"
The father tried hard to persuade her not to go, but she had made
up her mind, and at the end of the three months she set out for the
Beast's palace.
Her father went with her, to show her the way. As before, he saw the
lights shining through the wood, knocked and rang in vain at the great
gate, warmed himself at the fire in the big hall, and then found the
little room with the supper on the table that made you hungry to look
at. Only this time the table was laid for two.
"Come, father dear," said Beauty, "take comfort. I do not think the
Beast means to kill me, or surely he would not have given me such a
good supper."
But the next moment the Beast came into the room. Beauty screamed and
clung to her father.
"Don't be frightened," said the Beast gently, "but tell me, do you
come here of your own free will?"
"Yes," said Beauty, trembling.
"You are a good girl," said the Beast, and then, turning to the old
man, he told him that he might sleep there for that night, but in the
morning he must go and leave his daughter behind him.
They went to bed and slept soundly, and the next morning the father
departed, weeping bitterly.
Beauty, left alone, tried not to feel frightened.
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