Letter (number unidentified). To Doña Juana de Ahumada, Alba de Tormes, Convent of the Incarnation, Avila, September, 1572

The Saitifs health. News of Don Lorenzo. Some Jiuns of the Reform. St. fohn of the Cross made confessor at the Incarnation.

Jesus be with you !

GOD be praised that Don Juan de Ovalle has recovered ! His weakness will disappear by degrees. The tertian fever has been very general; every one has it here, but I have got rid of it and grow stronger every day, thank God ! I have kept well during the summer but do not know how I shall pass through the winter, as the cold has already begun to affeót me. However, if there is no fever, anything can be borne.

I should be glad to hear what is being done about buying the house. A report from Oropesa says that there is news of the fleet being at San Lucar, but nothing more is known for certain. Should I hear anything about my brother I will tell you. I am having Peralvarez' house got ready for him.'

I am annoyed with the Mother Prioress' for fasting so much. Tell her that is why I neither write nor take any interest in her. God deliver me from people who prefer their own will to obedience.

I should be very glad to render any service to Señora Doña Ana for the sake of Señor Don Cristobal. We talked of receiving her into this house, as Doña Sancha is here, but it is in a very bad state and quite unsuited to her; besides, no outsider may enter the enclosure, (I am not speaking of the outer quarters) nor can any maidservant go in and out. As for Doña Ana's sisters, however much they might wish to help her, they could do little, as for the last five years they have had nothing to eat but the bread given them by the convent, and Doña Inés is nearly always ill. They feel their poverty very keenly. You can see for yourself what power I have to assist her, bound as I am by all the diiferent rules.

Remember me verv kindly to the Subprioress. There is not time to write more. It was Isabel

Suarez' who came from Malagon — much against her wish, she declares, but as she had often said that she wanted to come here, the Prioress sent her. I expeót the latter will soon come herself. I have many cares: may God set things right! Remember me to Señor Ovalle, and to my dear little ones. You do not say what was the matter with Beatriz. God be with you all! To-day is September 27.

Yours,

Teresa de Jesus. The Discalced Father who has been made confessor here is doing much good; his name is Father John of the Cross.