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Abbot's Ghost or Maurice Treherne's Temptation - Louisa May Alcott · Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

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  Speaker 1: Chapter one of the Abbot's Ghost. This is a LibriVox recording.
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  Speaker 1: All LibriVox recordings than the public domain. For more information
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  Speaker 1: or a volunteer bleisvisit LibriVox dot org. Recording by Alli.
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  Speaker 1: The Abbot's Ghost, Oh, Maurice Trehearne's Temptation by Louisa may Alcott.
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  Speaker 1: Chapter one, Ramad dispersinet, How goes it? Frank down? First?
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  Speaker 1: As usual, the early bird gets the warm major toothed
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  Speaker 1: uncle and speech, considering that the love look Davia is
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  Speaker 1: the warm and with a significent love. The Major assumed
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  Speaker 1: an englishman's favorite attitude before the fire. His companion shot
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  Speaker 1: a quick glance at him, and an expression of anxiety
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  Speaker 1: passed over his face as he replied with a well
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  Speaker 1: feigned air of indifference. You're altogether too sharp, Major. I
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  Speaker 1: must be on my guard while you are in the
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  Speaker 1: house and in your rivals. I thought I heard a
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  Speaker 1: carriage drive up not long ago. It was General Snowdown,
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  Speaker 1: and his charming wife, Maurice Trehearned, came while we were out,
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  Speaker 1: and I've not seen him yet, poor fellow, Ah, you
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  Speaker 1: may well say that his is a hard case. If
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  Speaker 1: what the heurd is true, I'm not booked up in
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  Speaker 1: the matter, and there should be lest I make some
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  Speaker 1: blunder here. So tell me how things stand. Major, We've
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  Speaker 1: got the half hour before dinner. Such Jasper is never punctual. Yes,
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  Speaker 1: you've a right to know if you're going to try
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  Speaker 1: your fortune with Ocdavia. The Major marched through the three
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  Speaker 1: drawing rooms to see that no inquisitive servant was eavesdropping,
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  Speaker 1: and finding all deserted, he resumed his place, while young
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  Speaker 1: Anel launched in the couch as he listened with intense
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  Speaker 1: interest to the major's story. You know, it was supposed
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  Speaker 1: that all such Jasper, being a bachelor, would leave his
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  Speaker 1: fortune to his two nephews. But he was an oddity,
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  Speaker 1: and as the title must go to the young Jasper
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  Speaker 1: by right, the old man said Maurice should have the money.
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  Speaker 1: He was poor and young Jasper ridge. And it seemed
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  Speaker 1: but just though Madame Mayer was very angry when she
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  Speaker 1: learned how the will was made, but Maurice did get
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  Speaker 1: the fortune. How was that? There was the mystery there
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  Speaker 1: which I shall discover in time? All went smoothly tilted
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  Speaker 1: unlucky yachting trip when the cousins were wrecked Maurice saved
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  Speaker 1: Jasper's life and almost lost his own in so doing.
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  Speaker 1: I fancy he wishes he had rather than remained a
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  Speaker 1: poor gripple. He is exposure, exertion and neglect, afterward brought
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  Speaker 1: on paralysis of the lower limbs. And there he is
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  Speaker 1: a fine, talented, spirited fellow, tied to that cursed chair
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  Speaker 1: like a crabbit old man? How does he bear it?
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  Speaker 1: Asked anan As the Major shook his gray head with
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  Speaker 1: a greatress huskiness in his last words, like if loss
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  Speaker 1: of our hero. He is too proud to show his
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  Speaker 1: despair at such a sudden end to all his hopes,
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  Speaker 1: too generous to complain, for Jasper is desperately cut up
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  Speaker 1: about it, and too brave to be daunted by misfortune,
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  Speaker 1: which would drive any man mad. Is it true that
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  Speaker 1: Sir Jasper, knowing all this, made a new will and
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  Speaker 1: left every cent to his namesake? Yes? And there lies
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  Speaker 1: the mystery. Not only did he leave it away from
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  Speaker 1: poor Maurice, but so tied it up that Jessper cannot
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  Speaker 1: transfer it. And at his death, it goes to Ocdavia,
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  Speaker 1: the old man must have been demented. What in Heaven's
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  Speaker 1: name did he mean by leaving Maurice helpless and penniless
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  Speaker 1: after all his devotion to Jasper, had he done anything
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  Speaker 1: to offend the old party? No one knows. Maurice hasn't
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  Speaker 1: the least idea of the cause of this sudden whim,
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  Speaker 1: and the old man would give no reason for it.
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  Speaker 1: He died soon after, and the instant Jasper came to
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  Speaker 1: the title and estate. He brought his cousin home and
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  Speaker 1: treats him like a brother, Jasper as a noble fellow
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  Speaker 1: with all his faults. And this act of justice increases
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  Speaker 1: my respect for him, said the major heartily. What will
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  Speaker 1: Maurice do now that he can't enter the army as
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  Speaker 1: he intended? Asked Amon, who now is that they wrecked?
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  Speaker 1: So full of interest was he? Mary Ocdavia in country?
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  Speaker 1: His owner hope an excellent little arrangement. What mister Herne
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  Speaker 1: may object, said Anon, rising sudden kindling of the eye,
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  Speaker 1: I think not. If no one interferes pity with women
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  Speaker 1: is akin to laugh, and she pities her crust in
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  Speaker 1: the tenderest fashion, no sister could be more devoted. And
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  Speaker 1: as Maurice is a handsome, talented fellow, one can easily
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  Speaker 1: foresee the end, if, as he said before, no one
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  Speaker 1: interferes to disappoint the buelette again us pause his causes,
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  Speaker 1: he and tell me this that they may stand aside.
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  Speaker 1: Thanks for the warning, Major, But as Maurice Trehearne is
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  Speaker 1: a man of unusual power in many ways, I think
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  Speaker 1: we are equally matched in spite of his misfortune. Nay,
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  Speaker 1: if anything, he has the advantage of me. For mystery
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  Speaker 1: Hearne pities him, and that is a strong a lie
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  Speaker 1: for my rival. I'll be as generous as I can,
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  Speaker 1: but I will not stand aside and relinquish the woman
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  Speaker 1: in love without a trial. First, with an air of determination,
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  Speaker 1: ain and faced the Major, whose keen eyes had read
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  Speaker 1: the truth which she had but newly confessed to himself.
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  Speaker 1: Major roised and smiled as he listened, and said briefly
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  Speaker 1: his steps approached, do your best, Maurice will win. We
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  Speaker 1: shall see returned ana between his teeth. Here the host entered,
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  Speaker 1: and the subject, of course, was dropped. But the Major's
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  Speaker 1: words wrinkled the young man's mind, and would have been
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  Speaker 1: doubly bitter had he known that their confidential conversation had
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  Speaker 1: been overheard on either side of the Great fireblaze was
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  Speaker 1: the door leading to a sweeter rooms, which had been
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  Speaker 1: Old Jasper's. These apartments had been given to Maurice Trehearne,
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  Speaker 1: and he had just returned from London, whither he had
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  Speaker 1: been to consult a certain famous physician and drank quietly.
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  Speaker 1: He had taken possession of his rooms, and, having rested
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  Speaker 1: and dressed for dinner, ruled himself into the library, to
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  Speaker 1: which led the curtained door on the right, sitting idly
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  Speaker 1: in his light wheeled chair, ready to enter when his
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  Speaker 1: cousin appeared. He had heard the jet of anin and
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  Speaker 1: the major as he listened over his usually impassive face
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  Speaker 1: past varying expressions of anger, pain, bitterness, and defiance. And
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  Speaker 1: when the young man then uttered his almost fierce we
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  Speaker 1: shall see, Trehearne smiled a scornful smile and clenched his
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  Speaker 1: pale hand with a gesture which proved that the ear
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  Speaker 1: of suffering had not conquered the man's spirit, though it
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  Speaker 1: had grippled his strong body. A singular face was Maurice Trehearne's,
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  Speaker 1: well cut and somewhat haughty features, a fine brow under
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  Speaker 1: the dark locks that carelessly strict it, and remarkably piercing eyes,
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  Speaker 1: slight in figure, and wasted by pain, he still retained
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  Speaker 1: the grace as native to him as the stern fortitude
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  Speaker 1: which enabled him to hide the deep despair of an
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  Speaker 1: ambitious nature from every eye, and Beer's affliction with the
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  Speaker 1: cheerful philosophy more pathetic than the most entire abandonment. To
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  Speaker 1: grieve carefully dressed and with no hinted in validism. But
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  Speaker 1: that chair, he bore himself as easily and calmly as
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  Speaker 1: if the doomb of lifelong hairlessness did not hang over him.
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  Speaker 1: A single motion of the hand set him rolling noiselessly
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  Speaker 1: to the curtained door. But as he did so, a
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  Speaker 1: voice exclaimed behind him, wait for me, cousin. And as
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  Speaker 1: he turned, a young girl approached, smiling a glad welcome
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  Speaker 1: as she took his hand, adding in a tone of
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  Speaker 1: soft reproach home again. Do not let me know it
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  Speaker 1: till I heard the good news by accident? Was it
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  Speaker 1: good news? Ocdavia Maurice looked up at the frank face
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  Speaker 1: with the new expression. Those penetrating eyes of his. His
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  Speaker 1: cousin's open glance never changed as she stroked the hair
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  Speaker 1: off his forehead. With the caresses one often gives the child,
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  Speaker 1: and answered eagerly the best to me, the house is
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  Speaker 1: dull when you're away, for Jasper always becomes absorbed in
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  Speaker 1: horses and hounds, and leaves Mamma and me to mope
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  Speaker 1: by ourselves. But tell me, Maurice, what they said to you,
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  Speaker 1: since he would not ride a little hope with time
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  Speaker 1: and patience, Help me to wait, dear, help me to wait.
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  Speaker 1: His tone was infinitely sad, and as he spoke, he
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  Speaker 1: leaned his cheek against the kind hand he held, as
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  Speaker 1: if to find support and comfort there. The girl's face
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  Speaker 1: brightened beautiful, though her eyes felled. For her alone did
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  Speaker 1: Tiar betray his pain, and in her alone did he
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  Speaker 1: seek consolation. I will, I will, with heart and hand
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  Speaker 1: take heaven for the hope, and trust me it shall
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  Speaker 1: be fulfilled. You look very tired, Maurice. Why go in
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  Speaker 1: to dinner with all those people? Let me make you
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  Speaker 1: cozy here, she added anxiously thanks. I'd rather go in.
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  Speaker 1: It does me good. And if we stay away, Jasper
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  Speaker 1: feels that he must stay with me. I dressed in haste,
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  Speaker 1: am I right, little nurse? She gave him a comprehensive glance,
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  Speaker 1: daintily settled his cravat, brushed back a draw and lock,
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  Speaker 1: and with the maternal air that was charming, said, my
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  Speaker 1: boy is always elegant, and I am proud of him.
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  Speaker 1: Now we'll go in, but with the hand on the curtain.
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  Speaker 1: She paused, saying quickly as the voice reached her, who
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  Speaker 1: is that Frank Anan? Didn't you know he was coming?
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  Speaker 1: Maurice eyed her keenly. No, Jasper never told me. Why
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  Speaker 1: did he ask him to please you me when he
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  Speaker 1: knows I did test the man? No matter, I've got
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  Speaker 1: n the color he hate, so he won't annoy me,
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  Speaker 1: and missus Nordon can amuse herself with him. The general
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  Speaker 1: has come, you know. Rahearne smiled well pleased, for no
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  Speaker 1: sign of the maiden shame or pleasure did the girl's
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  Speaker 1: face betray, And as he watched her while she peeped,
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  Speaker 1: he thought with satisfaction, ain in is right. I have
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  Speaker 1: the advantage and we will keep it at all costs.
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  Speaker 1: Here is Mamma. We must go in, said Ocdavia, As
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  Speaker 1: a stately old lady made her appearance in the drawing room.
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  Speaker 1: The cousins entered together, and Anan watched them covertly, while
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  Speaker 1: seemingly intent on paying his respects to Madame mar As
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  Speaker 1: his hostess was called by her family. Handsomer than ever,
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  Speaker 1: he muttered as his eyes rested on the blooming girl,
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  Speaker 1: looking more like a roast than ever in the beach
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  Speaker 1: colored sirk which she had once condemned because the rival
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  Speaker 1: admired it. She turned to reply to the major and
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  Speaker 1: Anan glanced at Trehearne with an irrepressible frown, for sickness
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  Speaker 1: had not marked a charm of peculiar face, so colourless
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  Speaker 1: and thin that it seemed to cut the marble. But
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  Speaker 1: the keen eye shone with a wonderful brilliancy, and the
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  Speaker 1: whole countenance was alive with the power of intellect and well,
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  Speaker 1: which made her observer involuntarily exclaim that man must suffer
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  Speaker 1: a daily martyr toom so crippled and confined. If it
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  Speaker 1: lasts long, he will go mad or die. General and
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  Speaker 1: missus snowdown, announced the servant, and as sudden paws ensued
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  Speaker 1: as everybody looked up to greet the newcomers, a feeble,
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  Speaker 1: white haired man entered, leaning on the arm of an
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  Speaker 1: indescribable beautiful woman not thirty yet tall, and nobly molded,
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  Speaker 1: with straight black brows over magnificent eyes, rippling dark hair
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  Speaker 1: gathered up in a great knot and ornamented with a
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  Speaker 1: single band of gold. A sweeping dress of wine colored lret,
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  Speaker 1: set off with a dazzling neck and arms decorated like
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  Speaker 1: her stately head with ornaments of Roman gold. At the
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  Speaker 1: first glance, she seemed a cold, haughty creature, borne to
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  Speaker 1: dazzle but not to win. A deeper scrutiny detected lines
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  Speaker 1: of suffering in that lovely face, and behind the veil
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  Speaker 1: of reserve which bright forced her to wear, appeared the
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  Speaker 1: anguish of a strong, willed woman burned by a heavy cross.
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  Speaker 1: No one would dare express pity your off. Her sympathy
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  Speaker 1: for her whole air repelled it, and in her gloomy
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  Speaker 1: eyes the scorn of herself mingled with defiance of the
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  Speaker 1: scorn of others. A strange, almost tragical looking woman, in
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  Speaker 1: spite of beauty, grace, and the cold sweetness of her manner.
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  Speaker 1: A faint smile parted her lips as she greeted those
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  Speaker 1: about her, and as her husband seated himself beside Lady Trehearne,
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  Speaker 1: she lifted her head with a long breath and a
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  Speaker 1: singular expression of relief, as if a burden was removed,
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  Speaker 1: and for the time being she was free, such as
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  Speaker 1: bar was at her sight, and as she listened, her
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  Speaker 1: eye glanced from face to face. Who is with you now,
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  Speaker 1: she asked, in a low, mellow voice that was full
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  Speaker 1: of music. My sister, Ma cousiner Yonder. You may remember
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  Speaker 1: Harvia as a child. She is little more now more
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  Speaker 1: raises an invalid, but the finest fellow, braising, I understand missus.
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  Speaker 1: S Nowdon's eyes softened with his sudden glance of pity
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  Speaker 1: for one cousin and admiration for the other, for she
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  Speaker 1: knew the facts Major Royston with father's friend and Frank
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  Speaker 1: Ain and my own. Do you know him, asked Sir Jasper. No,
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  Speaker 1: then allow me to make him happy by presenting him,
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  Speaker 1: May I not? Now? I'd rather see your cousin. Thanks,
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  Speaker 1: you are very kind. I'll bring him over. Stay and
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  Speaker 1: let me go to him, began the lady, with more
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  Speaker 1: feeling in face and voice than one would believe her
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  Speaker 1: capable of showing pardon. It will offend him. He will
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  Speaker 1: not be pitied or relinquish any of the duties the
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  Speaker 1: privilegious of a gentleman, which he can possibly perform. He
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  Speaker 1: is proud. You can understand the feeling, so let as
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  Speaker 1: humor a poor fellow, Missus Snowdon bowed silently, and Sir
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  Speaker 1: Jasper called out in his heart the blunt way, as
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  Speaker 1: if nothing was amiss with his cousin Maurice. I've an
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  Speaker 1: honor for you, Come and receive it. Divining what it
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  Speaker 1: was to her, noiselessly crossed the room, and with no
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  Speaker 1: sign of self consciousness or embarrassment, was pres sent it
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  Speaker 1: to the handsome woman. Thinking his presence might be restrained,
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  Speaker 1: such Asper went away the instant his back was turned,
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  Speaker 1: a change came over bows, an almost grim expression replaced
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  Speaker 1: the soevity of Treherne's face, and Missus s Noddon's smile
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  Speaker 1: faded suddenly, while a deep flush rose off her brow,
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  Speaker 1: as her eyes questioned him beseechingly. How dare you come?
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  Speaker 1: He asked below his breath. The general insisted, and you
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  Speaker 1: could not change his purpose, poor woman, you will not
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  Speaker 1: be pitted neither will I, and her eyes flashed. Then
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  Speaker 1: the fire was quenched in tears, and her voice lost
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  Speaker 1: all its pride In a bleeding tone. Forgive me. I
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  Speaker 1: longed to see you since your illness, and so I
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  Speaker 1: dared to come. You shall be gratified. Look quite helpless,
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  Speaker 1: crippled for life. Perhaps the chair was turned from the
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  Speaker 1: gropes about the fire, and as he spoke with a
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  Speaker 1: bitter laugh, Treherne w rebegged the skin which covered his knees,
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  Speaker 1: and showed her his youthless limbs, one so strong and fleet.
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  Speaker 1: She shrank and pale, put out her hand to rest him,
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  Speaker 1: and cried in an indignant whisper. No, no, not that
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  Speaker 1: you know. I never meant such cruel curiosity, such useless
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  Speaker 1: pain in both. Be still, some one is coming, he returned, inaudibly,
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  Speaker 1: adding aloud, as he adjusted his skin and smoothed the
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  Speaker 1: rich fur, as if speaking of it. Yes, it is
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  Speaker 1: a very fine one. Chessper gave it to me his
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  Speaker 1: spoils may like a dear, generous hearted fellow as he is.
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  Speaker 1: Ah Ocdavia, What can I do for you? Nothing? Thank you.
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  Speaker 1: I want to recall myself to missus Nordon's memory, if
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  Speaker 1: she will let me. No need of that. I never
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  Speaker 1: forget happy faces and pretty pictures. Three years ago I
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  Speaker 1: saw you at your first ball and love to be
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  Speaker 1: a girl again. As she spoke, missus Snowdon pressed a hand,
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  Speaker 1: shiyly offered and smiled the spirited face before her, though
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  Speaker 1: the shadow in her own eyes deepened as she met
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  Speaker 1: the bright glance of the girl. How kind you were
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  Speaker 1: that night. I remember you let me chat their way
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  Speaker 1: about my family, my cousin, and my foolish little affairs,
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  Speaker 1: with the sweetest patience, and made me very happy by
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  Speaker 1: your interest. I was homesick and aunt could never bear
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  Speaker 1: to hear of these things. It was before your marriage,
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  Speaker 1: and all the kinder, for you were the queen of
• 15:08
  Speaker 1: the night. Yet had a word for poor little me.
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  Speaker 1: Missus Snawdon was pale to the lips, and Maurice impatiently
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  Speaker 1: tapped the arm of his chair while the girl innocently
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  Speaker 1: chatted on. I am sorry that generally such an invalid,
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  Speaker 1: Yet I dare say you find great happiness in taking
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  Speaker 1: care of him. It is so bleasant to be refuse
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  Speaker 1: to those who love. And as she spoke, Octavia leaned
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  Speaker 1: over to her cousin to hand him the glove he
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  Speaker 1: had dropped. The affectionate smile did accompanied The act made
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  Speaker 1: the color deep make any Missus s Noddon's cheek lit
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  Speaker 1: the spark in her softened eyes, her lips squirreled, and
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  Speaker 1: her voice was sweetly sarcastic as she answered, Yes, it
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  Speaker 1: is charming to devote one's life to these dear invalids
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  Speaker 1: and find ones rewarded in their gratitude. Youth, beauty, hearths,
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  Speaker 1: and happiness are small sacrifices if one wins the little
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  Speaker 1: comfort for the poor sufferers. The girl felt the sarcasm
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  Speaker 1: and the soft words, and drew back with a troubled face.
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  Speaker 1: Maurice smiled and glanced from one to another, saying significently,
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  Speaker 1: Well for me, my little nurse loves her labor and
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  Speaker 1: finds no sacrifice in it. I am fortunate in my choice.
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  Speaker 1: I trust it may prove so. Missus Snawdon got no
• 16:17
  Speaker 1: further for at that moment, dinner was announced, and Sir
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  Speaker 1: Jesper took her away. Annan approached with him and offered
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  Speaker 1: his arm to mister Herne, but with an air of
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  Speaker 1: surprise and a little gesture of refusal, she said, coldly,
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  Speaker 1: my cousin always takes me in to dinner. Be good
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  Speaker 1: enough to escort the major, and with her hand on
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  Speaker 1: the arm of the chair. She walked away with the
• 16:37
  Speaker 1: mischievous glitter in her eyes. Anne and frowned and fell back, saying, sharply,
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  Speaker 1: come major, what are you doing there making discoveries? End
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  Speaker 1: of chapter one. Recording by Eli July two thousand and nine.
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  Speaker 1: Chapter two of The Abbot's Ghost. This is a librevax recording.
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  Speaker 1: All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information,
• 17:05
  Speaker 1: not to volunteer, pleisse visit LibriVox dot org. Recording by
• 17:09
  Speaker 1: Ali The Abwards Ghost on Maurice Trehearne's Temptation by Louisa
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  Speaker 1: may Alcott. Chapter two by blay a Ride splendid Old
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  Speaker 1: Dorrnger was Lady Trehearne in her black welvet and point
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  Speaker 1: lace as she sat erect and stately on a couch
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  Speaker 1: by the drawing room fire, a couch which no one
• 17:27
  Speaker 1: dare occupy in her absence. Were Schaer uninvited, The gentlemen
• 17:31
  Speaker 1: were still over their wine, and the three ladies were alone.
• 17:34
  Speaker 1: My lady never dosed in public. Missus Snawdon never gossiped,
• 17:38
  Speaker 1: and Octavia never troubled herself to entertain any guests but
• 17:42
  Speaker 1: those of her own age. So long pauses fell, and
• 17:45
  Speaker 1: the conversation languished. Tell Missus Snawdon roamed away into the library.
• 17:50
  Speaker 1: As she disappeared, Lady trehearne back into her daughter, who
• 17:54
  Speaker 1: was idly making courts at the grand piano. Seating herself
• 17:57
  Speaker 1: on the ottoman at her mother's feet, the girl took
• 18:00
  Speaker 1: the stale, handsome hand in her own and amused herself
• 18:03
  Speaker 1: with examining the old fashioned jewels that covered it, a
• 18:06
  Speaker 1: pretext for occupying her tell tale eyes as she suspected
• 18:09
  Speaker 1: what was coming. My dear, I am not pleased with you,
• 18:12
  Speaker 1: and I tell you so at once that you may
• 18:15
  Speaker 1: amand your fault began Madame Mayr in a tender tone,
• 18:18
  Speaker 1: for though a hotly imperious woman, she idolized her children.
• 18:22
  Speaker 1: What have I done, Mamma, asked the girl, See radda,
• 18:25
  Speaker 1: what you have left undone? You have been very rude
• 18:28
  Speaker 1: to mister Anan. It must not occur again, not only
• 18:31
  Speaker 1: because he's a guest, but because he is your brother's friend.
• 18:34
  Speaker 1: The lady hesitated over the word lover and changed it
• 18:37
  Speaker 1: for to her Ocdavia still seemed a child, and though
• 18:40
  Speaker 1: anxious for the alliance, she forbear speak openly lest the
• 18:44
  Speaker 1: girl should turn wilful as she inherited her mother's high spirit.
• 18:48
  Speaker 1: I am sorry, mamma, but how can I help it?
• 18:51
  Speaker 1: When he teases me so that I detest him? Said
• 18:54
  Speaker 1: Ocdavia petulently. How tease my love? Why he follows me
• 18:58
  Speaker 1: about like a dog so on a sentimental look when
• 19:01
  Speaker 1: I appear, blushes and beams and both at everything I
• 19:04
  Speaker 1: say if I am polite, frowns and sighs if I'm not,
• 19:08
  Speaker 1: and glowers tragically. Every man who speak to even poor Maurice. Oh, mamma,
• 19:12
  Speaker 1: what foolish creatures men are? And the girl laughed blightly
• 19:16
  Speaker 1: as she looked up for the first time into her
• 19:18
  Speaker 1: mother's face. The lady smiled as she stroked the bright
• 19:21
  Speaker 1: head at her knee, but asked quickly, why say even
• 19:24
  Speaker 1: poor Maurice, as if it were impossible for anyone to
• 19:27
  Speaker 1: be jealous of him? But isn't it, Mamma? I thought
• 19:31
  Speaker 1: strong while men regarded him as one set apart and
• 19:34
  Speaker 1: done with, since he said, misfortune not entirely. When women
• 19:38
  Speaker 1: pity and pat the poor fellow, his comrades will be
• 19:40
  Speaker 1: jealous absurd as it is no one pets him but
• 19:43
  Speaker 1: me and I have a right to do it, for
• 19:45
  Speaker 1: he is my cousin, said the girl, feeling a touch
• 19:48
  Speaker 1: of jealousy herself. Rose and Blanche all broad to you,
• 19:51
  Speaker 1: my dear, and there is no cousinship to excuse them.
• 19:54
  Speaker 1: Then let Frank ain and be jealous of them, and
• 19:56
  Speaker 1: leave me in peace. They promised to come to day.
• 19:59
  Speaker 1: I'm afraid that something has happened to prevent them. And
• 20:01
  Speaker 1: Octavia gladly seized upon the new subject. But the lady
• 20:05
  Speaker 1: was not to be eluded. They said they could not
• 20:08
  Speaker 1: come till after dinner. They will soon arrive. Before they do, so,
• 20:12
  Speaker 1: I must say a few words, Tavia, and I beg
• 20:14
  Speaker 1: you to give heed to them. I desire you to
• 20:16
  Speaker 1: be courteous and amiable to mister Anan and before strangers,
• 20:20
  Speaker 1: to be less attentive and affectionate to Maurice. You mean
• 20:23
  Speaker 1: it kindly, but it looks ill and cause his disagreeable remarks.
