Rosa, beyond herself and nearly mad with joy and fear at theidea of the black tulip being found again, started for theWhite Swan, followed by the boatman, a stout lad fromFrisia, who was strong enough to knock down a dozen Boxtelssingle-handed.
罗莎,在黑郁金香被再次找到的想法让她激动得几乎要发疯，充满欢乐和恐惧，她开始走向白天鹅酒店，后面跟着一名弗里西亚壮实的小伙子，足够强壮，可以独自打倒十几个博克斯泰尔。

He had been made acquainted in the course of the journeywith the state of affairs, and was not afraid of anyencounter; —
他在旅途中已经了解到局势，不怕任何遭遇； —

only he had orders, in such a case, to spare thetulip.
只是他有命令，在这种情况下，要保护郁金香。

　　But on arriving in the great market-place Rosa at oncestopped, a sudden thought had struck her, just as Homer’sMinerva seizes Achilles by the hair at the moment when he isabout to be carried away by his anger.
但是一到达大市场，罗莎立即停下，一个突如其来的想法闯入她的脑海，就像荷马的米涅尔娜在阿奇里斯被愤怒冲昏头脑的那一瞬间抓住他的头发。

“Good Heaven!” she muttered to herself, “I have made agrievous blunder; —
“天哪!” 她自言自语道，”我犯了一个严重错误； —

it may be I have ruined Cornelius, thetulip, and myself. —
也许我已经惹祸上身了， —

I have given the alarm, and perhapsawakened suspicion. I am but a woman; —
我已经引起了警惕，也许引起了怀疑。 —

these men may leaguethemselves against me, and then I shall be lost. —
我只是一个女人； —

If I amlost that matters nothing, – but Cornelius and the tulip!” —
这些人也许会串通起来对付我，然后我就完蛋了。 —

She reflected for a moment.
如果我完蛋了并不要紧，– 但是科尼利厄斯和那株郁金香！”

“If I go to that Boxtel, and do not know him; —
她思考了一会。 —

if that Boxtelis not my Jacob, but another fancier, who has alsodiscovered the black tulip; —
“如果我去找那个博克斯泰尔，可是我不认识他； —

or if my tulip has been stolenby some one else, or has already passed into the hands of athird person; —
如果那个博克斯泰尔不是我的雅各布，而是另一个花卉爱好者，也发现了那株黑色郁金香； —

– if I do not recognize the man, only thetulip, how shall I prove that it belongs to me? —
– 如果我的郁金香已经被别人偷走，或者已经落到其他人手里； —

On the otherhand, if I recognise this Boxtel as Jacob, who knows whatwill come out of it? —
– 如果我不认出那个人，只认出了那株郁金香，我怎么证明它属于我呢？ —

whilst we are contesting with eachother, the tulip will die.” —
当我们彼此争斗时，郁金香将会枯萎。 —

In the meanwhile, a great noise was heard, like the distantroar of the sea, at the other extremity of the market-place.
与此同时，远处市场的另一端传来一阵像海浪般的轰鸣声。

　　People were running about, doors opening and shutting, Rosaalone was unconscious of all this hubbub among themultitude.
人们来来往往，门不停地开关着，罗莎独自一人对这人群中的喧嚣毫无察觉。

　　”We must return to the President,” she muttered.
“我们必须回去找总统”，她喃喃自语。

　　”Well, then, let us return,” said the boatman.
“好吧，那让我们回去吧”，船夫说。

　　They took a small street, which led them straight to themansion of Mynheer van Systens, who with his best pen in hisfinest hand continued to draw up his report.
他们走了一条小街，径直来到梅海尔·范·斯坦斯先生的宅邸，他正用最好的笔和最好的字迹继续起草他的报告。

　　Everywhere on her way Rosa heard people speaking only of theblack tulip, and the prize of a hundred thousand guilders.
罗莎沿途听到的人们只谈论黑郁金香，以及10万盾的奖金。

　　The news had spread like wildfire through the town.
这个消息在城里迅速传播。

　　Rosa had not a little difficulty is penetrating a secondtime into the office of Mynheer van Systens, who, however,was again moved by the magic name of the black tulip.
第二次成功进入班斯坦斯先生的办公室对罗莎来说并不容易，他内心却认为她疯了，甚至更糟。

