Beauty and the Beast
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Once upon a time, in a very far-off country, there lived a merchant who had been so fortunate in all his undertakings that he was enormously rich. As he had, however, six sons and six daughters, he found that his money was not too much to let them all have everything they fancied, as they were accustomed to do. But one day a most unexpected misfortune befell them. Their house caught fire and was speedily burnt to the ground, with all the splendid furniture, the books, pictures, gold, silver, and precious goods it contained; and this was only the beginning of their troubles. Their father, who had until this moment prospered in all ways, suddenly lost every ship he had upon the sea, either by dint of pirates, shipwreck, or fire. Then he heard that his clerks in distant countries, whom he trusted
BORGHEIM. Perhaps, but not nearly enough. Not as I want you to.
[More forcibly.] By Heaven, Asta--Miss Asta--I cannot tell you how
strongly I feel that you are wrong in this! A little onward,
perhaps, from to-day and to-morrow, all life's happiness may be
awaiting us. And we must needs pass it by! Do you think we will not
come to repent of it, Asta?
ASTA. [Quietly.] I don't know. I only know that they are not for
us--all these bright possibilities.
BORGHEIM. [Looks at her with self-control.] Then I must make my
roads alone?
ASTA. [Warmly.] Oh, how I wish I could stand by you in it all!
Help you in the labour--share the gladness with you--
BORGHEIM. Would you--if you could?
ASTA. Yes, that I would.
BORGHEIM. But you cannot?
ASTA. [Looking down.] Would you be content to have only half of me?
BORGHEIM. No. You must be utterly and entirely mine.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Once upon a time, in a very far-off country, there lived a merchant who had been so fortunate in all his undertakings that he was enormously rich. As he had, however, six sons and six daughters, he found that his money was not too much to let them all have everything they fancied, as they were accustomed to do. But one day a most unexpected misfortune befell them. Their house caught fire and was speedily burnt to the ground, with all the splendid furniture, the books, pictures, gold, silver, and precious goods it contained; and this was only the beginning of their troubles. Their father, who had until this moment prospered in all ways, suddenly lost every ship he had upon the sea, either by dint of pirates, shipwreck, or fire. Then he heard that his clerks in distant countries, whom he trusted