The Coffee Trader

Back in Amsterdam, the two spies walk toward the exchange. On his way home, Miguel sees Joachim, who has backed Hannah and Annetje into a corner. Miguel orders Joachim to step back, and the women escape. Joachim asks Miguel for 10 guilders. Miguel is about to give them to him but suddenly changes his mind, saying, “If you came to me like a decent man and only asked for the money in a humble way, I would help you. But these tricks of yours make me disinclined” (180).

Back at the house, Miguel instructs Annetje to make some coffee and gives it to Hannah. Miguel explains that Joachim is dangerous, and therefore Hannah should never tell anyone what happened, including Daniel. Hannah promises, provided Miguel continues to provide her with coffee. Miguel agrees. As they finish the coffee, Hannah realizes that Miguel has too much honor to ever kiss her unless she initiates it, but that was “unthinkable, and she blushed at her own boldness” (187).

Daniel hears about Hannah’s encounter with Joachim and confronts Miguel about it. Miguel tells him “it does not concern you” (190), which angers Daniel, and they argue.