Letter 197. To Juan de Ovalle, Alba de Tormes, Avila, October 20, 1577

Family matters. Punishment of the nuns of the Incarnation for eleBing St. Teresa as Prioress,

Jesus be with you.

LAST night a letter was delivered to me from the Father Master Gracian announcing that the new Archbishop of Toledo has received the Bulls and is probably already at Toledo. If so, he will have gone there to take possession of his sec.

I sent at once for this messenger on whom I place great dependance. He promised to give you my letter at mid-day on Tuesdav. To-day is Sunday, and is, I believe, the nineteenth of Odiober. As it is late at night, I will say no more. I am not telling my brother about the matter as he would have no dircótions for you. I have given the messenger three reales and will pay him two more on his return. Will you let him have two more when he comes back as I bargained with him for seven. I feel rather scrupulous about defraying the whole cost from here until I have obtained permission. Oh, how trying it is to be fettered by poverty ! Since I can do nothing for you, may our Lord be pleased to help you in some other way, as He has the power to do.

I will have my letter ready to prevent your being delayed here, as it would be a great advantage for you to meet that person at Toledo. I wrote again yesterday to Doña Luisa to remind her of you and urgently impressed on the prioress' that she must keep the matter before her. If God wills us to succeed, enough influence and efibrts have been brought to bear upon the matter. Choose a good horse but not a high stepper that would tire you.

The nuns are deprived of hearing Mass but nothing new has happened there nor in the other affairs, although the latter are going on well. Will you let the Mother Prioress know of the messenger in case she wishes to write to me.

Let my sister consider this letter as addressed to her and give my love to Beatriz. Had I guessed how fine the weather was to be, I should have advised you to profit by it for your journey to Toledo; however, it has not changed for the worse. May God make it favourable for vou. It is so late at night that I will say no more.

Your unworthy servant,

Teresa de Jesus.

' Luisa dc la Cerda. Ana de los Angeles.