Letter 5. To Doña Luisa, de la Cerda in Andalusia, Malagon, May 18, 1568

On the convent of Malagon, founded by Doria Luisa. The Saint begs her to send the ''Life ' to Blessed John of Avila.

Jesus be with your Ladyship !

(WISH I had time for a longer letter. Exped:- ing that I should have more leisure, I put off writing until the last day, for I start to-morrow, the nineteenth of May, but there has been so much to settle that I have not had a spare moment. I will write to you by Father Hernandez' and will tell him what you wish, although I have heard nothing from him since you left. Thank God, you have had a pleasant journey ! We all prayed much for it here. May He grant the same success to the rest.

I am well, and like this town better every day, as do all the sisters." There is no longer anything to be discontented with, and I am better pleased with the nuns from day to day. I can say that three out of the four who have entered are raised to a high degree of prayer and even to more than that. Should I leave them, you can depend upon their not falling into any kind of impcrfeólion, especially considering the persons who would take charge of them. . . . May God keep the chaplain here for many years, for I can trust the nuns to him and the parish priest with no misgivings. He sends you his kind remembrances; I do not know how it was that you forgot to send him any greetings; however, I gave them for you, relying upon what vou had already told me. We owe much to him.

I cannot understand why your Ladyship did not send my manuscript to Master Avila at once. For the love of God, delay no longer but let a messenger take it immediately, for they tell me he lives not more than a day's journey from you. To wait for Salazar could only retard matters. If he is reftor, he cannot visit you, much less could he call on Father Avila. Therefore, if you the Bishop of Avila. {Found, x, 6.) Bernardino had died since and she was anxious to make the foundation, having learnt that his soul would remain in Purgatory until then.

have not despatched the manuscript, please do so immediately, for the delay seems to have been brought about by the devil and has distressed me greatly. The licentiate has also caused me much trouble. I had asked him to take the parcel with him: I believe the evil one objeóls to that Saint's reading it: I cannot tell why . . . Again I entreat your Ladyship to forward it at once and to do what I begged of you in Toledo. The matter is of more importance than you think. Your Ladyship's unworthy servant,

Teresa de Jesus.