PoorUndinewasverysad，andtheothertwowerenottobecalledhappy。Bertaldaespeciallythoughtthatshecouldtracetheeffectofjealousyonthepartoftheinjuredwifewheneverherwisheswereinanywaythwartedbyher。Shehadthereforehabituatedherselftoanimperiousdemeanor，towhichUndineyieldedinsorrowfulsubmission，andthenowblindedHuldbrandusuallyencouragedthisarrogantbehaviorinthestrongestmanner。Butthecircumstancethatmostofalldisturbedtheinmatesofthecastle，wasavarietyofwonderfulapparitionswhichmetHuldbrandandBertaldainthevaultedgalleriesofthecastle，andwhichhadneverbeenheardofbeforeashauntingthelocality。Thetallwhiteman，inwhomHuldbrandrecognizedonlytooplainlyUncleKuhleborn，andBertaldathespectralmasterofthefountain，oftenpassedbeforethemwithathreateningaspect，andespeciallybeforeBertalda；somuchso，thatshehadalreadyseveraltimesbeenmadeillwithterror，andhadfrequentlythoughtofquittingthecastle。Butstillshestayedthere，partlybecauseHuldbrandwassodeartoher，andshereliedonherinnocence，nowordsoflovehavingeverpassedbetweenthem，andpartlyalsobecausesheknewnotwhithertodirecthersteps。
Theoldfisherman，onreceivingthemessagefromthelordofRingstettenthatBertaldawashisguest，hadwrittenafewlinesinanalmostillegiblehand，butasgoodashisadvancedageandlongdis—wouldadmitof。
"Ihavenowbecome，"hewrote，"apooroldwidower，formydearandfaithfulwifeisdead。HoweverlonelyInowsitinmycottage，Bertaldaisbetterwithyouthanwithme。OnlyletherdonothingtoharmmybelovedUndine!Shewillhavemycurseifitbeso。"Thelastwordsofthisletter，Bertaldaflungtothewinds，butshecarefullyretainedthepartrespectingherabsencefromherfather——
justasweareallwonttodoinsimilarcircumstances。
Oneday，whenHuldbrandhadjustriddenout，Undinesummonedtogetherthedomesticsofthefamily，andorderedthemtobringalargestone，andcarefullytocoverwithitthemagnificentfountainwhichstoodinthemiddleofthecastle—yard。Theservantsobjectedthatitwouldobligethemtobringwaterfromthevalleybelow。
Undinesmiledsadly。"Iamsorry，mypeople，"shereplied，"toincreaseyourwork。Iwouldrathermyselffetchupthepitchers，butthisfountainmustbeclosed。Believemethatitcannotbeotherwise，andthatitisonlybysodoingthatwecanavoidagreaterevil。"
Thewholehouseholdweregladtobeabletopleasetheirgentlemistress；theymadenofurtherinquiry，butseizedtheenormousstone。Theywerejustraisingitintheirhands，andwerealreadypoisingitoverthefountain，whenBertaldacamerunningup，andcalledouttothemtostop，asitwasfromthisfountainthatthewaterwasbroughtwhichwassogoodforhercomplexion，andshewouldneverconsenttoitsbeingclosed。Undine，however，althoughgentleasusual，wasmorethanusuallyfirm。ShetoldBertaldathatitwasherdue，asmistressofthehouse，toarrangeherhouseholdasshethoughtbest，andthat，inthis，shewasaccountabletonoonebutherlordandhusband。"See，oh，praysee，"exclaimedBertalda，inanangry，yetuneasytone，"howthepoorbeautifulwateriscurlingandwrithingatbeingshutoutfromthebrightsunshineandfromthecheerfulsightofthehumanface，forwhosemirroritwascreated!"
Thewaterinthefountainwasindeedwonderfullyagitatedandhissing；itseemedasifsomethingwithinwerestrugglingtofreeitself，butUndineonlythemoreearnestlyurgedthefulfilmentofherorders。Theearnestnesswasscarcelyneeded。TheservantsofthecastlewereashappyinobeyingtheirgentlemistressasinopposingBertalda’shaughtydefiance；andinspiteofalltherudescoldingandthreateningofthelatterthestonewassoonfirmlylyingovertheopeningofthefountain。Undineleanedthoughtfullyoverit，andwrotewithherbeautifulfingersonitssurface。Shemust，however，havehadsomethingverysharpandcuttinginherhand，forwhensheturnedaway，andtheservantsdrewneartoexaminethestone，theyperceivedvariousstrangecharactersuponit，whichnoneofthemhadseentherebefore。
Bertaldareceivedtheknight，onhisreturnhomeintheevening，withtearsandcomplaintsofUndine’sconduct。Hecastaseriouslookathispoorwife，andshelookeddownasifdistressed。Yetshesaidwithgreatcomposure："Mylordandhusbanddoesnotreproveevenabondslavewithoutahearing，howmuchlessthen，hisweddedwife？"
"Speak，"saidtheknightwithagloomycountenance，"whatinducedyoutoactsostrangely？"
"Ishouldliketotellyouwhenwearequitealone，"sighedUndine。
"YoucantellmejustaswellinBertalda’spresence，"wastherejoinder。
"Yes，ifyoucommandme，"saidUndine；"butcommanditnot。Ohpray，praycommanditnot!"
Shelookedsohumble，sosweet，andobedient，thattheknight’sheartfeltapassinggleamfrombettertimes。Hekindlyplacedherarmwithinhisown，andledhertohisapartment，whenshebegantospeakasfollows：——
"Youalreadyknow，mybelovedlord，somethingofmyeviluncle，Kuhleborn，andyouhavefrequentlybeendispleasedatmeetinghiminthegalleriesofthiscastle。HehasseveraltimesfrightenedBertaldaintoillness。Thisisbecauseheisdevoidofsoul，amereelementalmirroroftheoutwardworld，withoutthepowerofreflectingtheworldwithin。Hesees，too，sometimes，thatyouaredissatisfiedwithme；thatI，inmychildishness，amweepingatthis，andthatBertaldaperhapsisattheverysamemomentlaughing。
Henceheimaginesvariousdiscrepanciesinourhomelife，andinmanywaysmixesunbiddenwithourcircle。Whatisthegoodofreprovinghim？Whatistheuseofsendinghimangrilyaway？HedoesnotbelieveawordIsay。Hispoornaturehasnoideathatthejoysandsorrowsoflovehavesosweetaresemblance，andaresocloselylinkedthatnopowercanseparatethem。Amidtearsasmileshinesforth，andasmileallurestearsfromtheirsecretchambers。"
ShelookedupatHuldbrand，smilingandweeping；andheagainexperiencedwithinhisheartallthecharmofhisoldlove。Shefeltthis，andpressinghimmoretenderlytoher，shecontinuedamidtearsofjoy：——
"Asthedisturberofourpeacewasnottobedismissedwithwords，I
havebeenobligedtoshutthedooruponhim。Andtheonlydoorbywhichheobtainsaccesstousisthatfountain。Heiscutoffbytheadjacentvalleysfromtheotherwater—spiritsintheneighborhood，andhiskingdomonlycommencesfurtheroffontheDanube，intowhichsomeofhisgoodfriendsdirecttheircourse。ForthisreasonIhadthestoneplacedovertheopeningofthefountain，andIinscribedcharactersuponitwhichcrippleallmyuncle’spower，sothathecannowneitherintrudeuponyou，noruponme，noruponBertalda。
Humanbeings，itistrue，canraisethestoneagainwithordinaryeffort，inspiteofthecharactersinscribedonit。Theinscriptiondoesnothinderthem。Ifyouwish，therefore，followBertalda’sdesire，but，truly!sheknowsnotwhatsheasks。TherudeKuhlebornhassethismarkespeciallyuponher；andifmuchcametopasswhichhehaspredictedtome，andwhichmight，indeed，happenwithoutyourmeaninganyevil，ah!dearone，evenyouwouldthenbeexposedtodanger!"
