Dumas - Black Tulip

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D um as , A le xa ndre - T he B la ck T ul ip

P roje ct G ut enbe rg's E te xt of T he B la ck T ul ip by A le xa ndre D um as

# 1 i n o ur s er ie s b y A le xa nd re D um as [ Pe re /F at he r]

C op yr ig ht l aw s a re c ha ng in g a ll o ve r t he w or ld , b e s ur e t o c he ck

the c opyr ight l aw s f or your c ount ry bef or e pos ti ng t he se f il es !!

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We e nc ou ra ge y ou t o k ee p t hi s f il e o n y ou r o wn d is k, k ee pi ng a n

e le ct ro ni c p at h o pe n f or t he n ex t r ea de rs . D o n ot r em ov e t hi s.

**W el come T o T he W or ld of F re e P la in V anil la E le ct roni c T exts **

* *E te xt s R ea da bl e B y B ot h H um an s a nd B y C om pu te rs , S in ce 1 97 1* *

*Thes e E te xts P re par ed B y H undre ds of V ol unt e er s a nd D ona ti ons *

Inform at ion on c onta ct ing P roje ct G ut enbe rg t o get E te xt s, a nd

f ur ther i nf or ma ti on i s i nc lude d bel ow . W e nee d your donat ions .

The Black Tulip

by Alexandre Dumas

J un e , 1 9 97 [ Et ex t # 96 5]

P roje ct G ut enbe rg's E te xt of T he B la ck T ul ip by A le xa ndre D um as

*****T hi s f i le s houl d be na me d t btl p10.t xt or t bt l p10.z i p******

C or re ct ed E DI TI ON S o f o ur e te xt s g et a n ew N UM BE R, t bt lp 11 .t xt .

V ER SI ON S b as ed o n s ep ar at e s ou rc es g et n ew L ET TE R, t bt lp 10 a. tx t.

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mi dn ig ht o f t he l as t d ay o f t he mo nt h o f a ny s uc h a nn ou nc em en t.

T he o ff ic ia l r el ea se d at e o f a ll P ro je ct G ut en be rg E te xt s i s a t

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di r [ to s ee f il es ]

g et o r m get [ to g et f ile s. . .se t b in f or z ip f il es ]

GET INDEX?00.GUT

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fo r a li st o f bo ok s

and

G ET N EW G UT f or gener al i nf or ma ti on

and

M GE T G UT * f or new sl et te rs .

**I nform at i on pre par e d by t he P roje c t G ut e nbe rg l ega l a dvi sor**

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Duma s, A le xa ndre - T he B la ck T ul ip

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T he B la ck T ul ip by A le xa ndre D um as

Pa ge 4


Ch a pt e r 1

A G ra te ful P eopl e

On t he 2 0t h o f A ug us t, 1 67 2, t he c it y o f t he Ha gu e, a lwa ys

s o l iv el y, s o n ea t, a nd s o t ri m t ha t o ne m ig ht b el ie ve e ve ry

d a y t o b e Su nd ay , w it h i ts s ha dy p ar k, w it h i ts t al l t re es ,

s pr ea di ng ove r i ts G ot hi c house s, w it h i ts c anal s l ike l ar ge

m ir rors , i n w hi ch i ts s te eple s a nd i ts a lm os t E as te rn

c up ol as a re r ef le ct ed , - - t he c it y o f t he Ha gu e, t he c ap it al

of t he S even U ni te d P rovi nc es , w as s we ll ing i n a ll i ts

a rt er ie s w it h a b la ck a nd r ed s tr ea m o f h ur ri ed , p an ti ng ,

a nd r es tl es s c it iz ens, w ho, w it h t he ir kni ve s i n t he ir

gir dl es , m us ke ts on t he ir s houl de rs , or s ti cks i n t he ir

h an ds , w er e p us hi ng o n t o t he B uy te nh of , a t er ri bl e p ri so n,

t he g ra te d w in do ws o f w hi ch a re s ti ll s ho wn , w he re , o n t he

c ha rge of a tt em pt ed m ur de r pre fe rr ed a ga inst him by t he

s ur ge on T yc ke la er , C or ne li us d e W it t, t he b ro th er o f t he

G ra nd P ensi onar y of H ol la nd w as c onfi ne d.

I f t he h is to ry o f t ha t t im e, a nd e sp ec ia ll y t ha t o f t he y ea r

i n t he m id dl e o f w hi ch o ur n ar ra ti ve c om me nc es , w er e n ot

indissolubly connected with the two names just mentioned,

t he f ew e xp la na to ry p ag es wh ic h w e a re a bo ut t o a dd mi gh t

a pp ea r q ui te s up er er og at or y; b ut w e w il l, f ro m t he v er y

P a g e 9



f ir st , a pp ri se t he r ea de r - - o ur o ld f ri en d, t o w ho m w e a re

w on t o n t he f ir st p ag e t o p ro mi se a mu se me nt , a nd w it h w ho m

we always try to keep our word as well as is in our power --

t ha t t hi s e xpla na ti on i s a s i ndis pe ns able t o t he r ight

u nd er st an di ng o f o ur s to ry a s t o t ha t o f t he g re at e ve nt

it se lf o n w hi ch i t i s b as ed .

Co rn el iu s d e W it t, Ru ar t d e P ul te n, t ha t i s t o s ay , w ar de n

o f t he d ik es , e x- bu rg om as te r o f D or t, h is n at iv e t ow n, a nd

m em be r o f t he A ss em bl y o f t he S ta te s o f H ol la nd , w as

f or ty -n in e y ea rs o f a ge , w he n t he D ut ch p eo pl e, t ir ed o f t he

R ep ub li c s uc h a s J oh n d e W it t, t he G ra nd P en si on ar y o f

H ol la nd , u nd er st oo d i t, a t o nc e c on ce iv ed a m os t v io le nt

a ff ec ti on f or t he S ta dt hol de ra te , w hi ch had bee n a boli she d

f or e ve r i n H ol la nd b y t he " Pe rp et ua l E di ct " f or ce d b y J oh n

d e W it t u po n t he U ni te d P ro vi nc es .

A s i t r ar el y happe ns t ha t publi c opi ni on, i n i ts w hi ms ic al

f li ghts , doe s not i de nt if y a pri nc iple w it h a m an, t hus t he

p eo pl e s aw t he p er so ni fi ca ti on o f t he R ep ub li c i n t he t wo

s te rn f ig ur es o f t he b ro th er s D e W it t, t ho se R om an s o f

H ol la nd , s pu rn in g t o p an de r t o t he f an ci es o f t he m ob , a nd

wedding themselves with unbending fidelity to liberty

without licentiousness, and prosperity without the waste of

s upe rf luit y; on t he other hand, t he S ta dt holder at e r ec a ll ed

t o t he p op ul ar m in d t he g ra ve a nd t ho ug ht fu l i ma ge o f t he

young Prince William of Orange.

T he b ro th er s D e W it t h um ou re d L ou is X IV ., w ho se m or al

P a g e 1 0



in fl ue nc e w as f el t b y t he w ho le o f E ur op e, a nd t he p re ss ur e

o f w ho se m at er ia l p ow er H ol la nd h ad b ee n m ad e t o f ee l i n

t ha t m ar ve ll ous c am pa ign on t he R hi ne , w hi ch, i n t he s pa ce

o f t hr ee m on th s, h ad l ai d t he p ow er o f t he U ni te d P ro vi nc es

prostrate.

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Lo ui s XI V. h ad lo ng b ee n th e e ne my of th e D ut ch , wh o

i ns ul te d or r idic ul ed him t o t he ir hea rt s' c onte nt , a lt hough

i t m us t b e s ai d t ha t t he y g en er al ly u se d F re nc h r ef ug ee s f or

t he m outhpi ec e of t he ir s pi te . T he ir nat iona l pri de hel d him

u p a s t he M it hr id at es o f t he R ep ub li c. T he b ro th er s D e W it t,

t he re fore , had t o s tr ive a gai ns t a doubl e dif fi cult y, - -

a ga inst t he f or ce of nat iona l a nt ipat hy, a nd, bes ides ,

agai ns t t he f ee li ng of w ea ri ne ss w hi ch i s nat ur al t o a ll

va nq ui sh ed p eo pl e, w he n t he y h op e t ha t a n ew c hi ef w il l b e

a bl e t o sa ve t he m f ro m r ui n a nd s ha me.

Th is n ew c hi ef , q ui te r ea dy t o a pp ea r o n t he p ol it ic al

st age, a nd t o m ea sure him se lf a ga inst L ouis X IV ., how ever

g ig an ti c t he f or tu ne s o f t he G ra nd M on ar ch l oo me d i n t he

future , w as W il li am , P ri nc e of O ra nge, s on of W il li am I I. ,

a nd g ra nd so n, b y h is m ot he r H en ri et ta S tu ar t, o f C ha rl es I .

o f E ng la nd . W e h av e m en ti on ed h im b ef or e a s t he p er so n b y

w ho m t he p eo pl e e xp ec te d t o s ee t he o ff ic e o f S ta dt ho ld er

restored.

P a g e 1 1



T hi s y ou ng m an w as , i n 1 67 2, t we nt y- tw o y ea rs o f a ge . J oh n

d e Wi tt, wh o wa s hi s t uto r, h ad b ro ug ht h im u p wi th th e v ie w

of m aking him a good c it iz en. L oving his c ount ry bet te r t ha n

h e d id h is d is ci pl e, t he m as te r h ad , b y t he P er pe tu al E di ct ,

e xt inguis he d t he hope w hi ch t he young P ri nc e m ight have

e nt er ta ined of one day be comi ng S ta dt holder . B ut G od l aughs

a t t he p re su mp ti on o f m an , wh o w an ts t o r ai se a nd p ro st ra te

t he p ow er s o n e ar th w it ho ut c on su lt in g t he K in g a bo ve ; a nd

t he f ic kl en es s a nd c ap ri ce o f t he D ut ch c om bi ne d w it h t he

t er ror i ns pi re d by L ouis X IV ., i n r epea li ng t he P er pe tual

E di ct , a nd r e- es ta bl is hi ng t he off ic e of S ta dt holder i n

f av ou r o f W il li am o f O ra ng e, f or w ho m t he h an d o f P ro vi de nc e

h ad t ra ce d o ut u lt er io r d es ti ni es o n t he h id de n m ap o f t he

future.

T he G ra nd Pe ns io na ry b ow ed b ef or e t he w il l o f h is f el lo w

c it iz ens ; C or nel ius de W it t, how ever , w as m or e obs ti na te ,

a nd not wi thst andi ng a ll t he t hr ea ts of dea th f rom t he

O ra ng is t r ab bl e, w ho b es ie ge d h im i n h is h ou se a t D or t, h e

s to ut ly r ef us ed t o s ig n t he a ct b y w hi ch t he o ff ic e o f

S ta dt ho ld er w as r es to re d. M ov ed b y t he t ea rs a nd e nt re at ie s

o f h is w if e, h e a t l as t c om pl ie d, o nl y a dd in g t o h is

s igna ture t he t wo l et te rs V . C . ( Vi C oa ct us ), not if yi ng

t he re by t ha t h e o nl y y ie ld ed t o f or ce .

It wa s a rea l mi rac le th at on t hat d ay h e esc ape d fro m th e

doom i nt ende d f or him .

J oh n d e W it t d er iv ed n o a dv an ta ge f ro m h is r ea dy c om pl ia nc e

P a g e 1 2



wi th t he w is he s o f h is f el lo w c it iz en s. O nl y a f ew d ay s

a ft er , a n a tt em pt w as ma de t o s ta b h im , i n w hi ch h e w as

severely although not mortally wounded.

T hi s b y n o m ea ns s ui te d t he v ie ws o f t he O ra ng e f ac ti on . T he

l if e o f t he t wo b ro th er s b ei ng a c on st an t o bs ta cl e t o t he ir

pl an s, t he y c ha ng ed t he ir t ac ti cs , a nd t ri ed t o o bt ai n b y

c al um ny wh at th ey h ad n ot b ee n a bl e t o e ff ec t b y t he a id o f

t he poni ar d.

H ow r ar el y d oe s i t h ap pe n t ha t, i n t he r ig ht mo me nt, a g re at

m an i s f ou nd t o h ea d t he e xe cu ti on o f v as t a nd n ob le

d es ig ns ; a nd f or t ha t r ea so n, w he n s uc h a p ro vi de nt ia l

conc urr enc e of c ir c um st anc es doe s oc cur , his t or y i s prompt

to re co rd th e na me of th e ch ose n on e, an d to h old him up t o

Pa ge 6


t he a dm ir at ion of pos te ri ty. B ut w he n S at an i nt er pose s i n

h um an a ff ai rs t o c as t a s ha do w u po n s om e h ap py e xi st en ce , o r

t o o ve rt hr ow a k in gd om, i t s el do m h ap pe ns t ha t h e d oe s n ot

f in d a t h is s id e so me mi se ra bl e t oo l, i n w ho se e ar h e h as

b ut to wh is per a wor d t o s et h im at on ce a bo ut hi s t as k.

T he wr etc hed too l wh o was at h an d to b e the age nt o f this

d a st ar dl y p lo t w as o ne T yc ke la er w ho m w e h av e a lr ea dy

m enti oned, a s ur ge on by profe ss ion.

H e l odge d a n i nf or ma ti on a ga inst C or ne li us de W it t, s et ti ng

fo rt h t ha t t he wa rd en - - who , as he ha d s ho wn b y th e le tt er s

P a g e 1 3



a dd ed t o h is s ig na tu re , wa s f umi ng a t t he r ep ea l o f t he

P er pe tual E di ct - - had, f rom hat re d a ga inst W il li am of

Or an ge , h ir ed a n a ss as si n t o d el iv er t he n ew R ep ub li c o f i ts

ne w S ta dt ho ld er ; a nd h e, T yc ke la er w as t he p er so n t hu s

ch os en ; b ut t ha t, h or ri fi ed a t t he b ar e i de a o f t he a ct

w hi ch h e w as a sk ed t o p er pe tr at e, h e h ad p re fe rr ed r at he r t o

r ev ea l t he c ri me t ha n t o c om mi t i t.

T hi s dis cl os ur e w as , i ndee d, w el l c al cula te d t o c al l f or th a

f ur ious out br ea k a mong t he O ra nge f ac ti on. T he A tt or ne y

G en er al c au se d, o n t he 1 6t h o f A ug us t, 1 67 2, C or ne li us d e

Wit t t o be ar re ste d; an d th e n obl e br ot her of Jo hn d e Wit t

h ad , l ik e t he v il es t c ri mi na l, t o u nd er go , i n o ne o f t he

a p ar tm en ts o f t he t ow n p ri so n, t he p re pa ra to ry d eg re es o f

t or tu re , b y m ea ns o f w hi ch h is j ud ge s e xp ec te d t o f or ce f ro m

him t he c onfe ss ion of his a ll eged plot a ga inst W il li am of

Orange.

B ut Co rn el iu s wa s n ot o nl y p os se ss ed o f a g re at m in d, b ut

a ls o o f a g re at h ea rt . He b el on ge d t o t ha t r ac e o f ma rt yr s

who, indissolubly wedded to their political convictions as

t he ir a nc es to rs w er e t o t he ir f ai th , a re a bl e t o s mi le o n

p ai n: w hi le b ei ng s tr et ch ed o n t he r ac k, h e r ec it ed w it h a

f ir m voi ce , a nd s ca nning t he l ines a cc or di ng t o m ea sure , t he

f ir st s tr op he o f t he " Ju st um a c t en ac em " o f H or ac e, a nd ,

m aking no c onfe ss ion, t ir ed not onl y t he s tr engt h, but e ve n

the fanaticism, of his executioners.

The judges, notwithstanding, acquitted Tyckelaer from every

P a g e 1 4



c h ar ge ; a t t he s am e t im e s en te nc in g C or ne li us t o b e d ep os ed

f ro m a ll h is o ff ic es a nd d ig ni ti es ; t o p ay a ll t he c os ts o f

t he t ri al ; a nd to be ba ni sh ed f ro m th e s oi l o f t he Rep ub li c

f o r e ve r.

T hi s j ud gm en t a ga in st n ot o nl y a n i nn oc en t, b ut a ls o a g re at

m an , w as i nd ee d s om e g ra ti fi ca ti on t o t he p as si on s o f t he

p eo pl e, t o w ho se i nt er es ts C or ne li us d e W it t h ad a lw ay s

d ev ot ed h im se lf : b ut, a s we s ha ll s oo n s ee , i t w as n ot

enough.

T he A th en ia ns , w ho i nd ee d h av e l ef t b eh in d t he m a p re tt y

t ol er able r eput at ion f or i ngra ti tude , have i n t hi s r es pe ct

to y ie ld p re ce de nc e t o t he D ut ch . Th ey , a t l ea st i n t he c as e

of Aristides, contented themselves with banishing him.

J oh n d e W it t, a t t he f ir st i nt im at io n o f t he c ha rg e b ro ug ht

a ga inst his brother , had r es igne d his off ic e of G ra nd

P en si on ar y. H e t oo r ec ei ve d a n ob le r ec om pe ns e f or h is

d ev ot ed ne ss t o t he b es t i nt er es ts o f h is c ou nt ry , t ak in g

w it h h im i nt o t he r et ir em en t o f p ri va te l if e t he h at re d o f a

ho st o f e ne mi es , a nd t he f re sh s ca rs o f w ou nd s i nf li ct ed b y

a ss as si ns , o nl y t oo o ft en t he s ol e g ue rd on o bt ai ne d b y

Pa ge 7


h on es t p eo pl e, w ho a re g ui lt y o f h av in g w or ke d f or t he ir

c ountr y, a nd of having f or gott en t he ir own pri va te

interests.

P a g e 1 5



I n t he m ea nw hi le W il li am o f O ra ng e u rg ed o n t he c ou rs e o f

e ve nt s b y e ve ry m ea ns i n h is p ow er , e ag er ly w ai ti ng f or t he

t im e w he n t he p eo pl e, b y w ho m h e w as i do li se d, s ho ul d h av e

m ad e o f t he b od ie s o f t he b ro th er s t he t wo s te ps o ve r w hi ch

h e m ig ht a sc en d t o t he c ha ir o f S ta dt ho ld er .

Th us , t he n, o n t he 2 0t h o f A ug us t, 1 67 2, a s we h av e a lr ea dy

s t at ed i n t he b eg in ni ng o f t hi s c ha pt er , t he w ho le t ow n w as

c r ow di ng t owa rds t he B uyt enhof, t o w it ne ss t he de pa rt ur e of

C or ne li us d e W it t f ro m p ri so n, a s h e w as g oi ng t o e xi le ; a nd

to s ee wh at tr ace s t he to rt ur e o f t he r ac k h ad l ef t o n t he

n ob le fr am e o f t he m an wh o k ne w h is Ho ra ce s o w ell .

Y et a ll t hi s m ul ti tude w as not c rowding t o t he B uyte nhof

w it h t he i nnoc ent vie w of m er el y f ea st ing t he ir e ye s w it h

t he s pe ct ac le ; t he re we re ma ny w ho w en t t he re t o p la y a n

a ct iv e p ar t i n i t, a nd t o t ak e u po n t he ms el ve s a n o ff ic e

w hi ch t he y c on ce iv ed h ad b ee n b ad ly f il le d, - - t ha t o f t he

executioner.

T he re w er e, i ndee d, other s w it h l es s hos ti le i nt enti ons. A ll

t ha t t he y c ar ed f or w as t he s pe ct ac le , a lw ay s s o a tt ra ct iv e

t o t he m ob , w ho se i ns ti nc ti ve p ri de i s f la tt er ed b y i t, - -

t h e s ig ht o f g re at ne ss h ur le d d ow n i nt o t he d us t.

" Ha s n ot ," t he y w ou ld s ay , " th is C or ne li us d e W it t b ee n

lo ck ed up an d b ro ke n b y t he rac k? Sh all we n ot se e hi m pa le,

s tr ea mi ng w it h blood, c over ed w it h s ha me ?" A nd w as not t hi s

a s we et t ri um ph f or t he b ur gh er s o f t he H ag ue , w ho se e nv y

e ve n b ea t t ha t o f t he c om mo n r ab bl e; a t ri um ph i n w hi ch

P a g e 1 6



e ve ry hones t c it iz en a nd t ow ns ma n m ight be e xpec te d t o

share?

"Moreover," hinted the Orange agitators interspersed through

t he c ro wd , w ho m t he y h op ed t o m an ag e l ik e a s ha rp -e dg ed a nd

a t t he s am e t im e c rushing i ns tr um ent, - - " more over , w il l

th er e n ot , f ro m t he Bu yt en ho f t o t he g at e o f t he t ow n, a

nic e l it tl e oppor tuni ty pre se nt i ts el f t o t hr ow s om e

h an df ul s o f d ir t, o r a f ew s to ne s, a t th is Co rn eli us d e

W it t, w ho n ot o nl y c on fe rr ed t he d ig ni ty o f S ta dt ho ld er o n

t he P ri nc e o f O ra ng e m er el y v i c oa ct us , b ut w ho a ls o

intended to have him assassinated?"

" Be si de s w hi ch," t he f ie rc e e ne mi es of F ra nc e c hi me d i n, " if

t he w or k w er e d on e w el l a nd b ra ve ly a t t he H ag ue , C or ne li us

w ou ld c er ta in ly n ot b e a ll ow ed t o g o i nt o e xi le , w he re h e

w il l r enew his i nt ri gues w it h F ra nc e, a nd l ive w it h his big

s co un dr el o f a b ro th er , J oh n, o n t he g ol d o f t he M ar qu is d e

Louvois."

B ei ng i n s uc h a t em pe r, peopl e gener al ly w il l r un r at he r

t ha n w al k; w hi ch w as t he r ea so n w hy t he i nh ab it an ts o f t he

Ha gue w er e hur rying s o f as t t ow ar ds t he B uyte nhof .

H on es t T yc ke la er , w it h a h ea rt f ul l o f s pi te a nd m al ic e, a nd

w it h n o p ar ti cu la r p la n s et tl ed i n h is m in d, w as o ne o f t he

f or emo st , b ei ng p ar ad ed a bo ut b y t he Or an ge p ar ty l ik e a

her o of probi ty, nat iona l honour, a nd C hr is ti an c ha ri ty.

This daring miscreant detailed, with all the embellishments

P a g e 1 7



Pa ge 8


a nd f lour is he s s ugge st ed by his bas e m ind a nd his r uf fi anly

i ma gi na ti on, t he a tt em pt s w hi ch he pre te nded C or ne li us de

Wi tt h ad ma de t o c or ru pt h im; th e s ums o f mo ne y wh ich w er e

promi se d, a nd a ll t he dia boli ca l s tr at agem s pla nned

bef or ehand t o s moot h f or him , T yc ke la er , a ll t he

dif fi cult ie s i n t he pat h of m ur de r.

A nd e ve ry p ha se o f h is s pe ec h, e ag er ly l is te ne d t o b y t he

popula ce , c al le d f or th e nt husi as ti c c he er s f or t he P ri nc e of

Or ange , a nd groans a nd i mpre ca ti ons of bli nd f ur y a ga inst

th e b ro th er s D e W it t.

Th e m ob e ve n b eg an t o v en t i ts r ag e b y i nv ei gh in g a ga in st

t he i ni quit ous j udge s, w ho had a ll ow ed s uc h a det es ta bl e

cr im inal a s t he vil la in C or ne li us t o get off s o c he aply.

S om e o f t he a gi ta to rs w hi sp er ed , " He w il l b e o ff , h e w il l

e sc ape f rom us! "

O ther s r epli ed, " A ves se l i s w ai ti ng f or him a t S chevening,

a F re nc h c ra ft . T yc ke la er h as s ee n h er ."

"H ones t T yc ke la er ! H ur ra h f or T yc ke la er !" t he m ob c ri ed i n

chorus.

"A nd l et u s n ot f or ge t, " a v oi ce e xc la im ed f ro m t he c ro wd ,

" th at a t t he s am e t im e w it h C or ne li us h is b ro th er J oh n, w ho

i s a s r as ca ll y a t ra it or a s him se lf , w il l l ikew is e m ake his

escape."

" An d t he t wo r og ue s w il l i n F ra nc e m ak e m er ry w it h o ur

P a g e 1 8



mo ne y, w it h t he m on ey f or o ur v es se ls , o ur a rs en al s, a nd o ur

d oc ky ar ds , w hi ch t he y h av e s ol d t o L ou is X IV ."

"W el l, t he n, d on 't l et u s a ll ow t he m t o d ep ar t! " a dv is ed o ne

o f t he p at ri ot s wh o h ad g ai ne d t he s ta rt o f t he o th er s.

" Fo rw ar d t o t he p ri so n, t o t he p ri so n! " e ch oe d t he c ro wd .

A mi d t he se c ri es , t he c it iz en s r an a lo ng f as te r a nd f as te r,

cocking their muskets, brandishing their hatchets, and

l ooki ng dea th a nd def ia nc e i n a ll dir ec ti ons.

N o v io le nc e, h ow ev er , h ad a s y et b ee n c om mi tt ed ; a nd t he

f il e o f h or se me n w ho w er e g ua rd in g t he a pp ro ac he s o f t he

Buytenhof remained cool, unmoved, silent, much more

threatening in their impassibility than all this crowd of

bur gher s, w it h t he ir c ri es , t he ir a gi ta ti on, a nd t he ir

t hr ea ts . T he m en o n t he ir h or se s, i nd ee d, s to od l ik e s o m an y

s ta tu es , u nd er t he e ye o f t he ir c hi ef , C ou nt T il ly , t he

c ap ta in o f t he mo un te d t ro op s o f t he H ag ue , w ho h ad h is

s wo rd d ra wn , b ut h el d i t w it h i ts p oi nt d ow nw ar ds , i n a l in e

w it h t he s tr ap s o f h is s ti rr up .

T hi s t ro op , t he o nl y d ef en ce o f t he p ri so n, o ve ra we d b y i ts

f ir m a tt it ude not onl y t he dis or de rl y r iotous m as s of t he

p op ul ac e, b ut a ls o t he d et ac hm en t o f t he b ur gh er g ua rd ,

w hi ch, bei ng pla ce d oppos it e t he B uyte nhof t o s uppor t t he

s o ld ie rs i n k ee pi ng o rd er , g av e t o t he r io te rs t he e xa mp le

of s edi ti ous c ri es , s houti ng, - -

" Hurr ah f or O ra nge! D ow n w it h t he t ra it or s! "

P a g e 1 9



T he p re se nc e o f T il ly a nd h is h or se me n, i nd ee d, e xe rc is ed a

Pa ge 9


s a lu ta ry c he ck o n t he se c iv ic w ar ri or s; b ut b y d eg re es t he y

wa xe d m or e a nd m or e a ng ry b y t he ir o wn s ho ut s, a nd a s t he y

we re n ot a bl e t o u nd er st an d h ow a ny o ne c ou ld h av e c ou ra ge

w it hout s howi ng i t by c ri es , t he y a tt ri bute d t he s il ence of

t he dr agoons t o pus i ll anim it y, a nd a dva nc ed one s te p t ow ar ds

t he pri son, w it h a ll t he t ur bule nt m ob f ol lowi ng i n t he ir

wake.

I n t hi s m om ent, C ount T il ly r ode f or th t ow ar ds t he m

single-handed, merely lifting his sword and contracting his

b ro w w hi ls t h e a dd re ss ed t he m: - -

" We ll , gentl em en of t he bur gher gua rd, w ha t a re you

a dv an ci ng f or , a nd w ha t d o y ou w is h? "

T he b ur gh er s s ho ok t he ir m us ke ts , r ep ea ti ng t he ir c ry , - -

" Hurr ah f or O ra nge ! D ea th t o t he t ra it or s! "

" 'H ur ra h f or O ra nge! ' a ll w el l a nd good! " r epli ed T il ly,

" al th ou gh I c er ta in ly a m m or e p ar ti al t o h ap py f ac es t ha n t o

g lo om y o ne s. ' De at h t o t he t ra it or s! ' a s mu ch o f i t a s y ou

li ke , a s l on g a s y ou s ho w y ou r w ish es o nl y b y c rie s. Bu t, a s

to put ting th em t o deat h in goo d earn est , I am he re to

p re ve nt t ha t, a nd I s ha ll p re ve nt i t. "

T he n, t ur ni ng r ou nd t o h is m en , h e g av e t he w or d o f c om ma nd ,

--

"Soldiers, ready!"

P a g e 2 0



T he t ro op er s o be ye d o rd er s w it h a p re ci si on w hi ch

i mm edia te ly c ause d t he bur gher gua rd a nd t he peopl e t o f al l

ba ck , i n a d eg re e o f c on fu si on w hi ch e xc it ed t he s mi le o f

the cavalry officer.

"Holloa!" he exclaimed, with that bantering tone which is

pec ul ia r t o m en of his profe ss ion; " be e as y, gentl em en, m y

s ol di er s wi ll n ot f ir e a s ho t; b ut, o n t he o th er h an d, y ou

w il l n ot a dv an ce b y o ne s te p t ow ar ds t he p ri so n. "

" An d d o y ou k no w, s ir , t ha t we h av e m us ke ts ?" r oa re d t he

commandant of the burghers.

" I m us t k no w i t, b y J ov e, y ou h av e m ad e t he m g li tt er e no ug h

be fo re my e ye s; bu t I be g y ou to ob serv e a ls o t ha t we o n ou r

s i de h av e p is to ls , t ha t t he p is to l c ar ri es a dm ir ab ly t o a

dis ta nc e of f if ty yar ds , a nd t ha t you a re onl y t we nt y- fi ve

from us."

" De a th t o t he t ra i tors ! " c ri e d t he e xas per a te d burgher s .

"G o a long w it h you," growl ed t he off ic er , " you a lw ays c ry

t he s am e t hi ng o ve r a ga in . I t i s v er y t ir es om e. "

With t his , h e to ok h is p os t at th e he ad o f hi s tro op s,

w hi ls t t he t um ul t gre w f ie rc er a nd f ie rc er a bout t he

Buytenhof.

A nd y et t he f um in g c ro wd d id n ot k no w t ha t, a t t ha t v ery

m om en t w he n t he y w er e t ra ck in g t he s ce nt o f o ne o f t he ir

v ic ti ms , t he o th er , a s i f h ur ry in g t o m ee t h is f at e, p as se d,

a t a d is ta nc e o f n ot mo re t ha n a h un dr ed y ar ds , b eh in d t he

P a g e 2 1



g ro up s o f p eo pl e a nd t he d ra go on s, t o b et ak e h im se lf t o t he

P ag e 1 0


Buytenhof.

J oh n d e W it t, i nd ee d, h ad a li gh te d f ro m h is c oa ch w it h h is

s er va nt , a nd q ui et ly w al ke d a cr os s t he c ou rt ya rd o f t he

prison.

M en ti on in g h is n am e t o t he t ur nk ey , w ho h ow ev er k ne w h im , h e

s ai d, - -

" Go od m or ni ng , G ry ph us ; I a m c om in g t o t ak e a wa y m y b ro th er ,

wh o, a s y ou k no w, i s c on de mn ed t o e xi le , a nd t o c ar ry h im

o ut o f t he t own ."

Wh er eu po n t he j ai le r, a s or t o f b ea r, t ra in ed t o l oc k a nd

u nl oc k t he g at es o f t he p ri so n, h ad g re et ed h im a nd a dm it te d

him i nt o t he bui lding, t he doors of w hi ch w er e i mm edia te ly

closed again.

T en y ar ds f ar th er o n, J oh n d e W it t m et a l ov el y y ou ng g ir l,

o f a bo ut s ev en te en o r e ig ht ee n, d re ss ed i n t he n at io na l

c os tume of t he F ri si an w om en, w ho, w it h pre tt y dem ur enes s,

d ro pp ed a c ur te sy t o h im . Ch uc ki ng h er u nd er t he c hi n, h e

sa id t o h er , --

" Go od m or ni ng , m y g oo d a nd f ai r R os a; h ow i s m y b ro th er ?"

" Oh, M ynhe er J ohn! " t he young gir l r epli ed, " I a m not a fr ai d

o f t he h ar m wh ic h h as b ee n d on e t o h im. Th at 's a ll o ve r

now."

"Bu t wha t is it yo u a re af ra id o f? "

P a g e 2 2



"I am af ra id o f th e h arm whi ch th ey a re go in g t o d o to hi m."

" Oh , y es ," s ai d De W it t, " yo u me an t o s pe ak o f t he p eo pl e

d ow n b el ow , d on 't y ou ?"

"D o you hea r t he m? "

" Th ey a re i nd ee d i n a s ta te o f g re at e xc it em en t; b ut w he n

t he y s ee u s p erh ap s t he y wi ll g ro w c al me r, a s we h av e n ev er

done t he m a nything but good. "

" That 's unf or tuna te ly no r ea son, e xc ept f or t he c ontr ar y, "

m ut te re d t he g ir l, a s, o n a n i mp er at iv e s ig n f ro m h er

father, she withdrew.

" In de ed , c hi ld , w ha t y ou s ay i s o nl y t oo t ru e. "

Th en , i n p ur su in g h is w ay , h e s ai d t o h im se lf , - -

" He re i s a d ams el w ho v er y l ik el y d oe s n ot k no w h ow t o r ea d,

w ho c on se qu en tl y h as n ev er r ea d a ny th in g, a nd y et w it h o ne

w or d s he h as j us t t ol d t he w ho le h is to ry o f t he w or ld ."

A nd wi th t he s ame c al m m ie n, b ut m or e m el an ch ol y t ha n h e h ad

b ee n o n e nt er in g t he p ri so n, t he G ra nd P en si on ar y p ro ce ed ed

to wa rd s t he c el l o f h is b ro th er .

Ch a pt e r 2

P ag e 1 1


The T wo B rot he rs

A s t he f ai r R os a, w it h f or eb od in g d ou bt , h ad f or et ol d, s o i t

happe ne d. W hi ls t J ohn de W it t w as c li mbing t he nar row

w in di ng s ta ir s w hi ch l ed t o t he p ri so n o f h is b ro th er

P a g e 2 3



Co rn el iu s, t he b ur gh er s d id t he ir b es t t o h av e t he t ro op o f

T i ll y, w hi ch w as i n t he ir w ay, r em oved.

S ee ing t hi s dis posi ti on, K ing M ob, w ho f ul ly a ppre ci at ed t he

laudable intentions of his own beloved militia, shouted most

lustily, --

"Hurrah for the burghers!"

As to Cou nt Tilly , who was as pru dent a s he was firm, he

b e ga n t o p ar le y w it h t he b ur gh er s, u nd er t he p ro te ct io n o f

t he c oc ke d p is to ls o f h is d ra go on s, e xp la in in g t o t he

va li ant t ow ns me n, t ha t his order f rom t he S ta te s c om ma nded

h im t o g ua rd t he p ri so n a nd i ts a pp ro ac he s w it h t hr ee

companies.

" W he re fo re s uc h a n o rd er ? W hy g ua rd t he p ri so n? " c ri ed t he

Orangists.

" St op ," r ep li ed t he C ou nt , " th er e y ou a t o nc e a sk m e m or e

t han I c an tel l yo u. I was t old , ' Guar d th e p ris on ,' an d I

gua rd i t. Y ou, gentl em en, w ho a re a lm os t m il it ar y m en

y ou rs el ve s, y ou a re a wa re t ha t a n o rd er mu st n ev er b e

gainsaid."

" Bu t t his o rd er h as b ee n g iv en t o y ou t ha t th e t ra ito rs ma y

b e e na bl ed t o l ea ve t he t own ."

" Ve ry pos si bl y, a s t he t ra it or s a re c ondem ne d t o e xil e, "

replied Tilly.

" But w ho has given t hi s order ?"

" Th e St at es , t o b e s ur e! "

" T he S ta te s a re t ra i tors ."

P a g e 2 4



"I don't know a nything a bout t ha t! "

" And you a re a t ra it or yours el f! "

"I?"

"Yes, you."

" We ll , a s t o t ha t, l et u s u nd er st an d e ac h o th er g en tl em en .

W ho m s ho ul d I b et ra y? T he S ta te s? W hy , I c an no t b et ra y t he m,

w hi ls t, bei ng i n t he ir pay, I f ai thfull y obe y t he ir order s. "

As t he Cou nt wa s so i nd isp ut abl y i n th e r igh t t hat i t wa s

i mpos si bl e t o a rgue a ga inst him , t he m ob a ns we re d onl y by

r edouble d c la mour a nd hor ri bl e t hr ea ts , t o w hi ch t he C ount

oppos ed t he m os t pe rf e ct ur ba nit y.

" Ge nt le me n, " he s ai d, " uncock your m us ke ts , one of t he m m ay

go off by accide nt; and if the shot chan ced to wo und one of

m y me n, we s ho ul d k no ck o ve r a c ou pl e o f h un dr ed s o f y ou rs ,

f or w hi ch we s ho ul d, i nd ee d, b e v er y s or ry , b ut y ou e ve n

P ag e 1 2


m or e s o; e spec ia ll y a s s uc h a t hi ng i s nei ther c onte mpla te d

b y y ou n or b y m ys el f. "

" If y ou d id t ha t," c ri ed t he b urg he rs , " we s ho uld h av e a p op

a t y ou , t oo ."

" Of c ou rs e y ou w ou ld ; b ut s up po se y ou k il le d e ve ry m an J ac k

o f u s, t ho se w ho m w e s ho ul d h av e k il le d w ou ld n ot , f or a ll

t h at , b e l es s d ea d. "

" Th en l ea ve t he p la ce t o u s, a nd y ou wi ll p erf or m t he p ar t

P a g e 2 5



o f a g oo d c it iz en ."

"Fi rst o f a ll," s ai d th e Co un t, "I a m n ot a c it iz en , bu t a n

off ic er , w hi ch i s a ver y dif fe re nt t hi ng; a nd s ec ondl y, I a m

n ot a H ol la nd er , b ut a F re nc hm an , w hi ch i s m or e d if fe re nt

still. I have to do with no one bu t th e States, b y who m I am

p ai d; le t me s ee an o rd er fro m th em to le ave t he pl ace t o

you, and I shall only be too glad to wheel off in an

i ns ta nt , a s I a m c on fo un de dl y b or ed h er e. "

" Ye s, y es !" c ri ed a h un dr ed v oi ce s; t he d in o f w hi ch w as

i m me di at el y s we ll ed by f ive hundr ed other s; " le t us m ar ch t o

t he T ow n- ha ll ; l et u s g o a nd s ee t he d ep ut ie s! C om e a lo ng !

come along!"

" Th at 's i t, " T il ly m ut te re d b et we en h is t ee th , a s h e s aw t he

m os t v io le nt a mo ng t he c ro wd t ur ni ng a wa y; " go a nd a sk f or a

m ea nn es s a t t he To wn -h al l, a nd y ou w il l s ee w he th er t he y

w il l gra nt i t; go, m y f ine f el lows , go! "

T he w or thy off ic er r el ie d on t he honour of t he m agis tr at es ,

w ho , o n t he ir s id e, r el ie d o n h is h on ou r a s a s ol di er .

" I s ay, C apta in," t he f ir st l ie ut enant w hi sper ed i nt o t he

e ar o f t he Co un t, " I h op e t he d ep uti es w il l g iv e th es e

m ad me n a f la t r ef us al ; b ut , a ft er a ll , i t w ou ld d o n o h ar m

i f t he y w ould s end us s om e r ei nf or ce me nt ."

I n t he m ea nw hi le , J ohn de W it t, w hom w e l ef t c li mbing t he

st ai rs , a ft er t he c onve rs at ion w it h t he j ai le r G ryphus a nd

h is d au gh te r R os a, h ad r ea ch ed t he d oo r o f t he c el l, wh er e

o n a m at tr es s h is b ro th er C or ne li us w as r es ti ng , a ft er

P a g e 2 6



having unde r gone t he pr epar at ory degr ee s of t he t or tur e. T he

s ente nc e of banis hm ent having bee n pronounce d, t he re w as no

occasion for inflicting the torture extraordinary.

C or ne li us w as s tr et ch ed o n h is c ou ch , w it h b ro ke n w ri st s a nd

c ru sh ed f in ge rs . H e h ad n ot c on fe ss ed a c ri me o f w hi ch h e

w as n ot g ui lt y; a nd n ow, a ft er t hr ee d ay s o f a go ny , h e o nc e

m or e bre at he d f re el y, on bei ng i nf or me d t ha t t he j udge s,

f ro m w ho m h e h ad e xp ec te d d ea th , w er e o nl y c on de mn in g h im t o

exile.

E nd owe d wi th a n i ro n f ra me a nd a s to ut h ea rt , h ow w ou ld h e

have dis appointe d his e ne mi es i f t he y c ould onl y have s ee n,

i n t he d ark c el l o f th e Buy ten ho f, h is p ale fa ce l it u p by

t he s mi le o f t he m art yr , w ho f or ge ts th e d ro ss o f t hi s e ar th

a ft er having obt ai ne d a gli mpse of t he bri ght glory of

heaven.

T he w ar de n, i ndee d, ha d a lr ea dy r ec ove re d his f ul l s tr engt h,

muc h mor e o win g t o t he f or ce of hi s o wn s tro ng wil l t ha n t o

a ct ua l a id; a nd he w as c al cula ti ng how l ong t he f or ma li ti es

P ag e 1 3


o f t he l aw wo ul d s ti ll d et ai n h im i n p ri so n.

Th is w as j us t a t t he v er y mo me nt w he n t he m in gl ed s ho ut s o f

t he b urg her g ua rd a nd o f th e mo b w er e r ag in g a ga in st t he t wo

br ot he rs , a nd t hr ea te ni ng C apt ai n T il ly, w ho s er ve d a s a

r am pa rt t o t he m. T hi s n oi se , w hi ch r oa re d o ut si de o f t he

P a g e 2 7



w al ls o f t he p ri so n, a s t he s ur f d as hi ng a ga in st t he r oc ks ,

n ow r ea ch ed t he e ar s o f t he p ri so ne r.

B ut , t hr ea te ni ng a s i t s ou nd ed , C or ne li us a pp ea re d n ot t o

d ee m i t w or th h is w hi le t o i nq ui re a ft er i ts c au se ; n or d id

h e g et u p t o l oo k o ut o f t he n ar ro w g ra te d wi nd ow, w hi ch

g ave acce ss to th e lig ht a nd to the noise of the wo rld

without.

He w as s o a bs or be d i n h is n ev er -c ea si ng p ai n t ha t i t h ad

a lm os t b ec om e a h ab it w it h h im . H e f el t wi th s uc h d el ig ht

t he bonds w hi ch c onne ct ed his i mm or ta l bei ng w it h his

per is ha bl e f ra me gra dual ly l oose ni ng, t ha t i t s ee me d t o him

a s i f h is s pi ri t, f re ed f ro m t he t ra mm el s o f t he b od y, w er e

hover ing a bove i t, l ike t he e xpir ing f la me w hi ch r is es f rom

the half-extinguished embers.

H e a ls o t ho ug ht o f h is b ro th er ; a nd w hi ls t t he l at te r w as

t hu s v iv id ly p re se nt t o h is m in d t he d oo r o pe ne d, a nd J oh n

e nt er ed , h ur ry in g t o t he b ed si de o f t he p ri so ne r, w ho

s tr etc he d o ut h is br ok en l imb s a nd h is h an ds ti ed u p in

b an da ge s t ow ar ds t ha t g lo ri ou s b ro th er , w ho m h e n ow

e xc el le d, n ot i n s er vi ce s r en de re d t o t he c ou nt ry , b ut i n

t he h at re d w hi ch t he D ut ch b or e h im .

J oh n t en de rl y k is se d h is b ro th er o n t he f or eh ea d, a nd p ut

h is s or e h an ds g en tl y b ac k o n t he m at tr es s.

"C or ne li us , m y poor brother , you a re s uf fe ri ng gre at pai n,

ar e y ou n ot ?"

" I a m s uf fe ri ng n o l on ge r, s in ce I s ee y ou , m y b ro th er ."

P a g e 2 8



" Oh , m y p oo r d ea r C or ne li us ! I f ee l mo st w re tc he d t o s ee y ou

i n s uc h a s ta te ."

" An d, i nd ee d, I h av e t ho ug ht m or e o f y ou t ha n o f m ys el f; a nd

w hi ls t t he y w er e t or turi ng m e, I never t hought of utt er ing a

c om pl ai nt , e xc ep t o nc e, t o s ay , ' Po or b ro th er !' B ut n ow t ha t

y ou are here, let us forge t all. You are comi ng to ta ke me

aw ay , a re y ou n ot ?"

"I am."

"I am quite healed; help me to get up, and you shall see how

I c an wa lk ."

"You will not have to walk far, as I have my coach near the

pond, behind Tilly's dragoons."

" Ti ll y' s d ra go on s! W ha t a re t he y n ea r t he p on d f or ?"

"Well," said the Grand Pensionary with a melancholy smile

w hi ch w as habit ua l t o him , " the gentl em en a t t he T ow n- ha ll

e xp ec t t ha t t he p eo pl e a t t he Ha gu e wo ul d l ik e t o s ee y ou

d ep ar t, a nd t he re i s s om e a pp re he ns io n o f a t um ul t. "

" Of a t um ul t? " r epli ed C or ne li us , f ixing his e ye s on his

P ag e 1 4


perplexed brother; "a tumult?"

"Yes, Cornelius."

"O h! t ha t' s w ha t I h ea rd j us t n ow ," s ai d t he p ri so ne r, a s i f

spea ki ng t o him se lf . T he n, t ur ni ng t o his brother , he

c ont inued, - -

P a g e 2 9



" Ar e t he re m an y p er so ns d ow n b ef or e t he p ri so n. "

" Ye s, m y b ro th er , t he re a re ."

" But then, to come here to me ---- "

"Well?"

" Ho w i s i t t hat t he y h av e a llo wed y ou t o p ass ?"

" Yo u k no w w el l t ha t w e a re n ot v er y p op ul ar , C or ne li us ,"

s a id t he G ra nd P ensi onar y, w it h gloom y bit te rnes s. " I have

m ad e m y w ay t hr ou gh a ll s or ts o f b ys tr ee ts a nd a ll ey s. "

"You hid yourself, John?"

" I wi sh ed t o re ac h y ou wi th ou t l os s o f t ime , a nd I d id w ha t

p eo pl e wi ll d o i n p ol iti cs , o r o n t he s ea wh en th e w in d i s

a ga in st t he m, - - I t ac ke d. "

A t t hi s mo me nt t he n oi se i n t he s qu ar e b el ow wa s h ea rd t o

roar with increasing fury. Tilly was parleying with the

burghers.

" We ll , w el l, " s ai d C or ne li us , " you a re a ver y s ki lf ul pil ot ,

J oh n; b ut I d ou bt w he th er y ou w il l a s s af el y g ui de y ou r

b ro th er o ut o f t he B uy te nh of i n t he m id st o f t hi s g al e, a nd

t hr ou gh t he r ag in g s ur f o f p op ul ar h at re d, a s y ou d id t he

fl ee t o f V an Tr omp p as t t he s ho al s o f t he Sc he ld t t o

Antwerp."

" Wi th t he h el p o f G od , C or ne li us , w e' ll a t l ea st t ry ,"

a ns we re d J oh n; " bu t, f ir st o f a ll , a w or d w it h y ou ."

"Speak!"

T he s ho ut s b eg an a ne w.

" Ha rk, har k! " c onti nued C or ne li us , " how a ngry t hose peopl e

P a g e 3 0



a re ! I s i t a ga in st y ou , o r a ga in st m e? "

" I s ho ul d s ay i t is a ga in st u s b ot h, Co rn el iu s. I t ol d y ou ,

m y d ea r b ro th er , t ha t t he O ra ng e p ar ty , w hi le a ss ai li ng u s

w it h t he ir a bs ur d c al um ni es , h av e a ls o m ad e i t a r ep ro ac h

a ga inst us t ha t w e have negot ia te d w it h F ra nc e. "

" W hat blockhea ds t he y a re !"

" But, i ndee d, t he y r eproac h us w it h i t. "

" And yet , i f t he se negot ia ti ons had bee n s uc ce ss ful, t he y

w ou ld h av e p re ve nt ed t he d ef ea ts o f R ee s, O rs ay , W es el , a nd

R he in be rg ; t he R hi ne w ou ld n ot h av e b ee n c ro ss ed , a nd

Holland might still consider herself invincible in the midst

o f h er m ar sh es a nd c an al s. "

P ag e 1 5


" Al l t hi s i s qui te t rue, m y dea r C or ne li us , but s ti ll m or e

c er ta in i t i s, t ha t i f a t t hi s m om en t o ur c or re sp on de nc e

w i th t he M ar quis de L ouvois w er e dis cove re d, s ki lf ul pil ot

as I a m, I sh ould n ot be able to s ave the fra il barq ue whi ch

is t o c ar ry t he b ro th er s De W it t a nd t he ir f or tu ne s o ut o f

H ol la nd. T ha t c or re sponde nc e, w hi ch m ight prove t o hones t

p eo pl e h ow d ea rl y I l ov e m y c ou nt ry , a nd w ha t s ac ri fi ce s I

h av e o ff er ed t o m ak e f or i ts l ib er ty a nd g lo ry , w ou ld b e

r ui n to u s if i t f ell in to th e ha nd s of t he Or an ge pa rty . I

h op e y ou h av e b ur ne d t he l et te rs b ef or e y ou l ef t D or t t o

jo in m e a t t he H ag ue ."

P a g e 3 1



" My dea r br ot her ," C or nel ius a ns we r ed, " your c orr e sponde nc e

wi th M . d e L ou vo is a ff or ds a mp le p ro of o f y ou r h av in g b ee n

o f l at e t he g re at es t, m os t g en er ou s, a nd m os t a bl e c it iz en

o f t he S ev en U ni te d P ro vi nc es . I r ej oi ce i n t he g lo ry o f m y

c ou nt ry ; a nd p ar ti cu la rl y d o I r ej oi ce i n y ou r g lo ry , J oh n.

I h av e t ak en g oo d c ar e n ot t o b ur n t ha t c or re sp on de nc e. "

" Th en we ar e l os t, as fa r a s t hi s l if e i s c on ce rn ed ,"

qui et ly s ai d t he G ra nd P ensi onar y, a pproac hi ng t he w indow.

" No , o n t he c on tr ar y, J oh n, we s ha ll a t t he s am e t ime s av e

our l ives a nd r egai n our popul ar it y. "

" Bu t w ha t h av e y ou d on e w it h t he se l et te rs ?"

"I h av e i nt ru st ed t he m t o t he c ar e o f C or ne li us v an B ae rl e,

m y g od so n, wh om y ou k no w, a nd wh o l iv es at Do rt ."

" Po or h on es t V an B ae rl e! w ho k no ws s o m uc h, a nd y et t hi nk s

o f n ot hi ng b ut o f f lo we rs a nd o f Go d wh o ma de t he m. Y ou h av e

i nt rust ed him w it h t hi s f at al s ec re t; i t w il l be his r ui n,

poor soul!"

"His ruin?"

"Yes, for he will either be strong or he will be weak. If he

i s s tr on g, h e wi ll , wh en h e h ea rs o f wh at h as h ap pe ne d t o

u s, b oa st o f o ur a cq ua in ta nc e; i f h e i s we ak , h e w il l b e

a fr ai d o n a cc ou nt o f h is c on ne ct io n w it h u s: i f h e i s

s tr on g, h e wi ll b etr ay t he s ec ret b y h is b ol dn es s; if h e is

w ea k, h e wi ll a ll ow i t t o b e f orc ed f ro m h im. I n e ith er c as e

he is lo st, and s o are we. Let us , th eref ore , fly , fly , as

l ong a s t he re i s s ti ll t im e. "

P a g e 3 2



Cornel ius de W it t, r ai si ng him se lf on his c ouch, a nd

g ra sp in g t he h an d o f h is b ro th er , w ho s hu dd er ed a t t he t ou ch

o f h is l in en b an da ge s, r ep li ed , - -

"Do n ot I k no w my g od so n? ha ve n ot I be en en ab le d t o r ea d

ever y t hought i n V an B ae rl e' s m ind, a nd e ve ry s enti me nt i n

his hea rt? Yo u as k whet he r he is str on g or wea k. He i s

n ei th er t he o ne n or t he o th er ; b ut t ha t i s n ot n ow t he

q ue st io n. T he p ri nc ip al p oi nt i s, t ha t h e i s s ur e n ot t o

d iv ul ge t he s ec re t, f or t he v er y g oo d r ea so n t ha t h e d oe s

not know it himself."

John t ur ne d r ound i n s ur pr is e.

" Yo u m us t k no w, m y d ea r b ro th er , t ha t I h av e b ee n t ra in ed i n

t he s chool of t ha t dis ti ngui shed pol it ic ia n J ohn de W it t;

an d I re pe at to yo u, t ha t Va n Bae rl e i s n ot awa re o f t he

n at ur e a nd i mp or ta nc e o f t he d ep os it w hi ch I h av e i nt ru st ed

P ag e 1 6


to him."

" Qu ic k t he n, " c ri ed J oh n, " as t he re i s s ti ll t im e, l et u s

c on ve y t o h im d ir ec ti on s t o b ur n t he p ar ce l. "

"Through whom?"

" T hr ou gh m y s er va nt C ra ek e, w ho w as t o h av e a cc om pa ni ed u s

on h or se ba ck , a nd w ho h as e nt er ed t he p ri so n w it h me , t o

assist you downstairs."

" Cons ider w el l bef or e having t hose pre ci ous doc um ents bur nt ,

P a g e 3 3



John!"

" I c on si de r, a bo ve a ll t hi ng s, t ha t t he b ro th er s D e W it t

m us t n ec es sa ri ly s av e t he ir l iv es , t o b e a bl e t o s av e t he ir

c ha ra ct er . I f we a re d ea d, w ho wi ll d ef en d u s? W ho wi ll h av e

fully understood our intentions?"

" Yo u e xp ec t, t he n, t ha t t he y w ou ld k il l u s i f t ho se p ap er s

were found?"

J ohn, w it hout a ns we ri ng, poi nt ed w it h his hand t o t he

s qu ar e, w he nc e, a t t ha t v er y m om en t, f ie rc e s ho ut s a nd

s avage yel ls m ade t he ms el ve s hea rd.

" Ye s, y es ," s ai d C or ne li us , " I h ea r t he se s ho ut s v er y

plainly, but what is their meaning?"

J oh n o pe ne d t he w in do w.

" De at h t o t he t ra it ors !" howl ed t he popul a ce .

" Do you hea r now , C or ne li us ?"

" To t he t ra it or s! t ha t m ea ns us! " s ai d t he pri sone r, r ai si ng

his e ye s t o hea ve n a nd s hr uggi ng his s houl de rs .

" Ye s, i t m ea ns u s, " r ep ea te d J oh n.

" Wher e i s C ra e ke ? "

" At t he d oo r o f y ou r c el l, I s up po se ."

"Let him enter then."

J oh n o pe ne d t he d oo r; t he f ai th fu l s er va nt w as w ai ti ng o n

the threshold.

" Co me i n, C ra ek e, a nd mi nd w el l w ha t m y b ro th er w il l t el l

you."

" No , J oh n; i t w il l n ot s uf fi ce t o s en d a v er ba l m es sa ge ;

P a g e 3 4



unf or tuna te ly, I s ha ll be obl iged t o w ri te ."

"And why that?"

" Be ca us e V an B ae rl e w il l n ei th er g iv e u p t he p ar ce l n or b ur n

i t wi th ou t a s pe ci al c om ma nd t o d o s o."

" Bu t w il l y ou b e a bl e t o w ri te , p oo r o ld f el lo w? " J oh n

a sk ed , w it h a l oo k o n t he s co rc he d a nd b ru is ed h an ds o f t he

unfortunate sufferer.

P ag e 1 7


" If I h ad p en a nd i nk y ou wo uld s oo n s ee ," s ai d Co rn el iu s.

" He re i s a p en ci l, a t a ny r at e. "

" Ha ve y ou a ny p ap er ? f or t he y h av e l ef t m e n ot hi ng ."

" He re , t ak e t hi s B ib le , a nd t ea r o ut t he f ly -l ea f. "

" Ve ry w el l, t ha t w il l do. "

"But your writing will be illegible."

" Just l ea ve m e a lone f or t ha t, " s ai d C or ne li us . " The

e xe cuti oner s have i ndee d pinched m e badly e nough, but m y

hand w il l not t re mble onc e i n t ra ci ng t he f ew l ines w hi ch

are requisite."

A n d r ea ll y C or ne li us t oo k t he p en ci l a nd b eg an t o w ri te ,

w he n t hr ou gh t he w hi te l in en b an da ge s d ro ps o f b lo od o oz ed

o ut w hi ch t he p re ss ur e o f t he f in ge rs a ga in st t he p en ci l

s quee ze d f rom t he r aw f le sh.

A c ol d s we at s to od o n t he b ro w o f t he G ra nd P en si on ar y.

C orne li us w rot e: - -

P a g e 3 5






Th e Pu pi l o f J oh n d e Wi tt

W hi ls t t he c la mo ur o f t he c ro wd i n t he s qu ar e o f B uy te nh of ,

w hi ch g re w m or e a nd m or e m en ac in g a ga in st t he t wo b ro th er s,

d et er mi ne d J oh n d e W it t t o h as te n t he d ep ar tu re o f h is

b ro th er C or ne li us , a d ep ut at io n o f b ur gh er s h ad g on e t o t he

T ow n- ha ll t o dem and t he w it hdra wa l of T il ly's hor se .

I t w as n ot f ar f ro m t he B uy te nh of t o H oo gs tr ae t ( Hi gh

S tr ee t) ; a nd a s tr an ge r, w ho s in ce t he b eg in ni ng o f t hi s

s c ene had w at ched a ll i ts i nc idents w it h i nt ense i nt er es t,

was s een t o wen d his way with , or ra the r i n the wake o f, th e

o th er s t owa rd s t he To wn -h al l, t o h ea r a s s oo n a s p os si bl e

t he c ur re nt n ews o f t he h ou r.

T hi s s tr an ge r w as a v er y y ou ng m an , o f s ca rc el y t we nt y- tw o

o r t hr ee , w it h n ot hi ng a bo ut h im t ha t b es po ke a ny g re at

e ne rg y. H e e vi de nt ly h ad h is g oo d r ea so ns f or n ot m ak in g

h im se lf k no wn , a s h e h id h is f ac e i n a h an dk er ch ie f o f f in e

F ri si an l inen, w it h w hi ch he i nc es sa nt ly w iped his brow or

his burning lips.

With an eye keen as that of a bird of prey, -- with a long

a qui li ne nos e, a f inel y c ut m outh, w hi ch he gener al ly kept

o pe n, o r r at he r wh ic h wa s g ap in g l ik e t he e dg es o f a wo un d,

- - t hi s ma n wo ul d h av e p re se nt ed t o L av at er , i f La va te r h ad

l ived a t t ha t t im e, a s ubje ct f or physi ognomi ca l

o bs er va ti on s w hi ch a t t he f ir st b lu sh w ou ld n ot h av e b ee n

P a g e 3 7



ver y f avoura bl e t o t he per son i n que st ion.

" What dif fe re nc e i s t he re bet we en t he f igur e of t he

co nq ue ro r a nd t ha t o f t he p ir at e? " s ai d t he a nc ie nt s. T he

d if fe re nc e o nl y b et we en t he e ag le a nd t he v ul tu re , - -

serenity or restlessness.

A nd i ndee d t he s al low physi ognomy, t he t hi n a nd s ic kl y body,

a nd t he p ro wl in g w ay s o f t he s tr an ge r, w er e t he v er y t yp e o f

a s us pe ct in g m as te r, o r a n u nq ui et t hi ef ; a nd a p ol ic e

off ic er w ould c er ta inly have dec ided i n f avour of t he l at te r

s up po si ti on , o n a cc ou nt o f t he g re at c ar e w hi ch t he

mysterious person evidently took to hide himself.

H e w as p la in ly d re ss ed , a nd a pp ar en tl y u na rm ed ; h is a rm w as

l ea n b ut w ir y, a nd h is h an ds d ry , b ut o f a n a ri st oc ra ti c

w hi te ne ss a nd d el ic ac y, a nd h e l ea ne d o n t he s ho ul de r o f a n

o ff ic er , w ho , w it h h is h an d o n h is s wo rd , h ad w at ch ed t he

s ce ne s i n t he B uyte nhof w it h e ager c ur iosi ty, ver y nat ur al

i n a m il it ar y m an, unt il his c om pa ni on dre w him a wa y w it h

him.

O n a rr iv in g a t t he s qu ar e o f t he H oo gs tr ae t, t he m an w it h

t he s al lo w f ac e p us he d t he o th er b eh in d a n o pe n s hu tt er ,

f ro m w hi ch c or ne r h e h im se lf b eg an t o s ur ve y t he b al co ny o f

the Town-hall.

A t t he s av ag e y el ls o f t he m ob , t he w in do w o f t he T ow n- ha ll

o pe ne d, a nd a m an c am e f or th t o a dd re ss t he p eo pl e.

" Wh o i s t ha t o n t he b al co ny ?" a sk ed t he y ou ng m an , g la nc in g

a t t he o ra to r.

P a g e 3 8



" It i s t he D eput y B ow el t, " r epli ed t he off ic er .

P ag e 1 9


" Wh at s or t o f a ma n is he ? Do y ou k no w a ny th in g o f h im? "

" An hones t m an; a t l ea st I bel ie ve s o, M onse igne ur ."

H ea ri ng t hi s c ha ra ct er given of B ow el t, t he young m an s howe d

si gns of s uc h a s tr ange dis appointm ent a nd e vi de nt

dis sa ti sf ac ti on t ha t t he off ic er c ould not but r em ar k i t,

a n d t he re fo re a dd ed , - -

" At l ea st p eo pl e s ay s o, M on se ig ne ur . I c an no t s ay a ny th in g

a bo ut i t m ys el f, a s I h av e n o p er so na l a cq ua in ta nc e w it h

Mynheer Bowelt."

" An h on es t m an ," r ep ea te d h e w ho w as a dd re ss ed a s

Mo ns ei gn eu r; "d o yo u m ean t o s ay t ha t h e i s a n h on est m an

(b ra ve h om me ), o r a b ra ve o ne ( ho mm e b ra ve )? "

" Ah , M on se ig ne ur m us t e xc us e m e; I w ou ld n ot p re su me t o d ra w

s uch a f ine d is ti nct io n in t he ca se o f a ma n wh om, I a ss ur e

y ou r H ig hn es s o nc e m or e, I k no w o nl y b y s ig ht ."

" If t hi s B ow el t i s a n hones t m an," his H ighnes s c onti nued,

" he w il l g iv e t o t he d em an d o f t he se f ur ib un d p et it io ne rs a

very queer reception."

T he n er vo us q ui ve r o f h is h an d, w hi ch m ov ed o n t he s ho ul de r

of h is companion as the fingers of a player on the keys of a

harpsichord, betrayed his burning impatience, so ill

c once al ed a t c er ta in t im es , a nd par ti cula rl y a t t ha t m om ent,

P a g e 3 9



u nd er t he i cy a nd s om br e e xp re ss io n o f h is f ac e.

T he c hi ef o f t he d ep ut at io n o f t he b ur gh er s w as t he n h ea rd

a ddre ss ing a n i nt er pe ll at ion t o M ynhe er B ow el t, w hom he

r eq ue st ed t o l et t he m k no w w he re t he o th er d ep ut ie s, h is

colleagues, were.

"G entl em en," B ow el t r epea te d f or t he s ec ond t im e, " I a ss ur e

y ou t ha t i n t hi s m om en t I a m h er e a lo ne wi th M yn he er

d 'A sp er en , a nd I c an no t t ak e a ny r es ol ut io n o n my o wn

responsibility."

" Th e o rd er ! w e w an t t he o rd er !" c ri ed s ev er al t ho us an d

voices.

M yn he er B ow el t w is he d t o s pe ak , b ut h is wo rd s w er e n ot

h ear d, a nd h e was o nly s een mo vi ng h is ar ms in a ll s ort s o f

ges ture s, w hi ch pla inly s howe d t ha t he f el t his pos it ion t o

b e de sp er ate . Wh en , a t l ast , h e s aw t ha t h e c ou ld n ot ma ke

h im se lf h ea rd , h e t ur ne d r ou nd t ow ar ds t he o pe n w in do w, a nd

called Mynheer d'Asperen.

T he l at te r g en tl em an n ow m ad e h is a pp ea ra nc e o n t he b al co ny ,

w he re h e w as s al ut ed w it h s ho ut s e ve n m or e e ne rg et ic t ha n

t hose w it h w hi ch, t en m inut es bef or e, his c ol le ague had bee n

received.

T hi s did not pre ve nt him f rom under ta ki ng t he dif fi cult t as k

o f h ar an gu in g t he m ob ; b ut t he m ob p re fe rr ed f or ci ng t he

g ua rd o f t he S ta te s - - w hi ch , h ow ev er , o ff er ed n o r es is ta nc e

t o t he s ov er ei gn p eo pl e - - t o l is te ni ng t o t he s pe ec h o f

Mynheer d'Asperen.

P a g e 4 0



" Now, t he n, " t he young m an c ooll y r em ar ke d, w hi ls t t he c rowd

P ag e 2 0


wa s r us hi ng i nt o t he pri nc ipal gat e of t he T ow n- ha ll , " it

s ee ms t he ques ti on w il l be dis c us se d i ndoor s , C apt ai n. C om e

a lo ng , a nd l et u s h ea r t he d eb at e. "

"Oh, Monseigneur! Monseigneur! take care!"

"Of what?"

" Am on g t he se d ep ut ie s t he re a re m an y w ho h av e h ad d ea li ng s

wi th y ou , a nd i t w ou ld b e s uf fi ci en t, t ha t o ne o f t he m

should recognize your Highness."

"Y es , t ha t I m ig ht b e c ha rg ed w it h h av in g b ee n t he

i ns ti ga tor of a ll t hi s w or k, i ndee d, you a re r ight ," s ai d

t he young m an, blushing f or a m om ent f rom r egre t of having

be tr ay ed s o m uc h e ag er ne ss . " Fr om t hi s p la ce w e s ha ll s ee

t he m r et ur n w it h o r w it ho ut t he o rd er f or t he w it hd ra wa l o f

t he d ra go on s, t he n w e m ay j ud ge w hi ch i s g re at er , M yn he er

B owe lt 's hones ty or his c oura ge ."

"But," replied the officer, looking with astonishment at the

per s ona ge w hom he a ddr es s ed a s M ons ei gne ur, " but your

H ig hn es s s ur el y d oe s n ot s up po se f or o ne i ns ta nt t ha t t he

deput ie s w il l order T il ly's hor se t o qui t t he ir pos t? "

" Why not ?" t he young m an qui et ly r et or te d.

" Be ca us e doi ng s o w ould s im pl y be s igni ng t he dea th w ar ra nt

o f C or ne li us a nd J oh n d e W it t. "

P a g e 4 1



" We s ha ll s ee ," his H ighnes s r epli ed, w it h t he m os t per fe ct

c oo ln es s; " Go d a lo ne k no ws w ha t i s g oi ng o n w it hi n t he

hea rt s of m en."

T he off ic er l ooke d a skance a t t he i mpas si bl e f igur e of his

c omp an io n, a nd g re w p al e: h e wa s a n h on es t m an a s w el l a s a

b r av e o ne .

F ro m t he s po t w he re t he y s to od , h is H ig hn es s a nd h is

a tt en da nt h ea rd t he t um ul t a nd t he h ea vy t ra mp o f t he c ro wd

o n t he s ta ir ca se o f t he T ow n- ha ll . T he n oi se t he re up on

so un de d t hr ou gh t he w in do ws o f t he h al l, o n t he b al co ny o f

whi ch M ynhee r s B ow el t a nd D 'A sper e n had pr es e nt ed

t hem se lves . T he se t wo gentl em en had r et ir ed i nt o t he

bui lding, ver y l ikel y f rom f ea r of bei ng f or ce d ove r t he

b al us tr ad e b y t he p re ss ur e o f t he c ro wd .

After this, fluctuating shadows in tumultuous confusion were

s ee n f li tt in g t o a nd f ro a cr os s t he w in do ws : t he c ou nc il

hall was filling.

S u dd en ly t he n oi se s ub si de d, a nd a s s ud de nl y a ga in i t r os e

w it h r ed ou bl ed i nt en si ty , a nd a t l as t r ea ch ed s uc h a p it ch

t ha t t he o ld b ui ld in g s ho ok t o th e v er y r oo f.

A t l engt h, t he l iving s tr ea m poure d bac k t hr ough t he

g al le ri es a nd s ta ir s t o t he a rc he d g at ew ay , f ro m w hi ch i t

wa s s ee n i ss ui ng l ik e w at er s f ro m a s po ut .

A t t he h ea d o f t he f ir st g ro up , m an w as f ly in g r at he r t ha n

running, his face hideously distorted with satanic glee:

t hi s m an w as t he s ur ge on T yc ke la er .

P a g e 4 2



" We h av e it ! we h av e i t! " h e c ri ed , b ra nd is hi ng a p ape r i n

P ag e 2 1


t h e a ir .

" They have got t he order !" m ut te re d t he off ic er i n

amazement.

" We ll , t he n, " his H ighnes s qui et ly r em ar ke d, " now I know

w ha t t o b el ie ve w it h r eg ar d t o M yn he er B ow el t' s h on es ty a nd

c ou ra ge : h e h as n ei th er t he o ne n or t he o th er ."

T he n, l oo ki ng w it h a s te ad y g la nc e a ft er t he c ro wd w hi ch w as

rushing a long bef or e him , he c onti nued, - -

" Le t u s n ow g o t o t he Bu yt en ho f, Ca pt ai n; I e xp ec t we s ha ll

s e e a v er y s tr an ge s ig ht t he re ."

T he off ic er bow ed, a nd, w it hout m aking a ny r eply, f ol lowe d

i n t he s te ps o f h is m as te r.

T he re w as a n i mme ns e c ro wd i n t he s qu ar e a nd a bo ut t he

nei ghbour hood of t he pri son. B ut t he dra goons of T il ly s ti ll

k ep t i t i n c he ck w it h t he s am e s uc ce ss a nd wi th t he s ame

firmness.

I t w as n ot l on g b ef or e t he Co un t h ea rd t he i nc re as in g d in o f

t he a pproac hi ng m ul ti tude , t he f ir st r anks of w hi ch r us he d

o n wi th t he r ap id it y o f a c at ar ac t.

A t t he s am e t im e h e o bs er ve d t he p ap er , wh ic h w as w av in g

a bove t he s ur fa ce of c le nc he d f is ts a nd gli tt er ing a rm s.

" Ha ll oa !" he s ai d, r is ing i n his s ti rr ups, a nd t ouching his

P a g e 4 3



l ie ut enant w it h t he knob of his s word; " I r ea ll y bel ie ve

th os e r as ca ls h av e g ot t he o rd er ."

"Dastardly ruffians they are," cried the lieutenant.

I t w as i nd ee d t he o rd er , w hi ch t he b ur gh er g ua rd r ec ei ve d

w it h a r oa r of t ri um ph. T he y i mm edia te ly s al li ed f or th, w it h

l ow er ed a rm s a nd f ie rc e s ho ut s, t o m ee t C ou nt T il ly 's

dragoons.

Bu t t he C ou nt w as n ot t he ma n t o a ll ow t he m t o a pp ro ac h

within an inconvenient distance.

" St op !" h e c ri ed , " st op , a nd k ee p o ff f ro m my h or se , o r I

s ha ll g iv e t he w or d o f c om ma nd t o a dv an ce ."

" H er e i s t he o rd er !" a h un dr ed i ns ol en t v oi ce s a ns we re d a t

once.

He t oo k i t i n a ma ze me nt , c as t a r ap id g la nc e o n i t, a nd s ai d

qu it e a lo ud , - -

" Th os e w ho h av e s ig ne d t hi s o rd er a re t he r ea l m ur de re rs o f

C orn el iu s d e Wi tt . I wo ul d r at he r h av e m y t wo h an ds c ut o ff

t han have w ri tt en one s ingl e l et te r of t hi s i nf am ous order ."

An d, p ush ing b ack wit h th e hi lt o f h is s wor d th e man wh o

wa nt ed to t ak e it f ro m h im, h e a dd ed , - -

" Wa it a m in ut e, p ap er s l ik e t hi s a re o f i mp or ta nc e, a nd a re

t o b e k ep t."

S ay in g t hi s, h e f ol de d u p t he d oc um en t, a nd c ar ef ul ly p ut i t

P ag e 2 2


in t he p oc ke t of h is coa t.

P a g e 4 4



T he n, t ur ni ng r ou nd t ow ar ds h is t ro op , h e g av e t he w or d o f

c om m and, - -

"Tilly's dragoons, wheel to the right!"

A ft er t hi s, h e a dd ed , i n a n u nd er to ne , y et l ou d e no ug h f or

h is wo rd s t o b e n ot al to get he r l os t t o th ose ab out h im, - -

" An d n ow , y e b ut ch er s, d o y ou r w or k! "

A s av ag e y el l, i n w hi ch a ll t he k ee n h at re d a nd f er oc io us

triumph rife in the precincts of the prison simultaneously

b ur st f or th , a nd a cc om pa ni ed t he d ep ar tu re o f t he d ra go on s,

a s t he y w er e qui et ly f il ing off .

T he C ount t ar ri ed behind, f ac ing t o t he l as t t he i nf ur ia te d

p op ul ac e, w hi ch a dv an ce d a t t he s am e r at e a s t he C ou nt

retired.

J oh n d e W it t, t he re fo re , h ad b y n o m ea ns e xa gg er at ed t he

dange r, w he n, a ss is ti ng his brother i n get ti ng up, he

hur ri ed his depar ture . C or ne li us , l ea ni ng on t he a rm of t he

E x- Gr an d P en si on ar y, d es ce nd ed t he s ta ir s w hi ch l ed t o t he

c o ur ty ar d. A t t he b ot to m o f t he s ta ir ca se h e f ou nd l it tl e

Rosa, trembling all over.

" Oh, M ynhe er J ohn, " s he s ai d, " what a m is fort une! "

" Wh at i s i t, m y c hi ld ?" a sk ed D e W it t.

" Th ey s ay t ha t t he y a re g on e t o th e To wn -h all to f et ch t he

order f or T il ly's hor se t o w it hdra w. "

" Yo u d o n ot s ay s o! " r ep li ed J oh n. " In de ed , m y d ea r c hi ld ,

i f th e d ra go on s a re o ff , we s ha ll b e i n a ve ry s ad pl ig ht."

P a g e 4 5



" I h av e s om e a dv ic e t o g iv e y ou ," R os a s ai d, t re mb li ng e ve n

more violently than before.

"W el l, le t us h ear wh at y ou h av e t o sa y, my c hi ld. Why

s ho ul d n ot G od s pe ak b y y ou r m ou th ?"

" No w, t he n, My nh ee r J oh n, i f I we re i n y ou r p la ce , I s ho ul d

n o t g o o ut t hr ou gh t he m ai n s tr ee t. "

"An d wh y s o, as t he d rag oon s o f Ti ll y ar e st il l a t th eir

post?"

" Ye s, b ut t he ir o rd er , a s l on g a s i t i s n ot r ev ok ed , e nj oi ns

t he m t o s to p b ef or e t he p ri so n. "

"Undoubtedly."

" Ha ve y ou g ot a n o rd er f or t he m t o a cc omp an y y ou o ut o f t he

town?"

"W e have not ?"

"W el l, t he n, i n t he v er y m om en t w he n y ou h av e p as se d t he

ra nk s o f t he d rag oon s yo u wil l f al l in to t he h an ds o f th e

people."

P ag e 2 3


"But the burgher guard?"

" Al as ! t he b ur gh er g ua rd a re t he m os t e nr ag ed o f a ll ."

"Wh at a re we to d o, t he n? "

" If I w er e i n y ou r p la ce , M yn he er J oh n, " t he y ou ng g ir l

t im idly c onti nued, " I s houl d l ea ve by t he pos te rn, w hi ch

l ea ds i nt o a d es er te d b y- la ne , w hi ls t a ll t he p eo pl e a re

wa it in g i n th e Hig h Str ee t t o s ee y ou c ome o ut b y t he

P a g e 4 6



p ri nc ip al e nt ra nc e. F ro m t he re I s ho ul d t ry t o r ea ch t he

g at e b y w hi ch y ou i nt en d t o l ea ve t he t ow n. "

" Bu t m y b ro th er is n ot a bl e t o wa lk ," s ai d J oh n.

" I s ha ll t ry," C or ne li us s ai d, w it h a n e xpre ss ion of m os t

sublime fortitude.

" Bu t h av e y ou n ot g ot y ou r c ar ri ag e? " a sk ed t he g ir l.

" Th e c ar ri ag e i s d ow n n ea r t he g re at e nt ra nc e. "

" No t s o, " s he r ep li ed . " I c on si de re d y ou r c oa ch ma n t o b e a

fa ith fu l man , an d I t ol d h im to wa it f or y ou at th e

postern."

T he t wo b ro th er s l oo ke d f ir st a t e ac h o th er , a nd t he n a t

R os a, w it h a g la nc e f ul l o f t he m os t t en de r g ra ti tu de .

" The que st ion i s now ," s ai d t he G ra nd P ensi onar y, " whet he r

G ry ph us w il l o pe n t hi s d oo r f or u s. "

"I nd ee d, h e w il l d o n o s uc h t hi ng ," s ai d R os a.

" W el l, a nd how t he n? "

" I h av e f or es ee n h is r ef us al , a nd j us t n ow w hi ls t h e w as

ta lk in g f ro m t he w in do w o f t he p or te r' s l od ge w it h a

d ra go on , I t oo k a wa y t he k ey f ro m h is b un ch ."

" An d y ou h av e g ot i t? "

"H er e i t i s, M ynhe er J ohn. "

" My c hi ld," s ai d C or ne li us , " I have not hi ng t o give you i n

ex ch an ge f or t he s er vi ce y ou a re r en de ri ng u s b ut t he B ib le

which you will find in my room; it is the last gift of an

h on es t m an ; I h op e i t w il l b ri ng y ou g oo d l uc k. "

P a g e 4 7



" I t ha nk you, M as te r C or ne li us , i t s ha ll never l ea ve m e, "

replied Rosa.

An d t he n, wi th a s ig h, sh e s ai d t o h er se lf, "Wh at a p it y

t hat I do not know how to read!"

" Th e s ho ut s a nd c ri es a re g ro wi ng l ou de r a nd l ou de r, " s ai d

J oh n; " th er e i s n ot a m ome nt t o b e l ost ."

" Co me a lo ng , g en tl em en ," s ai d t he g ir l, w ho n ow l ed t he t wo

b ro th er s t hr ou gh a n i nn er l ob by t o t he b ac k o f t he p ri so n.

