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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43457 ***
+
+  POPULAR STORY
+
+  OF
+
+  BLUE BEARD.
+
+
+
+
+  FRONTISPIECE.
+
+
+  [Illustration caption: While Fatima is kneeling to Blue Beard, and
+  supplicating for mercy, he seizes her by the hair, and raises his
+  scymetar to cut off her head.]
+
+
+
+
+  THE
+  POPULAR STORY
+  OF
+  BLUE BEARD.
+
+
+  Embellished with neat Engravings.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+  COOPERSTOWN:
+  Printed and sold by H. and E. Phinney.
+  1828
+
+
+
+
+  _The Alphabet._
+
+
+  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K
+  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T
+  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
+
+  a  b  c  d  e  f  g  h  i  j  k  l  m  n  o
+  p  q  r  s  t  u  v  w  x  y  z
+
+  _A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K
+  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T
+  U  V  W  X  Y  Z_
+
+  _a  b  c  d  e  f  g  h  i  j  k  l  m  n  o
+  p  q  r  s  t  u  v  w  x  y  z_
+
+  fi  fl  ff  ffi  ffl--_fi  fl  ff  ffi  ffl_
+
+  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  0
+
+  .  ,  ;  :  ?  !  '  ()  []  *  [dagger]  [double dagger]  §  ||  ¶
+
+
+
+
+  THE
+  POPULAR STORY
+  OF
+  BLUE BEARD.
+
+
+A long time ago, and at a considerable distance from any town, there
+lived a gentleman, who was not only in possession of great riches, but
+of the largest estates in that part of the country. Although he had some
+very elegant neat mansions on his estates, he generally resided in a
+magnificent castle, beautifully situated on a rising ground, surrounded
+with groves of the finest evergreens, and other choice trees and shrubs.
+
+The inside of this fine castle was even more beautiful than the outside;
+for the rooms were all hung with the richest damask, curiously
+ornamented; the chairs and sofas were covered with the finest velvet,
+fringed with gold; and his table-dishes and plates were either of silver
+or gold, finished in the most elegant style. His carriages and horses
+might have served a king, and perhaps were finer than any monarch's of
+the present day. The gentleman's appearance, however, did not altogether
+correspond to his wealth; for, to a fierce disagreeable countenance, was
+added an ugly blue beard, which made him an object of fear and disgust
+in the neighbourhood, where he usually went by the name of Blue Beard.
+
+There resided, at some considerable distance from Blue Beard's castle,
+an old lady and her two daughters, who were people of some rank, but by
+no means wealthy. The two young ladies were very pretty, and the fame of
+their beauty having reached Blue Beard, he determined to ask one of them
+in marriage. Having ordered a carriage, he called at their house, where
+he saw the two young ladies, and was very politely received by their
+mother, with whom he begged a few moments conversation.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+After the two young ladies left the room, he began by describing his
+immense riches, and then told her the purport of his visit, begging she
+would use her interest in his favour. They were both so lovely, he said,
+that he would be happy to get either of them for his wife, and would
+therefore leave it to their own choice to determine upon the subject,
+and immediately took his leave.
+
+When the proposals of Blue Beard were mentioned to the young ladies
+by their mother, both Miss Anne and her sister Fatima protested, that
+they would never marry an ugly man, and particularly one with such a
+frightful blue beard; because, although he possessed immense riches,
+it was reported in the country, that he had married several beautiful
+ladies, and nobody could tell what had become of them.
+
+Their mother said, that the gentleman was agreeable in his conversation
+and manners; that the ugliness of his face, and the blue beard, were
+defects which they would soon be reconciled to from habit: that his
+immense riches would procure them every luxury their heart could desire;
+and he was so civil, that she was certain the scandalous reports about
+his wives must be entirely without foundation.
+
+The two young ladies were as civil as they possibly could be, in order
+to conceal the disgust they felt at Blue Beard, and, to soften their
+refusal, replied to this effect,--That, at present, they had no desire
+to change their situation; but if they had, the one sister could never
+think of depriving the other of so good a match, and that they did not
+wish to be separated.
+
+Blue Beard having called next day, the old lady told him what her
+daughters had said; on which he sighed deeply, and pretended to be
+very much disappointed; but as he had the mother on his side, he still
+continued his visits to the family. Blue Beard, knowing the attractions
+that fine houses, fine furniture, and fine entertainments, have on the
+minds of ladies in general, invited the mother, her two daughters, and
+two or three other ladies who were then on a visit to them, to spend a
+day or two with him at his castle.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+Blue Beard's invitation was accepted, and having spent a considerable
+time in arranging their wardrobe, and in adorning their persons, they
+all set out for the splendid mansion of Blue Beard.