Huldbrandfeltdeeplythegenerosityofhissweetwife，inhereagernesstoshutupherformidableprotector，whileshehadevenbeenchidedforitbyBertalda。Hepressedherinhisarmswiththeutmostaffection，andsaidwithemotion："Thestoneshallremain，andallshallremain，nowandever，asyouwishtohaveit，mysweetUndine。"
Shecaressedhimwithhumbledelight，assheheardtheexpressionsoflovesolongwithheld，andthenatlengthshesaid："Mydearesthusband，youaresogentleandkindto—day，mayIventuretoaskafavorofyou？Seenow，itisjustthesamewithyouasitiswithsummer。Intheheightofitsglory，summerputsontheflamingandthunderingcrownofmightystorms，andassumestheairofakingovertheearth。You，too，sometimes，letyourfuryrise，andyoureyesflashandyourvoiceisangry，andthisbecomesyouwell，thoughI，inmyfolly，maysometimesweepatit。Butnever，Iprayyou，behavethustowardmeonthewater，orevenwhenwearenearit。Yousee，myrelativeswouldthenacquirearightoverme。Theywouldunrelentinglytearmefromyouintheirrage；becausetheywouldimaginethatoneoftheirracewasinjured，andIshouldbecompelledallmylifetodwellbelowinthecrystalpalaces，andshouldneverdaretoascendtoyouagain；ortheywouldsendmeuptoyou——andthat，ohGod，wouldbeinfinitelyworse。No，no，mybelovedhusband，donotletitcometothat，ifyourpoorUndineisdeartoyou。"
Hepromisedsolemnlytodoasshedesired，andtheybothreturnedfromtheapartment，fullofhappinessandaffection。AtthatmomentBertaldaappearedwithsomeworkmen，towhomshehadalreadygivenorders，andsaidinasullentone，whichshehadassumedoflate："I
supposethesecretconferenceisatanend，andnowthestonemayberemoved。Goout，workmen，andattendtoit。"
Buttheknight，angryatherimpertinence，desiredinshortandverydecisivewordsthatthestoneshouldbeleft：hereprovedBertalda，too，forherviolencetowardhiswife。Whereupontheworkmenwithdrew，smilingwithsecretsatisfaction：whileBertalda，palewithrage，hurriedawaytoherroom。
Thehourfortheeveningrepastarrived，andBertaldamaywaitedforinvain。Theysentafterher，butthedomesticfoundherapartmentsempty，andonlybroughtbackwithhimasealedletteraddressedtotheknight。Heopeneditwithalarm，andread："IfeelwithshamethatIamonlyapoorfisher—girl。Iwillexpiatemyfaultinhavingforgottenthisforamomentbygoingtothemiserablecottageofmyparents。Farewelltoyouandyourbeautifulwife。"
Undinewasheartilydistressed。SheearnestlyentreatedHuldbrandtohastenaftertheirfriendandbringherbackagain。Alas!shehadnoneedtourgehim。HisaffectionforBertaldaburstforthagainwithvehemence。Hehurriedroundthecastle，inquiringifanyonehadseenwhichwaythefugitivehadgone。Hecouldlearnnothingofher，andhewasalreadyonhishorseinthecastle—yard，resolvedataventuretotaketheroadbywhichhehadbroughtBertaldahither。
Justthenapageappeared，whoassuredhimthathehadmettheladyonthepathtotheBlackValley。Likeanarrowtheknightsprangthroughthegatewayinthedirectionindicated，withouthearingUndine’svoiceofagony，asshecalledtohimfromthewindow：——
"TotheBlackValley!Oh，notthere!Huldbrand，don’tgothere!or，forheaven’ssake，takemewithyou!"Butwhensheperceivedthatallhercallingwasinvain，sheorderedherwhitepalfreytobeimmediatelysaddled，androdeaftertheknight，withoutallowinganyservanttoaccompanyher。
CHAPTERXIV。
HOWBERTALDARETURNEDHOMEWITHTHEKNIGHT。
TheBlackValleyliesdeepwithinthemountains。Whatitisnowcalledwedonotknow。Atthattimethepeopleofthecountrygaveitthisappellationonaccountofthedeepobscurityinwhichthelowlandlay，owingtotheshadowsoftheloftytrees，andespeciallyfirs，thatgrewthere。Eventhebrookwhichbubbledbetweentherocksworethesamedarkhue，anddashedalongwithnoneofthatgladnesswithwhichstreamsarewonttoflowthathavetheblueskyimmediatelyabovethem。Now，inthegrowingtwilightofevening，itlookedwildandgloomybetweentheheights。Theknighttrottedanxiouslyalongtheedgeofthebrook，fearfulatonemomentthatbydelayhemightallowthefugitivetoadvancetoofar，andatthenextthatbytoogreatrapidityhemightoverlookherincaseshewereconcealingherselffromhim。Meanwhilehehadalreadypenetratedtolerablyfarintothevalley，andmightsoonhopetoovertakethemaiden，ifhewereontherighttrack。Thefearthatthismightnotbethecasemadehisheartbeatwithanxiety。WherewouldthetenderBertaldatarrythroughthestormynight，whichwassofearfulinthevalley，shouldhefailtofindher？Atlengthhesawsomethingwhitegleamingthroughthebranchesontheslopeofthemountain。HethoughtherecognizedBertalda’sdress，andheturnedhiscourseinthatdirection。Buthishorserefusedtogoforward；itrearedimpatiently；anditsmaster，unwillingtoloseamoment，andseeingmoreoverthatthecopsewasimpassableonhorseback，dismounted；and，fasteninghissnortingsteedtoanelm—
tree，heworkedhiswaycautiouslythroughthebushes。Thebranchessprinkledhisforeheadandcheekswiththecolddropsoftheeveningdew；adistantrollofthunderwasheardmurmuringfromtheothersideofthemountains；everythinglookedsostrangethathebegantofeeladreadofthewhitefigure，whichnowlayonlyashortdistancefromhimontheground。Stillhecouldplainlyseethatitwasafemale，eitherasleeporinaswoon，andthatshewasattiredinlongwhitegarments，suchasBertaldahadwornonthatday。Hesteppedcloseuptoher，madearustlingwiththebranches，andlethisswordclatter，butshemovednot。"Bertalda!"heexclaimed，atfirstinalowvoice，andthenlouderandlouder——stillsheheardnot。Atlast，whenheutteredthedearnamewithamorepowerfuleffort，ahollowechofromthemountain—cavernsofthevalleyindistinctlyreverberated"Bertalda!"butstillthesleeperwokenot。Hebentdownoverher；thegloomofthevalleyandtheobscurityofapproachingnightwouldnotallowhimtodistinguishherfeatures。
Justashewasstoopingcloseroverher，withafeelingofpainfuldoubt，aflashoflightningshotacrossthevalley，andhesawbeforehimafrightfullydistortedcountenance，andahollowvoiceexclaimed："Givemeakiss，youenamouredswain!"
