Huldbrand now felt certain on the point, but Bertalda asked: "And what did the master of the fountain want with you, dear Undine ?" The young wife laughed within herself, and replied: "The day after to-morrow, my dear child, on the anniversary of your name-day, you shall know it." And nothing more would she disclose.

She invited Bertalda and sent an invitation to her foster-parents, to dine with them on the appointed day, and soon after they parted.
"Kuhleborn?
was it Kuhleborn ?" said Huldbrand, with a secret shudder, to his beautiful bride, when they had taken leave of Bertalda, and were now going home through the darkening streets.
"Yes, it was he," replied Undine, "and he was going to say all sorts of nonsensical things to me.

But, in the midst, quite contrary to his intention, he delighted me with a most welcome piece of news.

If you wish to hear it at once, my dear lord and husband, you have but to command, and I will tell it you without reserve.

But if you would confer a real pleasure on your Undine, you will wait till the day after to-morrow, and you will then have your share too in the surprise." The knight gladly complied with his wife's desire, which had been urged so sweetly, and as she fell asleep, she murmured smilingly to herself: "Dear, dear Bertalda! How she will rejoice and be astonished at what her master of the fountain told me!".