confinement of my body made me better relish the freedom
of my mind. St. Joseph's day was to me a memorable day; for then my
state had more of Heaven than of earth beyond what any expression can
reach. This was followed, as it were, with a suspension of every favor
then enjoyed, a dispensation of new sufferings. I was obliged to
sacrifice myself anew, and to drink the very dregs of the bitter
draught.

I never had any resentment against my persecutors, though I well knew
them, their spirit and their actions. Jesus Christ and the saints saw
their persecutors, and at the same time saw that they could have no
power except it were given them from above. John 19:11.

Loving the strokes which God gives, one cannot hate the hand which He
makes use of to strike with.

A few days after, the official came, and told me he gave me the liberty
of the cloister, that is, to go and come in the house. They were now
very industrious in urging my daughter to consent to a marriage, which
had it taken place, would have been her ruin. To succeed herein, they
had placed her with a relation of the gentleman whom they wanted her to
marry. All my confidence was in God, that He would not permit it to be
accomplished, as the man had no tincture of Christianity, being
abandoned both in his principles and morals.

To induce me to give up my daughter they promised me an immediate
release from prison and from every charge under which I labored. But if
I refused, they threatened me with imprisonment for life and with death
on the scaffold. In spite of all their promises and threatenings, I
persistently refused.

Soon after, the official and doctor came to tell the prioress I must be
closely locked up. She represented to them that the chamber I was in,
was small, having an opening to the light or air, only on one side,
through which the sun shone all the day long, and being the month of
July, it must soon cause my death. They paid no regard. She asked why I
must be thus closely locked up. They said I had committed horrible
things in her house, even within the last month, and had scandalized
the nuns. She protested the contrary, and assured them the whole
community had received great edification from me, and could not but
admire my patience and moderation. But it was all in vain. The poor
woman could not refrain from tears, at a statement so remote from the
truth.

They then sent for me, and told me I had done base things in the last
month. I ask