Page:The black tulip (IA 10892334.2209.emory.edu).pdf/218

 “Certainly,” said Van Herysen, “the prisoners of state ought to be kept in close confinement at Lœvestein.”

“Alas! sir.”

“And from what you tell me you took advantage of your position, as daughter of the jailor, to communicate with a prisoner of state about the cultivation of flowers.”

“So it is, sir,” Rosa murmured in dismay; “yes, I am bound to confess, I saw him every day.”

“Unfortunate girl!” exclaimed Van Herysen.

The Prince observing the fright of Rosa, and the pallor of the President, raised his head, and said, in his clear and decided tone,—

“This cannot signify anything to the members of the Horticultural Society; they have to judge on the black tulip, and have no cognizance to take of political offences. Go on; young woman, go on.”

Van Herysen, by means of an eloquent glance, offered, in the name of the tulip, his thanks to the new member of the Horticultural Society.

Rosa, reassured by this sort of encouragement, which the stranger was giving her, related all that had happened for the last three months, all that she had done, and all that she had suffered. She described the cruelty of Gryphus: the destruction of the first sucker; the grief of the prisoner; the precautions taken to insure the success of the second sucker; the patience of the prisoner; and his anxiety during their separation: how he was about to starve himself, because he had no longer any news of his tulip; his joy when she went to see him again; and lastly, their despair when they found that the tulip, which had come into flower, was stolen just one hour after it had opened.

All this was detailed with an accent of truth, which,