The Miracle at St. Bruno's

"And when she rejected you for wealthy Remus your pride was deeply wounded. I understand, Bruno. You, the superhuman being, the god, the mystery, the miracle child had suddenly been reduced to an ordinary being, rejected lover, bastard of a servant and a monk.

It was more than you could endure “

"Kate came to regret her decision." I saw the gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.

"Your pride was deeply wounded. You had to apply the soothing balm which was my consent to go with you wherever you wished... to live in a cottage if need be. That was what you wanted of me.”

There was a knock on the door and Eugene came in with a tray on which was a flagon of wine and two glasses.

"So you wish us to taste your new brew, Eugene," said Bruno.

He took the tray from Eugene and set it down.

"It's my best elder flower," Eugene told me.

"The one you were telling me of," said Bruno.

"And you particularly wish the Mistress to try it.”

Eugene said this was the one. He went out smiling complacently and Bruno poured the wine into the glasses and brought one to me.

I was in no mood for drinking. I set down the glass and said: "It is no use, Bruno.

I see this clearly. We cannot go on living this life. It is false. There is only one chance of our being able to make a life for ourselves and our daughter. We will let it be known that we have found the monk's confession. The miracle of St. Bruno's will be finished forever. It will be forgotten in time.

"And what do you wish me to do?”

"It is simple. We will tell everyone at the Abbey that we have found the confession.

This will be the proof we need to show that Keziah's story was true. You must tell your Spanish masters that you can no longer go on with this falsehood.”

"I tell you I have no Spanish masters.”

"Then tell me this, too. How did you find the money to do all that you have done here?”

"This is where your story breaks down, does it not? So you have to provide me with Spanish masters. I tell you I have none. I have not received money from foreign countries to refound the Abbey.”

"Then where did you find the money?”

"It came to me... as I told you, from heaven.”

"You insist on this story!”

"I swear to you that the means of rebuilding the Abbey came from heaven. You are dabbling in matters too great for you, Damask. You do not understand. Come, drink up your wine. Eugene will want to hear what you think of his latest brew.”

I picked up the glass and even as I did so I was aware of Bruno's gaze fixed on me.

There was hatred in it. Oh, yes, he hated me. I knew then that it was because I had the means in my power to expose him.

What was it? Some warning perhaps. I was never to know. But I just felt that I must not drink that wine.

I set it down and said: "I am in no mood for drinking.”

"Can you not take a sip or so to please Eugene?”

"I am in no mood to judge.”

"Then I shall not drink alone.”

"So he will not know your judgment either.”

"I have already given it. It is of his best.”

"Perhaps I will try it later," I said.

Bruno went out and left me.

My heart was beating fast. I picked up the wine and smelled it. I could detect nothing.

I took both glasses and opening the window threw out the wine.

Then I laughed at myself. He is proud, I thought; he is arrogant; he sees himself of greater importance than other men. But that does not mean he is a murderer.

I thought suddenly of Simon Caseman and I had a vision of his writhing in the flames.

Bruno had sent him to his death... as Simon had endeavored to send him, as Simon had sent my own father.

Was not that murder? Simon had proved himself to be Bruno's enemy-as I had...

The next day I went to Caseman Court. My mother was delighted to see me.

"I was saying to the twins only today," she said, "that you would be coming to see me and bringing Kate too. I understand she is at the Abbey." She looked at me closely.

"Why, Damask, is something wrong?”

I thought: She must know of course that Catherine and Carey cannot marry and she will have to know why. So I told her.

"A bad business," she said. "There was always something wanton about Kate. I often thought she was deceiving Remus. And the boys too... well he was as proud as a peacock at his time of life. It's a sorry matter. Poor Catherine; I will send something over for her. And you, daughter! Well, husbands are unfaithful... though a man in Bruno's position... Well, well, your stepfather never believed in his faith.

It was not the true faith, you see.”

"Mother," I said, "be careful. Men and women are being burned at Smithfield for saying what you have just said.”

“‘Tis so, and that's a sorry matter too. Poor, poor Catherine. Such a child though.

She'll recover. And Carey too. I would not have thought it of Bruno. He being so well thought of. Almost holy. Why Clement and Eugene used to genuflect when they spoke of him. It wasn't right. Your stepfather...”

"It has been a great shock to me," I said. "But you have comforted me.”

"Bless you, daughter. That's what mothers are for. And you will comfort Catherine.”