The knight could not help thinking upon all this very fully and deeply, but it did not seem as if Undine perceived him.
Meanwhile Kuhleborn had approached her, and was on the point of reproving her for her weeping.

But she drew herself up, and looked at him with such a noble and commanding air that he almost shrunk back with fear.

"Although I live here beneath the waters," said she, "I have yet brought down my soul with me; and therefore I may well weep, although you can not divine what such tears are.

They too are blessed, for everything is blessed to him in whom a true soul dwells." He shook his head incredulously, and said, after some reflection: "And yet, niece, you are subject to the laws of our element, and if he marries again and is unfaithful to you, you are in duty bound to take away his life." "He is a widower to this very hour," replied Undine, "and his sad heart still holds me dear." "He is, however, at the same time betrothed," laughed Kuhleborn, with scorn; "and let only a few days pass, and the priest will have given the nuptial blessing, and then you will have to go upon earth to accomplish the death of him who has taken another to wife." "That I cannot do," laughed Undine in return; "I have sealed up the fountain securely against myself and my race." "But suppose he should leave his castle," said Kuhleborn, "or should have the fountain opened again! for he thinks little enough of these things." "It is just for that reason," said Undine, still smiling amid her tears, "it is just for that reason, that he is now hovering in spirit over the Mediterranean Sea, and is dreaming of this conversation of ours as a warning.

I have intentionally arranged it so." Kuhleborn, furious with rage, looked up at the knight, threatened, stamped with his feet, and then swift as an arrow shot under the waves.