The merchant put these into Beauty's hand when she ran to meet him at the door of their cottage.
"Take them, my child," he said, "and cherish them, for they have cost your poor father his life."
And with that he sat down and told them the whole story. The two elder sisters wept and wailed, and of course blamed Beauty for all that had happened.
"If it had not been for your wanting a rose, our father would [page 331] have left the palace in safety, with his new suit and his gold pieces; but your foolishness has cost him his life."
"No," said Beauty, "it is my life that shall be sacrificed, for when the three months are over, I shall go to the Beast, and he may kill me if he will, but he shall never hurt my dear father."
The father tried hard to persuade her not to go, but she had made up her mind, and at the end of the three months she set out for the Beast's palace.
Her father went with her, to show her the way. As before, he saw the lights shining through the wood, knocked and rang in vain at the great gate, warmed himself at the fire in the big hall, and then found the little room with the supper on the table that made you hungry to look at. Only this time the table was laid for two.
"Come, father dear," said Beauty, "take comfort. I do not think the Beast means to kill me, or surely he would not have given me such a good supper."
But the next moment the Beast came into the room. Beauty screamed and clung to her father.
"Don't be frightened," said the Beast gently, "but tell me, do you come here of your own free will?"