beautiful that everybody called her Beauty. This made the two
eldest very jealous; and, as they were spiteful and bad-tempered by
nature, instead of loving their younger sister they felt nothing but
envy and hatred towards her.

[Illustration]

After some years there came a terrible storm at sea, and most of the
Merchant's ships were sunk, and he became very poor. He and his family
were obliged to live in a very small house and do without the servants
and fine clothes to which they had been used. The two eldest sisters did
nothing but weep and lament for their lost fortune, but Beauty did her
best to keep the house bright and cheerful, so that her father might not
miss too much all the comfort and luxury to which he was used.

One day the Merchant told his daughters that he was going to take a
journey into foreign lands in the hope of recovering some of his
property. Then he asked them what they would like him to bring them
home in case he should be successful. The eldest daughter asked for
fine gowns and beautiful clothing; the second for jewels and gold
and silver trinkets.

"And Beauty--what would Beauty like?" asked the father.

Beauty was so happy and contented always that there was scarcely
anything for which she longed. She thought for a moment, then she said:

[Illustration]

"I should like best of all a red rose!" The other sisters burst out
laughing and scoffed at Beauty's simple request; but her father promised
to bring her what she wanted. Then he said good-bye to his children and
set out on his travels.

He was away for nearly a year, and was so fortunate as to win back a
great part of his lost wealth. When the time came for his return, he
was easily able to buy the things his eldest daughters wished for; but
nowhere could he find a red rose to take home to Beauty, and at last he
was obliged to set off without one.

When he was within a few miles journey of his home, he lost himself in
a thick wood. Darkness came on, and he began to be afraid that he would
have to pass the night under a tree, when suddenly he saw a bright light
shining in the distance. He went towards it, and on his approach found
it came from a great castle that was set right in the heart of the
forest.

The Merchant made up his mind to ask if he might spend the night there;
but to his surprise, when he reached the door he found it set wide open,
and nobody about. After awhile, finding that no one came in answer to
his repeate