After spending time with the Beast, Beauty (for various reasons depending on what version you're reading) asks to return to her family for a visit. The Beast agrees but tells her that she must return in a certain amount of time or else he will die. Beauty goes home and either forgets her promise or is persuaded by her family to stay a little while longer. Something (usually a dream) alerts Beauty to the fact that she needs to return to the castle. When she does she finds the Beast dying and, overcome with emotion begins crying and says that he can't die because she loves him and/or wants to marry him. With that the Beast is revived, turns back into a handsome prince, and they live happily ever after.