"Then，"saidUndine，"youspokeunwisely。Forcharitybeginsathome，andwhatdootherpeopleconcernus？"
Theoldwomanturnedawaysighingandshakingherhead；thefishermanforgothiswontedaffectionfortheprettygirlandscoldedher。
"Itsoundsexactly，"saidhe，ashefinishedhisreproof，"asifTurksandheathenshadbroughtyouup；mayGodforgivebothmeandyou，youspoiledchild。"
"Well，"repliedUndine，"forallthat，itiswhatIfeel，letwhowillhatebroughtmeup，andallyourwordscan’thelpthat。"
"Silence!"exclaimedthefisherman，andUndine，who，inspiteofherpertness，wasexceedinglyfearful，shrankfromhim，andmovingtremblinglytowardHuldbrand，askedhiminasofttone："Areyoualsoangry，dearfriend？"
Theknightpressedhertenderhandandstrokedherhair。Hecouldsaynothing，forvexationattheoldman’sseveritytowardUndineclosedhislips：andthusthetwocouplessatoppositetoeachother，withangryfeelingsandembarrassedsilence。
CHAPTERVI。
OFANUPTIALCEREMONY。
Alowknockingatthedoorwasheardinthemidstofthisstillness，startlingalltheinmatesofthecottage；fortherearetimeswhenalittlecircumstance，happeningquiteunexpectedly，canundulyalarmus。Buttherewasheretheadditionalcauseofalarmthattheenchantedforestlaysonear，andthatthelittlepromontoryseemedjustnowinaccessibletohumanbeings。Theylookedateachotherdoubtingly，astheknockingwasrepeatedaccompaniedbyadeepgroan，andtheknightsprangtoreachhissword。Buttheoldmanwhisperedsoftly："IfitbewhatIfear，noweaponwillhelpus。"
Undinemeanwhileapproachedthedoorandcalledoutangrilyandboldly："Spiritsoftheearth，ifyouwishtocarryonyourmischief，Kuhlebornshallteachyousomethingbetter。"
Theterroroftherestwasincreasedbythesemysteriouswords；theylookedfearfullyatthegirl，andHuldbrandwasjustregainingcourageenoughtoaskwhatshemeant，whenavoicesaidwithout："I
amnospiritoftheearth，butaspiritindeedstillwithinitsearthlybody。Youwithinthecottage，ifyoufearGodandwillhelpme，opentome。"Atthesewords，Undinehadalreadyopenedthedoor，andhadheldalampoutinthestormynight，bywhichtheyperceivedanagedprieststandingthere，whosteppedbackinterrorattheunexpectedsightofthebeautifulmaiden。Hemightwellthinkthatwitchcraftandmagicwereatworkwhensuchalovelyformappearedatsuchanhumblecottagedoor：hethereforebegantopray："AllgoodspiritspraisetheLord!"
"Iamnospectre，"saidUndine，smiling；"doIthenlooksougly？
Besidesyoumayseetheholywordsdonotfrightenme。ItooknowofGodandunderstandhowtopraiseHim；everyonetobesureinhisownway，forsoHehascreatedus。Comein，venerablefather；youcomeamong，goodpeople。"
Theholymanentered，bowingandlookingroundhim，withaprofound，yettenderdemeanor。Butthewaterwasdroppingfromeveryfoldofhisdarkgarment，andfromhislongwhitebeardandfromhisgraylocks。Thefishermanandtheknighttookhimtoanotherapartmentandfurnishedhimwithotherclothes，whiletheygatethewomenhisownwetattiretodry。Theagedstrangerthankedthemhumblyandcourteously，buthewouldonnoaccountaccepttheknight’ssplendidmantle，whichwasofferedtohim；buthechoseinsteadanoldgrayovercoatbelongingtothefisherman。Theythenreturnedtotheapartment，andthegoodolddameimmediatelyvacatedhereasy—chairforthereverendfather，andwouldnotresttillhehadtakenpossessionofit。"For，"saidshe，"youareoldandexhausted，andyouaremoreoveramanofGod。"Undinepushedunderthestranger’sfeetherlittlestool，onwhichshehadbeenwonttositbythesideofHuldbrand，andsheshowedherselfineverywaymostgentleandkindinhercareofthegoodoldman。Huldbrandwhisperedsomerailleryatitinherear，butsherepliedveryseriously："HeisaservantofHimwhocreatedusall；holythingsarenottobejestedwith。"Theknightandthefishermanthenrefreshedtheirreverendguestwithfoodandwine，andwhenhehadsomewhatrecoveredhimself，hebegantorelatehowhehadthedaybeforesetoutfromhiscloister，whichlayfarbeyondthegreatlake，intendingtotraveltothebishop，inordertoacquainthimwiththedistressintowhichthemonasteryanditstributaryvillageshadfallenonaccountoftheextraordinaryfloods。
Afteralong，circuitousroute，whichtheseveryfloodshadobligedhimtotake，hehadbeenthisdaycompelled，towardevening，toprocuretheaidofacoupleofgoodboatmentocrossanarmofthelake，whichhadoverfloweditsbanks。
"Scarcelyhowever，"continuedhe，"hadoursmallcrafttouchedthewaves，thanthatfurioustempestburstforthwhichisnowragingoverourheads。Itseemedasifthewatershadonlywaitedforus，tocommencetheirwildestwhirlingdancewithourlittleboat。Theoarsweresoontornoutofthehandsofmymen，andweredashedbytheforceofthewavesfurtherandfurtherbeyondourreach。Weourselves，yieldingtotheresistlesspowersofnature，helplesslydriftedoverthesurgingbillowsofthelaketowardyourdistantshore，whichwealreadysawloomingthroughthemistandfoam。
Presentlyourboatturnedroundandroundasinagiddywhirlpool；I
knownotwhetheritwasupset，orwhetherIfelloverboard。InavagueterrorofinevitabledeathIdriftedon，tillawavecastmehere，underthetreesonyourisland。"
"Yes，island!"criedthefisherman；"ashorttimeagoitwasonlyapointofland；butnow，sincetheforest—streamandthelakehavebecomewell—nighbewitched，thingsarequitedifferentwithus。"
"Iremarkedsomethingofthesort，"saidthepriest，"asIcreptalongtheshoreinthedark，andhearingnothingbuttheuproararoundme。Iatlastperceivedthatabeatenfoot—pathdisappearedjustinthedirectionfromwhichthesoundproceeded。Inowsawthelightinyourcottage，andventuredhither，andIcannotsufficientlythankmyheavenlyFatherthatafterpreservingmefromthewaters，Hehasledmetosuchgoodandpiouspeopleasyouare；
andIfeelthisallthemore，asIdonotknowwhetherIshalleverbeholdanyotherbeingsisthisworld，exceptthoseInowaddress。"
"Whatdoyoumean？"askedthefisherman。
"Doyouknowthenhowlongthiscommotionoftheelementsistolast？"repliedtheholyman。"AndIamoldinyears。Easilyenoughmaythestreamofmyliferunitselfoutbeforetheoverflowingoftheforest—streammaysubside。Andindeeditwerenotimpossiblethatmoreandmoreofthefoamingwatersmayforcetheirwaybetweenyouandyonderforest，untilyouaresofarsunderedfromtherestoftheworldthatyourlittlefishing—boatwillnolongerbesufficienttocarryyouacross，andtheinhabitantsofthecontinentinthemidstoftheirdiversionswillhaveentirelyforgottenyouinyouroldage。"
Thefisherman’swifestartedatthis，crossedherselfandexclaimed。
"Godforbid。"Butherhusbandlookedatherwithasmile，andsaid"Whatcreaturesweareafterall!evenwereitso，thingswouldnotbeverydifferent——atleastnotforyou，dearwife——thantheynoware。Forhaveyouformanyyearsbeenfurtherthantheedgeoftheforest？andhaveyouseenanyotherhumanbeingsthanUndineandmyself？Theknightandthisholymanhaveonlycometoaslately。
Theywillremainwithusifwedobecomeaforgottenisland；soyouwouldevenbeagainerbyitafterail。"
"Idon’tknow，"saidtheoldwoman；"itissomehowagloomythought，whenoneimaginesthatoneisirrecoverablyseparatedfromotherpeople，although，wereitotherwise，onemightneitherknownorseethem。"
"Thenyouwillremainwithus!thenyouwillremainwithus!"
