38 UNDINE.
opposite to me, looking in at the window. He mupt he still waiting before the door, if peradventure you would invite him to come in,"
" God forbid !" cried the old lady, shrinking back ; the fisherman shook his head, without opening his lips ; and Huldbrand sprang to the window. It seemed to Jiim that he could still discern a white streak, which soon dis- appeared in the gloom. He convinced the priest that he must have been mistaken in his impression ; and they all sat down together round a bright and comfortable hearth.
CHAPTER IV.
Before the nuptial ceremony, and during its perform- ance, Undine had shewn a modest gentleness and maid- enly reserve ; but it now seemed as if all the wayAvard freaks that effervesced within her burst forth with an ex- travagance only the more bold and unrestrained. She teased her bridegroom, her foster-parents, and even the priest, whom she had just now revered so highly, w'ith all sorts of childish tricks; but when the ancient dame was about to reprove her too frolicsome spirit, the knight, in a few words, imposed silence upon her by speaking of Undine as his wife.
The knight was himself, indeed, just as little pleased with Undine's childish behaviour as the rest ; but all his looks and half-reproachful words were to no purpose. It is true, whenever the bride observed the dissatisfaction of her husband, — and this occasionally happened, — she be- came more quiet, placed herself beside him, stroked his face with caressing fondness, whispered something smil- ingly in his ear, and in this manner smoothed the wrinkles that were gathering on his brow. liut the moment after, some wild whim would make her resume her antic move- ments ; and all went worse than before.
