Letter 333. To Father Gracian, Avila Z, Valladolid, October 4, 1580

Don Lorenzo's legacies. Pedro de Ahumada gives trouble again. Don Francisco’s vocation. Father Gracian’s steed.

JESUS!

May the grace of the Holy Spirit be with my Father, Amen.

O-DAY, the feast of St. Francis, I received two letters from your Paternity and was much pleased to learn that your health had improved. God grant it may always be good, as I beg of Him. I was very glad of the arrangement, for it favours us, but even had it been less advantageous for us, it would have been better than lawsuits.

I may say that I am well: I eat more, my weakness is less, and I am recovering strength, though IJ dare not write a letter with my own hand.’ I shall recruit by degrees: do not fret about my illness; you have done so enough already. Oh! how disappointed I was that the Prioress said nothin g in her letter about Don Luis or whether Dofia Juana was well again. Our Maria de San José is

TO FATHER GRACIAN at about again: the fever has left her and she is so lively that no one would imagine she had had anything the matter with her.

As for Pedro de Ahumada’s letter, it is not worth noticing—I expected that it would have been worse. He did very wrong in not sending what they asked of him. Unless Don Francisco leaves his interests in my charge, he will not be able to protect himself from his uncle, as I am the only person for whom Pedro de Ahumada feels any respect. No doubt a great deal of money belonging to the property will be lost, but as the chief object will be gained, that matters little. Now that my health is better, things will not worry me so much: severe illness must weaken the heart, especially when it is in such a state as mine. But you must not fancy that I am completely broken down.

I was delighted with Teresica’s letter and the news of Don Francisco’s happiness and _ health. May God have them both in His keeping ! If Pedro de Ahumada returns on the horse, let Don Francisco keep it and send him away on a hired mule —but my brother is so artful that I do not think he will bring the horse with him. It can be nothing to him but a useless expense: let Don Francisco tell him so, for as he is not to live at la Serna there is no reason for his going to and fro. My nephew must manage as best he can: he must give him neither money nor written promise, but declare that the sum left for that purpose by my brother will be duly paid, and has been legally assured to him. I do not know how Pedro de Ahumada can assert that nothing has been given him, when at the aps ST. TERESA’S LETTERS request of the Prioress a hundred reales have been sent to him from la Serna. His ill-humour is a trial, and owing to the state of my head I cannot write you as long a letter as I wish, even by means of a secretary.

May God proteé you and make you as holy as I ask of Him! Remember me kindly to those gentlemen and to the Mother Prioress, Inés de Jesus. Sister St. Bartolomew begs your prayers and is very glad to hear that your Paternity is well.

I hope that Don Francisco will be firm with Pedro de Ahumada and will ask him why he cannot agree with Peralvarez? regarding the management of the property. The one stands in the way of the other’s ation, for thou gh Pedrode Ahumada declares that he is taking measures about it, he does nothing. We must have an administrator for this affair and for Francisco de Salcedo’s legacy to the nuns, which will relieve us of some of our anxieties.

On no account should Don F rancisco fear to let Pedro de Ahumada know of his plan of entering the religious state, but he should tell him of his wish and even exaggerate it if possible.’ The matter can no longer be kept a secret, as you observe, for if that tiresome little page went about telling people of it in Valladolid, he will spread

TO FATHER GRACIAN 73 the report still more in Avila and he knows how to exaggerate. The Licentiate Godoy told me of Francisco’s vocation, of which he had heard from the former corregidor of Avila, besides several other persons having spoken of it here, so that the affair is public gossip already. Since it is decided, there is no reason for keeping it secret, and when people know it for certain, they will say no more. I do not think Francisco is the kind of person to mind its being known. He wrote me a letter for which I thanked God. May His Majesty be with ou! j I am afraid the little mule is not suited to your Paternity and I think it would be well for you to buy a good one. If so, there will be no difficulty in finding some one to lend you the sum required; when I receive some of the money owing here I can send it to you. If Pedro de Ahumada leaves the hack at la Serna, you might purchase it. My only fear is’ lest a mount should be chosen that would unseat my Father, and I am not so frightened of your falling off the little mule. Neither do I like Don Francisco’s riding an animal that he cannot give to the community when he takes the habit. Your Paternity must consider what is for the best, but do not be so low-spirited, for it is killing me. Your Paternity’s unworthy daughter, Teresa de Jesus.

Will you read what I have written about Pedro de Ahumada to Don Francisco. Believe me, the only way is to send my brother to me and we will settle matters here.

CCCXLIN