Letter 14. To Alonzo Ramirez, Valladolid, February 19, 1569

Cause of the delay in the journey to Toledo. Encouragement in the difficulties likely to arise.

JESUS !

MAY the Holy Spirit be with you and reward you for the comfort your letter brought me! It arrived while I was anxiously searching for a messenger to take my news to you, for it is only right that I should pay you every attention. I shall be rather later in starting than I expeiled although I do not think that I have wasted an hour, in fa¿t it is not a fortnight since we entered this new convent, which we went into in procession with great solemnity and devotion/

Since Wednesday I have been staying with the Señora Doña Maria de Mendoza who was too ill to see me before, although I had several matters to discuss with her. I expeited to remain only for a day, but what with the cold weather, the snow, and the ice, travelling seemed impossible, and I am still here to-day, Saturday.

Please God, I shall leave without fail on Monday for Medina, and, much as I wish to hasten my journey, I must stay there and at St. Joseph's at Avila for a fortnight longer to settle some business, so I shall probably arrive at Toledo later than I promised. You will forgive me, for you will see by my account that I cannot help myself and the delay will not be long. Please do not purchase the house before I arrive, for I wish it to be suited to us since you and your brother (may he be in glory!) are giving it.

As regards the licences, with the help of heaven I hope to get the king's easily. There may be a certain amount of worry about it, as I know by experience that Satan cannot endure our houses and always persecutes us, but God is all-powerful and the evil one goes off with a broken head.'

We had a great deal of trouble here from the leading men of the city but it is all over now. Do not suppose that you will have to offer God no more than you have planned; you will have to give Him much more. He rewards good works by sending us an opportunity for greater ones. It is nothing to give coppers — they cost us little— but when people stone you and your son-in-law and all of us who have taken part in the matter, (as they nearly did in Avila when St. Joseph's was founded), then the projeól will succeed, and I believe that neither the convent, nor we who suffer in the cause will be any the worse for it, but will gain greatly. May God direót the whole affair as He sees best! Do not feel at all anxious. I am sorry that my Father' has left Toledo; if necessary we will try to bring him back. The faól is, the devil is beginning his tricks already. Thank God, Who will not fail us if we do not fail Him.

I very much wish to meet you, which I expert will be a great consolation, and 1 can then thank you personally for your kind letter. Our Lord grant that I may find you and your son-in-law in good health! I earnestly entreat you both to pray for me; think how I need it, travelling on such roads in extremely bad health, although the fever has not returned. I will and do remember what you asked of me, as do the sisters. They all beg a share in your prayers. May our Lord have you in His care! To-day is Saturday, February 19.

Written in Valladolid.

Your unworthy servant,

Teresa of Jesus, Carmelite.

Please forward the enclosed letter to Señora Doña Luisa, with many kind regards from me. I have not time to write to Señor Diego de Avila, for I have not even been able to write personally to my dear Señora Doña Luisa. Tell him about my health and that I hope God will let me see him soon. Do not be anxious about the licences, for with God's help I hope all will be settled very satisfactorily.

' Doña Luisa de la Cerda. ' Probably Diego Ortiz.