“I can go no farther,” she shouted; “what manner of man art thou, and whither wouldst thou lead me?”
The old man did not answer, but caught Margot in his arms and plunged into the river Rhine. It had risen from its banks, and its eddying waters had frightened Margot.
Down, down, through cold green waters they sank. It seemed to Margot as if she were going down forever. She closed her eyes and ceased to struggle.
At last they seemed to have passed out of the water, and Margot opened her eyes. She found herself in a wonderful crystal palace. Precious stones glittered all about her. The ornaments were of silver and gold. As soon as she had recovered from her wonder, she was led into an immense chamber. Here on a bed of crystal, with silken coverings, lay a beautiful golden haired nymph, who was ill.
“I have brought you here,” said the old man, “to care for my beautiful wife. Nurse her tenderly back to health, and you shall never regret it.”
The lovely nymph was so good to look upon that old Margot took great delight in caring for her. She tended her so gently and so faithfully that the golden haired lady improved rapidly. She was soon quite well.
In soft whispers she told the old nurse that her husband was a mighty water spirit. Mortals called him Father Rhine. She had lived on the earth and was the only daughter of the Lord of Rheidt.
One day when she was at a village dance, there appeared before her a strange man. He was clad in foamy green. He asked her to tread a measure with him. Round and round they whirled until they reached the water edge. Suddenly he plunged with her into the stream, and brought her to the crystal palace, where he made her his happy wife.
“And now, kind nurse, we must soon part,” said the beautiful lady. “When Father Rhine offers to reward you, accept from him only your usual fee, no matter how much he urges you to take more. He loves honesty, but loathes greed.”
Just then Father Rhine appeared. Seeing his beloved wife quite well again, the river god beckoned to the nurse to follow him. He led her through many halls of the great castle. Finally they came to his treasure chamber. Here all around lay great heaps of gold, silver, and precious stones.