rces of the Danube.

Once on a fine evening they happened to be talking over their scheme
just as they passed the high trees that bordered the public walk.
The young married pair, though it was somewhat late, had called upon
Bertalda to invite her to share their enjoyment; and all three proceeded
familiarly up and down beneath the dark blue heaven, not seldom
interrupted in their converse by the admiration which they could not but
bestow upon the magnificent fountain in the middle of the square, and
upon the wonderful rush and shooting upward of its waters. All was sweet
and soothing to their minds. Among the shadows of the trees stole in
glimmerings of light from the adjacent houses (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