Черный тюльпан
The Third Bulb
“Thisprisoner,”hesaid,“isamanwhosenameinitselfwillprovetoyourHighnesswhattrustyoumayplaceinhisprobity.Heisaprisonerofstate,whowasoncecondemnedtodeath.”
“Andhisname?”
Rosahidherfaceinherhandswithamovementofdespair.
“HisnameisCorneliusvanBaerle,”saidBoxtel,“andheisgodsonofthatvillainCorneliusdeWitt.”
ThePrincegaveastart,hisgenerallyquieteyeflashed,andadeath-likepalenessspreadoverhisimpassiblefeatures.
HewentuptoRosa,andwithhisfinger,gaveherasigntoremoveherhandsfromherface.
Rosaobeyed,asifundermesmericinfluence,withouthavingseenthesign.
“Itwas,thentofollowthismanthatyoucametomeatLeydentosolicitforthetransferofyourfather?”
Rosahungdownherhead,and,nearlychoking,said,—
“Yes,yourHighness.”
“Goon,”saidthePrincetoBoxtel.
“Ihavenothingmoretosay,”Isaaccontinued.“YourHighnessknowsall.ButthereisonethingwhichIdidnotintendtosay,becauseIdidnotwishtomakethisgirlblushforheringratitude.IcametoLoewesteinbecauseIhadbusinessthere.OnthisoccasionImadetheacquaintanceofoldGryphus,and,fallinginlovewithhisdaughter,madeanofferofmarriagetoher;and,notbeingrich,Icommittedtheimprudenceofmentioningtothemmyprospectofgainingahundredthousandguilders,inproofofwhichIshowedtothemtheblacktulip.HerloverhavinghimselfmadeashowatDortofcultivatingtulipstohidehispoliticalintrigues,theynowplottedtogetherformyruin.
