‘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-bye 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.