Letter IV. To a Cousin

Danger of vain and worldly conversation.

My dear Child, — Indeed, very dear child, my cousin, you must get this poor soul away from risk, for the luxurious way of living in the place where it is, is so perilous that it is a wonder when a person escapes from the midst of it. Alas! my poor child, you have a right to be astonished that a creature should will to offend God, for that goes beyond all astonishment: still it is done, as we unhappily see every day. The unfortunate beauty and grace which these poor worthless girls make themselves believe they have, because those miserable people tell them so, is what ruins them: for they occupy themselves so much with the body that they lose care of the soul. So then, my child,.we must do what we can, and remain in peace.