whisperedUndine，inalow，half—singingtone，asshenestledclosertoHuldbrand’sside。Buthewasabsorbedinthedeepandstrangevisionsofhisownmind。
Theregionontheothersideoftheforest—riverseemedtodissolveintodistanceduringthepriest’slastwords：andthebloomingislanduponwhichhelivedgrewmoregreen，andsmiledmorefreshlyinhismind’svision。Hisbelovedoneglowedasthefairestroseofthislittlespotofearth，andevenofthewholeworld，andthepriestwasactuallythere。Addedtothis，atthatmomentanangryglancefromtheoldflamewasdirectedatthebeautifulgirl，becauseeveninthepresenceofthereverendfathersheleanedsocloselyontheknight，anditseemedasifatorrentofreprovingwordswereonthepointoffollowing。Presently，turningtothepriest，Huldbrandbrokeforth："Venerablefather，youseebeforeyouhereapairpledgedtoeachother：andifthismaidenandthesegoodoldpeoplehavenoobjection，youshalluniteusthisveryevening。"
Theagedcouplewereextremelysurprised。Theyhad，itistrue，hithertooftenthoughtofsomethingofthesort，buttheyhadneveryetexpressedit，andwhentheknightnowspokethus，itcameuponthemassomethingwhollynewandunprecedented。
Undinehadbecomesuddenlygrave，andlookeddownthoughtfullywhipthepriestinquiredrespectingthecircumstancesofthecase，andaskediftheoldpeoplegavetheirconsent。Aftermuchdiscussiontogether，thematterwassettled；theolddamewenttoarrangethebridalchamberfortheyoungpeople，andtolookouttwoconsecratedtaperswhichshehadhadinherpossessionforsometime，andwhichshethoughtessentialtothenuptialceremony。Theknightinthemeanwhileexaminedhisgoldchain，fromwhichhewishedtodisengagetworings，thathemightmakeanexchangeofthemwithhisbride。
She，however，observingwhathewasdoing，startedupfromherreverie，andexclaimed："Notso!myparentshavenotsentmeintotheworldquitedestitute；onthecontrary，theymusthaveanticipatedwithcertaintythatsuchaneveningasthiswouldcome。"
Thussaving，shequicklylefttheroomandreappearedinamomentwithtwocostlyrings，oneofwhichshegavetoherbridegroom，andkepttheotherforherself。Theoldfishermanwasextremelyastonishedatthis，andstillmoresohiswife，whojustthenentered，forneitherhadeverseenthesejewelsinthechild’spossession。
"Myparents，"saidUndine，"sewedtheselittlethingsintothebeautifulfrockwhichIhadon，whenIcametoyou。Theyforbidme，moreover，tomentionthemtoanyonebeforemyweddingevening，soI
secretlytookthem，andkeptthemconcealeduntilnow。"
Thepriestinterruptedallfurtherquestioningsbylightingtheconsecratedtapers，whichheplaceduponatable，andsummonedthebridalpairtostandoppositetohim。Hethengavethemtoeachotherwithafewshortsolemnwords；theeldercouplegavetheirblessingtotheyounger，andthebride，tremblingandthoughtful，leanedupontheknight。Thenthepriestsuddenlysaid："Youarestrangepeopleafterall。Whydidyoutellmeyouweretheonlypeoplehereontheisland？andduringthewholeceremony，atallstatelyman，inawhitemantle，hasbeenlookingatmethroughthewindowopposite。Hemuststillbestandingbeforethedoor，toseeifyouwillinvitehimtocomeintothehouse。"
"Godforbid，"saidtheolddamewithastart；thefishermanshookhisheadinsilence，andHuldbrandsprangtothewindow。Itseemedeventohimasifhecouldstillseeawhitestreak，butitsooncompletelydisappearedinthedarkness。Heconvincedthepriestthathemusthavebeenabsolutelymistaken，andtheyallsatdowntogetherroundthehearth。
CHAPTERVII。
WHATFURTHERHAPPENEDONTHEEVENINGOFTHEWEDDING。
Bothbeforeandduringtheceremony，Undinehadshownherselfgentleandquiet；butitnowseemedasifallthewaywardhumorswhichriotedwithinher，burstforthallthemoreboldlyandunrestrainedly。Sheteasedherbridegroomandherfoster—parents，andeventheholymanwhomshehadsolatelyreverenced，withallsortsofchildishtricks；andwhentheoldwomanwasabouttoreproveher，shewasquicklysilencedbyafewgravewordsfromtheknight，speakingofUndinenowashiswife。Nevertheless，theknighthimselfwasequallylittlepleasedwithUndine’schildishbehavior：
butnosigns，andnoreproachfulwordswereofanyavail。Itistrue，wheneverthebridenoticedherhusband’sdissatisfaction——andthisoccurredoccasionally——shebecamemorequiet，satdownbyhisside，caressedhim，whisperedsomethingsmilinglyintohisear，andsmoothedthewrinklesthatweregatheringonhisbrow。Butimmediatelyafterward，somewildfreakwouldagainleadhertoreturntoherridiculousproceedings，andmatterswouldbeworsethanbefore。Atlengththepriestsaidinaseriousandkindtone：
"Myfairyoungmaiden，nooneindeedcanlookatyouwithoutdelight；butremembersotoattuneyoursoulbetimes，thatitmayeverharmonizewiththatofyourweddedhusband。"
"Soul!"saidUndine，laughing；"thatsoundsprettyenough，andmaybeaveryedifyingandusefulcautionformostpeople。Butwhenonehasn’tasoulatall，Ibegyou，whatistheretoattunethen？andthatismycase。"Thepriestwassilentanddeeplywounded，andwithholydispleasureheturnedhisfacefromthegirl。She，however，wentuptohimcaressingly，andsaid："No!listentomefirst，beforeyoulookangry，foryourlookofangergivesmepain，andyoumustnotgivepaintoanycreaturewhohasdoneyounowrong——onlyhavepatiencewithme，andIwilltellyouproperlywhatImean。"
Itwasevidentthatshewaspreparingherselftoexplainsomethingindetail，butsuddenlyshehesitated，asifseizedwithaninwardshuddering，andburstoutintoafloodoftears。Theynoneofthemknewwhattomakeofthisebullition，andfilledwithvariousapprehensionstheygazedatherinsilence。Atlength，wipingawayhertears，andlookingearnestlyatthereverendman，shesaid：
"Theremustbesomethingbeautiful，butatthesametimeextremelyawful，aboutasoul。Tellme，holysir，wereitnotbetterthatweneversharedsuchagift？"Shewassilentagainasifwaitingforananswer，andhertearshadceasedtoflow。Allinthecottagehadrisenfromtheirseatsandhadsteppedbackfromherwithhorror。
She，however，seemedtohaveeyesfornoonebuttheholyman；herfeaturesworeanexpressionoffearfulcuriosity，whichappearedterribletothosewhosawher。"Thesoulmustbeaheavyburden，"
shecontinued，asnooneansweredher，"veryheavy!forevenitsapproachingimageovershadowsmewithanxietyandsadness。And，ah!
