said, and her voice was firm though it was kind, 'and the fountain
shall be closed as I have commanded.'

'But look,' cried Bertalda angrily, 'the water itself bubbles and
heaves as though disturbed at the thought of being shut out from the
glad sunshine.'

The water was indeed, as the maiden said, fretting against the stones
and throwing out sudden jets as though in a violent passion.

The more excited grew the water, however, the more determined grew
Undine to have her order fulfilled, and that without delay.

As for the servants, they had no wish to please the haughty Bertalda,
they were even glad to disobey her when that might be.

Accordingly they no longer delayed to do the will of their gentle
mistress, and the stone was soon placed securely over the opening of
the fountain. Undine then bent over it and silently wrote on the top
of the stone some strange letters.

That evening, when Huldbrand came home, Bertalda met him with tears in
her eyes, and complained to him of his wife's strange conduct.

'Tell me why you have ordered that the fountain should be sealed,'
said the knight, turning sullenly to his wife. 'It was a strange
deed.'

'I will tell you the reason when we are alone,' said Undine. 'It was
a grave one indeed.'