this displeased him yet more.

At this moment, however, Undine left the stranger. As she came toward
her husband she was laughing merrily and clapping her hands.

But the stranger, as she left him, shook his head and frowned. Then he
walked with great strides toward the fountain, and stepping into it he
vanished and was seen no more.

'It is Kühleborn, the spirit of the forest stream--I know him now,'
thought Huldbrand to himself.

But Bertalda seemed to see nothing unusual about the stranger. She
thought he was the Master of the fountain, and turning to Undine she
asked her what the man had said to make her laugh so gaily.

'The day after to-morrow is your birthday, dear Bertalda,' said
Undine. 'Wait only until then, and I will tell you the reason of my
joy.'

Then, saying farewell to Bertalda, Undine and the knight walked toward
their home.

'Was it Kühleborn who spoke to you by the fountain?' asked Huldbrand,
and his voice sounded cold, for he did not wish to be reminded of his
wife's strange relations.

'It was he,' answered Undine. 'He told me tidings that made me
rejoice. I will tell you without delay, should you desire it, what the
tidings were. Yet if you will but wait until Bertalda's birthday, you