Summary

In Chapter 56, Lysbeth, Mattheus’ wife, brings Sophia a selection of disguises from which to choose for her trip to the ship on which she and Jan plan to sail. Although Lysbeth admires Sophia for what she has done for love. Sophia knows that she is no hero. As she looks at the costumes, Sophia wonders what identity she should take on when they go to the boat. She wishes that Jan would come. She believes he has had enough time to sell the bulb and pay off their debts.

In Chapter 57, at 6 p.m. Jan’s studio is full of people to whom he owes money. A crowd has also grown outside the studio because the rumor has spread about this priceless bulb that Jan has bought. Jan knows that the creditors believe that he is lying about the bulb. He wonders how...