Huldbrandsprangupwithacryofhorror，andthehideousfigurerosewithhim。"Gohome!"itmurmured；"wizardsareonthewatch。Gohome!orIwillhaveyou!"anditstretchedoutitslongwhitearmstowardhim。
"MaliciousKuhleborn!"criedtheknight，recoveringhimself，"Whatdoyouconcernme，yougoblin？There，takeyourkiss!"Andhefuriouslyhurledhisswordatthefigure。Butitvanishedlikevapor，andagushofwaterwhichwettedhimthroughlefttheknightnodoubtastothefoewithwhomhehadbeenengaged。
"HewishestofrightenmebackfromBertalda，"saidhealoudtohimself；"hethinkstoterrifymewithhisfoolishtricks，andtomakemegiveupthepoordistressedgirltohim，sothathecanwreakhisvengeanceonher。Butheshallnotdothat，weakspiritoftheelementsasheis。Nopowerlessphantomcanunderstandwhatahumanheartcandowhenitsbestenergiesarearoused。"Hefeltthetruthofhiswords，andthattheveryexpressionofthemhadinspiredhisheartwithfreshcourage。Itseemedtooasiffortunewereonhisside，forhehadnotreachedhisfastenedhorse，whenhedistinctlyheardBertalda’splaintivevoicenotfardistant，andcouldcatchherweepingaccentsthroughtheever—increasingtumultofthethunderandtempest。Hehurriedswiftlyinthedirectionofthesound，andfoundthetremblinggirljustattemptingtoclimbthesteep，inordertoescapeinanywayfromthedreadfulgloomofthevalley。Hestepped，however，lovinglyinherpath，andboldandproudasherresolvehadbeforebeen，shenowfeltonlytookeenlythedelight，thatthefriendwhomshesopassionatelylovedshouldrescueherfromthisfrightfulsolitude，andthatthejoyouslifeinthecastleshouldbeagainopentoher。Shefollowedalmostunresisting，butsoexhaustedwithfatiguethattheknightwasgladtohavebroughthertohishorse，whichhenowhastilyunfastened，inordertoliftthefairfugitiveuponit；andthen，cautiouslyholdingthereins，hehopedtoproceedthroughtheuncertainshadesofthevalley。
ButthehorsehadbecomequiteunmanageablefromthewildapparitionofKuhleborn。Eventheknightwouldhavehaddifficultyinmountingtherearingandsnortinganimal，buttoplacethetremblingBertaldaonitsbackwasperfectlyimpossible。Theydetermined，therefore，toreturnhomeonfoot。Drawingthehorseafterhimbythebridle，theknightsupportedthetotteringgirlwithhisotherhand。Bertaldaexertedallherstrengthtopassquicklythroughthefearfulvalley，butwearinessweighedherdownlikelead，andeverylimbtrembled，partlyfromtheterrorshehadenduredwhenKuhlebornhadpursuedher，andpartlyfromhercontinuedalarmatthehowlingofthestormandthepealingofthethunderthroughthewoodedmountain。
Atlastsheslidfromthesupportingarmofherprotector，andsinkingdownonthemoss，sheexclaimed："Letmeliehere，mynoblelord；Isufferthepunishmentduetomyfolly，andImustnowperishherethroughwearinessanddread。"
"No，sweetfriend，Iwillneverleaveyou!"criedHuldbrand，vainlyendeavoringtorestrainhisfurioussteed；for，worsethanbefore，itnowbegantofoamandrearwithexcitement，untilatlasttheknightwasgladtokeeptheanimalatasufficientdistancefromtheexhaustedmaidenlestherfearsshouldbeincreased。Butscarcelyhadhewithdrawnafewpaceswiththewildsteed，thanshebegantocallafterhiminthemostpitifulmanner，believingthathewasreallygoingtoleaveherinthishorriblewilderness。Hewasutterlyatalosswhatcoursetotake。Gladlywouldhehavegiventheexcitedbeastitslibertyandhaveallowedittorushawayintothenightandspenditsfury，hadhenotfearedthatisthisnarrowdefileitmightcomethunderingwithitsiron—shodhoofsovertheveryspotwhereBertaldalay。
Inthemidstofthisextremeperplexityanddistress，heheardwithdelightthesoundofavehicledrivingslowlydownthestonyroadbehindthem。Hecalledoutforhelp；andaman’svoicereplied，biddinghimhavepatience，butpromisingassistance；andsoonafter，twograyhorsesappearedthroughthebushes，andbesidethemthedriverinthewhitesmockofacarter；agreatwhitelinenclothwasnextvisible，coveringthegoodsapparentlycontainedinthewagon。
Ataloudshoutfromtheirmaster，theobedienthorseshalted。Thedriverthencametowardtheknight，andhelpedhiminrestraininghisfoaminganimal。
"Iseewell，"saidhe，"whatailsthebeast。WhenIfirsttravelledthisway，myhorseswerenobetter。Thefactis，thereisanevilwater—spirithauntingtheplace，andhetakesdelightinthissortofmischief。ButIhavelearnedacharm；ifyouwillletmewhisperitinyourhorse’sear，hewillstandatoncejustasquietasmygraybeastsaredoingthere。"
"Tryyourluckthen，onlyhelpusquickly!"exclaimedtheimpatientknight。Thewagonerthendrewdowntheheadoftherearingchargerclosetohisown，andwhisperedsomethinginhisear。Inamomenttheanimalstoodstillandquiet，andhisquickpantingandreekingconditionwasallthatremainedofhispreviousunmanageableness。
Huldbrandhadnotimetoinquirehowallthishadbeeneffected。HeagreedwiththecarterthatheshouldtakeBertaldaonhiswagon，where，asthemanassuredhim，therewereaquantityofsoftcotton—
bales，uponwhichshecouldbeconveyedtocastleRingstetten，andtheknightwastoaccompanythemonhorseback。Butthehorseappearedtoomuchexhaustedbyitspastfurytobeabletocarryitsmastersofar，sothecarterpersuadedHuldbrandtogetintothewagonwithBertalda。Thehorsecouldbefastenedonbehind。"Wearegoingdownhill，"saidhe，"andthatwillmakeitlightformygraybeasts。"
TheknightacceptedtheofferandenteredthewagonwithBertalda；
thehorsefollowedpatientlybehind，andthewagoner，steadyandattentive，walkedbytheside。
Inthestillnessofthenight，asitsdarknessdeepenedandthesubsidingtempestsoundedmoreandmoreremote，encouragedbythesenseofsecurityandtheirfortunateescape，aconfidentialconversationarosebetweenHuldbrandandBertalda。Withflatteringwordshereproachedherforherdaringflight；sheexcusedherselfwithhumilityandemotion，andfromeverywordshesaidagleamshoneforthwhichdiscloseddistinctlytotheloverthatthebelovedwashis。Theknightfeltthesenseofherwordsfarmorethanheregardedtheirmeaning，anditwasthesensealonetowhichhereplied。Presentlythewagonersuddenlyshoutedwithloudvoice，——
"Up，mygrays，upwithyourfeet，keeptogether!rememberwhoyouare!"
