In spite of being so cold and weary when he reached the castle , he had taken his horse to the stable and fed it . Now he thought he would saddle it for his homeward journey , and he turned down the path which led to the stable . This path had a hedge of roses on each side of it , and the merchant thought he had never seen or smelt such exquisite flowers . They reminded him of his promise to Beauty , and he stopped and had just gathered one to take to her when he was startled by a strange noise behind him . Turning round , he saw a frightful Beast , which seemed to be very angry and said , in a terrible voice : `` Who told you that you might gather my roses ? Was it not enough that I allowed you to be in my palace and was kind to you ? This is the way you show your gratitude , by stealing my flowers ! But your insolence shall not go unpunished . '' The merchant , terrified by these furious words , dropped the fatal rose , and , throwing himself on his knees , cried : `` Pardon me , noble sir . I am truly grateful to you for your hospitality , which was so magnificent that I could not imagine that you would be offended by my taking such a little thing as a rose . '' But the Beast 's anger was not lessened by this speech . `` You are very ready with excuses and flattery , '' he cried ; `` but that will not save you from the death you deserve . '' `` Alas ! '' thought the merchant , `` if my daughter could only know what danger her rose has brought me into ! '' And in despair he began to tell the Beast all his misfortunes , and the reason of his journey , not forgetting to mention Beauty 's request . `` A king 's ransom would hardly have procured all that my other daughters asked . '' he said : `` but I thought that I might at least take Beauty her rose . I beg you to forgive me , for you see I meant no harm . '' The Beast considered for a moment , and then he said , in a less furious tone : `` I will forgive you on one condition -- that is , that you will give me one of your daughters . '' `` Ah ! ''
cried the merchant , `` if I were cruel enough to buy my own life at the expense XXXXX one of my children 's , what excuse could I invent to bring her here ? ''
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