THE SOUL OF NICHOLAS SNYDERS, OR THE MISER OF ZANDAM By Jerome K. Jerome Author of "Paul Kelver, " "Three Men in a Boat, " etc. , etc. NEW YORK DODD, MEAD & COMPANY 1909 COPYRIGHT, 1904, BY JEROME K. JEROME COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY DODD, MEAD &COMPANY Published, September, 1908 THE SOUL OF NICHOLAS SNYDERS, OR THE MISER OF ZANDAM Once upon a time in Zandam, which is by the Zuider Zee, there lived awicked man named Nicholas Snyders. He was mean and hard and cruel, andloved but one thing in the world, and that was gold. And even thatnot for its own sake. He loved the power gold gave him--the power totyrannize and to oppress, the power to cause suffering at his will. They said he had no soul, but there they were wrong. All men own--or, to speak more correctly, are owned by--a soul; and the soul of NicholasSnyders was an evil soul. He lived in the old windmill which still isstanding on the quay, with only little Christina to wait upon him andkeep house for him. Christina was an orphan whose parents had died indebt. Nicholas, to Christina's everlasting gratitude, had clearedtheir memory--it cost but a few hundred florins--in consideration thatChristina should work for him without wages. Christina formed his entirehousehold, and only one willing visitor ever darkened his door, thewidow Toelast. Dame Toelast was rich and almost as great a miser asNicholas himself. "Why should not we two marry?" Nicholas had oncecroaked to the widow Toelast. "Together we should be masters of allZandam. " Dame Toelast had answered with a cackling laugh; but Nicholaswas never in haste. One afternoon Nicholas Snyders sat alone at his desk in the centre ofthe great semi-circular room that took up half the ground floor of thewindmill, and that served him for an office, and there came a knockingat the outer door. "Come in!" cried Nicholas Snyders. He spoke in a tone quite kind forNicholas Snyders. He felt so sure it was Jan knocking at the door--JanVan der Voort, the young sailor, now master of his own ship, come todemand of him the hand of little Christina. In anticipation, NicholasSnyders tasted the joy of dashing Jan's hopes to the ground; ofhearing him plead, then rave; of watching the growing pallor thatwould overspread Jan's handsome face as Nicholas would, point by point, explain to him the consequences of defiance--how, firstly, Jan's oldmother should be turned out of her home, his old father put into prisonfor debt; how, secondly, Jan himself should be pursued without remorse, his ship be bought over his head before he could complete the purchase. The interview would afford to Nicholas Snyders sport after his own soul. Since Jan's return the day before, he had been looking forward to it. Therefore, feeling sure it was Jan, he cried "Come in!" quite cheerily. But it was not Jan. It was somebody Nicholas Snyders had never set eyeson before. And neither, after that one visit, did Nicholas Snyders everset eyes upon him again. The light was fading, and Nicholas Snyders wasnot the man to light candles before they were needed, so that he wasnever able to describe with any precision the stranger's appearance. Nicholas thought he seemed an old man, but alert in all his movements;while his eyes--the one thing about him Nicholas saw with anyclearness--were curiously bright and piercing. "Who are you?" asked Nicholas Snyders, taking no pains to disguise hisdisappointment. "I am a pedlar, " answered the stranger. His voice was clear and notunmusical, with just the suspicion of roguishness behind. "Not wanting anything, " answered Nicholas Snyders drily. "Shut the doorand be careful of the step. " But instead the stranger took a chair and drew it nearer, and, himselfin shadow, looked straight into Nicholas Snyders' face and laughed. "Are you quite sure, Nicholas Snyders? Are you quite sure there isnothing you require?" "Nothing, " growled Nicholas Snyders--"except the sight of your back. "The stranger bent forward, and with his long, lean hand touched NicholasSnyders playfully upon the knee. "Wouldn't you like a soul, NicholasSnyders?" he asked. "Think of it, " continued the strange pedlar, before Nicholas couldrecover power of speech. "For forty years you have drunk the joy ofbeing mean and cruel. Are you not tired of the taste, Nicholas Snyders?Wouldn't you like a change? Think of it, Nicholas Snyders--the joy ofbeing loved, of hearing yourself blessed, instead of cursed! Wouldn'tit be good fun, Nicholas Snyders--just by way of a change? If you don'tlike