Letter 282. To Father Gracian, Alcala, Valladolid, July 7, 1579

here commend themselves to your Paternity's prayers. The prioress says she does not write to you as she is too fond of gossip to talk with a mute. I found Sister Maria de San Jose' very well: she is contented, as the nuns are with her. It was a pleasure to see that and the flourishing condition of these convents, considering the poverty in which they were founded. May God be for ever praised !

A good novice with talents and a fortune of nearly twenty thousand ducats has taken the habit here, but we think that she will give comparatively little to the house on account of her strong affed:ion for her sisters. However, she will bring a fairly good dowry, so that, with what the prioress already has in hand, the community will almost have enough for the settled income which they all desire.

As for Paul's journey to Rome, it is a dream which need not be discussed or even thought about, but I fear that, if he is made Provincial, he will be bound to attend the General Chapter. Take no notice of the father who so strongly urges you to go there without saying why, or how you should ; but thank God for having so arranged matters that the journey is not necessary. We do not need a fresh trial now to remedy the old ones, nor do I wish your Paternity to harbour the idea for a moment.

Father Nicolas spent three or four days with me at Avila. It was a great consolation to find there some one with whom you could discuss the affairs of the Order and who could help you, for I feel satisfied with him and it has pained me deeply that you should be so unaided in the Order. He certainly seems to me shrewd, sensible, and devoted to God's service though he does not possess the charm and sweetness God has given to Paul, for few receive such gifts. But Father Nicolas certainly is a man of talents, very humble and penitential, sincere, and capable of gaining the good will of others. He will thoroughly understand Paul's worth and is firmly resolved to follow his lead in everything. It was a great comfort to me, for if Paul agrees with him and you are both of one mind in future, it will be most advantageous in many ways, and an immense relief to me. For, whenever I think of what you have suffered from those who should have helped you, I feel it as one of my heaviest trials. So, my Father, do not let your Paternity hold aloof from him, for unless I am much mistaken, he will prove extremely useful in many ways. We discussed and planned numerous affairs. God grant the time may come when they can be carried out, and this sheep-fold of the Virgin, which has cost Paul so dear, may be set in perfed: order.

Our Lord be praised that your Paternity is in good health. Do me the kindness of keeping away from Alcala as much as possible while this heat lasts. I cannot say how long I shall remain here, as I have been put in charge of the business at Salamanca. I am content to be here, but I can say with truth that I am not discontented anywhere. Yet I shall do my best not to remain over this month, for I dread lest, by ill luck, some one should purchase the house offered us at Salamanca, which is most suitable though dear. However, God will provide for us.

Lest I should trouble your Paternity, I have never liked to tell you how insufferable the nuns of Alba find the daughter of Godoy the lawyer. I have done my best to give her every chance, but it is impossible to endure her. Being deficient in intelled;, she cannot be reasoned with and must be very discontented, for she screams loudly. She declares it is because she feels sick: I do not believe it. I asked the Mother Prioress to write me an account of some of the many causes of complaint she has against the postulant, so that I could show her letter to the lawyer. She sent me the note I enclose. On second thoughts, I considered it best not to show it to him but merely to inform him that his daughter is unsuited to us. I am exceedingly sorry, as we owe much to him, but she could not be kept in any of our convents.

I shall soon be going to Alba and will investigate the matter, but I think that will be of little use, for, from their statements, she must be far from being in her right mind. As she stands in awe of her father, she would be best with him. I have not seen him yet: he wrote to me at Avila asking me to allow his daughter to remain at Alba until some other home was found for her. We shall agree to his request. I always dreaded taking her on account of the pain her dismissal would cost him. Everything possible has been done for her: God grant that he may recognize this.

Remember me very kindly to Fray Bartolome: I was delighted with his letter: I hope he will not be tired of showing me such charity, though I am too tired to write to him on account of the number of ladies who have visited me. The Condesa de Osorno called yesterday. The Bishop of Palencia'' is here : both you and all of us owe much to him. I ask for the prayers of the Father Red:or. May God have you in His care and make you persevere in the sandlity I ask for you.

To-day is July 7.

Your Paternity's true daughter, Teresa de Jesus.