　　But when he recognised Rosa, whom in his own mind he had setdown as mad, or even worse, he grew angry, and wanted tosend her away.
但当他认出罗莎时，他生气了，想把她赶走。

Rosa, however, clasped her hands, and said with that tone ofhonest truth which generally finds its way to the hearts ofmen, –“For Heaven’s sake, sir, do not turn me away; —
然而，罗莎合拢双手，用那种属于诚实真情的语气说道：“求求您，先生，不要把我赶走； —

listen to whatI have to tell you, and if it be not possible for you to dome justice, at least you will not one day have to reproachyourself before God for having made yourself the accompliceof a bad action.” —
听我告诉您的事情，如果您做不到对我公正，至少将来您在上帝面前不必因为自己成为坏事的帮凶而自责。” —

Van Systens stamped his foot with impatience; —
范·斯坦斯生气地跺了跺脚； —

it was thesecond time that Rosa interrupted him in the midst of acomposition which stimulated his vanity, both as aburgomaster and as President of the Horticultural Society.
这已经是第二次罗莎打断他正在撰写的激发他个人利益的报告，无论是作为市长还是作为园艺学会会长。

“But my report!” he cried, – “my report on the blacktulip!” —
“但是我的报告！”他喊道，“关于黑郁金香的报告！” —

“Mynheer van Systens,” Rosa continued, with the firmness ofinnocence and truth, “your report on the black tulip will,if you don’t hear me, be based on crime or on falsehood. —
“梅赫尔·范斯滕斯先生,“罗莎继续说道，带着清白和真相的坚定，”如果您不听我的话，您对黑郁金香的报告将是基于犯罪或虚假的。 —

Iimplore you, sir, let this Master Boxtel, whom I assert tobe Master Jacob, be brought here before you and me, and Iswear that I will leave him in undisturbed possession of thetulip if I do not recognise the flower and its holder.” —
“先生，请恳请您将我所断言的雅各布大师，也就是波克斯特尔大师，带到您和我面前，我发誓如果我不能认出花和它的持有者，我将让他一直安静地拥有这朵郁金香。” —

“Well, I declare, here is a proposal,” said Van Systens.
“哎呀，我声明，这里提出了个提议。”范斯滕斯说。

“What do you mean?”“I ask you what can be proved by your recognising them?” —
“您什么意思？” —

“After all,” said Rosa, in her despair, “you are an honestman, sir; —
“毕竟,“罗莎绝望地说道，”您是个诚实的人，先生； —

how would you feel if one day you found out thatyou had given the prize to a man for something which he notonly had not produced, but which he had even stolen?” —
如果有一天您发现自己给一个人颁奖，却是因为他不仅没有生产出来，而且是偷来的，您会怎么想？” —

Rosa’s speech seemed to have brought a certain convictioninto the heart of Van Systens, and he was going to answerher in a gentler tone, when at once a great noise was heardin the street, and loud cheers shook the house.
罗莎的话似乎在范斯滕斯的心中产生了一定的信念，他正要以更温和的口吻回答她，但这时街上传来了一阵巨大的喧哗声，欢呼声震动了整座房子。

“What is this?” cried the burgomaster; “what is this? Is itpossible? have I heard aright?” —
“这是怎么回事？”市长大声喊道；”这是怎么回事？难道我听错了吗？” —

And he rushed towards his anteroom, without any longerheeding Rosa, whom he left in his cabinet.
他毫不再理会罗莎，在她留在内阁的情况下，急忙冲向前厅。

Scarcely had he reached his anteroom when he cried out aloudon seeing his staircase invaded, up to the verylanding-place, by the multitude, which was accompanying, orrather following, a young man, simply clad in aviolet-coloured velvet, embroidered with silver; —
几乎没有到达前厅，他就高声喊道，因为看到楼梯被一群人挤占，一直到楼梯口，这群人正在陪同，或者说跟随着，一个穿着紫色天鹅绒、镶有银边的年轻人。 —

who, with acertain aristocratic slowness, ascended the white stonesteps of the house.
这位年轻人，带着一种某种贵族式的缓慢，后面跟着两位军官，一个海军，另一个骑兵。

