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第0章 姐姐，有什么事吗

rushed down it, and, sure enough, there was the cave, and in

The merchant was too terrified to reply, but Beauty answeredsweetly:

"Say 'yes' or 'no' without fear," he replied.

"Well, Queen, this is Beauty, who has had the courage torescue your son from the terrible enchantment. They love oneanother, and only your consent to their marriage is wanting tomake them perfectly happy."

quite tired, she stopped for a minute's rest, and saw that she was

"Pretty little creatures," she said, "how I wish that your cagewas nearer to my room, that I might often hear you sing!"

The merchant knew that this was meant for them, and Beauty,who was rather less frightened now that she had passed throughso many rooms and seen nothing of the Beast, was quite willing tobegin, for her long ride had made her very hungry. But they hadhardly finished their meal when the noise of the Beast's footstepswas heard approaching, and Beauty clung to her father in terror,which became all the greater when she saw how frightened hewas. But when the Beast really appeared, though she trembled atthe sight of him, she made a great effort to hide her horror, andsaluted him respectfully.

But this reply vexed her sisters, who fancied she was blamingthem for having asked for such costly things. Her father, how-ever, was pleased, but as he thought that at her age she certainlyought to like pretty presents, he told her to choose something.

"What is the matter?" she cried.