, then, yet linger here for a few days.'

'It shall be as you wish,' answered Undine. 'Yet will my
foster-parents grieve the more when I leave them, should they learn
that I have now a soul. To-day they only marvel that I am kind and
thoughtful, thinking that to-morrow I will once again be wild and
careless as of old. But should I dwell here much longer they will know
that never in the days to come will I be thoughtless as in former
days. For I cannot hide my new gift. They will hear it in my voice,
they will feel it in my touch, they will see it in my eyes. And having
known that now, at length, I could love them well, they would grieve
to lose me.'

'We will leave to-day, this very hour,' said the knight, so pleased
was he with Undine's new care for her kind old foster-parents.

The priest who had found shelter in the cottage was also ready to
return to his monastery. He would journey with the knight and his lady
until they were safe from the perils of the haunted wood.

Accordingly they sought the fisherman and his wife, and told them that
now they must leave the shelter of their cottage and journey toward
the city that lay beyond the forest.

The farewells were said and Huldbrand lifted his beautiful wife and
seated her on his horse. He himself would walk by her side.

The three travellers soon reached the leafy shades of the forest.

On one side of the lady walked the priest, clad in a long white robe,
while, guarding her on the other side, was, as I told you, the knight.
His armour was burnished and his sword was once more girt by his side.

As Huldbrand and Undine talked joyfully together, a stranger joined
the priest, yet they in their joy did not notice this.

The stranger wore a garment such as a monk might wear. The hood was
drawn forward and wellnigh hid his face, while the whole robe hung
loosely around him, in great folds, so that at each step he must
gather it up and throw it over his arm.

[Illustration: The three travellers soon reached the leafy shades of
the forest]

'I have lived in the forest for many years,' said the stranger to the
priest, 'and I love it for its great beauty. As I flit in and out
among the dark shadows of the trees, I play with the stray sunbeams as
they cast their glances here and there on my white robe.'

'Tell me your name, for I would fain know who you are,' said the
priest to his companion.

'Nay, tell me first who are you who ask?' said the stranger.

'Father