At that moment Bertalda appeared with some workmen to whom she had
already given orders, and said in the sullen tone which she had
assumed of late, "I suppose the secret conference is at an end, and
now the stone may be removed. Go out, workmen, and attend to it."
But the knight, angry at her impertinence, directed in short and very
decisive words that the stone should be left; he reproved Bertalda,
too, for her violence toward his wife. Whereupon the workmen withdrew,
smiling with secret satisfaction; while Bertalda, pale with rage,
hurried away to her rooms.
The hour for the evening repast arrived, and Bertalda was waited for
in vain. They sent after her, but the domestic found her apartments
empty, and only brought back with him a sealed letter addressed to the
knight. He opened it with alarm, and read: "I feel with shame that
I am only a poor fisher-girl. I will expiate my fault in having
forgotten this for a moment, by returning to the miserable cottage of
my parents. Farewell to you and your beautiful wife."
Undine was heartily distressed. She earnestly entreated Huldbrand to
hasten after their friend and bring her back again. Alas! she had no
need to urge him. His affection for Bertalda burst forth again with
vehemence. He hurried round the castle, inquiring if any one had seen
which way the beautiful fugitive had gone. He could learn nothing of
her and was already on his horse in the castle-yard, resolved to take
at a venture the road by which he had brought Bertalda hither.
Pages:
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596
597
598
599