o Huldbrand and the maiden to come
and kneel before him.

[Illustration: In the little cottage were heard the solemn words of
the marriage service]

Gladly they obeyed, and then in the little cottage were heard the
solemn words of the marriage service, and Undine became the wife of
Huldbrand, the knight of Ringstetten.

The maiden had been unusually quiet as she listened to the solemn
words of the marriage service, but now a spirit of mischief seemed to
seize her. She laughed and danced, she played childish tricks upon her
husband, her foster-parents, even upon the priest himself.

Her foster-mother would have rebuked Undine as of old, but the knight
silenced her, for Undine was now his wife. Yet he himself was little
pleased with her behaviour. When Undine saw a frown upon his brow, it
is true that she would grow quieter, and sitting near him, would for a
little while smooth his brow with her soft white hand. Soon, however,
a new fancy would take hold of her, she would jump up, and her tricks
would grow even more vexing than before.

Then the priest spoke, and his voice was grave.

'Lady, you are fair to look on, but I pray you to cease these foolish
ways, lest your soul become less beautiful than your face.'

Undine's laughter ceased. After a while she looked at the priest and
asked in a timid whisper, 'What is this thing which you call a soul,
holy Father?'

Over the little kitchen a hush fell as the holy man answered, 'How can
I tell you what this strange thing which we call our soul really is?
Yet can I tell you why God gives us this great gift. It is that we may
learn to know and love Him. Our bodies will grow old, and we will lay
them aside as a garment which we no longer need, while our souls will
live and dwell with Him for ever.'

Undine's eyes grew sad, tears streamed down her cheek. 'Ah,' she
sobbed, 'I have no soul, no soul. I think it would hurt me to have a
soul, yet fain would I have one.'

Then, with one of those quick changes which had at times startled her
foster-parents, she dried her tears, and ran quickly to the window.
She looked out into the night. It seemed to call her forth to a
careless, thoughtless life. Why should she stay when the wind
whispered to her and the waters brought her messages from the depths
of the sea?

'Ah no, I will have no soul!' cried Undine, turning once more toward
the priest. 'I must be free, free as the breezes and the dancing
waters.'

'Your love for m