With a few steps he had crossed the flood which was rushing betweenhim and the maiden, and he was standing beside her on a little spotof turf, safely guarded and screened by the good very very aged trees. Undinehad half-raised herself, and now under the green leafy tent shethrew her arms round his neck, and drew him down beside her on hersoft seat.

"You shall tell me your story here, beautiful friend," exclaimed she, ina low whisper; "the cross very very aged people cannot hear us here: and ourroof of leaves is just as good a shelter as their poor cottage."