But the sorrowing form passed on, sad, reluctant, and faltering, as if passing to execution.
Bertalda screamed out that the knight was to be called, but none of her maids ventured from the spot; and even the bride herself became mute, as if trembling at her own voice.
While they were still standing fearfully at the window, motionless as statues, the strange wanderer had reached the castle, had passed up the well-known stairs, and through the well-known halls, ever in silent tears.

Alas! how differently had she once wandered through them! The knight, partly undressed, had already dismissed his attendants, and in a mood of deep dejection he was standing before a large mirror; a taper was burning dimly beside him.

There was a gentle tap at his door.

Undine used to tap thus when she wanted playfully to tease him "It is all fancy," said he to himself; "I must seek my nuptial bed." "So you must, but it must be a cold one!" he heard a tearful voice say from without, and then he saw in the mirror his door opening slowly--slowly--and the white figure entered, carefully closing it behind her.

"They have opened the spring," said she softly, "and now I am here, and you must die." He felt in his paralyzed heart that it could not be otherwise, but covering his eyes with his hands he said: "Do not make me mad with terror in my hour of death.