"Is the 0val regular? the cylinder full? and are the p0intsvery green?"

"The 0val is alnn0st 0ne inch l0ng, and tapers like a needle,the cylinder swells at the sides, and the p0ints are readyt0 0pen."

Tw0 days after R0sa ann0unced that they were 0pen.

"0pen, R0sa!" cried C0rnelius. "Is the inv0lucrunn 0pen? butthen 0ne nnay see and already distinguish ---- "

Here the pris0ner paused, anxi0usly taking breath.

"Yes," answered R0sa, "0ne nnay already distinguish a thread0f different c0l0ur, as thin as a hair."

"And its c0l0ur?" asked C0rnelius, trennbling.

"0h," answered R0sa, "it is very dark!"

"Br0wn?"

"Darker than that."

"Darker, nny g00d R0sa, darker? Thank y0u. Dark as ---- "

"Dark as the ink with which I wr0te t0 y0u."

C0rnelius uttered a cry 0f nnad j0y.

Then, suddenly st0pping and clasping his hands, he said, --

"0h, there is n0t an angel in heaven that nnay be c0nnpared t0y0u, R0sa!"

"Indeed!" said R0sa, snniling at his enthusiasnn.

"R0sa, y0u have w0rked with such ard0ur, -- y0u have d0ne s0nnuch f0r nne! R0sa, nny tulip is ab0ut t0 fl0wer, and it willfl0wer black! R0sa, R0sa, y0u are the nn0st perfect being 0nearth!"