　　In his wake followed two officers, one of the navy, and theother of the cavalry.
范斯滕斯在惊恐的仆人中找到了前来拜访的客人，开始在这个引起骚动的访客面前鞠躬，几乎是在这位年轻人面前匍匐。

　　Van Systens, having found his way through the frighteneddomestics, began to bow, almost to prostrate himself beforehis visitor, who had been the cause of all this stir.
“阁下，”他大声呼叫，”阁下！

“Monseigneur,” he called out, “Monseigneur! —
您以您的到访给我的卑微之家永远带来了何等卓越的荣誉？” —

Whatdistinguished honour is your Highness bestowing for ever onmy humble house by your visit?” —
提交。 —

“Dear Mynheer van Systens,” said William of Orange, with aserenity which, with him, took the place of a smile, “I am atrue Hollander, I am fond of the water, of beer, and offlowers, sometimes even of that cheese the flavour of whichseems so grateful to the French; —
“威廉·奥兰治太子带着一种他特有的宁静，代替了微笑，说：“我是一个真正的荷兰人，我喜欢水，喜欢啤酒，喜欢花朵，有时甚至还喜欢那种味道让法国人如此喜欢的奶酪； —

the flower which I preferto all others is, of course, the tulip. —
在所有花朵中，我当然最喜欢郁金香。 —

I heard at Leydenthat the city of Haarlem at last possessed the black tulip; —
我在莱顿听说哈勒姆市最终拥有了黑色的郁金香； —

and, after having satisfied myself of the truth of newswhich seemed so incredible, I have come to know all about itfrom the President of the Horticultural Society.” —
确认了这个看似难以置信的消息的真实性后，我从园艺协会主席那里了解了一切。” —

“Oh, Monseigneur, Monseigneur!” said Van Systens, “whatglory to the society if its endeavours are pleasing to yourHighness!” —
“哦，大人，大人！”范·西斯滕斯说，“如果我们的努力让您殿下满意，对协会来说将会是何等荣耀！” —

“Have you got the flower here?” said the Prince, who, verylikely, already regretted having made such a long speech.
“您这里有这朵花吗？”王子有点后悔说了这么多话。

“I am sorry to say we have not.”“And where is it?”“With its owner.”“Who is he?” —
“很遗憾，我们没有。”“那它在哪里？”“在它的主人那里。”“他是谁？” —

“An honest tulip-grower of Dort.”“His name?”“Boxtel.”“His quarters?”“At the White Swan; —
“是多特的一位诚实的郁金香栽培者。”“他的名字？”“博克斯特。”“他的住处？”“在白天鹅旅馆； —

I shall send for him, and if in themeanwhile your Highness will do me the honour of steppinginto my drawing-room, he will be sure – knowing that yourHighness is here – to lose no time in bringing his tulip.” —
在与您殿下已经到场这件事后，我会派人去请他来，如果您殿下在这段时间内赏脸到我的客厅里坐一坐，他一定会尽快带来他的郁金香。” —

“Very well, send for him.”“Yes, your Highness, but —-“What is it?” —
“很好，去请他。”“是的，您殿下，但 —-”“怎么了？” —

“Oh, nothing of any consequence, Monseigneur.”“Everything is of consequence, Mynheer van Systens.” —
“哦，没什么大不了的，大人。”“每件事都重要，范·西斯滕斯先生。” —

“Well, then, Monseigneur, if it must be said, a littledifficulty has presented itself.” —
“那么，大人，如果非说不可，出现了一点小问题。” —

“What difficulty?”“This tulip has already been claimed by usurpers. —
“什么问题？”“这朵郁金香已经被篡夺者们索赔了。 —

It’s truethat it is worth a hundred thousand guilders.”“Indeed!” —
它的价值确实达到了十万盾。”“真的吗！” —

“Yes, Monseigneur, by usurpers, by forgers.”“This is a crime, Mynheer van Systens.” —
“是的，大人，被篡夺者们，被伪造者们。”“这是一种罪行，范·西斯滕斯先生。”” —

“So it is, your Highness.”“And have you any proofs of their guilt? ‘
“是的，陛下。”“你有他们有罪的证据吗？”

“No, Monseigneur, the guilty woman —- ““The guilty woman, Sir?” —
“没有，阁下，有罪的女人—-”“有罪的女人，先生？” —

