Черный тюльпан
The Jailer’s Daughter
ItwasthebeautifulyoungFrisian,who,seeingherfatherstretchedontheground,andtheprisonerbendingoverhim,utteredafaintcry,asinthefirstfrightshethoughtGryphus,whosebrutalityshewellknew,hadfalleninconsequenceofastrugglebetweenhimandtheprisoner.
Corneliusunderstoodwhatwaspassinginthemindofthegirl,attheverymomentwhenthesuspicionaroseinherheart.
Butonemomenttoldherthetruestateofthecaseand,ashamedofherfirstthoughts,shecastherbeautifuleyes,wetwithtears,ontheyoungman,andsaidtohim,—
“Ibegyourpardon,andthankyou,sir;thefirstforwhatIhavethought,andthesecondforwhatyouaredoing.”
Corneliusblushed,andsaid,“IambutdoingmydutyasaChristianinhelpingmyneighbour.”
“Yes,andaffordinghimyourhelpthisevening,youhaveforgottentheabusewhichheheapedonyouthismorning.Oh,sir!thisismorethanhumanity,—thisisindeedChristiancharity.”
Corneliuscasthiseyesonthebeautifulgirl,quiteastonishedtohearfromthemouthofonesohumblesuchanobleandfeelingspeech.
Buthehadnotimetoexpresshissurprise.Gryphusrecoveredfromhisswoon,openedhiseyes,andashisbrutalitywasreturningwithhissenses,hegrowled“That’sit,afellowisinahurrytobringtoaprisonerhissupper,andfallsandbreakshisarm,andisleftlyingontheground.”
“Hush,myfather,”saidRosa,“youareunjusttothisgentleman,whomIfoundendeavouringtogiveyouhisaid.”
“Hisaid?”Gryphusreplied,withadoubtfulair.
