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The Abbot's Ghost, Or Maurice Treherne's Temptation
The Abbot's Ghost
or, Maurice Treherne's Temptation
A Christmas Story
By A.M. Barnard
1867
Chapter I
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
"How goes it, Frank? Down first, as usual."
"The early bird gets the worm, Major."
"Deuced ungallant speech, considering that the lovely Octavia is the
worm," and with a significant laugh the major assumed an Englishman's
favorite attitude before the fire.
His companion shot a quick glance at him, and an expression of anxiety
passed over his face as he replied, with a well-feigned air of
indifference, "You are altogether too sharp, Major. I must be on my
guard while you are in the house. Any new arrivals? I thought I heard
a carriage drive up not long ago."
"It was General Snowdon and his charming wife. Maurice Treherne came
while we were out, and I've not seen him yet, poor fellow!"
"Aye, you may well say that; his is a hard case, if what I heard is
true. I'm not booked up in the matter, and I should be, lest I make
some blunder here, so tell me how things stand, Major. We've a good
half hour before dinner. Sir Jasper is never punctual."
"Yes, you've a right to know, if you are going to try your fortune
with Octavia."
The major marched through the three drawing rooms to see that no
inquisitive servant was eavesdropping, and, finding all deserted, he
resumed his place, while young Annon lounged on a couch as he listened
with intense interest to the major's story.
"You know it was supposed that old Sir Jasper, being a bachelor, would
leave his fortune to his two nephews. But he was an oddity, and as the
title _must_ go to young Jasper by right, the old man said Maurice
should have the money. He was poor, young Jasper rich, and it seemed
but just, though Madame Mere was very angry when she learned how the
will was made."
"But Maurice didn't get the fortune. How was that?"
"There was some mystery there which I shall discover in time. All went
smoothly till that unlucky yachting trip, when the cousins were
wrecked. Maurice saved Jasper's life, and almost lost his own in so
doing. I fancy he wishes he had, rather than remain the poor cripple
he is. Exposure, exertion, and neglect afterward brought on paralysis
of the lower limbs, and there he is--a fine, talented, spirited fellow
tied to that cursed chair like a decrepit old man."
"How does he bear it?" asked Annon, as the major shook his gray head,
with a traitorous huskiness in his last words.
"Like a philosopher or a hero. He is too proud to show his despair at
such a sudden end to all his hopes, too generous to complain, for
Jasper is desperately cut up about it, and too brave to be daunted by
a misfortune which would drive many a man mad."
"Is it true that Sir Jasper, knowing all this, made a new will and
left every cent to his namesake?"
"Yes, and there lies the mystery. Not only did he leave it away from
poor Maurice, but so tied it up that Jasper cannot transfer it, and at
his death it goes to Octavia."
"The old man must have been demented. What in heaven's name did he
mean by leaving Maurice helpless and penniless after all his devotion
to Jasper? Had he done anything to offend the old party?"
"No one knows; Maurice hasn't the least idea of the cause of this
sudden whim, and the old man would give no reason for it. He died soon
after, and the instant Jasper came to the title and estate he brought
his cousin home, and treats him like a brother. Jasper is a noble
fellow, with all his faults, and this act of justice increases my
respect for him," said the major heartily.
"What will Maurice do, now that he can't enter the army as he
intended?" asked Annon, who now sat erect, so full of interest was he.
"Marry Octavia, and come to his own, I hope."
"An excellent little arrangement, but Miss Treherne may object," said
Annon, rising with sudden kindling of the eye.
"I think not, if no one interferes. Pity, with women, is akin to love,
and she pities her cousin in the tenderest fashion. No sister could be
more devoted, and as Maurice is a handsome, talented fellow, one can
easily foresee the end, if, as I said before, no one interferes to
disappoint the poor lad again."
"You espouse his cause, I see, and tell me this that I may stand
aside. Thanks for the warning, Major; but as Maurice Treherne is a man
of unusual power in many ways, I think we are equally matched, in
spite of his misfortune. Nay, if anything, he has the advantage of me,
for Miss Treherne pities him, and that is a strong ally for my rival.
I'll be as generous as I can, but I'll _not_ stand aside and
relinquish the woman I love without a trial first."
With an air of determination Annon faced the major, whose keen eyes
had read the truth which he had but newly confessed to himself. Major
Royston smiled as he listened, and said briefly, as steps approached,
"Do your best. Maurice will win."
"We shall see," returned Annon between his teeth.
Here their host entered, and the subject of course was dropped. But
the major's words rankled in the young man's mind, and would have been
doubly bitter had he known that their confidential conversation had
been overheard. On either side of the great fireplace was a door
leading to a suite of rooms which had been old Sir Jasper's. These
apartments had been given to Maurice Treherne, and he had just
returned from London, whither he had been to consult a certain famous
physician. Entering quietly, he had taken possession of his rooms, and
having rested and dressed for dinner, rolled himself into the library,
to which led the curtained door on the right. Sitting idly in his
light, wheeled chair, ready to enter when his cousin appeared, he had
heard the chat of Annon and the major. As he listened, over his
usually impassive face passed varying expressions of anger, pain,
bitterness, and defiance, and when the young man uttered his almost
fierce "We shall see," Treherne smiled a scornful smile and clenched
his pale hand with a gesture which proved that a year of suffering had
not conquered the man's spirit, though it had crippled his strong
body.