it, you can return and be yourself again. " What Nicholas Snyders, recalling all things afterwards, could neverunderstand was why he sat there, listening in patience to the stranger'stalk; for, at the time, it seemed to him the jesting of a wanderingfool. But something about the stranger had impressed him. "I have it with me, " continued the odd pedlar; "and as for price--" Thestranger made a gesture indicating dismissal of all sordid details. "I look for my reward in watching the result of the experiment. I amsomething of a philosopher. I take an interest in these matters. See. "The stranger dived between his legs and produced from his pack a silverflask of cunning workmanship and laid it on the table. "Its flavour is not unpleasant, " explained the stranger. "A littlebitter; but one does not drink it by the goblet: a wineglassful, suchas one would of old Tokay, while the mind of both is fixed on thesame thought: 'May my soul pass into him, may his pass into me!'The operation is quite simple: the secret lies within the drug. " Thestranger patted the quaint flask as though it had been some little dog. "You will say: 'Who will exchange souls with Nicholas Snyders?'" Thestranger appeared to have come prepared with an answer to all questions. "My friend, you are rich; you need not fear. It is the possessionmen value the least of all they have. Choose your soul and drive yourbargain. I leave that to you with one word of counsel only: you willfind the young readier than the old--the young, to whom the worldpromises all things for gold. Choose you a fine, fair, fresh, youngsoul, Nicholas Snyders; and choose it quickly. Your hair is somewhatgrey, my friend. Taste, before you die, the joy of living. " The strange pedlar laughed and, rising, closed his pack. NicholasSnyders neither moved nor spoke, until with the soft clanging of themassive door his senses returned to him. Then, seizing the flask thestranger had left behind him, he sprang from his chair, meaning to flingit after him into the street. But the flashing of the firelight on itsburnished surface stayed his hand. "After all, the case is of value, " Nicholas chuckled, and put the flaskaside and, lighting the two tall candles, buried himself again in hisgreen-bound ledger. Yet still from time to time Nicholas Snyders' eyewould wander to where the silver flask remained half hidden among dustypapers. And later there came again a knocking at the door, and this timeit really was young Jan who entered. Jan held out his great hand across the littered desk. "We parted in anger, Nicholas Snyders. It was my fault. You were in theright. I ask you to forgive me. I was poor. It was selfish of me towish the little maid to share with me my poverty. But now I am no longerpoor. " "Sit down, " responded Nicholas in kindly tone. "I have heard of it. Sonow you are master and the owner of your ship--your very own. " "My very own after one more voyage, " laughed Jan. "I have BurgomasterAllart's promise. " "A promise is not a performance, " hinted Nicholas. "Burgomaster Allartis not a rich man; a higher bid might tempt him. Another might step inbetween you and become the owner. " Jan only laughed. "Why, that would be the work of an enemy, which, Godbe praised, I do not think that I possess. " "Lucky lad!" commented Nicholas; "so few of us are without enemies. Andyour parents, Jan, will they live with you?" "We wished it, " answered Jan, "both Christina and I. But the mother isfeeble. The old mill has grown into her life. " "I can understand, " agreed Nicholas. "The old vine torn from the oldwall withers. And your father, Jan; people will gossip. The mill ispaying?" Jan shook his head. "It never will again; and the debts haunt him. Butall that, as I tell him, is a thing of the past. His creditors haveagreed to look to me and wait. " "All of them?" queried Nicholas. "All of them I could discover, " laughed Jan. Nicholas Snyders pushed back his chair and looked at Jan with a smileupon his wrinkled face. "And so you and Christina have arranged it all?" "With your consent, sir, " answered Jan. "You will wait for that?" asked Nicholas. "We should like to have it, sir. " Jan smiled, but the tone of his voicefell agreeably on Nicholas Snyders' ear. Nicholas Snyders loved bestbeating the dog that, growled and showed its teeth. "Better not wait for that, " said Nicholas Snyders. "You might have towait long. " Jan rose, an angry flush upon his face. "So nothing changes you, Nicholas Snyders. Have it your own way, then. " "You