eemed as if he had caught
the disease. The fear that came upon him was so great that he was
unable to vanquish and drive it away, until with a great effort he
placed his fingers in his mouth, and for a long time kept them there,
saying, "If you have the plague in your hand, you will also have it in
your mouth." As soon as this was done, the illusion left him and the
pain he had felt in his hand ceased.

He was not allowed to enter the College of St. Barbara where he was
then living, for all fled from him when they learned that he had
entered a house infected with the plague. He was obliged to remain
several days outside of the college.

At Paris it is customary for those who follow the philosophical
studies to receive in their third year the Petra, as it is called, in
order to obtain the bachelor's degree. Now those who are very poor
are unable to comply with this custom, as it costs a gold crown. While
Ignatius was in great hesitation, he submitted the matter to the
judgment of his preceptor. The latter advised him to receive it. He
did so, but not without a complaint on the part of some, especially of
a certain Spaniard who had taken note of the fact.

While in Paris he suffered great pains of the stomach for several
days. On the twenty-fifth day, for the space of an hour, a very severe
pain seized him, bringing with it a fever. One day the pains lasted
for sixteen or seventeen hours. At that time he had already concluded
his course, had spent some years in the study of theology, and had
collected his companions.

As the disease grew worse day by day, and the many remedies employed
brought no relief, the doctors said that the only one left for him was
to revisit his native land, as nothing but his native air could cure
him. His companions gave him the same advice. By this time all had
determined on their future conduct, namely, to go first to Venice, and
then to Jerusalem, where they would pass their whole life in helping
souls. If, however, they should not be allowed to remain in Jerusalem,
they were to return to Rome and offer themselves to the Sovereign
Pontiff, Christ's Vicar, that he might use their aid as he thought
would be for God's glory and the salvation of souls. They also agreed
to wait one year at Venice for ships to carry them to the Holy Land;
but if during the year no ship were at hand, they should be absolved
from the vow, and go to the Sovereign Pontiff. Finally Ignatius
yielded to the advice of