TOLD TO THE CHILDREN SERIES

 EDITED BY LOUEY CHISHOLM

 [Illustration: On the threshold stood a little maiden. ]

 Friedrich de la Motte Fouquée

 UNDINE

 TOLD TO THE CHILDREN BY

 MARY MACGREGOR

 WITH PICTURES BY

 KATHARINE CAMERON

 LONDON: T. C. & E. C. JACK

 NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO. 

 * * * * *

TO MARGARET

 * * * * *

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Undine is the name of the water maiden whose story you will read asyou turn the leaves of this little book. 

Undine is beautiful as the dawn stealing across the waters, beautifulas the spray of the crystal waves. 

Yet when she comes to earth she comes to seek for that without whichher beauty will be for ever cold, cold and chill as the surge of thesalt, salt sea. 

Look deep into her blue eyes and you will see why her beauty is socold, so chill. 

In the eyes of every mortal you may see a soul. In the gay blue eyesof Undine, look you long and never so deep, no soul will look forth tomeet your gaze. 

Love, joy, sorrow, these are the pearls that shine in the eyes ofevery mortal. But in the eyes of the water maiden there is no gleamof love, no sparkle of joy, no tear of sorrow. 

Undine has come to earth to seek for a soul. Without one she may neverknow the golden gifts God has given to each mortal, gifts these oflove, joy, sorrow. 

You will read in this little book how Undine, the water maiden, wonfor herself a human soul. 

MARY MACGREGOR. 

CONTENTS

Chap. 

I. The Fisherman and the Knight

II. Undine is Lost

III. Undine is Found

IV. The Knight's Story

V. The Knight stays at the Cottage

VI. The Wedding

VII. Undine's Story

VIII. Huldbrand and Undine leave the Cottage

IX. The Knight returns to the City

X. The Birthday Feast

XI. The Journey to Castle Ringstetten

XII. Castle Ringstetten

XIII. The Black Valley

XIV. Huldbrand forgets his Promise

XV. Huldbrand and Bertalda

XVI. Bertalda's Wedding

XVII. The Burial

LIST OF PICTURES

On the threshold stood a little maiden _Frontispiece_

Amid the sweet-scented grass, safe from the fury of the storm

'I saw in a great cavern a group of little goblins'

In the little cottage were heard the solemn words of the marriage service

The three travellers soon reached the leafy shades of the forest

At the sound of his voice the girl burst into tears

The little waves seemed to sob as they whispered, 'Alas! alas!'

Slowly, slowly there rose out of the mouth of the well a white figure

CHAPTER I

THE FISHERMAN AND THE KNIGHT

A fisherman brought a stool to the doorway of his home and, sittingdown, he began to mend his nets. 

His cottage stood in the midst of green meadows, and his eyes grewglad as he looked at the green grass. After the heat of the fairsummer's day it was so cool, so refreshing. 

At the foot of the meadows lay a large lake of clear blue water. Thefisherman knew it well. It was there his work was done, throughsunshine or through storm. 

To-day, as his gaze wandered from the green meadows to the blue lake, he thought he saw the waters stretch out soft arms, until slowly theydrew the fair meadows, the little cottage into a loving embrace. 

The fisherman, his wife and their foster-child lived very quietly onthis pleasant spot. It was but seldom that any one passed their door, for between the beautiful meadows and the nearest town lay a wood. Sowild and gloomy was the wood, so tangled its pathway, that no onecared to enter it. 

Moreover, it was said that there were strange beings lurking amid thegloom--ugly goblins, misshapen gnomes; and there were shadowy spiritstoo, which flitted through the branches of the strongest trees, andthese even the bravest would not wish to see. 

Through this dark and haunted wood the old fisherman had often tojourney. 

It was true that he entered the dreaded shades with fear, yet nospectre ever crossed his path. But perhaps that was because thethoughts of the old man were pure, or perhaps because he never enteredthe forest without singing a hymn in a clear brave voice. 

As the fisherman sat mending his nets on this fair summer eve he beganto move restlessly, to glance around uneasily. 

Then a sudden terror fell upon him as he heard a noise in the forestbehind. 

Ah, how the trees rustled and how the grass was being trampledunderfoot! Could it be a horseman who made haste to escape from someterrible foe?

And now, although he was wide awake, the fisherman seemed to see afigure, which he had seen before only in his dreams. 

He saw the figure of a tall, strong, snow-white man, who came withslow steps toward him, and at each step he took, the figure nodded hisgreat white head. 

The fisherman rubbed his eyes as he glanced toward the wood. At thesame moment the wind seemed to blow the leaves aside to make room forthe snow-white man, whose head never ceased to nod. 

'Well, ' said the fisherman to himself, 'I have ever passed through theforest unharmed, why should I fear that evil will befall me here?' andhe began to repeat aloud a verse of the Bible. 

At the sound of his own voice courage crept back into the heart of thefisherman, moreover the words of the Holy Book rebuked his fears. Norwas it long before he was able even to laugh and to see how foolish hehad been. 

For listen! The white nodding man was after all only a stream whichthe fisherman knew very well, a stream which ran and bubbled out ofthe forest and fell into the lake. As for the rustling noise, thefisherman saw what had caused that, as a gaily clad knight rode forthfrom the forest shadows toward the little cottage. 

This was no spectre or spirit of the wood, this stranger who wore thegarments of a knight of high degree. He rode a white horse, whichstepped softly, so that the flowers in the meadows lifted theirdelicate heads uninjured by his tread. 

The fisherman raised his cap as the stranger drew near, and thenquietly went on mending his nets. 

Now when the knight saw the old man's face it was welcome to him, asindeed any human face would have been after the terrors of the forest. There he had seen strange mocking faces peering at him whichever wayhe turned, there he had been followed by strange shadowy forms fromwhich escape had been wellnigh impossible; here at length was a kindand friendly mortal. He would ask him for the food and shelter ofwhich both he and his steed stood in need. 

'Dear sir, ' answered the fisherman when he had listened to theknight's request, 'dear sir, if you will deign to enter our lonelycottage, you will find a welcome with the food and shelter we offer. As for your horse, can it have a better stable than this tree-shadedmeadow, or more delicious fodder than this green grass?'

Well pleased with this answer, the knight dismounted, and together heand the fisherman freed the white horse from its saddle and bridle, and turned it loose into the waving meadow. 

Then the old man led the stranger into the cottage. 

Here, by the light of the kitchen fire, sat the fisherman's wife. Sherose, with a kind greeting for the unexpected guest. Then seatingherself again in her armchair, she pointed to an old stool with abroken leg. 'Sit there, good knight, ' she said; 'only you must sitstill, lest the broken leg prove too weak to bear you. '

Carrying the stool over beside the old woman, the knight placed itcarefully on the floor and seated himself as he was bidden. As he satthere talking with the good old fisherman and his wife, it seemed tohim almost as though he were their son, who had come home again afterjourneying in a distant land. 

It was only when the knight began to speak of the wood that thefisherman grew restless and refused to listen. 

'It were wiser, Sir Knight, ' he said, 'not to talk of the wood atnightfall, or indeed to say much of it at any time. '

And then the old couple told their guest how simply they lived in thelittle cottage by the lake, and they in their turn listened eagerlywhile the knight told them of himself. He was named Sir Huldbrand, andhe dwelt in his castle of Ringstetten, which stood near the source ofthe river Danube. 

Now, as he talked or listened to the quiet tales of the old fisherman, the knight heard a strange sound that seemed to come from thedirection of the window. Again and again it came, a strange sound asof water being dashed against the window-panes. 

It was plain that the fisherman heard it too, for at each splash afrown crossed his good-natured face. 

A louder splash, and a shower of water streamed through the looselybuilt window-frame into the kitchen. 

Then the old man could sit still no longer. He hastened to the window, and opening it called out in an angry voice, 'Undine, cease thesechildish tricks. A stranger, and he a knight, is in our cottage. '

A low laugh answered him. Hearing it, the old man shut the window andsat down again, saying to his guest, 'Sir Knight, forgive this rudebehaviour. Undine my foster-daughter is still only a child, althoughshe is now nearly eighteen years of age. Yet her tricks are harmless, and she herself is full of kindness. '

'Ah, ' said the old woman to her husband, 'to you, who are not with hersave when the day's work is over, her pranks may seem harmless. Butyou would not talk so lightly of her ways were she by your side allday. Ever I must watch her, lest she spoil my baking, or undo myspinning or burn the soup. Nay--'

'It is true, ' said the old man, interrupting his wife with a smile, 'it is true that you have the maiden by your side throughout thelivelong day, while I have but the sea. Yet when the sea is rough andbreaks down my dykes I do not love it the less. Even so do you lovethe little one no less for all her tricks and tiresome ways. '

The old woman turned to her guest. 'Indeed, Sir Knight, he speakstruly. It is not possible to be angry with the maiden long. '

At that moment the door flew open, and she, the maiden of whom theyspoke, entered the little kitchen. She was fairer far than any one theknight had ever seen. 

'Father, ' she cried, 'where is he, the stranger guest?'

Even as she spoke her eyes fell on the knight, who had sprung to hisfeet as she entered the cottage. He stood gazing in wonder at themarvellous beauty of the maiden. 

But before he could greet her, she was at his side, trustingly lookingup into his face. Then kneeling before him, she seized his hand andmade him seat himself again on the broken old stool. 

'You are beautiful, Sir Knight, ' she said, 'but how did you come tothis little cottage? Have you looked for us long before you could findus? Have you had to pass through the terrible forest ere you couldreach us, Sir Knight?'

The knight would have told the maiden the story of his adventures inthe wood, but Undine's foster-mother was already speaking, and hertones were loud and angry. 

'Go, maiden, go get you to work, and trouble not the stranger withyour questions. '

Then Undine, unashamed, drew a little footstool near to Huldbrand, andsitting down to her spinning, cried, 'I shall work here, close to thebeautiful knight. '

The old fisherman took no notice of the wilful maiden, and began tospeak of other things, hoping that the guest would forget hisfoster-daughter's questions. 

But even had the knight been able to forget, Undine did not mean tosit there quietly, her questions unanswered. 

Her sweet voice broke upon the silence. 'Our beautiful guest has notyet told me how he reached our cottage, ' she said. 

'It is even as you thought, ' answered the knight. 'I journeyed throughthe haunted wood ere I found this safe and hospitable shelter. '

'Then tell me of your wonderful adventures, ' demanded the maiden, 'forwithout these no one may pass through the forest. '

Huldbrand shuddered as he remembered the strange beings who hadstartled him as he rode through the wood. He glanced distrustfullytoward the window. Were the grim figures there, peering at him throughthe window-pane? No, he could see nothing save the dim night light, which now closed them in. 

The knight drew himself up, ashamed of his foolish fears, and turningtoward the maiden, he was beginning to tell her of the wonders whichhad befallen him, when the fisherman hurriedly interrupted. 

'Nay, now, Sir Knight, ' he cried, 'tell not your tale until the hoursof dark have passed. '

At her foster-father's words Undine sprang angrily from the footstooland stood before him. Her eyes flashed and grew larger, colder. 

'You say to the stranger not to tell his tale, father, ' she cried, 'you say to him not to answer me. But he shall speak, he shall, heshall!' And in her anger she stamped her little feet. 

The knight wellnigh smiled as he watched the maiden's wrath, but theold man was grieved that the stranger should see the wayward behaviourof his foster-child, and he reproved her for her anger. The old womanalso muttered her displeasure. 

Then Undine slipped quickly toward the door of the little cottage. Shedid not choose to listen to these rebukes. 

'I will not stay with you, for you do nothing but scold me, and youwill not do anything that I wish, ' she cried, and before they couldreach her she had opened the door, and was away and out, out into thedark night. 

CHAPTER II

UNDINE IS LOST

Huldbrand and the fisherman sprang after the maiden, but when theyreached the door of the cottage and looked out into the night she wasnowhere to be seen, nor could they catch the sound of her tiny feet toguide them whither she had fled. 

The knight looked in astonishment at his host. Was the beautifulmaiden only another of the wonderful beings who had bewildered him inthe forest? Was she some lovely elf or sprite who had come but to vexthem with her pranks?

But as he looked at the old man standing by his side, and saw thetears streaming from his eyes, he knew it was for no spirit of thewood that he thus grieved. 

'Alas, ' sighed the fisherman, 'this is not the first time that themaiden has treated us thus. It may be she will not return thelivelong night, and until she returns it is not possible that weshould close our eyes. For what terror may not seize upon her as shewanders hither and thither in the darkness. '

'We must follow her, father, follow her without delay!' cried theyoung knight. 