will marry her in spite of me?" "In spite of you and of your friends the fiends, and of your master theDevil!" flung out Jan. For Jan had a soul that was generous and braveand tender and excessively short-tempered. Even the best of souls havetheir failings. "I am sorry, " said old Nicholas. "I am glad to hear it, " answered Jan. "I am sorry for your mother, " explained Nicholas. "The poor dame, Ifear, will be homeless in her old age. The mortgage shall be foreclosed, Jan, on your wedding-day. I am sorry for your father, Jan. Hiscreditors, Jan--you have overlooked just one. I am sorry for him, Jan. Prison has always been his dread. I am sorry even for you, my youngfriend. You will have to begin life over again. Burgomaster Allart is inthe hollow of my hand. I have but to say the word, your ship is mine. I wish you joy of your bride, my young friend. You must love her verydearly--you will be paying a high price for her. " It was Nicholas Snyders' grin that maddened Jan. He sought for somethingthat, thrown straight at the wicked mouth, should silence it, andby chance his hand lighted on the pedlar's silver flask. In the sameinstance Nicholas Snyders' hand had closed upon it also. The grin haddied away. "Sit down, " commanded Nicholas Snyders. "Let us talk further. " And therewas that in his voice that compelled the younger man's obedience. "You wonder, Jan, why I seek always anger and hatred. I wonder at timesmyself. Why do generous thoughts never come to me, as to other men!Listen, Jan; I am in a whimsical mood. Such things cannot be, but it isa whim of mine to think it might have been. Sell me your soul, Jan, sellme your soul, that I, too, may taste this love and gladness that I hearabout. For a little while, Jan, only for a little while, and I will giveyou all you desire. " The old man seized his pen and wrote. "See, Jan, the ship is yours beyond mishap; the mill goes free; yourfather may hold up his head again. And all I ask, Jan, is that you drinkto me, willing the while that your soul may go from you and become thesoul of old Nicholas Snyders--for a little while, Jan, only for a littlewhile. " With feverish hands the old man had drawn the stopper from the pedlar'sflagon, had poured the wine into twin glasses. Jan's inclination was tolaugh, but the old man's eagerness was almost frenzy. Surely he was mad;but that would not make less binding the paper he had signed. A true mandoes not jest with his soul, but the face of Christina was shining downon Jan from out the gloom. "You will mean it?" whispered Nicholas Snyders. "May my soul pass from me and enter into Nicholas Snyders!" answeredJan, replacing his empty glass upon the table. And the two stood lookingfor a moment into one another's eyes. And the high candles on the littered desk flickered and went out, asthough a breath had blown them, first one and then the other. "I must be getting home, " came the voice of Jan from the darkness. "Whydid you blow out the candles?" "We can light them again from the fire, " answered Nicholas. He did notadd that he had meant to ask that same question of Jan. He thrust themamong the glowing logs, first one and then the other; and the shadowscrept back into their corners. "You will not stop and see Christina?" asked Nicholas. "Not to-night, " answered Jan. "The paper that I signed, " Nicholas reminded him--"you have it?" "I had forgotten it, " Jan answered. The old man took it from the desk and handed it to him. Jan thrust itinto his pocket and went out. Nicholas bolted the door behind him andreturned to his desk; sat long there, his elbow resting on the openledger. Nicholas pushed the ledger aside and laughed. "What foolery! As if suchthings could be! The fellow must have bewitched me. " Nicholas crossed to the fire and warmed his hands before the blaze. "Still, I am glad he is going to marry the little lass. A good lad, agood lad. " Nicholas must have fallen asleep before the fire. When he opened hiseyes, it was to meet the grey dawn. He felt cold, stiff, hungry, anddecidedly cross. Why had not Christina woke him up and given him hissupper. Did she think he had intended to pass the night on a woodenchair? The girl was an idiot. He would go upstairs and tell her throughthe door just what he thought of her. His way upstairs led through the kitchen. To his astonishment, there satChristina, asleep before the burnt-out grate. "Upon my word, " muttered Nicholas to himself, "people in this housedon't seem to know what beds are for!" But it was not Christina, so Nicholas