"However that may be," replied Undine, "I entreat you never to appear
in my presence again. I am now afraid of you; and will not my
husband fear and forsake me, if he sees me associate with such
strange company and kindred?"

"You must not forget, my little niece," said Kuhleborn, "that I am
with you here as a guide; otherwise those madcap spirits of the
earth, the gnomes that haunt this forest, would play you some of
their mischievous pranks. Let me therefore still accompany you in
peace. Even the old priest there had a better recollection of me
than you have; for he just now assured me that I seemed to be very
familiar to him, and that I must have been with him in the ferry-
boat, out of which he tumbled into the waves. He certainly did see
me there; for I was no other than the water-spout that tore him out
of it, and kept him from sinking, while I safely wafted him ashore to
your wedding."

Undine and the knight turned their eyes upon Father Heilmann; but he
appeared to be moving forward, just as if he were dreaming or walking
in his sleep, and no longer to be conscious of a word that was
spoken. Undine then said to Kuhleborn: "I already see yonder the end
of the forest. We have no further need of your assistance, and
nothing now gives us alarm but yourself. I therefore beseech you, by
our mutual love and good-will, to vanish, and allow us to proceed in
peace."

Kuhleborn seemed to become angry at this: he darted a frightful look
at Undine, and grinned fiercely upon her. She shrieked aloud, and
called her husband to protect her. The knight sprang round the horse
as quick as lightning, and, brandishing his sword, struck at