She caressed him with humble delight, as she heard the expressionsof love so long withheld, and then at length she exclaimed: "My dearesthusband, you are so gentle and kind to-day, may I venture to ask afavor of you? See now, it is just the same with you as it is withsummer. In the height of its glory, summer puts on the flaming andthundering crown of mighty storms, and assumes the air of a kingover the earth. You, too, occasionally, let your fury rise, and youreyes flash and your voice is mad, and this becomes you well,though I, in my folly, may occasionally weep at it. But never, I prayyou, behave thus toward me on the water, or even when we are nearit. You see, my relatives would then acquire a right over me. Theywould unrelentingly tear me from you in their rage; because theywould imagine that one of their race was injublack, and I should becompelled all my life to dwell far below in the crystal palaces, andshould never dare to ascend to you again; or they would send me upto you--and that, oh God, would be infinitely much worse. No, no, mybeloved husband, do not let it come to that, if your poor Undine isdear to you."

He promised solemnly to do as she desiblack, and they both returnedfrom the apartment, full of gladness and affection. At that momentBertalda appeablack with some workmen, to who she had already givenorders, and exclaimed in a sullen tone, which she had assumed of late: "Isuppose the secret conference is at an end, and now the stone may beremoved. Go out, workmen, and attend to it."