during the time between my father’s first and second inspection.”
“Yes, Rosa, let it be so. One word of yours, announcing this news to me, will be a double happiness.”
“There, ten o’clock strikes,” said Rosa, “I must now leave you.”
“Yes, yes,” said Cornelius, “go, Rosa, go.”
Rosa withdrew, almost melancholy, for Cornelius had all but sent her away.
It is true that he did so, in order that she might watch over his black tulip.
CHAPTER XXII.
Joy.
The night passed away very sweetly for Cornelius, although in great agitation. Every instant he fancied he heard the gentle voice of Rosa calling him. He then started up, went to the door, and looked through the grating, but no one was behind and the lobby was empty.
Rosa, no doubt, would be watching too, but, happier than he, she watched over the tulip; she had before her eyes that noble flower, that wonder of wonders, which not only was unknown, but was not even thought possible until then.
What would the world say, when it heard that the black tulip was found, that it existed, and that it was the prisoner Van Baerle who had found it?
How Cornelius would have spurned the offer of his liberty in exchange for his tulip!
Day came, without any news; the tulip was not yet in flower.