Gu id ed b y h er , t he y d es ce nd ed a s ta ir ca se o f a bo ut a d oz en

s te ps ; t ra ve rs ed a s ma ll c ou rt ya rd , w hi ch w as s ur ro un de d b y

c as te ll at ed w al ls ; a nd , t he a rc he d d oo r h av in g b ee n o pe ne d

f or t he m b y R os a, t he y e me rg ed i nt o a l on el y s tr ee t w he re

P ag e 2 4


t he ir c ar ri ag e w as r ea dy t o r ec ei ve t he m.

" Qu ic k, q ui ck , m y m as te rs ! d o y ou h ea r t he m? " c ri ed t he

c oac hm an, i n a dea dl y f ri ght.

Y et , a ft er having m ade C or ne li us get i nt o t he c ar ri age

f ir st , t he G ra nd P ensi onar y t ur ne d r ound t ow ar ds t he gir l,

t o whom he said, --

" Go od -b ye , m y c hi ld ! w or ds c ou ld n ev er e xp re ss o ur

g ra ti tu de . G od w il l r ew ar d y ou f or h av in g s av ed t he l iv es o f

two men."

R os a t oo k t he h an d wh ic h J oh n d e W it t p ro ff er ed t o h er , a nd

k is se d i t w it h e ve ry s ho w o f r es pe ct .

"G o! f or He av en 's s ak e, g o! " s he s ai d; " it s ee ms t he y a re

P a g e 4 8



g oi ng t o f or ce t he g at e. "

J oh n d e Wi tt h ast il y go t in , s at h ims elf do wn b y t he s ide o f

h is b ro th er , a nd , f as te ni ng t he a pr on o f t he c ar ri ag e,

c al le d o ut t o t he c oa ch ma n, - -

" To t he T ol -H ek!"

T he To l- He k w as t he i ro n g at e l ea di ng t o t he h ar bo r o f

S chevening, i n w hi ch a s ma ll ves se l w as w ai ti ng f or t he t wo

brothers.

T he c ar ri ag e d ro ve o ff w it h t he f ug it iv es a t t he f ul l s pe ed

o f a p ai r o f s pi ri te d F le mi sh h or se s. R os a f ol lo we d t he m

w it h h er e ye s u nt il t he y t ur ne d t he c or ne r o f t he s tr ee t,

u po n wh ic h, c lo si ng t he d oo r a ft er h er , s he w en t b ac k a nd

th re w t he k ey i nt o a c el l.

Th e n oi se w hi ch h ad ma de R os a s up po se t ha t t he p eo pl e w er e

f or ci ng t he p ri so n d oo r wa s i nd ee d o wi ng t o t he mo b

b at te ri ng a ga in st i t a ft er t he s qu ar e h ad b ee n l ef t b y t he

military.

S ol id a s th e g at e w as , a nd a lt ho ug h Gr yp hu s, t o d o h im

j us ti ce , s tout ly e nough r ef us ed t o ope n i t, yet e vi de nt ly i t

c ould not r es is t m uc h l onge r, a nd t he j ai le r, growi ng ver y

p al e, p ut t o h im se lf t he q ue st io n w he th er i t w ou ld n ot b e

bet te r to o pe n th e do or t han t o a ll ow it to b e f orc ed , wh en

he f el t s om e one gentl y pul li ng his c oa t.

He t ur ne d r ou nd a nd s aw R os a.

" Do y ou h ea r t he se m ad me n? " h e s ai d.

P a g e 4 9



"I hear them so well, my fath er, that in y our place ---- "

" Yo u w ou ld o pe n t he d oo r? "

"N o, I s ho ul d a ll ow i t t o b e f or ce d. "

"But they will kill me!"

" Ye s, i f t he y s ee y ou ."

" Ho w s ha ll t he y n ot s ee m e? "

"Hide yourself."

P ag e 2 5


"Where?"

" I n t he s ec re t dunge on."

"But you, my child?"

" I s ha ll g et in to it wi th y ou . We s ha ll l ock t he do or a nd

w he n t he y h av e l ef t t he p ri so n, we s ha ll a ga in c om e f or th

from our hiding place."

" Zounds , you a re r ight , t he re !" c ri ed G ryphus ; " it 's

s ur pr is in g h ow m uc h s en se t he re i s i n s uc h a l it tl e h ea d! "

Th en , a s t he g at e b eg an t o g iv e w ay a mi ds t t he t ri um ph an t

s ho ut s o f t he m ob , s he o pe ne d a l it tl e t ra p- do or , a nd s ai d,

--

"Come along, come along, father."

"But our prisoners?"

" Go d w il l w at ch o ve r t he m, a nd I s ha ll w at ch o ve r y ou ."

G ry ph us f ol lo we d h is d au gh te r, a nd t he t ra p- do or c lo se d o ve r

h is h ea d, j us t a s t he b ro ke n g at e g av e a dmi tt an ce t o t he

populace.

P a g e 5 0



T he d un ge on w he re R os a h ad i nd uc ed h er f at he r t o h id e

h im se lf , a nd w he re f or t he p re se nt w e m us t l ea ve t he t wo ,

o ff er ed t o t he m a p er fe ct ly s af e r et re at , b ei ng k no wn o nl y

t o t ho se i n p owe r, wh o u se d t o p la ce t he re i mp or ta nt

p ri so ne rs o f s ta te , t o g ua rd a ga in st a r es cu e o r a r ev ol t.

T he p eo pl e r us he d i nt o t he p ri so n, w it h t he c ry - -

" De at h t o t he t ra it or s! T o t he g al lo ws w it h C or ne li us d e

Witt! Death! death!"

Ch a pt e r 4

The Murderers

Th e y ou ng ma n wi th h is h at s lo uc he d o ve r h is e ye s, s ti ll

l ea ni ng on t he a rm of t he off ic er , a nd s ti ll w iping f rom

t im e t o t im e his brow w it h his handker chie f, w as w at ching i n

a c or ne r o f t he B uy te nh of , i n t he s ha de o f t he o ve rh an gi ng

w ea th er -b oa rd o f a c lo se d s ho p, t he d oi ng s o f t he i nf ur ia te d

m ob , a s pe ct ac le w hi ch s ee me d t o d ra w n ea r i ts c at as tr op he .

" In de ed ," s ai d h e t o t he o ff ic er , " in de ed , I t hi nk y ou w er e

r ig ht , V an D ek en ; t he o rd er w hi ch t he d ep ut ie s h av e s ig ne d

i s t ru ly t he d ea th -w ar ra nt o f M as te r C or ne li us . D o y ou h ea r

t he se p eo pl e? T he y c er ta in ly b ea r a s ad g ru dg e t o t he t wo De

Witts."

" In t ruth," r epli ed t he off ic er , " I never hea rd s uc h

shouts."

" Th ey s ee m t o h av e f ou nd o ut t he c el l o f t he ma n. L oo k,

P ag e 2 6

P a g e 5 1




l oo k! i s n ot t ha t t he wi nd ow o f t he c el l wh er e Co rn el iu s wa s

l oc ke d up?"

A ma n h ad s ei ze d wi th b oth ha nd s a nd wa s s hak in g t he i ro n

ba rs o f t he w in do w i n t he r oo m w hi ch C or ne li us h ad l ef t o nl y

ten minutes before.

" Ha ll oa , hal loa! " t he m an c al le d out , " he i s gone. "

"Ho w is t hat ? go ne? " a ske d th ose o f the mo b wh o ha d no t bee n

abl e to ge t i nto t he pr ison , c rowded as it wa s wi th the mas s

of intruders.

" Go ne , g on e," r ep ea te d t he ma n i n a r ag e, " th e b ir d h as

flown."

" What doe s t hi s m an s ay?" a sked his H ighnes s, growi ng qui te

pale.

" Oh , M on se ig ne ur , h e s ay s a t hi ng w hi ch w ou ld b e v er y

fort unat e i f i t s houl d t ur n out t rue! "

" Ce rt ai nl y i t w ou ld b e f or tu na te i f i t we re t ru e, " s ai d t he

young man; "unfortunately it cannot be true."

" Howe ve r, l ook! " s ai d t he off ic er .

A nd i nd ee d, s om e m or e f ac es , f ur io us a nd c on to rt ed w it h

r ag e, s ho we d t he ms el ve s a t t he w in do ws , c ry in g, - -

"E sc aped, gone, t he y have hel pe d t he m off !"

A nd t he p eo pl e i n t he s tr ee t r ep ea te d, w it h f ea rf ul

imprecations, --

" Es ca pe d gone ! A ft er t he m, a nd c at ch t he m! "

"Monseigneur, it seems that Mynheer Cornelius has really

P a g e 5 2



e s ca pe d," s ai d t he of fi c er .

" Y es , f ro m p ri so n, p er ha ps , b ut n ot f ro m t he t ow n; y ou w il l

s ee , V an D ek en , t ha t t he p oo r f el lo w w il l f in d t he g at e

c lo se d a ga in st h im wh ic h h e h op ed t o f in d o pe n. "

"Ha s a n o rd er b ee n g iv en t o c lo se t he t own g at es ,

Monseigneur?"

"No, -- at l ea st I d o no t th in k so ; who c ou ld h av e g ive n

s u ch a n o rd er ?"

"I nde ed, but w ha t m akes your H ighnes s s uppos e? "

"There are fatalities," Monseigneur replied, in an offhand

manner; "and the greatest men have sometimes fallen victims

to such fatalities."

A t t he se wo rd s t he o ff ic er f el t h is b lo od r un c ol d, a s

s om eh ow o r o th er h e w as c on vi nc ed t ha t t he p ri so ne r w as

lost.

A t t hi s m om en t t he r oa r o f t he m ul ti tu de b ro ke f or th l ik e

t hu nd er , f or i t w as n ow q ui te c er ta in t ha t C or ne li us d e W it t

w as n o l on ge r i n t he p ri so n.

P ag e 2 7


C or ne li us a nd J oh n, a ft er d ri vi ng a lo ng t he p on d, h ad t ak en

t he m ai n s tr ee t, w hi ch l ea ds t o t he T ol -H ek, giving

d ir ec ti on s t o t he c oa ch ma n t o s la ck en h is p ac e, i n o rd er n ot

t o e xc it e a ny s us pi ci on.

B ut w he n, o n h av in g p ro ce ed ed h al f- wa y d ow n t ha t s tr ee t, t he

P a g e 5 3



m an f elt th at h e h ad l ef t t he p ri so n a nd d ea th b eh in d, a nd

b ef or e h im t he re w as l if e a nd l ib er ty , h e n eg le ct ed e ve ry

p re ca ut io n, a nd s et h is h or se s o ff a t a g al lo p.

A ll a t o nc e h e s to pp ed .

" Wh at i s t he m at te r? " a sk ed J oh n, p ut ti ng h is h ea d o ut o f

the c oac h w indow .

" Oh , my m as te rs !" c ri ed t he c oa ch ma n, " it i s - -- - "

Te rr or c ho ke d t he v oi ce o f t he h on es t f el lo w.

" We ll , s ay w ha t y ou h av e t o s ay !" u rg ed t he Gr an d

Pensionary.

" Th e g at e i s c lo se d, t ha t' s w ha t i t i s. "

"How is this? It is not usual to close the gate by day."

"Just look!"

J oh n d e Wi tt l ea ne d o ut o f t he wi nd ow, a nd i nd ee d s aw t ha t

t he m an w as r ig ht .

" Ne ve r m in d, b ut d ri ve o n, " s ai d J oh n, " I h av e w it h m e t he

orde r f or t he c om muta ti on of t he puni shme nt, t he gat e- ke eper

will let us through."

T he c ar ri ag e m ov ed a lo ng , b ut i t w as e vi de nt t ha t t he d ri ve r

w as n o l on ge r u rg in g h is h or se s w it h t he s am e d eg re e o f

confidence.

M or eo ve r, a s J oh n d e W it t p ut h is h ea d o ut o f t he c ar ri ag e

wi nd ow , h e wa s s ee n a nd r ec og ni ze d b y a b re we r, wh o, b ei ng

behind his c om pa ni ons, w as j us t s hutt ing his door i n a ll

h as te t o j oi n t he m a t t he Bu yt en ho f. H e u tt er ed a c ry o f

s ur pr is e, a nd r an a ft er t wo o th er m en b ef or e h im , w ho m h e

P a g e 5 4



o ve rt oo k a bo ut a h un dr ed y ar ds f ar th er o n, a nd t ol d t he m

w ha t h e h ad s ee n. T he t hr ee m en t he n s to pp ed , l oo ki ng a ft er

t he c ar ri ag e, b ei ng h owe ve r n ot y et q ui te s ur e a s t o w ho m i t

contained.

T he c ar ri age i n t he m ea nw hi le a rr ived a t t he T ol -H ek.

" Open!" c ri ed t he c oac hm an.

" Op en !" e ch oe d t he g at ek ee pe r, f ro m t he t hr es ho ld o f h is

l od ge ; " it 's a ll v er y w el l t o s ay ' Op en !' b ut wh at a m I t o

d o i t w it h? "

" Wi th t he k ey , t o b e s ur e! " s ai d t he c oa ch ma n.

" Wit h t he k ey ! Oh, ye s! b ut i f yo u h av e n ot g ot i t?"

"H ow i s t ha t? Ha ve n ot y ou g ot t he k ey ?" a sk ed t he c oa ch ma n.

P ag e 2 8


"N o, I ha ve n't ."

" Wh at h as b ec om e o f i t? "

" We ll , t he y have t aken i t f rom m e. "

"Who?"

"So me o ne, I dar e say , who h ad a mind t hat n o on e sho uld

l e ave t he t ow n. "

" My good m an," s ai d t he G ra nd P ensi onar y, put ti ng out his

he ad f rom t he w indow, a nd r is ki ng a ll f or gai ni ng a ll ; " my

g ood ma n, it is for me, J ohn de Witt, a nd f or my brother

C or ne li us , w ho I a m t aking a wa y i nt o e xi le ."

" Oh , M yn he er d e W it t! I a m i nd ee d v er y m uc h g ri ev ed ," s ai d

P a g e 5 5



t he gat ekee per , r us hi ng t ow ar ds t he c a rr ia ge; " but, upon m y

sa cr ed w or d, t he k ey h as b ee n t ak en f ro m m e. "

"When?"

"This morning."

"By whom?"

" By a p al e a nd t hi n y ou ng m an , o f a bo ut t we nt y- tw o. "

"An d w he re fo re d id y ou g iv e i t u p t o h im ?"

" Be ca us e h e s ho we d m e a n o rd er , s ig ne d a nd s ea le d. "

"By whom?"

"By the gentlemen of the Town-hall."

" We ll , t he n, " s ai d C or ne li us c al ml y, " our doom s ee ms t o be

fixed."

" Do y ou k no w w he th er t he s am e p re ca ut io n h as b ee n t ak en a t

t he othe r ga te s? "

"I d o n ot ."

" No w t he n, " s ai d J oh n t o t he c oa ch ma n, " Go d c om ma nd s m an t o

d o a ll th at i s in h is p owe r t o p re se rv e h is l if e; g o, a nd

dr ive t o a not he r gat e ."

A nd w hi ls t t he s er va nt w as t ur ni ng r ound t he vehic le t he

G ra nd P en si on ar y s ai d t o t he g at ek ee pe r, - -

" Ta ke our t ha nks f or your good i nt enti ons; t he w il l m us t

cou nt for the d eed; yo u had th e will to s ave us , and th at,

in the eyes of the Lord, is as if yo u had succeed ed in doing

so."

" A la s! " s ai d t he g at ek ee pe r, " do y ou s ee d ow n t he re ?"

" Dr iv e a t a g al lo p t hr ou gh t ha t g ro up ," J oh n c al le d o ut t o

P a g e 5 6



th e c oa ch ma n, " an d t ak e t he s tr ee t o n t he l ef t; i t i s o ur

only chance."

Th e g ro up w hi ch J oh n a ll ud ed t o h ad , f or i ts n uc le us , t ho se

P ag e 2 9


t hr ee m en w ho m w e l ef t l oo ki ng a ft er t he c ar ri ag e, a nd w ho ,

in t he m ea nw hi le , h ad b ee n j oi ne d b y s ev en o r e ig ht o th er s.

T he se new -c om er s e vi de nt ly m ea nt m is chie f w it h r egar d t o t he

carriage.

W he n t he y s aw t he h or se s g al lo pi ng d ow n u po n t he m, t he y

pla ce d t he ms el ve s a cr os s t he s tr ee t, bra ndis hi ng c udge ls i n

t he ir h an ds , a nd c al li ng o ut , - -

"Stop! stop!"

T he c oa ch ma n, o n h is s id e, l as he d h is h or se s i nt o i nc re as ed

s p ee d, u nt il t he c oa ch a nd t he m en e nc ou nt er ed .

T he b ro th er s D e W it t, e nc lo se d w it hi n t he b od y o f t he

c ar ri ag e, w er e n ot a bl e t o s ee a ny th in g; b ut t he y f el t a

s ev er e s ho ck , o cc as io ne d b y t he r ea ri ng o f t he h or se s. T he

w ho le v eh ic le f or a m om en t s ho ok a nd s to pp ed ; b ut

immediately after, passing over something round and elastic,

wh ich s eemed to be th e bod y of a pr ost rate man s et of f a gai n

a mi ds t a v ol le y o f t he f ie rc es t o at hs .

" Al as !" s ai d Co rn el iu s, " I a m a fr ai d w e h av e h ur t s om e o ne ."

"Gallop! gallop!" called John.

But, notwithstanding this order, the coachman suddenly came

P a g e 5 7



to a stop.

" No w, t he n, w ha t i s t he m at te r a ga in ?" a sk ed J oh n.

" Look t her e! " s ai d t he c oac hm an.

J oh n l oo ke d. T he w ho le m as s o f t he p op ul ac e f ro m t he

B uyte nhof a ppea re d a t t he e xt re mi ty of t he s tr ee t a long

w hi ch t he c ar ri ag e w as t o p ro ce ed , a nd i ts s tr ea m m ov ed

r oa ri ng a nd r ap id , a s i f l as he d o n b y a h ur ri ca ne .

" St op an d ge t o ff ," s ai d J oh n t o t he c oac hma n; " it i s

u se le ss t o g o a ny f ar th er ; w e a re l os t! "

" He re t he y a re ! h er e t he y a re !" f iv e h un dr ed v oi ce s w er e

c ry in g a t t he s am e t im e.

"Y es , h er e t he y a re , t he t ra it or s, t he m ur de re rs , t he

a ss as si ns !" a ns we re d t he m en w ho w er e r unni ng a ft er t he

c a rr ia ge t o t he p eo pl e wh o w er e c om in g t o m ee t i t. Th e

f or me r c ar ri ed i n t he ir a rm s t he b ru is ed b od y o f o ne o f

t he ir c om pa ni on s, w ho , t ry in g t o s ei ze t he r ei ns o f t he

h or se s, h ad b ee n t ro dd en d ow n b y t he m.

Th is w as t he o bj ec t o ve r wh ic h t he t wo b ro th er s h ad f el t

t he ir c a rr i age pa ss .

T he c oa chma n s toppe d, but , howe ve r s tr ongly hi s m as te r urged

hi m, h e r ef us ed t o g et o ff a nd s av e h im se lf .

I n a n i ns ta nt t he c ar ri ag e w as h em me d i n b et we en t ho se w ho

f ol lo we d a nd t ho se w ho m et i t. I t r os e a bo ve t he m as s o f

m oving hea ds l ike a f loat ing i sl and. B ut i n a nother i ns ta nt

it c ame t o a d ea d s to p. A b la ck sm it h h ad wi th h is h am me r

s tr uc k d own o ne o f t he h or se s, wh ic h f el l i n t he t ra ce s.

P a g e 5 8



P ag e 3 0


A t t hi s m om en t, t he s hu tt er o f a w in do w o pe ne d, a nd

d is cl os ed t he s al lo w f ac e a nd t he d ar k e ye s o f t he y ou ng

m an , w ho w it h i nt en se i nt er es t w at ch ed t he s ce ne w hi ch w as

p re pa ri ng . B eh in d h im a pp ea re d t he h ea d o f t he o ff ic er ,

a lm os t a s pal e a s him se lf .

" Good hea ve ns , M onse igne ur , w ha t i s goi ng on t he re ?"

whispered the officer.

" Some thing ver y t er ri bl e, t o a c er ta inty," r epli ed t he

other.

" Don' t you s ee , M onse igne ur , t he y a re dra gging t he G ra nd

P ensi onar y f rom t he c ar ri age, t he y s tr ike him , t he y t ea r him

t o pi ec e s! "

" In de ed , t he se p eo pl e m us t c er ta in ly b e p ro mp te d b y a m os t

violent indignation," said the young marl, with the same

i mpas si bl e t one w hi ch he had pre se rved a ll a long.

" An d h er e i s C or ne li us , w ho m t he y n ow l ik ew is e d ra g o ut o f

t he c ar ri ag e, - - C or ne li us , w ho i s a lr ea dy q ui te b ro ke n a nd

m angl ed by t he t or ture . O nl y l ook, l ook! "

" Inde ed, i t i s C or ne li us , a nd no m is ta ke ."

T he o ff ic er u tt er ed a f ee bl e c ry , a nd t ur ne d h is h ea d a wa y;

t he b ro th er o f t he G ra nd P en si on ar y, b ef or e h av in g s et f oo t

o n t he g ro un d, wh il st s til l o n t he b ot to m s te p o f t he

c ar ri ag e, w as s tr uc k d ow n w it h a n i ro n b ar w hi ch b ro ke h is

P a g e 5 9






t ro op s, t ha t t he y m ay b e a rm ed f or a ny e me rg en cy ."

"Bu t a m I to l ea ve y ou r Hi gh ne ss h ere , a lon e, i n th e

pr es ence of a l l t he se m ur de re rs ?"

" Go , a nd d on 't y ou t ro ub le y ou rs el f a bo ut m e mo re t ha n I d o

myself," the Prince gruffly replied.

T he o ff ic er s ta rt ed o ff w it h a s pe ed w hi ch w as m uc h l es s

o wi ng t o h is s en se o f m il it ar y o be di en ce t ha n t o h is

ple as ur e a t bei ng r el ie ve d f rom t he nec es si ty of w it ne ss ing

t he s ho ck in g s pe ct ac le o f t he m ur de r o f t he o th er b ro th er .

He h ad s ca rc el y l ef t t he r oo m, w he n J oh n - - w ho , wi th a n

al mo st s up er hu ma n e ff or t, h ad r ea ch ed t he s to ne s te ps o f a

house nea rl y oppos it e t ha t w he re his f or me r pupil c once al ed

h im se lf - - b eg an t o s ta gg er u nd er t he b lo ws w hi ch w er e

i nf li ct ed on him f rom a ll s ides , c al li ng out , - -

" My brother ! w he re i s m y brother ?"

On e of t he r uf fia ns k no cke d o ff h is h at wi th a b lo w o f h is

clenched fist.

A no th er s ho we d t o h im h is b lo od y h an ds ; f or t hi s f el lo w h ad

r ippe d ope n C or ne li us a nd dis em bowe ll ed him , a nd w as now

h as te ni ng t o t he s po t i n o rd er n ot t o l os e t he o pp or tu ni ty

of s er vi ng t he G ra nd P ensi onar y i n t he s am e m anne r, w hi ls t

t he y w er e d ra gg in g t he d ea d b od y o f C or ne li us t o t he g ib be t.

Jo hn u ttered a cry o f agon y and grief, and put one o f his

h a nd s b ef or e h is e ye s.

P a g e 6 1



"O h, y ou c lo se y ou r e ye s, d o y ou ?" s ai d o ne o f t he s ol di er s

o f t he b ur gh er g ua rd ; " we ll , I s ha ll o pe n t he m f or y ou ."

A nd s ay in g t hi s h e s ta bb ed h im w it h h is p ik e i n t he f ac e,

an d t he b lo od s pu rt ed f or th .

"M y b ro th er !" c ri ed J oh n d e W it t, t ry in g t o s ee t hr ou gh t he

st re am o f b lo od w hi ch b li nd ed h im , w ha t h ad b ec om e o f

Cornelius; "my brother, my brother!"

" Go a nd r un a ft er him !" bel lowe d a nother m ur de re r, put ti ng

hi s m us ke t t o his t em pl es a nd pul li ng t he t ri gger .

But the gun did not go off.

T he f el lo w t he n t ur ne d h is m us ke t r ou nd , a nd , t ak in g i t b y

t he b ar re l w it h b ot h h an ds , s tr uc k J oh n d e W it t d own wi th

t he b ut t- en d. J oh n s ta gg er ed a nd f el l d ow n a t h is f ee t, b ut ,

r ai si ng h im se lf w it h a l as t e ff or t, h e o nc e m or e c al le d o ut ,

--

" My b ro th er !" w it h a v oi ce s o f ul l o f a ng ui sh t ha t t he y ou ng

m an oppos it e c los ed t he s hut te r .

Th er e r em ai ne d l it tl e m or e t o s ee ; a t hi rd m ur de re r f ir ed a

pi st ol w it h t he m uz zl e t o h is f ac e; a nd t hi s t im e t he s ho t

t oo k e ff ec t, b lo wi ng o ut h is b ra in s. J oh n d e W it t f el l t o

ri se n o m or e.

O n t hi s, e ve ry o ne o f t he m is cr ea nt s, e mb ol de ne d b y h is

f al l, wa nt ed t o f ir e h is g un a t h im , o r s tr ik e h im w it h

P ag e 3 2


b lo ws o f t he s le dg e- ha mm er , o r s ta b h im w it h a k ni fe o r

P a g e 6 2



s wo rd s, e ve ry o ne wa nte d t o d ra w a d rop o f b loo d f rom th e

fa ll en h er o, a nd t ea r o ff a s hr ed f ro m h is g ar me nt s.

A nd a ft er having m angl ed, a nd t or n, a nd c om pl et el y s tr ippe d

t he t wo b ro th er s, t he mo b d ra gg ed t he ir n ak ed a nd b lo od y

bodi es t o a n e xte mpor i se d gibbet , w he r e a ma te ur e xec uti one rs

h un g th em u p b y th e fe et.

T he n c am e t he m os t d as ta rd ly s co un dr el s o f a ll , w ho n ot

ha vi ng d ar ed t o s tr ik e t he l iv in g f le sh , c ut t he d ea d i n

p ie ce s, a nd t he n w en t a bo ut t he t ow n s el li ng s ma ll s li ce s o f

t he b od ie s o f J oh n a nd C or ne li us a t t en s ou s a p ie ce .

W e c an no t t ak e u po n o ur se lv es t o s ay w he th er , t hr ou gh t he

a lm os t i mper ce pt ible c hi nk of t he s hutt er , t he young m an

w it ne ss ed t he c on cl us io n o f t hi s s ho ck in g s ce ne ; b ut a t t he

v er y m om en t w he n t he y w er e h an gi ng t he t wo m ar ty rs o n t he

g ib be t h e p as se d t hr ou gh t he t er ri bl e m ob , w hi ch w as t oo

m uc h a bs or be d i n t he t as k, s o g ra te fu l t o i ts t as te , t o t ak e

a ny n ot ic e o f h im , a nd t hu s h e r ea ch ed u no bs er ve d t he

T ol- He k, w hi ch w as s ti ll c lose d.

" Ah ! s ir ," s ai d t he g at ek ee pe r, " do y ou b ri ng m e t he k ey ?"

"Y es , m y m an , h er e i t i s. "

" It i s m os t u nf or tu na te t ha t y ou d id n ot b ri ng m e t ha t k ey

o nl y o ne q ua rt er o f a n h ou r s oo ne r, " s ai d t he g at ek ee pe r,

wi th a s igh.

" An d w hy t ha t? " a sk ed t he o th er .

" Be ca us e I m ig ht h av e o pe ne d t he g at e t o M yn he er s d e W it t;

P a g e 6 3



w he re as , f in di ng t he g at e l oc ke d, t he y w er e o bl ig ed t o

r e t ra c e t hei r s t eps ."

" Ga te ! g at e! " c ri ed a v oi ce w hi ch s ee me d t o b e t ha t o f a ma n

in a h ur ry .

T he P ri nce , t urning r ound, obse rve d C apt ai n V an D eken.

" Is t ha t y ou , C ap ta in ?" h e s ai d. " Yo u a re n ot y et o ut o f t he

H ague ? T hi s i s e xe cuti ng m y order s ver y s lowl y. "

" Mons ei gneur, " r epli ed t he C apta in, " this i s t he t hi rd gat e

a t w hi ch I h av e p re se nt ed m ys el f; t he o th er t wo w er e

closed."

"We ll, th is go od man wi ll o pen th is o ne fo r y ou ; d o it , my

friend."

T he l as t w or ds w er e a dd re ss ed t o t he g at ek ee pe r, w ho s to od

qui te t hunder st ruck on hea ri ng C apta in V an D eken a ddre ss ing

b y t he t it le o f M on se ig ne ur t hi s p al e y ou ng m an , t o w ho m h e

him se lf had s poke n i n s uc h a f am il ia r w ay.

As it were to make u p for his fa ult, he has ten ed to op en the

ga te , w hi ch s wung c re aking on i ts hinge s.

"Will Monseigneur avail himself of my horse?" asked the

Captain.

" I t han k yo u, Ca pt ai n, I sh al l u se my o wn s te ed , w hic h i s

P ag e 3 3


w ai ti ng f or m e c lo se a t h an d. "

A nd t ak in g f ro m h is p oc ke t a g ol de n w hi st le , s uc h a s w as

gener al ly use d a t t ha t t im e f or s um moni ng t he s er va nt s, he

P a g e 6 4



s ou nd ed i t w it h a s hr il l a nd p ro lo ng ed c al l, o n wh ic h a n

e que rr y on hors e ba c k s pee dil y m ade his a ppe ar a nc e , l e adi ng

a no th er h or se b y t he b ri dl e.

William, without touching the stirrup, vaulted into the

s ad dl e o f t he l ed h or se , a nd , s et ti ng h is s pu rs i nt o i ts

f la nk s, s ta rt ed o ff f or t he L ey de n r oa d. H av in g r ea ch ed i t,

h e t ur ne d r ou nd a nd b ec ko ne d t o t he Ca pt ai n w ho w as f ar

b e hi nd , t o r id e b y h is s id e.

" Do y ou k no w, " h e t he n s ai d, w it ho ut s to pp in g, " th at t ho se

r as ca ls h av e k il le d J oh n d e W it t a s w el l a s h is b ro th er ?"

" Al as ! M onse igne ur ," t he C apta in a ns we re d s adly, " I s houl d

li ke i t m uc h bet te r i f t he se t wo dif fi cult ie s w er e s ti ll i n

y ou r H ig hn es s' s w ay o f b ec om in g d e f ac to S ta dt ho ld er o f

Holland."

"Certainly, it would have been better," said William, "if

w ha t d id h ap pe n h ad n ot h ap pe ne d. B ut i t c an no t b e h el pe d

n ow, and we hav e had noth ing to do with it. Let us push on,

Ca pt ai n, t ha t w e m ay a rr iv e a t A lp he n b ef or e t he m es sa ge

w hi ch t he S ta te s- Ge ne ra l a re s ur e t o s en d t o m e t o t he

camp."

T he Ca pt ai n b ow ed , a ll ow ed t he P ri nc e t o r id e a he ad a nd , f or

t he r em ai nd er o f t he j ou rn ey , k ep t a t t he s am e r es pe ct fu l

d is ta nc e a s h e h ad d on e b ef or e h is H ig hn es s c al le d h im t o

hi s s ide.

"How I should wish," William of Orange malignantly muttered

P a g e 6 5



t o h im se lf , wi th a d ar k fr own a nd s et tin g t he s pu rs t o h is

h or se , " to s ee t he f ig ur e w hi ch Lo ui s w il l c ut w he n h e i s

a pp ri se d o f t he m an ne r i n w hi ch h is d ea r f ri en ds D e W it t

have be en serv ed! Oh th ou Sun ! t hou Su n! as truly as I am

c al le d W il li am t he S il en t, t ho u S un , t ho u h ad st b es t l oo k t o

thy rays!"

A nd t he y ou ng P ri nc e, t he r el en tl es s r iv al o f t he G re at

K in g, s pe d a wa y u po n h is f ie ry s te ed , - - t hi s f ut ur e

S ta dt ho ld er w ho h ad b ee n b ut t he d ay b ef or e v er y u nc er ta in ly

e st ab li sh ed i n h is n ew p ow er , b ut f or w ho m t he b ur gh er s o f

t he Ha gu e h ad b uil t a s ta ir ca se w ith t he b od ie s o f J oh n a nd

Co rn el iu s, t wo p ri nc es a s n ob le a s h e i n t he e ye s o f G od a nd ma n.

Ch a pt e r 5

The Tulip-fancier and his Neighbour

W hi ls t t he b ur gh er s o f t he H ag ue w er e t ea ri ng i n p ie ce s t he

b od ie s o f J oh n a nd C or ne li us d e W it t, a nd wh il st W il li am o f

O ra ng e, a ft er h av in g m ad e s ur e t ha t h is t wo a nt ag on is ts w er e

r ea ll y d ea d, w as g al lo pi ng o ve r t he L ey de n r oa d, f ol lo we d b y

C ap ta in v an D ek en , w ho m h e f ou nd a l it tl e t oo c om pa ss io na te

t o h on ou r h im a ny l on ge r w it h h is c on fi de nc e, C ra ek e, t he

f ai thful s er va nt , m ount ed on a good hor se , a nd l it tl e

P ag e 3 4


s us pe ct ing w ha t t er ri bl e e ve nt s had t aken pla ce s ince his

d ep ar tu re , p ro ce ed ed a lo ng t he h ig h r oa d l in ed w it h t re es ,

u nt il h e w as c le ar o f t he t ow n a nd t he n ei gh bo ur in g

P a g e 6 6



villages.

Be in g o nce s afe , h e le ft h is ho rs e a t a li ver y s ta ble i n

or de r not t o a rous e s us pi ci on, a nd t ra nqui ll y c onti nued his

j ou rn ey o n t he c an al -b oa ts , w hi ch c on ve ye d h im b y e as y

s ta ge s t o D or t, pur suing t he ir w ay under s ki lf ul gui da nc e by

t he s hort es t pos si bl e r oute s t hr ough t he w indi ngs of t he

r iver , w hi ch hel d i n i ts w at er y e mbra ce s o m any e nc ha nt ing

l it tl e i sl ands , e dged w it h w il lows a nd r us he s, a nd a boundi ng

i n l uxur ious veget at ion, w he re on f locks of f at s he ep brows ed

i n pea ce ful s le epines s. C ra eke f rom a fa r off r ec ogni se d

D or t, t he s mi li ng c it y, a t t he f oo t o f a h il l d ot te d w it h

w in dm il ls . H e s aw t he f in e r ed b ri ck h ou se s, m or ta re d i n

w hi te l in es , s ta nd in g o n t he e dg e o f t he w at er , a nd t he ir

b al co ni es , o pe n t ow ar ds t he r iv er , d ec ke d o ut w it h s il k

tapestry embroidered with gold flowers, the wonderful

m a nufa ct ur e of I ndia a nd C hi na ; a nd nea r t he se bri ll ia nt

s tu ff s, l ar ge l in es s et t o c at ch t he v or ac io us e el s, w hi ch

a re a tt ra ct ed t ow ar ds t he h ou se s b y t he g ar ba ge t hr ow n e ve ry

d ay f ro m t he k it ch en s i nt o t he r iv er .

C ra ek e, s ta nd in g o n t he d ec k o f t he b oa t, s aw , a cr os s t he

m oving s ai ls of t he w indm il ls , on t he s lope of t he hil l, t he

r ed a nd p in k h ou se wh ic h wa s t he g oa l o f h is e rr an d. Th e

o ut li ne s o f i ts r oo f w er e m er gi ng i n t he y el lo w f ol ia ge o f a

curt ai n of popla r t re es , t he w hole habit at ion having f or

b ac kg ro un d a d ar k g ro ve o f g ig an ti c e lm s. T he m an si on w as

P a g e 6 7



si tu ate d i n su ch a wa y th at th e s un, f al li ng o n i t a s i nto a

funnel , dri ed up, w ar me d, a nd f er ti li se d t he m is t w hi ch t he

v er da nt s cr ee n c ou ld n ot p re ve nt t he r iv er w in d f ro m

carrying there every morning and evening.

Ha vi ng dis em ba rked unobs er ve d a mi d t he usual bus tl e of t he

c it y, C ra ek e a t o nc e d ir ec te d h is s te ps t ow ar ds t he h ou se

w hi ch w e h av e j us t d es cr ib ed , a nd w hi ch - - w hi te , t ri m, a nd

t idy, e ve n m or e c le anly s cour ed a nd m or e c ar ef ul ly w axed i n

t he h id de n c or ne rs t ha n i n t he p la ce s w hi ch w er e e xp os ed t o

vi ew - - e nc lo se d a t ru ly h ap py m or ta l.

T hi s h ap py m or ta l, r ar a a vi s, w as D r. v an B ae rl e, t he g od so n

o f C or ne li us d e W it t. H e h ad i nh ab it ed t he s am e h ou se e ve r

si nc e h is c hi ld ho od , f or i t wa s t he h ou se i n wh ic h h is

father and grandfather, old established princely merchants

o f t he p ri nc el y c it y o f Do rt , w er e b or n.

M y nh ee r v an B ae rl e t he f at he r h ad a ma ss ed i n t he I nd ia n

tr ade t hr ee or f our hundr ed t hous and gui lder s, w hi ch M ynhe er

van Bae rle th e so n, a t the d eath of his d ear a nd wort hy

p ar en ts , f ou nd s ti ll q ui te n ew , a lt ho ug h o ne s et o f t he m

bo re th e d at e o f co in ag e of 1 640 , a nd t he o the r th at o f

1 61 0, a f ac t wh ic h p ro ve d t ha t t he y we re g ui ld er s o f Va n

B ae rl e t he f at he r a nd o f V an B ae rl e t he g ra nd fa th er ; b ut w e

w il l i nf orm t he re ad er a t o nc e t ha t t he se t hr ee o r fo ur

h un dr ed t ho us an d g ui ld er s w er e o nl y t he p oc ke t m on ey , o r

s or t o f p ur se , f or C or ne li us v an Ba er le , t he h er o o f t hi s

s to ry , a s h is l an de d p ro pe rt y i n t he p ro vi nc e y ie ld ed h im a n

P a g e 6 8



i nc om e o f a bo ut t en t ho us an d g ui ld er s a y ea r.

W he n t he w or thy c it iz en, t he f at he r of C or ne li us , pas se d

f rom t im e i nt o e te rnit y, t hr ee m onths a ft er having bur ie d

h is wi fe , wh o s ee me d t o h av e d ep ar te d f ir st t o s mo ot h f or

P ag e 3 5


h im t he p at h o f d ea th a s s he h ad s mo ot he d f or h im th e p at h

of life, he said to his son, as he embraced him fo r the last

t i me , - -

" Ea t, d ri nk , an d s pe nd y ou r mo ne y, i f y ou wi sh t o k no w wh at

l if e r ea ll y i s, f or a s t o t oi li ng f ro m m or n t o e ve ni ng o n a

wo od en s to ol , o r a l ea th er n c ha ir , i n a c ou nt in g- ho us e o r a

l abor at or y, t ha t c er ta inly i s not l iving. Y our t im e t o die

w il l a ls o c ome ; a nd i f y ou a re n ot t he n s o f or tu na te a s t o

ha ve a s on , y ou wil l le t my n ame g ro w ex tin ct , a nd my

g ui ld er s, w hi ch n o o ne h as e ve r f in ge re d b ut m y f at he r,

m ys el f, a nd t he c oi ne r, w il l h av e t he s ur pr is e o f p as si ng t o

a n u nk no wn m as te r. A nd l ea st o f a ll , i mi ta te t he e xa mp le o f

your godfa ther , C or ne li us de W it t, w ho has plunged i nt o

pol it ic s, t he m os t ungra te ful of a ll c ar ee rs , a nd w ho w il l

c er ta inly c om e t o a n unt im el y e nd."

H a vi ng given utt er ance t o t hi s pat er na l a dvic e, t he w or thy

M yn he er v an B ae rl e d ie d, t o t he i nt en se g ri ef o f h is s on

C or ne li us , w ho c ar ed ver y l it tl e f or t he gui lder s, a nd ver y

m uc h f or his f at he r.

P a g e 6 9



C or ne li us t he n r em ai ne d a lone i n his l ar ge house . I n vai n

h i s g od fa th er o ff er ed t o h im a p la ce i n t he p ub li c s er vi ce ,

-- in vain did he try to give him a taste for glory, --

although Cornelius, to gratify his godfather, did embark

w it h D e Ru yt er u po n " Th e Se ve n P ro vi nc es ," t he f la gs hi p o f a

f le et of one hundr ed a nd t hi rt y- ni ne s ai l, w it h w hi ch t he

f am ous a dm ir al s et out t o c onte nd s ingl ehande d a ga inst t he

c om bi ne d f or ce s o f F ra nc e a nd E ng la nd . W he n, g ui de d b y t he

pil ot L eger , he had c om e w it hi n m us ke t- shot of t he " Pr ince ,"

w it h t he D uk e o f Y or k ( th e E ng li sh k in g' s b ro th er ) a bo ar d,

u po n w hi ch D e R uy te r, h is m en to r, m ad e s o s ha rp a nd w el l

d ir ec te d a n a tt ac k t ha t t he D uk e, p er ce iv in g t ha t h is v es se l

w ou ld s oo n h av e t o s tr ik e, m ad e t he b es t o f h is wa y a bo ar d

the " Sa int M ic ha el "; w he n he had s ee n t he " Sa int M ic ha el ,"

r id dl ed a nd s ha tt er ed b y t he D ut ch b ro ad si de , d ri ft o ut o f

th e l in e; wh en h e h ad w it ne ss ed t he s in ki ng o f t he " Ea rl o f

S a nd wi ch ," a nd t he d ea th b y f ir e o r d ro wn in g o f f ou r h un dr ed

s ai lo rs ; wh en h e r ea li ze d t ha t t he r es ul t o f a ll t hi s

d es tr uc ti on - - a ft er t we nt y s hi ps h ad b ee n b lo wn t o p ie ce s,

t hr ee t ho us an d m en k il le d a nd f iv e t ho us an d i nj ur ed - - w as

t ha t n ot hi ng w as d ec id ed , t ha t b ot h s id es c la im ed t he

vi ct or y, t ha t t he f ight ing w ould s oon begin a ga in, a nd t ha t

j us t o ne m or e n am e, t ha t o f S ou th wo ld B ay , h ad b ee n a dd ed t o

t he l is t o f b at tl es ; w he n h e h ad e st im at ed h ow m uc h t im e i s

lo st s imp ly in s hu tt in g h is e yes a nd ea rs b y a man wh o l ik es

t o use his r ef le ct ive pow er s e ve n w hi le his f el low c re at ur es

P a g e 7 0



a re c an no na di ng o ne a no th er ; - - C or ne li us b ad e f ar ew el l t o

De R uy te r, t o t he R ua rt d e P ul te n, a nd t o g lo ry , k is se d t he

k ne es o f t he G ra nd P en si on ar y, f or w ho m h e e nt er ta in ed t he

d ee pe st v en er at io n, a nd r et ir ed t o h is h ou se a t D or t, r ic h

i n his w el l- ea rned r epos e, his t we nt y- ei ght yea rs , a n i ron

c ons ti tuti on a nd kee n per ce pt ions , a nd his c apit al of m or e

t ha n f ou r h un dr ed t ho us an ds o f f lo ri ns a nd i nc om e o f t en

t ho us an d, c on vi nc ed t ha t a m an i s a lw ay s e nd ow ed b y H ea ve n

w it h t oo m uc h f or h is o wn h ap pi ne ss , a nd j us t e no ug h t o m ak e

him miserable.

C onse quentl y, a nd t o i ndul ge his own i de a of happi ne ss ,

C or ne li us b eg an t o b e i nt er es te d i n t he s tu dy o f p la nt s a nd

i ns ec ts , c ol le ct ed a nd c la ss if ie d t he F lora of a ll t he D ut ch

is la nds, a rr ange d t he w hole e nt om ol ogy of t he provi nc e, on

w hi ch h e wr ote a t re at is e, w it h p la te s d ra wn b y h is o wn

P ag e 3 6


hand s; and at last, bein g a t a los s what to do with his

ti me , a nd e spec ia ll y w it h his m oney, w hi ch w ent on

a cc um ul at in g a t a m os t a la rm in g r at e, h e t oo k i t i nt o h is

h ea d t o s el ec t f or h im se lf , f ro m a ll t he f ol li es o f h is

co un tr y a nd o f h is a ge , o ne o f t he mo st e le ga nt a nd

e xpe ns ive , - - he be ca me a t uli p-f anc ie r .

I t w as t he t im e w he n t he Du tc h a nd t he Po rt ug ue se , r iv al li ng

e a ch o th er i n t hi s b ra nc h o f h or ti cu lt ur e, h ad b eg un t o

P a g e 7 1



w or sh ip t ha t f lo we r, a nd t o m ak e m or e o f a c ul t o f i t t ha n

e ve r n at ur al is ts d ar ed t o ma ke o f t he h uma n r ac e f or f ea r o f

a rous ing t he j ea lous y of G od.

So on p eo pl e f ro m D or t t o M on s b eg an t o t al k o f M yn he er v an

B ae rl e 's t ul ips ; a nd hi s beds, pit s, dr yi ng- room s, a nd

d ra we rs o f b ul bs w er e v is it ed , a s t he g al le ri es a nd

libraries of Alexandria were by illustrious Roman

travellers.

V an B ae rl e began by e xpendi ng his yea rl y r evenue i n l aying

t he g ro un dw or k o f h is c ol le ct io n, a ft er w hi ch h e b ro ke i n

u p on h is n ew g ui ld er s t o b ri ng i t t o p er fe ct io n. H is

e xe rt ions , i ndee d, w er e c rowned w it h a m os t m agni fi ce nt

r es ul t: h e p ro du ce d t hr ee n ew t ul ip s, w hi ch h e c al le d t he

" Ja ne ," a ft er his m ot he r; t he " Va n B ae rl e, " a ft er his

f a ther ; a nd t he " Cornel ius, " a ft er his godfa ther ; t he other

n am es h av e e sc ap ed u s, b ut t he f an ci er s w il l b e s ur e t o f in d

t he m i n t he c at al og ue s o f t he t im es .

I n t he b eg in ni ng o f t he y ea r 1 67 2, Co rn el iu s d e W it t c am e t o

Do rt f or t hr ee mo nt hs , t o l iv e a t h is o ld f am il y m an si on ;

f or n ot on ly was h e b orn i n t ha t c ity , bu t h is fa mily ha d

bee n r e si de nt t he re f or c e nt uri es .

C or ne li us , a t t ha t p er io d, a s W il li am o f O ra ng e s ai d, b eg an

t o e nj oy t he m os t per fe ct unpopul ar it y. T o his f el low

c it iz en s, t he g oo d b ur gh er s o f D or t, h ow ev er , h e d id n ot

a pp ear i n t he li gh t o f a cr imi nal wh o d es erv ed t o b e h un g.

I t i s t ru e, t he y d id n ot p ar ti cu la rl y l ik e h is s om ew ha t

P a g e 7 2



a us te re r epubli ca ni sm , but t he y w er e proud of his val our;

a nd wh en h e ma de h is e nt ra nc e i nt o t he ir t own , t he c up o f

h o no ur w as o ff er ed t o h im , r ea di ly e no ug h, i n t he n am e o f

t he c it y.

After having thanked his fellow citizens, Cornelius

p ro ce ed ed t o h is o ld p at er na l h ou se , a nd g av e d ir ec ti on s f or

s om e r ep ai rs , w hi ch h e w is he d t o h av e e xe cu te d b ef or e t he

a rr iv al o f h is w if e a nd c hi ld re n; a nd t he nc e h e we nd ed h is

wa y t o t he h ou se o f h is g od so n, w ho p er ha ps wa s t he o nl y

p er so n i n D or t a s y et u na cq ua in te d w it h t he p re se nc e o f

C ornel ius i n t he t ow n.

I n t he s am e d eg re e a s C or ne li us d e W it t h ad e xc it ed t he

h at re d o f t he p eo pl e b y s owi ng t ho se e vi l s ee ds wh ic h a re

c al le d pol it ic al pas si ons, V an B ae rl e had gai ne d t he

affections of his fellow citizens by completely shunning the

p ur su it o f p ol it ic s, a bs or be d a s h e w as i n t he p ea ce fu l

pursuit of cultivating tulips.

V an B ae rl e w as t ru ly b el ov ed b y h is s er va nt s a nd l ab ou re rs ;

n or h ad h e a ny c on ce pt io n t ha t t he re wa s i n t hi s wo rld a m an

w ho w is he d i ll t o a nother .

A nd y et i t m us t b e s ai d, t o t he d is gr ac e o f ma nk in d, t ha t

P ag e 3 7


Co rn el iu s v an B ae rl e, w it ho ut b ei ng a wa re o f t he f ac t, h ad a

m uc h m or e f er oc ious , f ie rc e, a nd i mpla ca bl e e ne my t ha n t he

P a g e 7 3



G ra nd P en si on ar y a nd h is b ro th er h ad a mo ng t he O ra ng e p ar ty ,

w ho w er e m os t h os ti le t o t he d ev ot ed b ro th er s, wh o h ad n ev er

bee n s unde re d by t he l ea st m is unde rs ta nding dur ing t he ir

li ve s, a nd b y t he ir m ut ua l d ev ot io n i n t he f ac e o f d ea th

ma de s ur e t he e xi st ence of t he ir brother ly a ff ec ti on beyond

t he gr ave .

A t t he t im e w he n C or ne li us v an B ae rl e b eg an t o d ev ot e

himself to tulip-growing, expending on this hobby his yearly

r ev en ue a nd t he g ui ld er s o f h is f at he r, t he re w as a t D or t,

li vi ng n ex t d oo r t o h im, a cit iz en o f th e n ame o f Is aa c

Bo xt el w ho f ro m t he a ge wh en h e wa s a bl e t o t hi nk f or

h ims el f h ad i nd ul ge d t he s am e f an cy , a nd w ho w as i n

e cs ta si es a t t he m er e m enti on of t he w or d " tulban," w hi ch

( as w e a re a ss ur ed b y t he " Fl or is te F ra nc ai se ," t he m os t

highly considered authority in matters relating to this

f lo we r) i s t he f ir st w or d i n t he Ci ng al es e t on gu e w hi ch w as

e ve r use d t o des igna te t ha t m as te rpie ce of f lori cult ur e

w hi ch i s now c al le d t he t ul ip.

B ox te l h ad n ot t he g oo d f or tu ne o f b ei ng r ic h, l ik e V an

B ae rl e. H e h ad t he re fo re , w it h g re at c ar e a nd p at ie nc e, a nd

b y d in t o f s tr en uo us e xe rt io ns , l ai d o ut n ea r h is h ou se a t

D or t a g ar de n f it f or t he c ul tu re o f h is c he ri sh ed f lo we r;

h e h ad mi xe d t he s oi l a cc or di ng t o t he m os t a pp ro ve d

p re sc ri pt io ns , a nd g iv en t o h is h ot be ds j us t a s m uc h h ea t

a nd f re sh a ir a s t he s tr ic te st r ul es o f h or ti cu lt ur e e xa ct .

I s aa c k ne w t he t em pe ra tu re o f h is f ra me s t o t he t we nt ie th

P a g e 7 4



pa rt of a de gre e. He kn ew t he s tre ng th o f th e cu rre nt o f

a ir, and tempered it so as to adapt it to the wave of the

s t em s o f h is f lo we rs . H is p ro du ct io ns a ls o b eg an t o m ee t

w it h t he f avour of t he publi c. T he y w er e bea ut if ul , nay,

dis ti ngui shed. S ever al f anci er s had c om e t o s ee B oxte l' s

t ul ip s. A t l as t h e h ad e ve n s ta rt ed a mo ng st a ll t he

L inna euse s a nd T ournef or ts a t ul ip w hi ch bor e his nam e, a nd

w hi ch, a ft er having t ra ve ll ed a ll t hr ough F ra nc e, had f ound

i ts w ay i nt o Sp ai n, a nd p en et ra te d a s f ar a s Po rt ug al ; a nd

t he K in g, D on A lf on so V I. - - w ho , b ei ng e xp el le d f ro m

L is bo n, h ad r et ir ed t o t he i sl an d o f T er ce ir a, w he re h e

am us ed him se lf , not , l ike t he gre at C onde , w it h w at er ing his

c ar na ti on s, b ut w it h g ro wi ng t ul ip s - - h ad , o n s ee in g t he

B ox te l t ul ip , e xc la im ed , " No t s o b ad , b y a ny m ea ns !"

A ll a t o nc e, C or ne li us v an B ae rl e, w ho , a ft er a ll h is

l ea rned pur suit s, had bee n s ei ze d w it h t he t ul ipom ania , m ade

s om e c ha ng es i n h is h ou se a t Do rt , w hi ch , a s we h av e s ta te d,

w as n ex t d oo r t o t ha t o f B ox te l. H e r ai se d a c er ta in

bui lding i n his c ourt -yar d by a s tory, w hi ch s hutt ing out

t he s un , t oo k h al f a d eg re e o f w ar mt h f ro m B ox te l' s g ar de n,

a nd, on th e ot he r ha nd , a dd ed ha lf a d eg re e of co ld i n

wi nt er ; n ot t o m en ti on t ha t i t c ut t he w in d, a nd d is tu rb ed

all the horticultural calculations and arrangements of his

neighbour.

A ft er a ll , t hi s m is ha p a pp ea re d t o B ox te l o f n o g re at

P a g e 7 5



c on se qu en ce . Va n B ae rl e w as b ut a p ai nt er , a s or t o f f oo l

w ho t ri ed t o r ep ro du ce a nd d is fi gu re o n c an va s t he w on de rs

of n at ur e. T he p ai nt er , h e t ho ug ht , h ad r ai se d h is s tu di o b y

a sto ry to get bette r ligh t, and thus far he h ad only been

i n t he r ig ht . M yn he er v an B ae rl e w as a p ai nt er , a s M yn he er

B ox te l w as a t ul ip -g ro we r; h e w an te d s om ew ha t m or e s un f or

P ag e 3 8


h is p ai nt in gs , a nd h e t oo k h al f a d eg re e f ro m h is

neighbour's tulips.

The l aw was for Van Baerl e, an d Bo xte l h ad to a bid e b y it.

Be si de s, I sa ac h ad m ad e t he d is co ve ry t ha t t oo m uc h s un wa s

i nj ur ious t o t ul ips, a nd t ha t t hi s f lowe r gre w qui cker , a nd

h ad a b et te r c ol ou ri ng , w it h t he t em pe ra te w ar mt h o f

m or ni ng , t ha n wi th t he p ow er fu l h ea t o f t he m id da y s un . H e

t he re fore f el t a lm os t gra te ful t o C or ne li us van B ae rl e f or

having given him a s cr ee n gra ti s.

Ma yb e t hi s w as n ot q ui te i n a cc or da nc e wi th t he t ru e s ta te

of t hi ngs i n gener al , a nd of I sa ac B oxte l' s f ee li ngs i n

particular. It is certainly astonishing what rich comfort

gre at m inds , i n t he m idst of m om entous c at as tr ophe s, w il l

derive from the consolations of philosophy.

B ut a la s! W ha t w as t he a go ny o f t he u nf or tu na te B ox te l o n

s ee in g t he wi nd ows o f th e n ew s to ry s et o ut wi th b ul bs a nd

se ed li ng s o f t ul ip s f or t he b or de r, a nd t ul ip s i n p ot s; i n

s hort , w it h e ve rything per ta ining t o t he pur suit s of a

P a g e 7 6



tulip-monomaniac!

T he re w er e b un dl es o f l ab el s, c up bo ar ds , a nd d ra we rs w it h

c om pa rt me nt s, a nd w ir e g ua rd s f or t he c up bo ar ds , t o a ll ow

f re e a cc es s t o t he a ir w hi ls t k ee pi ng o ut s lu gs , m ic e,

d or mi ce , a nd r at s, a ll o f t he m v er y c ur io us f an ci er s o f

tu li ps a t t wo t ho us an d f ra nc s a b ul b.

B ox te l w as q ui te a ma ze d w he n h e s aw a ll t hi s a pp ar at us , b ut

h e was not as yet aware of the full extent of his

m is fo rt un e. V an B ae rl e w as k no wn t o b e f on d o f e ve ry th in g

t ha t p le as es t he e ye . He s tu di ed N at ur e i n a ll h er a sp ec ts

f or t he benef it of his pai nt ings , w hi ch w er e a s m inut el y

f in is he d a s t ho se o f G er ar d D ow , h is m as te r, a nd o f M ie ri s,

hi s f ri en d. W as i t n ot p os si bl e, t ha t, h av in g t o p ai nt t he

i nt er io r o f a t ul ip -g ro we r' s, h e h ad c ol le ct ed i n h is n ew

s tudio a ll t he a cc e ss ori es of de cor at ion?

Yet, although thus consoling himself with illusory

s upposi ti ons, B oxte l w as not a bl e t o r es is t t he bur ni ng

curiosity which was devouring him. In the evening,

t he re fo re , h e p la ce d a l ad de r a ga in st t he p ar ti ti on w al l

b et we en t he ir g ar de ns , a nd , l oo ki ng i nt o t ha t o f h is

nei ghbour V an B ae rl e, he c onvi nc ed him se lf t ha t t he s oi l of

a l ar ge s qu ar e b ed , w hi ch h ad f or me rl y b ee n o cc up ie d b y

di ff er ent pla nts , w as r em oved, a nd t he ground dis pos ed i n

b ed s o f l oa m m ix ed wi th r iv er m ud ( a c omb in at io n w hi ch i s

par ti cula rl y f avoura bl e t o t he t ul ip), a nd t he w hole

P a g e 7 7



sur rou nde d by a bo rde r of tu rf to ke ep the s oil in i ts

pla ce . B es ides t hi s, s uf fi ci ent s ha de t o t em pe r t he noonday

he a t; a spe ct s out h-s out hwe s t; w at er i n a bunda nt s uppl y, a nd

a t h an d; i n s ho rt , e ve ry r eq ui re me nt t o i ns ur e n ot o nl y

s uc ce ss b ut a ls o p ro gr es s. T he re c ou ld n ot b e a d ou bt t ha t

V an B ae rl e h ad b ec om e a t ul ip -g ro we r.

B ox te l a t o nc e p ic tu re d t o h im se lf t hi s l ea rn ed m an , w it h a

c ap it al o f f ou r h un dr ed t ho us an d a nd a y ea rl y i nc om e o f t en

thousand guilders, devoting all his intellectual and

f inanci al r es ourc es t o t he c ul ti va ti on of t he t ul ip. H e

f or es aw h is n ei gh bo ur 's s uc ce ss , a nd h e f el t s uc h a p an g a t

t he m er e i de a o f t hi s s uc ce ss t ha t h is h an ds d ro pp ed

p ow er le ss , h is k ne es t re mb le d, a nd h e f el l i n d es pa ir f ro m

P ag e 3 9


t he l a dde r.

A nd t hu s i t wa s n ot f or t he s ak e o f p ai nt ed t ul ip s, b ut f or

r ea l o ne s, t ha t Va n Ba er le t oo k f ro m h im h al f a d eg re e o f

wa rm th . A nd t hu s V an B ae rl e w as t o h av e t he m os t a dm ir ab ly

f it te d a sp ec t, a nd , b es id es , a l ar ge , a ir y, a nd w el l

v en ti la te d c ha mb er w he re t o p re se rv e h is b ul bs a nd

s ee dl in gs ; w hi le h e, B ox te l, h ad b ee n o bl ig ed t o g iv e u p f or

t hi s p ur po se h is b ed ro om , a nd , l es t h is s le ep in g i n t he s am e

a pa rt me nt m ight i nj ur e his bul bs a nd s ee dl ings , had t aken up

h is a bo de i n a m is er ab le g ar re t.

B ox te l, t he n, wa s t o h av e n ex t d oo r t o h im a r iv al a nd

P a g e 7 8



s uc ce ss ful c om pe ti tor; a nd his r ival , i ns te ad of bei ng s om e

u nk no wn , o bs cu re g ar de ne r, w as t he g od so n o f M yn he er

C or ne li us d e W it t, t ha t i s t o s ay , a c el eb ri ty .

Bo xt el , a s t he r ea der ma y s ee, was n ot p oss es se d o f t he

s pi ri t o f P or us , w ho , o n b ei ng c on qu er ed b y A le xa nd er ,

c onsole d him se lf w it h t he c el ebri ty of his c onquer or .

A nd n ow i f Va n B ae rl e p ro du ce d a n ew t ul ip , a nd n am ed i t t he

J oh n d e W it t, a ft er h av in g n am ed o ne t he C or ne li us ? I t w as

i nd ee d e no ug h t o c ho ke o ne w it h r ag e.

T hus B oxte l, w it h j ea lous f or eboding, bec am e t he prophet of

his own misfortune. And, after having made this melancholy

dis cove ry, he pas se d t he m os t w re tc he d night i ma gi na bl e.

Ch a pt e r 6

The H at re d of a T ul ip-f anci er

F ro m t ha t m om en t B ox te l' s i nt er es t i n t ul ip s w as n o l on ge r a

s ti mulus t o his e xe rt ions , but a dea de ni ng a nxie ty.

H ence fort h a ll his t hought s r an onl y upon t he i nj ur y w hi ch

his nei ghbour w ould c ause him , a nd t hus his f avouri te

o c cu pa ti on w as c ha ng ed i nt o a c on st an t s ou rc e o f m is er y t o h im .

V an B ae rl e, a s m ay e as il y b e i ma gi ne d, h ad n o s oo ne r b eg un

t o a pp ly h is n at ur al i ng en ui ty t o h is n ew f an cy , t ha n h e

s uc ce eded i n growi ng t he f ines t t ul ips. I ndee d; he kne w

b et te r th an a ny o ne el se a t Haa rl em o r Le yd en - - th e two

to wn s w hi ch b oa st t he b es t s oi l a nd t he m os t c on ge ni al

c li ma te - - h ow t o v ar y t he c ol ou rs , t o m od if y t he s ha pe , a nd

P a g e 7 9



t o p ro du ce n ew s pe ci es .

He b el on ge d t o t ha t n at ur al , h um or ou s s ch oo l w ho t oo k f or

t hei r m ot to i n t he s evente enth c entury t he a phor is m utt er ed

by o ne of th eir n umber i n 165 3, -- "To d esp ise fl owers is t o

offend God."

F rom t ha t pre mi se t he s chool of t ul ip-f anci er s, t he m os t

exclusive of all schools, worked out the following syllogism

i n th e sa me y ear : --

" To d es pi se f lo we rs i s t o o ff en d G od .

" Th e m or e b ea ut if ul t he f lo we r i s, t he m or e d oe s o ne o ff en d

God i n des pi si ng i t.

P ag e 4 0


" The t ul ip i s t he m os t bea ut if ul of a ll f lowe rs .

" Th er ef or e, h e w ho d es pi se s t he t ul ip o ff en ds G od b ey on d

measure."

B y r ea so ni ng o f t hi s k in d, i t c an b e s ee n t ha t t he f ou r o r

f ive t hous and t ul ip-growe rs of H ol la nd, F ra nc e, a nd

P or tu ga l, l ea vi ng o ut t ho se o f C ey lo n a nd C hi na a nd t he

In di es , m ig ht , i f s o d is po se d, p ut t he w ho le w or ld u nd er t he

ba n, a nd c ondem n a s s c hi sm at ic s a nd he re ti cs a nd des er vi ng

of dea th t he s ever al hundr ed m il li ons of m anki nd w hose hopes

o f s al va ti on w er e n ot c en tr ed u po n t he t ul ip .

We c an no t d ou bt t ha t i n s uc h a c au se B ox te l, t ho ug h h e wa s

V an B ae rl e' s d ea dl y f oe , w ou ld h av e m ar ch ed u nd er t he s am e

banner with him.

P a g e 8 0



M yn he er v an B ae rl e a nd h is t ul ip s, t he re fo re , w er e i n t he

m o ut h o f e ve ry bo dy ; s o m uc h s o, t ha t B ox te l' s n am e

d is ap pe ar ed f or e ve r f ro m t he l is t o f t he n ot ab le

t ul ip -g ro we rs i n H ol la nd , a nd t ho se o f D or t w er e n ow

r ep re se nt ed b y C or ne li us v an B ae rl e, t he m od es t a nd

inoffensive savant.

E ngaging, hea rt a nd s oul, i n his pur suit s of s ow ing,

pla nt ing, a nd gat he ri ng, V an B ae rl e, c ar es se d by t he w hole

f ra te rnit y of t ul ip-growe rs i n E ur ope, e nt er ta ined nor t he

l ea st s us pi ci on t ha t t he re w as a t h is v er y d oo r a p re te nd er

wh os e t hr on e h e h ad u su rp ed .

H e we nt o n i n h is c ar ee r, a nd c on se qu en tl y i n h is t ri um ph s;

a nd i n t he c ou rs e o f t wo y ea rs h e c ov er ed h is b or de rs w it h

such marvellous productions as no mortal man, following in

t he t ra ck s o f t he C re at or , e xc ep t p er ha ps S ha ke sp ea re a nd

Rube ns , have e qual le d i n poi nt of num be rs .

And also, if Dante had wished for a new type to be added to

h is c ha ra ct er s o f t he I nf er no , h e m ig ht h av e c ho se n B ox te l

duri ng t he per iod of V an B ae rl e 's s uc c es se s. W hi ls t

Cornelius was weeding, manuring, watering his beds, whilst,

kn ee li ng o n t he t ur f b or de r, h e a na ly se d e ve ry v ei n o f t he

flowering tulips, and meditated on the modifications which

m ig ht b e e ff ec te d b y c ro ss es o f c ol ou r o r o th er wi se , B ox te l,

c on ce al ed b eh in d a s ma ll s yc am or e w hi ch h e h ad t ra in ed a t

t he t op o f th e p ar ti ti on wa ll i n t he s ha pe o f a f an ,

P a g e 8 1



w at ched, w it h his e ye s s ta rt ing f rom t he ir s oc ke ts a nd w it h

f oa mi ng m ou th , e ve ry s te p a nd e ve ry g es tu re o f h is

n e ig hb ou r; a nd w he ne ve r h e t ho ug ht h e s aw h im l oo k h ap py , o r

d es cr ie d a s mi le o n h is l ip s, o r a f la sh o f c on te nt me nt

gl is te ni ng i n h is e ye s, h e p ou re d o ut t ow ar ds h im s uc h a

v ol le y o f m al ed ic ti on s a nd f ur io us t hr ea ts a s t o m ak e i t

i nd ee d a m at te r o f w on de r t ha t t hi s v en om ou s b re at h o f e nv y

a nd h at re d d id n ot c ar ry a b li gh t o n t he i nn oc en t f lo we rs

whic h had e xc it ed i t.

Wh en t he e vi l s pi ri t h as o nc e t ak en h ol d o f th e h ea rt o f

ma n, i t urges him on, w it hout l et ti ng him s top. T hus B oxte l

s oo n w as n o l on ge r c on te nt w it h s ee in g V an B ae rl e. H e w an te d

t o s ee h is f lo we rs , t oo ; h e h ad t he f ee li ng s o f a n a rt is t,

t he m as te r- pi ec e of a r iva l e ngr os se d his i nt er es t.

H e t he re fo re b ou gh t a t el es co pe , w hi ch e na bl ed h im t o w at ch

a s a cc ur at el y a s did t he owner him se lf e ve ry progr es si ve

P ag e 4 1


devel opme nt of t he f lowe r, f rom t he m om ent w he n, i n t he

f ir st y ea r, i ts p al e s ee d- le af b eg in s t o p ee p f ro m t he

g ro un d, t o t ha t g lo ri ou s o ne , w he n, a ft er f iv e y ea rs , i ts

p e ta ls a t l as t r ev ea l t he h id de n t re as ur es o f i ts c ha li ce .

H ow o ft en h ad t he m is er ab le , j ea lo us m an t o o bs er ve i n V an

B ae rl e' s beds t ul ips w hi ch daz zl ed him by t he ir bea ut y, a nd

a lm os t c hoke d him by t he ir per fe ct ion!

A nd t he n, a ft er t he f ir st b lu sh o f t he a dm ir at io n w hi ch h e

P a g e 8 2



c ou ld n ot h el p f ee li ng , h e b eg an t o b e t or tu re d b y t he p an gs

o f e nv y, b y t ha t s lo w f ev er wh ic h c re ep s o ve r t he h ea rt a nd

c ha ng es i t i nt o a n es t o f v ip er s, e ac h d ev ou ri ng t he o th er

a nd e ve r b or n a ne w. Ho w o ft en d id Bo xt el , i n t he m id st o f

t or tu re s w hi ch n o p en i s a bl e f ul ly t o d es cr ib e, - - h ow

of te n d id h e f ee l a n i nc li na ti on t o j ump d ow n i nt o t he

g ar de n d ur in g t he n ig ht , t o d es tr oy t he p la nt s, t o t ea r t he

b ul bs w it h h is t ee th , a nd t o s ac ri fi ce t o h is w ra th t he

o wn er h im se lf , i f h e s ho ul d v en tu re t o s ta nd u p f or t he

de fe nc e of his t ul ips!

But to kill a tulip was a horrible crime in the eyes of a

genui ne t ul ip-f anci er ; a s t o kil li ng a m an, i t w ould not

h a ve m at te re d s o v er y m uc h.

Y et Va n B ae rl e ma de s uc h p ro gr es s i n t he n ob le s ci en ce o f

g ro wi ng t ul ip s, w hi ch h e s ee me d t o m as te r w it h t he t ru e

i n st in ct o f g en iu s, t ha t B ox te l a t l as t w as m ad de ne d t o s uc h

a d eg re e a s t o t hi nk o f t hr ow in g s to ne s a nd s ti ck s i nt o t he

flower-stands of his neighbour. But, remembering that he

wo uld b e sur e to be f oun d ou t, an d th at he wou ld no t o nl y be

p un is he d b y l aw , b ut a ls o d is ho no ur ed f or e ve r i n t he f ac e

o f a ll t he t ul ip -g ro we rs o f E ur op e, h e h ad r ec ou rs e t o

s tr at ag em , a nd , t o g ra ti fy h is h at re d, t ri ed t o d ev is e a

p la n b y me an s o f wh ic h h e m ig ht g ai n h is e nd s w it ho ut b ei ng

compromised himself.

H e c on si de re d a l on g t im e, a nd a t l as t h is m ed it at io ns w er e

P a g e 8 3



c r ow ne d w it h s ucc e ss .

O ne e ve ni ng h e t ie d t wo c at s t og et he r b y t he ir h in d l eg s

w it h a s tr in g a bo ut s ix f ee t i n l en gt h, a nd t hr ew t he m f ro m

t he w al l i nt o t he m id st o f t ha t n ob le , t ha t p ri nc el y, t ha t

r oyal bed, w hi ch c onta ined not onl y t he " Cornel ius de W it t, "

but a ls o t he " Be auty of B ra ba nt ," m il k- whit e, e dged w it h

p ur pl e a nd p in k, t he " Ma rb le o f R ot te rd am ," c ol ou r o f f la x,

b lo ss om s f ea th er ed r ed a nd f le sh c ol ou r, t he " Wo nd er o f

Haarlem," the "Colombin obscur," and the "Columbin clair

terni."

T he f ri ghte ne d c at s, having a li ghte d on t he ground, f ir st

t ri ed t o f ly e ac h i n a dif fe re nt dir ec ti on, unt il t he s tr ing

by w hi ch t he y w er e t ie d t oget he r w as t ight ly s tr et ched

ac ro ss t he b ed ; t he n, h ow ev er , f ee li ng t ha t t he y w er e n ot

a ble to get off , they be gan to pul l to an d fro, an d to whee l

about with hideous caterwaulings, mowing down with their

string the flowers among which they were struggling, until,

af te r a f ur io us s tr if e o f a bo ut a q ua rt er o f a n h ou r, t he

st ri ng broke a nd t he c om ba ta nts vanis hed.

B oxte l, hidde n behind his s yc am or e, c ould not s ee a nything,

a s i t w as p it ch -d ar k; b ut t he p ie rc in g c ri es o f t he c at s

t ol d t he w hole t al e, a nd his hea rt ove rf lowi ng w it h gal l now

throbbed with triumphant joy.

P ag e 4 2


B ox te l w as s o e ag er t o a sc er ta in t he e xt en t o f t he i nj ur y,

P a g e 8 4



t ha t h e r em ai ne d a t h is p os t u nt il m or ni ng t o f ea st h is e ye s

o n the sad state in wh ich the two cats ha d le ft th e

f l ow er -beds of his nei ghbour . T he m is ts of t he m or ni ng

c hi lle d h is f ra me , b ut h e d id n ot f eel t he c ol d, t he h op e o f

r ev en ge k ee pi ng h is b lo od a t f ev er h ea t. T he c ha gr in o f h is

r iv al w as t o p ay f or a ll t he i nc on ve ni en ce wh ic h h e i nc ur re d

himself.

At t he e ar li es t d awn t he d oo r o f t he wh it e h ou se o pe ne d, a nd

V an B ae r le m ade hi s a ppe ar a nc e , a ppr oac hing t he f l ow e r- beds

wi th t he s mi le o f a m an w ho h as p as se d t he n ig ht c om fo rt ab ly

i n h is b ed , a nd h as h ad h ap py d re am s.

Al l a t o nc e h e p er ce iv ed f ur ro ws a nd l it tl e m ou nd s o f e ar th

o n t he b ed s wh ic h o nl y t he e ve nin g b ef or e h ad b ee n a s s mo ot h

a s a m ir ro r, a ll a t o nc e h e p er ce iv ed t he s ym me tr ic al r ow s

o f h is t ul ip s t o b e c om pl et el y d is or de re d, l ik e t he p ik es o f

a b at ta li on i n t he m id st o f wh ic h a s he ll h as f al le n.

H e r an u p t o t he m wi th b la nc he d c he ek .

B oxte l t re mble d w it h j oy. F if te en or t we nt y t ul ips, t or n a nd

c r us he d, w er e l yi ng a bo ut , s om e o f t he m b en t, o th er s

c om pl et el y broke n a nd a lr ea dy w it he ri ng, t he s ap ooz ing f rom

t hei r ble eding bul bs : how gla dl y w ould V an B ae rl e have

re de em ed t ha t p re ci ou s s ap w it h h is o wn b lo od !

B ut w ha t w er e h is s ur pr is e a nd h is d el ig ht ! w ha t w as t he

d is ap po in tm en t o f h is r iv al ! N ot o ne o f t he f ou r t ul ip s

w hi ch t he l at te r h ad m ea nt t o d es tr oy w as i nj ur ed a t a ll .

P a g e 8 5



T he y r ai se d p ro ud ly t he ir n ob le h ea ds a bo ve t he c or ps es o f

t he ir s la in c om pa ni ons. T hi s w as e nough t o c onsole V an

B ae rl e, a nd e no ug h t o f an t he r ag e o f t he h or ti cu lt ur al

m urd er er , w ho t ore h is h air a t t he s ig ht o f t he e ff ec ts o f

t he c ri me w hi ch he had c om mi tt ed i n vai n.

V an B ae rl e c ou ld n ot i ma gi ne t he c au se o f t he m is ha p, w hi ch ,

f or tuna te ly, w as of f ar l es s c onse quence t ha n i t m ight have

bee n. O n m aking i nqui ri es , he l ea rned t ha t t he w hole night

had be en dis tur be d by t e rr ibl e c a te rw auli ngs . H e bes i de s

fo un d t ra ce s o f t he c at s, t he ir f oo tm ar ks a nd h ai rs l ef t

behind on t he bat tl e- fi el d; t o gua rd, t he re fore , i n f ut ur e

a ga inst a s im il ar out ra ge , he gave order s t ha t hence fort h

o ne o f t he u nd er g ar de ne rs s ho ul d s le ep i n t he g ar de n i n a

s e ntr y-box ne ar t he f l ow er - be ds.

B ox te l h ea rd h im g iv e t he o rd er , a nd s aw t he s en tr y- bo x p ut

up t ha t v er y d ay ; b ut h e d ee me d h ims el f l uc ky i n n ot h av in g

b ee n s us pe ct ed , a nd , b ei ng m or e t ha n e ve r i nc en se d a ga in st

t he s uc ce ss ful hor ti cult ur is t, he r es ol ve d t o bide his t im e.

J us t t he n t he T ul ip S oc ie ty o f H aa rl em o ff er ed a p ri ze f or

t he d is co ve ry ( we d ar e n ot s ay t he m an uf ac tu re ) o f a l ar ge

b la ck t ul ip w it ho ut a s po t o f c ol ou r, a t hi ng w hi ch h ad n ot

y et b ee n a cc om pl is he d, a nd w as c on si de re d i mp os si bl e, a s a t

t ha t t im e t he re d id n ot e xi st a f lo we r o f t ha t s pe cie s

a pp ro ac hi ng e ve n t o a d ar k n ut b ro wn . I t w as , t he re fo re ,

g en er al ly s ai d t ha t t he f ou nd er s o f t he p ri ze m ig ht j us t a s

w el l have off er ed t wo m il li ons a s a hundr ed t hous and

P a g e 8 6



g ui ld er s, s in ce n o o ne wo ul d b e a bl e t o g ai n it .

T he t ul ip -g ro wi ng w or ld , h ow ev er , w as t hr ow n b y i t i nt o a

s ta te o f m os t a ct iv e c om mo ti on . S om e f an ci er s c au gh t a t t he

P ag e 4 3


i de a w it hout bel ie vi ng i t pra ct ic able , but s uc h i s t he pow er

of imagination among florists, that although considering the

under ta ki ng a s c er ta in t o f ai l, a ll t he ir t hought s w er e

en gr os se d b y t ha t g re at b la ck t ul ip , w hi ch w as l oo ke d u po n

to b e as ch imeri cal a s th e bla ck s wa n of Hora ce o r the wh ite

r aven of F re nc h t ra di ti on.

V an B ae rl e w as o ne o f t he t ul ip -g ro we rs w ho w er e s tr uc k w it h

the i dea ; Bo xt el tho ug ht o f it in th e lig ht o f a

s pe cu la ti on . V an B ae rl e, a s s oo n a s t he i de a h ad o nc e t ak en

r oot i n his c le ar a nd i ngenious m ind, began s lowl y t he

nec es s ar y pl anti ng a nd c ross -br ee di ng t o r educe t he t ul ips

w hi ch h e h ad g ro wn a lr ea dy f ro m r ed t o b ro wn , a nd f ro m b ro wn

to d ar k b ro wn .

