'My darling'--her mother kissed her--'that is precisely the point! Its colour is changing, you say. But for what reason? Obviously because he is in love; and what love has begun, love can carry to a conclusion. Nay, but put it on the ground of pity alone. Could a feeling heart set itself any task more angelic than to rescue so worthy a gentleman from so hideous an affliction--if affliction it be, which I am far from allowing?' _Fatima_ reflected on her mother's advice, but thought it prudent to consult her sister _Anne_ and her step-brothers before coming to a decision which, once taken, must be irrevocable. They listened to her very good-naturedly; though, to tell the truth, all three were somewhat jaded, having sat up all night at the card-tables, playing at ombre, quadrille, lasquenet; and Heaven knows what other games. 'My dear _Fatima_,' said her sister _Anne_ with a little yawn, 'I congratulate you with all my heart on having made a discovery which, beyond a doubt and but for your better diligence, I should have had to make for myself before long.' As for her step-brothers, they were in the best of humours at having won a considerable sum of money from their host by superior play; and they answered her, quoting a proverb, that 'at nights all cats are grey, and all beards too,' and seemed to consider this very much to the point. _Fatima_ was greatly relieved by these assurances. On the evening before the company dispersed _Blue Beard_ again sought a private interview and pressed his suit. She accepted him without further ado, and as soon as they returned to town the marriage was concluded. They had been married little more than a month when _Blue Beard_ came to his wife one morning, and told her that letters of importance had arrived for him: he must take a journey into the country and be away six weeks at least on a matter of business. He desired her to divert herself in his absence by sending for her friends, to carry them off to the country if she pleased, and to make good cheer wherever she was. 'Here,' said he, 'are the keys of the two great store-chambers where I keep my spare furniture; these open the strong-rooms of my gold and silver plate which is only used on state occasions; these unlock my chests of money, both gold and silver; these, my jewel coffers; and this is the master-key to all my apartments. But this little one, here, is the key of the closet at the end of the great gallery on the ground floor. Open all the others; go where you will. But into that little closet I forbid you to go; and I forbid it so strongly that if you _should_ disobey me and open it, there is nothing you may not expect from my displeasure.' _Fatima_ promised to obey all his orders exactly; whereupon he embraced her, got into his coach, and was driven off.