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158 . Belle at the Study. Who comes knocking at my door? “ Let mo in,” says Belle. Ah, I’ve heard that voice before— “ Let me in,” says Belle— “ I will be so good and still, Dear papa, you know I will, Just a little corner fill, Let me in,” says Belle. So I spoke the welcome word, ‘‘Come in, little Belle;” Then two tiny feet I heard — “ Here I come.” says Belle- In there peeped a golden head: Chubby face, with cheeks so red— “ Welcome, darling Belle,” I said — “ Here I come,” says Belle. I was tired and full of gloom When you came, my Belle, Dark and lonely seemed the room, Till you came, my Belle. But your presence changed it quite, In you brought a flood of light; Made my study warm and bright— Saucy little Belle. Written for Burke’s Weekly. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. DRAMATIZED FROM MISS MULOCH’S VERSION. BY MRS. E. P. M. Characters. —A merchant; his three daughters, two of them dressed in tawdry finery, the third, Beauty, very simply dressed, with little apron, white cap, etc.; a Beast (this character must be gotten up by some ingenious person, a hid eous mask procured, if possible, and a bear skin. As the species of beast is left entirely to the imagination, any object, so that it be suf ficiently frightful, will do to represent it). Scene Ist. —Room in a cottage, plainly fur nished, where two sisters are lazily reclining on couches or arm-chairs; Beauty in one corner at a table, busily engaged in washing up cups and saucers; enter Merchant. Merchant —Good news, my dear chil dren ! I have just heard that one of my ships, which I had long given up for lost, has come into port; and I must imme diately start off on a journey to the city. Now tell me, my daughters, what shall I bring back for each of you ? Ist Daughter —l should like, father, a velvet dress, with a train three yards long, and a necklace of diamonds and pearls. 2 d Daughter —And I, father, wish an emerald brooch, with ear-rings to match, and a dozen lace caps, each one of a dif ferent pattern. Merchant —And you, Beauty, what will you have ? Beauty —Dear father, I should be glad if you would bring me a rose, for we have not a single rose bush in our garden. Merchant —l will try to gratify your desires, my dear children; and now adieu, for I must hasten. Exit Merchant . Scene 2d.—Room with breakfast table, from which Merchant has just risen ; a vase filled with roses (artificial ones will do). In one corner of this room a curtain must be arranged that can be easily drawn back, and behind this curtain Beast lies on the floor flower pots, with shrubbery and flowers arranged here and there, so as partly to screen him. BTJRKE’S WEEKLY. Merchant —Well, is not this extraor dinary ! losing my way in the storm, last night, I arrived unexpectedly at this castle. I entered, and everything ap peared to have been prepared for me; a hot supper, a luxurious bed, and this morning a delicious breakfast; and yet I have not seen a living soul! But I must hasten to depart. What a bitter disap pointment it will be to my children to hear that the report of my ship’s arrival in port turned out to be false, and that I return as poor as I left them; but (look ing at the roses) I can at least gratify the wish of my dear Beauty, and carry her a rose. (He takes one from the vase.) [The curtain is drawn aside, showing Beast, who exclaims in a loud, harsh voice :] Ungrateful man ! I have saved your life by admitting yon into my palace, and in return you steal my roses, which I value more than anything I possess. But you shall atone for your fault; you shall die in a quarter of an hour. Merchant —Sir, I humbly beg your par don. I only took a rose for one of my daughters. Do not kill me, my lord. Beast —l am not a lord, but a beast; and I hate false compliments. But you say you have daughters. If one of them will come and die in your stead I will spare your life ; but if not, you may go home and bid them adieu, but you must return to die. [Exit Merchant, looking very sorrowful. Scene 3d. —Room in the cottage ; the two sis ters idle, as before, Beauty sewing; enter Mer chant weeping ; he gives Beauty the rose, saying : Take this rose, Beauty ; but little do you think how dear it has cost your poor father. [The sisters look astonished. Beauty runs up to him, and exclaims :] What is the matter, dear father? Merchant —l am too weary to-night, my child, to tell you the sad story ; but to-morrow you shall all hear it. Leave me alone now, for indeed the sight of you overpowers me. Scene 4th.—Merchant, daughters, Beauty. ls-£ Daughter —See, Beauty, what comes from your pride. Why did you not wish for the same things as we did ? Because Dou could not be like other people you will be the cause of our father’s death. 2 d Daughter —Yes, you will cause our father s death ; and yet you do not shed a tear. Beauty —Because it would be useless, for my father shall not die. As the Beast will accept one of his daughters, I will give myself up, and be only too happy to prove my love for the best of fathers. Merchant— No, Beauty; your young life shall not be sacrificed. I am old. and so shall only give up a few years of my life ; and I shall only grieve for the sake of my children. Beauty —Never, father ! If you go back to the Beast’s palace you cannot hinder my going after you. Though young, I am not over fond of life, and I would much rather be eaten up by the monster than die of grief for your loss. Scene sth. —Beast’s palace—room as before, with curtain, behind which the Beast is : Merchant and Beauty sitting by eacli other, looking very sorrowful; the curtain is suddenly drawn aside, and Beauty nearly faints with fright when she sees the Beast. Beast (in a terrible tone) —Have you come quite of your own accord, Beauty? Beauty (faintly) —Yes, Beast. Beast —Then you are a good girl, and I am much obliged to you; and you, Mer chant, must leave my palace in the morn ing, and never return to it again. And now, good night to you both. [The curtain in front of Beast is drawn. Merchant —Oh! my child, I am half dead already at the thought of leaving you with this dreadful Beast. You shall go back and let me stay in your place. Beauty —No, father, I will never agree to that. You must go homo to-morrow morning. [They both weep. Scene 6th.— The same room in Beast’s palace ; Beauty alone. Beauty —How strange! I have now been here for three weeks, and instead of having devoured me, the Beast has an ticipated my every wish, and continues to treat me with the greatest kindness and consideration, although I have sev eral time refused his offers of marrying me. Indeed, I am beginning to feel a sin cere friendship for him, for he certainly has a good heart; but he has sent to call me, and I must attend. [She draws aside the curtain ; Beast is behind the curtain as before ; a chair placed by Beast.] Beast —l have sent for you to sit by me a little while, Beauty,—if you are willing. Beauty —That is as you please, Beast. Beast —Not at all; you alone command in this palace. Tell me, Beauty, do you not think me very ugly ? Beauty —Yes, Beast —I cannot tell you a falsehood—but I think you are very good. Beast —Am I ? Yet I am also very stupid, and I know well enough that 1 am only a Beast. Beauty —Very stupid people, Beast, are never aware of it themselves; and you are so kind that I almost forget you are ugly-