+
+On coming near the castle, although they had heard a great deal of the
+taste and expense that had been employed in decorating it, they were
+struck with the beauty of the trees that overshadowed the walks through
+which they passed, and with the fragrancy of the flowers which perfumed
+the air. When they reached the castle, Blue Beard, attended by a number
+of his servants in splendid dresses, received them with the most polite
+courtesy, and conducted them to a magnificent drawing-room.
+
+An elegant repast was ready in the dining-room, to which they adjourned.
+Here they were again astonished by the grandeur of the apartment and the
+elegance of the entertainment, and they felt so happy, that the evening
+passed away before they were aware.
+
+Next day, after they had finished breakfast, the ladies proceeded to
+examine the pictures and furniture of the rooms that were open, and were
+truly astonished at the magnificence that every where met their view.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+The time rolled pleasantly away amidst a succession of the most
+agreeable amusements, consisting of hunting, music, dancing, and
+banquets, where the richest wines, and most tempting delicacies, in most
+luxurious profusion, presented themselves in every direction.
+
+The party felt so agreeable amidst these scenes of festivity, that they
+continued at the castle several days, during which the cunning Blue
+Beard, by every obsequious service, tried to gain the favour of his fair
+guests. Personal attentions, even although paid us by an ugly creature,
+seldom fail to make a favourable impression; it was therefore no wonder
+that Fatima, the youngest of the two sisters, began to think Blue Beard
+a very polite, pleasant, and civil gentleman; and that the beard, which
+she and her sister had been so much afraid of, was not so very blue.
+
+A short time after her return home, Fatima, who was delighted with
+the attention which had been paid her at the 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 in 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.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+On arriving there, they were received at the entrance by all his
+retinue, attired in splendid dresses, and Blue Beard, after saluting his
+bride, led the way to an elegant entertainment, where, every thing that
+could add to 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, you may enjoy yourself in my absence in
+any way that will add 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 continued, "to open, or do what you like with all the rest of the
+castle except this closet: now, my dear, remember you must not enter
+it, nor even put the key into the lock. If you do not obey me in this,
+expect the most dreadful of punishments."
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+She promised him implicit obedience to his orders, and then accompanied
+him to the gate, where Blue Beard, after saluting her in a tender
+manner, stepped into the coach, and drove away.
+
+When Blue Beard was gone, Fatima sent a kind invitation to her friends
+to come immediately to the castle, and ordered a grand entertainment
+to be prepared for their reception. She also sent a messenger to her
+two brothers, both officers in the army, who were quartered about forty
+miles distant, requesting they would obtain leave of absence, and spend
+a few days with her. So eager were her friends to see the apartments and
+the riches of Blue Beard's castle, of which they had heard so much, that
+in less than two hours after receiving notice, the whole company were
+assembled, with the exception of her brothers, who were not expected
+till the following day.
+
+As her guests had arrived long before the time appointed them for the
+entertainment. Fatima took them thro' every apartment in the castle,
+and displayed all the wealth she had acquired by her marriage with Blue
+Beard. They went from room to room, and from wardrobe to wardrobe,
+expressing fresh wonder and delight at every new object they came to;
+but their surprise was increased when they entered the drawing-rooms,
+and saw the grandeur of the furniture.
+
+During the day, Fatima was so much engaged, that she never once thought
+of the blue closet, which Blue Beard had ordered her not to open; but
+when all the visitors were gone, she felt a great curiosity to know its
+contents. She took out the key, which was made of the finest gold, and
+went to consult with her sister on the subject. Anne used every argument
+she could think of to dissuade Fatima from her purpose, and reminded her
+of the threats of Blue Beard; but all in vain, for Fatima was now bent
+on gratifying her curiosity.
+
+She therefore, in spite of all her sister could do, seized one of the
+candles, and hurried down stairs to the fatal closet. On reaching the
+door she stopped, and began to reason with herself on the propriety
+of her conduct; but her curiosity at length overcame every other
+consideration, and, with a trembling hand, she applied the key to the
+lock, and opened the door. She had only advanced a few steps, when the
+most frightful scene met her view, and, struck with horror and dismay,
+she dropped the key of the closet. She was in the midst of blood, and
+the heads, bodies, and mutilated limbs of murdered ladies lay scattered
+on the floor. These ladies had all been married to Blue Beard, and had
+suffered for their imprudent curiosity, the key, which was the gift of a
+fairy, always betraying their fatal disobedience.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+The terror of Fatima was not diminished on observing these dreadful
+words on the wall--"_The Reward of Disobedience and Imprudent
+Curiosity!_" She trembled violently; but, on recovering a little, she
+snatched up the key, and having again locked the door, left this abode
+of horror.
