wolves that he heard howling round him.  All at once, he now cast his eyes towards a long row of trees, and saw a light at the end of them, but it seemed a great way off.  He made the best of his way towards it, and found that it came from a fine palace, lighted all over.  He walked faster, and soon reached the gates, which he opened, and was very much surprised that he did not see a single person or creature in any of the yards.  His horse had followed him, and finding a stable with the door open, went into it at once; and here the poor beast, being nearly starved, helped himself to a good meal of oats and hay.  His master then tied him up, and walked towards the house, which he entered, but still without seeing a living creature.  He went on to a large hall, where he found a good fire, and a table covered with some very nice dishes, and only one plate with a knife and fork.  As the snow and rain had wetted him to the skin, he went up to the fire to dry himself.  “I hope,” said he, “the master of the house or his servants will excuse me, for to be sure it will not be long now before I see them.”  He waited a good time, but still nobody came:  at last the clock struck eleven, and the merchant, being quite faint for the want of food, helped himself to a chicken, which he made but two mouthfuls of, and then to a few glasses of wine, yet all the time trembling with fear.  He sat till the clock struck twelve, but did not see a single creature.  He now took courage, and began to think of looking a little more about him; so he opened a door at the end of the hall, and went through it into a very grand room, In which there was a fine bed; and as he was quite weak and tired, he shut the door, took off his clothes, and got into it.

It was ten o’clock in the morning before he thought of getting up, when he was amazed to see a handsome new suit of clothes laid ready for him, instead of his own, which he had spoiled.  “To be sure,” said he to himself, “this place belongs to some good fairy, who has taken pity on my ill luck.”  He looked out of the window, and, instead of snow, he saw the most charming arbours covered with all kinds of flowers.  He returned to the hall, where he had supped, and found a breakfast table, with some chocolate got ready for him.  “Indeed, my good fairy,” said the merchant aloud, “I am vastly obliged to you for your kind care of me.”  He then made a hearty breakfast, took his hat, and was going to the stable to pay his horse a visit; but as he passed under one of the arbours, which was loaded with roses, he thought of what Beauty had asked him to bring back to her, and so he took a bunch of roses to carry home.  At the same moment he heard a most shocking noise, and saw such a frightful beast coming towards him, that he was ready to drop with fear.  “Ungrateful man!” said the beast, in a terrible voice, “I have saved your life by letting you into my palace, and in return you steal my roses, which I value more than any thing