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94 strangely; it was as though there were something within which strove to release itself; but Undine only the more earnestly insisted that her orders should be carried out. There was no need to urge; the servants were as glad to obey their gentle mistress as they were to thwart Bertalda's self-will; and despite all her rude and angry threats, the stone was soon firmly fixed over the opening of the fountain. Thereupon Undine bent thoughtfully over it, and wrote something on its surface. It would seem that she held a sharp and cutting instrument in her hand, for when she had gone and the servants came near to examine the stone, they saw various strange characters upon it which none had seen before.

Now, when the knight returned home in the evening, Bertalda received him with tears and complaints of Undine's conduct. Huldbrand looked hard and cold at his wife, and she cast down her eyes in distress. Yet she made answer calmly enough.

"My lord and husband," said she, "doth not reprove even a bond slave without hearing; how much less his wedded wife?"

"Speak," said the knight, with a stern face, "what moved thee to act so strangely?"

"I fain would tell thee when we are alone," sighed Undine.

"Thou mayest tell me just as well in Bertalda's presence," he returned.

"Ay," quoth Undine, "if such be thy command.