Chapter 29: How insidious are the snares of the demon, and especially when we chant

As Gertrude recited her Hours without much attention, she perceived our ancient enemy mocking her at the Psalm Mirabilia cutting each word short, and then exclaiming : " Your Creator, your Saviour, and your Redeemer has well bestowed on you the gifts of speech, since you can recite so glibly that even in a single Psalm you have omitted so many letters, so many syllables, and so many words ! " She knew from this, that if this treacherous enemy had counted so exactly even the least letter or syllable of the Psalm which she had omitted or uttered carelessly, what terrible accusations he would bring after death against those who were in the habit of reciting their Office hurriedly, without any intention.

On another occasion, as the Saint was occupied in spinning wool, she allowed some little tufts to fall on the ground, thinking only of recommending her work to God with great fervour. In the meanwhile she perceived the demon busily occupied in gathering up the tufts, as if for a testimony of her fault ; but the Saint invoked the assist ance of the Lord, who chased away the evil spirit with in dignation, for daring to interfere in a work which had been recommended to God at its commencement.