told himself. Christina had thelook of a frightened rabbit: it had always irritated him. This girl, even in her sleep, wore an impertinent expression--a delightfullyimpertinent expression. Besides, this girl was pretty--marvellouslypretty. Indeed, so pretty a girl Nicholas had never seen in all his lifebefore. Why had the girls, when Nicholas was young, been so entirelydifferent! A sudden bitterness seized Nicholas: it was as though he hadjust learnt that long ago, without knowing it, he had been robbed. The child must be cold. Nicholas fetched his fur-lined cloak and wrappedit about her. There was something else he ought to do. The idea came to him whiledrawing the cloak around her shoulders, very gently, not to disturbher--something he wanted to do, if only he could think what it was. Thegirl's lips were parted. She appeared to be speaking to him, asking himto do this thing--or telling him not to do it. Nicholas could not besure which. Half a dozen times he turned away, and half a dozen timesstole back to where she sat sleeping with that delightfully impertinentexpression on her face, her lips parted. But what she wanted, or what itwas he wanted, Nicholas could not think. Perhaps Christina would know. Perhaps Christina would know who she wasand how she got there. Nicholas climbed the stairs, swearing at them forcreaking. Christina's door was open. No one was in the room; the bed had not beenslept upon. Nicholas descended the creaking stairs. The girl was still asleep. Could it be Christina herself? Nicholasexamined the delicious features one by one. Never before, so far as hecould recollect, had he seen the girl; yet around her neck--Nicholas hadnot noticed it before--lay Christina's locket, rising and falling as shebreathed. Nicholas knew it well; the one thing belonging to her motherChristina had insisted on keeping. The one thing about which she hadever defied him. She would never have parted with that locket. It mustbe Christina herself. But what had happened to her? Or to himself. Remembrance rushed in upon him. The odd pedlar! The scene with Jan! Butsurely all that had been a dream? Yet there upon the littered desk stillstood the pedlar's silver flask, together with the twin stained glasses. Nicholas tried to think, but his brain was in a whirl. A ray of sunshinestreaming through the window fell across the dusty room. Nicholas hadnever seen the sun, that he could recollect. Involuntarily he stretchedhis hands towards it, felt a pang of grief when it vanished, leavingonly the grey light. He drew the rusty bolts, flung open the great door. A strange world lay before him, a new world of lights and shadows, thatwooed him with their beauty--a world of low, soft voices that called tohim. There came to him again that bitter sense of having been robbed. "I could have been so happy all these years, " murmured old Nicholas tohimself. "It is just the little town I could have loved--so quaint, soquiet, so homelike. I might have had friends, old cronies, children ofmy own maybe--" A vision of the sleeping Christina flashed before his eyes. She had cometo him a child, feeling only gratitude towards him. Had he had eyes withwhich to see her, all things might have been different. Was it too late? He is not so old--not so very old. New life is in hisveins. She still loves Jan, but that was the Jan of yesterday. In thefuture, Jan's every word and deed will be prompted by the evil soul thatwas once the soul of Nicholas Snyders--that Nicholas Snyders rememberswell. Can any woman love that, let the case be as handsome as you will? Ought he, as an honest man, to keep the soul he had won from Jan by whatmight be called a trick? Yes, it had been a fair bargain, and Jan hadtaken his price. Besides, it was not as if Jan had fashioned his ownsoul; these things are chance. Why should one man be given gold, andanother be given parched peas? He has as much right to Jan's soul as Janever had. He is wiser, he can do more good with it. It was Jan's soulthat loved Christina; let Jan's soul win her if it can. And Jan'ssoul, listening to the argument, could not think of a word to offer inopposition. Christina was still asleep when Nicholas re-entered the kitchen. Helighted the fire and cooked the breakfast and then aroused her gently. There was no doubt it was Christina. The moment her eyes rested on oldNicholas, there came back to her the frightened rabbit look that hadalways irritated him. It irritated him now, but the irritation wasagainst himself. "You were sleeping so