Черный тюльпан
The Jailer’s Daughter
Doyouhesitate?”
Infact,Corneliusstoodimmovable,lookingatRosa,yetlookingatherasifhedidnothearher.
“Don’tyouunderstandme?”saidtheyounggirl,withsomeimpatience.
“Yes,Ido,”saidCornelius,“but——”
“But?”
“Iwillnot,theywouldaccuseyou.”
“Nevermind,”saidRosa,blushing,“nevermindthat.”
“Youareverygood,mydearchild,”repliedCornelius,“butIstay.”
“Youstay,oh,sir!oh,sir!don’tyouunderstandthatyouwillbecondemnedtodeath,executedonthescaffold,perhapsassassinatedandtorntopieces,justlikeMynheerJohnandMynheerCornelius.Forheaven’ssake,don’tthinkofme,butflyfromthisplace.Takecare,itbearsilllucktotheDeWitts!”
“Halloa!”criedthejailer,recoveringhissenses,“whoistalkingofthoserogues,thosewretches,thosevillains,theDeWitts?”
“Don’tbeangry,mygoodman,”saidCornelius,withhisgood-temperedsmile,“theworstthingforafractureisexcitement,bywhichthebloodisheated.”
Thereupon,hesaidinanundertonetoRosa—
“Mychild,Iaminnocent,andIshallawaitmytrialwithtranquillityandaneasymind.”
“Hush,”saidRosa.
“Whyhush?”
“Myfathermustnotsupposethatwehavebeentalkingtoeachother.”
“Whatharmwouldthatdo?”
“Whatharm?Hewouldneverallowmetocomehereanymore,”saidRosa.
Corneliusreceivedthisinnocentconfidencewithasmile;hefeltasifarayofgoodfortunewereshiningonhispath
