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Page 33
The domestics were all rejoiced to gratify their gentle mistress; and
making no further inquiry, they seized the enormous stone. While
they were raising it in their hands, and were now on the point of
adjusting it over the fountain, Bertalda came running to the place,
and cried, with an air of command, that they must stop; that the
water she used, so improving to her complexion, was brought from this
fountain, and that she would by no means allow it to be closed.
This time, however, Undine, while she showed her usual gentleness,
showed more than her usual resolution: she said it belonged to her,
as mistress of the house, to direct the household according to her
best judgment; and that she was accountable in this to no one but her
lord and husband.
"See, O pray see," exclaimed the dissatisfied and indignant Bertalda,
"how the beautiful water is curling and curving, winding and waving
there, as if disturbed at being shut out from the bright sunshine,
and from the cheerful view of the human countenance, for whose mirror
it was created."
In truth the water of the fountain was agitated, and foaming and
hissing in a surprising manner; it seemed as if there were something
within possessing life and will, that was struggling to free itself
from confinement. But Undine only the more earnestly urged the
accomplishment of her commands. This earnestness was scarcely
required. The servants of the castle were as happy in obeying their
gentle lady, as in opposing the haughty spirit of Bertalda; and
however the latter might scold and threaten, still the stone was in a
few minutes lying firm over the opening of the fountain. Undine
leaned thoughtfully over it, and wrote with her beautiful fingers on
the flat surface. She must, however, have had something very sharp
and corrosive in her hand, for when she retired, and the domestics
went up to examine the stone, they discovered various strange
characters upon it, which none of them had seen there before.
When the knight returned home, toward evening, Bertalda received him
with tears, and complaints of Undine's conduct. He cast a severe
glance of reproach at his poor wife, and she looked down in distress;
yet she said very calmly:
"My lord and husband, you never reprove even a bondslave before you
hear his defence; how much less, then, your wedded wife!"
"Speak! what moved you to this singular conduct?" said the knight
with a gloomy countenance.
"I could wish to tell you when we are entirely alone," said Undine,
with a sigh.
"You can tell me equally well in the presence of Bertalda," he
replied.
"Yes, if you command me," said Undine; "but do not command me--pray,
pray do not!"
She looked so humble, affectionate, and obedient, that the heart of
the knight was touched and softened, as if it felt the influence of a
ray from better times. He kindly took her arm within his, and led
her to his apartment, where she spoke as follows:
"You already know something, my beloved lord, of Kuhleborn, my evil-
disposed uncle, and have often felt displeasure at meeting him in the
passages of this castle. Several times has he terrified Bertalda
even to swooning. He does this because he possesses no soul, being a
mere elemental mirror of the outward world, while of the world within
he can give no reflection. Then, too, he sometimes observes that you
are displeased with me, that in my childish weakness I weep at this,
and that Bertalda, it may be, laughs at the same moment. Hence it is
that he imagines all is wrong with us, and in various ways mixes with
our circle unbidden. What do I gain by reproving him, by showing
displeasure, and sending him away? He does not believe a word I say.
His poor nature has no idea that the joys and sorrows of love have so
sweet a resemblance, and are so intimately connected that no power on
earth is able to separate them. A smile shines in the midst of
tears, and a smile calls forth tears from their dwelling-place."
She looked up at Huldbrand, smiling and weeping, and he again felt
within his heart all the magic of his former love. She perceived it,
and pressed him more tenderly to her, while with tears of joy she
went on thus:
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