. Undine. CHAPTER XI BERTALDAS BIRTHDAY Here beginneth the story of the feast of Bertaldasname-day, how it fared for those who took part in itand in what sort it ended. Now the company were sitting at dinner, andBertalda, who shone like some goddess of spring withher flowers and her jewels given her by her foster-parents and friends, was placed between Undine andHuldbrand. When the rich repast was ended, andthe last course had been served, the doors remainedopen, as the good old German custom hath it, so thatthe common people might look on and bear a part inthe festivity of the nobles. Servant
. Undine. CHAPTER XI BERTALDAS BIRTHDAY Here beginneth the story of the feast of Bertaldasname-day, how it fared for those who took part in itand in what sort it ended. Now the company were sitting at dinner, andBertalda, who shone like some goddess of spring withher flowers and her jewels given her by her foster-parents and friends, was placed between Undine andHuldbrand. When the rich repast was ended, andthe last course had been served, the doors remainedopen, as the good old German custom hath it, so thatthe common people might look on and bear a part inthe festivity of the nobles. Servants were bearingcake and wine among the spectators. Huldbrand andBertalda, for their part, waiting with scarce-concealedimpatience till the secret might be aivulged, kepttheir eyes fixed on Undine. Silent, however, shestill remained; only that now and again she smiled toherself in her hidden joy. Those who knew of the 76 Bertalda. BERTALDAS BIRTHDAY y7 promise she had made, might espy well enough thatshe was ever on the point of making the revelation,and that it was only by a sort of gay self-denial thatshe repressed her longing, as children are wont to dowhen they defer to the last their choicest and Huldbrand shared this delightful feeling,looking forward with impatient hope to Undinesmessage. Just at that moment some of the guestspressed Undine to sing. The time was opportune,and when her lute had been brought to her, she sangas followeth : Fair was the morn and gay the flowers, The grasses sweet and tall:But there on the verge of the glassy lake Was a pearl outshining all. What glitters there amid the grass? A blossom white as snow ?Or is it a gem of Heavenly light Fallen to earth below ? Tis an infant child, so frail and dear, And while it dreams it playsWith rosy buds and happy flowers, And grasps the morning rays. Ah, whence, poor stranger, art thou here From far and unknown strand ?The
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