(sic).  A low murmur as of children at play, and of other persons who were enjoying their walk, floated around them—­they were so alone, and yet sharing so much of social happiness in the bright and stirring world, that whatever had appeared rough by day now became smooth of its own accord.  All the three friends could no longer see the slightest cause for hesitation in regard to Bertalda’s taking the journey.

At that instant, while they were just fixing the day of their departure, a tall man approached them from the middle of the square, bowed respectfully to the company, and spoke something in the young bride’s ear.  Though displeased with the interruption and its cause, she walked aside a few steps with the stranger; and both began to whisper, as it seemed, in a foreign tongue.  Huldbrand thought he recognized the strange man of the forest, and he gazed upon him so fixedly, that he neither heard nor answered the astonished inquiries of Bertalda.  All at once Undine clapped her hands with delight, and turned back from the stranger, laughing:  he, frequently shaking his head, retired with a hasty step and discontented air, and descended into the fountain.  Huldbrand now felt perfectly certain that his conjecture was correct.  But Bertalda asked: 

“What, then, dear Undine, did the master of the fountain wish to say to you?”

Undine laughed within herself, and made answer:  “The day after to-morrow, my dear child, when the anniversary of your name-day returns, you shall be informed.”  And this was all she could be prevailed upon to disclose.  She merely asked Bertalda to dinner on the appointed day, and requested her to invite her foster-parents; and soon afterwards they separated.

“Kuhleborn?” said Huldbrand to his lovely wife, with an inward shudder when they had taken leave of Bertalda, and were now going home through the darkening streets.

“Yes, it was he,” answered Undine; “and he would have wearied me with his foolish warnings.  But, in the midst, quite contrary to his intentions, he delighted me with a most welcome piece of news.  If you, my dear lord and husband, wish me to acquaint you with it now, you need only command me, and I will freely and from my heart tell you all without reserve.  But would you confer upon your Undine a very, very great pleasure, wait till the day after to-morrow, and then you too shall have your share of the surprise.”

The knight was quite willing to gratify his wife in what she had asked so sweetly.  And even as she was falling asleep, she murmured to herself, with a smile:  “How she will rejoice and be astonished at what her master of the fountain has told me!—­dear, dear Bertalda!”

CHAPTER 6

The company were sitting at dinner.  Bertalda, adorned with jewels and flowers without number, the presents of her foster-parents and friends, and looking like some goddess of spring, sat beside Undine and Huldbrand at the head of the table.  When the sumptuous repast was ended, and the dessert was placed before them, permission was given that the doors should be left open:  this was in accordance with the good old custom in Germany, that the common people might see and rejoice in the festivity of their superiors.  Among these spectators the servants carried round cake and wine.