“It is now about eight days since I rode into the city on the other side of the forest to join in a great tournament.  In one of the intervals between the jousts I noticed a lovely lady among the spectators.  I learned that she was Bertalda, foster-daughter of a great duke, and each evening I became her partner in the dances.

“This Bertalda was a wayward girl, and each day pleased me less and less; but I continued in her company, and asked her jestingly to give me a glove.  She said she would do so if I would explore alone the haunted forest.  As an honourable knight I could not decline the challenge, and yesterday I set out on the enterprise.  Before I had penetrated very far within the glades, I saw what looked like a bear in the branches of an oak; but the creature, in a harsh, human voice, growled that it was getting branches with which to roast me at night.  My horse was scared at this, and other grim apparitions, but at last I emerged from the forest, and saw the lake and this cottage.”

When he had finished, the fisherman spoke of the best way by which the visitor could return to the city; but, with sly laughter, Undine declared that the knight could not depart, for if he attempted now to cross the deluged wood, he would be overwhelmed.

II.—­“I Have No Soul!"

Huldbrand, detained at the cottage by the increasing overflow of the stream, enjoyed the most perfect satisfaction with his sojourn.

The old folks with pleasure regarded the two young people as being betrothed, and Huldbrand assumed that he was accepted by the girl, whom he had come to look upon as not being in reality one of this poor household, but one of some illustrious family, and when, one evening, an aged priest appeared at the cottage, driven in by the storm, Huldbrand addressed to him a request that he should on the spot at once unite him and the maiden, as they were pledged to each other.  A discussion arose, but matters were at length settled, and the old wife produced two consecrated tapers.  Lighting these, the priest, with brief, solemn ceremony, celebrated the nuptials.

Undine had been quiet and grave during these proceedings, but a singular change took place in her demeanour as soon as the rite had been performed.  She began at intervals to indulge in wild freaks, teasing the priest, and indulging in a variety of silly tricks.  At length the priest gently expostulated with Undine, exhorting her so to attune her soul that it might always be in concord with that of her husband.

Her reply amazed the listeners, for she said, “If one has no soul, as I have none, what is there to harmonise?” Then she burst into a fit of passionate weeping, to the consternation of all the little company.  As she again and again wept, the priest, fearing that she was possessed by some evil spirit, sought to exorcise it.  The priest turned to the bridegroom with the assurance that he could discover nothing evil in the bride, mysterious though her behaviour was, and he commended him to be loving and true to her.