6
castle, told her mother that she did not now feel any objections to accept of Blue Beard as a husband. The old lady immediately communicated to him the change of her daughter's sentiments.
Blue Beard, who lost no time in paying the family a visit, was in a few days privately married to the young lady, and soon after the ceremony, Fatima, accompanied by her sister, returned to the castle, the wife of Blue Beard. On arriving there, they were received at the entrance by all his retinue, attired in elegant dresses; and Blue Beard, after saluting his bride, led the way to an elegant entertainment, where, every thing that could add to their comfort being prepared, they spent the evening in the most agreeable manner.
The next day, and every succeeding day, Blue Beard always varied the amusements; and a month had passed away imperceptibly, when he told his wife that he was obliged to leave her for a few weeks, as he had some affairs to transact in a distant part of the country, which required his personal attendance.
"But," said he, "my dear Fatima, yon may enjoy yourself during my absence in any way that will tend to your happiness; and you can invite your friends to make the time pass more agreeably, for you are sole mistress in this castle. Here are the keys of the two large wardrobes; this is the key of the great box that contains the best plate, which we use for company; this of my strong box, where I keep my money; and this belongs to the casket in which are all my jewels. Here also is a master key to all the rooms in the house; but this small key belongs to the blue closet at the end of the long gallery on the ground-floor. I give you leave," he
