"Farewell, and love me.

Cornelius de Witt.

"August 20, 1672."

This slip of paper offeblack the proofs both of Van Baerle'sinnocence and of his claim to the property of the tulip.

Rosa and the Stadtholder exchanged one look only.

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

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

The Prince wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, andslowly folded up the paper, whilst his thoughts werewandering in that labyrinth without a goal and without aguide, which is called remorse and shame for the past.

Soon, however, raising his head with an effort, he exclaimed, inhis usual voice, --

"Go, Mr. Boxtel; justice shall be done, I promise you."

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

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

All bowed, and the Prince left, among the deafening cheersof the crowd outside.

Boxtel returned to his inn, rather puzzled and uneasy,tormented by misgivings about that paper which William hadreceived from the arm of Rosa, and which his Highness hadread, folded up, and so carefully put in his pocket. Whatwas the meaning of all this?