Letter (number unidentified). To Mother Mary of S. Joseph. ::, and Doria died shortly after on May 9, 1594 (Euvres IV, 162

perhaps she may turn out well. Discuss the matter with our Father if you find yourself in difficulties, and enquire about her defeats. I only spoke to her for a few minutes.

I see that your finances are in a bad state. I was astonished at Beatriz' mother only giving fifteen hundred ducats, although the novice herself is so good that we should gain by her if she brought nothing. I am glad you are making money by knitting stockings: God helps those who help themselves.

In answer to what you ask about selling the annuity to settle your debts, it would clearly be a great advantage to pay off gradually what you owe. If, with the dowry of Sister Bernarda, Pablo's daughter, the sum would reach three thousand ducats, you must not fail to do so; but consult some competent persons first. If such a condition is made. Father Mariano says it matters nothing, for they are bound to take the money as it is only justice. Enquire about the business lest, when your annuity is sold, you should have the money in the house. Ask Father Garci Alvarez to consult people about it and laythe matter before our Father; when he is in Seville, there is no need whatever to tell me; you must address him.

God grant that you may not lose your authority over Sister Leonor. Tell me how she is going on, for I am not at all satisfied with her spirit: let me know how she behaves.

In reply to what you say about de Fanegas, it is very hard to receive a portionless person just now. It could only be undergone for the sake of God alone. You have not yet taken any one out of charity. God would help us, and would perhaps bring us others in return for what we did for Him. I'his would be in the case of our Father being very much importuned about her and his speaking to you on the matter. Say nothing of your own accord, and mark this, my friend: it is important not to be in a hurry about receiving postulants for it is of vital import to discern which are suited to our Order. Nicolas's candidate seems nothing but a pretty girl.

Garci Alvarez' niece or cosuin seems to be just what I described. Cavallar told me so. I think he means the other, not Doña Clemencia. You can tell Garci Alvarez plainly that you have heard that

Oh, how I wish that water could he procured for you ! I could not have thought that I should have longed so much for it. I feel rather hopeful because Father Mariano or our Father may be able to manage something with Fray Buenaventura, the Superior of the Franciscans!" May God supply your want, for it would be a great relief to you.

As our Father is returning to Seville, you will be sure that I would rather be with you than at Toledo, even though I did spend a bad quarter of an hour with the Bishop". I am not astonished at your all feeling so happy. God has done all for the best; may He be for ever praised and may He preserve you to me for many years.

I do not like to speak to you about my sorrow concerning the state of the Prioress of Malagon, lest it should grieve you. Setting aside my affedtion for her, hers would be a terrible loss to us at such a time as this. I should have brought her back with me to Toledo, but her docflor declares that she may live a year where she is but would die in less than a month here. May God set things right ! Pray much for her; her life is despaired of by the physicians, who say she is consumptive.''

" Fray Diego de San Buenaventura, Visitor Apostolic of the Franciscan Observants.

Brianda de San José (de Mendoza), who was professed at Toledo j

Be sure not to take salsaparilla water, although it is good for the heart. The Prioress and sisters send their kind regards to you. I was very sorry to hear of the iHness of our holy prior;' we have already prayed for him. Tell me about him and Delgardo. What has become of the latter? Has anything which ought to come to Beatriz and her sister been left by their mother? Remember me kindly to any person you think fitting and abide with God. I was very glad to hear that all of you were in good health, especially your Reverence, for in the present state of things I always feel anxious about our prioresses. God preserve you for me, my daughter.

I receive letters from Caravaca and Veas occasionally. There is no lack of trouble at Caravaca, but God will bring things right.

To-day is September 7, of the year 1576. 77.' Yours,

Teresa de Jesus.

Remember, we can write to one another more often now. Be sure to recolleil that and to give our Father a good meal from time to time. He thoroughly agrees with us that no friars should eat she lived ten years longer. St. Teresa put her at the head of the community at Malagon while she was very young on account of her great intelligence and good qualities. The Saint thought so highly of her that she declared that if Brianda died the Order would lose its best member.' Trouble arose among the nuns which St. Teresa attributed to their fault, but when she visited Malagon in 1579 she found that Brianda's inexperience and youth had been to blame. She was raised to a high state of prayer and was merciless to her bodil}' weakness when her religious duties were in question. She was twice prioress of Toledo. {(Euvres, iii, 417).

' Don Hernando de Pantoja.

in your parlour. We have discussed the subjeél so fully that I do not wish him to carry out the rule so rigidly as to keep it himself, for I know how necessary it is to care for him and how important his health is to us.

Why do you not mention Father Gregorio ? Remember me very kindly to him and give me news of all the fathers, for if you do not, no one else will; tell me how you get on with Fray Antonio de Jesus.

I shall not write to Nicolas until you have sent me your advice. You should give half a real lo the messenger when there are only three or four letters and more money with a larger number.

As I know what it is to be in want of funds, and how difficult it is to get money in Seville, I have not ventured to dismiss Nicolas altogether. When you have to consult our Father upon any matter, you must give him plenty of time to consider it, otherwise as he is very busy he will not attend to it.