soundly when I came in last night--" Christinacommenced. "And you were afraid to wake me, " Nicholas interrupted her. "You thoughtthe old curmudgeon would be cross. Listen, Christina. You paid offyesterday the last debt your father owed. It was to an old sailor--I hadnot been able to find him before. Not a cent more do you owe, andthere remains to you, out of your wages, a hundred florins. It is yourswhenever you like to ask me for it. " Christina could not understand, neither then nor during the days thatfollowed; nor did Nicholas enlighten her. For the soul of Jan hadentered into a very wise old man, who knew that the best way to livedown the past is to live boldly the present. All that Christina couldbe sure of was that the old Nicholas Snyders had mysteriously vanished, that in his place remained a new Nicholas, who looked at her with kindlyeyes--frank and honest, compelling confidence. Though Nicholas neversaid so, it came to Christina that she herself, her sweet example, herennobling influence it was that had wrought this wondrous change. And toChristina the explanation seemed not impossible--seemed even pleasing. The sight of his littered desk was hateful to him. Starting early in themorning, Nicholas would disappear for the entire day, returning in theevening tired but cheerful, bringing with him flowers that Christinalaughed at, telling him they were weeds. But what mattered names? ToNicholas they were beautiful. In Zandam the children ran from him, the dogs barked after him. So Nicholas, escaping through byways, wouldwander far into the country. Children in the villages around came toknow a kind old fellow who loved to linger, his hands resting on hisstaff, watching their play, listening to their laughter; whose amplepockets were storehouses of good things. Their elders, passing by, wouldwhisper to one another how like he was in features to wicked old Nick, the miser of Zandam, and would wonder where he came from. Nor wasit only the faces of the children that taught his lips to smile. Ittroubled him at first to find the world so full of marvellously prettygirls--of pretty women also, all more or less lovable. It bewilderedhim. Until he found that, notwithstanding, Christina remained alwaysin his thoughts the prettiest, the most lovable of them all. Then everypretty face rejoiced him: it reminded him of Christina. On his return the second day, Christina had met him with sadness in hereyes. Farmer Beerstraater, an old friend of her father's, had called tosee Nicholas; not finding Nicholas, had talked a little with Christina. A hardhearted creditor was turning him out of his farm. Christinapretended not to know that the creditor was Nicholas himself, butmarvelled that such wicked men could be. Nicholas said nothing, but thenext day Farmer Beerstraater had called again, all smiles, blessings, and great wonder. "But what can have come to him?" repeated Farmer Beerstraater over andover. Christina had smiled and answered that perhaps the good God had touchedhis heart; but thought to herself that perhaps it had been the goodinfluence of another. The tale flew. Christina found herself besieged onevery hand, and, finding her intercessions invariably successful, grewday by day more pleased with herself, and by consequence more pleasedwith Nicholas Snyders. For Nicholas was a cunning old gentleman. Jan'ssoul in him took delight in undoing the evil the soul of Nicholashad wrought. But the brain of Nicholas Snyders that remained to himwhispered: "Let the little maid think it is all her doing. " The news reached the ears of Dame Toelast. The same evening saw herseated in the inglenook opposite Nicholas Snyders, who smoked and seemedbored. "You are making a fool of yourself, Nicholas Snyders, " the Dame toldhim. "Everybody is laughing at you. " "I had rather they laughed than cursed me, " growled Nicholas. "Have you forgotten all that has passed between us?" demanded the Dame. "Wish I could, " sighed Nicholas. "At your age--" commenced the Dame. "I am feeling younger than I ever felt in all my life, " Nicholasinterrupted her. "You don't look it, " commented the Dame. "What do looks matter?" snapped Nicholas. "It is the soul of a man thatis the real man. " "They count for something, as the world goes, " explained the Dame. "Why, if I liked to follow your example and make a fool of myself, there areyoung men, fine young men, handsome young men--" "Don't let me stand in your way, " interposed Nicholas quickly. "As yousay, I am old and I have a devil of a