The world beyond the wood was becoming to the knight more
and more as a dream. Also the little island on which he was living
seemed to him the most beautiful spot on earth, for on it dwelt the
maiden he loved so well.

As these thoughts passed through the knight's mind he turned, and saw
at once that Undine must have annoyed her foster-mother, for the old
woman was casting angry looks upon the maiden. Perhaps the angry looks
would be followed by harsh words, as had happened on other days.

Quickly the knight made up his mind. Were Undine but his wife, no one
would venture to reprove her. The priest was in the cottage. Why
should he not marry the beautiful maiden without delay?

He spoke a few words to Undine, then drawing her gently toward the
priest he said, 'Father, you see before you the maiden whom I love,
whom, if her foster-parents are willing, I would wed this very day.'

The priest turned to the fisherman and his wife. 'You hear the words
of the noble knight,' he said. 'Are you willing that he should wed the
maiden?'

It was easy to see that the old people were in no way startled by the
priest's words.

'To no braver or more courteous knight could we give our
foster-child,' said the fisherman, and his wife smiled and nodded as
he spoke.

Then the foster-mother brought two candles, which long years before
had been blessed by a holy man, and placed them on the kitchen table,
while the knight, unfastening the chain which hung around his neck,
began to take off it two golden rings, one for Undine, the other for
himself.

'Ah, do not so,' cried the maiden. 'Touch not the golden chain.
Believe me, my parents, could they know, would wish us to use the
rings they entrusted to my care when I was but a child.'

She ran quickly from the room, and when she came back she held in her
hand two radiant rings, one of which she gave to the knight, while the
other she kept for herself.

Her foster-parents looked at Undine in surprise, for they had neither
seen the rings nor known that their foster-child had any jewels in her
possession.

Then the maiden, seeing their astonishment, told how her parents had
stitched the rings into the little garments she had worn when first
she came to them, a tiny child. 'They bid me also tell no one that
they had given me these precious gems until the evening of my
wedding-day.'

Meanwhile the priest had clad himself again in his own garments, and
lighting the candles, he called t