Belle cringed a little when Gaston wrapped his arm around her shoulder. With a deep breath, the girl used all the willpower she could muster to keep from shoving Gaston's arm away. She knew very well that her father would have her entertain the idea of marrying Gaston. And she knew very well that she would prefer to starve and beg for money on the streets. As she heard Gaston's description of what he thought was the pleasant end for a day, Belle had to bite her lip to refrain from screaming.<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Five or six?</span></span>He was completely crazy.<br/><br/>When Gerard finally intervened, Belle let out a small sigh. At least that brute had gotten his paws off her. The idea of marriage, though, still lingered in his mind, as far as she could see. "All right, Gaston. You can come back tomorrow", she agreed, knowing that whatever her answer was he would return anyway. As she closed the door after Gaston, Belle finally released a huge sigh. She then turned around to face her father.<br/><br/>"I don't like the thought of it? I<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">hate</span></span>the thought of it, father! I wouldn't care if he was the King himself!", Belle stated firmly. "I will not marry Gaston and have six children to lay around on the floor playing with hunting dogs. I would prefer to go without." Walking to the table, the girl sat by her father and pleaded. "Please, father, do not force me into this. Have me marry the son of the baker, or the young man who goes around cleaning chimneys before winter comes, and I will happily obey. But not Gaston. Never Gaston. I will be single and poor before I let that brute touch me."