Iwassolight—heartedandsomerrytillnow!"Andsheburstintoafreshfloodoftears，andcoveredherfacewiththedraperyshewore。Thenthepriestwentuptoherwithasolemnair，andspoketoher，andconjuredherbythenameoftheMostHolytocastasidetheveilthatenvelopedher，ifanyspiritofevilpossessedher。Butshesankonherkneesbeforehim，repeatingallthesacredwordsheuttered，praisingGod，andprotestingthatshewishedwellwiththewholeworld。
Thenatlastthepriestsaidtotheknight："Sirbridegroom，IwillleaveyoualonewithherwhomIhaveunitedtoyouinmarriage。SofarasIcandiscoverthereisnothingofevilinher，butmuchindeedthatismysterious。Icommendtoyou——prudence，love，andfidelity。"Sosaying，hewentout，andthefishermanandhiswifefollowedhim，crossingthemselves。
Undinehadsunkonherknees：sheunveiledherfaceandsaid，lookingtimidlyroundonHuldbrand："Alas!youwillsurelynownotkeepmeasyourown；andyetIhavedonenoevil，poorchildthatI
am!"Asshesaidthis，shelookedsoexquisitelygracefulandtouching，thatherbridegroomforgotallthehorrorhehadfelt，andallthemysterythatclungtoher，andhasteningtoherheraisedherinhisarms。Shesmiledthroughhertears；itwasasmilelikethemorning—lightplayingonalittlestream。
"Youcannotleaveme，"shewhispered，withconfidentsecurity，strokingtheknight’scheekwithhertenderhand。Huldbrandtriedtodismissthefearfulthoughtsthatstilllurkedinthebackgroundofhismind，persuadinghimthathewasmarriedtoafairyortosomemaliciousandmischievousbeingofthespiritworld，onlythesinglequestionhalfunawaresescapedhislips："MylittleUndine，tellmethisonething，whatwasityousaidofspiritsoftheearthandofKuhleborn，whenthepriestknockedatthedoor？"
"Itwasnothingbutfairytales!——children’sfairytales!"saidUndine，withallherwontedgayety；"Ifrightenedyouatfirstwiththem，andthenyoufrightenedme，that’stheendofourstoryandofournuptialevening。"
"Nay!thatitisn’t，"saidtheknight，intoxicatedwithlove，andextinguishingthetapers，heborehisbeautifulbelovedtothebridalchamberbythelightofthemoonwhichshonebrightlythroughthewindows。
CHAPTERVIII。
THEDAYAFTERTHEWEDDING。
Thefreshlightofthemorningawoketheyoungmarriedpair。
WonderfulandhorribledreamshaddisturbedHuldbrand’srest；hehadbeenhauntedbyspectres，who，grinningathimbystealth，hadtriedtodisguisethemselvesasbeautifulwomen，andfrombeautifulwomentheyallatonceassumedthefacesofdragons，andwhenhestartedupfromthesehideousvisions，themoonlightshonepaleandcoldintotheroom；terrifiedhelookedatUndine，whostilllayinunalteredbeautyandgrace。Thenhewouldpressalightkissuponherrosylips，andwouldfallasleepagainonlytobeawakenedbynewterrors。Afterhehadreflectedonallthis，nowthathewasfullyawake，hereproachedhimselfforanydoubtthatcouldhaveledhimintoerrorwithregardtohisbeautifulwife。Hebeggedhertoforgivehimfortheinjusticehehaddoneher，butsheonlyheldouttohimherfairhand，sigheddeeply，andremainedsilent。Butaglanceofexquisitefervorbeamedfromhereyessuchashehadneverseenbefore，carryingwithitthefullassurancethatUndineborehimnoill—will。Hethenrosecheerfullyandlefther，tojoinhisfriendsinthecommonapartment。
Hefoundthethreesittingroundthehearth，withanairofanxietyaboutthem，asiftheydarednotventuretospeakaloud。Thepriestseemedtobeprayinginhisinmostspiritthatallevilmightbeaverted。When，however，theysawtheyounghusbandcomeforthsocheerfullythecarewornexpressionoftheirfacesvanished。
Theoldfishermanevenbegantojestwiththeknight，sopleasantly，thattheagedwifesmiledgood—humoredlyasshelistenedtothem。
Undineatlengthmadeherappearance。Allrosetomeetherandallstoodstillwithsurprise，fortheyoungwifeseemedsostrangetothemandyetthesame。Thepriestwasthefirsttoadvancetowardherwithpaternalarmsaffectionbeaminginhisface，and，asheraisedhishandtoblessher，thebeautifulwomansankreverentlyonherkneesbeforehim。Withafewhumbleandgraciouswordsshebeggedhimtoforgiveherforanyfoolishthingsshemighthavesaidtheeveningbefore，andentreatedhiminanagitatedtonetoprayforthewelfareofhersoul。Shethenrose，kissedherfoster—
parents，andthankingthemforallthegoodnesstheyhadshownher，sheexclaimed："Oh!Inowfeelinmyinnermostheart，howmuch，howinfinitelymuch，youhavedoneforme，dear，kindpeople!"Shecouldnotatfirstdesistfromhercaresses，butscarcelyhadsheperceivedthattheoldwomanwasbusyinpreparingbreakfast，thanshewenttothehearth，cookedandarrangedthemeal，andwouldnotsufferthegoodoldmothertotaketheleasttrouble。
Shecontinuedthusthroughoutthewholeday，quiet，kind，andattentive——atoncealittlematronandatender，bashfulgirl。Thethreewhohadknownherlongestexpectedeverymomenttoseesomewhimsicalvagaryofhercapriciousspiritburstforth。Buttheywaitedinvainforit。Undineremainedasmildandgentleasanangel。Theholyfathercouldnottakehiseyesfromher，andhesaidrepeatedlytothebridegroom："Thegoodnessofheaven，sir，hasintrustedatreasuretoyouyesterdaythroughme，unworthyasIam；
cherishitasyouought，anditwillpromoteyourtemporalandeternalwelfare。"
TowardeveningUndinewashangingontheknight’sarmwithhumbletenderness，anddrewhimgentlyoutofthedoor，wherethedecliningsunwasshiningpleasantlyonthefreshgrass，anduponthetall，slenderstemsofthetrees。Theeyesoftheyoungwifeweremoist，aswiththedewofsadnessandlove，andatenderandfearfulsecretseemedhoveringonherlips，which，however，wasonlydisclosedbyscarcelyaudiblesighs。Sheledherhusbandonwardandonwardinsilence；whenhespoke，sheonlyansweredhimwithlooks，inwhich，itistrue，therelaynodirectreplytohisinquiries，butwholeheavenofloveandtimiddevotion。Thustheyreachedtheedgeoftheswollenforeststream，andtheknightwasastonishedtoseeitripplingalongingentlewaves，withoutatraceofitsformerwildnessandswell。"Bythemorningitwillbequitedry，"saidthebeautifulwife，inaregretfultone，"andyoucanthentravelawaywhereveryouwill，withoutanythingtohinderyou。"
"Notwithoutyou，mylittleUndine，"repliedtheknight，laughing：
"remember，evenifIwishedtodesertyou，thechurch，andthespiritualpowers，andtheemperor，andtheempirewouldinterposeandbringthefugitivebackagain。"
"Alldependsuponyou，alldependsuponyou，"whisperedhiswife，half—weepingandhalf—smiling。"Ithink，however，nevertheless，thatyouwillkeepmewithyou：Iloveyousoheartily。Nowcarrymeacrosstothatlittleislandthatliesbeforeus。Themattershallbedecidedthere。Icouldeasilyindeedglidethroughtheripplingwaves，butitissorestfulinyourarms，andifyouweretocastmeoff，Ishallhavesweetlyrestedinthemoncemoreforthelasttime。"Huldbrand，fullashewasofstrangefearandemotion，knewnotwhattoreply。Hetookherinhisarmsandcarriedheracross，rememberingnowforthefirsttimethatthiswasthesamelittleislandfromwhichhehadborneherbacktotheoldfishermanonthatfirstnight。Onthefurthersideheputherdownonthesoftgrass，andwasonthepointofplacinghimselflovinglynearhisbeautifulburden，whenshesaid："No，thereoppositetome!Iwillreadmysentenceinyoureyes，beforeyourlipsspeak；now，listenattentivelytowhatIwillrelatetoyou。"Andshebegan：——
