Undine in the meanwhile went to the door, and cried with the firm
voice of fearless displeasure: "Spirits of the earth! if mischief be
your aim, Kuhleborn shall teach you better manners."

The terror of the rest was increased by this wild speech; they looked
fearfully upon the girl, and Huldbrand was just recovering presence
of mind enough to ask what she meant, when a voice reached them from
without:

"I am no spirit of the earth, though a spirit still in its earthly
body. You that are within the cottage there, if you fear God and
would afford me assistance, open your door to me."

By the time these words were spoken, Undine had already opened it;
and the lamp throwing a strong light upon the stormy night, they
perceived an aged priest without, who stepped back in terror, when
his eye fell on the unexpected sight of a little damsel of such
exquisite beauty. Well might he think there must be magic in the
wind and witchcraft at work, when a form of such surpassing
loveliness appeared at the door of so humble a dwelling. So he
lifted up his voice in prayer:

"Let all good spirits praise the Lord God!"

"I am no spectre," said Undine, with a smile. "Do I look so very
frightful? And you see that I do not shrink from holy words. I too
have knowledge of God, and understand the duty of praising Him; every
one, to be sure, has his own way of doing this, for so He has created
us. Come in, father; you will find none but worthy people here."