Theknightleanedoutofthewagonandsawthatthehorsesweresteppingintothemidstofafoamingstreamorwerealreadyalmostswimming，whilethewheelsofthewagonwererushingroundandgleaminglikemill—wheels，andthewagonerhadjotupinfront，inconsequenceoftheincreasingwaters。
"Whatsortofaroadisthis？Itgoesintothemiddleofthestream。"criedHuldbrandtohisguide。
"Notatall，sir。"returnedtheother，laughing，"itisjustthereverse，thestreamgoesintotheverymiddleofourroad。Lookroundandseehoweverythingiscoveredbythewater"
Thewholevalleyindeedwassuddenlyfilledwiththesurgingflood，thatvisiblyincreased。"ItisKuhleborn，theevilwater—spirit，whowishestodrownus!"exclaimedtheknight。"Haveyounocharm，againsthim，myfriend？"
"Iknowindeedofone，"returnedthewagoner，"butIcannotandmaynotuseituntilyouknowwhoIam。"
"Isthisatimeforriddles？"criedtheknight。"Thefloodiseverrisinghigher，andwhatdoesitmattertometoknowwhoyouare？"
"Itdoesmattertoyou，though，"saidthewagoner，"forIamKuhleborn。"
Sosaying，hethrusthisdistortedfaceintothewagonwithagrin，butthewagonwasawagonnolonger，thehorseswerenothorses——allwastransformedtofoamandvanishedinthehissingwaves，andeventhewagonerhimself，risingasagiganticbillow，drewdownthevainlystrugglinghorsebeneaththewaters，andthenswellinghigherandhigher，sweptovertheheadsofthefloatingpair，likesomeliquidtower，threateningtoburythemirrecoverably。
JustthenthesoftvoiceofUndinesoundedthroughtheuproar，themoonemergedfromtheclouds，andbyitslightUndinewasseenontheheightsabovethevalley。Sherebuked，shethreatenedthefloodsbelow；themenacing，tower—likewavevanished，mutteringandmurmuring，thewatersflowedgentlyawayinthemoonlight，andlikeawhitedove，Undineflewdownfromtheheight，seizedtheknightandBertalda，andborethemwithhertoafresh，green，turfyspotonthehill，wherewithchoicerefreshingrestoratives，shedispelledtheirterrorsandweariness；thensheassistedBertaldatomountthewhitepalfrey，onwhichshehadherselfriddenhere，andthusallthreereturnedbacktocastleRingstetten。
CHAPTERXV。
THEJOURNEYTOVIENNA。
Afterthislastadventure，theylivedquietlyandhappilyatthecastle。Theknightmoreandmoreperceivedtheheavenlygoodnessofhiswife，whichhadbeensonoblyexhibitedbyherpursuit，andbyherrescueofthemintheBlackValley，whereKuhleborn’spoweragaincommenced；Undineherselffeltthatpeaceandsecurity，whichisneverlackingtoamindsolongasitisdistinctlyconsciousofbeingontherightpath，andbesides，inthenewly—awakenedloveandesteemofherhusband，manyagleamofhopeandjoyshoneuponher。
Bertalda，ontheotherhand，showedherselfgrateful，humbleandtimid，withoutregardingherconductasanythingmeritorious。
WheneverHuldbrandorUndinewereabouttogiveheranyexplanationregardingthecoveringofthefountainortheadventureintheBlackValley，shewouldearnestlyentreatthemtosparehertherecital，asshefelttoomuchshameattherecollectionofthefountain，andtoomuchfearattheremembranceoftheBlackValley。Shelearnedthereforenothingfurtherofeither；andforwhatendwassuchknowledgenecessary？PeaceandjoyhadvisiblytakenuptheirabodeatcastleRingstetten。Theyfeltsecureonthispoint，andimaginedthatlifecouldnowproducenothingbutpleasantflowersandfruits。
Inthishappyconditionofthings，winterhadcomeandpassedaway，andspring，withitsfreshgreenshootsanditsbluesky，wasgladdeningthejoyousinmatesofthecastle。Springwasinharmonywiththem，andtheywithspring。Whatwonderthen，thatitsstorksandswallowsinspiredthemalsowithadesiretotravel？OnedaywhentheyweretakingapleasantwalktooneofthesourcesoftheDanube，Huldbrandspokeofthemagnificenceofthenobleriver，andhowitwidenedasitflowedthroughcountriesfertilizedbyitswaters，howthecharmingcityofViennashoneforthonitsbanks，andhowwitheverystepofitscourseitincreasedinpowerandloveliness。
"ItmustbeglorioustogodowntheriverasfarasVienna!"
exclaimedBertalda，butimmediatelyrelapsingintoherpresentmodestyandhumility，shepausedandblusheddeeply。
ThistouchedUndinedeeply，andwiththeliveliestdesiretogivepleasuretoherfriend，shesaid："Whathindersusfromstartingonthelittlevoyage？"
Bertaldaexhibitedthegreatestdelight，andbothsheandUndinebeganatoncetopicturethetouroftheDanubeinthebrightestcolors。Huldbrandalsogladlyagreedtotheprospect；onlyheoncewhisperedanxiouslyinUndine’sear，——
"ButKuhlebornbecomespossessedofhispoweragainoutthere!"
"Lethimcome，"sherepliedwithasmile，"Ishallbethere，andheventuresuponnoneofhismischiefbeforeme。"Thelastimpedimentwasthusremoved；theypreparedforthejourney，andsoonaftersetoutuponitwithfreshspiritsandthebrightesthopes。
Butwondernot，ohman，ifeventsalwaysturnoutdifferenttowhatwehaveintended。Thatmaliciouspower，lurkingforourdestruction，gladlylullsitschosenvictimtosleepwithsweetsongsandgoldendelusions；whileontheotherhandtherescuingmessengerfromHeavenoftenknockssharplyandalarminglyatourdoor。
