Page:History of Beauty and the Beast.pdf/17

 bid me be gone, if my presence is troublesome, and I will immediately withdraw: every thing here is yours, and I should be very uneasy if you were not happy. My heart is good, though I am a monster.” “Among mankind,” said Beauty, “there are many that deserve that name more than you, and I prefer you, just as you are, to those who, under a human form, hide a treacherous, corrupt, and ungrateful heart.” Beauty ate a hearty supper, and had almost conquered her dread of the monster; but she had like to have fainted away, when he said to her, “Beauty, will you be my wife?” She was some time before she durst answer, for she was afraid of making him angry if she refused. At last, however, she said, trembling, “No, Beast.” Immediately the poor monster began to sigh, and howled so frightfully, that the whole palace echoed. But Beauty soon recovered her fright, for Beast, having said in a mournful voice, “Then farewell, Beauty,” left the room; and only turned back now and then, to look at her as he went out.

When Beauty was alone, she felt a great deal of compassion for poor Beast. “Alas!” said she, “’tis a thousand pities any thing so good-natured should be so ugly!”