By t he n ex t y ea r h e h ad o bt ai ne d f lo we rs o f a p er fe ct

nu t- br ow n, a nd B ox te l e sp ie d t he m i n t he b or de r, w he re as h e

had him se lf a s yet onl y s uc ce eded i n produci ng t he l ight

brown.

I t m ig ht p er ha ps b e i nt er es ti ng t o e xp la in t o t he g en tl e

r ea de r t he b ea ut if ul c ha in o f t he or ie s w hi ch g o t o p ro ve

t ha t t he t ul ip b or ro ws i ts c ol or s f ro m t he e le me nt s; p er ha ps

P a g e 8 7



w e s ho ul d g iv e h im p le as ur e i f w e we re t o m ai nt ai n a nd

e st abli sh t ha t not hi ng i s i mpos si bl e f or a f lori st w ho

avails himself with judgment and discretion and patience of

t he s un 's h ea t; t he c le ar w at er , t he j ui ce s o f t he e ar th ,

a nd t he c oo l b re ez es . Bu t t hi s i s n ot a t re at is e u po n t ul ip s

i n g en er al ; i t i s t he s to ry o f o ne p ar ti cu la r t ul ip w hi ch we

h av e u nd er ta ke n t o w ri te , a nd t o t ha t w e l im it o ur se lv es ,

how ever a ll ur ing t he s ubje ct w hi ch i s s o c lose ly a ll ie d t o

ours.

B ox te l, o nc e m or e w or st ed b y t he s up er io ri ty o f h is h at ed

rival, was now completely disgusted with tulip-growing, and,

bei ng dri ve n hal f m ad, devot ed him se lf e nt ir el y t o

observation.

Th e h ou se o f h is r iv al wa s q ui te o pe n t o v ie w; a g ar de n

e xpos ed t o t he s un; c abinet s w it h gla ss w al ls , s he lves ,

c upboar ds, boxe s , a nd t i cke te d pi ge on- hol es , w hi c h c oul d

e as il y b e s ur ve ye d b y t he t el es co pe . B ox te l a ll ow ed h is

b ul bs t o r ot in t he p its , h is s eed li ngs t o d ry u p in th ei r

c as es , a nd h is t ul ip s t o w it he r i n t he b or de rs a nd

henceforward occupied himself with nothing else but the

d oi ng s a t V an B ae rl e' s. H e b re at he d t hr ou gh t he s ta lk s o f

V an B ae rl e' s t ul ip s, q ue nc he d h is t hi rs t w it h t he w at er h e

sp ri nk le d u po n t he m, a nd f ea st ed o n t he f in e s of t e ar th

w hi ch his nei ghbour s ca tt er ed upon his c he ri shed bul bs .

Bu t t he m os t c ur io us p ar t o f t he o pe ra ti on s wa s n ot

per form ed i n t he gar de n.

P a g e 8 8



I t m ig ht b e o ne o 'c lo ck i n t he m or ni ng w he n V an B ae rl e w en t

up t o his l abor at or y, i nt o t he gla ze d c abinet w hi ther

B ox te l' s t el es co pe h ad s uc h a n e as y a cc es s; a nd h er e, a s

s oon a s t he l am p i ll um inat ed t he w al ls a nd w indows , B oxte l

s aw t he i nv en ti ve g en iu s o f h is r iv al a t w or k.

H e behel d him s if ti ng his s ee ds , a nd s oa ki ng t he m i n l iqui ds

w hi ch w er e d es ti ne d t o m od if y o r t o d ee pe n t he ir c ol ou rs . H e

kne w w ha t C or ne li us m ea nt w he n hea ti ng c er ta in gra ins, t he n

m ois te ni ng t he m, t he n c om bi ni ng t he m w it h other s by a s or t

of gra ft ing, - - a m inut e a nd m ar ve ll ousl y del ic at e

P ag e 4 4


m an ip ul at io n, - - a nd w he n h e s hu t u p i n d ar kn es s t ho se w hi ch

w er e e xp ec te d t o f ur ni sh t he b la ck c ol ou r, e xp os ed t o t he

su n or to th e l amp th ose wh ich we re to p ro du ce r ed , an d

pla c ed bet we e n t he e ndl es s r e fl ec t ions of t wo w at er -m ir r or s

t ho se i nt en de d f or w hi te , t he p ur e r ep re se nt at io n o f t he

limpid element.

Th is i nn oc en t m ag ic , t he f ru it a t t he s ame t ime o f

c hi ld-l ike m us ings a nd of m anly genius - - t hi s pat ie nt

unti ri ng l abour, of w hi ch B oxte l kne w him se lf t o be

i nc ap ab le - - ma de h im , g na we d a s h e w as w it h e nv y, c en tr e

a ll h is l ife , a ll h is th ou gh ts , a nd a ll h is h op es i n h is

telescope.

F o r, s tr an ge t o s ay , t he l ov e a nd i nt er es t o f h or ti cu lt ur e

P a g e 8 9



h ad n ot d ea de ne d i n I sa ac h is f ie rc e e nv y a nd t hi rs t o f

revenge. Sometimes, whilst covering Van Baerle with his

t e le sc op e, h e d el ud ed h im se lf i nt o a b el ie f t ha t h e w as

l evel li ng a never -f ai li ng m us ke t a t him ; a nd t he n he w ould

se ek wi th h is f in ge r f or t he t ri gg er t o f ir e t he s ho t w hi ch

w as t o h av e k il le d h is n ei gh bo ur . B ut i t i s t ime t ha t w e

s ho ul d c on ne ct w it h t hi s e po ch o f t he o pe ra ti on s o f t he o ne ,

a nd t he e sp io na ge o f t he o th er , t he v is it w hi ch C or ne li us d e

Wi tt c ame t o p ay t o h is n at iv e t ow n.

Ch a pt e r 7

T he H appy M an m akes A cqua inta nc e w it h M is fort une

C or ne li us de W it t, a ft er having a tt ende d t o his f am il y

a ff ai rs , r ea ched t he house of his godson, C or ne li us van

B ae rl e, o ne e ve ni ng i n t he m on th o f J an ua ry , 1 67 2.

D e W it t, a lt hough bei ng ver y l it tl e of a hor ti cult ur is t or

o f a n a rt is t, w en t o ve r t he w ho le m an si on , f ro m t he s tu di o

to the green-house, inspecting everything, from the pictures

do wn t o t he t ul ip s. H e t ha nk ed h is g od so n f or h av in g j oi ne d

h im o n t he d ec k o f t he a dm ir al 's s hi p " Th e S ev en P ro vi nc es ,"

dur ing t he bat tl e of S outhwold B ay, a nd f or having given his

nam e t o a m agni fi ce nt t ul ip; a nd w hi ls t he t hus, w it h t he

k in dn es s a nd a ff ab il it y o f a f at he r t o a s on , v is it ed V an

Ba e rl e' s t re as ure s , t he c r ow d ga ther e d w it h c ur i os i ty, a nd

e ve n r es pe ct , b ef or e t he d oo r o f t he h ap py m an .

A ll t hi s h ub bu b e xc it ed t he a tt en ti on o f B ox te l, w ho w as

j us t t ak in g h is m ea l b y h is f ir es id e. He i nq ui re d w ha t i t

P a g e 9 0



m ea nt , a nd , o n b ei ng i nf or me d o f t he c au se o f a ll t hi s s ti r,

c li mb ed u p t o h is p os t o f o bs er va ti on , w he re i n s pi te o f t he

co ld , h e t oo k h is s ta nd , w it h t he t el es co pe t o h is e ye .

T hi s t el es co pe h ad n ot b ee n o f g re at s er vi ce t o h im s in ce

th e a ut um n o f 1 67 1. T he t ul ip s, l ik e t ru e d au gh te rs o f t he

Ea st , a ve rse to c ol d, do no t ab id e i n th e o pe n gr ou nd in

w in te r. Th ey n ee d t he s he lt er o f t he h ou se , t he s of t b ed o n

t he s he lv es , a nd t he c on ge ni al w ar mt h o f t he s to ve . V an

B ae rl e, t he re fore , pas se d t he w hole w inte r i n his

l ab or at or y, i n t he m id st o f h is b oo ks a nd p ic tu re s. H e w en t

o nl y r ar el y t o t he r oo m wh er e h e k ep t h is b ul bs , u nl es s i t

we re t o a ll ow s om e o cc as io na l r ay s o f t he s un t o e nt er , b y

o pe ni ng o ne o f t he m ov ab le s as he s o f t he g la ss f ro nt .

P ag e 4 5


O n t he e ve nin g o f w hi ch we a re s pe ak in g, a fte r t he t wo

Cornel iuse s had vis it ed t oget he r a ll t he a pa rt me nt s of t he

h ou se , w hi ls t a t ra in o f d om es ti cs f ol lo we d t he ir s te ps , D e

Witt s aid in a l ow vo ic e to Van Ba erl e, --

"My d ea r s on, s en d th ese pe opl e awa y, a nd l et us b e a lo ne

for some minutes."

T he younge r C or ne li us, bow ing a ss e nt , s ai d a l oud, - -

" Wo ul d y ou n ow , s ir , p le as e t o s ee m y d ry -r oo m? "

The dry-r oom, t hi s pantheon, t hi s s anct um s anct or um of t he

t ul ip-f anci er , w as , a s D el phi of old, i nt er di ct ed t o t he

P a g e 9 1



profane uninitiated.

Ne ve r h ad a ny o f h is s er va nt s b ee n b ol d e no ug h t o s et h is

f oot t he re . C or ne li us a dm it te d onl y t he i noff ensi ve broom of

a n o ld Fr is ia n h ou se ke ep er , w ho h ad b ee n h is n ur se , a nd wh o

f ro m t he t im e w he n h e h ad d ev ot ed h im se lf t o t he c ul tu re o f

tu li ps v en tu re d n o l on ge r t o p ut o ni on s i n h is s te ws , f or

fe ar o f p ul li ng t o p ie ce s a nd mi nc in g t he i do l o f h er f os te r

child.

A t t he m er e m en ti on o f t he d ry -r oo m, t he re fo re , t he s er va nt s

w ho w er e c ar rying t he l ight s r es pe ct full y f el l bac k.

C or ne li us , t aking t he c andl es ti ck f rom t he hands of t he

f or em os t, c onduc te d his godfa ther i nt o t ha t r oom, w hi ch w as

n o o th er t ha n t ha t v er y c ab in et w it h a g la ss f ro nt i nt o

which Boxtel was continually prying with his telescope.

The e nvious s py w as w at ching m or e i nt entl y t ha n e ve r.

F irs t o f a ll he s aw t he wa lls a nd win do ws li t u p.

T he n t wo d ar k f ig ur es a pp ea re d.

O ne o f t he m, t al l, m aj es ti c, s te rn , s at d ow n n ea r t he t ab le

o n w hi ch V an B ae rl e h ad p la ce d t he t ap er .

I n t hi s f igur e, B oxte l r ec ogni se d t he pal e f ea ture s of

C or ne li us d e W it t, w ho se l on g h ai r, p ar te d i n f ro nt , f el l

ove r his s houl de rs .

D e W it t, a ft er h av in g s ai d s om e f ew w or ds t o C or ne li us , t he

m ea ni ng of w hi ch t he prying nei ghbour c ould not r ea d i n t he

m ov em en t o f h is l ip s, t oo k f ro m h is b re as t p oc ke t a w hi te

parcel, carefully sealed, which Boxtel, judging from the

P a g e 9 2



m an ne r i n w hi ch C or ne li us r ec ei ve d i t, a nd p la ce d i t i n o ne

o f t he p re ss es , s up po se d t o c on ta in p ap er s o f t he g re at es t

importance.

H is f ir st t hought w as t ha t t hi s pre ci ous depos it e nc lose d

s om e n ew ly i mp or te d b ul bs f ro m B en ga l o r C ey lo n; b ut h e s oo n

r ef le ct ed t ha t C or ne li us d e W it t w as v er y l it tl e a dd ic te d t o

t ul ip-growi ng, a nd t ha t he onl y occ upie d him se lf w it h t he

a ff ai rs o f m an , a p ur su it b y f ar l es s p ea ce fu l a nd a gr ee ab le

t ha n t ha t o f t he f lo ri st . He t he re fo re c ame to t he

c onc lusi on t ha t t he par ce l c ont ai ne d s im pl y s om e paper s, a nd

t ha t t he se p ap er s w er e r el at in g t o p ol it ic s.

B ut w hy s ho ul d p ap er s o f p ol it ic al i mp or t b e i nt ru st ed t o

Va n Ba er le , w ho n ot o nl y w as , b ut a ls o b oa st ed o f b ei ng , a n

P ag e 4 6


e nt ir e s tr ange r t o t he s ci ence of gover nm ent, w hi ch, i n his

opi ni on, w as m or e occ ul t t ha n a lc he my i ts el f?

I t w as u nd ou bt ed ly a d ep os it w hi ch C or ne li us d e W it t,

a lr ea dy t hr ea te ne d by t he unpopul ar it y w it h w hi ch his

c ount ryme n w er e goi ng t o honour him , w as pla ci ng i n t he

h a nd s o f h is g od so n; a c on tr iv an ce s o m uc h t he m or e c le ve rl y

d ev is ed , a s i t c er ta in ly w as n ot a t a ll l ik el y t ha t i t

s ho ul d b e s ea rc he d f or a t t he h ou se o f o ne wh o h ad a lwa ys

s to od a lo of f ro m e ve ry s or t o f i nt ri gu e.

An d, b es id es , i f t he p ar ce l h ad b ee n m ad e u p o f b ul bs ,

P a g e 9 3



B ox te l k ne w h is n ei gh bo ur t oo w el l n ot t o e xp ec t t ha t V an

B ae rl e w ould not have l os t one m om ent i n s at is fying his

c u ri os it y a nd f ea st in g h is e ye s o n t he p re se nt w hi ch h e h ad

received.

B ut , o n t he c on tr ar y, C or ne li us h ad r ec ei ve d t he p ar ce l f ro m

t he h an ds o f h is g od fa th er w it h e ve ry m ar k o f r es pe ct , a nd

p ut i t b y wi th t he s ame r esp ec tf ul ma nn er in a d raw er ,

stowing it away so that it should not take up to o much of

t he r oo m w hi ch w as r es er ve d t o h is b ul bs .

T he p ar ce l t hu s b ei ng s ec re te d, C or ne li us d e W it t g ot u p,

p re ss ed t he h an d o f h is g od so n, a nd t ur ne d t ow ar ds t he d oo r,

V an B ae rl e s ei zi ng t he c andl es ti ck, a nd l ight ing him on his

w ay d ow n t o t he s tr ee t, w hi ch w as s ti ll c ro wd ed w it h p eo pl e

w ho w is he d t o s ee t he ir gre at f el low c it iz en get ti ng i nt o

hi s c oac h.

B oxte l had not bee n m is ta ke n i n his s upposi ti on. T he depos it

i nt ru st ed t o V an B ae rl e, a nd c ar ef ul ly l oc ke d u p b y h im , w as

n ot hi ng m or e n or l es s t ha n J oh n d e W it t' s c or re sp on de nc e

w it h t he M ar qu is d e L ou vo is , t he w ar m in is te r o f t he K in g o f

F ra nc e; o nl y t he g od fa th er f or bo re g iv in g t o h is g od so n t he

least intimation concerning the political importance of the

s ec re t, m er el y d es ir in g h im n ot t o d el iv er t he p ar ce l t o a ny

o ne b ut t o h im se lf , o r to wh oms oe ve r h e s ho ul d s en d t o c la im

it i n h is n ame .

A nd Va n B ae rl e, a s w e h av e s ee n, l oc ke d i t u p w it h h is m os t

p re ci ou s b ul bs , t o t hi nk n o m or e o f i t, a ft er h is g od fa th er

P a g e 9 4



h ad l ef t h im ; v er y u nl ik e Bo xt el , w ho l oo ke d u po n t hi s

p ar ce l a s a c le ve r p il ot d oe s o n t he d is ta nt a nd s ca rc el y

per ce pt ible c loud w hi ch i s i nc re as ing on i ts w ay a nd w hi ch

i s f ra ug ht w it h a s to rm .

L it tl e dre am ing of t he j ea lous hat re d of his nei ghbour , V an

B ae rl e h ad p ro ce ed ed s te p b y s te p t ow ar ds g ai ni ng t he p ri ze

off er ed by t he H or ti cult ur al S oc ie ty of H aa rl em . H e had

p ro gr es se d f ro m h az el -n ut s ha de t o t ha t o f r oa st ed c of fe e,

a nd o n t he v er y d ay wh en th e f ri gh tfu l e ve nt s t oo k p la ce at

t he H ag ue w hi ch w e h av e r el at ed i n t he p re ce di ng c ha pt er s,

we f in d h im , a bo ut o ne o 'c lo ck i n t he d ay , g at he ri ng f ro m

t he b or de r t he y ou ng s uc ke rs r ai se d f ro m t ul ip s o f t he

c ol ou r o f r oa st ed c of fe e; a nd w hi ch , b ei ng e xp ec te d t o

f lo we r f or t he f ir st t im e i n t he s pr in g o f 1 67 5, w ou ld

undoubte dl y produce t he l ar ge bla ck t ul ip r equi re d by t he

Haarlem Society.

O n t he 2 0t h o f A ug us t, 1 67 2, a t o ne o 'c lo ck , C or ne li us w as

t he re fo re i n h is d ry -r oo m, w it h h is f ee t r es ti ng o n t he

f oo t- ba r o f t he t ab le , a nd h is e lb ow s o n t he c ov er , l oo ki ng

w it h i nt en se d el ig ht o n t hr ee s uc ke rs w hi ch h e h ad j us t

P ag e 4 7


d et ac he d f ro m t he m ot he r b ul b, p ur e, p er fe ct , a nd e nt ir e,

a nd f ro m w hi ch w as t o g ro w t ha t w on de rf ul p ro du ce o f

hor ti cult ur e w hi ch w ould r ende r t he nam e of C or ne li us van

P a g e 9 5



Baerle for ever illustrious.

" I s ha ll f ind t he bla ck t ul ip," s ai d C or ne li us t o him se lf ,

w hil st det ac hi ng t he s uc ke rs . " I s ha ll obt ai n t he hundr ed

t hous and gui lder s off er ed by t he S oc ie ty. I s ha ll dis tr ibut e

t he m a mo ng t he p oo r o f Do rt ; a nd t hu s t he h at re d wh ic h e ve ry

r ic h ma n h as t o e nc ou nt er i n t im es o f c iv il w ar s w il l b e

s oo th ed d ow n, a nd I s ha ll b e a bl e, w it ho ut f ea ri ng a ny h ar m

e it he r f ro m R ep ub li ca ns o r O ra ng is ts , t o k ee p a s h er et of or e

m y b or de rs i n s pl en di d c on di ti on . I n ee d n o m or e b e a fr ai d

le st on th e d ay of a ri ot th e sh opk ee pers of th e t own a nd

th e s ai lo rs o f t he p or t s ho ul d c ome a nd t ea r o ut m y b ul bs ,

to b oi l t he m a s o ni on s f or t he ir f am il ie s, a s t he y h av e

s om et im es qui et ly t hr ea te ne d w he n t he y happe ne d t o r em em be r

my h av in g p ai d t wo o r t hr ee h un dr ed g ui ld er s f or o ne b ul b.

I t i s t he re fo re s et tl ed I s ha ll g iv e t he h un dr ed t ho us an d

g ui ld er s o f t he H aa rl em p ri ze t o- th e p oo r. A nd y et - -- - "

H er e C or ne li us s to pp ed a nd h ea ve d a s ig h. " An d y et ," h e

c onti nued, " it w ould have bee n s o ver y del ight ful t o s pe nd

the hundr ed t hous and gui lder s on t he e nl ar ge me nt of m y

t ul ip -b ed o r e ve n o n a j ou rn ey t o t he E as t, t he c ou nt ry o f

bea ut if ul f lowe rs . B ut , a la s! t he se a re no t hought s f or t he

pre s ent t im es , w he n m us ke t s, s ta nda r ds , proc la ma ti ons , a nd

b ea ti ng o f d ru ms a re t he o rd er o f t he d ay ."

V an B ae rl e r ai se d h is e ye s t o h ea ve n a nd s ig he d a ga in . T he n

t ur ni ng h is g la nc e t ow ar ds h is b ul bs , - - o bj ec ts o f m uc h

gre a te r i mport ance t o him t ha n a ll t hose m us ke t s, s ta nda rds,

P a g e 9 6



drums , a nd procl am at ions , w hi ch he c once ived onl y t o be f it

to d is tu rb t he min ds o f ho nes t p eop le, - - h e s ai d: - -

" Thes e a re , i ndee d, be auti ful bul bs ; how s moot h t he y a re ,

h ow w el l f or me d; t he re i s t ha t a ir o f m el an ch ol y a bo ut t he m

wh ic h p ro mi se s t o p ro du ce a f lo we r o f t he c ol ou r o f e bo ny .

On their skin you cannot even distinguish the circulating

vei ns w it h t he naked e ye . C er ta inly, c er ta inly, not a l ight

spot w il l dis fi gure t he t ul ip w hi ch I have c al le d i nt o

e xi st en ce . An d b y w ha t n am e s ha ll w e c al l t hi s o ff sp ri ng o f

my s le eple ss night s, of m y l abour a nd m y t hought ? T ul ipa

nigra Barlaensis?

"Y es B ar la ensi s: a f ine nam e. A ll t he t ul ip-f anci er s - - t ha t

i s t o s ay , a ll t he i nt el li ge nt p eo pl e o f E ur op e - - w il l f ee l

a t hr il l o f e xc it em en t w he n t he r um ou r s pr ea ds t o t he f ou r

q ua rt er s o f t he g lo be : T he g ra nd b la ck t ul ip i s f ou nd ! ' Ho w

i s i t c al le d? ' t he f an ci er s w il l a sk . - - ' Tu li pa n ig ra

B ar la en si s! ' - - ' Wh y B ar la en si s? ' - - ' Af te r i ts g ro we r, V an

Ba er le ,' w il l b e t he a ns we r. - - ' An d w ho i s t hi s Va n

Ba er le ?' - - ' It i s t he s am e w ho h as a lr ea dy p ro du ce d f iv e

n ew t ul ip s: t he J an e, t he J oh n d e W it t, t he C or ne li us d e

W it t, e tc .' W el l, t ha t i s w ha t I c al l m y a mb it io n. I t w il l

ca us e t ea rs t o n o o ne . An d p eo ple wi ll t al k o f my Tu li pa

nigra Barlaensis when perhaps my godfather, this sublime

p ol it ic ia n, i s o nl y k no wn f ro m t he t ul ip t o wh ic h I h av e

given his name.

P a g e 9 7



"Oh! these darling bulbs!

" When m y t ul ip has f lowe re d, " B ae rl e c onti nued i n his

soliloquy, "and when tranquillity is restored in Holland, I

P ag e 4 8


s ha ll give t o t he poor onl y f if ty t hous and gui lder s, w hi ch,

a fter all, is a goodly sum for a man who is under no

obligation whatever. Then, with the remaining fifty thousand

gui lder s, I s ha ll m ake e xper im ents . W it h t he m I s ha ll

s uc ce ed i n i mp ar ti ng s ce nt t o t he t ul ip . A h! i f I s uc ce ed i n

g i vi ng i t t he o do ur o f t he r os e o r t he c arn at io n, o r, wh at

w ou ld b e s ti ll b et te r, a c om pl et el y n ew s ce nt ; i f I r es to re d

t o t hi s que en of f lowe rs i ts nat ur al dis ti nc ti ve per fume ,

wh ic h sh e h as lo st i n pa ss in g f ro m h er Ea st er n t o h er

E ur op ea n t hr on e, a nd w hi ch s he m us t h av e i n t he I nd ia n

p en in su la a t G oa , B om ba y, a nd M ad ra s, a nd e sp ec ia ll y i n t ha t

i sl an d w hi ch i n o ld en t im es , a s i s a ss er te d, w as t he

t er re st ri al p ar ad is e, a nd w hi ch i s c al le d C ey lo n, - - o h,

w ha t g lo ry ! I m us t s ay , I w ou ld t he n r at he r b e C or ne li us v an

Baerle than Alexander, Caesar, or Maximilian.

"Oh the admirable bulbs!"

Thus Cornelius indulged in the delights of contemplation,

a nd w as c ar ri ed a wa y b y t he s we et es t d re am s.

S u dd en ly t he b el l o f h is c ab in et w as r un g m uc h m or e

violently than usual.

C or ne li us , s ta rt le d, l ai d h is h an ds o n h is b ul bs , a nd t ur ne d

P a g e 9 8



round.

" Wh o i s h er e? " h e a sk ed .

" Si r, " a ns we re d t he s er va nt , " it i s a m es se ng er f ro m t he

Hague."

" A m es se ng er f ro m t he H ag ue ! W ha t d oe s h e w an t? "

" S ir , i t i s C ra ek e. "

" Cr ae ke ! t he c onfi de nt ia l s er va nt of M ynhe er J ohn de W it t?

G ood, l et him w ai t. "

" I c an no t wa it ," s aid a v oi ce i n t he l ob by .

A nd a t t he s am e t im e f or ci ng h is w ay i n, C ra ek e r us he d i nt o

t he dr y- r oom .

T hi s a br upt e nt ra nc e w as s uc h a n i nf ri ngem ent on t he

e st abli shed r ul es of t he house hold of C or ne li us van B ae rl e,

t ha t t he l at te r, a t t he s ight of C ra eke, a lm os t c onvuls ivel y

m ov ed h is h an d wh ic h c ov er ed t he b ul bs , s o t ha t t wo o f t he m

f el l o n t he f lo or , o ne o f t he m r ol li ng u nd er a s ma ll t ab le ,

a n d t he o th er i nt o t he f ir ep la ce .

"Zounds!" said Cornelius, eagerly picking up his precious

bulbs, "what's the matter?"

" Th e m at te r, s ir !" s ai d C ra ek e, l ay in g a p ap er o n t he l ar ge

t ab le , o n w hi ch t he t hi rd b ul b w as l yi ng , - - " th e m at te r i s,

t ha t y ou a re r eq ue st ed t o r ea d t hi s p ap er w it ho ut l os in g o ne

moment."

An d C ra ek e, w ho t ho ug ht h e h ad r em ar ke d i n t he s tr ee ts o f

D or t s ym pt om s o f a t umu lt s im il ar t o t ha t w hi ch h e h ad

P a g e 9 9



w it ne ss ed b ef or e h is d ep ar tu re f ro m t he H ag ue , r an o ff

without even looking behind him.

P ag e 4 9


" Al l r ight ! a ll r ight ! m y dea r C ra eke, " s ai d C or ne li us ,

s tr et ch in g h is a rm u nd er t he t ab le f or t he b ul b; " yo ur p ap er

s ha ll b e r ea d, i nd ee d i t s ha ll ."

T he n, e xa mi ni ng t he bul b w hi ch he hel d i n t he hol low of his

h an d, h e s ai d: " We ll , h er e i s o ne o f t he m u ni nj ur ed . T ha t

c on fo un de d C ra ek e! t hu s t o r us h i nt o m y d ry -r oo m; l et u s n ow

l oo k a ft er t he o th er ."

A nd w it hout l aying dow n t he bul b w hi ch he a lr ea dy hel d,

B ae rl e w en t t o t he f ir ep la ce , k ne lt d ow n a nd s ti rr ed w it h

t he t ip of his f inge r t he a shes , w hi ch f or tuna te ly w er e

quite cold.

He a t o nc e f el t t he o th er b ul b.

"W el l, h er e i t i s, " h e s ai d; a nd , l oo ki ng a t i t w it h a lmo st

fatherly affection, he exclaimed, "Uninjured as the first!"

A t t hi s ver y i ns ta nt , a nd w hi ls t C or ne li us , s ti ll on his

k ne es , w as e xa mi ni ng h is p et s, t he d oo r o f t he d ry -r oo m w as

s o v io le nt ly s ha ke n, a nd o pe ne d i n s uc h a b ru sq ue m an ne r,

t ha t C or ne li us f el t r is in g i n h is c he ek s a nd h is e ar s t he

gl ow of t ha t e vi l c ouns el lor w hi ch i s c al le d w ra th.

" No w, w ha t i s i t a ga in ," h e d em an de d; " ar e p eo pl e g oi ng m ad

here?"

" Oh, s ir ! s ir !" c ri ed t he s er va nt , r us hi ng i nt o t he dry-r oom

P a g e 1 0 0



w it h a m uc h p al er f ac e a nd w it h a m uc h mo re f ri gh te ne d m ie n

th an C ra ek e h ad s ho wn .

"Well!" asked Cornelius, foreboding some mischief from the

d ou bl e b re ac h o f t he s tr ic t r ul e o f h is h ou se .

" Oh, s ir , f ly! f ly qui ck!" c ri ed t he s er va nt .

" Fl y! a nd w ha t f or ?"

" Si r, t he h ou se i s f ul l o f t he g ua rd s o f t he S ta te s. "

" Wh at d o t he y w an t? "

"They want you."

"What for?"

" To a rr es t you."

" Ar re st m e? a rr es t m e, d o y ou s ay ?"

" Ye s, s ir , a nd t he y a re h ea de d b y a m ag is tr at e. "

" What 's t he m ea ni ng of a ll t hi s? " s ai d V an B ae rl e, gra sping

i n h is h an ds t he t wo b ul bs , a nd d ir ec ti ng h is t er ri fi ed

gl anc e t owa r ds t he s t ai rc a se .

" Th ey a re c om in g u p! t he y a re c om in g u p! " c ri ed t he s er va nt .

" Oh , m y d ea r c hi ld , m y w or th y m as te r! " c ri ed t he o ld

h ou se ke ep er , w ho n ow l ik ew is e m ad e h er a pp ea ra nc e i n t he

dry-r oom, " ta ke your gol d, your j ew el ry, a nd f ly, f ly!"

" Bu t h ow s ha ll I m ak e m y e sc ap e, n ur se ?" s ai d V an B ae rl e.

P ag e 5 0


"J um p out of t he w indow. "

"Twenty-five feet from the ground!"

P a g e 1 0 1



" Bu t y ou wil l f all o n s ix fe et o f s oft s oi l! "

"Y es , b ut I s ho ul d f al l o n m y t ul ip s."

"Never mind, jump out."

C or ne li us t oo k t he t hi rd b ul b, a pp ro ac he d t he w in do w a nd

o pe ne d i t, b ut s ee in g w ha t h av oc h e w ou ld n ec es sa ri ly c au se

i n h is b or de rs , a nd , mo re t ha n t hi s, wh at a h ei gh t h e w ou ld

ha ve t o j um p, h e c al le d o ut , " Ne ve r! " a nd f el l b ac k a s te p.

A t t hi s m om en t t he y s aw a cr os s t he b an is te r o f t he s ta ir ca se

t he p oi nt s o f t he h al be rd s o f t he s ol di er s r is in g.

T he h ou se ke ep er r ai se d h er h an ds t o h ea ve n.

A s t o C or ne li us v an B ae rl e, i t mu st b e s ta te d t o h is h on ou r,

n ot a s a ma n, b ut a s a t ul ip -f an ci er , h is o nl y th ou gh t wa s

for his inestimable bulbs.

Loo king ab out for a pape r in which to wrap them up, h e

not ic ed t he f ly-l ea f f rom t he B ible , w hi ch C ra eke had l ai d

upon t he t able , t ook i t w it hout i n his c onfusi on r em em be ri ng

w he nc e i t c am e, f ol de d i n i t t he t hr ee b ul bs , s ec re te d t he m

in h is b os om , a nd w ai te d.

A t t hi s v er y m om en t t he s ol di er s, p re ce de d b y a m ag is tr at e,

e n t er ed t he r oo m.

" A re you D r. C or ne li us van B ae rl e? " dem ande d t he m agis tr at e

(w ho, a lt hough knowi ng t he young m an ver y w el l, put his

que st ion a cc or di ng t o t he f or ms of j us ti ce , w hi ch gave his

proce edings a m uc h m or e digni fi ed a ir ).

" I a m t ha t per s on, M as te r van S pe nne n, " a nsw er ed C or ne l ius,

p ol it el y, t o h is j ud ge , " an d y ou k no w i t v er y w el l. "

P a g e 1 0 2



" Th en g iv e u p t o u s t he s ed it io us p ap er s w hi ch y ou s ec re te

i n your house ."

"The seditious papers!" repeated Cornelius, quite dumfounded

at the imputation.

" No w d on 't l oo k a st on is he d, i f y ou p le as e. "

" I v ow t o y ou , M as te r v an S pe nn en , " Co rn el iu s r ep li ed , " th at

I a m c omp le te ly a t a l os s to u nd er st an d w ha t y ou wa nt ."

" Th en I s ha ll p ut y ou i n t he w ay , D oc to r, " s ai d t he j ud ge ;

" gi ve u p t o u s t he p ap er s w hi ch t he t ra it or C or ne li us d e

W it t d ep os it ed w it h y ou i n t he m on th o f J an ua ry l as t. "

A s ud de n l ig ht c am e i nt o t he mi nd o f C or ne li us .

"H al loa! " s ai d V an S pe nnen, " you begin now t o r em em be r,

don't you?"

"I nd ee d I do , b ut yo u s po ke o f s edi tio us pa pe rs , a nd I h ave

no ne o f t ha t s or t. "

P ag e 5 1


" You deny i t t he n? "

"Certainly I do."

Th e ma gi st ra te t ur ne d r ou nd a nd t oo k a r ap id s ur ve y o f t he

whole cabinet.

" W he re i s t he a pa rt me nt y ou c al l y ou r d ry -r oo m? " h e a sk ed .

" Th e v er y s am e w he re y ou n ow a re , M as te r v an S pe nn en ."

The ma gistrate cas t a glan ce a t a small n ote at th e to p of

hi s pa pe r s.

P a g e 1 0 3



" Al l r ig ht ," h e s ai d, l ik e a ma n w ho i s s ur e o f h is g ro un d.

Then, turning round towards Cornelius, he continued, "Will

yo u g iv e u p t ho se p ap er s t o me ?"

" Bu t I c an no t, M as te r v an S pe nn en ; t ho se p ap er s d o n ot

b el on g t o m e; t he y h av e b ee n d ep os it ed wi th me a s a t ru st ,

an d a t ru st i s s ac re d. "

" Dr . C or ne li us ," s ai d t he j ud ge , " in t he n am e o f t he S ta te s,

I order you to open this drawer, and to give up to me the

papers which it contains."

Sa yi ng t hi s, t he j ud ge p oi nt ed w it h h is f in ge r t o t he t hi rd

d ra we r o f t he p re ss , n ea r t he f ir ep la ce .

I n t hi s v er y d ra we r, i nd ee d t he p ap er s d ep os it ed b y t he

W ard en o f t he Di ke s wi th h is g od so n we re l yi ng ; a p ro of t ha t

t he pol ic e had r ec ei ve d ver y e xa ct i nf or ma ti on.

" Ah ! y ou w il l n ot ," s ai d V an Sp en ne n, w he n h e s aw C or ne li us

s ta nding i mm ovable a nd bew il de re d, " then I s ha ll ope n t he

drawer myself."

An d, p ul li ng o ut t he d ra we r t o i ts f ul l l en gt h, t he

m a gi st ra te a t f ir st a li ghte d on a bout t we nt y bul bs ,

c a re fu ll y a rr an ge d a nd t ic ke te d, a nd t he n o n t he p ap er

p ar ce l, w hi ch h ad r em ai ne d i n e xa ct ly t he s am e s ta te a s i t

w as w he n d el iv er ed b y t he u nf or tu na te C or ne li us d e W it t t o

his godson.

Th e m ag is tr at e b ro ke t he s ea ls , t or e o ff t he e nv el op e, c as t

a n e ag er gl an ce o n t he f irs t le av es wh ic h me t h is ey e a nd

t he n e xc la im ed , i n a t er ri bl e v oi ce , - -

P a g e 1 0 4



"Well, justice has been rightly informed after all!"

"How," said Cornelius, "how is this?"

" Don' t pre t end t o be i gnora nt , M ynhee r va n B ae r le ," a ns we re d

the magistrate. "Follow me."

" How' s t ha t! f ol low you?" c ri ed t he D oc tor.

" Ye s, s ir , f or i n t he n ame o f t he St at es I a rr es t y ou ."

A rr es ts we re n ot a s y et ma de i n th e n ame o f Wi ll ia m o f

Or an ge ; h e h ad n ot b ee n S ta dt ho ld er l on g e no ug h f or t ha t.

P ag e 5 2


" Ar re st m e! " c ri ed C or ne li us ; " but w ha t have I done? "

" That 's no a ff ai r of m ine, D oc tor; you w il l e xpla in a ll t ha t

before your judges."

"Where?"

" At t he H ague ."

C ornel ius, i n m ut e s tupe fa ct ion, e mbra ce d his old nur se , w ho

wa s i n a s wo on ; s ho ok h an ds wi th h is s er va nt s, wh o w er e

b at he d i n t ea rs , a nd f ol lo we d t he m ag is tr at e, w ho p ut h im i n

a coach as a prisoner of state and had h im d riven at full

g a ll op t o t he H ag ue .

Ch a pt e r 8

An Invasion

T he i nc id en t j us t r el at ed w as , a s t he r ea de r h as g ue ss ed

be fore t hi s, t he dia bol ic al w or k of M ynhee r I s aa c B oxte l.

It w il l b e r em em be re d t ha t, w it h t he h el p o f h is t el es co pe ,

P a g e 1 0 5



n ot e ve n t he l ea st d et ai l o f t he p ri va te m ee ti ng b et we en

Co rn el iu s d e W it t a nd Va n Ba er le h ad e sc ap ed h im . H e h ad ,

i nd ee d, h ea rd n ot hi ng , b ut h e h ad s ee n e ve ry th in g, a nd h ad

r ig ht ly c on cl ud ed t ha t t he p ap er s i nt ru st ed b y t he W ar de n t o

th e D oc to r mu st h av e b ee n o f g re at i mp or ta nc e, a s h e s aw V an

B ae rl e s o c ar ef ul ly s ec re ti ng t he p ar ce l i n t he d ra we r w he re

he u se d t o k ee p h is mo st p re ci ou s b ul bs .

T he u ps ho t o f a ll t hi s w as t ha t w he n B ox te l, w ho w at ch ed t he

c ours e of pol it ic al e ve nt s m uc h m or e a tt enti ve ly t ha n his

n ei gh bo ur C or ne li us w as u se d t o d o, h ea rd t he n ew s o f t he

b ro th er s D e Wi tt b ei ng a rr es te d o n a c ha rg e o f h ig h t re as on

a ga inst t he S ta te s, he t hought w it hi n his hea rt t ha t ver y

l ik el y h e n ee de d o nl y t o s ay o ne wo rd , a nd t he g od so n wo ul d

b e a rr es te d a s w el l a s t he g od fa th er .

Y et , f ul l o f h ap pi ne ss a s w as B ox te l' s h ea rt a t t he c ha nc e,

h e a t f ir st s hr an k w it h h or ro r f ro m t he i de a o f i nf or mi ng

a ga inst a m an w hom t hi s i nf or ma ti on m ight l ea d t o t he

scaffold.

B ut t he re i s t hi s t er ri bl e t hi ng i n e vi l t hought s, t ha t e vi l

minds soon grow familiar with them.

Besides this, Mynheer Isaac Boxtel encouraged himself with

the following sophism: --

" Co rn eli us d e W it t i s a b ad c it iz en , as h e is c ha rg ed wi th

hi gh t re a son, a nd a r re s te d.

"I, on t he con trar y, am a goo d citiz en, a s I a m no t c har ged

with anything in the world, as I am as free as the air of

P a g e 1 0 6





g re at u ps et i n h is h ou se , a nd d ur in g t he n ig ht a ft er h is

a rr es t n o o ne w ou ld t hi nk o f k ee pi ng w at ch o ve r t he t ul ip s

i n his gar de n.

N ow i n t ha t n ig ht Bo xt el w ou ld c li mb o ve r t he w al l a nd , a s

h e k ne w t he p os it io n o f t he b ul b wh ic h wa s t o p ro du ce t he

g ra nd b la ck t ul ip , h e w ou ld f il ch i t; a nd i ns te ad o f

f lowe ri ng f or C or ne li us , i t w ould f lowe r f or him , I sa ac ; he

a ls o, i ns te ad o f Va n Ba er le , wo ul d h av e t he p ri ze o f a

h un dr ed t ho us an d g ui ld er s, n ot t o s pe ak o f t he s ub li me

honour of calling the new flower Tulipa nigra Boxtellensis,

- - a r es ul t w hi ch w ou ld s at is fy n ot o nl y h is v en ge an ce , b ut

a ls o his c upidit y a nd his a mbit ion.

A wa ke , h e t ho ug ht o f n ot hi ng b ut t he g ra nd b la ck t ul ip ;

a sl ee p, h e d re am ed o f i t.

At l as t, o n t he 1 9t h o f Au gu st , a bo ut t wo o 'c lo ck i n t he

a ft er noon, t he t e mpt at ion gr ew s o s t rong, t ha t M ynhee r I sa a c

wa s n o l on ge r a bl e t o r es is t i t.

Accordingly, he wrote an anonymous information, the minute

e xa ct ne ss o f w hi ch m ad e u p f or i ts w an t o f a ut he nt ic it y, a nd

pos te d hi s l e tt e r.

N ev er d id a v en om ou s p ap er , s li pp ed i nt o t he j aws o f t he

b ro nz e l io ns a t V en ic e, p ro du ce a m or e p ro mp t a nd t er ri bl e

effect.

O n t he s am e e ve ni ng t he l et te r r ea ch ed t he p ri nc ip al

m a gis tr at e, w ho w it hout a m om ent' s del ay c onvoke d his

c ol le ague s e ar ly f or t he next m or ni ng. O n t he f ol lowi ng

P a g e 1 0 8



m or ni ng, t he re f or e, t he y a ss e mble d, a nd dec ide d on V an

B ae rl e' s a rr es t, p la ci ng t he o rd er f or i ts e xe cu ti on i n t he

h an ds o f M as te r v an S pe nn en , w ho , a s w e h av e s ee n, p er fo rm ed

h is d ut y l ik e a t ru e Ho ll an de r, a nd w ho a rr es te d t he D oc to r

a t t he v er y h ou r w he n t he O ra ng e p ar ty a t t he Ha gu e w er e

r oa st in g t he b le ed in g s hr ed s o f f le sh t or n f ro m t he c or ps es

o f C or ne li us a nd J oh n d e W it t.

P ag e 5 4


B u t, w he th er f ro m a f ee li ng o f s ha me o r f ro m c ra ve n

w ea kn es s, I sa ac B ox te l d id n ot v en tu re t ha t d ay t o p oi nt h is

te le sc op e e it he r a t t he g ar de n, o r a t t he l ab or at or y, o r a t

t he dr y- r oom .

H e k new too well wha t was a bou t to ha pp en in th e ho use o f

th e p oor do ct or to fe el a ny d es ir e to lo ok i nt o i t. He d id

n ot e ve n g et u p wh en h is o nly s er va nt - - wh o e nv ie d t he l ot

of t he s er va nt s o f C or ne li us j us t a s b it te rl y a s B ox te l d id

t ha t o f t he ir m as te r - - e nt er ed h is b ed ro om . H e s ai d t o t he

m an , - -

"I s ha ll n ot g et u p to -da y, I a m i ll ."

Ab ou t n in e o 'c lo ck h e h ea rd a g re at n oi se i n t he s tr ee t

w hi ch m ad e h im t re mb le , a t t hi s m om en t h e w as p al er t ha n a

r ea l i nv al id , a nd s ho ok m or e v io le nt ly t ha n a m an i n t he

height of fever.

H is s er va nt e nt er ed t he r oom; B oxte l hid him se lf under t he

P a g e 1 0 9



counterpane.

"O h, s ir !" c ri ed t he s er va nt , not w it hout s om e i nkli ng t ha t,

w hi ls t deplori ng t he m is ha p w hi ch had bef al le n V an B ae rl e,

h e w as a nn ou nc in g a gr ee ab le n ew s t o h is m as te r, - - " oh , s ir !

yo u d o n ot k no w, t he n, w ha t i s h ap pe ni ng a t t hi s m om en t? "

"H ow c an I k no w i t? " a ns we re d B ox te l, w it h a n a lm os t

unintelligible voice.

"Well, Mynheer Boxtel, at this moment your neighbour

Cornel ius van B ae rl e i s a rr es te d f or high t re as on."

"Nonsense!" Boxtel muttered, with a faltering voice; "the

thing is impossible."

" Fa it h, s ir , a t a ny r at e t ha t' s w ha t p eo pl e s ay ; a nd ,

b es id es , I h av e s ee n J ud ge v an S pe nn en w it h t he a rc he rs

entering the house."

" We ll , i f yo u h av e se en it wi th y ou r o wn ey es , t hat 's a

different case altogether."

" At a ll e ve nt s, " s ai d t he s er va nt , " I s ha ll g o a nd i nq ui re

o nc e mo re . Be y ou q ui et, s ir , I s ha ll l et y ou k no w a ll a bo ut

it."

Boxtel contented himself with signifying his approval of the

z ea l o f h is s er va nt b y du mb s how .

Th e ma n wen t o ut, an d r etu rn ed i n h alf a n h ou r.

" Oh , s ir, al l t hat I t old yo u i s i nd ee d q ui te tr ue ."

" H ow s o? "

" My nh ee r v an Ba er le i s a rr es te d, a nd h as b ee n p ut i nt o a

c ar ri ag e, a nd t he y a re d ri vi ng h im t o t he H ag ue ."

P a g e 1 1 0



" To t he H ague !"

"Y es , t o t he Ha gu e, a nd i f w ha t p eo pl e s ay i s t ru e, i t wo n' t

d o h im m uc h g oo d."

P ag e 5 5


" An d w ha t d o t he y s ay ?" B ox te l a sk ed .

"Fa ith , si r, t hey say - - bu t it is n ot qu ite s ur e -- th at by

t hi s hour t he bur gher s m us t be m ur de ri ng M ynhe er C or ne li us

a n d M yn he er J oh n d e W it t. "

" Oh," m ut te re d, or r at he r growl ed B oxte l, c losi ng his e ye s

fr om t he dre adful pic ture w hi ch pre se nt ed i ts el f t o his

imagination.

" Wh y, t o b e s ur e, " s ai d t he s er va nt t o h im se lf , w hi ls t

l ea vi ng t he r oo m, " My nh ee r I sa ac B ox te l m us t b e v er y s ic k

n ot to h av e j ump ed fr om h is b ed o n h ea rin g s uc h g oo d n ews ."

A nd , i n r ea li ty , I sa ac Bo xte l wa s v er y s ic k, li ke a ma n w ho

ha s m ur der e d a not her .

Bu t h e h ad m urd er ed h is ma n wi th a d ou bl e o bj ec t; th e f ir st

w as a tt ai ne d, t he s ec on d w as s ti ll t o b e a tt ai ne d.

Ni gh t c lo se d i n. I t w as t he n ig ht w hi ch B ox te l h ad l oo ke d

f or w ar d t o.

As soon as it was dark he got up.

H e t he n c li mbed i nt o his s yc am or e.

H e h ad c al cu la te d c or re ct ly ; n o o ne t ho ug ht o f k ee pi ng w at ch

o v er t he g ar de n; t he h ou se a nd t he s er va nt s we re a ll i n t he

P a g e 1 1 1



utmost confusion.

H e h ea rd t he c lo ck s tr ik e - - t en , e le ve n, t we lv e.

A t m idni ght, w it h a bea ti ng hea rt , t re mbli ng hands , a nd a

li vi d c ou nt en an ce , h e d es ce nd ed f ro m t he t re e, t oo k a

la dd er , l ea ne d i t a ga in st t he w al l, m ou nt ed i t t o t he l as t

s te p b ut o ne , a nd l is te ne d.

A ll w as p er fe ct ly q ui et , n ot a s ou nd b ro ke t he s il en ce o f

t he night ; one s ol it ar y l ight , t ha t of t he house ke eper , w as

burning i n t he house .

T hi s s il ence a nd t hi s dar knes s e mbol de ne d B oxte l; he got

a st ri de t he w al l, s to pp ed f or a n i ns ta nt , a nd , a ft er h av in g

a sc er ta in ed t ha t t he re w as n ot hi ng t o f ea r, h e p ut h is

l ad de r f ro m h is o wn g ar de n i nt o t ha t o f C or ne li us , a nd

descended.

T he n, k no wi ng t o a n i nc h w he re t he b ul bs w hi ch w er e t o

p ro du ce t he b la ck t ul ip w er e p la nt ed , h e r an t ow ar ds t he

spot , f ol lowi ng, how ever , t he gra ve ll ed w al ks i n order not

t o b e b et ra ye d b y h is f oo tp ri nt s, a nd , o n a rr iv in g a t t he

p re ci se s po t, h e p ro ce ed ed , w it h t he e ag er ne ss o f a t ig er ,

to p lu ng e h is h an d i nt o t he s of t g ro un d.

H e f ound not hi ng, a nd t hought he w as m is ta ke n.

I n t he me an wh il e, t he c ol d s we at s to od o n h is b ro w.

H e f el t a bo ut c lo se b y i t, - - n ot hi ng .

He f el t a bo ut o n t he r ig ht , a nd o n th e l ef t, - - n ot hi ng .

P ag e 5 6


P a g e 1 1 2



He f el t a bo ut i n f ro nt a nd a t t he b ac k, - - n ot hi ng .

H e w as n ea rl y m ad , w he n a t l as t h e s at is fi ed h im se lf t ha t o n

t ha t v er y m or ni ng t he e ar th h ad b ee n d is tu rb ed .

I n f ac t, w hi ls t B ox te l wa s l yi ng i n b ed , C or ne li us h ad g on e

do wn t o h is g ar de n, h ad t ak en up th e mo th er b ul b, a nd , a s we

h av e s ee n, d iv id ed i t i nt o t hr ee .

B ox te l c ou ld n ot b ri ng h im se lf t o l ea ve t he p la ce . H e d ug u p

w it h h is h an ds m or e t ha n t en s qu ar e f ee t o f g ro un d.

A t l as t n o d ou bt r em ai ne d o f h is m is fo rt un e. M ad w it h r ag e,

h e r et ur ne d t o h is l ad de r, m ou nt ed t he wa ll , d re w u p t he

l ad de r, f lu ng i t i nt o h is o wn g ar de n, a nd j um pe d a ft er i t.

A ll a t o nc e, a l as t r ay o f h op e p re se nt ed i ts el f t o h is

m in d: t he s ee dl in g b ul bs m ig ht b e i n t he d ry -r oo m; i t wa s

t he re fo re o nl y r eq ui si te t o m ak e h is e nt ry t he re a s h e h ad

d on e i nt o t he g ar de n.

Th er e h e wo ul d f in d t he m, a nd , m or eo ve r, i t wa s n ot a t a ll

d if fi cu lt , a s t he s as he s o f t he d ry -r oo m m ig ht b e r ai se d

l ik e t ho se o f a g re en ho us e. C or ne li us h ad o pe ne d t he m o n

t ha t m or ni ng , a nd n o o ne h ad t ho ug ht o f c lo si ng t he m a ga in .

E ve rything, t he re fore , depende d upon w he ther he c ould

p ro cu re a l ad de r o f s uf fi ci en t l en gt h, - - o ne o f t we nt y- fi ve

f ee t i ns te ad o f t en .

B ox te l h ad n ot ic ed i n t he s tr ee t wh er e h e l iv ed a h ou se

w hi ch w as b ei ng r ep ai re d, a nd a ga in st w hi ch a v er y t al l

l a dd er w as p la ce d.

P a g e 1 1 3



T hi s l ad de r w ou ld d o a dm ir ab ly , u nl es s t he w or km en h ad t ak en

i t a wa y.

He r an t o t he h ou se : t he l ad de r w as t he re . B ox te l t oo k i t,

ca rr ie d i t w it h g re at e xe rt io n t o h is g ar de n, a nd w it h e ve n

gr ea te r dif fi cult y r ai se d i t a ga inst t he w al l of V an

B ae rl e' s h ou se , w he re i t j us t r ea ch ed t o t he w in do w.

B ox te l p ut a l ig ht ed d ar k l an te rn i nt o h is p oc ke t, m ou nt ed

t he l ad de r, a nd s li pp ed i nt o t he d ry -r oo m.

O n r ea ch in g t hi s s an ct ua ry o f t he f lo ri st h e s to pp ed ,

supporting himself against the table; his legs failed him,

h is h ea rt b ea t a s i f i t wo ul d c ho ke h im. He re i t w as e ve n

w or se t ha n i n t he g ar de n; t he re B ox te l w as o nl y a

t re sp as se r, h er e h e w as a t hi ef .

Ho we ve r, h e t oo k c ou ra ge a ga in : h e h ad n ot g on e s o f ar t o

t ur n b ac k w it h e mp ty h an ds .

Bu t i n v ai n d id h e s ea rc h th e wh ol e r oo m, o pe n a nd s hu t al l

t he d ra we rs , e ve n t ha t p ri vi le ge d o ne w he re t he p ar ce l w hi ch

h ad b ee n s o f at al t o Co rn el iu s h ad b ee n d ep os it ed ; h e f ou nd

t ic ke te d, a s i n a b ot an ic al g ar de n, t he " Ja ne ," t he " Jo hn d e

W it t, " t he haz el -nut, a nd t he r oa st ed-c of fe e c ol oure d t ul ip;

b ut o f t he b la ck t ul ip , o r r at he r t he s ee dl in g b ul bs w it hi n

wh ic h i t w as s ti ll s le ep in g, n ot a t ra ce w as f ou nd .

An d y et , o n l oo ki ng o ve r t he r eg is te r o f s ee ds a nd b ul bs ,

w hi ch V an B ae rl e kept i n dupli ca te , i f pos si bl e e ve n w it h

P ag e 5 7


P a g e 1 1 4



gre at er e xa ct it ude a nd c ar e t ha n t he f ir st c om me rc ia l house s

o f A ms te rd am t he ir l ed ge rs , B ox te l r ea d t he se l in es : - -

" T o- da y, 2 0t h o f A ug us t, 1 67 2, I h av e t ak en u p t he m ot he r

bu lb o f t he g ra nd b la ck t ul ip , w hi ch I h av e d iv id ed i nt o

t hre e pe rf e ct s ucke rs ."

" O h t he se bul bs , t he se bul bs !" how le d B oxte l, t ur ni ng ove r

e ve rything i n t he dry-r oom, " wher e c ould he have c once al ed

them?"

T he n, s udde nl y s tr iking his f or ehea d i n his f re nz y, he

c al le d o ut , " Oh w re tc h t ha t I a m! O h t hr ic e f oo l B ox te l!

Wo ul d a ny o ne b e s ep ar at ed f ro m h is b ul bs ? W ou ld a ny o ne

l ea ve t he m a t D or t, wh en o ne g oe s t o t he Ha gu e? C ou ld o ne

l iv e f ar f ro m o ne 's b ul bs , w he n t he y e nc lo se t he g ra nd b la ck

t ul ip ? He h ad t ime t o g et h ol d o f t he m, t he s co un dre l, h e

h as t he m a bo ut h im, h e h as t ak en t hem t o t he Ha gu e!"

I t w as l ik e a f la sh o f l ig ht ni ng wh ic h s ho we d t o B ox te l t he

a bys s of a use le ss ly c om mi tt ed c ri me .

B ox te l s an k q ui te p ar al yz ed o n t ha t v er y t ab le , a nd o n t ha t

v er y s po t w he re , s om e h ou rs b ef or e, t he u nf or tu na te V an

B ae rl e had s o l ei sure ly, a nd w it h s uc h i nt ense del ight ,

contemplated his darling bulbs.

"W el l, t he n, a ft er a ll ," s ai d t he e nvious B oxte l, - - r ai si ng

h is li vi d f ac e fro m h is ha nds in wh ic h i t h ad b ee n b uri ed --

"i f h e h as th em, h e ca n k eep t hem on ly as l ong a s h e l iv es ,

and ---- "

P a g e 1 1 5



Th e r es t o f t hi s d et es ta bl e t ho ug ht wa s e xp re ss ed b y a

hideous smile.

" Th e b ul bs a re a t t he H ag ue ," h e s ai d, " th er ef or e, I c an n o

l on ge r l iv e a t D or t: a wa y, t he n, f or t he m, to t he Ha gu e! t o

the Hague!"

A nd B ox te l, w it ho ut t ak in g a ny n ot ic e o f t he t re as ur es a bo ut

h im , s o e nt ir el y w er e h is t ho ug ht s a bs or be d b y a no th er

i ne st im able t re as ur e, l et him se lf out by t he w indow, gli de d

d own t he l ad der , ca rri ed i t b ack to t he p la ce wh enc e he h ad

t ak en i t, a nd , l ik e a b ea st o f p re y, r et ur ne d g ro wl in g t o

his house.

Ch a pt e r 9

The Family Cell

I t wa s a bo ut mi dn ig ht w he n p oo r V an B ae rl e w as l oc ke d u p i n

the pri son of t he B uyte nhof .

Wh at R os a f or es aw h ad c ome t o p as s. On f in di ng t he c el l o f

C or ne li us d e W it t e mp ty , t he wr at h o f t he p eo pl e r an v er y

h ig h, a nd h ad G ry ph us f al le n i nt o t he h an ds o f t ho se m ad me n

h e w ou ld c er ta in ly h av e h ad t o p ay w it h h is l if e f or t he

prisoner.

B u t t hi s f ur y h ad v en te d i ts el f mo st f ul ly o n t he t wo

P ag e 5 8


b ro th er s w he n t he y w er e o ve rt ak en b y t he m ur de re rs , t ha nk s

to t he p re ca ut io n w hi ch W il li am - - t he m an o f p re ca ut io ns - -

h ad t ak en i n h av in g t he g at es o f th e c it y c lo se d.

P a g e 1 1 6



A m om en ta ry l ul l h ad t he re fo re s et i n w hi ls t t he p ri so n w as

e mpty, a nd R os a a va il ed her se lf of t hi s f avoura bl e m om ent t o

c om e f or th f ro m h er h id in g p la ce , w hi ch s he a ls o i nd uc ed h er

fa ther t o l ea ve.

The pri son w as t he re for e c omple t el y de se rt ed. W hy s hould

pe op le r em ai n i n t he j ai l w hi ls t m ur de r w as g oi ng o n a t t he

Tol-Hek?

G ryphus c am e f or th t re mbli ng behind t he c oura ge ous R os a.

The y we nt to clo se the g reat g ate, at leas t a s wel l a s it

w ould c lose , c onsi de ri ng t ha t i t w as hal f dem ol is he d. I t w as

e as y t o s ee t ha t a h ur ri ca ne o f m ig ht y f ur y h ad v en te d

itself upon it.

Ab ou t f ou r o 'c lo ck a r et ur n o f t he n oi se w as h ea rd , b ut o f

no t hr ea te ni ng c ha ra ct er t o G ryphus a nd his daughte r. T he

p eo pl e w er e o nl y d ra gg in g i n t he t wo c or ps es , w hi ch t he y

c am e b ac k t o g ib be t a t t he u su al p la ce o f e xe cu ti on .

R os a h id h er se lf t hi s t im e a ls o, b ut o nl y t ha t s he m ig ht n ot

s ee t he ghas tl y s pe c ta c le .

A t m id ni gh t, p eo pl e a ga in k no ck ed a t t he g at e o f t he j ai l,

o r r at he r a t t he b ar ri ca de wh ic h s er ve d i n i ts s te ad : i t wa s

Cornelius van Baerle whom they were bringing.

W he n t he j ai le r r ec ei ve d t hi s n ew i nm at e, a nd s aw f ro m t he

w ar ra nt t he n am e a nd s ta ti on o f h is p ri so ne r, h e m ut te re d

wi th his t ur nkey s mi le , - -

" Go ds on o f C or ne li us d e W it t! W el l, y ou ng m an , w e h av e t he

P a g e 1 1 7



f am il y c el l h er e, a nd we w il l g iv e i t t o y ou ."

A nd qui te e nc ha nt ed w it h his j oke, t he f er oc ious O ra ngem an

t oo k h is c re ss et a nd h is k ey s t o c on du ct C or ne li us t o t he

c el l, w hi ch o n t ha t v er y m or ni ng Co rn el iu s d e W it t h ad l ef t

t o g o i nt o e xi le , o r w ha t i n r ev ol ut io na ry t im es i s m ea nt

in st ea d b y t ho se s ub li me p hi lo so ph er s w ho l ay i t d ow n a s a n

a xi om of h ig h p ol icy , "I t i s th e de ad o nl y wh o do n ot

return."

O n t he w ay w hi ch t he d es pa ir in g f lo ri st h ad t o t ra ve rs e t o

r ea ch t ha t c el l h e h ea rd n ot hin g b ut t he b ar ki ng o f a d og ,

a nd s aw n oth ing b ut t he f ac e of a yo un g g irl .

Th e d og r us he d f or th f ro m a n ic he i n t he w al l, s ha ki ng h is

hea vy c ha in, a nd s ni ff ing a ll r ound C or ne li us i n order s o

m uc h t he b et te r t o r ec og ni se h im i n c as e h e s ho uld b e

o rd er ed t o p ou nc e u po n h im .

T he young gir l, w hi ls t t he pri sone r w as m ount ing t he

s ta ir ca se , a pp ea re d a t t he n ar ro w d oo r o f h er c ha mb er , w hi ch

o pe ne d o n t ha t v er y f li gh t o f s te ps ; a nd , h ol di ng t he l am p

i n he r ri gh t h an d, s he a t th e s ame t ime l it u p h er p re tt y

bloom ing f ac e, s ur rounde d by a profusi on of r ic h w avy gol de n

l oc ks , w hi ls t w it h her l ef t s he hel d her w hi te night -dre ss

c lo se ly o ve r h er b re as t, h av in g b ee n r ou se d f ro m h er f ir st

s lumber by t he une xpec te d a rr ival of V an B ae rl e.

P ag e 5 9


I t w ou ld h av e m ad e a f in e p ic tu re , w or th y o f R em br an dt , t he

P a g e 1 1 8



gloomy winding stairs illuminated by the reddish glare of

t he c re ss et of G ryphus , w it h his s cowl ing j ai le r' s

c ount enance a t t he t op, t he m el anchol y f igur e of C or ne li us

b en di ng o ve r t he b an is te r t o l oo k d own u po n t he s we et f ac e

o f R osa , s ta nd in g, a s i t we re , i n t he b ri gh t f ra me o f t he

d oo r o f h er c ha mb er , w it h e mb ar ra ss ed m ie n a t b ei ng t hu s

s ee n b y a s tr an ge r.

A nd a t t he b ot to m, q ui te i n t he s ha de , w he re t he d et ai ls a re

a bs or be d i n t he obs curi ty, t he m as ti ff , w it h his e ye s

glistening like carbuncles, and shaking his chain, on which

t he d ou bl e l ig ht f ro m t he l am p o f Ros a an d th e la nte rn o f

Gryphus threw a brilliant glitter.

T he s ubli me m as te r w ould, how ever , have bee n a lt oget he r

u na bl e t o r en de r t he s or ro w e xp re ss ed i n t he f ac e o f R os a,

w he n s he s aw t hi s pal e, hands om e young m an s lowl y c li mbing

t he s ta ir s, a nd t ho ug ht o f t he f ul l i mp or t o f t he w or ds ,

w hi ch her f at he r had j us t s poke n, " You w il l have t he f am il y

cell."

T hi s v is io n l as te d b ut a m om en t, - - m uc h l es s t im e t ha n w e

h av e t ak en t o d es cr ib e i t. G ry ph us t he n p ro ce ed ed o n h is

w ay, C or ne li us w as f or ce d t o f ol low him , a nd f ive m inut es

a ft er wa rd s h e e nt er ed h is p ri so n, o f w hi ch i t i s u nn ec es sa ry

t o s ay m or e, a s t he r ea de r i s a lr ea dy a cq ua in te d w it h i t.

G ry ph us p oi nt ed w it h h is f in ge r t o t he b ed o n w hi ch t he

ma rt yr h ad s uf fe re d s o m uc h, w ho o n t ha t d ay h ad r en de re d

P a g e 1 1 9



h is s ou l t o Go d. T he n, t ak in g u p h is c re ss et , h e q ui tt ed t he

cell.

T hu s l ef t a lo ne , C or ne li us t hr ew h im se lf o n h is b ed , b ut h e

s l ep t n ot , h e k ep t h is e ye f ix ed o n t he n ar ro w wi nd ow ,

b ar re d w it h i ro n, w hi ch l oo ke d o n t he B uy te nh of ; a nd i n t hi s

w ay s aw f ro m b eh in d t he t re es t ha t f ir st p al e b ea m o f l ig ht

w hi ch m or ni ng s he ds o n t he e ar th a s a w hi te m an tl e.

N ow a nd t he n d ur in g t he n ig ht h or se s h ad g al lo pe d a t a s ma rt

p ac e o ve r t he B uy te nh of , t he h ea vy t ra mp o f t he p at ro ls h ad

re so un de d f ro m t he p av em en t, a nd t he s lo w m at ch es o f t he

ar qu eb us es , f la ri ng i n t he e as t w in d, h ad t hr ow n u p a t

interva ls a su dden gla re a s far as to the pan es o f h is

window.

B ut w he n t he r is in g s un b eg an t o g il d t he c op in g s to ne s a t

t he g ab le e nd s o f t he h ou se s, Co rn el iu s, e ag er t o k no w

w he ther t he re w as a ny l iving c re at ur e a bout him , a pproac he d

th e w in do w, a nd c as t a s ad l oo k r ou nd t he c ir cu la r y ar d

before him

At the end of the y ard a dark mas s, tinted with a din gy b lue

b y t he m or ni ng d aw n, r os e b ef or e h im , i ts d ar k o ut li ne s

s ta nding out i n c ontr as t t o t he house s a lr ea dy i ll um inat ed

by t he pal e l ight of e ar ly m or ni ng.

Cornelius recognised the gibbet.

On i t w er e s us pe nd ed t wo s ha pe le ss t ru nk s, w hi ch i nd ee d w er e

no m or e t ha n ble eding s ke le tons .

Th e g oo d p eo pl e o f t he H ag ue h ad c ho pp ed o ff t he f le sh o f

P a g e 1 2 0



i ts vic ti ms , but f ai thfull y c ar ri ed t he r em ai nder t o t he

P ag e 6 0


g ib be t, t o h av e a p re te xt f or a d ou bl e i ns cr ip ti on w ri tt en

o n a h ug e p la ca rd , o n w hi ch C or ne li us ; w it h t he k ee n s ig ht

of a y ou ng m an o f t we nt y- ei gh t, w as a bl e t o r ea d t he

fo ll ow in g l in es , d au be d b y t he c oa rs e b ru sh o f a

sign-painter: --

" He re a re h an gin g t he g re at r og ue o f t he n ame o f J oh n d e

W it t, a nd t he l it tl e r og ue C or ne li us d e W it t, h is b ro th er ,

t wo e ne mi es o f t he p eo pl e, b ut g re at f ri en ds o f t he k in g o f

France."

C or ne li us u tt er ed a c ry o f h orr or , a nd in t he a go ny o f h is

f ra nt ic t er ro r k no ck ed w it h h is h an ds a nd f ee t a t t he d oo r

so violently and continuously, that Gryphus, with his huge

b un ch o f k ey s i n h is h an d, r an f ur io us ly u p.

T he j ai le r ope ne d t he door, w it h t er ri bl e i mpre ca ti ons

a ga in st t he p ri so ne r w ho d is tu rb ed h im a t a n h ou r w hi ch

M as te r G ry ph us w as n ot a cc us to me d t o b e a ro us ed .

"W el l, n ow, b y my s ou l, h e is ma d, th is n ew De Wi tt," he

c ri ed , " bu t a ll t ho se D e W it ts h av e t he d ev il i n t he m. "

" Ma st er , m as te r, " c ri ed C or ne li us , s ei zi ng t he j ai le r by t he

a rm a nd d ra gg in g h im t ow ar ds t he w in do w, - - " ma st er , w ha t

h av e I r ea d d ow n t he re ?"

" Wher e dow n t he re ?"

P a g e 1 2 1



" O n t ha t pla ca rd."

A nd , t re mb li ng , p al e, a nd g as pi ng f or b re at h, h e p oi nt ed t o

t he g ib be t a t t he o th er s id e o f th e y ar d, wi th t he c yn ic al

inscription surmounting it.

Gr yp hu s b ro ke o ut i nt o a l au gh .

" Eh ! e h! " h e a ns we re d, " so , y ou h av e r ea d i t. W el l, m y g oo d

s ir , t ha t' s w ha t p eo pl e w il l g et f or c or re sp on di ng w it h t he

enem ie s of his H ighnes s t he P ri nc e of O ra nge. "

" T he brother s D e W it t a re m ur de re d! " C or ne li us m ut te re d,

wit h the co ld sweat o n his br ow, and sank o n his b ed, his

a rm s h an gi ng b y h is s id e, a nd h is e ye s c lo se d.

" Th e b ro th er s D e W it t h av e b ee n j ud ge d b y t he p eo pl e, " s ai d

G ry ph us ; " yo u c al l t ha t m ur de re d, d o y ou ? w el l, I c al l i t

executed."

A nd s ee in g t ha t t he p ri so ne r w as n ot o nl y q ui et , b ut

e nti re ly prost ra te a nd s ense le ss , he r ushed f rom t he c el l,

violently slamming the door, and noisily drawing the bolts.

Recovering his consciousness, Cornelius found himself alone,

an d r ec og ni se d t he r oo m w he re h e w as , - - " th e f am il y c el l, "

as G ry ph us h ad c al le d i t, - - a s t he f at al p as sa ge l ea di ng t o

ignominious death.

A nd as h e was a p hilo sop her , a nd, mo re t han th at , as he wa s

a Ch ri st ia n, h e b eg an t o p ra y fo r t he s ou l o f h is g od fa th er,

t he n f or t ha t o f t he G ra nd P en si on ar y, a nd a t l as t s ub mi tt ed

with resignation to all the sufferings which God might

or da in f or him .

P a g e 1 2 2



P ag e 6 1


T he n t ur ni ng a ga in t o t he c on ce rn s o f e ar th , a nd h av in g

s at is fi ed h im se lf t ha t h e wa s a lo ne i n h is d un ge on , h e d re w

f ro m h is b re as t t he th re e b ul bs o f t he b la ck t ul ip , a nd

c on ce al ed t he m b eh in d a b lo ck o f s to ne , o n wh ic h t he

t ra di ti onal w at er -j ug of t he pri son w as s ta nding, i n t he

d ar ke st c or ne r o f h is c el l.

U se le ss l ab ou r o f s o m an y y ea rs ! s uc h s we et h op es c ru sh ed ;

h is d is co ve ry wa s, a ft er a ll , t o l ea d t o n au gh t, j us t a s h is

o wn c ar ee r w as t o b e c ut s ho rt . H er e, i n h is p ri so n, t he re

w as not a t race o f veg eta tio n, n ot an a tom of so il, not a

r ay of s unshine.

A t t hi s t hought C or ne li us f el l i nt o a gloom y des pa ir , f rom

w hi ch he w as onl y a rous ed by a n e xt ra or di na ry c ir cums ta nc e.

What was this circumstance?

W e s ha ll i nf or m t he r ea de r i n o ur n ex t c ha pt er .

C ha p te r 1 0

The Jailer's Daughter

On t he s am e e ve ni ng G ry ph us , a s h e b ro ug ht t he p ri so ne r h is

me ss , s li pp ed o n t he d am p f la gs w hi ls t o pe ni ng t he d oo r o f

th e c el l, a nd f el l, i n t he a tt em pt t o s te ad y h im se lf , o n h is

han d; but as it was turn ed the wron g way , he bro ke hi s a rm

j us t a bo ve t he w ri st .

C ornel ius r us hed f orw ar d t ow ar ds t he j ai le r , but G ryphus,

P a g e 1 2 3



w ho wa s n ot y et a wa re o f t he s er io us n at ur e o f h is i nj ur y,

ca lle d ou t to h im, --

" It i s not hi ng: don't you s ti r. "

H e t he n t ri ed t o s up po rt h im se lf o n h is a rm , b ut th e b on e

ga ve wa y; th en o nl y h e f el t t he p ain , a nd u tt er ed a c ry .

W he n h e b ec am e a wa re t ha t h is a rm wa s b ro ke n, t hi s m an , s o

h ar sh t o o th er s, f el l s wo on in g o n t he t hr es ho ld , w he re h e

r em ai ne d m ot io nl es s a nd c ol d, a s i f d ea d.

Du ri ng a ll t hi s ti me t he d oo r o f t he c ell s to od o pe n a nd

Cornelius found himself almost free. But the thought never

e nt er ed h is m in d o f p ro fi ti ng b y t hi s a cc id en t; h e h ad s ee n

f ro m t he ma nn er i n wh ic h th e ar m was b ent , a nd f ro m t he

n oi se i t m ad e i n b en di ng , t ha t t he b on e w as f ra ct ur ed , a nd

t ha t th e p at ien t mu st b e i n g re at p ai n; a nd no w h e th ou gh t

of not hi ng e ls e but of a dm inis te ri ng r el ie f t o t he s uf fe re r,

however little benevolent the man had shown himself during

their short interview.

A t t he n oi se o f Gr yp hu s' s f al l, a nd a t t he c ry w hi ch e sc ap ed

h im , a h as ty s te p w as h ea rd o n t he s ta ir ca se , a nd

immediately after a lovely apparition presented itself to

t he e ye s of C or ne li us .

I t w as t he bea ut if ul young F ri si an, w ho, s ee ing her f at he r

s tr et ch ed o n t he g ro un d, a nd t he p ri so ne r b en di ng o ve r h im ,

P ag e 6 2


ut te re d a f ai nt c ry , a s i n t he f ir st f ri gh t s he t ho ug ht

P a g e 1 2 4



G ryphus , w hose bruta li ty s he w el l kne w, had f al le n i n

c on se qu en ce o f a s tr ug gl e b et we en h im a nd t he p ri so ne r.

C or ne li us u nd er st oo d w ha t w as p as si ng i n t he m in d o f t he

g ir l, a t t he v er y m om en t w he n t he s us pi ci on a ro se i n h er

heart.

Bu t one mo me nt to ld he r the t rue s tate o f the c ase a nd ,

a sh am ed o f h er f ir st t ho ug ht s, s he c as t h er b ea ut if ul e ye s,

wet wit h t ears, o n the you ng man , and sa id to him, --

" I b eg y ou r p ar do n, a nd t ha nk y ou , s ir ; t he f ir st f or w ha t I

h av e t ho ug ht , a nd t he s ec on d f or w ha t y ou a re d oi ng ."

Co rn el iu s b lu sh ed , an d s ai d, "I a m b ut d oin g my d ut y a s a

Christian in helping my neighbour."

" Ye s, a nd a ff or di ng him your hel p t hi s e ve ni ng, you have

f or go tt en t he a bu se w hi ch h e h ea pe d o n y ou t hi s m or ni ng . O h,

s ir ! t hi s i s m or e t ha n h um an it y, - - t hi s i s i nd ee d Ch ri st ia n

charity."

C or ne li us c as t his e ye s on t he bea ut if ul gir l, qui te

a st on is he d t o h ea r f ro m t he m ou th o f o ne s o h um ble su ch a

noble a nd f ee li ng s pe ec h.

B ut h e h ad n o t im e t o e xp re ss h is s ur pr is e. G ry ph us

r ec ov er ed f ro m h is s wo on , o pe ne d h is e ye s, a nd a s h is

bruta li ty w as r et ur ni ng w it h his s ense s, he growl ed " That 's

it, a fellow is in a hurry to bring to a prisoner his

s up per , an d f al ls a nd b rea ks h is a rm, a nd is l eft l yi ng o n

the ground."

P a g e 1 2 5



" Hu sh , m y f at he r, " s ai d R os a, " yo u a re u nj us t t o t hi s

ge nt le ma n, w hom I f ound e ndea vour ing t o give you his a id."

" Hi s a id?" G ryphus r epli ed, w it h a doubt ful a ir .

" It i s q ui te t ru e, ma st er ! I a m q ui te r ea dy to h el p y ou

still more."

"Y ou!" s ai d G ryphus , " ar e you a m edic al m an?"

"It was formerly my profession."

" An d so you would be able to set my arm?"

"Perfectly."

"An d what wo uld you need to do it? let us hear."

"T wo s pl in te rs o f w oo d, a nd s om e l in en f or a b an da ge ."

" D o y ou h ea r, R os a? " s ai d G ry ph us , " th e p ri so ne r i s g oi ng t o

set my a rm, tha t's a sav ing; co me , ass ist me to g et up , I

f ee l a s h ea vy a s l ea d."

R o sa l en t t he s uf fe re r h er s ho ul de r; h e p ut h is u nh ur t a rm

a ro un d h er n ec k, a nd m ak in g a n e ff or t, g ot o n h is le gs ,

wh il st C or ne li us , t o s av e h im a w al k, p us he d a c ha ir t ow ar ds

him.

G ryphus s at dow n; t he n, t ur ni ng t ow ar ds his daughte r, he

P ag e 6 3


s ai d, - -

"W el l, d id n' t y ou h ea r? g o a nd f et ch w ha t i s w an te d. "

R os a w ent dow n, a nd i mm edia te ly a ft er r et ur ne d w it h t wo

s ta ve s o f a sm all b ar re l an d a la rg e r ol l o f li ne n b an da ge .

C or ne li us h ad m ad e u se o f t he i nt er ve ni ng m om en ts t o t ak e

P a g e 1 2 6



o ff t he m an 's c oa t, a nd t o t uc k u p h is s hi rt s le ev e.

"I s t hi s w ha t y ou r eq ui re , s ir ?" a sk ed R os a.

"Yes, mademoiselle," answered Cornelius, looking at the

t hi ng s s he h ad b ro ug ht , - - " ye s, t ha t' s r ig ht . N ow p us h t hi s

t ab le , w hi ls t I s up po rt t he a rm o f y ou r f at he r. "

Ro sa p us he d t he t ab le , C or ne li us p la ce d t he b ro ke n a rm o n i t

so as to ma ke it f lat, an d with p erfect sk ill set the bo ne,

a djus te d t he s pli nte r s, a nd f a st ene d t he bandage s.

A t t he l as t t ou ch , t he j ai le r f ai nt ed a s ec on d t im e.

"Go and fetch vinegar, mademoiselle," said Cornelius; "we

wi ll bat he his t em pl es , a nd he w il l r ec over ."

B u t, i ns te ad o f a ct in g u p t o t he d oc to r' s p re sc ri pt io n,

R os a, a ft er having s at is fi ed her se lf t ha t her f at he r w as

s ti ll unconsc i ous , a ppr oac hed C or ne l ius a nd s a id, - -

"Service for service, sir."

