Letter (number unidentified). To Fray Mariano, Alcala de Henares, Avila, November, 1578

Advice as to his behaviour to the Caked.

Jesus be with your Reverence, my Father.

IN a letter received to-day from Don Teutonio, at Madrid, he tells me that the Nuncio did not leave. If so, unless yon are detained at Alcala by illness, it is inadmissible that you should seem to disobey him. You must know, my Father, that I think these fathers wish to be friends with us now, and until we see how God means to dispose matters it would be well to temporize with them as you have done hitherto. Certainly I do not blame the Nuncio, but the devil must have planted his batteries so cleverly that nothing would surprise me. Do not let your Reverence fear because no one dares defend you, for God is your proted:or, and since he has done us the favour of your con-trolling your temper until now, perfed: yourself on that point, and let that be your cross, which can be no light one. Believe me, you could not have borne it unless the Master had given you special grace.

As for the Council's reply, there is nothing to hope for from that quarter. Do you not see it contains nothing but empty compliments? What need is there to send them the document from here, since they have a copy which they know is correcft.? The time has not come yet; let us wait awhile. God

' f uente 117. Vol. v, No. 35 of first edition.

knows better what He is doing than we know what we want.

What do you think of the way they speak of us in the enclosed paper? I do not know why the Discalced try to disprove such calumnies. Our Father is adling wrongly: it derogates immensely from his dignity. For the love of God, show the paper to nobody. People would think us senseless to notice such scurrilities, or to take steps to clear ourselves : I think it would show great imperfection if we did anything but laugh at them.

You must know, my Father, that all these letters and the many affairs at which I have worked quite unaided have ended by producing such noises and weakness in my head that I have been forbidden to write anything personally unless it is absolutely necessary, so I will say no more. I will only add that, as for obtaining what you speak of from the king, you must not contemplate doing such a thing until you have considered it well, for in my opinion you would lose much credit by it. God will settle the matter in some other way. May He preserve you for my sake.

Your Reverence's servant,

Teresa de Jesus.