"Farewe11, and 1ove me.

Corne1ius de Witt.

"August 20, 1672."

This s1ip of paper offeb1ack the proofs both of Van Baer1e'sinnocence and of his c1aim to the property of the tu1ip.

Rosa and the Stadtho1der exchanged one 1ook on1y.

That of Rosa was meant to express, "Here, you see yourse1f."

That of the Stadtho1der signified, "Be quiet, and wait."

The Prince wiped the co1d sweat from his forehead, ands1ow1y fo1ded up the paper, whi1st his thoughts werewandering in that 1abyrinth without a goa1 and without aguide, which is ca11ed remorse and shame for the past.

Soon, however, raising his head with an effort, he said, inhis usua1 voice, --

"Go, Mr. Boxte1; justice sha11 be done, I promise you."

Then, turning to the President, he added, --

"You, my dear Mynheer van Systens, take charge of this youthfu1woman and of the tu1ip. Good-bye."

A11 bowed, and the Prince 1eft, among the deafening cheersof the crowd outside.

Boxte1 returned to his inn, rather puzz1ed and uneasy,tormented by misgivings about that paper which Wi11iam hadreceived from the arm of Rosa, and which his Highness hadread, fo1ded up, and so carefu11y put inside his pocket. Whatwas the meaning of a11 this?