Черный тюльпан
In which Van Baerle, before leaving Loewestein, settles Accounts with Gryphus
HethenbegantopourforthsuchatorrentofdisgustingimprecationsagainstCornelius,thatthelatter,addressingtheofficer,said,—
“Idonotthinkitverybecomingsir,thatIshouldbethusinsultedbythisman,especiallyatamomentlikethis.”
“Well!hearme,”saidtheofficer,laughing,“itisquitenaturalthatthisworthyfellowshouldbearyouagrudge,—youseemtohavegivenithimverysoundly.”
“But,sir,itwasonlyinself-defence.”
“Nevermind,”saidtheCaptain,shrugginghisshoulderslikeatruephilosopher,“lethimtalk;whatdoesitmattertoyounow?”
ThecoldsweatstoodonthebrowofCorneliusatthisanswer,whichhelookeduponsomewhatinthelightofbrutalirony,especiallyascomingfromanofficerofwhomhehadhearditsaidthathewasattachedtothepersonofthePrince.
Theunfortunatetulip-fancierthenfeltthathehadnomoreresources,andnomorefriends,andresignedhimselftohisfate.
“God’swillbedone,”hemuttered,bowinghishead;then,turningtowardstheofficer,whoseemedcomplacentlytowaituntilhehadfinishedhismeditationsheasked,—
“Please,sir,tellmenow,whereamItogo?”
Theofficerpointedtoacarriage,drawnbyfourhorses,whichremindedhimverystronglyofthatwhich,undersimilarcircumstances,hadbeforeattractedhisattentionatBuytenhof.
“Enter,”saidtheofficer.
“Ah!”mutteredCorneliustohimself,“itseemstheyarenotgoingtotreatmetothehonoursoftheEsplanade.”
Heutteredthesewordsloudenoughforthechattyguard,whowasathisheels,tooverhearhim
