Letter III. To a person unknown, Florence

Asking for help and advice for his Sister Elisabetta in a misunderstanding.

Most honoured Sir, — Isabella Cioni, my sister, has I know not what misunderstanding with the reverend sisters of San Vincenzo in Prato, and she much relies on your lordship, both for your kindness and ability to help* her, and knowing your lordship's affection towards me, she asks me most urgently to recommend her to you. And I, in order not to disappoint her, and be remiss in my duty, undertook this commission, hoping that thanks to your courtesy neither my sister nor myself will be deceived in our good opinion of you. I therefore recommend her to your lordship as much as I can and know, and beg you to carefully see into her rights, and if you think them worth considering, to help and advise her, as best your profession, will inspire you. In the contrary case, pray dissuade my sister from going to law, and in short, direct and advise her, just as you would have done yourself under the circumstances, and that we shall take as wisest and best. And, as I am unable to return, in temporal things, your trouble and kindness, I shall endeavour to do so in spiritual ones, by praying myself, and having prayers offered to our

36o LETTERS OF ST. PHILIP NERI

Lord for keeping you in His holy grace, health and prosperity. And here I stop, recommending myself to you with all my heart. — Your lordship's most affectionate Philip Neri

From Rome, 29 October 1 574.