to understand a foible, and to accustom herself to it.

"I return to your tulip, Mynheer van Baerle, and as soon as it opens
I will give you news, which being done the messenger will set out
immediately."

"Rosa, Rosa, I don't know to what wonder under the sun I shall compare
you."

"Compare me to the black tulip, and I promise you I shall feel very much
flattered. Good night, then, till we meet again, Mynheer Cornelius."

"Oh, say 'Good night, my friend.'"

"Good night, my friend," said Rosa, a little consoled.

"Say, 'My very dear friend.'"

"Oh, my friend--"

"Very dear friend, I entreat you, say 'very dear,' Rosa, very dear."

"Very dear, yes, very dear," said Rosa, with a beating heart, beyond
herself with happiness.

"And now that you have said 'very dear,' dear Rosa, say also 'most
happy': say 'happier and more blessed than ever man was under the sun.'
I only lack one thing, Rosa."

"And that is?"

"Your cheek,--your fresh cheek, your soft, rosy cheek. Oh, Rosa, give it
me of your own free will, and not by chance. Ah!"

The prisoner's prayer ended in a sigh of ecstasy; his lips met those of
the maiden,--not by chance, nor by stratagem, but as Saint-Preux's was
to meet the lips of Julie a hundred years later.

Rosa made her escape.

Cornelius stood with his heart upon his lips, and his face glued to the
wicket in the door.

He was fairly choking with happiness and joy. He opened his window, and
gazed long, with swelling heart, at the cloudless vault of heaven, and
the moon, which shone like silver upon the two-fold stream flowing from
far beyond the hills. He filled his lungs with the pure, sweet air,
while his brain dwelt upon thoughts of happiness, and his heart
overflowed with gratitude and religious fervour.

"Oh Thou art always watching from on high, my God," he cried, half
prostrate, his glowing eyes fixed upon the stars: "forgive me that I
almost doubted Thy existence during these latter days, for Thou didst
hide Thy face behind the clouds, and wert for a moment lost to my sight,
O Thou merciful God, Thou pitying Father everlasting! But to-day, this
evening, and to-night, again I see Thee in all Thy wondrous glory in the
mirror of Thy heavenly abode, and more clearly still in the mirror of my
grateful heart."

He was well again, the poor invalid; the wretched captive was free once
more.

During part of the night Cornelius, with his heart full of joy and
delight, remained at his win