• 20:27
  Speaker 1: Who blames me for being devoted to my cousin? Can
• 20:30
  Speaker 1: I ever do anything to repay him for his devotion? Mamma,
• 20:33
  Speaker 1: you forget he saved your son's life. Indignate tears filled
• 20:37
  Speaker 1: the girl's eyes as she spoke passionately forgetting that missus
• 20:40
  Speaker 1: Snawdon was within earshot of her raised voice. With a frown,
• 20:44
  Speaker 1: My lady laid her hand on her daughter's lips, saying coldly,
• 20:47
  Speaker 1: I do not forget, and I religiously discharge my every obligation,
• 20:51
  Speaker 1: by every care and comfort it is in my power
• 20:53
  Speaker 1: to bestow. You are young, romantic, and tender hearted. You
• 20:57
  Speaker 1: think you must give your time and health, must sacrid
• 21:00
  Speaker 1: far as your future happiness to this duty. You are wrong,
• 21:03
  Speaker 1: and unless you learn wisdom in season, you will find
• 21:05
  Speaker 1: that you have done harm, not good. God forbid, how
• 21:09
  Speaker 1: can I do that? Tell me, and I will be
• 21:11
  Speaker 1: wise in time. Turning the honest face up to her own,
• 21:14
  Speaker 1: Lady Treherne whispered anxiously. Has Maurice ever looked or hinted
• 21:18
  Speaker 1: anything of love during this year? He has been with
• 21:21
  Speaker 1: us and you his constant companion. Never, Mamma. He is
• 21:24
  Speaker 1: too honorable and to unhappy to speak or think of that.
• 21:28
  Speaker 1: I'm his little nurse, sister and friend. No more, nor
• 21:31
  Speaker 1: ever shall be. Do not suspect us or put such
• 21:33
  Speaker 1: fears into my mind, else all our comfort will be spoilt.
• 21:37
  Speaker 1: Flushed and eager was the girl but her clear eyes
• 21:40
  Speaker 1: betrayed no tender confusion as she spoke, and all her
• 21:43
  Speaker 1: thoughts seemed to be to clear her cousin from that
• 21:45
  Speaker 1: charge of loving her to well. Lady Treherne looked relieved
• 21:48
  Speaker 1: and paused a moment, then said, seriously, but gently, this
• 21:52
  Speaker 1: is well, but child a charge shall tell me at
• 21:54
  Speaker 1: once if he ever forgets himself, For this thing cannot
• 21:57
  Speaker 1: be once. I hoped it might. Now it is impossible.
• 22:01
  Speaker 1: Remember that he continue a friend and cousin, nothing more.
• 22:04
  Speaker 1: I warn you in time. But if you neglect the warning,
• 22:07
  Speaker 1: Maurice must go no more of this recollect my wish
• 22:10
  Speaker 1: regarding mister Anan, and let your cousin amuse himself without
• 22:14
  Speaker 1: you in public. Mamma, do you wish me to like
• 22:17
  Speaker 1: Frank Anan? The abrupt question rather disturbed my lady, but
• 22:21
  Speaker 1: knowing her daughter's frank and petious nature, she felt somewhat
• 22:24
  Speaker 1: relieved by this candor, and answered decidedly I do. He
• 22:28
  Speaker 1: is your equal in all respects. He loves you, Jess,
• 22:31
  Speaker 1: but desires it. I'll prove, and you, being heardhole, can
• 22:34
  Speaker 1: have no just objection to this alliance. Has he spoken
• 22:38
  Speaker 1: to you? No, to your brother, and you wish this much, Mamma,
• 22:42
  Speaker 1: very much, my child. I will try to please you. Then,
• 22:45
  Speaker 1: and stifling aside, the girl kissed her mother with unwanted
• 22:49
  Speaker 1: meekness in tone and manner. Now I am well pleased,
• 22:52
  Speaker 1: be happy, my love. No one will urge or distress you.
• 22:56
  Speaker 1: Let matters take their course, and if this hope of
• 22:58
  Speaker 1: ours can be fulfilled, I shall be relieved of the
• 23:01
  Speaker 1: chief care of my life. A sound of girlish voices
• 23:04
  Speaker 1: here broke on their ears, and springing up Ocdavia hurried
• 23:08
  Speaker 1: to meet her friends, exclaiming joyfully they have come. They
• 23:11
  Speaker 1: have come. Two smiling, blooming girls met her at the door, and,
• 23:15
  Speaker 1: being at an enthusiastic age, they gushed in girlish fashion
• 23:19
  Speaker 1: for several minutes, making a pretty grow as they stood
• 23:22
  Speaker 1: in each other's arms, all talking at once, with frequent
• 23:25
  Speaker 1: kisses and little bursts of laughter as wents for their emotion.
• 23:29
  Speaker 1: Madame Maya welcomed them and then went to join Missus Nordon,
• 23:32
  Speaker 1: leaving the tree to gossip unrestrained. My dearest creature, I
• 23:36
  Speaker 1: thought we never should get here, for Papa had a
• 23:39
  Speaker 1: tiresome dinner party, and we were obliged to stay. You know,
• 23:42
  Speaker 1: cried Rose, the lively sister, shaking out the pretty dress
• 23:45
  Speaker 1: and glancing at herself in the mirror as she fluttered
• 23:48
  Speaker 1: about the room like a butterfly. We were dying to come,
• 23:51
  Speaker 1: and so charmed when you asked us, For we haven't
• 23:54
  Speaker 1: seen you this age, darling, added Blanche, the pensive one,
• 23:57
  Speaker 1: smoothing her blonde curls after the fresh embrace. I'm sorry
• 24:01
  Speaker 1: the Austers couldn't come to keep Christmas with us, for
• 24:04
  Speaker 1: we have no gentleman but Jasper frank Ain and the
• 24:07
  Speaker 1: major said. Isn't it? Said Ocdavia, with a look of despair,
• 24:11
  Speaker 1: which caused a fresh peal of laughter. One appeace, my dear,
• 24:14
  Speaker 1: it might be worse, and Rose privately decided to appropriate.
• 24:18
  Speaker 1: Sir Jasper, where's your cousin, asked Blanche, with a sigh
• 24:22
  Speaker 1: of sentimental interest. He is here, of course, I forget him,
• 24:26
  Speaker 1: but he is not on the flirting list. You know,
• 24:28
  Speaker 1: we must amuse him and not expect him to amuse us.
• 24:31
  Speaker 1: But really all the capital suggestions and plans for merrymaking
• 24:35
  Speaker 1: always come from him. He is better, I hope, asked
• 24:38
  Speaker 1: both the sisters, with real sympathy, making their young faces
• 24:42
  Speaker 1: womanly and sweet. Yes, and here has hopes of entire recovery.
• 24:46
  Speaker 1: At least they tell him so to Doctor Ashley said
• 24:49
  Speaker 1: there was no chance of it. Dear Dear House said,
• 24:52
  Speaker 1: shall we see him, Tavia? Certainly he is able to
• 24:55
  Speaker 1: be with us now in the evening and enjoy society
• 24:58
  Speaker 1: as much as ever. But please take no notice of
• 25:01
  Speaker 1: his infirmity and make no inquiries beyond the usual. How
• 25:04
  Speaker 1: do you do? He is sensitive and hates to be
• 25:06
  Speaker 1: considered an invalid. More than ever, how charming it must
• 25:10
  Speaker 1: be to take care of him. He's so accomplished and delightful.
• 25:13
  Speaker 1: I quite envy you, said Blanche pensively. Such Asper told
• 25:17
  Speaker 1: us that the General and Missus Snawdon were coming. I
• 25:20
  Speaker 1: hope they well, for I have a most intense curiosity
• 25:23
  Speaker 1: to see her, began Rose. Hush, she's in there with mamma.
• 25:26
  Speaker 1: Why curious? What is the mystery for you? Look as
• 25:29
  Speaker 1: if there was one, questioned o'c Davia. Under her breath,
• 25:32
  Speaker 1: the three charming heads bent toward one another, as Rose
• 25:35
  Speaker 1: replied in a whisper, if when you I shouldn't be inquisitive.
• 25:39
  Speaker 1: There was a rumor that she married the old General
• 25:42
  Speaker 1: in a fit of pig and now repents. I ask
• 25:44
  Speaker 1: Mamma once, but she said such matters were not for
• 25:47
  Speaker 1: young girls to hear, and not a word more would
• 25:50
  Speaker 1: she say. Number, Don't I have fits of my own
• 25:52
  Speaker 1: and I can satisfy myself. The gentlemen are coming, am
• 25:56
  Speaker 1: I all right, dear? And the three glance at one
• 25:58
  Speaker 1: another with the swift scrut that nothing could escape. Then
• 26:02
  Speaker 1: group themselves prettily and waited, with a little flutter of
• 26:05
  Speaker 1: expectation in each young heart. In came the gentleman, and
• 26:09
  Speaker 1: instantly a new atmosphere seemed to pervade the drawing room,
• 26:13
  Speaker 1: for with the first words uttered, several romances began. Such
• 26:17
  Speaker 1: Asper was taken possession of Barros. Blanche intended to devote
• 26:21
  Speaker 1: herself to Maurice Trehearne, but Anan intercepted her, and Doc
• 26:24
  Speaker 1: Davia was spared any effort at politeness by this unexpected
• 26:28
  Speaker 1: move on the part of her lover. He is angry
• 26:31
  Speaker 1: and wishes to pique me by devoting himself to Blanche.
• 26:34
  Speaker 1: I wish he would with all my heart and leave
• 26:36
  Speaker 1: me in peace. Poor Maurice. He expects me, and I
• 26:39
  Speaker 1: long to go to him, but I must obey, Mamma
• 26:41
  Speaker 1: and Octavia went to join the group found by my lady,
• 26:45
  Speaker 1: Missus Snawdon, the General and the Major. The two young
• 26:48
  Speaker 1: couples flirted in different parts of the room, and Traherne
• 26:51
  Speaker 1: sat alone, watching them all with eyes that pierce below
• 26:55
  Speaker 1: the surface, reading the hidden wishes, hopes, and fierce that
• 26:58
  Speaker 1: ruled them. I think you like, expression set on his
• 27:01
  Speaker 1: face as he turned from Ocdavia's clear countenance to Missus
• 27:04
  Speaker 1: s Norton's gloomy one, leaned his head upon his hand
• 27:07
  Speaker 1: and fell into deep thought. For he was passing through
• 27:10
  Speaker 1: one of those faithful moments which come to us all,
• 27:13
  Speaker 1: and which may make oma life. Such moments came les
• 27:18
  Speaker 1: looked for an unexpected meeting, a peculiar mood, Some trivial
• 27:22
  Speaker 1: circumstance or careless word produces it, and often it is
• 27:26
  Speaker 1: gone before we realize its presence, leaving after effects to
• 27:30
  Speaker 1: show us what we have gained or lost. Trehane was
• 27:33
  Speaker 1: conscious that the present hour and the acts that felt
• 27:36
  Speaker 1: it possessed unusual interest and would exert an unusual influence
• 27:40
  Speaker 1: on his life. Before him was the good and evil
• 27:42
  Speaker 1: genius of his nature in the guise of these two women.
• 27:46
  Speaker 1: Edith snordn had already tried her power, and accident had
• 27:49
  Speaker 1: only saved him. Octavia, all unconscious as she was, never
• 27:53
  Speaker 1: failed to rouse and stimulate the noblest attributes of mind
• 27:57
  Speaker 1: and heart he here spent in her. Society had done
• 28:00
  Speaker 1: much for him, and he loved her with his strange
• 28:02
  Speaker 1: mingling of passion, reverence, and gratitude. He knew why Edith
• 28:06
  Speaker 1: Snordam came. He felt that the old fascination had not
• 28:09
  Speaker 1: lost itch charm, and though fear was unknown to him,
• 28:12
  Speaker 1: he was ill pleased at the sight of the beautiful,
• 28:15
  Speaker 1: dangerous woman. On the other hand, he saw that Lady
• 28:18
  Speaker 1: Trehearne decired her daughter to shun him and smile on Anan.
• 28:22
  Speaker 1: He acknowledged that he had no right to win the
• 28:24
  Speaker 1: young preacher, grippled and poor as he was, and a
• 28:27
  Speaker 1: pang of jealous brain wrung his heart as he watched her.
• 28:30
  Speaker 1: Then a sense of power came to him. For helpless, poor,
• 28:33
  Speaker 1: and seemingly an object of pity, he had felt that
• 28:36
  Speaker 1: he held the honor, peace and happiness of nearly every
• 28:39
  Speaker 1: person present in his hands. It was his strong temptation
• 28:43
  Speaker 1: to this man so full of repressed passion and power
• 28:46
  Speaker 1: so set the partner shut out from the more stirring
• 28:48
  Speaker 1: duties and pleasures of life. A few words from his lips,
• 28:52
  Speaker 1: and the pity all felt for him would be turning
• 28:54
  Speaker 1: to fear, respect and admiration. Why not utter them and
• 28:57
  Speaker 1: enjoy all that was possible? Owned the Treharne's nothing. Why suffering, justice, dependence,
• 29:03
  Speaker 1: and the compassion that wounds a proud man deepest? Whilst love,
• 29:07
  Speaker 1: pleasure might be his with a breath, why not secure them?
• 29:10
  Speaker 2: Now?
• 29:11
  Speaker 1: His pale face flushed, his eyes kindled, and his thin
• 29:14
  Speaker 1: hand lay clenched like a wise as these thoughts passed
• 29:17
  Speaker 1: rapidly through his mind, A look, a word at that
• 29:20
  Speaker 1: moment would sway him. He felt it, and leaned forward,
• 29:23
  Speaker 1: waiting in secret suspense for the glans the speech which
• 29:27
  Speaker 1: should decide him for good or ill? Who shall say?
• 29:29
  Speaker 3: What?
• 29:29
  Speaker 1: Subtle instinct caused Octavia to turn and smile at him
• 29:33
  Speaker 1: with a wistful, friendly look that warned his heart. He
• 29:36
  Speaker 1: met it with an answering glance, which thrilled her strangely,
• 29:39
  Speaker 1: for love, gratitude, and some mysterious intelligence met and mingled
• 29:43
  Speaker 1: in the brilliant yet soft expression which swiftly shone and
• 29:47
  Speaker 1: faded in her face. What it was she could not tell.
• 29:50
  Speaker 1: She only felt that it filled her with an indescribable
• 29:53
  Speaker 1: emotion never experienced before. In an instant, it all passed.
• 29:58
  Speaker 1: Lady Treherne spoke to her, and lunch Helboe addressed Maurice,
• 30:01
  Speaker 1: wondering as she did so if the enchanting smile he
• 30:04
  Speaker 1: war was meant for her. Mister Anan, having mercifully set
• 30:07
  Speaker 1: me free, I came to try to cheer your solitude,
• 30:10
  Speaker 1: But you look as if solitude made you happier than
• 30:13
  Speaker 1: society does the rest of us, she said, without the
• 30:16
  Speaker 1: usual affection, for his manner impressed her. You are very
• 30:19
  Speaker 1: kind and very welcome. I do find pleasure to beguile
• 30:22
  Speaker 1: my loneliness, which gayer people would not enjoy. And it
• 30:26
  Speaker 1: is well that I can else I should turn morose
• 30:29
  Speaker 1: and tyrannical and doom some unfortunate to entertain me all
• 30:32
  Speaker 1: day long. He answered, with a gentle courtesy, which was
• 30:35
  Speaker 1: his chief attraction to womankind. Pray tell me some of
• 30:39
  Speaker 1: your devices. I'm often alone in spirit, if not so
• 30:42
  Speaker 1: in the flesh. For rose to a dear girl is
• 30:45
  Speaker 1: not congenial. I find no kindred soul. A humorous glema
• 30:49
  Speaker 1: came to Teheranne's eyes as the sentimental damselop beamed a
• 30:53
  Speaker 1: soft sigh and drooped her long lashes, effectively ignoring the
• 30:56
  Speaker 1: topic of kindred souls. He answered coldly, favorad amusement is
• 31:01
  Speaker 1: studying the people around me. It may be rude, but
• 31:04
  Speaker 1: tried in my corner. I cannot help watching the figures
• 31:07
  Speaker 1: around me, discovering their little blots and plans. I am
• 31:10
  Speaker 1: getting very expert, and really surprise myself sometimes by the
• 31:14
  Speaker 1: debts of my researches. I can believe it. Your eyes
• 31:17
  Speaker 1: look as if they possessed a gift. Pray do not
• 31:20
  Speaker 1: study me, and the girl shrank away with an air
• 31:23
  Speaker 1: of genuine alarm. Raherne smiled involuntarily, for he had read
• 31:28
  Speaker 1: the secret of that shallow heart long ago, and was
• 31:31
  Speaker 1: generous to use the knowledge, however flattering it might be
• 31:34
  Speaker 1: to him. In a reassuring tone, he said, turning away
• 31:37
  Speaker 1: the keen eyes she feared, I give you my word.
• 31:40
  Speaker 1: I never will charming as it might be to study
• 31:42
  Speaker 1: the white pages of a maidenly heart, I find plenty
• 31:45
  Speaker 1: of others to read. So rest, drink well, Miss Blanche.
• 31:49
  Speaker 1: Who interests you most just now, asked the girl coloring
• 31:52
  Speaker 1: with splash at his words. Missus Nordon looks like one
• 31:55
  Speaker 1: who is the Romans to be read if you have
• 31:58
  Speaker 1: the skill, I have read it. My lady is my study.
• 32:01
  Speaker 1: Just now A thought I knew her well, But of
• 32:03
  Speaker 1: late she puzzles me. Human minds are more full of
• 32:06
  Speaker 1: mysteries than any written book, and more changeable than the
• 32:09
  Speaker 1: cloudships in the air. A fine old lady, but I
• 32:13
  Speaker 1: fear her so intensely I should never dare try to
• 32:15
  Speaker 1: read her, as you say. Blanche looked toward the object
• 32:18
  Speaker 1: of their discussion as she spoke, and added, Pritavia, how
• 32:21
  Speaker 1: floren she seems. Let me ask her to join us,
• 32:24
  Speaker 1: may I with all my heart was the quick reply.
• 32:27
  Speaker 1: Blanche glided away but did not return, for my lady
• 32:30
  Speaker 1: kept her as well as her daughter. The test satisfies me. Well,
• 32:34
  Speaker 1: I submit for a time, but I think I can
• 32:36
  Speaker 1: conquer my aunt yet. And with the patient's side, Reheurne
• 32:39
  Speaker 1: turned to observe Missus Snawdon. She now stood by the
• 32:43
  Speaker 1: fire talking with Sir Jesper, a handsome, reckless, generous hearted
• 32:46
  Speaker 1: young gentleman who very plainly showed his great admiration for
• 32:50
  Speaker 1: the lady. When he came, she suddenly woke up from
• 32:53
  Speaker 1: her listless mood and became as brilliantly gay as she
• 32:56
  Speaker 1: had been a mistakably melancholy before. As she chat died,
• 33:00
  Speaker 1: she absent mindedly pushed to and fro a small antique
• 33:03
  Speaker 1: urn of braz on the chimney piece, and in doing
• 33:06
  Speaker 1: so she more than once gave to her in a
• 33:08
  Speaker 1: quick significent glance, which she answered at last by a
• 33:12
  Speaker 1: somewhat haughty nought. Then, as if satisfied, she ceased throwing
• 33:16
  Speaker 1: with the ornament and became absorbed in Sir Chesper's gallant bandinage.
• 33:20
  Speaker 1: The instant her son approached, missus Nordan, Madame Meya grow anxious,
• 33:23
  Speaker 1: and leaving Octavia and her friends and lover, she watched Jasper,
• 33:27
  Speaker 1: but her surveyance awaited little, for she could neither see
• 33:30
  Speaker 1: nor hear anything amiss, yet could not rid herself with
• 33:33
  Speaker 1: the feeling that some mutual understanding existed between them. When
• 33:37
  Speaker 1: the party broke for the night, she lingered till all
• 33:39
  Speaker 1: were gone but her son and nephew. Well, Madame Amya,
• 33:43
  Speaker 1: what troubles you? Asked Sir Jasper, as she looked anxiously
• 33:46
  Speaker 1: into his face before bestowing her good night kiss. I
• 33:50
  Speaker 1: cannot tell yet I feel ill at ease. Remember my son,
• 33:53
  Speaker 1: that you are the pride of my heart, and any
• 33:55
  Speaker 1: sin er shame of yours would kill me. Good night, Maurice,
• 33:58
  Speaker 1: And with a stately bow, she swept away, launching both
• 34:02
  Speaker 1: elbows on a low chimney piece. Such Jsper smiled at
• 34:05
  Speaker 1: his mother's fears and said to his cousin the instant
• 34:07
  Speaker 1: they were alone, she is worried about e s odd
• 34:11
  Speaker 1: isn't it what instinctive antipothies women can take to one another?
• 34:15
  Speaker 1: Why did you ask es? Here? Demanded Trehearne, my dear fellow.
• 34:19
  Speaker 1: How could I help it? My mother wanted the General,
• 34:22
  Speaker 1: my father's friend, and of course his wife must be
• 34:24
  Speaker 1: asked also. I couldn't tell my mother that the lady
• 34:27
  Speaker 1: had been a most arrogant coquette, to put it mildly,
• 34:30
  Speaker 1: and had married the old man in a pet because
• 34:32
  Speaker 1: my cousin and I declined to be ruined by her.
• 34:35
  Speaker 1: You could have told her what mischief she makes wherever
• 34:38
  Speaker 1: she goes, and for ok Davia's sake, have deferred the
• 34:41
  Speaker 1: general's visit for a time. I warn you, jasper hum
• 34:44
  Speaker 1: will come of it to whom you are me to both,
• 34:48
  Speaker 1: perhaps certainly to you. She was disappointed at once when
• 34:51
  Speaker 1: she lost his bows in wavering between your title my
• 34:54
  Speaker 1: supposed fortune. She is miserable with the old man, and
• 34:58
  Speaker 1: her only hope is in his death, for he is
• 35:00
  Speaker 1: very feeble. You are free and doubly attractive now, so
• 35:03
  Speaker 1: beware she won't tangle you before you know it. Thanks mentor,
• 35:08
  Speaker 1: I have no fear. I shall merely amuse myself for
• 35:10
  Speaker 1: a week. They stay no longer, and with a careless
• 35:13
  Speaker 1: love such aspers rolled away. Much mischief may be done
• 35:16
  Speaker 1: in a week. And this is the beginning of it,
• 35:19
  Speaker 1: muttered Trehearne, as he raised himself to look under the
• 35:21
  Speaker 1: browns ways for the note it was gone. End of
• 35:26
  Speaker 1: chapter two. Recording by Eli August two thousand and nine.
• 35:34
  Speaker 1: Chapter three of The Abbot's Ghost. This is the librovox recording.
• 35:39
  Speaker 1: All Librovox recordings are in the public domain. For more
• 35:42
  Speaker 1: information not a volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording
• 35:47
  Speaker 1: by Ali The Abbot's Ghost on Maurice Trehearne's Temptation by
• 35:51
  Speaker 1: Louisa May orcod Chapter three.
• 35:53
  Speaker 3: Who was it.
• 35:55
  Speaker 1: Who had taken it? This question to manded Trehearne all
• 35:59
  Speaker 1: that sleepless night. He suspected three persons, for only these
• 36:03
  Speaker 1: three had approached the fire after the note was hidden.
• 36:06
  Speaker 1: He had kept his eye on it, he thought, till
• 36:08
  Speaker 1: the sturve breaking up in that moment. It must have
• 36:11
  Speaker 1: been removed by the Major. Frank Ain and or my
• 36:13
  Speaker 1: Lady sug Jasper was out of the question, for he
• 36:16
  Speaker 1: never touched an ornament in the drawing room. Since he
• 36:19
  Speaker 1: had awkwardly demolished a whole eitter share of costly drifles
• 36:22
  Speaker 1: to his mother's and sisters great grief. The Major evidently
• 36:25
  Speaker 1: suspected something. Annan was jealous, and my lady would be
• 36:29
  Speaker 1: glad of a pretext to remove her daughter from his reach.
• 36:32
  Speaker 1: Trusting to his skill in reading faces, he waited impatiently
• 36:35
  Speaker 1: for morning, resolving to say nothing to any one but
• 36:38
  Speaker 1: missus Snowdon, and from her merely to inquire what the
• 36:41
  Speaker 1: note contained. Treherne usually was invisible till lunch, often till dinner. Therefore,
• 36:47
  Speaker 1: fearing to excite suspicion by unwanted activity, he did not
• 36:50
  Speaker 1: appear till noon. The mail bag had just been opened,
• 36:53
  Speaker 1: and everyone was busy with the letters, but all looked
• 36:56
  Speaker 1: up to exchange a word with the newcomer, and Octavia
• 36:58
  Speaker 1: impulsively turned to meet him, then checked herself and hid
• 37:01
  Speaker 1: her Suddenly crimsoned face behind the newspaper. Traherne's eye took
• 37:05
  Speaker 1: in everything and saw at once, and the n usually
• 37:08
  Speaker 1: laid the arrival of the mail a pretext for discovering
• 37:10
  Speaker 1: the pelfer of the note. All have letters, but me
• 37:13
  Speaker 1: yet I expected one last night, Major, have you got
• 37:17
  Speaker 1: it among yours? And as he spoke to Herne fixed
• 37:19
  Speaker 1: his penetrating eyes full on the person he had dressed.
• 37:22
  Speaker 1: With no sign of consciousness, no trace of confusion. The
• 37:26
  Speaker 1: Major carefully turned over his pile and replied, in the
• 37:28
  Speaker 1: most natural manner, not the trace of it. I wish
• 37:31
  Speaker 1: there was, for nothing annoys me more than any delay
• 37:34
  Speaker 1: or mistake about my letters. He knows nothing of it,
• 37:37
  Speaker 1: thought tre Herne, and turned to Anan, who was deep
• 37:39
  Speaker 1: in a long epistle from some intimate friend with the
• 37:42
  Speaker 1: talent for imparting news to judge from the reader's interest, Anan,
• 37:46
  Speaker 1: I appeal to you, for I must discover who has
• 37:48
  Speaker 1: robbed me of my letter. I have but one read it,
• 37:51
  Speaker 1: if you will and satisfy yourself, was the brief reply.
• 37:55
  Speaker 1: No thank you, I merely asked in choke. It is
• 37:58
  Speaker 1: doubtless among my ladies, jess as letters and mine often
• 38:01
  Speaker 1: get mixed, and my lady takes care of his for him.
• 38:03
  Speaker 1: I think you must have it, aunt Lady Treherne looked
• 38:07
  Speaker 1: up impatiently, My dear Maurice. What they call about the letter?
