whom he heard howling all around
him, when, on a sudden, looking through a long walk of trees, he saw a
light at some distance, and going on a little farther, perceived it came
from a palace illuminated from top to bottom. The merchant returned God
thanks for this happy discovery, and hastened to the palace, but was
greatly surprised at not meeting with any one in the out-courts. His
horse followed him, and seeing a large stable open went in, and finding
both hay and oats, the poor beast, who was almost famished, fell to
eating very heartily. The merchant tied him up to the manger and walked
towards the house, where he saw no one; but entering into a large hall
he found a good fire, and a table plentifully set out, but with one
cover laid. As he was quite wet through with the rain and the snow, he
drew near the fire to dry himself. "I hope," said he, "the master of the
house, or his servants, will excuse the liberty I take. I suppose it
will not be long before some of them appear."

He waited a considerable time, till it struck eleven o'clock, and still
nobody came; at last he was so hungry that he could stay no longer, but
took a chicken and ate it in two mouthfuls, trembling all the while.
After this he drank a few glasses of wine, and growing more courageous,
he went out of the hall, and crossed through several grand apartments,
with magnificent furniture, till he came into a chamber, which had an
exceeding good bed in it, and, as he was very much fatigued, and it was
past midnight, he concluded it was best to shut the door and go to bed.
It was ten the next morning before the merchant waked, and as he was
going to rise, he was astonished to see a good suit of clothes in the
room of his own, which were quite spoiled. "Certainly," said he, "this
palace belongs to some kind fairy, who has seen and pitied my
distresses." He looked through a window, but instead of snow, saw the
most delightful arbours, interwoven with the most beautiful flowers that
ever were beheld. He then returned to the great hall, where he had
supped the night before, and found some chocolate ready made on a little
table. "Thank you, good Madam Fairy," said he aloud, "for being so
careful as to provide me a breakfast. I am extremely obliged to you for
all your favours."

The good man drank his chocolate, and then went to look for his horse;
but passing through an arbour of roses, he remembered Beauty's request
to him, and gathered a branch on whic