onduct, as we have related. It happened in this
way. One of those women was solicited by a wicked man whom she bravely
repulsed. But he finally began cautiously to offer her money, urging
her to receive it, and assuring her that he made no claim upon her
thus. Not less valorously than before did she reject his offering,
saying that she desired no money which, when she must appear before
God; would cry out against her, and be an accuser and witness against
her; and she reminded him that this money, with which he was striving
to wage such war against her, could serve only for her condemnation
and chastisement. In proportion to her resistance, so did the furious
passion of this wicked man increase, who gave himself no repose in
devising projects for her downfall. Attempting to accomplish this,
on a certain occasion when she was alone, she uttered loud cries, at
which someone came to her aid and delivered her from his violence. With
that his love turned to hatred, and his cajolery to threats, which he
carried out by accusing her to her masters, with false testimony. She
went from their house, in great affliction and distress, but ever
repeating, with much patience: "God sees it all." Still further to
exercise her virtue, God permitted that even her master, who was
a person of high rank, instigated by the devil, should solicit her
with great importunity. She answered him by saying that she would,
under no persuasion, commit such a sin, and that he should consider
that he would greatly disgrace himself, as a man of so high position,
by seeking relations with her, a woman of lowly state. She added
that, besides this, she kept before her the thought of God, in whose
presence she dared not commit any vile act, or consent to it in
her heart, knowing that God sees all things; and, moreover, she had
consideration for her mistress, who treated her as her own daughter,
and against whom she could in no wise commit such treachery. The man,
irritated by this resistance, threatened her with harsh treatment; but
she replied that even if he were to kill her, it was enough for her
that God saw all that she was suffering to avoid sin. The evil man,
notwithstanding, carried out his threat, annoying her and treating
her with great harshness; yet this only increased the strength and
virtue of this innocent and chaste woman. Another Indian woman, left
a widow, was so devoted to the preservation of her chastity that,
without the advice of anyone,