Letter II. To a Lady

Advice during an illness. — We must obey the doctor.

29th September, 1608. I understand, my dear daughter, that you have an illness, more troublesome than dangerous, and I know that such illnesses are prone to spoil the obedience we owe to the doctors; wherefore I tell you not to deprive yourself of the rest, or the medicines, or the food, or the recreations appointed you; you can exercise a kind of obedience and resignation in this which will make you extremely agreeable to our Lord. In line, behold a quantity of crosses and mortifications which you have neither chosen nor wished. God has given you them with his holy hand; receive them, kiss them, love them. My God! they are all perfumed with the dignity of the place whence they come.

Good-by, my dear daughter, I cherish you earnestly: if I had leisure I would say more, for I am infinitely pleased that you are faithful in these little and troublesome occurrences, and that in little as in great things you say always: Vive Jteus I Your, &c.