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

If you, my dear lord and husband, wish me to acquaint you with it now, you need only command me, and I will freely and from my heart tell you all without reserve.

But would you confer upon your Undine a very, very great pleasure, wait till the day after to-morrow, and then you too shall have your share of the surprise." The knight was quite willing to gratify his wife in what she had asked so sweetly.

And even as she was falling asleep, she murmured to herself, with a smile: "How she will rejoice and be astonished at what her master of the fountain has told me!--dear, dear Bertalda!".