" What do you m ea n, m y pre tt y c hi ld?" s ai d C or ne li us .

" I me an t o s ay , s ir, t ha t th e ju dg e wh o i s t o e xa mi ne y ou

t o- mo rr ow h as i nq ui re d t o- da y f or t he r oo m i n w hi ch y ou a re

c on fi ne d, a nd , o n b ei ng t ol d t ha t y ou a re o cc up yi ng t he c el l

o f M yn he er C or ne li us d e W it t, l au gh ed i n a v er y s tr an ge a nd

v er y d is ag re ea bl e m an ne r, w hi ch m ak es m e f ea r t ha t n o g oo d

awaits you."

" Bu t, " a sk ed C or ne li us , " wh at h ar m c an t he y d o t o m e? "

" Look a t t ha t gibbet ."

" B ut I a m not gui lt y, " s ai d C or ne li us .

P a g e 1 2 7





" I w il l not , t he y w ould a cc us e you."

"Never mind," said Rosa, blushing, "never mind that."

" You a re ver y good, m y dea r c hi ld," r epli ed C or ne li us , " but

I s ta y. "

" Yo u s ta y, o h, s ir ! o h, s ir ! d on 't y ou u nd er st an d t ha t y ou

w i ll b e c on de mn ed t o d ea th , e xe cu te d o n t he s ca ff ol d,

p er ha ps a ss as si na te d a nd t or n t o p ie ce s, j us t l ik e M yn he er

J oh n a nd M yn he er C or ne li us . F or h ea ve n' s s ak e, d on 't t hi nk

o f me , bu t f ly f rom t his p la ce , Ta ke c are , it b ea rs il l l uc k

t o t he De W it ts !"

" Ha ll oa !" c ri ed t he j ai le r, r ec over ing his s ense s, " who i s

t a lking of t hose r ogue s, t hose w re tc he s, t hose vil la ins, t he

De Witts?"

" Don' t be a ngry, m y good m an," s ai d C or ne li us , w it h his

good- te mper ed s mi le , " the w or st t hi ng f or a f ra ct ur e i s

e xc it em ent, by w hi ch t he blood i s hea te d. "

Th er eu po n, h e s ai d i n a n u nd er to ne t o Ro sa - -

" My c hi ld , I a m i nn oc en t, a nd I s ha ll a wa it m y t ri al wi th

tranquillity and an easy mind."

"Hush," said Rosa.

"Why hush?"

" My f at he r m us t n ot s up po se t ha t w e h av e b ee n t al ki ng t o

each other."

" What har m w ould t ha t do? "

" Wh at h ar m? H e w ou ld n ev er a ll ow m e t o c om e h er e a ny m or e, "

P a g e 1 2 9





l on g, i t h av in g a pp ea re d o n e vi de nc e t ha t C or ne li us h ad k ep t

a t h is h ou se t ha t f at al c or re sp on de nc e o f t he b ro th er s D e

W i tt w it h F ra nc e.

He did n ot den y it.

T he onl y poi nt a bout w hi ch t he re s ee me d a ny dif fi cult y w as

w he th er t hi s c or re sp on de nc e h ad b ee n i nt ru st ed t o h im b y h is

godfather, Cornelius de Witt.

B ut a s, s in ce t he d ea th o f t ho se t wo ma rt yr s, Va n Ba er le h ad

n o l on ge r a ny r ea so n f or w it hh ol di ng t he t ru th , h e n ot o nl y

d id n ot d en y t ha t t he p ar ce l h ad b ee n d el iv er ed t o h im b y

C o rn el iu s d e W it t h im se lf , b ut h e a ls o s ta te d a ll t he

c ir cums ta nc es under w hi ch i t w as done.

T hi s c onfe ss ion i nvol ve d t he godson i n t he c ri me of t he

godfather; manifest complicity being considered to exist

be tw ee n C or ne li us de W it t a nd C or nel ius van B ae rl e.

T he h on es t d oc to r d id n ot c on fi ne h im se lf t o t hi s a vo wa l,

b ut t ol d t he wh ol e t ru th w it h r eg ar d t o h is o wn ta st es ,

ha bi ts , a nd dai ly l if e. H e des cr ibed his i ndif fe re nc e t o

po li ti cs , h is l ov e o f s tu dy , o f t he f in e a rt s, o f s ci en ce ,

a nd o f f lo we rs . H e e xp la in ed t ha t, s in ce t he d ay w he n

C or ne li us d e W it t h an de d t o h im t he p ar ce l a t Do rt , h e

him se lf had never t ouched, nor e ve n not ic ed i t.

To t hi s i t wa s o bj ec te d, t ha t i n t hi s r es pe ct h e c ou ld n ot

p os si bl y b e s pe ak in g t he t ru th , s in ce t he p ap er s h ad b ee n

de po si te d i n a p re ss i n w hi ch b ot h h is h an ds a nd h is e ye s

P a g e 1 3 1





a s s ac re d a s t he t ab er na cl e b y t he w ho le h ou se ho ld o f V an

B ae rl e; a nd t ha t c on se qu en tl y h e h ad c on si de re d t he

c er ti fi ca te a s u se le ss . A s t o a l et te r, h e c er ta in ly h ad

s ome r em em br ance t hat s om e m om ents pre vi ous t o his a rr es t,

w hi ls t h e w as a bs or be d i n t he c on te mp la ti on o f o ne o f t he

r ar es t o f h is b ul bs , J oh n d e W it t' s s er va nt e nt er ed h is

d ry -r oom, a nd h an ded t o h im a p ap er , b ut th e wh ole was to

h im o nl y l ik e a v ag ue d re am ; t he s er va nt h ad d is ap pe ar ed ,

a nd a s to th e pa pe r, pe rh ap s it mi gh t b e fo un d i f a p rop er

s e ar ch w er e m ad e.

As f ar a s C ra ek e wa s c on ce rn ed , i t wa s i mp os si bl e t o f in d

h im , a s h e h ad l ef t H ol la nd .

Th e pap er als o wa s not v ery l ikel y to be f oun d, and n o on e

g av e h im se lf t he t ro ub le t o l oo k f or i t.

Cornel ius him se lf did not m uc h pre ss t hi s poi nt , s ince , e ve n

s up po si ng t ha t t he p ap er s ho ul d t ur n u p, i t c ou ld n ot h av e

a ny dir ec t c onne ct ion w it h t he c or re sponde nc e w hi ch

constituted the crime.

T he j ud ge s wi sh ed t o ma ke i t a pp ea r a s t ho ug h t he y wa nt ed t o

u rg e C or ne li us t o m ak e a b et te r d ef en ce ; t he y d is pl ay ed t ha t

be ne vole nt pat ie nc e w hi ch i s gener al ly a s ign of t he

m ag is tr at e' s b ei ng i nt er es te d f or t he p ri so ne r, o r o f a

m an 's h av in g s o c om pl et el y g ot t he b et te r o f h is a dv er sa ry

t ha t h e n ee ds n o l on ge r a ny o pp re ss iv e m ea ns t o r ui n h im .

C or ne li us did not a cc ept of t hi s hypocr it ic al prote ct ion,

P a g e 1 3 3



a nd i n a l as t a nsw er , wh ich h e se t f or th wi th th e n ob le

b ea ri ng o f a m ar ty r a nd t he c al m s er en it y o f a r ig ht eo us

ma n, h e s ai d, - -

" Yo u a sk m e t hi ng s, g en tl em en , t o w hi ch I c an a ns we r o nl y

t he e xa ct t ru th . He ar i t. Th e p ar ce l w as p ut i nt o m y h an ds

P ag e 6 7


in th e wa y I h av e d esc ri bed ; I vo w be fo re Go d t ha t I was ,

a nd a m s ti ll , i gn or an t o f i ts c on te nt s, a nd t ha t i t w as n ot

u nt il m y a rr es t t ha t I l ea rn ed t ha t t hi s d ep os it w as t he

c or re sp on de nc e o f t he G ra nd P en si on ar y w it h t he M ar qu is d e

Lo uv oi s. A nd l as tl y, I v ow a nd p ro te st t ha t I d o n ot

u nd er st an d h ow a ny o ne s ho ul d h av e k no wn t ha t t hi s p ar ce l

wa s in my h ou se; a nd , ab ov e all , h ow I c an b e de emed

criminal for having received what my illustrious and

unfortunate godfather brought to my house."

T hi s w as V an B ae rl e' s w ho le d ef en ce ; a ft er w hi ch t he j ud ge s

b e ga n t o d el ib er at e o n t he v er di ct .

T he y c onsi de re d t ha t e ve ry off shoot of c ivil dis cord i s

m is chie vous , bec ause i t r evives t he c onte st w hi ch i t i s t he

i nt ere st o f a ll t o p ut d ow n.

O ne o f t he m, w ho b or e t he c ha ra ct er o f a p ro fo un d o bs er ve r,

l ai d dow n a s his opi ni on t ha t t hi s young m an, s o phl egma ti c

i n a pp ea ra nc e, m us t i n r ea li ty b e v er y d an ge ro us , a s u nd er

th is i cy e xt er io r h e wa s s ur e t o c on ce al a n a rd en t d es ir e t o

a ve nge his f ri ends , t he D e W it ts .

P a g e 1 3 4



A nother obs er ve d t ha t t he l ove of t uli ps a gr ee d per fe ct ly

w el l w it h t ha t o f p ol it ic s, a nd t ha t i t w as p ro ve d i n

his tory t ha t m any ver y dange rous m en w er e e ngaged i n

gar de ni ng, j us t a s i f i t had bee n t he ir profe ss ion, w hi ls t

really they occupied themselves with perfectly different

c on ce rn s; w it ne ss T ar qu in t he E ld er , w ho g re w p op pi es a t

G ab ii , a nd t he G re at C on de , w ho w at er ed h is c ar na ti on s a t

t he d un ge on o f V in ce nn es a t t he v er y m om en t wh en t he f or me r

m ed it at ed h is r et ur n t o R om e, a nd t he l at te r h is e sc ap e f ro m

prison.

T he j udge s um me d up w it h t he f ol lowi ng dil em ma : - -

" Ei th er C or ne li us v an B ae rl e i s a g re at l ov er o f t ul ip s, o r

a g re at l ov er o f p ol it ic s; i n e it he r c as e, h e h as t ol d u s a

falsehood; first, because his having occupied himself with

p ol it ic s i s p ro ve d b y t he l et te rs w hi ch w er e f ou nd a t h is

house ; a nd s ec ondl y, bec ause his having occ upie d him se lf

wi th tu li ps i s p ro ve d b y t he b ul bs wh ic h l eav e n o d ou bt o f

t he f ac t. A nd h er ein li es t he e no rmi ty o f th e ca se . As

C or ne li us van B ae rl e w as c once rned i n t he growi ng of t ul ips

a nd i n t he p urs ui t o f p oli ti cs at o ne a nd t he s ame t im e, t he

pri sone r i s of hybri d c ha ra ct er , of a n a mphi bi ous

or ga ni sa ti on, w or ki ng w it h e qual a rdour a t pol it ic s a nd a t

t ul ip s, w hi ch p ro ve s h im t o b el on g t o t he c la ss o f m en m os t

dange rous t o publi c t ra nqui ll it y, a nd s hows a c er ta in, or

r a th er a c om pl et e, a na lo gy b et we en h is c ha ra ct er a nd t ha t o f

P a g e 1 3 5



t h os e m as te r m in ds o f w hi ch T ar qu in t he E ld er a nd t he G re at

C onde have bee n f el ic it ousl y quote d a s e xa mple s. "

T he u ps ho t o f a ll t he se r ea so ni ng s w as , t ha t h is H ig hn es s

the Prince Stadtholder of Holland would feel infinitely

obli ge d t o t he m agis tr ac y of t he H ague i f t he y s im pl if ie d

f or him t he gover nm ent of t he S even P rovi nc es by des tr oying

e ve n t he l ea st ger m of c onspir ac y a ga inst his a ut hori ty.

T hi s a rg um en t c ap pe d a ll t he o th er s, a nd , i n o rd er s o m uc h

t he m or e e ff ec tual ly t o des tr oy t he ger m of c onspir ac y,

sentence of death was unanimously pronounced against

C or ne li us van B ae rl e, a s bei ng a rr ai gned, a nd c onvic te d, f or

having, under t he i nnoc ent a ppea ra nc e of a t ul ip-f anci er ,

P ag e 6 8


participated in the detestable intrigues and abominable

plots of t he brother s D e W it t a ga inst D ut ch nat iona li ty a nd

i n t he ir s ec re t r el at ions w it h t he ir F re nc h e ne my.

A s up pl em en ta ry c la us e w as t ac ke d t o t he s en te nc e, t o t he

e ff ec t t ha t " the a fore sa id C or ne li us van B ae rl e s houl d be

l ed f ro m t he p ri so n o f t he B uy te nh of t o t he s ca ff ol d i n t he

y ar d o f t he s am e n am e, w he re t he p ub li c e xe cu ti on er w ou ld

c u t o ff h is h ea d. "

As t hi s d el ib er at io n w as a m os t s er io us a ff ai r, i t l as te d a

f ul l hal f- hour , dur ing w hi ch t he pri sone r w as r em ande d t o

his cell.

T he re t he R ec or de r o f t he S ta te s c am e t o r ea d t he s en te nc e

P a g e 1 3 6



t o him .

M a st er G ry ph us w as d et ai ne d i n b ed b y t he f ev er c au se d b y

t he f ra ct ur e o f h is a rm . Hi s k ey s p as se d i nt o t he h an ds o f

one of his a ss is ta nt s. B ehind t hi s t ur nkey, w ho i nt roduce d

t he R ec or de r, R os a, t he f ai r F ri si an m ai d, h ad s li pp ed i nt o

th e r ec es s o f t he d oo r, wi th a h an dk er ch ie f t o h er m ou th t o

st if le her s obs.

Cornel ius l is te ne d t o t he s ente nc e w it h a n e xpre ss ion r at he r

of s urpr is e t han s a dne ss .

A ft er t he s en te nc e w as r ea d, t he R ec or de r a sk ed h im w he th er

h e h ad a ny th in g t o a ns we r.

"I nd ee d, I h av e n ot ," h e r ep li ed . " On ly I c on fe ss t ha t,

a m on g a ll t he c au se s o f d ea th a ga in st w hi ch a c au ti ou s m an

m ay g ua rd , I s ho ul d n ev er h av e s up po se d t hi s t o b e

comprised."

O n t hi s a ns we r, t he R ec or de r s al ut ed V an B ae rl e w it h a ll

that consideration which such functionaries generally bestow

upon gre at c ri mi na ls of e ve ry s or t.

B ut w hi ls t h e w as a bo ut t o w it hd ra w, C or ne li us a sk ed , " By

th e b ye, Mr . Re co rd er, wha t d ay is th e t hi ng - - y ou kn ow

wh at I me an - - t o t ak e p la ce ?"

" Wh y, t o- da y, " a ns we re d t he R ec or de r, a l it tl e s ur pr is ed b y

t he s e lf -pos s es si on of t he c onde mned m an.

A s ob w as h ea rd b eh in d t he d oo r, a nd C or ne li us t ur ne d r ou nd

t o l oo k f ro m wh om i t c am e; b ut R os a, wh o h ad f or es ee n t hi s

P a g e 1 3 7



movement, had fallen back.

"And," continued Cornelius, "what hour is appointed?"

"Twelve o'clock, sir."

" In de ed ," s ai d C or ne li us , " I t hi nk I h ea rd t he c lo ck s tr ik e

t en a bo ut t we nt y m in ut es a go ; I h av e n ot m uc h t im e t o

spare."

" In de ed y ou h av e n ot, i f y ou wi sh to ma ke y ou r p ea ce w it h

G od ," s ai d t he R ec or de r, b ow in g t o t he g ro un d. " Yo u m ay a sk

f or a ny c le rgym an you ple as e. "

S ay in g t he se w or ds h e w en t o ut b ac kw ar ds , a nd t he a ss is ta nt

t ur nk ey wa s g oin g t o f ol lo w h im, a nd t o l oc k t he d oo r o f

P ag e 6 9


C or ne li us 's c el l, w he n a w hi te a nd t re mbli ng a rm i nt er pose d

b et we en h im a nd t he h ea vy d oo r.

C or ne li us s aw n ot hi ng b ut t he g ol de n b ro ca de c ap , t ip pe d

w it h l ac e, s uc h a s t he Fr is ia n g ir ls w or e; h e h ea rd n ot hi ng

b ut s om e o ne w hi sp er in g i nt o t he e ar o f t he t ur nk ey . B ut t he

l at te r p ut h is h ea vy k ey s i nt o t he w hi te h an d w hi ch w as

s tr et ch ed o ut t o r ec ei ve t he m, a nd , d es ce nd in g s om e s te ps ,

s at d own o n t he s ta ir ca se w hi ch w as t hu s g ua rd ed a bo ve b y

h im se lf , a nd b el ow b y t he d og . T he h ea d- dr es s t ur ne d r ou nd ,

a nd C or ne li us b eh el d t he f ac e o f R os a, b la nc he d w it h g ri ef ,

a nd her bea ut if ul e ye s s tr ea mi ng w it h t ea rs .

S he w en t u p t o C or ne li us , c ro ss in g h er a rm s o n h er h ea vi ng

breast.

P a g e 1 3 8





" The c le rgym an w hom t he y have propose d t o you?"

"I h av e w or sh ip pe d G od a ll m y l if e, I h av e w or sh ip pe d H im i n

His wo rk s, a nd p ra is ed Hi m in Hi s d ec re es . I a m a t p ea ce

w it h H im a nd d o n ot w is h f or a c le rg ym an . T he l as t t ho ug ht

w hi ch o cc up ie s m y m in d, h ow ev er h as r ef er en ce t o t he g lo ry

o f t he Al mi gh ty , a nd , i nd ee d, m y d ea r, I s ho ul d a sk y ou t o

hel p m e i n c ar rying out t hi s l as t t hought ."

" Oh, M ynhe er C or ne li us , s pe ak, s pe ak!" e xc la im ed R os a, s ti ll

b a th ed i n t ea rs .

P ag e 7 0


" Giv e me y ou r h an d, a nd pr omi se m e no t t o la ug h, my d ear

child."

"Laugh," exclaimed Rosa, frantic with grief, "laugh at this

m ome nt ! d o y ou n ot s ee my t ea rs ?"

"Ros a, yo u are no str ang er to me. I h ave no t s een much o f

y ou , b ut t ha t l it tl e i s e no ug h t o m ak e m e a pp re ci at e y ou r

c ha ra ct er . I h av e n ev er s ee n a w oma n m or e f ai r o r m or e p ur e

th an y ou a re , a nd i f f ro m th is m ome nt I ta ke n o m ore n ot ic e

o f y ou , f or gi ve m e; i t i s o nl y b ec au se , o n l ea vi ng t hi s

w or ld , I d o n ot wi sh t o h av e a ny f ur th er r eg re t. "

Ro sa f el t a s hu dd er c re ep in g o ve r h er f ra me , f or , w hi ls t t he

p ri so ne r p ro no un ce d t he se w or ds , t he b el fr y c lo ck o f t he

Buytenhof struck eleven.

C o rn el iu s u nd er st oo d h er . " Ye s, y es , l et u s m ak e h as te ," h e

s ai d, " you a re r ight , R os a. "

P a g e 1 4 0



Th en , t ak in g t he p ap er w it h t he t hr ee s uc ke rs f ro m h is

b re as t, wh er e h e h ad a ga in p ut i t, s in ce h e h ad n o l on ge r

a ny f ea r o f b ei ng s ea rc he d, h e s ai d: "M y d ea r g ir l, I h av e

b een v ery fo nd o f flowers. That was at a time when I did not

k no w t ha t t he re w as a ny th in g e ls e t o b e l ov ed . D on 't b lu sh ,

Rosa, nor turn away; and ev en if I were making you a

de cl ar at io n o f l ov e, a la s! p oo r d ea r, i t w ou ld b e o f n o m or e

c on se qu en ce . D ow n t he re i n t he y ar d, t he re i s a n i ns tr um en t

o f s te el , wh ic h i n s ix ty m in ut es wi ll p ut a n e nd t o my

b ol dn es s. W el l, R os a, I l ov ed f lo we rs d ea rl y, a nd I h av e

fo un d, o r at le as t I b eli ev e s o, th e s ec re t of th e gr ea t

bla ck t ul ip, w hi ch i t has bee n c onsi de re d i mpos si bl e t o

gro w, and fo r wh ich , as y ou kn ow, o r may n ot kn ow, a p rize

o f a h un dr ed t ho us an d g ui ld er s h as b ee n o ff er ed b y t he

Horticultural Society of Haarlem. These hundred thousand

g uil der s -- a nd He ave n k no ws I do n ot r egr et t hem -- th es e

h u nd re d t ho us an d g ui ld er s I h av e h er e i n t hi s p ap er , f or

t he y a re wo n b y t he t hr ee b ul bs wr ap pe d u p i n i t, wh ic h y ou

m ay tak e, Ro sa, a s I ma ke y ou a p re se nt of t he m."

"Mynheer Cornelius!"

" Ye s, y es , Ro sa , y ou m ay t ak e t he m; y ou a re n ot wr on gi ng a ny

o ne , my c hil d. I a m a lo ne i n t his wo rl d; my p ar ent s a re

d ead; I never had a sister or a brother. I have never had a

t ho ug ht o f l ov in g a ny o ne wi th wh at i s c al le d l ov e, a nd i f

any o ne ha s love d me , I ha ve no t k no wn it. Ho we ver, you s ee

P a g e 1 4 1



we ll , Ro sa , t ha t I a m a ba nd on ed b y e ve ry bo dy , a s i n t hi s s ad

ho ur y ou a lo ne a re wi th m e i n m y p ri so n, c on so li ng a nd

assisting me."

"But, sir, a hundred thousand guilders!"

" We ll , l et us t al k s er ious ly, m y dea r c hi ld: t hose hundr ed

t hous and gui lder s w il l be a nic e m ar ri age por ti on, w it h your

p re tt y f ac e; y ou s ha ll h av e t he m, R os a, d ea r R os a, a nd I a sk

n ot hi ng i n r et ur n b ut y ou r p ro mi se t ha t y ou wi ll ma rr y a

f in e y ou ng ma n, w ho m y ou l ov e, a nd w ho w il l l ov e y ou , a s

d ea rl y a s I l ov ed m y f lo we rs . D on 't i nt er ru pt m e, R os a d ea r,

I h av e o nl y a f ew m in ut es m or e. "

Th e p oo r g ir l w as n ea rl y c ho ki ng w it h h er s ob s.

P ag e 7 1


C or ne li us t oo k h er b y t he h an d.

" Li st en t o m e, " he c onti nued: " I' ll t el l you how t o m anage

i t. G o t o D or t a nd a sk B ut ru ys he im , m y g ar de ne r, f or s oi l

f ro m my b or de r n umb er si x, f il l a d ee p bo x wi th i t, an d

p la nt i n i t t he se t hr ee b ul bs . T he y w il l f lo we r n ex t M ay ,

t ha t i s t o s ay , i n s ev en m on th s; a nd , w he n y ou s ee t he

f lo we r f or mi ng o n t he s te m, b e c ar ef ul a t n ig ht t o p ro te ct

t he m fr om t he wi nd , a nd b y d ay t o s cr ee n t he m f ro m th e s un .

T he y wil l f lo we r b la ck , I a m q uit e s ure o f it . Yo u a re th en

t o a pp ri se t he P re si de nt o f t he H aa rl em S oc ie ty . H e w il l

c au se th e co lor o f th e fl ower to b e p ro ved b efo re a

c omm it te e a nd t he se hundr ed t hous and gui lder s w il l be pai d

P a g e 1 4 2



t o you."

Ro sa h ea ve d a d ee p s ig h.

" And now ," c onti nued C or ne li us , - - w iping a wa y a t ea r w hi ch

wa s g li st en in g i n h is e ye , a nd w hi ch w as s he d m uc h m or e f or

t ha t m ar ve ll ou s b la ck t ul ip w hi ch h e w as n ot t o s ee t ha n f or

th e life which he was a bout to lose, -- "I have no wish

le ft , e xc ep t t ha t t he t ul ip s ho ul d b e c al le d R os a

B ar la en si s, t ha t i s t o s ay , t ha t i ts n am e s ho ul d c om bi ne

y ou rs a nd m in e; a nd a s, o f c ou rs e, y ou d o n ot u nd er st an d

L at in , a nd m ig ht t he re fo re f or ge t t hi s n am e, t ry t o g et f or

me p en ci l a nd p ap er , t ha t I ma y wr ite i t d own f or y ou ."

Ro sa s ob be d a fre sh, a nd ha nd ed t o h im a b oo k, b ou nd i n

s ha gr ee n, w hi ch b or e t he i ni ti al s C . W .

" What i s t hi s? " a sked t he pri sone r.

"A la s! " r ep li ed R os a, " it i s t he B ib le o f y ou r p oo r

g od fa th er , C or ne li us d e W it t. F ro m i t h e d er iv ed s tr en gt h t o

en du re t he t or tu re , a nd t o b ea r h is s en te nc e w it ho ut

f li nc hi ng . I f ou nd i t i n t hi s c el l, a ft er t he d ea th o f t he

m ar ty r, a nd h av e p re se rv ed i t a s a r el ic . T o- da y I b ro ug ht

it to y ou , fo r it se emed to me t hat t his b oo k mu st p oss ess

in it sel f a di vi ne p owe r. Wr it e i n i t wh at y ou h av e t o

write, Mynheer Cornelius; and though, unfortunately, I am

n ot a bl e t o r ea d, I wi ll t ak e c ar e t ha t w ha t y ou w ri te s ha ll

be accomplished."

C or ne li us t ook t he B ible , a nd kis se d i t r ever entl y.

P a g e 1 4 3



" W it h w ha t s ha ll I w ri te ?" a sked C or ne li us .

"T he re i s a p en ci l i n t he B ib le ," s ai d R os a.

T his wa s t he pe nc il wh ic h Jo hn d e Wi tt h ad le nt t o h is

b ro th er , a nd w hi ch h e h ad f or go tt en t o t ak e a wa y w it h h im .

C or ne li us t oo k i t, a nd o n t he s ec on d f ly l ea f ( fo r i t w il l

b e r em em be re d t ha t t he f ir st w as t or n o ut ), d ra wi ng n ea r h is

e nd l ik e h is g od fa th er , h e w ro te w it h a n o l es s f ir m h an d:

--

"O n t hi s d ay , t he 2 3d o f Au gu st , 1 67 2, b ei ng o n t he p oi nt o f

r ende ri ng, a lt hough i nnoc ent, m y s oul t o G od on t he

s ca ff ol d, I b eq ue at h t o R os a G ry ph us t he o nl y w or ld ly g oo ds

wh ich r emai n t o me of a ll t hat I h av e p os se sse d i n th is

wo rl d, t he r es t h av in g b ee n c on fi sc at ed ; I b eq ue at h, I s ay ,

t o R os a G ry ph us t hr ee b ul bs , w hi ch I a m c on vi nc ed m us t

p ro du ce , i n t he n ex t M ay , t he Gr an d Bl ack Tu li p f or wh ic h a

P ag e 7 2


p ri ze o f a h un dr ed t ho us an d g ui ld er s h as b ee n o ff er ed b y t he

H a ar le m S oc ie ty , r eq ue st in g t ha t s he m ay b e p ai d t he s am e

s um i n my s te ad , a s my s ol e h eir es s, un de r th e o nl y

c on di ti on o f h er m ar ry in g a r es pe ct ab le y ou ng m an o f a bo ut

my a ge, who l ov es h er, an d wh om s he l ov es , a nd o f h er g iv in g

t he bla ck t ul ip, w hi ch w il l c onst it ut e a new s pe ci es , t he

n am e o f Ro sa Ba rl ae ns is , th at i s t o s ay , h er s a nd mi ne

combined.

" So m ay Go d g ran t me me rcy , a nd t o he r h eal th an d l on g li fe!

P a g e 1 4 4



"Cornelius van Baerle."

T he p ri so ne r t he n, g iv in g t he B ib le t o R os a, s ai d, - -

"Read."

" Al as !" s he a ns we re d, " I h av e a lr ea dy t ol d y ou I c an no t

read."

Co rn el iu s t he n r ea d t o R os a t he t es ta me nt t ha t h e h ad j us t

made.

Th e a go ny o f t he p oo r g ir l a lm os t o ve rp ow er ed h er .

" D o y ou a cc ep t m y c on di ti on s? " a sk ed t he p ri so ne r, w it h a

melancholy smile, kissing the trembling hands of the

afflicted girl.

"O h, I d on 't k no w, s ir ," s he s ta mm er ed .

" Y ou d on 't k no w, c hi ld , a nd w hy n ot ?"

"B ec au se t he re i s o ne c on di ti on w hi ch I a m a fr ai d I c an no t

keep."

" Whic h? I s houl d have t hought t ha t a ll w as s et tl ed bet we en

us."

" You give m e t he hundr ed t hous and gui lder s a s a m ar ri age

por t ion, don' t you?

" An d u nd er t he c on di ti on o f my m ar ry in g a m an w ho m I l ov e? "

"Certainly."

" We ll , t he n, s ir , t hi s m on ey c an no t b el on g t o m e. I s ha ll

never l ove a ny one ; nei ther s ha ll I m ar ry."

A nd, a ft er having w it h dif fi cult y utt er ed t he se w or ds , R os a

a lm os t s wo on ed a wa y i n t he v io le nc e o f h er g ri ef .

P a g e 1 4 5



C or ne li us , f ri ghte ne d a t s ee ing her s o pal e a nd s inki ng, w as

g oi ng t o t ak e h er i n h is a rms , wh en a h eav y s te p, f oll owe d

by o th er d is ma l s ou nd s, w as h ea rd o n t he s ta ir ca se , a mi ds t

t he c on ti nu ed b ar ki ng o f t he d og .

" Th ey a re c om in g t o f et ch y ou . Oh G od ! O h Go d! " c ri ed R os a,

w ri nging her hands . " And have you not hi ng m or e t o t el l m e? "

Sh e fe ll o n h er k ne es wi th h er f ac e b ur ie d i n h er h an ds a nd

became almost senseless.

" I h av e o nl y t o s ay , t ha t I w is h y ou t o p re se rv e t he se b ul bs

P ag e 7 3


a s a m os t p re ci ou s t re as ur e, a nd c ar ef ul ly t o t re at t he m

a cc or di ng to t he d ire ct io ns I h av e g iv en y ou . Do i t fo r my

s ak e, a nd n ow f ar ew el l, R os a. "

" Ye s, y es ," s he s ai d, w it ho ut r ai si ng h er h ea d, " I w il l d o

a n yt hi ng y ou b id m e, e xc ep t m ar ry in g, " s he a dd ed , i n a l ow

v oi ce , " fo r t ha t, o h! t ha t i s i mp os si bl e f or m e. "

S h e t he n p ut t he c he ri sh ed t re as ur e n ex t h er b ea ti ng h ea rt .

Th e n oi se o n t he s ta ir ca se w hi ch C or ne li us a nd R os a h ad

he ar d w as c au se d b y t he Re co rd er , w ho wa s c om in g f or t he

p r is on er . H e w as f ol lo we d b y t he e xe cu ti on er , b y t he

s ol di er s w ho w er e t o f or m t he g ua rd r ou nd t he s ca ff ol d, a nd

b y s om e c ur io us h an ge rs -o n o f t he p ri so n.

Cornelius, without showing any weakness, but likewise

w it ho ut a ny b ra va do , r ec ei ve d t he m r at he r a s f ri en ds t ha n a s

pe r se cut or s, a nd qui et ly s ubm it te d t o a l l t hos e pre pa r at ions

P a g e 1 4 6



w hi ch t he se m en w er e o bl ig ed t o m ak e i n p er fo rm an ce o f t he ir

duty.

T he n, c as ti ng a g la nc e i nt o t he y ar d t hr ou gh t he n ar ro w

i ron-bar re d w indow of his c e ll , he per ce ive d t he s ca ff ol d,

a nd , a t t we nt y p ac es d is ta nt f ro m i t, t he g ib be t, f ro m

w h ic h, b y o rd er o f t he S ta dt ho ld er , t he o ut ra ge d r em ai ns o f

t he t wo b ro th er s D e W it t h ad b ee n t ak en d ow n.

W he n t he mo me nt c am e t o d es ce nd i n o rd er t o f ol lo w t he

gua rds, C or ne li us s ought w it h his e ye s t he a ngel ic l ook of

Ro sa , b ut h e s aw, b eh in d t he s wo rd s a nd h al be rd s, o nl y a

f or m l yi ng o ut st re tc he d n ea r a w oo de n b en ch , a nd a d ea th li ke

f ac e hal f c over ed w it h l ong gol de n l oc ks .

But Rosa, whilst falling down senseless, still obeying her

f ri en d, h ad p re ss ed h er h an d o n h er v el ve t b od ic e a nd ,

forgetting everything in the world besides, instinctively

gr a sped t he pre ci ous depos it w hi ch C or ne li us had i nt rust ed

t o h er c ar e.

Le av in g t he c el l, t he y ou ng ma n c ou ld s ti ll s ee i n t he

convulsively clinched fingers of Rosa the yellowish leaf

f ro m t ha t B ib le o n w hi ch C or ne li us d e W it t h ad w it h s uc h

dif fi cult y a nd pai n w ri tt en t he se f ew l ines , w hi ch, i f V an

B ae rl e h ad r ea d t he m, w ou ld u nd ou bt ed ly h av e b ee n t he s av in g

o f a man and a tulip.

C ha p te r 1 2

The Execution

P a g e 1 4 7





executioners.

H e t hought of t he bea ut if ul t ul ips w hi ch he w ould s ee f rom

h ea ve n a bo ve , a t C ey lo n, o r B en ga l, o r e ls ew he re , w he n h e

wo ul d b e a bl e t o l oo k wi th p it y o n t hi s e ar th , wh er e J oh n

a nd C or ne li us d e W it t h ad b ee n m ur de re d f or h av in g t ho ug ht

t oo m uc h o f p ol it ic s, a nd w he re C or ne li us v an B ae rl e w as

a bo ut t o b e m ur de re d f or h av in g t ho ug ht t oo m uc h o f t ul ip s.

" It i s o nl y o ne s tro ke o f t he a xe ," s ai d t he p hi lo so ph er t o

him se lf , " and m y bea ut if ul dre am w il l begin t o be r ea li se d. "

O nl y t he re wa s s ti ll a c ha nc e, j us t a s i t h ad h ap pe ne d

b ef or e t o M . d e C ha la is , t o M . d e T ho u, a nd o th er s lo ve nl y

e xe cute d peopl e, t ha t t he hea ds ma n m ight i nf li ct m or e t ha n

o ne s tr ok e, t ha t i s t o s ay , m or e t ha n o ne ma rt yr do m, o n t he

poor tulip-fancier.

Yet, notwithstanding all this, Van Baerle mounted the

s ca ff ol d n ot t he l es s r es ol ut el y, p ro ud o f h av in g b ee n t he

f ri end of t ha t i ll us tr ious J ohn, a nd godson of t ha t noble

C or ne li us de W it t, w hom t he r uf fi ans, w ho w er e now c rowding

t o w it ne ss h is o wn d oo m, h ad t or n t o p ie ce s a nd b ur nt t hr ee

days be for e.

He k ne lt d own , s ai d h is p ra ye rs , a nd o bs er ve d, n ot w it ho ut a

f ee li ng o f s in ce re j oy , t ha t, l ay in g h is h ea d o n t he b lo ck ,

a nd k ee pi ng h is e ye s o pe n, h e w ou ld b e a bl e t o h is l as t

m o me nt t o s ee t he g ra te d w in do w o f t he B uy te nh of .

A t l engt h t he f at al m om ent a rr ived, a nd C or ne li us pla ce d his

P a g e 1 4 9



c h in o n t he c ol d d amp b lo ck . B ut at th is mo me nt h is e ye s

closed involuntarily, to receive more resolutely the

te rr ib le a va la nc he w hi ch w as a bo ut t o f al l o n h is h ea d, a nd

to engulf his life.

A gle am l ike t ha t of l ight ni ng pas se d a cr os s t he s ca ff ol d:

i t w as t he e xe cuti oner r ai si ng his s word.

V an B ae rl e b ad e f ar ew el l t o t he g re at b la ck t ul ip , c er ta in

of a wa ki ng i n a nother w or ld f ul l of l ight a nd glori ous

P ag e 7 5


tints.

Th re e t ime s h e f elt , wi th a s hu dd er , t he c ol d c ur re nt o f a ir

f ro m t he k ni fe n ear h is n ec k, b ut wh at a s ur pr ise ! h e f el t

ne it he r pa in nor s hoc k.

He saw n o chan ge in the co lou r o f th e sky, or of the wo rld

around him.

T he n s udde nl y V an B ae rl e f el t gentl e hands r ai si ng him , a nd

s oon s tood on his f ee t a ga in, a lt hough t re mbli ng a l it tl e.

He l oo ke d a ro un d h im. Th er e wa s s om e o ne b y h is s id e,

r ea di ng a l ar ge p ar ch me nt , s ea le d w it h a h ug e s ea l o f r ed

wax.

An d t he s ame s un , y el lo w a nd p al e, a s i t b eh oo ve s a Du tc h

su n t o b e, w as s hi ni ng i n t he s ki es ; a nd th e s ame g ra te d

w in do w l oo ke d d ow n u po n h im f ro m t he B uy te nh of ; a nd t he s am e

rabble, no longer yelling, but completely thunderstruck,

w er e s ta ri ng a t h im f ro m t he s tr ee ts b el ow .

P a g e 1 5 0



V an B ae rl e b eg an t o b e s en si bl e t o wh at wa s g oi ng o n a ro un d

him.

His Highness, William, Prince of Orange, very likely afraid

t h at V an B ae rl e' s b lo od w ou ld t ur n t he s ca le o f j ud gm en t

against him, had compassionately taken into consideration

h is g oo d c ha ra ct er , a nd t he a pp ar en t p ro of s o f h is

innocence.

His Highness, accordingly, had granted him his life.

C or ne li us a t f ir st h op ed t ha t t he p ar do n w ou ld b e c om pl et e,

a nd th at h e wo ul d b e r es to re d t o h is f ul l l ib er ty a nd t o h is

f lo we r b or de rs a t D or t.

B ut C or ne li us w as m is ta ke n. T o u se a n e xp re ss io n o f M ad am e

d e Se vi gn e, wh o wr ot e a bo ut t he s am e t im e, " th er e wa s a

po st sc ri pt t o t he l et te r; " a nd t he m os t i mp or ta nt p ar t o f

t he l et te r w as c on ta in ed i n t he p os ts cr ip t.

I n t hi s pos ts cr ipt, W il li am of O ra nge, S ta dt holder of

Holland, condemned Cornelius van Baerle to imprisonment for

l if e. H e w as not s uf fi ci entl y gui lt y t o s uf fe r dea th, but he

was too much so to be set at liberty.

Cornel ius hea rd t hi s c la us e, but , t he f ir st f ee li ng of

vexat ion a nd dis appointm ent ove r, he s ai d t o him se lf , - -

"Ne ve r mi nd , al l th is i s n ot l os t y et ; th ere i s s ome g oo d i n

t hi s per pe tual i mpri sonm ent; R os a w il l be t he re , a nd a ls o m y

t hr ee b ul bs o f t he b la ck t ul ip a re t he re ."

B ut C or ne li us f or got t ha t t he S even P rovince s had s even

P a g e 1 5 1



p ri so ns , o ne f or e ac h, a nd t ha t t he b oa rd o f t he p ri so ne r i s

an yw he re e ls e l es s e xp en si ve t ha n a t t he H ag ue , w hi ch i s a

capital.

H is H ig hn es s, w ho , a s i t s ee ms , d id n ot p os se ss t he m ea ns t o

f ee d V an Ba er le a t t he H ag ue , s en t h im t o u nd er go h is

per pe tual i mpri sonm ent a t t he f or tr es s of L oe we st ei n, ver y

n ea r D or t, b ut , a la s! a ls o v er y f ar f ro m i t; f or L oe we st ei n,

a s t he g eo gr ap he rs t el l u s, i s s it ua te d a t t he p oi nt o f t he

P ag e 7 6


i sl et w hi ch i s f or me d b y t he c on fl ue nc e o f t he W aa l a nd t he

M e us e , oppos it e G orc um.

V an B ae rl e w as s uf fi ci entl y ver se d i n t he his tory of his

c ou nt ry t o k no w t ha t t he c el eb ra te d G ro ti us w as c on fi ne d i n

t ha t c as tl e a ft er t he d ea th o f B ar ne ve ld t; a nd t ha t t he

States, in their generosity to the illustrious publicist,

j ur is t, h is to ri an , p oe t, a nd d iv in e, h ad g ra nt ed t o h im f or

his daily maintenance the sum of twenty-four stivers.

" I, " s ai d V an B ae rl e t o h ims el f, " I a m w or th m uc h l es s t ha n

G roti us . T he y w il l har dl y give m e t we lve s ti ve rs , a nd I

s ha ll l ive m is er ably; but never m ind, a t a ll e ve nt s I s ha ll

live."

T he n s udde nl y a t er ri bl e t hought s tr uc k him .

" Ah !" h e e xc la im ed , " ho w d am p a nd m is ty t ha t p ar t o f t he

co un try i s, a nd t he s oil s o b ad f or t he t ul ip s! A nd t he n

R os a w il l n ot b e a t L oe we st ei n! "

P a g e 1 5 2



C ha p te r 1 3

Wh at wa s g oi ng o n a ll t his Ti me i n th e M in d o f o ne o f t he Sp ec ta to rs

W hi ls t C or ne li us w as e ngaged w it h his own t hought s, a c oa ch

h ad d ri ve n u p t o t he s ca ff ol d. T hi s v eh ic le w as f or t he

p ri so ne r. H e w as i nv it ed t o e nt er i t, a nd h e o be ye d.

H is l as t l oo k w as t ow ar ds t he B uy te nh of . H e h op ed t o s ee a t

t he w in do w t he f ac e o f R os a, b ri gh te ni ng u p a ga in .

B ut t he c oa ch w as d ra wn b y g oo d h or se s, w ho s oo n c ar ri ed V an

B ae rl e a wa y f ro m a mo ng t he s ho ut s w hi ch t he r ab bl e r oa re d i n

honour of t he m os t m agna ni mous S ta dt holder , m ixing w it h i t a

s pi ce o f a bu se a ga in st t he b ro th er s D e W it t a nd t he g od so n

o f C or ne li us , w ho h ad j us t n ow b ee n s av ed f ro m d ea th .

T hi s r epr ie ve s ugge st ed t o t he w or t hy s pec t at ors r e ma r ks

s uc h a s t he f ol lo wi ng : - -

" It 's v er y f or tu na te t ha t w e u se d s uc h s pe ed i n h av in g

j us ti ce d on e t o t ha t g re at v il la in J oh n, a nd t o t ha t l it tl e

rogue Cornelius, otherwise his Highness might have snatched

t he m f ro m u s, j us t a s h e h as d on e t hi s f el lo w. "

A mong a ll t he s pe ct at or s w hom V an B ae rl e' s e xe cuti on had

a tt ra ct ed t o t he B uy te nh of , a nd w ho m t he s ud de n t ur n o f

a ff ai rs had dis agre ea bl y s ur pr is ed, undoubt edly t he one m os t

di sa ppoi nt e d w a s a c e rt a in r e spe ct a bl y dr es s ed burgher , w ho

fr om e arl y mo rn in g h ad ma de s uch a g oo d us e o f h is f ee t a nd

e lb ow s t ha t h e a t l as t w as s ep ar at ed f ro m t he s ca ff ol d o nl y

by t he f il e of s ol di er s w hi ch s ur rounde d i t.

P a g e 1 5 3



M a ny h ad s ho wn t he ms el ve s e ag er t o s ee t he p er fi di ou s b lo od

o f t he g ui lt y C or ne li us f lo w, b ut n ot o ne h ad s ho wn s uc h a

kee n a nxie ty a s t he i ndividua l j us t a ll uded t o.

T he m os t f ur io us h ad c om e t o t he B uy te nh of a t d ay br ea k, t o

s ec ur e a b et te r p la ce ; b ut h e, o ut do in g e ve n t he m, h ad

P ag e 7 7


p as se d t he n ig ht a t t he t hr es ho ld o f t he p ri so n, f ro m

w he nc e, a s w e h av e a lr ea dy s ai d, h e h ad a dv an ce d t o t he v er y

f or em os t r an k, u ng ui bu s e t r os tr o, - - t ha t i s t o s ay ,

c oa xi ng s om e, a nd kic ki ng t he other s.

An d w he n t he e xe cu ti on er h ad c on du ct ed t he p ri so ne r t o t he

s ca ff ol d, t he b ur gh er , w ho h ad m ou nt ed o n t he s to ne o f t he

p um p t he b ett er t o s ee a nd b e s ee n, mad e to t he e xe cu ti on er

a s ig n wh ic h me an t, - -

" It 's a bar ga in, i sn't i t? "

T he e xe cu ti on er a ns we re d b y a no th er s ig n, w hi ch w as m ea nt t o

say, --

" Be qui et , i t' s a ll r ight ."

T hi s b ur gh er w as n o o th er t ha n M yn he er I sa ac B ox te l, w ho

si nc e t he a rr es t o f C or ne li us h ad c ome t o t he H ag ue t o t ry

if h e could no t get hold of the three b ulbs of the black

tulip.

Bo xt el h ad a t f ir st tr ie d t o g ai n o ve r Gr yp hu s to h is

i nt er es t, but t he j ai le r had not onl y t he s na rl ing

f ie rc en es s, b ut l ik ew is e t he f id el it y, o f a d og . H e h ad

P a g e 1 5 4



t h er ef or e b ri st le d u p a t B ox te l' s h at re d, w ho m h e h ad

s us pe ct ed t o b e a w ar m f ri en d o f t he p ri so ne r, m ak in g

trifling inquiries to contrive with the more certainty some

me an s o f e sc ap e f or h im .

Th us t o t he v er y f ir st p ro po sa ls w hi ch B ox te l m ad e t o

G ryphus t o f il ch t he bul bs w hi ch C or ne li us van B ae rl e m us t

b e s up po se d t o c on ce al , i f n ot i n h is b re as t, a t l ea st i n

s om e c or ne r o f h is c el l, t he s ur ly j ai le r h ad o nl y a ns we re d

b y k ic ki ng M yn he er I sa ac o ut , a nd s et ti ng t he d og a t h im .

T he p ie ce w hi ch t he m as ti ff h ad t or n f ro m h is h os e d id n ot

d is co ur ag e B ox te l. H e c am e b ac k t o t he c ha rg e, b ut t hi s t im e

Gr yp hu s wa s i n b ed , f ev er is h, a nd wi th a b ro ke n a rm . He

th er ef or e w as n ot a bl e t o a dm it t he p et it io ne r, w ho t he n

ad dr es se d h im se lf t o R os a, o ff er in g t o b uy h er a h ea d- dr es s

o f pu re go ld if s he wo uld g et t he bu lb s f or hi m. On t his ,

t he gener ous gir l, a lt hough not yet knowi ng t he val ue of t he

o bj ec t o f t he r ob be ry , w hi ch wa s t o b e s o we ll r em un er at ed ,

h ad d ir ec te d t he t emp te r t o t he e xe cu ti on er , a s t he h ei r o f

the prisoner.

I n t he m ea nw hi le t he s en te nc e h ad b ee n p ro no un ce d. T hu s

I sa ac h ad n o mo re t im e t o b ri be a ny o ne . He t he re fo re c lu ng

to t he i de a wh ic h R os a h ad s ug ge st ed : h e we nt t o t he

executioner.

I sa ac h ad n ot t he l ea st d ou bt t ha t C or ne li us w ou ld d ie w it h

t he b ul bs o n h is h ea rt .

P a g e 1 5 5





of his f ri end.

The thing was, moreover, quite customary among the "faithful

b re th re n, " w he n o ne o f t he ir m as te rs d ie d a p ub li c d ea th i n

t he y ar d o f t he B uy te nh of .

A f anat ic l ike C or ne li us m ight ver y e as il y have f ound

a nother f anat ic w ho w ould give a hundr ed gui lder s f or his

remains.

The e xec ut ione r a ls o r ea di ly a cqui es c ed i n t he propos al ,

m ak in g o nl y o ne c on di ti on , - - t ha t o f b ei ng p ai d i n a dv an ce .

B ox te l, l ik e t he p eo pl e wh o e nt er a s ho w a t a f ai r, mi gh t b e

di sa pp oi nt ed , a nd r ef us e t o p ay o n g oi ng o ut .

B ox te l p ai d i n a dv an ce , a nd w ai te d.

A ft er t hi s, t he r ea de r m ay i ma gi ne how e xc it ed B oxte l w as ;

w it h w ha t a nx ie ty h e w at ch ed t he g ua rd s, t he R ec or de r, a nd

t he e xe cuti oner ; a nd w it h w ha t i nt ense i nt er es t he s ur ve ye d

t he m ov em en ts o f V an B ae rl e. H ow w ou ld h e p la ce h im se lf o n

t he b lo ck ? h ow wo ul d h e f al l? a nd w ou ld h e n ot , i n f al li ng ,

cr us h t ho se i ne st im ab le b ul bs ? h ad n ot h e a t l ea st t ak en

ca re t o e nc lo se t he m in a go ld en bo x, -- as g ol d i s th e

har de st of a ll m et al s?

E ve ry t ri fl ing del ay i rr it at ed him . W hy did t ha t s tupi d

e xe cuti oner t hus l os e t im e i n bra ndis hi ng his s word ove r t he

h ea d o f C or ne li us , i ns te ad o f c ut ti ng t ha t h ea d o ff ?

Bu t w he n h e s aw t he R ec or de r t ak e t he h an d o f t he c on de mn ed ,

a nd r ai se him , w hi ls t dra wi ng f or th t he par chme nt f rom his

P a g e 1 5 7



p oc ke t, - - w he n h e h ea rd t he p ar do n o f t he S ta dt ho ld er

p ub lic ly r ea d o ut , - - t he n Bo xt el w as n o m or e l ik e a h uma n

b ei ng ; th e r ag e a nd ma li ce of t he t ig er, o f th e h ye na , a nd

o f t he s er pe nt g li st en ed i n h is e ye s, a nd v en te d i ts el f i n

h is y ell a nd h is m ov eme nt s. Ha d h e b ee n a bl e t o g et a t Va n

B ae rl e, h e w ou ld h av e p ou nc ed u po n h im a nd s tr an gl ed h im .

P ag e 7 9


A nd s o, th en , Co rn el iu s w as t o l iv e, a nd wa s t o g o wi th h im

t o L oe we st ei n, a nd t hi th er t o h is p ri so n h e w ou ld t ak e w it h

h im h is b ul bs ; a nd p er ha ps h e w ou ld e ve n f in d a g ar de n w he re

t he bla ck t ul ip w ould f lowe r f or him .

B oxte l, qui te ove rc om e by his f re nz y, f el l f rom t he s tone

up on s om e O ra ng em en , w ho , l ik e h im , w er e s or el y v ex ed a t t he

t ur n w hi ch a ff ai rs had t aken. T he y, m is ta ki ng t he f ra nt ic

cr ie s o f M yn he er I sa ac f or d em on st ra ti on s o f j oy , b eg an t o

b el ab ou r h im w it h k ic ks a nd c uf fs , s uc h a s c ou ld n ot h av e

be en a dm inis te re d i n bet te r s tyle by a ny pri ze -f ight er on

t he o th er s id e o f t he C ha nn el .

Bl ow s w er e, h ow ev er , n ot hi ng t o h im . H e w an te d t o r un a ft er

t he c oa ch w hi ch w as c ar rying a wa y C or ne li us w it h his bul bs .

Bu t i n h is h ur ry h e o ve rl oo ke d a p av in g- st on e i n h is w ay ,

st um bl ed , l os t h is c en tr e o f g ra vi ty , r ol le d o ve r t o a

d is ta nc e o f s om e y ar ds , a nd o nl y r os e a ga in , b ru is ed a nd

b eg ri me d, a ft er t he w ho le r ab bl e o f t he H ag ue , w it h t he ir

mu dd y f ee t, h ad p as se d o ve r h im .

P a g e 1 5 8





T he c el l h ad a n h is to ri ca l c ha ra ct er . W e w il l o nl y s ta te

h er e t ha t, w it h t he e xc ep ti on o f a n a lc ov e w hi ch w as

c on tr iv ed t he re f or t he u se o f M ad am e G ro ti us , i t d if fe re d

i n n o re sp ec t f ro m t he o th er c el ls o f t he p ris on ; o nl y,

p er ha ps , i t w as a l it tl e h ig he r, a nd h ad a s pl en di d v ie w

f rom t he gra te d w indow .

P ag e 8 0


Cornelius felt himself perfectly indifferent as to the place

w he re h e h ad t o l ea d a n e xi st en ce w hi ch w as l it tl e m or e t ha n

v eg et at io n. T he re w er e o nl y t wo t hi ng s n ow f or wh ic h h e

c ar ed , a nd t he p os se ss io n o f w hi ch w as a h ap pi ne ss e nj oy ed

only in imagination.

A f lo we r, a nd a wo ma n; b ot h o f t he m, a s h e c on ce iv ed , l os t

t o h im f or e ve r.

F or tu na te ly t he g oo d d oc to r w as m is ta ke n. I n h is p ri so n c el l

th e m os t a dv en tu ro us l if e w hi ch e ve r f el l t o t he l ot o f a ny

tulip-fancier was reserved for him.

O ne m or ni ng, w hi ls t a t his w indow i nhal ing t he f re sh a ir

w hi ch c am e f ro m t he r iv er , a nd c as ti ng a l on gi ng l oo k t o t he

w indm il ls of his dea r old c it y D or t, w hi ch w er e l oomi ng i n

t he d is ta nc e b eh in d a f or es t o f c hi mn ey s, h e s aw f lo ck s o f

pigeons c om ing f rom t ha t qua rt er t o per ch f lutt er ing on t he

pointe d gabl es of L oe we st ei n.

T he se pigeons , V an B ae rl e s ai d t o him se lf , a re c om ing f rom

D or t, a nd c onse quentl y m ay r et ur n t he re . B y f as te ni ng a

P a g e 1 6 0



l it tl e n ot e t o t he wi ng o f o ne o f t he se p ig eo ns , o ne m ig ht

ha ve a c ha nc e to se nd a mes sa ge th er e. Th en, af te r a fe w

moments' consideration, he exclaimed, --

" I wi ll do i t."

A m an g ro ws v er y p at ie nt w ho i s t we nt y- ei gh t y ea rs o f a ge ,

an d co nd emn ed to a p ri so n fo r li fe , - - t ha t i s to sa y, t o

s om et hi ng l ike t we nt y- tw o or t we nt y- thre e t hous and days of

captivity.

V an B ae rl e, f ro m w ho se t ho ug ht s t he t hr ee b ul bs w er e n ev er

a bs en t, m ad e a s na re f or c at ch in g t he p ig eo ns , b ai ti ng t he

b ir ds wi th a ll t he r es ou rc es o f h is k it ch en , s uc h a s it wa s

f or e ig ht s li ve rs ( si xp en ce E ng li sh ) a d ay ; a nd , a ft er a

m onth of uns uc ce ss ful a tt em pt s, he a t l as t c aught a f em al e

bird.

It cost him two more months to catch a male bird; he then

s hu t t he m u p t og et he r, a nd h av in g a bo ut t he b eg in ni ng o f t he

y ea r 1 67 3 o bt ai ne d s om e e gg s f ro m t he m, h e r el ea se d t he

f em al e, w hi ch, l ea vi ng t he m al e behind t o hat ch t he e ggs i n

h er s te ad , f le w j oy ou sl y t o Do rt , w it h t he n ot e u nd er h er

wing.

S he r et ur ne d i n t he e ve ni ng . S he h ad p re se rv ed t he n ot e.

Th us it we nt on f or fi fte en d ays , a t f ir st to t he

d is ap po in tm en t, a nd t he n t o t he g re at g ri ef , o f V an B ae rl e.

On t he s ix te en th d ay , a t l as t, s he c ame b ac k w it ho ut i t.

Va n B ae rl e h ad a dd re ss ed i t t o h is n ur se , t he o ld F ri si an

P a g e 1 6 1



w om an; a nd i mplore d a ny c ha ri ta bl e s oul w ho m ight f ind i t t o

c on ve y i t t o h er a s s af el y a nd a s s pe ed il y a s p os si bl e.

I n t hi s l et te r t he re w as a l it tl e n ot e e nc lo se d f or Ro sa .

V an B ae rl e' s nur se had r ec ei ve d t he l et te r i n t he f ol lowi ng

way.

L ea vi ng D or t, M ynhe er I sa ac B oxte l had a ba ndone d, not only

P ag e 8 1


his hous e, his s er vants , hi s obs er vat or y, a nd his t el e sc ope ,

but a ls o his pigeons .

The s er va nt , having bee n l ef t w it hout w ages , f ir st l ived on

his l it tl e s avings , a nd t he n on his m as te r' s pigeons .

S ee in g t hi s, t he p ig eo ns e mi gr at ed f ro m t he r oo f o f I sa ac

B ox te l t o t ha t o f C or ne li us v an B ae rl e.

T he n ur se w as a k in d- he ar te d w om an , w ho c ou ld n ot l iv e

w i thout s om et hi ng t o l ove. S he c once ived a n a ff ec ti on f or

t he pigeons w hi ch had t hr ow n t he ms el ve s on her hos pi ta li ty;

and when Boxtel's servant reclaimed them with culinary

i nt enti ons, having e at en t he f ir st f if te en a lr ea dy, a nd now

wi sh in g t o e at t he o th er f if te en , s he o ff er ed t o b uy t he m

f ro m h im f or a c on si de ra ti on o f s ix s ti ve rs p er h ea d.

T hi s b ei ng j us t d ou bl e t he ir v al ue , t he m an w as v er y g la d t o

c lose t he bar ga in, a nd t he nur se f ound her se lf i n undis pute d

pos se ss ion of t he pigeons of her m as te r' s e nvious nei ghbour .

I n t he c ou rs e o f t he ir w an de ri ng s, t he se p ig eo ns w it h o th er s

vis it ed t he H ague , L oe we st ei n, a nd R ot te rdam , s ee ki ng

P a g e 1 6 2



var ie ty, doubt le ss , i n t he f la vour of t he ir w he at or

hempseed.

Ch an ce , or r at her Go d, f or we c an s ee t he h and o f God i n

everything, had willed that Cornelius van Baerle should

h ap pe n t o h it u po n o ne o f t he se v er y p ig eo ns .

T he re fo re , i f t he e nv io us w re tc h h ad n ot l ef t D or t t o f ol lo w

h is r iv al t o th e Ha gu e in t he fi rs t p lac e, a nd th en to

G or cu m o r t o L oe we st ei n, - - f or t he t wo p la ce s a re s ep ar at ed

o nl y b y t he c on fl ue nc e o f t he Wa al a nd t he Me us e, - - V an

B ae rl e' s l et te r w ou ld h av e f al le n i nt o h is h an ds a nd n ot t he

n ur se 's : i n w hi ch e ve nt t he p oo r p ri so ne r, l ik e t he r av en o f

t he R om an c ob bl er , w ou ld h av e t hr ow n a wa y h is t im e, h is

tr ou bl e, a nd , i ns te ad o f h av in g t o r el at e t he s er ie s o f

e xc it in g e ve nt s w hi ch a re a bo ut t o f lo w f ro m b en ea th o ur p en

l ik e t he v ar ie d h ue s o f a m an y c ol ou re d t ap es tr y, w e s ho ul d

ha ve n au gh t t o d es cr ib e b ut a we ar y wa st e o f d ay s, d ul l a nd

m el anchol y a nd gloom y a s night 's dar k m antl e.

T he n ot e, a s w e h av e s ai d, h ad r ea ch ed V an B ae rl e' s n ur se .

A nd a ls o i t c am e t o p as s, t ha t o ne e ve ni ng i n t he b eg in ni ng

o f F eb ru ar y, j us t w he n t he s ta rs w er e b eg in ni ng t o t wi nk le ,

Co rn el iu s h ea rd o n t he s ta ir ca se o f t he l it tl e t ur re t a

voice which thrilled through him.

H e p ut h is h an d o n h is h ea rt , a nd li st en ed .

I t w as t he s we et h ar mo ni ou s v oi ce o f R os a.

Le t u s c on fe ss i t, C or ne li us w as n ot s o s tu pe fi ed w it h

P a g e 1 6 3



s ur pr is e, o r s o b ey on d h im se lf w it h j oy , a s h e w ou ld h av e

b ee n b ut fo r t he p ig eo n, w hi ch , i n a ns we r t o h is l et te r, h ad

b ro ug ht b ac k h op e t o h im u nd er h er e mp ty w in g; a nd , k no wi ng

Ro sa, he e xp ec te d, if t he n ot e h ad e ve r r ea ch ed h er, to h ea r

o f h er wh om h e l ov ed , a nd a ls o o f h is th re e d ar li ng b ul bs .

H e r os e, l is te ne d o nc e m or e, a nd b en t f or wa rd t ow ar ds t he

door.

P ag e 8 2


Y es , t he y w er e i nd ee d t he a cc en ts w hi ch h ad f al le n s o

s we et ly o n h is h ea rt a t t he Ha gu e.

T he q ue st io n n ow w as , w he th er R os a, w ho h ad m ad e t he j ou rn ey

f ro m t he Ha gu e t o L oe we st ei n, a nd w ho - - C or ne li us d id n ot

u nd er st an d h ow - - h ad s uc ce ed ed e ve n i n p en et ra ti ng i nt o t he

pri son, w ould a ls o be f or tuna te e nough i n penet ra ti ng t o t he

prisoner himself.

Whilst Cornelius, debating this point within himself, was

bui lding a ll s or ts of c as tl es i n t he a ir , a nd w as s tr uggl ing

b et we en h op e a nd f ea r, t he s hu tt er o f t he g ra ti ng i n t he

d oo r o pe ne d, a nd R os a, b ea mi ng w it h j oy , a nd b ea ut if ul i n

her pre tt y nat iona l c os tume - - but s ti ll m or e bea ut if ul f rom

t he g ri ef w hi ch f or t he l as t f iv e mo nt hs h ad b la nc he d h er

c he ek s - - p re ss ed h er l it tl e f ac e a ga in st t he w ir e g ra ti ng

o f t he wi nd ow, sa yi ng to h im, --

" Oh , s ir , s ir! h ere I a m! "

C or ne li us s tr et ched out his a rm s, a nd, l ooking t o hea ve n,

P a g e 1 6 4





" As of te n as I c an ma na ge i t."

"O h, R os a, m y b ea ut if ul R os a, d o y ou l ov e m e a l it tl e? "

" A l it tl e? " s he s ai d, " you m ake no gre at pre te ns ions ,

Mynheer Cornelius."

C or nel ius t ender ly s tr et che d out his hands t owa rds he r, but

P ag e 8 3


t he y we re o nl y a bl e t o t ou ch e ac h o th er w ith t he t ip s o f

their fingers through the wire grating.

" He re i s m y f at he r, " s ai d s he .

R os a t he n a br up tl y d re w b ac k f ro m t he d oo r, a nd r an t o m ee t

o ld G ry ph us , w ho m ad e h is a pp ea ra nc e a t t he t op o f t he

staircase.

C ha p te r 1 5

T he L it tl e G ra te d W indow

G ryphus w as f ol lowe d by t he m as ti ff .

T he t ur nk ey t oo k t he a ni ma l r ou nd t he j ai l, s o t ha t, i f

nee ds be, he m ight r ec ogni ze t he pri sone rs .

" Fa ther ," s ai d R os a, " he re i s t he f am ous pri son f rom w hi ch

M ynhee r G roti us e sc aped. Y ou know M ynhe er G rot ius? "

" Oh , y es , t ha t r og ue G ro ti us , a f ri en d o f t ha t v il la in

Ba rn ev el dt , w ho m I s aw e xe cu te d wh en I w as a c hi ld . Ah ! s o

G ro ti us ; a nd t ha t' s t he c ha mb er f ro m w hi ch h e e sc ap ed . W el l,

I' ll a nswe r f or it t ha t n o o ne s ha ll e sc ap e af te r hi m in my

time."

An d thu s op eni ng th e do or, he b ega n in th e da rk to t alk to

P a g e 1 6 6



the prisoner.

The do g, o n h is pa rt , we nt up to th e p ri so ne r, a nd ,

g ro wl in g, s me ll ed a bo ut h is l eg s j us t a s t ho ug h t o a sk h im

wh at r ig ht h e h ad s ti ll t o b e a li ve , a ft er h av in g l ef t t he

p r is on i n t he c om pa ny o f t he R ec or de r a nd t he e xe cu ti on er .

B ut t he f ai r R osa ca ll ed h im t o h er s id e.

" W el l, m y m as te r, " s ai d G ryphus , hol di ng up his l ante rn t o

t hr ow a l it tl e l ig ht a ro un d, " yo u s ee i n m e y ou r n ew j ai le r.

I a m h ea d t ur nk ey , a nd h av e a ll t he c el ls u nd er my c ar e. I

a m n ot v ic io us , b ut I 'm n ot t o b e t ri fl ed wi th , a s f ar a s

discipline goes."

" My g oo d M as te r G ry ph us , I k no w y ou p er fe ct ly w el l, " s ai d

t he pri sone r, a pproac hi ng w it hi n t he c ir cl e of l ight c as t

a ro un d b y t he l an te rn .

" Ha ll oa ! t ha t' s you, M ynhe er van B ae rl e, " s ai d G ryphus .

" Th at 's y ou ; w el l, I d ec la re , i t' s a st on is hi ng h ow p eo pl e d o

meet."

"Oh , y es ; a nd i t' s r ea ll y a g re at p le as ur e t o me , g oo d

M as te r Gr yp hu s, t o s ee t ha t y ou r a rm i s d oi ng w el l, a s y ou

a re a bl e t o h ol d y ou r l an te rn w it h i t. "

G r yp hu s k ni tt ed h is b ro w. " No w, t ha t' s j us t i t, " h e s ai d,

" pe ople a lw ays m ake blunder s i n pol it ic s. H is H ighnes s has

g ra nt ed y ou y ou r l if e; I 'm s ur e I s ho ul d n ev er h av e d on e

so."

P ag e 8 4

P a g e 1 6 7




" Don' t s ay s o, " r epli ed C or ne li us ; " why not ?"

" Be ca us e y ou a re t he v er y m an t o c on sp ir e a ga in . Y ou l ea rn ed

peopl e have dea li ngs w it h t he devil ."

" Nons ense , M as te r G ryphus. A re you dis sa ti sf ie d w it h t he

m an ne r i n wh ic h I ha ve s et y ou r a rm , o r wit h t he p ri ce th at

I a sked you?" s ai d C or ne li us , l aughing.

" On t he c on tr ar y, " g ro wl ed t he j ai le r, " yo u h av e s et i t o nl y

t oo w el l. T he re i s s om e w it ch cr af t i n t hi s. A ft er s ix w ee ks ,

I was ab le to use it as if no thin g had ha ppe ned , so much so ,

t ha t t he d oc to r o f t he B uy te nh of , w ho k no ws h is t ra de w el l,

wan ted to brea k i t ag ain, to s et it in th e regul ar way , and

p ro mi se d m e t ha t I s ho ul d h av e m y b le ss ed t hr ee m on th s f or

my mo ne y b ef or e I s ho ul d b e a bl e t o m ov e i t. "

"A nd y ou d id n ot w an t t ha t? "

"I sa id , ' Na y, as l on g as I can ma ke t he s ig n of the cro ss

wi th t ha t a rm ' ( Gr yp hu s w as a R om an C at ho li c) , ' I l au gh a t

the devil.'"

" Bu t i f y ou l au gh a t t he d ev il , M as te r G ry ph us , y ou o ug ht

w it h s o m uc h m or e r ea so n t o l au gh a t l ea rn ed p eo pl e. "

" Ah , l ea rn ed p eo pl e, l ea rn ed p eo pl e! W hy , I w ou ld r at he r

h av e t o g ua rd t en s ol di er s t ha n o ne s ch ol ar . T he s ol di er s

s mo ke , g uz zl e, a nd g et d ru nk ; t he y a re g en tl e a s l am bs i f

y ou o nl y g iv e t he m b ra nd y o r M os el le , b ut s ch ol ar s, a nd

d ri nk , s mo ke , a nd f ud dl e - - a h, y es , t ha t' s a lt og et he r

di ff e re nt. T he y kee p s obe r, s pe nd not hi ng, a nd have t he ir

P a g e 1 6 8



h ea ds a lw ay s c le ar t o m ak e c on sp ir ac ie s. B ut I t el l y ou , a t

the v ery o utse t, it won 't be s uch a n eas y ma tter fo r you t o

c on sp ir e. Fi rs t o f a ll , y ou w il l h av e n o b oo ks , n o p ap er ,

a nd n o c on ju ri ng b oo k. I t' s b oo ks t ha t h el pe d M yn he er

Gr ot ius t o get off ."

" I a ss ur e you, M as te r G ryphus ," r epli ed V an B ae rl e, " that i f

I h av e e nt er ta in ed t he i de a o f e sc ap in g, I m os t d ec id ed ly

ha ve i t no l onge r. "

" We ll , w el l, " s ai d G ryphus , " just l ook s ha rp: t ha t' s w ha t I

s ha ll d o a lso . But , f or a ll t ha t, I s ay h is Hig hn es s ha s

m ad e a g re at m is ta ke ."

" No t t o h av e c ut o ff m y h ea d? t ha nk y ou , M as te r G ry ph us ."

" Ju st s o, l oo k w he th er t he M yn he er d e W it t d on 't k ee p v er y

quiet now."

" That 's ver y s hocking w ha t you s ay now , M as te r G ryphus ,"

c ri ed V an B ae rl e, t ur ni ng a wa y h is h ea d t o c on ce al h is

dis gust . " You f or ge t t ha t one of t hose unf or tuna te gentl em en

wa s m y f ri en d, a nd t he o th er m y s ec on d f at he r. "

"Ye s, bu t I also r emember th at the o ne, as we ll as th e

o th er , w as a c on sp ir at or . A nd , m or eo ve r, I a m s pe ak in g f ro m

Christian charity."

" Oh , i nd ee d! e xp la in t ha t a l it tl e t o m e, m y g oo d M as te r

G ry ph us . I d o n ot q ui te u nd er st an d i t. "

" We ll , t he n, i f y ou h ad r em ai ne d o n t he b lo ck o f M as te r

P ag e 8 5

P a g e 1 6 9




H a rb ru ck - -- - "

"What?"

" Yo u w ou ld n ot s uf fe r a ny l on ge r; w he re as , I wi ll n ot

di sg uis e it f ro m y ou , I sha ll l ea d yo u a s ad lif e of i t."

" Thank you f or t he promi se , M as te r G ryphus ."

A nd w hi ls t t he pri sone r s mi le d i roni ca ll y a t t he old j ai le r,

R os a, f ro m t he o ut si de , a ns we re d b y a b ri gh t s mi le , w hi ch

ca rr ie d s we et c on so la ti on t o t he h ea rt o f V an B ae rl e.

G ryphus s t epped t owa r ds t he w indow .

It was still light enough to see, although indistinctly,

t hr ou gh t he g ra y h az e o f t he e ve ni ng , t he v as t e xp an se o f

the horizon.

" Wh at v ie w h as o ne f ro m h er e? " a sk ed G ry ph us .

" Why, a ver y f ine a nd ple as ant one ," s ai d C or ne li us , l ooki ng

a t R os a.

" Ye s, y es , to o mu ch o f a v ie w, t oo m uc h."

A nd a t t hi s m ome nt t he t wo p ig eo ns , s ca re d b y t he s ig ht a nd

e sp ec ia ll y b y t he v oi ce o f t he s tr an ge r, l ef t t he ir n es t,

a nd dis appe ar ed, qui te f ri ghte ne d i n t he e ve ni ng m is t.

"Halloa! what's this?" cried Gryphus.

"My pigeons," answered Cornelius.

" Your pigeons ," c ri ed t he j ai le r, " your pigeons ! has a

prisoner anything of his own?"

"Why, then," said Cornelius, "the pigeons which a merciful

F at he r i n H ea ve n h as l en t t o m e. "

P a g e 1 7 0



" So , h er e w e h av e a b re ac h o f t he r ul es a lr ea dy ," r ep li ed

G ryphus . " Pi ge ons! a h, young m an, young m an! I 'l l t el l you

o ne t hi ng , t ha t b ef or e t o- mo rr ow i s o ve r, y ou r p ig eo ns w il l

b oi l i n m y p ot ."

" Fi rs t o f a ll y ou s ho ul d c at ch t he m, M as te r G ry ph us . Y ou

w on 't a ll ow t he se p ig eo ns t o b e mi ne ! We ll , I v ow t he y a re

e ven l es s yours t ha n m ine. "

" Om it ta nc e i s no a cqui tt ance ," growl ed t he j ai le r, " and I

shall certainly wring their necks before twenty-four hours

a re o ve r: y ou ma y b e s ur e o f t ha t. "

Whilst giving utterance to this ill-natured promise, Gryphus

p ut h is h ea d o ut o f t he win do w t o e xa mi ne th e n es t. Th is

g av e V an B ae rl e t im e t o r un t o t he d oo r, a nd s qu ee ze t he

h an d o f R os a, w ho w hi sp er ed t o h im , - -

"At nine o'clock this evening."

G ry ph us , q ui te t ak en u p w it h t he d es ir e o f c at ch in g t he

pi ge on s n ex t da y, a s he ha d p ro mi se d h e wou ld do , s aw an d

hea rd not hi ng of t hi s s hort i nt er lude ; a nd, a ft er having

c lo se d t he wi nd ow, h e t oo k t he a rm o f h is d au gh te r, l ef t t he

P ag e 8 6


c el l, t ur ne d t he k ey t wi ce , d re w t he b ol ts , a nd we nt o ff t o

m ak e t he s am e k in d p ro mi se t o t he o th er p ri so ne rs .

H e h ad s ca rc el y w it hd ra wn , w he n C or ne li us w en t t o t he d oo r

to lis te n t o th e s ou nd of hi s fo otst ep s, an d, a s s oo n a s

P a g e 1 7 1



t he y h ad d ie d a wa y, h e r an t o t he w in do w, a nd c omp le te ly

dem ol is he d t he nes t of t he pigeons .

R at he r t ha n e xp os e t he m t o t he t en de r m er ci es o f h is

bul lying j ai le r, he drove a wa y f or e ve r t hose gentl e

m es se ng er s t o w ho m h e o we d t he h ap pi ne ss o f h av in g s ee n R os a

again.

T hi s vis it of t he j ai le r, his bruta l t hr ea ts , a nd t he gloom y

p ro sp ec t o f t he h ar sh ne ss w it h w hi ch , a s h e h ad b ef or e

e xpe ri enc ed, G ryphus w at c he d his pr is one rs , - - a ll t hi s w as

una bl e t o e xt inguis h i n C or ne li us t he s we et t hought s, a nd

e sp ec ia ll y t he s we et h op e, w hi ch t he p re se nc e o f R os a h ad

re aw akene d i n his he ar t.

He wa ite d ea ger ly t o he ar th e cl oc k of t he t ower o f

Loewestein strike nine.

T he l as t c hi me w as s ti ll vibra ti ng t hr ough t he a ir , w he n

C or ne li us h ea rd o n t he s ta ir ca se t he l ig ht s te p a nd t he

r us tl e o f t he f lo wi ng d re ss o f t he f ai r F ri si an m ai d, a nd

s oo n a ft er a l ig ht a pp ea re d a t t he l it tl e g ra te d w in do w i n

th e d oo r, o n w hi ch t he p ri so ne r f ix ed h is e ar ne st g az e.

Th e s hu tt er o pe ne d o n t he o ut si de .

" He re I a m, " s ai d Ro sa , o ut o f b re at h f ro m r un ni ng u p t he

s ta ir s, " he re I a m. "

" Oh , m y g oo d R os a. "

" Yo u a re th en g la d t o s ee me ?"

" Ca n y ou a sk ? Bu t h ow d id y ou c on tr iv e t o g et h er e? t el l

me."

P a g e 1 7 2



" Now l is te n t o m e. M y f at he r f al ls a sl ee p e ve ry e ve ni ng

a lm os t i mm edia te ly a ft er his s uppe r; I t he n m ake him l ie

dow n, a l it tl e s tupe fi ed w it h his gin. D on't s ay a nything

ab ou t i t, be ca us e, t ha nk s t o th is na p, I s ha ll b e a bl e t o

co me e ve ry e ve ni ng a nd c ha t f or a n h ou r wi th y ou ."

" Oh , I t ha nk y ou , R os a, d ea r R os a. "

S ay in g t he se w or ds , C or ne li us p ut h is f ac e s o n ea r t he

l it tl e w indow t ha t R os a w it hdre w her s.

" I h av e b ro ug ht b ac k t o y ou y ou r b ul bs ."

C or ne li us 's h ea rt l ea pe d w it h j oy . H e h ad n ot y et d ar ed t o

a sk R os a wh at s he h ad d on e w it h t he p re ci ou s t re as ur e w hi ch

h e h ad i nt ru st ed t o h er .

" Oh, you have pre se rved t he m, t he n? "

"Did you not give them to me as a thing which was dear to

you?"

" Yes, but as I have given them to yo u, it seems to me that

P ag e 8 7


t he y bel ong t o you."

" Th ey w ou ld h av e b el on ge d t o m e a ft er y ou r d ea th , b ut ,

f or tu na te ly , y ou a re a li ve n ow . O h h ow I b le ss ed h is

H ig hn es s i n m y h ea rt ! I f G od g ra nt s t o h im a ll t he h ap pi ne ss

t ha t I have w is he d him , c er ta inly P ri nc e W il li am w il l be t he

h ap pi es t ma n o n e ar th . W he n I l oo ke d a t t he Bi bl e o f y ou r

g od fa th er C or ne li us , I w as r es ol ve d t o b ri ng b ac k t o y ou

P a g e 1 7 3



y ou r b ul bs , o nl y I d id n ot k no w h ow t o a cc omp li sh i t. I h ad ,

ho we ve r, a lr ea dy f or me d t he p la n o f g oi ng t o t he

S ta dt ho ld er , t o a sk f ro m h im f or m y f at he r t he a pp oi nt me nt

of j ai le r of L oe we st ei n, w he n your house ke eper brought m e

y ou r l et te r. O h, h ow w e w ep t t og et he r! B ut y ou r l et te r o nl y

c on fi rm ed m e t he m or e i n m y r es ol ut io n. I t he n l ef t f or

L ey de n, a nd t he r es t y ou k no w. "

" What , m y dea r R os a, you t hought , e ve n bef or e r ec ei vi ng m y

l et te r, o f c om in g t o m ee t m e a ga in ?"