A singular face was Maurice Treherne's; well-cut and somewhat haughty
features; a fine brow under the dark locks that carelessly streaked
it; and remarkably piercing eyes. Slight in figure and wasted by pain,
he still retained the grace as native to him as the stern fortitude
which enabled him to hide the deep despair of an ambitious nature from
every eye, and bear his affliction with a cheerful philosophy more
pathetic than the most entire abandonment to grief. Carefully dressed,
and with no hint at invalidism but the chair, he bore himself as
easily and calmly as if the doom of lifelong helplessness did not hang
over him. A single motion of the hand sent him rolling noiselessly to
the curtained door, but as he did so, a voice exclaimed behind him,
"Wait for me, cousin." And as he turned, a young girl approached,
smiling a glad welcome as she took his hand, adding in a tone of soft
reproach, "Home again, and not let me know it, till I heard the good
news by accident."
"Was it good news, Octavia?" and Maurice looked up at the frank face
with a new expression in those penetrating eyes of his. His cousin's
open glance never changed as she stroked the hair off his forehead
with the caress one often gives a child, and answered eagerly, "The
best to me; the house is dull when you are away, for Jasper always
becomes absorbed in horses and hounds, and leaves Mamma and me to mope
by ourselves. But tell me, Maurice, what they said to you, since you
would not write."
"A little hope, with time and patience. Help me to wait, dear, help me
to wait."
His tone was infinitely sad, and as he spoke, he leaned his cheek
against the kind hand he held, as if to find support and comfort
there. The girl's face brightened beautifully, though her eyes filled,
for to her alone did he betray his pain, and in her alone did he seek
consolation.
"I will, I will with heart and hand! Thank heaven for the hope, and
trust me it shall be fulfilled. You look very tired, Maurice. Why go
in to dinner with all those people? Let me make you cozy here," she
added anxiously.
"Thanks, I'd rather go in, it does me good; and if I stay away, Jasper
feels that he must stay with me. I dressed in haste, am I right,
little nurse?"
She gave him a comprehensive glance, daintily settled his cravat,
brushed back a truant lock, and, with a maternal air that was
charming, said, "My boy is always elegant, and I'm proud of him. Now
we'll go in." But with her hand on the curtain she paused, saying
quickly, as a voice reached her, "Who is that?"
"Frank Annon. Didn't you know he was coming?" Maurice eyed her keenly.
"No, Jasper never told me. Why did he ask him?"
"To please you."
"Me! When he knows I detest the man. No matter, I've got on the color
he hates, so he won't annoy me, and Mrs. Snowdon can amuse herself
with him. The general has come, you know?"
Treherne smiled, well pleased, for no sign of maiden shame or pleasure
did the girl's face betray, and as he watched her while she peeped, he
thought with satisfaction, Annon is right, _I_ have the advantage, and
I'll keep it at all costs.
"Here is Mamma. We must go in," said Octavia, as a stately old lady
made her appearance in the drawing room.
The cousins entered together and Annon watched them covertly, while
seemingly intent on paying his respects to Madame Mere, as his hostess
was called by her family.
"Handsomer than ever," he muttered, as his eye rested on the blooming
girl, looking more like a rose than ever in the peach-colored silk
which he had once condemned because a rival admired it. She turned to
reply to the major, and Annon glanced at Treherne with an
irrepressible frown, for sickness had not marred the charm of that
peculiar face, so colorless and thin that it seemed cut in marble; but
the keen eyes shone with a wonderful brilliancy, and the whole
countenance was alive with a power of intellect and will which made
the observer involuntarily exclaim, "That man must suffer a daily
martyrdom, so crippled and confined; if it last long he will go mad or
die."
"General and Mrs. Snowden," announced the servant, and a sudden pause
ensued as everyone looked up to greet the newcomers.
A feeble, white-haired old man entered, leaning on the arm of an
indescribably beautiful woman. Not thirty yet, tall and nobly molded,
with straight black brows over magnificent eyes; rippling dark hair
gathered up in a great knot, and ornamented with a single band of
gold. A sweeping dress of wine-colored velvet, set off with a dazzling
neck and arms decorated like her stately head with ornaments of Roman
gold. At the first glance she seemed a cold, haughty creature, born to
dazzle but not to win. A deeper scrutiny detected lines of suffering
in that lovely face, and behind the veil of reserve, which pride
forced her to wear, appeared the anguish of a strong-willed woman
burdened by a heavy cross. No one would dare express pity or offer
sympathy, for her whole air repelled it, and in her gloomy eyes sat
scorn of herself mingled with defiance of the scorn of others. A
strange, almost tragical-looking woman, in spite of beauty, grace, and
the cold sweetness of her manner. A faint smile parted her lips as she
greeted those about her, and as her husband seated himself beside Lady
Treherne, she lifted her head with a long breath, and a singular
expression of relief, as if a burden was removed, and for the time
being she was free. Sir Jasper was at her side, and as she listened,
her eye glanced from face to face.
