Черный тюльпан
The Two Brothers
”
“Whatblockheadstheyare!”
“But,indeed,theyreproachuswithit.”
“Andyet,ifthesenegotiationshadbeensuccessful,theywouldhavepreventedthedefeatsofRees,Orsay,Wesel,andRheinberg;theRhinewouldnothavebeencrossed,andHollandmightstillconsiderherselfinvincibleinthemidstofhermarshesandcanals.”
“Allthisisquitetrue,mydearCornelius,butstillmorecertainitis,thatifatthismomentourcorrespondencewiththeMarquisdeLouvoiswerediscovered,skilfulpilotasIam,IshouldnotbeabletosavethefrailbarquewhichistocarrythebrothersDeWittandtheirfortunesoutofHolland.Thatcorrespondence,whichmightprovetohonestpeoplehowdearlyIlovemycountry,andwhatsacrificesIhaveofferedtomakeforitslibertyandglory,wouldberuintousifitfellintothehandsoftheOrangeparty.IhopeyouhaveburnedthelettersbeforeyouleftDorttojoinmeattheHague.”
“Mydearbrother,”Corneliusanswered,“yourcorrespondencewithM.deLouvoisaffordsampleproofofyourhavingbeenoflatethegreatest,mostgenerous,andmostablecitizenoftheSevenUnitedProvinces.Irejoiceinthegloryofmycountry;andparticularlydoIrejoiceinyourglory,John.Ihavetakengoodcarenottoburnthatcorrespondence.”
“Thenwearelost,asfarasthislifeisconcerned,”quietlysaidtheGrandPensionary,approachingthewindow.
“No,onthecontrary,John,weshallatthesametimesaveourlivesandregainourpopularity.
