The tulip-formed blossoms of the luxuriant water-lilies were in bloom along the lake shore.

Ludwig's heart ached with pity for the little maid when he saw how sorrowfully she gazed from her window on the glittering lake.
"Come, Marie," he said, "fetch your bathing-dress, and let us try the lake again.

I will stay close by you, and take good care that nothing frightens you.

We will not go out of the cove." How delighted the child was to hear these words! She danced and skipped for joy; she called him her dear Ludwig.

Then she hunted up the discarded Melusine costume, and hastened with such speed toward the shore that Ludwig was obliged to run to keep up with her.