e French forces. The latter, among other things, asked
where he came from. When Ignatius answered, "Guipuscoa," the officer
said, "I also come from near that place;" and immediately he ordered
Ignatius to be conducted within to supper and to be treated with great
kindness.

At Genoa, he was recognized by a Cantabrian, who had spoken with him
elsewhere, when in the army of his Catholic Majesty. Through his
influence, he was taken on a ship bound for Barcelona. He came very
near being taken captive by Andrea Dorea, who was at that time in the
service of the French, and gave chase to the vessel.

At Barcelona, he was enabled to study through the assistance of a
noble and very pious lady, Isabel Roser, and a teacher, named Ardebal.
Both highly approved his plan, Ardebal promising to give him
instruction free, while Isabel generously offered to provide him with
everything necessary.

At Manresa, there was a very holy monk, of the Order of St. Bernard,
with whom Ignatius wished to remain, as well for his own personal
guidance as to prepare himself to direct others. He accordingly
accepted the offer of his two generous friends on condition that what
he sought could not be obtained at Manresa. Finding, however, that the
monk had died, he returned to Barcelona and applied himself to study.
In this, however, he was destined to meet with some difficulties. In
his studies, the principles of grammar caused new spiritual thoughts
and tastes to arise so abundantly, as to render him incapable of
committing anything to memory, and though he strove hard, he could not
dispel these thoughts.

Noticing, however, that while praying at Mass he did not experience
similar thoughts, he considered this a temptation. Accordingly, after
praying for some time, he asked his teacher to come to the Church of
Blessed Mary of the Sea, not far from the professor's house, and there
to listen to what he would tell him. Ignatius faithfully made known
the whole state of his mind, and why he had as yet learned so little.
"But," he said, "I promise not to be wanting in attention in school
during these two years, provided that at Barcelona I may be able to
find bread and water."

Such an acknowledgment was of the greatest efficacy, and he never
after experienced that temptation. The pains of the stomach, which
afflicted him at Manresa, ceased, and, in fact, they did not trouble
him from the time he set out for Jerusalem.

While studying at Barcelona, he