her was away she preferred being alone.

Ring was quite deceived by her, and never guessed that she was not
Princess Signy at all, but a strong, gigantic, wicked witch bent on
deceiving him under a beautiful shape. He confided to her that he had
travelled all the way from his own country for her sake, having fallen
in love with the accounts he had heard of her beauty, and he then and
there asked her to be his wife.

The witch listened to all he said and, much pleased, ended by accepting
his offer; but she begged him to return to his ship for a little while
as she wished to go some way further into the forest, promising to join
him later on.

Prince Ring did as she wished and went back to his ship to wait, whilst
she walked on into the forest till she reached the two oak trees.

Here she resumed her own gigantic shape, tore up the trees by their
roots, threw one of them over her back and clasped the other to her
breast, carried them down to the shore and waded out with them to the
ship.

She took care not to be noticed as she reached the ship, and directly
she got on board she once more changed to her former lovely appearance
and told the prince that her luggage was now all on board, and that they
need wait for nothing more.

The prince gave orders to set sail at once, and after a fine voyage
landed in his own country, where his parents and his only sister
received him with the greatest joy and affection.

The false Signy was also very kindly welcomed. A beautiful house was got
ready for her, and Prince Ring had the two oaks planted in the garden
just in front of her windows so that she might have the pleasure of
seeing them constantly. He often went to visit the witch, whom he
believed to be Princess Signy, and one day he asked: 'Don't you think we
might be married before long?'

'Yes,' said she, quite pleased, 'I am quite ready to marry you whenever
you like.'

'Then,' replied Ring, 'let us decide on this day fortnight. And see, I
have brought you some stuff to make your wedding-dress of.' So saying
he gave her a large piece of the most beautiful brocade, all woven over
with gold threads, and embroidered with pearls and other jewels.

The prince had hardly left her before the witch resumed her proper shape
and tore about the room, raging and storming and flinging the beautiful
silk on the floor.

'What was SHE to do with such things?' she roared. 'SHE did not know how
to sew or make clothes, and she was s