• 38:10
  Speaker 1: We none of us have it, So do not punish
• 38:13
  Speaker 1: us for the sins of your correspondent or the carelessness
• 38:16
  Speaker 1: of the post. She was not deceived, for she is
• 38:18
  Speaker 1: always intensely polite when she intends to dward me, thought Treherne,
• 38:22
  Speaker 1: and apologizing for his rudeness and disturbing them, he rolled
• 38:26
  Speaker 1: himself to his nook in a sunny window and became
• 38:28
  Speaker 1: apparently absorbed in a new magazine. Missus Snawdon was opening
• 38:32
  Speaker 1: the generous letters for him, and having finished her little task,
• 38:35
  Speaker 1: she roamed away into the library as if in search
• 38:38
  Speaker 1: of a book. Presently returning with one, she approached to Herne,
• 38:41
  Speaker 1: and putting it into his hands, set in her musically
• 38:44
  Speaker 1: distinct voice, be so kind as to find for me
• 38:46
  Speaker 1: the passage you spoke of last night. I'm curious to
• 38:50
  Speaker 1: see it. Instantly comprehending her strategy, he opened it with
• 38:54
  Speaker 1: apparent carelessness, secured a tiny note laid among the leaves,
• 38:57
  Speaker 1: and selecting a passage at hazard, turned her book and
• 39:00
  Speaker 1: resumed his own. Behind the cover of the turnfolded and
• 39:04
  Speaker 1: read these words I understand, but do not be anxious.
• 39:07
  Speaker 1: The liner left was merely this, I must see you alone,
• 39:11
  Speaker 1: tell me when and were. No one can make much
• 39:13
  Speaker 1: of it, and I will discover de sieve before dinner.
• 39:16
  Speaker 1: Do nothing but watch to whom I speak first on
• 39:18
  Speaker 1: entering when we meet in the evening, and beware of
• 39:21
  Speaker 1: the person quietly transferring the note to the fire with
• 39:24
  Speaker 1: the wrap of the magazine. He dismissed the matter from
• 39:27
  Speaker 1: his mind and left Missus Snawton to play detective as
• 39:29
  Speaker 1: she pleased, while he busied himself about his own affairs.
• 39:33
  Speaker 1: It was a clear, bright December day, and when the
• 39:35
  Speaker 1: young people separated to prepare for a ride, while the
• 39:38
  Speaker 1: General and the Major sent themselves on the terrace, Lady
• 39:41
  Speaker 1: Treherne said to her nephew, I am going for an
• 39:43
  Speaker 1: airing in the pony carriage. Will you be my escort?
• 39:46
  Speaker 1: Maurice with pleasure, replied the young man, well knowing what
• 39:50
  Speaker 1: was in store for him. My lady was unusually testy,
• 39:53
  Speaker 1: turning grave. He had seemed anxious to say something which
• 39:56
  Speaker 1: she found difficult to utter. Treherne saw this and ended
• 39:59
  Speaker 1: an awkward pause by dashing boldly into the subject which
• 40:02
  Speaker 1: occupied both. I think you want to say something to
• 40:05
  Speaker 1: me about Tavia. Am I right? Yes? Then let me
• 40:09
  Speaker 1: spare the pain of beginning improve me sincerity by openly
• 40:13
  Speaker 1: stating the truth as far as I am concerned. I
• 40:16
  Speaker 1: love her very dearly, but I am not mad enough
• 40:18
  Speaker 1: to dream of telling her. So I know that it
• 40:20
  Speaker 1: is impossible. They relinquish my hopes. Trust me. I will
• 40:24
  Speaker 1: keep silent and see her mary ain and without a
• 40:26
  Speaker 1: word of complaint, if you will it, I see by
• 40:29
  Speaker 1: her altered manner that you have spoken to her, and
• 40:31
  Speaker 1: that my little friend and nurse is to be mine
• 40:33
  Speaker 1: no longer. Perhaps you are wise, but if you do
• 40:36
  Speaker 1: this on my count, it is in vain. The mischief
• 40:38
  Speaker 1: is done, and while I live, I shall love my cousin.
• 40:41
  Speaker 1: If you do it to spare her, I'm dumb and
• 40:43
  Speaker 1: will go away rather than cause her a care of pain.
• 40:47
  Speaker 1: Do you really mean this? Maurice? And Lady Trahanne looked
• 40:50
  Speaker 1: at him with a changed, softened face. Turning upon her,
• 40:53
  Speaker 1: Trahanne showed her countenance full of suffering and sincerity of
• 40:56
  Speaker 1: resignation and resolve. As he said earnestly, I do mean it.
• 41:00
  Speaker 1: Prove me in any way you please. I'm not a
• 41:02
  Speaker 1: bad fellow, aunt, and I desire to be better. Since
• 41:05
  Speaker 1: my misfortune, I have had time to test many things
• 41:08
  Speaker 1: myself among others, and in spite of many faults, I
• 41:11
  Speaker 1: do cherish the wish to keep my soul honest and true,
• 41:14
  Speaker 1: even though my body be a wreck. It is easy
• 41:16
  Speaker 1: to say these things, but in spite of temptation, I
• 41:19
  Speaker 1: think I can stand firm if you trust me, my
• 41:22
  Speaker 1: dear boy, I do trust you, and thank you gratefully
• 41:25
  Speaker 1: for this frankness. I never forget that their own jasper's
• 41:28
  Speaker 1: life to you, and never expect to repay the debt.
• 41:31
  Speaker 1: Remember this when I seem cold to one kind. And
• 41:34
  Speaker 1: remember also that they say, now, had you been spared
• 41:36
  Speaker 1: this affliction, I would glad you have given you, my girl.
• 41:39
  Speaker 1: But but Aunt, here one thing broke in trahan They
• 41:44
  Speaker 1: tell me that any sudden and violent jock of surprise,
• 41:46
  Speaker 1: show your sorrow may do for me what the hope
• 41:49
  Speaker 1: time will achieve. I said nothing of this, for it
• 41:52
  Speaker 1: is but a chance. Yet well there is any hope
• 41:54
  Speaker 1: that the utterly renownce Octavia, it is hard to refuse.
• 41:58
  Speaker 1: And yet I cannot think it wise to build upon
• 42:00
  Speaker 1: a chance to slide once let her have you when
• 42:03
  Speaker 1: both are made unhappy. If the hope fail, No, Maurice,
• 42:06
  Speaker 1: it is better to be generous and leave her free
• 42:09
  Speaker 1: to make your own happiness elsewhere Inan loves her, and
• 42:11
  Speaker 1: she is heartful and will soon learn to love him.
• 42:14
  Speaker 1: If you are silent, my poor boy, it seems cruel,
• 42:17
  Speaker 1: but I must say it. Shall I go away? Aunt?
• 42:21
  Speaker 1: Was all his answer, very firmly, uttered, though his lips
• 42:24
  Speaker 1: were white. Not yet, only leave them to themselves, and
• 42:27
  Speaker 1: hide your trouble if you can. Yet, if you prefer,
• 42:30
  Speaker 1: you shall go to town, and Benson shall see that
• 42:32
  Speaker 1: you are comfortable. Your hears will be a reason, and
• 42:35
  Speaker 1: I will come or right often if you are homesick.
• 42:38
  Speaker 1: It shall depend on you, for I want to be
• 42:40
  Speaker 1: just and kind in this heart case. You shall decide,
• 42:44
  Speaker 1: then I will stay. I can hide my lave and
• 42:46
  Speaker 1: to see them together will soon cease to wound me.
• 42:48
  Speaker 1: If Octavia is happy, so let it rest. Then for
• 42:51
  Speaker 1: a time. You shall miss your companion as little as possible,
• 42:54
  Speaker 1: for I will try to fill her place. Forgive me
• 42:57
  Speaker 1: Maurice and pit their mother's solicitude for these toward the
• 43:00
  Speaker 1: last of many children. And I am a widow now.
• 43:03
  Speaker 1: Lady Raharne's voice faltered, and if any selfish hope or
• 43:06
  Speaker 1: bland lingered in her nephew's mind, that the pill punished
• 43:09
  Speaker 1: it and touched his better nature. Pressing her hand, he
• 43:12
  Speaker 1: said gently, dear aunt, do not lament over me. I
• 43:15
  Speaker 1: am once at apart for afflictions. Yet I will not
• 43:18
  Speaker 1: be conquered by them. Let us forget my youth and
• 43:21
  Speaker 1: be friendly counselors together for the good of the two
• 43:23
  Speaker 1: whom we both love. I must say a word about Jasper,
• 43:27
  Speaker 1: and you will not press me to explain more than
• 43:28
  Speaker 1: I can without breaking my promise. Thank you, Thank you.
• 43:32
  Speaker 1: It is regarding that woman I know. Tell me all
• 43:35
  Speaker 1: you can. I will not be importune. But I disliked
• 43:38
  Speaker 1: her the instant I saw her, beautiful and charming as
• 43:40
  Speaker 1: she seems. When my cousin and I were in Paris,
• 43:44
  Speaker 1: just before my illness we met her. She was with
• 43:46
  Speaker 1: her father, then a gay old man who led a
• 43:49
  Speaker 1: life of pleasure and was no fit guardian for a
• 43:51
  Speaker 1: lovely daughter. She knew our story, and, having fascinated both,
• 43:55
  Speaker 1: paused to decide which she would accept, Jasper for his titler,
• 43:58
  Speaker 1: me for my fortune. This was before my uncle changed
• 44:01
  Speaker 1: his well, and I believed myself his heir. But before
• 44:04
  Speaker 1: she made her choice, something don't ask me, what if
• 44:07
  Speaker 1: you please occurred to send us from Paris. On our
• 44:10
  Speaker 1: return voyage, we were wrecked, and then came my illness
• 44:13
  Speaker 1: is inheritance and helplessness. Edith to Barry heard the story,
• 44:17
  Speaker 1: but Ruma reported it falsely, and she believed both of
• 44:20
  Speaker 1: us had lost the fortune. Her father died penniless, and
• 44:23
  Speaker 1: in a moment of despair, she married the general, whose
• 44:25
  Speaker 1: well surrounds with the luxury she loves, and whose feeling
• 44:28
  Speaker 1: healths will soon restore her liberty. And then Maurice interrupted,
• 44:32
  Speaker 1: my lady, she hopes to win Chessper, I think never.
• 44:37
  Speaker 1: You must prevent that at all costs. I had rather
• 44:39
  Speaker 1: see him dead before me than the husband of such
• 44:42
  Speaker 1: a woman. While she permitted to visit homes like mine.
• 44:45
  Speaker 1: I should have been told this sooner, exclaimed my lady angrily.
• 44:49
  Speaker 1: I should have told you had I known it, and
• 44:51
  Speaker 1: her roof jess with with neglect. Do not be needlessly troubled. Aunt.
• 44:54
  Speaker 1: There is no blemish on Missus Norton's name, and as
• 44:57
  Speaker 1: the wife of a brave and honorable man, she is
• 44:59
  Speaker 1: res seeved without question. For beauty, grace, or tact like
• 45:02
  Speaker 1: hers can make the way anywhere she stays. But a
• 45:05
  Speaker 1: week and I will devote myself to her. This will
• 45:08
  Speaker 1: save Jasper, and if necessary, convinced Tavior of my indifference.
• 45:12
  Speaker 1: Then he paused to stifle a sigh. But yourself, have
• 45:16
  Speaker 1: you no fears of your own peace, Maurice, You must
• 45:18
  Speaker 1: not sacrifice happiness or honor for me or mine. I
• 45:22
  Speaker 1: am safe. I love my cousin, and that is my shield.
• 45:25
  Speaker 1: Whatever happens, remember that I tried to serve you and
• 45:28
  Speaker 1: sincerely endeavored to forget myself. God bless you, my son.
• 45:33
  Speaker 1: Let me call you so and feel that though I
• 45:35
  Speaker 1: deny you, my daughter, I give you heart a Lamada's
• 45:38
  Speaker 1: care and affection. Lady Treharne was as generous as she
• 45:41
  Speaker 1: was proud, and her nephew had conquered her with confidence
• 45:44
  Speaker 1: and submission. He acted no part. Yet even in relinquishing all,
• 45:48
  Speaker 1: he cherished the hope that he might get win the
• 45:50
  Speaker 1: heart he coveted. Silently departed. But from that hour a
• 45:54
  Speaker 1: new enclose upon existed between the two and exerted an
• 45:57
  Speaker 1: unsuspected influence of the whole household. Maurice waited with some
• 46:01
  Speaker 1: impatience for Missus s Norton's entrance, not only because of
• 46:05
  Speaker 1: his curiosity to see if she had discovered the thieve,
• 46:08
  Speaker 1: but because of the party had taken upon himself to play.
• 46:11
  Speaker 1: He was equal to it and felt a certain pleasure
• 46:13
  Speaker 1: in it for a threefold reason. It would serve his
• 46:16
  Speaker 1: aunt and cousin, would divert his mind from its own cares,
• 46:19
  Speaker 1: and perhaps be making Octavia jealers making laugh. For though
• 46:22
  Speaker 1: he had chosen the right, he was but a man,
• 46:25
  Speaker 1: and moreover a lover. Missus s Noddon was late, she
• 46:28
  Speaker 1: always was, for to let was elaborad and she liked
• 46:31
  Speaker 1: to enjoy it the effects upon others. The moment she entered,
• 46:34
  Speaker 1: Treherne's eye was on her, and to his intense surprise
• 46:37
  Speaker 1: and annoyance, she had dressed Octavia saying, plaintly, my dear
• 46:41
  Speaker 1: mister Hearne, I've been admiring your peacocks. Pray let me
• 46:44
  Speaker 1: see your feet them to morrow. Miss talboth says it's
• 46:47
  Speaker 1: a charming sight. If you're in the terrish just after lunch,
• 46:50
  Speaker 1: you'll find them there and may feed them yourself if
• 46:53
  Speaker 1: you like. Was the cruel civil reply. She looks like
• 46:56
  Speaker 1: a peacock herself in that splendid green and gold dressed
• 47:00
  Speaker 1: She whispered, roast such chessper with a wicked laugh face.
• 47:04
  Speaker 1: She does wish Tarry's birds had voices like Missus Snowdon's.
• 47:07
  Speaker 1: They squealing annoys me intensely. I rather like it false, honest,
• 47:11
  Speaker 1: and no malice of mischief is hidden behind it. I
• 47:14
  Speaker 1: always distrust those smooth, sweet voices, dear insincere. I like
• 47:18
  Speaker 1: a full, clear tone, sharp if you please, but decided
• 47:21
  Speaker 1: and true, well, said Octavia. I agree with you, and
• 47:25
  Speaker 1: you owner is a perfect sample of the kind you describe.
• 47:28
  Speaker 1: And Rahanne smiled as he rolled by to join Missus Snowdon,
• 47:31
  Speaker 1: who evidently waited for him, while Ocdavia turned to her
• 47:34
  Speaker 1: brother to defend her pets. Are you sure, how did
• 47:37
  Speaker 1: you discover, said Maurice, affecting to admire the lady's bouquet
• 47:41
  Speaker 1: as she paused beside her. I suspected it the moment
• 47:44
  Speaker 1: I saw her this morning. She is no actress, and dislike, distrusted,
• 47:47
  Speaker 1: and contempt are visible in her face when we met.
• 47:50
  Speaker 1: Tell you so cleverly told me my note was lost.
• 47:53
  Speaker 1: I fancy she was disturbed about her brother or you.
• 47:56
  Speaker 1: A sudden pause and the keen glance followed their last
• 47:58
  Speaker 1: soft uttered words, but Trehanne met it with an inscrutable
• 48:01
  Speaker 1: smile and the quiet well what next. The moment I
• 48:05
  Speaker 1: learned that you did not get the note, I was
• 48:07
  Speaker 1: sure she had it, and, knowing that she must have
• 48:09
  Speaker 1: seen me put it there, in spite of her apparent
• 48:11
  Speaker 1: inno sense I quietly asked her for it. This surprised her,
• 48:15
  Speaker 1: disrobed the affair of any mystery, and I've finished her
• 48:18
  Speaker 1: perplexity by sending it to the Major. The moment she
• 48:20
  Speaker 1: returned it to me, as if it had been intended
• 48:23
  Speaker 1: for him, she begged pardon and said her brother was thoughtless,
• 48:25
  Speaker 1: and she watched over him lest she should get into mischief.
• 48:28
  Speaker 1: Profess to think and made the line for him and
• 48:30
  Speaker 1: behaved like a charming simpletner. She is quite a tumult
• 48:34
  Speaker 1: about nothing, Poor little Tavy, you doubtlessly frightened her, so
• 48:38
  Speaker 1: that you may safely correspond hereafter you may give me
• 48:41
  Speaker 1: an answer now and here very well, meet me on
• 48:44
  Speaker 1: the terrace tomorrow morning. The peacocks will make the meeting
• 48:47
  Speaker 1: natural enough. I usually loid away an hour or two
• 48:50
  Speaker 1: there in the sunny part of the day. But the
• 48:53
  Speaker 1: girl I will send her away. You speak as if
• 48:57
  Speaker 1: it would be an easy thing to do. It were
• 48:59
  Speaker 1: both easy and pleasant. Now your mysteriors are uncomplimentary. You
• 49:04
  Speaker 1: either care nothing for a tat a tat with her,
• 49:07
  Speaker 1: or you will gladly send her out of my way.
• 49:09
  Speaker 1: Which is it? You shall decide? Can I have this?
• 49:13
  Speaker 1: She looked at him as he touched a rose with
• 49:15
  Speaker 1: the warning glance, for the flower was both in the
• 49:17
  Speaker 1: blame of love and of silence. Did he mean to
• 49:20
  Speaker 1: hint that he recalled the past or to warn her
• 49:22
  Speaker 1: that some one was near? She leaned from the shadow
• 49:25
  Speaker 1: of the curtain where she sat and caught a glimpse
• 49:27
  Speaker 1: of a shadow gliding away.
• 49:29
  Speaker 3: Who was it?
• 49:29
  Speaker 1: She asked below her breath. A rose answered, loving then,
• 49:34
  Speaker 1: as if the danger was over, he said, how will
• 49:36
  Speaker 1: you account the major for the message you sent him?
• 49:39
  Speaker 1: Easily by fabricating some interesting perplexity in which a one's
• 49:43
  Speaker 1: age counts her, he will be flattered and be seeming
• 49:45
  Speaker 1: to take him into my confidence. I can hol drink
• 49:48
  Speaker 1: the excellent man to my heart's content, for he knows
• 49:51
  Speaker 1: me by his good way of mounting out over me
• 49:53
  Speaker 1: at all times. Now take me in to dinner and
• 49:55
  Speaker 1: be your former delightful self. That is impossible, he said,
• 49:59
  Speaker 1: Yet prove that it was not. End of chapter three.
• 50:04
  Speaker 1: Recording by Eli, October two thousand and nine. Chapter four
• 50:13
  Speaker 1: of The Abbot's Ghost. This is a LibriVox recording. All
• 50:17
  Speaker 1: LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information,
• 50:20
  Speaker 1: not to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording by Eli.
• 50:25
  Speaker 1: The Abbot's Ghost on Maristrahearne's Temptation by Louisa may Alcott,
• 50:29
  Speaker 1: Chapter four, Feeding the Peacocks. It was indeed a charming sight.
• 50:35
  Speaker 1: The twelve stately birds perched on a broad stone bellow street,
• 50:39
  Speaker 1: or branching slowly along the terrace, with the sun gleaming
• 50:42
  Speaker 1: on their green and golden necks and the glories of
• 50:44
  Speaker 1: their gorgeous plumes, widespread or sweeping like rich trains. Behind them.
• 50:48
  Speaker 1: In pretty contrast to the splendid creatures, was the young
• 50:51
  Speaker 1: mistress in her simple morning dress and fur drimmed hood
• 50:54
  Speaker 1: and mantle, as she stood feeding the tame pads from
• 50:57
  Speaker 1: her hand, calling their fanciful names, laughing at their pranks,
• 51:00
  Speaker 1: and heartily enjoying the winter sunshine, the fresh wind, and
• 51:03
  Speaker 1: the girlish pastime. Astre Hearne slowly approached. He watched her
• 51:07
  Speaker 1: with lover's eyes, and found her very sweet and plight
• 51:10
  Speaker 1: and dear in his sight than ever. She had shun
• 51:13
  Speaker 1: him carefully all the day before, had parted at night
• 51:16
  Speaker 1: with a hasty handshake, and had not come, as usual
• 51:19
  Speaker 1: to bid him good morning in the library. He had
• 51:21
  Speaker 1: taken no notice of the changes yet, but now, remembering
• 51:25
  Speaker 1: his promise to his aunt, he resolved to let the
• 51:27
  Speaker 1: girl know that he fully understood the relation which henceforth
• 51:30
  Speaker 1: was to exist between them. Good morning, cousin, Shall I
• 51:34
  Speaker 1: drive you away if I take a turn or two? Here?
• 51:37
  Speaker 1: He said, in a cheerful tone, but with a half
• 51:39
  Speaker 1: reproachful glance. She looked at him an instant then went
• 51:43
  Speaker 1: to him with extended hand and cheeks rosier than before,
• 51:46
  Speaker 1: while her frank eyes filled and her voice had a
• 51:48
  Speaker 1: great restremmer in it, as she said impetuously, I will
• 51:52
  Speaker 1: be myself for a moment, in spite of everything, Maurice,
• 51:55
  Speaker 1: don't think me unkind, don't reproach me or ask my
• 51:58
  Speaker 1: leave to come where I am. There's a reason for
• 52:01
  Speaker 1: that change you see in me. It's not caprice. It's obedience,
• 52:05
  Speaker 1: My dear girl, I know it. I want to speak
• 52:08
  Speaker 1: of it and show you that I understand. Anan is
• 52:11
  Speaker 1: a good fellow, as worthy of you as any man
• 52:14
  Speaker 1: can be, and I wish you all the happiness you deserve.
• 52:17
  Speaker 2: Do you?
• 52:18
  Speaker 1: Her eyes searched his face keenly, yes, do you doubt it?
• 52:22
  Speaker 1: And so well did he conceal his love that neither
• 52:25
  Speaker 1: face voice Normanda betrayed the hint of it. Her eyes fell,
• 52:29
  Speaker 1: A cloud passed through her clear countenance. When she withdrew
• 52:32
  Speaker 1: her hand as if to carry as the hungry bird
• 52:34
  Speaker 1: that gently packed the basket she held, as if to
• 52:37
  Speaker 1: change the conversation, she said, playfully, poor Argus, you have
• 52:41
  Speaker 1: lost your fine feathers, and so all desert you, except
• 52:44
  Speaker 1: the kind little juno who never forgets her friends. There,
• 52:47
  Speaker 1: take it all and share between you. Traherne smiled and
• 52:50
  Speaker 1: said quickly, I am a human argus, and you have
• 52:53
  Speaker 1: been a kind little tuno to me since I lost
• 52:55
  Speaker 1: my blooms. Continue to be so, and you'll find me
• 52:58
  Speaker 1: a very faithful friend. I will, And as she answered,
• 53:02
  Speaker 1: her old smile came back and her eyes met his again. Thanks.
• 53:06
  Speaker 1: Now we shall get on happily. I don't ask or
• 53:09
  Speaker 1: I expect the old life. That's impossible. I knew that
• 53:12
  Speaker 1: when lovers came, the friend would fall into the background,
• 53:15
  Speaker 1: and I am content to be second, for I've so
• 53:17
  Speaker 1: long been first. Do not think you neglect me. Be
• 53:20
  Speaker 1: happy with your lover, dear, and when you have no
• 53:22
  Speaker 1: pleasant amusement, come and see old Maurice. She turned her
• 53:27
  Speaker 1: head away that he might not see the angry color
• 53:29
  Speaker 1: in her cheeks that trouble in her eyes, And when
• 53:31
  Speaker 1: she spoke, it was to say petulantly, I wish Jess
• 53:34
  Speaker 1: and Mamma would leave me in peace. I hate lovers
• 53:37
  Speaker 1: and want none. If Frank theses, I will go into
• 53:40
  Speaker 1: a convent and so be rid of him. Maurice laughed
• 53:43
  Speaker 1: and turned her face toward himself, saying in his persuasive voice,
• 53:47
  Speaker 1: give him a trial first, to please your mother. It
• 53:49
  Speaker 1: can do no harm, and may amuse you. Frank is
• 53:52
  Speaker 1: already lost, and as your heart whole, why not see
• 53:55
  Speaker 1: what you can do for him. I shall have a
• 53:57
  Speaker 1: new study then, and not miss you so much. You
• 54:00
  Speaker 1: are very kind. I'll do my best. I wish missus
• 54:03
  Speaker 1: Snawdon would come. If she is coming, I have an
• 54:06
  Speaker 1: engagement at two, and Frank will look tragical if I'm
• 54:09
  Speaker 1: not ready. He's teaching me billiards, and I really like
• 54:12
  Speaker 1: the game, though I never thought they should. That looks well.
• 54:16
  Speaker 1: I hope you'll learn a double lesson and ain't and
• 54:19
  Speaker 1: find a dosal pupil in both. You're very pale this morning.
• 54:23
  Speaker 1: Are you in pain? Maurice suddenly asked Octavia, dropping the
• 54:26
  Speaker 1: tone of assumed ease and gaiety under which she had
• 54:29
  Speaker 1: tried to hide her trouble. Yes, but it will soon pass.
• 54:33
  Speaker 1: Missus Snowdon is coming. I saw her at the haul
• 54:35
  Speaker 1: by a moment ago. I will show her the peacocks
• 54:38
  Speaker 1: if you want to go. She won't mind the change.
• 54:40
  Speaker 1: I dare say, as you don't like her, and I
• 54:42
  Speaker 1: do no I'm sure of that it was an arrangement.
• 54:46
  Speaker 1: Perhaps I understand. I will look blay Matemoiselle de draw.
• 54:50
  Speaker 1: Sudden fire shone in the girl's eyes. Sudden contempt curled
• 54:54
  Speaker 1: her lip, and a glance full of meaning went from
• 54:56
  Speaker 1: her cousin to the door, where missus Snowdon appeared, waiting
• 54:59
  Speaker 1: for a maid to bring her some additional wrappings. You
• 55:02
  Speaker 1: allude to the note you stole. How come you play
• 55:05
  Speaker 1: at prank tavy, asked Treherne, dranquility. I saw her put
• 55:08
  Speaker 1: it under the urn. I thought it was for Jasper,
• 55:11
  Speaker 1: and I took it. She said, boldly. Why for Jasper?
• 55:15
  Speaker 1: I remember his speaking of meeting her long ago and
• 55:18
  Speaker 1: describing her beauty enthusiastically, And so did you. You have
• 55:22
  Speaker 1: a good memory I have for everything concerning those I love.
• 55:26
  Speaker 1: I observed her manner of meeting my brother, his devotion
• 55:29
  Speaker 1: to her, and when they stood loving together before the fire,
• 55:33
  Speaker 1: I felt sure that she wished to charm him again again.
