Черный тюльпан
The Maid and the Flower
Thenoiseofherfootstep,therustlingofhergownonthestaircase,weresofamiliartohisear,thatshehadnosoonermountedonestepthanheusedtosaytohimself,—
“HerecomesRosa.”
Thiseveningnoneofthoselittlenoisesbrokethesilenceofthelobby,theclockstrucknine,andaquarter;thehalf-hour,thenaquartertoten,andatlastitsdeeptoneannounced,notonlytotheinmatesofthefortress,butalsotoalltheinhabitantsofLoewestein,thatitwasten.
ThiswasthehouratwhichRosagenerallyusedtoleaveCornelius.Thehourhadstruck,butRosahadnotcome.
Thusthenhisforebodinghadnotdeceivedhim;Rosa,beingvexed,shutherselfupinherroomandlefthimtohimself.
“Alas!”hethought,“Ihavedeservedallthis.Shewillcomenomore,andsheisrightinstayingaway;inherplaceIshoulddojustthesame.”
Yetnotwithstandingallthis,Corneliuslistened,waited,andhopeduntilmidnight,thenhethrewhimselfuponthebed,withhisclotheson.
Itwasalongandsadnightforhim,andthedaybroughtnohopetotheprisoner.
Ateightinthemorning,thedoorofhiscellopened;butCorneliusdidnoteventurnhishead;hehadheardtheheavystepofGryphusinthelobby,butthisstephadperfectlysatisfiedtheprisonerthathisjailerwascomingalone.
ThusCorneliusdidnotevenlookatGryphus.
Andyethewouldhavebeensogladtodrawhimout,andtoinquireaboutRosa.Heevenverynearlymadethisinquiry,strangeasitwouldneedshaveappearedtoherfather.