“I ought to say, the woman who claims the tulip,Monseigneur, is here in the room close by.” —
“我应该说，那个声称拥有郁金香的女人，陛下，就在房间里。” —

“And what do you think of her?”“I think, Monseigneur, that the bait of a hundred thousandguilders may have tempted her.” —
“你认为她怎么样？”“我认为，陛下，十万古尔登的诱饵可能诱使她做出这么做。” —

“And so she claims the tulip?”“Yes Monseigneur.”“And what proof does she offer?” —
“所以她声称拥有郁金香？”“是的，陛下。”“她提供了什么证据？” —

“I was just going to question her when your Highness camein.” —
“我正准备质问她，当陛下来时。” —

“Question her, Mynheer van Systens, question her. I am thefirst magistrate of the country; —
“质问她，范斯坦斯先生，质问她。我是这个国家的第一位法官；” —

I will hear the case andadminister justice.” —
“我将审理此案并实行正义。” —

“I have found my King Solomon,” said Van Systens, bowing,and showing the way to the Prince.
“我找到了我的所罗门王，”范斯坦斯说着，鞠躬，并指路给王子。

His Highness was just going to walk ahead, but, suddenlyrecollecting himself he said –“Go before me, and call me plain Mynheer.” —
“他的皇子刚要走在前面，但突然想起自己，他说–“在我前面走，并简称我为范斯坦斯先生。” —

The two then entered the cabinet.
然后两人进入了内阁。

　　Rosa was still standing at the same place, leaning on thewindow, and looking through the panes into the garden.
玫瑰仍站在原地，倚在窗前，透过窗格望着花园。

　　”Ah! a Frisian girl,” said the Prince, as he observed Rosa’sgold brocade headdress and red petticoat.
“啊！一位弗里斯兰女孩，”王子看到罗莎的金色锦缎头巾和红色裙子时说道。

　　At the noise of their footsteps she turned round, butscarcely saw the Prince, who seated himself in the darkestcorner of the apartment.
听到脚步声，她转过身来，但几乎没有看到王子，他坐在房间最暗的角落里。

　　All her attention, as may be easily imagined, was fixed onthat important person who was called Van Systens, so thatshe had no time to notice the humble stranger who wasfollowing the master of the house, and who, for aught sheknew, might be somebody or nobody.
可以想象，她所有的注意力都集中在那位重要的被称为范斯坦斯的人身上，以至于她没有注意到跟着房主的这位卑微的陌生人，她不知道他可能是谁。

　　The humble stranger took a book down from the shelf, andmade Van Systens a sign to commence the examinationforthwith.
谦卑的陌生人从书架上取下一本书，示意范斯坦斯立即开始检查。

Van Systens, likewise at the invitation of the young man inthe violet coat, sat down in his turn, and, quite happy andproud of the importance thus cast upon him, began, –“My child, you promise to tell me the truth and the entiretruth concerning this tulip?” —
范斯坦斯也应邀坐下，很高兴并为被赋予的重要性感到骄傲，开始说道，“孩子，你保证告诉我关于这株郁金香的真相和全部真相吗？” —

“I promise.”“Well, then, speak before this gentleman; —
“我保证。”“那么，说给这位先生听； —

this gentleman isone of the members of the Horticultural Society.” —
这位先生是园艺协会的成员之一。” —

“What am I to tell you, sir,” said Rosa, “beside that whichI have told you already.” —
“我要告诉您除我已经告诉您的之外还有什么。” —

“Well, then, what is it?”“I repeat the question I have addressed to you before.”“Which?” —
“那么，是什么？”“我重复我之前问过您的问题。” —

“That you will order Mynheer Boxtel to come here with histulip. —
“哪个？”“您会命令博克斯特尔先生带着他的郁金香来这里。” —

If I do not recognise it as mine I will frankly tellit; —
如果我不认出它是我的，我会坦率地告诉您； —

but if I do recognise it I will reclaim it, even if I gobefore his Highness the Stadtholder himself, with my proofsin my hands.” —
但如果我认出它是我的，我将取回它，即使我要去面见高级官员，手握我的证据。 —

“You have, then, some proofs, my child?”“God, who knows my good right, will assist me to some.” —
“那么，你有一些证据，我的孩子？”“上帝知道我的正当权利，将会帮助我。” —

