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Page 19
"Yes, an island!" cried the fisherman; "a short time ago it was only
a point of land. But now, since the forest stream and lake have
become all but mad, it appears to be entirely changed."
"I observed something of it," replied the priest, "as I stole along
the shore in the obscurity; and hearing nothing around me but a sort
of wild uproar, I perceived at last that the noise came from a point
exactly where a beaten footpath disappeared. I now caught the light
in your cottage, and ventured hither, where I cannot sufficiently
thank my Heavenly Father that, after preserving me from the waters,
He has also conducted me to such pious people as you are; and the
more so, as it is difficult to say whether I shall ever behold any
other persons in this world except you four."
"What mean you by those words?" asked the fisherman.
"Can you tell me, then, how long this commotion of the elements will
last?" replied the priest. "I am old; the stream of my life may
easily sink into the ground and vanish before the overflowing of that
forest stream shall subside. And, indeed, it is not impossible that
more and more of the foaming waters may rush in between you and
yonder forest, until you are so far removed from the rest of the
world, that your small fishing-canoe may be incapable of passing
over, and the inhabitants of the continent entirely forget you in
your old age amid the dissipation and diversions of life."
At this melancholy foreboding the old lady shrank back with a feeling
of alarm, crossed herself, and cried, "God forbid!"
But the fisherman looked upon her with a smile and said, "What a
strange being is man! Suppose the worst to happen; our state would
not be different; at any rate, your own would not, dear wife, from
what it is at present. For have you, these many years, been farther
from home than the border of the forest? And have you seen a single
human being beside Undine and myself? It is now only a short time
since the coming of the knight and the priest. They will remain with
us, even if we do become a forgotten island; so after all you will be
a gainer."
"I know not," replied the ancient dame; "it is a dismal thought, when
brought fairly home to the mind, that we are for ever separated from
mankind, even though in fact we never do know nor see them."
"Then YOU will remain with us--then you will remain with us!"
whispered Undine, in a voice scarcely audible and half singing, while
she nestled closer to Huldbrand's side. But he was immersed in the
deep and strange musings of his own mind. The region, on the farther
side of the forest river, seemed, since the last words of the priest,
to have been withdrawing farther and farther, in dim perspective,
from his view; and the blooming island on which he lived grew green
and smiled more freshly in his fancy. His bride glowed like the
fairest rose, not of this obscure nook only, but even of the whole
wide world; and the priest was now present.
Added to which, the mistress of the family was directing an angry
glance at Undine, because, even in the presence of the priest, she
leant so fondly on the knight; and it seemed as if she was on the
point of breaking out in harsh reproof. Then burst forth from the
mouth of Huldbrand, as he turned to the priest, "Father, you here see
before you an affianced pair; and if this maiden and these good old
people have no objection, you shall unite us this very evening."
The aged couple were both exceedingly surprised. They had often, it
is true, thought of this, but as yet they had never mentioned it; and
now, when the knight spoke, it came upon them like something wholly
new and unexpected. Undine became suddenly grave, and looked down
thoughtfully, while the priest made inquiries respecting the
circumstances of their acquaintance, and asked the old people whether
they gave their consent to the union. After a great number of
questions and answers, the affair was arranged to the satisfaction of
all; and the mistress of the house went to prepare the bridal
apartment of the young couple, and also, with a view to grace the
nuptial solemnity, to seek for two consecrated tapers, which she had
for a long time kept by her, for this occasion.
The knight in the meanwhile busied himself about his golden chain,
for the purpose of disengaging two of its links, that he might make
an exchange of rings with his bride. But when she saw his object,
she started from her trance of musing, and exclaimed--
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