Черный тюльпан
The First Bulb
VanBaerlesawtheworkofdestruction,gotaglimpseofthejuicyremainsofhisdarlingbulb,and,guessingthecauseoftheferociousjoyofGryphus,utteredacryofagony,whichwouldhavemeltedtheheartevenofthatruthlessjailerwhosomeyearsbeforekilledPelisson’sspider.
Theideaofstrikingdownthisspitefulbullypassedlikelightningthroughthebrainofthetulip-fancier.Thebloodrushedtohisbrow,andseemedlikefireinhiseyes,whichblindedhim,andheraisedinhistwohandstheheavyjugwithallthenowuselessearthwhichremainedinit.Oneinstantmore,andhewouldhaveflungitonthebaldheadofoldGryphus.
Butacrystoppedhim;acryofagony,utteredbypoorRosa,who,tremblingandpale,withherarmsraisedtoheaven,madeherappearancebehindthegratedwindow,andthusinterposedbetweenherfatherandherfriend.
Gryphusthenunderstoodthedangerwithwhichhehadbeenthreatened,andhebrokeoutinavolleyofthemostterribleabuse.
“Indeed,”saidCorneliustohim,“youmustbeaverymeanandspitefulfellowtorobapoorprisonerofhisonlyconsolation,atulipbulb.”
“Forshame,myfather,”Rosachimedin,“itisindeedacrimeyouhavecommittedhere.”
“Ah,isthatyou,mylittlechatter-box?”theoldmancried,boilingwithrageandturningtowardsher;“don’tyoumeddlewithwhatdon’tconcernyou,butgodownasquicklyaspossible.”
“Unfortunateme,”continuedCornelius,overwhelmedwithgrief.
“Afterall,itisbutatulip,”Gryphusresumed,ashebegantobealittleashamedofhimself