+
+As soon as she reached her sister's chamber, she related the whole
+of her horrid adventure. They then examined the key, but it was all
+covered with blood, and they both turned pale with fear. They spent a
+good part of the night in trying to clean off the blood from the key,
+but it was without effect, for though they washed and scoured it with
+brick dust and sand, no sooner was the blood removed from one side, than
+it appeared on the other. Fatigued with their exertions, they at last
+retired to bed, where they passed a sleepless and anxious night.
+
+Fatima rose at a late hour next day, and consulted with her sister how
+she ought to proceed. She thought first of escaping from the castle,
+but as her brothers were expected in an hour or two, she resolved to
+wait their arrival. A loud knock at the gate made her almost leap for
+joy, and she cried, "they are come! they are come!" but what was her
+consternation when Blue Beard hastily opened the door, and entered.
+It was impossible for Fatima to conceal her agitation, although she
+pretended to be very happy at his sudden and unexpected return.
+
+Blue Beard, who guessed what she had been about, requested the keys,
+in order, as he said, that he might change his dress. She went to her
+chamber, and soon returned with the keys, all except the one belonging
+to the blue closet. He took the keys from her with seeming indifference,
+and after glancing at them minutely, said, rather sternly, "How is this,
+Fatima! I do not see the key of the blue closet here! Go and bring it to
+me instantly."
+
+The poor girl, feeling the crisis of her fate approaching, said, "I
+will go and search for it," and left the apartment in tears. She went
+straight to her sister's chamber, where they again tried, but in vain,
+to remove the blood from the key. The voice of Blue Beard again calling
+for her, she was forced to return, and reluctantly to give him the
+fatal key.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+On examining the key, Blue Beard burst into a terrible rage. "Pray
+Madam," said he, "how came this blood to be here?" "I am sure I do not
+know," replied she, trembling, and turning pale.
+
+"What! do you not know!" cried Blue Beard, in a voice like thunder,
+which made poor Fatima start with fear; "but I know well! You have been
+in the forbidden blue closet! And since you are so fond of prying into
+secrets, you shall take up your abode with the ladies you saw there."
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+Almost expiring with fear and terror, the trembling Fatima sunk upon
+her knees, and implored him in the most piteous manner to forgive her.
+But the cruel Blue Beard, deaf to her intreaties, drew his dreadful
+scymetar, and bid her prepare for immediate death.
+
+Blue Beard had raised his arm to give the fatal blow, when a dreadful
+shriek from her sister, who at that moment entered the apartment,
+arrested his attention. She entreated him to spare the life of Fatima,
+but he was deaf to her intercession, and would only grant her one
+quarter of an hour, that she might make her peace with Heaven, before he
+put her to death.
+
+Blue Beard then dragged her up to a large hall in the top of the
+tower of the castle, to prevent her groans being heard, to which they
+were followed by her sister. He then told her to make the best use of
+the time, as she might expect his return the moment it elapsed, and
+immediately left the place.
+
+When alone with her sister, Fatima felt her dreadful situation, and
+again burst into tears. Only fifteen minutes between her and the most
+cruel death, without the least chance of escape; for Blue Beard had
+secured the door when he retired, and the staircase they saw only led
+to the battlements. Fatima's thoughts were now turned to her brothers,
+whom she expected that day; and she requested her sister to ascend to
+the top of the tower, to see if there was any appearance of them.
+
+Fatima's sister immediately ascended to the top of the battlements,
+while the poor trembling girl below, every minute, cried out, "Sister
+Anne, my dear sister Anne, do you see any one coming yet?"
+
+Her sister always replied, "There is not a human being in view, and I
+see nothing but the sun and the grass."
+
+She was upon her knees bewailing her fate, when Blue Beard, in a
+tremendous voice, cried out, "Are you ready? the time is expired;" and
+she heard the sound of his footsteps approaching. She again supplicated
+him to allow her five minutes longer to finish her prayers, which he,
+knowing she was completely within his power, granted her, and again left
+her.
+
+Fatima again renewed her inquiries to her sister; "Do you see any one
+coming yet?"
+
+Her sister replied, "There is not a human being within sight."