temper. There must be many bettermen than I am, men more worthy of you. " "I don't say there are not, " returned the Dame: "but nobody moresuitable. Girls for boys, and old women for old men. I haven't lost mywits, Nicholas Snyders, if you have. When you are yourself again--" Nicholas Snyders sprang to his feet. "I am myself, " he cried, "andintend to remain myself! Who dares say I am not myself?" "I do, " retorted the Dame with exasperating coolness. "Nicholas Snydersis not himself when at the bidding of a pretty-faced doll he flings hismoney out of the window with both hands. He is a creature bewitched, andI am sorry for him. She'll fool you for the sake of her friends tillyou haven't a cent left, and then she'll laugh at you. When you areyourself, Nicholas Snyders, you will be crazy with yourself--rememberthat. " And Dame Toelast marched out and slammed the door behind her. "Girls for boys, and old women for old men. " The phrase kept ringing inhis ears. Hitherto his new-found happiness had filled his life, leavingno room for thought. But the old Dame's words had sown the seed ofreflection. Was Christina fooling him? The thought was impossible. Never once hadshe pleaded for herself, never once for Jan. The evil thought was thecreature of Dame Toelast's evil mind. Christina loved him. Her facebrightened at his coming. The fear of him had gone out of her; a prettytyranny had replaced it. But was it the love that he sought? Jan's soulin old Nick's body was young and ardent. It desired Christina not as adaughter, but as a wife. Could it win her in spite of old Nick's body?The soul of Jan was an impatient soul. Better to know than to doubt. "Do not light the candles; let us talk a little by the light of the fireonly, " said Nicholas. And Christina, smiling, drew her chair towards theblaze. But Nicholas sat in the shadow. "You grow more beautiful every day, Christina, " said Nicholas-"sweeterand more womanly. He will be a happy man who calls you wife. " The smile passed from Christina's face. "I shall never marry, " sheanswered. "Never is a long word, little one. " "A true woman does not marry the man she does not love. " "But may she not marry the man she does?" smiled Nicholas. "Sometimes she may not, " Christina explained. "And when is that?" Christina's face was turned away. "When he has ceased to love her. " The soul in old Nick's body leapt with joy. "He is not worthy of you, Christina. His new fortune has changed him. Is it not so? He thinks onlyof money. It is as though the soul of a miser had entered into him. He would marry even Dame Toelast for the sake of her gold-bags and herbroad lands and her many mills, if only she would have him. Cannot youforget him?" "I shall never forget him. I shall never love another man. I try to hideit; and often I am content to find there is so much in the world thatI can do. But my heart is breaking. " She rose and, kneeling beside him, clasped her hands around him. "I am glad you have let me tell you, " shesaid. "But for you I could not have borne it. You are so good to me. " For answer he stroked with his withered hand the golden hair that felldisordered about his withered knees. She raised her eyes to him; theywere filled with tears, but smiling. "I cannot understand, " she said. "I think sometimes that you and he musthave changed souls. He is hard and mean and cruel, as you used to be. "She laughed, and the arms around him tightened for a moment. "And nowyou are kind and tender and great, as once he was. It is as if the goodGod had taken away my lover from me to give to me a father. " "Listen to me, Christina, " he said. "It is the soul that is the man, notthe body. Could you not love me for my new soul?" "But I do love you, " answered Christina, smiling through her tears. "Could you as a husband?" The firelight fell upon her face. Nicholas, holding it between his withered hands, looked into it long and hard; andreading what he read there, laid it back against his breast and soothedit with his withered hand. "I was jesting, little one, " he said. "Girls for boys, and old women forold men. And so, in spite of all, you still love Jan?" "I love him, " answered Christina. "I cannot help it. " "And if he would, you would marry him, let his soul be what it may?" "I love him, " answered Christina. "I cannot help it. " Old Nicholas sat alone before the dying fire. Is it the soul or the bodythat is the real man? The answer was not so simple as he had thought it. "Christina loved Jan"--so Nicholas mumbled to the dying