The Miracle at St. Bruno's

"I think, Bruno," I answered, "we shall have to consider our actions with care. Everyone should. How can we know what new laws will be in force?”

He turned to me then and his face was radiant. "Here you will be in our own little world. Leave your fears to me, Damask.”

He looked so tall and handsome, so godlike, so calm, that I felt I could safely forget any little apprehension I might have left. And that impression stayed with me when he took me into the old scriptorium and I found yet another stranger there.

Here was indeed the monkly countenance. The skin of this man was like old parchment, the eyes imbedded in wrinkles alert yet calm, the high cheekbones with the flesh stretched tightly across them, the thin mouth all suggested the scholar and stoic.

I knew before Bruno introduced him as Valerian that here was yet another of the monks of the Abbey.

"There are still some of the old manuscripts which were not destroyed by the vandals,” said Bruno. "Valerian hid them away. Now he is here to bring them out to sort them and to compile our library.”

Yes, even on that first morning I was disturbed. But I forgot as we explored the Abbey.

"The church tower must stay," said Bruno. "And how could we demolish the church?”

We went to look at it. It had been built, like so many, in the form of a crucifix and was impressive indeed for the height from the floor to the highest point of the vaulted ceiling was some fifty feet. As I stood there I could fancy I heard the chanting of the monks. My footsteps sounded noisy as I walked across the flagged floor to the five altars each dedicated to a saint-the center one to Saint Bruno who had founded the Abbey, as that other Saint Bruno had founded the Carthusians; and there was the screen beyond which was the Sanctuary where any who were persecuted could find refuge.

"How could one deliberately demolish such a place?" I asked.

Bruno smiled at me. "We understand each other," he said. "We will leave the church.”

Then we went out and studied the many buildings which would be taken down to make our mansion.

"It will be a great labor," said Bruno, "a great and inspiring one.”

"And we will build together like birds building a nest.”

"A nest!" cried Bruno laughing at me. "All this glory to be compared with a straw and mud!”

"A nest to a bird is a home, as this will be to us," I said indignantly.

And he laughed and kissed me; and I thought exultantly, we are just the same as any young married couple-in love with each other and the future.

He took me into the monks' dorter and frater. In the frater was a long refectory table and benches and at each end of the room was a stone spiral staircase leading to numerous cell-like rooms in the doors of which were grilles through which one could see inside; and each appeared to be exactly like the others. There were pallets on the floors and crucifixes on the walls, for those who had come to rob the place had not considered these worth taking away.

"Our mansion will not be in the least modern. We must keep the architecture to this ancient Norman style," said Bruno.

"It must necessarily be so for we shall be using the old stone and some of these places are too interesting to change.”

He agreed. He would not wish to change the scriptorium; and the brewhouse and bakehouse could not be improved on. At the moment we had very few servants but we should need more. He intended to make profitable use of the farm and the mill.

"In the old days," he told me, "these guesthouses were often full. I should not wish weary travelers to be turned away, and perhaps in time St. Bruno's Abbey will become the Sanctuary it once was.”

"And you will be the Abbot. What of me? Abbots cannot have wives, you know.”

"I shall do as I please.”

"I am certain of that," I replied lightly.

We went to the fishponds. There were three of them, the first flowing into the second, the second into the third.

"There used to be enough fish to feed the whole population of the Abbey and to sell,” said Bruno. "I hope it will be the same now.”

"You will have your Abbey, I can see.”

"I shall have the sort of community I wish for and none shall say me nay.”

"But in these days one must show a little care.”

"How you harp on care." He was faintly exasperated. "You are safe with me." "I know, Bruno. As if I were afraid!”

But I did feel uneasy.

I told him of the night Rupert and I had buried my father's head.

"I wish that I had been the one to bring it to you.”

"It was a risk," I said. "I am thankful that Rupert was not discovered.”

"He is in love with you," said Bruno.

"Yes.”

"But you were ready to face hardship with me, little knowing that you were coming to this!”

"It would have made no difference, Bruno," I said. "No difference at all.”

They were strange days. There was so much to do, so much to talk of, so much to explore.

We did not leave our little world during those days. As long as Bruno was with me I was happy. I was eager to run my own household. Should I have a stillroom to compare with my mother's, a garden like hers?