'Your words are wild, and are such as no Christian maiden should
utter,' he said. 'May God forgive both you and those who have allowed
you thus to speak.'

'It is indeed true,' said Undine, 'that as I think I speak. Why,
therefore, should you scold me for my words.'

'Say no more,' said the fisherman, for he was very angry.

Then the maiden, who, for all her wilfulness, was timid as a bird,
drew close to the knight and whispered, 'Are you also angry with me,
Sir Knight.'

Huldbrand could find no words with which to comfort the maiden, whom
he had learned to love. He could only hold her hand and stroke her
golden hair, but with this Undine was well content.




CHAPTER VI

THE WEDDING


Now it was on this same night on which the cask was found that, as the
storm still raged, a knock was heard at the cottage door. It startled
all within, for who was there could have crossed the stream that now
separated them from the mainland? It could surely be no mortal who
stood without.