The island was large , and lying almost across it was a lake , with a narrow opening to the sea . Houarn paid the boatman and sent him away , and then proceeded to walk round the lake . At one end he perceived a small skiff , painted blue and shaped like a swan , lying under a clump of yellow broom . As far as he could see , the swan 's head was tucked under its wing , and Houarn , who had never beheld a boat of the sort , went quickly towards it and stepped in , so as to examine it the better . But no sooner was he on board than the swan woke suddenly up ; his head emerged from under his wing , his feet began to move in the water , and in another moment they were in the middle of the lake . As soon as the young man had recovered from his surprise , he prepared to jump into the lake and swim to shore . But the bird had guessed his intentions , and plunged beneath the water , carrying Houarn with him to the palace of the Groac ` h. Now , unless you have been under the sea and beheld all the wonders that lie there , you can never have an idea what the Groac ` h 's palace was like . It was all made of shells , blue and green and pink and lilac and white , shading into each other till you could not tell where one colour ended and the other began . The staircases were of crystal , and every separate stair sang like a woodland bird as you put your foot on it . Round the palace were great gardens full of all the plants that grow in the sea , with diamonds for flowers . In a large hall the Groac ' h was lying on a couch of gold . The pink and white of her face reminded you of the shells of her palace , while her long black hair was intertwined with strings of coral , and her dress of green silk seemed formed out of the sea . At the sight of her Houarn stopped , dazzled by her beauty . ` Come in , ' said the Groac ` h , rising to her feet . ` Strangers and handsome youths are always welcome here . Do not be shy , but tell me how you found your way , and what you want . ' ` My name is Houarn , ' he answered , ` Lanillis is my home , and I am trying to earn enough money to buy a little cow and a pig to fatten . ' ` Well , you can easily get that , ' replied she ; ` it is nothing to worry about . Come in and enjoy yourself . ' And she beckoned him to follow her into a second hall whose floors and walls were formed of pearls , while down the sides there were tables laden with fruit and wines of all kinds ; and as he ate and drank , the Groac ' h talked to him and told him how the treasures he saw came from shipwrecked vessels , and were brought to her palace by a magic current of water . '
I do not wonder , ' exclaimed XXXXX , who now felt quite at home -- ' I do not wonder that the people on the earth have so much to say about you . '
Groac Houarn Lanillis colour h. idea middle palace pearls second