'Nay, ' answered the fisherman, 'my limbs are stiff. Though I knewwhither she had fled, I could never follow with speed enough to reachher. Ever she would vanish as I drew near, for she is fleet, fleet asan arrow from the bow. '

'If we may not follow her, at least let us call and entreat her toreturn, ' said the young knight, and without waiting for an answer hecalled, 'Undine! Undine!'

But the old man shook his head. 'It is useless to call, ' he said, 'thelittle one will not heed your voice. ' Yet still the knight's cry rangout into the night, 'Undine, dear Undine, I pray you return!'

No answer came back from the darkness, and at length Huldbrandreturned with the fisherman to the cottage. 

The old woman, who seemed little troubled by Undine's flight, had goneto bed and the fire was wellnigh out. But the fisherman, drawing theashes together, placed wood on the top of them, and soon the fireblazed brightly. 

Then in the light of the flames they sat and talked, yet they thoughtonly of Undine. The window rattled. They raised their heads to listen. The rain fell in heavy drops, pitter, patter. They thought it was thetread of tiny feet. 

'It is she, it is Undine!' they would cry, yet still the maiden didnot come. Then they shook their heads sadly, but as they went ontalking they listened still. 

'It was fifteen years ago, on such a night of wind and rain, that shecame, ' murmured the old man. 'Our home was sad and desolate, for wehad lost our own little child. '

'Ah, ' said the knight, 'tell me how the beautiful maiden came to yourlittle cottage. '

Now this is the story the fisherman told to the knight. 

'It is fifteen years ago, ' began the old man, 'since I went throughthe forest, hoping to sell my fish in the city beyond. I was alone, for my wife was at home watching our little babe. Our little babe wasdear to us and very fair. 

'In the evening, having sold all my fish, I went home through thehaunted forest, nor did I fear its gloom, for the Lord was at myright hand. 

'But no sooner had I left the wood than I saw my wife running towardme, while tears streamed from her eyes. She had dressed herself, Inoticed, in black garments, and this she was not used to do. I feltsure that trouble had befallen us. 

'"Where is our child, our little one?" I cried, though even as I spokemy voice was choked with sobs. 

'"Our child is with God, the great Father, " answered my wife. 

'Then in the midst of her tears the poor mother told her sad tale. 

'"I took our child down to the edge of the lake, and there we playedtogether, so happy, so merry. Suddenly the little one bent forward asthough she saw something beautiful in the water. Then she smiled, andstretched out her tiny hands, and even as she did so, she slipped frommy arms into the lake, and I saw her no more. "

'That evening, ' said the fisherman, 'my wife and I sat by our hearthin silence, we were too sad for words. Suddenly the door of ourcottage flew open, and there before us, [1] on the threshold, stood alittle maiden, three or four years of age. Her eyes were blue and herhair was gold and she was clothed in beautiful garments. 

[Footnote 1: See frontispiece. ]

'We gazed in wonder at the tiny vision. Who was she? From whence hadshe come? Was she only a magic child come to mock us in ourloneliness, or was she a real, a living child?

'Then as we looked we saw that water trickled from her golden hair andthat little streams were gathering at her tiny feet, as the waterdripped and dripped from her beautiful clothing. 

'"She must have fallen into the lake, " I said to my wife, "and in somestrange way have wandered into our cottage. We have lost our own dearchild, let us now do all we can to help this little one. " Thus it cameto pass that the little stranger slept in the cot in which until nowour own babe had lain. 

'When morning dawned my wife fed our tiny guest with bread and milk, and the little one looked upon us, and her blue eyes danced merrily, but never a word did she say. 

'We asked her where her father and mother dwelt and how she had cometo our cottage. But her only answer was some childish talk of crystalpalaces and shining pearls. Even now indeed she speaks of things somarvellous that we know not what to think. 

'After some days we asked her once again from whence she came. Shetold us that she had been on the sea with her mother, and had fallenfrom her arms into the water, nor had she known more until she awokeunder the trees, close to our cottage, so well pleased with the fairshore that she felt no fear. 

'Then we said, "Let us keep the little stranger, and care for her aswe would have cared for our own lost child. " We sent for a priest, whobaptized her, giving her the name by which she called herself, thoughindeed it seemed no name for a Christian child. 

'"Undine, " said the priest as he performed the holy rite, while she, the little one, stood before him gentle and sweet. No sooner, however, was the service ended than she grew wild, wilful as was her way. Forit is true that my wife has had much trouble with the maiden--'

At that moment the knight interrupted the fisherman. 

'Listen, ' he cried, 'how the stream roars as it dashes past thewindow!'

Together they sprang to the door. The moon had risen, and the knightand the fisherman saw that the stream which ran from the wood hadburst its banks. It was now rushing wildly along, carrying with itstones and roots of trees. As they looked, the clouds grew dark andcrept across the face of the moon, the wind rose and lashed the waterof the lake into great waves. 

'Undine! Undine!' cried the two men together, but no answer reachedthem save the shrieking of the wind among the trees of the forest. 

Then, careless of the storm, the fisherman and the knight rushed fromthe cottage in search of the maiden. 

CHAPTER III

UNDINE IS FOUND

As Huldbrand rushed out into the night, followed by the fisherman, thestorm seemed to rage yet more fiercely. The old man was soon left farbehind in the search for the lost maiden. 

The knight, battling bravely with the storm, hastened hither andthither, but all his efforts were vain. Undine was nowhere to befound. 

And now, as the rain dashed down upon him and the wind hustled him, Huldbrand grew bewildered. The storm seemed to have changed thepeaceful meadows into a weary wilderness, and even the maiden herselfseemed to flit before him as a phantom spirit of the wind. 

Could it all have been but a dream? Had the cottage, the fisherman andhis wife been as unreal as the figures that had followed him in thehaunted forest? No, that he would not believe, for even yet in thedistance he could hear the faint echo of the fisherman's voice as hecalled out pitifully, 'Undine! Undine!' Now in his search the knighthad reached the edge of the stream. The stream, as you know, hadalready overflowed its bank, and as the moon suddenly shone throughthe dark clouds, Huldbrand saw that the water was rushing back towardthe forest. In this way the little bit of meadow-land on which thefisherman's cottage stood was turned into an island. 

A terrible thought struck the knight. Had Undine strayed into thefearful forest she could not now return to the cottage, save acrossthe raging stream, nay, she might even now be surrounded by thespirits of the wood. She would be among them alone, helpless. 

At once Huldbrand made up his mind to cross the torrent. He plungedinto the water, and even as he did so he seemed to see on the othershore the figure of a tall white man, who nodded his head and mockedhim as he struggled on. Huldbrand knew the tall white figure only toowell. It was the one that had followed him as he journeyed through theforest. 

Now; in his haste to find Undine, the knight was leaping from stone tostone, sometimes slipping into the water, then with a struggleplacing his feet once again upon the stones. These, tossed by therushing stream, gave no firm foothold to the knight, and he was forcedto seize the branch of a fir-tree to help him across the dangerouspassage. 

While he was still in the midst of the current, he heard a sweet voicecrying, 'Trust not the stream, trust it not, for it is full of craft!'

The knight knew the voice. It was that of the maiden for whom hesought. Yet though he peered eagerly through the gloom he could see notrace of her. 

'See! you can find me now, Sir Knight, for the moon is shining clear, 'cried the voice he longed to hear, and looking around him Huldbrandsaw where Undine had found a shelter. It was on a little island, beneath the branches of a great tree, that the maiden sat. There wasno terror of the storm in her eyes. She was even smiling happily asshe nestled amid the sweet scented grass, safe from the fury of thestorm. 

A few quick strides and the knight had crossed the stream and stood bythe side of the maiden. She bade him sit down on the grass, and then, whispering low, she said, 'You shall tell me your story here, SirKnight, on this quiet island here, where no cross old people willdisturb us, and where we are sheltered from the storm that ragesbeyond. '

[Illustration: Amid the sweet-scented grass, safe from the fury of thestorm]

Then Huldbrand forgot all about the old man who was still seeking forhis child, forgot too all about the old woman who was alone in thelittle cottage by the lake, and he sat down to tell his tale as themaiden wished. 

Meanwhile the fisherman had reached the brink of the stream, and greatwas his surprise to see the knight seated by the side of his lostchild. 

'You have found her, you have found my little one!' he criedreproachfully. 'Why did you not hasten to tell me she was found, SirKnight?'

Then Huldbrand was ashamed, though, as he told the old man, it was buta little while since his search had ceased. 

'Bring her without more delay to the mainland!' shouted the fisherman, when he had listened to the sorry excuse which was all the knightcould offer. 

But Undine had no wish to go home. She would rather stay with theknight in the forest than go back to the cottage, for there, so shesaid, no one would do as she wished. 

Then, flinging her arms around the knight, she clung to him andbegged him to stay with her in the forest. 

The old fisherman wept as he heard her words, yet Undine did not seemto notice his tears. But the knight could not help seeing the oldman's grief, and he was troubled. 

'Undine, ' he cried, 'the tears of your foster-father have touched myheart. We will return to him. '

The blue eyes of the maiden opened wide with surprise, yet sheanswered gently, 'Sir Knight, if this is indeed your will, we shallreturn to the mainland. There you must make the old man promise tolisten in silence to all that you saw as you journeyed through theforest. '

'Only come, and you shall do all that you wish!' cried the fisherman, and he stretched out his arms and nodded his head, to show to themaiden how glad he was that she should do as she wished. But theknight shuddered as his eyes fell upon the fisherman. The noddinghead, the white hair reminded him once again of the tall white man ofthe forest. 

Shaking off his fears he lifted Undine in his arms and bore her acrossthe stream. Already the storm was wellnigh over and the waters flowedmore quietly. It now seemed to the knight only a few steps from thegrassy plot where he had found the maiden to the green meadows amongwhich the cottage stood. 

'Now will I hear the brave knight's story, ' cried the maiden, and theold people smiled and said they too would hear the tale. 

And the sun rose slowly over the lake and the birds sang merrily onthe wet and leafy trees, as the knight began his tale. 

CHAPTER IV

THE KNIGHT'S STORY

'It must be about eight days ago now, ' said the knight, 'since I leftmy castle of Ringstetten, and journeyed toward the city which liesbeyond the haunted forest. 

'The city was gay with lords and ladies who had come thither for thetournament which was then being held. 

'I at once entered the lists, for my steed was strong and I myself waseager for the fray. Once, as I rested from the combat, my eyes fellupon a lady who was wondrous fair. She was looking down from a galleryupon the tournament. 

'Bertalda was the name of the beautiful maiden, and she was thefoster-child of a great duke. I knew that, as I again seized my lance, the lady's eyes followed me into the lists, and I fought even morebravely than before. 

'In the evening a great festival was held, and here I met Bertalda, and danced with her; indeed, evening after evening we were togetheruntil the tournament drew to a close. '

As Huldbrand spoke these words he felt a sharp pain in his left hand. It was hanging by his side, and as he looked down to see what hadcaused the pain, he found that Undine had fastened in it her littlepearly teeth. 

The knight could see that the maiden's face was no longer smiling. Shelooked up at him, and there was sorrow in her large blue eyes as shewhispered, 'Sir Knight, it is your own fault that I hurt you. I wouldnot have you praise the lady Bertalda. ' Then quickly, as thoughashamed of her words, she hid her face in her hands. 

As the knight went on with his story, his face was grave. 

'It is true, ' he said, 'that Bertalda was a lovely maiden, yet as Iknew her better I found her ways were cold and proud. She pleased meless as the days passed by, though, as she looked upon me with favour, I begged that as a token of it she would give me a glove. 

"You shall have it, " answered she, "if you will go alone through theforest which men say is haunted, and bring me tidings of all thathappens to you. "

'I cared little for her glove, but I would not tarry to be asked asecond time to go through the forest, lest the maiden should doubt mycourage. '

'I thought Bertalda had loved you, ' cried Undine, 'yet then had shenot driven you from her into the haunted forest. '

The knight smiled at the maiden's words and went on with his tale. 

'It was but yesterday morning that I set forth on my adventure. Thesun shone bright, so bright that it was not easy to believe that evilwas lurking in the shadows beneath the rustling leaves. "I shall soonreturn, " I said to myself, as I plunged into the green shade. 

'But amid the maze of trees it was not long ere I lost sight of thepath by which I had entered the wood. 

'"It may be that I shall lose myself in this mighty forest, " Ithought, "but no other danger threatens me. "

'I gazed up toward the sun, which had risen higher now than when firstI entered the wood, and as I gazed I saw a black thing among thebranches of a leafy oak. 

'Was it a bear, I wondered, and my hand felt for the sword that hungby my side. 

