“Mother, our Sisters little know what I suffer! Looking at the blue sky I was thinking only of the beauty of the material heavens; _the other is more and more closed to me_.... I was at first distressed by that remark, then an interior voice answered: ‘Yes, through love thou didst look at the heavens. Since thy soul is wholly consecrated to Love, all thy actions, even the most indifferent, bear the impress of this divine seal.’ I was instantly consoled.” HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. XII Until two days before her death she wished to be alone at night, however, notwithstanding her entreaties, the Infirmarian used to rise several times to visit her. On one occasion she found our little invalid with hands clasped and eyes raised to Heaven. “But what are you doing?” she asked; “you should try to sleep.” “I cannot, dear Sister, I suffer too much! then I pray....” “And what do you say to Jesus?” “I say nothing, _I love Him_!” HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. XII A sister was speaking to her of the happiness of Heaven: Thérèse interrupted, saying: “It is not that which attracts me....” “What is it then?” “Oh! it is LOVE! To love, to be beloved, and _to come back to earth to make_ LOVE _loved_.” HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. XII Love alone have I ever given to the good God, with love He will repay me. HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. XII All that I have written regarding my desire of suffering is most true; oh! I do not repent of having surrendered myself to Love. HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. XII Jesus! Jesus! if it be so sweet to desire Thy Love, what will it be to possess and to enjoy it for ever! HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. XI O Jesus! could I but tell all _little souls_ of Thine ineffable condescension!... I feel that if it were possible to find one more weak than mine Thou wouldst take delight in showering upon her greater favours still, provided that she abandoned herself with entire confidence to Thine Infinite Mercy. But why these desires, O my Beloved, to impart the secrets of Thy Love? Is it not Thyself alone Who hast made them known to me and canst Thou not reveal them to others? Yes, I know it and I implore Thee to _do_ so: _I beseech Thee to let Thy divine gaze rest upon an immense number of little souls, I beseech Thee to choose in this world a Legion of little victims worthy of Thy Love!_ HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. XI Her last words--looking at her crucifix: “OH!... I LOVE HIM!... MY GOD, I ... LOVE ... THEE!!!” HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. XII