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Beauty and the Beast. : may stay and rest 1n my palace until to-morrow.” Although the Merchant found an excellent supper laid for him, he could not eat; nor could he sleep, although everything was made ready fenhis comiorn.: |The next morning he set-oul on a handsome horse, provided by the Beast. » When he came near his house his children eae Out to. erect him. “bul-seeine theca: ness of his face, and his eyes filled with tears, tiey asked the. cause of hisi trouble. “Gime beauty the rose, he told) herve “1 hevawe elder sisters laid all the blame on Beauty; but his sons, who had come from the forest to meet him, declared that they would go to the Beast instead. But Beauty said that as she was the cause of this misfortune, she alone must suffer lot, it; and, was quite willing to go; andeein spue o1 the entreaties ot her, brothers; ws loved her dearly, she: set out with her tather, to the secret joy of her two envious sisters. When they arrived at the palace the doors opened of themselves; sweet music was heard, and they walked into a room where supper was prepared. Just as they had eaten their supper, thesbeast entered; and said: in a. mild: tone, “ Beauty, did you come here willingly to die in place of your father?” “ Willingly,” she answered, with a trembling voice. “So much the better for you,” said the Beast; “your father
