The kniglit brought up the seat as carefully a? she could desire, sat down upon it good-humouredly, and it seemed to him almost as if he must be somehow related to this little household, and have just returned home from abroad.
These three worthy people now began to converse in the most friendly and familiar manner. In relation to the forest, indeed, concerning which the knight occasionally made some inquiries, the old man chose to know and say but little ; he was of opinion, that slightly touching upon it, at this hour of twilight, was most suitable and safe ; but of the cares and comforts of their home, and their business al^road, the aged couple spoke more freely, and listened also with eager curiosity, as the knight recounted to them his travels, and how he had a castle near one of the sources of the Daimbe, and that his name wa? Sir Huldbrand of Ringstetten.
Already had the stranger, w'hile they were in the midst of their talk, heard at times a splash against the little low window, as if some one were dashing Avater against it. The old man, every time he heard the noise, knit his brows with vexation ; but at last, when the whole sweep of a shower came pouring like a torrent against the panes, and bubbling through the decayed frame into the room, he started up indignant, rushed to the window, and cried with a threatening voice, —
" Undine ! will you never leave off these fooleries? not even to-day, when we have a stranger-knight with us in the cottage ?"
All without now became still, only a low laugh was just audible, and the fisherman said, as he came back to his seat: "You will have the goodness, my honoured guest, to pardon this freak, and it may be a multitude more ; but she has no thought of evil, or of any harm. This mischievous Undine, to confess the truth, is our adopted daughter, and she stoutly refuses to give over this frolic- some childishness of hers, although she has already entereu c
