Last week, around 30, people downloaded books from my site - 9 people donated. I love offering these books for free, but need some support to continue doing so. You don't need an account and it only takes a minute. You can also support it by buying one of the collections. There was once a very rich merchant, who had six children, three sons, and three daughters; being a man of sense, he spared no cost for their education, but gave them all kinds of masters.
His daughters were extremely handsome, especially the youngest; when she was little, every body admired her, and called her The little Beauty ; so that, as she grew up, she still went by the name of Beauty , which made her sisters very jealous. The youngest, as she was handsome, was also better than her sisters. The two eldest had a great deal of pride, because they were rich. They gave themselves ridiculous airs, and would not visit other merchants' daughters, nor keep company with any but persons of quality.
They went out every day upon parties of pleasure, balls, plays, concerts, etc. It consisted of four rows of orange- trees, laden with flowers and fruit. Arriving at the first courtyard, he perceived a great many more statues. He was suffering so much from cold that he could not stop to examine them. An agate staircase, with balusters of chased gold, first presented itself to his sight: he passed through several magnificently furnished rooms; gentle warmth which he breathed in them renovated him.
He needed food; but to whom could he apply? This large and magnificent edifice appeared to be inhabited only by statues. A profound silence reigned throughout it; nevertheless, it had not the air of an old palace that had been deserted.
The halls, the rooms, the galleries were all open; no living thing appeared to be in this charming place. Weary of wandering over this vast dwelling, he stopped in a saloon, wherein was a large fire. Presuming that it was prepared for someone, who would not be long in appearing, he drew near the fireplace to warm himself; but no one came. Seated on a sofa near the fire, a sweet sleep closed his eyelids, and left him no longer in a condition to observe the entrance of anyone.
Fatigue induced him to sleep; hunger awoke him; he had been suffering from it for the last twenty-four hours. The exercise that he had taken ever since he had been in this palace increased his appetite. When he awoke and opened his eyes, he was astonished to see a table elegantly laid.
A light repast would not have satisfied him; but the viands, magnificently dressed, invited him to eat of everything. His first care was to utter in a loud voice his thanks to those from whom he had received so much kindness, and he then resolved to wait quietly till it pleased his host to make himself known to him.
Upon awaking, in the place of the first table he saw another of porphyry, upon which some kind hand had set out a collation consisting of cakes, preserved fruits, and liqueurs. This was likewise for his use. Profiting, therefore, by the kindness shown him, he partook of everything that suited his appetite, his taste, and his fancy.
Finding at length no one to speak to, or to inform him whether this palace was inhabited by a man or by a God, fear began to take possession of him, for he was naturally timid. He resolved, therefore, to re-pass through all the apartments, and overwhelm with thanks the Genius to whom he was indebted for so much kindness, and in the most respectful manner solicit him to appear.
All his attentions were useless: no appearance of servants, no result by which he could ascertain that the palace was inhabited. Thinking seriously of what he should do, he began to fancy, for what reason he could not imagine, that some good spirit had made this mansion a present to him, with all the riches that it contained.
This idea seemed like inspiration, and without further delay - making a new inspection of it - he took possession of all the treasures he could find.
More than this, he settled in his own mind what share of it he should allow to each of his children, and selected the apartments that would particularly suit them, enjoying the delight beforehand that his journey would afford them. He entered the garden, where, in spite of the severity of the winter, the rarest flowers were exhaling the most delicious perfume in the mildest and purest air.
Birds of all kinds blending their songs with the confused noise of the waters, made an agreeable harmony. I cannot believe that they will regret, or that they will prefer the city to this mansion. An alley, ornamented by palisades, formed by rosebushes in full bloom, led to it. He had never seen such lovely roses. Their perfume reminded him that he had promised to give Beauty a rose. He picked one, and was about to gather enough to make half-a-dozen bouquets, when a most frightful noise made him turn round.
Is it not enough that I kindly allowed you to remain in my palace? Instead of feeling grateful, rash man, I find you stealing my flowers! Your insolence shall not remain unpunished. I am not ungrateful! Penetrated by all your kindness, I did not imagine that so slight a liberty could possibly have offended you. I care not for your flattery nor for the titles you bestow on me. I am not your Lord; I am The Beast; and you shall not escape the death you deserve.
Then, whether he hoped to escape from death or to induce his enemy to feel for him, he related to him all his misfortunes. He told him the object of his journey, and did not omit to dwell on the little present he was bound to give Beauty; adding that was the only thing she had asked for, while the riches of a King would hardly have sufficed to satisfy the wishes of his other daughters.
And so came to the opportunity which had offered itself to satisfy the modest desire of Beauty and his belief that he could have done so without any unpleasant consequences; asking pardon, moreover, for his involuntary fault.
I require someone to repair this fault. Under what pretext could I bring her here? Go, see if there be not one amongst them sufficiently courageous, and loving you enough, to sacrifice herself to save your life. Give me your word of honour to return in a month. If you cannot decide to bring one of them back with you, she will remain here and you will return home.
If you cannot do so, promise me to return here alone after bidding them farewell forever, for you will belong to me. I warn you, if you think so to escape me I will seek you and destroy you and your race, although a hundred thousand men may appear to defend you. He promised to return to him at the time named, and give himself up to his sad fate, without rendering it necessary for the Beast to seek for him. After this assurance, he thought himself at liberty to retire and take leave of the Beast, whose presence was most distressing to him.
The respite was but brief, yet he feared he might revoke it. He expressed his anxiety to depart; but the Beast told him he should not do so till the following day. He will carry you home quickly. Go to supper and await my orders. Before a large fire, his supper, already laid, invited him to sit and enjoy it. The delicacy and richness of the dishes had no longer, however, any temptation for him. To avoid further disaster, he made a momentary truce with his grief, and, as well as his afflicted heart would permit, he tasted, in turn, the various dishes.
At the end of the repast, a great noise was heard in the adjoining apartment, and he did not doubt that it was his formidable host.
As he could not manage to avoid his presence, he tried to recover from the alarm, which this sudden noise had caused him. Your Comment:. Great book, Beauty and the Beast pdf is enough to raise the goose bumps alone. It's always fun to read Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont books. Add a review Your Rating: Your Comment:. Beauty and the Beast Disney by Teddy Slater. Beauty and the Beast by Hannah Howell. Beauty and the Beast Novelization by Elizabeth Rudnick.
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