+
+When the five minutes were elapsed, the voice of Blue Beard was heard
+bawling out, "Are you ready yet?"
+
+She again beseeched him to allow her only two minutes more, and then
+addressed her sister, "Dear Anne, do you see any one coming yet?"
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+"I see," said her sister, "a cloud of dust rising a little to the left."
+
+In breathless agitation, she cried, "Do you think it is my brothers?"
+
+"Alas! no, my dearest Fatima," returned her sister, "it is only a flock
+of sheep."
+
+Again the voice of Blue Beard was heard, and she begged for one minute
+longer. She then called out for the last time, "Sister Anne, do you see
+no one coming yet?"
+
+Her sister quickly answered, "I see two men on horseback, but they are
+still a great way off."
+
+"Thank heaven," exclaimed Fatima, "I shall yet be saved, for it must be
+my two brothers! My dearest sister, make every signal in your power to
+hasten them forward, or they will be too late."
+
+Blue Beard's patience being now exhausted, he burst open the door in
+a rage, and made a blow at the wretched Fatima, with the intention
+of striking off her head; but she sprang close to him and evaded it.
+Furious at being foiled in his aim, he threw her from him, and then
+seizing her by the hair of the head, was in the act of striking her a
+blow with his scymetar, when the noise of persons approaching, with
+hasty steps, arrested the progress of his sanguinary arm. Blue Beard
+had not time to conjecture who the intruders might be, when the door
+opened, and two officers, with their swords drawn, rushed into the
+apartment.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+Struck with terror, the guilty wretch released his wife from his grasp,
+and without attempting to resist, he tried to effect his escape from the
+resentment of her brothers; but they pursued and seized him before he
+had got above twenty paces from the place. After reproaching Blue Beard
+with his cruelty, they dragged him back to the spot where he intended to
+have murdered their sister; and there, stabbing him to the heart with
+their swords, he expired, uttering the most horrid oaths and execrations.
+
+Fatima, who had fallen to the ground at the time Blue Beard quitted
+his hold of her, still lay in the same situation insensible; for the
+appearance of her brothers, at the moment she expected certain death,
+had thrown her into a faint, which continued during the whole of the
+time they were engaged in despatching her husband.
+
+The two young officers now turned their attention to their sister, whom
+they raised from the ground; but she could hardly be persuaded of her
+safety, till they pointed to where Blue Beard lay extended and lifeless.
+
+Fatima, on recovering a little, tenderly embraced her deliverers; and
+the appearance of their sister Anne, who had come down from the top of
+the battlements, added to their happiness.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+As all those horrid murders which had been committed by Blue Beard, were
+unknown to his domestics, on whose credulity he imposed by falsehoods,
+which they had no means of detecting, Fatima and her brothers thought
+the most prudent way to act, was to assemble them together, and then
+disclose the wickedness of their late master.
+
+By the direction of Fatima, her two brothers conducted all the servants
+to the dreadful scene of her husband's cruelties, and then showing them
+his dead body, related the whole occurrences which had taken place. They
+all said that his punishment was not adequate to what he deserved, and
+begged that they might be continued in the service of their mistress.
+
+As Blue Beard had no relations, Fatima was sole heir to the whole of his
+immense property, and mistress of the castle, in the possession of which
+she was confirmed by the laws of the country. She then sent notice to
+all the families in the neighbourhood of the death of her husband, and
+the horrid proofs of his cruelty were laid open for two days to all who
+chose to inspect them. He was then buried privately, along with all the
+bodies of the ladies he had murdered, and the fatal closet underwent a
+complete repair, which removed every trace of his barbarity.
+
+Soon after this, Fatima gave a magnificent entertainment to all her
+friends, where happiness was seen in every face; and on this occasion
+the poor, who were assembled for many miles round, partook most
+liberally of her bounty.
+
+Though possessed of riches almost inexhaustible, Fatima disposed of them
+with so much discretion, that she gained the esteem of every one who
+knew her. She bestowed handsome fortunes on her two brothers; and to her
+sister, who was married about two months after, she gave a very large
+dowry.
+
+The beauty, riches, and amiable conduct of Fatima, attracted a number
+of admirers, and among others, a young nobleman of very high rank, who,
+to a handsome person, added every quality calculated to make a good
+husband; and after a reasonable time spent in courtship, their marriage
+was celebrated with great rejoicings.
+
+
+  FINIS
+
+
+  Transcriber's Note: On page 12 the word themsevles is now themselves.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Popular Story of Blue Beard, by 
+Charles Perrault and John H. Hall
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43457 ***