Черный тюльпан
The Third Bulb
”
ThisslipofpaperofferedtheproofsbothofVanBaerle’sinnocenceandofhisclaimtothepropertyofthetulip.
RosaandtheStadtholderexchangedonelookonly.
ThatofRosawasmeanttoexpress,“Here,youseeyourself.”
ThatoftheStadtholdersignified,“Bequiet,andwait.”
ThePrincewipedthecoldsweatfromhisforehead,andslowlyfoldedupthepaper,whilsthisthoughtswerewanderinginthatlabyrinthwithoutagoalandwithoutaguide,whichiscalledremorseandshameforthepast.
Soon,however,raisinghisheadwithaneffort,hesaid,inhisusualvoice,—
“Go,Mr.Boxtel;justiceshallbedone,Ipromiseyou.”
Then,turningtothePresident,headded,—
“You,mydearMynheervanSystens,takechargeofthisyoungwomanandofthetulip.Good-bye.”
Allbowed,andthePrinceleft,amongthedeafeningcheersofthecrowdoutside.
Boxtelreturnedtohisinn,ratherpuzzledanduneasy,tormentedbymisgivingsaboutthatpaperwhichWilliamhadreceivedfromthehandofRosa,andwhichhisHighnesshadread,foldedup,andsocarefullyputinhispocket.Whatwasthemeaningofallthis?
Rosawentuptothetulip,tenderlykisseditsleavesand,withaheartfullofhappinessandconfidenceinthewaysofGod,brokeoutinthewords,—
“ThouknowestbestforwhatendThoumadestmygoodCorneliusteachmetoread.”
