The Abbot's Ghost, or Maurice Treherne's Temptation: A Christmas Story by Louisa May Alcott

  Chapter VI

  MIRACLES

  Great was the confusion and alarm which reigned for many minutes, butwhen the panic subsided two miracles appeared. Octavia was entirelyuninjured, and Treherne was standing on his feet, a thing which formonths he had not done without crutches. In the excitement of themoment, no one observed the wonder; all were crowding about the girl,who, pale and breathless but now self-possessed, was the first toexclaim, pointing to her cousin, who had drawn himself up, with thehelp of his chair, and leaned there smiling, with a face full ofintense delight.

  "Look at Maurice! Oh, Jasper, help him or he'll fall!"

  Sir Jasper sprung to his side and put a strong arm about him, while achorus of wonder, sympathy, and congratulations rose about them.

  "Why, lad, what does it mean? Have you been deceiving us all thistime?" cried Jasper, as Treherne leaned on him, looking exhausted buttruly happy.

  "It means that I am not to be a cripple all my life; that they did notdeceive me when they said a sudden shock might electrify me with a morepotent magnetism than any they could apply. It _has_, and if I am curedI owe it all to you, Octavia."

  He stretched his hands to her with a gesture of such passionategratitude that the girl covered her face to hide its traitoroustenderness, and my lady went to him, saying brokenly, as she embracedhim with maternal warmth, "God bless you for this act, Maurice, andreward you with a perfect cure. To you I owe the lives of both mychildren; how can I thank you as I ought?"

  "I dare not tell you yet," he whispered eagerly, then added, "I amgrowing faint, Aunt. Get me away before I make a scene."

  This hint recalled my lady to her usual state of dignifiedself-possession. Bidding Jasper and the major help Treherne to his roomwithout delay, she begged Rose to comfort her sister, who was sobbinghysterically, and as they all obeyed her, she led her daughter away toher own apartment, for the festivities of the evening were at an end.

  At the same time Mrs. Snowdon and Annon bade my lady good-night, as ifthey also were about to retire, but as they reached the door of thegallery Mrs. Snowdon paused and beckoned Annon back. They were alonenow, and, standing before the fire which had so nearly made thatChristmas Eve a tragical one, she turned to him with a face full ofinterest and sympathy as she said, nodding toward the blackened shredsof Octavia's dress, and the scorched tiger skin which still lay at theirfeet, "That was both a fortunate and an unfortunate little affair, but Ifear Maurice's gain will be your loss. Pardon my frankness for Octavia'ssake; she is a fine creature, and I long to see her given to one worthyof her. I am a woman to read faces quickly; I know that your suit doesnot prosper as you would have it, and I desire to help you. May I?"

  "Indeed you may, and command any service of me in return. But to what doI owe this unexpected friendliness?" cried Annon, both grateful andsurprised.

  "To my regard for the young lady, my wish to save her from anunworthy man."

  "Do you mean Treherne?" asked Annon, more and more amazed.

  "I do. Octavia must not marry a gambler!"

  "My dear lady, you labor under some mistake; Treherne is by no means agambler. I owe him no goodwill, but I cannot hear him slandered."

  "You are generous, but I am not mistaken. Can you, on your honor, assureme that Maurice never played?"

  Mrs. Snowdon's keen eyes were on him, and he looked embarrassed for amoment, but answered with some hesitation, "Why, no, I cannot say that,but I can assure you that he is not an habitual gambler. All young menof his rank play more or less, especially abroad. It is merely anamusement with most, and among men is not considered dishonorable ordangerous. Ladies think differently, I believe, at least in England."

  At the word "abroad," Mrs. Snowdon's face brightened, and she suddenlydropped her eyes, as if afraid of betraying some secret purpose.

  "Indeed we do, and well we may, many of us having suffered from thispernicious habit. I have had special cause to dread and condemn it, andthe fear that Octavia should in time suffer what I have suffered as agirl urges me to interfere where otherwise I should be dumb. Mr. Annon,there was a rumor that Maurice was forced to quit Paris, owing to somedishonorable practices at the gaming table. Is this true?"

  "Nay, don't ask me; upon my soul I cannot tell you. I only know thatsomething was amiss, but what I never learned. Various tales werewhispered at the clubs, and Sir Jasper indignantly denied them all. Thebravery with which Maurice saved his cousin, and the sad afflictionwhich fell upon him, silenced the gossip, and it was soon forgotten."

