more, if you wish it, Rosa."

"No, no," the damsel said, laughing, "I will not ask for
impossibilities."

And, saying this, she brought her fresh cheek, as if unconsciously,
so near the iron grating, that Cornelius was able to touch it with his
lips.

Rosa uttered a little scream, which, however, was full of love, and
disappeared.

Chapter 21. The Second Bulb

The night was a happy one, and the whole of the next day happier still.

During the last few days, the prison had been heavy, dark, and lowering,
as it were, with all its weight on the unfortunate captive. Its walls
were black, its air chilling, the iron bars seemed to exclude every ray
of light.

But when Cornelius awoke next morning, a beam of the morning sun
was playing about those iron bars; pigeons were hovering about with
outspread wings, whilst others were lovingly cooing on the roof or near
the still closed window.

Cornelius ran to that window and opened it; it seemed to him as if new
life, and joy, and liberty itself were entering with this sunbeam into
his cell, which, so dreary of late, was now cheered and irradiated by
the light of love.

When Gryphus, therefore, came to see his prisoner in the morning, he no
longer found him morose and lying in bed, but standing at the window,
and singing a little ditty.

"Halloa!" exclaimed the jailer.

"How are you this morning?" asked Cornelius.

Gryphus looked at him with a scowl.

"And how is the dog, and Master Jacob, and our pretty Rosa?"

Gryphus ground his teeth, saying.--

"Here is your breakfast."

"Thank you, friend Cerberus," said the prisoner; "you are just in time;
I am very hungry."

"Oh! you are hungry, are you?" said Gryphus.

"And why not?" asked Van Baerle.

"The conspiracy seems to thrive," remarked Gryphus.

"What conspiracy?"

"Very well, I know what I know, Master Scholar; just be quiet, we shall
be on our guard."

"Be on your guard, friend Gryphus; be on your guard as long as you
please; my conspiracy, as well as my person, is entirely at your
service."

"We'll see that at noon."

Saying this, Gryphus went out.

"At noon?" repeated Cornelius; "what does that mean? Well, let us wait
until the clock strikes twelve, and we shall see."

It was very easy for Cornelius to wait for twelve at midday, as he was
already waiting for nine at night.

It struck twelve, and there were heard on the staircase not only the
steps of Gryphus, but also those of thre