Letter (number unidentified). To Dona Juan/V Dantisco', Avila, April 17, 1578

Joy at hearing that Dona J nana is coming to Avila.

JESUS !

MAY the grace of the Holy Spirit ever be with your Honour and repay you for your letter to me and the good news it contains. Your visit to Avila with Dona Maria will be very welcome.

You have much reason to be pleased for I do not know what better fortune could be granted you than that God should call your daughter to a state in which, while serving His Majesty, she will find deeper peace than can be imagined. I trust in God that it will render Him great service.

On the one hand I longed that vou should come here, for it is some time since I have had much pleasure in anything. On the other hand, I was grieved at seeing you undertake so long a journey which could be avoided, as I care more for your

TO DOSA JUANA DANTISCO 8 1 health than for my own comfort. I wrote to our Father Visitor on the subjed:, and about his joining you, to which there would be many drawbacks. Whatever he decides will be for the best.

I have not received the letter you say you wrote to me. The Mother Prioress and all the sisters desire to be remembered to you and are looking forward very much to a visit from you and Dona Maria. May God direcfl all for His greater glory. Our sisters at Valladolid are getting the serge for your daughter's habit. I beg His Majesty to protect you and the secretary, to whom I wish to be kindly remembered, also to the senoras, especially Doila Adriana, though really she is very forgetful of me. To-day is April 17.

Your unworthy servant, Teresa de Jesus.

My dear little Isabel de Jesus' has already written to me. All the nuns say they cannot express how pleased they are with her, in which they are right.