reflected, "Were I but to stay here a day, there would not have been all
these preparations." This consideration inspired her with fresh courage;
and opening the library, she took a book, and read these words in
letters of gold:--

/* "Welcome, Beauty, banish fear, You are queen and mistress here; Speak
your wishes, speak your will, Swift obedience meets them still." /*

"Alas, (said she, with a sigh,) there is nothing I desire so much as to
see my poor father, and to know what he is doing." She had no sooner
said this, when casting her eyes on a great looking-glass, to her great
amazement she saw her own home, where her father arrived with a very
dejected countenance; her sisters went to meet him, and, notwithstanding
their endeavours to appear sorrowful, their joy, felt for having got rid
of their sister, was visible in every feature: a moment after, every
thing disappeared, and Beauty's apprehensions at this proof of Beast's
complaisance.

[Illustration: Beauty Looking in the Glass]

At noon she found dinner ready, and while at table, was entertained with
an excellent concert of music, though without seeing any body: but at
night, as she was going to sit down to supper, she heard the noise Beast
made; and could not help being sadly terrified. "Beauty, (said the
monster,) will you give me leave to see you sup?" "That is as you
please," answered Beauty, trembling. "No, (replied the Beast,) you
alone are mistress here; you need only bid me be gone, if my presence is
troublesome, and I will immediately withdraw: but tell me, do not you
think me very ugly?" "That is true, (said Beauty,) for I cannot tell a
lie; but I believe you are very good-natured." "So I am, (said the