Undine leaned thoughtfully over it, and wrote with her beautiful fingers on the flat surface.

She must, however, have had something very sharp and corrosive in her hand, for when she retired, and the domestics went up to examine the stone, they discovered various strange characters upon it, which none of them had seen there before.
When the knight returned home, toward evening, Bertalda received him with tears, and complaints of Undine's conduct.

He cast a severe glance of reproach at his poor wife, and she looked down in distress; yet she said very calmly: "My lord and husband, you never reprove even a bondslave before you hear his defence; how much less, then, your wedded wife!" "Speak! what moved you to this singular conduct ?" said the knight with a gloomy countenance.
"I could wish to tell you when we are entirely alone," said Undine, with a sigh.
"You can tell me equally well in the presence of Bertalda," he replied.
"Yes, if you command me," said Undine; "but do not command me--pray, pray do not!" She looked so humble, affectionate, and obedient, that the heart of the knight was touched and softened, as if it felt the influence of a ray from better times.

He kindly took her arm within his, and led her to his apartment, where she spoke as follows: "You already know something, my beloved lord, of Kuhleborn, my evil-disposed uncle, and have often felt displeasure at meeting him in the passages of this castle.

Several times has he terrified Bertalda even to swooning.