• 55:36
  Speaker 1: Then she did charm him once, asked Treherne, anxious to
• 55:40
  Speaker 1: know how much Jasper had told his sister. He always
• 55:43
  Speaker 1: denied it and declared that you were the favorite. Then
• 55:46
  Speaker 1: why not think the note for me, he asked, I
• 55:50
  Speaker 1: do now, was the sharp answer. But she told you
• 55:53
  Speaker 1: it was for the major and sent it. She deceived me.
• 55:57
  Speaker 1: I'm not surprised. I am glad Chessper is safe, and
• 56:00
  Speaker 1: I wish you a pleasant heat to tate. Bowing with
• 56:02
  Speaker 1: unwanted dignity, Octavia set down her basket and walked away
• 56:06
  Speaker 1: in one direction, as missus Snowdon approached in another. I
• 56:10
  Speaker 1: have done it, now, sighed Trehearne, turning from the girlish
• 56:13
  Speaker 1: figure to watch the staintly creature who came sweeping towards
• 56:16
  Speaker 1: him with noiseless grace. Brilliant then splendor became Missus Snowdon.
• 56:21
  Speaker 1: She enjoyed luxury, and her beauty made many things becoming
• 56:24
  Speaker 1: which in a plainer woman would have been out of
• 56:26
  Speaker 1: taste and absurd. She red trapped herself in her genuine
• 56:29
  Speaker 1: Eastern burners of scarlet, blue and gold. The hood drawn
• 56:32
  Speaker 1: over her head framed her fine face in rich hues,
• 56:35
  Speaker 1: and the great gilled tassels shone against the rippling black hair.
• 56:40
  Speaker 1: She wiped with grace, and the barbaric splendor of the
• 56:42
  Speaker 1: garment became her well. The fresh air touched her cheeks
• 56:46
  Speaker 1: with a delicate color. Her usually gloomy eyes were brilliant now,
• 56:50
  Speaker 1: and the smile departed her lips was full of happiness. Welcome, Gleopatra,
• 56:55
  Speaker 1: cried Trehearne, with difficulty repressing a laugh, as the peacock
• 56:58
  Speaker 1: screamed and fled before the rustling amplitude of a drapery.
• 57:02
  Speaker 1: I might reply by calling you to day us varshaw,
• 57:05
  Speaker 1: for you look very romantic and polish with your pale,
• 57:08
  Speaker 1: pensive face and your splendid furs, she answered, as she
• 57:11
  Speaker 1: paused beside him, with admiration very visibly expressed in her eyes.
• 57:16
  Speaker 1: Brahearn disliked a look, and Rader abruptly said, as he
• 57:19
  Speaker 1: offered her the basket of bread, I've disposed of my
• 57:22
  Speaker 1: cousin and offered to do the honors of the peacocks.
• 57:25
  Speaker 1: Here they are, Will you feed them?
• 57:27
  Speaker 2: No?
• 57:28
  Speaker 1: Thank you. I care nothing for the fowls. As you know,
• 57:31
  Speaker 1: I came to speak to you, she said, impatiently. I
• 57:34
  Speaker 1: am at your service. I wish to ask you a
• 57:37
  Speaker 1: question or two? Is it permitted? What man? Ever? Refused?
• 57:41
  Speaker 1: Missus snowdon a request, Nay, no compliments from you. They
• 57:45
  Speaker 1: are only satirical elevations. I was deceived when abroad and
• 57:49
  Speaker 1: Rashleigh merrit the old man. Tell me truly how things stand,
• 57:53
  Speaker 1: jasper Us all I've nothing. I am glad of it.
• 57:57
  Speaker 1: Many thanks for the hearty speech at least week sincerely,
• 58:01
  Speaker 1: he said bitterly, I do, Maurice, I do. Let me
• 58:05
  Speaker 1: prove it. Treherne's chair was close beside the bellustrade. Missus
• 58:10
  Speaker 1: Nordan leaned on the craft railing, with her back to
• 58:12
  Speaker 1: the house and her face screened by a tall urn.
• 58:15
  Speaker 1: Looking steadily at him, she said, rapidly and low. You
• 58:18
  Speaker 1: thought I wavered between you and Jasper when we parted
• 58:21
  Speaker 1: two years ago. I did. But it was not between
• 58:24
  Speaker 1: title and fortune that I hesitated. It was between beauty
• 58:28
  Speaker 1: and love. My father, a fond, foolish old man, had
• 58:31
  Speaker 1: set his heart on seeing me a lady. I was
• 58:34
  Speaker 1: his all. My beauty was his delight. A no entitled
• 58:37
  Speaker 1: man was deemed worthy of me. I loved him tenderly.
• 58:40
  Speaker 1: You may doubt this, knowing herselfish, reckless and vain, I am.
• 58:44
  Speaker 1: But I have a heart, and with better training, had
• 58:47
  Speaker 1: been a better woman. No matter, it is too late
• 58:50
  Speaker 1: now next, my father, I loved you, Nay hear me,
• 58:54
  Speaker 1: I will clear myself in your eyes. I mean no
• 58:56
  Speaker 1: wrong to the General. He is kind, indulgent general. I
• 59:00
  Speaker 1: respect him, I am grateful, and while he lives, I
• 59:03
  Speaker 1: shall be true to him. Then be silent. Now, do
• 59:07
  Speaker 1: not recall the past. Edith, let it sleep, for both
• 59:10
  Speaker 1: our's sakes, began Rehurn, But she checked him imperiously. It
• 59:14
  Speaker 1: shall when I am done. I loved you, Maurice. For
• 59:17
  Speaker 1: all the gay, idle, pleasure seeking men as though about me,
• 59:20
  Speaker 1: you were the only one who seemed to have a
• 59:22
  Speaker 1: thought beyond the folly of the hour, Under the seeming
• 59:25
  Speaker 1: frivolity of your lifely something noble, heroic, and true. I
• 59:29
  Speaker 1: felt that you had a purpose, that your present mood
• 59:32
  Speaker 1: was but transitory, a young man's holiday before the real
• 59:35
  Speaker 1: work of his life began. This attracted, This won me,
• 59:39
  Speaker 1: for even in the brief regard you then gave me,
• 59:41
  Speaker 1: there was an earnestness nor other man had shown. I
• 59:44
  Speaker 1: wanted your respect. I longed to earn your love. To
• 59:47
  Speaker 1: share your life proved that even in my neglected nature
• 59:50
  Speaker 1: slept the power of canceling. If revol was passed by
• 59:53
  Speaker 1: a noble future. Oh, Maurice had you lingered one week more.
• 59:57
  Speaker 1: I never should have been the miserable thing I am. There,
• 1:00:00
  Speaker 1: her voice faltered and failed. For all the bitterness of
• 1:00:03
  Speaker 1: lost love, peace and happiness sounded in the pathetic passion
• 1:00:07
  Speaker 1: of that exclamation. She did not weep, for tears seldom
• 1:00:10
  Speaker 1: dimmed the stragical eyes of hers. But she wrung her
• 1:00:13
  Speaker 1: hands in mute despair and looked down into the frost
• 1:00:16
  Speaker 1: blighted gardens below, as if she saw there a true
• 1:00:19
  Speaker 1: symbol of her own ruined life. Treherne uttered not the word,
• 1:00:23
  Speaker 1: but set his teeth with an almost fierce glance tow
• 1:00:25
  Speaker 1: at the distant figure of Sir Jasper, who was riding
• 1:00:28
  Speaker 1: gaily away, like one unburdened by memory or a care. Hurriedly,
• 1:00:33
  Speaker 1: missus s Nordon went on my father backed and commanded
• 1:00:36
  Speaker 1: me to choose your cousin. I could not break his
• 1:00:38
  Speaker 1: heart and asked for time, hoping to soften him. While
• 1:00:42
  Speaker 1: I waited, That mysterious affair hurried you from Paris. And
• 1:00:45
  Speaker 1: then came the wreck, the illness, the rumor that all
• 1:00:48
  Speaker 1: Sir Jasper had disinherited both nephews. They told me you
• 1:00:51
  Speaker 1: were dying, and I became a passive instrument in my
• 1:00:54
  Speaker 1: father's hands. I promised to recall and accept your cousin,
• 1:00:58
  Speaker 1: but the old man died before it was done, and
• 1:01:00
  Speaker 1: then I cared not what became of me. General Snowdown
• 1:01:04
  Speaker 1: was my father's friend. He pitied me. He saw my desolate,
• 1:01:07
  Speaker 1: destitute state. By despare my helplessness, he comforted, sustained, and
• 1:01:12
  Speaker 1: saved me. I was grateful, and when you offered me
• 1:01:15
  Speaker 1: his heart and home, I accepted them. He knew I
• 1:01:18
  Speaker 1: had no love to give, but as a friend a daughter,
• 1:01:21
  Speaker 1: I would gladly serve him and make his declining years
• 1:01:23
  Speaker 1: as happy as I could. It was all over when
• 1:01:26
  Speaker 1: I heard that you were alive, afflicted and poor. I
• 1:01:29
  Speaker 1: longed to come and live for you. When new bonds
• 1:01:31
  Speaker 1: became heavy feathers. Then my walths oppressed me, and I
• 1:01:35
  Speaker 1: was doubly wretched, for I dared not tell my trouble,
• 1:01:38
  Speaker 1: and it nearly drove me mad. I have seen you now,
• 1:01:41
  Speaker 1: I know that you are happy. I read your cousin's
• 1:01:43
  Speaker 1: life and see a peaceful life in store for you.
• 1:01:46
  Speaker 1: This must content me, and I must learn to be
• 1:01:48
  Speaker 1: it as I can. She paused, breathless and pale, and
• 1:01:51
  Speaker 1: walked rapidly along the terrace, as if to hide a
• 1:01:54
  Speaker 1: control the agitation that possessed her. Graherne sat still, but
• 1:01:58
  Speaker 1: his heart leapt within it him as he thought. She
• 1:02:01
  Speaker 1: sees that Octavia loves me. A woman's eye is quick
• 1:02:04
  Speaker 1: to detect love in another. And she asserts that I
• 1:02:07
  Speaker 1: begin to hope my cousins van not just now her
• 1:02:10
  Speaker 1: dislike of Anan, her new shyness with me. It may
• 1:02:13
  Speaker 1: be true. And if it is, Heaven help me. What
• 1:02:16
  Speaker 1: am I saying? I must not hope, nor wish nor dream.
• 1:02:19
  Speaker 1: I must renounce and forget. He leaned his head upon
• 1:02:23
  Speaker 1: his hand and sat so still. Missus Snawdon rejoined him,
• 1:02:26
  Speaker 1: pale but calm and self possessed. As she drew near,
• 1:02:29
  Speaker 1: she marked his attitude, the bitter sadness of his face,
• 1:02:32
  Speaker 1: and hope spring up within her. Perhaps she was mistaken,
• 1:02:36
  Speaker 1: Perhaps he did not love his cousin. Perhaps he still
• 1:02:39
  Speaker 1: remembered the past and still regretted the loss of the
• 1:02:41
  Speaker 1: heart she had just laid bare before him. Her husband
• 1:02:45
  Speaker 1: was failing and might die any day, and then free, rich,
• 1:02:48
  Speaker 1: beautiful and young. But might she not become to trehearn, helpless, poor,
• 1:02:52
  Speaker 1: and ambitious. With all her faults, she was generous, and
• 1:02:56
  Speaker 1: this picture charmed her fancy, warmed her heart, and comforted
• 1:02:59
  Speaker 1: her pain. Maurice, she said, softly, pausing again beside him.
• 1:03:03
  Speaker 1: If I mistake you and your hopes, it is because
• 1:03:06
  Speaker 1: I dare ask nothing for myself. But if ever a
• 1:03:09
  Speaker 1: time shall come when I have liberty to give for help,
• 1:03:12
  Speaker 1: ask me anything, and it is gladly yours. He understood her,
• 1:03:16
  Speaker 1: pitied her, and, seeing that she found consolation in a
• 1:03:19
  Speaker 1: distant hope, he let her enjoy it. While she mlight
• 1:03:22
  Speaker 1: gravely yet gratefully, he spoke and pressed the hand extended
• 1:03:26
  Speaker 1: to him with an impulsive gesture. Generous is ever edith
• 1:03:30
  Speaker 1: an impetuously frank thank you for your sincerity, your kindness,
• 1:03:34
  Speaker 1: and the affection you once gave me. I say once,
• 1:03:38
  Speaker 1: for now duty, truth and honor bars from each other.
• 1:03:41
  Speaker 1: My life must be solitary. Yet I shall find work
• 1:03:44
  Speaker 1: to do and learn to be content. You owe all
• 1:03:47
  Speaker 1: devotion to the good old man who loves you and
• 1:03:50
  Speaker 1: will not fail him. I am sure leave the future
• 1:03:52
  Speaker 1: in the past, but let us make the present what
• 1:03:55
  Speaker 1: it may be. A time to forgive and forget, to
• 1:03:58
  Speaker 1: take heart and begin in you. Christmas is a fitting
• 1:04:01
  Speaker 1: time for such resolves and the bursts of friendship such
• 1:04:04
  Speaker 1: as ours may be. Something in his tone and manner
• 1:04:08
  Speaker 1: struck her, and eyeing him with soft wonder, she exclaimed,
• 1:04:11
  Speaker 1: how changed you are? Need you tell me that? He
• 1:04:14
  Speaker 1: glanced at his helpless limbs with a bitter yet pathetic
• 1:04:17
  Speaker 1: look of patience. No, no, not so, I mean in mind,
• 1:04:22
  Speaker 1: not body. Once you were gay and careless, eager and
• 1:04:25
  Speaker 1: fiery like Jasper. Now you are grave and quiet, what
• 1:04:29
  Speaker 1: cheerful and so very kind. Yet in spite of illness
• 1:04:32
  Speaker 1: and loss, you seem twice the man you were, and
• 1:04:35
  Speaker 1: something with respect as well as admiration and love. Her
• 1:04:39
  Speaker 1: dark eyes felt as the last word left her lips,
• 1:04:42
  Speaker 1: and the beauty of a touched heart shone in her face.
• 1:04:45
  Speaker 1: Maoris looked up quickly, asking with sudden earnestness, do you
• 1:04:49
  Speaker 1: see it? Then? It's true? Yes, I am changed, thank God?
• 1:04:53
  Speaker 1: And she has done it. Who demanded his companion jealously
• 1:04:58
  Speaker 1: Octavia unconscious? Yetually she has done much for me. And
• 1:05:03
  Speaker 1: this year of seeming lost and misery has been the happiest,
• 1:05:06
  Speaker 1: most profitable of my life. I have often heard that
• 1:05:09
  Speaker 1: afflictions were the best teachers, and I believe it now,
• 1:05:12
  Speaker 1: Missus Snowdon shook her head sadly. Not always they are
• 1:05:16
  Speaker 1: tormentous to some, But don't preach, Maurice. I am still
• 1:05:20
  Speaker 1: a sinner, though you inclined to saintod. And I've one
• 1:05:23
  Speaker 1: question more to ask. What was it that took you
• 1:05:25
  Speaker 1: and Jess but so suddenly away from Paris that I
• 1:05:29
  Speaker 1: can never tell you. I shall discover it for myself.
• 1:05:32
  Speaker 1: Then it is impossible. Nothing is impossible to a determined woman.
• 1:05:37
  Speaker 1: You can neither ring surprise nor bribe the secret from
• 1:05:40
  Speaker 1: the too persons who hold it. I beg of you
• 1:05:43
  Speaker 1: to let it rest, said Trehearne earnestly. I have a clue.
• 1:05:47
  Speaker 1: I shall follow it, for I am convinced that something
• 1:05:50
  Speaker 1: is wrong. And you are, dear, Missus Snowdon. You are
• 1:05:53
  Speaker 1: so charmed with the birds that you forget your fellow beings,
• 1:05:57
  Speaker 1: are so charmed with one fellow being that you forget
• 1:05:59
  Speaker 1: the birds. As the sudden questions stuttled, both Rose Talbaux
• 1:06:03
  Speaker 1: came along the terrace with hands full of holly in
• 1:06:06
  Speaker 1: the faithful of merry mischief, adding as she vanished, I
• 1:06:09
  Speaker 1: shall tell Tavy that feeding the peacocks is a congenial
• 1:06:13
  Speaker 1: amusement for lovers. She and mister Ainan had better tride sausage. Gipsy,
• 1:06:18
  Speaker 1: muttered Treherne, But missus Norton said, with a smile of
• 1:06:22
  Speaker 1: double meaning many a true word is spoken in chest
• 1:06:28
  Speaker 1: end of chapter four. Recording by Eli September two thousand
• 1:06:32
  Speaker 1: and nine.
• 1:06:38
  Speaker 4: Chapter five of The Abbot's Ghost. This is a LibriVox recording.
• 1:06:44
  Speaker 4: All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more
• 1:06:48
  Speaker 4: information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording
• 1:06:54
  Speaker 4: by Linda Lee Pequette. The Abbot's Ghost, or Reached Treherne's
• 1:07:01
  Speaker 4: Temptation by Louisa may Elcott. Chapter five, Under the Mistletoe,
• 1:07:09
  Speaker 4: Unusually gay and charming, the three young friends looked dressed
• 1:07:13
  Speaker 4: alike in fleecy white, with holly wreaths in their hair,
• 1:07:16
  Speaker 4: as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway, arm in arm.
• 1:07:21
  Speaker 4: A footman was lighting the hall lamps for the winter.
• 1:07:24
  Speaker 4: Dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about
• 1:07:28
  Speaker 4: the evening's festivity, when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed
• 1:07:33
  Speaker 4: through the hall. A heavy glass shade fell from the
• 1:07:36
  Speaker 4: man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung
• 1:07:39
  Speaker 4: to one another, aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry,
• 1:07:43
  Speaker 4: and the dead silence followed it. What was it? John
• 1:07:48
  Speaker 4: demanded Octavia, very pale but steady. In a moment, I'll
• 1:07:53
  Speaker 4: go and see miss, and the man hurried away. Where
• 1:07:57
  Speaker 4: did the cheerful scream come from? Asked Rose, collecting her
• 1:08:01
  Speaker 4: wits as rapidly as possible, Above us somewhere, Oh, let
• 1:08:06
  Speaker 4: us go down among people. I am frightened to death,
• 1:08:09
  Speaker 4: whispered Blanche, trembling and faint. Hurrying into the parlor, they
• 1:08:15
  Speaker 4: found only Anon and the Major, both looking startled and
• 1:08:18
  Speaker 4: both staring out of the windows. Did you hear it?
• 1:08:22
  Speaker 4: What could it be? Don't go and leave us, cried
• 1:08:25
  Speaker 4: the girls in a breath as they rushed in. The
• 1:08:29
  Speaker 4: gentleman had heard, couldn't explain the cry, and were quite
• 1:08:32
  Speaker 4: ready to protect the pretty creatures who clustered about them
• 1:08:36
  Speaker 4: like frightened fawns. John speedily appeared, looking rather wild and
• 1:08:41
  Speaker 4: as eager to tell his tale as they to listen.
• 1:08:45
  Speaker 4: It's Paddy, one of the maids, miss, in a fit,
• 1:08:48
  Speaker 4: She went up to the north gallery to see that
• 1:08:50
  Speaker 4: the fires was right, for it takes a power of
• 1:08:52
  Speaker 4: wood to warm the gallery even enough for dancing. As
• 1:08:55
  Speaker 4: you know, miss, well, it was dark, for the fires
• 1:08:59
  Speaker 4: was low, and her candle went out as she whisked
• 1:09:01
  Speaker 4: open the door, being flurried, as the maids always is
• 1:09:05
  Speaker 4: when they go in there. Half way down the gallery,
• 1:09:08
  Speaker 4: she says, she heard a rustling and stopped. She's the
• 1:09:11
  Speaker 4: pluckiest of them all, and she called out, I see you,
• 1:09:15
  Speaker 4: thinking it was some of us trying to fright her.
• 1:09:18
  Speaker 4: Nothing answered, and she went on a bit when suddenly
• 1:09:21
  Speaker 4: the fire flared up one flash, and there right before
• 1:09:25
  Speaker 4: her was the ghost. Don't be foolish, John, tell us
• 1:09:29
  Speaker 4: what it was, said Octavia sharply, though her face whitened
• 1:09:33
  Speaker 4: and her heart sank as the last word passed the
• 1:09:36
  Speaker 4: man's lips. It was a tall black figure, miss with
• 1:09:39
  Speaker 4: a dead white face and a black hood. She see
• 1:09:42
  Speaker 4: it plain and turned to go away. But she hadn't
• 1:09:45
  Speaker 4: gone a dozen steps when there it was again before her,
• 1:09:49
  Speaker 4: the same tall dark thing with the dead white face
• 1:09:52
  Speaker 4: looking out from the black hood. It lifted its arm
• 1:09:55
  Speaker 4: as if to hold her, but she gave a spring
• 1:09:58
  Speaker 4: and dreadful screech and ran to missus Benson's room, where
• 1:10:01
  Speaker 4: she dropped in a fit. How absurd to be frightened
• 1:10:05
  Speaker 4: by the shadows of the figures in armor that stand
• 1:10:08
  Speaker 4: along the gallery, said Rose boldly enough, though she would
• 1:10:12
  Speaker 4: have declined entering the gallery without delight. Nay, I don't wonder.
• 1:10:17
  Speaker 4: It's a ghostly place at night. How is the poor thing?
• 1:10:21
  Speaker 4: Asked Blanche, still hanging on the Major's arm in her
• 1:10:24
  Speaker 4: best attitude. If Mamma knows nothing of it, tell missus
• 1:10:28
  Speaker 4: Benson to keep it from her, please. She is not
• 1:10:32
  Speaker 4: well and such things annoy her very much, said Octavia,
• 1:10:36
  Speaker 4: adding as the man turned away, did any one look
• 1:10:39
  Speaker 4: in the gallery after Patty told her tale. No, miss
• 1:10:43
  Speaker 4: I'll go and do it myself. I'm not afraid a man,
• 1:10:46
  Speaker 4: ghost or devil. Saving your presents, ladies, replied John. Where
• 1:10:52
  Speaker 4: is Sir Jasper suddenly asked the Major here, I am
• 1:10:57
  Speaker 4: what a deuce of noise some one has been making
• 1:11:00
  Speaker 4: it disturbed? A capital dream? Why Tavy? What is it?
• 1:11:04
  Speaker 4: And Sir Jasper came out of the library with a
• 1:11:06
  Speaker 4: sleepy face and tumbled hair. They told him the story
• 1:11:11
  Speaker 4: whereat he laughed, heartily and said the maids were a
• 1:11:14
  Speaker 4: foolish set to be scared by a shadow. While he
• 1:11:17
  Speaker 4: still laughed and joked, Missus Snowdon entered, looking alarmed and
• 1:11:21
  Speaker 4: anxious to know the cause of the confusion. How interesting
• 1:11:26
  Speaker 4: I never knew you kept a ghost. Tell me all
• 1:11:29
  Speaker 4: about it, sir, Jasper, and soothe our nerves by satisfying
• 1:11:33
  Speaker 4: our curiosity, she said in her half persuasive, half commanding way,
• 1:11:38
  Speaker 4: as she seated herself on Lady Treherne's sacred sofa. There's
• 1:11:43
  Speaker 4: not much to tell except that this place used to
• 1:11:45
  Speaker 4: be an abbey in fact as well as in name.
• 1:11:48
  Speaker 4: An ancestor founded it, and for years the monks led
• 1:11:52
  Speaker 4: a jolly life here, as one may see, for the
• 1:11:54
  Speaker 4: cellar is twice as large as the chapel and much
• 1:11:57
  Speaker 4: better preserved. But another their ancestor, a gay and gallant baron,
• 1:12:02
  Speaker 4: took a fancy to the site for his castle, and
• 1:12:05
  Speaker 4: in spite of prayers, anathemas, and excommunication, he turned the
• 1:12:10
  Speaker 4: poor fellows out, pulled down the abbey, and built this
• 1:12:13
  Speaker 4: fine old place abbot Boniface. As he left his abbey,
• 1:12:18
  Speaker 4: uttered a heavy curse on all who should live here,
• 1:12:21
  Speaker 4: and vowed to haunt us till the last Treharne vanished
• 1:12:24
  Speaker 4: from the face of the earth. With this amiable threat,
• 1:12:27
  Speaker 4: the old party left Baron Roland to his doom and
• 1:12:30
  Speaker 4: died as soon as he could in order to begin
• 1:12:32
  Speaker 4: his cheerful mission. Did he haunt the place? Asked Blanche eagerly, Yes,
• 1:12:40
  Speaker 4: most faithfully. From that time to this some say many
• 1:12:44
  Speaker 4: of the monks still glide about the older parts of
• 1:12:46
  Speaker 4: the abbey, For Roland spared the chapel and the north
• 1:12:49
  Speaker 4: gallery which joined it to the modern building. Poor fellows,
• 1:12:53
  Speaker 4: they are welcome, and once a year they shall have
• 1:12:56
  Speaker 4: a chance to warm their ghostly sails by the great
• 1:12:59
  Speaker 4: fires always kindled at Christmas in the gallery. Missus Benson
• 1:13:03
  Speaker 4: once told me that when the ghost walked, it was
• 1:13:06
  Speaker 4: a sure sign of a coming death in the family.
• 1:13:09
  Speaker 4: Is that true? Asked Rose, whose curiosity was excited by
• 1:13:14
  Speaker 4: the expression of Octavia's face and a certain uneasiness in
• 1:13:18
  Speaker 4: Sir Jasper's manner in spite of his merry mood. There
• 1:13:23
  Speaker 4: is a stupid superstition of that sort in the family,
• 1:13:26
  Speaker 4: but no one except the servants believes it. Of course,
• 1:13:30
  Speaker 4: in times of illness, some silly maid or croaking old
• 1:13:33
  Speaker 4: woman can easily fancy they see a phantom, and if
• 1:13:37
  Speaker 4: death comes, they are sure of the ghostly warning. Benson
• 1:13:41
  Speaker 4: saw it before my father died, and Old Roger the
• 1:13:44
  Speaker 4: Knight my uncle, was seized with apoplexy. Paddy will never
• 1:13:48
  Speaker 4: be made to believe that this warning does not forebode
• 1:13:50
  Speaker 4: the death of Maurice or myself, For the gallant spirit
• 1:13:54
  Speaker 4: leaves the ladies of our house to depart in peace.
• 1:13:57
  Speaker 4: How does it strike you, cousin Turning as he spoke,
• 1:14:01
  Speaker 4: Sir Jasper glanced at Jehoerne, who had entered while he spoke.
