Черный тюльпан
The Jailer’s Daughter
”
But,insteadofactinguptothedoctor’sprescription,Rosa,afterhavingsatisfiedherselfthatherfatherwasstillunconscious,approachedCorneliusandsaid,—
“Serviceforservice,sir.”
“Whatdoyoumean,myprettychild?”saidCornelius.
“Imeantosay,sir,thatthejudgewhoistoexamineyouto-morrowhasinquiredto-dayfortheroominwhichyouareconfined,and,onbeingtoldthatyouareoccupyingthecellofMynheerCorneliusdeWitt,laughedinaverystrangeandverydisagreeablemanner,whichmakesmefearthatnogoodawaitsyou.”
“But,”askedCornelius,“whatharmcantheydotome?”
“Lookatthatgibbet.”
“ButIamnotguilty,”saidCornelius.
“Weretheyguiltywhomyouseedowntheregibbeted,mangled,andtorntopieces?”
“That’strue,”saidCornelius,gravely.
“Andbesides,”continuedRosa,“thepeoplewanttofindyouguilty.Butwhetherinnocentorguilty,yourtrialbeginsto-morrow,andthedayafteryouwillbecondemned.Mattersaresettledveryquicklyinthesetimes.”
“Well,andwhatdoyouconcludefromallthis?”
“IconcludethatIamalone,thatIamweak,thatmyfatherislyinginaswoon,thatthedogismuzzled,andthatconsequentlythereisnothingtopreventyourmakingyourescape.Fly,then;that’swhatImean.”
“Whatdoyousay?”
“IsaythatIwasnotabletosaveMynheerCorneliusorMynheerJohndeWitt,andthatIshouldliketosaveyou.Onlybequick;there,myfatherisregaininghisbreath,oneminutemore,andhewillopenhiseyes,anditwillbetoolate.
