The Miniaturist

On New Year’s Day, Nella goes to Johannes’s warehouse dressed in Cornelia’s clothes. She discovers at least a thousand sugar loaves. While some of the sugar is damp or moldy, Nella believes most can be saved.

Nella visits Johannes in his cell at the Stadhuis. He has two black eyes and expects to face the death penalty. Nella talks of convincing the Meermanses to relent, but Johannes says Frans has wanted revenge for a long time. Revealing that prisoners are often tortured on the rack, Johannes admits he is bound to confess under these circumstances. He tells Nella she has “been a miracle” (305).

Nella returns home to find a wooden cradle in the hall: a larger version of the miniaturist’s design. She rebukes Marin for commissioning the cradle, criticizing the expense and pointing out that the neighbors may have seen its arrival. They argue, and Marin slaps Nella. Marin tells Nella she will not hire anyone to help with the baby’s delivery as midwives are legally bound to record the child’s father’s name.

Later, Nella and Marin play verkeerspel. Nella reveals that Johannes will likely be tortured in prison and begs her sister-in-law to tell Frans about the baby.