"Youmustknow，mylovedone，thattherearebeingsintheelementswhichalmostappearlikemortals，andwhichrarelyallowthemselvestobecomevisibletoyourrace。Wonderfulsalamandersglitterandsportintheflames；leanandmaliciousgnomesdwelldeepwithintheearth；spirits，belongingtotheair，wanderthroughtheforests，andavastfamilyofwater—spiritsliveinthelakes，andstreams，andbrooks。Inresoundingdomesofcrystal，throughwhichtheskylooksinwithitssunandstars，theselatterspiritsfindtheirbeautifulabode；loftytreesofcoralwithblueandcrimsonfruitsgleamintheirgardens；theywanderoverthepuresandofthesea，andamonglovelyvariegatedshells，andamidallexquisitetreasuresoftheoldworld，whichthepresentisnolongerworthytoenjoy；
allthesethefloodshavecoveredwiththeirsecretveilsofsilver，andthenoblemonumentssparklebelow，statelyandsolemn，andbedewedbythelovingwaterswhichallurefromthemmanyabeautifulmoss—flowerandentwiningclusterofsea—grass。Those，however，whodwellthereareveryfairandlovelytobehold，andforthemostpartaremorebeautifulthanhumanbeings。Manyafishermanhasbeensofortunateastosurprisesometendermermaidassheroseabovethewatersandsang。Hewouldtellafarofherbeauty，andsuchwonderfulbeingshavebeengiventhenameofUndines。You，however，arenowactuallybeholdinganUndine。"
Theknighttriedtopersuadehimselfthathisbeautifulwifewasunderthespellofoneofherstrangehumors，andthatshewastakingpleasureinteasinghimwithoneofherextravagantinventions。Butrepeatedlyashesaidthistohimself，hecouldnotbelieveitforamoment；astrangeshudderpassedthroughhim；
unabletoutteraword，hestaredatthebeautifulnarratorwithanimmovablegaze。Undineshookherheadsorrowfully，drewadeepsigh，andthenproceededasfollows：——
"Ourconditionwouldbefarsuperiortothatofotherhumanbeings——
forhumanbeingswecallourselves，beingsimilartotheminformandculture——butthereisoneevilpeculiartous。Weandourlikeintheotherelements，vanishintodustandpassaway，bodyandspirit，sothatnotavestigeofusremainsbehind；andwhenyoumortalshereafterawaketoapurerlife，weremainwiththesandandthesparksandthewindandthewaves。Hencewehavealsonosouls；
theelementmovesus，andisoftenobedienttouswhilewelive，thoughitscattersustodustwhenwedie；andwearemerry，withouthavingaughttogrieveus——merryasthenightingalesandthelittlegold—fishesandotherprettychildrenofnature。Butallthingsaspiretobehigherthantheyare。Thus，myfather，whoisapowerfulwater—princeintheMediterraneanSea，desiredthathisonlydaughtershouldbecomepossessedofasoul，eventhoughshemustthenenduremanyofthesufferingsofthosethusendowed。Suchasweare，however，canonlyobtainasoulbytheclosestunionofaffectionwithoneofyourhumanrace。Iamnowpossessedofasoul，andmysoulthanksyou，myinexpressiblybelovedone，anditwilleverthankyou，ifyoudonotmakemywholelifemiserable。Forwhatistobecomeofme，ifyouavoidandrejectme？Still，Iwouldnotretainyoubydeceit。Andifyoumeantorejectme，dosonow，andreturnalonetotheshore。Iwilldiveintothisbrook，whichismyuncle；andhereintheforest，farremovedfromotherfriends，hepasseshisstrangeandsolitarylife。Heis，however，powerful，andisesteemedandbelovedbymanygreatstreams；andashebroughtmehithertothefisherman，alight—hearted，laughingchild，hewilltakemebackagaintomyparents，aloving，suffering，andsoul—
endowedwoman。"
Shewasabouttosaystillmore，butHuldbrandembracedherwiththemostheartfeltemotionandlove，andboreherbackagaintotheshore。Itwasnottillhereachedit，thathesworeamidtearsandkisses，nevertoforsakehissweetwife，callinghimselfmorehappythantheGreekPygmalion，whosebeautifulstatuereceivedlifefromVenusandbecamehislovedone。Inendearingconfidence，Undinewalkedbacktothecottage，leaningonhisarm；feelingnowforthefirsttime，withallherheart，howlittlesheoughttoregrettheforsakencrystalpalacesofhermysteriousfather。
CHAPTERIX。
HOWTHEKNIGHTTOOKHISYOUNGWIFEWITHHIM。
WhenHuldbrandawokefromhissleeponthefollowingmorning，andmissedhisbeautifulwifefromhisside，hebegantoindulgeagaininthestrangethoughts，thathismarriageandthecharmingUndineherselfwerebutfleetinganddeceptiveillusions。Butatthesamemomentsheenteredtheroom，satdownbesidehim，andsaid："Ihavebeenoutratherearlytoseeifmyunclekeepshisword。Hehasalreadyledallthewatersbackagainintohisowncalmchannel，andhenowflowsthroughtheforest，solitarilyanddreamilyasbefore。
Hisfriendsinthewaterandtheairhavealsoreturnedtorepose：
allwillagaingoonquietlyandregularly，andyoucantravelhomewardwhenyouwill，dry—shod。"ItseemedtoHuldbrandasthoughhewereinawakingdream，solittlecouldhereconcilehimselftothestrangerelationshipofhiswife。
Neverthelesshemadenoremarkonthematter，andtheexquisitegraceofhisbridesoonlulledtoresteveryuneasymisgiving。Whenhewasafterwardstandingbeforethedoorwithher，andlookingoverthegreenpeninsulawithitsboundaryofclearwaters，hefeltsohappyinthiscradleofhislove，thatheexclaimed："Whyshallwetravelsosoonasto—day？Weshallscarcelyfindmorepleasantdaysintheworldyonderthanthosewehavespentinthisquietlittleshelter。Letusyetseethesungodownheretwiceorthricemore。"
"Asmylordwills，"repliedUndine，humbly。"Itisonlythattheoldpeoplewill，atallevents，partfrommewithpain，andwhentheynowforthefirsttimeperceivethetruesoulwithinme，andhowI
cannowheartilyloveandhonor，theirfeebleeyeswillbedimmedwithplentifultears。Atpresenttheyconsidermyquietnessandgentlenessofnobetterpromisethanbefore，likethecalmnessofthelakewhentheairisstill；and，asmattersnoware，theywillsoonlearntocherishafloweroratreeastheyhavecherishedme。
Donot，therefore，letmerevealtothemthisnewly—bestowedandlovingheart，justatthemomentwhentheymustloseitforthisworld；andhowcouldIconcealit，ifweremainlongertogether？"
Huldbrandconcededthepoint；hewenttotheagedpeopleandtalkedwiththemoverthejourney，whichheproposedtoundertakeimmediately。Theholyfatherofferedtoaccompanytheyoungmarriedpair，and，afterahastyfarewell，heandtheknightassistedthebeautifulbridetomountherhorse，andwalkedwithrapidstepbyhersideoverthedrychanneloftheforest—streamintothewoodbeyond。Undineweptsilentlybutbitterly，andtheoldpeoplegaveloudexpressiontotheirgrief。Itseemedasiftheyhadapresentimentofalltheywerenowlosingintheirfoster—child。
