296 A TOUB, KOUND MY GAEDEN. 



together; but he took care never to leave me alone with it: 

 he dreaded the force of my passion. I dare say I should have 

 stolen it; or else I might have watered it with a deleterious 

 liquid, in order to destroy it: then, at least, it would not 

 have existed, and I should have felt no remorse. When Gyges 

 slew CandauJes, in order to obtain his wife, everybody blamed 

 Candaules, who had insisted upon Gyges seeing her as she 

 came out of the bath. They should not have shown me the 

 tulip. I arrived at such a state of despair, that one year I 

 planted no tulips — my dear tulips. My gardaner took pity 

 upon them, and perhaps upon me; and the clown — but I 

 must pardon him, because he saved them, — he planted them 

 about in the garden, in vulgar earth !" 



" WeU, but at length, how did you obtain this tulip?" 



" I will tell you. I have not quite imitated Gyges, although 

 my friend had not proved himself to be more delicate than 

 Candaules; — but, nevertheless, that which I did, I fear may 

 be called a crime. I contrived to have an offeet stolen. 

 Candaules has a nephew. This nephew who has great expec- 

 tations from his uncle, who is very rich, assists him in plant- 

 ing and taking up his tulip roots, and aifects an admiration 

 for these flowers which, poor creature ! he does not really feel, 

 but without which his uncle would not even endure his 

 presence. The uncle is rich, but he is of opinion that it is 

 not safe for young people to have too much money in their 

 pockets. The nephew had contracted a debt which tormented 

 him very much. His creditor threatened to make application 

 to his uncle. He applied to me, and implored me to extricate 

 him from his embarrassment. I was cruel. Sir : flatly refused 

 him. I even took a delight in exaggerating the auger of his 

 uncle if he became acquainted with the disgraceful affair. I 

 threw him into a state of perfect despair, and then said to 

 him : 'Nevertheless, if you are willing, I will give the money 

 you want.' 



'" Oh ! cried he, — ^you save my life.' 



" ' Yes, but on one condition.' 



" ' A thousand, if you require them !' 



" ' No ; one will do. You wiQ give me an offset of the 



tulip in question.' 



" He drew back in horror from the proposition. ' My uncle. 



