Gabrielle-Suzanne de Villeneuve 
Beauty and the Beast [EPUB ebook] 
A Fairy Tale

THERE was once a merchant who had been very rich at one time, but who, having had heayy losses, was compelled to retire to a little cottage in the country; where he lived with his three daughters. The two elder ones were very much discontented at their poverty, and were always grumbling and making complaints. But the youngest one, who was called Beauty, and who was as amiable as she was handsome, tried all she could to comfort her father and make his home happy. …