The Miracle at St. Bruno's

Rupert had extended his lands; he visited us now and then and when he came Bruno took a certain pleasure in conducting him around our estate. There was no envy in Rupert; he admired everything and seemed genuinely pleased to see such prosperity.

One day he rode over. It was during one of Bruno's trips to the Continent and I knew as soon as I saw him that something had happened. Strangely enough the first thing I thought of was: He has come to tell me that he is about to marry. I was surprised at the feeling of depression that gave me.

It was not that I had a dog-in-the-manger attitude toward him; but I had come to regard him as very important in my life, and I suddenly realized what comfort the devotion he had shown me for so long had meant to me. Sometimes when I had been deeply perplexed I had thought of his existence, a close neighbor, someone to whom I could turn in trouble-always there, always delighted to be called on.

If he married, he would remain so-but I knew it would be different. I used to tell myself perhaps overemphatically how pleasant it would be if he married and had children.

Some of the happiest times were when I had all the children at the Abbey my own two girls, Kate's two boys and my mother's twins. I loved to hear their noisy games and sometimes join in. Kate watched me with cynical amusement, but these were some of the happiest hours of my life at that time.

I faced the fact now that my marriage was not what I had dreamed of. I looked around and wondered whose was. Kate's and Remus's-my parents, my mother's with Simon Caseman?

I verily believed that my mother was the happiest wife I knew. But I had Catherine and I must be grateful to the union which had brought me her.

I took Rupert into my winter parlor and sent for wine and the cakes we served with it. Clement always had a batch fresh from the oven.

"You have news, I can see," I said.

He looked at me earnestly. "Damask," he said, "how much do you know of what is going on?”

"Here, you mean? In the Abbey?”

"Here and in the country.”

"Here. Well, I live here. I know they are always busy producing something and we would seem to be prospering. In the country? Well, Kate keeps me informed, you know, and I hear many rumors. Travelers are constantly bringing news. The last I heard was that the poor King was very ill with the smallpox and measles and although he recovered it has left him with consumption.”

"It will be a miracle if he lasts out the year.”

"Then it will be a new Queen. It will be a Queen, won't it? Queen Mary, I suppose.”

"There is always danger in the air when a monarch dies at such an age as to leave no heirs of his body.”

"Is this what concerns you, Rupert?”

"You concern me," he answered.

I averted my eyes. I did not want a declaration of his devotion which I knew full well existed. It would have been an embarrassment to us both. I think I realized then that I loved Rupert. Oh, it was no wild searing passion. It was not like that which I had felt and could still feel for Bruno. Rupert had not that strange beauty which Bruno possessed; there was no mystery surrounding Rupert. He was just a good man. I loved him differently from the manner in which I loved Bruno. It was as though love were a fruit to be divided into half-one half gave passion and excitement, the other enduring love and security. I could see that what I longed for was both.

My thoughts were running on and I wanted to know what anxiety had brought Rupert here.

"There are rumors about this place," said Rupert. "You are unaware of this. The last to hear rumors are those whom they most concern. As yet they are whispers but many people are watching St. Bruno's Abbey. There is a mystery surrounding this place.”

"It is prosperous because we have worked hard here.”

"I want you to be on your guard, Damask. If there should be danger, stop for nothing.

Take the girls and ride over to me. If need be I could hide you.”

"The children are in danger?”

"When a house is in danger all the inmates could well be.”

"What is this danger, which has suddenly loomed up?”

"It is not sudden, Damask, it has been there for a long time. Ever since Bruno came back and took the Abbey it has been said that the place is being re-formed.... It is known that many of the monks have returned. Talk to Bruno. There should be no assemblies... no private services... no monkly practices. It is inevitable that people will say that the monastery has been reformed in defiance of the law.”

I said: "The King is sick, is he not? I hear that the Lady Mary when she is Queen may well restore the monasteries.”

"It would not be possible, but she would certainly not frown on those who practiced the monastic way of life. Remember though, Damask, she is not Queen, and in some quarters it is said she never will be.”

"She is the heir to the throne.”

Is she? Was not her mother's marriage to King Henry declared to be no marriage? In which case she is a bastard.”