the black tulip-第48章
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tormented by misgivings about that paper which William had
received from the hand of Rosa; and which his Highness had
read; folded up; and so carefully put in his pocket。 What
was the meaning of all this?
Rosa went up to the tulip; tenderly kissed its leaves and;
with a heart full of happiness and confidence in the ways of
God; broke out in the words;
〃Thou knowest best for what end Thou madest my good
Cornelius teach me to read。〃
Chapter 28
The Hymn of the Flowers
Whilst the events we have described in our last chapter were
taking place; the unfortunate Van Baerle; forgotten in his
cell in the fortress of Loewestein; suffered at the hands of
Gryphus all that a prisoner can suffer when his jailer has
formed the determination of playing the part of hangman。
Gryphus; not having received any tidings of Rosa or of
Jacob; persuaded himself that all that had happened was the
devil's work; and that Dr。 Cornelius van Baerle had been
sent on earth by Satan。
The result of it was; that; one fine morning; the third
after the disappearance of Jacob and Rosa; he went up to the
cell of Cornelius in even a greater rage than usual。
The latter; leaning with his elbows on the window…sill and
supporting his head with his two hands; whilst his eyes
wandered over the distant hazy horizon where the windmills
of Dort were turning their sails; was breathing the fresh
air; in order to be able to keep down his tears and to
fortify himself in his philosophy。
The pigeons were still there; but hope was not there; there
was no future to look forward to。
Alas! Rosa; being watched; was no longer able to come。 Could
she not write? and if so; could she convey her letters to
him?
No; no。 He had seen during the two preceding days too much
fury and malignity in the eyes of old Gryphus to expect that
his vigilance would relax; even for one moment。 Moreover;
had not she to suffer even worse torments than those of
seclusion and separation? Did this brutal; blaspheming;
drunken bully take revenge on his daughter; like the
ruthless fathers of the Greek drama? And when the Genievre
had heated his brain; would it not give to his arm; which
had been only too well set by Cornelius; even double force?
The idea that Rosa might perhaps be ill…treated nearly drove
Cornelius mad。
He then felt his own powerlessness。 He asked himself whether
God was just in inflicting so much tribulation on two
innocent creatures。 And certainly in these moments he began
to doubt the wisdom of Providence。 It is one of the curses
of misfortune that it thus begets doubt。
Van Baerle had proposed to write to Rosa; but where was she?
He also would have wished to write to the Hague to be
beforehand with Gryphus; who; he had no doubt; would by
denouncing him do his best to bring new storms on his head。
But how should he write? Gryphus had taken the paper and
pencil from him; and even if he had both; he could hardly
expect Gryphus to despatch his letter。
Then Cornelius revolved in his mind all those stratagems
resorted to by unfortunate prisoners。
He had thought of an attempt to escape; a thing which never
entered his head whilst he could see Rosa every day; but the
more he thought of it; the more clearly he saw the
impracticability of such an attempt。 He was one of those
choice spirits who abhor everything that is common; and who
often lose a good chance through not taking the way of the
vulgar; that high road of mediocrity which leads to
everything。
〃How is it possible;〃 said Cornelius to himself; 〃that I
should escape from Loewestein; as Grotius has done the same
thing before me? Has not every precaution been taken since?
Are not the windows barred? Are not the doors of double and
even of treble strength; and the sentinels ten times more
watchful? And have not I; besides all this; an Argus so much
the more dangerous as he has the keen eyes of hatred?
Finally; is there not one fact which takes away all my
spirit; I mean Rosa's absence? But suppose I should waste
ten years of my life in making a file to file off my bars;
or in braiding cords to let myself down from the window; or
in sticking wings on my shoulders to fly; like Daedalus? But
luck is against me now。 The file would get dull; the rope
would break; or my wings would melt in the sun; I should
surely kill myself; I should be picked up maimed and
crippled; I should be labelled; and put on exhibition in the
museum at the Hague between the blood…stained doublet of
William the Taciturn and the female walrus captured at
Stavesen; and the only result of my enterprise will have
been to procure me a place among the curiosities of Holland。
〃But no; and it is much better so。 Some fine day Gryphus
will commit some atrocity。 I am losing my patience; since I
have lost the joy and company of Rosa; and especially since
I have lost my tulip。 Undoubtedly; some day or other Gryphus
will attack me in a manner painful to my self…respect; or to
my love; or even threaten my personal safety。 I don't know
how it is; but since my imprisonment I feel a strange and
almost irresistible pugnacity。 Well; I shall get at the
throat of that old villain; and strangle him。〃
Cornelius at these words stopped for a moment; biting his
lips and staring out before him; then; eagerly returning to
an idea which seemed to possess a strange fascination for
him; he continued;
〃Well; and once having strangled him; why should I not take
his keys from him; why not go down the stairs as if I had
done the most virtuous action; why not go and fetch Rosa
from her room; why not tell her all; and jump from her
window into the Waal? I am expert enough as a swimmer to
save both of us。 Rosa; but; oh Heaven; Gryphus is her
father! Whatever may be her affection for me; she will never
approve of my having strangled her father; brutal and
malicious as he has been。
〃I shall have to enter into an argument with her; and in the
midst of my speech some wretched turnkey who has found
Gryphus with the death…rattle in his throat; or perhaps
actually dead; will come along and put his hand on my
shoulder。 Then I shall see the Buytenhof again; and the
gleam of that infernal sword; which will not stop
half…way a second time; but will make acquaintance with the
nape of my neck。
〃It will not do; Cornelius; my fine fellow; it is a bad
plan。 But; then; what is to become of me; and how shall I
find Rosa again?〃
Such were the cogitations of Cornelius three days after the
sad scene of separation from Rosa; at the moment when we
find him standing at the window。
And at that very moment Gryphus entered。
He held in his hand a huge stick; his eyes glistening with
spiteful thoughts; a malignant smile played round his lips;
and the whole of his carriage; and even all his movements;
betokened bad and malicious intentions。
Cornelius heard him enter; and guessed that it was he; but
did not turn round; as he knew well that Rosa was not coming
after him。
There is nothing more galling to angry people than the
coolness of those on whom they wish to vent their spleen。
The expense being once incurred; one does not like to lose
it; one's passion is roused; and one's blood boiling; so it
would be labour lost not to have at least a nice little row。
Gryphus; therefore; on seeing that Cornelius did not stir;
tried to attract his attention by a loud
〃Umph; umph!〃
Cornelius was humming between his teeth the 〃Hymn of
Flowers;〃 a sad but very charming song;
〃We are the daughters of the secret fire
Of the fire which runs through the veins of the earth;
We are the daughters of Aurora and of the dew;
We are the daughters of the air;