  Mrs. Snowdon remained silent for a moment, with brows knit in deepthought, while Annon uneasily watched her. Suddenly she glanced over hershoulder, drew nearer, and whispered cautiously, "Did the rumors ofwhich you speak charge him with--" and the last word was breathed intoAnnon's ear almost inaudibily.

  He started, as if some new light broke on him, and stared at the speakerwith a troubled face for an instant, saying hastily, "No, but now youremind me that when an affair of that sort was discussed the other dayTreherne looked very odd, and rolled himself away, as if it didn'tinterest him. I can't believe it, and yet it may be something of thekind. That would account for old Sir Jasper's whim, and Treherne'ssteady denial of any knowledge of the cause. How in heaven's name didyou learn this?"

  "My woman's wit suggested it, and my woman's will shall confirm ordestroy the suspicion. My lady and Octavia evidently know nothing, butthey shall if there is any danger of the girl's being won by him."

  "You would not tell her!" exclaimed Annon.

  "I will, unless you do it" was the firm answer.

  "Never! To betray a friend, even to gain the woman I love, is a thing Icannot do; my honor forbids it."

  Mrs. Snowdon smiled scornfully.

  "Men's code of honor is a strong one, and we poor women suffer from it.Leave this to me; do your best, and if all other means fail, you may beglad to try my device to prevent Maurice from marrying his cousin.Gratitude and pity are strong allies, and if he recovers, his strongwill will move heaven and earth to gain her. Good night." And leavingher last words to rankle in Annon's mind, Mrs. Snowdon departed toendure sleepless hours full of tormenting memories, newborn hopes, andalternations of determination and despair.

  Treherne's prospect of recovery filled the whole house with delight, forhis patient courage and unfailing cheerfulness had endeared him to all.It was no transient amendment, for day by day he steadily gainedstrength and power, passing rapidly from chair to crutches, fromcrutches to a cane and a friend's arm, which was always ready for him.Pain returned with returning vitality, but he bore it with a fortitudethat touched all who witnessed it. At times motion was torture, yetmotion was necessary lest the torpidity should return, and Treherne tookhis daily exercise with unfailing perseverance, saying with a smile,though great drops stood upon his forehead, "I have something dearereven than health to win. Hold me up, Jasper, and let me stagger on, inspite of everything, till my twelve turns are made."

  He remembered Lady Treherne's words, "If you were well, I'd gladly givemy girl to you." This inspired him with strength, endurance, and ahappiness which could not be concealed. It overflowed in looks, words,and acts; it infected everyone, and made these holidays the blithest theold abbey had seen for many a day.

  Annon devoted himself to Octavia, and in spite of her command to be leftin peace till the New Year, she was very kind--so kind that hope flamedup in his heart, though he saw that something like compassion oftenshone on him from her frank eyes, and her compliance had no touch of thetender docility which lovers long to see. She still avoided Treherne,but so skillfully that few observed the change but Annon and himself. Inpublic Sir Jasper appeared to worship at the sprightly Rose's shrine,and she fancied her game was prospering well.

  But had any one peeped behind the scenes it would have been discoveredthat during the half hour before dinner, when everyone was in theirdressing rooms and the general taking his nap, a pair of ghostly blackfigures flitted about the haunted gallery, where no servant venturedwitho
ut orders. The major fancied himself the only one who had made thisdiscovery, for Mrs. Snowdon affected Treherne's society in public, andwas assiduous in serving and amusing the "dear convalescent," as shecalled him. But the general did not sleep; he too watched and waited,longing yet dreading to speak, and hoping that this was but a harmlessfreak of Edith's, for her caprices were many, and till now he hadindulged them freely. This hesitation disgusted the major, who, being abachelor, knew little of women's ways, and less of their powers ofpersuasion. The day before New Year he took a sudden resolution, anddemanded a private interview with the general.

  "I have come on an unpleasant errand, sir," he abruptly began, as theold man received him with an expression which rather daunted the major."My friendship for Lady Treherne, and my guardianship of her children,makes me jealous of the honor of the family. I fear it is in danger,sir; pardon me for saying it, but your wife is the cause."

  "May I trouble you to explain, Major Royston" was all the general'sreply, as his old face grew stern and haughty.

