Days and months went by; till in the second winter, one morning a weary horseman drew rein at the door. He told that the merchant’s heaviest-laden ship, one of those long since given up for lost, had on a sudden sailed into a distant sea-port, and now lay safely anchored in the bay. Loud were the rejoicings that day within the grey old tower on the hill. Joy and laughter filled all hearts. The elder sisters straightway lost themselves in happy day-dreams of a golden coming time; of a joyous life to be lived once more, when they should return to the great rich city. They hastened their father’s quick departure for the ship; but as needs must, their farewells were long, for they prayed him to bring back to them many a rich thing that their hearts desired--jewelled coifs, and silken gowns and gold-embroidered stuffs; stores of perfumed gloves and precious stones; and golden chains, and strings of pearls. Each sister longed after something better, and of higher price than the other. So the merchant promised all, and made ready to be gone. Then Beauty put up her sweet face to bid farewell, as she stood beside the horse, and held his stirrup for the beloved father. And he stooped down to kiss her, saying, “And wilt thou nought, thou best-loved child? Choose only what thing is most rare and longed for, it is granted.” [Illustration] But Beauty whispered, “Bring me a white rose, my father,--a little white rose!” And seeing that no words could move her in this, but that she would have a rose, a white rose, he promised that and rode away. So in this changing world the evil days for them seemed passed away for evermore. It was now winter, and when that tide drew near that the merchant should come home, Beauty’s sisters sat all day in the little turret window watching; or they went pacing up and down the bare grey ridge, waiting to behold from afar the long train of laden mules. From early morning, through the glaring noon-tide, oftentimes till after moonrise, when long shadows lengthened, still would they keep untiring watch. Small care indeed had they to see again their father’s face; but their souls yearned for the gold and the silver and the treasure he should bring with him. [Illustration: THE MERCHANT FOUND A LITTLE DOOR IN THE WALL, AND HE OPENED IT, AND WENT INTO THE BEAST’S GARDEN. LEIGHTON, BROS.]