fire--"whenhe had the soul of Jan. She loves him still, though he has the soul ofNicholas Snyders. When I asked her if she could love me, it was terrorI read in her eyes, though Jan's soul is now in me; she divined it. Itmust be the body that is the real Jan, the real Nicholas. If the soulof Christina entered into the body of Dame Toelast, should I turn fromChristina, from her golden hair, her fathomless eyes, her asking lips, to desire the shrivelled carcass of Dame Toelast? No; I should stillshudder at the thought of her. Yet when I had the soul of NicholasSnyders, I did not loathe her, while Christina was naught to me. It mustbe with the soul that we love, else Jan would still love Christina andI should be Miser Nick. Yet here am I loving Christina, using NicholasSnyders' brain and gold to thwart Nicholas Snyders' every scheme, doingeverything that I know will make him mad when he comes back into his ownbody; while Jan cares no longer for Christina, would marry Dame Toelastfor her broad lands, her many mills. Clearly it is the soul that is thereal man. Then ought I not to be glad, thinking I am going back into myown body, knowing that I shall wed Christina? But I am not glad; I amvery miserable. I shall not go with Jan's soul, I feel it; my own soulwill come back to me. I shall be again the hard, cruel, mean old man Iwas before, only now I shall be poor and helpless. The folks will laughat me, and I shall curse them, powerless to do them evil. Even DameToelast will not want me when she learns all. And yet I must do thisthing. So long as Jan's soul is in me, I love Christina better thanmyself. I must do this for her sake. I love her--I cannot help it. " Old Nicholas rose, took from the place, where a month before he hadhidden it, the silver flask of cunning workmanship. "Just two more glassfuls left, " mused Nicholas, as he gently shook theflask against his ear. He laid it on the desk before him, then openedonce again the old green ledger, for there still remained work to bedone. He woke Christina early. "Take these letters, Christina, " he commanded. "When you have delivered them all, but not before, go to Jan; tell himI am waiting here to see him on a matter of business. " He kissed her andseemed loth to let her go. "I shall only be a little while, " smiled Christina. "All partings take but a little while, " he answered. Old Nicholas had foreseen the trouble he would have. Jan was content, had no desire to be again a sentimental young fool, eager to saddlehimself with a penniless wife. Jan had other dreams. "Drink, man, drink!" cried Nicholas impatiently, "before I am tempted tochange my mind. Christina, provided you marry her, is the richest bridein Zandam. There is the deed; read it; and read quickly. " Then Jan consented, and the two men drank. And there passed a breathbetween them as before; and Jan with his hands covered his eyes amoment. It was a pity, perhaps, that he did so, for in that moment Nicholassnatched at the deed that lay beside Jan on the desk. The next instantit was blazing in the fire. "Not so poor as you thought!" came the croaking voice of Nicholas. "Notso poor as you thought! I can build again, I can build again!" And thecreature, laughing hideously, danced with its withered arms spread outbefore the blaze, lest Jan should seek to rescue Christina's burningdowry before it was destroyed. Jan did not tell Christina. In spite of all Jan could say, she would goback. Nicholas Snyders drove her from the door with curses. She couldnot understand. The only thing clear was that Jan had come back to her. "'Twas a strange madness that seized upon me, " Jan explained. "Let thegood sea breezes bring us health. " So from the deck of Jan's ship they watched old Zandam till it vanishedinto air. Christina cried a little at the thought of never seeing it again; butJan comforted her and later new faces hid the old. And old Nicholas married Dame Toelast, but, happily, lived to do evilonly for a few years longer. Long after, Jan told Christina the whole story, but it sounded veryimprobable, and Christina--though, of course, she did not say so--didnot quite believe it, but thought Jan was trying to explain away thatstrange month of his life during which he had wooed Dame Toelast. Yet itcertainly was strange that Nicholas, for the same short month, had beenso different from his usual self. "Perhaps, " thought Christina, "if I had not told him I loved Jan, hewould not have gone back to his old ways. Poor old gentleman! No doubtit was despair. "