'But it was no bear, for ere long I heard a voice mocking me withrough and cruel words. "Aha, Sir Wiseacre, " said the voice, "I ambreaking twigs off these tall trees, so that at midnight I may light afire in which to roast you. " Then, before I could answer, the blackthing grinned at me and rustled the branches, until my steed grewrestless and at length galloped away. '

Undine looked at the knight, her blue eyes sparkling as she cried, 'But indeed the wicked creature did not dare to roast you, SirKnight!'

'In its terror, ' continued Huldbrand, 'my horse dashed itself againstthe trees, reared and again rushed madly forward. Onward we flew, until at length I saw before me a dark abyss. Yet still I found itimpossible to pull up my frightened steed. 

'Then all at once a tall white man stood still directly in front of mymaddened horse, which swerved aside as soon as it saw the tall man, and in that moment I was once more master of my steed. I saw also thatmy deliverer was not a tall white man, as I had imagined, but a brook, which shone silver in the sunlight. '

'Dear brook, I will be grateful to you for evermore, ' cried Undine, clapping her hands as she spoke, in childish glee. But the fishermanshook his head and was silent. 

'And now, ' said the knight, 'I was anxious to hasten as quickly aspossible through the forest, for it seemed to me that not only might Ifind it difficult to regain the pathway I had lost, but that strangebeings might again startle both me and my noble steed. 

'I turned my horse away from the dark chasm which lay before us, buteven as I did so I found at my side a strange little man. He wasuglier than any one I had ever seen. His nose was wellnigh as large asall the rest of his body, and his mouth was so big that it stretchedfrom one ear to the other. 

'This ugly creature, as soon as he saw that I had noticed him, grinnedat me, until his mouth looked even larger than before. He scraped hisfeet along the ground and bowed mockingly to me a thousand times. 

'My horse was trembling at the sight of the strange figure, so Iresolved to ride on in search of further adventure, or if I foundnone, to ride back to the city which I had left in the morning. 

'But the ugly little man did not mean to let me escape. Quick aslightning he sprang round and stood again in front of my horse. 

'"Get out of the way, " I now cried in anger, "lest my steed tramplesyou under its feet. "

'This did not seem to frighten the strange creature. He laughed in myface, and then said in a gruff voice, "You must give me gold, for itwas I who turned your horse aside from yonder dark abyss. "

'"Nay, what you say is not true, " I answered him, "for it was thesilver brook that saved me and my horse from being dashed to pieces. Nevertheless, take thy gold and begone. "

'As I spoke I flung a coin into the strange-shaped cap which he washolding before me, then putting spurs to my horse I rode quicklyforward. 

'I heard the ugly little man give a loud scream, then to my surprisethere he was, running by my side, grinning and making horriblegrimaces. 

'My horse was galloping, and I thought I would soon get away from thelittle man. But it seemed impossible to go faster than he, for he tooka spring, a jump, and there he was still by my side. He held up thepiece of gold I had thrown to him, and in a hollow voice he cried, "Itis a false coin, a false coin!"

'At length I could bear his horrible shrieks no longer. I pulled up mysteed, and holding out two coins I called to him, "Take the gold, butfollow me no farther!"

'Then the little ugly man began to scrape his feet and bow his head, but it was plain that he was not yet satisfied. 

'"I do not wish your gold, " he grumbled. "I have gold enough and tospare, as you shall soon see. "

'As he spoke a strange thing happened. The beautiful green groundseemed to change into clear green glass. I looked through the glassand saw in a great cavern a group of little goblins. 

'They were playing at ball, these little goblins, and I noticed thatall their toys were made of silver or gold. Merry little creaturesthey were, running swiftly hither and thither after the ball, nor wasit easy to see whether they were standing on their heads or on theirheels, or whether they were running on their hands or on their feet. No sooner was their game ended than they pelted each other with theirplaythings, then in a mad frolic lifted handfuls of gold dust andflung it each in the other's eyes. 

'All this time the ugly little man was standing half on the ground andhalf within the great cavern where the tiny goblins played theirgames. Now I heard him call to the mischievous imps to give himhandfuls of gold. 

[Illustration: 'I saw in a great cavern a group of little goblins']

'This they did, and then he, laughing in my face, showed the gold tome ere he flung it back again into the cavern. 

'Then the ugly little man called to the tiny goblins to stop theirpranks and look at the coins I had given to him. When they caughtsight of them they held their little sides, shaking with laughter;then all at once they turned and hissed at me. 

'In spite of myself terror crept over me. Again I plunged my spursinto my horse's sides, and it dashed madly off into the midst of theforest. 

'When at length the flight ended, the evening lay cool and quietaround me. A white footpath seemed to point out the way which led backto the city. But each time I tried to approach it a face peered at mefrom between the trees. I turned to escape from this new phantom, butin vain, for whichever way I turned there was the face still staringat me. 

'I grew angry and urged my horse in the direction of the shadowy face, only however to find myself drenched by a stream of white foam. 

'Thus I was driven away from the white footpath, and only one way, rough and tangled, was left open to me. As soon as I began to followit, the face, though it kept close behind, did me no further harm. 

'Yet again and again I turned, hoping to find that the face haddisappeared. Instead I found it closer than before, and now I couldsee that it belonged to a tall white man. It was true that at timesthe long white figure seemed to be but a wandering stream, but of thisI was never sure. 

I was weary now and my horse was exhausted. It seemed useless to tryany longer to force my way past the white face, so I went on ridingquietly along the one path left open to me. The head of the tall manthen began to nod, as though to say that at length I was doing as hewished. 

'By this path I reached the end of the wood, and as the meadows andthe lake came into sight the white man vanished, and I found myselfstanding near to your little cottage. '

As the knight had now finished the story of his adventure, thefisherman began to talk to his guest of how he might return in safetyto the city and to the followers who there awaited him. 

Huldbrand, listening to the old man, yet caught the soft ripple ofUndine's laughter. 

'Why do you laugh, Undine?' asked the knight. 'Are you so pleased tohear your foster-father talk of my return to the city?'

'I laugh for joy that you cannot leave us, ' said the maiden. 'You havebut to look to see that you must stay. '

Huldbrand and the fisherman rose and saw that what the maiden had saidwas indeed true. It would not be possible for the knight to leave thelittle island until the stream had once more returned to its usualcourse. 

As they entered the cottage, Huldbrand whispered to the maiden, 'Undine, tell me that you are glad that I cannot yet return to thecrowded city. '

But the maiden's face was no longer glad, nor would she answer theknight's question. She had remembered Bertalda. 

When the stream had grown quiet the knight would go back to the ladyfor whose sake he had undergone such strange perils. And of that timethe wilful maiden did not wish to think. 

CHAPTER V

THE KNIGHT STAYS AT THE COTTAGE

Day after day the forest stream rushed wildly on. The bed along whichit thus hastened grew wider and wider, separating the island with thefisherman's cottage yet farther from the mainland. 

The knight was well pleased to linger where he was. Never had he foundthe days pass by so swiftly. 

He discovered an old crossbow in a corner of the cottage. When he hadmended it he would wander forth in search of birds, and if hesucceeded in bringing some down with his arrows, he would carry themback to fill the larder of the little cottage. 

And Undine, for she was pitiful, would not fail to upbraid the knightfor taking the life of the little birds, so glad, so free. Seeing themlying there, quiet and still, she would weep. 

Yet, did Huldbrand return without his prey, so wilful was the maidenthat she would blame him, and complain that she could now have noughtto eat save fish or crabs. 

But the knight loved Undine's wayward words. And well he knew thatafter she had shown her anger most, she would in but a little while beagain kind and gentle as before. 

On the quiet island Huldbrand heard no call to knightly deeds. Hissword hung unused on the cottage wall, his steed fed undisturbed amongthe sweet-scented meadows. 

'The maiden is the daughter of a great prince, thought the knight. 'Itis not possible that she should remain in this humble cottage all herlife. She shall be my bride, and in days to come she shall dwell in mycastle of Ringstetten on the banks of the Danube. '

Meanwhile, naught disturbed the dwellers in the little cottage, savenow and again when her foster-mother would chide Undine in thepresence of the knight. 

Now, though this displeased Huldbrand, he could not blame the oldwoman, for it was ever true that the maiden deserved reproof moreoften than she received it. 

At length wine and food began to grow scarce in the little cottage. In the evening, when the wind howled around their home, the fishermanand the knight had been used to cheer themselves with a flask of wine. But now that the fisherman was not able to reach the city, his supplyof wine had come to an end. Without it the old man and the knight grewsilent and dull. 

Undine teased them, laughed at them, but they did not join in hermerriment. 

Then one evening the maiden left the cottage, to escape, so she said, from the gloomy faces in the little kitchen. It was a stormy night, and as it grew dark the wind began to blow, the waters to rise. Huldbrand and the fisherman thought of the terrible night on whichthey had sought so long in vain for the wilful maiden. They even beganto fear that they had lost her again, and together they rushed to thedoor. But to their great delight Undine was standing there, laughingand clapping her little hands. 

'Come with me, ' she cried when she saw them, 'come with me and I willshow you a cask which the stream has thrown ashore. If it is not awine cask you may punish me as you will. '

The men went with her, and there in a little creek they found thecask and began to roll it toward the cottage. 

But though they rolled it rapidly the storm crept quickly up. So blackwere the clouds, so threatening, that it seemed each moment that therain would burst forth upon them. 

Undine helped the men to roll the cask, and as the sky grew yet morethreatening she looked up at the dark clouds and said in a warningvoice, 'Beware, beware that you wet us not. '

'It is wrong of you thus to try to rebuke the storm, ' said herfoster-father, but at his words the maiden only laughed low to herselfin the darkness. 

It would seem, however, that Undine's warning had been of use, for itwas not until the cask was rolled in at the cottage door that thestorm broke. 

By the bright glow of the fire they opened the cask and found that itdid indeed hold wine. They tasted it and found it very good, and soonthey were once more as gay as the maiden could wish. 

Then suddenly the fisherman grew grave, grieving for him who had lostthe cask. 

'Nay, grieve not, ' said the knight, 'I will seek for the owner andrepay him for his loss when I come again to my castle atRingstetten. '

The fisherman smiled and was content. 

Undine, however, was angry with the knight. 'It is foolish, ' said she, 'to talk of seeking for the owner of the cask. Were you lost in thesearch I should weep. Would you not rather stay by my side?'

'Yes, and that do you right well know, ' answered the knight. 

'Then, ' said the maiden, 'why should you speak of helping otherpeople. It is but foolish talk. '

The foster-mother sighed as she listened to Undine's careless words, while the fisherman forgot his usual quiet and scolded her sharply. 

'Your words are wild, and are such as no Christian maiden shouldutter, ' he said. 'May God forgive both you and those who have allowedyou thus to speak. '

'It is indeed true, ' said Undine, 'that as I think I speak. Why, therefore, should you scold me for my words. '

'Say no more, ' said the fisherman, for he was very angry. 

Then the maiden, who, for all her wilfulness, was timid as a bird, drew close to the knight and whispered, 'Are you also angry with me, Sir Knight. '

Huldbrand could find no words with which to comfort the maiden, whomhe had learned to love. He could only hold her hand and stroke hergolden hair, but with this Undine was well content. 

CHAPTER VI

THE WEDDING

Now it was on this same night on which the cask was found that, as thestorm still raged, a knock was heard at the cottage door. It startledall within, for who was there could have crossed the stream that nowseparated them from the mainland? It could surely be no mortal whostood without. 

As the inhabitants of the little cottage sat silent, thinking thesethoughts, the knock was heard again. It was followed by a low groan. Then the knight rose and took his sword from the wall where it hadhung for many days. But the fisherman, watching him, shook his head ashe muttered, 'A sword will be of but little use to-night. '

Undine meanwhile had gone toward the door. She did not open it, butshe called out in a loud voice, 'Remember, whoever you be, spirit ofearth or fire, that if harm befall us my uncle Kühleborn will punishyou. '

These strange words made the knight marvel. But a voice answered themaiden, 'I am no wandering spirit, but an old frail man. For the loveof God open your door and give me shelter from the storm. '

At these words Undine, holding a lamp high in one hand, flung the doorwide open with the other. Before her stood an old priest, who lookedupon her with surprise. How came so fair a maiden to be dwelling in solonely a home? he wondered, and in his bewilderment he stood stilloutside the shelter and warmth which awaited him. 

'Will you not enter, holy Father?' said Undine. 

The priest roused himself to thank the beautiful maiden, and thenentered the kitchen. Water flowed from his long robe and trickled fromhis long white beard and snowy locks. 

'Come with me, Father, ' said the fisherman, and he drew the priestinto a little room and made him take off all his wet garments. Then, clad in a suit of dry clothes which belonged to his host, the priestreturned to the kitchen. 

