“That does not add anything to me, and I am only really just what I am in God’s sight.... It does not follow that He loves me more, because He wills that I should be His interpreter to you; rather, He makes me your little servant. It is for you and not for me that He has given me the charms and virtues apparent to you. “Often I compare myself to a little bowl which God fills with good things of every kind. All _the kittens_ come to it to take their share, and sometimes there is a contest as to which shall have most. But the Child Jesus is there, keeping watch: ‘I am very willing that you drink from my little bowl’ saith He, ‘but take care lest you overturn it and break it.’ “Truth to tell, the danger is not great, because I am placed on the ground. It is otherwise with Prioresses: they, being set on tables run many more risks. Honours are always dangerous. “Oh! how poisonous the praises served up day by day to those who hold high places. What baneful incense! And how necessary it is that the soul be detached from self, that so she may escape unharmed.” COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES To help a novice to accept a humiliation she said to her in confidence: “If I had not been received into Carmel I would have entered a Refuge, to live there unknown and despised in the midst of the poor penitents. To pass for such in the eyes of all would have been my happiness. I should have been the apostle of my companions telling them what I think of the Mercy of the good God.” “But how would you have been able to hide your innocence from your Confessor?” “I would have told him that while in the world I had made a general confession and had been forbidden to do so again.” COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES One day they brought her some ears of corn. She took one so laden with grain that it leaned down upon its stalk, and having looked at it for a long time she said to the Mother Prioress: “Mother, this ear of corn is an image of my soul: the good God has laden me with graces for myself and for many others!... Oh! I wish ever to bow down beneath the abundance of Heaven’s gifts, recognizing that all comes from above.” HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. XII What do you think of all the graces which have been poured down upon you? “I think that _the Spirit of God breatheth where He will_.”[43] COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES A sister said that in Heaven she would be a beautiful flower, resplendent with light. “Oh no,” she replied, “you know how in pretty bouquets they conceal some moss to make the flowers stand out; well, I shall be a little bit of moss to set off the beauty of the elect.” COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES During her last agony the Mother Prioress encouraged her with these words: