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第8章 高手之战

But one day a most unexpected misfortune befell them. Theirhouse caught fire and was speedily burnt to the ground, withall the splendid furniture, the books, pictures, gold, silver, andprecious goods it contained; and this was only the beginning oftheir troubles. Their father, who had until this moment prosperedin all ways, suddenly lost every ship he had upon the sea, eitherby dint of pirates, shipwreck, or fire. Then he heard that hisclerks in distant countries, whom he trusted entirely, had provedunfaithful; and at last from great wealth he fell into the direstpoverty.

ite of his weariness the howling of the wolves kept him awake,and even when at last the day broke he was not much better off,for the falling snow had covered up every path, and he did notknow which way to turn.

"The only thing I wish for is to see you come home safely,"she answered.

"I will forgive you on one condition--that is, that you will giveme one of your daughters."

did not move or open his eyes.

But then, looking at him again, she fancied he still breathed,

So she got up and began to explore some of the many roomsof the palace.

"Ah!" cried the merchant, "if I were cruel enough to buy myown life at the expense of one of my children's, what excusecould I invent to bring her here?"

"Ah! Beauty, have you the heart to desert an unhappy Beastlike this? What more do you want to make you happy? Is itbecause you hate me that you want to escape?"