On his return the second day, Christina had met him with sadness in
her eyes. Farmer Beerstraater, an old friend of her father's, had
called to see Nicholas; not finding Nicholas, had talked a little with
Christina. A hardhearted creditor was turning him out of his farm.
Christina pretended not to know that the creditor was Nicholas
himself, but marvelled that such wicked men could be. Nicholas said
nothing, but the next day Farmer Beerstraater had called again, all
smiles, blessings, and great wonder.

"But what can have come to him?" repeated Farmer Beerstraater over and
over.

Christina had smiled and answered that perhaps the good God had
touched his heart; but thought to herself that perhaps it had been the
good influence of another. The tale flew. Christina found herself
besieged on every hand, and, finding her intercessions invariably
successful, grew day by day more pleased with herself, and by
consequence more pleased with Nicholas Snyders. For Nicholas was a
cunning old gentleman. Jan's soul in him took delight in undoing the
evil the soul of Nicholas had wrought. But the brain of Nicholas
Snyders that remained to him whispered: "Let the little maid think it
is all her doing."

The news reached the ears of Dame Toelast. The same evening saw her
seated in the inglenook opposite Nicholas Snyders, who smoked and
seemed bored.

"You are making a fool of yourself, Nicholas Snyders," the Dame told
him. "Everybody is laughing at you."