Черный тюльпан
A Member of the Horticultural Society
”
“Which?”
“ThatyouwillorderMynheerBoxteltocomeherewithhistulip.IfIdonotrecogniseitasmineIwillfranklytellit;butifIdorecogniseitIwillreclaimit,evenifIgobeforehisHighnesstheStadtholderhimself,withmyproofsinmyhands.”
“Youhave,then,someproofs,mychild?”
“God,whoknowsmygoodright,willassistmetosome.”
VanSystensexchangedalookwiththePrince,who,sincethefirstwordsofRosa,seemedtotrytorememberher,asifitwerenotforthefirsttimethatthissweetvoiceranginhisears.
AnofficerwentofftofetchBoxtel,andVanSystensinthemeanwhilecontinuedhisexamination.
“Andwithwhatdoyousupportyourassertionthatyouaretherealowneroftheblacktulip?”
“Withtheverysimplefactofmyhavingplantedandgrownitinmyownchamber.”
“Inyourchamber?Wherewasyourchamber?”
“AtLoewestein.”
“YouarefromLoewestein?”
“Iamthedaughterofthejailerofthefortress.”
ThePrincemadealittlemovement,asmuchastosay,“Well,that’sit,Iremembernow.”
And,allthewhilefeigningtobeengagedwithhisbook,hewatchedRosawithevenmoreattentionthanhehadbefore.
“Andyouarefondofflowers?”continuedMynheervanSystens.
“Yes,sir.”
“Thenyouareanexperiencedflorist,Idaresay?”
Rosahesitatedamoment;thenwithatonewhichcamefromthedepthofherheart,shesaid,—
“Gentlemen,Iamspeakingtomenofhonor.