The old woman pulled forward her own armchair and made the priest sitin it, while Undine brought a little stool and put it beneath the feetof the stranger. 

Meanwhile food was placed before the priest. When he had eaten he wasrefreshed and able to tell his host how he had reached the island. 

'It was but yesterday, ' he said, 'that I was sailing across the lake, when a sudden storm arose. A wave dashed upon my boat, overturning itand throwing me on to the shore. I lay there stunned for some time. Then, as I slowly recovered my senses, I saw a footpath before me, andfollowing it I reached the shelter of your cottage. '

Then the fisherman said to the priest, 'Unless the stream subsides weshall, I fear, be in need of food. For days I have found it wellnighimpossible to fish in the lake, and even should I be able to do so Icould not sell my fish. It would be too hard a task to reach the citybeyond the wood until the stream once more runs quietly between itsbanks. '

To Huldbrand as he listened it mattered not though the stream rushedon for ever. The world beyond the wood was becoming to the knight moreand more as a dream. Also the little island on which he was livingseemed to him the most beautiful spot on earth, for on it dwelt themaiden he loved so well. 

As these thoughts passed through the knight's mind he turned, and sawat once that Undine must have annoyed her foster-mother, for the oldwoman was casting angry looks upon the maiden. Perhaps the angry lookswould be followed by harsh words, as had happened on other days. 

Quickly the knight made up his mind. Were Undine but his wife, no onewould venture to reprove her. The priest was in the cottage. Whyshould he not marry the beautiful maiden without delay?

He spoke a few words to Undine, then drawing her gently toward thepriest he said, 'Father, you see before you the maiden whom I love, whom, if her foster-parents are willing, I would wed this very day. '

The priest turned to the fisherman and his wife. 'You hear the wordsof the noble knight, ' he said. 'Are you willing that he should wed themaiden?'

It was easy to see that the old people were in no way startled by thepriest's words. 

'To no braver or more courteous knight could we give ourfoster-child, ' said the fisherman, and his wife smiled and nodded ashe spoke. 

Then the foster-mother brought two candles, which long years beforehad been blessed by a holy man, and placed them on the kitchen table, while the knight, unfastening the chain which hung around his neck, began to take off it two golden rings, one for Undine, the other forhimself. 

'Ah, do not so, ' cried the maiden. 'Touch not the golden chain. Believe me, my parents, could they know, would wish us to use therings they entrusted to my care when I was but a child. '

She ran quickly from the room, and when she came back she held in herhand two radiant rings, one of which she gave to the knight, while theother she kept for herself. 

Her foster-parents looked at Undine in surprise, for they had neitherseen the rings nor known that their foster-child had any jewels in herpossession. 

Then the maiden, seeing their astonishment, told how her parents hadstitched the rings into the little garments she had worn when firstshe came to them, a tiny child. 'They bid me also tell no one thatthey had given me these precious gems until the evening of mywedding-day. '

Meanwhile the priest had clad himself again in his own garments, andlighting the candles, he called to Huldbrand and the maiden to comeand kneel before him. 

[Illustration: In the little cottage were heard the solemn words ofthe marriage service]

Gladly they obeyed, and then in the little cottage were heard thesolemn words of the marriage service, and Undine became the wife ofHuldbrand, the knight of Ringstetten. 

The maiden had been unusually quiet as she listened to the solemnwords of the marriage service, but now a spirit of mischief seemed toseize her. She laughed and danced, she played childish tricks upon herhusband, her foster-parents, even upon the priest himself. 

Her foster-mother would have rebuked Undine as of old, but the knightsilenced her, for Undine was now his wife. Yet he himself was littlepleased with her behaviour. When Undine saw a frown upon his brow, itis true that she would grow quieter, and sitting near him, would for alittle while smooth his brow with her soft white hand. Soon, however, a new fancy would take hold of her, she would jump up, and her trickswould grow even more vexing than before. 

Then the priest spoke, and his voice was grave. 

'Lady, you are fair to look on, but I pray you to cease these foolishways, lest your soul become less beautiful than your face. '

Undine's laughter ceased. After a while she looked at the priest andasked in a timid whisper, 'What is this thing which you call a soul, holy Father?'

Over the little kitchen a hush fell as the holy man answered, 'How canI tell you what this strange thing which we call our soul really is?Yet can I tell you why God gives us this great gift. It is that we maylearn to know and love Him. Our bodies will grow old, and we will laythem aside as a garment which we no longer need, while our souls willlive and dwell with Him for ever. '

Undine's eyes grew sad, tears streamed down her cheek. 'Ah, ' shesobbed, 'I have no soul, no soul. I think it would hurt me to have asoul, yet fain would I have one. '

Then, with one of those quick changes which had at times startled herfoster-parents, she dried her tears, and ran quickly to the window. She looked out into the night. It seemed to call her forth to acareless, thoughtless life. Why should she stay when the windwhispered to her and the waters brought her messages from the depthsof the sea?

'Ah no, I will have no soul!' cried Undine, turning once more towardthe priest. 'I must be free, free as the breezes and the dancingwaters. '

'Your love for me will change and grow cold, ' said the knight sadly, 'unless you have a human soul. For none can love truly without thisprecious gift. '

Yet even as he spoke Huldbrand was trying to stifle a fear that hadbegun to creep into his heart, a fear that the maiden he had weddedwas a fairy or a mocking spirit from another world. 

But his beautiful wife was smiling softly, for as he had spoken hislast words she had learned a secret. And as the knight looked into herblue love-lit eyes he too learned the secret. Through love Undine hadwon a soul, which is indeed the gift of God to every mortal. 

CHAPTER VII

UNDINE'S STORY

Undine lost her wilful ways on her wedding-day. 

Her foster-parents watched her, bewildered, so gentle was she, sothoughtful. She, who had but seldom flung her arms around them, embraced them now, and thanked them with tears in her eyes for alltheir care. Nor would she let them go, until she saw that the oldwoman wished to prepare breakfast. 

Then she herself flew to the hearth, and making her foster-motherrest, she swept and dusted, and prepared the meal. It was strange thatshe had never thought of doing this before. 

And those who dwelt with her, as they watched her grow so gracious, sogentle, learned to love her even more than in the days when she hadbeen wild and wilful. 

One evening Undine, with Huldbrand by her side, wandered along thebank of the forest stream. 

The knight marvelled that the waters had suddenly grown peaceful, andthat now again they were gliding quietly along their usual course. 

'To-morrow, ' said his fair wife sorrowfully, 'to-morrow you can rideforth where you will. '

'But, ' said Huldbrand, 'you know well that if I go I will not leaveyou behind. '

'I do not think you will leave me, Huldbrand. Yet carry me across toyonder little island, for there I will tell to you the story of themaiden you have made your wife. It may be that when you have heard it, you will ride away alone into the wide world. '

Then silently the knight carried her, as she wished, across the streamto the tiny island, and laid her down on the green grass. It was onthis very spot that he had found her on the night of the terriblestorm. 

'Sit there, where I can look into your eyes as I tell my tale, ' saidhis wife, 'for as I look I shall be able to see what you are thinking, nor will there be any need for you to tell me. '

'In the world, ' said Undine, 'there are many beings whom mortalsseldom see, for should these beings hear a mortal drawing near, theyquickly hide themselves. These beings of whom I tell you are spiritsthat dwell in fire, earth, air and water. 

'Those who dwell in the flames are called salamanders, nor do thesespirits wish for any other home, as they play merrily and fearlesslyamong the sparkling fires. 

'Deep under the earth live the gnomes, rough and fearsome spiritsthey, full of malice too, should any mortal cross their path. 

'In lofty forests dwell more fair and joyous spirits, guarding eachsome well-loved spot from a mortal's heavy tread. 

'And better known and better loved than these of whom I have told youare the spirits who haunt the waters. These have their home in sea orlake, in river or in little brook. 

'Deep down under the blue waters, hidden from mortal eyes, are thepalaces of the water spirits. Their walls are built of crystal and arehung with coral, their floors are paved with shining pearls. 

'Deep down under the blue waters are yellow sands. There the merrylittle water-spirits play their games and gambol all the glad longdays, until they leave their childhood far behind. 

'Pure and fair, more fair even than the race of mortals are thespirits of the water. Fishermen have chanced to see these water-nymphsor mermaidens, and they have spoken of their wondrous beauty. Mortalstoo have named these strange women Undines. Look upon me, Huldbrand, look long and well, for I, your wife, am an Undine!'

The knight gazed sadly upon his beautiful wife. He wished to believethat she was but weaving fairy tales with which to charm him throughthe quiet eventide, yet as he gazed upon her he shuddered lest thetale she told was true. 

Undine saw that he shuddered, and tears sprang into her blue eyes asshe went on with her story. 

'When I was a child I lived in the depths of the sea. My father'scrystal palace was my home, for he, my father, is the Lord of theOcean. Kühleborn is my uncle. He used to watch me with his big eyesuntil I grew afraid, and even now, although I live above the waters, he comes to me and ofttimes he frightens me as though I were again alittle child. 

'Brothers and cousins, too, were mine and played with me on the yellowsands beneath the blue sea. 

'Merry were our lives and free, for the sorrows of mortals came notnear to us. We had no soul, the gift God gives to every mortal, andwithout a soul no pain could enter into our lives. 

'Yet my father, the King of the Ocean, longed that I, his onlydaughter, should gain the great gift which is given to every mortal. And this he wished, though well he knew that to mortals was given, with the gift of a soul, the power to suffer. 

'An Undine can gain a soul in one way alone. She must love and beloved by one of mortal birth. 

'You, Huldbrand, you have given me my soul, and should you now despiseme or drive me from you, I should suffer even as one of your own race. 

'Yet if you care not to have an Undine for your wife, leave me, and Iwill plunge into the waters. Then Kühleborn, my uncle, who brought mea merry happy child to the fisherman, will come and carry me back tomy ocean home. There will I live, loving, sorrowing, for into thedepths of the blue sea will I carry my new-won soul. '

Then Huldbrand forgot everything save the great love he bore his fairwife Undine. He took her in his arms and carried her across thelittle stream, whispering to her that she should never leave him. 

Together they went back to the cottage, and to the water-maiden thelittle dwelling gleamed more bright than the crystal palace of theOcean King. 

CHAPTER VIII

HULDBRAND AND UNDINE LEAVE THE COTTAGE

The following day Undine was up and out early in the morning, to seeif the forest stream was still flowing quietly within its banks. Nowthe forest stream was the one haunted by her uncle Kühleborn, andoften he would use the waters for his own purposes. SometimesKühleborn's purposes were kind, sometimes they were unkind. 

Undine was, in the cottage again, preparing the morning meal, whenHuldbrand entered the kitchen. She greeted him brightly. 

'My uncle Kühleborn has made the waters calm, ' she cried. 'The streamis gliding peaceful as of old through the forest. Neither in air norwater are there spirits to molest us. Should you wish it, you canjourney homeward to-day. '

Huldbrand did not like to hear Undine speak of her strange kinsfolk, yet so gentle was she, so full of grace, that he soon forgot hisvexation. 

Together the knight and his wife went to the door of the cottage, andlooked out at the meadows and the lake lying in the morning sunshine. 

'Why should we leave this quiet spot to-day?' said Huldbrand, for wellhe loved the island where he had found his beautiful bride. 'In thegreat world we will spend no gladder days than in this simplemeadow-land. Let us, then, yet linger here for a few days. '

'It shall be as you wish, ' answered Undine. 'Yet will myfoster-parents grieve the more when I leave them, should they learnthat I have now a soul. To-day they only marvel that I am kind andthoughtful, thinking that to-morrow I will once again be wild andcareless as of old. But should I dwell here much longer they will knowthat never in the days to come will I be thoughtless as in formerdays. For I cannot hide my new gift. They will hear it in my voice, they will feel it in my touch, they will see it in my eyes. And havingknown that now, at length, I could love them well, they would grieveto lose me. '

'We will leave to-day, this very hour, ' said the knight, so pleasedwas he with Undine's new care for her kind old foster-parents. 

The priest who had found shelter in the cottage was also ready toreturn to his monastery. He would journey with the knight and his ladyuntil they were safe from the perils of the haunted wood. 

Accordingly they sought the fisherman and his wife, and told them thatnow they must leave the shelter of their cottage and journey towardthe city that lay beyond the forest. 

The farewells were said and Huldbrand lifted his beautiful wife andseated her on his horse. He himself would walk by her side. 

The three travellers soon reached the leafy shades of the forest. 

On one side of the lady walked the priest, clad in a long white robe, while, guarding her on the other side, was, as I told you, the knight. His armour was burnished and his sword was once more girt by his side. 

