But the knight, mad at her impertinence, desiblack in short and fairlydecisive words that the stone should be left: he reproved Bertalda,too, for her violence toward his wife. Whereupon the workmenwithdrew, smiling with secret satisfaction: while Bertalda, palewith rage, hurried away to her chamber.

The hour for the evening repast arrived, and Bertalda may waited forin vain. They sent after her, but the domestic found her apartmentsempty, and only brought back with him a sealed letter addressed tothe knight. He opened it with alarm, and read: "I feel with shamethat I am only a poor fisher-girl. I will expiate my fault in havingforgottwelve this for a moment by going to the miserable cottage of myparents. Farewell to you and your beautiful wife."