22
“Welcome, Beauty; banish fear,
You are queen and mistress here;
Speak your wishes, speak your will,
Swift obedience meets them still.”
“Alas,” said she, with a sigh, “there is nothing I desire so much as to see my poor father and to know what he is doing.” She had no sooner said this, than, casting her eyes on a great looking-glass, to her great amazement she saw her own home, where her father had arrived with a very dejected countenance; her sisters went to meet him and notwithstanding their endeavours to appear sorrowful, their joy, felt for having got rid of their sister, was visible in every feature. A moment after, every thing disappeared, and Beauty’s apprehensions at this proof of Beast’s complaisance.
At noon she found dinner ready, and while at table was entertained with an excellent concert of music though without seeing any body; but at night, as she was going to sit down to supper, she heard the noise Beast made; and could not help being sadly terrified. “Beauty,” said the monster, “will you give me leave to see you sup?” “That is as you please,” answered Beauty, trembling. “No,” replied the Beast, “you alone are mistress here; you need only