  "I will, sir, briefly. I happen to know from Jasper that there were lovepassages between Miss Dubarry and himself a year or more ago in Paris. Awhim parted them, and she married. So far no reproach rests upon either,but since she came here it has been evident to others as well as myselfthat Jasper's affection has revived, and that Mrs. Snowdon does notreject and reprove it as she should. They often meet, and from Jasper'smanner I am convinced that mischief is afloat. He is ardent, headstrong,and utterly regardless of the world's opinion in some cases. I havewatched them, and what I tell you is true."

  "Prove it."

  "I will. They meet in the north gallery, wrapped in dark cloaks, andplay ghost if anyone comes. I concealed myself behind the screen lastevening at dusk, and satisfied myself that my suspicions were correct. Iheard little of their conversation, but that little was enough."

  "Repeat it, if you please."

  "Sir Jasper seemed pleading for some promise which she reluctantly gave,saying, 'While you live I will be true to my word with everyone but him.He will suspect, and it will be useless to keep it from him.'

  "'He will shoot me for this if he knows I am the traitor,'expostulated Jasper.

  "'He shall not know that; I can hoodwink him easily, and serve mypurpose also.'

  "'You are mysterious, but I leave all to you and wait for my reward.When shall I have it, Edith?' She laughed, and answered so low I couldnot hear, for they left the gallery as they spoke. Forgive me, General,for the pain I inflict. You are the only person to whom I have spoken,and you are the only person who can properly and promptly prevent thisaffair from bringing open shame and scandal on an honorable house. Toyou I leave it, and will do my part with this infatuated young man ifyou will withdraw the temptation which will ruin him."

  "I will. Thank you, Major. Trust to me, and by tomorrow I will provethat I can act as becomes me."

  The grief and misery in the general's face touched the major; hesilently wrung his hand and went away, thanking heaven more ferventlythan ever that no cursed coquette of a woman had it in her power tobreak his heart.

  While this scene was going on above, another was taking place in thelibrary. Treherne sat there alone, thinking happy thoughts evidently,for his eyes shone and his lips smiled as he mused, while watching thesplendors of a winter sunset. A soft rustle and the faint scent ofviolets warned him of Mrs. Snowdon's approach, and a sudden forebodingtold him that danger was near. The instant he saw her face his fearwas confirmed, for exultation, resolve, and love met and mingled inthe expression it wore. Leaning in the window recess, where the redlight shone full on her lovely face and queenly figure, she said,softly yet with a ruthless accent below the softness, "Dreamingdreams, Maurice, which will never come to pass, unless I will it. Iknow your secret, and I shall use it to prevent the fulfillment of thefoolish hope you cherish."

  "Who told you?" he demanded, with an almost fierce flash of the eye andan angry flush.

  "I discovered it, as I warned you I should. My memory is good, I recallthe gossip of long ago, I observe the faces, words, and acts of thosewhom I suspect, and unconscious hints from them give me the truth."

  "I doubt it," and Treherne smiled securely.

  She stooped and whispered one short sentence into his ear. Whatever itwas it caused him to start up with a pale, panic-stricken face, and eyeher as if she had pronounced his doom.

  "Do you doubt it now?" she asked coldly.

  "He told you! Even your skill and craft could not discover it alone,"he muttered.

  "Nay, I told you nothing was impossible to a determined woman. I neededno help, for I knew more than you think."

  He sank down again in a despairing attitude and hid his face, sayingmournfully, "I might have known you would hunt me down and dash my hopeswhen they were surest. How will you use this unhappy secret?"

  "I will tell Octavia, and make her duty less hard. It will be kind toboth of you, for even with her this memory would mar your happiness; andit saves her from the shame and grief of discovering, when too late,that she has given herself to a--"

  "Stop!" he cried, in a tone that made her start and pale, as he rose outof his chair white with a stern indignation which awed her for a moment."You shall not utter that word--you know but half the truth, and if youwrong me or trouble the girl I will turn traitor also, and tell thegeneral the game you are playing with my cousin. You feign to love me asyou feigned before, but his title is the bait now as then, and you fancythat by threatening to mar my hopes you will secure my silence, and gainyour end."

  "Wrong, quite wrong. Jasper is nothing to me; I use _him_ as a tool, notyou. If I threaten, it is to keep you from Octavia, who cannot forgivethe past and love you for yourself, as I have done all these miserablemonths. You say I know but half the truth. Tell me the whole and I willspare you."

