The duke and duchess then left the room, followed by their
foster-child, the duke bidding Bertalda's true parents come with them
also.

In silence the other guests slipped away, to talk in their own homes
over all that they had heard and seen, and Undine, left alone with her
husband, wept bitterly.




CHAPTER XI

THE JOURNEY TO CASTLE RINGSTETTEN


The knight did all he could to comfort his wife, and although he was
sorry to see her tears, he was glad to think that she, who had been so
wild and wilful, had now a soul so kind and loving.

'If it is true that Undine has won through love a soul, it is one more
pure than mortals know,' he thought to himself.

As he comforted his wife Huldbrand made up his mind to take her away
from the city as soon as possible.

In the city the lady Bertalda was well known, and people talked of the
strange story of her birth. But among them all none was heard to say
an unkind word about Undine, while many there were who blamed Bertalda
for her cruel behaviour toward her friend and the poor old fisherman