Thethreetravellershadreachedinsilencethedensestshadesoftheforest。Itmusthavebeenafairsight，underthatgreencanopyofleaves，toseeUndine’slovelyform，asshesatonhernobleandrichlyornamentedsteed，withthevenerablepriestinthewhitegarbofhisorderononesideofher，andontheotherthebloomingyoungknightinhisgayandsplendidattire，withhisswordathisgirdle。
HuldbrandhadnoeyesbutforhisbeautifulwifeUndine，whohaddriedhertears，hadnoeyesbutforhim，andtheysoonfellintoamute，voicelessconverseofglanceandgesture，fromwhichtheywereonlyrousedatlengthbythelowtalkingofthereverendfatherwithafourthtraveller，whointhemeanwhilehadjoinedthemunobserved。
Heworeawhitegarmentalmostresemblingthedressofthepriestsorder，exceptthathishoodhunglowoverhisface，andhiswholeattirefloatedroundhiminsuchvastfoldsthathewasobligedeverymomenttogatheritup，andthrowitoverhisarm，ordisposeofitinsomeway，andyetitdidnotintheleastseemtoimpedehismovements。Whentheyoungcouplefirstperceivedhim，hewasjustsaying"Andso，venerablesir。Ihavenowdweltformanyyearshereintheforest，andyetnoonecouldcallmeahermit，inyoursenseoftheword。For，asIsaid，Iknownothingofpenance，andI
donotthinkIhaveanyespecialneedofit。Ilosetheforestonlyforthisreason，thatitsbeautyisquitepeculiartoitself，anditamusesmetopassalonginmyflowingwhitegarmentsamongtheeasesandduskyshadows，whilenowandthenasweetsunbeamshinesdownunexpectedlyuponme。"
"Youareaverystrangeman，"repliedthepriest，"andIshouldliketobemorecloselyacquaintedwithyou。"
"Andtopassfromonethingtoanother，whomayyoubeyourself？"
askedthestranger。
"IamcalledFatherHeilmann，"saidtheholyman；"andIcomefromthemonasteryof’ourLady’whichliesontheothersideofthelake。"
"Indeed，"repliedthestranger；"mynameisKuhleborn，andsofarascourtesyisconcernedImightclaimthetitleofLordofKuhleborn，orfreeLordofKuhleborn；forIamasfreeasthebirdsintheforestandperhapsalittlemoreso。Forexample，Ihavenowsomethingtosaytotheyoungladythere。"Andbeforetheywereawareofhisintention，hewasattheothersideofthepriest，closebesideUndine，stretchinghimselfuptowhispersomethinginherear。
Butsheturnedfromhimwithalarm，andexclaimed："Ihavenothingmoretodowithyou。"
"Ho，ho，"laughedthestranger，"whatisthisimmenselygrandmarriageyouhavemade，thatyoudon’tknowyourownrelationsanylonger？HaveyouforgottenyouruncleKuhleborn，whosofaithfullyboreyouonhisbackthroughthisregion？"
"Ibegyou，nevertheless，"repliedUndine，"nottoappearinmypresenceagain。Iamnowafraidofyou；andsupposemyhusbandshouldlearntoavoidmewhenheseesmeinsuchstrangecompanyandwithsuchrelations!"
"Mylittleniece，"saidKuhleborn，"youmustnotforgetthatIamwithyouhereasaguide；thespiritsofearththathauntthisplacemightotherwiseplaysomeoftheirstupidprankswithyou。Letmethereforegoquietlyonwithyou；theoldpriestthererememberedmebetterthanyouappeartohavedone，forheassuredmejustnowthatIseemedfamiliartohim，andthatImusthavebeenwithhimintheboat，outofwhichhefellintothewater。Iwasso，trulyenough；
forIwasthewater—spoutthatcarriedhimoutofitandwashedhimsafelyashoreforyourwedding。"
UndineandtheknightturnedtowardFatherHeilmann；butheseemedwalkingon，asinasortofdream，andnolongertobeconsciousofallthatwaspassing。UndinethensaidtoKuhleborn，"Iseeyondertheendoftheforest。Wenolongerneedyourhelp，andnothingcausesusalarmbutyourself。Ibegyou，therefore，inallloveandgood—will，vanish，andletusproceedinpeace。"
Kuhlebornseemedtobecomeangryatthis；hiscountenanceassumedafrightfulexpression，andhegrinnedfiercelyatUndine，whoscreamedaloudandcalleduponherhusbandforassistance。Asquickaslightning，theknightsprangtotheothersideofthehorse，andaimedhissharpswordatKuhleborn’shead。Buttheswordcutthroughawaterfall，whichwasrushingdownnearthemfromaloftycrag；andwithasplash，whichalmostsoundedlikeaburstoflaughter，itpouredoverthemandwetthemthroughtotheskin。
Thepriest，asifsuddenlyawaking，exclaimed"Ihavelongbeenexpectingthat，forthestreamrandownfromtheheightsoclosetous。Atfirstitreallyseemedtomelikeaman，andasifitcouldspeak。"Asthewaterfallcamerushingdown，itdistinctlyutteredthesewordsinHuldbrand’sear：——
"Rashknight，Braveknight，Rage，feelInot，Chide，willInot。
Buteverguardthylittlewifeaswell，Rashknight，braveknight!Protectherwell!"
Afewfootstepsmore，andtheywereuponopenground。Theimperialcitylaybrightbeforethem，andtheeveningsun，whichgildeditstowers，kindlydriedthegarmentsofthedrenchedwanderers。
CHAPTERX。
HOWTHEYLIVEDINTHECITY。
Thesuddendisappearanceoftheyoungknight，HuldbrandvonRingstetten，fromtheimperialcity，hadcausedgreatsensationandsolicitudeamongthosewhohadadmiredhim，bothforhisskillinthetournamentandthedance，andnolesssoforhisgentleandagreeablemanners。Hisservantswouldnotquittheplacewithouttheirmaster，althoughnotoneofthemwouldhavehadthecouragetogoinquestofhimintotheshadowyrecessesoftheforest。Theythereforeremainedintheirquarters，inactivelyhoping，asmenarewonttodo，andkeepingalivetheremembranceoftheirlostlordbytheirlamentations。When，soonafter，theviolentstormsandfloodswereobserved，thelessdoubtwasentertainedastothecertaindestructionofthehandsomestranger；andBertaldaopenlymournedforhimandblamedherselfforhavingalluredtheunfortunateknightintotheforest。Herfoster—parents，thedukeandduchess，hadcometofetchheraway，butBertaldaentreatedthemtoremainwithheruntilcertainintelligencehadbeenobtainedofHuldbrand’sfate。
Sheendeavoredtoprevailuponseveralyoungknights，whowereeagerlycourtingher，tofollowthenobleadventurertotheforest。
Butshewouldnotpledgeherhandasarewardoftheenterprise，becauseshealwayscherishedthehopeofbelongingtothereturningknight，andnoglove，norriband，norevenkiss，wouldtemptanyonetoexposehislifeforthesakeofbringingbacksuchadangerousrival。
WhenHuldbrandnowsuddenlyandunexpectedlyappeared，hisservants。
andtheinhabitantsofthecity，andalmosteveryone，rejoiced。
Bertaldaalonerefusedtodoso；foragreeableasitwastotheothersthatheshouldbringwithhimsuchabeautifulbride，andFatherHeilmannasawitnessofthemarriage，Bertaldacouldfeelnothingbutgriefandvexation。Inthefirstplace，shehadreallylovedtheyoungknightwithallherheart，andinthenext，hersorrowathisabsencehadproclaimedthisfarmorebeforetheeyesofall，thanwasnowbefitting。Shestill，however，conductedherselfasawisemaiden，reconciledherselftocircumstances，andlivedonthemostfriendlytermswithUndine，whowaslookeduponthroughoutthecityasaprincesswhomHuldbrandhadrescuedintheforestfromsomeevilenchantment。Whensheorherhusbandwerequestionedonthematter，theywerewiseenoughtobesilentorskilfullytoevadetheinquiries。FatherHeilmann’slipsweresealedtoidlegossipofanykind，andmoreover，immediatelyafterHuldbrand’sarrival，hehadreturnedtohismonastery；sothatpeoplewereobligedtobesatisfiedwiththeirownstrangeconjectures，andevenBertaldaherselfknewnomoreofthetruththanothers。