DuringthefirstfewdaysoftheirvoyagedowntheDanubetheywereextremelyhappy。Everythinggrewmoreandmorebeautifulastheysailedfurtherandfurtherdowntheproudlyflowingstream。Butinaregionotherwisesopleasant，andintheenjoymentofwhichtheyhadpromisedthemselvesthepurestdelight，theungovernableKuhlebornbegan，undisguisedly，toexhibithispowerofinterference。Thiswasindeedmanifestedinmereteasingtricks，forUndineoftenrebukedtheagitatedwaves，orthecontrarywinds，andthentheviolenceoftheenemywouldbeimmediatelyhumbled；butagaintheattackswouldberenewed，andagainUndine’sreproofswouldbecomenecessary，sothatthepleasureofthelittlepartywascompletelydestroyed。Theboatmentoowerecontinuallywhisperingtoeachotherindismay，andlookingwithdistrustatthethreestrangers，whoseservantsevenbeganmoreandmoretoforebodesomethinguncomfortable，andtowatchtheirsuperiorswithsuspiciousglances。Huldbrandoftensaidtohimself："Thiscomesfromlikenotbeinglinkedwithlike，fromamanunitinghimselfwithamermaid!"Excusinghimselfaswealllovetodo，hewouldoftenthinkindeedashesaidthis："Ididnotreallyknowthatshewasasea—maiden，mineisthemisfortune，thateverystepItakeisdisturbedandhauntedbythewildcapricesofherrace，butmineisnotthefault。"Bythoughtssuchasthese，hefelthimselfinsomemeasurestrengthened，butontheotherhand，hefeltincreasingill—humor，andalmostanimositytowardUndine。Hewouldlookatherwithanexpressionofanger，themeaningofwhichthepoorwifeunderstoodwell。Weariedwiththisexhibitionofdispleasure，andexhaustedbytheconstantefforttofrustrateKuhleborn’sartifices，shesankoneeveningintoadeepslumber，rockedsoothinglybythesoftlyglidingbark。
Scarcely，however，hadsheclosedhereyesthaneveryoneinthevesselimaginedhesaw，inwhateverdirectionheturned，amosthorriblehumanhead；itroseoutofthewaves，notlikethatofapersonswimming，butperfectlyperpendicularasifinvisiblysupporteduprightonthewaterysurface，andfloatingalonginthesamecoursewiththebark。Eachwantedtopointouttotheotherthecauseofhisalarm，buteachfoundthesameexpressionofhorrordepictedonthefaceofhisneighbor，onlythathishandsandeyesweredirectedtoadifferentpointwherethemonster，half—laughingandhalf—threatening，rosebeforehim。When，however，theyallwishedtomakeeachotherunderstandwhateachsaw，andallwerecryingout："Lookthere!No，there!"thehorribleheadsallatoneandthesametimeappearedtotheirview，andthewholeriveraroundthevesselswarmedwiththemosthideousapparitions。TheuniversalcryraisedatthesightawokeUndine。Assheopenedhereyes，thewildcrowdofdistortedvisagesdisappeared。ButHuldbrandwasindignantatsuchunsightlyjugglery。HewouldhaveburstforthinuncontrolledimprecationshadnotUndinesaidtohimwithahumblemannerandasoftlyimploringtone："ForGod’ssake，myhusband，weareonthewater，donotbeangrywithmenow。"
Theknightwassilent，andsatdownabsorbedinrevery。Undinewhisperedinhisear："Woulditnotbebetter，mylove，ifwegaveupthisfoolishjourney，andreturnedtocastleRingstetteninpeace？"
ButHuldbrandmurmuredmoodily："SoImustbeaprisonerinmyowncastle，andonlybeabletobreathesolongasthefountainisclosed!Iwouldyourmadkindred"——Undinelovinglypressedherfairhanduponhislips。Hepaused，ponderinginsilenceovermuchthatUndinehadbeforesaidtohim。
Bertaldahadmeanwhilegivenherselfuptoavarietyofstrangethoughts。SheknewagooddealofUndine’sorigin，andyetnotthewhole，andthefearfulKuhlebornespeciallyhadremainedtoheraterriblebutwhollyunrevealedmystery。Shehadindeedneverevenheardhisname。Musingonthesestrangethings，sheunclasped，scarcelyconsciousoftheact，agoldnecklace，whichHuldbrandhadlatelypurchasedforherofatravellingtrader；halfdreaminglyshedrewitalongthesurfaceofthewater，enjoyingthelightglimmeritcastupontheevening—tintedstream。SuddenlyahugehandwasstretchedoutoftheDanube，itseizedthenecklaceandvanishedwithitbeneaththewaters。Bertaldascreamedaloud，andascornfullaughresoundedfromthedepthsofthestream。Theknightcouldnowrestrainhisangernolonger。Startingup，heinveighedagainsttheriver；hecursedallwhoventuredtointerferewithhisfamilyandhislife，andchallengedthem，betheyspiritsorsirens，toshowthemselvesbeforehisavengingsword。
Bertaldaweptmeanwhileforherlostornament，whichwassoprecioustoher，andhertearsaddedfueltotheflameoftheknight’sanger，whileUndineheldherhandoverthesideofthevessel，dippingitintothewater，softlymurmuringtoherself，andonlynowandtheninterruptingherstrangemysteriouswhisper，assheentreatedherhusband："Mydearlylovedone，donotscoldmehere；reproveothersifyouwill，butnotmehere。Youknowwhy!"Andindeed，herestrainedthewordsofangerthatweretremblingonhistongue。
Presentlyinherwethandwhichshehadbeenholdingunderthewaves，shebroughtupabeautifulcoralnecklaceofsomuchbrilliancythattheeyesofallweredazzledbyit。
"Takethis，"saidshe，holdingitoutkindlytoBertalda；"Ihaveorderedthistobebroughtforyouasacompensation，anddon’tbegrievedanymore，mypoorchild。"
Buttheknightsprangbetweenthem。HetorethebeautifulornamentfromUndine’shand，hurleditagainintotheriver，exclaiminginpassionaterage："Haveyouthenstillaconnectionwiththem？Inthenameofallthewitches，remainamongthemwithyourpresents。andleaveusmortalsinpeace，yousorceress!"
PoorUndinegazedathimwithfixedbuttearfuleyes，herhandstillstretchedout，aswhenshehadofferedherbeautifulpresentsolovinglytoBertalda。Shethenbegantoweepmoreandmoreviolently，likeadearinnocentchildbitterlyafflicted。Atlast，weariedoutshesaid：
"Alas，sweetfriend，alas!farewell!Theyshalldoyounoharm；onlyremaintrue，sothatImaybeabletokeepthemfromyou。Imust，alas!goaway；Imustgohenceatthisearlystageoflife。Ohwoe，woe!whathaveyoudone!Ohwoe，woe!"
Shevanishedoverthesideofthevessel。Whethersheplungedintothestream，orflowedawaywithit，theyknewnot；herdisappearancewaslikebothandneither。Soon，however，shewascompletelylostsightofintheDanube；onlyafewlittlewaveskeptwhispering，asifsobbing，roundtheboat，andtheyalmostseemedtobesaying："Ohwoe，woe!ohremaintrue!ohwoe!"
