按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
she had never known such a long day； for she was so
anxious to see the Beast again that she felt as if suppertime
would never come。
But when it did come and no Beast appeared she was
really frightened； so； after listening and waiting for a long
time； she ran down into the garden to search for him。 Up
and down the paths and avenues ran poor Beauty； calling
him in vain； for no one answered； and not a trace of him
could she find； until at last； quite tired； she stopped for a
minute's rest； and saw that she was standing opposite the
shady path she had seen in her dream。 She rushed down
it； and； sure enough； there was the cave； and in it lay the
Beastasleep； as Beauty thought。 Quite glad to have
found him； she ran up and stroked his head； but； to her
horror； he did not move or open his eyes。
〃Oh！ he is dead； and it is all my fault；〃 said Beauty；
crying bitterly。
But then； looking at him again； she fancied he still
breathed； and； hastily fetching some water from the near…
est fountain； she sprinkled it over his face； and； to her
great delight； he began to revive。
〃Oh！ Beast； how you frightened me！〃 she cried。 〃I
never knew how much I loved you until just now； when
I feared I was too late to save your life。〃
〃Can you really love such an ugly creature as I am？〃
said the Beast faintly。 〃Ah！ Beauty； you only came just
in time。 I was dying because I thought you had forgotten
your promise。 But go back now and rest； I shall see you
again by and by。〃
Beauty； who had half expected that he would be angry
with her； was reassured by his gentle voice； and went
back to the palace； where supper was awaiting her； and
afterward the Beast came in as usual； and talked about
the time she had spent with her father； asking if she had
enjoyed herself； and if they had all been very glad to see
her。
Beauty answered politely； and quite enjoyed telling
him all that had happened to her。 And when at last the
time came for him to go； and he asked； as he had so often
asked before； 〃Beauty； will you marry me？〃
She answered softly； 〃Yes； dear Beast。〃
As she spoke a blaze of light sprang up before the
windows of the palace； fireworks crackled and guns
banged； and across the avenue of orange trees； in letters
all made of fire…flies； was written： 〃Long live the Prince
and his Bride。〃
Turning to ask the Beast what it could all mean；
Beauty found that he had disappeared； and in his place
stood her long…loved Prince！ At the same moment the
wheels of a chariot were heard upon the terrace； and two
ladies entered the room。 One of them Beauty recognized
as the stately lady she had seen in her dreams； the other
was also so grand and queenly that Beauty hardly knew
which to greet first。
But the one she already knew said to her companion：
〃Well； Queen； this is Beauty； who has had the courage
to rescue your son from the terrible enchantment。 They
love one another； and only your consent to their marriage
is wanting to make them perfectly happy。〃
〃I consent with all my heart；〃 cried the Queen。 〃How
can I ever thank you enough； charming girl； for having
restored my dear son to his natural form？〃
And then she tenderly embraced Beauty and the
Prince； who had meanwhile been greeting the Fairy and
receiving her congratulations。
〃Now；〃 said the Fairy to Beauty； 〃I suppose you would
like me to send for all your brothers and sisters to dance
at your wedding？〃
And so she did； and the marriage was celebrated the
very next day with the utmost splendor； and Beauty and
the Prince lived happily ever after。＇1＇
＇1＇ La Belle et la Bete。 Par Madame de Villeneuve。