She promised to observe , very exactly , whatever he had ordered ; when he , after having embraced her , got into his coach and proceeded on his journey . Her neighbors and good friends did not stay to be sent for by the new married lady , so great was their impatience to see all the rich furniture of her house , not daring to come while her husband was there , because of his blue beard , which frightened them . They ran through all the rooms , closets , and wardrobes , which were all so fine and rich that they seemed to surpass one another . After that they went up into the two great rooms , where was the best and richest furniture ; they could not sufficiently admire the number and beauty of the tapestry , beds , couches , cabinets , stands , tables , and looking-glasses , in which you might see yourself from head to foot ; some of them were framed with glass , others with silver , plain and gilded , the finest and most magnificent ever were seen . They ceased not to extol and envy the happiness of their friend , who in the meantime in no way diverted herself in looking upon all these rich things , because of the impatience she had to go and open the closet on the ground floor . She was so much pressed by her curiosity that , without considering that it was very uncivil to leave her company , she went down a little back staircase , and with such excessive haste that she had twice or thrice like to have broken her neck . Coming to the closet-door , she made a stop for some time , thinking upon her husband 's orders , and considering what unhappiness might attend her if she was disobedient ; but the temptation was so strong she could not overcome it . She then took the little key , and opened it , trembling , but could not at first see anything plainly , because the windows were shut . After some moments she began to perceive that the floor was all covered over with clotted blood , on which lay the bodies of several dead women , ranged against the walls . -LRB- These were all the wives whom Blue Beard had married and murdered , one after another . -RRB- She thought she should have died for fear , and the key , which she pulled out of the lock , fell out of her hand . After having somewhat recovered her surprise , she took up the key , locked the door , and went upstairs into her chamber to recover herself ; but she could not , she was so much frightened . Having observed that the key of the closet was stained with blood , she tried two or three times to wipe it off , but the blood would not come out ; in vain did she wash it , and even rub it with soap and sand ; the blood still remained , for the key was magical and she could never make it quite clean ; when the blood was gone off from one side , it came again on the other . 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 XXXXX bring him the key .
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