The hat was cut from the heart of the cabbage , and a pair of shoes from the thick stem . And when Bellah had put them all on you would have taken her for a gentleman dressed in green velvet , lined with white satin . She thanked the little men gratefully , and after a few more instructions , jumped on the back of her great bird , and was borne away to the isle of Lok . Once there , she bade him transform himself back into a stick , and with it in her hand she stepped into the blue boat , which conducted her to the palace of shells . The Groac ' h seemed overjoyed to see her , and told her that never before had she beheld such a handsome young man . Very soon she led her visitor into the great hall , where wine and fruit were always waiting , and on the table lay the magic knife , left there by Houarn . Unseen by the Groac ` h , Bellah hid it in a pocket of her green coat , and then followed her hostess into the garden , and to the pond which contained the fish , their sides shining with a thousand different colours . ` Oh ! what beautiful , beautiful creatures ! ' said she . ` I 'm sure I should never be tired of watching them . ' And she sat down on the bank , with her elbows on her knees and her chin in her hands , her eyes fixed on the fishes as they flashed past . ` Would you not like to stay here always ? ' asked the Groac ` h ; and Bellah answered that she desired nothing better . ` Then you have only to marry me , ' said the Groac ` h. ` Oh ! do n't say no , for I have fallen deeply in love with you . ' ` Well , I wo n't say `` No , '' ' replied Bellah , with a laugh , ` but you must promise first to let me catch one of those lovely fish in your net . ' ` It is not so easy as it looks , ' rejoined the Groac ` h , smiling , ` but take it , and try your luck . ' Bellah took the net which the Groac ' h held out , and , turning rapidly , flung it over the witch 's head . ` Become in body what you are in soul ! '
cried she , and XXXXX an instant the lovely fairy of the sea was a toad , horrible to look upon .
after before for from in into of that to with