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第20章

the black tulip-第20章

小说: the black tulip 字数: 每页4000字

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hand; but as it was turned the wrong way; he broke his arm 

just above the wrist。 



Cornelius rushed forward towards the jailer; but Gryphus; 

who was not yet aware of the serious nature of his injury; 

called out to him;  



〃It is nothing: don't you stir。〃 



He then tried to support himself on his arm; but the bone 

gave way; then only he felt the pain; and uttered a cry。 



When he became aware that his arm was broken; this man; so 

harsh to others; fell swooning on the threshold; where he 

remained motionless and cold; as if dead。 



During all this time the door of the cell stood open and 

Cornelius found himself almost free。 But the thought never 

entered his mind of profiting by this accident; he had seen 

from the manner in which the arm was bent; and from the 

noise it made in bending; that the bone was fractured; and 

that the patient must be in great pain; and now he thought 

of nothing else but of administering relief to the sufferer; 

however little benevolent the man had shown himself during 

their short interview。 



At the noise of Gryphus's fall; and at the cry which escaped 

him; a hasty step was heard on the staircase; and 

immediately after a lovely apparition presented itself to 

the eyes of Cornelius。 



It was the beautiful young Frisian; who; seeing her father 

stretched on the ground; and the prisoner bending over him; 

uttered a faint cry; as in the first fright she thought 

Gryphus; whose brutality she well knew; had fallen in 

consequence of a struggle between him and the prisoner。 



Cornelius understood what was passing in the mind of the 

girl; at the very moment when the suspicion arose in her 

heart。 



But one moment told her the true state of the case and; 

ashamed of her first thoughts; she cast her beautiful eyes; 

wet with tears; on the young man; and said to him;  



〃I beg your pardon; and thank you; sir; the first for what I 

have thought; and the second for what you are doing。〃 



Cornelius blushed; and said; 〃I am but doing my duty as a 

Christian in helping my neighbour。〃 



〃Yes; and affording him your help this evening; you have 

forgotten the abuse which he heaped on you this morning。 Oh; 

sir! this is more than humanity;  this is indeed Christian 

charity。〃 



Cornelius cast his eyes on the beautiful girl; quite 

astonished to hear from the mouth of one so humble such a 

noble and feeling speech。 



But he had no time to express his surprise。 Gryphus 

recovered from his swoon; opened his eyes; and as his 

brutality was returning with his senses; he growled 〃That's 

it; a fellow is in a hurry to bring to a prisoner his 

supper; and falls and breaks his arm; and is left lying on 

the ground。〃 



〃Hush; my father;〃 said Rosa; 〃you are unjust to this 

gentleman; whom I found endeavouring to give you his aid。〃 



〃His aid?〃 Gryphus replied; with a doubtful air。 



〃It is quite true; master! I am quite ready to help you 

still more。〃 



〃You!〃 said Gryphus; 〃are you a medical man?〃 



〃It was formerly my profession。〃 



〃And so you would be able to set my arm?〃 



〃Perfectly。〃 



〃And what would you need to do it? let us hear。〃 



〃Two splinters of wood; and some linen for a bandage。〃 



〃Do you hear; Rosa?〃 said Gryphus; 〃the prisoner is going to 

set my arm; that's a saving; come; assist me to get up; I 

feel as heavy as lead。〃 



Rosa lent the sufferer her shoulder; he put his unhurt arm 

around her neck; and making an effort; got on his legs; 

whilst Cornelius; to save him a walk; pushed a chair towards 

him。 



Gryphus sat down; then; turning towards his daughter; he 

said;  



