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• 1) Nicholas was just fine when he was Claes the apprentice. But upon marrying her mother, he sort of stepped over Tilde to assume a higher, more privileged position. She surely resented that. Her mother is gone, and she doesn't want that uppity apprentice back in her life (or interfering in the family business). I can understand how she must feel. If he hadn't married her mother, she wouldn't have left Bruges to find him, and would still be alive. (In addition to the fact that she's an immature young woman who's really pissed off in general.) (NT) -- Elaine, 16:51:24 03/05/12 Mon

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• (2) I think it's because his plans were foiled by something outside his own control. Left to rely on his own devices, Nicholas is the kind of guy who can fall into a steaming pile of sh*t and come out somehow smelling like a rose; he makes solid plans, something or someone screws them up, but he always seems to discover a very workable Plan B. And yet he couldn't save Marian. Now his plans and goals are worthless, and he's made two children motherless. If only he hadn't ventured out on such a grand scheme... that's what I think he's thinking at this point. (NT) -- Elaine, 16:52:38 03/05/12 Mon

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• Q1. I think because she cannot connect the clowning Claes with Nicholas the wildly successful merchant, and so she no longer trusts him. And what Elaine said about her mother being dead as a result of marrying him. Or so it would seem to a daughter. Q2. Everything has gone to smash, and he's lost and doesn't have a direction, his heart is somewhat broken. Q3. Because he knows Nicholas is capable of so much more, and that his true talents would be wasted if he wants to become a soldier. Q4. We see a Claes that no longer exists through Colard's eyes, a Claes that never really did exist in the first place, the clowning, promiscuous dye yard apprentice. Whereas through Adorne's eyes we see the potential man, what he might become if he disciplines himself. (NT) -- celtgirl, 23:08:32 03/05/12 Mon
  • I like how you phrased that about Adorne's eyes. Sometimes he frustrates me, but I mostly admire Anselm throughout the series. (NT) -- Elaine, 06:21:26 03/06/12 Tue
  • Nicholas seems a 'buddy' to Colard, the jokester, Claes, but Anselm sees him as a man to respect and admire, and yes, who has enormous potential. He sees the man Marian saw, as well, and the truer portrait of Nicholas. (NT) -- Denise, 09:51:43 03/06/12 Tue

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• 3. Do you think that the fate Anselm refers to is Marian's death? It is her death that sends Nicholas into a downward spiral, where he questions his future and considers making what Anselm thinks is a poor decision of soldiering instead of continuing his profitable business of banking and trade. (NT) -- Denise, 09:56:31 03/06/12 Tue
  • I think so, yes. Adorne, a steady, methodical sort, likely saw N's escapade as too grand and too risky to produce a positive result. Adorne probably feels that the loss of Marian is far worse than any financial loss the Charetty company might have faced by Nicholas' great adventure. And yet he still acknowledges Nicholas' potential. (NT) -- Elaine, 06:16:28 03/07/12 Wed
    • So far, I like Adorne a lot. He's reasonable, sensible and seems to have the interests of others in his heart. Not to say that he wouldn't turn on someone if he or his family was in trouble, but so far, so good. (NT) -- Denise, 13:37:26 03/07/12 Wed

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• 1. I get the feeling that Tilde is trying to be level-headed, even though it comes off as emotional. She's seen her mother go to great lengths because of her emotions, and those lengths caused her death (from Tilde's POV). Then there's her sister who ran off with that crazy Doria and made a botched mess of things as well. Maybe she feels she can only keep her emotions in check if Nicholas is out her life. She claims not to trust him, but maybe it's herself she is worried about. 2. Nicholas has connected his identity to the Charetty company for most of his life. He has lost that connection. Now its easier to believe the negative than any of the positive. 3. I really think Adorne sees the greatness of Nicholas and sees it a waste that he throw his fate away to war and soldiering. 4. I think Cindy said it best on this one - one sees the man he could be and the other the man he was. (NT) -- Lil, 13:21:02 03/06/12 Tue