The Miracle at St. Bruno's

"But how could he have bought it? It must have been presented to him. Some have been given abbeys for good service. What service could Bruno have rendered the King?”

"He went on a mission to France.”

"What does Bruno know of missions to France?”

"You don't know Bruno.”

"I don't know Bruno! I know more of Bruno than you will ever know.”

"I suppose you would know my husband better than I.”

"You can be a simpleton at times, Damask.”

"And you are so wise.”

It was like the old days. But there was something different about Kate. She did not like my marriage.

I took her over to see the Abbey and walked on that spot where we used to play. Bruno joined us there.

"Now," said Kate, "we are three grown-up people. What a lot has happened since we played as children here.”

"You have become Lady Remus," said Bruno.

"And a mother," she answered. "And you have become the owner of this great Abbey.”

"That surprises you, does it not?”

"Greatly.”

"Damask was less surprised.”

"Why, Bruno," I said, "I was astounded.”

But he went on: "Damask does not care for worldly possessions as you do, Kate. What do you think now of the penniless boy who took shelter in your home?”

"I think," said Kate, "that he was sly. He had jewels in his possession, it seems, on which he founded his fortune. He should not have kept that to himself.”

They were regarding each other intently and I said: "That is all in the past.”

Bruno turned to me. "And our future, Damask... yours and mine... is here in this place. Together we will build the finest house that ever was seen and even Remus Castle will seem insignificant beside it.”

"I like not these comparisons," I said. "Let us show Kate what we intend to build onto the Abbot's Lodging.”

He was delighted; and once again I was aware of that burning pride as he showed Kate his domain.

We were married almost immediately. It was a ceremony slightly less grand than Kate's had been. But I had my bridal gown which had been made by my mother's seamstresses with herself supervising them; my bridecake was, I think, finer because Clement had made it so. And Eugene had worked hard that the bridecup might compare with that drunk at royal weddings.

There was dancing and revelry in the hall and later we were conducted to the Abbey with a party of the guests, and we were alone in our new home.

WIFE AND MOTHER

HOW STRANGE, how wonderful to wake up next morning in the bedroom which had been the Abbot's. I lay looking up at the vaulted ceiling and tried to think clearly of all that had happened to me during the last few weeks. I certainly could not have imagined anything like this.

Bruno was awake and I said to him: "Does it not show how wonderful life can be when you consider what has happened to me?”

I had quickly learned that this was the sort of thing he loved to hear. I would never forget how he had kept secret the fact that he was a rich man because he was so anxious to be taken for himself and I felt tender toward him on account of this. I understood him well. He had believed himself to be apart from the rest of the world, a very special being and because that rude awakening had humiliated him more than he could endure he needed constant reassurance. He should have it. I would give it to him; and in time he would be able to face the fact that I loved him none the less because of his birth. I would assure him that it was far more commendable for a man without spiritual advantages to achieve what he had done, than it would have been for one who had special powers.

But that was for later.

We talked of this wonderful thing and he promised me more and more wonder. He was eager to go over the Abbey with me, to explain what he would have and for me to offer ideas. We would build our home together, he said.

That morning I discovered that he had engaged several servants and apart from a very few they were men and all of a kind. Although there was no physical resemblance to Clement and Eugene they reminded me of them. Then I asked myself if I thought these people resembled monks because we were in an old abbey.

I said to Bruno: "They remind me of Clement and Eugene.”

"It is because they were at one time monks. When they were turned out they were lost and bewildered. Now that they have heard the Abbey is occupied, and by whom, they have come back. They wish to work here.”

I was uneasy. "They must remember it is no longer a monastery.”

"They know full well that the King has dissolved the monasteries.”

"Is it wise...”

He laughed at me. "You must leave such matters to me. We are going to have a rich estate and rich estates need many workers. These men know the Abbey. They have implored me to give them work here on the land they know and have known all their lives. I could not say no to them. Besides they will work well for me.”

"I understand that. But...”

"I do assure you, Damask, this place now is very different from what it was under the Abbot.”