Letter III. To Madame the Countess of Sales, his Mother

lie consoles her for his absence by the hope of seeing him again soon.

May, J599- I write you this, my dear and good mother, as I mount my horse for Chambery. This note is not sealed, and I have no anxiety about it; for, by the grace of God, we are no longer in that trying time during which we had to hide ourselves in order to write to one another, and to say some words of friendship and consolation. Vive Dieu, my good mother; truly the remembrance of that time always produces in my soul some holy and sweet thought. Always preserve joy in our Lord, my good mother, and be assured that your poor son is well, by the Divine mercy, and is getting ready to go and see you the soonest, and stay with you the longest possible, for I am all yours, and you know that I am your son.