Ardith Hinton to Alexander Koryagin:

AK>> What  does it mean - "The fairy likewise enjoined me to
AK>> conceal my understanding"?
AH>
AH> The fairy strongly suggested,  instructed,  or  demanded
AH> that  the  Beast  not  let others know he was a handsome
AH> prince until after  he'd  found  a  suitable  bride  who
AH> regarded his good nature as much more important than his
AH> looks.  WRT the word "understanding", I think the author
AH> is  referring  to his comprehension or interpretation of
AH> how the spell works & of how  it  may  be  broken.   The
AH> terms  don't  appear to be negotiable.  But in this case
AH> they do enable him to be sure who honestly loves him for
AH> the right reasons....  :-)

But  must  be  awarded  with  the  wrong ones in the end! An
excellent  explanation,   Ardith.   It   is   the   prince's
understanding of his predicament.

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