Daybyday，Undinefeltheraffectionincreaseforthefairmaiden。
"Wemusthaveknowneachotherbefore，"sheoftenusedtosaytoher。"orelse，theremustbesomemysteriousconnectionbetweenus，foronedoesnotloveanotherasdearlyasIhavelovedyoufromthefirstmomentofourmeetingwithoutsomecause——somedeepandsecretcause。"AndBertaldaalsocouldnotdenythefactthatshefeltdrawntoUndinewithatenderfeelingofconfidence，howevermuchshemightconsiderthatshehadcauseforthebitterestlamentationatthissuccessfulrival。Biassedbythismutualaffection，theybothpersuaded——theoneherfoster—parents，theotherherhusband——
topostponethedayofdeparturefromtimetotime；indeed，itwasevenproposedthatBertaldashouldaccompanyUndineforatimetocastleRingstetten，nearthesourceoftheDanube。
Theyweretalkingoverthisplanonebeautifulevening，astheywerewalkingbystarlightinthelargesquareoftheImperialcity，underthetalltreesthatencloseit。TheyoungmarriedpairhadincitedBertaldatojointhemintheireveningwalk，andallthreewerestrollingupanddownunderthedark—bluesky，ofteninterruptingtheirfamiliartalktoadmirethemagnificentfountaininthemiddleofthesquare，asitswatersrushedandbubbledforthwithwonderfulbeauty。Ithidasoothinghappyinfluenceuponthem；betweentheshadowsofthetreestherestoleglimmeringsoflightfromtheadjacenthouses；alowmurmurofchildrenatplay，andofothersenjoyingtheirwalk，floatedaroundthem；theyweresoalone，andyetinthemidstofthebrightandlivingworld；whateverhadappeareddifficultbyday，nowbecamesmoothasofitself；andthethreefriendscouldnolongerunderstandwhytheslightesthesitationhadexistedwithregardtoBertalda’svisittoRingstetten。Presently，justastheywereonthepointoffixingthedayfortheircommondeparture，atallmanapproachedthemfromthemiddleofthesquare，bowedrespectfullytothecompany，andsaidsomethingintheearoftheyoungwife。Displeasedasshewasattheinterruptionanditscause，shesteppedalittleasidewiththestranger，andbothbegantowhispertogether，asitseemed，inaforeigntongue。Huldbrandfanciedheknewthestrangeman，andhestaredsofixedlyathimthatheneitherheardnoransweredBertalda’sastonishedinquiries。
AllatonceUndine，clappingherhandsjoyfully，andlaughing，quittedthestranger’sside，who，shakinghishead，retiredhastilyanddiscontentedly，andvanishedinthefountain。Huldbrandnowfeltcertainonthepoint，butBertaldaasked："Andwhatdidthemasterofthefountainwantwithyou，dearUndine？"
Theyoungwifelaughedwithinherself，andreplied："Thedayafterto—morrow，mydearchild，ontheanniversaryofyourname—day，youshallknowit。"Andnothingmorewouldshedisclose。SheinvitedBertaldaandsentaninvitationtoherfoster—parents，todinewiththemontheappointedday，andsoonaftertheyparted。
"Kuhleborn？wasitKuhleborn？"saidHuldbrand，withasecretshudder，tohisbeautifulbride，whentheyhadtakenleaveofBertalda，andwerenowgoinghomethroughthedarkeningstreets。
"Yes，itwashe，"repliedUndine，"andhewasgoingtosayallsortsofnonsensicalthingstome。But，inthemidst，quitecontrarytohisintention，hedelightedmewithamostwelcomepieceofnews。Ifyouwishtohearitatonce，mydearlordandhusband，youhavebuttocommand，andIwilltellityouwithoutreserve。ButifyouwouldconferarealpleasureonyourUndine，youwillwaittillthedayafterto—morrow，andyouwillthenhaveyoursharetoointhesurprise。"
Theknightgladlycompliedwithhiswife’sdesire，whichhadbeenurgedsosweetly，andasshefellasleep，shemurmuredsmilinglytoherself："Dear，dearBertalda!Howshewillrejoiceandbeastonishedatwhathermasterofthefountaintoldme!"
CHAPTERXI。
THEANNIVERSARYOFBERTALDA’SNAME—DAY。
Thecompanyweresittingatdinner；Bertalda，lookinglikesomegoddessofspringwithherflowersandjewels，thepresentsofherfoster—parentsandfriends，wasplacedbetweenUndineandHuldbrand。
Whentherichrepastwasended，andthelastcoursehadappeared，thedoorswereleftopen，accordingtoagoodoldGermancustom，thatthecommonpeoplemightlookon，andtakepartinthefestivityofthenobles。Servantswerecarryingroundcakeandwineamongthespectators。HuldbrandandBertaldawerewaitingwithsecretimpatienceforthepromisedexplanation，andsatwiththeireyesfixedsteadilyonUndine。Butthebeautifulwifestillcontinuedsilent，andonlykeptsmilingtoherselfwithsecretandheartysatisfaction。Allwhoknewofthepromiseshehadgivencouldseethatshewaseverymomentonthepointofbetrayingherhappysecret，andthatitwaswithasortoflongingrenunciationthatshewithheldit，justaschildrensometimesdelaytheenjoymentoftheirchoicestmorsels。BertaldaandHuldbrandsharedthisdelightfulfeeling，andexpectedwithfearfulhopethetidingswhichweretofallfromthelipsofUndine。SeveralofthecompanypressedUndinetosing。Therequestseemedopportune，andorderingherlutetobebrought，shesangthefollowingwords：——
Brightopeningday，Wildflowerssogay，Tallgrassestheirthirstthatslake，Onthebanksofthebillowylake!
WhatglimmerstheresoshiningThereedygrowthentwining？
IsitablossomwhiteassnowFallenfromheav’nherebelow？
Itisaninfant，frailanddear!
WithfloweretsplayinginitsdreamsAndgraspingmorning’sgoldenbeams；
Oh!whence，sweetstranger，artthouhere？
Fromsomefar—offandunknownstrand，Thelakehasbornetheetothisland。
Nay，graspnottenderlittleone，Withthytinyhandoutspread；
Nohandwillmeetthytouchwithlove，Muteisthatflowerybed。
TheflowerscandeckthemselvessofairAndbreatheforthfragranceblest，Yetnonecanpresstheetoitself，Likethatfar—offmother’sbreast。
Soearlyatthegateoflife，Withsmilesofheav’nonthybrow，Thouhastthebestoftreasureslost，Poorwand’ringchild，norknow’stitnow。
Anobledukecomesridingby，Andneartheecheckshiscourser’sspeed，AndfullofardentchivalryHebearstheehomeuponhissteed。
Much，endlessmuch，hasbeenthygain!
Thoubloom’stthefairestintheland!
Yetah!thepricelessjoyofall，Thou’stleftuponanunknownstrand。
Undinedroppedherlutewithamelancholysmile，andtheeyesofBertalda’sfoster—parentswerefilledwithtears。"Yes，soitwasonthemorningthatIfoundyou，mypoorsweetorphan，"saidtheduke，deeplyagitated；"thebeautifulsingeriscertainlyright；wehavenotbeenabletogiveyouthat`pricelessjoyofall。’"
"Butwemustalsohearhowitfaredwiththepoorparents，"saidUndine，assheresumedherlute，andsang：——
Thro’everychamberroamsthemother，Movesandsearcheseverywhere，Seeks，shescarceknowswhat，withsadness，Andfindsanemptyhouseisthere。
Anemptyhouse!Oh，wordofsorrow，Toherwhooncehadbeensoblest，WholedherchildaboutbydayAndcradleditatnighttorest。
Thebeechisgrowinggreenagain，Thesunshinegildsitswontedspot，Butmother，ceasethysearchingvain!