As Huldbrand and Undine talked joyfully together, a stranger joinedthe priest, yet they in their joy did not notice this. 

The stranger wore a garment such as a monk might wear. The hood wasdrawn forward and wellnigh hid his face, while the whole robe hungloosely around him, in great folds, so that at each step he mustgather it up and throw it over his arm. 

[Illustration: The three travellers soon reached the leafy shades ofthe forest]

'I have lived in the forest for many years, ' said the stranger to thepriest, 'and I love it for its great beauty. As I flit in and outamong the dark shadows of the trees, I play with the stray sunbeams asthey cast their glances here and there on my white robe. '

'Tell me your name, for I would fain know who you are, ' said thepriest to his companion. 

'Nay, tell me first who are you who ask?' said the stranger. 

'Father Heilman is my name, ' answered the priest, 'and I am journeyingback to my monastery, after an absence of many days. '

'Now I, ' said the stranger, 'am named Lord Kühleborn, though sometimesI am called Kühleborn the Free, for indeed I am free as the wild birdsof the air to go hither and thither as I will. Meanwhile, Sir Priest, I bid you farewell, for I would speak to yonder lady. '

Even as he spoke, Kühleborn left the priest and came close up toUndine. He bent forward as though he would whisper in her ear. ButUndine drew herself quickly away, crying as she saw who was by herside, 'I no longer wish to have aught to do with you!'

But her uncle only laughed at her words. 

'You are my niece, ' he said, 'and I am here to guide you through theforest. The goblins in the cavern beneath the earth might come forthto do you harm were I not here to keep them quiet. The priest, who isnamed Father Heilman, speaks to me more kindly than do you. Know younot that it was I who brought him in safety to the little island to beready for your wedding-day?'

Undine and the knight turned to the priest, but he was walking as onein deep thought, and had, it was easy to see, heard nothing that thestranger had said. 

Then Undine turned again to her uncle. 'See yonder, ' she cried, 'I cansee already the end of the wood. We need your help no longer. I prayyou vanish and do not disturb us further. '

When Kühleborn saw that Undine really wished him to leave her, he wasangry. He made faces and shook his fist at his niece, until at lengthshe screamed, 'Huldbrand, Huldbrand, save me, I entreat you!'

The knight at once drew his sword and would have struck at the rudestranger. But as he thrust in the direction of Kühleborn he felt awaterfall come rushing down from a rock above him. He drew his wifeback, that she might not be drenched, but as he did so a white spraywas flung after them which wet them both to the skin. At that momentthey heard, as they thought, a low mocking laugh. 

'It is strange, ' said the priest, 'that the ripple of the streamshould sound almost as the voice of a man. '

To Huldbrand the stream still seemed to be speaking, and these werethe words he thought he heard. 'You were foolish, Sir Knight, to drawyour sword, yet will I not be angry with you, nor will I quarrel withyou so long as you guard well your beautiful wife. Yet be not againthus hasty, Sir Knight. '

As the voice faded away into silence the travellers reached the end ofthe wood. Before them was the city, glowing red in the rays of thesetting sun. 

CHAPTER IX

THE KNIGHT RETURNS TO THE CITY

Now all this time the lady Bertalda had been very unhappy because ofthe knight's long absence. Indeed, she had no sooner sent Huldbrandforth into the haunted forest than she began to wish that she had kepthim by her side. As day after day passed and he did not return, shegrew fearful lest he had lost his way and perished in the mazes of thewood. When a little later she heard of the floods that had made thecountry around impassable, she wellnigh lost all hope of his return. 

In spite of this, however, she begged the knights who had taken partin the tournament to go in search of Huldbrand, but this they wereunwilling to do. 

As for the knight's own servants, they would not leave the citywithout their master, yet neither would they follow him into thedreaded forest. They lingered on at an inn of the city, lamenting hisabsence, but doing nought to bring him back. 

It was now, when there seemed but little hope of his return, thatHuldbrand, to the surprise of every one, appeared in the city, bringing with him a wife of wondrous beauty, as well as FatherHeilman, the priest who had married them. 

Huldbrand's servants rejoiced to see their young master alive andwell. And the town folk, who had heard of his disappearance, were gladthat the light-hearted knight, who had always treated them withcourtesy, had suffered no harm in his adventure. 

But the lady Bertalda, though she was glad that the knight hadreturned, was sad when she saw that he had not come back alone. Sheherself had loved him, and had hoped that, if ever he should return, he would claim her as his bride. 

Yet though Bertalda was sad, she was a wise maiden, and she receivedUndine kindly, thinking that she was a princess whom Huldbrand hadrescued from a wicked wizard. For the true story of the beautifulUndine was known to none, save to the knight alone. 

As for Undine, she no sooner saw Bertalda than she loved her, andbegged her to stay in the city until she and her husband left it. Nay, more, she even asked the maiden to promise to go with them whenthey set out for the castle of Ringstetten, which stood on the banksof the river Danube, and Bertalda was well pleased with this request. 

One evening they three together walked up and down in the publicsquare. In the midst of the square stood a beautiful fountain, andhere they lingered to watch the water as it tumbled and tossed. Soviolently did it do this that it seemed as though the fountain mustbreak, and the water, bursting its bonds, must flow away far and free. 

At that moment a tall man came towards them from the market-place, and, bowing to the knight and Bertalda, he drew the young wife asidethat he might speak to her alone. 

Huldbrand looked at the stranger, and as he looked he felt sure thathe had seen him before. He grew a little angry, this hasty knight, ashe watched his wife and the stranger whispering together. He caught afew words too, and they seemed to him to be in a foreign language, andthis displeased him yet more. 

At this moment, however, Undine left the stranger. As she came towardher husband she was laughing merrily and clapping her hands. 

But the stranger, as she left him, shook his head and frowned. Then hewalked with great strides toward the fountain, and stepping into it hevanished and was seen no more. 

'It is Kühleborn, the spirit of the forest stream--I know him now, 'thought Huldbrand to himself. 

But Bertalda seemed to see nothing unusual about the stranger. Shethought he was the Master of the fountain, and turning to Undine sheasked her what the man had said to make her laugh so gaily. 

'The day after to-morrow is your birthday, dear Bertalda, ' saidUndine. 'Wait only until then, and I will tell you the reason of myjoy. '

Then, saying farewell to Bertalda, Undine and the knight walked towardtheir home. 

'Was it Kühleborn who spoke to you by the fountain?' asked Huldbrand, and his voice sounded cold, for he did not wish to be reminded of hiswife's strange relations. 

'It was he, ' answered Undine. 'He told me tidings that made merejoice. I will tell you without delay, should you desire it, what thetidings were. Yet if you will but wait until Bertalda's birthday, youwill give me great pleasure, and you yourself will enjoy a greatsurprise. '

Listening to her gentle words, the knight forgot the ill-humour he hadbut lately felt, and willingly he agreed to wait until she herselfwished to tell him the good news. 

And Undine, as she fell asleep that night, was smiling happily. 'Bertalda, dear Bertalda, ' she murmured, 'how she will rejoice when Itell her the tidings brought to me by him whom she calls the Master ofthe fountain. '

CHAPTER X

THE BIRTHDAY FEAST

It had been Undine's wish to give a great banquet in honour ofBertalda's birthday. The knight had ordered that all should be done asshe desired. 

The feast was now spread, and the guests, of whom there were a greatnumber, had already taken their seats. 

At the upper end of the table sat Bertalda, surrounded with flowersand jewels, gifts these which her foster-parents and friends hadshowered upon her. By her side sat the knight and his fair young wife. 

When at length the fruit was placed on the table, the doors of thebanqueting-room were flung open. (In Germany, where the knight lived, it was usual to do this that the peasant folk might look in and seehow their masters fared. ) Wine and cakes were offered to those who onthis evening came to show their pleasure in the joy of the knight andhis young wife. 

Huldbrand and Bertalda, meanwhile, were watching Undine with eagereyes. Had she not a secret to tell them, which, when they knew it, would make them even happier than before?

But Undine only smiled upon them as she caught their eyes, and shookher head slightly as though to say, 'No, it is still too soon, toosoon. '

At this moment the guests begged the young mistress of the feast tosing. She seemed pleased with the request, and taking her lute in herhands, she began to play softly, while her clear voice filled theroom. 

It was a song of sunshine and green grass, of sweet flowers andsparkling waters, and the guests, listening spellbound, forgot allelse save the singer and her song. 

But hark! the song is changing. Who is the child of whom Undine sings?A child who has been borne by the waves far from the home of herbirth. The little one is lying like a flower among the meadow grass(the guests can see her as the singer sings) and reaches out her tinyhands for help. 

Ah! now they hear the tramp, tramp of a horse. A noble duke is ridingslowly along. He halts, for he sees the little maid. He stoops andlifts her in his arms, and carries her off to his own castle, andsurrounds her with splendour and with wealth. 

And now tears gather in the eyes of the guests. The song is drawing toa close, and Undine is singing of an unknown shore, where in a littlecottage sit a father and mother, desolate and sad, for they have losttheir little child, and they know not where to find her. 

Among all the guests were none who listened to the song more eagerlythan Bertalda's noble foster-parents. 

'She has sung the story of Bertalda, the little child we found so longago, ' they said each to the other. 'It was even thus we found her inthe meadow, among the flowers. '

And Bertalda herself cried out in haste, 'Undine, Undine, you know myparents, bring them to me, bring them to me, I entreat you!'

Then Undine, with tears that were tears of joy in her eyes, looked atBertalda, and said softly, 'They are here, your parents are here, dearmaiden, and when you see them you will rejoice. Well do I know thetender care they will give to you, for it was even they who were myown foster-parents. '

At a sign from Undine the old fisherman and his wife now steppedforward from the corner in which their foster-child had bidden themwait. It was she, Undine, who had sent for them that they might claimBertalda, who was, as Kühleborn told her, their child. 

The eyes of all the guests were fixed in astonishment on the humblefisherman and his wife. Could these poor working folk be indeed theparents of the maiden who stood before them, so cold, so full ofpride?

'Yes, here is your long-lost daughter, ' said Undine softly, as the oldpeople stood bewildered before Bertalda. Then they, taking couragefrom her words, threw their arms around their daughter. And as theyembraced her, tears streamed down their old worn faces, while theythanked God for His goodness in giving them back their child. 

But Bertalda tore herself from their arms. She, the child of a poorold fisherman and his wife! She could not believe it. She did not wishto believe it. In her pride she had hoped to be known as the daughterof a beautiful princess, or even of a queen. Now in her anger shebelieved that Undine had brought the fisherman and his wife to thebanquet only to crush her pride and to humble her before Huldbrand andhis guests. 

The angry maiden took no pains to hide her rage. She reproachedUndine, Undine who had only wished to give her joy, nor had she anywords too bitter to fling at the fisherman and his wife. 

And Undine, who had hoped to make her friend and her foster-parentshappy, listened sadly, now to Bertalda, now to the old fisherman andhis wife. 

'Bertalda, ' she cried, 'Bertalda, do not be angry. Have you not asoul? Let it teach you not to grieve your parents more. '

But Bertalda only grew more angry, and the poor parents, as they heardher scorn, more sad. 

As for the guests, they were talking loudly, some being sorry for themaiden, others for the fisherman and his wife. 

Then Undine begged the knight to let her speak to their guests. And heyielding to her wish, she walked to the upper end of the table, andwhile all eyes were fixed upon her, she spoke. 

'My secret, which I thought would cause Bertalda joy, has caused hersorrow. Yet must I tell you that I have spoken the truth. For he whotold me was he who, when Bertalda was but a little babe, drew her intothe water, and thereafter laid her in the green meadow through whichthe duke rode toward his castle. '

'Do not listen to her words!' shouted Bertalda in her rage. 'She is awitch, a witch!'

'Nay, I am no witch. Look upon me that you may know, ' answered Undine. And as they gazed upon her pure face and into her clear blue eyes, theguests knew that she spoke the truth. Undine was not a witch. 

'If she is not a witch, she at least has not told the truth, ' criedBertalda, scorn in her cold voice. 'She has no proof that I am thechild of these wretched old people. ' Then, turning to her noblefoster-parents, she entreated them to take her away at once from thecity, where such shame had been brought upon her. 

But the duke did not move, while the duchess said in a firm voice, 'Weshall not leave this room, nor shall you, proud maiden, until we knowthe truth. '

Then the fisherman's wife drew near to the noble lady, and curtsyinglow she said, 'Should this bad maiden be indeed my daughter, as I dothink she is, she will have between her shoulders a mark like aviolet, and this mark also you will find on the instep of her leftfoot. Let the maiden come with me that--'

But Bertalda rudely interrupted the old woman's words. 

'I will not go with the peasant!' she said. 

