Черный тюльпан
In which Van Baerle, before leaving Loewestein, settles Accounts with Gryphus
Whatthepoorprisonerwasmostafraidofduringthiswalk,whichheconsideredasleadinghimtotheendofthejourneyoflife,wastoseeGryphusandnottoseeRosa.Whatsavagesatisfactionwouldglistenintheeyesofthefather,andwhatsorrowdimthoseofthedaughter!
HowGryphuswouldgloryinhispunishment!Punishment?Rathersavagevengeanceforaneminentlyrighteousdeed,whichCorneliushadthesatisfactionofhavingperformedasaboundenduty.
ButRosa,poorgirl!musthediewithoutaglimpseofher,withoutanopportunitytogiveheronelastkiss,oreventosayonelastwordoffarewell?
And,worstofall,musthediewithoutanyintelligenceoftheblacktulip,andregainhisconsciousnessinheavenwithnoideainwhatdirectionheshouldlooktofindit?
Intruth,torestrainhistearsatsuchacrisisthepoorwretch’sheartmusthavebeenencasedinmoreoftheaestriplex—“thetriplebrass”—thanHoracebestowsuponthesailorwhofirstvisitedtheterrifyingAcroceraunianshoals.
InvaindidCorneliuslooktotherightandtotheleft;hesawnosigneitherofRosaorGryphus.
OnreachingtheEsplanade,hebravelylookedaboutfortheguardswhoweretobehisexecutioners,andinrealitysawadozensoldiersassembled.Buttheywerenotstandinginline,orcarryingmuskets,buttalkingtogethersogaylythatCorneliusfeltalmostshocked.
Allatonce,Gryphus,limping,staggering,andsupportinghimselfonacrookedstick,cameforthfromthejailer’slodge;hisoldeyes,grayasthoseofacat,werelitupbyagleaminwhichallhishatredwasconcentrated.
