Beauty turned to her captor and almost screamed out in horror at the half man/half beast that stood before her, resplendent in the finest of clothes but looking as if he should live out in the barn. He had the body of a man but he was furry and had a snout, like a dog's. And his yellow eyes seemed almost inhuman. She shivered in terror, wondering what was in store for her and wishing with all her might that she could go back home with her father.
"Leave us," Beast ordered the merchant. There was nothing else the merchant could say to get his little girl back. With great reluctance he got on his horse and waved to his daughter with a reassuring smile.
Beauty watched her father's departing back with great sadness. And then she was forced to face her captor. Beauty was repulsed and frightened by the beast. What was expected of her? Would he eat her? Or maul her? Would she ever see her family again?
Beast knew what his appearance must be doing to the girl, so he'd need to handle her with kid glovesβto begin with.
She was shown to her room, one fit for a queen. The beast gave her a tour and told her the history of the castle and the family. He was really rather pleasant each day that passed, suggesting they take walks through the garden or ride through the woods, and soon Beauty began to lose her fear of him. Even her disgust at the sight of his dog-like face began to fade. In the evenings she'd sit by the fire embroidering, and he'd sit close by watching her and even reading aloud to her from his vast collection of books. They soon began having conversations and she realized that she quite enjoyed talking with him. But that didn't mean she wanted to remain here forever. She was living in the lap of luxury, but she still pined for her father.
It was with a start of surprise that one day Beast presented her with a magic mirror to soften her towards him. When she peered into the looking glass, she saw her father and sisters going about their duties. Beauty was thrilled and profusely grateful to Beast for his generous gift. How could she not be friends with such a thoughtful man...or rather, beast....
For days and weeks she'd sit looking into the magic glass. She loved seeing her father and sisters every day, seeing her home and all the things she knew and loved. But the looking glass offered her extra insight she wasn't prepared for.