CHAPTER XIX.
HOW THE KNIGHT HULDBRAND WAS BURIED.
Father Heilmann had returned to the castle as soon as the death of the lord of Ringstetten had been made known in the neighborhood, and he appeared at the very same moment that the monk who had married the unfortunate couple was fleeing from the gates overwhelmed with fear and terror.
"It is well," replied Heilmann, when he was informed of this; "now my duties begin, and I need no associate." Upon this he began to console the bride, now a widow, small result as it produced upon her worldly thoughtless mind.

The old fisherman, on the other hand, although heartily grieved, was far more resigned to the fate which had befallen his daughter and son-in-law, and while Bertalda could not refrain from abusing Undine as a murderess and sorceress, the old man calmly said: "It could not be otherwise after all; I see nothing in it but the judgment of God, and no one's heart has been more deeply grieved by Huldbrand's death than that of her by whom it was inflicted--the poor forsaken Undine!" At the same time he assisted in arranging the funeral solemnities as befitted the rank of the deceased.
The knight was to be interred in the village churchyard which was filled with the graves of his ancestors.

And this church had been endowed with rich privileges and gifts both by these ancestors and by himself.

His shield and helmet lay already on the coffin, to be lowered with it into the grave, for Sir Huldbrand, of Ringstetten, had died the last of his race; the mourners began their sorrowful march, singing requiems under the bright, calm canopy of heaven; Father Heilmann walked in advance, bearing a high crucifix, and the inconsolable Bertalda followed, supported by her aged father.
Suddenly, in the midst of the black-robed attendants in the widow's train, a snow-white figure was seen, closely veiled, and wringing her hands with fervent sorrow.

Those near whom she moved felt a secret dread, and retreated either backward or to the side, increasing by their movements the alarm of the others near to whom the white stranger was now advancing, and thus a confusion in the funeral-train was well-nigh beginning.