TO BROTHER RAIMONDO OF CAPUA AT AVIGNON The last letter tells us that Catherine had sent to the Pope her beloved Confessor, who was later to become her biographer--Fra Raimondo of Capua. It is evident that the simple Italian priest and his companions have become somewhat daunted by the conditions they have encountered at Avignon; and, indeed, the subtlest temptations and most perplexing problems that Europe could furnish were doubtless focussed at the Papal Court. Just what the difficulties were which Raimondo had confided to Catherine and which called forth this spirited answer, we do not know, but we can easily imagine their nature. A holy man of considerable learning, Fra Raimondo was also of mild disposition, much inclined to sigh over dangers and blench before exposure. Catherine, on more than one occasion, showed herself the better man of the two. There was a militant strain in her bright nature; she was really the "Happy Warrior"-- "Whose powers shed round him in the common strife Or mild concerns of ordinary life A constant influence, a peculiar grace; But who if he be called upon to face Some awful moment to which Heaven has joined Great issues, good or bad for human kind, Is happy as a Lover; and attired With sudden brightness, like a man inspired; And, through the heat of conflict, keeps the law In calmness made, and sees what he foresaw." So, in this letter, we find the daughter encouraging the father, with reflections much in the temper of Browning: "Was the trial sore, Temptation sharp? Thank God a second time! Why come temptations but for man to meet, And master, and make crouch beneath his feet, And so be pedestalled in triumph!" In the Name of Jesus Christ crucified and of sweet Mary: Reverend father in Christ sweet Jesus: I Catherine, servant and slave of the servants of Jesus Christ, write to you in His precious Blood: with desire to see you and the other sons clothed in the wedding garment that covers all our nakedness. That is a protection which does not let the blows of our adversary the devil pierce our flesh with mortal wound, but makes us rather strengthened than weakened by every blow of temptation or molesting of devils or fellow-creatures or our own flesh, rebellious to the spirit. I say that these blows not only do not hurt us, but they shall be precious stones and pearls placed on this garment of most burning charity.