Van Systens exchanged a look with the Prince, who, since thefirst words of Rosa, seemed to try to remember her, as if itwere not for the first time that this sweet voice rang inhis ears.
范斯坦斯与王子交换了一下眼神，自从罗莎的第一句话起，王子似乎试图回想起她，仿佛这甜美的声音不是第一次在他耳边响起。

　　An officer went off to fetch Boxtel, and Van Systens in themeanwhile continued his examination.
一名军官去找博克斯特，范斯坦斯在此期间继续审问。

“And with what do you support your assertion that you arethe real owner of the black tulip?” —
“你凭什么断言你是黑郁金香的真正主人？”“仅凭我曾在自己的房间种植和培育它。”“在你的房间？”“在洛夏斯坦。”“你来自洛夏斯坦？” —

“With the very simple fact of my having planted and grown itin my own chamber.”“In your chamber? —
“我是要塞的狱卒的女儿。” —

Where was your chamber?”“At Loewestein.”“You are from Loewestein?” —
王子微微动了一下，好像在说，“好了，我记起来了。” —

“I am the daughter of the jailer of the fortress.” —
他一边假装专心于书本，一边比之前更加注意地观察着罗莎。 —

The Prince made a little movement, as much as to say, “Well,that’s it, I remember now.” —
“你喜欢花吗？”范斯坦斯继续问道。 —

And, all the while feigning to be engaged with his book, hewatched Rosa with even more attention than he had before.
“是的，先生。”“那么你是一个经验丰富的园艺师，我敢说？”罗莎犹豫了一会儿；

　　”And you are fond of flowers?” continued Mynheer vanSystens.
然后用一种发自内心的语气说道，“先生们，我在和有诚信的人说话。”

“Yes, sir.”“Then you are an experienced florist, I dare say?“Rosa hesitated a moment; —
她的声音中有一种真实的表达，让范斯坦斯和王子同时点头做出了肯定的反应。 —

then with a tone which came fromthe depth of her heart, she said, –“Gentlemen, I am speaking to men of honor.” —
“你是喜欢花的？”罗莎继续说。 —

There was such an expression of truth in the tone of hervoice, that Van Systens and the Prince answeredsimultaneously by an affirmative movement of their heads.
范斯坦斯和王子同时通过头部的肯定动作回答。

“Well, then, I am not an experienced florist; —
“那么，我并不是一个有经验的花匠； —

I am only apoor girl, one of the people, who, three months ago, knewneither how to read nor how to write. —
我只是一个贫穷的女孩，三个月前连读带写都不会。 —

No, the black tuliphas not been found by myself.”“But by whom else?” —
不，黑郁金香并不是我发现的。”“那么是谁找到了呢？” —

“By a poor prisoner of Loewestein.”“By a prisoner of Loewestein?” —
“是洛文斯坦监狱的一个可怜的囚犯。”“洛文斯坦监狱的囚犯？” —

repeated the Prince.
王子重复道。

　　The tone of his voice startled Rosa, who was sure she hadheard it before.
他的语气让玫瑰感到震惊，她确信之前听过这样的声音。

　　”By a prisoner of state, then,” continued the Prince, “asthere are none else there.“Having said this he began to read again, at least inappearance.
“是一个囚犯，”王子继续说，”因为那里没有别人。”说完，他开始看着书籍，至少在表面上是这样。

“Yes,” said Rosa, with a faltering voice, “yes, by aprisoner of state.” —
“是的，”玫瑰含糊地回答说，”是的，是一个囚犯.” —

Van Systens trembled as he heard such a confession made inthe presence of such a witness.
梵西司听到这样的自白在如此见证者面前，颤抖起来。

　　”Continue,” said William dryly, to the President of theHorticultural Society.
“继续，”威廉干脆地对园艺协会的主席说。

“Ah, sir,” said Rosa, addressing the person whom she thoughtto be her real judge, “I am going to incriminate myself veryseriously.” —
“啊，先生，”玫瑰对自认为是真正审判官的人说，”我将要对自己非常严重地定罪。” —

“Certainly,” said Van Systens, “the prisoner of state oughtto be kept in close confinement at Loewestein.” —
“当然，”梵西司说，”囚犯应该被关押在洛文斯坦监狱里。” —