• 1:14:06
  Speaker 4: I am quite skeptical and indifferent to the whole affair,
• 1:14:09
  Speaker 4: but I agree with Octavia that it is best to
• 1:14:12
  Speaker 4: say nothing to my aunt if she is ignorant of
• 1:14:14
  Speaker 4: the matter. Her rooms are a long way off, and
• 1:14:17
  Speaker 4: perhaps she did not hear the confusion. You seem to
• 1:14:21
  Speaker 4: hear everything. You were not with us when I said that,
• 1:14:25
  Speaker 4: And Octavia looked up with an air of surprise, smiling significantly.
• 1:14:31
  Speaker 4: Treherne answered, I hear see and understand many things that
• 1:14:36
  Speaker 4: escape others. Jasper, allow me to advise you to smooth
• 1:14:40
  Speaker 4: the hair which your sleep has disarranged, Missus Snowdon, permit me,
• 1:14:45
  Speaker 4: this rich velvet catches the least speck, and with his
• 1:14:49
  Speaker 4: handkerchief he delicately brushed away several streaks of white dust
• 1:14:53
  Speaker 4: which clung to the lady's skirt. Sir Jasper turned hastily
• 1:14:58
  Speaker 4: on his heel and went to remake his toilet. Missus
• 1:15:01
  Speaker 4: Snowdon bit her lip, but thanked Treherne sweetly and begged
• 1:15:04
  Speaker 4: him to fasten her glove. As he did so, she said, softly,
• 1:15:09
  Speaker 4: be more careful next time. Octavia has keen eyes, and
• 1:15:13
  Speaker 4: the Major may prove inconvenient. I have no fear that
• 1:15:18
  Speaker 4: you will, he whispered back, with a malicious glance. Here
• 1:15:24
  Speaker 4: the entrance of my lady put an end to the
• 1:15:26
  Speaker 4: ghostly episode, for it was evident that she knew nothing
• 1:15:29
  Speaker 4: of it. Octavia slipped away to question John and learned
• 1:15:33
  Speaker 4: that no sign of a phantom was to be seen.
• 1:15:36
  Speaker 4: Treherne devoted himself to Missus Snowdon, and the Major entertained
• 1:15:40
  Speaker 4: my lady while Sir Jasper and the girls chatted apart.
• 1:15:45
  Speaker 4: It was Christmas Eve and a dance in the Great
• 1:15:48
  Speaker 4: Gallery was the yearly festival at the abbey. All had
• 1:15:51
  Speaker 4: been eager for it, but the maid's story seemed to
• 1:15:54
  Speaker 4: have lessened their enthusiasm, though no one would own it.
• 1:15:58
  Speaker 4: This annoyed Sir Jess, and he exerted himself to clear
• 1:16:02
  Speaker 4: the atmosphere by affecting gayety. He did not feel the
• 1:16:06
  Speaker 4: moment the gentleman came in after dinner, he whispered to
• 1:16:10
  Speaker 4: his mother, who rose, asked the General for his arm,
• 1:16:13
  Speaker 4: and led the way to the North gallery. Whence the
• 1:16:16
  Speaker 4: sound of music now proceeded. The rest followed in a
• 1:16:20
  Speaker 4: merry procession, even Treherne, for two footmen carried him up
• 1:16:24
  Speaker 4: the great stairway chair and all nothing could look less
• 1:16:29
  Speaker 4: ghostly now than the haunted gallery. Fires roared up a
• 1:16:33
  Speaker 4: wide chimney at either end. Long rows of figures clad
• 1:16:36
  Speaker 4: and armor stood on each side, one mailed hand grasping
• 1:16:40
  Speaker 4: a lance, the other bearing a lighted candle, a device
• 1:16:44
  Speaker 4: of Sir Jasper's. Narrow windows pierced in the thick walls
• 1:16:48
  Speaker 4: let in gleams of wintry moonlight. Ivy hally and evergreen
• 1:16:53
  Speaker 4: glistened in the ruddy glow of mingled firelight and candle shine.
• 1:16:57
  Speaker 4: From the arched stone roof hung tap banners, and in
• 1:17:01
  Speaker 4: the midst depended a great bunch of mistletoe. Red cushioned
• 1:17:06
  Speaker 4: seats stood in recessed window nooks, and from behind a
• 1:17:09
  Speaker 4: high covered screen of oak sounded the blithe air of
• 1:17:13
  Speaker 4: Sir Roger de Coverley with the utmost gravity and stateliness.
• 1:17:18
  Speaker 4: My lady and the General led off the dance, for
• 1:17:21
  Speaker 4: according to the good old fashion, the men and maids,
• 1:17:25
  Speaker 4: in their best array, joined the gentlefolk and danced with
• 1:17:28
  Speaker 4: their betters in a high state of pride and bashfulness.
• 1:17:32
  Speaker 4: Sir Jasper twirled the old housekeeper till her head spun
• 1:17:35
  Speaker 4: around and around, and her decorous skirts rustled stormily. Missus
• 1:17:40
  Speaker 4: Snowdon captivated the gray haired butler by her condescension, and
• 1:17:45
  Speaker 4: John was made a proud man by the hand of
• 1:17:47
  Speaker 4: his young mistress. The Major came out strong among the
• 1:17:51
  Speaker 4: pretty maids, and rose danced the footmen out of breath
• 1:17:54
  Speaker 4: long before the music paused. The mirriament increased from that,
• 1:18:00
  Speaker 4: and when the General surprised my lady by gallantly saluting
• 1:18:04
  Speaker 4: her as she unconsciously stood under the mistletoe, the applause
• 1:18:08
  Speaker 4: was immense. Everyone followed the old gentleman's example as fast
• 1:18:13
  Speaker 4: as opportunities occurred, and the young ladies soon had as
• 1:18:16
  Speaker 4: fine a color as the housemaid's. More dancing, games, songs,
• 1:18:21
  Speaker 4: and all manner of festival devices filled the evening. Yet
• 1:18:25
  Speaker 4: under cover of the gaiety, more than one little scene
• 1:18:28
  Speaker 4: was enacted that night, and in an hour of seeming frivolity,
• 1:18:33
  Speaker 4: the current of several lives was changed by a skillful maneuver.
• 1:18:38
  Speaker 4: Anon led Octavia to an isolated recess, as if to
• 1:18:42
  Speaker 4: rest after a brisk game, and taking advantage of the
• 1:18:45
  Speaker 4: auspicious hour, pleaded his suit. She heard him patiently, and
• 1:18:50
  Speaker 4: when he paused, said, slowly, yet decidedly, and with no
• 1:18:54
  Speaker 4: sign of maiden hesitation, thanks for the honor you do me,
• 1:18:59
  Speaker 4: but I cannot accept it, for I do not love you.
• 1:19:03
  Speaker 4: I think I never can. Have you tried, he asked eagerly. Yes,
• 1:19:10
  Speaker 4: indeed I have. I like you as a friend, but
• 1:19:13
  Speaker 4: no more. I know Mamma desires it, that Jasper hopes
• 1:19:17
  Speaker 4: for it, and I try to please them. But love
• 1:19:20
  Speaker 4: will not be forced. So what can I do? And
• 1:19:24
  Speaker 4: she smiled in spite of herself at her own blunt simplicity. No,
• 1:19:29
  Speaker 4: but it can be cherished, strengthened, and in time, won
• 1:19:33
  Speaker 4: with patience and devotion. Let me try, Octavia. It is
• 1:19:37
  Speaker 4: but fair unless you have already learned from another the
• 1:19:40
  Speaker 4: lesson I hope to teach. Is it so no? I
• 1:19:45
  Speaker 4: think not. I do not understand myself as yet. I
• 1:19:49
  Speaker 4: am so young, and this is so sudden. Give me time, Frank.
• 1:19:54
  Speaker 4: She blushed and fluttered, now looked half angry, half beseeching,
• 1:19:58
  Speaker 4: and altogether lovely. How much time shall I give? It
• 1:20:03
  Speaker 4: cannot take long to read a heart like yours, dear,
• 1:20:06
  Speaker 4: and fancying her emotion a propitious omen, he assumed the
• 1:20:10
  Speaker 4: lover in good earnest. Give me time till the new year.
• 1:20:15
  Speaker 4: I will answer then, and meantime, leave me free to
• 1:20:18
  Speaker 4: study both myself and you. We have known each other
• 1:20:22
  Speaker 4: long I own, but still this changes everything and makes
• 1:20:26
  Speaker 4: you seem another person. Be patient, Frank, and I will
• 1:20:30
  Speaker 4: try to make my duty a pleasure. I will God
• 1:20:35
  Speaker 4: bless you for the kind hope, Octavia. It has been
• 1:20:38
  Speaker 4: mine for years, and if I lose it, it will
• 1:20:40
  Speaker 4: go hardly with me. Later in the evening, General Snowdon
• 1:20:45
  Speaker 4: stood examining the antique screen. In many places carved oak
• 1:20:49
  Speaker 4: was pierced quite through so that voices were audible from
• 1:20:53
  Speaker 4: behind it. The musicians had gone down to supper. The
• 1:20:56
  Speaker 4: young folk were quietly busy at the other end of
• 1:20:59
  Speaker 4: the hall, and as the old gentleman admired the quaint carving,
• 1:21:03
  Speaker 4: the sound of his own name caught his ear. The
• 1:21:06
  Speaker 4: housekeeper and butler still remained, though the other servants had gone,
• 1:21:10
  Speaker 4: and sitting cozily behind the screen, chatted in low tones,
• 1:21:14
  Speaker 4: believing themselves secure. It was missus snowdon adam as I'm
• 1:21:20
  Speaker 4: a living woman, though I wouldn't say it to any
• 1:21:22
  Speaker 4: one but you. She and Sir Jasper were here, wrapped
• 1:21:26
  Speaker 4: in cloaks and up to mischief. I'll be bound. She
• 1:21:29
  Speaker 4: is a beauty, but I don't envy her, and there'll
• 1:21:32
  Speaker 4: be trouble in the house if she stays long. But
• 1:21:36
  Speaker 4: how do you know, Missus Benson, she was here. Where's
• 1:21:38
  Speaker 4: your proof, ma'am, asked the pompous butler. Look at this,
• 1:21:43
  Speaker 4: and then look at the outlandish trimming of the lady's dress.
• 1:21:47
  Speaker 4: You men are so dull about such matters, you never
• 1:21:50
  Speaker 4: observed these little points. Well, I was here first after Patty,
• 1:21:54
  Speaker 4: and my light shone on this jet ornament lying near
• 1:21:57
  Speaker 4: where she saw the spirit. No one had any such
• 1:22:00
  Speaker 4: tasty trifles, but missus Snowdon, and these are all over
• 1:22:04
  Speaker 4: her gown. If that ain't proof, what is well admitting it?
• 1:22:10
  Speaker 4: I then say, what on earth should she and Master
• 1:22:13
  Speaker 4: be up here for at such a time, asked the
• 1:22:15
  Speaker 4: slow witted butler, Adam. We are old servants of the family,
• 1:22:20
  Speaker 4: and to you I'll say what tortures shouldn't draw from
• 1:22:23
  Speaker 4: to another? Master has been wild, as you know, and
• 1:22:27
  Speaker 4: it's my belief that he loved this lady. Abroad there
• 1:22:31
  Speaker 4: was a talk of some mystery or misdeed or misfortune
• 1:22:34
  Speaker 4: more than a year ago, and she was in it.
• 1:22:37
  Speaker 4: I'm loath to say it, but I think Master loves
• 1:22:40
  Speaker 4: her still, and she him. The General is an old man.
• 1:22:44
  Speaker 4: She is, but young, and so spirited and winsome, she
• 1:22:47
  Speaker 4: can't in reason care for him. As for a fine
• 1:22:50
  Speaker 4: gallant gentleman like Sir Jasper, there's trouble brewing, Adam, mark
• 1:22:55
  Speaker 4: my words, there's trouble bruin for the traherns so low
• 1:23:02
  Speaker 4: had the voices fallen that the listener could not have
• 1:23:04
  Speaker 4: caught the words, had not his ear been strained to
• 1:23:07
  Speaker 4: the utmost. He did hear all, and his wasted face
• 1:23:11
  Speaker 4: flashed with the wrath of a young man, then grew
• 1:23:14
  Speaker 4: pale and stern as he turned to watch his wife.
• 1:23:17
  Speaker 4: She stood apart from the others, talking to Sir Jasper,
• 1:23:21
  Speaker 4: who looked unusually handsome and debonair as he fanned her
• 1:23:24
  Speaker 4: with a devoted air. Perhaps it is true, thought the
• 1:23:28
  Speaker 4: old man, bitterly. They are well matched, were lovers once
• 1:23:32
  Speaker 4: no note, and longed to be so again. Poor Edith
• 1:23:36
  Speaker 4: I was very blind, and with his gray head bowed
• 1:23:40
  Speaker 4: upon his breast, the general stole away, carrying an arrow
• 1:23:44
  Speaker 4: in his brave old heart. Blanche, come here and rest.
• 1:23:50
  Speaker 4: You will be ill to morrow. And I promised Mamma
• 1:23:52
  Speaker 4: to take care of you, with which elderly sisterly command.
• 1:23:56
  Speaker 4: Rose led the girl to an immense old chair, which
• 1:23:59
  Speaker 4: held them both. Now listen to me and follow my advice,
• 1:24:04
  Speaker 4: for I am wise in my generation, though not yet gray.
• 1:24:07
  Speaker 4: They are all busy, so leave them alone and let
• 1:24:10
  Speaker 4: me show you what is to be done. Rose spoke softly,
• 1:24:14
  Speaker 4: but with great resolution, and nod at her pretty head
• 1:24:17
  Speaker 4: so energetically that the holly berries came rolling over her
• 1:24:21
  Speaker 4: white shoulders. We are not as rich as we might be,
• 1:24:25
  Speaker 4: and must establish ourselves as soon and as well as possible.
• 1:24:30
  Speaker 4: I intend to be, Lady Treherne, you can be the
• 1:24:33
  Speaker 4: honorable missus Anon if you give your mind to it.
• 1:24:37
  Speaker 4: My dear child, are you mad, whispered Blanche? Far from it?
• 1:24:43
  Speaker 4: But you will be if you waste your time on Maurice.
• 1:24:46
  Speaker 4: He is poor and a cripple, though very charming. I
• 1:24:49
  Speaker 4: admit he loves Tavvy, and she will marry him. I
• 1:24:53
  Speaker 4: am sure she can't endure Frank, but tries to because
• 1:24:57
  Speaker 4: my lady commands it. Nothing will come of it. So
• 1:25:00
  Speaker 4: try your fascinations and comfort the poor man. Sympathy now
• 1:25:04
  Speaker 4: will foster love hereafter. Don't talk, so he rose. Some
• 1:25:10
  Speaker 4: one will hear us began her sister, but the other
• 1:25:13
  Speaker 4: broke in briskly. No fear. A crowd is the best
• 1:25:17
  Speaker 4: place for secrets. Now remember what I say, and make
• 1:25:20
  Speaker 4: your game while the ball is rolling. Other people are
• 1:25:23
  Speaker 4: careful not to put their plans into words. But I'm
• 1:25:26
  Speaker 4: no hypocrite, and say plainly what I mean. Bear my
• 1:25:30
  Speaker 4: sage counsel in mind, and act wisely. Now come and begin.
• 1:25:36
  Speaker 4: Treherne was sitting alone by one of the great fires
• 1:25:39
  Speaker 4: regarding the gaze scene with serious air. For him, there
• 1:25:43
  Speaker 4: was neither dancing nor games. He could only roam about,
• 1:25:46
  Speaker 4: catching glimpses of forbidden pleasures, impossible delights, and youthful hopes
• 1:25:51
  Speaker 4: for ever lost to him. Sad but not morose was
• 1:25:55
  Speaker 4: his face, and to Octavia it was a mute reproach
• 1:25:59
  Speaker 4: which she could not long resist. Coming up as if
• 1:26:02
  Speaker 4: to warm herself, she spoke to him in her usually
• 1:26:05
  Speaker 4: frank and friendly way, and felt her heart beat fast
• 1:26:09
  Speaker 4: when she saw how swift to change her cordial manner
• 1:26:12
  Speaker 4: wrought in him. How pretty your holly is. Do you
• 1:26:16
  Speaker 4: remember how we used to go and gatherag for festivals
• 1:26:19
  Speaker 4: like this when we were happy children, he asked, looking
• 1:26:23
  Speaker 4: up at her with eyes full of tender admiration. Yes,
• 1:26:27
  Speaker 4: I remember. Every one wears it to night as a badge,
• 1:26:30
  Speaker 4: but you have none. Let me get you a bit.
• 1:26:33
  Speaker 4: I like to have you one of us in all things.
• 1:26:37
  Speaker 4: She leaned forward to break a green sprake from the
• 1:26:40
  Speaker 4: branch over the chimney piece. The strong draft drew in
• 1:26:43
  Speaker 4: her fleecy skirt, and in an instant she was enveloped
• 1:26:47
  Speaker 4: in flames. Maurice, save me, help me, cried a voice
• 1:26:52
  Speaker 4: of fear and agony, and before anyone could reach her,
• 1:26:56
  Speaker 4: before he himself knew how the deed was done to,
• 1:26:59
  Speaker 4: Reharne had thrown himself from his chair, wrapped the tiger
• 1:27:02
  Speaker 4: skin tightly about her, and knelt there, clasping her in
• 1:27:06
  Speaker 4: his arms, heedless of fire, pain, or the incoherent expressions
• 1:27:11
  Speaker 4: of love that broke from his lips. End of chapter five.
• 1:27:17
  Speaker 4: Recording by Linda Lee Piquette. Chapter six of The Abbot's Ghost.
• 1:27:28
  Speaker 4: This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in
• 1:27:33
  Speaker 4: the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please
• 1:27:38
  Speaker 4: visit LibriVox dot org. Recording by Linda Lee Piquette. The
• 1:27:45
  Speaker 4: Abbot's Ghost or Maurice Treherne's Temptation by Louisa may Alcott,
• 1:27:51
  Speaker 4: Chapter six Miracles. Great was the confusion and alarm which
• 1:27:58
  Speaker 4: reigned for many minutes. But when the panic subsided, two
• 1:28:01
  Speaker 4: miracles appeared. Octavia was entirely uninjured, and Treherne was standing
• 1:28:07
  Speaker 4: on his feet, a thing which for months he had
• 1:28:10
  Speaker 4: not done without crutches. In the excitement of the moment,
• 1:28:14
  Speaker 4: no one observed the wonder. All were crowding about the girl,
• 1:28:18
  Speaker 4: who pale and breathless but now self possessed, was the
• 1:28:22
  Speaker 4: first to exclaim, pointing to her cousin, who had drawn
• 1:28:25
  Speaker 4: himself up with the help of his chair and leaned
• 1:28:28
  Speaker 4: there smiling with a face full of intense delight. Look
• 1:28:32
  Speaker 4: at Maurice, Oh, Jasper, help him or he'll fall. Sir
• 1:28:37
  Speaker 4: Jasper sprung to his side and put a strong arm
• 1:28:40
  Speaker 4: about him, while a chorus of wonder, sympathy and congratulations
• 1:28:44
  Speaker 4: rose about them. Why lad, what does it mean have
• 1:28:48
  Speaker 4: you been deceiving us all this time? Cried Jasper, as
• 1:28:52
  Speaker 4: Treherne leaned on him, looking exhausted but truly happy. It
• 1:28:57
  Speaker 4: means that I am not to be a cripple alms
• 1:29:00
  Speaker 4: that they did not deceive me when they said a
• 1:29:03
  Speaker 4: sudden shock might electrify me with a more potent magnetism
• 1:29:07
  Speaker 4: than any they could apply. It has, And if I
• 1:29:11
  Speaker 4: am cured, I owe it all to you, Octavia. He
• 1:29:14
  Speaker 4: stretched his hands to her with a gesture of such
• 1:29:17
  Speaker 4: passionate gratitude that the girl covered her face to hide
• 1:29:21
  Speaker 4: its traitorous tenderness. And my lady went to him, saying
• 1:29:24
  Speaker 4: brokenly as she embraced him with maternal warmth, God bless
• 1:29:29
  Speaker 4: you for this act, Maurice, and reward you with a
• 1:29:32
  Speaker 4: perfect cure. To you, I owe the lives of both
• 1:29:35
  Speaker 4: my children. How can I thank you as I ought?
• 1:29:40
  Speaker 4: I dare not tell you yet, he whispered eagerly, then added,
• 1:29:44
  Speaker 4: I am going faint, aunt, get me away before I
• 1:29:46
  Speaker 4: make a scene. This hint recalled my Lady to her
• 1:29:50
  Speaker 4: usual state of dignified self possession, bidding Jasper and the
• 1:29:54
  Speaker 4: Major helped to herne to his room without delay. She
• 1:29:57
  Speaker 4: begged Rose to comfort her sister, who was sobbing hysterically,
• 1:30:01
  Speaker 4: and as they all obeyed her, she led her daughter
• 1:30:04
  Speaker 4: away to her own apartment, for the festivities of the
• 1:30:07
  Speaker 4: evening were at an end. At the same time, Missus
• 1:30:11
  Speaker 4: Snowdon and Anon bade my Lady good night, as if
• 1:30:14
  Speaker 4: they also were about to retire. But as they reached
• 1:30:17
  Speaker 4: the door of the gallery, Missus Snowdon paused and beckoned
• 1:30:21
  Speaker 4: Anon back. They were alone now and standing before the
• 1:30:25
  Speaker 4: fire which had so nearly made that Christmas Eve a
• 1:30:28
  Speaker 4: tragical one. She turned to him with a face full
• 1:30:31
  Speaker 4: of interest and sympathy, as she said, nodding toward the
• 1:30:34
  Speaker 4: blackened shreds of Octavia's dress and the scorched tiger skin,
• 1:30:39
  Speaker 4: which still lay at their feet. That was both a
• 1:30:42
  Speaker 4: fortunate and an unfortunate little affair. But I fear Mauricus
• 1:30:46
  Speaker 4: gain will be your loss. Pardon my frankness for Octavia's sake.
• 1:30:51
  Speaker 4: She is a fine creature, and I long to see
• 1:30:53
  Speaker 4: her given to one worthy of her. I am a
• 1:30:56
  Speaker 4: woman to read faces quickly. I know that your suit
• 1:30:59
  Speaker 4: does not prosper as you would have it, and I
• 1:31:01
  Speaker 4: desire to help you. May I indeed, you may, and
• 1:31:07
  Speaker 4: command any service of me in return. But to what
• 1:31:10
  Speaker 4: do I owe this unexpected friendliness? Cried Anon, both grateful
• 1:31:14
  Speaker 4: and surprise to my regard for the young lady, my
• 1:31:19
  Speaker 4: wish to save her from an unworthy man? Do you
• 1:31:23
  Speaker 4: mean Trehearne, asked Anon, more and more amazed, I do.
• 1:31:28
  Speaker 4: Octavia must not marry a gambler, My dear lady, you
• 1:31:34
  Speaker 4: labor under some mistake. Traherne is by no means a gambler.
• 1:31:38
  Speaker 4: I owe him no good will, but I cannot hear
• 1:31:41
  Speaker 4: him slandered. You are generous, but I am not mistaken.
• 1:31:46
  Speaker 4: Can you, on your honor assure me that Maurice never
• 1:31:50
  Speaker 4: played missus Snowdon's keen eyes were on him, and he
• 1:31:54
  Speaker 4: looked embarrassed for a moment, but answered with some hesitation.
• 1:31:59
  Speaker 4: Why no, I cannot say that, but I can assure
• 1:32:03
  Speaker 4: you that he is not an habitual gambler. All young
• 1:32:07
  Speaker 4: men of his rank play more or less, especially abroad.
• 1:32:10
  Speaker 4: It is merely an amusement with most, and among men
• 1:32:14
  Speaker 4: is not considered dishonorable or dangerous. Ladies think differently, I believe,
• 1:32:19
  Speaker 4: at least in England. At the word abroad, missus Snowden's
• 1:32:24
  Speaker 4: face brightened, and she suddenly dropped her eyes, as if
• 1:32:27
  Speaker 4: afraid of betraying some secret purpose. Indeed we do, and
• 1:32:32
  Speaker 4: well we may, many of us, having suffered from this
• 1:32:35
  Speaker 4: pernicious habit, I have had special cause to dread and
• 1:32:39
  Speaker 4: condemn it, and the fear that Octavia should in time
• 1:32:42
  Speaker 4: suffer what I have suffered. As the girl urges me
• 1:32:45
  Speaker 4: to interfere where otherwise I should be dune, mister Arnon,
• 1:32:50
  Speaker 4: there was a rumor that Maurice was forced to quit
• 1:32:52
  Speaker 4: Paris owing to some dishonorable practices at the gaming table.
• 1:32:57
  Speaker 4: Is this true? Nay? Don't ask me upon my soul.
• 1:33:02
  Speaker 4: I cannot tell you. I only know that something was amiss,
• 1:33:05
  Speaker 4: But what I never learned. Various tales were whispered at
• 1:33:09
  Speaker 4: the clubs, and Sir Jasper indignantly denied them all. The
• 1:33:13
  Speaker 4: bravery with which Maurice saved his cousin and the sad
• 1:33:17
  Speaker 4: affliction which fell upon him silenced the gossip, and it
• 1:33:20
  Speaker 4: was soon forgotten. Missus Snowdon remained silent for a moment,
• 1:33:25
  Speaker 4: with brows knit in deep thought, while Anon uneasily watched her.
• 1:33:30
  Speaker 4: Suddenly she glanced over her shoulder, drew nearer, and whispered cautiously,
• 1:33:36
  Speaker 4: did the rumors of which you speak charge him with?
• 1:33:39
  Speaker 4: And the last word was breathed into Annon's ear, almost inaudibly.
• 1:33:45
  Speaker 4: He started as if some new light broke on him,
• 1:33:48
  Speaker 4: and stared at the speaker with a troubled face for
• 1:33:50
  Speaker 4: an instant, saying hastily, no. But now you remind me
• 1:33:55
  Speaker 4: that when an affair of that sort was discussed the
• 1:33:57
  Speaker 4: other day, Treharne looked very odd and rolled himself away,
• 1:34:01
  Speaker 4: as if it didn't interest him. I can't believe it,
• 1:34:05
  Speaker 4: and yet it may be something of the kind that
• 1:34:08
  Speaker 4: would account for old Sir Jasper's whim and Trahearne's steady
• 1:34:11
  Speaker 4: denial of any knowledge of the cause, How in Heaven's
• 1:34:15
  Speaker 4: name did you learn this? My woman's wits suggested it,
• 1:34:19
  Speaker 4: and my woman's will shall confirm or destroy the suspicion.
