But the arms moved, and the hand and the fingers were tearing asunder a long silky tress of hair.

The thing turned round--it had for a face and front those of my enchantress, but now of a pale greenish hue in the light of the morning, and with dead lustreless eyes.
In the horror of the moment, another fear invaded me.

I put my hand to my waist, and found indeed that my girdle of beech-leaves was gone.
Hair again in her hands, she was tearing it fiercely.

Once more, as she turned, she laughed a low laugh, but now full of scorn and derision; and then she said, as if to a companion with whom she had been talking while I slept, "There he is; you can take him now." I lay still, petrified with dismay and fear; for I now saw another figure beside her, which, although vague and indistinct, I yet recognised but too well.

It was the Ash-tree.