Letter 42. To Madame De Chantal, When Absent on Family Business

WHEN ABSENT ON FAMILY BUSINESS.

Thonon, Sept, lo, i6ii.

.... I INTREAT you, my dear daughter, keep close to Jesus Christ, and our Lady, and your good angel, in all your business, so that the multiplicity of afl^irs may not overwhelm you, or their difficulty trouble you. Attend to them one by one, as best you can, and to do this, give your mind steadily to your work, though quietly and gently. If God vouchsafes you success, we will bless Him; if He does not do so, we will equally bless Him. It is enough that you sincerely do your very best; neither our Lord nor common sense will call us to account for results or events; we are only responsible for steady, honest diligence in our work; that does depend upon ourselves, success does not

God w31 bless your good intention in this journey and in your undertaking to order matters well and wisely for your son; He will reward you either by a successful end to your labour, or by a holy humility and resignation under disappointment.

i:*47.] XLIV.