'But you will come with me into another room, ' said the duchess, andBertalda knew that she would have to go. 'And the old woman shall comewith us, ' added the noble lady in a kind voice. 

As the three went out of the banqueting-room, silence fell upon theguests. Now they would soon know the truth. 

Slowly the moments passed. At length the door opened and the duchessreturned with Bertalda and the old woman. Bertalda looked pale andfrightened. 

'It is but just, ' said the noble lady, looking round the room, 'it isbut just that you should know the truth. It is as our hostess hassaid. Bertalda is indeed the daughter of the fisherman and his wife. '

The duke and duchess then left the room, followed by theirfoster-child, the duke bidding Bertalda's true parents come with themalso. 

In silence the other guests slipped away, to talk in their own homesover all that they had heard and seen, and Undine, left alone with herhusband, wept bitterly. 

CHAPTER XI

THE JOURNEY TO CASTLE RINGSTETTEN

The knight did all he could to comfort his wife, and although he wassorry to see her tears, he was glad to think that she, who had been sowild and wilful, had now a soul so kind and loving. 

'If it is true that Undine has won through love a soul, it is one morepure than mortals know, ' he thought to himself. 

As he comforted his wife Huldbrand made up his mind to take her awayfrom the city as soon as possible. 

In the city the lady Bertalda was well known, and people talked of thestrange story of her birth. But among them all none was heard to sayan unkind word about Undine, while many there were who blamed Bertaldafor her cruel behaviour toward her friend and the poor old fishermanand his wife. But this neither the knight nor his lady knew, norwould it have comforted Undine had she been told. 

The morning after the feast a beautiful carriage stood at the door. Huldbrand and his wife were ready to set out on their journey to thecastle of Ringstetten. 

As the knight and Undine were stepping into the carriage a fisher-girldrew near, and begged them to buy her fish. 

'We are leaving the city, we do not need any fish, ' said the knightcourteously. But at the sound of his voice the girl burst into tears, and Huldbrand saw with surprise that it was Bertalda who had spoken tohim. 

'Why do you weep so bitterly?' asked Undine, drawing Bertalda into thehouse, and the maiden, who had no pride left, told her story. 

'My foster-parents, ' she said between her sobs, 'my foster-parents areso displeased with my cruel behaviour to you and to the old fishermanand his wife, that they no longer wish me to live with them. They havegiven me a large sum of money and have sent me away into the wideworld. The fisherman and his wife, to whom they have also given gifts, have gone back to their cottage by the lake. I was too fearful to wishto be left alone in the world, and fain would I have gone with them totheir simple home, but he who is said to be my father--'

[Illustration: At the sound of his voice the girl burst into tears]

'In truth he is your father, ' interrupted Undine, and her voice wasgrave. 

'Even if he be my father, ' answered Bertalda, 'yet would he not takeme with him to his cottage. Did I care for him or for his wife, hesaid, I would not fear to journey alone through the haunted forest, until I found my home. Nor would he welcome me should I go to himdressed in aught save the dress of a fisher-girl. Although the thoughtof the forest makes me tremble, yet will I do as he has said. Butfirst I have come to you, gentle lady, ' and as she spoke Bertaldalooked entreatingly at Undine, 'I have come to ask your forgivenessfor my behaviour yesterday. I believe that you did indeed wish to giveme joy by bringing my poor parents to the feast. O forgive me, forgiveall the bold and unkind words I spoke, for indeed I am very unhappy. '

But the gentle Undine would let the miserable maiden say no more. Shethrew her arms around Bertalda's neck, and said, 'Bertalda, dearBertalda, you shall live with me and be my sister. You shall come withme to Ringstetten this very day. '

The maiden dried her tears and looked timidly at the knight. He alsofelt sorry for Bertalda, nor did it please him to think of herventuring alone into the forest. Too well he knew the terrors whichmight surround her there. He took her hand, as he saw her timid look, and said in a gentle voice, 'You shall live with us at Ringstetten, and I and my wife will take care of you. But lest the good oldfisherman is troubled as the days pass and you do not reach thecottage, I will send to tell him that you have come with us and aresafe at Castle Ringstetten. ' Then, giving Bertalda his arm, he placedher in the carriage with Undine. The knight himself mounted his horseand rode along gaily by their side, and soon they left the city andall sad thoughts behind. 

At length, one fair summer evening, the travellers reachedRingstetten. There was much to make the knight busy after his longabsence, and thus it was that Undine and Bertalda spent many daysalone together. Often they would walk in the beautiful country whichlay without the castle grounds. 

One day, as they wandered along the banks of the river Danube, a tallman came toward them, and would have spoken to Undine. But Undine, gentle as were her ways, had no welcome for the stranger. When she sawhim, a frown crossed her sweet face and she bid him at once begone. Shaking his head the tall man yet obeyed, and walking with hasty stepstoward a little wood, he soon disappeared. 

'Is not the stranger he who spoke to you in the city, the Master ofthe fountain?' cried Bertalda fearfully. She would always be afraid ofthe man who had told Undine the secret of her birth. 

'Fear nothing, dear Bertalda, ' said Undine hastily, 'the Master of thefountain shall not do you harm. I will tell you who he is, and thenyou will no longer be afraid. His name is Kühleborn and he is myuncle. It was he who carried you away from your mother's arms and putme there in your place. '

Then, as Bertalda listened with wide open eyes, Undine told her of herchildhood's home in the crystal palace under the blue sea, and of thefree and careless life she had lived in the cottage by the lake. Shetold her, too, of the coming of the knight, and of their wedding-day, when she had won for herself a soul, a gift given to no Undine savethrough the power of love. 

Bertalda listened to the strange story in silence, but as she listenedshe felt a faint feeling of dread creep into her heart. And thefeeling grew and grew until at last it seemed to stand as a wallbetween her and the gentle Undine. 

At supper that evening she began to be sorry for the knight, who hadmarried a lady beautiful indeed and good, yet one who seemed to belongto another world than theirs. 

CHAPTER XII

CASTLE RINGSTETTEN

Now as the days passed, a change crept over those who dwelt in thecastle. 

Huldbrand saw that Bertalda seemed to shrink away from his beautifulwife. And when at length he asked her the reason that she no longerloved Undine so well as she had been used to do, she told him that shenow knew from whence his wife had come. 'And for the spirit world, 'said Bertalda, 'I do not care, for I know it not. It and those whohave dwelt there fill me with fear and dread. '

Little by little the knight himself began to look at his wife withless loving eyes, little by little he began to shun her presence. 

Then Undine, seeing that her husband's love grew less, wept, and theknight, seeing her tears, would speak kindly to her, yet even as hespoke he would leave her side to walk with Bertalda. 

She, Bertalda, meanwhile grew once more rude and proud, nor couldUndine's patience win her to behave more wisely. 

Then in the long dark passages of the old castle, spectres began toappear to Huldbrand and Bertalda, and worse than any was the tall formof Kühleborn, or the Master of the fountain, as the maiden stillcalled him. 

Now one day, when Huldbrand had ridden to the hunt, Undine gatheredall her servants together in the court of the castle and bade thembring a big stone to cover up the fountain which stood in the middleof the square. 

The servants, who loved their mistress, hastened to obey her commands. A huge stone was carried into the court, and was just about to beplaced on the fountain when Bertalda came hurriedly to the spot. 

'The fountain must not be closed, ' she cried haughtily, 'for it isfrom it that water is drawn for my daily bath. '

But Undine, who on other days had often given way to the wishes ofBertalda, was to-day determined that her will should be done. 

'It is I who am mistress of the castle in the absence of my lord, ' shesaid, and her voice was firm though it was kind, 'and the fountainshall be closed as I have commanded. '

'But look, ' cried Bertalda angrily, 'the water itself bubbles andheaves as though disturbed at the thought of being shut out from theglad sunshine. '

The water was indeed, as the maiden said, fretting against the stonesand throwing out sudden jets as though in a violent passion. 

The more excited grew the water, however, the more determined grewUndine to have her order fulfilled, and that without delay. 

As for the servants, they had no wish to please the haughty Bertalda, they were even glad to disobey her when that might be. 

Accordingly they no longer delayed to do the will of their gentlemistress, and the stone was soon placed securely over the opening ofthe fountain. Undine then bent over it and silently wrote on the topof the stone some strange letters. 

That evening, when Huldbrand came home, Bertalda met him with tears inher eyes, and complained to him of his wife's strange conduct. 

'Tell me why you have ordered that the fountain should be sealed, 'said the knight, turning sullenly to his wife. 'It was a strangedeed. '

'I will tell you the reason when we are alone, ' said Undine. 'It wasa grave one indeed. '

'It matters not if Bertalda should hear, ' said the knight, and he didnot hide the impatience that he felt. 

'I will tell you in her presence if you so desire, ' said Undine, 'butI beseech you, desire it not. '

As the knight looked into her pleading face and let her sweet voicesteal into his heart, he grew ashamed of himself. How could he ever beunkind to so fair, so good a wife!

Thinking thus Huldbrand did not speak, but he drew Undine gently fromthe room, that she might speak to him alone as she wished to do. 

'Ah, now I can tell you, ' said Undine, and she smiled in her content. 'You know that Kühleborn, my uncle, has begun to haunt the castle. Isend him away in my displeasure, yet again and again he returns. Now Ihave shut the door by which he comes, and here he will disturb ourpeace no more. It is true that the stone can easily be raised bystrong men, in spite of the letters which I wrote upon it. If you wishto do as Bertalda demands, remove the stone, yet do I warn you thatKühleborn may well harm the maiden, for against her he bears moreill-will than he does against others. '

Once more, as Huldbrand listened to his wife, he was ashamed. Sogentle was she, so kind to the haughty maiden who but mocked at herfor all her love. Peerless indeed was the soul of his beautiful wife, and once again love for her sprang up within his heart. 

'The stone shall not be removed, nor shall anything that you order beundone, my sweet Undine, ' said the knight. 

At these words, and yet more at the kindness of his voice, Undinerejoiced. Then, seizing Huldbrand's hand, she begged him to grant herone request. 

'If at any time, in the days that are to come, ' she said, 'you upbraidme, promise that this you will never do while we are sailing or whilewe are near to sea or lake or tiny rivulet. For should one of my racehear you use harsh words toward me, then would they regain theirpower, and snatch me away from you for ever. Then would I be forced todwell all the rest of my life in the crystal palace below the bluesea. Nor could I ever come up to you unless, indeed, I was sent by mykindred, when alas! only great sadness would befall us both. Promiseme, therefore, that when we are near water, you will remember what Ihave now told you. '

Huldbrand promised, and hand in hand they went in search of Bertalda. 

She meanwhile had called together some workmen, and as she saw theknight and Undine drawing near, she gave her orders to the men in aloud, discontented voice. 'The stone may now be removed. Hasten, seethat it be done immediately!'

But the knight was angry with the maiden for daring thus to give whatorders she pleased, and he shouted at once, so that the workmen mighthear, 'The stone shall stay where it is! It shall not be removed!'

And the men went away, well pleased that they need not undo what theirgentle mistress had ordered to be done. 

Huldbrand then reproved Bertalda for her rude behaviour to his wife, but she scarcely heard his words, as she turned away in anger andhastened to her room. 

Soon supper was placed on the table, but Huldbrand and Undine waitedin vain for Bertalda. At length they sent a servant to call her, butthe maid came back only to tell them that she was nowhere to be found. In her room, however, a letter had been left addressed to the knight. Huldbrand opened it hastily and read:--

'Forgive me, Sir Knight, that I have forgotten that I am only a poorfisher-girl. I will go to my father's miserable cottage, where Icannot well commit the same fault again. Fare you well, you and yourbeautiful wife. '

'You must go without delay to seek her and bring her back, ' saidUndine. 

And Huldbrand did not need to be urged. Already he had ordered hishorse to be saddled that he might ride after the maiden. 

In vain he asked the servants in what direction Bertalda had gone. Noone had seen her. It was only as the knight impatiently mounted hissteed, that a page ran up to him crying, 'The lady Bertalda rodetoward the Black Valley. '

Without a pause the knight darted off in the direction of the valley. He did not hear his wife's voice crying after him, 'Huldbrand, Huldbrand, go not there, not to the valley, Huldbrand, or, if go youmust, take me, I entreat of you. '

Then when Undine saw that her cry was unheard, she ordered her palfreyto be saddled instantly, and mounting it, she rode forth alone tofollow the knight into the Black Valley. 

CHAPTER XIII

THE BLACK VALLEY

The Black Valley was a gloomy place. Fir-trees grew tall and dark onthe banks of the stream, casting strange shadows on the sunny waters. 

As the knight entered the valley, evening had fallen and the streamrushed, dark and sullen, between the rocks. 

