Черный тюльпан
The Events which took place during those Eight Days
ToyouGodhasgiventhethoughtandstrengthfordefendingyourself;buttomypoortulip,whenitisindanger,Godhasgivennothingofthesort.”
Rosa,withoutreplyingtothisexcuseoftheprisoner,continued,—
“FromthemomentwhenIfirstknewthatyouwereuneasyonaccountofthemanwhofollowedme,andinwhomIhadrecognizedJacob,Iwasevenmoreuneasymyself.Ontheday,therefore,afterthatonwhichIsawyoulast,andonwhichyousaid—”
Corneliusinterruptedher.
“Oncemore,pardonme,Rosa!”hecried.“IwaswronginsayingtoyouwhatIsaid.Ihaveaskedyourpardonforthatunfortunatespeechbefore.Iaskitagain:shallIalwaysaskitinvain?”
“Onthefollowingday,”Rosacontinued,“rememberingwhatyouhadtoldmeaboutthestratagemwhichIwastoemploytoascertainwhetherthatodiousmanwasafterthetulip,orafterme——”
“Yes,yes,odious.Tellme,”hesaid,“doyouhatethatman?”
“Idohatehim,”saidRosa,“asheisthecauseofalltheunhappinessIhavesufferedtheseeightdays.”
“You,too,havebeenunhappy,Rosa?Ithankyouathousandtimesforthiskindconfession.”
“Well,onthedayafterthatunfortunateone,IwentdownintothegardenandproceededtowardstheborderwhereIwastoplantyourtulip,lookingroundallthewhiletoseewhetherIwasagainfollowedasIwaslasttime.”
“Andthen?”Corneliusasked.
“Andthenthesameshadowglidedbetweenthegateandthewall,andoncemoredisappearedbehindtheelder-trees.
