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 that the master of the house’s beard was not so very blue, and that he was a mighty civil gentleman.

So soon as they returned home, the marriage was concluded. About a month afterwards, Blue Beard told his wife that he was obliged to take a country journey for six weeks at least, about affairs of very great consequence, desiring her to divert herself in his absence, send for her friends and acquaintance, carry them into the country, if she pleased, and make good cheer wherever she was: “Here, said he, are the keys of the two great wardrobes wherein I I have my best furniture; these are of my silver and my gold plate, which is not every day in use; these open my strong boxes, which hold my money both gold and silver; these my caskets of jewels; and this is the master key of all my apartments; but for this little one here, it is the key of the closet at the end of the great gallery, on the ground floor. Open them all; go into every one except that little closet, which I forbid you, and forbid it in such a manner, that if you open it, there is nothing but what you may expect from my just anger and resentment.” She promised to observe very exactly what he had ordered; when he, after having embraced her, got into his coach, and proceeded on his journey.

Her neighbours and good friends did not stay to be sent for by the new married lady, so great was their impatience to see all the rich furniture of her house, not daring to come while her husband was there, because of his blue beard which frightened them. They ran through all the rooms, closets, and wardrobes, which were all so rich and fine, that they seemed to surpass one another. After that they went up into the two great rooms, where were the best and richest furniture, they could not sufficiently admire the number and beauty of the tapestry beds, couches, cabinets, stands, tables, and looking-glasses