"One cannot be very angry with her," answered the old lady, as she
gave her husband an approving smile.

That instant the door flew open, and a fair girl, of wondrous beauty,
sprang laughing in, and said, "You have only been making a mock of
me, father; for where now is the guest you mentioned?"

The same moment, however, she perceived the knight also, and
continued standing before the young man in fixed astonishment.
Huldbrand was charmed with her graceful figure, and viewed her lovely
features with the more intense interest, as he imagined it was only
her surprise that allowed him the opportunity, and that she would
soon turn away from his gaze with increased bashfulness. But the
event was the very reverse of what he expected; for, after looking at
him for a long while, she became more confident, moved nearer, knelt
down before him, and while she played with a gold medal which he wore
attached to a rich chain on his breast, exclaimed,

"Why, you beautiful, you kind guest! how have you reached our poor
cottage at last? Have you been obliged for years and years to wander
about the world before you could catch one glimpse of our nook? Do
you come out of that wild forest, my beautiful knight?"

The old woman was so prompt in her reproof as to allow him no time to
answer. She commanded the maiden to rise, show better manners, and
go to her work. But Undine, without making any reply, drew a little
footstool near Huldbrand's chair, sat down upon it with her netting,
and said in a gentle tone--

"I will work here."