“What would you do if it were not your office to mend these blankets?... With what detachment you would then act! And if you did point out that they are easily torn, how free from self-interest it would be. Thus, never let the least shadow of self-interest glide into your actions.” COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES In the infirmary the novices used scarcely to wait till her thanksgivings were ended before speaking to her and seeking her counsels. This, at first, grieved her and she gently reproached them. Then very soon she let them have their way, saying: “The thought has struck me that I am not to desire more of repose than our Lord. When He retired into the desert after His discourses, the people came immediately to break in upon His solitude. Come to me as much as you will. I must die arms in hand, _having on my lips the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God_.”[50] COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES “How do you manage so to practise virtue,” asked a novice, “as to be always the same, invariably joyous and composed?” “It has not been always so,” she replied, “but ever since I have shunned all self-seeking I lead the happiest life that can be.” COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES Now, that I am about to appear before the good God, more than ever do I understand that there is but one thing necessary: to work solely for Him, and to do nothing for self or for creatures. X LETTER TO HER MISSIONARY “BROTHERS” FOOTNOTES: [44] _Imit._, III, xxiv, 2. [45] Is., lxv, 15. [46] Apoc., ii, 17. [47] _Cf._ I Cor., iv, 5. [48] _Cf._ Rom., viii, 15. [49] II Esdras, iv, 17. [50] Ephes., vi, 17. [Illustration] MORTIFICATION Far from being like to those great souls who from their childhood practise all sorts of macerations, I made my mortification consist solely in the breaking of my will, restraining a hasty word, rendering little services to those around me without making anything of it, and a thousand other things of this kind. HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. VI As I had no taste for games, I should have liked to spend my life reading, but I was only to take a very limited time for this chosen recreation, and this was the ground of many a sacrifice, for I made it a point of duty to break off promptly at the end of the time allotted, even in the middle of the most interesting passage. HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. IV I had accustomed myself never to complain when anything of mine was taken away; and when unjustly blamed I chose rather to remain silent than to defend myself. HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. I