Thylittlelovedonecomethnot。
Andwhenthebreathofeveblowscool，Andfatherinhishomeappears，ThesmilehealmosttriestowearIsquenchedatoncebygushingtears。
FullwellheknowsthatinhishomeHenaughtcanfindbutwilddespair，Hehearsthemother’sgrievedlamentAndnobrightinfantgreetshimthere。
"Oh!forGod’ssake，Undine，wherearemyparents"criedtheweepingBertalda；"yousurelyknow；youhavediscoveredthem，youwonderfulbeing，forotherwiseyouwouldnothavethustornmeheart。Aretheyperhapsalreadyhere？Canitbe？"Hereyepassedquicklyoverthebrilliantcompanyandlingeredanaladyofhighrankwhowassittingnextherfoster—father。Undine，however，turnedtowardthedoor，whilehereyesoverflowedwiththesweetestemotion。"Wherearethepoorwaitingparents？"sheinquired，and，theoldfishermanandhiswifeadvancedhesitatinglyfromthecrowdofspectators。
TheirglancerestedinquiringlynowonUndine，nowonthebeautifulgirlwhowassaidtobetheirdaughter"Itisshe，"saidthedelightedbenefactress，inafalteringtone，andthetwooldpeoplehungroundtheneckoftheirrecoveredchild，weepingandpraisingGod。
Butamazedandindignant，Bertaldatoreherselffromtheirembrace。
Sucharecognitionwastoomuchforthisproudmind，atamomentwhenshehadsurelyimaginedthatherformersplendorwouldevenbeincreased，andwhenhopewasdeludingherwithavisionofalmostroyalhonors。ItseemedtoherasifherrivalhaddevisedallthisonpurposesignallytohumbleherbeforeHuldbrandandthewholeworld。ShereviledUndine，shereviledtheoldpeople，andbitterinvectives，suchas"deceiver"and"bribedimpostors，"fellfromherlips。Thentheoldfisherman’swifesaidinalowvoicetoherself：
"Ahme，sheisbecomeawickedgirl；andyetIfeelinmyheartthatsheismychild。"
Theoldfisherman，however，hadfoldedhishands，andwasprayingsilentlythatthismightnotbehisdaughter。Undine，paleasdeath，turnedwithagitationfromtheparentstoBertalda，andfromBertaldatotheparents；suddenlycastdownfromthatheavenofhappinessofwhichshehaddreamed，andoverwhelmedwithafearandaterrorsuchasshehadneverknowneveninimagination。"haveyouasoul？Haveyoureallyasoul，Bertalda？"shecriedagainandagaintoherangryfriend，asifforciblytorousehertoconsciousnessfromsomesuddendeliriumormaddeningnightmare。ButwhenBertaldaonlybecamemoreandmoreenraged，whentherepulsedparentsbegantoweepaloud，andthecompany，ineagerdispute，weretakingdifferentsides，shebeggedinsuchadignifiedandseriousmannertobeallowedtospeakinthisherhusband’shall，thatallaroundwereinamomentsilenced。Shethenadvancedtotheupperendofthetable，whereBertaldahasseatedherself，andwithamodestandyetproudair，whileeveryeyewasfixeduponher，shespokeasfollows：——
"Myfriends，youlooksoangryanddisturbedandyouhaveinterruptedmyhappyfeastbyyourdisputings。Ah!Iknewnothingofyourfoolishhabitsandyourheartlessmodeofthinking，andIshallneverallmylifelongbecomeaccustomedtothem。Itisnotmyfaultthatthisaffairhasresultedinevil；believeme，thefaultiswithyourselvesalone，littleasitmayappeartoyoutobeso。Ihavethereforebutlittletosaytoyou，butonethingImustsay：Ihavespokennothingbuttruth。Ineithercannorwillgiveyouproofsbeyondmyownassertion，butIwillsweartothetruthofthis。I
receivedthisinformationfromtheverypersonwhoalluredBertaldaintothewater，awayfromherparents，andwhoafterwardplacedheronthegreenmeadowintheduke’spath。"
"Sheisanenchantress!"criedBertalda，"awitch，whohasintercoursewithevilspirits。Sheacknowledgesitherself。"
"Idonot，"saidUndine，withawholeheaveninnocenceandconfidencebeaming，inhereyes。"Iamnowitch；onlylookatme。"
"Sheisfalseandboastful，"interruptedBertalda，"andshecannotprovethatIamthechildoftheselowpeople。Mynobleparents，I
begyoutotakemefromthiscompanyandoutofthiscity，wheretheyareonlybentoninsultingme。"
Buttheagedandhonorabledukeremainedunmoved，andhiswife，said："Wemustthoroughlyexaminehowwearetoact。Godforbidthatweshouldmoveastepfromthishalluntilwehavedoneso。"
Thentheoldwifeofthefishermandrewnear，andmakingalowreverencetotheduchess，shesaid："Noble，god—fearinglady，youhaveopenedmyheart。Imusttellyou。ifthisevil—disposedyoungladyismydaughter，shehasamark，likeaviolet，betweenhershoulders，andanotherlikeitontheinstepofherleftfoot。Ifshewouldonlygooutofthehallwithme!"
