. Undine. ght see to the pleased was he, for he could see Undine sittingbeneath the crystal vault. Tears, it is true, were inher eyes, and much sadder was her look than in thehappy days when first they had lived in Castle Ring-stetten, and afterwards too, just before the ill-starredvoyage on the Danube. And the knight must needsponder these things in his mind very deeply andintently. Undine, it would appear, did not perceivehim. But he saw Kiihleborn come up to her withintent to reprove her for her tears. Whereat she drewherself up, and faced him with such dignity that healmost shr
. Undine. ght see to the pleased was he, for he could see Undine sittingbeneath the crystal vault. Tears, it is true, were inher eyes, and much sadder was her look than in thehappy days when first they had lived in Castle Ring-stetten, and afterwards too, just before the ill-starredvoyage on the Danube. And the knight must needsponder these things in his mind very deeply andintently. Undine, it would appear, did not perceivehim. But he saw Kiihleborn come up to her withintent to reprove her for her tears. Whereat she drewherself up, and faced him with such dignity that healmost shrank back before her look. I know full well, quoth she, that beneath thewaters is my home ; but my soul is still mine, andtherefore I may well weep, albeit that thou canst notknow what such tears mean. They, too, are blessed,as all is blessed to one who hath a true soul. He shook his head, for he believed her not; then,bethinking himself of somewhat, he spoke : He con Id see Undine beneath the crystal vault. THE KNIGHTS DREAM 125 Nathless, the laws of our element hold thee bound,my niece ; an he marrieth again and break his troth,thou must needs take away his life. A widower he is, saith Undine, to this veryhour, and his sad heart holdeth me dear. Nay, but at the same time he hath alreadyexchanged vows with another ; and Kuhlebornlaughed right scornfully. Wait but a day or two,and the priest will have given his blessing on the pair,and then—it is thy duty to go up to earth and givedeath to the twice-wedded ! That may not be; and Undine laughed in herturn, for with my own hands have I sealed up thefountain against myself and my race. Ah, but what if he leave his castle, said Kuhle-born, or have the fountain opened? He thinkethbut little of such things. Tis for this very reason, Undine replied, smilingthrough her tears, that he is now hovering in spiritover the Mediterranean, and is hearing this talk ofours, in a warning and bodeful dream. With manifestintent have I arranged it
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