was full of flowers. ‘Well,’ said the merchant to
himself, ‘this wonderful place seems to have no
master. I will go home and bring my daughters
to it, and we shall be able to claim it as our home;
for I discovered it, and it belongs, as far as I can
see, to no one.’
He then went to fetch his horse, and, as he turned
down the path to the stable, he saw a hedge of
white roses on each side of it. Thereat the
merchant remembered the request of his youngest
daughter, and he plucked one to take to her.
Immediately he was alarmed by hearing a horrible
noise. Turning in the direction of the sound, he
saw a frightful Beast, which seemed to be very
angry, and which exclaimed—
“Who gave you permission to gather my roses?
Was it not enough that I suffered you to lie on my
couch, and warm yourself at my fire, and eat my
83

BEAST