Being naturally timid , the silence began to terrify him , and he resolved to search once more through all the rooms ; but it was of no use . Not even a servant was to be seen ; there was no sign of life in the palace ! He began to wonder what he should do , and to amuse himself by pretending that all the treasures he saw were his own , and considering how he would divide them among his children . Then he went down into the garden , and though it was winter everywhere else , here the sun shone , and the birds sang , and the flowers bloomed , and the air was soft and sweet . The merchant , in ecstacies with all he saw and heard , said to himself : `` All this must be meant for me . I will go this minute and bring my children to share all these delights . '' 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 XXXXX despair he began to tell the Beast all his misfortunes , and the reason of his journey , not forgetting to mention Beauty 's request .
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