"Who is with you now?" she asked, in a low, mellow voice that was full
of music.
"My sister and my cousin are yonder. You may remember Tavia as a
child, she is little more now. Maurice is an invalid, but the finest
fellow breathing."
"I understand," and Mrs. Snowdon's eyes softened with a sudden glance
of pity for one cousin and admiration for the other, for she knew the
facts.
"Major Royston, my father's friend, and Frank Annon, my own. Do you
know him?" asked Sir Jasper.
"No."
"Then allow me to make him happy by presenting him, may I?"
"Not now. I'd rather see your cousin."
"Thanks, you are very kind. I'll bring him over."
"Stay, let me go to him," began the lady, with more feeling in face
and voice than one would believe her capable of showing.
"Pardon, it will offend him, he will not be pitied, or relinquish any
of the duties or privileges of a gentleman which he can possibly
perform. He is proud, we can understand the feeling, so let us humor
the poor fellow."
Mrs. Snowdon bowed silently, and Sir Jasper called out in his hearty,
blunt way, as if nothing was amiss with his cousin, "Maurice, I've an
honor for you. Come and receive it."
Divining what it was, Treherne noiselessly crossed the room, and with
no sign of self-consciousness or embarrassment, was presented to the
handsome woman. Thinking his presence might be a restraint, Sir Jasper
went away. The instant his back was turned, a change came over both:
an almost grim expression replaced the suavity of Treherne's face, and
Mrs. Snowdon's smile faded suddenly, while a deep flush rose to her
brow, as her eyes questioned his beseechingly.
"How dared you come?" he asked below his breath.
"The general insisted."
"And you could not change his purpose; poor woman!"
"You will not be pitied, neither will I," and her eyes flashed; then
the fire was quenched in tears, and her voice lost all its pride in a
pleading tone.
"Forgive me, I longed to see you since your illness, and so I 'dared'
to come."
"You shall be gratified; look, quite helpless, crippled for life,
perhaps."
The chair was turned from the groups about the fire, and as he spoke,
with a bitter laugh Treherne threw back the skin which covered his
knees, and showed her the useless limbs once so strong and fleet. She
shrank and paled, put out her hand to arrest him, and cried in an
indignant whisper, "No, no, not that! You know I never meant such
cruel curiosity, such useless pain to both--"
"Be still, someone is coming," he returned inaudibly; adding aloud, as
he adjusted the skin and smoothed the rich fur as if speaking of it,
"Yes, it is a very fine one, Jasper gave it to me. He spoils me, like
a dear, generous-hearted fellow as he is. Ah, Octavia, what can I do
for you?"
"Nothing, thank you. I want to recall myself to Mrs. Snowdon's memory,
if she will let me."
"No need of that; I never forget happy faces and pretty pictures. Two
years ago I saw you at your first ball, and longed to be a girl
again."
As she spoke, Mrs. Snowdon pressed the hand shyly offered, and smiled
at the spirited face before her, though the shadow in her own eyes
deepened as she met the bright glance of the girl.
"How kind you were that night! I remember you let me chatter away
about my family, my cousin, and my foolish little affairs with the
sweetest patience, and made me very happy by your interest. I was
homesick, and Aunt could never bear to hear of those things. It was
before your marriage, and all the kinder, for you were the queen of
the night, yet had a word for poor little me."
Mrs. Snowdon was pale to the lips, and Maurice impatiently tapped the
arm of his chair, while the girl innocently chatted on.
"I am sorry the general is such an invalid; yet I dare say you find
great happiness in taking care of him. It is so pleasant to be of use
to those we love." And as she spoke, Octavia leaned over her cousin to
hand him the glove he had dropped.
The affectionate smile that accompanied the act made the color deepen
again in Mrs. Snowdon's cheek, and lit a spark in her softened eyes.
Her lips curled and her voice was sweetly sarcastic as she answered,
"Yes, it is charming to devote one's life to these dear invalids, and
find one's reward in their gratitude. Youth, beauty, health, and
happiness are small sacrifices if one wins a little comfort for the
poor sufferers."
The girl felt the sarcasm under the soft words and drew back with a
troubled face.
Maurice smiled, and glanced from one to the other, saying
significantly, "Well for me that my little nurse loves her labor, and
finds no sacrifice in it. I am fortunate in my choice."
"I trust it may prove so--" Mrs. Snowdon got no further, for at that
moment dinner was announced, and Sir Jasper took her away. Annon
approached with him and offered his arm to Miss Treherne, but with an
air of surprise, and a little gesture of refusal, she said coldly:
"My cousin always takes me in to dinner. Be good enough to escort the
major." And with her hand on the arm of the chair, she walked away
with a mischievous glitter in her eyes.
Annon frowned and fell back, saying sharply, "Come, Major, what are
you doing there?"
"Making discoveries."