refrain from it when we are sailing, or even near any water.  For there, you see, my relations have a right to control me.  They might relentlessly tear me from you in their wrath, fancying that there is an insult offered to one of their race; and I should be doomed to spend the rest of my life in the crystal palaces below, without ever coming to you; or if they did send me up again—­oh Heaven, that would be far worse!  No, no, my best beloved; you will not let it come to that, if you love your poor Undine.”

He solemnly promised to do as she asked him, and they returned to the saloon, quite restored to comfort and peace.  They met Bertalda, followed by a few labourers whom she had sent for, and she said in a tone of bitterness that had grown common with her of late, “So, now your private consultation is over, and we may have the stone taken up.  Make haste, you people, and do it for me.”  But Huldbrand, incensed at her arrogance, said shortly and decidedly, “The stone shall not be touched,” and he then reproved Bertalda for her rudeness to his wife; upon which the labourers walked off, exulting secretly, while Bertalda hurried away to her chamber, pale and disturbed.

The hour of supper came, and they waited in vain for Bertalda.  A message was sent to her; the servants found her room empty, and brought back only a sealed letter directed to the Knight.  He opened it with trepidation and read, “I feel with shame that I am only a fisherman’s daughter.  Having forgotten it a moment, I will expiate my crime in the wretched hut of my parents.  Live happy with your beautiful wife!”

Undine was sincerely grieved; she entreated Huldbrand to pursue their friend at once, and bring her back with him.  Alas! there was little need of entreaty.  His passion for Bertalda returned with fresh violence; he searched the castle all over, asking everyone if they could tell him in what direction the fair one had fled.  He could discover nothing; and now he had mounted his horse in the court, and stood ready to set forth, and try the route by which he had brought Bertalda to the castle.  A peasant boy just then came up, saying that he had met the lady riding toward the Black Valley.  Like a shot the Knight darted through the gate, and took that direction, without heeding Undine’s anxious cries from a window:  “To the Black Valley? oh, not there!  Huldbrand, not there!  Or take me with you for God’s sake!” Finding it vain to cry, she had her white palfrey saddled in all haste, and galloped after her husband, without allowing anyone to attend her.

XIV.—­HOW BERTALDA DROVE HOME WITH THE KNIGHT