Page:History of Blue Beard.pdf/7

7 continued, "to open, or to do what you like with all the rest of the castle except this closet. Now, my dear, remember you must not enter it, nor even put the key into the lock. If you do not obey me in this, expect the most dreadful of punishments."

She promised implicit obedience to his orders, and then accompanied him to the gate, where Blue Beard, after saluting her in a tender manner, stepped into the coach, and drove away.



When Blue Beard was gone, Fatima sent a kind of invitation to her friends to come immediately to the castle, and ordered a grand entertainment to be prepared for their reception. She also sent a messenger to her two brothers, both officers in the army, who were quartered about forty miles distant, requesting they would obtain leave of absence, and spend a few days with her. So eager were her friends to see the fine apartments and the riches of Blue Beard's castle, of which they had heard so much, that in less than two hours after receiving the notice, the whole company were assembled, with the exception of her brothers, who were not expected till the following day.

As her guests arrived long before the time appointed for the entertainment, Fatima took them through every apartment in the castle, and displayed all the wealth she had acquired by her marriage with Blue Beard.

On being told that every thing was ready, Fatima conducted her guests to the dining-room, where they sat down to the most magnificent repast, served up in dishes and covers of the finest gold. Music and other amusements succeeded, and the night was far advanced before the company left the castle.

During the day, Fatima was so much engaged, that she