Huldbrandlayonthedeckofthevessel，bathedinhottears，andadeepswoonsooncastitsveilofforgetfulnessovertheunhappyman。
CHAPTERXVI。
HOWITFAREDFURTHERWITHHULDBRAND。
Shallwesayitiswellorill，thatoursorrowisofsuchshortduration？Imeanthatdeepsorrowwhichaffectstheverywell—springofourlife，whichbecomessoonewiththelostobjectsofourlovethattheyarenolongerlost，andwhichenshrinestheirimageasasacredtreasure，untilthatfinalgoalisreachedwhichtheyhavereachedbeforeus!Itistruethatmanymenreallymaintainthesesacredmemories，buttheirfeelingisnolongerthatofthefirstdeepgrief。Otherandnewimageshavethrongedbetween；welearnatlengththetransitorinessofallearthlythings，eventoourgrief，and，therefore。Imustsay"Alas，thatoursorrowshouldbeofsuchshortduration？"
ThelordofRingstettenexperiencedthiswhetherforhisgood，weshallhearinthesequeltothishistory。Atfirsthecoulddonothingbutweep，andthatasbitterlyasthepoorgentleUndinehadweptwhenhehadtornfromherhandthatbrilliantornamentwithwhichshehadwishedtoseteverythingtorights。Andthenhewouldstretchouthishand，asshehaddone，andwouldweepagain，likeher。Hecherishedthesecrethopethathemightatlengthdissolveintears；andhasnotasimilarhopepassedbeforethemindofmanyaoneofus，withpainfulpleasure，inmomentsofgreataffliction？
Bertaldaweptalso，andtheylivedalongwhipquietlytogetheratCastleRingstetten，cherishingUndine’smemory，andalmostwhollyforgetfuloftheirformerattachmenttoeachother。And，therefore，thegoodUndineoftenvisitedHuldbrandinhisdreams；caressinghimtenderlyandkindly，andthengoingaway，weepingsilently，sothatwhenheawokeheoftenscarcelyknewwhyhischeeksweresowet；
whethertheyhadbeenbathedwithhertears，ormerelywithhisown？
Thesedream—visionsbecame，however，lessfrequentastimepassedon，andthegriefoftheknightwaslessacute；stillhewouldprobablyhavecherishednootherwishthanthustothinkcalmlyofUndineandtotalkofher，hadnottheoldfishermanappearedonedayunexpectedlyatthecastle，andsternlyinsistedonBertalda’sreturningwithhimashischild。ThenewsofUndine’sdisappearancehadreachedhim，andhehaddeterminedonnolongerallowingBertaldatoresideatthecastlewiththewidowedknight。
"For，"saidhe，"whethermydaughterlovemeorno，Idonotcaretoknow，butherhonorisatstake，andwherethatisconcerned，nothingelseistobethoughtof。"
Thisideaoftheoldfisherman’s，andthesolitudewhichthreatenedtooverwhelmtheknightinallthehallsandgalleriesofthedesolatecastle，afterBertalda’sdeparture，broughtoutthefeelingsthathadslumberedtillnowandwhichhadbeenwhollyforgotteninhissorrowforUndine；namely，Huldbrand’saffectionforthebeautifulBertalda。Thefishermanhadmanyobjectionstoraiseagainsttheproposedmarriage。Undinehadbeenverydeartotheoldfisherman，andhefeltthatnoonereallyknewforcertainwhetherthedearlostonewereactuallydead。AndifherbodyweretrulylyingcoldandstiffatthebottomoftheDanube，orhadfloatedawaywiththecurrentintotheocean，eventhenBertaldawasinsomemeasuretoblameforherdeath，anditwasunfittingforhertostepintotheplaceofthepoorsupplantedone。Yetthefishermanhadastrongregardfortheknightalso；andtheentreatiesofhisdaughter，whohadbecomemuchmoregentleandsubmissive，andhertearsforUndine，turnedthescale，andhemustatlengthhavegivenhisconsent，forheremainedatthecastlewithoutobjection，andamessengerwasdespatchedtoFatherHeilmann，whohadunitedUndineandHuldbrandinhappydaysgoneby，tobringhimtothecastleforthesecondnuptialsoftheknight。
Theholyman，however，hadscarcelyreadtheletterfromtheknightofRingstetten，thanhesetoutonhisjourneytothecastle，withfargreaterexpeditionthaneventhemessengerhadusedingoingtohim。Wheneverhisbreathfailedinhisrapidprogress，orhisagedlimbsachedwithweariness，hewouldsaytohimself："Perhapstheevilmayyetbeprevented；failnot，mytotteringframe，tillyouhavereachedthegoal!"Andwithrenewedpowerhewouldthenpressforward，andgoonandonwithoutrestorrepose，untillateoneeveningheenteredtheshadycourt—yardofcastleRingstetten。
Thebetrothedpairweresittingsidebysideunderthetrees，andtheoldfishermanwasnearthem，absorbedinthought。ThemomenttheyrecognizedFatherHeilmann，theysprangup，andpressedroundhimwithwarmwelcome。Buthe，withoutmakingmuchreply，beggedHuldbrandtogowithhimintothecastle；andwhenthelatterlookedastonished，andhesitatedtoobeythegravesummons，thereverendfathersaidtohim：——
"WhyshouldImakeanydelayinwishingtospeaktoyouinprivate，HerrvonRingstetten？WhatIhavetosayconcernsBertaldaandthefishermanasmuchasyourself，andwhatamanhastohear，hemayprefertohearassoonaspossible。Areyouthensoperfectlycertain，KnightHuldbrand，thatyourfirstwifeisreallydead？Itscarcelyseemssotome。Iwillnotindeedsayanythingofthemysteriousconditioninwhichshemaybeexisting，andIknow，too，nothingofitwithcertainty。Butshewasapiousandfaithfulwife，thatisbeyondalldoubt；andforafortnightpastshehasstoodatmybedsideatnightinmydreams，wringinghertenderhandsinanguishandsighingout：’Oh，preventhim，goodfather!Iamstillliving!oh，savehislife!savehissoul!’Ididnotunderstandwhatthisnightlyvisionsignified；whenpresentlyyourmessengercame，andIhurriedthither，nottounite，buttoseparate，whatoughtnottobejoinedtogether。Leaveher，Huldbrand!Leavehim，Bertalda!Heyetbelongstoanother；anddoyounotseegriefforhislostwifestillwrittenonhispalecheek？Nobridegroomlooksthus，andavoicetellsmethatifyoudonotleavehim，youwillneverbehappy。"
ThethreelistenersfeltintheirinnermostheartthatFatherHeilmannspokethetruth，buttheywouldnotbelieveit。Eventheoldfishermanwasnowsoinfatuatedthathethoughtitcouldnotbeotherwisethantheyhadsettleditintheirdiscussionsduringthelastfewdays。Theythereforeallopposedthewarningsofthepriestwithawildandgloomyrashness，untilatlengththeholyfatherquittedthecastlewithasadheart，refusingtoacceptevenforasinglenighttheshelteroffered，ortoenjoytherefreshmentsbroughthim。Huldbrand，however，persuadedhimselfthatthepriestwasfullofwhimsandfancies，andwithdawnofdayhesentforafatherfromthenearestmonastery，who，withouthesitation，promisedtoperformtheceremonyinafewdays。
CHAPTERXVII。
THEKNIGHT’SDREAM。
Itwasbetweennightanddawnofdaythattheknightwaslyingonhiscouch，half—waking，half—sleeping。Wheneverhewasonthepointoffallingasleepaterrorseemedtocomeuponhimandscarehisrestaway，forhisslumberswerehauntedwithspectres。Ifhetried，however，torousehimselfingoodearnesthefeltfannedasbythewingsofaswan，andheheardthesoftmurmuringofwaters，untilsoothedbytheagreeabledelusion，hesunkbackagainintoahalf—
consciousstate。Atlengthhemusthavefallensoundasleep，foritseemedtohimasifhewereliftedupupontheflutteringwingsoftheswansandbornebythemfaroverlandandsea，whiletheysangtohimtheirsweetestmusic。"Themusicoftheswan!themusicoftheswan!"hekeptsayingtohimself；"doesitnotalwaysportenddeath？"Butithadyetanothermeaning。AllatoncehefeltasifhewerehoveringovertheMediterraneanSea。AswanwassingingmusicallyinhisearthatthiswastheMediterraneanSea。Andwhilehewaslookingdownuponthewatersbelowtheybecameclearascrystal，sothathecouldseethroughthemtothebottom。Hewasdelightedatthis，forhecouldseeUndinesittingbeneaththecrystalarch。Itistrueshewasweepingbitterly，andlookingmuchsadderthaninthehappydayswhentheyhadlivedtogetheratthecastleofRingstetten，especiallyattheircommencement，andafterwardalso，shortlybeforetheyhadbeguntheirunhappyDanubeexcursion。Theknightcouldnothelpthinkinguponallthisveryfullyanddeeply，butitdidnotseemasifUndineperceivedhim。