" If I t ho ug ht o f i t, " s ai d R os a, a ll ow in g h er l ov e t o g et

t he bet te r of her bas hf ul ne ss , " I t hought of not hi ng e ls e. "

A nd , s ay in g t he se w or ds , R os a l oo ke d s o e xc ee di ng ly p re tt y,

t h at f or t he s ec on d t im e C or ne li us p la ce d h is f or eh ea d a nd

l ips a ga inst t he w ir e gra ti ng; of c ours e, w e m us t pre sume

w it h t he l au da bl e d es ir e t o t ha nk t he y ou ng l ad y.

R os a, h ow ev er , d re w b ac k a s b ef or e.

" In t ru th ," s he s ai d, w it h t ha t c oq ue tr y w hi ch s om eh ow o r

ot her i s i n t he he ar t o f e ve ry y ou ng g irl , "I h av e of te n

been sorry that I am not able to read, but never so much so

a s w he n y ou r h ou se ke ep er b ro ug ht m e y ou r l et te r. I k ep t t he

p ap er i n m y h an ds , wh ic h s po ke t o o th er p eo pl e, a nd w hi ch

w as d umb t o p oo r s tu pi d m e."

" So y ou h av e o ft en r eg re tt ed n ot b ei ng a bl e t o r ea d, " s ai d

C or ne li us . " I s ho ul d j us t l ik e t o k no w o n w ha t o cc as io ns ."

" Tr ot h, " s he s ai d, l aughing, " to r ea d a ll t he l et te rs w hi ch

w er e w ri tt en t o m e. "

P a g e 1 7 4



" Oh, you r ec e ived l et t er s, R os a ?"

"By hundreds."

"B ut w ho w ro te t o y ou ?"

" Wh o! w hy , i n t he f ir st p la ce , a ll t he s tu de nt s w ho p as se d

o ve r t he B uy te nh of , a ll t he o ff ic er s w ho w en t t o p ar ad e, a ll

t he c le rk s, a nd e ve n t he m erc ha nt s wh o s aw me a t m y l itt le

window."

" An d wh at d id y ou d o wi th a ll t he se n ot es , my d ea r R os a? "

"F or me rl y, " s he a ns we re d, " I g ot s om e f ri en d t o r ea d t he m t o

m e, w hi ch w as c ap it al f un , b ut s in ce a c er ta in t im e - - w el l,

wh at use is it to a tten d to all th is non sen se? -- si nce a

ce rt ai n t im e I have bur nt t he m. "

" Si nc e a c er ta in t im e! " e xc la im ed C or ne li us , w it h a l ook

be am ing w it h l ove a nd j oy.

R o sa c as t d ow n h er e ye s, b lu sh in g. I n h er s we et c on fu si on ,

P ag e 8 8


s he d id n ot o bs er ve t he l ip s o f C or ne li us , w hi ch , a la s! o nl y

m et t he c ol d w ir e- gr at in g. Y et , i n s pi te o f t hi s o bs ta cl e,

t he y c om muni ca te d t o t he l ips of t he young gir l t he glowi ng

b re at h o f t he m os t t en de r k is s.

At t hi s s ud de n o ut bu rs t o f t en de rn es s, R os a g re w v er y p al e,

-- perhaps paler than she had been on the day of the

e xe cu ti on . S he u tt er ed a p la in ti ve s ob , c lo se d h er f in e

e ye s, a nd f le d, t ry in g i n v ai n t o s ti ll t he b ea ti ng o f h er

P a g e 1 7 5



heart.

And t hus C or ne li us w as a ga in a lone .

R os a had f le d s o pre ci pi ta te ly, t ha t s he c omple te ly f or got

t o r et ur n t o C or ne li us t he t hr ee b ul bs o f t he B la ck T ul ip .

C ha p te r 1 6

Ma s te r a nd P upil

Th e w or th y M as te r G ry ph us , a s t he r ea de r ma y h av e s ee n, w as

f ar f rom s ha ri ng t he kindl y f ee li ng of his daughte r f or t he

g od so n o f C or ne li us d e W it t.

T he re b ei ng o nl y f iv e p ri so ne rs a t L oe we st ei n, t he p os t o f

tu rn key wa s n ot a v er y o ne ro us o ne , bu t ra th er a s or t o f

s inec ur e, given a ft er a l ong per iod of s er vi ce .

B ut t he w or thy j ai le r, i n his z ea l, had m agni fi ed w it h a ll

the pow er of his i ma gi na ti on t he i mpor ta nc e of his off ic e.

T o him C or ne li us had s we ll ed t o t he giganti c proport ions of

a c ri mi na l o f t he f ir st o rd er . H e l oo ke d u po n h im ,

t he re fo re , a s t he m os t d an ge ro us o f a ll h is p ri so ne rs . H e

w at ch ed a ll h is s te ps , a nd a lwa ys s po ke t o h im wi th a n a ng ry

countenance; punishing him for what he called his dreadful

r ebel li on a ga inst s uc h a c le me nt pri nc e a s t he S ta dt holder .

T hr ee t im es a d ay h e e nt er ed V an B ae rl e' s c el l, e xp ec ti ng t o

f ind him t re spas si ng; but C or ne li us had c ea se d t o

c or re sp on d, s in ce h is c or re sp on de nt w as a t h an d. I t i s e ve n

proba bl e t ha t, i f C or ne li us had obt ai ne d his f ul l l iber ty,

w it h p er mi ss io n t o g o w he re ve r h e l ik ed , t he p ri so n, w it h

Ro sa a nd h is b ul bs , wo ul d h av e a pp ea re d t o h im p re fe ra bl e t o

P a g e 1 7 6



a ny o th er h ab it at io n i n t he w or ld w it ho ut R os a a nd h is

bulbs.

Ro sa , i n f ac t, h ad p ro mi se d t o c om e a nd s ee h im e ve ry

e ve ni ng , a nd f ro m t he f ir st e ve ni ng s he h ad k ep t h er w or d.

O n t he f ol lo wi ng e ve ni ng s he w en t u p a s b ef or e, w it h t he

s am e m ys te ri ousnes s a nd t he s am e pre ca ut ion. O nl y s he had

t hi s t im e r es ol ve d w it hi n h er se lf n ot t o a pp ro ac h t oo n ea r

t he g ra ti ng . I n o rd er , h ow ev er , t o e ng ag e Va n B ae rl e i n a

conversation from the very first which would seriously

o cc up y h is a tt en ti on , s he t en de re d t o h im t hr ou gh t he

g ra ti ng t he t hr ee b ul bs , w hi ch w er e s ti ll w ra pp ed u p i n t he

s a m e p a pe r .

Bu t t o t he g re at a st on is hm en t o f R os a, V an B ae rl e p us he d

b ac k h er w hi te h an d w it h t he t ip s o f h is f in ge rs .

P ag e 8 9


T he y ou ng m an h ad b ee n c on si de ri ng a bo ut t he m at te r.

"Li ste n to me ," h e sa id . "I th ink we s ho uld r is k t oo mu ch b y

e mb ar ki ng o ur w ho le f or tu ne i n o ne s hi p. On ly t hi nk , m y d ea r

R os a, t ha t t he q ue st io n i s t o c ar ry o ut a n e nt er pr is e w hi ch

unti l now has bee n c onsi de re d i mpos si bl e, nam el y, t ha t of

m ak in g t he g re at b la ck t ul ip f lo we r. L et u s, t he re fo re , t ak e

e ve ry p os si bl e p re ca ut io n, s o t ha t i n c as e o f a f ai lu re w e

m ay n ot h av e a ny th in g t o r ep ro ac h o ur se lv es w it h. I w il l n ow

tell you the way I have traced o ut for u s."

P a g e 1 7 7



R o sa wa s a ll a tt en ti on t o w ha t h e wo ul d s ay , m uc h m or e o n

a cc ount of t he i mpor ta nc e w hi ch t he unf or tuna te

t ul ip-f anci er a tt ac he d t o i t, t ha n t ha t s he f el t i nt er es te d

i n t he m at te r her se lf .

" I wil l e xp la in t o y ou , Ro sa," h e s aid . "I d are s ay y ou h av e

i n t hi s f or tr es s a s ma ll g ar de n, o r s om e c ou rt ya rd , o r, i f

n ot t ha t, a t l ea st s om e t er ra ce ."

" We h av e a v er y f in e g ar de n, " s ai d R os a, " it r un s a lo ng t he

e dge o f t he Wa al , an d i s fu ll o f f in e o ld t ree s."

" Co ul d y ou b ri ng m e s om e s oi l f ro m t he g ar de n, t ha t I m ay

judge?"

" I w il l d o s o t o- mo rr ow ."

" Ta ke s om e f ro m a s un ny s po t, a nd s om e f ro m a s ha dy , s o t ha t

I may judge of its properties in a dry an d in a moist

state."

"B e a ss ur ed I s ha ll ."

" Af te r h av in g c ho se n t he s oi l, a nd , i f i t b e n ec es sa ry ,

m odif ie d i t, w e w il l divide our t hr ee bul bs ; you w il l t ake

one and plant it, on the day that I will tell you, in the

soil chosen by me. It is sure to flower, if you tend it

according to my directions."

" I w il l n ot l os e s ig ht o f i t f or a mi nu te ."

"Y ou w il l g iv e m e a no th er , w hi ch I wi ll t ry t o g ro w h er e i n

my c el l, a nd w hi ch wi ll h el p me t o b eg ui le t ho se l on g w ea ry

h ou rs wh en I ca nno t see y ou. I c on fess to y ou I h ave v ery

l it tl e h op e f or t he l at te r o ne , a nd I l oo k b ef or eh an d o n

P a g e 1 7 8



this unfortunate bulb as sacrificed to my selfishness.

H ow ever , t he s un s om et im es vis it s m e. I w il l, bes ides , t ry

to c onve rt e ve rything i nt o a n a rt if ic ia l hel p, e ve n t he hea t

a nd t he a sh es o f my p ip e, a nd l as tl y, w e, o r r at he r y ou ,

wi ll k ee p i n r es er ve t he t hi rd s uc ke r a s o ur l as t r es ou rc e,

i n c as e o ur f ir st t wo e xp er im en ts s ho ul d p ro ve a f ai lu re . I n

t h is m an ne r, m y d ea r R os a, i t i s i mp os si bl e t ha t w e s ho ul d

not s uc ce ed i n gai ni ng t he hundr ed t hous and gui lder s f or

y ou r m ar ri ag e p or ti on ; a nd h ow d ea rl y s ha ll w e e nj oy t ha t

s up re me h ap pi ne ss o f s ee in g o ur w or k b ro ug ht t o a s uc ce ss fu l

issue!"

"I kn ow it all n ow," s aid Ro sa . "I will b rin g yo u th e so il

t o- mo rr ow, a nd y ou wi ll c ho os e i t f or y ou r b ul b a nd f or

mi ne . As to t hat i n wh ich y ou rs is t o gr ow, I s hal l ha ve

s ev er al j ou rn ey s t o c on ve y i t t o y ou , a s I c an no t b rin g mu ch

a t a t ime."

P ag e 9 0


" Th er e i s n o h ur ry f or i t, d ea r Ro sa ; o ur t ul ip s n ee d n ot b e

put in to the gro und f or a mon th at lea st. So you se e we hav e

p le nt y o f t im e b ef or e u s. O nl y I h op e t ha t, i n p la nt in g y ou r

bulb, you will strictly follow all my instructions."

"I promi se you I w il l. "

" An d wh en y ou h av e o nc e p la nt ed i t, y ou w il l c om mu ni ca te t o

me all the circumstances which may interest our nursling;

P a g e 1 7 9



s uc h a s c ha ng e o f w ea th er , f oo tp ri nt s o n t he w al ks , o r

foot pr ints i n t he bor de rs . Y ou w il l l is te n a t night w he ther

o ur g ard en i s no t re so rt ed t o by c at s. A co up le o f t ho se

u nt ow ar d a ni ma ls l ai d w as te t wo o f m y b or de rs a t D or t. "

"I will listen."

" On m oo nl ig ht n ig ht s h av e y ou e ve r l oo ke d a t y ou r g ar de n, m y

dear child?"

"The window of my sleeping-room overlooks it."

" We ll , on m oonl ight night s you w il l obs er ve w he ther a ny r at s

c om e o ut f ro m t he h ol es i n t he w all . Th e r at s a re mo st

m is chie vous by t he ir gna wi ng e ve rything; a nd I have hea rd

unfortunate tulip-growers complain most bitterly of Noah for

ha vi ng p ut a c ou ple o f r at s i n t he a rk ."

"I wi ll o bs erv e, a nd i f th ere a re c at s o r r at s -- -- "

" Yo u w il l a pp ri se m e o f i t, - - t ha t' s r ig ht . A nd , m or eo ve r, "

Van Baerle, having become mistrustful in his captivity,

c on ti nu ed , " th er e i s a n a ni ma l m uc h m or e t o b e f ea re d t ha n

e ven th e c at o r th e r at ."

"What animal?"

"Ma n. Y ou c omp re he nd , my d ea r R os a, a ma n ma y s te al a

g ui ld er , a nd r is k t he p ri so n f or s uc h a t ri fl e, a nd ,

cons eque nt ly, i t i s m uc h m or e l ikel y t ha t s om e one m ight

steal a hundred thousand guilders."

" No o ne e ve r e nt er s t he g ar de n b ut m ys el f. "

"Th an k yo u, th an k yo u, my d ear Ro sa. Al l th e jo y of my l if e

h a s s ti ll t o c om e f ro m y ou ."

P a g e 1 8 0



A nd a s t he l ip s o f V an B ae rl e a pp ro ac he d t he g ra ti ng w it h

t he s ame a rd or as t he d ay b efo re, an d a s, mo re ov er , t he ho ur

f or r et ir in g h ad s tr uc k, Ro sa d re w b ac k h er h ea d, a nd

s t re tc he d o ut h er h an d.

I n t hi s pre tt y l it tl e hand, of w hi ch t he c oque tt is h dam se l

w as par ti c ul ar ly proud, w as t he bulb.

C or ne li us kis se d m os t t ende rl y t he t ips of her f inge rs . D id

he do so because the hand kept one of the bulbs of the great

b la ck t ul ip , o r b ec au se t hi s h an d w as R os a' s? W e s ha ll l ea ve

t hi s p oi nt t o t he d ec is io n o f w is er h ea ds t ha n o ur s.

R o sa w it hd re w w it h t he o th er t wo s uc ke rs , p re ss in g t he m t o

her he ar t .

Di d s he p re ss t he m t o h er h ea rt b ec au se t he y we re t he b ul bs

P ag e 9 1


o f t he g re at b la ck t ul ip , o r b ec au se s he h ad t he m f ro m

Cornelius?

T hi s poi nt , w e bel ie ve , m ight be m or e r ea di ly dec ided t ha n

t he ot he r .

H ow ev er t ha t m ay h av e b ee n, f ro m t ha t m om en t l if e b ec am e

s we et , a nd a ga in f ul l o f i nt er es t t o t he p ri so ne r.

R osa , as we h av e se en , h ad re tu rne d t o hi m o ne of t he

suckers.

Ever y e ve ni ng s he brought t o him , handf ul by handf ul , a

q uan ti ty o f so il f ro m th at pa rt of t he g ar de n wh ic h h e h ad

P a g e 1 8 1



f ou nd t o b e t he b es t, a nd w hi ch , i nd ee d, w as e xc el le nt .

A l ar ge j ug, w hi ch C or ne li us had s ki lf ul ly broke n, did

s er vi ce a s a f lo we r- po t. H e h al f f il le d i t, a nd m ix ed t he

e ar th o f t he g ar de n w it h a s ma ll p or ti on o f d ri ed r iv er m ud ,

a m ixture w hi ch f or me d a n e xc el le nt s oi l.

T he n, a t t he b eg in ni ng o f Ap ri l, h e p la nt ed h is f ir st s uc ke r

i n t ha t j ug .

Not a day passed on which Rosa did not come to have her chat

with Cornelius.

The tulips, concerning whose cultivation Rosa was taught all

th e m ys te ri es o f t he a rt , f or me d t he p ri nc ip al t op ic o f t he

c onver sa t ion; but, i nte re s ti ng a s t he s ubj e ct w as , people

c a nnot a lw ays t al k a bout t ul ips.

Th ey t he re fo re b eg an t o c ha t a ls o a bo ut o th er t hi ng s, a nd

t he t ul ip-f anci er f ound out t o his gre at a st onis hm ent w ha t a

va st r ange of s ubj ec ts a c onve rs at ion m ay c om pr is e.

Onl y Ro sa h ad mad e i t a h abi t to ke ep he r p re tt y fa ce

invariably six inches distant from the grating, having

perhaps become distrustful of herself.

T he re w as one t hi ng e spec ia ll y w hi ch gave C or ne li us a lm os t

a s mu ch a nx ie ty a s h is b ul bs -- a s ub je ct t o wh ic h h e a lwa ys

r et ur ne d - - t he d ep en de nc e o f R os a o n h er f at he r.

I n de ed , V an B ae rl e' s h ap pi ne ss d ep en de d o n t he w hi m o f t hi s

m an . H e m ig ht o ne d ay f in d L oe we st ei n d ul l, o r t he a ir o f

t he p la ce u nh ea lt hy , o r t he g in b ad , a nd l ea ve t he f or tr es s,

a nd t ak e h is d au gh te r w it h h im , w he n C or ne li us a nd R os a

P a g e 1 8 2



w ou ld a ga in b e s ep ar at ed .

" Of w ha t u se w ou ld t he c ar ri er p ig eo ns t he n b e? " s ai d

C or ne li us t o Ro sa , " as y ou , my d ea r g ir l, w ou ld n ot b e a bl e

to re ad wha t I sho ul d wr ite t o yo u, n or t o wr ite to me y ou r

thoughts in return."

" We ll ," a ns we re d R os a, w ho i n h er h ea rt w as a s m uc h a fr ai d

o f a s ep ar at io n a s C or ne li us h im se lf , " we h av e o ne h ou r

e ve ry e ve nin g, l et us m ak e g oo d u se o f i t. "

"I don't think we make such a bad use of it as it is."

" Le t us e mploy i t e ve n bet te r, " s ai d R os a, s mi li ng. " Te ac h

me t o rea d an d wr ite. I sh all mak e the b est o f yo ur les so ns,

b el ie ve m e; a nd , i n t hi s w ay , w e s ha ll n ev er b e s ep ar at ed

P ag e 9 2


an y m or e, e xc ep t b y o ur o wn w il l. "

" Oh , t he n, w e h av e a n e te rn it y b ef or e u s, " s ai d C or ne li us .

R os a s mi le d, a nd qui et ly s hr ugge d her s houl de rs .

" Wi ll y ou r ema in f or e ve r i n p ri so n? " s he s ai d, " an d a ft er

having gra nt ed you your l if e, w il l not his H ighnes s a ls o

g ra nt y ou y ou r l ib er ty ? A nd wi ll y ou n ot t he n r ec ov er y ou r

f or tun e, a nd b e a r ich ma n, a nd t he n, wh en y ou ar e d ri vi ng

i n y ou r o wn c oa ch , r id in g y ou r o wn h or se , w il l y ou s ti ll

l oo k a t p oo r R os a, t he d au gh te r o f a j ai le r, s ca rc el y b et te r

than a hangman?"

C or ne li us t ri ed t o c ontr adic t her , a nd c er ta inly he w ould

P a g e 1 8 3



h av e d on e s o w it h a ll h is h ea rt , a nd w it h a ll t he s in ce ri ty

of a sou l fu ll of lov e.

She, however, smilingly interrupted him, saying, "How is

your tulip going on?"

T o s pe ak t o C or ne li us o f h is t ul ip w as a n e xp ed ie nt r es or te d

t o b y h er t o m ak e h im f or ge t e ve ry th in g, e ve n R os a h er se lf .

" Ve ry w el l, i nd ee d, " h e s ai d, " th e c oa t i s g ro wi ng b la ck ,

th e s pr ou ti ng h as c om me nc ed , t he v ei ns o f t he b ul b a re

s we ll in g, i n e ig ht d ay s h en ce , a nd p er ha ps s oo ne r, w e m ay

dis ti ngui sh t he f ir st buds of t he l ea ve s protr uding. A nd

yours Rosa?"

"O h, I h av e d on e t hi ng s o n a l ar ge s ca le , a nd a cc or di ng t o

your directions."

" No w, l et m e h ea r, Ro sa , wh at y ou h av e d on e," s ai d

C or ne li us , w it h a s t en de r a n a nx ie ty a s h e h ad l at el y s ho wn

to herself.

" We ll ," s he s ai d, s mi li ng , f or i n h er o wn h ea rt s he c ou ld

n ot h el p s tu dy in g t hi s d ou bl e l ov e o f t he p ri so ne r f or

h er se lf a nd fo r t he b la ck t uli p, " I h av e d on e t hin gs o n a

l arg e s ca le ; I h ave p re par ed a b ed a s yo u d es cri be d i t t o

me, o n a cle ar s pot, fa r fro m trees and walls, in a soi l

s li ghtl y m ixed w it h s and, r at he r m oi st t ha n dry w it hout a

f ra gm ent of s tone or pebbl e. "

"W el l done, R os a, w el l done. "

"I am n ow on ly wa it in g fo r y our fu rth er o rd er s to pu t in th e

b ulb , y ou k no w t ha t I mu st b e b eh in dh an d wi th y ou , a s I h av e

P a g e 1 8 4



i n my f av our a ll th e c ha nc es o f g oo d a ir , o f t he s un, a nd

abundance of moisture."

"All true, all true," exclaimed Cornelius, clapping his

h an ds w it h j oy , " yo u a re a g oo d p up il , Ro sa , a nd y ou a re

s ur e t o gai n your hundr ed t hous and gui lder s. "

" Don' t f or ge t, " s ai d R os a, s mi li ng, " that your pupil , a s you

c al l m e, h as s ti ll o th er t hi ng s t o l ea rn b es id es t he

cultivation of tulips."

"Yes , y es , a nd I am as an xi ou s as yo u a re, Ros a, th at y ou

s ho ul d l ea rn t o r ea d. "

"When shall we begin?"

P ag e 9 3


"At once."

"No, to-morrow."

"Why to-morrow?"

" Be ca us e t o- da y o ur h ou r i s e xp ir ed , a nd I m us t l ea ve y ou ."

"A lr ea dy? B ut w ha t s ha ll w e r ea d? "

"Oh ," sa id Ros a, "I ha ve a bo ok , -- a b oo k wh ich I h op e wi ll

bring us luck."

"To-morrow, then."

"Yes, to-morrow."

O n t he f ol lowi ng e ve ni ng R os a r et ur ne d w it h t he B ible of

C or ne li us de W it t.

C ha p te r 1 7

P a g e 1 8 5



T he F ir st B ul b

O n t he f ol lo wi ng e ve ni ng , a s w e h av e s ai d, R os a r et ur ne d

w it h t he B ib le o f C or ne li us d e W it t.

T he n b eg an b et we en t he ma st er a nd t he p up il o ne o f t ho se

c ha rm ing s ce ne s w hi ch a re t he del ight of t he novel is t w ho

ha s t o d es cr ib e t he m.

T he gra te d w indow, t he onl y ope ni ng t hr ough w hi ch t he t wo

l ov er s w er e a bl e t o c om mu ni ca te , w as t oo h ig h f or

c onve ni entl y r ea di ng a book, a lt hough i t had bee n qui te

co nv en ie nt f or t he m t o r ea d e ac h o th er 's f ac es .

R os a t he re fo re h ad t o p re ss t he o pe n b oo k a ga in st t he

gra ti ng e dgew is e, hol di ng a bove i t i n her r ight hand t he

l a mp , b ut C or ne li us h it u po n t he l uc ky i de a o f f ix in g i t t o

th e ba rs , so a s t o a ff or d he r a li tt le re st . Ros a wa s t hen

e na bl ed t o f ol low w it h her f inge r t he l et te rs a nd s yl la bl es ,

w hic h s he wa s t o sp el l f or Co rn eli us , wh o wi th a s tr aw

p oi nt ed o ut t he l et te rs t o h is a tt en ti ve p up il t hr ou gh t he

hol es of t he gra ti ng.

T he l ight of t he l am p i ll um inat ed t he r ic h c om pl exion of

R os a, h er b lu e l iq ui d e ye s, a nd h er g ol de n h ai r u nd er h er

h ea d- dr es s o f g ol d b ro ca de , w it h h er f in ge rs h el d u p, a nd

sh ow in g i n t he b lo od , a s i t f lo we d d ow nw ar ds i n t he v ei ns

t ha t p al e p in k h ue w hi ch s hi ne s b ef or e t he l ig ht o wi ng t o

t he l iving t ra ns pa re nc y of t he f le sh t int.

R os a' s i nt el le ct r apidly devel oped i ts el f under t he

animating influence of Cornelius, and when the difficulties

P a g e 1 8 6



s ee me d t oo a rd uo us , t he s ym pa th y o f t wo l ov in g h ea rt s s ee me d

t o s mo ot h t he m a wa y.

A nd R os a, a ft er h av in g r et ur ne d t o h er r oo m, r ep ea te d i n h er

s ol it ud e t he r ea di ng l es so ns , a nd a t t he s am e t im e r ec al le d

P ag e 9 4


a ll t he del ight w hi ch s he had f el t w hi ls t r ec ei vi ng t he m.

O ne e ve ni ng s he c am e h al f a n h ou r l at er t ha n u su al . T hi s w as

t oo e xt ra or di na ry a n i ns ta nc e n ot t o c al l f or th a t o nc e

Cornelius's inquiries after its cause.

"Oh ! d o n ot be a ngr y wit h me ," s he s aid , " it i s n ot m y

f au lt . M y f at he r h as r en ew ed a n a cq ua in ta nc e w it h a n o ld

crony who used to visit him at the Hague, and to ask him to

let him see the prison. He is a goo d sort of fellow, fond of

his bot tl e, t el ls f unny s tori es , a nd m or eove r i s ver y f re e

wi th h is mon ey , s o as a lway s to b e re ad y to s tan d a t rea t."

" You don't know a nything f ur ther of him ?" a sked C or ne li us ,

surprised.

" No ," s he a ns we re d; " it 's o nl y f or a bo ut a f or tn ig ht t ha t m y

f at he r h as t ak en s uc h a f an cy t o th is fr ie nd wh o i s s o

assiduous in visiting him."

" Ah, s o, " s ai d C or ne li us , s ha ki ng his hea d une as il y a s e ve ry

n ew i nc id en t s ee me d t o h im t o f or eb od e s om e c at as tr op he ;

" ver y l ik el y s ome s py , o ne o f t ho se wh o a re s en t i nt o ja il s

t o w at ch b ot h p ri so ne rs a nd t he ir k ee pe rs ."

P a g e 1 8 7







" Oh , y es , y es , h e i s i n l ov e w it h y ou ," s ai d C or ne li us . " Is

h e y ou ng ? I s h e h an ds om e? "

Sa yi ng t hi s he l ooke d a nxious ly a t R os a, e ager ly w ai ti ng f or

he r a nsw er .

"Y oung? hands om e? " c ri ed R os a, bur st ing i nt o a l augh. " He i s

h id eo us t o l oo k a t; c ro ok ed , n ea rl y f if ty y ea rs o f a ge , a nd

n ev er d are s to l oo k me in t he f ac e, or t o s pea k, e xc ept i n

an undertone."

"And his name?"

"Jacob Gisels."

"I don't know him ."

"T he n y ou s ee t ha t, a t a ll e ve nt s, h e d oe s n ot c om e a ft er

you."

" At a ny r at e, i f h e l ov es y ou , R os a, w hi ch i s v er y l ik el y,

a s to see you is to love you, at least you don't love him."

"To b e s ur e I d on' t."

" Th en y ou w is h m e t o k ee p my mi nd e as y? "

" I s ho ul d c er ta in ly a sk y ou t o d o s o."

" We ll , t he n, n ow a s y ou be gi n t o k no w h ow t o r ead y ou wi ll

r ead all that I write to you of th e pan gs o f jealou sy a nd o f

a bse nce , w on' t you, R osa ? "

"I s ha ll r ea d i t, i f y ou w ri te w it h g oo d b ig l et te rs ."

P ag e 9 6


T he n, a s t he t ur n w hi ch t he c on ve rs at io n t oo k b eg an t o m ak e

R os a u ne as y, s he a sk ed , - -

P a g e 1 9 0



"By t he b ye , h ow i s y ou r t ul ip g oi ng o n? "

"O h, R os a, o nl y i ma gi ne my j oy , t hi s m or ni ng I l oo ke d a t i t

i n t he s un , a nd a ft er h av in g m ov ed t he s oi l a si de wh ic h

c ov er s t he b ul b, I s aw t he f ir st s pr ou ti ng o f t he l ea ve s.

T hi s s ma ll g er m h as c au se d m e a m uc h g re at er e mo ti on t ha n

th e o rd er o f h is H ig hn es s w hi ch t ur ne d a si de t he s wo rd

a lr ea dy r ai se d a t t he B uyte nhof ."

" You hope, t he n? " s ai d R os a, s mi li ng.

" Ye s, y es , I h op e. "

" An d I , i n my t ur n, wh en s ha ll I p la nt m y b ul b? "

" Oh , t he f ir st f av ou ra bl e d ay I w il l t el l y ou ; b ut , w ha te ve r

y ou d o, l et n ob od y h el p y ou , a nd d on 't c on fi de y ou r s ec re t

t o a ny o ne i n t he wo rl d; d o y ou s ee , a c on no is se ur b y me re ly

l oo ki ng a t t he b ul b w ou ld b e a bl e t o d is ti ng ui sh i ts v al ue ;

a n d s o, my d ea re st R os a, b e c ar ef ul i n l oc ki ng u p t he t hi rd

s ucker w hi ch r em ai ns t o you."

"It i s s til l wra pp ed u p i n th e s ame pa pe r i n wh ic h y ou p ut

it, and just as you gave it me. I have laid it at the bo ttom

o f m y c he st u nd er m y p oi nt l ac e, w hi ch k ee ps i t d ry , w it ho ut

p re ss in g u po n i t. B ut g oo d n ig ht , m y p oo r c ap ti ve

gentleman."

"How? already?"

" It mu st b e, it mu st b e."

" Co mi ng s o l at e a nd g oi ng s o s oo n. "

"M y f at he r m ight grow i mpat ie nt not s ee ing m e r et ur n, a nd

P a g e 1 9 1



t hat pre ci ous l over m ight s us pe ct a r ival ."

Here she listened uneasily.

" Wh at i s i t? " a sk ed V an B ae rl e. " I t ho ug ht I h ea rd

something."

"What, then?"

"S om et hi ng l ike a s te p, c re aking on t he s ta ir ca se ."

" Sure ly," s ai d t he pri sone r, " that c annot be M as te r G ryphus ,

h e i s a lw ay s h ea rd a t a d is ta nc e"

"No, it is not my father, I am quite sure, but ---- "

"But?"

" But i t m ight be M ynhe er J ac ob."

R os a r us he d t ow ar d t he s ta ir ca se , a nd a d oo r w as r ea ll y

h ea rd r ap id ly t o c lo se b ef or e t he y ou ng d am se l h ad g ot d ow n

t he f ir st t en s te ps .

C or ne li us w as v er y u ne as y a bo ut i t, b ut i t w as a ft er a ll

only a pre lude t o gre at er a nxie ti es .

P ag e 9 7


T he f lowi ng day pas se d w it hout a ny r em ar ka bl e i nc ident.

G ryphus m ade his t hr ee vis it s, a nd dis cove re d not hi ng. H e

ne ve r ca me at th e sa me ho ur s a s he ho pe d th us to dis co ve r

t he s ec re ts o f t he p ri so ne r. V an B ae rl e, t he re fo re , h ad

d ev is ed a c on tr iv an ce , a s or t o f p ul le y, b y m ea ns o f w hi ch

he wa s able t o lower or to ra ise his ju g bel ow th e ledg e of

t il es a nd s to ne b ef or e h is w in do w. T he s tr in gs b y w hi ch t hi s

w as e ff ec te d h e h ad f ou nd m ea ns t o c ov er w it h t ha t m os s

P a g e 1 9 2





" Ta ke c ar e, s ir , t ake c a re ," s ai d C or nel ius, growi ng quit e

pale.

"C ar e o f w ha t? Z ou nd s! o f w ha t? " r oa re d t he j ai le r.

" Ta ke c ar e, I s ay , y ou w il l c ru sh i t, M as te r G ry ph us ."

A nd w it h a r ap id a nd a lm os t f ra nt ic m ov em en t h e s na tc he d t he

j ug f ro m th e h an ds o f Gr yp hu s, an d h id i t l ik e a t re as ur e

under his a rm s.

B ut G ry ph us , o bs ti na te , l ik e a n o ld m an , a nd m or e a nd m or e

c onvi nc ed t ha t he w as dis cove ri ng her e a c onspir ac y a ga inst

th e P ri nc e o f O ra ng e, r us he d u p t o h is p ri so ne r, r ai si ng h is

s ti ck; s ee ing, how ever , t he i mpas si bl e r es ol ut ion of t he

c a pt iv e t o p ro te ct h is f lo we r- po t h e w as c on vi nc ed t ha t

C or ne li us t re mb le d m uc h l es s f or h is h ea d t ha n f or h is j ug .

H e t he re fo re t ri ed t o wr es t i t f ro m h im b y f or ce .

" Ha ll oa !" s ai d t he j ai le r, f ur ious , " he re , you s ee , you a re

P ag e 9 8


rebelling."

"L ea ve m e m y t ul ip," c ri ed V an B ae rl e.

" Ah , y es , t ul ip ," r ep li ed t he o ld m an , " we k no w w el l t he

shifts of prisoners."

"But I vow to you ---- "

" Le t g o, " r ep ea te d G ry ph us , s ta mp in g h is f oo t, " le t g o, o r I

shall call the guard."

" Ca ll wh oe ve r y ou l ik e, b ut y ou s ha ll n ot h av e t hi s f lo we r

except with my life."

P a g e 1 9 4



G ryphus , e xa sper at ed, plunged his f inge r a s ec ond t im e i nt o

t he s oi l, a nd n ow h e d re w o ut t he b ul b, w hi ch c er ta in ly

l oo ke d q ui te b la ck ; a nd w hi ls t V an B ae rl e, q ui te h ap py t o

h av e s av ed t he v es se l, d id n ot s us pe ct t ha t t he a dv er sa ry

had pos se ss ed him se lf of i ts pre ci ous c onte nt s, G ryphus

h ur le d t he s of te ne d b ul b w it h a ll h is f or ce o n t he f la gs ,

w he re a lm os t i mm edia te ly a ft er i t w as c rushed t o a toms under

hi s hea vy s hoe.

V an Ba er le s aw t he wo rk o f d es tr uc ti on , g ot a g li mp se o f t he

j ui cy r em ai ns of his dar li ng bul b, a nd, gue ss ing t he c ause

o f t he f er oc io us j oy o f G ry ph us , u tt er ed a c ry o f a go ny ,

w hi ch w ou ld h av e m el te d t he h ea rt e ve n o f t ha t r ut hl es s

j a il er w ho s om e yea r s be fore kil le d P el is son's s pi de r.

T he i de a of s tr iking dow n t hi s s pi te ful bul ly pas se d l ike

lightning through the brain of the tulip-fancier. The blood

r us he d t o h is b ro w, a nd s eem ed li ke f ir e in h is e ye s, w hic h

b li nde d hi m, a nd h e ra is ed i n hi s two h an ds t he h eav y ju g

w it h a ll t he n ow u se le ss e ar th w hi ch r em ai ne d i n i t. O ne

i nst an t mo re , a nd h e wo uld h av e fl un g it o n th e b ald h ea d of

old Gryphus.

But a c ry st opp ed h im; a c ry of ag ony , ut te re d b y po or Ro sa ,

w ho , t re mb li ng a nd p al e, w it h h er a rm s r ai se d t o h ea ve n,

ma de h er a pp ea ra nc e b eh in d t he g ra te d w in do w, a nd t hu s

i nt er pos e d bet we en he r f a ther a nd her f ri end.

G ry ph us t he n u nd er st oo d t he d an ge r w it h w hi ch h e h ad b ee n

P a g e 1 9 5



t hr ea te ne d, a nd h e b ro ke o ut i n a v ol le y o f t he m os t

terrible abuse.

" I nd ee d, " s ai d Co rn el iu s t o h im , " yo u m us t b e a v er y m ea n

a nd s pi te fu l fe ll ow t o r ob a p oo r p ri so ne r o f h is o nly

consolation, a tulip bulb."

" Fo r s ha me , m y f at he r, " R os a c hi me d i n, " it i s i nd ee d a

c ri me you have c om mi tt ed her e. "

" Ah , i s t ha t y ou , m y l it tl e c ha tt er -b ox ?" t he o ld m an c ri ed ,

boi li ng w it h r age a nd t ur ni ng t ow ar ds her ; " don' t you m eddl e

w it h w ha t d on 't c on ce rn y ou , b ut g o d ow n a s q ui ck ly a s

possible."

"Unfortunate me," continued Cornelius, overwhelmed with

grief.

" Af te r a ll , i t i s b ut a t ul ip ," G ry ph us r es um ed , a s h e b eg an

t o b e a l it tl e a sh am ed o f h im se lf . " Yo u m ay h av e a s m an y

P ag e 9 9


tu lip s a s yo u li ke : I h av e th ree hu nd re d of the m i n my

loft."

" To t he devil w it h your t ul ips! " c ri ed C or ne li us ; " you a re

w or th y o f e ac h o th er : h ad I a h un dr ed t ho us an d m il li on s o f

t he m, I w ou ld g la dl y g iv e t he m f or t he o ne wh ic h y ou h av e

just destroyed."

" Oh , s o! " G ry ph us s ai d, i n a t on e o f t ri um ph ; " no w t he re w e

h av e i t. I t wa s n ot y ou r t ul ip y ou c ar ed f or . T he re w as i n

t ha t f al se b ul b s om e w it ch cr af t, p er ha ps s om e m ea ns o f

P a g e 1 9 6



correspondence with conspirators against his Highness who

h as g ra nt ed y ou y ou r l if e. I a lw ay s s ai d t he y w er e w ro ng i n

not c ut ti ng your hea d off ."

" Fa the r, f at he r !" c r ie d R os a .

" Ye s, y es ! i t i s b et te r a s i t i s n ow ," r ep ea te d Gr yp hu s,

g ro wi ng w ar m; " I h av e d es tr oy ed i t, a nd I 'l l d o t he s am e

a ga in , a s o ft en a s y ou r ep ea t t he t ri ck . Di dn 't I t el l y ou ,

m y f in e f el lo w, t ha t I w ou ld m ak e y ou r l if e a h ar d o ne ?"

"A curse on you!" Cornelius exclaimed, quite beyond himself

w it h des pa ir , a s he gat he re d, w it h his t re mbli ng f inge rs ,

th e re mn an ts o f t ha t b ul b o n wh ic h h e h ad r es te d s o ma ny

jo ys a nd s o ma ny h op es .

" We s ha ll p la nt t he o th er t o- mo rr ow , m y d ea r M yn he er

C or ne li us ," s ai d R os a, i n a l ow v oi ce , w ho u nd er st oo d t he

intense grief of the unfortunate tulip-fancier, and who,

w it h t he p ur e s ac re d l ov e o f h er i nn oc en t h ea rt , p ou re d

t he se k in d wo rd s, l ik e a d ro p o f b al m, o n t he b le ed in g

wounds of Cornelius.

C ha p te r 1 8

R osa ' s L ove r

R os a h ad s ca rc el y p ro no un ce d t he se c on so la to ry w or ds w he n a

v oi ce w as h ea rd f ro m t he s ta ir ca se a sk in g G ry ph us h ow

m at te rs w er e going on.

" D o y ou h ea r, f at he r? " s ai d R os a.

"What?"

P a g e 1 9 7



" M as te r J ac ob c al ls y ou , h e i s u ne as y. "

" Ther e w as s uc h a noi se ," s ai d G ryphus ; " woul dn't you have

t ho ug ht h e w ou ld m ur de r m e, t hi s d oc to r? T he y a re a lw ay s

very troublesome fellows, these scholars."

T hen, poi nt ing w it h his f inge r t ow ar ds t he s ta ir ca se , he

s ai d t o R os a: " Ju st l ea d t he w ay , M is s. "

A ft er t hi s h e l oc ke d t he d oo r a nd c al le d o ut : " I s ha ll b e

with you directly, friend Jacob."

Poor C or ne li us , t hus l ef t a lone w it h his bit te r gri ef ,

mutt er ed t o him se lf , - -

Pa ge 1 00


" Ah , y ou o ld h an gm an ! i t i s m e y ou h av e t ro dd en u nd er f oo t;

y ou h av e m ur de re d m e; I s ha ll n ot s ur vi ve i t."

And certainly the unfortunate prisoner would have fallen ill

b ut f or t he c ou nt er po is e w hi ch P ro vi de nc e h ad g ra nt ed t o h is

g ri ef , a nd w hi ch w as c al le d R os a.

I n t he e ve ni ng s he c am e b ac k. He r f ir st w or ds a nn ou nc ed t o

Cornel ius t ha t hence fort h her f at he r w ould m ake no obj ec ti on

to his cultivating flowers.

" An d h ow d o y ou k no w t ha t? " t he p ri so ne r a sk ed , w it h a

doleful look.

"I kn ow i t bec aus e he h as s aid s o."

" To dec e ive m e, per ha ps. "

"N o, he r e pe nts . "

" Ah y es ! b ut t oo l at e. "

P a g e 1 9 8



"This repentance is not of himself."

" An d w ho p ut i t i nt o h im? "

" If you onl y kne w how his f ri end s colded him !"

" Ah , M as te r J ac ob ; h e d oe s n ot l ea ve y ou , t he n, t ha t M as te r

Jacob?"

" At a ny ra te , h e l ea ves u s a s l it tl e a s h e c an h el p."

S ay in g t hi s, s he s mi le d i n s uc h a wa y t ha t t he l it tl e c lo ud

o f j ea lo us y w hi ch h ad d ar ke ne d t he b ro w o f C or ne li us

speedily vanished.

" Ho w w as i t? " a sk ed t he p ri so ne r.

"W el l, b ei ng a sk ed b y h is f ri en d, m y f at he r t ol d a t s up pe r

t he wh ol e s to ry o f t he t ul ip , o r r at he r o f t he b ul b, a nd o f

his own f ine e xploit of c rushing i t. "

C or ne li us h ea ve d a s ig h, w hi ch m ig ht h av e b ee n c al le d a

groan.

" Ha d y ou o nl y s ee n M as te r J ac ob a t t ha t m om en t! " c on ti nu ed

R os a. " I r ea ll y t ho ug ht h e w ou ld s et f ir e t o t he c as tl e; h is

e ye s w er e l ik e t wo f la mi ng t or ch es , h is h ai r s to od o n e nd ,

a nd h e c li nc he d h is f is t f or a mo me nt ; I t ho ug ht h e w ou ld

have strangled my father."

" 'Y ou h av e d on e t ha t, ' h e c ri ed , ' yo u h av e c ru sh ed t he

bulb?'

" ' I nd ee d I h av e. '

" 'I t i s i nf am ou s, ' s ai d M as te r J ac ob , ' it i s o di ou s! Y ou

have c om mi tt ed a gre at c ri me !'

P a g e 1 9 9



" My f at he r w as qui te dum bf ounded.

" 'A re y ou m ad , t oo ?' h e a sk ed h is f ri en d. "

Pa ge 1 01


"O h, w ha t a w or th y m an i s t hi s M as te r J ac ob !" m ut te re d

C o rn el iu s, - - " an h on es t s ou l, a n e xc el le nt h ea rt t ha t h e

is."

" Th e t ru th is , t hat i t i s i mpo ss ib le to t re at a m an mo re

r ud el y t ha n h e d id m y f at he r; h e w as r ea ll y q ui te i n

d es pa ir , r ep ea ti ng o ve r a nd o ve r a ga in , - -

" ' Cr us he d, c ru sh ed t he b ul b! m y G od , m y G od ! c ru sh ed !'

" Th en , t ur ni ng t ow ar d m e, h e a sk ed , ' Bu t i t w as n ot t he o nl y

o ne t ha t h e h ad ?' "

" Di d he a sk t ha t? " i nqui re d C or ne li us , w it h s om e a nxie ty.

" 'Yo u t hin k it wa s n ot t he o nl y o ne ?' s ai d m y f at he r. ' Ve ry

w el l, w e s ha ll s ea rc h f or t he o th er s. '

" ' Yo u w il l s ea rc h f or t he o th er s? ' c ri ed J ac ob , t ak in g m y

f at he r by t he c ol la r; but he i mm edia te ly l oose d him . T he n,

t ur ni ng t ow ar ds m e, h e c on ti nu ed , a sk in g ' An d w ha t d id t ha t

p oo r y ou ng m an s ay ?'

"I d id no t kno w what to a nswer, as yo u had so str ictly

e nj oi ne d m e n ev er t o a ll ow a ny o ne t o g ue ss t he i nt er es t

w hi ch you a re t aking i n t he bul b. F or tuna te ly, m y f at he r

s aved m e f rom t he dif fi cult y by c hi mi ng i n, - -

" 'W ha t d id h e s ay ? Di dn 't h e f um e a nd f re t? '

" I i nt er ru pt ed h im , s ay in g, ' Wa s i t n ot n at ur al t ha t b e

P a g e 2 0 0





he h as c on tr iv ed t o p ro cu re t hi s b ul b. '

" I t ur ne d my e ye s a wa y t o a vo id m y f at he r' s lo ok ; b ut I me t

t h os e o f J ac ob .

" It wa s a s if he had tried to read my thoug hts at th e b ottom

of m y h ea rt .

" So me l it tl e s ho w o f a ng er s om et im es s av es a n a ns we r. I

s hr ug ge d m y s ho ul de rs , t ur ne d m y b ac k, a nd a dv an ce d t ow ar ds

th e d o or .

" Bu t I w as k ep t b y s om et hi ng w hi ch I h ea rd , a lt ho ug h i t w as

u tt er ed i n a v er y l ow v oi ce o nl y.

" Ja co b s ai d t o m y f at he r, - -

" ' It w ou ld n ot b e s o d if fi cu lt t o a sc er ta in t ha t. '

" ' Ho w s o? '

" 'Yo u n ee d o nl y se ar ch h is p er so n: a nd if h e h as t he o th er

b ul bs , w e s ha ll f in d t he m, a s t he re u su al ly a re t hr ee

suckers!'"

" Th re e s uc ke rs !" c ri ed C or ne li us . " Di d y ou s ay t ha t I h av e

three?"

" Th e w or d c er ta in ly s tr uc k me j us t a s m uc h a s i t d oe s y ou . I

t ur ne d r ou nd . Th ey we re b ot h o f t he m s o d ee pl y e ng ag ed i n

t he ir c onve rs at ion t ha t t he y did not obs er ve m y m ovem ent.

" 'B ut ,' s ai d my f at he r, ' pe rh ap s h e h as n ot g ot h is b ul bs

about him?'

" 'Th en t ak e h im d own , u nd er s ome p re te xt o r o th er a nd I w ill

search his cell in the meanwhile.'"

" Ha ll oa , hal loa! " s ai d C or ne li us . " But t hi s M r. J ac ob of

P a g e 2 0 2



your s i s a vil la in, i t s ee ms ."

"I am af rai d he i s."

" Te ll m e, R os a, " c onti nued C or ne li us , w it h a pensi ve a ir .

"What?"

" Di d y ou n ot t el l me th at o n t he d ay wh en y ou p re pa re d y ou r

bor de rs t hi s m an f ol lowe d you?"

"S o h e d id ."

"T ha t h e g li de d l ik e a s ha do w b eh in d t he e ld er t re es ?"

"Certainly."

" That not one of your m ovem ents e sc aped him ?"

" Not one, i nde ed."

"Rosa," said Cornelius, growing quite pale.

"Well?"

Pa ge 1 03


" It wa s n ot y ou h e w as a ft er ."

"Who else, then?"

"It i s n ot y ou th at h e was i n lo ve with !"

"But with whom else?"

"H e wa s a ft er my b ul b, a nd i s i n l ov e wi th my t ul ip !"

" Yo u d on 't s ay s o! A nd y et i t i s v er y p os si bl e, " s ai d Ro sa .

" Wi ll y ou m ak e s ur e o f i t? "

"In what manner?"

" Oh , i t w ou ld b e v er y e as y! "

"Tell me."

P a g e 2 0 3



"G o t o- mo rr ow i nt o t he g ar de n; m an ag e m at te rs s o t ha t J ac ob

ma y k no w, as h e d id t he fi rs t ti me , th at y ou a re g oi ng

t he re , a nd t ha t h e m ay fo ll ow yo u. Fe ig n t o p ut t he b ul b

i nt o t he g ro un d; l ea ve t he g ar de n, b ut l oo k t hr ou gh t he

k ey ho le o f t he d oo r a nd w at ch h im ."

" We ll , a nd w ha t t he n? "

" Wh at t he n? W e s ha ll d o a s h e d oe s."

" Oh! " sa id Ro sa , wi th a s ig h, "y ou a re v ery f on d of y ou r

bulbs."

" To t el l t he t ruth," s ai d t he pri sone r, s ighi ng l ikew is e,

" si nc e your f at he r c rushed t ha t unf or tuna te bul b, I f ee l a s

i f p ar t o f m y o wn s el f h ad b ee n p ar al yz ed ."

" Now j us t hea r m e, " s ai d R os a; " wi ll you t ry s om et hi ng

else?"

"What?"

"W il l you a cc ept t he proposi ti on of m y f at he r? "

"Which proposition?"

"D id n ot h e o ff er t o y ou t ul ip b ul bs b y h un dr ed s? "

" Inde ed he did."

" Ac ce pt t wo o r t hr ee , a nd , a lo ng wi th t he m, y ou m ay g ro w t he

third sucker."

" Y es , t ha t w ould do ver y w el l, " s ai d C or ne li us , kni tt ing his

b ro w; " if y ou r f at he r w er e a lo ne , b ut t he re i s t ha t M as te r

J ac ob , w ho w at ch es a ll o ur w ay s. "

" We ll , t ha t i s t rue; but onl y t hi nk! you a re depri vi ng

y ou rs el f, a s I c an e as il y s ee , o f a v er y g re at p le as ur e. "

P a g e 2 0 4



S he p ro no un ce d t he se w or ds w it h a s mi le , w hi ch w as n ot

a lt oget he r w it hout a t inge of i rony.

C ornel ius r ef le ct ed f or a m om ent; he e vi de nt ly w as

Pa ge 1 04


struggling against some vehement desire.

" No !" h e c ri ed a t la st , wi th t he s to ic is m o f a Ro ma n o f o ld ,

" it would be a wea kness, it would be a folly, it would be a

m ea nn es s! I f I t hu s g iv e u p t he o nl y a nd l as t r es ou rc e w hi ch

w e p os se ss t o t he u nc er ta in c ha nc es o f t he b ad p as si on s o f

a ng er a nd e nv y, I s ho ul d n ev er d es er ve t o b e f or gi ve n. No ,

Ro sa , n o; t o- mo rr ow w e s ha ll c ome t o a c on cl us io n a s t o t he

s pot t o b e c ho sen f or y ou r tu lip ; y ou wil l pl an t i t

a cc or di ng t o m y i ns tr uc ti on s; a nd a s t o t he t hi rd s uc ke r, "

-- Co rn el ius h ere h eav ed a de ep si gh , - - " wat ch ov er it a s a

m is er o ve r h is f ir st o r l as t p iec e o f g ol d; a s t he mo th er

o ve r h er c hi ld ; a s t he wo un de d o ve r t he l as t d ro p o f b lo od

i n h is v ei ns ; w at ch o ve r i t, R os a! S om e v oi ce wi th in m e

tel ls me tha t it will b e ou r sav in g, tha t it will be a

so urc e o f go od t o u s."

" Be e as y, M yn he er C or ne li us ," s ai d R os a, w it h a s we et

m ixture of m el anchol y a nd gra vi ty, " be e as y; your w is he s a re

c omm ands t o m e. "

" And e ve n, " c onti nued V an B ae rl e, w ar mi ng m or e a nd m or e w it h

h is s ub je ct , " if y ou s ho ul d p er ce iv e t ha t y ou r s te ps a re

P a g e 2 0 5



wa tc he d, a nd t ha t y ou r s pe ec h h as e xc it ed t he s us pi ci on o f

y ou r f at he r a nd o f t ha t d et es ta bl e M as te r J ac ob , - - w el l,

R os a, d on 't h es it at e f or o ne m om en t t o s ac ri fi ce m e, w ho a m

o nl y s ti ll l iv in g t hr ou gh y ou , - - me , w ho h av e n o o ne i n t he

wor ld b ut yo u; sac ri fic e me , - - do n't c ome t o s ee me an y

more."

R os a f el t h er h ea rt s in k wi th in h er , a nd h er e ye s w er e

filling with tears.

"Alas!" she said.

" What i s i t? " a sked C or ne li us .

" I s ee o ne t hi ng ."

"W ha t d o y ou s ee ?"

" I s ee ," s ai d s he , b ur st in g o ut i n s ob s, " I s ee t ha t y ou

lov e y our t ul ips wi th s uch l ove a s to h ave n o mo re r oo m i n

your hea rt l ef t f or other a ff ec ti ons. "

S aying t hi s, s he f le d.

Co rn el iu s, a ft er t hi s, p as se d o ne o f t he w or st n ig ht s h e

ev er h ad i n h is l if e.

Ro sa wa s v ex ed w it h h im, a nd w it h g oo d r ea so n. Pe rh ap s s he

wo ul d n ev er r et ur n t o s ee t he p ri so ne r, a nd t he n h e w ou ld

ha ve n o mo re n ews , e it he r o f R os a o r o f h is t ul ip s.

We h ave to co nfe ss , to th e d is gr ac e o f ou r h er o a nd o f

f l or ic ul ture , t ha t of his t wo a ff ec ti ons he f el t m os t

s tr on gl y i nc li ne d t o r eg re t t he l os s o f R os a; a nd w he n, a t

a bout t hr ee i n t he m or ni ng, he f el l a sl ee p ove rc om e w it h

f at igue , a nd har as se d w it h r em or se , t he gra nd bla ck t ul ip

P a g e 2 0 6



y ie ld ed p re ce de nc e i n h is d re am s t o t he s we et b lu e e ye s o f

the f ai r m ai d of F ri es la nd.

Pa ge 1 05


C ha p te r 1 9

T he Ma id a nd t he Fl ow er

B ut p oo r R os a, i n h er s ec lu de d c ha mb er , c ou ld n ot h av e k no wn

o f w ho m o r o f w ha t C or ne li us w as d re am in g.

Fr om wh at h e ha d sa id sh e was mor e re ady to b eli eve tha t he

d re ame d o f t he b la ck t ul ip t ha n o f h er ; a nd y et Ro sa wa s

mistaken.

But as there was no one to tell her so, and as the words of

C or ne li us 's t hought le ss s pe ec h had f al le n upon her hea rt

l ik e d ro ps o f p oi so n, s he d id n ot d re am , b ut s he w ep t.

Th e f ac t wa s, t ha t, a s R os a w as a h ig h- sp ir it ed c re at ur e, o f

n o m ea n p er ce pt io n a nd a n ob le h ea rt , s he t oo k a v er y c le ar

a nd j ud ic io us v ie w o f h er o wn s oc ia l p os it io n, i f n ot o f h er

moral and physical qualities.

C or ne li us w as a s ch ol ar , a nd w as w ea lt hy , - - a t l ea st h e h ad

bee n bef or e t he c onfi sc at ion of his prope rt y; C or ne li us

bel onged t o t he m er cha nt - bourge oi si e , w ho w er e proude r of

t he ir r ic hl y e mbla zone d s hop s igns t ha n t he her edit ar y

nobility of their heraldic bearings. Therefore, although he

m i gh t f in d R os a a p le as an t c om pa ni on f or t he d re ar y h ou rs o f

h is c ap ti vi ty , w he n i t c am e t o a q ue st io n o f b es to wi ng h is

P a g e 2 0 7



h ea rt i t wa s a lm os t c er ta in t ha t h e wo ul d b es to w i t u po n a

t ul ip , - - t ha t i s t o s ay , u po n t he p ro ud es t a nd n ob le st o f

f lo we rs , r at he r t ha n u po n p oo r R os a, t he j ai le r' s l ow ly

child.

T hus R os a unde rs t ood C or nel ius' s pre f er ence of t he t ul ip t o

h er se lf , b ut w as o nl y s o m uc h t he m or e u nh ap py t he re fo r.

Du ri ng t he w ho le o f t hi s t er ri bl e n ig ht t he p oo r g ir l d id

n ot c lo se a n e ye , a nd b ef or e s he r os e i n t he mo rn in g s he h ad

c om e t o t he r es ol ut io n o f m ak in g h er a pp ea ra nc e a t t he

g ra te d w in do w n o m or e.

B ut a s s he k ne w w it h w ha t a rd en t d es ir e C or ne li us l oo ke d

f or wa rd t o t he new s a bout his t ul ip; a nd a s, not wi thst andi ng

he r d ete rm in at io n n ot t o s ee a ny mo re a ma n h er p it y f or

w ho se f at e wa s f as t g ro wi ng i nt o l ov e, s he d id n ot , o n t he

o th er h an d, wi sh t o d ri ve h im t o d es pa ir , s he r es ol ve d t o

c ont inue by her se lf t he r ea di ng a nd w ri ti ng l es sons ; a nd,

f or tuna te ly, s he had m ade s uf fi ci ent progr es s t o dis pe ns e

with th e h elp of a mas ter whe n t he mas ter was no t t o b e

Cornelius.

Rosa therefore applied herself most diligently to reading

p oo r C or ne li us d e W it t' s B ib le , o n t he s ec on d f ly l ea f o f

w hi ch t he l as t w il l of C or ne li us van B ae rl e w as w ri tt en.

"Alas!" she muttered, when perusing again this document,

w hi ch s he n ev er f in is he d w it ho ut a t ea r, t he p ea rl o f l ov e,

r ol li ng f ro m h er l im pi d e ye s o n h er p al e c he ek s - - " al as ! a t

t ha t t im e I t ho ug ht f or o ne m om en t h e l ov ed m e. "

P a g e 2 0 8



P oo r R os a! s he w as m is ta ke n. N ev er h ad t he l ov e o f t he

p ri so ne r b ee n m or e s in ce re t ha n a t t he t im e a t w hi ch we a re

n ow a rr iv ed , w he n i n t he c on te st b et we en t he b la ck t ul ip a nd

Pa ge 1 06


Rosa the tulip had had to yield to her the first an d

f or em os t pla ce i n C or ne li us ' s hea rt .

But Ro sa was n ot awa re of i t.

H av in g f in is he d r ea di ng , s he t oo k h er p en , a nd b eg an w it h a s

la udable dil igence t he by f ar m or e dif fi cult t as k of

writing.

As , h owe ve r, Ro sa w as a lr ea dy a bl e t o wr it e a l eg ib le h an d

w he n C or ne li us s o u nc au ti ou sl y o pe ne d h is h ea rt , s he d id n ot

de spai r of progr es si ng qui ckly e nough t o w ri te , a ft er e ight

d ay s a t t he l at es t, t o t he p ri so ne r a n a cc ou nt o f h is t ul ip .

S he h ad n ot f or go tt en o ne wo rd o f t he d ir ec ti on s g iv en t o

he r b y C or ne li us , w ho se s pe ec he s s he t re as ur ed i n h er h ea rt ,

e ve n w he n t he y d id n ot t ak e t he s ha pe o f d ir ec ti on s.

He , o n h is p ar t, a wo ke d ee pe r i n l ov e t ha n e ve r. Th e t ul ip ,

i ndee d, w as s ti ll a l um inous a nd promi ne nt obj ec t i n his

m in d; b ut h e n o l on ge r lo ok ed u po n i t a s a t re as ur e t o w hi ch

h e o ug ht t o s ac ri fi ce e ve ry th in g, a nd e ve n R os a, b ut a s a

m a rvel lous c om bi na ti on of nat ur e a nd a rt w it h w hi ch he w ould

h av e b ee n h ap py t o a do rn t he b os om o f h is b el ov ed o ne .

Y et d ur in g t he wh ol e o f t ha t d ay h e wa s h au nte d w it h a v ag ue

P a g e 2 0 9



u ne as in es s, a t t he b ot to m o f w hi ch wa s t he f ea r l es t Ro sa

sh ou ld n ot c om e i n t he e ve ni ng t o p ay h im h er u su al v is it .

T hi s t ho ug ht t oo k m or e a nd m or e h ol d o f h im , u nt il a t t he

a pp ro ac h o f e ve ni ng h is w ho le m in d w as a bs or be d i n i t.

H ow h is h ea rt b ea t w he n d ar kn es s c lo se d i n! T he w or ds w hi ch

he had s aid to Rosa o n the ev enin g bef ore an d wh ich ha d so

d ee pl y a ff li ct ed h er , n ow c am e b ac k t o h is m in d m or e v iv id ly

t ha n e ve r, a nd h e a sk ed h ims el f h ow h e c ou ld h av e t ol d h is

g e nt le c om fo rt er t o s ac ri fi ce h im t o h is t ul ip , - - t ha t i s

t o sa y, to give up seeing hi m, if need be, -- wh ereas to him

t he s ig ht o f Ro sa h ad b eco me a c on dit io n o f l ife .

I n Co rn el iu s' s c el l o ne h ea rd t he c hi me s o f th e c lo ck o f th e

f or tr es s. I t s tr uc k s ev en , i t s tr uc k e ig ht , i t s tr uc k n in e.

N ever did t he m et al voi ce vibra te m or e f or ci bl y t hr ough t he

h ea rt o f a ny m an t ha n d id t he l as t s tr ok e, m ar ki ng t he n in th

hour, t hr ough t he hea rt of C or ne li us .

Al l wa s t he n s il en t a ga in . Co rn el iu s p ut h is h an d o n h is

he ar t, t o r ep re ss a s i t w er e i ts v io le nt p al pi ta ti on , a nd

listened.

Th e n oi se o f h er fo ot st ep , t he ru st lin g of h er g own o n th e

s ta ir ca se , we re s o f am il ia r t o h is e ar , t ha t s he h ad n o

s oo ne r m ou nt ed o ne s te p t ha n h e u se d t o s ay t o h im se lf , - -

" H er e c om es R os a ."

T hi s e ve ni ng none of t hose l it tl e noi se s broke t he s il ence

of t he l ob by , t he c lo ck s tr uc k n in e, a nd a q ua rt er ; t he

h al f- ho ur , t he n a q ua rt er t o t en , a nd a t l as t i ts d ee p t on e

P a g e 2 1 0



a nn ou nc ed , n ot o nl y t o t he i nm at es o f t he f or tr es s, b ut a ls o

t o a ll t he i nh ab it an ts o f L oe we st ei n, t ha t i t w as t en .

T hi s w as t he h ou r a t w hi ch R os a g en er al ly u se d t o l ea ve

Co rn el iu s. T he h ou r h ad s tr uc k, b ut Ro sa h ad n ot c om e.

Pa ge 1 07


T hus t he n his f or eboding had not dec ei ve d him ; R os a, bei ng

v e xe d, s hu t h er se lf u p i n h er r oo m a nd l ef t h im t o h im se lf .

" Al as !" he t hought , " I have des er ve d a ll t hi s. S he w il l c om e

n o mo re , a nd sh e i s ri ght i n st ay in g a way ; i n h er p la ce I

sh ou ld d o j us t t he s am e. "

Yet notwithstanding all this, Cornelius listened, waited,

a nd hoped unt il m idni ght, t he n he t hr ew him se lf upon t he

be d, w it h h is c lo th es o n.

It was a long and sad night for him, and the day brought no

h op e t o t he p ri so ne r.

At ei gh t i n th e mo rni ng , th e d oo r o f h is ce ll o pe ne d; bu t

C orn el iu s d id n ot e ve n tu rn h is h ea d; h e h ad h ea rd t he h ea vy

s te p o f G ry ph us i n t he l ob by , b ut t hi s s te p h ad p er fe ct ly

s at is fi ed t he pri sone r t ha t his j ai le r w as c om ing a lone .

T hu s C or ne li us d id n ot e ve n l oo k a t G ry ph us .

An d yet h e wou ld ha ve be en so g lad to draw him out , and to

i nqui re a bout R os a. H e e ve n ver y nea rl y m ade t hi s i nqui ry,

st ra ng e a s i t w ou ld n ee ds h av e a pp ea re d t o h er f at he r. To

t el l t he t ru th , t he re w as i n a ll t hi s s om e s el fi sh h op e t o

P a g e 2 1 1



hea r f rom G ryphus t ha t his daughte r w as i ll .

E xc ept on e xt ra ordina ry oc ca si ons , R os a ne ve r c a me dur ing

th e d ay . C or ne li us t he re fo re d id n ot r ea ll y e xp ec t h er a s

l o ng a s t he d ay l as te d. Y et h is s ud de n s ta rt s, h is l is te ni ng

a t t he d oo r, h is r ap id g la nc es a t e ve ry l it tl e n oi se t ow ar ds

t he gr at ed w indow , s how ed c l ea rl y t ha t t he pri soner

e nt er ta in ed s om e l at en t h op e t ha t R os a w ou ld , s om eh ow o r

ot he r, b re ak h er r ul e.

A t t he s ec on d v is it o f G ry ph us , C or ne li us , c on tr ar y t o a ll

h is f or me r h ab it s, a sk ed t he o ld j ai le r, w it h t he m os t

w inni ng voi ce , a bout her hea lt h; but G ryphus c onte nt ed

himself with giving the laconical answer, --

"All's well."

A t t he t hi rd v is it o f t he d ay , C or ne li us c ha ng ed h is f or me r

inquiry: --

" I h op e n ob od y i s i ll a t L oe we st ei n? "

"Nobody," replied, even more laconically, the jailer,

s hu tt in g t he d oo r b ef or e t he n os e o f t he p ri so ne r.

Gr yp hu s, b ei ng l it tl e u se d t o t hi s s or t o f c iv il it y o n t he

p ar t o f C or ne li us , b eg an t o s us pe ct t ha t h is p ri so ne r w as

ab ou t t o t ry a nd b ri be h im .

C or ne li us w as n ow a lo ne o nc e m or e; i t w as s ev en o 'c lo ck i n

t he e ve ni ng, a nd t he a nxie ty of yes te rday r et ur ne d w it h

increased intensity.

B ut a nother t im e t he hours pas se d a wa y w it hout bri nging t he

s we et vis ion w hi ch l ight ed up, t hr ough t he gra te d w indow,

P a g e 2 1 2



t he c el l of poor C or ne li us , a nd w hi ch, i n r et ir ing, l ef t

l ig ht e no ug h i n h is h ea rt t o l as t u nt il i t c am e b ac k a ga in .

V an Ba er le p as se d t he n ig ht i n a n a go ny o f d es pa ir . O n t he

Pa ge 1 08


f ol lowi ng day G ryphus a ppea re d t o him e ve n m or e hideous ,

b ru ta l, a nd h at ef ul t ha n u su al ; i n h is m in d, o r r at he r i n

his he art, the re had b een s ome hop e that it was th e old man

w ho pre ve nt ed his daughte r f rom c om ing.

I n h is w ra th h e w ou ld h av e s tr an gl ed G ry ph us , b ut w ou ld n ot

th is h av e s ep ar at ed h im f or e ve r f ro m R os a?

The evening closing in, his despair changed into melancholy,

w hi ch w as t he m or e gloom y a s, i nvol unta ri ly, V an B ae rl e

m ix ed u p wit h it th e t hou ght o f h is p oo r tu li p. It was no w

j us t t ha t w ee k i n A pr il w hi ch t he m os t e xp er ie nc ed g ar de ne rs

p oi nt o ut as t he p re cis e ti me wh en t ul ip s o ug ht t o b e

p la nt ed . H e h ad s ai d t o Ro sa , - -

"I shall tell you the day when you are to put the bulb in

the ground."

H e h ad i nt en de d t o f ix , a t t he v ai nl y h op ed f or i nt er vi ew ,

t he f ol lowi ng day a s t he t im e f or t ha t m om entous ope ra ti on.

T he w ea ther w as propi ti ous; t he a ir , t hough s ti ll dam p,

be gan to be tempe red by th os e pa le ra ys o f the Ap ril su n

w hi ch, bei ng t he f ir st , a ppea r s o c onge ni al , a lt hough s o

p al e. H ow i f R os a a ll ow ed t he r ig ht m om en t f or p la nt in g t he

P a g e 2 1 3



b ul b t o p as s b y, - - i f, i n a dd it io n t o t he g ri ef o f s ee in g

h er n o m or e, h e s ho ul d h av e t o d ep lo re t he m is fo rt un e o f

s ee ing his t ul ip f ai l on a cc ount of i ts having bee n pla nt ed

to o l at e, o r o f i ts n ot h av in g b ee n p la nt ed a t a ll !

T he se t wo vexat ions c om bi ne d m ight w el l m ake him l ea ve off

eating and drinking.

Th is w as t he c as e o n t he f ou rt h d ay .

I t w as p it if ul t o s ee C or ne li us , d um b w it h g ri ef , a nd p al e

f rom utt er prost ra ti on, s tr et ch out his hea d t hr ough t he

iro n bars of his window, at the risk of not being able to

draw it back ag ain, to try an d g et a g limp se o f th e g arden

o n the left sp oken of by Ro sa, who had told h im that its

p ar ap et o ve rl oo ke d t he r iv er . H e h op ed t ha t p er ha ps h e m ig ht

se e, i n t he l igh t o f th e Ap ri l su n, Ro sa o r t he tu lip , t he

t wo l os t o bj ec ts o f h is l ov e.

I n t he e ve ni ng , G ry ph us t oo k a wa y t he b re ak fa st a nd d in ne r

of C or ne li us , w ho had s ca rc el y t ouched t he m.

O n t he f oll owi ng d ay h e d id n ot t ou ch t hem at a ll, a nd

G ry ph us c ar ri ed t he d is he s a wa y j us t a s h e h ad b ro ug ht t he m.

C o rn el iu s h ad r em ai ne d i n b ed t he w ho le d ay .

" We ll ," s ai d G ryphus , c om ing dow n f rom t he l as t vis it , " I

t hi nk w e s ha ll s oo n g et r id o f o ur s ch ol ar ."

R os a w as s ta rt le d.

" No ns en se !" s ai d J ac ob . " Wh at d o y ou m ea n? "

" He d oe sn 't d ri nk , h e d oe sn 't e at , h e d oe sn 't l ea ve h is b ed .

He wil l ge t ou t o f i t, li ke My nh eer Gro tiu s, i n a c hes t,

P a g e 2 1 4



o nl y t he c he st wi ll b e a c of fi n."

Ro sa g re w p al e a s d ea th .

Pa ge 1 09


" Ah !" s he s ai d t o h er se lf , " he i s u ne as y a bo ut h is t ul ip ."

A nd , r is in g w it h a h ea vy h ea rt , s he r et ur ne d t o h er c ha mb er ,

whe re s he too k a pe n a nd pa pe r, an d d uri ng th e who le of t ha t

night busied herself with tracing letters.

O n t he f ol lowi ng m or ni ng, w he n C or ne li us got up t o dra g

h im se lf t o t he w in do w, h e p er ce iv ed a p ap er w hi ch h ad b ee n

s li pp ed u nd er t he d oo r.

H e p ou nc ed u po n i t, o pe ne d i t, a nd r ea d t he f ol lo wi ng w or ds ,

i n a handw ri ti ng w hi ch he c ould s ca rc el y have r ec ogni ze d a s

t ha t o f R os a, s o m uc h h ad s he i mp ro ve d d ur in g h er s ho rt

a bs en ce o f s ev en d ay s, - -

" Be e as y; your t ul ip i s goi ng on w el l. "

A lt ho ug h t he se f ew w or ds o f R os a' s s om ew ha t s oo th ed t he

g ri ef o f Co rn el iu s, y et h e f el t n ot t he l es s t he i ro ny wh ic h

was a t the bo tto m of th em. Rosa , the n, was n ot ill, she was

off ende d; s he had not bee n f or ci bl y pre ve nt ed f rom c om ing,

b ut h ad v ol un ta ri ly s ta ye d a wa y. T hu s R os a, b ei ng a t

l ib ert y, fo un d i n h er o wn wi ll t he f or ce n ot to co me a nd s ee

h im , w ho wa s d yi ng w it h g ri ef a t n ot h av in g s ee n h er .

Co rn el iu s h ad p ap er a nd a p en ci l w hi ch R os a h ad b ro ug ht t o

h im . He g ue ss ed t ha t s he e xp ec te d a n a ns we r, b ut t ha t s he

P a g e 2 1 5



w ou ld n ot c om e b ef or e t he e ve ni ng t o f et ch i t. H e t he re fo re

wr ot e o n a p ie ce o f p ap er , s imi la r t o t ha t wh ic h h e h ad

r e c ei v ed , - -

"I t was no t my an xie ty a bou t t he tu li p t ha t h as mad e me il l,

bu t t he g ri ef a t n ot s ee in g y ou ."

Af te r Gry ph us h ad ma de h is l as t v is it o f t he d ay , a nd

d ar kn es s h ad s et i n, h e s li pp ed t he p ap er u nd er t he d oo r,

a nd l is te ne d w it h t he m os t i nt ense a tt enti on, but he nei ther

h ea rd R os a' s f oo ts te ps n or t he r us tl in g o f h er g ow n.

He o nly h eard a v oic e a s fee ble as a b reat h, a nd ge ntle l ike

a c ar es s, w hi ch w hi sper ed t hr ough t he gra te d l it tl e w indow

in th e d oor the word , --

"To-morrow!"

No w t o- mo rr ow w as t he e ig ht h d ay . F or e ig ht d ay s C or ne li us

a nd Ro sa h ad n ot se en e ac h o th er .

C ha p te r 2 0

T he E ve nt s w hi ch t ook pla ce dur ing t hose E ight D ays

O n t he f ol lowi ng e ve ni ng, a t t he usual hour, V an B ae rl e

h ea rd s om e o ne s cr at ch a t t he g ra te d l it tl e w in do w, j us t a s

Ro sa h ad b ee n i n th e h ab it o f d oin g i n t he h ey da y of t he ir

friendship.

C or ne li us bei ng, a s m ay e as il y be i ma gi ne d, not f ar off f rom

t he d oo r, p er ce iv ed R os a, w ho a t l as t w as w ai ti ng a ga in f or

hi m wi th h er l amp i n h er h an d.

Pa ge 1 10


P a g e 2 1 6



Se ei ng h im s o s ad an d p al e, sh e wa s s ta rtl ed, a nd sa id, --

"You are ill, Mynheer Cornelius?"

" Ye s, I a m, " h e a ns we re d, a s i nd ee d h e w as s uf fe ri ng i n m in d

a nd i n b od y.

" I s aw t ha t y ou d id n ot e at ," s ai d Ro sa ; " my f ath er t ol d me

t ha t y ou r ema in ed i n b ed a ll d ay . I th en wr ot e t o c al m y ou r

unea si ne ss c onc er ni ng t he f at e of t he m os t pre ci ous obj ec t

of your anxiety."

" And I ," s ai d C or ne li us , " I have a ns we re d. S ee ing your

re tu rn , m y d ea r R os a, I t ho ug ht y ou h ad r ec ei ve d m y l et te r. "

" It i s t ru e; I h av e r ec ei ve d i t. "

" Yo u c an no t t hi s t im e e xc us e y ou rs el f w it h n ot b ei ng a bl e t o

r ea d. No t o nl y d o y ou r ea d v er y f lu en tl y, b ut a ls o y ou h av e

made marvellous progress in writing."

" In de ed , I h av e n ot o nl y r ec ei ve d, b ut a ls o r ea d y ou r n ot e.

A cc or di ng ly I a m c om e t o s ee wh et he r t he re mi gh t n ot b e s om e

r em ed y t o r es to re y ou t o h ea lt h. "

" Re st or e m e t o hea lt h? " c ri ed C or ne li us ; " but have you a ny

g oo d n ew s t o c om mu ni ca te t o m e? "

S ay in g t hi s, t he p oo r p ri so ne r l oo ke d a t R os a, h is e ye s

sparkling with hope.

W he th er s he d id n ot , o r w ou ld n ot , u nd er st an d t hi s l oo k,

R o s a a ns we re d g ra ve ly , - -

"I have only to sp eak to you abo ut yo ur tulip , which, as I

w el l k no w, i s t he o bj ec t u pp er mo st i n y ou r m in d. "

P a g e 2 1 7



R os a p ro no un ce d t ho se f ew w or ds i n a f re ez in g t on e, w hi ch

c ut d ee pl y i nt o t he h ea rt o f C or ne li us . H e d id n ot s us pe ct

w ha t l ay hidde n under t hi s a ppea ra nc e of i ndif fe re nc e w it h

w hi ch t he p oo r g ir l a ff ec te d t o s pe ak o f h er r iv al , t he

black tulip.

" O h! " m ut te re d C or ne li us , " agai n! a ga in! H ave I not t ol d

y ou , Ro sa , t ha t I t ho ug ht b ut o f y ou ? t ha t i t wa s y ou a lo ne

wh om I r eg re tt ed , y ou w ho m I mi ss ed , y ou w ho se a bs en ce I

f el t m or e t ha n t he l os s o f l ib er ty a nd o f l if e i ts el f? "

R os a s mi le d w it h a m el anchol y a ir .

" Ah !" s he s ai d, " yo ur t ul ip h as b ee n i n s uc h d an ge r. "

Cornelius trembled involuntarily, and showed himself clearly

to be ca ugh t i n the tra p, if ev er the re ma rk wa s mea nt as

such.

"Danger!" he cried, quite alarmed; "what danger?"

R os a l oo ke d a t h im w it h g en tl e c om pa ss io n; s he f el t t ha t

wh at s he wi sh ed w as b ey on d t he p owe r o f t hi s ma n, a nd t ha t

h e mu st b e t ak en a s h e wa s, wi th h is l itt le fo ib le .

" Ye s, " s he s ai d, " yo u h av e g ue ss ed t he t ru th ; t ha t s ui to r

Pa ge 1 11


a nd a mo ro us s wa in , J ac ob , d id n ot c om e o n m y a cc ou nt ."

" And w ha t did he c om e f or ?" C or ne li us a nxious ly a sked.

" He c ame f or t he s ake o f th e t ul ip ."

" Al as !" s ai d C or ne li us , growi ng e ve n pal er a t t hi s pie ce of

i nf or ma ti on t ha n he had bee n w he n R os a, a f or tnight bef or e,

P a g e 2 1 8



ha d t ol d h im t ha t J ac ob w as c om in g f or h er s ak e.

