bishop was active and earnest in collecting
and establishing a society of us, and found several pious persons and
some very devout young ladies, who were all ready to come to join us.
But it was not the will of God for fix me thus, but to crucify me yet
more.

The fatigue of traveling made me sick. The girl also whom I brought
from Grenoble fell sick. Her relations, who were covetous took it in
their heads that, if she should die in my service, I would get her to
make a will in my favor. They were much mistaken. Far from desiring the
property of others, I had given up my own. Her brother, full of this
apprehension, came with all speed; the first thing he spoke to her
about, although he found her recovered, was to make a will. That made a
great noise in Verceil. He wanted her to return with him, but she
refused. I advised her to do what her brother desired. He contracted a
friendship with some of the officers of the garrison, to whom he told
ridiculous stories, as that I wanted to use his sister badly. He
pretended she was a person of quality. They gave out what I was still
afraid of,--that I was come after Father La Combe. They even persecuted
him on my account. The bishop was much troubled, but could not remedy
it. The friendship he had for me increased every day; because, as he
loved God, so he did all those whom he thought desired to love God. As
he saw me so much indisposed, he came to see me with assiduity and
charity, when at leisure from his occupations. He made me little
presents of fruits and other things. His relations were jealous. They
said that I was come to ruin him, and to carry off his money into
France, which was farthest from my thoughts. The bishop patiently bore
these affronts, hoping still to keep me in his diocese, when I should
be recovered.

Father La Combe was the bishop's prebend and his confessor. He esteemed
him highly. God made use of him to convert several of the officers and
soldiers, who, from being men of scandalous lives, became patterns of
piety. In that place everything was mixed with crosses, but souls were
gained to God. There were some of his friars, who, after his example,
were advancing toward perfection. Though I neither understood their
language nor they mine, the Lord made us understand each other in what
concerned His service. The Rector of the Jesuits took his time, when
Father La Combe was gone out of town, to prove me, as he said. He had
studied theological matters, whi