MeanwhileKuhlebornhadapproachedher，andwasonthepointofreprovingherforherweeping。Butshedrewherselfup，andlookedathimwithsuchanobleandcommandingairthathealmostshrunkbackwithfear。"AlthoughIliveherebeneaththewaters，"saidshe，"Ihaveyetbroughtdownmysoulwithme；andthereforeImaywellweep，althoughyoucannotdivinewhatsuchtearsare。Theytooareblessed，foreverythingisblessedtohiminwhomatruesouldwells。"
Heshookhisheadincredulously，andsaid，aftersomereflection：
"Andyet，niece，youaresubjecttothelawsofourelement，andifhemarriesagainandisunfaithfultoyou，youareindutyboundtotakeawayhislife。"
"Heisawidowertothisveryhour，"repliedUndine，"andhissadheartstillholdsmedear。"
"Heis，however，atthesametimebetrothed，"laughedKuhleborn，withscorn；"andletonlyafewdayspass，andthepriestwillhavegiventhenuptialblessing，andthenyouwillhavetogouponearthtoaccomplishthedeathofhimwhohastakenanothertowife。"
"ThatIcannotdo，"laughedUndineinreturn；"Ihavesealedupthefountainsecurelyagainstmyselfandmyrace。"
"Butsupposeheshouldleavehiscastle，"saidKuhleborn，"orshouldhavethefountainopenedagain!forhethinkslittleenoughofthesethings。"
"Itisjustforthatreason，"saidUndine，stillsmilingamidhertears，"itisjustforthatreason，thatheisnowhoveringinspiritovertheMediterraneanSea，andisdreamingofthisconversationofoursasawarning。Ihaveintentionallyarrangeditso。"
Kuhleborn，furiouswithrage，lookedupattheknight，threatened，stampedwithhisfeet，andthenswiftasanarrowshotunderthewaves。Itseemedasifhewereswellinginhisfurytothesizeofawhale。Againtheswansbegantosing，toflaptheirwings，andtofly。Itseemedtotheknightasifheweresoaringawayovermountainsandstreams，andthatheatlengthreachedthecastleRingstetten，andawokeonhiscouch。
Hedid，inreality，awakeuponhiscouch，andhissquirecominginatthatmomentinformedhimthatFatherHeilmannwasstilllingeringintheneighborhood；thathehadmethimthenightbeforeintheforest，inahutwhichhehadformedforhimselfofthebranchesoftrees，andcoveredwithmossandbrushwood。Tothequestionwhathewasdoinghere，sincehewouldnotgivethenuptialblessing，hehadanswered："Thereareotherblessingsbesidesthoseatthenuptialaltar，andthoughIhavenotgonetothewedding，itmaybethatI
shallbeatanothersolemnceremony。Wemustbereadyforallthings。Besides，marryingandmourningarenotsounlike，andeveryonenotwilfullyblindedmustseethatwell。"
Theknightplacedvariousstrangeconstructionsuponthesewords，anduponhisdream，butitisverydifficulttobreakoffathingwhichamanhasonceregardedascertain，andsoeverythingremainedasithadbeenarranged。
CHAPTERXVIII。
HOWTHEKNIGHTHULDBRAIDISMARRIED。
IfIweretotellyouhowthemarriage—feastpassedatcastleRingstetten，itwouldseemtoyouasifyousawaheapofbrightandpleasantthings，butagloomyveilofmourningspreadoverthemall，thedarkhueofwhichwouldmakethesplendorofthewholelooklesslikehappinessthanamockeryoftheemptinessofallearthlyjoys。
Itwasnotthatanyspectralapparitionsdisturbedthefestivecompany，forweknowthatthecastlehadbeensecuredfromthemischiefofthethreateningwater—spirits。Buttheknightandthefishermanandalltheguestsfeltasifthechiefpersonagewerestilllackingatthefeast，andthatthischiefpersonagecouldbenoneotherthanthelovedandgentleUndine。Wheneveradooropened，theeyesofallwereinvoluntarilyturnedinthatdirection，andifitwasnothingbutthebutlerwithnewdishes，orthecup—bearerwithaflaskofstillricherwine，theywouldlookdownagainsadly，andtheflashesofwitandmerrimentwhichhadpassedtoandfro，wouldbeextinguishedbysadremembrances。Thebridewasthemostthoughtlessofall，andthereforethemosthappy；buteventoheritsometimesseemedstrangethatsheshouldbesittingattheheadofthetable，wearingagreenwreathandgold—embroideredattire，whileUndinewaslyingatthebottomoftheDanube，acoldandstiffcorpse，orfloatingawaywiththecurrentintothemightyocean。
For，eversinceherfatherhadspokenofsomethingofthesort，hiswordswereeverringinginherear，andthisdayespeciallytheywerenotinclinedtogiveplacetootherthoughts。
Thecompanydispersedearlyintheevening，notbrokenupbythebridegroomhimself，butsadlyandgloomilybythejoylessmoodoftheguestsandtheirforebodingsofevil。Bertaldaretiredwithhermaidens，andtheknightwithhisattendants；butatthismournfulfestivaltherewasnogay，laughingtrainofbridesmaidsandbridesmen。
Bertaldawishedtoarousemorecheerfulthoughts；sheorderedasplendidornamentofjewelswhichHuldbrandhadgivenher，togetherwithrichapparelandveils，tobespreadoutbeforeher，inorderthatfromtheselattershemightselectthebrightestandmostbeautifulforhermorningattire。Herattendantsweredelightedattheopportunityofexpressingtheirgoodwishestotheiryoungmistress，notfailingatthesametimetoextolthebeautyofthebrideinthemostlivelyterms。Theyweremoreandmoreabsorbedintheseconsiderations，tillBertaldaatlength，lookinginamirror，saidwithasigh："Ah，butdon’tyouseeplainlyhowfreckledIamgrowinghereatthesideofmyneck？"
Theylookedatherthroat，andfoundthefrecklesastheirfairmistresshadsaid，buttheycalledthembeauty—spots，andmeretinyblemishesonly，tendingtoenhancethewhitenessofherdelicateskin。Bertaldashookherheadandassertedthataspotwasalwaysadefect。
"AndIcouldremovethem，"shesighedalast，"onlythefountainisclosedfromwhichIusedtohavethatpreciousandpurifyingwater。
Oh!ifIhadbutaflaskofitto—day!"
"Isthatall？"saidanalertwaiting—maid，laughing，assheslippedfromtheapartment。
"Shewillnotbemad，"exclaimedBertalda，inapleasedandsurprisedtone，"shewillnotbesomadastohavethestoneremovedfromthefountainthisveryevening!"Atthesamemomenttheyheardthemencrossingthecourtyard，andcouldseefromthewindowhowtheofficiouswaiting—womanwasleadingthemstraightuptothefountain，andthattheywerecarryingleversandotherinstrumentsontheirshoulders。"Itiscertainlymywill，"saidBertalda，smiling，"ifonlyitdoesnottaketoolong。"And，happyinthesensethatalookfromhernowwasabletoeffectwhathadformerlybeensopainfullyrefusedher，shewatchedtheprogressoftheworkinthemoonlitcastle—court。
Themenraisedtheenormousstonewithaneffort；nowandthenindeedoneoftheirnumberwouldsigh，asherememberedthattheyweredestroyingtheworkoftheirformerbelovedmistress。Butthelaborwasfarlighterthantheyhadimagined。Itseemedasifapowerwithinthespringitselfwereaidingtheminraisingthestone。
"Itisjust，"saidtheworkmentoeachotherinastonishment，"asifthewaterwithinhadbecomeaspringingfountain。"Andthestonerosehigherandhigher，andalmostwithouttheassistanceoftheworkmen，itrolledslowlydownuponthepavementwithahollowsound。Butfromtheopeningofthefountainthererosesolemnlyawhitecolumnofwater；atfirsttheyimaginedithadreallybecomeaspringingfountain，tilltheyperceivedthattherisingformwasapalefemalefigureveiledinwhite。Shewasweepingbitterly，raisingherhandswailinglyaboveherheadandwringingthem，asshewalkedwithaslowandserioussteptothecastle—building。Theservantsfledfromthespring；thebride，paleandstiffwithhorror，stoodatthewindowwithherattendants。Whenthefigurehadnowcomeclosebeneathherroom，itlookedmoaninglyuptoher，andBertaldathoughtshecouldrecognizebeneaththeveilthepalefeaturesofUndine。Butthesorrowingformpassedon，sad，reluctant，andfaltering，asifpassingtoexecution。
Bertaldascreamedoutthattheknightwastobecalled，butnoneofhermaidsventuredfromthespot；andeventhebrideherselfbecamemute，asiftremblingatherownvoice。
Whiletheywerestillstandingfearfullyatthewindow，motionlessasstatues，thestrangewandererhadreachedthecastle，hadpassedupthewell—knownstairs，andthroughthewell—knownhalls，everinsilenttears。Alas!howdifferentlyhadsheoncewanderedthroughthem!
