e will change and grow cold,' said the knight sadly,
'unless you have a human soul. For none can love truly without this
precious gift.'

Yet even as he spoke Huldbrand was trying to stifle a fear that had
begun to creep into his heart, a fear that the maiden he had wedded
was a fairy or a mocking spirit from another world.

But his beautiful wife was smiling softly, for as he had spoken his
last words she had learned a secret. And as the knight looked into her
blue love-lit eyes he too learned the secret. Through love Undine had
won a soul, which is indeed the gift of God to every mortal.

CHAPTER VII

UNDINE'S STORY

Undine lost her wilful ways on her wedding-day.

Her foster-parents watched her, bewildered, so gentle was she, so
thoughtful. She, who had but seldom flung her arms around them,
embraced them now, and thanked them with tears in her eyes for all
their care. Nor would she let them go, until she saw that the old
woman wished to prepare breakfast.

Then she herself flew to the hearth, and making her foster-mother
rest, she swept and dusted, and prepared the meal. It was strange that
she had never thought of doing this before.

And those who dwelt with her, as they watched her grow so gracious, so
gentle, learned to love her even more than in the days when she had
been wild and wilful.

One evening Undine, with Huldbrand by her side, wandered along the
bank of the forest stream.

The knight marvelled that the waters had suddenly grown peaceful, and
that now again they were gliding quietly along their usual course.

'To-morrow,' said his fair wife sorrowfully, 'to-morrow you can ride
forth where you will.'

'But,' said Huldbrand, 'you know well that if I go I will not leave
you behind.'

'I do not think you will leave me, Huldbrand. Yet carry me across to
yonder little island, for there I will tell to you the story of the
maiden you have made your wife. It may be that when you have heard it,
you will ride away alone into the wide world.'

Then silently the knight carried her, as she wished, across the stream
to the tiny island, and laid her down on the green grass. It was on
this very spot that he had found her on the night of the terrible
storm.

'Sit there, where I can look into your eyes as I tell my tale,' said
his wife, 'for as I look I shall be able to see what you are thinking,
nor will there be any need for you to tell me.'

'In the world,' said Undine, 'there are many bei