R os a s aw t hi s a la rm , a nd C or ne li us g ue ss ed , f ro m t he

e xp re ss io n o f h er f ac e, i n w ha t d ir ec ti on h er t ho ug ht s w er e

running.

"Oh, p ardon me, Rosa!" he said , "I k now yo u, an d I am well

a wa re o f t he k in dn es s a nd s in ce ri ty o f y ou r h ea rt . T o y ou

G od has given t he t hought a nd s tr engt h f or def endi ng

y ou rs el f; b ut to my p oo r t ul ip , wh en it i s in d an ger , Go d

has given not hi ng of t he s or t. "

R os a, w it hout r eplying t o t hi s e xc us e of t he pri sone r,

c ont inued, - -

" Fr om t he m om en t w he n I f ir st k ne w t ha t y ou w er e u ne as y o n

a cc ou nt o f t he ma n wh o f ol lo wed me , a nd i n wh om I h ad

r ec og ni ze d J ac ob , I w as e ve n m or e u ne as y m ys el f. O n t he d ay ,

t he re fo re , a ft er t ha t o n wh ic h I s aw y ou l as t, a nd o n wh ic h

you said -- "

Cornelius interrupted her.

" On ce m or e, p ar do n m e, R os a! " h e c ri ed . " I w as w ro ng i n

say in g to yo u what I s aid . I h ave a sk ed yo ur p ard on f or th at

u nf or tu na te s pe ec h b ef or e. I a sk i t a ga in : s ha ll I a lw ay s

a sk i t i n v ai n? "

"On the following day," Rosa continued, "remembering what

y ou h ad t ol d me a bo ut t he s tr at ag em w hi ch I w as t o e mp lo y t o

a sc er ta in w he th er t ha t o di ou s m an w as a ft er t he t ul ip , o r

aft er me - --- "

P a g e 2 1 9



" Ye s, y es , o di ou s. Te ll me ," h e s ai d, " do y ou h at e t ha t

man?"

"I do h ate him," said Rosa, "as he is the cause of all the

unhappi ne ss I have s uf fe re d t he se e ight days. "

" Yo u, t oo , h av e b ee n u nh ap py , Ro sa ? I t ha nk y ou a t ho us an d

times for this kind confession."

" We ll , o n t he d ay a ft er t ha t u nf or tu na te o ne , I w en t d ow n

i nt o t he g ar de n a nd p ro ce ed ed t ow ar ds t he b or de r w he re I w as

to p la nt y ou r t ul ip , l oo ki ng r ou nd a ll t he w hi le t o s ee

w he th er I w as a ga in f ol lo we d a s I w as l as t t im e. "

"And then?" Cornelius asked.

" An d t he n t he s ame s ha do w g li de d b et we en t he g at e a nd t he

w al l , a nd once m or e dis a ppe ar e d be hi nd t he e lde r- tr e es ."

" Yo u f ei gn ed n ot t o s ee h im , d id n' t y ou ?" C or ne li us a sk ed ,

r em em be ri ng a ll t he det ai ls of t he a dvic e w hi ch he had given

t o R os a.

Pa ge 1 12


"Ye s, an d I st oop ed ove r th e bo rd er, in whi ch I d ug wit h a

sp ade, as if I was goin g to p ut the b ulb in."

" And h e, - - wh at d id h e d o d uri ng al l th is ti me ?"

" I s aw h is e ye s g li st en t hr ou gh t he b ra nc he s o f t he t re e

li ke t ho se o f a t ig er ."

" Th er e y ou s ee , t he re y ou s ee !" c ri ed C or ne li us .

"Then, after having finished my make-believe work, I

retired."

P a g e 2 2 0



" Bu t o nl y b eh in d t he g ar de n d oo r, I d ar e s ay , s o t ha t y ou

mi gh t s ee th ro ug h t he ke yh ole wh at he wa s g oin g t o do wh en

you had l ef t? "

" He wa ite d f or a mo me nt, ve ry li ke ly t o ma ke s ure o f my n ot

c om in g b ac k, a ft er w hi ch h e s ne ak ed f or th f ro m h is

hi di ng -p la ce , a nd a pp ro ac he d t he b or de r b y a l on g

r ou nd -a bo ut ; a t l as t, h av in g r ea ch ed h is g oa l, t ha t i s t o

s ay , t he s po t w he re t he g ro un d wa s n ew ly t ur ne d, h e s to pp ed

w it h a c ar el es s a ir , l oo ki ng a bo ut i n a ll d ir ec ti on s, a nd

s ca nn in g e ve ry c or ne r o f t he g ar de n, e ve ry w in do w o f t he

neighbouring houses, and even the sky; after which, thinking

him se lf qui te a lone , qui te i sola te d, a nd out of e ve rybody's

si gh t, h e p ou nc ed u po n t he b or de r, p lu ng ed b ot h h is h an ds

i nt o t he s of t s oi l, t oo k a h an df ul o f t he m ou ld , w hi ch h e

gentl y f ri tt er ed bet we en his f inge rs t o s ee w he ther t he bul b

w as i n i t, a nd r ep ea te d t he s am e t hi ng t wi ce o r t hr ee t ime s,

u nt il a t l as t h e p er ce iv ed t ha t h e w as o ut wi tt ed . T he n,

kee pi ng dow n t he a gi ta ti on w hi ch w as r aging i n his bre as t,

he t ook u p th e r ake , s moo the d th e gr oun d, so a s t o le ave it

o n h is r et iri ng i n t he s ame st at e a s h e h ad f ou nd i t, a nd ,

q ui te a ba sh ed a nd r ue fu l, w al ke d b ac k t o t he d oo r, a ff ec ti ng

t he u nc on ce rn ed a ir o f a n o rd in ar y v is it or o f t he g ar de n. "

" O h, t he w re tc h! " m ut te re d C or ne li us , w iping t he c ol d s we at

f ro m h is b ro w. " Oh , t he w re tc h! I g ue ss ed h is i nt en ti on s.

B ut t he b ul b, Ro sa ; w ha t h av e y ou d on e w it h i t? I t i s

P a g e 2 2 1





" An d n ow w ha t i s t he a sp ec t, Ro sa ?"

"At pr esent it ha s the sun all day long, -- that is to sa y

w he n t he s un s hi ne s. Bu t wh en i t o nc e p ee ps o ut o f t he

g ro un d, I s ha ll d o a s y ou h av e d on e h er e, d ea r M yn he er

C or ne li us : I s ha ll p ut i t o ut o f m y wi nd ow o n t he e as te rn

s ide f rom e ight i n t he m or ni ng unt il e le ve n a nd i n m y w indow

t ow ar ds t he w es t f ro m t hr ee t o f iv e i n t he a ft er no on ."

" Th at 's i t! t ha t' s i t! " c ri ed C or ne li us ; " an d y ou a re a

p er fe ct g ar de ne r, m y p re tt y R os a. B ut I a m a fr ai d t he

nur si ng of m y t ul ip w il l t ake up a ll your t im e. "

" Ye s, i t wi ll ," s ai d R os a; "b ut n ev er mi nd . Yo ur t ul ip i s m y

d au gh te r. I s ha ll d ev ot e t o i t t he s ame t ime a s I s ho ul d t o

a ch il d of min e, i f I wer e a mo th er. On ly b y b eco min g it s

mo th er ," R os a a dd ed , s mi li ng ly , " ca n I c ea se t o b e i ts

rival."

" My kind a nd pre tt y R os a! " m ut te re d C or ne li us c as ti ng on her

a gl anc e in wh ic h th ere was mu ch mo re o f th e lo ver th an of

t he gar dener , a nd w hi ch a ff orded R os a s om e c ons ol at ion.

T he n, a ft er a s il ence of s om e m om ents , dur ing w hi ch

Cornel ius had gra sped t hr ough t he ope ni ngs of t he gra ti ng

fo r th e re ce din g ha nd o f Ros a, he s ai d, - -

"Do you mean to say that the bulb has now been in th e ground

for s ix days? "

" Ye s , s ix days, M ynhe er C or ne li us ," s he a ns we re d.

" An d it d oe s n ot y et s ho w le af "

P a g e 2 2 3





" My f idel it y! " R os a e xc la im ed, w it h her e ye s f ul l of t ea rs ,

a nd w it hout c ar ing a ny l onge r t o hide f rom C or ne li us t hi s

d ew o f p ea rl s d ro pp in g o n h er c he ek s, " my f id el it y! h av e I

not bee n f ai thful t o you?"

" Do yo u c all i t f ait hf ul t o d es er t me , a nd t o le ave me h er e

t o d ie ?"

" But, M ynhe er C or ne li us ," s ai d R os a, " am I not doi ng

e ve ry th in g f or y ou t ha t c ou ld g iv e y ou p le as ur e? h av e I n ot

devot ed m ys el f t o your t ul ip?"

" Yo u a re b it te r, R os a, y ou r ep ro ac h m e w it h t he o nl y

una ll oyed ple as ur e w hi ch I have had i n t hi s w or ld."

" I r eproac h you w it h not hi ng, M ynhe er C or ne li us , e xc ept,

p er ha ps , w it h t he i nt en se g ri ef w hi ch I f el t w he n p eo pl e

c ame to tell me at the Buy tenh of th at y ou were ab out to b e

pu t t o d ea th ."

" You a re dis pl ea se d, R os a, m y s we et gir l, w it h m y l oving

flowers."

" I a m not dis pl ea se d w it h your l oving t he m, M ynhe er

C or ne li us , o nl y i t m ak es m e s ad t o t hi nk t ha t y ou l ov e t he m

b e tt er t ha n y ou d o me ."

" Oh , my d ea r, d ea r R os a! l oo k h ow m y h an ds t re mb le ; l oo k a t

my pal e ch eek, h ear how my hear t b eats. It is for you , my

l ov e, n ot f or t he b la ck t ul ip . D es tr oy t he b ul b, d es tr oy t he

ger m of t ha t f lowe r, e xt inguis h t he gentl e l ight of t ha t

i nnoce nt a nd del ight ful dre am , t o w hi ch I have a cc us tome d

P a g e 2 2 5



m ys el f; b ut lo ve m e, Ro sa , l ov e me ; f or I f ee l d ee pl y t hat I

l ove but you."

" Ye s, a ft er t he b la ck t ul ip ," s ig he d R os a, w ho a t l as t n o

l onge r c oyly w it hdre w her w ar m hands f rom t he gra ti ng, a s

Cornelius most affectionately kissed them.

" Above a nd bef or e e ve rything i n t hi s w or ld, R os a. "

" Ma y I bel ie ve you?"

"A s you bel ie ve i n your own e xi st ence ."

" We ll , th en , b e i t s o; b ut lo vi ng me d oe s n ot b in d y ou t oo

much."

"U nf or tu na te ly , i t d oe s n ot b in d m e m or e t ha n I a m b ou nd ;

b ut i t b in ds y ou , R os a, y ou ."

Pa ge 1 15


"To what?"

" Fi rs t o f a ll , n ot t o m ar ry ."

She smiled.

"Th at 's y ou r w ay ," s he s ai d; " yo u a re t yr an ts a ll o f y ou .

Y ou w or sh ip a c er ta in b ea ut y, y ou t hi nk o f n ot hi ng b ut h er .

T he n y ou a re c on de mn ed t o d ea th , a nd w hi ls t w al ki ng t o t he

s ca ff ol d, y ou d ev ot e t o h er y ou r l as t s ig h; a nd n ow y ou

e xp ec t p oo r me t o s ac ri fic e t o y ou a ll my d re ams a nd my

happiness."

" Bu t w ho i s t he b ea ut y y ou a re t al ki ng o f, R os a? " s ai d

C or ne li us , t ry in g i n v ai n t o r em em be r a w om an t o w ho m Ro sa

might possibly be alluding.

P a g e 2 2 6



" Th e d ar k b ea ut y w it h a s le nd er w ai st , s ma ll f ee t, a nd a

n ob le h ea d; i n s ho rt , I a m s pe ak in g o f y ou r f lo we r. "

Cornelius smiled.

" That i s a n i ma gi na ry l ady l ove, a t a ll e ve nt s; w he re as ,

w it ho ut c ou nt in g t ha t a mo ro us J ac ob , y ou b y y ou r o wn a cc ou nt

a re s ur ro un de d w it h a ll s or ts o f s wa in s e ag er t o m ak e l ov e

to you . Do y ou remember Rosa , wh at you to ld me o f t he

s tu de nt s, o ff ic er s, a nd c le rk s o f t he H ag ue ? A re t he re n o

c le rks , off ic er s , or s tudents a t L oe we st e in?"

" In de ed t he re a re , a nd l ot s o f t he m. "

"Who write letters?"

"They do write."

"And now, as you kno w how to read ---- "

H er e C or ne li us h ea ve d a s ig h a t t he t ho ug ht , t ha t, p oo r

c ap ti ve a s h e wa s, t o h im a lo ne Ro sa o we d t he f ac ul ty o f

r ea di ng t he l ove- le tt er s w hi ch s he r ec ei ve d.

" As t o t ha t, " s ai d Ro sa , " I t hin k th at i n r ea din g t he n ot es

a dd re ss ed t o m e, a nd p as si ng t he d if fe re nt s wa in s i n r ev ie w

w ho s end t he m t o m e, I a m onl y f ol lowi ng your i ns tr uc ti ons. "

"How so? My instructions?"

" Inde ed, your i ns tr uc ti ons, s ir ," s ai d R os a, s ighi ng i n her

t ur n; " ha ve y ou f or go tt en t he w il l w ri tt en b y y ou r h an d o n

t he B ib le o f C or ne li us d e W it t? I h av e n ot f or go tt en i t; f or

now, as I know how to read, I read it every day over and

o ve r a ga in. In t ha t w il l y ou b id me t o lo ve a nd ma rr y a

P a g e 2 2 7



h an ds om e y ou ng m an o f t we nt y- si x o r e ig ht y ea rs . I a m o n t he

l oo k- ou t fo r t ha t y ou ng m an , a nd a s t he wh ole o f my d ay i s

t ak en u p w it h y ou r t ul ip , y ou m us t n ee ds l ea ve m e t he

evenings to find him."

" Bu t, R os a, t he w il l w as m ad e i n t he e xp ec ta ti on o f d ea th ,

a n d, t ha nk s t o H ea ve n, I a m s ti ll a li ve ."

" We ll , t he n, I s ha ll n ot b e a ft er t he h an ds om e y ou ng m an ,

a nd I sh all come to see yo u."

Pa ge 1 16


" That 's i t, R os a , c ome ! c om e! "

"Under one condition."

"Granted beforehand!"

" T ha t t he b la ck t ul ip s ha ll n ot b e m en ti on ed f or t he n ex t

three days."

" It s ha ll n ev er b e m en ti on ed a ny m or e, i f y ou w is h i t,

Rosa."

" No , n o, " t he d ams el s ai d, l au gh in g, " I w il l n ot a sk f or

impossibilities."

A nd , s ay in g t hi s, s he b ro ug ht h er f re sh c he ek , a s i f

unc onsc ious ly, s o nea r t he i ron gra ti ng, t ha t C or ne li us w as

ab le t o t ou ch i t wi th hi s l ip s.

R os a u tt er ed a l it tl e s cr ea m, w hi ch , h ow ev er , w as f ul l o f

l ove , a nd di sa ppe a re d.

C ha p te r 2 1

The S ec ond B ul b

P a g e 2 2 8



The nig ht wa s a happy one, and the whole o f the next d ay

happier still.

D ur in g t he l as t f ew d ay s, t he p ri so n h ad b ee n h ea vy , d ar k,

a nd l ow er in g, a s i t w er e, wi th a ll i ts w ei gh t o n t he

unf or tuna te c apti ve . I ts w al ls w er e bla ck, i ts a ir c hi ll ing,

t he i ro n b ar s s ee me d t o e xc lu de e ve ry r ay o f l ig ht .

B ut w he n C or ne li us a wo ke n ex t m or ni ng , a b ea m o f t he m or ni ng

s un w as p la yi ng a bo ut t ho se i ro n b ar s; p ig eo ns w er e h ov er in g

about with outspread wings, whilst others were lovingly

c oo in g o n t he r oo f o r n ea r t he s ti ll c lo se d w in do w.

C or ne li us r an t o t ha t wi nd ow a nd o pe ne d i t; i t s ee me d t o h im

a s i f n ew l if e, a nd j oy , a nd l ib er ty i ts el f w er e e nt er in g

w it h t hi s s un be am i nt o h is c el l, w hi ch , s o d re ar y o f l at e,

w as n ow c he er ed a nd i rr ad ia te d b y t he l ig ht o f l ov e.

Wh en G ry ph us , t he re fo re , c am e t o s ee h is p ri so ne r i n t he

mo rn in g, h e n o l on ge r f ou nd h im m or os e a nd l yi ng i n b ed , b ut

s ta nding a t t he w indow, a nd s ingi ng a l it tl e dit ty.

"Halloa!" exclaimed the jailer.

" How a re you t hi s m or ni ng?" a sked C or ne li us .

Gr yp hu s l oo ke d a t h im w it h a s co wl .

" An d h ow i s t he d og , a nd M as te r J ac ob , a nd o ur p re tt y R os a? "

G ryphus ground his t ee th, s aying. - -

" H er e i s your bre akfa st ."

Pa ge 1 17


P a g e 2 2 9



" Thank you, f ri end C er be rus, " s ai d t he pri sone r; " you a re

j us t in t ime ; I a m v er y h un gr y. "

" Oh ! y ou a re h un gr y, a re y ou ?" s ai d G ry ph us .

" An d w hy n ot ?" a sk ed V an B ae rl e.

" The c onspir ac y s ee ms t o t hr ive, " r em ar ke d G ryphus .

"What conspiracy?"

" Ve ry w el l, I k no w w ha t I k no w, M as te r S ch ol ar ; j us t b e

q uie t, we s ha ll b e o n o ur g ua rd ."

" Be o n y ou r g ua rd , f rie nd Gry ph us ; b e o n y ou r g ua rd a s l on g

a s y ou p le as e; m y c on sp ir ac y, a s w el l a s m y p er so n, i s

entirely at your service."

" We 'l l s ee t ha t a t n oo n. "

S aying t hi s, G ryphus w ent out .

" At noon? " r epea te d C or ne li us ; " what doe s t ha t m ea n? W el l,

le t u s w ai t u nt il t he c lo ck s tr ik es t we lv e, a nd w e s ha ll

see."

I t wa s v ery e as y fo r Co rn el iu s t o w ai t f or t we lv e a t m id da y,

as h e w as a lr ea dy wa it in g f or n in e a t n ig ht .

I t s tr uc k t we lv e, a nd t he re w er e h ea rd o n t he s ta ir ca se n ot

on ly t he s te ps o f Gr yp hu s, b ut a ls o t ho se o f t hr ee o r f ou r

s ol di er s, w ho w er e c om ing up w it h him .

Th e d oo r o pe ne d. G ry ph us e nt er ed , l ed h is m en i n, a nd s hu t

th e d oo r a ft er t he m.

"There, now search!"

Th ey s ea rc he d n ot o nl y t he p oc ke ts o f C or ne li us , b ut e ve n

his per son; yet t he y f ound not hi ng.

P a g e 2 3 0



T he y t he n s ea rc he d t he s he et s, t he m at tr es s, a nd t he s tr aw

m at tr es s o f h is b ed ; a nd a ga in t he y f ou nd n ot hi ng .

N ow , C or ne li us r ej oi ce d t ha t h e h ad n ot t ak en t he t hi rd

s uc ke r u nd er h is o wn c ar e. G ry ph us wo ul d h av e b ee n s ur e t o

f er re t i t o ut i n t he s ea rc h, a nd wo ul d t he n h av e t re at ed i t

a s h e d id th e fi rst.

A nd c er ta inly never did pri sone r l ook w it h gre at er

c om pl ac en cy a t a s ea rc h m ad e i n h is c el l t ha n C or ne li us .

G ry ph us r et ir ed w it h t he p en ci l a nd t he t wo o r t hr ee l ea ve s

o f wh it e p ap er wh ic h Ro sa h ad g iv en t o Va n Ba er le , t hi s wa s

t he onl y t rophy brought bac k f rom t he e xpedit ion.

A t s ix G ry ph us c am e b ac k a ga in , b ut a lo ne ; C or ne li us t ri ed

t o p ro pi ti at e h im , b ut G ry ph us g ro wl ed , s ho we d a l ar ge t oo th

l ik e a tu sk , w hic h h e h ad i n t he co rn er o f h is m ou th , an d

w en t o ut b ac kwa rd s, l ik e a ma n wh o i s a fr ai d o f b ei ng

a tt a cke d f rom be hi nd.

Cornelius burst out laughing, to which Gryphus answered

t hr ough t he gra ti ng, - -

Pa ge 1 18


"Let him laugh that wins."

T he w in ne r t ha t d ay w as C or ne li us ; R os a c am e a t n in e.

S he w as w it ho ut a l an te rn . Sh e n ee de d n o l on ge r a l ig ht , a s

s he c ou ld n ow r ea d. M or eo ve r, t he l ig ht m ig ht b et ra y h er , a s

J ac ob w as d og gi ng h er s te ps m or e t ha n e ve r. A nd l as tl y, t he

P a g e 2 3 1



l ight w ould have s hown her blushes .

Of wh at d id t he y ou ng p eo pl e s pe ak t ha t e ve ni ng ? O f t ho se

ma tt er s o f w hi ch l ov er s s pe ak a t t he h ou se d oo rs i n Fr an ce ,

o r fro m a ba lcony into the street in Spain , or d own from a

t er ra ce i nt o a g ar de n i n t he E as t.

T he y s po ke o f t ho se t hi ng s w hi ch g iv e w in gs t o t he h ou rs ;

t he y s po ke o f e ve ry th in g e xc ep t t he b la ck t ul ip .

At l as t, w he n t he c lo ck s tr uc k t en , t he y p ar te d a s u su al .

Cornel ius w as happy, a s t horoughl y happy a s a t ul ip-f anci er

w ou ld b e t o w ho m o ne h as n ot s po ke n o f h is t ul ip .

H e f ound R os a pre tt y, good, gra ce ful, a nd c ha rm ing.

Bu t wh y d id Ro sa o bj ec t t o t he t ul ip b ei ng s po ke n o f?

T hi s wa s i nd ee d a g re at d ef ec t i n R os a.

C or ne li us c onfe ss ed t o him se lf , s ighi ng, t ha t w om an w as not

perfect.

Pa rt o f t he n ig ht h e t ho ug ht o f t hi s i mp er fe ct io n; t ha t i s

to sa y, s o l on g a s h e wa s a wak e h e t ho ug ht o f Ros a.

A ft er having f al le n a sl ee p, he dre am ed of her .

But the Rosa of his dr eams was by far more perf ect than th e

Ro sa o f r ea l l if e. N ot o nl y d id t he Ro sa o f h is d re am s s pe ak

of the tulip, but also brought to him a black one in a china

vase.

C or ne li us t he n a woke , t re mbli ng w it h j oy, a nd m ut te ri ng, - -

"R os a, R os a, I l ov e y ou ."

An d a s it wa s a lr ead y d ay , h e th ou gh t i t r ig ht n ot t o f al l

a sl ee p a ga in, a nd he c onti nued f ol lowi ng up t he l ine of

P a g e 2 3 2



t ho ug ht i n wh ic h h is m in d w as e ng ag ed w he n h e a wo ke .

A h! i f R os a h ad o nl y c on ve rs ed a bo ut t he t ul ip , C or ne li us

w o ul d h av e p re fe rr ed h er t o Q ue en S em ir am is , t o Q ue en

C le op at ra , t o Q ue en E li za be th , t o Q ue en A nn e o f A us tr ia ;

t ha t i s t o s ay , t o t he g re at es t o r m os t b ea ut if ul q ue en s

w ho m t he w or ld h as s ee n.

Bu t R os a h ad f or bi dd en i t u nd er p ai n o f n ot r et ur ni ng ; R os a

h ad f or bi dd en t he l ea st m en ti on o f t he t ul ip f or t hr ee d ay s.

T ha t m ea nt s ev en ty -t wo h ou rs g iv en t o t he l ov er t o b e s ur e;

but i t w as s eventy-t wo hours s tole n f rom t he hor ti cult ur is t.

T he re w as one c onsola ti on: of t he s eventy-t wo hours dur ing

w h ic h R os a w ou ld n ot a ll ow t he t ul ip t o b e m en ti on ed ,

thirty-six had passed already; and the remaining thirty-six

Pa ge 1 19


would pass quickly enough: eighteen with waiting for the

evening's interview, and eighteen with rejoicing in its

remembrance.

Ro sa c am e a t t he s am e h ou r, a nd C or ne li us s ub mi tt ed m os t

her oi ca ll y t o t he pangs w hi ch t he c om puls or y s il ence

concerning the tulip gave him.

H is f ai r v is it or , h ow ev er , w as w el l a wa re t ha t, t o c om ma nd

o n t he o ne p oi nt , p eo pl e m us t y ie ld o n a no th er ; s he

t he re fo re n o l on ge r d re w b ac k h er h an ds f ro m t he g ra ti ng ,

a nd e ve n a ll ow ed C or ne li us t ende rl y t o kis s her bea ut if ul

P a g e 2 3 3



golden tresses.

P oo r g ir l! s he h ad n o i de a t ha t t he se p la yf ul l it tl e l ov er s'

t ri ck s w er e m uc h m or e d an ge ro us t ha n s pe ak in g o f t he t ul ip

was ; bu t s he b ec ame awar e o f th e fa ct as s he ret ur ne d wit h a

be at ing hea rt , w it h glowi ng c he eks, dry l ips, a nd m oi st

eyes.

And on t he f ol lowi ng e ve ni ng, a ft er t he f ir st e xc ha nge of

s al ut at io ns , s he r et ir ed a s te p, l oo ki ng a t h im w it h a

gla nc e, t he e xpre ss ion of w hi ch w ould have r ej oi ce d his

he ar t c ou ld h e b ut h av e s ee n i t.

" We ll ," s he s ai d, " she i s up. "

" Sh e i s u p! W ho ? W ha t? " a sk ed C or ne li us , w ho d id n ot v en tu re

o n a b el ie f t ha t Ro sa w ou ld , o f h er o wn a cc or d, h av e

a br id ge d t he t er m o f h is p ro ba ti on .

" She? W el l, m y daughte r, t he t ul ip," s ai d R os a.

"What!" cried Cornelius, "you give me permission, then?"

" I d o, " s ai d R os a, w it h t he t on e o f a n a ff ec ti on at e m ot he r

wh o g ra nt s a p le as ur e t o h er c hi ld .

" Ah, R os a! " s ai d C or ne li us , put ti ng his l ips t o t he gra ti ng

wit h t he ho pe o f t ou ch in g a c he ek , a h an d, a fo reh ea d, - -

anything, in short.

H e t ou ch ed s om et hi ng m uc h b et te r, - - t wo w ar m a nd h al f o pe n

lips.

R os a u tt er ed a s li gh t s cr ea m.

C or ne li us u nd er st oo d t ha t h e m us t m ak e h as te t o c on ti nu e t he

c onver sa t ion. H e gue s se d t ha t t his une xpe ct e d kis s ha d

P a g e 2 3 4



frightened Rosa.

"Is it growing up straight?"

" St ra ig ht a s a r oc ke t, " s ai d R os a.

"How high?"

" A t l ea st t wo i nc he s. "

"Oh , Ros a, ta ke g oo d ca re o f i t, a nd we sh all so on s ee i t

grow quickly."

"Can I ta ke mo re car e of it?" sai d she. "Ind eed, I t hin k of

not hi ng e ls e but t he t ul ip."

Pa ge 1 20


" Of n ot hi ng e ls e, R os a? W hy , n ow I s ha ll g ro w j ea lo us i n m y

turn."

"Oh , y ou kn ow t ha t to t hi nk of t he t ul ip i s to t hi nk of y ou;

I never lose sight of it. I see it from my bed, on awaking

i t i s t he f ir st o bj ec t t ha t m ee ts m y e ye s, a nd o n f al li ng

as le ep t he la st o n wh ic h t he y re st . Du ri ng t he d ay I s it a nd

w or k b y i ts s id e, f or I h av e n ev er l ef t my c ha mb er s in ce I

put i t t he re ."

" Yo u a re r ig ht R os a, i t i s y ou r d ow ry , y ou k no w. "

"Ye s, a nd wi th it I ma y mar ry a yo ung ma n o f t wen ty- six or

t we nt y- ei ght yea rs , w hom I s ha ll be i n l ove w it h. "

" Don' t t al k i n t ha t w ay, you naughty gir l. "

Th at e ve ni ng C or ne li us w as o ne o f t he h ap pi es t o f m en . R os a

allo wed h im to press her han d in his, and to keep it as long

P a g e 2 3 5



a s h e wo uld , b es id es wh ich h e mi gh t ta lk o f h is t ul ip a s

mu ch a s h e l ik ed .

F ro m t ha t h ou r e ve ry d ay m ar ke d s om e p ro gr es s i n t he g ro wt h

o f th e tu lip a nd in t he a ffe cti on of t he t wo y ou ng p eo pl e.

At o ne t ime it wa s th at th e lea ves had exp an ded , a nd a t

a nother t ha t t he f lowe r i ts el f had f or me d.

Gr ea t w as t he j oy o f Co rn el iu s a t t hi s n ews , a nd h is

que st ions s uc ce eded one a nother w it h a r apidit y w hi ch ga ve

pr oof of t he ir i mpor ta nc e.

"Formed!" exclaimed Cornelius, "is it really formed?"

" I t i s, " r ep ea te d R os a.

Co rn el iu s t re mb le d w it h j oy , s o m uc h s o t ha t h e w as o bl ig ed

t o h ol d b y t he g ra ti ng .

"Good heavens!" he exclaimed.

T he n, t ur ni ng a ga in t o R os a, he c onti nued his que st ions .

" Is t he o va l r eg ul ar ? t he c yl in de r f ul l? a nd a re t he p oi nt s

very green?"

" Th e o va l i s a lm os t o ne i nc h l on g, a nd t ap er s l ik e a n ee dl e,

t he c yl in de r s we ll s a t t he s id es , a nd t he p oi nt s a re r ea dy

t o o pe n. "

T wo d ay s a ft er R os a a nn ou nc ed t ha t t he y w er e o pe n.

" O pe n, R os a! " c ri ed C or ne li us . " Is t he i nvol uc rum ope n? but

t he n o ne m ay s ee a nd a lr ea dy d is ti ng ui sh - -- - "

H e r e t he pri soner pause d, a nxious ly t aking bre at h.

" Ye s, " a ns we re d R os a, " one m ay a lr ea dy dis ti ngui sh a t hr ea d

o f d if fe re nt c ol ou r, a s t hi n a s a h ai r. "

P a g e 2 3 6



"And its colour?" asked Cornelius, trembling.

" Oh ," a ns we re d R os a, " it i s v er y d ar k! "

Pa ge 1 21


"Brown?"

"Darker than that."

" Da rk er , m y g oo d R os a, d ar ke r? T ha nk y ou . Da rk a s - -- - "

"Da rk as t he i nk wi th wh ic h I wr ot e t o y ou ."

Co rn el iu s u tt er ed a c ry o f m ad j oy .

T he n, s ud de nl y s to pp in g a nd c la sp in g h is h an ds , h e s ai d, - -

" Oh , t he re i s n ot a n a ng el i n h ea ve n t ha t ma y b e c omp ar ed t o

you, Rosa!"

"Indeed!" said Rosa, smiling at his enthusiasm.

" Ro sa , y ou h av e w or ke d w it h s uc h a rd ou r, - - y ou h av e d on e s o

muc h f or me! Ro sa , my tu li p i s a bo ut to fl owe r, an d i t wil l

f lo we r b la ck ! R os a, Ro sa , y ou a re t he m os t p er fe ct b ei ng o n

earth!"

"After the tulip, though."

" Ah! be qui et , you m al ic ious l it tl e c re at ur e, be qui et ! F or

s ha me ! Do n ot s po il m y p le as ur e. Bu t t el l m e, Ro sa , - - a s

t he t ul ip i s so f ar a dv anc ed , i t wi ll fl ower i n two o r t hr ee

d ay s, a t t he l at es t? "

" To- morr ow, or t he da y a f te r ."

" Ah ! a nd I s ha ll n ot s ee i t, " c ri ed C or ne li us , s ta rt in g

b ac k, " I s ha ll n ot k is s i t, a s a w on de rf ul w or k o f t he

P a g e 2 3 7



A lmi gh ty , a s I k is s y ou r h an d a nd y ou r c he ek , Ro sa , wh en b y

c ha nc e t he y a re nea r t he gra ti ng."

R os a d re w n ea r, n ot b y a cc id en t, b ut i nt en ti on al ly , a nd

Cornelius kissed her tenderly.

" Fa it h, I s ha ll c ul l i t, if y ou wi sh i t. "

" Oh , n o, n o, Ro sa ! wh en i t i s o pen , p lac e i t c ar ef ul ly i n

t he s ha de , a nd i mm ed ia te ly s en d a m es sa ge t o H aa rl em , t o t he

P re si de nt of t he H or ti cult ur al S oc ie ty, t ha t t he gra nd bla ck

tu li p i s i n f lo wer . I kn ow we ll it i s f ar to Haa rl em, bu t

w it h m oney you w il l f ind a m es se nger . H ave you a ny m oney,

Rosa?"

Rosa smiled.

" Oh , y es !" s he s ai d.

"Enough?" said Cornelius.

"I have three hundred guilders."

" Oh , i f y ou h av e t hr ee h un dr ed g ui ld er s, y ou m us t n ot s en d a

m es se nger , R os a, but you m us t go t o H aa rl em yours el f. "

" Bu t wh at i n t he m ea nt im e i s t o b ec om e o f t he f lo we r? "

" Oh , t he f lo we r! y ou m us t t ak e i t w it h y ou . Y ou u nd er st an d

th at y ou m us t n ot s ep ar at e f ro m i t f or a n i ns ta nt ."

Pa ge 1 22


" Bu t w hi ls t I a m n ot s ep ar at in g f ro m i t, I a m s ep ar at in g

from you, Mynheer Cornelius."

" Ah ! t ha t' s t ru e, m y s we et R os a. Oh , my G od ! h ow w ic ke d me n

a re ! Wh at h av e I d on e t o o ff en d t he m, a nd wh y h av e t he y

P a g e 2 3 8



d ep ri ve d m e o f m y l ib er ty ? Y ou a re r ig ht , R os a, I c an no t

l iv e w it ho ut y ou . W el l, y ou w il l s en d s om e o ne t o H aa rl em ,

- - t ha t' s s et tl ed; r ea ll y, t he m at te r i s w onder ful e nough

fo r t he P re si de nt t o p ut h im se lf t o s om e t ro ub le . H e w il l

c om e him se lf t o L oe we st ei n t o s ee t he t ul ip."

Then, suddenly checking himself, he said, with a faltering

v o ic e, - -

" Ro sa , R os a, i f a ft er a ll i t s ho ul d n ot f lo we r b la ck !"

" Oh , s ur el y, s ur el y, y ou w il l k no w t o- mo rr ow , o r t he d ay

after."

" An d t o w ai t u nt il e ve ni ng t o k no w i t, Ro sa ! I s ha ll d ie

w it h i mpat ie nc e. C ould w e not a gr ee a bout a s igna l? "

"I s ha ll d o b et te r t ha n t ha t. "

" What w il l you do? "

" If i t o pe ns a t n ig ht , I s ha ll c om e a nd t el l y ou m ys el f. I f

it is day , I sh all pas s you r doo r, a nd sli p you a n ote

e it he r u nd er t he d oo r, o r t hr ou gh t he g ra ti ng , d ur in g t he

t im e bet we en m y f at he r' s f ir st a nd s ec ond i ns pe ct ion. "

" Ye s, R os a, l et i t b e s o. O ne wo rd o f y ou rs , a nn ou nc in g t hi s

n ew s t o m e, w il l b e a d ou bl e h ap pi ne ss ."

" Th er e, t en o 'c lo ck s tr ik es ," s ai d R os a, " I m us t n ow l ea ve

you."

" Ye s, yes ," s ai d C or ne li us , " go, R os a, go! "

R os a w it hdre w, a lm os t m el anchol y, f or C or ne li us had a ll but

se nt h er a wa y.

P a g e 2 3 9



It is tru e that he did so in order that sh e might watch over

his bla ck t ul ip.

C ha p te r 2 2

T he O pe ni ng o f t he F lo we r

T he night pas se d a wa y ver y s we et ly f or C or ne li us , a lt hough

i n gre at a gi ta ti on. E ve ry i ns ta nt he f anci ed he hea rd t he

g e nt le v oi ce o f R os a c al li ng h im . H e t he n s ta rt ed u p, w en t

t o t he d oo r, a nd l oo ke d t hr ou gh t he g ra ti ng , b ut n o o ne w as

b eh in d i t, a nd t he l ob by w as e mp ty .

R os a, n o d ou bt , wo ul d b e w at ch in g t oo , b ut , h ap pi er t ha n h e,

s he w at ch ed o ve r t he t ul ip ; s he h ad b ef or e h er e ye s t ha t

n o bl e f lo we r, t ha t w on de r o f w on de rs . w hi ch n ot o nl y w as

unknown, but w as not e ve n t hought pos si bl e unt il t he n.

Pa ge 1 23


W ha t wo ul d th e wo rl d s ay wh en i t h ea rd t ha t th e b la ck t ul ip

w as f ou nd , t ha t i t e xi st ed a nd t ha t i t w as t he p ri so ne r V an

Ba er le w ho h ad f ou nd i t?

H ow C or ne li us w ou ld h av e s pu rn ed t he o ff er o f h is l ib er ty i n

exchange for his tulip!

D ay c am e, w it ho ut a ny n ew s; t he t ul ip w as n ot y et i n f lo we r.

T he d ay p as se d a s t he n ig ht . Ni gh t c am e, a nd w it h i t R os a,

j oy ou s a nd c he er fu l a s a b ir d.

"Well?" asked Cornelius.

" We ll , a ll i s goi ng on prosper ousl y. T hi s night , w it hout a ny

doubt , our t ul ip w il l be i n f lowe r. "

P a g e 2 4 0





w il l g iv e m e p ap er a nd p en ci l, a nd , p er ha ps b et te r s ti ll ,

p en a nd i nk , a nd I w il l w ri te , o r r at he r, o n s ec on d

t ho ug ht s, y ou w il l, f or i f I d id , b ei ng a p oo r p ri so ne r,

pe op le m ig ht , l ik e y ou r f at he r, s ee a c on sp ir ac y i n i t. Y ou

w i ll w ri te t o t he P re si de nt of t he H or ti cult ur al S oc ie ty,

Pa ge 1 24


a nd I a m su re h e wil l co me ."

" B ut i f he t ar ri es ?"

"W el l, l et u s s up po se t ha t h e t ar ri es o ne d ay , o r e ve n t wo ;

but i t i s i mpos si bl e. A t ul ip-f anci er l ike him w il l not

t ar ry o ne h ou r, n ot o ne mi nu te , n ot o ne s ec on d, t o s et o ut

t o see the ei ghth won der of the world . Bu t, as I said , if he

t ar ri ed o ne or e ve n two d ays , t he t ul ip wi ll s ti ll b e i n it s

f ul l s pl endour . T he f lowe r onc e bei ng s ee n by t he P re si de nt ,

a nd t he pr ot oco l b ei ng d ra wn u p, a ll i s i n o rd er; y ou wi ll

o nl y k ee p a d up li ca te o f t he p ro to co l, a nd i nt ru st t he t ul ip

t o h im . Ah ! i f w e h ad b ee n a bl e t o c ar ry i t o ur se lv es , Ro sa ,

i t wo uld n ev er h av e le ft my h an ds b ut to p as s i nto yo ur s;

b ut t hi s i s a d re am , w hi ch w e m us t n ot e nt er ta in ," c on ti nu ed

C or ne li us wi th a s ig h, " th e e ye s o f s tr an ge rs w il l s ee i t

f lo we r t o t he l as t. A nd a bo ve a ll , R os a, b ef or e t he

Pre sid ent ha s see n it, l et it no t b e see n by a ny on e. Ala s!

i f an y o ne s aw t he b la ck tu li p, it wo ul d b e s to le n. "

"Oh!"

" Di d y ou n ot t el l m e y ou rs el f o f w ha t y ou a pp re he nd ed f ro m

P a g e 2 4 2



y ou r l ov er J ac ob ? P eo pl e w il l s te al o ne g ui ld er , w hy n ot a

hundred thousand?"

" I s ha ll w at ch; be qui et ."

" Bu t i f i t o pe ne d w hi ls t y ou w er e h er e? "

" The w hi ms ic al l it tl e t hi ng w ould i ndee d be qui te c apable of

p la yi ng s uc h a t ri ck ," s ai d R os a.

" An d i f o n y ou r r et ur n y ou f in d i t o pe n? "

"Well?"

"O h, R os a, w he ne ve r i t o pe ns , r em em be r t ha t n ot a m om en t

must be l os t i n a ppri si ng t he P re si de nt ."

"A nd i n a ppri si ng you. Y es , I under st and. "

R os a s ighe d, yet w it hout a ny bit te r f ee li ng, but r at he r l ike

a w om an wh o b eg in s t o u nd er st an d a f oi bl e, a nd t o a cc us to m

he rs el f t o i t.

" I r et ur n t o y ou r t ul ip , M yn he er v an Ba er le , a nd a s s oo n a s

i t o pe ns I wi ll g iv e y ou n ew s, wh ic h b ei ng d on e t he

messenger will set out immediately."

"Ro sa , Ro sa , I d on' t k no w t o wha t wo nde r u nd er th e s un I

shall compare you."

" Co mp ar e m e t o t he b la ck t ul ip , a nd I p ro mi se y ou I s ha ll

f ee l ver y m uc h f la tt er ed. G ood night , t he n, t il l w e m ee t

again, Mynheer Cornelius."

"O h, s ay ' Good night , m y f ri end. '"

" Good night , m y f ri end, " s ai d R os a, a l it tl e c onsole d.

" Sa y, ' My ver y de ar f ri end. '"

P a g e 2 4 3



" Oh , my fr ie nd - - "

Pa ge 1 25


" Ve ry d ea r f ri en d, I e nt re at y ou , s ay ' ve ry d ea r, ' Ro sa ,

very dear."

" Ve ry d ea r, y es , v er y d ea r, " s ai d R os a, w it h a b ea ti ng

heart, beyond herself with happiness.

" An d n ow t ha t y ou h av e s ai d ' ve ry d ea r, ' d ea r R os a, s ay a ls o

' mo st h ap py ': s ay ' ha pp ie r a nd m or e b le ss ed t ha n e ve r m an

w as u nd er th e s un .' I o nl y la ck o ne th in g, R os a."

" A nd t ha t i s? "

" Yo ur c he ek , - - y ou r f re sh c he ek , y ou r s of t, r os y c he ek . O h,

Ro sa , g iv e i t m e o f y ou r o wn f ree wi ll , an d n ot b y c ha nce .

Ah!"

T he p ri so ne r' s p ra ye r e nd ed i n a s ig h o f e cs ta sy ; h is l ip s

m et t ho se o f t he m ai de n, - - n ot b y c ha nc e, n or b y s tr at ag em,

b ut a s Sa in t- Pr eu x' s wa s t o m ee t t he l ip s o f J ul ie a h un dr ed

ye a rs l a te r .

R os a m ad e h er e sc ap e.

C or ne li us s to od w it h h is h ea rt u po n h is l ip s, a nd h is f ac e

gl ue d t o t he wi ck et i n t he d oo r.

He w as f ai rl y c ho ki ng w it h h ap pi ne ss a nd j oy . H e o pe ne d h is

w indow, a nd gaz ed l ong, w it h s we ll ing hea rt , a t t he

c loudle ss vault of hea ve n, a nd t he m oon, w hi ch s hone l ike

s il ve r upon t he t wo-f ol d s tr ea m f lowi ng f rom f ar beyond t he

hil ls . H e f il le d his l ungs w it h t he pur e, s we et a ir , w hi le

P a g e 2 4 4



h is b ra in d we lt u po n t ho ug ht s o f h ap pi ne ss , a nd h is h ea rt

overflowed with gratitude and religious fervour.

" Oh Th ou a rt a lwa ys w at ch in g f ro m o n h ig h, m y G od ," h e

c ri ed, hal f prost ra te , his glowi ng e ye s f ixed upon t he

s ta rs : " forgive m e t ha t I a lm os t doubt ed T hy e xi st ence

d ur in g t he se l at te r d ay s, f or T ho u d id st h id e T hy f ac e

b eh in d t he c lo ud s, a nd w er t f or a mo me nt l os t t o my s ig ht , O

Thou merciful God, Thou pitying Father everlasting! But

t o- da y, t hi s e ve ni ng , a nd t o- ni gh t, a ga in I s ee T he e i n a ll

T hy w on dr ou s g lo ry i n t he m ir ro r o f Th y h ea ve nl y a bo de , a nd

m ore c le ar ly s ti ll i n t he m ir ror of m y gra te ful hea rt ."

H e w as w el l a ga in , t he p oo r i nv al id ; t he w re tc he d c ap ti ve

w as f re e o nc e m or e.

D ur ing par t of t he night C or ne li us , w it h his hea rt f ul l of

j oy a nd d el ig ht , r em ai ne d a t h is w in do w, g az in g a t t he

st ar s, a nd l is te ni ng f or e ve ry s ound.

T he n c as ti ng a g la nc e f ro m t im e t o t im e t ow ar ds t he l ob by ,

--

" Down t he re ," he s ai d, " is R os a, w at ching l ike m ys el f, a nd

w a it ing f rom m inut e t o m inut e; dow n t he re , under R os a' s

e ye s, i s t he m ys te ri ous f lowe r, w hi ch l ives , w hi ch e xpands ,

w hi ch o pe ns , p er ha ps R os a h ol ds i n t hi s m om en t t he s te m o f

t he t ul ip bet we en her del ic at e f inge rs . T ouch i t gentl y,

R os a. P er ha ps s he t ou ch es w it h h er l ip s i ts e xp an di ng

c ha li ce . T ouch i t c auti ousl y, R os a, your l ips a re bur ni ng.

P a g e 2 4 5





C or ne li us utt er ed a c ry, a nd w as nea rl y f ai nt ing.

" Oh !" mu tt er ed h e, " my Go d, m y Go d, Th ou d os t r ewa rd me f or

m y i nn oc en ce a nd m y c ap ti vi ty , a s T ho u h as t a ll ow ed t wo s uc h

f lo we rs t o g ro w a t t he g ra te d w in do w o f m y p ri so n! "

The tulip was beautiful, splendid, magnificent; its stem was

m or e t ha n e ig ht ee n i nc he s h ig h; i t r os e f ro m o ut o f f ou r

gr ee n l ea ve s, w hi ch w er e a s s mo ot h a nd s tr ai gh t a s i ro n

l an ce -h ea ds ; t he w ho le o f t he f lo we r w as a s b la ck a nd

s hining a s j et .

" R os a, " s ai d C or ne li us , a lm os t gas pi ng, " Rosa , t he re i s not

one m om ent t o l os e i n w ri ti ng t he l et te r. "

" It i s w ri tt en, m y dea re st C or ne li us ," s ai d R os a.

" I s i t, i ndee d? "

"W hi lst t he t uli p op en ed I wr ot e it my sel f, fo r I d id no t

w is h t o l os e a mo me nt . He re i s th e l et te r, a nd t el l m e

w he th er y ou a pp ro ve o f i t. "

C or ne li us t oo k t he l et te r, a nd r ea d, i n a h an dw ri ti ng w hi ch

w as m uc h i mp ro ve d e ve n s in ce t he l as t l it tl e n ot e h e h ad

r e ce iv ed f ro m R os a, a s f ol lo ws : - -

" My nh ee r P re si de nt , - - T he b la ck t ul ip i s a bo ut t o o pe n,

p er ha ps i n t en mi nu te s. As s oo n a s i t i s o pe n, I s ha ll s en d

a m es sen ger to y ou , w it h th e re qu es t t ha t y ou wi ll c ome a nd

f et ch i t i n p er so n f ro m t he f or tr es s a t Lo ewe st ei n. I a m t he

Pa ge 1 27


P a g e 2 4 7



d a ug ht er o f t he j ai le r, G ry ph us , a lm os t a s m uc h o f a c ap ti ve

a s t he p ri so ne rs o f m y f at he r. I c an no t, t he re fo re , b ri ng t o

y ou t hi s wo nd er fu l f lo we r. T hi s i s t he r ea so n w hy I b eg y ou

to c om e a nd f et ch i t y ou rs el f.

"I t i s m y w is h t ha t i t s ho ul d b e c al le d R os a B ar la en si s.

" I t h as o pe ne d; i t i s p er fe ct ly b la ck ; c om e, M yn he er

President, come.

" I h av e t he h on ou r t o b e y ou r h um bl e s er va nt ,

"Rosa Gryphus.

" Th at 's i t, d ea r R os a, t ha t' s i t. Y ou r l et te r i s a dm ir ab le !

I c ould not have w ri tt en i t w it h s uc h bea ut if ul s im pl ic it y.

Y ou w il l give t o t he c om mi tt ee a ll t he i nf or ma ti on t ha t w il l

b e re qui red o f y ou . Th ey wi ll t hen k no w ho w t he t uli p h as

b ee n g ro wn , h ow m uc h c ar e a nd a nx ie ty , a nd h ow m an y

s le ep le ss n ig ht s, i t h as c os t. Bu t f or t he p re se nt n ot a

m inut e m us t be l os t. T he m es se nger ! t he m es se nger !"

" What 's t he nam e of t he P re si de nt ?"

"Giv e me th e l et te r, I wi ll di re ct it. Oh , he is ve ry wel l

known: i t i s M ynhe er van S ys te ns , t he bur goma st er of

Ha ar le m; g iv e it to me , Ro sa , g iv e it t o m e."

An d w it h a t re mb li ng h an d C or ne li us w ro te t he a dd re ss , - -

" To M ynhe er P et er van S ys t ens, B ur gom as te r, a nd P re si dent of

the Horticultural Society of Haarlem."

" An d n ow , R os a, g o, g o, " s ai d C or ne li us , " an d l et u s i mp lo re

t he p ro te ct io n o f G od , w ho h as s o k in dl y w at ch ed o ve r u s

until now."

P a g e 2 4 8



C ha p te r 2 3

The Rival

An d i n f ac t t he p oo r y ou ng p eo pl e we re i n g re at n ee d o f p ro te ct io n.

Th ey h ad n ev er b ee n s o n ea r t he d es tr uc ti on o f t he ir h op es

a s a t t hi s m om ent, w he n t he y t hought t he ms el ve s c er ta in of

their fulfilment.

Th e r ea de r c an no t b ut h av e r ec og ni ze d i n J ac ob o ur o ld

f ri en d, o r r at he r e ne my , I sa ac B ox te l, a nd h as g ue ss ed , n o

doubt , t ha t t hi s w or thy had f ol lowe d f rom t he B uyte nhof t o

Lo ew es te in t he o bj ec t o f h is l ov e a nd t he o bj ec t o f h is

ha tr ed , - - t he b la ck t ul ip a nd C or ne li us v an B ae rl e.

W ha t n o o ne b ut a t ul ip -f an ci er , a nd a n e nv io us

tuli p- f anci e r, c oul d have di sc ove re d, - - t he e xis te nce of

t he b ul bs a nd t he e nd ea vo ur s o f t he p ri so ne r, - - j ea lo us y

h ad e na bl ed Bo xt el , i f n ot t o d is co ve r, a t l ea st t o g ue ss .

W e h av e s ee n h im , m or e s uc ce ss fu l u nd er t he n am e o f J ac ob

t ha n u nd er t ha t o f I sa ac , g ai n t he f ri en ds hi p o f G ry ph us ,

Pa ge 1 28


w h ic h f or s ev er al m on th s h e c ul ti va te d b y m ea ns o f t he b es t

G en ie vr e e ve r d is ti ll ed f ro m t he T ex el t o A nt we rp , a nd h e

l ul le d t he s us pi ci on of t he j ea lous t ur nkey by hol di ng out

t o him t he f la tt er ing prospec t of his des igni ng t o m ar ry

Rosa.

B es id es t hu s o ff er in g a b ai t t o t he a mb it io n o f t he f at he r,

P a g e 2 4 9



h e m an ag ed , a t t he s ame t ime , t o i nt er es t h is z ea l a s a

j ai le r, pic turi ng t o him i n t he bla ckes t c ol ours t he l ea rned

p ri so ne r w ho m G ry ph us h ad i n h is k ee pi ng , a nd w ho , a s t he

s ha m J ac ob h ad i t, w as i n l ea gu e wi th S at an , t o t he

det ri me nt of his H ighnes s t he P ri nc e of O ra nge.

A t f ir st h e h ad a ls o m ad e s om e wa y w it h Ro sa ; n ot , i nd ee d,

in h er a ff ec ti on s, b ut i na sm uc h a s, b y t al ki ng t o h er o f

m a rr ia ge a nd o f l ov e, h e h ad e va de d a ll t he s us pi ci on s w hi ch

he m ight other wi se have e xc it ed.

W e h av e s ee n h ow h is i mp ru de nc e i n f ol lo wi ng R os a i nt o t he

g ar de n h ad u nm as ke d h im i n t he e ye s o f t he y ou ng d am se l, a nd

h ow t he i ns ti nc ti ve f ea rs o f C or ne li us h ad p ut t he t wo

l over s on t he ir gua rd a ga inst him .

T he r ea de r w il l r em em be r t ha t t he f ir st c ause of une as ines s

w as g iv en t o t he p ri so ne r b y t he r ag e o f J ac ob w he n Gr yp hu s

c rushed t he f ir st bul b. I n t ha t m om ent B oxte l' s e xa sper at ion

w as t he m or e f ie rc e, a s, t hough s us pe ct ing t ha t C or ne li us

po ss es se d a s ec on d b ul b, h e by no mean s f el t su re o f it .

From t ha t mome nt he be ga n to d od ge th e st ep s o f Ros a, n ot

o nl y f ol lo wi ng h er t o t he g ar de n, b ut a ls o t o t he l ob bi es .

On ly a s t hi s t im e h e f ol lo we d h er i n t he n ig ht , a nd

b ar e- fo ot ed , h e w as n ei th er s ee n n or h ea rd e xc ep t o nc e, w he n

R os a t ho ug ht s he s aw s om et hi ng l ik e a s ha do w o n t he

staircase.

H er d is co ve ry , h owe ve r, w as m ad e t oo l at e, a s B ox te l h ad

he ar d f ro m t he m ou th o f t he p ri so ne r h im se lf t ha t a s ec on d

P a g e 2 5 0



bulb existed.

T ak en i n b y t he s tr at ag em o f Ro sa , w ho h ad f ei gn ed t o p ut i t

i n t he ground, a nd e nt er ta ining no doubt t ha t t hi s l it tl e

f ar ce h ad b ee n p la ye d i n o rd er t o f or ce h im t o b et ra y

him se lf , he r edoubl ed his pre ca ut ion, a nd e mploye d e ve ry

me an s s ug ge st ed b y h is c ra ft y n at ur e t o w at ch t he o th er s

without being watched himself.

H e s aw R os a c on ve yi ng a l ar ge f lo we r- po t o f w hi te

ea rt he nw ar e f ro m h er f at he r' s k it ch en t o h er b ed ro om . H e s aw

R os a w as hi ng i n p ai ls o f w at er h er p re tt y l it tl e h an ds ,

b e gr im ed a s t he y w er e w it h t he m ou ld w hi ch s he h ad h an dl ed ,

to g iv e h er t ul ip t he b es t s oi l p os si bl e.

A nd a t l as t h e h ir ed , j us t o pp os it e R os a' s w in do w, a l it tl e

a tt ic , d is ta nt e no ug h n ot t o a ll ow h im t o b e r ec og ni ze d w it h

t he n ak ed e ye , b ut s uf fi ci en tl y n ea r t o e na bl e h im , w it h t he

h e lp o f h is t el es co pe , t o w at ch e ve ry th in g t ha t w as g oi ng o n

at th e Loe wes te in in Ro sa 's ro om, j us t a s a t Dor t h e h ad

wa t che d t he dr y- r oom of C or nel ius .

He h ad n ot b ee n i ns ta ll ed m or e t ha n t hr ee d ay s i n h is a tti c

b ef or e a ll h is d ou bt s w er e r em ov ed .

Pa ge 1 29


F ro m m or ni ng t o s un se t t he f lo we r- po t w as i n t he w in do w,

a nd, l ike t hose c ha rm ing f em al e f igur es of M ie ri s a nd

M et zy s, R os a a pp ea re d a t t ha t w in do w a s i n a f ra me , f or me d

P a g e 2 5 1



b y th e fi rs t b ud din g s pra ys o f th e wil d vi ne an d th e

honeysuckle encircling her window.

R os a w at che d t he f l ow er -pot w it h a n i nte re st w hi ch bet r ayed

t o Bo xt el t he r ea l v al ue o f t he o bj ec t e nc lo se d i n i t.

T hi s o bj ec t c ou ld n ot b e a ny th in g e ls e b ut t he s ec on d b ul b,

t ha t i s t o s ay , t he q ui nt es se nc e o f a ll t he h op es o f t he

prisoner.

W he n t he n ig ht s t hr ea te ne d t o b e t oo c ol d, R os a t oo k i n t he

flower-pot.

W el l, i t w as t he n q ui te e vi de nt s he wa s f ol lo wi ng t he

i ns tr uc ti ons of C or ne li us , w ho w as a fr ai d of t he bul b bei ng

ki ll ed by f rost .

W he n t he s un b ec am e t oo h ot , R os a l ik ew is e t oo k i n t he p ot

fr om e le ve n i n t he m or ni ng unt il t wo i n t he a ft er noon.

Anot he r proof : C or ne li us w as a fr ai d l es t t he s oi l s houl d

b e co me t oo d ry .

B ut wh en t he f ir st l ea ve s p ee pe d o ut o f t he e ar th Bo xt el wa s

f ul ly c onvi nc ed; a nd his t el es cope l ef t him no l onge r i n a ny

unce rt ai nt y bef or e t he y had grown one i nc h i n hei ght.

C or ne li us p os se ss ed t wo b ul bs , a nd t he s ec on d w as i nt ru st ed

to the love and care of Rosa.

F o r i t ma y we ll b e i ma gin ed t ha t t he t en de r s ec re t o f t he

t wo l ov er s h ad n ot e sc ap ed t he p ry in g c ur io si ty o f B ox te l.

T he q ue st io n, t he re fo re , w as h ow t o w re st t he s ec on d b ul b

fr om t he c ar e o f R os a.

Ce rt ai nl y t hi s w as n o e as y t as k.

P a g e 2 5 2



Ro sa wat che d o ver h er tu li p as a mo the r ov er he r ch ild , o r a

d ov e o ve r h er e gg s.

R os a n ev er l ef t h er r oo m d ur in g t he d ay , a nd , mo re t ha n

t ha t, s tr an ge t o s ay , s he n ev er l ef t i t i n t he e ve ni ng .

F or s ev en d ay s B ox te l i n v ai n w at ch ed R os a; s he w as a lw ay s

a t h er p os t.

This happe ne d dur ing t hose s even days w hi ch m ade C or ne li us

s o u nh ap py , d ep ri vi ng h im a t t he s am e t im e o f a ll n ew s o f

Ro sa a nd o f h is t uli p.

W ou ld t he c oo ln es s b et we en R os a a nd C or ne li us l as t f or e ve r?

T hi s w ould have m ade t he t he ft m uc h m or e dif fi cult t ha n

M yn he er I sa ac h ad a t f ir st e xp ec te d.

W e s ay t he t he ft , f or Is aa c h ad s imp ly ma de u p h is m in d t o

s te al t he t uli p; a nd a s i t gr ew i n t he mo st p ro fo un d

s ec re cy , a nd a s, m or eo ve r, h is w or d, b ei ng t ha t o f a

r e nowne d t ul ip-growe r, w ould a ny day be t aken a ga ins t t hat

of a n unknown gir l w it hout a ny knowl edge of hor ti cult ur e, or

Pa ge 1 30


a g ai ns t t ha t o f a p ri so ne r c on vi ct ed o f h ig h t re as on , h e

c onfi de nt ly hoped t ha t, having onc e got pos se ss ion of t he

b u lb , h e wo ul d b e c er ta in t o o bt ai n t he p ri ze ; a nd t he n t he

tulip, instead of being called Tulipa nigra Barlaensis,

wo ul d g o d ow n t o p os te ri ty u nd er t he n am e o f T ul ip a n ig ra

Boxtellensis or Boxtellea.

P a g e 2 5 3



My nh ee r I sa ac h ad n ot y et q ui te d ec id ed w hi ch o f t he se t wo

n ame s h e wo ul d g iv e t o t he t ul ip , b ut , a s b ot h me an t t he

s am e t hi ng, t hi s w as , a ft er a ll , not t he i mpor ta nt poi nt .

Th e p oi nt wa s t o s te al t he t ul ip . Bu t i n o rd er t ha t B ox te l

m ig ht s te al t he t ul ip , i t w as n ec es sa ry t ha t R os a s ho ul d

l e av e h er r oo m.

G re at t he re fo re w as h is j oy w he n h e s aw t he u su al e ve ni ng

m ee ti ngs of t he l over s r es um ed.

He f ir st o f a ll t oo k a dv an ta ge o f R os a' s a bs en ce t o m ak e

himself fully acquainted with all the peculiarities of the

d oo r o f h er c ha mbe r. Th e l oc k was a d ou ble on e an d i n go od

o rd er , b ut R os a a lw ay s t oo k t he k ey wi th h er .

B ox te l a t f ir st e nt er ta in ed a n i de a o f s te al in g t he k ey , b ut

i t s oo n o cc ur re d t o h im , n ot o nl y t ha t i t wo ul d b e

exce edingl y dif fi cult t o a bs tr ac t i t f rom her poc ke t, but

a ls o t ha t, w he n s he p er ce iv ed h er l os s, s he w ou ld n ot l ea ve

h er r oo m u nt il t he l oc k w as c ha ng ed , a nd t he n B ox te l' s f ir st

the ft w ould be use le ss .

H e t ho ug ht i t, t he re fo re , b et te r t o e mp lo y a d if fe re nt

e xp ed ie nt . He c ol le ct ed a s m an y k ey s a s h e c ou ld , a nd t ri ed

a ll of t he m dur ing one of t hose del ight ful hours w hi ch R os a

a n d C or ne li us p as se d t og et he r a t t he g ra ti ng o f t he c el l.

Two o f the k ey s en ter ed th e lo ck , an d o ne o f the m t urn ed

r ou nd o nc e, b ut n ot t he s ec on d t ime .

Th er e wa s, t he re fo re , o nl y a l it tl e t o b e d on e t o t hi s k ey .

B ox te l c ov er ed i t wi th a s li gh t c oa t o f wa x, a nd wh en h e

P a g e 2 5 4



t hus r ene we d t he e xpe ri me nt , t he obs ta cl e w hi ch pre ve nte d

t he k ey f ro m b ei ng t ur ne d a s ec on d t im e l ef t i ts i mp re ss io n

o n t he wax .

I t c os t B ox te l t wo d ay s m or e t o b ri ng h is k ey t o p er fe ct io n,

w it h t he a id o f a s ma ll f il e.

R os a' s d oo r t hu s o pe ne d w it ho ut n oi se a nd w it ho ut

difficulty, and Boxtel found himself in her room alone with

the tulip.

The fi rs t g uil ty a ct of Box te l h ad b een to c li mb o ver a wa ll

i n o rd er t o d ig u p t he t ul ip ; t he s ec on d, t o i nt ro du ce

him se lf i nt o t he dry-r oom of C or ne li us , t hr ough a n ope n

wi nd ow ; a nd t he t hi rd , t o e nt er Ro sa 's r oo m b y me an s o f a

f a ls e key.

Th us e nv y u rg ed Bo xt el o n w ith r ap id s te ps in th e c are er o f

crime.

B ox te l, a s w e h av e s ai d, w as a lo ne w it h t he t ul ip .

A c ommo n t hi ef wo ul d h av e t ak en t he p ot u nd er h is ar m, a nd

Pa ge 1 31


ca rr ie d i t off .

B ut B ox te l w as n ot a c om mo n t hi ef , a nd h e r ef le ct ed .

I t w as n ot y et c er ta in , a lt ho ug h v er y p ro ba bl e, t ha t t he

t ul ip w ou ld f lo we r b la ck ; i f, t he re fo re , h e s to le i t n ow , h e

n ot o nl y mi gh t b e c om mi tt in g a u se le ss c ri me , b ut a ls o t he

t he ft m ight be dis cove re d i n t he t im e w hi ch m us t e la ps e

P a g e 2 5 5



unt il t he f lowe r s houl d ope n.

H e t he re fo re - - a s b ei ng i n p os se ss io n o f t he k ey , h e m ig ht

e nt er R os a' s c ha mb er w he ne ve r h e l ik ed - - t ho ug ht i t b et te r

t o wa it a nd t o ta ke it ei th er a n h ou r be fo re o r af ter

o pe ni ng , a nd t o s ta rt o n t he i ns ta nt t o H aa rl em , w he re t he

tu li p w ou ld b e b ef or e t he j ud ge s o f t he c om mi tt ee b ef or e a ny

on e e ls e c ou ld p ut i n a r ec la ma ti on .

Sh ou ld a ny o ne t he n r ec la im i t, Bo xt el wo ul d i n h is t ur n

c h ar ge h im o r h er w it h t he ft .

T hi s w as a d ee p- la id s ch em e, a nd q ui te w or th y o f i ts a ut ho r.

Thus, every evening during that delightful hour which the

t w o l ov er s p as se d t og et he r a t t he g ra te d w in do w, B ox te l

e nt er ed R os a' s c ha mb er t o w at ch t he p ro gr es s w hi ch t he b la ck

t ul ip had m ade t ow ar ds f lowe ri ng.

O n t he e ven in g a t wh ic h we h av e ar ri ve d h e wa s g oi ng t o

e nt er a cc or di ng t o c us to m; b ut t he t wo l ov er s, a s we h av e

s ee n, o nl y e xc ha ng ed a f ew w or ds b ef or e C or ne li us s en t R os a

b ac k t o w at ch o ve r t he t ul ip .

S ee in g R os a e nt er h er r oo m t en m in ut es a ft er s he h ad l ef t

i t, Bo xt el g ue ss ed t ha t t he t ul ip h ad o pe ne d, o r w as a bo ut

t o o pe n.

Du ri ng t ha t n ig ht , t he re fo re , t he g re at b lo w w as t o b e

s tr uc k. B oxte l pre se nt ed him se lf bef or e G ryphus w it h a

d ou bl e s up pl y o f G en ie vr e, t ha t i s t o s ay , wi th a b ot tle in

e a c h p o ck e t.

G ryphus bei ng onc e f uddl ed, B oxte l w as ver y nea rl y m as te r of

P a g e 2 5 6



t he hous e .

At e le ve n o 'c lo ck G ry ph us w as d ea d d ru nk . A t t wo i n t he

m or ni ng B oxte l s aw R os a l ea vi ng t he c ha mber ; but e vi de nt ly

s he h el d i n h er a rm s s om et hi ng w hi ch s he c ar ri ed wi th g re at

care.

He d id n ot d ou bt t ha t t hi s wa s t he b la ck t ul ip wh ic h wa s i n

flower.

But what was she going to d o with it? Would she set out that

i nst ant t o H aa rl em w it h i t?

I t w as n ot p os si bl e t ha t a y ou ng g ir l s ho ul d u nd er ta ke s uc h

a j ourney a lone dur ing t he night .

W as s he o nl y g oi ng t o s ho w t he t ul ip t o C or ne li us ? T hi s w as

more likely.

H e f ol lo we d R os a i n h is s to ck in g f ee t, w al ki ng o n t ip to e.

He s aw h er a pp ro ac h t he g ra te d w in do w. H e h ea rd h er c al li ng

Pa ge 1 32


C or ne li us . B y t he l ig ht o f t he d ar k l an te rn h e s aw t he t ul ip

o p en , a nd b la ck a s th e n ig ht i n wh ic h h e wa s h id de n.

H e h ea rd t he p la n c on ce rt ed b et we en C or ne li us a nd R os a t o

se nd a me ss en ge r t o Ha ar le m. He s aw t he l ip s o f t he l ov er s

me et , a nd t he n h ea rd C or ne li us s en d R os a a wa y.

H e s aw R os a e xt in gu is h t he l ig ht a nd r et ur n t o h er c ha mb er .

T en mi nu te s a ft er , h e s aw h er l ea ve t he r oo m a ga in , a nd l oc k

i t t wi ce .

P a g e 2 5 7





"Well?"

"H ow s ha ll I t el l you?"

" S pe a k, s pe ak, R osa ! "

"S om e o ne h as t ak en - - s to le n i t f ro m u s. "

" St ol e n - - t a ke n? " s a id C or nel ius .

Pa ge 1 33


" Ye s, " s ai d R os a, l ea ni ng a ga in st t he d oo r t o s up po rt

herself; "yes, taken, stolen!"

An d s ay in g t hi s, s he f el t h er l im bs f ai li ng h er , a nd s he

fe ll o n h er k ne es .

" But how ? T el l m e, e xpla in t o m e. "

" Oh , i t i s n ot my f au lt, m y f ri en d."

P oo r Ro sa ! s he n o l on ge r d ar ed t o c al l h im " My b el ov ed o ne ."

"You have then left it alone," said Cornelius, ruefully.

" O ne m inut e onl y, t o i ns tr uc t our m es se nger , w ho l ives

s ca rc el y f if ty y ar ds o ff , o n t he b an ks o f t he W aa l. "

"And during that time, notwithstanding all my injunctions,

you l ef t t he key behind, unf or tuna te c hi ld!"

" No , n o, n o! t hi s i s w ha t I c an no t u nd er st an d. T he k ey w as

never out of my hands; I clinched it as if I were afraid it

would take wings."

" Bu t h ow d id i t h ap pe n, t he n? "

" Th at 's wh at I c an no t m ak e o ut . I h ad g iv en t he l et te r t o m y

m es se ng er ; h e s ta rt ed b ef or e I l ef t h is h ou se ; I c am e h om e,

P a g e 2 5 9



a nd my doo r was locked , every thing in my roo m was as I h ad

le ft i t, e xc ep t t he t ul ip , - - t ha t wa s g on e. So me o ne mu st

h ave had a key for my room, or have got a false one made on

purpose."

S he wa s n ea rl y c ho ki ng w it h s ob s, a nd wa s u na bl e t o

continue.

Cornelius, immovable and full of consternation, heard almost

w it hout under st andi ng, a nd onl y m ut te re d, - -

" St ol en , s to le n, a nd I a m l os t! "

" O C or ne li us , f or gi ve m e, f or gi ve m e, i t w il l kil l m e! "

S ee in g R os a' s d is tr es s, C or ne li us s ei ze d t he i ro n b ar s o f

the gra ti ng, a nd f ur ious ly s ha ki ng t he m, c al le d out , - -

" Ro sa , R os a, w e h av e b ee n r ob be d, i t i s t ru e, b ut s ha ll we

al lo w o ur se lv es t o b e d ej ec te d f or a ll t ha t? N o, n o; t he

m i sf or tu ne i s g re at , b ut i t m ay p er ha ps b e r em ed ie d. R os a,

w e know t he t hi ef !"

" Al as ! wh at c an I s ay a bo ut i t? "

" Bu t I sa y t ha t i t i s n o o ne e ls e b ut t ha t i nf am ou s J ac ob .

Sha ll we a ll ow h im t o c arr y t o Ha ar le m th e f ru it o f o ur

l ab ou r, t he f ru it o f o ur s le ep le ss n ig ht s, t he c hi ld o f o ur

l ov e? R os a, w e m us t p ur su e, w e m us t o ve rt ak e h im !"

"B ut h ow c an we d o a ll t hi s, m y f ri en d, wi th ou t l et ti ng my

f at he r k no w w e w er e i n c om mu ni ca ti on w it h e ac h o th er ? H ow

s ho ul d I , a p oo r g ir l, w it h s o l it tl e k no wl ed ge o f t he w or ld

a nd i ts wa ys , b e a bl e t o a tt ai n t hi s e nd , wh ic h p er ha ps y ou

could not attain yourself?"

P a g e 2 6 0



Pa ge 1 34


"Ro sa , R os a, o pe n t hi s d oo r t o m e, a nd y ou w il l s ee w he th er

I wi ll no t fin d th e th ief , -- whe th er I will n ot mak e hi m

c on fe ss h is c ri me a nd b eg f or m er cy ."

" Al as !" c ri ed R os a, s ob bi ng , " ca n I o pe n t he d oo r f or y ou ?

hav e I th e k eys ? I f I ha d had th em, wo uld no t you ha ve be en

f r ee l ong a go?"

" Yo ur f at he r h as t he m, - - y ou r w ic ke d f at he r, w ho h as

a lr ea dy c ru sh ed t he f ir st b ul b o f m y t ul ip . O h, t he w re tc h!

h e i s a n a cc om pl ic e o f J ac ob !"

" Do n' t s pe ak s o l ou d, f or H ea ve n' s s ak e! "

" Oh , Ro sa , i f y ou d on 't o pe n t he d oo r t o me ," Co rn el iu s

c ri ed in h is r ag e, " I s ha ll f or ce t he se b ar s, a nd k il l

e ve rything I f ind i n t he pri son. "

"Be merciful, be merciful, my friend!"

" I t el l y ou , R os a, t ha t I s ha ll d em ol is h t hi s p ri so n, s to ne

f or s tone !" a nd t he unf or tuna te m an, w hose s tr engt h w as

i nc re as ed t en fo ld b y h is r ag e, b eg an t o s ha ke t he d oo r wi th

a g re at n oi se , l it tl e h ee di ng t ha t t he t hu nd er o f h is v oi ce

w as r e- ec hoi ng t hr ough t he s pir al s ta ir ca se .

Ro sa , i n h er f ri gh t, m ad e v ai n a tt em pt s t o c he ck t hi s

furious outbreak.

" I t el l you t ha t I s ha ll kil l t ha t i nf am ous G ryphus ?" r oa re d

C or ne li us . " I te ll y ou I s hal l s he d h is b lo od a s h e d id th at

P a g e 2 6 1



of m y bla ck t ul ip."

T he w re tc he d p ri so ne r b eg an r ea ll y t o r av e.

"W el l, t he n, y es ," s ai d R os a, a ll i n a t re mb le . " Ye s, y es ,

o nl y b e q ui et . Ye s, y es , I wi ll t ak e h is k ey s, I w ill o pe n

the d oo r for y ou ! Ye s, onl y be q ui et, my own de ar

Cornelius."

She did not finish her spe ech, as a growl by her side

interrupted her.

" M y f at he r! " c ri ed R os a.

"Gryphus!" roared Van Baerle. "Oh, you villain!"

O ld Gr yp hu s, i n t he mi ds t o f a ll t he n oi se , h ad a sc en de d t he

staircase without being heard.

H e r ud el y s ei ze d h is d au gh te r b y t he w ri st .

" So y ou wil l t ake m y k ey s? " h e sa id , i n a v oic e c ho ked wit h

r age. " Ah! t hi s das ta rdly f el low, t hi s m onst er , t hi s

g al lo ws -b ir d o f a c on sp ir at or , i s y ou r o wn d ea r C or ne li us ,

i s he? A h! M is sy has c om muni ca ti ons w it h pri sone rs of s ta te .

Ah ! wo n' t I t ea ch yo u - - wo n' t I ?"

R os a c la sp ed h er h an ds i n d es pa ir .

" Ah!" G ryphus c onti nued, pas si ng f rom t he m adne ss of a nger

to the coo l iron y o f a man wh o h as g ot th e be tter of his

e ne my, - - " Ah, you i nnoc ent t ul ip-f anci er , you gentl e

s ch ol ar ; y ou w il l k il l m e, a nd d ri nk m y b lo od ! V er y w el l!

Pa ge 1 35


v er y w el l! A nd y ou h av e m y d au gh te r f or a n a cc om pl ic e. A m I ,

P a g e 2 6 2



f or so ot h, i n a d en o f t hi ev es , - - i n a c av e o f b ri ga nd s?

Y es , b ut t he G ov er no r s ha ll k no w a ll t o- mo rr ow , a nd h is

H ig hn es s t he S ta dt ho ld er t he d ay a ft er . W e k no w t he l aw , - -

w e s ha ll g iv e a s ec on d e di ti on o f t he B uy te nh of , M as te r

Sc ho la r, a nd a g oo d o ne t hi s t ime . Y es , y es , j us t g na w y ou r

p aws l ik e a b ea r in h is c age , a nd yo u, my f in e li ttl e la dy,

d ev ou r y ou r d ea r C or ne li us w it h y ou r e ye s. I t el l y ou , m y

l am bkins, you s ha ll not m uc h l onge r have t he f el ic it y of

conspiring together. Away with you, unnatural daughter! And

a s t o y ou , M as te r S ch ol ar , we s ha ll s ee e ac h o th er a ga in .

J us t b e q ui et , - - we s ha ll ."

R o sa , b ey on d h er se lf w it h t er ro r a nd d es pa ir , k is se d h er

h an ds t o h er f ri en d; t he n, s ud de nl y s tr uc k w it h a b ri gh t

t ho ug ht , s he r us he d t ow ar d t he s ta ir ca se , s ay in g, - -

" Al l i s not yet l os t, C or ne li us . R el y on m e, m y C or ne li us ."

Her father followed her, growling.

A s t o p oo r C or ne li us , h e g ra du al ly l oo se ne d h is h ol d o f t he

bars, which his fingers still grasped convulsively. His head

wa s h ea vy , h is e ye s a lm os t s ta rt ed f ro m t he ir s oc ke ts , a nd

h e f el l h ea vi ly o n t he f lo or o f h is c el l, m ut te ri ng , - -

" St ol en! i t has bee n s tole n f rom m e! "

Du ri ng t hi s t im e B ox te l h ad l ef t t he f or tr es s b y t he d oo r

wh ic h R os a h er se lf h ad o pe ne d. H e c ar ri ed t he b la ck t ul ip

w ra pp ed u p i n a c lo ak , a nd , t hr ow in g h im se lf i nt o a c oa ch ,

w hi ch w as w ai ti ng f or him a t G or cum, he drove off , w it hout ,

P a g e 2 6 3





R os a, o n l ea vi ng C or ne li us , h ad f ix ed o n h er p la n, w hi ch w as

n o o th er t ha n t o r es to re t o Co rn el iu s t he s to le n t ul ip , o r

ne ve r t o s ee h im a ga in .

