day, when Huldbrand had ridden to the hunt, Undine gathered
all her servants together in the court of the castle and bade them
bring a big stone to cover up the fountain which stood in the middle
of the square.

The servants, who loved their mistress, hastened to obey her commands.
A huge stone was carried into the court, and was just about to be
placed on the fountain when Bertalda came hurriedly to the spot.

'The fountain must not be closed,' she cried haughtily, 'for it is
from it that water is drawn for my daily bath.'

But Undine, who on other days had often given way to the wishes of
Bertalda, was to-day determined that her will should be done.

'It is I who am mistress of the castle in the absence of my lord,' she
said, and her voice was firm though it was kind, 'and the fountain
shall be closed as I have commanded.'

'But look,' cried Bertalda angrily, 'the water itself bubbles and
heaves as though disturbed at the thought of being shut out from the
glad sunshine.'

The water was indeed, as the maiden said, fretting against the stones
and throwing out sudden jets as though in a violent passion.

The more excited grew the water, however, the more determined grew
Undine to have her order fulfilled, and that without delay.

As for the servants, they had no wish to please the haughty Bertalda,
they were even glad to disobey her when that might be.

Accordingly they no longer delayed to do the will of their gentle
mistress, and the stone was soon placed securely over the opening of
the fountain. Undine then bent over it and silently wrote on the top
of the stone some strange letters.

That evening, when Huldbrand came home, Bertalda met him with tears in
her eyes, and complained to him of his wife's strange conduct.

'Tell me why you have ordered that the fountain should be sealed,'
said the knight, turning sullenly to his wife. 'It was a strange
deed.'

'I will tell you the reason when we are alone,' said Undine. 'It was
a grave one indeed.'

'It matters not if Bertalda should hear,' said the knight, and he did
not hide the impatience that he felt.

'I will tell you in her presence if you so desire,' said Undine, 'but
I beseech you, desire it not.'

As the knight looked into her pleading face and let her sweet voice
steal into his heart, he grew ashamed of himself. How could he ever be
unkind to so fair, so good a wife!

Thinking thus Huldbrand did not speak, but he drew Undine gently from
the