Page:History of Beauty and the Beast.pdf/9

 vide me a breakfast; I am extremely obliged to you for all your favours.”

The good man drank his chocolate, and then went to look for his horse; but passing through an arbour of roses, he remembered Beauty’s request to him, and gathered a branch on which were several; immediately he heard a great noise, and saw such a frightful beast coming towards him, that he was ready to faint away. “You are very ungrateful,” said the Beast to him, in a terrible voice, “I have saved your life by receiving you into my castle, and in return, you steal my roses, which I value beyond any thing in the universe; but you shall die for it. I give you but a quarter of an hour to prepare yourself, and to say your prayers.” The merchant fell on his knees, and lifted up both his hands: “My Lord,” said he, “I beseech you to forgive me; indeed I had no intention to offend in gathering a rose for one of my daughters, who desired me to bring her one.” “My name is not My Lord,” replied the monster, “but Beast. I don’t like compliments, not I; I like people to speak as they think; and so do not imagine I am to be moved by any of your flattering speeches; but you say you have got daughters.