Letter 56. To a Religious of the Visitation

.... It is thus, my daughter, that we must steadily thrust the hand into all the folds of our heart, and tear thence the foul excrescences which come forth from self-will, thanks to our evil tempers, our inclinap tions and aversions.

It is a real satisfaction to my paternal heart to hear a beloved child denounce herself as vexatious and malicious. That is a happy fault which is followed by such a hearty confession! The hand which traced that letter is as brave as ever was that of Alexander I Now, my dear child, carry out all that your heart dictates. Do not be astonished at what has happened... One great step towards perfection is to bear with one another in our mutual imperfections; there is no better way of exercising love of our neighbour.

[35*.] LIX.