The Abbot's Ghost; Or, Maurice Treherne's Temptation — Louisa May Alcott

Maurice Treherne is wrongly accused of fraud and gambling and must play a careful hand if he is to win his love, Octavia, and retain the trust of those who had faith in him. Treherne is temporarily crippled saving the life of his well-born friend, Jaspar. Thus, Jaspar is assured of inheriting his father's estate, but it is expected that Treherne will inherit great wealth as gratitude for saving the heir. But on the death of Jaspar's father, all are shocked to learn that Treherne has been disinherited -- the will has been changed at the last minute and only the suffering Treherne knows why but won't tell.