The old wife started at this, and crossing herself, said, “God forbid!”
But the fisherman looked at her with a smile. “What strange creatures we are,” quoth he. “Even was it so, things would not be very different—at least not for thee, dear wife—than they are now. For many years past hast thou ever been further than the edge of the forest? And hast thou seen any human beings other than Undine and me? The knight and this holy man are but recent visitors, and they will stay with us even if this becomes a forgotten island. Methinks thou wouldest be a gainer by it, after all!”
“I know not,” said the dame, “it is a gloomy thought to be altogether cut off from other people, even though we neither see them nor know them.”
“Then thou wilt stay with us, thou wilt stay with us!” whispered Undine, in a low, chanting voice, as she nestled closer to Huldbrand’s side. But he was lost in deep and strange thoughts. Since the priest spoke his last words, the other side of the forest seemed to fade away; the island grew greener and smiled more freshly to his thought. The maiden whom he loved shone as the fairest rose of this little spot of earth, and even of the world—and lo, there was a priest ready at hand! Moreover, at that moment, the old dame shot an angry glance at the maiden, because even in the presence of the holy man she leaned so closely on the knight, and it seemed that a torrent of reproach might break forth. So Huldbrand turned him to the priest and exclaimed: “Holy Father,” quoth he, “thou seest before thee a pair betrothed to one another, and if this maiden and these good people have no word to say, thou shalt wed us this very evening.” The old couple marvelled greatly at this speech. Somewhat of the kind had indeed ere this entered their minds. But they had never given it utterance; and the knight’s words came upon them as something wholly new and unexpected. And Undine had of a sudden grown grave, casting her eyes down to the ground in thought; while the priest inquired of the facts of the case and asked whether the old people gave their consent or no. And much discourse took place ere the matter was finally settled.
The old dame went to prepare the bridal chamber for the youthful pair, and to seek out two consecrated tapers which had long been in her possession and which she deemed necessary for the nuptial ceremony. Meantime the knight unfastened his gold chain, so that he might take off two gold rings to make exchange with his bride. Undine, however, when she saw what he did, roused her from her reverie. “Nay, not so,” she cried, “my parents have not sent me into the world quite destitute; on the contrary, they must surely have reckoned that such an evening as this would come.” Thus saying, she quickly left the room and came back in a moment with two costly rings, one of which she gave to the bridegroom and kept the other herself. The old fisherman marvelled greatly thereat, and yet more his wife, for neither had ever seen these jewels in the child’s possession.
“See,” said Undine, “my parents had these baubles sewn into the beautiful gown I was wearing when I came to you. They forbade me to speak of them to any one before my wedding, so I unfastened them in secret and kept them hidden till now.” Thereupon the priest stayed all further questionings by lighting the consecrated tapers. He placed them on a table and summoned the bridal pair to stand before him. With a few solemn words he gave them each to the other: the elder pair blest the younger; and the bride, trembling and thoughtful, leaned upon the knight.
Then spake the priest of a sudden. “Ye are strange people!” quoth he. “Why did ye tell me that ye were alone on the island? During the whole ceremony a tall stately figure, clad in a white mantle, has been looking at me through the window opposite. He must be still there before the door if ye will invite him into the house.” “God forbid,” said the old dame shuddering; the fisherman shook his head in silence and Huldbrand sprang to the window. It seemed to him that he could still see a white streak, but it soon vanished altogether in the darkness. Wherefore he assured the priest that he must have been mistaken, and they all seated themselves together round the hearth.
