him that he had been married to a fairy, or some spiteful and
mischievous being of the spirit-world. Only the single question, and
that almost unawares, escaped from his lips.

"Dearest Undine, tell me this one thing: what was it you meant by
'spirits of earth' and 'Kuhleborn,' when the priest stood knocking at
the door?"

"Tales! mere tales of children!" answered Undine, laughing, now quite
restored to her wonted gaiety. "I first frightened you with them,
and you frightened me. This is the end of the story, and of our
nuptial evening."

"Nay, not so," replied the enamoured knight, extinguishing the
tapers, and a thousand times kissing his beautiful and beloved bride;
while, lighted by the moon that shone brightly through the windows,
he bore her into their bridal apartment.

The fresh light of morning woke the young married pair: but Huldbrand
lay lost in silent reflection. Whenever, during the night, he had
fallen asleep, strange and horrible dreams of spectres had disturbed
him; and these shapes, grinning at him by stealth, strove to disguise
themselves as beautiful females; and from beautiful females they all
at once assumed the appearance of dragons. And when he started up,
aroused by the intrusion of these hideous forms, the moonlight shone
pale and cold before the windows without. He looked affrighted at
Undine, in whose arms he had fallen asleep: and she was reposing in
unaltered beauty and sweetness beside him. Then pressing her rosy
lips with a light kiss, he again fell into a slumber, only to be
awakened by new terrors.