dexterities found a way to please them both, choosing to do her
exercises twice over, first with the one, then with the other, which
continued not long; for as her mistress generally neglected her, doing
things at one time, and leaving them at another, she was reduced to
learn only what my sister and I taught her. Indeed the changeableness
of my sister was so excessive, that, without great grace, it was hard
to suit one's self to it; yet she appeared to me to surmount herself in
many things. Formerly, I could scarce bear her manners; but I have
since loved everything in God, who has given me a very great facility
to bear the faults of my neighbor, with a readiness to please and
oblige everyone and such a compassion for their calamities or
distresses as I never had before.

I have no difficulty to use condescension with imperfect persons; I
should be secretly smitten if I failed therein; but with souls of grace
I cannot bear this human manner of acting, nor suffer long and frequent
conversations. It is a thing of which few are capable. Some religious
persons say that these conversations are of great service. I believe it
may be true for some, but not for all; for there is a period wherein it
hurts, especially when it is of our own choice; the human inclination
corrupting everything. The same things which would be profitable, when
God, by His Spirit, draws to them, become quite otherwise, when we of
ourselves enter into them. This appears to me so clear, that I prefer
being a whole day with the worst of persons, in obedience to God,
before being one hour with the best, only from my own choice and
inclination.

The order of divine providence makes the whole rule and conduct of a
soul entirely devoted to God. While it faithfully gives itself up
thereto, it will do all things right and well, and will have everything
it wants, without its own care; because God in whom it confides, makes
it every moment do what He requires, and furnishes the occasions proper
for it. God loves what is of His own order, and of His own will, not
according to the idea of the merely rational or even enlightened man;
for He hides these persons from the eyes of others, in order to
preserve them in that hidden purity for Himself.

But how comes it that such souls commit any faults; because they are
not faithful, in giving themselves up to the present moment. Often too
eagerly bent on something, or wanting to be over-faithful, they slide
into many