Huldbrand glanced anxiously from side to side, but no trace could befound of the maiden whom he sought. He began to fear lest already shewere in peril, and thinking thus he urged his horse yet further intothe valley. 

Peering through the bushes as he rode, he at length caught sight ofsomething white lying on the ground. Had he found Bertalda at last?

He spurred his horse onward toward the white gleam which had caughthis eye, but the animal no sooner saw the object which had gladdenedhis master's eye than it started violently and refused to move. Thenthe knight dismounted, and tying his now rearing steed to an elm, hepushed his way on foot through the brushwood. 

Thunder began to rumble around the mountains, and the evening dew fellcold and damp on the anxious knight. 

He could still see the white figure lying on the ground, but as hedrew nearer to it a strange dread struck at Huldbrand's heart. 

'Was Bertalda asleep, ' he wondered, 'or did she lie there unconscious, perchance even dead?'

He was close to her now, bending over her. She never stirred. Herustled the branches, rattled his sword. Still she lay there quiet, motionless. He called her by her name, 'Bertalda!' but no voiceanswered him. He called again, more loud, 'Bertalda!' but only asorrowful echo answered his cry. 

Then the knight bent nearer yet to the maiden, but darkness hid theface on which he longed to gaze. 

Suddenly the whole valley was bright as at mid-day. A vivid flash oflightning showed to Huldbrand the face over which he bent. 

It was a terrible face. And a voice, awful as the face, rang out harshand hollow. 

With a cry of terror the knight sprang away from the horrid vision. But was it a vision? Huldbrand knew that it was creeping after him, and he could catch some muttered words. 'Get you gone, get you gone, 'he heard, 'there are evil spirits abroad. Get you gone, or I shallseize you and hold you fast, ' and the white figure stretched out hisbony arms to catch him. Ah! now the knight knew who it was that hadgiven him so cruel a fright. It was none other than Kühleborn, themalicious water spirit. 

Seizing his sword, Huldbrand struck fiercely at the white figure, onlyhowever to see it vanish, while a heavy shower of water drenched himfrom head to foot. 

'He may wish to drive me away, but he shall not succeed in doing so, 'murmured the knight. 'Bertalda shall not be left to the vengeance ofthis evil spirit. '

Huldbrand now turned back to go to his horse, but ere he reached theanimal, he heard in the distance a sound of weeping. It reached hisears even though the thunder still rolled and the wind still blew. Hehastened towards the spot from which the sound seemed to come. There, on the hillside, trying to climb up out of the darkness of the valley, he found Bertalda. 

The maiden was too glad to see Huldbrand to remember how but lately hehad angered her. She clung to him, calling him her deliverer, herknight, for to her too the valley had been full of horrible forms andstrange visions. 

Soothing her with kind words, Huldbrand led the maiden toward hishorse. 

But no sooner did the animal see his master approach with Bertalda onhis arm than it began to rear, beating the air madly with itsforefeet. 

It was not possible to mount Bertalda, and the knight soon gave up theattempt. He drew the horse gently forward by the bridle, while withhis other arm he supported the fearful maiden. 

But Bertalda, though she was anxious to escape from the dark valley, could walk but slowly, and at each step her strength grew less. ForKühleborn had played her many pranks ere she had been found. The stormalso had bruised her slender form. 

At length she slipped from the knight's arm, and falling on the grass, she sighed, 'Leave me, noble knight, leave me to suffer the punishmentI deserve. '

'I will never leave you, dear Bertalda, ' cried the knight. As hespoke, the steed began to plunge even more furiously than before. Itwas impossible for Huldbrand to control the animal. All he could dowas to force it away a few paces from where the maiden lay, for hefeared lest the horse should trample her to death. 

He had gone but a few steps when he heard her calling to him, 'Huldbrand, Huldbrand, leave me not alone, ' for already all hercourage had faded away. 

As he hesitated, the knight heard the wheels of a wagon rumble slowlyover the rough road that led through the valley. He at once called tothe driver to come to his help. A man's voice called back quickly, 'Have but patience, and I will come. '

Soon afterwards Huldbrand saw two white horses appear through thetrees. Then a wagon covered with a great white hood was to be seen, and last of all the driver, who was dressed in a white carter's frock. 

The driver drew near to the knight and tried to help him to quiet hisfrightened steed. 

'Do you know, Sir Knight, why your good horse shivers thus?' asked thecarter, 'for if not I can tell you. A bad water spirit dwells in thisvalley, and often he would bewitch my horses when first I venturedthrough it. But now I have learned a little spell. If you wish it, Iwill whisper it in the ear of your steed, and he will stand steady asmy greys. '

'You may try your spell, ' said the knight, 'though I fear that it willbe of but little use. '

Then the driver of the wagon went quietly up to the panting steed, andsaid a few words to it. At once the horse stood still, without a traceof the fear which had made it so restless and unmanageable. 

Huldbrand had no time to wonder what the wagoner had said to hishorse. He was too eager to get Bertalda out of the valley to think ofanything else. 

'My wagon will take the fair lady safely back to Ringstetten, ' saidthe wagoner. 'She may sit in it in comfort, for it is filled with bagsof the softest cotton. '

The knight was glad to accept this offer, and as his horse, thoughquiet, was tired and weary, Huldbrand himself was easily persuadedthat he also should ride in the wagon with Bertalda, while his steedwas fastened behind. 

'It is well, ' said the wagoner, 'that the road is downhill. My trustygreys will step out bravely. '

Thus they started, the driver walking by the side of his wagon. 

And Bertalda and the knight did not heed the jolting of the wagon, asthey sat side by side on the soft bags of cotton. 

Suddenly they were startled by a loud shout from the driver. 

'Steady, now, my trusty greys, steady, lest you fall. '

Already the wagon was in the midst of a stream of rushing water, andit seemed as though the horses must be carried off their feet. Thewagoner had sprung into the wagon untouched by the swirling waters. 

'This is a strange way by which to drive us, ' said Huldbrand to thewagoner. 'It seems to go right into the middle of the stream. '

'Nay, now, Sir Knight, ' laughed the driver, 'if you look again, youwill see that it is the stream which is rushing across our path. See, it has overflowed its banks. '

The knight looked and saw that the whole valley was being rapidlyflooded. Then, all at once, he knew that this was Kühleborn's doing. 

'It is Kühleborn, ' he cried aloud, 'Kühleborn the water spirit, who isdoing his utmost to drown us. Do you not know a spell against hispower?'

'Yea, by my troth I know a spell, ' answered the wagoner, 'but ere Iuse it, I must tell you who I am. '

'I care not who you may be, ' shouted the angry knight. 'See you notthat there is no time to lose. The water is rising rapidly. '

'Nevertheless, ' answered the man, ' you shall hear my name, for I amKühleborn!'

He laughed a mocking laugh, and at that moment the wagon seemed todisappear, and Bertalda and the knight were struggling in the flood. Above them rose the wagoner, who was indeed, as he had said, Kühleborn. Taller and taller he towered above them, until he seemed atlast to change into a great white wave. 

With horror-stricken eyes the maiden and the knight saw the wave swoopdown upon the noble steed, which had been vainly struggling in thewater. Then slowly once more the wave reared itself higher and higheryet above the heads of the two who watched and waited until they tooshould be for ever buried beneath the waters. 

But ere the great white wave rolled down upon them, they were saved. Through the tumult of the waters a sweet voice floated to Bertalda andthe knight. Then, as the moon broke through the clouds, they sawUndine on a hill looking down into the valley. 

She rebuked the waters, she even threatened the vast wave that toweredabove Bertalda and the knight, until muttering gloomily it vanishedfrom their sight. 

As the waters ran more quietly through the valley, Undine flew to themswiftly as a bird and drew them up out of reach of the water. Biddingthem rest a while, for they were weary, she went a little way off tofetch her white palfrey. Then, telling the knight to place Bertalda onthe saddle, she led them safely back to the castle. 

CHAPTER XIV

HULDBRAND FORGETS HIS PROMISE

Undine was full of joy when she had saved Bertalda and Huldbrand fromthe dangers of the Black Valley, and brought them back safely toCastle Ringstetten. Her joy grew daily greater as her husband becamekind and gentle to her as he had used to be when they dwelt togetherin the cottage by the lake. Indeed the knight had grown ashamed of hiscareless words and ways. He would never again speak harshly to Undineor leave her side to spend long hours with Bertalda; so he thought tohimself. For when she had hastened to save him and the maiden from thedoom which had all but overtaken them, he had seen once more, in aflash, the soul of his beautiful young wife. It shone before him now, fair and spotless in its beauty. 

Bertalda, too, had been touched by the goodness of her friend. She nolonger wished to mock her gentle words, and though her heart wascold, she grew more humble. 

Thus trouble and care passed away from Ringstetten, and spectres nolonger haunted the dark corners of the castle. 

Winter came, cold and chill, but it had no power to freeze the heartsof Undine and the knight. 

Spring came, and the trees grew green, and the sky shone more blue, and the little birds began to use their wings. Soon the swallows andthe storks came home from their long winter journeys. And those in thecastle, as they thought of the fair countries these had seen, beganthemselves to wish to travel. 

One beautiful evening Huldbrand with his wife and Bertalda walkedalong the banks of the river Danube. The knight, who had ofttimessailed down the river, told them tales of the wonderful countriesthrough which it flowed, and of the beautiful town of Vienna, whichrose so proudly on its banks. 

'Ah!' said Bertalda, 'how I wish we might sail to this city of whichyou tell. '

And Undine, ever anxious to give pleasure to her friend, said, 'Yes, let us visit Vienna while the spring is still fair. ' Huldbrand alsowas pleased at the thought of the journey, only once he bent towardUndine and whispered, 'Kühleborn, will we not be in his power if wesail down the river?'

His beautiful wife only laughed. She was too happy now to fear heruncle's power. 

They therefore got ready for the journey with much merriment and manyhopes. 

When at length the three travellers, with their attendants, set out ontheir voyage, it seemed as though all would be as joyful as they hadwished. As they sailed on, the river grew more broad, more green thegrasses too in the rich meadow-lands. 

But erelong a shadow crept across their joy. The river, indeed, flowedsmooth as before, the country smiled only more graciously upon thetravellers, but Kühleborn had already begun to show that on this partof the river he could use his power. 

Undine, it is true, reproved her uncle before he had done more thanplay a few tricks upon them. Yet though he would cease his pranks whenshe spoke, it was but a few moments before he was as troublesome asever. 

Soon the crew began to crowd together, whispering fearfully andglancing timidly at the knight and his fair ladies. Kühleborn wasmaking them afraid. 

Huldbrand saw their strange glances and he began to grow angry. Heeven muttered crossly, 'This is Undine's mad uncle come to disturb us. I would her strange kindred would leave us alone. '

Thinking thus, the knight looked with displeasure at his poor wife. She knew but too well what his glance meant, and worn out with sorrowand with her constant watch over Kühleborn, she at length fell fastasleep. 

But no sooner were her eyes closed than her uncle again began histiresome tricks. 

It seemed to the sailors, and indeed to all on board, that they werebewitched, for look which way each one would, there before him, peering out of the water, was the head of a very ugly man. 

Each man turned, in his terror, to point out to his fellow the hideoushead. But on every face the same horror was already painted. Then wheneach tried to tell the other what each one had seen, they ended bycrying out together, 'See, here is the face! nay, look, it is here!'

Undine awoke as the terrified crew broke into loud screams, and as sheopened her eyes the ugly faces vanished. 

But Huldbrand had not been frightened. He had been growing more andmore angry, and now he would have spoken roughly to his wife, had shenot pleaded with loving eyes and soft voice, 'For God's sake, rebukeme not while we are on the water. Bethink you of your promise. '

The knight was silent, for well he remembered how Undine had entreatedhim never to reprove her while she was near water. 

Then she, seeing he was silent, whispered, 'Let us give up thisvoyage, for now has our joy turned into sadness. Let us go back to thecastle where nothing can disturb us. '

Huldbrand, however, was not to be so easily restored to good humour. He answered her crossly, 'Why should I have to stay shut up at home?Even there can I have quiet only so long as the fountain remainssealed. I wish that your foolish kinsfolk--'

He could say no more, for Undine's hand was over his lips, and hervoice was beseeching him to be silent. 

Meanwhile Bertalda sat quietly in the ship, thinking of all thestrange things that had happened. As she sat thus thinking, sheunfastened a golden necklace which the knight had given to her, andholding it in her hand over the side of the bark she drew itcarelessly through the water. Then dreamily she watched it as itgleamed and glistened in the light of the setting sun. 

All at once a huge white hand came up out of the river, seized thenecklace, and disappeared with it below the water. 

