The path had a hedge of roses on each side of it, and the merchant thought he had never seen or smelt such exquisite flowers. They reminded him of a promise he had made to his youngest daughter, who was so lovely that
_________ . Before departing on his journey, he had asked his daughters what presents they would like him to bring back for them. The five eldest had wished for jewels and fine clothes, but Beauty has asked merely for a single rose. Now, as he stopped to pick a rose to take home to Beauty, he was startled by
_________ . Turning round, he saw a frightful ugly Beast, which seemed to be very angry and said, in a terrible voice:
“Who told you that you might gather my roses? Was it not enough that I allowed you to be in my palace and was kind to you? This is the way you show your gratitude, by stealing my flowers! But your insolence shall not go unpunished.” The merchant,
_________ , dropped the fatal rose, and, throwing himself on his knees, cried: “Pardon me, noble sir. I am truly grateful to you for your hospitality. I could not imagine that you would be offended by my taking such a little thing as a rose.” But the Beast’s anger was not lessened by this speech.
“You are very ready with excuses and flattery,” he cried; “but that will not save you from the death you deserve.”
“Alas!” thought the merchant, “if my daughter could only know what danger her rose has brought me into!”
And in despair he began to tell the Beast of his journey, not forgetting to mention Beauty’s request.
“A king’s ransom would hardly have bought all that my other daughters asked.” he said: “but I thought that I might at least take Beauty her rose. I beg you to forgive me, for you see
_________ .”
The Beast considered for a moment, and then he said, in a less furious tone:
“I will forgive you on one condition–that is, that you will give me one of your daughters.”
