Черный тюльпан
The Rival
SeeingRosaenterherroomtenminutesaftershehadleftit,Boxtelguessedthatthetuliphadopened,orwasabouttoopen.
Duringthatnight,therefore,thegreatblowwastobestruck.BoxtelpresentedhimselfbeforeGryphuswithadoublesupplyofGenièvre,thatistosay,withabottleineachpocket.
Gryphusbeingoncefuddled,Boxtelwasverynearlymasterofthehouse.
Ateleveno’clockGryphuswasdeaddrunk.AttwointhemorningBoxtelsawRosaleavingthechamber;butevidentlysheheldinherarmssomethingwhichshecarriedwithgreatcare.
Hedidnotdoubtthatthiswastheblacktulipwhichwasinflower.
Butwhatwasshegoingtodowithit?WouldshesetoutthatinstanttoHaarlemwithit?
Itwasnotpossiblethatayounggirlshouldundertakesuchajourneyaloneduringthenight.
WassheonlygoingtoshowthetuliptoCornelius?Thiswasmorelikely.
HefollowedRosainhisstockingfeet,walkingontiptoe.
Hesawherapproachthegratedwindow.HeheardhercallingCornelius.Bythelightofthedarklanternhesawthetulipopen,andblackasthenightinwhichhewashidden.
HeheardtheplanconcertedbetweenCorneliusandRosatosendamessengertoHaarlem.Hesawthelipsoftheloversmeet,andthenheardCorneliussendRosaaway.
HesawRosaextinguishthelightandreturntoherchamber.Tenminutesafter,hesawherleavetheroomagain,andlockittwice
