her La Combe was at Rome, where he was received
with so much honor, and his doctrine was so highly esteemed, that the
Sacred Congregation was pleased to take his sentiments on some points
of doctrine, which were found to be so just, and so clear, that it
followed them. Meanwhile the sister would take no care of my daughter;
when I took care of her she was displeased. I was not able, by any
means, to prevail on her to promise me that she would try to prevent
her contracting bad habits. However, I hoped that Father La Combe, at
his return, would bring everything into order, and renew my
consolation. Yet I left it all to God.

About July, 1682, my sister, who was an Ursuline, got permission to
come. She brought a maid with her, which was very seasonable. My sister
assisted in the education of my daughter, but she had frequent jarring
with her tutoress--I labored but in vain for peace. By some instances
which I met with in this place, I saw clearly that it is not great
gifts which sanctify, unless they be accompanied with a profound
humility; that death to everything is infinitely more beneficial; for
there was one who thought herself at the summit of perfection, but has
discovered since, by the trials which have befallen her, that she was
yet very far from it. O, my God, how true it is that we may have of Thy
gifts, and yet be very imperfect, and full of ourselves!

How very straight is the gate which leads to a life in God! How little
one must be to pass through it, it being nothing else but death to
self! But when we have passed through it, what enlargement do we find!
David said, (Psalm 18:19) "He brought me forth into a large place." And
it was through humiliation and abasement that he was brought thither.

Father La Combe, on his arrival, came to see me. The first thing he
said was about his own weakness, and that I must return. He added,
"that all seemed dark, and there was no likelihood that God would make
use of me in this country." The Bishop of Geneva wrote to Father La
Mothe to get me to return; he wrote to me accordingly to do it. The
first Lent which I passed with the Ursulines, I had a very great pain
in my eyes; for that same imposthume which I formerly had between the
eye and the nose, returned upon me three times. The bad air, and the
noisome room which I was in, contributed hereto. My head was
frightfully swelled, but great was my inward joy. It was strange to see
so many good creatures, who did not kno