Part 23 (1/2)
”Yes,” said Rosa, with a faltering voice, ”yes, by a prisoner of state”
Van Systens trembled as he heard such a confession made in the presence of such a witness
”Continue,” said William dryly, to the President of the Horticultural Society
”Ah, sir,” said Rosa, addressing the person who to incriminate myself very seriously”
”Certainly,” said Van Systens, ”the prisoner of state ought to be kept in close confinement at Loewestein”
”Alas! sir”
”And froe of your position, as daughter of the jailer, to communicate with a prisoner of state about the cultivation of flowers”
”So it is, sir,” Rosa murmured in dismay; ”yes, I airl!” exclaiht of Rosa and the pallor of the President, raised his head, and said, in his clear and decided tone, -- ”This cannot signify anything to the e on the black tulip, and have no cognizance to take of political offences Go on, young wolance, offered, in the name of the tulip, his thanks to the new member of the Horticultural Society
Rosa, reassured by this sort of encourage her, related all that had happened for the last three months, all that she had done, and all that she had suffered She described the cruelty of Gryphus; the destruction of the first bulb; the grief of the prisoner; the precautions taken to insure the success of the second bulb; the patience of the prisoner and his anxiety during their separation; hoas about to starve hier any news of his tulip; his joy when she went to see hiain; and, lastly, their despair when they found that the tulip which had come into floas stolen just one hour after it had opened
All this was detailed with an accent of truth which, although producing no change in the impassible mien of the Prince, did not fail to take effect on Van Systens
”But,” said the Prince, ”it cannot be long since you knew the prisoner”
Rosa opened her large eyes and looked at the stranger, who drew back into the dark corner, as if he wished to escape her observation
”Why, sir?” she asked him
”Because it is not yet four hter were removed to Loewestein”
”That is true, sir”
”Otherwise, you must have solicited the transfer of your father, in order to be able to follow soue to Loewestein”
”Sir,” said Rosa, blushi+ng
”Finish what you have to say,” said Williaue”
”Happy prisoner!” said Willia
At this moment the officer who had been sent for Boxtel returned, and announced to the Prince that the person who on his heels with his tulip
Chapter 27
The Third Bulb
Boxtel's return was scarcely announced, when he entered in person the drawing-room of Mynheer van Systens, followed by two men, who carried in a box their precious burden and deposited it on a table
The Prince, on being infor-room, admired the flower, and silently resumed his seat in the dark corner, where he had hi, pale and terrified, expected to be invited in her turn to see the tulip
She now heard the voice of Boxtel
”It is he!” she exclaih the open door into the drawing-roonise it Oh,this she burst into tears
The Prince rose from his seat, went to the door, where he stood for soure
As Rosa's eyes now rested upon him, she felt more than ever convinced that this was not the first tier
”Master Boxtel,” said the Prince, ”coerly approached, and, finding hie, started back
”His Highness!” he called out
”His Highness!” Rosa repeated in dis this exclamation on his left, Boxtel turned round, and perceived Rosa
At this sight the whole fraalvanic shock
”Ah!” muttered the Prince to hi a violent effort to control his feelings, was already hiain
”Master Boxtel,” said Willia the black tulip?”
”Yes, your Highness,” answered Boxtel, in a voice which still betrayed soht have been attributable to the e the Prince
”But,” continued the Stadtholder, ”here is a young damsel who also pretends to have found it”
Boxtel, with a disdainful sed his shoulders
William watched all his movements with evident interest and curiosity
”Then you don't know this young girl?” said the Prince
”No, your Highness!”