"And why should he turn your brother into it? I mean, if he had turned you into a tortoise—Of course," he went on hurriedly, "I'm very glad he didn't."
"Thank you," said Beauty.
"But I don't understand why——"
"He knew he could hurt me more by making my brother a tortoise than by making me one," she explained, and looked at him anxiously.
This was a new idea to Charming, who had two brothers of his own; and he looked at her in some surprise.
"Oh, what does it matter why he did it?" she cried, as he was about to speak. "Why do giants do things? I don't know."
"Princess," said Charming remorsefully, and kissed her hand, "tell me how I can help you."
"My brother," said Beauty, "was to have met me here. He is late again." She sighed and added, "He used to be so punctual."
"But how can I help him?" asked Charming.
"It is like this. The only way in which the enchantment can be taken off him is for some one to kill the Giant. But, if once the enchantment has stayed on for seven years, then it stays on for ever."