Черный тюльпан
The Events which took place during those Eight Days
WhatclaimhaveItoyourfidelity?”
“Myfidelity!”Rosaexclaimed,withhereyesfulloftears,andwithoutcaringanylongertohidefromCorneliusthisdewofpearlsdroppingonhercheeks,“myfidelity!haveInotbeenfaithfultoyou?”
“Doyoucallitfaithfultodesertme,andtoleavemeheretodie?”
“But,MynheerCornelius,”saidRosa,“amInotdoingeverythingforyouthatcouldgiveyoupleasure?haveInotdevotedmyselftoyourtulip?”
“Youarebitter,Rosa,youreproachmewiththeonlyunalloyedpleasurewhichIhavehadinthisworld.”
“Ireproachyouwithnothing,MynheerCornelius,except,perhaps,withtheintensegriefwhichIfeltwhenpeoplecametotellmeattheBuytenhofthatyouwereabouttobeputtodeath.”
“Youaredispleased,Rosa,mysweetgirl,withmylovingflowers.”
“Iamnotdispleasedwithyourlovingthem,MynheerCornelius,onlyitmakesmesadtothinkthatyoulovethembetterthanyoudome.”
“Oh,mydear,dearRosa!lookhowmyhandstremble;lookatmypalecheek,hearhowmyheartbeats.Itisforyou,mylove,notfortheblacktulip.Destroythebulb,destroythegermofthatflower,extinguishthegentlelightofthatinnocentanddelightfuldream,towhichIhaveaccustomedmyself;butloveme,Rosa,loveme;forIfeeldeeplythatIlovebutyou.”
“Yes,aftertheblacktulip,”sighedRosa,whoatlastnolongercoylywithdrewherwarmhandsfromthegrating,asCorneliusmostaffectionatelykissedthem.
“Aboveandbeforeeverythinginthisworld,Rosa.”
“MayIbelieveyou?”
“Asyoubelieveinyourownexistence.
