Черный тюльпан
The Little Grated Window
”
“Youarethengladtoseeme?”
“Canyouask?Buthowdidyoucontrivetogethere?tellme.”
“Nowlistentome.Myfatherfallsasleepeveryeveningalmostimmediatelyafterhissupper;Ithenmakehimliedown,alittlestupefiedwithhisgin.Don’tsayanythingaboutit,because,thankstothisnap,Ishallbeabletocomeeveryeveningandchatforanhourwithyou.”
“Oh,Ithankyou,Rosa,dearRosa.”
Sayingthesewords,CorneliusputhisfacesonearthelittlewindowthatRosawithdrewhers.
“Ihavebroughtbacktoyouyourbulbs.”
Cornelius’sheartleapedwithjoy.HehadnotyetdaredtoaskRosawhatshehaddonewiththeprecioustreasurewhichhehadintrustedtoher.
“Oh,youhavepreservedthem,then?”
“Didyounotgivethemtomeasathingwhichwasdeartoyou?”
“Yes,butasIhavegiventhemtoyou,itseemstomethattheybelongtoyou.”
“Theywouldhavebelongedtomeafteryourdeath,but,fortunately,youarealivenow.OhhowIblessedhisHighnessinmyheart!IfGodgrantstohimallthehappinessthatIhavewishedhim,certainlyPrinceWilliamwillbethehappiestmanonearth.WhenIlookedattheBibleofyourgodfatherCornelius,Iwasresolvedtobringbacktoyouyourbulbs,onlyIdidnotknowhowtoaccomplishit.Ihad,however,alreadyformedtheplanofgoingtotheStadtholder,toaskfromhimformyfathertheappointmentofjailerofLoewestein,whenyourhousekeeperbroughtmeyourletter.Oh,howwewepttogether!Butyourletteronlyconfirmedmethemoreinmyresolution.IthenleftforLeyden,andtherestyouknow.
