was out hunting he lost his way in the forest. The day was
hot, and the hunter was well-nigh overcome with thirst and fatigue when
he entered a pleasant glade in which a spring of limpid water bubbled
and sparkled. Having quenched his thirst, he seated himself on a mossy
bank to rest before proceeding homeward. Suddenly he saw at a little
distance a damsel of unique and marvellous beauty, braiding her wet hair
by the side of the spring. He watched her for a time in silence, then,
conscious that the damsel had observed his scrutiny, he hastened to her
side and courteously begged her permission to remain a little longer in
the glade.

"You are the lord of these domains," she replied graciously. "It is I
who am grateful to you for suffering me to dwell here."

The young knight protested eagerly that she honoured the forest with her
presence, and, indeed, he had already begun to wish that she might dwell
not only in the forest but in the schloss itself as his wife and its
mistress--for he had fallen in love with her at first sight. Indeed,
so ardent was his passion that he could not conceal his infatuation; he
told her of his love and begged that she would give him a little hope.
The maid's hesitation only drove him to urge his suit with increasing
ardour.

"I will say neither 'yes' nor 'no,'" she replied, smiling. "Meet me
to-morrow at this hour and you shall have your answer."

The knight parted reluctantly from the fair lady and promised to return
on the following day. When the appointed time arrived he was already at
the tryst, eagerly awaiting the approach of his beloved. When at length
she came he renewed his pleadings with even greater ardour, and to his
unbounded delight the answer was favourable.

"I am a water-nymph," said the lady, "the spirit of the stream from
which you drank yesterday. You saw me then for the first time, but I
have often seen you in the forest--and I have long loved you."

The knight was more than ever enchanted by this naive confession, and
begged that their wedding should not be long delayed.

"There is one condition," said the nymph. "If you marry me you must
remain for ever faithful. Otherwise you must suffer death, and I eternal
unhappiness."

The knight laughed at the bare idea of his proving unfaithful to his
beloved, and his vows were sincere.

Shortly afterward they were married, and none supposed the beautiful
being to be aught but a very attractive woman; in time there was