• 1:34:24
  Speaker 4: My lady and Octavia evidently know nothing, but they shall.
• 1:34:28
  Speaker 4: If there is any danger of the girl's being won
• 1:34:30
  Speaker 4: by him. You would not tell her, exclaimed Anon, I
• 1:34:36
  Speaker 4: will unless you do. It was the firm answer. Never
• 1:34:41
  Speaker 4: to betray a friend, even to gain the woman I
• 1:34:43
  Speaker 4: love is a thing I cannot do. My honor forbids it.
• 1:34:48
  Speaker 4: Missus Snowden smiled scornfully. Men's code of honor is a
• 1:34:53
  Speaker 4: strong one, and we poor women suffer from it. Leave
• 1:34:57
  Speaker 4: this to me. Do your best, and if all other
• 1:35:01
  Speaker 4: means fail, you may be glad to try my device
• 1:35:04
  Speaker 4: to prevent Maurice from marrying his cousin. Gratitude and pity
• 1:35:07
  Speaker 4: are strong allies, and if he recovers, his strong will
• 1:35:12
  Speaker 4: will move heaven and earth to gain her. Good Night,
• 1:35:16
  Speaker 4: and leaving her last words to rankle in an An's mind,
• 1:35:20
  Speaker 4: Missus Snowdon departed to endure sleepless hours full of tormenting memories,
• 1:35:24
  Speaker 4: new born hopes, and alternations of determination and despair. Treherne's
• 1:35:30
  Speaker 4: prospect of recovery filled the whole house with delight. For
• 1:35:34
  Speaker 4: his patient's courage and unfailing cheerfulness had endeared him to all.
• 1:35:39
  Speaker 4: It was no transient amendment, for day by day he
• 1:35:43
  Speaker 4: steadily gained strength and power, passing rapidly from chair to crutches,
• 1:35:48
  Speaker 4: from crutches to a cane at the friend's arm, which
• 1:35:50
  Speaker 4: was always ready for him. Paine returned with returning vitality,
• 1:35:55
  Speaker 4: but he bore it with a fortitude that touched all
• 1:35:58
  Speaker 4: who witnessed it. At times motion was torture, yet motion
• 1:36:02
  Speaker 4: was necessary lest the torpidity should return. And Treherne took
• 1:36:06
  Speaker 4: his daily exercise with unfailing perseverance, saying with a smile,
• 1:36:11
  Speaker 4: though great drops stood upon his forehead, I have something
• 1:36:15
  Speaker 4: dearer even than health to win. Hold me up, jasper,
• 1:36:18
  Speaker 4: and let me stagger on in spite of everything, till
• 1:36:22
  Speaker 4: my twelve turns are made. He remembered Lady Treherne's words,
• 1:36:27
  Speaker 4: if you were well, I'd gladly give my girl to you.
• 1:36:31
  Speaker 4: This inspired him with strength, endurance, and a happiness which
• 1:36:35
  Speaker 4: could not be concealed. It overflowed in looks, words, and acts.
• 1:36:40
  Speaker 4: It infected every one and made these holidays the blithes
• 1:36:44
  Speaker 4: the old abbey had seen for many a day. Annon
• 1:36:48
  Speaker 4: devoted himself to Octavia, and in spite of her command
• 1:36:52
  Speaker 4: to be left in peace till the new year, she
• 1:36:54
  Speaker 4: was very kind, so kind that hope flamed up in
• 1:36:58
  Speaker 4: his heart, though he saw that something like compassion often
• 1:37:01
  Speaker 4: shone on him from her frank eyes, and her compliance
• 1:37:05
  Speaker 4: had no touch of the tender docility which lovers longed
• 1:37:08
  Speaker 4: to see. She still avoided Treherne, but so skillfully that
• 1:37:13
  Speaker 4: few observed the change, but Anon and himself. In public,
• 1:37:17
  Speaker 4: Sir Jasper appeared to worship at the sprightly rosy shrine,
• 1:37:21
  Speaker 4: and she fancied her game was prospering well. But had
• 1:37:25
  Speaker 4: any one peeped behind the scenes, it would have been
• 1:37:28
  Speaker 4: discovered that during the half hour before dinner, when everyone
• 1:37:32
  Speaker 4: was in their dressing rooms and the General taking his nap,
• 1:37:35
  Speaker 4: a pair of ghostly black figures flitted about the haunted gallery,
• 1:37:40
  Speaker 4: where no servant ventured without orders. The Major fancied himself
• 1:37:44
  Speaker 4: the only one who had made this discovery, for Missus
• 1:37:47
  Speaker 4: Snowden affected Treherne's society in public, and was assiduous in
• 1:37:52
  Speaker 4: serving and amusing the dear convalescent as she called him.
• 1:37:56
  Speaker 4: But the General did not sleep. He too watched and waited,
• 1:38:00
  Speaker 4: longing yet dreading to speak, and hoping that this was
• 1:38:03
  Speaker 4: but a harmless freak of Edith's, for her caprices were many,
• 1:38:07
  Speaker 4: and till now he had indulged them freely. This hesitation
• 1:38:12
  Speaker 4: disgusted the Major, who, being a bachelor, knew little of
• 1:38:15
  Speaker 4: women's ways and less of their powers of persuasion. The
• 1:38:19
  Speaker 4: day before New Year, he took a sudden resolution and
• 1:38:22
  Speaker 4: demanded a private interview with the General. I have come
• 1:38:27
  Speaker 4: on an unpleasant errand, sir, he abruptly began, as the
• 1:38:31
  Speaker 4: old man received him with an expression which rather daunted
• 1:38:34
  Speaker 4: the Major. My friendship for Lady Treherne and my guardianship
• 1:38:39
  Speaker 4: of her children makes me jealous of the honor of
• 1:38:41
  Speaker 4: the family. I fear it is in danger, Sir. Pardon
• 1:38:45
  Speaker 4: me for saying it, but your wife is the cause.
• 1:38:50
  Speaker 4: May I trouble you to explain? Major Royston was all
• 1:38:53
  Speaker 4: the General's reply, as his old face grew stern and haughty.
• 1:38:58
  Speaker 4: I will, sir, briefly, I happen to know from Jasper
• 1:39:02
  Speaker 4: that there were love passages between Miss Dewberry and himself.
• 1:39:05
  Speaker 4: A year or more ago in Paris, a whim parted
• 1:39:08
  Speaker 4: them and she married. So far no reproach rests upon either.
• 1:39:13
  Speaker 4: But since she came here it has been evident to others,
• 1:39:16
  Speaker 4: as well as myself, that Jasper's affection has revived, and
• 1:39:20
  Speaker 4: that missus Snowdon does not reject and reprove it as
• 1:39:23
  Speaker 4: she should. They often meet, and from Jasper's manner, I
• 1:39:27
  Speaker 4: am convinced that mischief is afloat. He is ardent, headstrong,
• 1:39:32
  Speaker 4: and utterly regardless of the world's opinion. In some cases.
• 1:39:35
  Speaker 4: I have watched them, and what I tell you is true.
• 1:39:40
  Speaker 4: Prove it, I will. They meet in the North gallery,
• 1:39:44
  Speaker 4: wrapped in dark cloaks and play ghost if any one comes.
• 1:39:48
  Speaker 4: I concealed myself behind the screen last evening at dusk
• 1:39:51
  Speaker 4: and satisfied myself that my suspicions were correct. I heard
• 1:39:55
  Speaker 4: little of their conversation, but that little was enough. Repeated
• 1:40:00
  Speaker 4: if you please, sir, Jasper seemed pleading for some promise,
• 1:40:05
  Speaker 4: which she reluctantly gave, saying, while you live, I will
• 1:40:09
  Speaker 4: be true to my word with every one but him.
• 1:40:12
  Speaker 4: He will suspect and it will be useless to keep
• 1:40:14
  Speaker 4: it from him. He will shoot me for this. If
• 1:40:17
  Speaker 4: he knows I am the traitor expostulated jasper, he shall
• 1:40:21
  Speaker 4: not know that I can hoodwink him easily and serve
• 1:40:24
  Speaker 4: my purpose. Also, you are mysterious. But I leave all
• 1:40:28
  Speaker 4: to you and wait for my reward. When shall I
• 1:40:31
  Speaker 4: have it? Edith, She laughed and answered so low I
• 1:40:34
  Speaker 4: could not hear, for they left the gallery as they spoke.
• 1:40:38
  Speaker 4: Forgive me, General for the pain I inflict. You are
• 1:40:41
  Speaker 4: the only person to whom I have spoken, and you
• 1:40:44
  Speaker 4: are the only person who can properly and promptly prevent
• 1:40:47
  Speaker 4: this affair from bringing open shame and scandal on an
• 1:40:50
  Speaker 4: honorable house. To you, I leave it and will do
• 1:40:54
  Speaker 4: my part with this infatuated young man. If you will
• 1:40:57
  Speaker 4: withdraw the temptation which will ruin him, I will thank you. Major,
• 1:41:03
  Speaker 4: trust to me, and by tomorrow I will prove that
• 1:41:06
  Speaker 4: I can act as becomes me. The grief and misery
• 1:41:10
  Speaker 4: in the General's face touched the Major. He silently wrung
• 1:41:13
  Speaker 4: his hand and went away, thanking Heaven more fervently than
• 1:41:16
  Speaker 4: ever that no cursed coquet of a woman had it
• 1:41:19
  Speaker 4: in her power to break his heart. While this scene
• 1:41:23
  Speaker 4: was going on above, another was taking place in the library,
• 1:41:27
  Speaker 4: Traherne sat there alone, thinking happy thoughts, evidently, for his
• 1:41:32
  Speaker 4: eyes shone and his lips smiled as he mused while
• 1:41:35
  Speaker 4: watching the splendors of a winter sunset. A soft rustle
• 1:41:39
  Speaker 4: and the faint scent of violets warned him of Missus
• 1:41:41
  Speaker 4: Snowdon's approach, and a sudden foreboding told him that danger
• 1:41:45
  Speaker 4: was near. The instant he saw her face, his fear
• 1:41:49
  Speaker 4: was confirmed. For exultation, resolve, and love met and mingled
• 1:41:53
  Speaker 4: in the expression it wore. Leaning in the window recess,
• 1:41:57
  Speaker 4: where the red light shone full on her lovely face
• 1:42:00
  Speaker 4: and queenly figure. She said, softly, yet with a ruthless
• 1:42:04
  Speaker 4: accent below the softness, dreaming dreams, Maurice, which will never
• 1:42:09
  Speaker 4: come to pass unless I will it. I know your secret,
• 1:42:13
  Speaker 4: and I shall use it to prevent the fulfillment of
• 1:42:15
  Speaker 4: the foolish hope you cherish? Who told you? He demanded,
• 1:42:20
  Speaker 4: with an almost fierce flash of the eye and an
• 1:42:23
  Speaker 4: angry flush. I discovered it, as I warned you I should.
• 1:42:28
  Speaker 4: My memory is good. I recall the gossip of long ago.
• 1:42:31
  Speaker 4: I observe the faces, words and acts of those whom
• 1:42:35
  Speaker 4: I suspect and unconscious hints from them, give me the truth.
• 1:42:40
  Speaker 4: I doubt it, and Treherne smiled securely. She stooped and
• 1:42:44
  Speaker 4: whispered one short sentence into his ear. Whatever it was,
• 1:42:49
  Speaker 4: it caused him to start up with a pale, panic
• 1:42:51
  Speaker 4: stricken face and eye her as if she had pronounced
• 1:42:54
  Speaker 4: his doom. Do you doubt it now, she asked coldly.
• 1:43:00
  Speaker 4: He told you even your skilling craft could not discover
• 1:43:03
  Speaker 4: it alone. He muttered, nay, I told you nothing was
• 1:43:07
  Speaker 4: impossible to a determined woman. I needed no help, for
• 1:43:11
  Speaker 4: I knew more than you think. He sank down again
• 1:43:15
  Speaker 4: in a despairing attitude and hid his face, saying, mournfully,
• 1:43:19
  Speaker 4: I might have known you would hunt me down and
• 1:43:21
  Speaker 4: dash my hopes when they were surest How will you
• 1:43:24
  Speaker 4: use this unhappy secret? I will tell Octavia and make
• 1:43:29
  Speaker 4: her duty less hard. It will be kind to both
• 1:43:32
  Speaker 4: of you, for even with her, this memory would mar
• 1:43:35
  Speaker 4: your happiness. And it saves her from the shame and
• 1:43:38
  Speaker 4: grief of discovering, when too late, that she has given
• 1:43:41
  Speaker 4: herself to a stop. He cried in a tone that
• 1:43:45
  Speaker 4: made her start him pale as he rose out of
• 1:43:48
  Speaker 4: his chair, white with a stern indignation, which awed her
• 1:43:51
  Speaker 4: for a moment. You shall not utter that word. You
• 1:43:54
  Speaker 4: know but half the truth, and if you wrong me
• 1:43:57
  Speaker 4: or trouble the girl, I will turn traitor off. So
• 1:44:00
  Speaker 4: until the general the game you are playing with my cousin.
• 1:44:03
  Speaker 4: You feign to love me as you feigned before. But
• 1:44:06
  Speaker 4: his title is debate now as then. And you fancy
• 1:44:10
  Speaker 4: that by threatening to mar my hopes, you will secure
• 1:44:13
  Speaker 4: my silence and gain your end. Wrong, quite wrong. Jasper
• 1:44:19
  Speaker 4: is nothing to me. I use him as a tool,
• 1:44:23
  Speaker 4: not you. If I threaten, it is to keep you
• 1:44:26
  Speaker 4: from Octavia, who cannot forgive the past and love you
• 1:44:30
  Speaker 4: for yourself, as I have done all these miserable months.
• 1:44:34
  Speaker 4: You say, I know but half the truth. Tell me
• 1:44:36
  Speaker 4: the whole, and I will spare you. If ever a
• 1:44:40
  Speaker 4: man was tempted to betray a trust, it was to
• 1:44:43
  Speaker 4: herne them a word, and Octavia might be his silence,
• 1:44:48
  Speaker 4: and she might be lost, For this woman was in
• 1:44:51
  Speaker 4: earnest and possessed the power to ruin his good name forever.
• 1:44:55
  Speaker 4: The truth leaped to his lips and would have passed
• 1:44:57
  Speaker 4: them had not his eye fallen on the portrait of
• 1:45:00
  Speaker 4: Jasper's father. This man had loved and sheltered the orphan
• 1:45:04
  Speaker 4: all his life had made of him a son, and
• 1:45:08
  Speaker 4: dying urged him to guard and serve and save the
• 1:45:11
  Speaker 4: rebellious youth he left when most needing a father's care.
• 1:45:17
  Speaker 4: I promised, and I will keep my promise at all costs,
• 1:45:20
  Speaker 4: sighed Treherne, and with a gesture full of pathetic patience,
• 1:45:24
  Speaker 4: he waved the fair tempter from him, saying steadily, I
• 1:45:28
  Speaker 4: will never tell you though you rob me of that
• 1:45:31
  Speaker 4: which is dearer than my life. Go and work your will,
• 1:45:34
  Speaker 4: but remember that, when you might have won the deepest
• 1:45:37
  Speaker 4: gratitude of the man you professed to love, you chose
• 1:45:40
  Speaker 4: instead to earn his hatred and contempt. Waiting for no
• 1:45:45
  Speaker 4: word of hers, he took refuge in his room, and
• 1:45:49
  Speaker 4: Edith Snowdon sank down upon the couch, struggling with contending
• 1:45:52
  Speaker 4: emotions of love and jealousy, remorse and despair. How long
• 1:45:57
  Speaker 4: she sat there she could not tell. An approaching step
• 1:46:01
  Speaker 4: recalled her to herself, and looking up, she saw Octavia.
• 1:46:05
  Speaker 4: As the girl approached down the long vista of the
• 1:46:07
  Speaker 4: drawing rooms, her youth and beauty, innocence and candor touched
• 1:46:12
  Speaker 4: that fairer and more gifted woman with an envy she
• 1:46:15
  Speaker 4: had never known before. Something in the girl's face struck
• 1:46:19
  Speaker 4: her instantly, a look of peace and purity, a sweet
• 1:46:23
  Speaker 4: serenity more winning than loveliness, more impressive than dignity or grace.
• 1:46:28
  Speaker 4: With a smile on her lips, yet a half sad,
• 1:46:31
  Speaker 4: half tender light in her eyes, and a cluster of
• 1:46:34
  Speaker 4: pale winter roses in her hand, she came on till
• 1:46:37
  Speaker 4: she stood before her rival, and, offering the flowers, said
• 1:46:41
  Speaker 4: in words as simple as sincere, dear missus Snowdon, I
• 1:46:46
  Speaker 4: cannot let the last son of the old years set
• 1:46:49
  Speaker 4: on any misdeeds of mind for which I may atone
• 1:46:52
  Speaker 4: I have disliked, distrusted, and misjudged you, And now I
• 1:46:56
  Speaker 4: come to you in all humility to say forgiveness. With
• 1:47:02
  Speaker 4: the girlish abandon of her impulsive nature, Octavia knelt down
• 1:47:06
  Speaker 4: before the woman who was plotting to destroy her happiness,
• 1:47:09
  Speaker 4: laid the roses like a little peace offering on her lap,
• 1:47:13
  Speaker 4: and with eloquently pleading eyes, waited for pardon. For a moment,
• 1:47:17
  Speaker 4: Missus Snowdon watched her, fancying a well acted ruse to
• 1:47:21
  Speaker 4: disarm a dangerous rival, but in that sweet face, there
• 1:47:25
  Speaker 4: was no art. One glance showed her that the words
• 1:47:29
  Speaker 4: smote her to the heart and won her in spite
• 1:47:32
  Speaker 4: of pride or passion. As she suddenly took the girl
• 1:47:35
  Speaker 4: into her arms, weeping repentant tears, neither spoke, but in
• 1:47:40
  Speaker 4: the silence each felt the barrier which had stood between
• 1:47:43
  Speaker 4: them vanishing, and each learned to know the other better
• 1:47:46
  Speaker 4: in that moment than in a year of common life.
• 1:47:50
  Speaker 4: Octavia rejoiced that the instinct which had prompted her to
• 1:47:54
  Speaker 4: make this appeal had not misled her, but assured her
• 1:47:57
  Speaker 4: that behind the veil of coldness, pride, and levity which
• 1:48:01
  Speaker 4: this woman wore, there was a heart aching for sympathy
• 1:48:05
  Speaker 4: and help and love. Missus Snowdon felt her worser self
• 1:48:09
  Speaker 4: slip from her, leaving all that was true and noble
• 1:48:12
  Speaker 4: to make her worthy of the test applied art she
• 1:48:16
  Speaker 4: could meet with equal art, but nature conquered her for
• 1:48:20
  Speaker 4: spite of her misspent life and faulty character. The German virtue,
• 1:48:25
  Speaker 4: which lives in the worst, was there, only waiting for
• 1:48:28
  Speaker 4: the fostering sun and do of love to strengthen it,
• 1:48:31
  Speaker 4: even though the harvest be a late one. Forgive you,
• 1:48:36
  Speaker 4: she cried brokenly. It is I who should ask forgiveness
• 1:48:40
  Speaker 4: of you, I who should atone confess and repent. Pardon me,
• 1:48:45
  Speaker 4: pity me, love me, for I am more wretched than
• 1:48:49
  Speaker 4: you know. Dear, I do with heart and soul. Believe
• 1:48:54
  Speaker 4: it and let me be your friend. Was the soft answer.
• 1:48:59
  Speaker 4: God knows I need one, sighed the poor woman, still
• 1:49:02
  Speaker 4: holding fast, the only creature who had wholly won her child.
• 1:49:07
  Speaker 4: I am not good, but not so bad that I
• 1:49:10
  Speaker 4: dare not look in your innocent face and call you friend.
• 1:49:13
  Speaker 4: I never had one of my own sex, I never
• 1:49:16
  Speaker 4: knew my mother, and no one ever saw in me
• 1:49:19
  Speaker 4: the possibility of goodness, truth and justice. But you trust
• 1:49:25
  Speaker 4: and love and help me, Octavia, and I will reward
• 1:49:28
  Speaker 4: you with a better life. If I can do no more,
• 1:49:33
  Speaker 4: I will, and the new year shall be happier than
• 1:49:36
  Speaker 4: the old. God bless you for that prophecy. May I
• 1:49:41
  Speaker 4: be worthy of it. Then, as a bell warned them away,
• 1:49:46
  Speaker 4: the rivals kissed each other tenderly and parted friends. As
• 1:49:50
  Speaker 4: missus Snowdon entered her room, she saw her husband sitting
• 1:49:54
  Speaker 4: with his gray head in his hands, and heard him
• 1:49:56
  Speaker 4: murmur despairingly to himself. Life makes her miserable, but for
• 1:50:02
  Speaker 4: the sin of it, I die to free her. No,
• 1:50:07
  Speaker 4: live for me, and teach me to be happy in
• 1:50:09
  Speaker 4: your love. The clear voice startled him, but not so
• 1:50:13
  Speaker 4: much as the beautiful, changed face of the wife, who
• 1:50:16
  Speaker 4: laid the gray head on her bosom, saying, tenderly, my
• 1:50:21
  Speaker 4: kind and patient husband, you have been deceived from me.
• 1:50:26
  Speaker 4: You shall know all the truth, and when you have
• 1:50:28
  Speaker 4: forgiven my faulty past, you shall see how happy I
• 1:50:32
  Speaker 4: will try to make your future. End of chapter six.
• 1:50:38
  Speaker 4: Recording by Linda Ley Piquette.
• 1:50:47
  Speaker 3: Chapter seven of The Abbot's Ghost. This is a LibriVox recording.
• 1:50:52
  Speaker 3: All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information,
• 1:50:56
  Speaker 3: ought to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording by
• 1:51:02
  Speaker 3: Linda Ferguson The Abbot's Ghost or Maurice Trehearne's Temptation by
• 1:51:09
  Speaker 3: Louisa may Alcott. A ghostly rebel, bless me, how dull
• 1:51:15
  Speaker 3: we are tonight, exclaimed Rose, as the younger portion of
• 1:51:18
  Speaker 3: the party wandered listlessly about the drawing rooms that evening,
• 1:51:22
  Speaker 3: while my lady and the Major played an absorbing game
• 1:51:25
  Speaker 3: of piquette and the general doze peacefully at last. It
• 1:51:29
  Speaker 3: is because Maurice is not here. He always keeps us going,
• 1:51:32
  Speaker 3: for he's a fellow of infinite resources, replied Sir Jasper,
• 1:51:36
  Speaker 3: suppressing a yawn. Have him out, then, said Anon, he
• 1:51:41
  Speaker 3: won't come. The poor lad is blue tonight. In spite
• 1:51:44
  Speaker 3: of improvement. Something is amiss, and there is no getting
• 1:51:47
  Speaker 3: a word from him. Sad memories afflict him, perhaps, sighed Blanche.
• 1:51:54
  Speaker 3: Don't be absurd, dear, sad memories are all nonsense. Melancholy
• 1:51:58
  Speaker 3: is always indigestion, and nothing is so sure. A cure
• 1:52:01
  Speaker 3: is fun, said Rose briskly. I'm going to send in
• 1:52:05
  Speaker 3: a polite invitation begging him to come and amuse us.
• 1:52:08
  Speaker 3: He'll accept, I haven't a doubt. The message was sent,
• 1:52:12
  Speaker 3: but to Rose's charger, in a polite refusal was returned.
• 1:52:15
  Speaker 3: He shall come, Sir Jasper, Do you and mister a
• 1:52:19
  Speaker 3: Noon go as a deputation from us and return without
• 1:52:22
  Speaker 3: him at your peril? Was her command. They went, and
• 1:52:26
  Speaker 3: while waiting their a reappearance, the sister spoke of what
• 1:52:28
  Speaker 3: all had observed, how lovely missus Snowdon looks to night.
• 1:52:33
  Speaker 3: I always thought she owed half her charms to her
• 1:52:35
  Speaker 3: skill in dress. But she never looked so beautiful as
• 1:52:38
  Speaker 3: in that plain black silk with those roses in her hair,
• 1:52:42
  Speaker 3: said Rose. What has she done to herself? Replied Blanche.
• 1:52:46
  Speaker 3: I see a change, but can't account for it. She
• 1:52:49
  Speaker 3: and Tavvy have made some beautifying discovery for both look altogether,
• 1:52:53
  Speaker 3: uplifted and angelic. All of a sudden, here come the gentleman.
• 1:52:58
  Speaker 3: And as I'm at Talbot, they haven't got him, cried Rose,
• 1:53:01
  Speaker 3: as the deputation appeared, looking very crestfallen. Don't come near me,
• 1:53:06
  Speaker 3: she added, earfly, you are disloyal cowards, and I doom
• 1:53:09
  Speaker 3: you to exile till I want you. I am infinite
• 1:53:13
  Speaker 3: in resources as well as this recreant man, and come
• 1:53:15
  Speaker 3: he shall. Missus Snowdon, would you mind asking mister t
• 1:53:19
  Speaker 3: Hearne to suggest something to while away the rest of
• 1:53:21
  Speaker 3: this evening? We are in despair and can think of nothing,
• 1:53:24
  Speaker 3: and you are all powerful with him. I must decline
• 1:53:28
  Speaker 3: since he refuses you, was the decided answer, as Missus
• 1:53:32
  Speaker 3: Snowdon moved away. Tabby, dear, do go. We must have him.
• 1:53:37
  Speaker 3: He always obeys you, and you would be such a
• 1:53:39
  Speaker 3: public benefactor, you know. Without a word. Octavia wrote a
• 1:53:44
  Speaker 3: line and sent it by a servant. Several minutes passed,
• 1:53:48
  Speaker 3: and the gentleman began to lay wages on the success
• 1:53:50
  Speaker 3: of her trial. He will not come for me, you
• 1:53:53
  Speaker 3: may be sure, said Octavia, as the words passed her lips.
• 1:53:57
  Speaker 3: He appeared. A general laugh greeted him, but taking no
• 1:54:01
  Speaker 3: notice of the jests at his expense, he turned to Octavia,
• 1:54:05
  Speaker 3: saying quietly, what can I do for you? Cousin his
• 1:54:09
  Speaker 3: colorless face and weary eyes reproached her for disturbing him,
• 1:54:13
  Speaker 3: but it was too late for regret, and she answered hastily.
• 1:54:16
  Speaker 3: We are in want of some new and amusing occupation
• 1:54:19
  Speaker 3: to while away the evening. Can you suggest something appropriate?
• 1:54:24
  Speaker 3: Why not sit round the hall fire and tell stories
• 1:54:26
  Speaker 3: while we wait to see the old year out as
• 1:54:29
  Speaker 3: we used to long ago? He asked, after a moment's thought.
