Letter 47. To Pedro de la Vanda, Salamanca, August 2, 1573

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit ever be with you! Amen.

I CAME to this city with the intention of finding a suitable home for the nuns. As I have but little leisure and the time for building is limited, I was sorry not to find you at Salamanca. The king's authorisation has come and should soon be a(5ted upon. I beg of you to be kind enough to call on me at once as the matter is very important and I trust God that you will not be unwilling to come to terms with me. May He dired: all things according to His good pleasure and ever have you in His keeping !

Your house seems a good one, but we shall be obliged to spend over five hundred ducats on it before we can enter. I am pleased with it, and I hope our Lord will make you pleased at your property being put to so good a use. May God preserve you to us for many years !

Will you remember that it is urgent that the work should be begun at once, as the fine weather is passing. For the love of God, have the goodness to call on me soon ! If you should delay, please allow us to begin putting up the partitions of which more than two hundred (feet) will be required : they will not injure the house, and should our contraól fall through (though I trust God it will soon be settled), if anv damage is done we will repair it. All will be arranged as soon as you come here. May His Majesty grant you a very long life in which to amass merits for eternal life hereafter! To-day is August 2.

Your Worship's unworthy servant, (who kisses your hands),

Teresa de Jesus.