Черный тюльпан
The President van Systens
Thejailer,whowasofaveryspitefulandcrueldisposition,chuckledwithinhimselfattheideaofhavingstrucksuchterrorintohisdaughter’sheart.
Butwhilsthewascongratulatinghimselfonhavingsuchanicestorytotelltohisbooncompanion,Jacob,thatworthywasonhisroadtoDelft;and,thankstotheswiftnessofthehorse,hadalreadythestartofRosaandhercompanionbyfourleagues.
Andwhilsttheaffectionatefatherwasrejoicingatthethoughtofhisdaughterweepinginherroom,RosawasmakingthebestofherwaytowardsHaarlem.
ThustheprisoneralonewaswhereGryphusthoughthimtobe.
Rosawassolittlewithherfathersinceshetookcareofthetulip,thatathisdinnerhour,thatistosay,attwelveo’clock,hewasremindedforthefirsttimebyhisappetitethathisdaughterwasfrettingrathertoolong.
Hesentoneoftheunder-turnkeystocallher;and,whenthemancamebacktotellhimthathehadcalledandsoughtherinvain,heresolvedtogoandcallherhimself.
Hefirstwenttoherroom,but,loudasheknocked,Rosaanswerednot.
Thelocksmithofthefortresswassentfor;heopenedthedoor,butGryphusnomorefoundRosathanshehadfoundthetulip.
AtthatverymomentsheenteredRotterdam.
Gryphusthereforehadjustaslittlechanceoffindingherinthekitchenasinherroom,andjustaslittleinthegardenasinthekitchen.
Thereadermayimaginetheangerofthejailerwhen,afterhavingmadeinquiriesabouttheneighbourhood,heheardthathisdaughterhadhiredahorse,and,likeanadventuress,setoutonajourneywithoutsayingwhereshewasgoing.
