Paris, 1620.
Listen to this, daughter dear. M. de Toulonjon finds himself free for eight or ten days, and off he is going to know whether you consider him too old to please you; for as regards everything else he is in hopes of finding favour with you. As for me, to be candid with you I see nothing to find fault within him, and even nothing more to wish for. I never before remember feeling such satisfaction about a temporal matter. Our Lord has given me this feeling. It is not so much this gentleman's good nature and good birth that attracts me as his mind, disposition, candour, his good sense, uprightness, and reputation. In a word, my dear Françoise, we may well bless God about this affair. In gratitude to Him, my child, you should try to love and serve Him better than you have ever done and to let nothing whatsoever prevent you from frequenting the sacraments and from practising humility and gentleness. Take the Devout Life for your guide and it will lead you safely. Do not lose your time over such little vanities as jewels and clothes. You are about to possess them in abundance, but, dear daughter, never forget that we should use the good things God gives us without being attached to them, and everything that the world esteems should be looked upon in this light. Henceforth, let your ambition be to be adorned with honour and modest discretion in the position into which you are about to enter. Indeed I am gratified that your relatives and I have arranged this marriage without you. It is thus that the wise act, and I should like always to be your counsellor. Besides, your brother, who has a good judgment, is charmed with this alliance. M. de Toulonjon it is true is some fifteen years your senior, but, my child, you will be far happier with him than if you married a foolish, inconsiderate young scamp such as are the young men of to-day. You are marrying a man who is nothing of all this, who never gambles, but who has passed his life at court and in the battlefield with honour and who has a high appointment from the King. You will not have the good judgment with which I credit you if you do not receive him cordially and frankly. Do so, my daughter, with a good grace, and be assured that God has you in His mind and will not forget you if you throw yourself tenderly into His arms, for He takes care of those who trust in Him.
XLII.
To Sister Marie-Marthe Legros, at Bourges.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Paris, 1620.
My very dear Sister,
I understand perfectly, and have never doubted but that your intention was upright. Don't be afraid to tell me what you think it your duty to mention, but, my love, do not worry yourself about such things, if they are not manifest faults. Leave them to the coadjutrix, who ought to do her duty in all humility and cordiality. Tell her from me that I will do all she asks me, but I cannot write to her this time. For God's sake observe the rules punctually, and have all of you but one heart and one soul, and so will your love be perfect in Our Lord. Give my affectionate love to my poor fat Sister M. M., and dear little M. Louise; both are in my heart. I wish all happiness to the two dear daughters Marie-Françoise and Anne-Marie; I pray God to give them and all of you the virtue of holy obedience, the mother of all virtues.
Be sure to tell the dear professed that they have a bigger share of my heart than they dream of. But as to the reception to the habit of Sister —— this child has not the conditions marked, why then have they given her their votes? They do not set sufficient value on fidelity to the Rule. Votes should never be given in the hope of amendment, you should see the improvement first before giving the habit, and the same with regard to Sister C. M.: she should not make her profession at the end of the year. Why! in truth she has only really conducted herself as a novice for six months, so she ought, I consider, to be kept back, and this will prove her perseverance and bring home to her that she does not deserve to be professed, and that with humility and submission, such matters should be left in the hands of the Superior, and the Sisters. By this prolongation of her trial, her virtue and her dispositions will be tested.
May God in His goodness give you all His spirit, and the grace to weigh well all our Rules, so that they may be observed and followed even to the most insignificant point, for in this our happiness consists.