Letter 189. To Father Gracian, Malagon, Avila, about July, 1577

St. Teresa objedis to her nuns' seeing much of the clergy,

. . . If one of our fathers is to remain at Malagon, will you make a point of asking him not to talk too much to the nuns. Be assured, my Father, that this is very important. I wish that the licentiate did not see so much of them. Although it is all right and good, yet ill-natured people judge such things unfavourably. This is the case everywhere but especially in so small a place as Malagon.

Believe me, my Father, the fewer interviews of the kind the sisters have, innocent as they may be, the better even as regards the peace of the convent. Do not overlook the matter; it is my wish. . .