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Updated: June 19, 2025
After which he wrote the President of the Horticultural Society a letter, in which he announced to him that he had just arrived at Haarlem with a perfectly black tulip; and, with his flower all safe, took up his quarters at a good hotel in the town, and there he waited. The President van Systens
Van Systens, by means of an eloquent glance, offered, in the name of the tulip, his thanks to the new member of the Horticultural Society. Rosa, reassured by this sort of encouragement which the stranger was giving her, related all that had happened for the last three months, all that she had done, and all that she had suffered.
Good-bye, my child." "Oh, sir, sir!" said Rosa, imploringly. "Only, my child," continued Van Systens, "as you are young and pretty, and as there may be still some good in you, I'll give you some good advice. Be prudent in this matter, for we have a court of justice and a prison here at Haarlem, and, moreover, we are exceedingly ticklish as far as the honour of our tulips is concerned.
Van Systens, likewise at the invitation of the young man in the violet coat, sat down in his turn, and, quite happy and proud of the importance thus cast upon him, began, "My child, you promise to tell me the truth and the entire truth concerning this tulip?" "I promise." "Well, then, speak before this gentleman; this gentleman is one of the members of the Horticultural Society."
To the President of the Horticultural Society the Tulipa nigra was a first-rate power, which, in its character as queen of the tulips, might send ambassadors. "Yes, sir," answered Rosa; "I come at least to speak of it." "Is it doing well, then?" asked Van Systens, with a smile of tender veneration. "Alas! sir, I don't know," said Rosa. "How is that? could any misfortune have happened to it?"
"Well, then, Monseigneur, if it must be said, a little difficulty has presented itself." "What difficulty?" "This tulip has already been claimed by usurpers. It's true that it is worth a hundred thousand guilders." "Indeed!" "Yes, Monseigneur, by usurpers, by forgers." "This is a crime, Mynheer van Systens." "So it is, your Highness." "And have you any proofs of their guilt?"
Van Systens stamped his foot with impatience; it was the second time that Rosa interrupted him in the midst of a composition which stimulated his vanity, both as a burgomaster and as President of the Horticultural Society. "But my report!" he cried, "my report on the black tulip!"
Boxtel's return was scarcely announced, when he entered in person the drawing-room of Mynheer van Systens, followed by two men, who carried in a box their precious burden and deposited it on a table. The Prince, on being informed, left the cabinet, passed into the drawing-room, admired the flower, and silently resumed his seat in the dark corner, where he had himself placed his chair.
"You, my dear Mynheer van Systens, take charge of this young woman and of the tulip. Good-bye." All bowed, and the Prince left, among the deafening cheers of the crowd outside.
This hero, radiant with rapturous joy, who had the distinguished honour of making the people forget the speech of Van Systens, and even the presence of the Stadtholder, was Isaac Boxtel, who saw, carried on his right before him, the black tulip, his pretended daughter; and on his left, in a large purse, the hundred thousand guilders in glittering gold pieces, towards which he was constantly squinting, fearful of losing sight of them for one moment.
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