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Page 49
Gryphus sat down; then, turning towards his daughter, he
said, --
"Well, didn't you hear? go and fetch what is wanted."
Rosa went down, and immediately after returned with two
staves of a small barrel and a large roll of linen bandage.
Cornelius had made use of the intervening moments to take
off the man's coat, and to tuck up his shirt sleeve.
"Is this what you require, sir?" asked Rosa.
"Yes, mademoiselle," answered Cornelius, looking at the
things she had brought, -- "yes, that's right. Now push this
table, whilst I support the arm of your father."
Rosa pushed the table, Cornelius placed the broken arm on it
so as to make it flat, and with perfect skill set the bone,
adjusted the splinters, and fastened the bandages.
At the last touch, the jailer fainted a second time.
"Go and fetch vinegar, mademoiselle," said Cornelius; "we
will bathe his temples, and he will recover."
But, instead of acting up to the doctor's prescription,
Rosa, after having satisfied herself that her father was
still unconscious, approached Cornelius and said, --
"Service for service, sir."
"What do you mean, my pretty child?" said Cornelius.
"I mean to say, sir, that the judge who is to examine you
to-morrow has inquired to-day for the room in which you are
confined, and, on being told that you are occupying the cell
of Mynheer Cornelius de Witt, laughed in a very strange and
very disagreeable manner, which makes me fear that no good
awaits you."
"But," asked Cornelius, "what harm can they do to me?"
"Look at that gibbet."
"But I am not guilty," said Cornelius.
"Were they guilty whom you see down there gibbeted, mangled,
and torn to pieces?"
"That's true," said Cornelius, gravely.
"And besides," continued Rosa, "the people want to find you
guilty. But whether innocent or guilty, your trial begins
to-morrow, and the day after you will be condemned. Matters
are settled very quickly in these times."
"Well, and what do you conclude from all this?"
"I conclude that I am alone, that I am weak, that my father
is lying in a swoon, that the dog is muzzled, and that
consequently there is nothing to prevent your making your
escape. Fly, then; that's what I mean."
"What do you say?"
"I say that I was not able to save Mynheer Cornelius or
Mynheer John de Witt, and that I should like to save you.
Only be quick; there, my father is regaining his breath, one
minute more, and he will open his eyes, and it will be too
late. Do you hesitate?"
In fact, Cornelius stood immovable, looking at Rosa, yet
looking at her as if he did not hear her.
"Don't you understand me?" said the young girl, with some
impatience.
"Yes, I do," said Cornelius, "but ---- "
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