The Black Tulip changes Masters

           CorneliusremainedstandingonthespotwhereRosahadlefthim.Hewasquiteoverpoweredwiththeweightofhistwofoldhappiness.

           Halfanhourpassedaway.Alreadydidthefirstraysofthesunenterthroughtheirongratingoftheprison,whenCorneliuswassuddenlystartledatthenoiseofstepswhichcameupthestaircase,andofcrieswhichapproachednearerandnearer.

           AlmostatthesameinstanthesawbeforehimthepaleanddistractedfaceofRosa.

           Hestarted,andturnedpalewithfright.

           “Cornelius,Cornelius!”shescreamed,gaspingforbreath.

           “GoodHeaven!whatisit?”askedtheprisoner.

           “Cornelius!thetulip——”

           “Well?”

           “HowshallItellyou?”

           “Speak,speak,Rosa!”

           “Someonehastaken—stolenitfromus.”

           “Stolen—taken?”saidCornelius.

           “Yes,”saidRosa,leaningagainstthedoortosupportherself;“yes,taken,stolen!”

           Andsayingthis,shefeltherlimbsfailingher,andshefellonherknees.

           “Buthow?Tellme,explaintome.”

           “Oh,itisnotmyfault,myfriend.”

           PoorRosa!shenolongerdaredtocallhim“Mybelovedone.”

           “Youhavethenleftitalone,”saidCornelius,ruefully.

           “Oneminuteonly,toinstructourmessenger,wholivesscarcelyfiftyyardsoff,onthebanksoftheWaal.”

           “Andduringthattime,notwithstandingallmyinjunctions,youleftthekeybehind,unfortunatechild!”

           “No,no,no!thisiswhatIcannotunderstand.Thekeywasneveroutofmyhands;IclincheditasifIwereafraiditwouldtakewings.”

           “Buthowdidithappen,then?”

           “That’swhatIcannotmakeout.