He pressed her therefore in his arms with
the utmost affection, and said with emotion, "The stone shall remain,
and all shall remain, now and ever, as you wish to have it, my sweet
little Undine."
She caressed him with humble delight as she heard the expressions
of love so long withheld, and then at length she said, "My dearest
friend, since you are so gentle and kind today, may I venture to ask
a favor of you? See now, it is just the same with you as it is with
summer. In the height of its glory summer puts on the flaming and
thundering crown of mighty storms and assumes the air of a king over
the earth. You too sometimes let your fury rise, and your eyes flash,
and your voice is angry, and this becomes you well, though I in my
folly may sometimes weep at it. But never, I pray you, behave thus
toward me on the water, or even when we are near it. You see, my
relatives would then acquire a right over me. They would unrelentingly
tear me from you in their rage because they would imagine that one of
their race was injured, and I should be compelled all my life to dwell
below in the crystal palaces, and should never be permitted to ascend
to you again; or they would send me up to you--and that, oh God, would
be infinitely worse. No, no, my beloved friend, do not let it come to
that, however dear poor Undine be to you." He promised solemnly to do
as she desired, and husband and wife returned from the apartment, full
of happiness and affection.
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