  If ever a man was tempted to betray a trust it was Treherne then. Aword, and Octavia might be his; silence, and she might be lost; for thiswoman was in earnest, and possessed the power to ruin his good nameforever. The truth leaped to his lips and would have passed them, hadnot his eye fallen on the portrait of Jasper's father. This man hadloved and sheltered the orphan all his life, had made of him a son, and,dying, urged him to guard and serve and save the rebellious youth heleft, when most needing a father's care.

  "I promised, and I will keep my promise at all costs," sighed Treherne,and with a gesture full of pathetic patience he waved the fair tempterfrom him, saying steadily, "I will never tell you, though you rob me ofthat which is dearer than my life. Go and work your will, but rememberthat when you might have won the deepest gratitude of the man youprofess to love, you chose instead to earn his hatred and contempt."

  Waiting for no word of hers, he took refuge in his room, and EdithSnowdon sank down upon the couch, struggling with contending emotions oflove and jealousy, remorse and despair. How long she sat there she couldnot tell; an approaching step recalled her to herself, and looking upshe saw Octavia. As the girl approached down the long vista of thedrawing rooms, her youth and beauty, innocence and candor touched thatfairer and more gifted woman with an envy she had never known before.Something in the girl's face struck her instantly: a look of peace andpurity, a sweet serenity more winning than loveliness, more impressivethan dignity or grace. With a smile on her lips, yet a half-sad,half-tender light in her eyes, and a cluster of pale winter roses in herhand, she came on till she stood before her rival and, offering theflowers, said, in words as simple as sincere, "Dear Mrs. Snowdon, Icannot let the last sun of the old year set on any misdeeds of mine forwhich I may atone. I have disliked, distrusted, and misjudged you, andnow I come to you in all humility to say forgive me."

  With the girlish abandon of her impulsive nature Octavia knelt downbefore the woman who was plotting to destroy her happiness, laid theroses like a little peace offering on her lap, and with eloquentlypleading eyes waited for pardon. For a moment Mrs. Snowdon watched her,fancying it a well-acted ruse to disarm a dangerous rival; but in that
sweet face there was no art; one glance showed her that. The words smoteher to the heart and won her in spite of pride or passion, as shesuddenly took the girl into her arms, weeping repentant tears. Neitherspoke, but in the silence each felt the barrier which had stood betweenthem vanishing, and each learned to know the other better in that momentthan in a year of common life. Octavia rejoiced that the instinct whichhad prompted her to make this appeal had not misled her, but assured herthat behind the veil of coldness, pride, and levity which this womanwore there was a heart aching for sympathy and help and love. Mrs.Snowdon felt her worser self slip from her, leaving all that was trueand noble to make her worthy of the test applied. Art she could meetwith equal art, but nature conquered her. For spite of her misspent lifeand faulty character, the germ of virtue, which lives in the worst, wasthere, only waiting for the fostering sun and dew of love to strengthenit, even though the harvest be a late one.

  "Forgive you!" she cried, brokenly. "It is I who should ask forgivenessof you--I who should atone, confess, and repent. Pardon _me_, pity me,love me, for I am more wretched than you know."

  "Dear, I do with heart and soul. Believe it, and let me be your friend"was the soft answer.

  "God knows I need one!" sighed the poor woman, still holding fast theonly creature who had wholly won her. "Child, I am not good, but not sobad that I dare not look in your innocent face and call you friend. Inever had one of my own sex. I never knew my mother; and no one ever sawin me the possibility of goodness, truth, and justice but you. Trust andlove and help me, Octavia, and I will reward you with a better life, ifI can do no more."

  "I will, and the new year shall be happier than the old."

  "God bless you for that prophecy; may I be worthy of it."

  Then as a bell warned them away, the rivals kissed each other tenderly,and parted friends. As Mrs. Snowdon entered her room, she saw herhusband sitting with his gray head in his hands, and heard him murmurdespairingly to himself, "My life makes her miserable. But for the sinof it I'd die to free her."

  "No, live for me, and teach me to be happy in your love." The clearvoice startled him, but not so much as the beautiful changed face of thewife who laid the gray head on her bosom, saying tenderly, "My kind andpatient husband, you have been deceived. From me you shall know all thetruth, and when you have forgiven my faulty past, you shall see howhappy I will try to make your future."