Bertalda shrieked in terror, and a mocking laugh answered her cry. 

Then could the anger of the knight no longer be concealed. He sprangup, shouting to the water spirits to claim no kinship with him, but tocome and learn from his sword-thrusts how much he hated them. 

The maiden meanwhile wept for her lost necklace. But Undine had thrusther hand into the water, and was murmuring strange words to herself, stopping from time to time to say to her husband, 'Chide me not here, Huldbrand, chide me not here, lest you lose me for ever. '

And, indeed, though the knight shook with rage, yet he spoke no wordof reproach to his wife. 

At length Undine drew out the hand which she had been holding underthe water, and in it she held a coral necklace of wondrous beauty. 

'Take it and weep no longer, ' she said in her gentle voice, and sheheld the necklace out toward Bertalda. 'I have had it brought to mefrom the palaces below the sea. Grieve no longer for the one which youhave lost. '

But the knight saw in the necklace only another sign of Undine'sstrange dealings with the water spirits. He sprang between Bertaldaand his wife and snatched from Undine's hand the beautiful necklace, flinging it far away into the river. Then in his passion he turned tohis wife, and cried, 'Go and abide with your kindred! You are a witch, go, dwell with those who are as you are, and take with you your gifts!Go, trouble us no more!'

Undine looked at Huldbrand. Tears were in her blue eyes, and she weptas a little blameless child might weep. 

'Alas, beloved, ' she sighed, 'farewell! No harm shall touch you whileI have power to shield you from evil. Alas, alas! why have you sent mehence?'

She seemed to glide as she spoke over the edge of the bark, and bedrawn down into the river. And the little waves lapped against theboat and seemed to sob as they whispered, 'Alas, alas!'

No sooner had the knight spoken than he knew what he had done. He hadlost his wife, his beautiful fair-souled Undine. He lay on the deckstretching out empty arms, shedding bitter tears, until at length hismisery made the strong man swoon. 

[Illustration: The little waves seemed to sob as they whispered, 'Alas! alas!']

CHAPTER XV

HULDBRAND AND BERTALDA

When he recovered, the knight of Ringstetten went back to his castlewith Bertalda. So bitterly did he mourn the loss of his gentle wife, that at length he began to believe that he would never cease to weepfor her. Bertalda wept by his side, and for a long time they livedquietly together, thinking and talking of none save the beautifulUndine. 

But as the months passed by, Huldbrand began to think a little lessand yet a little less of his beautiful lost wife. 

Now about this time the old fisherman appeared at the castle. He hadcome to tell the knight that it was time that his daughter Bertaldashould come to live with him in his lonely cottage by the lake. 

Then the knight began to think how strange and silent it would be inthe castle if Bertalda left him. The more he thought about it themore he disliked the thought of being left alone. 

At length he spoke to the fisherman and begged him not to takeBertalda away. 'Let her stay with me and be my wife, ' said the knight. 

And in time the fisherman yielded to the wishes of the knight, and thewedding-day was fixed. 

Then a letter was sent to Father Heilman, begging him to come withoutdelay to the castle that he might perform the wedding-rite between theknight and the lady Bertalda. Now Father Heilman was the very priestwho had wedded Huldbrand to Undine in the cottage by the lake. 

When the priest had read Huldbrand's letter he hastened at once to thecastle. 

Huldbrand and Bertalda were sitting side by side under the trees, thefisherman near them, when they saw the priest enter the court. 

They all rose eagerly to welcome him, but Father Heilman began tospeak without delay. 

'Sir Knight, I have come with as great haste as my old limbs wouldcarry me to tell you that I do not believe the beautiful Undine isdead. Last night and for many nights before, she was with me in mydreams, wringing her white hands, and crying, "Ah, holy Father, Ilive, I live. Let not Huldbrand forget me, for should he wed againgreat danger may, alas, come to him, nor will I have power to shieldhim. Help me, therefore, holy Father. " What the dream meant I knew notuntil your letter reached me. Now have I come, not to marry you toBertalda, but to tell you that Undine, your wife, is yet alive. '

The knight himself, as well as Bertalda and the fisherman, believed intheir hearts that what the priest said was true, yet would they notown that they believed his words. Even the old fisherman, who sodearly loved his foster-child, thought that as the marriage withBertalda had been arranged, it were well it should take place withoutmore delay. 

They all, therefore, refused to listen to the priest, when hereproached them for their conduct. They even told him, what was notreally true, that they did not believe his foolish dreams. 

Sadly shaking his head, the priest left the castle. He saw that shouldhe speak again no one would listen to his words. Nor would he lingerto taste any of the refreshments that were placed before him. He hadfailed to make any one believe his dream, and he was too sad to eat. 

The following morning the knight sent to the nearest monastery for apriest, who promised to wed him to Bertalda in a few days. 

CHAPTER XVI

BERTALDA'S WEDDING

The wedding-day dawned bright and clear, the guests assembled in thecastle and wore their gayest garments, yet over everything therebrooded a dark cloud. It seemed to the knight, as well as to hisguests, that some one was missing from the feast, and the thoughts ofall turned to the beautiful Undine. 

The bride seemed happier than any one else, yet even she knew a cloudwas in her sky. 

Slowly the hours of the wedding-day dragged on, but at length theceremony was over, the feast ended, and the guests ready to depart. 

When they had gone, Bertalda, thinking to dispel the gloom which hadnow fallen upon her spirit, told her maids to spread out before herall her rich jewels and gorgeous robes. She would choose to-night thegarments in which she would array herself on the morrow. 

Her waiting-maids did as they were told, and when the dresses andjewels were spread out before their new mistress, they began toflatter her and tell her that none was fairer than she. 

Bertalda listened with pleasure to their praises. Then looking atherself in the mirror she sighed. 'Alas, but see these little brownspots that have appeared on my neck. '

The maids saw indeed, as their mistress said, that there were freckleson her neck, but still they flattered her, saying that the littlespots only made her skin look the whiter. 

But Bertalda did not believe their words. She wanted to get rid of thefreckles that had only lately appeared on her slender throat. 

'Had I but water from the fountain, the spots would vanish in a day, 'she cried pettishly. 

Then one of Bertalda's maids thought to herself, 'My mistress shallhave the water she so much desires, ' and laughing gaily to herself, she slipped from the room. 

In but a few moments heavy footsteps were heard in the court below. The footsteps tramped backward and forward. 

Bertalda, looking from her window, smiled, for she saw that the noisysteps were those of workmen, who were busy removing the stone whichhad been placed over the fountain. She guessed that this was the doingof one of her maids, but she still smiled contentedly. The freckleswould not spoil her beauty for another day. The water from thefountain would make them disappear, and that was all she cared aboutjust then. 

At first the workmen tried in vain to remove the stone. Perhaps someof them, remembering that their sweet young mistress Undine hadordered it to be placed there, did not try very hard to lift it fromits place. All at once, however, the stone began to move. It almostseemed as though it were being pushed up from beneath. It movedslowly, then seemed to rise up into the air, after which it rolled onto the pavement with a tremendous crash. 

Then slowly, slowly there rose out of the mouth of the well a whitefigure, veiled and weeping. And those who gazed spellbound at thesight saw that the figure which stepped from the fountain was that ofa woman. Weeping and wringing her hands, she walked slowly, sorrowfully toward the castle. 

The workmen now fled in terror from the court, while Bertalda with hermaids still gazed from her window at the pale shadowy figure. As itpassed beneath her window it looked upward, sobbing pitifully, andthe bride saw under the veil the sweet sad face of the mistress of thecastle, Undine. 

Bertalda called aloud to her maids to go fetch the knight, herhusband, but not one was found with courage to go in search of him. 

On and on went the wanderer slowly, as though she would fain turnbackward, on and up the stairs she knew so well, through the longquiet passages, and as she walked her tears fell yet more fast. 

In a room at the end of the long passages stood the knight. A torchburnt dully by his side. As he stood there thinking of the days thathad passed away for ever, he heard steps coming slowly along thepassage. He listened, and, as he listened, the slow footsteps haltedoutside his door. 

Soft fingers tapped, and then very gently the door was opened, andHuldbrand, standing before a long mirror, saw, without turning, awhite-veiled figure enter and close the door. 

'The stone has been taken away from the fountain, and I have come toyou and you must die, ' said a soft voice. 

Ah, it was Undine, his beautiful lost Undine, who had come back tohim. How he longed to see her face, yet how he feared to have the veilremoved lest she should have changed since last he gazed upon her. 

[Illustration: Slowly, slowly there rose out of the mouth of the wella white figure]

'If you are beauteous as in days gone by, if in your eyes I may seeyour soul tender as of old, draw aside your veil, that as I die I maygaze upon you, ' faltered the knight. 

Silently Undine threw back her veil, and Huldbrand saw her, fair as onthe day he had won her for his bride. As he looked upon her, he knewthat he had never loved any one in all the wide world as he lovedUndine. 

He bent toward the sweet face. Then Undine, kissing the knight, drewhim into her arms and wept. And as she wept the tears flowed into hisvery heart and he also wept. Softly she laid him on his couch, andwith her arms around him, Huldbrand died. 

Then sorrowfully Undine raised herself from the couch, and sorrowfullyshe passed from the chamber. 

'My tears fell on his heart until, for very sorrow, it broke, ' shesaid, as she glided, a pale veiled figure, through the terrifiedservants. 

And some who dared to follow her saw that she went slowly down towardthe fountain. 

CHAPTER XVII

THE BURIAL

Now when Father Heilman heard that the knight was dead, he hastened tothe castle to comfort Bertalda. The priest, who but the day before hadmarried the maiden to the knight, had already fled from the hauntedhouse. 

But Father Heilman found that the haughty spirit of the bride neededno comfort. She was more angry with Undine than sorrowful that she hadlost the knight. Indeed, as she thought of the strange way in whichHuldbrand had been snatched away from her, she cried aloud, 'Why didHuldbrand bring a water spirit to his home? She is worse than amermaiden, she is a witch, a sorceress!'

Then the old fisherman, who heard her cruel words, hushed her, saying, 'It was God's will that Huldbrand should die, and Undine alone, forsaken, weeps for his death in great sorrow of soul. '

But if Father Heilman was not needed to comfort Bertalda, his presencewas wanted at the burial of the knight. 

Not far off there was a little village church to which the lord ofRingstetten and others of his race had given gifts. It was arrangedthat in the churchyard the knight should be laid to rest. 

His shield and helmet were laid on his coffin and would be buried withhim, for the knight of Ringstetten had left no son to bear them in theyears that were to come. 

On the day that had been fixed the mourners walked slowly toward thechurchyard, Father Heilman in front carrying a crucifix. 

Then slowly a figure clad in snow-white garments, and wringing herhands in great sorrow, came to join the mourners, who all wore blackclothes as a sign of their grief. Those who noticed the white-veiledfigure drew closer together, terror-stricken. Others, seeing them thusfearful, turned to see the reason of their fear, and soon these toodrew aside, for the white-robed figure was in their very midst. 

Seeing the confusion among the mourners, some soldiers, trying to bebrave, as was their duty, spoke to the white-robed figure and eventried to drive her away. But she glided quickly past them and followedonward, still toward the little church. 

The maids who were walking close to Bertalda saw that the white-veiledfigure would soon be by their side, and they, lest she should harmthem, drew back, so that it was easy for the shadowy form to keepclose to the new-made bride. 

Softly, noiselessly she moved, so noiselessly that Bertalda neitherheard nor saw the phantom figure. 

At length the mourners reached the churchyard and gathered around thegrave. Then Bertalda, looking up, saw the white-veiled figure standingby her side, and knew that it was Undine. 

Fear whispered to Bertalda to leave the veiled figure undisturbed, anger bade Bertalda order that it should at once depart. And anger wasgoing to have its way, for Bertalda opened her lips to speak, butUndine shook her head and held out her hands as though she begged formercy. 

Then Bertalda remembered all the kindness Undine had shown toward her, and especially how lovingly she had held out to her the coralnecklace as they were sailing on the Danube, and as she remembered herhard heart melted, and she wept. 

At that moment Father Heilman began to pray, and all the mournersknelt around the grave, in which the coffin bearing the shield andhelmet of the knight had now been placed. 

When the prayer was ended the company arose, but the white-veiledfigure was no longer to be seen. 

Only on the spot where she had knelt a stream of crystal water gushedout of the earth. Quietly it flowed around the grave of the knight andthen onward until it joined the river which ran past the littlevillage church. 

And in days to come the villagers would ofttimes point to the crystalstream as they told their children in solemn whispers that it, thelittle crystal stream, was none other than Undine, poor forsakenUndine, who thus surrounded and protected Huldbrand, her beloved. 

 * * * * *