• 1:54:33
  Speaker 3: I'd told you so there, it is just what we want,
• 1:54:36
  Speaker 3: and Sir Jasper looked triumphant. It's capital. Let us begin
• 1:54:40
  Speaker 3: at once. It is after ten now, so we shall
• 1:54:43
  Speaker 3: not have long to wait, cried Rose, and taking Sir
• 1:54:46
  Speaker 3: Jasper's arm, she led the way to the hall. A
• 1:54:50
  Speaker 3: great fire always burned there, and in winter time Thick
• 1:54:53
  Speaker 3: carpets and curtains covered the stone floor and draped the
• 1:54:56
  Speaker 3: tall windows. Plants blossomed in the warm atmosphere, and chairs
• 1:55:00
  Speaker 3: and lounges stood about invitingly. The party was soon seated,
• 1:55:04
  Speaker 3: and Treherne was desired to begin. We must have ghost stories,
• 1:55:09
  Speaker 3: and in order to be properly thrilling and effective, the
• 1:55:11
  Speaker 3: lights must be put out, said Rose, who sat next
• 1:55:15
  Speaker 3: to him and spoke first. As usual, this was soon done,
• 1:55:19
  Speaker 3: and only a ruddy circle of firelight was left to
• 1:55:22
  Speaker 3: oppose the rapt gloom that filled the hall, where shadows
• 1:55:25
  Speaker 3: now seemed to lurk in every corner. Don't be very dreadful,
• 1:55:30
  Speaker 3: or I shall faint away, pleaded Blanche, drawing nearer to Anon,
• 1:55:35
  Speaker 3: for she had taken her sister's advice and laid close
• 1:55:37
  Speaker 3: siege to that gentleman's heart. I think your nerves will
• 1:55:41
  Speaker 3: bear my little tail, replied Treherne. When I was in
• 1:55:45
  Speaker 3: India four years ago, I had a very dear friend
• 1:55:48
  Speaker 3: in my regiment, a scotchman. I'm half Scotched myself, you know,
• 1:55:52
  Speaker 3: and clannish of course. Gordon was sent up country on
• 1:55:56
  Speaker 3: a scouting expedition and never returned. His men were ordered
• 1:56:00
  Speaker 3: that he left them one evening to take a survey,
• 1:56:03
  Speaker 3: and his horse came home bloody and riderless. We searched,
• 1:56:06
  Speaker 3: but could not find a trace of him, and I
• 1:56:09
  Speaker 3: was desperate to discover and avenge his murder. About a
• 1:56:12
  Speaker 3: month after his disappearance, as I sat in my tent
• 1:56:15
  Speaker 3: one fearfully hot day, suddenly the canvas door flap was raised,
• 1:56:19
  Speaker 3: and there stood Gordon. I saw him as plainly as
• 1:56:22
  Speaker 3: I see you, Jasper, and should have sprung to meet him,
• 1:56:26
  Speaker 3: but something held me back. He was deathly pale, dripping
• 1:56:30
  Speaker 3: with water, and in his bony blue eyes was a wild,
• 1:56:34
  Speaker 3: woeful look that made my blood run cold. I stared dumbly,
• 1:56:39
  Speaker 3: for it was awful to see my friend so changed
• 1:56:41
  Speaker 3: and so Unoathly. Stretching his arm to me, he took
• 1:56:45
  Speaker 3: my hand, saying solemnly come. The touch was like ice.
• 1:56:51
  Speaker 3: An ominous thrill ran through me. I started up to obey,
• 1:56:55
  Speaker 3: and he was gone. A horrid dream, of course, is
• 1:56:59
  Speaker 3: that all? Asked rose, with his eyes on the fire
• 1:57:03
  Speaker 3: and his left hand half extended. Treherne went on as
• 1:57:07
  Speaker 3: if he had not heard her. I thought it was
• 1:57:10
  Speaker 3: a fancy, and soon recovered myself, for no one had
• 1:57:14
  Speaker 3: seen or heard anything of Gordon, and my native servant
• 1:57:17
  Speaker 3: lay just outside my tent. A strange sensation remained in
• 1:57:22
  Speaker 3: the hand the phantom touched. It was cold, damp, and white.
• 1:57:27
  Speaker 3: I found it vain to try to forget this apparition.
• 1:57:31
  Speaker 3: It took strong hold of me. I told Yermad, my man,
• 1:57:35
  Speaker 3: and he bade me consider it a sign that I
• 1:57:37
  Speaker 3: was to seek my friend. That night, I dreamed I
• 1:57:41
  Speaker 3: was riding up the country in hot haste. What led me,
• 1:57:44
  Speaker 3: I know not, but I pressed on and on, longing
• 1:57:46
  Speaker 3: to reach the end. A half dried river crossed my path,
• 1:57:49
  Speaker 3: and riding down the steep bank to forward it, I
• 1:57:52
  Speaker 3: saw Gordon's body lying in the shallow water, looking exactly
• 1:57:56
  Speaker 3: as the vision looked. I woke in a strange mood,
• 1:58:00
  Speaker 3: told the story to my commanding officer, and as nothing
• 1:58:03
  Speaker 3: was doing just then, easily got leave of absence. For
• 1:58:06
  Speaker 3: a week. Taking Yerma, I set out on my sad quest.
• 1:58:11
  Speaker 3: I thought it folly, but I could not resist the
• 1:58:14
  Speaker 3: impulse that drew me on. For seven days I searched,
• 1:58:18
  Speaker 3: And the strangest part of the story is that all
• 1:58:21
  Speaker 3: that time I went on exactly as in the dream,
• 1:58:24
  Speaker 3: seeing what I saw then, and led by the touch
• 1:58:27
  Speaker 3: of a cold hand on mine, on the seventh day,
• 1:58:31
  Speaker 3: I reached the river and found my friend's body. How
• 1:58:35
  Speaker 3: horrible is it really true, cried missus Snowdon as true
• 1:58:41
  Speaker 3: as I am a living man. Nor is that all
• 1:58:44
  Speaker 3: this left hand of mine never has been warm since
• 1:58:47
  Speaker 3: that time? See and feel for yourselves. He opened both hands,
• 1:58:53
  Speaker 3: and all satisfied themselves that the left was smaller, paler,
• 1:58:56
  Speaker 3: and colder than the right. Pray, someone tell another story
• 1:59:00
  Speaker 3: to put this out of my mind. It makes me nervous,
• 1:59:03
  Speaker 3: said Blanche. I'll tell one, and you may laugh to
• 1:59:07
  Speaker 3: quiet your nerves. I want to have mine done with
• 1:59:10
  Speaker 3: so that I can enjoy the rest with a free mind.
• 1:59:13
  Speaker 3: With these words, Rose began her tale in the good
• 1:59:15
  Speaker 3: old fashion. Once upon a time, when we were paying
• 1:59:20
  Speaker 3: a visit to my blessed Grandmamma, I saw a ghost.
• 1:59:23
  Speaker 3: In this wise, The dear old lady was ill with
• 1:59:27
  Speaker 3: a cold and kept her room, leaving us to mope,
• 1:59:30
  Speaker 3: for it was very dull in the great lonely house.
• 1:59:33
  Speaker 3: Blanche and I were both homesick, but didn't like to
• 1:59:36
  Speaker 3: leave till she was better, so we ransacked the library
• 1:59:39
  Speaker 3: and solaced ourselves with all manner of queer books. One
• 1:59:43
  Speaker 3: day I found Grandmamma very low and nervous, and evidently
• 1:59:46
  Speaker 3: with something on her mind. She would say nothing, but
• 1:59:50
  Speaker 3: the next day was worse, and I insisted on knowing
• 1:59:52
  Speaker 3: the cause for the trouble was evidently mental, charging me
• 1:59:57
  Speaker 3: to keep it from Blanche, who was and is a
• 2:00:00
  Speaker 3: sad coward. She told me that a spirit had appeared
• 2:00:03
  Speaker 3: to her two successive nights. If it comes a third time,
• 2:00:08
  Speaker 3: I shall prepare to die, said the foolish old lady.
• 2:00:12
  Speaker 3: No you won't, for I'll come and stay with you
• 2:00:14
  Speaker 3: and lay your ghost, I said. With some difficulty, I
• 2:00:17
  Speaker 3: made her yield, and after Blanche was asleep, I slipped
• 2:00:20
  Speaker 3: away to Grandmamma with a book and a candle for
• 2:00:23
  Speaker 3: a long watch. As the spirit didn't appear till after midnight.
• 2:00:28
  Speaker 3: She usually slept with her door unlocked in case of
• 2:00:31
  Speaker 3: fire or fright, and her maid was close by. That night,
• 2:00:35
  Speaker 3: I locked the door, telling her that spirits could come
• 2:00:38
  Speaker 3: through the oak if they chose, and I preferred to
• 2:00:41
  Speaker 3: have a fair trial. Well, I read and chatted and
• 2:00:45
  Speaker 3: dozed till dawn and nothing appeared. So I laughed at
• 2:00:49
  Speaker 3: the whole affair, and the old lady pretended to be
• 2:00:52
  Speaker 3: convinced that it was all a fancy. Next night I
• 2:00:55
  Speaker 3: slept in my own room, and in the morning was
• 2:00:58
  Speaker 3: told that not only Grandmamma but Janet had seen the spirit,
• 2:01:02
  Speaker 3: all in white, with streaming hair, a pale face and
• 2:01:05
  Speaker 3: a red streak at the throat. It came and parted
• 2:01:08
  Speaker 3: the bed curtains, looked in a moment, and then vanished.
• 2:01:12
  Speaker 3: Janet had slept with Grandmamma and kept a lamp burning
• 2:01:15
  Speaker 3: on the chimney, so both saw it. I was puzzled,
• 2:01:19
  Speaker 3: but not frightened. I never am, and I insisted on
• 2:01:22
  Speaker 3: trying again. The door was left unlocked as on the
• 2:01:26
  Speaker 3: previous night, and I lay with Grandmamma, a light burning
• 2:01:30
  Speaker 3: as before. About two she clutched me as I was
• 2:01:33
  Speaker 3: dropping off. I looked, and there, peeping in between the
• 2:01:37
  Speaker 3: dark curtains was a pale face with long hair all
• 2:01:40
  Speaker 3: about it and a red streak at the throat. It
• 2:01:44
  Speaker 3: was very dim, the light being low, but I saw it,
• 2:01:48
  Speaker 3: and after one breathless minute, sprang up, caught my foot,
• 2:01:52
  Speaker 3: fell down with a crash, and by the time I
• 2:01:54
  Speaker 3: was around the bed, not a vestige of the thing appeared.
• 2:01:57
  Speaker 3: I was angry and vowed I'd succeed at all hazard wards,
• 2:02:00
  Speaker 3: though I'll confess I was just a bit daunted. Next time,
• 2:02:05
  Speaker 3: Janet and I sat up in easy chairs with bright
• 2:02:07
  Speaker 3: lights burning, and both wide awake, with the strongest coffee
• 2:02:10
  Speaker 3: we could make. As the hour drew near, we got nervous,
• 2:02:15
  Speaker 3: and when the white shape came gliding in, Janet hid
• 2:02:18
  Speaker 3: her face. I didn't, and after one look, was on
• 2:02:21
  Speaker 3: the point of laughing, for the spirit was Blanche walking
• 2:02:25
  Speaker 3: in her sleep. She wore a coral necklace in those
• 2:02:28
  Speaker 3: days and never took it off, and her long hair
• 2:02:31
  Speaker 3: half hid her face, which had the unnatural, uncanny look
• 2:02:34
  Speaker 3: somnambulas always wear. I had the sense to keep still
• 2:02:38
  Speaker 3: and tell Janet what to do, so the poor child
• 2:02:40
  Speaker 3: went back unwaked, and Grandmamma's spirit never walked again, for
• 2:02:44
  Speaker 3: I took care of that. Why did you haunt the
• 2:02:47
  Speaker 3: old lady, asked Anon as the laughter ceased. I don't know,
• 2:02:53
  Speaker 3: unless it was that I wanted to ask leave to
• 2:02:55
  Speaker 3: go home and was afraid to do it awake, so tried.
• 2:02:58
  Speaker 3: When asleep, I shall not tell any story, as I
• 2:03:01
  Speaker 3: was the heroine of this, but we'll give my turn
• 2:03:04
  Speaker 3: to you, mister Anon, said Blanche with a soft glance,
• 2:03:07
  Speaker 3: which was quite thrown away, for the gentleman's eyes were
• 2:03:10
  Speaker 3: fixed on Octavia, who sat on a low watterman at
• 2:03:13
  Speaker 3: Missus Snowdon's feet in the full glow of the firelight.
• 2:03:17
  Speaker 3: I've had very small experience in ghosts, and can only
• 2:03:20
  Speaker 3: recall a little fright I once had when a boy
• 2:03:22
  Speaker 3: at college, I've been out to a party, got home tired,
• 2:03:27
  Speaker 3: couldn't find my matches, and retired in the dark. Toward morning,
• 2:03:31
  Speaker 3: I woke and, glancing up to see if the dim
• 2:03:33
  Speaker 3: light was dawn or moonshine, I was horrified to see
• 2:03:36
  Speaker 3: a coffin standing at the bed's foot. I rubbed my
• 2:03:39
  Speaker 3: eyes to be sure I was awake, and looked with
• 2:03:42
  Speaker 3: all my might. There it was a long black coffin,
• 2:03:47
  Speaker 3: and I saw the white plate in the dusk, for
• 2:03:49
  Speaker 3: the moon was setting and my curtain was not drawn.
• 2:03:52
  Speaker 3: It's some trick of the fellows. I thought, I'll not
• 2:03:55
  Speaker 3: betray myself, but keep cool. Easy to say, but hard
• 2:04:00
  Speaker 3: to do, for it suddenly flashed into my mind that
• 2:04:02
  Speaker 3: I might be in the wrong room. I glanced about,
• 2:04:06
  Speaker 3: but there with the familiar objects as usual, as far
• 2:04:09
  Speaker 3: as the indistinct light allowed me to see, and I
• 2:04:12
  Speaker 3: made sure by feeling on the wall the bed's head
• 2:04:14
  Speaker 3: for my watch case. It was there, and mine beyond
• 2:04:17
  Speaker 3: a doubt, being peculiar in shape and fabric. Had I
• 2:04:21
  Speaker 3: been to a college wine party, I could have accounted
• 2:04:24
  Speaker 3: for the vision. But a quiet evening in a grave
• 2:04:27
  Speaker 3: professor's well conducted family could produce no ill effects. It's
• 2:04:32
  Speaker 3: an optical illusion or a prank of my mate's. I'll
• 2:04:35
  Speaker 3: sleep and forget it, I said, and for a time
• 2:04:38
  Speaker 3: endeavored to do so. But curiosity overcame my resolve, and
• 2:04:42
  Speaker 3: soon I peeped again. Judge of my horror. When I
• 2:04:46
  Speaker 3: saw the sharp white outline of a dead face, which
• 2:04:49
  Speaker 3: seemed to be peeping up from the coffin, it gave
• 2:04:52
  Speaker 3: me a terrible shock, for I was but a lad
• 2:04:55
  Speaker 3: and had been ill. I hid my face and quaked
• 2:04:58
  Speaker 3: like a nervous girl, still thinking it some joke, and
• 2:05:01
  Speaker 3: too proud to betray fear lest I should be laughed at.
• 2:05:06
  Speaker 3: How long I lay there, I don't know, But when
• 2:05:08
  Speaker 3: I looked again, the face was farther out, and the
• 2:05:11
  Speaker 3: whole figure seemed rising slowly. The moon was nearly down.
• 2:05:16
  Speaker 3: I had no lamp, and to be left in the
• 2:05:17
  Speaker 3: dark with that awesome thing was more than I could bear,
• 2:05:21
  Speaker 3: joke or earnest I must end the panic, and bolting
• 2:05:24
  Speaker 3: out of my room, I roused my neighbor. He told
• 2:05:27
  Speaker 3: me I was mad or drunk, but little lamp, and
• 2:05:29
  Speaker 3: returned with me to find my horror only a heap
• 2:05:33
  Speaker 3: of clothes thrown on the table in such a way
• 2:05:36
  Speaker 3: that as the moon's pale light shot it, it struck
• 2:05:39
  Speaker 3: upon my black student's gown with a white card lying
• 2:05:43
  Speaker 3: on it, and produced the effect of a coffin and plait.
• 2:05:46
  Speaker 3: The face was a crumpled handkerchief, and what seemed hair
• 2:05:49
  Speaker 3: a brown muffler. As the moon sank, these outlines changed, and,
• 2:05:54
  Speaker 3: incredible as it may seem, grew like a face. My friend,
• 2:05:59
  Speaker 3: not having had the fright, enjoyed the joke, and coffins
• 2:06:02
  Speaker 3: was my Sobreca for a long while, you get worse
• 2:06:06
  Speaker 3: and worse, Sir Jasper, do vary the horrors by a
• 2:06:09
  Speaker 3: touch of fun, or I shall run away, said Blanche,
• 2:06:12
  Speaker 3: glancing over her shoulder. Nervously. I'll do my best and
• 2:06:16
  Speaker 3: tell a story my uncle used to relate of his
• 2:06:18
  Speaker 3: young days. I forget the name of the place, but
• 2:06:21
  Speaker 3: it was some little country town famous among anglers. My
• 2:06:25
  Speaker 3: uncle often went to fish, and always regretted that a
• 2:06:27
  Speaker 3: deserted house near the trout stream was not occupied, for
• 2:06:31
  Speaker 3: the inn was inconveniently distant. Speaking of this, one evening,
• 2:06:35
  Speaker 3: as he lounged the landlady's parlor, he asked why no
• 2:06:38
  Speaker 3: one took it and let the rooms to strangers in
• 2:06:40
  Speaker 3: the fishing season, for fear of Ghostess's Your honor, replied
• 2:06:45
  Speaker 3: the woman, and proceeded to tell him that three distinct
• 2:06:48
  Speaker 3: spirits haunted the house. In the garret was heard the
• 2:06:52
  Speaker 3: hum of a wheel and the tap of high heeled shoes.
• 2:06:55
  Speaker 3: As the ghostly spinner went to and fro In a chamber,
• 2:06:59
  Speaker 3: sounded the shop oppening of a knife, followed by groans
• 2:07:02
  Speaker 3: and the drip of blood. The cellar was made awful
• 2:07:05
  Speaker 3: by a skeleton sitting on a half buried box and
• 2:07:07
  Speaker 3: chuckling fiendishly. It seems a miser lived there once and
• 2:07:12
  Speaker 3: was believed to have starved his daughter in the garret,
• 2:07:15
  Speaker 3: keeping her at work till she died. The second spirit
• 2:07:18
  Speaker 3: was that of the girl's rejected lover, who cut his
• 2:07:21
  Speaker 3: throat in the chamber, and the third of the miser,
• 2:07:24
  Speaker 3: who was found dead on the money chest he was
• 2:07:26
  Speaker 3: too feeble to conceal. My uncle laughed at all this
• 2:07:30
  Speaker 3: and offered to lay the ghost if anyone would take
• 2:07:32
  Speaker 3: the house. This offer got abroad, and a crusty old
• 2:07:36
  Speaker 3: fellow accepted it, hoping to turn a penny. He had
• 2:07:40
  Speaker 3: a pretty girl whose love had been flouted by the
• 2:07:42
  Speaker 3: old man, and whose lover was going to see in despair.
• 2:07:46
  Speaker 3: My uncle knew this and pitied the young people. He
• 2:07:49
  Speaker 3: had made acquaintances with a wandering artist, and the two
• 2:07:52
  Speaker 3: agreed to conquer the prejudice against the house by taking
• 2:07:55
  Speaker 3: rooms there. They did so, and after satisfying themselves regarding
• 2:08:00
  Speaker 3: the noises, consulted a wise old woman as the best
• 2:08:03
  Speaker 3: means of laying the ghosts. She told them if any
• 2:08:07
  Speaker 3: young girl would pass a night in each haunted room,
• 2:08:11
  Speaker 3: praying piously the while that all would be well. Peggy
• 2:08:15
  Speaker 3: was asked if she would do it, and, being a
• 2:08:17
  Speaker 3: stout hearted lass, she consented for a round some to
• 2:08:21
  Speaker 3: try it. The first night was in the garret, and Peggy,
• 2:08:25
  Speaker 3: in spite of the prophecies of the village gossips, came
• 2:08:28
  Speaker 3: out alive. Though listeners at the door heard the weird
• 2:08:31
  Speaker 3: humming and tapping all night long. The next night all
• 2:08:35
  Speaker 3: went well, and from that time no more sharpening, groaning,
• 2:08:39
  Speaker 3: or dripping was heard. The third time, she bade her
• 2:08:43
  Speaker 3: friends good bye, and, wrapped in her red cloak, with
• 2:08:46
  Speaker 3: a lamp and a prayer book, went down into the cellar.
• 2:08:49
  Speaker 3: Alas for pretty Peggy, when day came, she was gone,
• 2:08:53
  Speaker 3: and with her miser's empty box, though his bones remained
• 2:08:57
  Speaker 3: to prove how well she had done her work. The
• 2:09:00
  Speaker 3: town was in an uproar, and the old man furious.
• 2:09:03
  Speaker 3: Some said the devil had flown away with her, others
• 2:09:06
  Speaker 3: that the bones were hers, and all agreed that henceforth
• 2:09:10
  Speaker 3: another ghost would haunt the house. My uncle and the
• 2:09:13
  Speaker 3: artist did their best to comfort the father, who sorely
• 2:09:16
  Speaker 3: reproached himself for thwarting the girl's love, and declared that
• 2:09:20
  Speaker 3: if Jack would find her, he should have her. But
• 2:09:23
  Speaker 3: Jack had sailed, and the old man was left lamenting.
• 2:09:26
  Speaker 3: The house was freed from its unearthly visitors, however, for
• 2:09:29
  Speaker 3: no ghost appeared, and when my uncle left, Old Martin
• 2:09:33
  Speaker 3: found money and letter informing him that Peggy had spent
• 2:09:36
  Speaker 3: her first two nights preparing for flight, and on the
• 2:09:39
  Speaker 3: third had gone away to marry and sail with Jack.
• 2:09:43
  Speaker 3: The noises had been produced by the artist who was
• 2:09:46
  Speaker 3: a ventriloquist, the skeleton had been smuggled from the surgeons,
• 2:09:50
  Speaker 3: and the whole thing was a conspiracy to help Peggy
• 2:09:53
  Speaker 3: in accommodate the fishman. It is evident that roguery is hereditary,
• 2:09:58
  Speaker 3: laughed Rose as the narrator paused, I strongly suspect that
• 2:10:02
  Speaker 3: Sir Jasper the second was the true hero of that story,
• 2:10:05
  Speaker 3: added Missus Snowdon, think what you like. I've done my
• 2:10:09
  Speaker 3: part and leave the stage for you, Madam, I will
• 2:10:13
  Speaker 3: come last. It is your turn, dear. As missus Snowdon
• 2:10:17
  Speaker 3: softly uttered the last word, and Octavia leaned upon her
• 2:10:20
  Speaker 3: knee with an affectionate glance, Trehanne leaned forward to catch
• 2:10:24
  Speaker 3: a glimpse of the two changed faces and looked as
• 2:10:27
  Speaker 3: if bewildered when both smiled at him as they sat
• 2:10:30
  Speaker 3: hand in hand while the girl told her story. Long ago,
• 2:10:34
  Speaker 3: a famous actress suddenly dropped dead at the close of
• 2:10:37
  Speaker 3: a splendidly played tragedy, she was carried home and preparations
• 2:10:41
  Speaker 3: were made to bury her. The play had been gotten
• 2:10:44
  Speaker 3: up with great care and expense, and a fine actor
• 2:10:48
  Speaker 3: was the hero. The public demanded a repetition, and an
• 2:10:52
  Speaker 3: inferior person was engaged to take the dead lady's part.
• 2:10:56
  Speaker 3: A day's delay had been necessary, but when the night came,
• 2:11:00
  Speaker 3: the house was crowded. They waited both before and behind
• 2:11:04
  Speaker 3: the curtain for the debut of the new actress. With
• 2:11:07
  Speaker 3: much curiosity. She stood waiting for her cue, but as
• 2:11:11
  Speaker 3: it was given to the amazement of all, the great
• 2:11:14
  Speaker 3: tragedian glided upon the stage, pale as marble as, with
• 2:11:19
  Speaker 3: a strange fire in her eyes, strange pathos in her voice,
• 2:11:23
  Speaker 3: strange power in her acting. She went through her part,
• 2:11:27
  Speaker 3: and at the clothes vanished as mysteriously as she came.
• 2:11:31
  Speaker 3: Great was the excitement that night, and intense the astonishment
• 2:11:35
  Speaker 3: and horror next day, when it was whispered abroad that
• 2:11:38
  Speaker 3: the dead woman never had revived, but had lain in
• 2:11:41
  Speaker 3: her coffin before the eyes of watchers all the evening,
• 2:11:45
  Speaker 3: when hundreds fancied they were applauding her at the theater.
• 2:11:49
  Speaker 3: The mystery never was cleared up, and Paris was divided
• 2:11:52
  Speaker 3: by two opinions, one that some person marvelously like Madame
• 2:11:58
  Speaker 3: Z had personated her for the sake of a sensation,
• 2:12:02
  Speaker 3: the other that the ghost of the dead actress, unable
• 2:12:05
  Speaker 3: to free itself from the old duties, so full of
• 2:12:08
  Speaker 3: fascination to an ambitious and successful woman, had played for
• 2:12:12
  Speaker 3: the last time the part which had made her famous.
• 2:12:16
  Speaker 3: Where did you find that tabby? It's very French and
• 2:12:19
  Speaker 3: not bad if you invented it, said Sir Jasper. I
• 2:12:23
  Speaker 3: read it in an old book where it was much
• 2:12:26
  Speaker 3: better told Now, Edith, there is just time for your tale.
• 2:12:31
  Speaker 3: As the word, Edith passed her lips again to herne
• 2:12:34
  Speaker 3: started and eyed them both, and again they smiled as
• 2:12:39
  Speaker 3: Missus Snowdon caressed the smooth cheek, leaning on her knee
• 2:12:43
  Speaker 3: and looking full at him, began the last recital. You
• 2:12:47
  Speaker 3: have been recounting the pranks of imaginary ghosts. Let me
• 2:12:51
  Speaker 3: show you the workings of some real spirits, evil and good,
• 2:12:56
  Speaker 3: that haunt every heart and home, making its my misery
• 2:13:00
  Speaker 3: or joy. At Christmas time, in a country house, a
• 2:13:06
  Speaker 3: party of friends met to keep the holidays and very happily.