Theknight，partlyundressed，hadalreadydismissedhisattendants，andinamoodofdeepdejectionhewasstandingbeforealargemirror；ataperwasburningdimlybesidehim。Therewasagentletapathisdoor。Undineusedtotapthuswhenshewantedplayfullytoteasehim"Itisallfancy，"saidhetohimself；"Imustseekmynuptialbed。"
"Soyoumust，butitmustbeacoldone!"heheardatearfulvoicesayfromwithout，andthenhesawinthemirrorhisdooropeningslowly——slowly——andthewhitefigureentered，carefullyclosingitbehindher。"Theyhaveopenedthespring，"saidshesoftly，"andnowIamhere，andyoumustdie。"
Hefeltinhisparalyzedheartthatitcouldnotbeotherwise，butcoveringhiseyeswithhishandshesaid："Donotmakememadwithterrorinmyhourofdeath。Ifyouwearahideousfacebehindthatveil，donotraiseit，buttakemylife，andletmeseeyounot。"
"Alas!"repliedthefigure，"willyouthennotlookuponmeoncemore？Iamasfairaswhenyouwooedmeonthepromontory。"
"Oh，ifitwereso!"sighedHuldbrand，"andifImightdieinyourfondembrace!"
"Mostgladly，mylovedone，"saidshe；andthrowingherveilback，herlovelyfacesmiledforthdivinelybeautiful。Tremblingwithloveandwiththeapproachofdeath，shekissedhimwithaholykiss；butnotrelaxingherholdshepressedhimferventlytoher，andasifshewouldweepawayhersoul。Tearsrushedintotheknight’seyes，andseemedtosurgethroughhisheavingbreast，tillatlengthhisbreathingceased，andhefellsoftlybackfromthebeautifularmsofUndine，uponthepillowsofhiscouch——acorpse。
"Ihavewepthimtodeath，"saidshetosomeservantswhometherintheante—chamber；and，passingthroughtheaffrightedgroup，shewentslowlyouttowardthefountain。
CHAPTERXIX。
HOWTHEKNIGHTHULDBRANDWASBURIED。
FatherHeilmannhadreturnedtothecastleassoonasthedeathofthelordofRingstettenhadbeenmadeknownintheneighborhood，andheappearedattheverysamemomentthatthemonkwhohadmarriedtheunfortunatecouplewasfleeingfromthegatesoverwhelmedwithfearandterror。
"Itiswell，"repliedHeilmann，whenhewasinformedofthis；"nowmydutiesbegin，andIneednoassociate。"
Uponthishebegantoconsolethebride，nowawidow，smallresultasitproduceduponherworldlythoughtlessmind。Theoldfisherman，ontheotherhand，althoughheartilygrieved，wasfarmoreresignedtothefatewhichhadbefallenhisdaughterandson—in—law，andwhileBertaldacouldnotrefrainfromabusingUndineasamurderessandsorceress，theoldmancalmlysaid："Itcouldnotbeotherwiseafterall；IseenothinginitbutthejudgmentofGod，andnoone’shearthasbeenmoredeeplygrievedbyHuldbrand’sdeaththanthatofherbywhomitwasinflicted——thepoorforsakenUndine!"
Atthesametimeheassistedinarrangingthefuneralsolemnitiesasbefittedtherankofthedeceased。
Theknightwastobeinterredinthevillagechurchyardwhichwasfilledwiththegravesofhisancestors。Andthischurchhadbeenendowedwithrichprivilegesandgiftsbothbytheseancestorsandbyhimself。Hisshieldandhelmetlayalreadyonthecoffin，tobeloweredwithitintothegrave，forSirHuldbrand，ofRingstetten，haddiedthelastofhisrace；themournersbegantheirsorrowfulmarch，singingrequiemsunderthebright，calmcanopyofheaven；
FatherHeilmannwalkedinadvance，bearingahighcrucifix，andtheinconsolableBertaldafollowed，supportedbyheragedfather。
Suddenly，inthemidstoftheblack—robedattendantsinthewidow’strain，asnow—whitefigurewasseen，closelyveiled，andwringingherhandswithferventsorrow。Thosenearwhomshemovedfeltasecretdread，andretreatedeitherbackwardortotheside，increasingbytheirmovementsthealarmoftheothersneartowhomthewhitestrangerwasnowadvancing，andthusaconfusioninthefuneral—trainwaswell—nighbeginning。Someofthemilitaryescortweresodaringastoaddressthefigure，andtoattempttoremoveitfromtheprocession；butsheseemedtovanishfromundertheirhands，andyetwasimmediatelyseenadvancingagainamidthedismalcortegewithslowandsolemnstep。Atlength，inconsequenceofthecontinuedshrinkingoftheattendantstotherightandtotheleft，shecameclosebehindBertalda。Thefigurenowmovedsoslowlythatthewidowdidnotperceiveit，anditwalkedmeeklyandhumblybehindherundisturbed。
Thislastedtilltheycametothechurchyard，wheretheprocessionformedacircleroundtheopengrave。ThenBertaldasawherunbiddencompanion，andstartinguphalfinangerandhalfinterror，shecommandedhertoleavetheknight’slastresting—place。Theveiledfigure，however，gentlyshookherheadinrefusal，andraisedherhandsasifinhumblesupplicationtoBertalda，deeplyagitatingherbytheaction，andrecallingtoherwithtearshowUndinehadsokindlywishedtogiveherthatcoralnecklaceontheDanube。FatherHeilmannmotionedwithhishandandcommandedsilence，astheyweretoprayinmutedevotionoverthebody，whichtheywerenowcoveringwiththeearth。Bertaldakneltsilently，andallknelt，eventhegrave—diggersamongtherest，whentheyhadfinishedtheirtask。Butwhentheyroseagain，thewhitestrangerhadvanished；onthespotwhereshehadknelttheregushedoutoftheturfalittlesilverspring，whichrippledandmurmuredawaytillithadalmostentirelyencircledtheknight’sgrave；thenitranfurtherandemptieditselfintoalakewhichlaybythesideoftheburial—place。Eventothisdaytheinhabitantsofthevillageshowthespring，andcherishthebeliefthatitisthepoorrejectedUndine，whointhismannerstillembracesherhusbandinherlovingarms。
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