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 of one of my children 's , what excuse could I invent to bring her here ? '' `` No excuse would be necessary , '' answered the Beast . `` If she comes at all she must come willingly . On no other condition will I have her . See if any one of them is courageous enough , and loves you well enough to come and save your life . You seem to be an honest man , so I will trust you to go home . I give you a month to see if either of your daughters will come back with you and stay here , to let you go free . If neither of them is willing , you must come alone , after bidding them good-by for ever , for then you will belong to me . And do not imagine that you can hide from me , for if you fail to keep your word I will come and fetch you ! '' added the Beast grimly . The merchant accepted this proposal , though he did not really think any of his daughters could be persuaded to come . He promised to return at the time appointed , and then , anxious to escape from the presence of the Beast , he asked permission to set off at once . But the Beast answered that he could not go until next day . `` Then you will find a horse ready for you , '' he said . `` Now go and eat your supper , and await my orders . '' The poor merchant , more dead than alive , went back to his room , where the most delicious supper was already served on the little table which was drawn up before a blazing fire . But he was too terrified to eat , and only tasted a few of the dishes , for fear the Beast should be angry if he did not obey his orders . When he had finished he heard a great noise in the next room , which he knew meant that the Beast was coming .
As he could do nothing XXXXX escape his visit , the only thing that remained was to seem as little afraid as possible ; so when the Beast appeared and asked roughly if he had supped well , the merchant answered humbly that he had , thanks to his host 's kindness .
If On at before for of so than that to