impossible either to express his joy or to kiss her enough; even the
ancient dame came up and embraced the recovered girl most cordially.
Every word of censure was carefully avoided; the more so, indeed, as
even Undine, forgetting her waywardness, almost overwhelmed her
foster-parents with caresses and the prattle of tenderness.

When at length the excess of their joy at recovering their child had
subsided, morning had already dawned, shining upon the waters of the
lake; the tempest had become hushed, the small birds sung merrily on
the moist branches.

As Undine now insisted upon hearing the recital of the knight's
promised adventures, the aged couple readily agreed to her wish.
Breakfast was brought out beneath the trees which stood behind the
cottage toward the lake on the north, and they sat down to it with
contented hearts; Undine at the knight's feet on the grass. These
arrangements being made, Huldbrand began his story in the following
manner:--

"It is now about eight days since I rode into the free imperial city
which lies yonder on the farther side of the forest. Soon after my
arrival a splendid tournament and running at the ring took place
there, and I spared neither my horse nor my lance in the encounters.

"Once while I was pausing at the lists to rest from the brisk
exercise, and was handing back my helmet to one of my attendants, a
female figure of extraordinary beauty caught my attention, as, most
magnificently attired, she stood looking on at one of the balconies.
I learned, on making inquiry of a person near me, that the name of
the young lady was Bertalda, and that she was a foster-daughter of