The Opening of the Flower

           ThenightpassedawayverysweetlyforCornelius,althoughingreatagitation.EveryinstanthefanciedheheardthegentlevoiceofRosacallinghim.Hethenstartedup,wenttothedoor,andlookedthroughthegrating,butnoonewasbehindit,andthelobbywasempty.

           Rosa,nodoubt,wouldbewatchingtoo,but,happierthanhe,shewatchedoverthetulip;shehadbeforehereyesthatnobleflower,thatwonderofwonders,whichnotonlywasunknown,butwasnoteventhoughtpossibleuntilthen.

           Whatwouldtheworldsaywhenitheardthattheblacktulipwasfound,thatitexistedandthatitwastheprisonerVanBaerlewhohadfoundit?

           HowCorneliuswouldhavespurnedtheofferofhislibertyinexchangeforhistulip!

           Daycame,withoutanynews;thetulipwasnotyetinflower.

           Thedaypassedasthenight.Nightcame,andwithitRosa,joyousandcheerfulasabird.

           “Well?”askedCornelius.

           “Well,allisgoingonprosperously.Thisnight,withoutanydoubt,ourtulipwillbeinflower.”

           “Andwillitflowerblack?”

           “Blackasjet.”

           “Withoutaspeckofanyothercolour.”

           “Withoutonespeck.”

           “GoodHeavens!mydearRosa,Ihavebeendreamingallnight,inthefirstplaceofyou,”(Rosamadeasignofincredulity,)“andthenofwhatwemustdo.”

           “Well?”

           “Well,andIwilltellyounowwhatIhavedecidedon.Thetuliponcebeinginflower,anditbeingquitecertainthatitisperfectlyblack,youmustfindamessenger.”

           “Ifitisnomorethanthat,Ihaveamessengerquiteready.”

           “Ishesafe?”

           “OneforwhomIwillanswer,—heisoneofmylovers.”

           “IhopenotJacob.