The Hymn of the Flowers

           Whilsttheeventswehavedescribedinourlastchapterweretakingplace,theunfortunateVanBaerle,forgotteninhiscellinthefortressofLoewestein,sufferedatthehandsofGryphusallthataprisonercansufferwhenhisjailerhasformedthedeterminationofplayingthepartofhangman.

           Gryphus,nothavingreceivedanytidingsofRosaorofJacob,persuadedhimselfthatallthathadhappenedwasthedevil’swork,andthatDr.CorneliusvanBaerlehadbeensentonearthbySatan.

           Theresultofitwas,that,onefinemorning,thethirdafterthedisappearanceofJacobandRosa,hewentuptothecellofCorneliusinevenagreaterragethanusual.

           Thelatter,leaningwithhiselbowsonthewindow-sillandsupportinghisheadwithhistwohands,whilsthiseyeswanderedoverthedistanthazyhorizonwherethewindmillsofDortwereturningtheirsails,wasbreathingthefreshair,inordertobeabletokeepdownhistearsandtofortifyhimselfinhisphilosophy.

           Thepigeonswerestillthere,buthopewasnotthere;therewasnofuturetolookforwardto.

           Alas!Rosa,beingwatched,wasnolongerabletocome.Couldshenotwrite?andifso,couldsheconveyherletterstohim?

           No,no.HehadseenduringthetwoprecedingdaystoomuchfuryandmalignityintheeyesofoldGryphustoexpectthathisvigilancewouldrelax,evenforonemoment.