First published in 1867, Louisa May Alcott's The Abbot's Ghost; or, Maurice Treherne's Temptation is a richly atmospheric Gothic tale that intertwines mystery, romance, and moral reckoning against the backdrop of the Christmas season. Set in the candlelit halls of an English abbey, the story follows Maurice Treherne, a once-promising young man left physically disabled and financially dependent after a tragic accident. Invited to spend the holidays with his wealthy cousin, Sir Jasper, and their extended family, Maurice finds himself torn between gratitude and resentment. His affection for his cousin Octavia-already promised to another-adds a painful layer of emotional conflict. As festivities unfold, strange occurrences unsettle the household: whispered rumors, hidden letters, and the eerie appearance of the abbey's legendary ghost. Is the spectral abbot merely a superstition, or a warning sent from beyond? In unraveling the mystery, Alcott explores deeper questions of temptation, integrity, and the haunting nature of conscience. Blending the warmth of a holiday gathering with the shadows of Gothic suspense, The Abbot's Ghost reveals a lesser-known side of the author best remembered for Little Women. Written before her most famous work, this novella shows Alcott experimenting with sensation fiction, weaving psychological depth and moral inquiry into a story both haunting and heartening.