"Ishallnotuncovermyselfbeforethepeasantwoman!"exclaimedBertalda，proudlyturningherbackonher。
"Butbeforemeyouwill。"rejoinedtheduchess，verygravely。
"Followmeintothatroom，girl，andthegoodoldwomanshallcomewithus。"Thethreedisappeared，andtherestofthecompanyremainedwheretheywere，insilentexpectation。Afterashorttunetheyreturned；Bertaldawaspaleasdeath。"Rightisright。"saidtheduchess；"Imustthereforedeclarethatourhostesshasspokenperfect，truth。Bertaldaisthefisherman’sdaughter，andthatisasmuchasitisnecessarytoinformyouhere。"
Theprincelypairleftwiththeiradopteddaughter；andatasignfromtheduke，thefishermanandhiswifefollowedthem。Theotherguestsretiredinsilenceorwithsecretmurmurs，andUndinesankweepingintoHuldbrand’sarms。
CHAPTERXII。
HOWTHEYDEPARTEDFROMTHEIMPERIALCITY。
ThelordofRingstettenwouldhavecertainlypreferredtheeventsofthisdaytohavebeendifferent；butevenastheywere，hecouldscarcelyregretthemwholly，astheyhadexhibitedhischarmingwifeundersuchagoodandsweetandkindlyaspect。"IfIhavegivenherasoul，"hecouldnothelpsayingtohimself，"Ihaveindeedgivenherabetteronethanmyown；"andhisonlythoughtnowwastospeaksoothinglytotheweepingUndine，andonthefollowingmorningtoquitwithheraplacewhich，afterthisincident，musthavebecomedistastefultoher。Itistruethatshewasnotestimateddifferentlytowhatshehadbeen。Assomethingmysterioushadlongbeenexpectedofher，thestrangediscoveryofBertalda’soriginhadcausednogreatsurprise，andeveryonewhohadheardthestoryandhadseenBertalda’sviolentbehavior，wasdisgustedwithheralone。
Ofthis，however，theknightandhisladyknewnothingasyet；and，besides，thecondemnationorapprovalofthepublicwasequallypainfultoUndine，andthustherewasnobettercoursetopursuethantoleavethewallsoftheoldcitybehindthemwithallthespeedpossible。
WiththeearliestbeamsofmorningaprettycarriagedroveuptotheentrancegateforUndine：thehorseswhichHuldbrandandhissquiresweretoridestoodnear，pawingthegroundwithimpatienteagerness。
Theknightwasleadinghisbeautifulwifefromthedoor。whenafisher—girlcrossedtheirway。"Wedonotneedyourfish，"saidHuldbrandtoher，"wearenowstartingonourjourney。"Uponthisthefisher—girlbegantoweepbitterly，andtheyoungcoupleperceivedforthefirsttimethatitwasBertalda。Theyimmediatelyreturnedwithhertotheirapartment，andlearnedfromherthatthedukeandduchessweresodispleasedatherviolentandunfeelingconductontheprecedingway，thattheyhadentirelywithdrawntheirprotectionfromher，thoughnotwithoutgivingherarichportion。
Thefisherman，too，hadbeenhandsomelyrewarded，andhadtheeveningbeforesetoutwithhiswifetoreturntotheirsecludedhome。
"Iwouldhavegonewiththem，"shecontinued，"buttheoldfisherman，whoissaidtobemyfather"——
"Andheissoindeed，Bertalda，"interruptedUndine。"Lookhere，thestranger，whomyoutookforthemasterofthefountain，toldmethewholestoryindetail。HewishedtodissuademefromtakingyouwithmetocastleRingstetten，andthisledhimtodisclosethesecret。"
"Well，then，"saidBertalda，"ifitmustbeso，myfathersaid，’I
willnottakeyouwithmeuntilyouarechanged。Venturetocometousalonethroughthehauntedforest；thatshallbetheproofwhetheryouhaveanyregardforus。Butdonotcometomeasalady；comeonlyasafisher—girl!’SoIwilldojustashehastoldme，forI
amforsakenbethewholeworld，andIwillliveanddieinsolitudeasapoorfisher—girl，withmypoorparents。Ihaveaterribledreadthoughoftheforest。Horriblespectresaresaidtodwellinit，andIamsofearful。ButhowcanIhelpit？IonlycameheretoimplorepardonofthenobleladyofRingstettenformyunbecomingbehavioryesterday。Ifeelsure，sweetlady，youmeanttodomeakindness，butyouknewnothowyouwouldwoundme，andinmyagonyandsurprise，manyarashandfranticexpressionpassedmylips。Ohforgive，forgive!Iamalreadysounhappy。OnlythinkyourselfwhatIwasyesterdaymorning，yesterdayatthebeginningofyourbanquet，andwhatIamnow!"
Hervoicebecamestifledwithapassionatefloodoftears，andUndine，alsoweepingbitterly，fellonherneck。ItwassometimebeforethedeeplyagitatedUndinecouldutteraword；atlengthshesaid：——
"YoucangowithustoRingstetten；everythingshallremainasitwasarrangedbefore；onlydonotspeaktomeagainas’noblelady。’
Yousee，wewereexchangedforeachotheraschildren；ourfaceseventhensprangasitwerefromthesamestem，andwewillnowsostrengthenthiskindreddestinythatnohumanpowershallbeabletoseparateit。Only，firstofall，comewithustoRingstetten。Wewilldiscusstherehowweshallshareallthingsassisters。"
BertaldalookedtimidlytowardHuldbrand。Hepitiedthebeautifulgirlinherdistress，andofferingherhishandhebeggedhertenderlytointrustherselfwithhimandhiswife。"Wewillsendamessagetoyourparents，"hecontinued，"totellthemwhyyouarenotcome；"andhewouldhaveaddedmorewithregardtotheworthyfishermanandhiswife，buthesawthatBertaldashrunkwithpainfromthementionoftheirname，andhethereforerefrainedfromsayingmore。
Hethenassistedherfirstintothecarriage，Undinefollowedher；
andhemountedhishorseandtrottedmerrilybethesideofthem，urgingthedriveratthesametimetohastenhisspeed，sothatverysoontheywerebeyondtheconfinesoftheimperialcityandallitssadremembrances；andnowtheladiesbegantoenjoythebeautifulcountrythroughwhichtheirroadlay。
Afterajourneyofsomedays，theyarrivedoneexquisiteevening，atcastleRingstetten。Theyoungknighthadmuchtohearfromhisoverseersandvassals，sothatUndineandBertaldawereleftalone。
Theybothrepairedtotherampartsofthefortress，andweredelightedwiththebeautifullandscapewhichspreadfarandwidethroughfertileSwabia。
Presentlyatallmanapproachedthem，greetingthemrespectfully，andBertaldafanciedshesawaresemblancetothemasterofthefountainintheimperialcity。Stillmoreunmistakablegrewthelikeness，whenUndineangrilyandalmostthreateninglywavedhimoff，andheretreatedwithhastystepsandshakinghead，ashehaddonebefore，anddisappearedintoaneighboringcopse。Undine，however，said：
"Don’tbeafraid，dearBertalda，thistimethehatefulmasterofthefountainshalldoyounoharm。"Andthenshetoldherthewholestoryindetail，andwhoshewasherself，andhowBertaldahadbeentakenawayfromthefishermanandhiswife，andUndinehadgonetothem。Thegirlwasatfirstterrifiedwiththisrelation；sheimaginedherfriendmustbeseizedwithsuddenmadness，butshebecamemoreconvincedthatallwastrue，forUndine’sstorywassoconnected，andfittedsowellwithformeroccurrences，andstillmoreshehadthatinwardfeelingwithwhichtruthneverfailstomakeitselfknowntous。Itseemedstrangetoherthatshewasnowherselfliving，asitwere，inthemidstofoneofthosefairytalestowhichshehadformerlyonlylistened。
ShegazeduponUndinewithreverence，butshecouldnotresistasenseofdreadthatseemedtocomebetweenherandherfriend，andattheireveningrepastshecouldnotbutwonderhowtheknightcouldbehavesolovinglyandkindlytowardabeingwhoappearedtoher，sincethediscoveryshehadjustmade，moreofaphantomthanahumanbeing。
CHAPTERXIII。
HOWTHEYLIVEDATCASTLERINGSTETTEN。
Thewriterofthisstory，bothbecauseitmoveshisownheart，andbecausehewishesittomovethatofothers，begsyou，dearreader，topardonhim，ifhenowbrieflypassesoveraconsiderablespaceoftime，onlycursorilymentioningtheeventsthatmarkedit。Heknowswellthathemightportrayskilfully，stepbystep，howHuldbrand’sheartbegantoturnfromUndinetoBertalda；howBertaldamoreandmorerespondedwithardentaffectiontotheyoungknight，andhowtheybothlookeduponthepoorwifeasamysteriousbeingrathertobefearedthanpitied；howUndinewept，andhowhertearsstungtheknight’sheartwithremorsewithoutawakeninghisformerlove，sothatthoughheattimeswaskindandendearingtoher，acoldshudderwouldsoondrawhimfromher，andhewouldturntohisfellow—mortal，Bertalda。Allthisthewriterknowsmightbefullydetailed，andperhapsoughttohavebeenso；butsuchataskwouldhavebeentoopainful，forsimilarthingshavebeenknowntohimbysadexperience，andheshrinksfromtheirshadoweveninremembrance。Youknowprobablyalikefeeling，dearreader，forsuchisthelotofmortalman。Happyareyouifyouhavereceivedratherthaninflictedthepain，forinsuchthingsitismoreblessedtoreceivethantogive。Ifitbeso，suchrecollectionswillonlybringafeelingofsorrowtoyourmind，andperhapsatearwilltrickledownyourcheekoverthefadedflowersthatoncecausedyousuchdelight。Butletthatbeenough。Wewillnotpierceourheartswithathousandseparatethings，butonlybrieflystate，asIhavejustsaid，howmatterswere。
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