that eye ever beheld, who returned her thanks for
having put an end to the charm, under which he had
so long resembled a Beast. Though this Prince
was worthy of all her attention, she could not forbear
asking where Beast was. “You see him at
your feet, (said the Prince): a wicked fairy
had condemned me to remain under that shape till a
beautiful virgin should consent to marry me: the
fairy likewise enjoined me to conceal my understanding;
there was only you in the world generous enough to
be won by the goodness of my temper; and in offering
you my crown, I can’t discharge the obligations
I have to you.” Beauty, agreeably surprised,
gave the charming Prince her hand to rise; they went
together into the castle, and Beauty was overjoyed
to find, in the great hall, her father and his whole
family, whom the beautiful lady, that appeared to
her in her dream, had conveyed thither.
“Beauty, (said this lady,) come and receive
the reward of your judicious choice; you have preferred
virtue before either wit or beauty, and deserve to
find a person in whom all these qualifications are
united: you are going to be a great Queen; I
hope the throne will not lessen your virtue, or make
you forget yourself. As to you, ladies, (said
the Fairy to Beauty’s two sisters,) I know your
hearts, and all the malice they contain: become
two statues; but, under this transformation, still
retain your reason. You shall stand before your
sister’s palace gate, and be it your punishment
to behold her happiness; and it will not be in your
power to return to your former state till you own your
faults; but I am very much afraid that you will always
remain statues. Pride, anger, gluttony, and
idleness, are sometimes conquered, but the conversion
of a malicious and envious mind is a kind of miracle.”
Immediately the fairy gave a stroke with her wand,
and in a moment all that were in the hall were transported
into the Prince’s palace. His subjects
received him with joy; he married Beauty, and lived
with her many years; and their happiness, as it was
founded on virtue, was complete.