• 2:13:10
  Speaker 3: They might have done so had not one person marred
• 2:13:14
  Speaker 3: the peace of several Love, jealousy, deceit, and nobleness were
• 2:13:21
  Speaker 3: the spirits that played their freaks with these people. The
• 2:13:25
  Speaker 3: person of whom I speak was more haunted than the rest,
• 2:13:29
  Speaker 3: and much tormented, being wilful, proud, and jealous. Heaven help her.
• 2:13:36
  Speaker 3: She had no one to exercise these ghosts for her,
• 2:13:39
  Speaker 3: and they goaded her to do much harm. Among these
• 2:13:43
  Speaker 3: friends there were more than one pair of lovers, and
• 2:13:46
  Speaker 3: much tangling of plots and plans for hearts awayward, and
• 2:13:49
  Speaker 3: mysterious things. And cannot love as duty bids or prudence counsels.
• 2:13:56
  Speaker 3: This woman held the key to all the secrets of
• 2:13:59
  Speaker 3: the house, and having a purpose to gain, she used
• 2:14:02
  Speaker 3: her power selfishly for a time to satisfy a doubt.
• 2:14:07
  Speaker 3: She feigned a fancy for a gentleman who once did
• 2:14:10
  Speaker 3: her the honor of admiring her, and, to the great
• 2:14:12
  Speaker 3: scandal of certain sage persons, permitted him to show his
• 2:14:16
  Speaker 3: regard for her, knowing that it was but a transient
• 2:14:19
  Speaker 3: amusement on his part, as well as upon hers. In
• 2:14:23
  Speaker 3: the hands of this woman lay a secret which could
• 2:14:26
  Speaker 3: make or mar the happiness of the best and dearest
• 2:14:30
  Speaker 3: of the party. The evil spirits which haunted her urged
• 2:14:34
  Speaker 3: her to mar their peace and gratify a sinful hope.
• 2:14:38
  Speaker 3: On the other side, honor, justice and generosity prompted her
• 2:14:43
  Speaker 3: to make them happy. And while she wavered, there came
• 2:14:47
  Speaker 3: to her a sweet enchantress, who with a word banished
• 2:14:52
  Speaker 3: the tormenting ghosts for ever, and gave the haunted woman
• 2:14:55
  Speaker 3: a talisman to keep her free. Henceforth, there the and
• 2:15:00
  Speaker 3: his voice faltered, and with a sudden impulse, missus Snowdon
• 2:15:03
  Speaker 3: bent her head and kissed the fair forehead, which had
• 2:15:06
  Speaker 3: bent lower and lower as she went on. Each listener
• 2:15:10
  Speaker 3: understood the truth lightly veiled in that hasty fable, and
• 2:15:14
  Speaker 3: each found in it a different meaning. Sir Jasper frowned
• 2:15:19
  Speaker 3: and bit his lips. Anon glanced anxiously from face to face.
• 2:15:24
  Speaker 3: Octavia hid hers, and Trehernes flashed with sudden intelligence, while
• 2:15:29
  Speaker 3: Rose laughed low to herself, enjoying the scene. Bland she
• 2:15:34
  Speaker 3: was getting sleepy, said with a stifled gape, that is
• 2:15:38
  Speaker 3: a very nice moral little story, But I wish there
• 2:15:42
  Speaker 3: had been some real ghosts in it. There was. Will
• 2:15:45
  Speaker 3: you come and see them. As she put the question,
• 2:15:49
  Speaker 3: Missus Snowdon rose abruptly, wishing to end the seunds, and
• 2:15:53
  Speaker 3: beckoning them to follow, glided up the great stairway, all obeyed,
• 2:15:58
  Speaker 3: wondering what whim possess, and quite ready for any jest
• 2:16:02
  Speaker 3: in store for them. End of the Ghostly revel recording
• 2:16:08
  Speaker 3: by Linda Ferguson.
• 2:16:15
  Speaker 2: Chapter eight of The Abbot's ghost This is a LibriVox recording.
• 2:16:20
  Speaker 2: All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more
• 2:16:23
  Speaker 2: information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording
• 2:16:29
  Speaker 2: by Jacqueline Provo. The Abbot's Ghosts or Maurice Treherne's Temptation
• 2:16:36
  Speaker 2: by Louisa may Alcott, Chapter eight. Jasper. She led them
• 2:16:43
  Speaker 2: to the North Gallery, and, pausing at the door, said
• 2:16:46
  Speaker 2: merrily the ghost or ghosts rather, for there were two
• 2:16:50
  Speaker 2: which frightened Patty, were Sir Jasper and myself, meeting to
• 2:16:53
  Speaker 2: discuss certain important matters which concern mister Treherne. If you
• 2:16:57
  Speaker 2: want to see spirits, we will play phantom for you
• 2:17:00
  Speaker 2: and convince you of our power. Good, let us go
• 2:17:03
  Speaker 2: and have a ghostly dance as a proper finale of
• 2:17:05
  Speaker 2: our revel, answered Rose. As they flocked into the long hall.
• 2:17:09
  Speaker 2: At that moment, the great clock struck twelve, and all
• 2:17:13
  Speaker 2: paused to bid the old year adieu. Sir Jasper was
• 2:17:16
  Speaker 2: the first to speak, for angry with Missus Snowdon, yet
• 2:17:20
  Speaker 2: thankful to her for making a jest to others of
• 2:17:23
  Speaker 2: what had been earnest to him, he desired to hide
• 2:17:26
  Speaker 2: his chagrin under a gay manner, and, taking Rose around
• 2:17:29
  Speaker 2: the waist, was about to waltz away as she proposed,
• 2:17:32
  Speaker 2: saying cheerily, come one and all and dance the new
• 2:17:35
  Speaker 2: year in, when a cry from Octavia arrested him, and turning,
• 2:17:40
  Speaker 2: he saw her stand pale and trembling, pointing to the
• 2:17:42
  Speaker 2: far end of the hall. Eight narrow Gothic windows pierced
• 2:17:46
  Speaker 2: either wall of the north gallery. A full moon sent
• 2:17:49
  Speaker 2: her silvery light strongly in upon the eastern side, making
• 2:17:53
  Speaker 2: broad bars of brightness across the floor. No fires burned
• 2:17:57
  Speaker 2: there now, and wherever the moonlight did not fall, deep
• 2:18:00
  Speaker 2: shadows lay. As Octavia cried out, all looked, and all
• 2:18:05
  Speaker 2: distinctly saw a tall, dark figure moving noiselessly across the
• 2:18:08
  Speaker 2: second bar of light far down the hall. Is it
• 2:18:12
  Speaker 2: some jest of yours, said Sir Jasper of Missus Snowdon,
• 2:18:15
  Speaker 2: as the form vanished in the shadows. No, upon my honor,
• 2:18:19
  Speaker 2: I know nothing of it. I only meant to relieve
• 2:18:22
  Speaker 2: Octavia's superstitious fears by showing her our pranks, was the
• 2:18:26
  Speaker 2: whispered reply. As Missus Snowdon's cheek paled and she drew
• 2:18:30
  Speaker 2: nearer to Jasper, who is there? Called Treherne in a
• 2:18:34
  Speaker 2: commanding tone. No answer, but a faint, cold breath of
• 2:18:39
  Speaker 2: air seemed to sigh along the arched roof and die away.
• 2:18:42
  Speaker 2: As the dark figure crossed the third streak of moonlight,
• 2:18:46
  Speaker 2: a strange awe fell upon them all, and no one spoke,
• 2:18:50
  Speaker 2: but stood watching for the appearance of the shape. Nearer
• 2:18:53
  Speaker 2: and nearer it came with soundless steps, and as it
• 2:18:56
  Speaker 2: reached the sixth window, its outlines were distinctly visible, A tall,
• 2:19:00
  Speaker 2: wasted figure, all in black, with a rosary hanging from
• 2:19:04
  Speaker 2: the girdle and a dark beard half concealing the face
• 2:19:08
  Speaker 2: the Abbot's ghost, and very well got up, said Annon,
• 2:19:12
  Speaker 2: trying to laugh, but failing decidedly. For again the cold
• 2:19:15
  Speaker 2: breath swept over them, causing a general shudder. Hush, whispered Treherne,
• 2:19:20
  Speaker 2: drawing Octavia to his side with a protecting gesture. Once more,
• 2:19:24
  Speaker 2: the phantom appeared and disappeared, and as they waited for
• 2:19:28
  Speaker 2: it to cross the last bar of light that lay
• 2:19:30
  Speaker 2: between it and them, Missus Snowdon stepped forward to the
• 2:19:33
  Speaker 2: edge of the shadow in which they stood, as if
• 2:19:36
  Speaker 2: to confront the apparition alone. Out of the darkness it came,
• 2:19:40
  Speaker 2: and in the full radiance of the light it paused.
• 2:19:43
  Speaker 2: Missus Snowdon, being nearest, saw the face first, and, uttering
• 2:19:46
  Speaker 2: a faint cry, dropped down upon the stone floor, covering
• 2:19:50
  Speaker 2: up her eyes. Nothing human ever wore a look like
• 2:19:53
  Speaker 2: that of the ghastly, hollow eyed, pale lipped countenance below
• 2:19:57
  Speaker 2: the hood. All saw it held their breath as it
• 2:20:01
  Speaker 2: slowly raised a shadowy arm and pointed a shriveled finger
• 2:20:05
  Speaker 2: at Sir Jasper, Speak whatever you are, or I'll quickly
• 2:20:09
  Speaker 2: prove whether you are a man or spirit, cried Jasper, fiercely,
• 2:20:13
  Speaker 2: stepping forward as if to grasp the extended arm that
• 2:20:16
  Speaker 2: seemed to menace him alone. An icy gust swept through
• 2:20:21
  Speaker 2: the hall, and the phantom slowly receded into the shadow.
• 2:20:24
  Speaker 2: Jasper sprang after it, but nothing crossed the second stream
• 2:20:27
  Speaker 2: of light, and nothing remained in the shade. Like one
• 2:20:30
  Speaker 2: possessed by a sudden fancy. He rushed down the gallery
• 2:20:34
  Speaker 2: to find all fast and empty, and to return looking
• 2:20:38
  Speaker 2: very strangely. Blanche had fainted away, and Anon was bearing
• 2:20:42
  Speaker 2: her out of the hall. Rose was clinging to Missus Snowdon,
• 2:20:45
  Speaker 2: and Octavia leaned against her cousin, saying, in a fervent whisper,
• 2:20:49
  Speaker 2: Thank God did not point at you. Am I then
• 2:20:53
  Speaker 2: dearer than your brother? He whispered back. There was no
• 2:20:57
  Speaker 2: audible reply, but one little hand in voluntary pressed his,
• 2:21:01
  Speaker 2: though the other was outstretched towards Jasper, who came up,
• 2:21:04
  Speaker 2: white and startled, but firm and quiet. Affecting to make
• 2:21:08
  Speaker 2: light of it, he said, forcing a smile as he
• 2:21:10
  Speaker 2: raised Missus Snowdon. It is some stupid joke of the servants.
• 2:21:14
  Speaker 2: Let us think no more of it, Come Edith, this
• 2:21:17
  Speaker 2: is not like your usual self. It was nothing human, Jasper,
• 2:21:22
  Speaker 2: you know it as well as I. Oh, why did
• 2:21:25
  Speaker 2: I bring you here to meet the warning phantom that
• 2:21:27
  Speaker 2: haunts your house? Nay, if my time is near, the
• 2:21:30
  Speaker 2: spirit would have found me out wherever I might be
• 2:21:34
  Speaker 2: I have no faith in that absurd superstition. I laugh
• 2:21:37
  Speaker 2: at and defy it. Come down and drink my health
• 2:21:40
  Speaker 2: and wine from the abbot's own cellar. But no one
• 2:21:44
  Speaker 2: had heart for further gaiety, and finding Lady Treherne already
• 2:21:48
  Speaker 2: alarmed by Anon, they were forced to tell her all
• 2:21:51
  Speaker 2: and find their own bewilderment, deepened by her unalterable belief
• 2:21:55
  Speaker 2: in the evil omen. At her command, the house was searched,
• 2:21:59
  Speaker 2: the servants croft's question, and every effort made to discover
• 2:22:02
  Speaker 2: the identity of the apparition, all in vain. The house
• 2:22:06
  Speaker 2: was as usual and not a man or maid, but
• 2:22:09
  Speaker 2: turned pale at the idea of entering the gallery at midnight.
• 2:22:13
  Speaker 2: At my lady's request, all promised to say no more
• 2:22:16
  Speaker 2: upon the mystery, and separated at last to such sleep
• 2:22:20
  Speaker 2: as they could enjoy. Very grave were the faces gathered
• 2:22:23
  Speaker 2: about the breakfast table next morning, and very anxious the
• 2:22:26
  Speaker 2: glances cast on Sir Jasper as he came in late
• 2:22:30
  Speaker 2: as usual, looking uncommonly blithe and well. Nothing serious ever
• 2:22:35
  Speaker 2: made a deep impression on his mercurial nature. Treherne had
• 2:22:39
  Speaker 2: more the air of a doomed man, being very pale
• 2:22:42
  Speaker 2: and worn in spite of an occasional gleam of happiness
• 2:22:46
  Speaker 2: as he looked at Octavia. He haunted Jasper like a
• 2:22:49
  Speaker 2: shadow all the morning, much to that young gentleman's annoyance,
• 2:22:53
  Speaker 2: for both his mother and sister hung about him with
• 2:22:55
  Speaker 2: faces of ill dissembled anxiety. By afternoon, his patients get out,
• 2:23:00
  Speaker 2: and he openly rebelled against the tender guard kept over him.
• 2:23:04
  Speaker 2: Ringing for his horse, he said decidedly, I'm bored to
• 2:23:07
  Speaker 2: death the solemnity which pervades the house today, so I'm
• 2:23:11
  Speaker 2: all for a brisk gallop before I lose my temper
• 2:23:13
  Speaker 2: and spirits altogether. Come with me in the pony carriage, Jasper.
• 2:23:18
  Speaker 2: I've not had a drive with you for a long while,
• 2:23:20
  Speaker 2: and should enjoy it so much, said my lady, detaining him.
• 2:23:23
  Speaker 2: Missus Snowden looks as if she needed air to revive
• 2:23:26
  Speaker 2: her roses, and the pony carriage is just the thing
• 2:23:29
  Speaker 2: for her. So I will cheerfully resign my seat to her,
• 2:23:32
  Speaker 2: he answered, laughing as he forced himself from his mother's hand.
• 2:23:35
  Speaker 2: Take the girls and the Clarence. We all want a
• 2:23:38
  Speaker 2: breath of air, and you are the best whip we know,
• 2:23:40
  Speaker 2: be gallant and say yes, dear no, thank you, tavey.
• 2:23:45
  Speaker 2: That won't do. Rose and Blanche are both asleep, and
• 2:23:48
  Speaker 2: you are dying to go and do likewise after your
• 2:23:50
  Speaker 2: vigils last night, as a man and a brother, I
• 2:23:53
  Speaker 2: beg you'll do so and let me ride as I like.
• 2:23:57
  Speaker 2: Suppose you ask Annon to join you, began Treherne with
• 2:24:00
  Speaker 2: well assumed indifference, but Sir Jasper frowned and turned sharply
• 2:24:05
  Speaker 2: on him, saying, half petulantly, half jockously, upon my life,
• 2:24:09
  Speaker 2: I should think I was a boy or a baby
• 2:24:11
  Speaker 2: by the manner in which you mount guard over me
• 2:24:13
  Speaker 2: to day. If you think I'm going to live in
• 2:24:18
  Speaker 2: daily fear of some mishap, you are all much mistaken.
• 2:24:23
  Speaker 2: Ghost or no ghost. I shall make merry while I can.
• 2:24:27
  Speaker 2: A short life and a jolly one has always been
• 2:24:30
  Speaker 2: my motto. You know, so, fare you well till dinner time.
• 2:24:34
  Speaker 2: They watched him gallop down the avenue and then went
• 2:24:37
  Speaker 2: their different ways. Still burdened with a nameless foreboding, Octavia
• 2:24:41
  Speaker 2: strolled into the conservatory, thinking to refresh herself with the
• 2:24:45
  Speaker 2: balmy silence which pervaded the place, but Anon soon joined
• 2:24:49
  Speaker 2: her full of a lover's hopes and fears, Miss Treherne,
• 2:24:53
  Speaker 2: I have ventured to come for my answer? Is my
• 2:24:55
  Speaker 2: new year to be blissful or a sad one? He
• 2:24:58
  Speaker 2: asked eagerly. Forgive me if I give you an unwelcome reply.
• 2:25:02
  Speaker 2: But I must be true and so regretfully refuse the
• 2:25:05
  Speaker 2: honor you do me. She said, sorrowfully. May I ask why?
• 2:25:09
  Speaker 2: Because I do not love you and you do love
• 2:25:12
  Speaker 2: your cousin, He cried angrily, pausing to watch her half
• 2:25:16
  Speaker 2: averted face, so turn it fully toward him, and answered
• 2:25:20
  Speaker 2: with her native sincerity, Yes, I do with all my heart,
• 2:25:24
  Speaker 2: and now my mother will not thwart me, for Maurice
• 2:25:27
  Speaker 2: has saved my life, and I am free to vote
• 2:25:29
  Speaker 2: it all to him. Happy man, I wish I had
• 2:25:32
  Speaker 2: been a cripple, cried Anon. Then, with a manful effort
• 2:25:36
  Speaker 2: to be just and generous, he added heartily, say no more.
• 2:25:40
  Speaker 2: He deserves you. I want no sacrifice to duty. I
• 2:25:43
  Speaker 2: yield and go away, praying Heaven to bless you now
• 2:25:46
  Speaker 2: and always. He kissed her hand and left her to
• 2:25:49
  Speaker 2: seek my lady and make his adieuce, for no persuasion
• 2:25:53
  Speaker 2: could keep him, leaving a note for Sir Jasper. He
• 2:25:56
  Speaker 2: hurried away to the great relief of Treherne, and the
• 2:25:59
  Speaker 2: deep regrets at Blanche, who, however, lived in hopes of
• 2:26:03
  Speaker 2: another trial later in the season. Here comes Jasper. Mamma
• 2:26:07
  Speaker 2: safe and well, cried Octavia an hour or two later,
• 2:26:11
  Speaker 2: as she joined her mother on the terrace, where my
• 2:26:13
  Speaker 2: lady had been pacing restlessly to and fro nearly ever
• 2:26:17
  Speaker 2: since her son rode away with a smile of intense relief.
• 2:26:20
  Speaker 2: She waved her handkerchief as he came clattering up the drive,
• 2:26:24
  Speaker 2: and seeing her, he answered with hat in hand. He
• 2:26:27
  Speaker 2: usually dismounted at the Great Hall door, but a sudden
• 2:26:30
  Speaker 2: whim made him ride along the wall that lay below
• 2:26:32
  Speaker 2: the terrace, for he was a fine horseman, and Missus
• 2:26:35
  Speaker 2: Snowdon was looking from her window as he approached. The
• 2:26:39
  Speaker 2: peacocks fled screaming, and one flew up just before the
• 2:26:43
  Speaker 2: horse's eyes. As his master was in the act of dismounting.
• 2:26:46
  Speaker 2: Spirited creature was startled, sprang part way up the low
• 2:26:50
  Speaker 2: broad steps of the terrace, and being sharply checked, slipt fell,
• 2:26:55
  Speaker 2: and man and horse rolled down together. Never did those
• 2:26:59
  Speaker 2: who heard it forget the cry that left Lady Treherne's
• 2:27:02
  Speaker 2: lips as she saw the fall. It brought out both
• 2:27:05
  Speaker 2: guests and servants to find Octavia recklessly struggling with the
• 2:27:09
  Speaker 2: frightened horse, and my lady down upon the steps with
• 2:27:12
  Speaker 2: her son's bleeding head in her arms. They bore in
• 2:27:16
  Speaker 2: the senseless, shattered body, and for hours tried everything that
• 2:27:20
  Speaker 2: skill and sciences could devise to save the young man's life,
• 2:27:24
  Speaker 2: but every effort was in vain, and as the sun set,
• 2:27:26
  Speaker 2: Sir Jasper lay dying, conscious at last and able to speak.
• 2:27:30
  Speaker 2: He looked about him with a troubled glance and seemed
• 2:27:33
  Speaker 2: struggling with some desire that overmastered pain and held death
• 2:27:37
  Speaker 2: at bay. I want Maurice, he feebly said, at length.
• 2:27:40
  Speaker 2: Dear lad, I'm here, answered his cousin's voice, from a
• 2:27:43
  Speaker 2: seat in the shadow of the half drawn curtains, Always
• 2:27:48
  Speaker 2: near when I need you. Many a scrape have you
• 2:27:50
  Speaker 2: helped me out of, But this is beyond your power.
• 2:27:53
  Speaker 2: And a faint smile passed over Jasper's lips as the
• 2:27:57
  Speaker 2: past flitted before his mind. But the smile and a
• 2:28:00
  Speaker 2: groan of pain escaped him as he cried, suddenly, quick,
• 2:28:04
  Speaker 2: let me tell it before it is too late. Maurice
• 2:28:06
  Speaker 2: never will but bear the shame all his life that
• 2:28:09
  Speaker 2: my dead name may be untarnished. Bring Edith, she must
• 2:28:12
  Speaker 2: hear the truth. She was soon there, and lying in
• 2:28:16
  Speaker 2: his mother's arms, one hand in his cousin's and one
• 2:28:20
  Speaker 2: on his sister's bent head. Jasper rapidly told the secret,
• 2:28:24
  Speaker 2: which had burdened him for a year. I did it.
• 2:28:27
  Speaker 2: I forged my uncle's name when I had lost so
• 2:28:30
  Speaker 2: heavily at play that I dared not tell my mother
• 2:28:33
  Speaker 2: or squander more of my own fortune. I deceived Maurice
• 2:28:36
  Speaker 2: and let him think the check a genuine one. I
• 2:28:39
  Speaker 2: made him present it and get the money, and when
• 2:28:41
  Speaker 2: all went well, I fancied I was safe. But my
• 2:28:44
  Speaker 2: uncle discovered it secretly and said nothing, and, believing Maurice
• 2:28:48
  Speaker 2: the forger, disinherited him. I never knew this till the
• 2:28:51
  Speaker 2: old man died, and then it was too late. I
• 2:28:53
  Speaker 2: confessed to Maurice, and he forgave me. He said, I
• 2:28:56
  Speaker 2: am helpless, now shut out from the world, with none
• 2:29:00
  Speaker 2: to lose or gain, and soon to be forgotten by
• 2:29:02
  Speaker 2: those who once knew me. So let the suspicion of
• 2:29:05
  Speaker 2: shame if any such there be still cling to me,
• 2:29:10
  Speaker 2: and do you go your way, rich, happy, honorable, and
• 2:29:14
  Speaker 2: untouched by any shadow on your fame. Mother, I let
• 2:29:18
  Speaker 2: him do it, unconscious as he was. That many knew
• 2:29:21
  Speaker 2: the secret sin and fancied him the doer of it. Hush, Jasper,
• 2:29:25
  Speaker 2: let it pass. I can bear it. I promise your
• 2:29:28
  Speaker 2: dear father to be your staunch friend through life, and
• 2:29:31
  Speaker 2: I have only kept my word. God knows you have.
• 2:29:34
  Speaker 2: But now my life ends, and I cannot die till
• 2:29:37
  Speaker 2: you are cleared. Edith, I told you half the truth,
• 2:29:41
  Speaker 2: and you would have used it against him, had not
• 2:29:44
  Speaker 2: some angel sent this girl to touch your heart. You
• 2:29:47
  Speaker 2: have done your part to atone for the past. Now
• 2:29:50
  Speaker 2: let me do mine. Mother Tavie loves him. He has
• 2:29:55
  Speaker 2: risked life and honor for me. Repay him generously and
• 2:29:58
  Speaker 2: give him this with feeble touch. Sir Jasper tried to
• 2:30:02
  Speaker 2: lay his sister's hand into her hands as he spoke.
• 2:30:06
  Speaker 2: Missus Snowdon helped him, and as my lady bowed her
• 2:30:09
  Speaker 2: head in silent acquiescence, a joyful smile shone on the
• 2:30:13
  Speaker 2: dying man's face. One more confession, and then I am ready,
• 2:30:17
  Speaker 2: he said, looking up into the face of the woman
• 2:30:20
  Speaker 2: whom he had loved with all the power of a
• 2:30:22
  Speaker 2: shallow nature. It was a jest to you, Edith, but
• 2:30:27
  Speaker 2: it was bitter earnest to me, for I loved you,
• 2:30:30
  Speaker 2: sinful as it was. Ask your husband to forgive me
• 2:30:34
  Speaker 2: and tell him it was better I should die than
• 2:30:36
  Speaker 2: live to mar a good man's peace. Kiss me once
• 2:30:39
  Speaker 2: and make him happy for my sake. She touched his
• 2:30:43
  Speaker 2: cold lips with remorseful tenderness, and in the same breath
• 2:30:46
  Speaker 2: registered a vow to obey that dying prayer. Tobby, dear Maurice,
• 2:30:52
  Speaker 2: my brother, God bless you both. Good Bye mother. He
• 2:30:56
  Speaker 2: will be a better son than I have been to you. Then,
• 2:30:59
  Speaker 2: the reckless spirit of the man surviving to the last,
• 2:31:02
  Speaker 2: Sir Jasper laughed faintly as he seemed to beckon some
• 2:31:05
  Speaker 2: invisible shape, and died, saying, gaily, now, Father Abbot, lead on,
• 2:31:11
  Speaker 2: I'll follow you. A year later, three weddings were celebrated
• 2:31:14
  Speaker 2: on the same day and in the same church. Maurice Treherne,
• 2:31:18
  Speaker 2: a well man, led up his cousin Frank Annon, rewarded
• 2:31:22
  Speaker 2: Blanche's patient siege by an unconditional surrender, and to the
• 2:31:27
  Speaker 2: infinite amusement of Missus Grundy. Major Royston publicly confessed himself
• 2:31:33
  Speaker 2: out generaled by Mary Rose. The triple wedding feast was
• 2:31:37
  Speaker 2: celebrated at Treherne Abbey, and no uncanny visitor marred its festivities,
• 2:31:43
  Speaker 2: for never again was the North Galley haunted by the
• 2:31:45
  Speaker 2: ghostly Abbot end of Chapter eight recording by Jacqueline Provo, Richmond, Virginia.
• 2:31:53
  Speaker 2: End of the Abbot's Ghost or Maurice Treherne's Temptation