Summary

In Chapter 33, Jan’s servant brings Sophia a letter. He tells her they will have to purchase the bulbs since he was almost discovered trying to steal them. Sophia chooses some of her jewelry to pawn to help purchase bulbs. Later that night, Sophia walks around her home’s small courtyard. As she thinks about the money the tulip bulbs will afford her and Jan, she hears a crunch under her feet. She has stepped on a snail.

In Chapter 34, Jan tries to deal with Claes. Although he has money from Sophia’s pawned jewelry, his own savings and a loan from Mattheus, he still does not have the amount of monty that Claes requires. Jan suggests they work out the remainder in a form of barter with Claes taking some paintings to make up the shortfall. Claes finally agrees to a painting...