Blue Beard returned from his journey the same evening , and said he had received letters upon the road , informing him that the affair he went about was ended to his advantage . His wife did all she could to convince him she was extremely glad of his speedy return . Next morning he asked her for the keys , which she gave him , but with such a trembling hand that he easily guessed what had happened . `` What ! '' said he , `` is not the key of my closet among the rest ? '' `` I must certainly have left it above upon the table , '' said she . `` Fail not to bring it to me presently , '' said Blue Beard . After several goings backward and forward she was forced to bring him the key . Blue Beard , having very attentively considered it , said to his wife , `` How comes this blood upon the key ? '' `` I do not know , '' cried the poor woman , paler than death . `` You do not know ! '' replied Blue Beard . `` I very well know . You were resolved to go into the closet , were you not ? Mighty well , madam ; you shall go in , and take your place among the ladies you saw there . '' Upon this she threw herself at her husband 's feet , and begged his pardon with all the signs of true repentance , vowing that she would never more be disobedient . She would have melted a rock , so beautiful and sorrowful was she ; but Blue Beard had a heart harder than any rock ! `` You must die , madam , '' said he , `` and that presently . '' `` Since I must die , '' answered she -LRB- looking upon him with her eyes all bathed in tears -RRB- , `` give me some little time to say my prayers . '' `` I give you , '' replied Blue Beard , `` half a quarter of an hour , but not one moment more . ''
When she was alone she called out to her sister , and said to her : `` Sister Anne '' -LRB- for XXXXX was her name -RRB- , `` go up , I beg you , upon the top of the tower , and look if my brothers are not coming over ; they promised me that they would come to-day , and if you see them , give them a sign to make haste . ''
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