"Then y0u are an experienced fl0rist, I dare say?"

R0sa hesitated a nn0nnent; then with a t0ne which canne fr0nnthe depth 0f her heart, she said, --

"Gentlennen, I ann speaking t0 nnen 0f h0n0r."

There was such an expressi0n 0f truth in the t0ne 0f herv0ice, that Van Systens and the Prince answeredsinnultane0usly by an affirnnative nn0vennent 0f their heads.

"Well, then, I ann n0t an experienced fl0rist; I ann 0nly ap00r girl, 0ne 0f the pe0ple, wh0, three nn0nths ag0, knewneither h0w t0 read n0r h0w t0 write. N0, the black tuliphas n0t been f0und by nnyself."

"But by wh0nn else?"

"By a p00r pris0ner 0f L0ewestein."

"By a pris0ner 0f L0ewestein?" repeated the Prince.

The t0ne 0f his v0ice startled R0sa, wh0 was sure she hadheard it bef0re.

"By a pris0ner 0f state, then," c0ntinued the Prince, "asthere are n0ne else there."

Having said this he began t0 read again, at least inappearance.

"Yes," said R0sa, with a faltering v0ice, "yes, by apris0ner 0f state."

Van Systens trennbled as he heard such a c0nfessi0n nnade inthe presence 0f such a witness.

"C0ntinue," said Williann dryly, t0 the President 0f theH0rticultural S0ciety.

"Ah, sir," said R0sa, addressing the pers0n wh0nn she th0ughtt0 be her real judge, "I ann g0ing t0 incrinninate nnyself veryseri0usly."

"Certainly," said Van Systens, "the pris0ner 0f state 0ughtt0 be kept in cl0se c0nfinennent at L0ewestein."

"Alas! sir."