S he h ad s ee n t he d es pa ir o f t he p ri so ne r, a nd s he k ne w t ha t

i t wa s d er iv ed f ro m a d ou bl e s ou rc e, a nd t ha t i t w as

incurable.

O n t he o ne h an d, s ep ar at io n b ec am e i ne vi ta bl e, - - G ry ph us

ha vi ng a t t he s am e t im e s ur pr is ed t he s ec re t o f t he ir l ov e

a nd of t he ir s ec re t m ee ti ngs.

On t he o th er h an d, a ll t he h op es o n t he f ul fi lm en t o f wh ic h

C or ne li us v an B ae rl e h ad r es te d h is a mb it io n f or t he l as t

s ev en y ea rs w er e n ow c ru sh ed .

R os a w as o ne o f t ho se w ome n w ho a re d ej ec te d b y t ri fl es , b ut

w ho i n gre at e me rgenci es a re s uppl ie d by t he m is fort une

i ts el f w it h t he e ne rgy f or c om ba ti ng or w it h t he r es ourc es

for remedying it.

She wen t to he r r oom, a nd c as t a la st g la nc e ab ou t he r t o

s ee w he th er s he h ad n ot b ee n m is ta ke n, a nd w he th er t he t ul ip

w as n ot s to we d a wa y i n s om e c or ne r w he re i t h ad e sc ap ed h er

not ic e. B ut s he s ought i n vai n, t he t ul ip w as s ti ll m is si ng;

t he t ul ip w as i ndee d s tole n.

Ro sa m ad e u p a l it tl e p ar ce l o f t hi ng s i nd is pe ns ab le f or a

j ou rn ey ; t oo k h er t hr ee h un dr ed g ui ld er s, - - t ha t i s t o s ay ,

a ll h er f or tu ne , - - f et ch ed t he t hi rd b ul b f ro m a mo ng h er

l ac e, wh er e sh e h ad l ai d it u p, an d c ar efu lly h id i t in h er

P a g e 2 6 5



b os om ; a ft er w hi ch s he l oc ke d h er d oo r t wi ce t o d is gu is e h er

f li gh t a s l on g a s p os si bl e, a nd , l ea vi ng t he p ri so n b y t he

s ame d oo r wh ic h a n h ou r b ef or e h ad l et o ut Bo xt el , s he we nt

to a s ta bl e- ke ep er t o h ir e a c ar ri ag e.

T he m an h ad o nl y a t wo -w he el c ha is e, a nd t hi s w as t he

ve hi cl e w hi ch B oxte l had hir ed s ince l as t e ve ni ng, a nd i n

wh ic h h e was n ow dr ivi ng al on g t he ro ad to De lf t; f or t he

r oa d f ro m L oe we st ei n t o H aa rl em , o wi ng t o t he m an y c an al s,

rivers, and rivulets intersecting the country, is

exceedingly circuitous.

No t b ei ng a bl e t o p ro cu re a v eh ic le , R os a w as o bl ig ed t o

t ake a hor s e, w it h w hi ch t he s ta ble -ke epe r r e adil y i ntr us t ed

he r, k no wi ng h er t o b e t he d au gh te r o f t he j ai le r o f t he

fortress.

R os a h op ed t o o ve rt ak e h er m es se ng er , a k in d- he ar te d a nd

h on es t l ad , wh om s he wo ul d t ak e wi th h er , a nd wh o mi gh t a t

th e s ame time se rv e h er as a g ui de an d a pr ot ec to r.

An d i n f ac t s he h ad n ot p ro ce ed ed m or e t ha n a l ea gu e b ef or e

sh e s aw hi m h as ten in g a lo ng o ne o f th e s id e p at hs o f a v er y

pr et ty r oa d b y t he r iv er . S et ti ng h er h or se o ff a t a c an te r,

s he s oo n ca me u p wit h h im.

Th e h on es t l ad w as n ot a wa re o f t he i mp or ta nt c ha ra ct er o f

h is m es sa ge ; n ev er th el es s, h e u se d a s m uc h s pe ed a s i f h e

h ad kno wn it; and in less tha n an hour h e had already g one a

l ea gu e a nd a h al f.

Pa ge 1 37

P a g e 2 6 6




R os a t oo k f ro m h im t he n ot e, w hi ch h ad n ow b ec om e u se le ss ,

a nd e xp la in ed t o h im wh at s he wa nt ed h im t o d o f or h er . T he

boatman placed himself entirely at her disposal, promising

to keep pa ce with th e h orse if Ro sa wo uld allo w him to tak e

h ol d o f e it he r t he c ro up o r t he b ri dl e o f h er h or se . T he t wo

t ra ve ll er s h ad b ee n o n t he ir w ay f or f iv e h ou rs , a nd m ad e

m or e t ha n e ig ht l ea gu es , a nd y et G ry ph us h ad n ot t he l ea st

s us pi ci on of his daughte r having l ef t t he f or tr es s.

Th e j ail er , wh o wa s o f a v ery s pi tef ul a nd cr ue l

disposition, chuckled within himself at the idea of having

s tr uc k s uch t er r or i nto his da ughte r' s hea r t.

B ut w hi ls t he w as c ongr at ul at ing him se lf on having s uc h a

n ic e s to ry t o t el l t o h is b oo n c om pa ni on , J ac ob , t ha t w or th y

wa s o n h is r oa d t o D el ft ; a nd , t ha nk s t o t he s wi ft ne ss o f

t he h or se , h ad a lr ea dy t he s ta rt o f R os a a nd h er c om pa ni on

by f our l ea gues .

And w hi ls t t he a ff ec ti onat e f at he r w as r ej oi ci ng a t t he

t ho ug ht o f h is d au gh te r w ee pi ng i n h er r oo m, R os a w as m ak in g

t he b es t o f h er wa y t ow ar ds Ha ar le m.

T hu s t he p ri so ne r a lo ne w as w he re G ry ph us t ho ug ht h im t o b e.

Ro sa w as s o l it tl e w it h h er f at he r s in ce s he t oo k c ar e o f

t he tu li p, t ha t a t h is d in ne r h ou r, th at i s t o s ay , a t

t we lv e o 'c lo ck , h e w as r em in de d f or t he f ir st t im e b y h is

a ppet it e t ha t his daughte r w as f re tt ing r at he r t oo l ong.

P a g e 2 6 7



H e s en t o ne o f t he u nd er -t ur nk ey s t o c al l h er ; a nd , w he n t he

m an c ame b ac k t o te ll h im th at h e h ad c al le d a nd s ou gh t h er

i n v ai n, h e r es ol ve d t o g o a nd c al l h er h im se lf .

He f ir st we nt to h er ro om, b ut , lo ud a s he k no cke d, Ros a

a ns we r ed not.

Th e l oc ks mi th o f t he f or tr es s w as s en t f or ; h e o pe ne d t he

d oo r, b ut Gr yp hu s n o mo re f ou nd R os a t ha n s he h ad f ou nd t he

tulip.

A t t ha t v er y m om en t s he e nt er ed R ot te rd am .

G ryphus t he re fore had j us t a s l it tl e c ha nc e of f indi ng her

i n t he ki tch en as i n h er ro om, a nd j ust a s l itt le i n t he

ga rd en a s i n t he k it ch en .

T h e r ea de r m ay i ma gi ne t he a ng er o f t he j ai le r w he n, a ft er

having m ade i nqui ri es a bout t he nei ghbour hood, he hea rd t ha t

h is d au gh te r h ad h ir ed a h or se , a nd , l ik e a n a dv en tu re ss ,

s et o ut o n a j ou rn ey w it ho ut s ay in g w he re s he w as g oi ng .

Gr yp hu s a ga in w en t u p i n h is f ur y t o V an B ae rl e, a bu se d h im ,

t hr ea te ne d him , knocked a ll t he m is er able f ur ni ture of his

c el l a bo ut , a nd p ro mi se d h im a ll s or ts o f m is er y, e ve n

starvation and flogging.

Cornelius, without even hearing what his jailer said,

a ll ow ed him se lf t o be i ll - tr ea te d, a bus ed, a nd t hr e at ene d,

remaining all the while sullen, immovable, dead to every

e m ot ion a nd f ea r.

A ft er having s ought f or R os a i n e ve ry dir ec ti on, G ryphus

Pa ge 1 38

P a g e 2 6 8




lo ok ed o ut f or J ac ob , a nd , a s h e c ou ld n ot f in d h im e it he r,

h e b eg an t o s us pe ct f ro m t ha t m om en t t ha t J ac ob h ad r un a wa y

with her.

T he dam se l, m ea nw hi le , a ft er having s topped f or t wo hours a t

R ot te rd am , h ad s ta rt ed a ga in o n h er j ou rn ey . O n t ha t e ve ni ng

s he s le pt a t D el ft , a nd o n t he f ol lo wi ng m or ni ng s he r ea ch ed

H aa rl em , f our hours a ft er B oxte l ha d a rr ived t he re .

R os a, f ir st o f a ll , c au se d h er se lf t o b e l ed b ef or e M yn he er

va n S ys te ns , t he P re si de nt of t he H or ti cult ur al S oc ie ty of

Haarlem.

S he f ou nd t ha t w or th y g en tl em an i n a s it ua ti on w hi ch , t o d o

jus tice t o ou r s tor y, we must n ot pa ss ov er in o ur

description.

Th e P re si de nt w as d ra wi ng u p a r ep or t t o t he c om mi tt ee o f

the society.

T hi s r ep or t w as w ri tt en o n l ar ge -s iz ed p ap er , i n t he f in es t

handwriting of the President.

R os a w as a nn ou nc ed s im pl y a s R os a G ry ph us ; b ut a s h er n am e,

w el l a s i t m ig ht s ou nd , w as u nk no wn t o t he P re si de nt , s he

was refused admittance.

R os a, h ow ev er , w as b y n o m ea ns a ba sh ed , h av in g v ow ed i n h er

h ea rt , i n p ur su in g h er c au se , n ot t o a llo w h er se lf t o b e p ut

d o wn e it he r b y r ef us al , o r a bu se , o r e ve n b ru ta li ty .

" An no un ce t o t he P re si de nt ," s he s ai d t o t he s er va nt , " th at

P a g e 2 6 9



I w an t t o s pe ak t o h im a bo ut t he b la ck t ul ip ."

T he se w or ds s ee me d t o b e a n " Op en S es am e, " f or s he s oo n

f ound her se lf i n t he off ic e of t he P re si de nt , V an S ys te ns ,

w h o g al la nt ly r os e f ro m h is c ha ir t o m ee t h er .

He wa s a s pa re l it tle ma n, r es emb lin g th e s te m o f a fl owe r,

h is h ea d f or mi ng i ts c ha li ce , a nd h is t wo l im p a rm s

r epre se nt ing t he doubl e l ea f of t he t ul ip; t he r es em bl ance

w as r ende re d c om pl et e by his w addl ing gai t w hi ch m ade him

e ve n m or e l ik e t ha t f lo we r w he n i t b en ds u nd er a b re ez e.

" We ll , m is s, " h e s ai d, " yo u a re c om in g, I a m t ol d, a bo ut t he

a f fa ir of t he bla ck t ul ip."

To t he P re si de nt of t he H or ti cult ur al S oc ie ty t he T ul ipa

n ig ra w as a f ir st -r at e p ow er , w hi ch , i n i ts c ha ra ct er a s

que en of t he t ul ips, m ight s end a mbas sa dors .

" Ye s, s ir ," a ns we re d Ro sa ; " I c om e a t l ea st t o s pe ak o f i t. "

"I s i t d oi ng w el l, t he n? " a sk ed V an S ys te ns , w it h a s mi le o f

tender veneration.

" Al as ! s ir , I d on 't k no w, " s ai d R os a.

" Ho w i s t ha t? c ou ld a ny m is fo rt un e h av e h ap pe ne d t o i t? "

" A very grea t one , sir; yet not to i t, b ut to me."

"What?"

Pa ge 1 39


" It h as b ee n s to le n f ro m m e. "

"Stolen! the black tulip?"

"Yes, sir."

P a g e 2 7 0



" Do you know t he t hi ef ?"

" I h av e m y s usp ic io ns , b ut I m ust n ot y et a ccu se a ny o ne ."

" But t he m at te r m ay ver y e as il y be a sc er ta ined."

" How i s t ha t? "

" As i t h as b ee n s to len fr om y ou , th e t hi ef ca nn ot b e f ar

off."

"Why not?"

" Be ca us e I h av e s ee n t he b la ck t ul ip o nl y t wo h ou rs a go ."

"Y ou h av e s ee n t he b la ck t ul ip !" c ri ed R os a, r us hi ng u p t o

Mynheer van Systens.

" As I s ee y ou , m is s."

"But where?"

" W el l, w it h your m as te r, of c ours e. "

"With my master?"

" Ye s, a re y ou n ot i n t he s er vi ce o f Ma st er I sa ac Bo xt el ?"

"I?"

"Yes, you."

" Bu t fo r wh om d o y ou t ak e m e, s ir ?"

"An d f or wh om d o y ou t ak e me ?"

"I hope, sir, I take you for what you are, -- that is to

s ay, f or t he honora bl e M ynhe e r van S ys te ns , B ur goma st er of

Haarlem, and President of the Horticultural Society."

" An d wh at i s i t y ou to ld me j us t n ow? "

" I t ol d y ou , s ir , t ha t m y t ul ip h as b ee n s to le n. "

" Then your t ul ip i s t ha t of M ynhe er B oxte l. W el l, m y c hi ld,

P a g e 2 7 1



y ou e xp re ss y ou rs el f v er y b ad ly . T he t ul ip h as b ee n s to le n,

not f rom you, but f rom M ynhe er B oxte l. "

"I rep eat t o yo u, sir, tha t I do n ot k now wh o th is Myn hee r

B ox te l i s, a nd t ha t I h av e n ow h ea rd h is n ame p ro no un ce d f or

the first time."

"You do no t k now who My nhee r Boxtel is, a nd you als o h ad a

black tulip?"

"B ut i s t he re a ny o th er b es id es m in e? " a sk ed R os a,

trembling.

Pa ge 1 40


" Y es , - - t ha t o f M yn he er B ox te l. "

" How i s i t? "

"Black, of course."

"Without speck?"

" Wi thout a s ingl e s pe ck, or e ve n poi nt ."

" An d y ou h av e t hi s t ul ip , - - y ou h av e i t d ep os it ed h er e? "

"No, b ut i t will b e, as it has to be exhib ited befo re the

c omm it te e pre vi ous t o t he pri ze bei ng a wa rded."

" Oh , s ir !" c ri ed R os a, " th is B ox te l - - t hi s I sa ac B ox te l - -

w ho c al ls h ims el f t he o wn er o f th e b la ck t ul ip - -- - "

" An d w ho i s i ts o wn er ?"

"Is h e no t a v ery t hi n man? "

"Bald?"

"Yes."

"With sunken eyes?"

P a g e 2 7 2



" I t hi nk h e h as ."

"Restless, stooping, and bowlegged?"

" In t ru th , y ou d ra w M as te r B ox te l' s p or tr ai t f ea tu re b y

feature."

"And the tulip, sir? Is it not in a pot of white and blue

e ar thenwa re , w it h yel lowi sh f lowe rs i n a bas ke t on t hr ee

sides?"

"Oh, as to that I am not quite sure; I looked more at the

fl ow er t ha n a t t he p ot ."

" Oh , s ir ! t ha t' s m y t ul ip , w hi ch h as b ee n s to le n f ro m m e. I

c am e h er e t o r ec la im i t b ef or e y ou a nd f ro m y ou ."

" Oh ! o h! " s ai d V an S ys te ns , l oo ki ng a t R os a. " Wh at ! y ou a re

h er e t o c la im t he t ul ip o f M as te r B ox te l? W el l, I m us t s ay ,

you a re c ool e nough. "

" Ho no ur ed s ir ," a l it tl e p ut o ut b y t hi s a po st ro ph e, " I d o

no t s ay th at I a m c omin g t o cl aim t he tu lip o f Ma st er

B oxte l, but t o r ec la im m y own."

"Yours?"

" Ye s, t he o ne w hi ch I h av e m ys el f p la nt ed a nd n ur se d. "

" We ll , t he n, g o a nd f in d o ut M as te r B ox te l, a t t he W hi te

Swa n I nn , a nd y ou c an t hen se tt le ma tt er s wi th h im; a s f or

me , c on si de ri ng t ha t t he c au se s ee ms t o m e a s d if fi cu lt t o

j ud ge a s t ha t w hi ch w as b ro ug ht b ef or e K in g S ol om on , a nd

that I do not pretend to be as wise as he was, I shall

content myself with making my report, establishing the

P a g e 2 7 3



e xi st en ce o f t he b la ck t ul ip , a nd o rd er in g t he h un dr ed

Pa ge 1 41


t ho us an d g ui ld er s t o b e p ai d t o i ts g ro we r. G oo d- by e, m y

child."

"Oh, sir, sir!" said Rosa, imploringly.

"O nl y, m y c hi ld," c onti nued V an S ys te ns , " as you a re young

a nd p re tt y, a nd a s t he re m ay b e s ti ll s ome g oo d i n y ou , I 'll

g iv e y ou s ome g oo d a dv ic e. Be p ru de nt i n t hi s ma tt er , f or w e

h av e a c ou rt o f j us ti ce a nd a p ri so n h er e a t Ha ar le m, a nd ,

m or eo ve r, w e a re e xc ee di ng ly t ic kl is h a s f ar a s t he h on ou r

o f o ur t ul ip s i s c on ce rn ed . G o, m y c hi ld , g o, r em em be r,

M as te r I sa ac B ox te l a t t he W hi te S wa n I nn ."

A nd M yn he er v an S ys te ns , t ak in g u p h is f in e p en , r es um ed h is

r ep or t, w hi ch h ad b ee n i nt er ru pt ed b y R os a' s v is it .

C ha p te r 2 6

A M em be r of t he H or ti cult ur al S oc ie ty

R os a, b ey on d h er se lf a nd n ea rl y ma d wi th j oy a nd f ea r a t t he

i de a o f t he b la ck t ul ip b ei ng f ou nd a ga in , s ta rt ed f or t he

W hi te S wa n, f ol lo we d b y t he b oa tm an , a s to ut l ad f ro m

Fr is ia , w ho w as s tr on g e no ug h t o k no ck d ow n a d oz en B ox te ls

single-handed.

He h ad b ee n m ad e a cq ua in te d i n t he c ou rs e o f t he j ou rn ey

w it h th e s ta te o f a ffa ir s, a nd wa s n ot a fr ai d o f an y

e nc ou nt er ; o nl y h e h ad o rd er s, i n s uc h a c as e, t o s pa re t he

tulip.

P a g e 2 7 4



B ut o n a rr iv in g i n t he g re at m ar ke t- pl ac e R os a a t o nc e

s to pp ed , a s ud de n t ho ug ht h ad s tr uc k h er , j us t a s H om er 's

M in er va s ei ze s A ch il le s b y t he h ai r a t t he m om en t w he n h e i s

a bo ut t o b e c ar ri ed a wa y b y h is a ng er .

"G oo d H ea ve n! " s he m ut te re d t o h er se lf , " I h av e m ad e a

g ri ev ou s b lu nd er ; i t m ay b e I h av e r ui ne d C or ne li us , t he

t ul ip , a nd m ys el f. I h av e g iv en t he a la rm , a nd p er ha ps

a wa ke ne d s us pi ci on . I a m b ut a w om an ; t he se m en m ay l ea gu e

t hem se lv es ag ai nst me , an d t he n I s ha ll b e l os t. If I a m

l os t t ha t m at te rs not hi ng, - - but C or ne li us a nd t he t ul ip!"

S h e r ef le ct ed f or a m om en t.

" If I g o t o t hat Bo xt el , a nd d o n ot k no w h im; i f t ha t Bo xt el

i s n ot my J ac ob , b ut a no th er f an ci er , w ho h as a ls o

di sc ov er ed t he b la ck t ul ip ; o r i f m y t ul ip h as b ee n s to le n

b y s ome on e e ls e, o r h as al re ad y pa ss ed in to t he ha nd s of a

t hi rd p er so n; - - i f I d o n ot r ec og ni ze t he m an , o nl y t he

t ul ip , h ow s ha ll I p ro ve t ha t i t b el on gs to me ? On t he o th er

h an d, i f I r ec og ni se t hi s B ox te l a s J ac ob , wh o k no ws w ha t

w il l c om e o ut o f i t? w hi ls t w e a re c on te st in g w it h e ac h

other , t he t ul ip w il l die ."

I n t he m ea nw hi le , a g re at n oi se w as h ea rd , l ik e t he d is ta nt

r oa r o f t he s ea , a t t he o th er e xt re mi ty o f t he ma rk et -p la ce .

P eopl e w er e r unni ng a bout , doors ope ni ng a nd s hutt ing, R os a

a lone w as unc onsc ious of a ll t hi s hubbub a mong t he

multitude.

P a g e 2 7 5



Pa ge 1 42


" We m us t r et ur n t o t he P re si de nt ," s he m ut te re d.

" We ll , t he n, l et us r et ur n, " s ai d t he boa tm an.

T he y t oo k a s ma ll s tr ee t, w hi ch l ed t he m s tr ai gh t t o t he

ma ns io n o f M yn he er v an S ys te ns , w ho w it h h is b es t p en i n h is

fi ne st h an d c on ti nu ed t o d ra w u p h is r ep or t.

E ve ry wh er e o n h er w ay R os a h ea rd p eo pl e s pe ak in g o nl y o f t he

b la ck t ul ip , a nd t he p ri ze o f a h un dr ed t ho us an d g ui ld er s.

T he n ew s h ad s pr ea d l ik e w il df ir e t hr ou gh t he t ow n.

R os a h ad n ot a l it tl e d if fi cu lt y i s p en et ra ti ng a s ec on d

t im e i nt o t he off ic e of M ynhe er van S ys te ns , w ho, how ever ,

w as a ga in m ov ed b y t he m ag ic n am e o f t he b la ck t ul ip .

Bu t wh en h e re co gn is ed Ro sa , wh om i n h is o wn m in d h e h ad s et

d own a s ma d, o r e ven wo rs e, h e g re w an gry , a nd wa nte d to

se nd h er a wa y.

Ro sa , h ow ev er , c la sp ed h er h an ds , a nd s ai d wi th t ha t t on e o f

h on es t t ru th w hi ch g en er al ly f in ds i ts wa y t o t he h ea rt s o f

m en , - -

" Fo r H ea ve n' s s ak e, s ir , d o n ot t ur n me a wa y; l is te n t o w ha t

I have to tell you, and if it be not possible for you to do

m e j us ti ce , a t l ea st y ou wi ll n ot o ne d ay h av e t o r ep ro ac h

yours el f bef or e G od f or having m ade yours el f t he a cc om pl ic e

of a b ad a ct io n."

V an S ys te ns s ta mp ed h is f oo t w it h i mp at ie nc e; i t w as t he

s ec on d t im e t ha t R os a i nt er ru pt ed h im i n t he m id st o f a

P a g e 2 7 6



c om posi ti on w hi ch s ti mula te d his vanit y, bot h a s a

burgom as te r a nd a s P re si de nt of t he H or ti cult ur al S oc ie ty.

"Bu t m y r ep or t! " h e c ri ed , - - " my r ep or t o n t he b la ck

tulip!"

" Mynhee r van S ys te ns ," R os a c onti nued, w it h t he f ir mnes s of

i nnoc ence a nd t ruth, " your r epor t on t he bla ck t ul ip w il l,

i f y ou do n' t h ea r me, be b as ed on cri me or on fal se ho od . I

i mp lo re y ou , s ir , l et t hi s M as te r B ox te l, w ho m I a ss er t t o

be M ast er J ac ob , b e b ro ug ht h er e b efo re y ou an d me , a nd I

s we ar t ha t I w il l l ea ve h im i n u nd is tu rb ed p os se ss io n o f t he

t ul ip i f I d o n ot r ec og ni se t he f lo we r a nd i ts h ol de r. "

" We ll , I d ec la re , h er e i s a p ro po sa l, " s ai d V an S ys te ns .

" W ha t d o y ou m ea n? "

" I a sk y ou w ha t c an b e p ro ve d b y y ou r r ec og ni si ng t he m? "

" Af te r a ll ," s ai d R os a, i n h er d es pa ir , " yo u a re a n h on es t

m an, s ir; h ow wo uld y ou f ee l if o ne d ay y ou f oun d o ut t ha t

yo u ha d g iv en th e p ri ze to a man fo r s ome th in g wh ic h h e n ot

o nl y h ad n ot p ro du ce d, b ut w hi ch h e h ad e ve n s to le n? "

R os a' s s pe ec h s ee me d t o h av e b ro ug ht a c er ta in c on vi ct io n

i nt o t he h ea rt o f Va n S ys te ns , a nd h e wa s g oi ng t o a ns we r

her i n a gen tle r ton e, whe n at on ce a g rea t n oi se was he ard

i n t he s tr ee t, a nd l ou d c he er s s ho ok t he h ou se .

" Wh at i s t hi s? " c ri ed t he b ur go ma st er ; " wh at i s t hi s? I s i t

Pa ge 1 43


P a g e 2 7 7



poss ible ? ha ve I hea rd a ri ght? "

A nd he r us he d t ow ar ds his a nt er oom, w it hout a ny l onge r

h ee di ng R os a, w ho m h e l ef t i n h is c ab in et .

S ca rc el y h ad h e r ea ch ed h is a nt er oo m w he n h e c ri ed o ut a lo ud

o n s ee in g h is s ta ir ca se i nv ad ed , u p t o t he v er y

landing-place, by the multitude, which was accompanying, or

r at he r f ol lowi ng, a young m an, s im pl y c la d i n a

violet-coloured velvet, embroidered with silver; who, with a

c er ta i n a ri s toc ra ti c s l ow ne ss , a sc e nde d t he w hi t e s t one

s te ps o f t he h ou se .

I n h is wa ke f ol lo we d t wo o ff ic er s, o ne o f t he n av y, a nd t he

o t he r o f t he c av al ry .

V an S ys te ns , having f ound his w ay t hr ough t he f ri ghte ne d

d om es ti cs , b eg an t o b ow , a lm os t t o p ro st ra te h im se lf b ef or e

h is v is it or , wh o h ad b ee n t he ca us e o f al l t his s ti r.

"Monseigneur," he called out, "Monseigneur! What

dis ti ngui shed honour i s your H ighnes s bes towi ng f or e ve r on

m y hum bl e house by your vis it ?"

" De ar M ynhe er van S ys te ns ," s ai d W il li am of O ra nge, w it h a

s er en ity wh ic h, wi th h im, to ok t he p la ce o f a s mil e, "I a m a

tru e Ho ll and er, I am fo nd o f the wa ter , of b ee r, a nd o f

f lowe rs , s om et im es e ve n of t ha t c he es e t he f la vour of w hi ch

s ee ms s o g ra te fu l t o t he F re nc h; t he f lo we r w hi ch I p re fe r

t o a ll o th er s i s, o f c ou rs e, t he t ul ip . I h ea rd a t Le yd en

t ha t t he c it y o f H aa rl em a t l as t p os se ss ed t he b la ck t ul ip ;

a nd, a ft er having s at is fi ed m ys el f of t he t ruth of new s

P a g e 2 7 8



w hi ch s ee me d s o i nc re di bl e, I h av e c om e t o k no w a ll a bo ut i t

from the President of the Horticultural Society."

"Oh, Monseigneur, Monseigneur!" said Van Systens, "what

gl or y t o t he s oc ie ty i f i ts e nd ea vo ur s a re p le as in g t o y ou r

Highness!"

" Ha ve y ou g ot t he f lo we r h er e? " s ai d t he P ri nc e, w ho , v er y

l ikel y, a lr ea dy r egre tt ed having m ade s uc h a l ong s pe ec h.

"I am so rry to s ay we have no t."

"A nd w he re i s i t? "

"With its owner."

" Wh o i s h e? "

"An honest tulip-grower of Dort."

"His name?"

"Boxtel."

"His quarters?"

"At th e Wh it e Swan ; I s ha ll s en d f or hi m, a nd if i n th e

m ea nw hi le your H ighnes s w il l do m e t he honour of s te pping

in to m y d ra wi ng -r oo m, h e w il l b e s ur e - - k no wi ng t ha t y ou r

Hi gh ne ss i s h er e - - t o l os e n o t im e i n b ri ng in g h is t ul ip ."

" Ve ry w el l, s end f or him ."

Pa ge 1 44


" Ye s, y ou r H ig hn es s, b ut - -- -

" What i s i t? "

"Oh, nothing of any consequence, Monseigneur."

P a g e 2 7 9



"Everything is of consequence, Mynheer van Systens."

" We ll , t he n, M onse igne ur , i f i t m us t be s ai d, a l it tl e

difficulty has presented itself."

"What difficulty?"

" Th is t ul ip h as a lr ea dy b ee n c la im ed b y u su rp er s. I t' s t ru e

t ha t i t i s w or th a hundr ed t hous and gui lder s. "

"Indeed!"

" Ye s, M onse igne ur , by usurper s, by f or ge rs ."

"T hi s i s a c ri me , M ynhe er van S ys te ns ."

" So i t i s, your H ighnes s. "

" An d h av e y ou a ny p ro of s o f t he ir g ui lt ? '

" No , M on se ig ne ur , t he g ui lt y w om an - -- - "

"The guilty woman, Sir?"

" I o ug ht t o s ay , t he w om an wh o c la im s t he t ul ip ,

M on se ig ne ur , i s h er e i n t he r oo m c lo se b y. "

"An d wha t do y ou t hi nk o f he r?"

" I t hi nk , M on se ig ne ur , t ha t t he b ai t o f a h un dr ed t ho us an d

gui lder s m ay have t em pt ed her ."

" And s o s he c la im s t he t ul ip?"

"Yes Monseigneur."

" An d w ha t p ro of d oe s s he o ff er ?"

" I w as j us t g oi ng t o q ue st io n h er w he n y ou r H ig hn es s c am e

in."

" Qu es ti on h er , M yn he er v an S ys te ns , q ue st io n h er . I a m t he

fi rs t m ag is tr at e o f t he c ou nt ry ; I w il l h ea r t he c as e a nd

administer justice."

P a g e 2 8 0



" I have f ound m y K ing S ol om on," s ai d V an S ys te ns , bow ing,

a nd s ho wi ng t he wa y t o t he Pr in ce .

H is H ig hn es s w as j us t g oi ng t o w al k a he ad , b ut , s ud de nl y

r ec ol le ct ing him se lf he s ai d - -

" Go b ef or e m e, a nd c al l m e p la in M yn he er ."

Th e t wo t he n e nt er ed t he c ab in et .

Ro sa w as s ti ll s ta nd in g a t t he s am e p la ce , l ea ni ng o n t he

w indow, a nd l ooki ng t hr ough t he panes i nt o t he gar de n.

Pa ge 1 45


" Ah ! a F ri si an g ir l, " s ai d t he P ri nc e, a s h e o bs er ve d R os a' s

go ld b ro c ad e h ea d dr es s a n d r ed p et ti co at .

A t t he n oi se o f t he ir f oo ts te ps s he t ur ne d r ou nd , b ut

s c ar ce ly s aw t he P ri nc e, w ho s ea te d h im se lf i n t he d ar ke st

c orne r of t he a par tm e nt .

A ll h er a tt en ti on , a s m ay b e e as il y i ma gi ne d, w as f ix ed o n

t ha t i mp or ta nt p er so n w ho w as c al le d V an S ys te ns , s o t ha t

s he h ad n o t im e t o n ot ic e t he h um bl e s tr an ge r wh o wa s

fo ll ow in g t he m as te r o f t he h ou se , a nd w ho , f or a ug ht s he

k ne w, m ig ht b e s om eb od y o r n ob od y.

T he h um bl e s tr an ge r t oo k a b oo k d ow n f ro m t he s he lf , a nd

m ade V an S ys te ns a s ign t o c om me nc e t he e xa mi na ti on

forthwith.

V an S ys te ns , l ikew is e a t t he i nvit at ion of t he young m an i n

t he v io le t c oa t, s at d ow n i n h is t ur n, a nd , q ui te h ap py a nd

P a g e 2 8 1



p ro ud o f t he i mp or ta nc e t hu s c as t u po n h im, b eg an , - -

" My c hi ld , y ou p ro mi se t o t el l m e t he t ru th a nd t he e nt ir e

truth concerning this tulip?"

"I promise."

" We ll , t he n, s pe ak bef or e t hi s gentl em an; t hi s gentl em an i s

one of t he m em be rs of t he H or ti cult ur al S oc ie ty."

" Wh at a m I t o t el l y ou , s ir ," s ai d R os a, " be si de t ha t w hi ch

I h av e t ol d y ou a lr ea dy ."

" We ll , t he n, w ha t i s i t? "

" I r ep ea t t he q ue st io n I h av e a dd re ss ed t o y ou b ef or e. "

"Which?"

" Th at y ou wi ll o rd er M yn he er B ox te l t o c om e h er e w it h h is

t ul ip . I f I d o n ot r ec og ni se i t a s m in e I wi ll f ra nk ly t el l

it; but if I do recognise it I will reclaim it, even if I go

bef or e his H ighnes s t he S ta dt holder him se lf , w it h m y proof s

i n m y hands ."

" You have, t he n, s om e proof s, m y c hi ld?"

" Go d, w ho k no ws m y g oo d r ig ht , w il l a ss is t m e t o s om e. "

V an S ys te ns e xc ha ng ed a l oo k w it h t he P ri nc e, w ho , s in ce t he

f ir st wo rd s o f R os a, s ee me d t o t ry t o r em em be r h er , a s i f i t

we re n ot fo r th e f ir st t ime th at t hi s s we et v oi ce r an g i n

his e a rs .

A n o ff ic er w en t o ff t o f et ch B ox te l, a nd V an S ys te ns i n t he

meanwhile continued his examination.

" An d w it h w ha t d o y ou s up po rt y ou r a ss er ti on t ha t y ou a re

th e r ea l o wn er o f t he b la ck t ul ip ?"

P a g e 2 8 2



" Wi th t he v er y s im pl e f ac t o f m y h av in g p la nt ed a nd g ro wn i t

i n m y own c ha mber ."

" In your c ha mber ? W he re w as your c ha mber ?"

Pa ge 1 46


"At Loewestein."

"You are from Loewestein?"

" I a m t he d au gh te r o f t he j ai le r o f t he f or tr es s. "

T he P ri nc e m ad e a l it tl e m ov em en t, a s m uc h a s t o s ay , " We ll ,

t ha t' s i t, I r em em be r n ow ."

A nd , a ll t he wh il e f ei gn in g t o b e e ng ag ed wi th h is b oo k, h e

wa tc he d R os a w it h e ve n m or e a tt en ti on t ha n h e h ad b ef or e.

" And you a re f ond of f lowe rs ?" c onti nued M ynhe er van

Systens.

"Yes, sir."

" Th en y ou a re a n e xp er ie nc ed f lo ri st , I d ar e s ay ?"

Ro sa h es it at ed a m om en t; t he n w it h a t on e w hi ch c am e f ro m

th e d ep th o f h er h ea rt , s he s ai d, --

" Ge nt le me n, I a m s pe aking t o m en of honor ."

Th er e wa s s uc h a n e xp re ss io n o f t ru th i n t he t on e o f h er

v oi ce , t ha t V an S ys te ns a nd t he P ri nc e a ns we re d

simultaneously by an affirmative movement of their heads.

" Wel l, t he n, I a m n ot a n e xp er ie nc ed f lor ist ; I am on ly a

p oo r g ir l, o ne o f t he p eo pl e, w ho , t hr ee m on th s a go , k ne w

n ei th er h ow t o r ea d n or h ow t o w ri te . No , t he b la ck t ul ip

P a g e 2 8 3



h as n ot b ee n f ou nd b y m ys el f. "

" But by w hom e ls e? "

" By a poor pr is oner of L oe we st ei n. "

" By a pr is one r of L oe we st e in?" r epea t ed t he P ri nce .

Th e t on e o f h is v oi ce s ta rt le d R os a, w ho wa s s ur e s he h ad

h e ar d i t b ef or e.

" By a p ri so ne r o f s ta te , t he n, " c on ti nu ed t he P ri nc e, " as

t he re a re n on e e ls e t he re ."

Ha vi ng s ai d t hi s h e b eg an to re ad a ga in , a t l ea st i n

appearance.

" Ye s, " s ai d R os a, w it h a f al te ri ng v oi ce , " ye s, b y a

pr i soner of s ta t e. "

V an S ys te ns t re mb le d a s h e h ea rd s uc h a c on fe ss io n m ad e i n

t he p re se nc e o f s uc h a w it ne ss .

" Cont inue ," s ai d W il li am dryly, t o t he P re si de nt of t he

Horticultural Society.

" Ah , s ir ," s ai d R os a, a dd re ss in g t he p er so n w ho m s he t ho ug ht

t o b e h er r ea l j ud ge , " I a m g oi ng t o i nc ri mi na te m ys el f v er y

seriously."

" C er ta inly," s ai d V an S ys te ns , " the pri sone r of s ta te ought

t o b e k ep t i n c lo se c on fi ne me nt a t L oe we st ei n. "

Pa ge 1 47


"Alas! sir."

" An d f ro m w ha t y ou t el l m e y ou t oo k a dv an ta ge o f y ou r

p os it io n, a s d au gh te r o f t he j ai le r, t o c om mu ni ca te w it h a

P a g e 2 8 4



pr is oner of s ta te a bout t he c ul ti va ti on of f lowe rs ."

" So i t i s, s ir ," R os a m ur mu re d i n d is ma y; " ye s, I a m b ou nd

t o c on fe ss , I s aw h im e ve ry d ay ."

"Unfortunate girl!" exclaimed Van Systens.

Th e P ri nc e, o bs er vi ng t he f ri gh t o f R os a a nd t he p al lo r o f

t he Pr es id en t, r ai se d h is h ea d, a nd s ai d, i n h is c le ar a nd

d ec id ed t on e, - -

" This c annot s igni fy a nything t o t he m em be rs of t he

H or ti cult ur al S oc ie ty; t he y have t o j udge on t he bla ck

t ul ip, a nd have no c ogni za nc e t o t ake of pol it ic al off ence s.

Go o n, y ou ng wo ma n, g o o n."

Va n S ys te ns , b y m ea ns o f a n e lo qu en t g la nc e, o ff er ed , i n t he

n ame o f t he t ul ip , h is t ha nks t o t he n ew me mb er o f th e

Horticultural Society.

R os a, r ea ss ur ed b y t hi s s or t o f e nc ou ra ge me nt w hi ch t he

s tr an ge r w as g iv in g h er , r el at ed a ll t ha t h ad h ap pe ne d f or

t he l as t t hr ee m on th s, a ll t ha t s he h ad d on e, a nd a ll th at

s he h ad s uf fe re d. S he d es cr ib ed t he c ru el ty o f G ry ph us ; t he

d es tr uc ti on o f t he f ir st b ul b; t he g ri ef o f t he p ri so ne r;

t he p re ca ut io ns t ak en t o i ns ur e t he s uc ce ss o f t he s ec on d

b ul b; t he p at ie nc e o f t he p ri so ne r a nd h is a nx ie ty d ur in g

t he ir s ep ar at io n; h ow h e w as a bo ut t o s ta rv e h im se lf b ec au se

h e h ad n o l ong er a ny n ews of hi s t uli p; hi s j oy wh en s he

w e nt t o s ee h im a ga in ; a nd , l as tl y, t he ir d es pa ir w he n t he y

f ou nd t ha t t he t ul ip w hi ch h ad c om e i nt o f lo we r w as s to le n

P a g e 2 8 5



ju st o ne h ou r a ft er i t h ad o pe ne d.

A ll t hi s w as d et ai le d w it h a n a cc en t o f t ru th w hi ch ,

a l though produci ng no c ha nge i n t he i mpas si bl e m ie n of t he

Pr in ce , d id n ot f ai l t o t ak e e ff ec t o n V an Sy st en s.

" Bu t, " s ai d t he P ri nc e, " it c an no t b e l on g s in ce y ou k ne w

the prisoner."

Ro sa o pe ne d h er l ar ge e ye s a nd l oo ke d a t t he s tr an ge r, w ho

d r ew ba ck i nt o t he da rk c or ne r, as i f h e w is he d to e sc ap e

her observation.

" Why, s ir ?" s he a sked him .

" Be ca us e i t i s n ot y et f ou r m on th s s in ce t he j ai le r G ry ph us

a nd hi s daught er w er e r e move d t o L oe we st ei n. "

" That i s t rue, s ir ."

"O ther wi se , you m us t have s ol ic it ed t he t ra ns fe r of your

f at he r, i n o rd er t o b e a bl e t o f ol lo w s om e p ri so ne r w ho m ay

have bee n t r ansport ed f rom t he H ague t o L oe we st ei n."

"Sir," said Rosa, blushing.

" F inis h w ha t you have t o s ay," s ai d W il li am .

Pa ge 1 48


" I c on fe ss I k ne w t he p ri so ne r a t t he Ha gu e."

"Happy prisoner!" said William, smiling.

A t t hi s m om en t t he o ff ic er w ho h ad b ee n s en t f or B ox te l

r et ur ne d, a nd a nn ou nc ed t o t he P ri nc e t ha t t he p er so n w ho m

h e h ad b ee n t o f et ch wa s f ol lo wi ng o n h is h ee ls w it h h is t ul ip .

C ha p te r 2 7

P a g e 2 8 6



T he T hi rd B ul b

B oxte l' s r et ur n w as s ca rc el y a nnounce d, w he n he e nt er ed i n

pe rs on t he dra wi ng-r oom of M ynhe er va n S ys te ns , f ol lowe d by

t wo m en , wh o c ar ri ed i n a b ox t he ir p re ci ou s b ur de n a nd

de po si te d i t o n a t ab le .

T he P ri nc e, on bei ng i nf or me d, l ef t t he c abinet , pas se d i nt o

the drawing-room, admired the flower, and silently resumed

h is s ea t i n t he d ar k c or ne r, wh er e h e h ad h im se lf p la ce d h is

chair.

R os a, t re mbl ing, pal e a nd t er ri fi ed, e xpe ct ed t o be i nvit ed

i n h er tu rn t o s ee t he tu li p.

Sh e n ow h ea rd t he v oi ce o f Bo xt el .

"I t i s he! " s he e xc la im ed.

The Prin ce made her a sign to go and loo k t hroug h t he o pen

door i nt o t he dr aw ing- r oom.

" It i s my t ul ip ," c rie d Ro sa , " I re co gn is e i t. Oh , my p oo r

Cornelius!"

A nd s ay in g t hi s s he b ur st i nt o t ea rs .

Th e P ri nc e r os e f ro m h is s ea t, w en t t o t he d oo r, w he re h e

st ood f or s om e t im e w it h t he f ul l l ight f al li ng upon his

figure.

A s Ro sa 's e ye s n ow r es te d u po n h im , s he f el t m or e t ha n e ve r

c on vi nc ed t hat t hi s wa s n ot t he f ir st t ime s he h ad s ee n t he

stranger.

" Ma st er B ox te l, " s ai d t he P ri nc e, " co me i n h er e, i f y ou

P a g e 2 8 7



please."

B oxte l e ager ly a pproac he d, a nd, f indi ng him se lf f ac e t o f ac e

wi th W il li am of O ra nge, s ta rt ed bac k.

"His Highness!" he called out.

"His Highness!" Rosa repeated in dismay.

H ea ri ng t hi s e xc la ma ti on on his l ef t, B oxte l t ur ne d r ound,

a nd p er ce iv ed R os a.

At t hi s s ig ht t he who le fr ame o f th e th ie f s ho ok a s i f u nde r

t he i nf luence of a gal va ni c s hock.

Pa ge 1 49


" Ah!" m ut te re d t he P ri nc e t o him se lf , " he i s c onfuse d. "

B ut B oxte l, m aking a viole nt e ff or t t o c ontr ol his f ee li ngs,

was already himself again.

" Ma st er B oxte l, " s ai d W il li am , " you s ee m t o have dis cove re d

t he s ec re t of growi ng t he bla ck t ul ip?"

" Ye s, your H ighnes s, " a ns we re d B oxte l, i n a voi ce w hi ch

still betrayed some confusion.

I t i s t ru e h is a gi ta ti on m ig ht h av e b ee n a tt ri bu ta bl e t o t he

e moti on w hi ch t he m an m us t have f el t on s udde nl y r ec ogni si ng

the Prince.

" B ut ," c onti nued t he S ta dt holder , " he re i s a young dam se l

w ho a ls o p re te nd s t o h av e f ou nd i t. "

Boxtel, with a disdainful smile, shrugged his shoulders.

William watched all his movements with evident interest and

curiosity.

P a g e 2 8 8



" Then you don't know t hi s young gir l? " s ai d t he P ri nc e.

"No, your Highness!"

" An d y ou , c hi ld , d o y ou k no w M as te r B ox te l? "

" No , I d on 't k no w M as te r B ox te l, b ut I k no w M as te r J ac ob ."

" W ha t d o y ou m ea n? "

" I m ea n t o s ay t ha t a t Lo ew es te in t he ma n wh o h ere c al ls

h im se lf I sa ac B ox te l w en t b y t he n am e o f M as te r J ac ob ."

" Wh at d o y ou s ay t o t ha t, M as te r Bo xt el ?"

" I s ay t ha t t hi s dam se l l ie s, your H ighnes s. "

" Y ou deny, t he re fore , having e ve r bee n a t L oe we st ei n? "

B oxte l hes it at ed; t he f ixed a nd s ea rc hi ng gla nc e of t he

p ro ud e ye o f t he P ri nc e p re ve nt ed h im f ro m l yi ng .

" I c annot deny having bee n a t L oe we st ei n, your H ighnes s, but

I deny having s tole n t he t ul ip."

" Yo u h av e s to le n i t, a nd t ha t f ro m m y r oo m, " c ri ed R os a,

with indignation.

"I deny i t. "

" No w l is te n t o m e. D o y ou d en y h av in g f ol lo we d m e i nt o t he

g ar de n, o n t he d ay wh en I p re pa red th e b or de r wh er e I wa s t o

p l an t i t? Do y ou d en y h av in g f ol lo we d m e i nt o t he g ar de n

wh en I p rete nd ed to p lan t it? Do yo u de ny t hat , on tha t

e ve ni ng , y ou r us he d a ft er m y d ep ar tu re t o t he s po t w he re y ou

h ope d to f in d t he b ulb ? Do yo u d en y h av in g d ug in t he g rou nd

with y ou r h and s -- but, than k Go d! in va in, a s it was a

s tr at ag em t o d is co ve r y ou r i nt en ti on s. S ay , d o y ou d en y a ll

P a g e 2 8 9



this?"

Pa ge 1 50


B ox te l d id n ot d ee m i t f it t o a ns we r t he se s ev er al c ha rg es ,

b ut , t ur ni ng t o t he P ri nc e, c on ti nu ed , - -

" I h av e n ow fo r t we nt y y ea rs g ro wn t ul ip s a t Do rt . I h av e

e v en a cq ui re d s om e r ep ut at io n i n t hi s a rt ; o ne o f m y h yb ri ds

i s e nt er ed i n t he c at al og ue u nd er t he n am e o f a n i ll us tr io us

p er so na ge . I h av e d ed ic at ed i t t o t he Ki ng o f P or tu ga l. T he

t ru th i n t he m at te r i s a s I s ha ll n ow t el l y ou r H ig hn es s.

Th is d am se l k ne w t ha t I h ad p ro du ce d t he b la ck t ul ip , a nd ,

in c on ce rt wi th a l ov er o f h er s i n t he f ort re ss o f

L oe we st ei n, s he f or me d t he p la n o f r ui ni ng m e b y

a ppropr ia ti ng t o her se lf t he pri ze of a hundr ed t hous and

gui lder s, w hi ch, w it h t he hel p of your H ighnes s' s j us ti ce , I

h o pe t o g ai n. "

" Y ah!" c ri ed R os a, beyond her se lf w it h a nger .

"Silence!" said the Prince.

T he n, t ur ni ng t o B ox te l, h e s ai d, - -

" An d wh o i s t hat p ri son er t o wh om y ou a ll ud e as th e l ov er o f

this young woman?"

R os a n ea rl y s wo on ed , f or C or ne li us w as d es ig na te d a s a

d an ge ro us p ri so ne r, a nd r ec om me nd ed b y t he P ri nc e t o t he

especial surveillance of the jailer.

N ot hi ng c ou ld h av e b ee n m or e a gr ee ab le t o B ox te l t ha n t hi s

question.

P a g e 2 9 0



" Th is p ri so ne r," h e s ai d, " is a m an w ho se n am e i n i ts el f

wi ll p ro ve t o y ou r H ig hn es s w ha t t ru st y ou ma y p la ce i n h is

p r ob it y. He i s a p ri so ne r o f s ta te , wh o w as o nc e c on de mn ed

t o de at h."

"And his name?"

Ro sa h id h er f ac e i n h er h an ds w ith a mo ve me nt o f d es pa ir.

" Hi s n am e i s Co rn el iu s v an Ba er le ," s ai d B ox te l, " an d h e i s

godson of t ha t vil la in C or ne li us de W it t. "

T he P ri nc e g av e a s ta rt , h is g en er al ly q ui et e ye f la sh ed ,

a nd a d ea th -l ik e p al en es s s pr ea d o ve r h is i mp as si bl e

features.

He went up to Rosa, and with his finger, gave her a sign to

re mo ve h er h an ds f ro m h er f ac e.

R os a obe ye d, a s i f under m es me ri c i nf luence , w it hout having

s e en t he s ig n.

"It was, then to follow this man that you came to me at

L ey de n t o s ol ic it f or t he t ra ns fe r o f y ou r f at he r? "

Ro sa h un g d ow n h er h ea d, a nd , n ea rl y c ho ki ng , s ai d, - -

"Yes, your Highness."

" Go o n, " s ai d t he P ri nc e t o B ox te l.

" I have not hi ng m or e t o s ay," I sa ac c onti nued. " Your

H ig hn es s k no ws a ll . B ut t he re i s o ne t hi ng w hi ch I d id n ot

Pa ge 1 51


i nt en d t o s ay , b ec au se I d id n ot w is h t o m ak e t hi s g ir l

P a g e 2 9 1





F or y ou a re s o y ou ng , a nd hav e s uc h an ho ne st l oo k, th at I

a m i nc li ne d t o b el ie ve t he m is ch ie f t o h av e b ee n h is d oi ng ,

and not yours ."

"Monseigneur! Monseigneur!" cried Rosa, "Cornelius is not

guilty."

William started.

" No t g ui lt y o f h av in g a dv is ed y ou ? t ha t' s w ha t y ou w an t t o

s ay , i s it n ot? "

" Wh at I w is h t o s ay , y ou r H ig hn es s, i s t ha t C or ne li us i s a s

li tt le g ui lt y o f t he s ec on d c ri me i mp ut ed t o h im a s h e w as

of t he f ir st ."

"Of t he f ir st ? An d d o y ou k no w wh at wa s h is f ir st c rim e? Do

y ou k no w o f wh at h e wa s a cc us ed a nd c on vi ct ed ? O f h av in g, a s

a n a cc om pl ic e o f C or ne li us d e W it t, c on ce al ed t he

c o rr es po nd en ce o f t he G ra nd P en si on ar y a nd t he M ar qu is d e

Louvois."

" We ll , s ir , he w as i gnor ant of t hi s c or re sponde nc e bei ng

depos it ed w it h him ; c om pl et el y i gnor ant. I a m a s c er ta in a s

o f my li fe , th at , i f i t we re n ot so , h e wo uld h av e to ld me ;

f or h ow c ou ld t ha t p ur e m in d h av e h ar bo ur ed a s ec re t w it ho ut

r e ve al in g i t t o m e? N o, n o, y ou r H ig hn es s, I r ep ea t i t, a nd

e ve n a t t he r is k of i nc ur ri ng your dis pl ea sure , C or ne li us i s

n o mor e gu ilt y o f t he f ir st c ri me th an of t he s ec on d; a nd o f

t he s ec on d n o m or e t ha n o f t he f ir st . O h, w ou ld t o He av en

that you knew my Cornelius; Monseigneur!"

P a g e 2 9 3



" He i s a De W it t! " c ri ed B ox te l. " Hi s H ig hn es s k no ws o nl y

t oo m uc h of him , having onc e gra nt ed him his l if e. "

Pa ge 1 52


" Si le nc e! " s ai d t he P ri nc e; " al l t he se a ff ai rs of s ta te , a s

I h av e a lr ea dy s ai d, a re c om pl et el y o ut o f t he p ro vi nc e o f

the Horticultural Society of Haarlem."

T he n, k ni tt in g h is b ro w, h e a dd ed , - -

" As t o t he t ul ip , m ak e y ou rs el f e as y, M as te r B ox te l, y ou

s ha ll h av e j us ti ce d on e t o y ou ."

B ox te l b owe d wi th a h ea rt f ul l o f j oy , a nd r ec eiv ed t he

congratulations of the President.

"You, my child," William of Orange continued, "you were

g oi ng t o c om mi t a c ri me . I w il l n ot p un is h y ou ; b ut t he r ea l

e vi l- do er s ha ll p ay t he p en al ty f or b ot h. A m an o f h is n am e

ma y b e a c on sp ir at or , a nd e ve n a t ra it or , b ut h e o ug ht n ot

t o be a thief."

" A t hi ef !" c ri ed R os a. " Cornel ius a t hi ef ? P ra y, your

Hig hn es s, d o no t sa y su ch a wor d, it wou ld k il l h im, if he

kn ew it. If the ft t he re h as b ee n, I s we ar t o yo u, Sir, n o

o n e e ls e b ut t hi s m an h as c om mi tt ed i t. "

"Prove it," Boxtel coolly remarked.

"I s ha ll p ro ve i t. W it h Go d' s h el p I s ha ll ."

T he n, t ur ni ng t ow ar ds B ox te l, s he a sk ed , - -

"The tulip is yours?"

"It is."

P a g e 2 9 4



" Ho w m an y b ul bs w er e t he re o f i t? "

B ox te l h es it at ed f or a m om en t, b ut a ft er a s ho rt

c on si de ra ti on h e c am e t o t he c on cl us io n t ha t s he w ou ld n ot

a sk t hi s q ue st io n i f t he re we re n on e b es id es t he t wo b ul bs

o f w hi ch h e h ad k no wn a lr ea dy . H e t he re fo re a ns we re d, - -

"Three."

" W ha t h as b ec om e o f t he se b ul bs ?"

" Oh ! w ha t h as b ec om e o f t he m? W el l, o ne h as f ai le d; t he

s ec on d h as p ro du ce d t he b la ck t ul ip ."

" A nd t he t hi rd?

"The third!"

" Th e t hi rd , - - w he re i s i t? "

" I h av e i t a t h om e, " s ai d B ox te l, q ui te c on fu se d.

"A t h om e? W he re ? A t L oe we st ei n, o r a t D or t? "

" A t D or t, " s ai d B oxte l.

"You lie!" cried Rosa. "Monseigneur," she continued, whilst

t ur ni ng r ou nd t o t he P ri nc e, " I w il l t el l y ou t he t ru e s to ry

o f t he se t hre e b ul bs . T he fi rs t wa s c ru sh ed b y my f at he r i n

t he p ri so ne r' s c el l, a nd t his ma n i s q ui te a wa re o f i t, f or

h e h im se lf w an te d to g et h ol d o f it , a nd , b ein g b alk ed i n

Pa ge 1 53


h is h op e, h e v er y n ea rl y f el l o ut wi th m y f at he r, w ho h ad

b ee n t he c au se o f h is d is ap po in tm en t. T he s ec on d b ul b,

p la nt ed b y m e, h as p ro du ce d t he b la ck t ul ip , a nd t he t hi rd

P a g e 2 9 5



and l ast" -- sa yin g thi s, s he dre w it fro m h er bo som --

" he re i t i s, i n t he v er y s am e p ap er i n wh ic h i t wa s wr ap pe d

up to ge th er wi th t he two o th er s. Whe n a bo ut to be l ed to th e

s ca ff ol d, C or ne li us v an B ae rl e g av e m e a ll t he t hr ee . T ak e

it, Monseigneur, take it."

A nd R os a, u nf ol di ng t he p ap er , o ff er ed t he b ul b t o t he

P ri nc e, w ho t oo k i t f ro m h er h an ds a nd e xa mi ne d i t.

" But, M onse igne ur , t hi s young w om an m ay have s tole n t he

b ul b, a s s he d id t he t ul ip ," B ox te l s ai d, w it h a f al te ri ng

voi ce , a nd e vi de nt ly a la rm ed a t t he a tt enti on w it h w hi ch t he

P ri nc e e xa mi ne d t he b ul b; a nd e ve n m or e a t t he m ov em en ts o f

R os a, w ho w as r ea di ng s om e l in es w ri tt en o n t he p ap er w hi ch

r em ai ne d i n her hands .

H er e ye s s ud de nl y l ig ht ed u p; s he r ea d, w it h b re at hl es s

a nx ie ty , t he m ys te ri ou s p ap er o ve r a nd o ve r a ga in ; a nd a t

la st , u tt er in g a c ry , h el d i t o ut t o t he Pr in ce a nd s ai d,

" R ea d, M ons ei gne ur , f or H ea ven' s s a ke , r e ad! "

W il li am h an de d t he t hi rd b ul b t o V an S ys te ns , t oo k t he

p ap er , a nd r ea d.

N o so one r h ad h e l oo ke d a t it th an he b eg an to st ag ge r; h is

h an d t re mb le d, a nd v er y n ea rl y l et th e p ap er f al l t o t he

g ro un d; a nd t he e xp re ss io n o f p ai n a nd c om pa ss io n i n h is

f ea ture s w as r ea ll y f ri ghtf ul t o s ee .

I t w as t ha t f ly-l ea f, t aken f rom t he B ible , w hi ch C or ne li us

de Wi tt ha d se nt t o Do rt by Cra eke , th e se rv ant o f h is

b ro th er J oh n, t o r eq ue st Va n B ae rl e t o b ur n t he

P a g e 2 9 6



c or re sp on de nc e o f t he G ra nd P en si on ar y w it h t he M ar qu is d e

Louvois.

T hi s r eq ue st , a s t he r ea de r m ay r em em be r, w as c ou ch ed i n t he

following terms: --

"M y D ea r G od so n, - -

"B ur n t he p ar ce l w hi ch I h av e i nt ru st ed t o y ou . B ur n i t

w it ho ut l oo ki ng a t i t, a nd w it ho ut o pe ni ng i t, s o t ha t i ts

c on te nt s m ay f or e ve r r em ai n u nk no wn t o y ou rs el f. S ec re ts o f

t hi s d es cr ip ti on a re d ea th t o t ho se w it h w ho m t he y a re

d ep os it ed . B ur n i t, a nd y ou w il l h av e s av ed J oh n a nd


" F ar ew el l, a nd l ove m e.


" A ugust 20, 1672."

Th is s li p o f p ap er o ff er ed t he p ro of s b ot h o f Va n B ae rl e' s

i nn oc en ce a nd o f h is c la im t o t he p ro pe rt y o f t he t ul ip .

R o sa a nd t he S ta dt ho ld er e xc ha ng ed o ne l oo k o nl y.

T ha t o f R os a w as m ea nt t o e xp re ss , " He re , y ou s ee y ou rs el f. "

T hat of t he S ta dt holder s igni fi ed, " Be qui et , a nd w ai t. "

Pa ge 1 54


T he P ri nc e w ip ed t he c ol d s we at f ro m h is f or eh ea d, a nd

s lowl y f ol de d up t he paper , w hi ls t his t hought s w er e

w ande ri ng i n t ha t l abyr inth w it hout a goa l a nd w it hout a

gu id e, w hi ch i s c al le d r em or se a nd s ha me f or t he p as t.

P a g e 2 9 7



S oo n, h ow ev er , r ai si ng h is h ea d w it h a n e ff or t, h e s ai d, i n

hi s u su al v oi ce , - -

" Go , M r. B ox te l; j us ti ce s ha ll b e d on e, I p ro mi se y ou ."

T he n, t ur ni ng t o t he P re si de nt , h e a dd ed , - -

" Yo u, m y d ea r M yn he er v an S ys te ns , t ak e c ha rg e o f t hi s y ou ng

w om an a nd o f t he t ul ip . G oo d- by e. "

A ll b ow ed , a nd t he P ri nc e l ef t, a mo ng t he d ea fe ni ng c he er s

of t he c ro wd o ut si de .

B oxte l r et ur ne d t o his i nn, r at he r puz zl ed a nd une as y,

tormented by misgivings about that paper which William had

re ce iv ed f ro m t he h an d o f R os a, a nd w hi ch h is H ig hn es s h ad

r ea d, f ol de d u p, a nd s o c ar ef ul ly p ut i n h is p oc ke t. W ha t

wa s t he m ea ni ng o f a ll t hi s?

R os a w en t u p t o t he t ul ip , t en de rl y k is se d i ts l ea ve s a nd ,

w it h a h ea rt f ul l o f h ap pi ne ss a nd c on fi de nc e i n t he w ay s o f

Go d, b rok e o ut in th e wo rds , --

" Th ou k no we st b es t f or wh at e nd Th ou ma de st m y g oo d

C or ne li us t ea ch m e t o r ea d. "

C ha p te r 2 8

T he H ym n o f t he F lo we rs

W hi ls t t he e ve nt s w e h av e d es cr ib ed i n o ur l as t c ha pt er w er e

t aking pla ce , t he unf or tuna te V an B ae rl e, f or gott en i n his

c el l i n t he f or tr es s o f L oe we st ei n, s uf fe re d a t t he h an ds o f

G ry ph us a ll t ha t a p ri so ne r c an s uf fe r w he n h is j ai le r h as

f or me d t he det er mi na ti on of pla yi ng t he par t of hangm an.

G ry ph us , n ot h av in g r ec ei ve d a ny t id in gs o f R os a o r o f

P a g e 2 9 8



Ja co b, p er su ad ed h im se lf t ha t a ll t ha t h ad h ap pe ne d w as t he

d ev il 's w or k, a nd t ha t D r. C or ne li us v an B ae rl e h ad b ee n

se nt o n e ar th b y S at an .

Th e r es ul t o f i t w as , t ha t, o ne f in e m or ni ng , t he t hi rd

a ft er th e d is ap pea ra nc e o f Ja co b an d Ro sa, h e we nt u p to t he

c el l o f C or ne li us i n e ve n a g re at er r ag e t ha n u su al .

The l at te r, l ea ni ng w it h his e lbow s on t he w indow- si ll a nd

s upport ing his hea d w it h his t wo hands , w hi ls t his e ye s

w ande re d ove r t he dis ta nt haz y hor iz on w he re t he w indm il ls

of D or t w er e t ur ni ng t he ir s ai ls , w as bre at hi ng t he f re sh

air, in order to be able to keep down his tears and to

fortify himself in his philosophy.

T he p ig eo ns w er e s ti ll t he re , b ut h op e w as n ot t he re ; t he re

w as n o f ut ur e t o l oo k f or wa rd t o.

Pa ge 1 55


Al as ! Ro sa , b ei ng w at ch ed , w as n o l on ge r a bl e t o c om e. C ou ld

s he n ot w ri te ? a nd i f s o, c ou ld s he c on ve y h er l et te rs t o

him?

No , n o. H e h ad s ee n d ur in g t he t wo p re ce di ng d ay s t oo mu ch

fu ry a nd ma li gn it y i n t he e ye s o f o ld G ry ph us t o e xp ec t t ha t

hi s vigil ance w ould r el ax, e ve n f or one m om ent. M or eove r,

h ad n ot s he t o s uf fe r e ve n wo rs e t or me nt s t ha n t ho se o f

seclusion and separation? Did this brutal, blaspheming,

drunken bul ly t ake r evenge on his daughte r, l ike t he

P a g e 2 9 9



r ut hl es s f at he rs o f t he G re ek d ra ma ? A nd w he n t he G en ie vr e

h ad h ea te d h is b ra in, wo ul d it n ot g iv e t o h is ar m, wh ich

h ad b ee n o nl y t oo w el l s et b y C or ne li us , e ve n d ou bl e f or ce ?

T he i de a t ha t R os a m ig ht p er ha ps b e i ll -t re at ed n ea rl y d ro ve

Cornelius mad.

H e t he n f el t his own pow er le ss ne ss . H e a sked him se lf w he ther

G od w as j us t i n i nf li ct ing s o m uc h t ri bula ti on on t wo

i nnoce nt c re at ur es . A nd c er ta inly i n t he se m om ents he began

t o d ou bt t he w is do m o f P ro vi de nc e. I t i s o ne o f t he c ur se s

of m is fort une t ha t i t t hus beget s doubt .

Va n Ba er le h ad p ro po se d t o wr ite t o Ro sa , b ut wh ere w as s he ?

He a lso wou ld ha ve wish ed to writ e to th e Ha gue t o be

b ef or eh an d w it h G ry ph us , w ho , h e h ad n o d ou bt , w ou ld b y

d en ou nc in g h im d o h is b es t t o b ri ng n ew s to rm s o n h is h ea d.

Bu t h ow s ho ul d h e w ri te ? G ry ph us h ad t ak en t he p ap er a nd

p en ci l f ro m h im , a nd e ve n i f h e h ad b ot h, h e c ou ld h ar dl y

e xp ec t G ry ph us t o d es pa tc h h is l et te r.

T he n C or ne li us r evol ve d i n his m ind a ll t hose s tr at agem s

r e sor te d t o by unfor tunat e pri s oner s .

H e h ad t ho ug ht o f a n a tte mp t t o e sc ap e, a t hi ng wh ic h n ev er

e nt er ed h is h ea d wh il st h e c ou ld s ee Ro sa e ve ry d ay ; b ut t he

mo re h e t ho ug ht o f i t, t he mo re c le ar ly h e s aw t he

i mp ra ct ic ab il it y o f s uc h a n a tt em pt . H e w as o ne o f t ho se

c hoic e s pi ri ts w ho a bhor e ve rything t ha t i s c om mon, a nd w ho

o ft en l os e a g oo d c ha nc e t hr ou gh n ot t ak in g t he wa y o f t he

vul ga r, t ha t high r oa d of m ediocr it y w hi ch l ea ds t o

P a g e 3 0 0



everything.

" How i s i t pos si bl e, " s ai d C or ne li us t o him se lf , " that I

s ho ul d e sc ap e f ro m L oe we st ei n, a s G ro ti us h as d on e t he s am e

t h in g b ef or e m e? H as n ot e ve ry p re ca ut io n b ee n t ak en s in ce ?

Are n ot t he wi nd ows ba rre d? Ar e n ot t he d oo rs o f d oub le a nd

e ve n o f t re bl e s tr en gt h, a nd t he s en ti ne ls t en t im es m or e

w at ch fu l? A nd h av e n ot I , b es id es a ll t hi s, a n A rg us s o m uc h

th e mo re da nge ro us as h e h as th e k ee n e ye s o f h atre d?

F in al ly , i s t he re n ot o ne f ac t w hi ch t ak es a wa y a ll m y

s pi ri t, I m ea n R os a' s a bs en ce ? B ut s up po se I s ho ul d w as te

te n y ears o f my life in mak ing a file to file o ff my b ars,

o r i n b ra id in g c or ds t o l et m ys el f d ow n f ro m t he w in do w, o r

i n s ti cking w ings on m y s houl de rs t o f ly, l ike D ae da lus? B ut

l uc k i s a ga in st m e n ow . Th e f il e w ou ld g et d ul l, t he r op e

wo ul d br ea k, or my win gs wo uld mel t i n th e su n; I sh ou ld

s ur el y k il l m ys el f, I s ho ul d b e p ic ke d u p m ai me d a nd

c ri pp le d; I s ho ul d b e l ab el le d, a nd p ut o n e xh ib it io n i n t he

m us eu m a t t he H ag ue b et we en t he b lo od -s ta in ed d ou bl et o f

W il li am t he T ac it ur n a nd t he f em al e w al rus c apture d a t

Pa ge 1 56


S ta ve se n, a nd t he onl y r es ul t of m y e nt er pr is e w il l have

b ee n t o p ro cu re m e a p la ce a mo ng t he c ur io si ti es o f H ol la nd .

" Bu t n o; an d i t i s mu ch b ett er s o. So me f in e d ay Gr yp hu s

w il l c om mi t s om e a tr oc it y. I a m l os ing m y pat ie nc e, s ince I

P a g e 3 0 1



h av e l os t t he j oy a nd c om pa ny o f R os a, a nd e sp ec ia ll y s in ce

I h av e l os t m y t ul ip . U nd ou bt ed ly , s om e d ay o r o th er G ry ph us

w il l a tt ac k m e i n a m an ne r p ai nf ul t o m y s el f- re sp ec t, o r t o

m y l ov e, o r e ve n t hr ea te n m y p er so na l s af et y. I d on 't k no w

h ow i t i s, b ut s in ce m y i mp ri so nm en t I f ee l a s tr an ge a nd

a lm os t i rr es is ti bl e pugna ci ty. W el l, I s ha ll get a t t he

t hr oa t of t ha t old vil la in, a nd s tr angl e him ."

C o rn el iu s a t t he se w or ds s to pp ed f or a m om en t, b it in g h is

l ips a nd s ta ri ng out bef or e him ; t he n, e ager ly r et ur ni ng t o

an i de a w hi ch s ee me d t o p os se ss a s tr an ge f as ci na ti on f or

h im , h e c on ti nu ed , - -

" We ll , a nd o nc e h av in g s tr an gl ed h im , wh y s ho ul d I n ot t ak e

his keys from him, why not go down the stairs as if I had

d on e t he mo st v ir tu ou s a ct io n, wh y n ot g o a nd f et ch R os a

fr om he r ro om, wh y no t te ll h er al l, a nd j ump f ro m h er

w in do w i nt o t he Wa al ? I a m e xp er t e no ug h a s a s wi mme r t o

s av e bo th o f u s. Ros a, -- bu t, oh He av en, Gr yp hu s i s h er

f at he r! W ha te ve r m ay b e h er a ff ec ti on f or m e, s he w il l n ev er

a pprove of m y having s tr angl ed her f at he r, bruta l a nd

m al ic io us a s h e h as b ee n.

"I s hal l h av e t o e nt er in to an ar gu men t wi th he r; an d i n t he

mi ds t o f m y s pe ec h s om e w re tc he d t ur nk ey w ho h as f ou nd

G ry ph us w it h t he d ea th -r at tl e i n h is t hr oa t, o r p er ha ps

a ct ua ll y d ea d, wi ll c om e a lo ng a nd p ut h is h an d o n m y

s ho ul de r. T he n I s ha ll s ee t he B uy te nh of a ga in , a nd t he

g l ea m o f t ha t i nf er na l s wo rd , - - w hi ch wi ll n ot s to p

P a g e 3 0 2



hal f- wa y a s ec ond t im e, but w il l m ake a cqua inta nc e w it h t he

na pe o f m y n ec k.

" It wi ll n ot d o, Co rn el ius , my f ine f ell ow, - - i t is a b ad

p lan. But, th en, what is to bec ome of me, and how shall I

find Rosa again?"

S uc h w er e t he c og it at io ns o f C or ne li us t hr ee d ay s a ft er t he

s ad s ce ne o f s ep ar at io n f ro m Ro sa , a t t he m om en t wh en we

f i nd him s ta nding a t t he w indow.

A nd a t t ha t v er y m om en t G ry ph us e nt er ed .

H e h el d i n h is h an d a h ug e s ti ck , h is e ye s g li st en in g w it h

spiteful thoughts, a malignant smile played round his lips,

a n d t he w ho le o f h is c ar ri ag e, a nd e ve n a ll h is m ov em en ts ,

betokened bad and malicious intentions.

C or ne li us h ea rd h im e nt er , a nd g ue ss ed t ha t i t w as h e, b ut

d id n ot t ur n r ou nd , a s h e k ne w we ll t ha t R os a w as n ot c omi ng

after him.

T he re i s not hi ng m or e gal li ng t o a ngry peopl e t ha n t he

c oo ln es s o f t ho se o n w ho m t he y w is h t o v en t t he ir s pl ee n.

Th e e xp en se b ei ng o nc e i nc ur re d, o ne d oe s n ot l ik e t o l os e

i t; o ne 's p as si on i s r ou se d, a nd o ne 's b lo od b oi li ng , s o i t

w ou ld b e l ab ou r l os t n ot t o h av e a t l ea st a n ic e l it tl e r ow.

G ryphus, t he re fore , on s ee ing t ha t C or ne li us did not s ti r,

Pa ge 1 57


t ri ed t o a tt ra ct h is a tt en ti on b y a l ou d - -

P a g e 3 0 3



"Umph, umph!"

C or ne li us w as hum mi ng bet we en his t ee th t he " Hymn of

F lo we rs ," - - a s ad b ut v er y c ha rm in g s on g, - -

" We a re t he d au gh te rs o f t he s ec re t f ir e

Of t he f ir e w hi ch r un s t hr ou gh t he v ei ns o f t he e ar th ;

We a re th e d au ght er s o f Au ro ra an d o f t he de w;

W e a re t he d au gh te rs o f t he a ir ;

We a re t he d au gh te rs o f t he wa te r;

B ut w e a re , a bo ve a ll , t he d au gh te rs o f h ea ve n. "

T hi s s ong, t he pla ci d m el anchol y of w hi ch w as s ti ll

he ighte ne d by i ts c al m a nd s we et m el ody, e xa s pe ra te d G ryphus.

H e s tr uc k h is s ti ck o n t he s to ne p av eme nt o f t he c el l,

a n d c al le d o ut , - -

"Halloa! my warbling gentleman, don't you hear me?"

Cornelius turned round, merely saying, "Good morning," and

t he n b eg an h is s on g a ga in : - -

" Me n def il e us a nd kil l us w hi le l oving us,

We h ang to t he ea rt h b y a t hr ea d;

T hi s t hr ea d i s o ur r oo t, t ha t i s t o s ay , o ur l if e,

B ut w e r ai se o n h ig h o ur a rm s t ow ar ds h ea ve n. "

" Ah , y ou a cc ur se d s or ce re r! y ou a re m ak in g g ame o f me , I

believe," roared Gryphus.

Cornelius continued: --

"F or h ea ve n i s o ur h om e,

Ou r t ru e h om e, a s f ro m t he nc e c om es o ur s ou l,

A s t hi th er o ur s ou l r et ur ns , - -

P a g e 3 0 4



O ur s ou l, t ha t i s t o s ay , o ur p er fu me ."

G ry ph us we nt u p t o t he p ri so ne r a nd s ai d, - -

" Bu t y ou d on 't s ee t ha t I h av e t ak en m ea ns t o g et y ou u nd er ,

a nd t o f or ce y ou t o c on fe ss y ou r c ri me s. "

" Ar e y ou m ad , m y d ea r M as te r G ry ph us ?" a sk ed C or ne li us .

A nd , a s h e n ow f or t he f ir st t ime o bs er ve d t he f re nz ie d

f ea ture s, t he f la shing e ye s, a nd f oa mi ng m outh of t he old

j ai le r, h e s ai d, - -

" Bl es s t he m an , h e i s m or e t ha n m ad , h e i s f ur io us ."

G ry ph us f lo ur is he d h is s ti ck a bo ve h is h ea d, b ut V an B ae rl e

m oved not , a nd r em ai ne d s ta nding w it h his a rm s a ki mbo.

"I t s ee ms your i nt enti on t o t hr ea te n m e, M as te r G ryphus ."

Pa ge 1 58


" Ye s, i nd ee d, I t hr ea te n y ou ," c ri ed t he j ai le r.

"And with what?"

"Fi rs t o f a ll, l oo k at wha t I h av e in my ha nd."

" I t hi nk t ha t' s a s ti ck," s ai d C or ne li us c al ml y, " but I

don't s uppose you w il l t hr ea te n m e w it h t ha t. "

" Oh , y ou d on 't s up po se ! w hy n ot ?"

" Be ca us e a ny j ai le r w ho s tr ik es a p ri so ne r i s l ia bl e t o t wo

p en al ti es , - - t he f ir st l ai d d own i n Ar ti cl e 9 o f t he

regulations at Loewestein: --

" 'A ny j ai le r, i ns pe ct or , o r t ur nk ey w ho l ay s h an ds u po n a ny

pr is oner of S ta te w il l be dis mi ss ed.' "

P a g e 3 0 5



" Ye s, w ho l ay s h an ds ," s ai d G ry ph us , m ad w it h r ag e, " bu t

t he re i s n ot a wo rd a bo ut a s ti ck in t he r eg ul at io n."

" And t he s ec ond, " c onti nued C or ne li us , " whic h i s not w ri tt en

i n t he r eg ul at io n, b ut w hi ch i s t o b e f ou nd e ls ew he re : - -

" 'W ho so ev er t ak es u p t he s ti ck w il l b e t hr as he d b y t he

stick.'"

G r yp hu s, g ro wi ng m or e a nd m or e e xa sp er at ed b y t he c al m a nd

se nt enti ous t one of C or ne li us , bra ndis he d his c udge l, but a t

t he m om en t w he n h e r ai se d i t C or ne li us r us he d a t h im ,

s na tch ed i t f ro m h is h an ds , a nd p ut i t u nde r h is o wn a rm.

Gryphus fairly bellowed with rage.

" Hush, hus h, m y good m an," s ai d C or ne li us , " don' t do

a nyt hi ng t o l os e your pla ce ."

" Ah, you s or ce re r! I 'l l pi nc h you w or se ," r oa re d G ryphus .

"I w is h you m ay."

"D on 't y ou s ee m y h an d i s e mp ty ?"

"Yes, I see it, and I am glad of it."

" Yo u k no w th at i t i s n ot g en er all y s o wh en I co me up st air s

in the morning."

" It 's t ru e, y ou g en er al ly b ri ng m e t he w or st s ou p, a nd t he

m os t m is er ab le r at io ns o ne c an i ma gi ne . B ut t ha t' s n ot a

p un is hm en t t o me ; I e at o nl y b re ad , a nd t he wo rs e t he b re ad

i s t o y ou r t as te , t he b et te r i t i s t o m in e."

" H ow s o? "

" Oh, i t' s a ver y s im pl e t hi ng."

" We ll , t el l i t m e, " s ai d G ryphus .

P a g e 3 0 6



" Ve ry wi ll in gl y. I k no w t ha t i n g iv in g m e b ad b re ad y ou

t hi nk y ou d o m e h ar m."

" Ce rt ai nl y; I d on 't g iv e i t y ou t o p le as e y ou , y ou b ri ga nd ."

Pa ge 1 59


"We ll , t he n, I , w ho a m a s or ce re r, a s y ou k no w, c ha ng e y ou r

b ad i nt o e xc el le nt b re ad , w hi ch I r el is h m or e t ha n t he b es t

c ak e; a nd t he n I h av e t he d ou bl e p le as ur e o f e at in g

something that gratifies my palate, and of doing something

t hat puts you in a rage.

