This page has been validated.
CHAPTER XIII
HOW THEY FARED AT CASTLE RINGSTETTEN
Now the story is silent concerning some events, and only mentioneth others cursorily; while it passeth over a considerable space of time. And for this he who reads the tale must pardon him that wrote it, the reason being that the writer is himself moved by the sadness of it, and would fain have others touched likewise. He could, an he willed it, portray for—perchance he hath the skill—how, step by step, Huldbrand's heart began to turn from Undine to Bertalda; how Bertalda more and more answered devotion by devotion; how both looked upon the wife as a mysterious being to fear rather than to pity; how Undine wept, and how her tears stirred the knight's remorse without awakening
90
