The monastery; The abbot.

THIE MONASTERY. 47
and when a cts of usurpation were frequent amongst those who had much
power and little conscience.
Julian Avenel, the younger brother of the deceased Walter, was a person
of this description. He hesitated not to seize upon his brother's house and
lands, so soon as the retreat of the English permitted him. At first, he
occupied the property in the name of his niece; but when the lady proposed to return with her child to the mansion of its fathers, he gave her to
understand, that Avenel, being a male fief, descended to the brother, instead
of the daughter, of the last possessor. The ancient philosopher declined a
dispute with the emperor who commanded twenty legions, and the widow
of Walter Avenel was in no condition to maintain a contest with the leader
of twenty moss-troopers. Julian was also a man of service, who could back
a friend in case of need, and was sure, therefore, to find protectors among
the ruling powers. In short, however clear the little Mary's right to the
possessions of her father, her mother saw the necessity of giving way, at
least for the time, to the usurpation of her uncle.
Her patience and forbearance were so far attended with advantage, that
Julian, for very shame's sake, could no longer suffer her to be absolutely
dependant on the charity of Elspeth Glendinning. A drove of cattle and a
bull (which were probably missed by some English farmer) were driven to
the pastures of Glendearg; presents of raiment and household stuff were
sent liberally, and some little money, though with a more sparing hand:
for those in the situation of Julian Avenel could come more easily by the
goods, than the representing medium of value, and made their payments
chiefly in kind.
In the meantime, the widows of Walter Avenel and Simon Glendinning
had becbme habituated to each other's society, and were unwilling to part.
The lady could hope no more secret and secure residence than in the Tower
of Glendearg, and she was now in a condition to support her share of the
mutual housekeeping. Elspeth, on the other hand, felt pride, as well as
pleasure, in the society of a guest of such distinction, and was at all times
willing to pay much greater deference than the Lady of Walter Avenel
could be prevailed on to accept.
Martin and his wife diligently served the united family in their several
vocations, and yielded obedience to both mistresses, though always considering themselves as the especial servants of the Lady of Avenel. This distinction sometimes occasioned a slight degree of difference between Dame
Elspeth and Tibb; the former being jealous of her own consequence, and
the latter apt to lay too much stress upon the rank and family of her mistress. But both were alike desirous to conceal such petty squabbles from
the lady, her hostess scarce yielding to her old domestic in respect for her
person. Neither did the difference exist in such a degree as to interrupt
the general harmony of the family, for the one wisely gave way as she saw
the other become warm; and Tibb, though she often gave the first provocation, had generally the sense to be the first in relinquishing the argument.
The world which lay beyond was gradually forgotten by the inhabitants
of this sequestered glen, and unless when she attended mass at the Monastery Church upon some high holiday, Alice of Avenel almost forgot that she
once held an equal rank with the proud wives of the neighbouring barons
and nobles who on such occasions crowded to the solemnity. The recollection gave her little pain. She loved her husband for himself, and in his
inestimable loss all lesser subjects of regret had ceased to interest her. At
times, indeed, she thought of claiming the protection of the Queen Regent
(Mary of Guise) for her little orphan, but the fear of Julian Avenel always
came between. She was sensible that he would have neither scruple nor
difficulty in spiriting away the child, (if he did not proceed farther,) should
he once consider its existence as formidable to his interest. Besides, he led
a wild and unsettled life, mingling in all feuds and forays, wherever there