〃Well; didn't you hear? go and fetch what is wanted。〃 



Rosa went down; and immediately after returned with two 

staves of a small barrel and a large roll of linen bandage。 



Cornelius had made use of the intervening moments to take 

off the man's coat; and to tuck up his shirt sleeve。 



〃Is this what you require; sir?〃 asked Rosa。 



〃Yes; mademoiselle;〃 answered Cornelius; looking at the 

things she had brought;  〃yes; that's right。 Now push this 

table; whilst I support the arm of your father。〃 



Rosa pushed the table; Cornelius placed the broken arm on it 

so as to make it flat; and with perfect skill set the bone; 

adjusted the splinters; and fastened the bandages。 



At the last touch; the jailer fainted a second time。 



〃Go and fetch vinegar; mademoiselle;〃 said Cornelius; 〃we 

will bathe his temples; and he will recover。〃 



But; instead of acting up to the doctor's prescription; 

Rosa; after having satisfied herself that her father was 

still unconscious; approached Cornelius and said;  



〃Service for service; sir。〃 



〃What do you mean; my pretty child?〃 said Cornelius。 



〃I mean to say; sir; that the judge who is to examine you 

to…morrow has inquired to…day for the room in which you are 

confined; and; on being told that you are occupying the cell 

of Mynheer Cornelius de Witt; laughed in a very strange and 

very disagreeable manner; which makes me fear that no good 

awaits you。〃 



〃But;〃 asked Cornelius; 〃what harm can they do to me?〃 



〃Look at that gibbet。〃 



〃But I am not guilty;〃 said Cornelius。 



〃Were they guilty whom you see down there gibbeted; mangled; 

and torn to pieces?〃 



〃That's true;〃 said Cornelius; gravely。 



〃And besides;〃 continued Rosa; 〃the people want to find you 

guilty。 But whether innocent or guilty; your trial begins 

to…morrow; and the day after you will be condemned。 Matters 

are settled very quickly in these times。〃 



〃Well; and what do you conclude from all this?〃 



〃I conclude that I am alone; that I am weak; that my father 

is lying in a swoon; that the dog is muzzled; and that 

consequently there is nothing to prevent your making your 

escape。 Fly; then; that's what I mean。〃 



〃What do you say?〃 



〃I say that I was not able to save Mynheer Cornelius or 

Mynheer John de Witt; and that I should like to save you。 

Only be quick; there; my father is regaining his breath; one 

minute more; and he will open his eyes; and it will be too 

late。 Do you hesitate?〃 



In fact; Cornelius stood immovable; looking at Rosa; yet 

looking at her as if he did not hear her。 



〃Don't you understand me?〃 said the young girl; with some 

impatience。 



〃Yes; I do;〃 said Cornelius; 〃but  〃 



〃But?〃 



〃I will not; they would accuse you。〃 



〃Never mind;〃 said Rosa; blushing; 〃never mind that。〃 



〃You are very good; my dear child;〃 replied Cornelius; 〃but 

I stay。〃 



〃You stay; oh; sir! oh; sir! don't you understand that you 

will be condemned to death; executed on the scaffold; 

perhaps assassinated and torn to pieces; just like Mynheer 

John and Mynheer Cornelius。 For heaven's sake; don't think 

of me; but fly from this place; Take care; it bears ill luck 

to the De Witts!〃 



〃Halloa!〃 cried the jailer; recovering his senses; 〃who is 

talking of those rogues; those wretches; those villains; the 

De Witts?〃 



〃Don't be angry; my good man;〃 said Cornelius; with his 

good…tempered smile; 〃the worst thing for a fracture is 

excitement; by which the blood is heated。〃 



Thereupon; he said in an undertone to Rosa  



〃My child; I am innocent; and I shall await my trial with 

tranquillity and an easy mind。〃 



〃Hush;〃 said Rosa。 



〃Why hush?〃 



〃My father must not suppose that we have been talking to 

each other。〃 



〃What harm would that do?〃 



〃What harm? He would never allow me to come here any more;〃 

said Rosa。 



Cornelius received this innocent confidence with a smile; he 

felt as if a ray of good fortune were shining on his path。 



〃Now; then; what are you chattering there together about?〃 

said Gryphus; rising and supporting his right arm with his 

left。 



〃Nothing;〃

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