Letter (number unidentified). To Father Gracian, at Madrid, Avila, April 26, 1577

Teresita wishes to leave Avila for Valladolid with Dona 'Juana and her daughter.

. . . Oh, as for Teresita! what has she not said and done, although she behaved well, declaring discreetly that she would do as I wished, though she showed plainly that it was not what she wanted. I talked to her in private and told her a great deal about this convent: how it had been founded by miracle and other things. She answered that she did not care more for one place than another, and we thought we had begun to influence her, though I saw she was sad. She ended by secretly asking Doila Juana to be sure to take her to Valladolid without letting any one know that she wished it. Dona Juana and I think that the only course to take is to allow Dona Maria to receive the habit at Valladolid, lest she should regret leaving Avila for that convent if she had been clothed here. She stated plainly to me that she would feel pained at changing, and ought not to leave the house that she had once entered, so I believe that Dona Juana will start after dinner tomorrow with her daughter. I should have preferred her stopping here until Monday, but when I discovered how expensive it would be, I did not like to say much to persuade her. She is staying with my brother, and Aranda takes great care of her. May God be with her ! I feel very anxious about her, although she has accomplished the worst part of her travels and was quite well when she arrived. God will be pleased to prevent her being injured by the journey, and she is healthy and has a good constitution. I embraced her at the door when the Senora Maria entered the convent, for I love her dearly. May God bring her safely home, for she is very precious to us. May He be praised and may He watch over your Paternity. Your unworthy daughter,

Teresa de Jesus.