Your sincerity in telling me this thought (that you are more enlightened than I am) has given me great pleasure. Such openness and simplicity of heart is the cream of virtue, which I desire for the daughters of the Visitation. May God increase it in you, together with the love of your own humiliation and holy liberty of mind. Keep to this way, very dear daughter, and God will, I trust, make you experience the wonders of His mercy. Abide, I pray you, between the arms of divine Providence and of holy Obedience, and let not your desires outstep these limits. Believe me, daughter, it is to God's glory that you finish your term of office. I mean your triennial term in the charge of which obedience has placed you. I have a thousand reasons, both for God's sake and for what is becoming in yourself, to show you that this is the Visitation spirit, but I have no leisure to write them. Give us the comfort of seeing you persevere generously. You have only eighteen months to get through. It will soon pass, and at the end of it you will have abundance of consolation for having satisfied the good pleasure of God who asks this of you. Before that time, please God you will confer and resolve together as to who is to be your successor, and also about the buildings in regard to which it would be well to have the opinion of the Archbishop so as to conform to it as much as possible.... I want to say a few words to Sister Anne Marie (Bon) and then hasten to finish. Praying God abundantly to spread His holy benedictions upon you and all your dear family, I recommend myself with great earnestness to your prayers, that in this journey, and at all times, I may accomplish the holy will of God. I shall always answer your letters whenever I receive them, for God has given me a very sincere affection for you and for your little house, and my desire is to respond to the holy confidence you place in me with so much candour and fidelity. Adieu, dearest daughter. Believe me, with my whole heart, Your very humble sister and servant. FOOTNOTE: [A] Before the Sisters disperse at the morning and evening recreations they receive "Obediences" from the Superior as to any change of employment or any special devotions in the course of the day. LXXVI. _To Sister Françoise-Angélique de la Croix de Fésigney, Mistress of Novices at Riom._[A] Vive [+] Jésus! ORLEANS, 1627. MY DEAREST LITTLE ONE,