Letter (number unidentified). To Fray Mariano, Madrid, Toledo, May 19, 1577

Thanks. Difficulties with the Caked about the foundation at Salamanca. A warning. Antonio MufJoz.

JESUS be with your Reverence, my Father, and recompense you for the good news you announce, which seems to me very favourable for our plans in many ways. The boy who brought your letter left at once. May God dired: the matter as is most for His glory, which is the only objeft any of us have in view.

I am glad that you get on so well with those fathers, although they do not cease to annoy us. I am told that Fray Angel ' has written to the Bishop of Salamanca, begging him not to give our friars permission to make a foundation there, and the Calced have brought a lawsuit against them exaólly as they did here, neither more nor less. O my Father, how little our religious understand such negotiations ! This foundation would have been made, had they known how to manage matters, and now it has only served to injure our reputation. Believe me, what is begun out of season never succeeds. On the other hand, I think that it is by the will of God, and that there must be some deep niystcrv about it which will come to light. As long as what you say is realized, it is well. Ciod reward \ou for vourhigh opinion of my judgment : may He maintain it I though it seems to me that where there are so many good judgments, mine is ot little account. It is a great comfort to see our affairs in such capable hancls. Blessed be He who so decrees! Amen.

How is it that you never mention Fray Baltasar? I do not know where he is. Remember me very kindly to him, to my Father Padilla, and to Father Juan Diaz.

The Prioress of Toledo and Mother Brianda of Malagon commend themselves to your Reverence.

The latter has been better since she came here, but is worse to-night. Still, we have some hopes of saving her life. May God grant it as He sees the need and may He preserve your Reverence.

Remember to be very cautious, my Father, and never be careless, for these friendships may be feigned. God is the true friend on whom we may rely, and if we always do His will we have nothing to fear.

I should very much like to know the answer and I wish that you and the Father Master were in a house where you were sure of your welcome. Strive as we may, we shall never lack the cross in this life if we are on the side of the Crucified.

As regards Antonio Muñoz, ' he is mistaken in thinking that Doña Catalina de Otalera is, or has been, one of our nuns. She is a widow who helped to make that foundation.' I do not think that she is there now, nor do I know her. It is not consistent with my vocation to take part in such matters: will you kindly tell Señor Muñoz so. I even felt scrupulous about what 1 asked you. I have a very slight acquaintance with this gentleman and (between ourselves) although we are near relations, I have only seen him once and I should not know what rule of life would suit his soul. Therefore I beg your Reverence not to be guided in the matter by my opinion but by the dispositions you find in him. Tell him nothing of this lest it should wound his feelings, for I pity him deeply. Remember me kindly to him and say that I am not writing to him because I am suffering greatly with my head, which still aches severely. I wrote a short time ago to his wife, Doña Beatriz. Will you tell him that the ladv he mentioned is not a nun.

May God preserve your Reverence for we have great need of you. Amen. To-day is May 19.

Your Reverence's unworthy servant, Teresa de Jesus.

convent of Caravaca; she had given a home to the three girls who first entered, during the time they were waiting for the foundation to be made. {Foun(/. ch. xxv'i'i, i.)