Summary

In Chapter 44, Jan thinks about what must happen after the baby is born so that he and Sophia can leave. On the following day he plans to pay his debts. Then, he and Sophia will leave on the next day. He thinks about how loyal his servant, Gerrit, has been and plans to pay him well before he leaves.

In Chapter 45, Sophia’s cries are replaced by silence. Then comes a tiny cry. Cornelis falls to his knees. The midwife comes downstairs and congratulates him on his baby girl. She then tells him that they were not able to save his wife.

Upstairs, Cornelis is allowed to see Sophia only from the doorway. The doctor tells him she was suffering from a contagious plague. The doctor tells him the room has to be fumigated and the bedding burned. Cornelis thinks that what the...