“Alas! sir.”“And from what you tell me you took advantage of yourposition, as daughter of the jailer, to communicate with aprisoner of state about the cultivation of flowers.” —
“哎呀，先生。”“从你所告诉我的内容看，你利用了自己的身份，作为狱卒的女儿，与一位囚犯谈论了关于培育花卉的事宜。” —

“So it is, sir,” Rosa murmured in dismay; —
“是的，先生，”玫瑰惊慌地低语道； —

“yes, I am boundto confess, I saw him every day.” —
“是的，我不得不承认，我每天都见他。” —

“Unfortunate girl!” exclaimed Van Systens.
“悲催的女孩！”范斯滕斯惊呼道。

The Prince, observing the fright of Rosa and the pallor ofthe President, raised his head, and said, in his clear anddecided tone, –“This cannot signify anything to the members of theHorticultural Society; —
王子看到罗莎的惊恐和总统的苍白，抬起头，用清晰果断的语调说道–“这对园艺协会的成员来说无关紧要； —

they have to judge on the blacktulip, and have no cognizance to take of political offences.
他们要评判黑郁金香，与政治罪行无关。

　　Go on, young woman, go on.“Van Systens, by means of an eloquent glance, offered, in thename of the tulip, his thanks to the new member of theHorticultural Society.
范斯滕斯通过一个有力的眼神，代表郁金香对园艺协会的新成员表示感谢。

Rosa, reassured by this sort of encouragement which thestranger was giving her, related all that had happened forthe last three months, all that she had done, and all thatshe had suffered. —
罗莎受到这位陌生人的鼓励，开始讲述过去三个月发生的事情，自己的所做所受。 —

She described the cruelty of Gryphus; thedestruction of the first bulb; the grief of the prisoner; —
她描述了格里弗斯的残酷、第一个鳞茎的破坏、囚犯的悲伤； —

the precautions taken to insure the success of the secondbulb; —
为确保第二个鳞茎成功所采取的预防措施； —

the patience of the prisoner and his anxiety duringtheir separation; —
囚犯的耐心和在分离期间的焦虑； —

how he was about to starve himself becausehe had no longer any news of his tulip; —
由于再也没有郁金香的消息，他快要自残； —

his joy when shewent to see him again; and, lastly, their despair when theyfound that the tulip which had come into flower was stolenjust one hour after it had opened.
当她再次去看他时，他的喜悦；最后，他们发现，鳞茎在开花仅仅1小时后被偷走，带来的绝望。

　　All this was detailed with an accent of truth which,although producing no change in the impassible mien of thePrince, did not fail to take effect on Van Systens.
虽然这一切并没有改变王子那冷漠的神情，但对范斯滕斯产生了影响。

“But,” said the Prince, “it cannot be long since you knewthe prisoner.” —
“但是，”王子说道，”你认识囚犯还不久吧。” —

Rosa opened her large eyes and looked at the stranger, whodrew back into the dark corner, as if he wished to escapeher observation.
罗莎瞪大眼睛看着陌生人，他退到黑暗角落，似乎想避开她的观察。

　　”Why, sir?” she asked him.
“为什么，先生？”她问他。

“Because it is not yet four months since the jailer Gryphusand his daughter were removed to Loewestein.” —
“因为不到四个月，狱卒格里弗斯和他的女儿才被转移到洛文斯坦。” —

“That is true, sir.”“Otherwise, you must have solicited the transfer of yourfather, in order to be able to follow some prisoner who mayhave been transported from the Hague to Loewestein.” —
“那是真的，先生。” —

“Sir,” said Rosa, blushing.
“先生，”蔷薇红着脸说道。

　　”Finish what you have to say,” said William.
“说完你要说的话，”威廉说道。

　　”I confess I knew the prisoner at the Hague.““Happy prisoner!” said William, smiling.
“我承认我在海牙认识那个囚犯。”威廉笑着说。

　　At this moment the officer who had been sent for Boxtelreturned, and announced to the Prince that the person whomhe had been to fetch was following on his heels with his tulip.
就在这时，负责去找博克斯特尔的那名军官回来了，他宣布说已经找到并带着那位带着郁金香的人跟随在他后面了。