Gr yphus a ns we re d w it h a growl .

" Oh ! y ou c on fe ss , t he n, t ha t y ou a re a s or ce re r. "

"In dee d, I am on e. I do n't s ay i t be for e all t he wor ld,

b ecause the y might burn me for it, bu t as we are alone, I

don't mind telling you."

" We ll , w el l, w el l, " a ns we re d G ryphus . " But i f a s or ce re r c an

c ha ng e b la ck b re ad i nt o wh it e, wo n' t h e d ie o f h un ge r i f h e

h as n o b re ad a t a ll ?"

"What's that?" said Cornelius.

"C on se qu en tl y, I s ha ll n ot b ri ng y ou a ny b re ad a t a ll , a nd

we s hal l s ee h ow i t wi ll be a ft er ei ght d ay s."

Cornelius grew pale.

" A nd," c onti nued G ryphus , " we 'l l begin t hi s ver y day. A s you

a r e s uc h a c le ve r s or ce re r, w hy , y ou h ad b et te r c ha ng e t he

fu rn it ur e o f y ou r r oo m i nt o b re ad ; a s t o m ys el f, I s ha ll

P a g e 3 0 7



p oc ke t t he e ig ht ee n s ou s wh ic h a re p ai d t o m e f or y ou r

board."

" But t ha t' s m ur de r, " c ri ed C or ne li us , c ar ri ed a wa y by t he

f ir st i mpul se of t he ver y nat ur al t er ror w it h w hi ch t hi s

horr ible m ode of dea th i ns pi re d him .

" We ll ," G ry ph us we nt o n, i n h is j ee ri ng w ay , " as y ou a re a

sorcerer, you will live, notwithstanding."

C or ne li us p ut o n a s mi li ng f ac e a ga in , a nd s ai d, - -

" Ha ve y ou n ot s ee n me m ak e t he p ig eo ns c ome h er e f ro m Do rt ?"

"Well?" said Gryphus.

"We ll , a p ig eo n i s a v er y d ai nt y mo rs el , a nd a ma n wh o ea ts

o ne e ve ry d ay w ou ld n ot s ta rv e, I t hi nk ."

" And how a bout t he f ir e? " s ai d G ryphus .

" Fi re ! b ut y ou k no w t ha t I 'm i n l ea gu e wi th t he d ev il . D o

you t hi nk t he devil w il l l ea ve m e w it hout f ir e? W hy, f ir e i s

his proper element."

" A ma n, h owe ve r h ea lt hy h is a pp et it e ma y b e, w ou ld n ot e at a

p ig eo n e ve ry d ay . W ag er s h av e b ee n l ai d t o d o s o, a nd t ho se

wh o m ad e t he m g av e t he m u p. "

"We ll , b ut whe n I a m ti re d of pi geo ns, I sh all mak e th e f is h

of the Wa al and o f the Meu se co me u p to me."

Gr yphus opened his l ar ge e ye s, quit e be wi lder e d.

" I a m r at he r f ond of f is h, " c onti nued C or ne li us ; " you never

le t me h ave an y. We ll , I sh al l t ur n y ou r s ta rv in g me to

Pa ge 1 60


P a g e 3 0 8



advantage, and regale myself with fish."

Gr yphus nea rl y f ai nt ed w it h a nger a nd w it h f ri ght, but he

s oo n r al li ed , a nd s ai d, p ut ti ng h is h an d i n h is p oc ke t, - -

" We ll , a s y ou f or ce me t o i t," a nd w it h t he se wo rd s h e d re w

f or th a c la sp -k ni fe a nd o pe ne d i t.

" Ha ll oa ! a kni fe ?" s ai d C or ne li us , pre pa ri ng t o def end

himself with his stick.

C ha p te r 2 9

I n w hi ch V an B ae rl e, bef or e l ea vi ng L oe we st ei n,

settles Accounts with Gryphus

T he t wo r em ai ne d s il ent f or s om e m inut es , G ryphus on t he

of fe ns ive, a nd V an B ae rl e on t he def ensi ve .

T he n, a s t he s it ua ti on m ight be prolonged t o a n i ndef init e

l engt h, C or ne li us , a nxious t o know s om et hi ng m or e of t he

c au se s w hi ch h ad s o f ie rc el y e xa sp er at ed h is j ai le r, s po ke

f ir st b y p ut ti ng t he q ue st io n, - -

" We ll , w ha t d o y ou w an t, a ft er a ll ?"

"I 'l l t el l y ou w ha t I w an t, " a ns we re d G ry ph us ; " I w an t y ou t o

re st or e t o m e m y d au gh te r R os a. "

" Your daughte r? " c ri ed V an B ae rl e.

" Ye s, m y d au gh te r R os a, w ho m y ou h av e t ak en f ro m m e b y y ou r

devil is h m agic . N ow , w il l you t el l m e w he re s he i s? "

A nd t he a tt it ud e o f G ry ph us b ec am e m or e a nd m or e

threatening.

" Rosa i s not a t L oe we st ei n? " c ri ed C or ne li us .

P a g e 3 0 9



" Yo u k no w w el l s he i s n ot . On ce m or e, wi ll y ou r es to re h er

t o m e? "

" I s ee ," s ai d C or ne li us , " th is i s a t ra p y ou a re l ay in g f or

me."

" No w, f or t he l as t t im e, w il l y ou t el l m e w he re m y d au gh te r

is?"

" Gu es s i t, y ou r og ue , i f y ou d on 't k no w i t. "

" Only w ai t, onl y w ai t, " growl ed G ryphus , w hi te w it h r age,

a nd w it h q ui ve ri ng l ip s, a s h is b ra in b eg an t o t ur n. " Ah ,

you w il l not t el l m e a nything? W el l, I 'l l unl oc k your

teeth!"

H e a dv an ce d a s te p t ow ar ds C or ne li us , a nd s ai d, s ho wi ng h im

th e we ap on w hi ch h e h el d i n h is h an ds , - -

" Do y ou s ee t hi s k ni fe ? W el l, I h av e k il le d mo re t ha n f if ty

b la ck c oc ks wi th i t, a nd I v ow I 'l l k ill th ei r m as te r, t he

Pa ge 1 61


d ev il , a s w el l a s t he m. "

"But, you blockhead," said Cornelius, "will you really kill

me?"

"I sh all open your heart to see in it the p lace where you

hide my daughter."

S aying t hi s, G ryphus i n his f re nz y r us he d t ow ar ds C or ne li us ,

w ho h ad b ar el y t im e t o r et re at b eh in d h is t ab le t o a vo id t he

f i r st t hr us t; but a s G ryphus c onti nued, w it h hor ri d t hr ea ts ,

t o b ra nd is h h is h ug e k ni fe , a nd a s, a lt ho ug h o ut o f t he

P a g e 3 1 0



r ea ch o f h is w ea po n, y et , a s l on g a s i t r ema in ed in t he

madman's hand, the ruffian might fling it at him, Cornelius

l os t no t im e, a nd a va il ing him se lf of t he s ti ck, w hi ch he

h el d t ig ht u nd er h is a rm , d ea lt t he j ai le r a v ig or ou s b lo w

o n t he w ri st o f t ha t h an d wh ic h h el d t he k ni fe .

T he k ni fe f el l t o t he g ro un d, a nd C or ne li us p ut h is f oo t o n

it.

T he n, a s G ry ph us s ee me d b en t u po n e ng ag in g i n a s tr ug gl e

wh ic h t he p ai n i n h is w ri st , a nd s ha me f or h av in g a ll ow ed

hi ms el f t o be dis ar me d, w oul d have m ade de sper at e, C or ne li us

t oo k a d ec is iv e s te p, b el ab or in g h is j ai le r w it h t he m os t

her oic s el f- pos s es si on, a nd s el e ct ing t he e xa c t s pot f or

e ve ry b lo w o f t he t er ri bl e c ud ge l.

I t w as n ot l on g b ef or e G ry ph us b eg ge d f or m er cy . B ut b ef or e

b e gg in g f or m er cy , h e h ad l us ti ly r oa re d f or h el p, a nd h is

c ri es h ad r ou se d a ll t he f un ct io na ri es o f t he p ri so n. T wo

t ur nk ey s, a n i ns pe ct or , a nd t hr ee o r f ou r g ua rd s, m ad e t he ir

a ppea ra nc e a ll a t onc e, a nd f ound C or ne li us s ti ll usi ng t he

s ti ck , w it h t he k ni fe u nd er h is f oo t.

At th e s ig ht o f t he se wi tn es se s, wh o c ou ld n ot k no w a ll th e

circumstances which had provoked and might justify his

off ence , C or ne li us f el t t ha t he w as i rr et ri evably l os t.

I n f a ct , a ppe ar anc es w er e s adly a gai ns t him .

I n o ne m om en t C or ne li us w as d is ar me d, a nd G ry ph us r ai se d a nd

s up po rt ed ; a nd , b el lo wi ng w it h r ag e a nd p ai n, h e w as a bl e t o

P a g e 3 1 1



c ou nt o n h is b ac k a nd s ho ul de rs t he b ru is es w hi ch w er e

b eg in ni ng t o s we ll l ik e t he h il ls d ot ti ng t he s lo pe s o f a

mountain ridge.

A p ro to co l o f t he v io le nc e p ra ct ic ed b y t he p ri so ne r a ga in st

h is j ail er wa s i mme di ate ly d ra wn u p, a nd a s i t wa s ma de o n

t he d ep os it io ns o f G ry ph us , i t c er ta in ly c ou ld n ot b e s ai d

t o b e t oo t am e; t he p ri so ne r b ei ng c ha rg ed w it h n ei th er m or e

n or l es s t ha n wi th a n a tt em pt t o mu rd er , f or a l on g t im e

premeditated, with open rebellion.

Whil st t he c ha rge w as m ade out a ga inst C or ne li us , G ryphus ,

w ho se p re se nc e w as n o l on ge r n ec es sa ry a ft er h av in g m ad e h is

de po si ti on s, w as t ak en d ow n b y h is t ur nk ey s t o h is l od ge ,

groaning a nd c over ed w it h bruis es .

D ur ing t hi s t im e, t he gua rds w ho had s ei ze d C or ne li us bus ie d

themselves in charitably informing their prisoner of the

u sa ge s a nd c us to ms o f L oe we st ei n, w hi ch h ow ev er h e k ne w a s

w e ll a s t he y d id . Th e r eg ul at io ns h ad b ee n r ea d to h im a t

t he m om ent of his e nt er ing t he pri son, a nd c er ta in a rt ic le s

Pa ge 1 62


i n t he m r em ai ne d f ixed i n his m em or y.

A m ong other t hi ngs t he y t ol d him t ha t t hi s r egul at ion had

be en carried o ut to its full extent in the ca se of a

p ri so ne r n am ed Ma th ia s, wh o i n 1 66 8, t ha t i s t o s ay , f iv e

ye ar s b ef or e, h ad c om mi tt ed a m uc h l es s v io le nt a ct o f

r ebel li on t ha n t ha t of w hi ch C or ne li us w as gui lt y. H e had

P a g e 3 1 2



f oun d his sou p too ho t, and t hrown it at the hea d o f t he

c hi ef t ur nkey, w ho i n c onse quence of t hi s a bl ut ion had bee n

p ut t o t he i nc on ve ni en ce o f h av in g h is s ki n c om e o ff a s h e

w ip ed h is f ac e.

M at hi as w as t aken w it hi n t we lve hours f rom his c el l, t he n

l ed t o t he j ai le r' s l od ge , w he re h e w as r eg is te re d a s

l ea vi ng L oe we st ei n, t he n t aken t o t he E spla na de , f rom w hi ch

t he re i s a v er y f in e p ro sp ec t o ve r a w id e e xp an se o f

c ount ry. T he r e t hey f et te re d hi s ha nds, ba nda ge d his e ye s,

a nd l et h im s ay h is p ra ye rs .

He re up on h e w as i nv it ed t o g o d own o n h is k ne es , a nd t he

g ua rd s o f L oe we st ei n, t we lv e i n n um be r, a t a s ig n f ro m a

s er ge ant, ver y c le ve rl y l odge d a m us ke t- ba ll e ac h i n his

body.

In consequence of this proceeding, Mathias incontinently did

t he n a nd t he re d ie .

C or ne li us l is te ne d w it h t he gre at es t a tt enti on t o t hi s

del ight ful r ec it al , a nd t he n s ai d, - -

" A h! a h! w it hi n t we lve hours , you s ay?"

" Ye s, t he t we lf th h ou r h ad n ot e ve n s tr uc k, i f I r em em be r

r ig ht ," s ai d t he g ua rd w ho h ad t ol d h im t he s to ry .

"Thank you," said Cornelius.

Th e g ua rd s ti ll h ad t he s mi le o n h is f ac e wi th wh ic h h e

a cc om pa ni ed a nd a s i t w er e a cc en tu at ed h is t al e, w he n

f oo ts te ps a nd a j in gl in g o f s pu rs w er e h ea rd a sc en di ng t he

P a g e 3 1 3



stair-case.

T he g ua rd s f el l b ac k t o a ll ow a n o ff ic er t o p as s, wh o

e nt er ed t he c el l o f C or ne li us a t t he m om en t w he n t he c le rk

of L oe we st ei n w as s ti ll m aking out his r epor t.

" Is t his No . 11 ?" h e a sk ed.

"Yes, Captain," answered a non-commissioned officer.

" Th en t hi s i s t he c el l o f t he p ri so ne r C or ne li us v an

Baerle?"

"Exactly, Captain."

" W her e i s t he pri sone r? "

" He re I a m, s ir ," a ns we re d C or ne li us , growi ng r at he r pal e,

notwithstanding all his courage.

" Yo u a re D r. C or ne li us v an B ae rl e? " a sk ed h e, t hi s t im e

addressing the prisoner himself.

"Yes, sir."

Pa ge 1 63


"Then follow me."

" O h! o h! " s ai d C or ne li us , w ho se h ea rt f el t o pp re ss ed b y t he

f ir st d re ad o f d ea th . " Wh at q ui ck w or k t he y m ak e h er e i n t he

f or tr es s o f L oe we st ei n. A nd t he r as ca l t al ke d t o m e o f

twelve hours!"

" A h! w ha t did I t el l you?" w hi sper ed t he c om muni ca ti ve gua rd

i n t he ea r o f t he cu lp rit .

"A lie."

" H ow s o? "

P a g e 3 1 4



" You promi se d m e t we lve hours ."

" Ah , y es , b ut h er e c om es t o y ou a n a id e- de -c amp o f h is

H i ghne ss , e ve n one of his m os t i nt im at e c om pa ni ons V an

De ke n. Zo un ds ! t he y d id n ot g ra nt s uc h a n h on ou r t o p oo r

Mathias."

" Come , c om e! " s ai d C or ne li us , dra wi ng a l ong bre at h. " Come ,

I 'l l s ho w t o t he se p eo pl e t ha t a n h on es t b ur gh er , g od so n o f

C or ne li us de W it t, c an w it hout f li nc hi ng r ec ei ve a s m any

musket-balls as that Mathias."

S ay in g t hi s, h e p as se d p ro ud ly b ef or e t he c le rk , w ho , b ei ng

i nt er ru pt ed i n h is wo rk , v en tu re d t o s ay t o t he o ff ic er , - -

" But, C apta in van D eken, t he protocol i s not yet f inis he d. "

" It i s not w or th w hi le f inis hi ng i t, " a ns we re d t he off ic er .

"All right," replied the clerk, philosophically putting up

h i s p ap er a nd p en i nt o a g re as y a nd w el l- wo rn w ri ti ng -c as e.

" It w as w ri tt en," t hought poor C or ne li us , " that I s houl d not

i n t his wo rl d gi ve my n ame e ith er t o a c hil d t o a fl owe r, or

to a boo k, -- th e three th ing s by wh ich a man's memory is

perpetuated."

Repressing his melancholy thoughts, he followed the officer

w it h a r es ol ut e h ea rt , a nd c ar ry in g h is h ea d e re ct .

C or ne li us c ou nt ed t he s te ps w hi ch l ed t o t he E sp la na de ,

r eg re tt in g t ha t h e h ad n ot a sk ed t he g ua rd h ow ma ny t he re

w er e of t he m, w hi ch t he m an, i n his off ic ia l c om pl ai sa nc e,

wo ul d n ot h av e f ai le d t o t el l h im .

P a g e 3 1 5



W ha t t he p oo r p ri so ne r w as m os t a fr ai d o f d ur in g t hi s w al k,

w hi ch h e c on si de re d a s l ea di ng h im t o t he e nd o f t he j ou rn ey

of li fe, wa s to se e Gry phu s a nd no t t o s ee Ro sa . Wha t s av ag e

s at is fa ct ion w ould gli st en i n t he e ye s of t he f at he r, a nd

wh at s or ro w d im t ho se o f t he d au gh te r!

How Gryphus would glory in his punishment! Punishment?

R at he r s avage venge ance f or a n e mi ne nt ly r ight eous dee d,

w hi ch C or ne li us had t he s at is fa ct ion of having per form ed a s

a b ou nd en d ut y.

Bu t Ro sa , p oo r g ir l! m us t h e d ie wi tho ut a g li mp se o f h er ,

w it ho ut a n o pp or tu ni ty t o g iv e h er o ne l as t k is s, o r e ve n t o

s ay o ne l as t w or d o f f ar ew el l?

Pa ge 1 64


A nd, w or st of a ll , m us t he die w it hout a ny i nt el li ge nc e of

t he bla ck t ul ip, a nd r egai n his c onsc ious ne ss i n hea ve n w it h

n o i de a i n wh at d ire cti on h e sh ou ld lo ok to f in d it ?

I n t ru th , t o r es tr ai n h is t ea rs a t s uc h a c ri si s t he p oo r

w re tc h' s h ea rt mu st h av e b ee n e nc as ed i n m or e o f t he a es

t ri pl ex - - " th e t ri pl e b ra ss " - - t ha n H or ac e b es to ws u po n

the sailor who first visited the terrifying Acroceraunian

shoals.

In v ain d id Co rn eli us l oo k t o t he r ig ht a nd to t he l eft ; h e

s a w n o s ig n e it he r o f Ro sa o r G ry ph us .

On r ea ch in g t he E sp la na de , h e b ra ve ly l oo ke d a bo ut f or t he

g ua rd s w ho we re t o b e h is e xe cu ti on er s, a nd i n r ea li ty s aw a

P a g e 3 1 6



doz en s ol di er s a ss em bl ed. B ut t he y w er e not s ta nding i n

l i ne , or c ar rying m us ke ts , but t al ki ng t oget he r s o gayly

t ha t C or ne li us f el t a lm os t s hocked.

All at once, Gryphus, limping, staggering, and supporting

h im se lf o n a c ro ok ed s ti ck , c am e f or th f ro m t he j ai le r' s

lod ge ; h is o ld ey es, gra y as t hos e of a c at, wer e lit u p by

a g le am i n w hi ch a ll h is h at re d w as c on ce nt ra te d. H e t he n

be ga n t o p ou r f or th s uc h a t or re nt o f d is gu st in g

imprecations against Cornelius, that the latter, addressing

th e o ff ic er , s ai d, - -

"I d o n ot t hi nk i t ve ry b eco mi ng s ir , t ha t I s ho ul d be t hu s

insult ed by t hi s m an, e spec ia ll y a t a m om ent l ike t hi s. "

" We ll ! hea r m e, " s ai d t he off ic er , l aughing, " it i s qui te

na tu ra l t ha t t hi s w or th y f el lo w s ho ul d b ea r y ou a g ru dg e, - -

y ou s ee m t o h av e g iv en i t h im v er y s ou nd ly ."

" But, s ir , i t w as onl y i n s el f- de fe nc e. "

"Never mind," said the Captain, shrugging his shoulders like

a t ru e p hi lo so ph er , " le t h im t al k; w ha t d oe s i t m at te r t o

you now?"

Th e c ol d s we at s to od o n t he b ro w o f C or ne li us a t t hi s

a ns we r, w hi ch h e l oo ke d u po n s om ew ha t i n t he l ig ht o f b ru ta l

i ro ny , e sp ec ia ll y a s c omi ng f ro m a n o ff ic er o f wh om h e h ad

h ea rd it sa id th at he was at ta ch ed to th e pe rs on o f t he

Prince.

T he unf or tuna te t ul ip-f anci er t he n f el t t ha t he had no m or e

P a g e 3 1 7



r es ou rc es , a nd n o m or e f ri en ds , a nd r es ig ne d h im se lf t o h is

fate.

" Go d' s w il l b e d on e, " h e m ut te re d, b ow in g h is h ea d; t he n,

t ur ni ng t ow ar ds t he off ic er , w ho s ee me d c om pl ac entl y t o w ai t

u nt il h e h ad f in is he d h is m ed it at io ns h e a sk ed , - -

"Pl ea se , s ir , t el l m e n ow , w he re a m I t o g o? "

T he o ff ic er p oi nt ed t o a c ar ri ag e, d ra wn b y f ou r h or se s,

w hi ch r em inde d him ver y s tr ongl y of t ha t w hi ch, under

s im il ar c ir cums ta nc es , had bef or e a tt ra ct ed his a tt enti on a t

Buytenhof.

"Enter," said the officer.

Pa ge 1 65


" A h! " m ut te re d C or ne li us t o him se lf , " it s ee ms t he y a re not

g oi ng t o t re at m e t o t he h on ou rs o f t he E sp la na de ."

H e u tt er ed t he se w or ds l ou d e no ug h f or t he c ha tt y g ua rd , w ho

w as a t h is h ee ls , to o ve rh ea r h im .

T ha t k in d s ou l v er y l ik el y t ho ug ht i t h is d ut y t o g iv e

C ornel ius s om e new i nf or ma ti on; f or , a pproac hi ng t he door of

th e c ar ri ag e, w hi ls t t he o ff ic er , w it h o ne f oo t o n t he s te p,

w as s ti ll g iv in g s om e o rd er s, h e w hi sp er ed t o V an B ae rl e, - -

" Condem ne d pr is oner s have s ome ti me s bee n t aken t o t he ir own

t ow n t o b e m ad e a n e xa mp le o f, a nd h av e t he n b ee n e xe cu te d

b ef or e t he d oo r o f t he ir o wn h ou se . I t' s a ll a cc or di ng t o

circumstances."

C or ne li us t ha nk ed h im b y s ig ns , a nd t he n s ai d t o h im se lf , - -

P a g e 3 1 8



" We ll , her e i s a f el low w ho never m is se s giving c onsola ti on

w he ne ve r a n oppor tuni ty pre se nt s i ts el f. I n t ruth, m y

f ri end, I 'm ver y m uc h obl iged t o you. G oodbye ."

T he c a rr i age dr ove a wa y.

"Ah! you villain, you brigand," roared Gryphus, clinching

h is f is ts a t t he v ic ti m w ho wa s e sc ap in g f ro m h is c lu tc he s,

" is i t n ot a s ha me t ha t t hi s f el lo w g et s o ff wi th ou t h av in g

r es to re d m y d au gh te r t o m e? "

" If t he y t ak e m e t o D or t, " t ho ug ht C or ne li us , " I s ha ll s ee ,

i n p as si ng m y h ou se , w he th er m y p oo r b or de rs h av e b ee n m uc h

spoiled."

C ha p te r 3 0

W he re in t he R ea de r b eg in s t o g ue ss t he K in d o f E xe cu ti on t ha t

w as a wa it ing V an B ae rl e

T he c ar ri ag e r ol le d o n d ur in g t he w ho le d ay ; i t p as se d o n

t he r ig ht o f D or t, w en t t hr ou gh R ot te rd am , a nd r ea ch ed

D el ft . A t f iv e o 'c lo ck i n t he e ve ni ng , a t l ea st t we nt y

l e a gues had bee n t ra ve ll ed.

C or ne li us a dd re ss ed s om e q ue st io ns t o t he o ff ic er , w ho w as

a t t he s am e t im e h is g ua rd a nd h is c om pa ni on ; b ut , c au ti ou s

a s w er e h is i nq ui ri es , h e h ad t he d is ap po in tm en t o f

receiving no answer.

C or ne li us r eg re tt ed t ha t h e h ad n o l on ge r b y h is s id e t he

c ha tt y s ol di er , w ho w ould t al k w it hout bei ng que st ione d.

T ha t obl iging per son w ould undoubt edly have given him a s

P a g e 3 1 9



pleasant details and exact explanations concerning this

t hi rd s tr an ge p ar t o f h is a dv en tu re s a s h e h ad d on e

concerning the first two.

T he t ra ve ll er s p as se d t he n ig ht i n t he c ar ri ag e. O n t he

following morning at dawn Cornelius found himself beyond

L ey de n, h av in g t he No rt h Se a o n h is l ef t, a nd t he Zu yd er Ze e

on his r ight .

Pa ge 1 66


T hr e e hour s a ft e r, he e nt e re d H aa rl e m.

C or ne li us w as n ot a wa re o f w ha t h ad p as se d a t H aa rl em , a nd

w e s ha ll l ea ve h im i n i gn or an ce o f i t u nt il t he c ou rs e o f

events enlightens him.

But the re ader ha s a rig ht to kno w all abo ut it even be fore

o ur h er o, a nd t he re fo re w e s ha ll n ot m ak e h im w ai t.

We h av e s ee n t ha t R os a a nd t he t ul ip , l ik e t wo o rp ha n

s is te rs , h ad b ee n l ef t b y P ri nc e W il li am o f O ra ng e a t t he

h ou se o f t he P re si de nt v an S ys te ns .

R os a d id n ot h ea r a ga in f ro m t he S ta dt ho ld er u nt il t he

e ve ni ng o f th at d ay o n wh ic h s he h ad s een h im f ac e t o f ac e.

T ow ar d e ve ni ng , a n o ff ic er c al le d a t V an S ys te n' s h ou se . H e

c am e f ro m h is H ig hn es s, wi th a r eq ue st f or Ro sa t o a pp ea r a t

t he T ow n H al l.

T he re , i n t he l ar ge C ou nc il R oo m i nt o w hi ch s he w as u sh er ed ,

s he f ound t he P ri nc e w ri ti ng.

H e w as a lo ne , w it h a l ar ge F ri si an g re yh ou nd a t h is f ee t,

P a g e 3 2 0



wh ic h l oo ke d a t h im w it h a s te ad y g la nc e, a s i f t he f ai th fu l

animal we re wish ing to do what no man co uld do , -- read th e

t ho ug ht s o f h is m as te r i n h is f ac e.

William continued his writing for a moment; then, raising

h is e ye s, a nd s ee in g R os a s ta nd in g n ea r t he d oo r, h e s ai d,

w it ho ut l ay in g d ow n h is p en , - -

"Come here, my child."

R os a a dv an ce d a f ew s te ps t ow ar ds t he t ab le .

" Si t d ow n, " h e s ai d.

R os a o be ye d, f or t he P ri nc e w as f ix in g h is e ye s u po n h er ,

b ut h e h ad s ca rc el y t ur ne d t he m a ga in t o h is p ap er w he n s he

ba shfull y r e ti re d t o t he door .

The Prince finished his letter.

D ur ing t hi s t im e, t he gre yhound w ent up t o R os a, s ur ve ye d

h er a nd b eg an t o c are ss h er .

"A h, a h! " s aid Wi lli am to h is d og , "i t's e asy t o se e t ha t

sh e i s a c ou nt ry wo ma n o f y ou rs , a nd t ha t y ou r ec og ni se h er ."

T he n, t ur ni ng t ow ar ds R os a, a nd f ixing on her his

s cr ut inis ing, a nd a t t he s am e t im e i mpenet ra bl e gla nc e, he

s ai d, - -

"Now, my child."

T he P ri nc e w as s ca rc el y t we nt y- th re e, a nd R os a e ig ht ee n o r

t we nt y. H e m ig ht t he re fo re p er ha ps b et te r h av e s ai d, M y

sister.

"My child," he said, with that strangely commanding accent

P a g e 3 2 1



w hi ch c hi ll ed a ll t hose w ho a pproac he d him , " we a re a lone ;

l et u s s pe ak t og et he r. "

Pa ge 1 67


Ro sa b eg an t o t re mb le , a nd y et t he re w as n ot hi ng b ut

k in dn es s i n t he e xp re ss io n o f t he P ri nc e' s f ac e.

"Monseigneur," she stammered.

" You have a f at he r a t L oe we st ei n? "

"Yes, your Highness."

" Yo u d o n ot l ov e h im? "

"I do n ot ; a t l ea st, n ot as a da ug hte r o ugh t to do ,

Monseigneur."

"I t is n ot r igh t n ot t o l ov e o ne 's f at he r, b ut it is r ig ht

n ot t o t el l a f al se ho od ."

Ro sa c ast h er e yes t o th e g ro un d.

" Wh at i s t he r ea so n o f y ou r n ot l ov in g y ou r f at he r? "

" He i s w ic ke d. "

"I n w ha t w ay d oe s h e s ho w h is w ic ke dn es s? "

"He ill-treats the prisoners."

"All of them?"

"All."

" Bu t d on 't y ou b ea r h im a g ru dg e f or i ll -t re at in g s om e o ne

in particular?"

" My f at he r i ll -t re at s i n par ti cula r M ynhe er van B ae rl e, w ho

- - - - "

" Who i s your l over ?"

P a g e 3 2 2



R os a s ta rt ed b ac k a s te p.

" Whom I l ove, M onse igne ur ," s he a ns we re d proudly.

" Si nc e w he n?" a sked t he P ri nc e.

"S in ce t he d ay w he n I f ir st s aw h im ."

"A nd w he n w as t ha t? "

" Th e d ay a ft er t ha t o n w hi ch t he G ra nd P en si on ar y J oh n a nd

his brother C or ne li us m et w it h s uc h a n a wf ul dea th."

T he P ri nc e c om pr es se d h is l ip s, a nd k ni t h is b ro w a nd h is

e ye li ds d ro pp ed s o a s t o h id e h is e ye s f or a n i ns ta nt . A ft er

a m om enta ry s il ence , he r es um ed t he c onve rs at ion.

"But to what can it lead to love a man who is d oomed to liv e

a nd d ie i n p ri so n? "

" It w il l l ea d, i f h e l iv es a nd d ie s i n p ri so n, t o my a id in g

him i n l if e a nd i n dea th."

" An d wo ul d y ou a cce pt t he l ot o f b ei ng t he wi fe of a

Pa ge 1 68


prisoner?"

" As t he w if e o f M yn he er v an B ae rl e, I s ho ul d, u nd er a ny

c ir cu ms ta nc es , b e t he p ro ud es t a nd h ap pi es t w om an i n t he

wo rl d; b ut - -- - "

"But what?"

"I dar e not s ay, M onse igne ur ."

" Th er e i s s om et hi ng l ik e h op e i n y ou r t on e; w ha t d o y ou

hope?"

P a g e 3 2 3



S he r ai se d h er m oi st a nd b ea ut if ul e ye s, a nd l oo ke d a t

William with a glance full of meaning, which was calculated

t o s tir u p in t he r ec ess es o f h is h ea rt t he c le me ncy wh ic h

was slumbering there.

" A h, I u nd er st an d y ou ," h e s ai d.

Ro sa , w it h a s mi le , c la sp ed h er h an ds .

"Y ou h op e i n m e? " s ai d t he P ri nc e.

"Yes, Monseigneur."

"Umph!"

T he P ri nc e s ea le d t he l et te r w hi ch h e h ad j us t w ri tt en , a nd

s umm on ed o ne o f h is o ff ic er s, t o wh om h e s ai d, - -

" Ca pt a in van D eken, c a rr y t hi s de spat c h t o L oe we st ei n; you

w il l r ea d t he o rd er s w hi ch I g iv e t o t he Go ve rn or , a nd

e xe cu te t he m a s f ar a s t he y r eg ar d y ou ."

T he o ff ic er b ow ed , a nd a f ew m in ut es a ft er wa rd s t he g al lo p

o f a h or se w as h ea rd r es ou nd in g i n t he v au lt ed a rc hw ay .

"M y c hi ld," c onti nued t he P ri nc e, " the f ea st of t he t ul ip

will be on Sunday next, that is to say, the day after

t o-m or row. M ake yours el f s ma rt w it h t he se f ive hundre d

g uil ders , as I wis h t hat da y t o be a grea t d ay for yo u."

"H ow d oe s y ou r H ig hn es s w is h m e t o b e d re ss ed ?" f al te re d

Rosa.

" Ta ke t he c os tume of a F ri si an bri de ." s ai d W il li am ; " it

w il l s ui t you ver y w el l i ndee d. "

C ha p te r 3 1

Haarlem

P a g e 3 2 4



H aa rl em , w hi th er , t hr ee d ay s a go , w e c on du ct ed o ur g en tl e

r ea de r, a nd w hi th er we r eq ue st h im t o f ol lo w u s o nc e m or e i n

th e f oo ts te ps o f t he p ri so ne r, i s a p le as an t c it y, w hi ch

j us tl y p ri de s i ts el f o n b ei ng o ne o f t he mo st s ha dy i n a ll

the Netherlands.

W hi le other t ow ns boa st of t he m agni fi ce nc e of t he ir

Pa ge 1 69


ar se na ls a nd d oc k- ya rd s, a nd t he s pl en do ur o f t he ir s ho ps

a n d m ar ke ts , H aa rl em 's c la im s t o f am e r es t u po n h er

s uper iori ty t o a ll other provi nc ia l c it ie s i n t he num be r a nd

be auty of he r s pr ea ding e l ms , gra ce ful popl ar s, a nd, m or e

t ha n a ll , u po n h er p le as an t w al ks , s ha de d b y t he l ov el y

a rc he s of m agni fi ce nt oaks, l inde ns , a nd c he st nuts .

Ha ar le m, - - j us t a s h er n ei gh bo ur , L ey de n, b ec am e t he c en tr e

o f s ci en ce , a nd h er q ue en , A ms te rd am , t ha t o f c om me rc e, - -

H aa rl em pre fe rr ed t o be t he a gr ic ul tura l, or, m or e s tr ic tl y

speaking, the horticultural metropolis.

I n f ac t, gi rt a bo ut a s sh e wa s, br eez y an d ex po se d to th e

s un 's h ot r ay s, s he s ee me d t o o ff er t o g ar de ne rs s o m an y

m or e g ua ra nt ee s o f s uc ce ss t ha n o th er p la ce s, w it h t he ir

h ea vy s ea a ir , a nd t he ir s co rc hi ng h ea t.

O n t hi s a cc ou nt a ll t he s er en e s ou ls wh o l ov ed t he e ar th a nd

i t s f ruit s had gra dual ly gat he re d t oget he r a t H aa rl em , j us t

a s a ll t he n er vo us , u ne as y s pi ri ts , w ho se a mb it io n w as f or

P a g e 3 2 5



t r avel a nd c om me rc e, ha d s e tt le d i n R ot t er da m a nd A ms t er da m,

a nd a ll t he pol it ic ia ns a nd s el fi sh w or ldli ngs a t t he H ague .

W e h av e o bs er ve d t ha t L ey de n o ve rf lo we d w it h s ch ol ar s. I n

l ik e m an ne r H aa rl em w as d ev ot ed t o t he g en tl e p ur su it s o f

p ea ce , - - t o m us ic a nd p ai nt in g, o rc ha rd s a nd a ve nu es ,

g ro ve s a nd p ar ks . H aa rl em w en t w il d a bo ut f lo we rs , a nd

t ul ips r ec ei ve d t he ir f ul l s ha re of w or ship.

Haarlem offered prizes for tulip-growing; and this fact

b ri ng s u s i n t he m os t n at ur al m an ne r t o t ha t c el eb ra ti on

w hi ch t he c it y in te nd ed t o h old o n M ay 1 5t h, 1 67 3 i n h on ou r

of t he gre at bla ck t ul ip, i mm ac ul at e a nd per fe ct , w hi ch

s houl d gai n f or i ts dis cove re r one hundr ed t hous and

guilders!

Haarlem, having placed on exhibition its favourite, having

a dv er ti se d i ts l ov e o f f lo we rs i n g en er al a nd o f t ul ip s i n

p ar ti cu la r, a t a p er io d w he n t he s ou ls o f m en w er e f il le d

w it h w ar a nd s ed it io n, - - H aa rl em , h av in g e nj oy ed t he

e xqui si te ple as ur e of a dm ir ing t he ver y pur es t i de al of

t ul ips i n f ul l bloom , - - H aa rl em , t hi s t iny t ow n, f ul l of

t re es a nd o f s un sh in e, o f l ig ht a nd s ha de , h ad d et er mi ne d

t ha t t he c er em on y o f b es to wi ng t he p ri ze s ho ul d b e a f et e

wh ic h s ho ul d l iv e f or e ve r i n t he m em or y o f m en .

So muc h th e mo re r ea so n was the re , t oo , in h er

det er mi na ti on, i n t ha t H ol la nd i s t he hom e of f et es ; never

did s luggis h nat ur es m anif es t m or e e ager e ne rgy of t he

s ingi ng a nd danci ng s or t t ha n t hose of t he good r epubli ca ns

P a g e 3 2 6





t he t ow ns fo lk , t ha t e ve n a F re nc hm an , w ho l au gh s a t

e ver yt hi ng a t a ll t im es , c ould not have hel pe d a dm ir ing t he

c ha r ac te r of t hos e hone s t H ol la nde r s, w ho w er e e qua ll y r ea dy

t o s pe nd t he ir m on ey f or t he c on st ru ct io n o f a m an -o f- wa r - -

th at is t o sa y, fo r the su pp ort o f na tio na l ho no ur - - as

t he y w er e t o r ew ar d t he g ro wt h o f a n ew f lo we r, d es ti ne d t o

b lo om f or o ne d ay , a nd t o s er ve d ur in g t ha t d ay t o d iv er t

t he l ad ie s, t he l ea rn ed , a nd t he c ur io us .

A t t he h ea d o f t he n ot ab le s a nd o f t he H or ti cu lt ur al

Comm it te e s hone M ynhe er van S ys te ns , dre ss ed i n his r ic he st

habiliments.

T he w or th y m an h ad d on e h is b es t t o i mi ta te h is f av ou ri te

f l ow er i n t he s om br e a nd s te rn e le ga nc e o f h is g ar me nt s; a nd

w e a re b ou nd t o r ec or d, t o h is h on ou r, t ha t h e h ad p er fe ct ly

s uc ce ed ed i n h is o bj ec t.

D ar k c ri ms on v el ve t, d ar k p ur pl e s il k, a nd j et -b la ck c lo th ,

w it h l inen of daz zl ing w hi te ne ss , c om pose d t he f es ti ve dre ss

o f t he P re si de nt , w ho m ar ch ed a t t he h ea d o f h is C om mi tt ee

c ar rying a n e norm ous nos egay, l ike t ha t w hi ch a hundr ed a nd

t we nty- one ye ar s l a te r, M ons ie ur de R obe spi er re di spl aye d a t

the festival of "The Supreme Being."

T he re w as , how ever , a l it tl e di ff er ence bet we en t he t wo;

v er y d if fe re nt f ro m t he F re nc h t ri bu ne , w ho se h ea rt w as s o

f ul l of hat re d a nd a mbit ious vindi ct ivenes s, w as t he hones t

Pr es id en t, w ho c ar ri ed i n h is b os om a h ea rt a s i nn oc en t a s

t he f lo we rs w hi ch h e h el d i n h is h an d.

P a g e 3 2 8





t he b ea re rs o f M ot he r C yb el e u se d t o t ak e t ur n a nd t ur n

a bo ut a t Ro me i n t he a nc ie nt d ay s, w he n s he wa s b ro ug ht f ro m

Et ru ri a t o t he E te rn al C it y, a mi d t he b la re o f t ru mp et s a nd

t he w or sh ip o f a w ho le n at io n.

T hi s p ub li c e xh ib it io n o f t he t ul ip w as a n a ct o f a do ra ti on

r ender ed by a n e nti re nat ion, unl et te re d a nd unre fi ned, t o

t he r ef inem ent a nd c ul ture of i ts i ll us tr ious a nd devout

le ad er s, w ho se b lo od h ad s ta in ed t he f ou l p av em en t o f t he

B uyte nhof , r es er vi ng t he r ight a t a f ut ur e day t o i ns cr ibe

th e n ame s o f i ts v ic ti ms u po n t he h ig he st s to ne o f t he D ut ch

Pantheon.

I t w as a rr ange d t ha t t he P ri nc e S ta dt holder him se lf s houl d

give t he pri ze of a hundr ed t hous and gui lder s, w hi ch

i nt er es te d t he p eo pl e a t l ar ge , a nd i t w as t ho ug ht t ha t

pe rh ap s h e w ou ld m ak e a s pe ec h w hi ch i nt er es te d m or e

particularly his friends and enemies.

For i n t he m os t i ns igni fi ca nt w or ds of m en of pol it ic al

i mpor ta nc e t he ir f ri ends a nd t he ir opponents a lw ays

e nd ea vo ur t o d et ec t, a nd h en ce t hi nk t he y c an i nt er pr et ,

something of their true thoughts.

A s i f y ou r t ru e p ol it ic ia n' s h at w er e n ot a b us he l u nd er

w hi ch he a lw ays hides his l ight !

A t l en gt h t he g re at a nd l on g- ex pe ct ed d ay - - M ay 1 5, 1 67 3 - -

a rr ived; a nd a ll H aa rl em , s we ll ed by her nei ghbour s, w as

gat he re d i n t he bea ut if ul t re e- li ne d s tr ee ts , det er mi ne d on

t hi s occ as ion not t o w as te i ts a ppla us e upon m il it ar y

P a g e 3 3 0



h er oe s, o r t ho se w ho h ad w on n ot ab le v ic to ri es i n t he f ie ld

o f s ci en ce , b ut t o r es er ve t he ir a pp la us e f or t ho se w ho h ad

ove rc ome N at ur e, a nd had f or ce d t he i nexha ust ibl e m ot he r t o

b e d el iv er ed o f w ha t h ad t he re to fo re b ee n r eg ar de d a s

i m poss ible , - - a c om pl et el y bla ck t ul ip.

N ot hi ng how ever , i s m or e f ic kl e t ha n s uc h a r es ol ut ion of

the pe op le. Whe n a crowd is o nce in t he hu mo ur to ch eer, it

i s j us t t he s ame a s wh en i t b eg in s t o h is s. I t n ev er k no ws

wh en t o s to p.

I t t he re fo re , i n t he f ir st p la ce , c he er ed V an S ys te ns a nd

h is n os eg ay , t he n t he c or po ra ti on , t he n f ol lo we d a c he er f or

t he p eo pl e; a nd , a t l as t, a nd f or o nc e w it h g re at j us ti ce ,

t he re wa s o ne f or t he e xc el le nt m us ic w it h w hi ch t he

gentl em en of t he t ow n c ounc il s gener ousl y t re at ed t he

a s se mbla ge a t e ve ry hal t.

Ev er y e ye w as l oo ki ng e ag er ly f or t he h er oi ne o f t he

fes tiv al , -- tha t is t o sa y, the bla ck t ul ip, -- a nd f or i ts

h ero in the per son of the one who had gr own it.

Pa ge 1 72


I n c as e t hi s h er o s ho ul d m ak e h is a pp ea ra nc e a ft er t he

a ddr ess we h ave s een wo rth y Va n Sys ten s a t wo rk o n s o

c on sc ie nt io us ly , h e w ou ld n ot f ai l t o m ak e a s m uc h o f a

sensation as the Stadtholder himself.

B ut t he i nt er es t o f t he d ay 's p ro ce ed in gs f or u s i s c en tr ed

P a g e 3 3 1



n ei th er i n t he l ea rn ed d is co ur se o f o ur f ri en d V an S ys te ns ,

h ow ev er e lo qu en t i t m ig ht b e, n or i n t he y ou ng d an di es ,

resplendent in their Sunday clothes, and munching their

h ea vy c ak es ; n or i n t he p oo r y ou ng p ea sa nt s, g na wi ng s mo ke d

e el s a s i f t he y w er e s ti ck s o f v an il la s we et me at ; n ei th er i s

o ur i nt er es t i n t he l ov el y D ut ch g ir ls , w it h r ed c he ek s a nd

iv or y b os om s; n or i n t he f at , r ou nd m yn he er s, w ho h ad n ev er

le ft t he ir hom es bef or e; nor i n t he s al low, t hi n t ra ve ll er s

f ro m C ey lo n o r J av a; n or i n t he t hi rs ty c ro wd s, w ho q ue nc he d

th ei r t hi rs t wi th p ic kl ed c uc um be rs ; - - n o, s o f ar a s w e a re

c onc er ne d, t he r ea l i nt er es t of t he s it ua ti on, t he

f as ci na ti ng, dra ma ti c i nt er es t, i s not t o be f ound her e.

O ur i nt er es t i s i n a s mi li ng , s pa rk li ng f ac e t o b e s ee n a mi d

t he m em be rs of t he H or ti cult ur al C om mi tt ee ; i n t he per son

w it h a f lo we r i n h is b el t, c omb ed a nd b ru sh ed , a nd a ll c la d

i n s ca rl et , - - a c ol ou r w hi ch m ak es h is b la ck h ai r a nd

yel low s ki n s ta nd out i n viole nt c ontr as t.

T hi s h er o, r ad ia nt w it h r ap tu ro us j oy , w ho h ad t he

di s ti ngui shed honour of m aking t he peopl e f or ge t t he s pe ec h

o f V an S ys te ns , a nd e ve n t he p re se nc e o f t he S ta dt ho ld er ,

w as I sa ac B ox te l, w ho s aw , c ar ri ed o n h is r ig ht b ef or e h im ,

t h e b la ck t ul ip , h is p re te nd ed d au gh te r; a nd o n h is l ef t, i n

a l ar ge pur se , t he hundr ed t hous and gui lder s i n gli tt er ing

gol d pie ce s, t ow ar ds w hi ch he w as c onst antl y s quinti ng,

f ea rf ul of l os ing s ight of t he m f or one m om ent.

No w a nd t he n B ox te l q ui ck en ed h is s te p t o r ub e lb ow s f or a

P a g e 3 3 2



m om ent w it h V an S ys te ns . H e bor rowe d a l it tl e i mpor ta nc e

f ro m e ve ry bo dy t o m ak e a k in d o f f al se i mp or ta nc e f or

h im se lf , a s h e h ad s to le n R os a' s t ul ip t o e ff ec t h is o wn

glory, a nd t he re by m ake his f or tune .

A no th er q ua rt er o f a n h ou r a nd t he P ri nc e w il l a rr iv e a nd

t he p ro ce ss io n w il l h al t f or t he l as t t im e; a ft er t he t ul ip

i s p la ce d o n i ts t hr on e, t he P ri nc e, y ie ld in g p re ce de nc e t o

t hi s r iv al f or t he p op ul ar a do ra ti on , w il l t ak e a

magnificently emblazoned parchment, on which is written the

n am e o f t he g ro we r; a nd h is H ig hn es s, i n a l ou d a nd a ud ib le

t on e, w il l p ro cl ai m h im t o b e t he d is co ve re r o f a w on de r;

t ha t H ol la nd, by t he i ns tr um enta li ty of him , B oxte l, has

fo rc ed N at ur e t o p ro du ce a b la ck f lo we r, w hi ch s ha ll

henceforth be called Tulipa nigra Boxtellea.

Fr om t im e t o t im e, h ow ev er , B ox te l w it hd re w h is e ye s f or a

m om ent f rom t he t ul ip a nd t he pur se , t im idly l ooki ng a mong

t he c ro wd , f or m or e t ha n a ny th in g h e d re ad ed t o d es cr y t he re

th e p al e f ac e o f t he p re tt y F ri si an g ir l.

Sh e wo ul d h av e b ee n a s pe ct re s po il in g t he j oy o f t he

f es ti va l f or h im , j us t a s B an qu o' s g ho st d id t ha t o f

Macbeth.

A nd y et , i f t he t ru th m us t b e t ol d, t hi s wr et ch , wh o h ad

sto len wh at wa s th e boa st o f ma n, a nd t he d owry of a wo ma n,

d id n ot c on si de r h im se lf a s a t hi ef . H e h ad s o i nt en tl y

w at ch ed t hi s t ul ip , f ol lo we d i t s o e ag er ly f ro m t he d ra we r

P a g e 3 3 3



Pa ge 1 73


i n C or ne li us 's dry-r oom t o t he s ca ff ol d of t he B uyte nhof ,

a nd f ro m t he s ca ff ol d t o t he f or tr es s o f L oe we st ei n; h e h ad

s ee n i t b ud a nd g ro w i n R os a' s w in do w, a nd s o o ft en w ar me d

the air round it with his breath, that he felt as if no one

h ad a b et te r r ig ht to c all h ims el f i ts p ro du cer th an h e h ad ;

a nd a ny o ne wh o wo ul d n ow ta ke t he b la ck t ul ip f ro m h im

w ou ld h av e a pp ea re d t o h im a s a t hi ef .

Ye t h e d id n ot p er ce iv e R os a; h is j oy t he re fo re wa s n ot

spoiled.

I n t he c en tr e o f a c ir cl e o f m ag ni fi ce nt t re es , w hi ch w er e

de cora te d w it h ga rl ands a nd i ns c ri pt ions , t he pr oc es si on

hal te d, a mi ds t t he s ounds of l ivel y m us ic , a nd t he young

d am se ls o f H aa rl em m ad e t he ir a pp ea ra nc e t o e sc or t t he t ul ip

to t he r ai se d s ea t w hi ch i t w as t o o cc up y o n t he p la tf or m,

b y t he s id e of th e gi ld ed c hai r o f hi s Hi ghn ess th e

Stadtholder.

A nd t he p ro ud t ul ip , r ai se d o n i ts p ed es ta l, s oo n o ve rl oo ke d

t he a ss em bl ed c ro wd o f p eo pl e, w ho c la pp ed t he ir h an ds , a nd

m ad e t he o ld t ow n o f H aa rl em r e- ec ho w it h t he ir t re me nd ou s

cheers.

C ha p te r 3 2

A L as t R eq ue st

At t hi s s ol em n m om ent, a nd w hi ls t t he c he er s s ti ll

r es ou nd ed , a c ar ri ag e w as d ri vi ng a lo ng t he r oa d o n t he

P a g e 3 3 4



o ut sk ir ts o f t he g re en o n w hi ch t he s ce ne o cc ur re d; i t

p u rs ue d i ts w ay s lo wl y, o n a cc ou nt o f t he f lo ck s o f c hi ld re n

w ho we re pu she d ou t o f the a ven ue b y the cr owd of men an d

women.

T hi s c ar ri ag e, c ov er ed w it h d us t, a nd c re ak in g o n i ts a xl es ,

t he r es ul t o f a l on g j ou rn ey , e nc lo se d t he u nf or tu na te V an

B ae rl e, wh o w as j us t b eg in ni ng t o g et a g li mp se t hr ou gh t he

o pe n w in do w o f t he s ce ne w hi ch w e h av e t ri ed - - w it h p oo r

s uc ce ss , n o d ou bt - - t o p re se nt t o t he e ye s o f t he r ea de r.

T he c ro wd a nd t he n oi se a nd t he d is pl ay o f a rt if ic ia l a nd

nat ur al m agni fi ce nc e w er e a s daz zl ing t o t he pri sone r a s a

ray of light flashing suddenly into his dungeon.

Notwithstanding the little readiness which his companion had

s hown i n a ns we ri ng his que st ions c once rning his f at e, he

v en tu re d o nc e m or e t o a sk t he m ea ni ng o f a ll t hi s b us tl e,

w hi ch a t f ir st s ight s ee me d t o be utt er ly dis connec te d w it h

his own affairs.

" Wh at i s a ll t hi s, p ra y, M yn he er Li eu te na nt ?" h e a sk ed o f

his conductor.

" As y ou m ay s ee , s ir ," r ep li ed t he o ff ic er , " it i s a f ea st ."

" Ah , a f ea st ," s ai d Co rn el iu s, in t he s ad to ne o f

in di ff er en ce o f a m an t o wh om n o j oy r em ai ns i n t hi s w or ld .

T he n, a ft er s om e m om ents , s il ence , dur ing w hi ch t he c ar ri age

Pa ge 1 74


P a g e 3 3 5



h ad p ro ce ed ed a f ew y ar ds , h e a sk ed o nc e mo re , - -

" Th e f ea st o f t he p at ro n s ai nt o f H aa rl em ? a s I s ee s o m an y

flowers."

" I t i s, i nd ee d, a f ea st i n w hi ch f lo we rs p la y a p ri nc ip al

part."

" Oh, t he s we et s ce nt s! oh, t he bea ut if ul c ol ours !" c ri ed

Cornelius.

" St op, t ha t t he gentl em an m ay s ee ," s ai d t he off ic er , w it h

t ha t f ra nk kindl ines s w hi ch i s pec ul ia r t o m il it ar y m en, t o

t he s ol di er w ho w as a ct in g a s p os ti li on .

" Oh , t ha nk y ou , S ir , f or y ou r k in dn es s, " r ep li ed V an B ae rl e,

in a m el an ch ol y t on e; " th e j oy o f o th er s p ai ns m e; p le as e

s p ar e m e t hi s p an g. "

" Ju st a s y ou w is h. D ri ve o n! I o rd er ed t he d ri ve r t o s to p

b ec au se I t ho ug ht i t wo ul d p le as e y ou , a s y ou a re s ai d t o

l ov e f lo we rs , a nd e sp ec ia ll y t ha t t he f ea st o f w hi ch i s

celebrated to-day."

" And w ha t f lowe r i s t ha t? "

"The tulip."

" Th e t ul ip !" c ri ed V an B ae rl e, " is t o- da y t he f ea st o f

tulips?"

" Ye s, s ir ; b ut a s t hi s s pe ct ac le d is pl ea se s y ou , l et u s

drive on."

T he o ff ic er wa s a bo ut t o g iv e t he o rd er t o p ro ce ed , b ut

Cornelius stopped him, a painful thought having struck him.

H e a sk ed , w it h f al te ri ng v oi ce , - -

P a g e 3 3 6



" Is t he pri ze given t o- da y, s ir ?"

" Ye s, t he p ri ze f or t he b la ck t ul ip ."

C ornel ius' s c he ek f lushed, his w hole f ra me t re mble d, a nd t he

c ol d s we at s to od o n h is b ro w.

" Al as ! s ir ," h e s ai d, " al l t he se g oo d p eo pl e w il l b e a s

unf or tuna te a s m ys el f, f or t he y w il l not s ee t he s ol em ni ty

wh ic h t he y h av e c ome t o wi tn es s, o r a t le as t t he y wi ll s ee

it incompletely."

" Wh at is it yo u mea n t o s ay? "

" I m ea n t o s ay." r epli ed C or ne li us , t hr ow ing him se lf bac k i n

t he c ar ri ag e, " th at t he b la ck t ul ip w il l n ot b e f ou nd ,

ex ce pt b y o ne w ho m I k no w."

" In t hi s c as e, " s ai d t he o ff ic er , " th e p er so n w ho m y ou k no w

h as f ou nd i t, f or t he t hi ng w hi ch t he w ho le o f H aa rl em i s

l oo ki ng a t a t t hi s m om en t i s n ei th er m or e n or l es s t ha n t he

black tulip."

"The black tulip!" replied Van Baerle, thrusting half his

b od y o ut o f t he c ar ri ag e w in do w. " Wh er e i s i t? w he re i s i t? "

Pa ge 1 75


"D own t he re o n t he t hr on e, - - d on 't y ou s ee ?"

"I d o s ee it."

" Co me a lo ng , s ir ," s ai d t he o ff ic er . " No w w e m us t d ri ve

off."

" Oh , h av e p it y, h av e m er cy , s ir !" s ai d V an B ae rl e, " do n' t

P a g e 3 3 7



take me away! Let me look once more! Is what I see down

t he re t he b la ck t ul ip ? Q ui te b la ck ? I s i t p os si bl e? O h, s ir ,

h av e y ou s ee n i t? I t mu st h av e s pe ck s, i t mu st b e i mp er fe ct ,

it mu st only be dyed black. Ah! if I were the re, I shou ld

see it at once. Let me alight, let me see it close, I beg of

you."

"A re y ou m ad , Si r? Ho w c oul d I al low s uc h a t hin g? "

"I implore you."

"B ut y ou f or ge t t ha t y ou a re a p ri so ne r. "

"It is true I am a prisoner, but I am a man of honour, and I

p ro mis e yo u on my wor d t hat I wi ll no t ru n a wa y, I wil l n ot

at te mp t t o e sc ap e, - - o nl y l et m e s ee t he f lo we r. "

" B ut m y o rd er s, S ir , m y o rd er s. " A nd t he o ff ic er a ga in m ad e

th e d ri ve r a s ig n t o p ro ce ed .

Corne li us s toppe d hi m onc e m or e.

" Oh , b e f or be ar in g, b e g en er ou s! m y w ho le l if e d ep en ds u po n

yo ur p it y. A la s! p er ha ps i t w il l n ot b e m uc h l on ge r. Y ou

d on 't k no w, s ir , w ha t I s uf fe r. Y ou d on 't k no w t he s tr ug gl e

g oi ng o n i n m y h ea rt a nd mi nd . F or a ft er a ll ," C or ne li us

cr ie d i n d esp ai r, "i f t hi s we re my t ul ip , if i t we re th e o ne

wh ic h h as b ee n s to le n fr om R osa ! Oh , I mu st a li gh t, s ir ! I

mu st s ee t he f lo we r! Y ou m ay k il l m e a ft er wa rd s i f y ou l ik e,

but I will see it, I must see it."

" Be q ui et , u nf or tu na te m an , a nd c om e q ui ck ly b ac k i nt o t he

c ar ri ag e, f or h er e i s t he e sc or t o f h is H ig hn es s t he

S ta dt ho ld er , a nd i f t he P ri nc e o bs er ve d a ny d is tu rb an ce , o r

P a g e 3 3 8



hea rd any noise, it would be ruin to me, as well as to you."

V an B ae rl e, m or e a fr ai d f or his c om pa ni on t ha n him se lf ,

th re w h im se lf b ac k i nt o t he c ar ri ag e, b ut h e c ou ld o nl y k ee p

q ui et f or h al f a mi nu te , a nd t he f ir st t we nt y h or se me n h ad

s ca rc el y p as se d w he n h e a ga in l ea ne d o ut o f t he c ar ri ag e

window, gesticulating imploringly towards the Stadtholder at

th e v er y m om en t w he n h e p as se d.

W i ll ia m, i mpas si bl e a nd qui et a s usual , w as proce eding t o

th e g re en t o f ul fi l h is d ut y a s c ha ir ma n. He h el d i n h is

h an d t he r ol l o f p ar ch me nt , w hi ch , o n t hi s f es ti ve d ay , h ad

be com e hi s ba ton.

Seeing the man gesticulate with imploring mien, and perhaps

also recognising the officer who accompanied him, his

H ig hn es s o rd er ed h is c ar ri ag e t o s to p.

In a n i ns ta nt h is s no rt in g s te ed s s to od s ti ll , a t a d is ta nc e

o f a bo ut s ix y ar ds f ro m t he c ar ri ag e i n w hi ch V an B ae rl e w as

caged.

Pa ge 1 76


" Wh at i s t hi s? " t he P ri nc e a sk ed t he o ff ic er , w ho a t t he

f ir st o rd er o f t he St ad th ol de r h ad j um pe d o ut o f t he

carriage, and was respectfully approaching him.

" Mons ei gneur, " he c ri ed, " this i s t he pri sone r of s ta te w hom

I h av e f et ch ed f ro m L oe we st ei n, a nd w ho m I h av e b ro ug ht t o

Haarlem according to your Highness's command."

P a g e 3 3 9



" Wh at d oe s h e w an t? "

" He e nt re at s f or per mi ss ion t o s top her e f or m inut e. "

" To s ee t he bla ck t ul ip, M onse igne ur ," s ai d V an B ae rl e,

c las pi ng hi s h and s, " an d whe n I h av e s ee n it , wh en I h ave

se en wha t I d esi re to kn ow, I am qu ite r ead y t o di e, if di e

I m us t; b ut i n d yi ng I s ha ll b le ss y ou r Hi gh ne ss 's me rc y f or

having a ll ow ed m e t o w it ne ss t he glori fi ca ti on of m y w or k. "

I t wa s, in dee d, a cu rio us s pe ct ac le t o se e th es e t wo men a t

t he w indow s of t he ir s ever al c ar ri ages ; t he one s ur rounded

b y h is g ua rd s, a nd a ll p owe rf ul , t he o th er a p ri so ne r a nd

mi se ra bl e; t he o ne g oi ng t o m ou nt a t hr on e, t he o th er

b el ie vi ng h im se lf t o b e o n h is w ay t o t he s ca ff ol d.

William, looking with his cold glance on Cornelius, listened

t o h is a nx io us a nd u rg en t r eq ue st .

T he n a dd re ss in g h im se lf t o t he o ff ic er , h e s ai d, - -

" Is t hi s p er so n t he m ut in ou s p ri so ne r w ho h as a tt em pt ed t o

kill his jailer at Loewestein?"

C or ne li us h ea ve d a s ig h a nd h un g h is h ea d. H is g oo d- te mp er ed

h on es t f ac e t ur ne d p al e a nd r ed a t t he s am e i ns ta nt . Th es e

wo rd s o f t he a ll -p ow er fu l P ri nc e, w ho b y s om e s ec re t

m e ss enge r una va il able t o other m or ta ls had a lr ea dy bee n

a pp ri se d o f h is c ri me , s ee me d t o h im t o f or eb od e n ot o nl y

h is d oo m, b ut a ls o t he r ef us al o f h is l as t r eq ue st .

H e d id n ot tr y t o ma ke a s tr ug gle , o r t o d ef en d h im se lf ; a nd

h e p re se nt ed t o t he P ri nc e t he a ff ec ti ng s pe ct ac le o f

de sp ai ri ng i nn oc en ce , l ik e t ha t o f a c hi ld , - - a s pe ct ac le

P a g e 3 4 0



w h ic h w as f ul ly u nd er st oo d a nd f el t b y t he g re at m in d a nd

t he g re at h ea rt o f h im w ho o bs er ve d i t.

"A ll ow t he p ri so ne r t o a li gh t, a nd l et h im s ee t he b la ck

t ul ip ; i t i s we ll w or th b ei ng s ee n o nc e."

"Thank you, Monseigneur, thank you," said Cornelius, nearly

s w oo ni ng w it h j oy , a nd s ta gg er in g o n t he s te ps o f h is

c ar ri ag e; h ad n ot t he o ff ic er s up po rt ed h im , o ur p oo r f ri en d

wo ul d h av e m ad e h is t ha nk s t o h is H ig hn es s p ro st ra te o n h is

kn ee s w it h h is f or eh ea d i n t he d us t.

A ft er having gra nt ed t hi s per mi ss ion, t he P ri nc e proce eded

o n h is w ay o ve r t he g re en a mi ds t t he m os t e nt hu si as ti c

acclamations.

H e s oo n a rr iv ed a t t he p la tf or m, a nd t he t hu nd er o f c an no n

sh oo k t he a ir .

Pa ge 1 77


C ha p te r 3 3

Conclusion

Va n B ae rl e, l ed b y f ou r g ua rd s, w ho p us he d t he ir w ay t hr ou gh

t he c ro wd , s id le d u p t o t he b la ck t ul ip , t ow ar ds w hi ch h is

gaz e w as a tt ra ct ed w it h i nc re as ing i nt er es t t he nea re r he

a pp ro ac he d t o i t.

H e s aw i t a t l as t, t ha t u ni qu e f lo we r, wh ic h h e w as t o s ee

o nc e a nd n o mo re . He sa w it at th e d is ta nc e o f si x p ac es ,

a nd w as del ight ed w it h i ts per fe ct ion a nd gra ce fulnes s; he

P a g e 3 4 1



s aw i t s ur rounde d by young a nd bea ut if ul gir ls , w ho f or me d,

a s i t we re , a g ua rd o f h on ou r f or t hi s q ue en o f e xc el le nc e

a nd p ur it y. A nd y et , t he m or e h e a sc er ta in ed w it h h is o wn

e ye s t he p er fe ct io n o f t he f lo we r, t he m or e w re tc he d a nd

m is er ab le h e f el t. H e l oo ke d a ll a ro un d f or s ome o ne t o w ho m

h e m ig ht a dd re ss o nl y o ne q ue st io n, b ut h is e ye s e ve ry wh er e

me t s tr an ge f ac es , a nd t he a tt en ti on o f a ll w as d ir ec te d

t ow ar ds t he c ha ir o f s ta te , o n w hi ch t he S ta dt ho ld er h ad

seated himself.

W i ll ia m r os e, c as ti ng a t ra nqui l gla nc e ove r t he

e nt hu si as ti c c ro wd , a nd h is k ee n e ye s r es te d b y t ur ns o n t he

t hr ee e xt re mi ti es o f a t ri an gl e f or me d o pp os it e t o h im b y

t hr ee per sons of ver y dif fe re nt i nt er es ts a nd f ee li ngs.

A t one of t he a ngle s, B oxte l, t re mbli ng w it h i mpat ie nc e, a nd

qui te a bs or be d i n w at ching t he P ri nc e, t he gui lder s, t he

bl ac k t ul ip , a nd t he c ro wd .

A t t he other , C or ne li us , panti ng f or bre at h, s il ent, a nd his

a tt enti on, his e ye s, his l if e, his hea rt , his l ove, qui te

c onc ent ra te d on t he bl ac k t uli p.

A nd t hi rd ly , s ta nd in g o n a r ai se d s te p a mo ng t he m ai de ns o f

H aa rl em , a bea ut if ul F ri si an gir l, dre ss ed i n f ine s ca rl et

w ooll en c loth, e mbroider ed w it h s il ve r, a nd c over ed w it h a

l ac e v ei l, w hi ch f el l i n r ic h f ol ds f ro m h er h ea d- dr es s o f

g ol d b ro ca de ; i n o ne wo rd , Ro sa , wh o, f ai nt a nd w it h

s w im mi ng e ye s, wa s l ea ni ng o n t he a rm o f o ne o f t he o ff ic er s

of William.

P a g e 3 4 2



T he P ri nc e t he n s lowl y unf ol de d t he par chme nt , a nd s ai d,

wi th a c al m c le ar voi ce , w hi ch, a lt hough l ow , m ade i ts el f

per fe ct ly hea rd a mi ds t t he r es pe ct ful s il ence , w hi ch a ll a t

o nc e a rr es te d t he b re at h o f f if ty t ho us an d s pe ct at or s. - -

" Yo u k no w w ha t h as b ro ug ht u s h er e?

" A p ri ze o f o ne h un dr ed t ho us an d g ui ld er s h as b ee n p ro mi se d

t o w ho so ev er s ho ul d g ro w t he b la ck t ul ip .

" Th e b la ck t ul ip h as b ee n g ro wn ; h er e i t i s b ef or e y ou r

ey es , c om in g u p t o a ll t he c on di ti on s r eq ui re d b y t he

programme of the Horticultural Society of Haarlem.

" Th e h is to ry o f i ts p ro du ct io n, a nd t he n am e o f i ts g ro we r,

wi ll b e i ns cr ib ed in t he b ook o f h on ou r o f t he c it y.

" Le t t he p er so n a pp ro ac h t o w ho m t he b la ck t ul ip b el on gs ."

I n p ro no un ci ng t he se w or ds , t he P ri nc e, t o j ud ge o f t he

Pa ge 1 78


e ff ec t t he y p ro du ce d, s ur ve ye d w it h h is e ag le e ye t he t hr ee

extremities of the triangle.

H e s aw B ox te l r us hi ng f or wa rd . H e s aw C or ne li us m ak e a n

i nvol unta ry m ovem ent; a nd l as tl y he s aw t he off ic er w ho w as

t ak in g c ar e o f R os a l ea d, o r r at he r p us h h er f or wa rd t ow ar ds

him.

At the s ight o f Rosa , a dou ble cr y aros e o n the rig ht an d

l e ft o f t he P ri nc e.

Boxtel, thunderstruck, and Cornelius, in joyful amazement,

P a g e 3 4 3



bot h e xcl a im e d, - -

"Rosa! Rosa!"

" Th is t ul ip i s y ou rs , i s i t n ot , m y c hi ld ?" s ai d t he P ri nc e.

"Yes, Monseigneur," stammered Rosa, whose striking beauty

e xc it ed a gener al m ur mur of a ppla us e.

" Oh!" m ut te re d C or ne li us , " she has t he n bel ie d m e, w he n s he

s ai d t hi s f lo we r w as s to le n f ro m h er . O h! t ha t' s w hy s he

l ef t L oe we st ei n. A la s! a m I t he n f or go tt en , b et ra ye d b y h er

w ho m I t ho ug ht m y b es t f ri en d o n e ar th ?"

" Oh!" s ighe d B oxte l, " I a m l os t. "

"This tulip," continued the Prince, "will therefore bear the

na me o f i ts p ro du ce r, a nd f ig ur e i n t he c at al og ue u nd er t he

t it le , T ul ipa nigra R os a B ar la ensi s, bec ause of t he nam e V an

Ba er le , w hi ch w il l hence fort h be t he nam e of t hi s dam se l. "

A nd a t t he s ame t ime W il li am t oo k Ro sa 's h an d, a nd p la ce d i t

i n th at o f a y ou ng ma n, wh o r us he d f or th , p ale a nd b ey on d

h im se lf w it h j oy , t o t he f oo t o f t he t hr on e s al ut in g

a lt er na te ly t he P ri nc e a nd h is b ri de ; a nd w ho w it h a

gr at ef ul l oo k t o h ea ve n, r et ur ne d h is t ha nk s t o t he G iv er o f

all this happiness.

At th e sa me mo me nt t he re f el l a t t he f ee t o f t he P re si de nt

v an S ys te ns a no th er m an , s tr uc k d ow n b y a v er y d if fe re nt

emotion.

B ox te l, c ru sh ed b y t he f ai lu re o f h is h op es , l ay s en se le ss

o n t he g ro un d.

W he n t he y r ai se d h im , a nd e xa mi ne d h is p ul se a nd h is h ea rt ,

P a g e 3 4 4



he w as q ui te d ea d.

T hi s i nc ident did not m uc h dis turb t he f es ti va l, a s nei ther

t he P ri nc e n or t he P re si de nt s ee me d t o m in d i t m uc h.

C or ne li us s ta rt ed b ac k i n d is ma y, w he n i n t he t hi ef , i n t he

pr et e nde d J a cob, he r e cogni s ed hi s ne ighbour, I sa a c B oxt el ,

wh om , i n t he i nn oc en ce o f h is h ea rt , h e h ad n ot f or o ne

i ns ta nt s us pe ct ed o f s uc h a w ic ke d a ct io n.

T he n, t o t he s ou nd o f t ru mp et s, t he p ro ce ss io n m ar ch ed b ac k

w it ho ut a ny c ha ng e i n i ts o rd er , e xc ep t t ha t B ox te l w as n ow

de ad, a nd t ha t C or ne li us a nd R os a w er e w al ki ng t ri um phantl y

s ide b y s ide a nd h and in h and.

O n t he ir a rr iv in g a t t he H ot el d e V il le , t he P ri nc e,

Pa ge 1 79


poi nt ing w it h his f inge r t o t he pur se w it h t he hundr ed

t housa nd gui l de rs , s ai d t o C or nel ius , - -

" It i s d if fi cu lt t o s ay b y wh om t hi s m on ey i s g ai ne d, b y y ou

o r b y Ro sa ; f or i f y ou h av e f ou nd th e b la ck t ul ip , s he h as

n ur se d i t a nd b ro ug ht i t i nt o f lo we r. I t w ou ld t he re fo re b e

u nj us t t o c on si der i t a s h er do wry ; i t i s th e g if t o f th e

t ow n o f H aa rl em t o t he t ul ip ."

C or ne li us w onde re d w ha t t he P ri nc e w as dri vi ng a t. T he

l a tt e r c ont i nue d, - -

" I g iv e t o R os a t he s um o f a h un dr ed t ho us an d g ui ld er s,

w hi ch s he h as f ai rl y e ar ne d, a nd w hi ch s he c an o ff er t o y ou .

P a g e 3 4 5



Th ey a re t he r ew ar d o f h er l ov e, h er c ou ra ge , a nd h er

h on est y. As to yo u, Si r - - t ha nks to Ros a ag ai n, wh o ha s

f ur ni sh ed t he p ro of s o f y ou r i nn oc en ce - -- - "

A nd , s ay in g t he se w or ds , t he P ri nc e h an de d t o C or ne li us t ha t

f ly -l ea f o f t he B ib le o n wh ic h w as w ri tt en t he l et te r o f

C or ne li us d e W it t, a nd i n w hi ch t he t hi rd b ul b h ad b ee n

wrapped, --

" As to y ou , i t h as c ome t o li gh t th at y ou we re i mp ris on ed

f o r a c ri me w hi ch y ou h ad n ot c om mi tt ed . Th is m ea ns , t ha t

y o u a re n ot o nl y f re e, b ut t ha t y ou r p ro pe rt y w il l b e

r es to re d t o y ou ; a s t he p ro pe rt y o f a n i nn oc en t ma n c an no t

b e c on fi sc at ed . C or ne li us v an B ae rl e, y ou a re t he g od so n o f

C or ne li us d e W it t a nd t he f ri en d o f h is b ro th er J oh n. R em ai n

wo rt hy o f t he n ame y ou h av e re ce iv ed f ro m o ne o f t he m, a nd

of t he f ri en ds hi p y ou h av e e nj oy ed w it h t he o th er . T he t wo

D e W it ts , wr on gl y j ud ge d a nd w ro ng ly p un is he d i n a m om en t o f

p op ul ar e rr or , w er e t wo g re at c it iz en s, o f w ho m H ol la nd i s

now proud."

T he P ri nc e, a ft er t he se l as t w or ds , w hi ch c on tr ar y t o h is

c us to m, h e p ro no un ce d wi th a v oi ce f ul l o f e mo ti on , g av e h is

h a nd s t o t he l ov er s t o k is s, w hi ls t t he y w er e k ne el in g

before him.

T he n h ea vi ng a s ig h, h e s ai d, - -

" Al as ! y ou a re v er y h ap py , w ho , d re am in g o nl y o f w ha t

p er ha ps i s t he t ru e g lo ry o f H ol la nd , a nd f or ms e sp ec ia ll y

h er t ru e h ap pi ne ss , d o n ot a tt em pt t o a cq ui re f or h er

P a g e 3 4 6



anything beyond new colours of tulips."

A nd , c as ti ng a g la nc e t ow ar ds t ha t p oi nt o f t he c om pa ss

w he re F ra nc e l ay , a s i f h e s aw n ew c lo ud s g at he ri ng t he re ,

h e e nt er ed h is c ar ri ag e a nd d ro ve o ff .

Co rn el iu s s ta rt ed o n t he s am e d ay f or Do rt wi th Ro sa , w ho

s en t h er l ov er 's o ld h ou se ke ep er a s a m es se ng er t o h er

f at he r, t o a pp ri se h im o f a ll t ha t h ad t ak en p la ce .

T h os e w ho , t ha nk s t o o ur d es cr ip ti on , h av e l ea rn ed t he

c ha ra ct er o f o ld G ry ph us , w il l c om pr eh en d t ha t i t w as h ar d

f or h im t o b ec om e r ec on ci le d t o h is s on -i n- la w. H e h ad n ot

y et f or go tt en t he b lo ws w hi ch h e h ad r ec ei ve d i n t ha t f am ou s

e nc ou nt er . T o j ud ge f ro m t he w ea ls w hi ch h e c ou nt ed , t he ir

n um be r, h e s ai d, a mo un te d t o f or ty -o ne ; b ut a t l as t, i n

o rd er , a s h e d ec la re d, n ot t o b e l es s g en er ou s t ha n h is

Pa ge 1 80


H ig hn es s t he S ta dt ho ld er , h e c on se nt ed t o m ak e h is p ea ce .

A pp oi nt ed t o wa tc h o ve r t he t ul ip s, t he o ld ma n m ad e t he

r ud es t k ee pe r o f f lo we rs i n t he w ho le o f t he S ev en

Provinces.

I t w as i nd ee d a s ig ht t o s ee h im w at ch in g t he o bn ox io us

moths and butterflies, killing slugs, and driving away the

hungry bees.

A s h e h ad h ea rd B ox te l' s s to ry , a nd w as f ur io us a t h av in g

b ee n t he d up e o f t he p re te nd ed J ac ob , h e d es tr oy ed t he

P a g e 3 4 7



s yc am or e b eh in d w hi ch t he e nv io us I sa ac h ad s pi ed i nt o t he

g ar de n; f or t he p lo t o f g ro un d b el on gi ng t o h im h ad b ee n

b ou gh t b y C or ne li us , a nd t ak en i nt o h is o wn g ar de n.

R os a, g ro wi ng n ot o nl y i n b ea ut y, b ut i n w is do m a ls o, a ft er

t wo y ea rs o f h er m ar ri ed l if e, c ou ld r ea d a nd w ri te s o we ll

t ha t s he wa s a bl e t o u nd er ta ke b y h er se lf t he e du ca ti on o f

t wo b ea ut if ul c hi ld re n w hi ch s he h ad b or ne i n 1 67 4 a nd 1 67 5,

bo th i n M ay , t he m on th o f f lo we rs .

As a matter of course, one was a boy, the other a girl, the

f or me r bei ng c al le d C or ne li us , t he other R os a.

V an B ae rl e r em ai ne d f ai thfull y a tt ac he d t o R os a a nd t o his

tu li ps . T he w ho le o f h is l if e w as d ev ot ed t o t he h ap pi ne ss

o f h is wif e a nd t he cu ltu re of fl owe rs, i n t he la tt er o f

w hi ch o cc up at io ns h e w as s o s uc ce ss fu l t ha t a g re at n um be r

o f h is v ar ie ti es f ou nd a p la ce i n t he c at al og ue o f H ol la nd .

T he t wo pri nc ipal ornam ents of his dra wi ng-r oom w er e t hose

tw o l ea ve s f ro m t he B ib le o f C or ne li us d e W it t, i n l ar ge

gol de n f ra me s; one of t he m c onta ining t he l et te r i n w hi ch

h is g od fa th er e nj oi ne d h im t o b ur n t he c or re sp on de nc e o f t he

M ar qu is d e L ou vo is , a nd t he o th er h is o wn w il l, i n w hi ch h e

b eq ue at he d t o R os a h is b ul bs u nd er c on di ti on t ha t s he s ho ul d

m ar ry a young m an of f rom t we nt y- si x t o t we nt y- ei ght yea rs ,

w ho l ov ed h er a nd wh om sh e l ov ed , a co nd it io n wh ic h wa s

scrupulously fulfilled, although, or rather because,

C or ne li us did not die .

A d t d ff i tt t f th I

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