The Miracle at St. Bruno's

We saw their entry to the capital. They crossed London Bridge on horseback and I was struck by the wan look of the Queen and the pathetically adoring manner which she displayed toward her pale faced, thin-lipped bridegroom. She was nearly ten years older than he and I felt sorry for her.

The marriage was very unpopular but when the people saw the treasure which Philip had brought with him they cheered. Ninety-nine chests were needed to carry it and these chests were filled with gold and silver bullion. This accompanied the royal couple on their journey to the Tower and at least that met with the people's approval.

It was more loudly cheered than the bride and groom, but even in spite of this there were murmurings in the crowd.

Now we indeed saw the changes in the land. Under the Queen's father life had been dangerous. He had been a tyrant who had been wont to demand a man's head should he give offense; yet' in that King's day life had seemed colorful. There had been constant drama at Court where the King had changed his wives frequently; this Queen remained constant to her husband; she doted on him; but the solemnity of Spain had already taken possession of the Court.

There was something else. The laws of Spain were being brought into the country.

We heard a great talk about the true church which was the Holy Church of Rome and the word "heretic" was constantly used.

And then the fires of Smithfield began to burn.

Often from the gardens we would see the pall of smoke, and when the wind blew westward would smell it; we would shiver and fancy we heard the shrieks of the dying.

The Queen had been given a new name. It was Bloody Mary.

It was on a cold February day in the year 1555 when they took Simon Caseman.

The first I heard was when Peter-and Paul came running over to the Abbey. At first I could not understand what had happened. They were incoherent.

"They came... they looked everywhere...”

"They have taken books away with them...”

"They tied up their barge by the privy steps...”

I said, "Peter, Paul, tell me from the beginning. What is this?”

I think I guessed very quickly. After all it was not uncommon. And I had long known that Simon Caseman was flirting with the new faith.

Paul started to cry suddenly. "They have taken our father," he said.

"Where is your mother?”

"She is just sitting there... staring. She doesn't speak. Come quickly, Damask.

Please come with us.”

I hurried over to the house. I went into the hall where the table was set for a meal and I thought: It was to this hall they came to take my father... Simon Caseman brought them to take him... and now they have come for Simon Caseman.

My mother was seated at the table. She looked as though she were dazed. I knelt beside her and took her cold hand in mine.

"Mother," I said, "I am here.”

She spoke then. "Is it Damask? My girl Damask?”

"Yes, Mother, I am here.”

"They came and took him," she said.

"Yes, I know.”

"Why should they take him? Why-”

"Perhaps he will come back," I said, knowing full-well that he would not. Had not the twins said they had found books and taken them away? He was doomed as a heretic.

"Mother," I said, "you should lie down. I will get you one of your potions. If you could sleep a little... perhaps when you awoke....”

"He will come back?”

"Perhaps he will. Perhaps they have taken him for questioning.”

She clutched at my arm.

"That's it," she said. "They've taken him to question him on some matter. He will come back. He is a good man, Damask.”

"Mother," I said, " let me help you to your bed.”

The twins watched me as though I were possessed of some power to soothe her. How I wished I had been! For the first time in my life I should have been happy then to see Simon Caseman walk in.

"What harm had he done?" she demanded.

"Let us hope he will soon be back to tell you all about it.”

She allowed me to help her to bed and I sent for that soothing draft; and I thought: Twice in her life a husband has been taken from her; and twice in the name of religion.

When she was sleeping I returned to the Abbey. I met Bruno as I came into the hall.

I said: "I have come from my mother. She is distracted with grief.”

"So they have taken him," he said; and a smile played about his lips.

"You know!" I cried.

He nodded, smiling secretly.

I cried out: "You... arranged it. You informed against him.”

"He is a heretic," he replied.

"He is my mother's husband.”

"Have you forgotten that one night he would have done the same to me?”

"It is revenge then," I said.

"It is justice.”

"Oh, God!" I cried. "It will be Smithfield for him.”

"The heretic's reward."

 I covered my face with my hands because I could not bear to go on looking into Bruno's.

"So much grief for your father's murderer!”

I turned and ran to my room.

The girls came to me.

"Mother, is it true then?" cried Catherine, her face working with emotion. "They have taken him. What will they do to him? What are they doing now?”

"He will die," said Honey. "He will die at the stake.”