one of his friends: "Therese, my
little Queen, entered the Carmel yesterday. God alone could ask
such a sacrifice; but He helps me so mightily that even in the
midst of tears my heart is overflowing with joy."

This faithful servant must needs receive a reward worthy of his
virtues, and he himself claimed that reward. You remember the
interview when he said to us: "Children, I have just come back
from Alencon, and there, in the Church of Notre Dame, I received
such graces and consolations that I made this prayer: 'My God, it
is too much, yes, I am too happy; I shall not get to Heaven like
this, I wish to suffer something for Thee--and I offered myself as
a'"--the word _victim_ died on his lips. He dared not pronounce it
before us, but we understood. You know, dear Mother, the story of
our trial; I need not recall its sorrowful details.

And now my clothing day drew near. Contrary to all expectations,
my Father had recovered from a second attack, and the Bishop fixed
the ceremony for January 10. The time of waiting had been long
indeed, but now what a beautiful feast! Nothing was wanting, not
even snow.

Do you remember my telling you, dear Mother, how fond I am of
snow? While I was still quite small, its whiteness entranced me.
Why had I such a fancy for snow? Perhaps it was because, being a
little winter flower, my eyes first saw the earth clad in its
beautiful white mantle. So, on my clothing day, I wished to see it
decked, like myself, in spotless white. The weather was so mild
that it might have been spring, and I no longer dared hope for
snow. The morning of the feast brought no change and I gave up my
childish desire, as impossible to be realised. My Father came to
meet me at the enclosure door, his eyes full of tears, and
pressing me to his heart exclaimed: "Ah! Here is my little Queen!"
Then, giving me his arm, we made our solemn entry into the public
Chapel. This was his day of triumph, his last feast on earth; now
his sacrifice was complete, and his children belonged to God.[5]
Celine had already confided to him that later on she also wished
to leave the world for the Carmel. On hearing this he was beside
himself with joy: "Let us go before the Blessed Sacrament," he
said, "and thank God for all the graces He has granted us and the
honour He has paid me in choosing His Spouses from my household.
God has indeed done me great honour in asking for my children. If
I possessed anything better I would hasten to