the cottage stood.

'Now will I hear the brave knight's story,' cried the maiden, and the
old people smiled and said they too would hear the tale.

And the sun rose slowly over the lake and the birds sang merrily on
the wet and leafy trees, as the knight began his tale.

CHAPTER IV

THE KNIGHT'S STORY

'It must be about eight days ago now,' said the knight, 'since I left
my castle of Ringstetten, and journeyed toward the city which lies
beyond the haunted forest.

'The city was gay with lords and ladies who had come thither for the
tournament which was then being held.

'I at once entered the lists, for my steed was strong and I myself was
eager for the fray. Once, as I rested from the combat, my eyes fell
upon a lady who was wondrous fair. She was looking down from a gallery
upon the tournament.

'Bertalda was the name of the beautiful maiden, and she was the
foster-child of a great duke. I knew that, as I again seized my lance,
the lady's eyes followed me into the lists, and I fought even more
bravely than before.

'In the evening a great festival was held, and here I met Bertalda,
and danced with her; indeed, evening after evening we were together
until the tournament drew to a close.'

As Huldbrand spoke these words he felt a sharp pain in his left hand.
It was hanging by his side, and as he looked down to see what had
caused the pain, he found that Undine had fastened in it her little
pearly teeth.

The knight could see that the maiden's face was no longer smiling. She
looked up at him, and there was sorrow in her large blue eyes as she
whispered, 'Sir Knight, it is your own fault that I hurt you. I would
not have you praise the lady Bertalda.' Then quickly, as though
ashamed of her words, she hid her face in her hands.

As the knight went on with his story, his face was grave.

'It is true,' he said, 'that Bertalda was a lovely maiden, yet as I
knew her better I found her ways were cold and proud. She pleased me
less as the days passed by, though, as she looked upon me with favour,
I begged that as a token of it she would give me a glove.

"You shall have it," answered she, "if you will go alone through the
forest which men say is haunted, and bring me tidings of all that
happens to you."

'I cared little for her glove, but I would not tarry to be asked a
second time to go through the forest, lest the maiden should doubt my
courage.'

'I thought Bertalda had loved you,' cried Undine,