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第3章 强大的对手

And in despair he began to tell the Beast all his misfortunes,and the reason of his journey, not forgetting to mention Beauty'srequest.

"It seems, then, that this horrible Beast keeps him a prisoner.How can I set him free? I wonder why they both told me not totrust to appearances? I don't understand it. But, after all, it wasonly a dream, so why should I trouble myself about it? I hadbetter go and find something to do to amuse myself."

At length he made out some sort of track, and though at thebeginning it was so rough and slippery that he fell down morethan once, it presently became easier, and led him into an avenueof trees which ended in a splendid castle. It seemed to the mer-chant very strange that no snow had fallen in the avenue, whichwas entirely composed of orange trees, covered with flowers andfruit. When he reached the first court of the castle he saw before

"All this must be meant for me. I will go this minute and bringmy children to share all these delights."

As she spoke a blaze of light sprang up before the windowsof the palace; fireworks crackled and guns banged, and acrossthe avenue of orange trees, in letters all made of fire-flies, waswritten: "Long live the Prince and his Bride."

thought could be the meaning of herstrange dreams, and why the Prince constantly begged her notto trust to appearances. After much consideration he answered:"You tell me yourself that the Beast, frightful as he is, loves youdearly, and deserves your love and gratitude for his gentlenessand kindness; I think the Prince must mean you to understandthat you ought to reward him by doing as he wishes you to, inspite of his ugliness."

"I will forgive you on one condition--that is, that you will giveme one of your daughters."

him a flight of agate steps, and went up them, and passed throughseveral splendidly furnished rooms. The pleasant warmth of theair revived him, and he felt very hungry; but there seemed to benobody in all this vast and splendid palace whom he could askto give him something to eat. Deep silence reigned everywhere,and at last, tired of roaming through empty rooms and galleries,he stopped in a room smaller than the rest, where a clear fire wasburning and a couch was drawn up cosily close to it. Thinkingthat this must be prepared for someone who was expected, he satdown to wait till he should come, and very soon fell into a sweetsleep.

"The Beast must be very hungry," said Beauty, trying to laugh,