uth, for our Beloved dwells in our hearts.

Often _this Beloved is to us a bundle of myrrh._[48] We share the
chalice of His sufferings; but how sweet it will be to us one day
to hear these gentle words: "You are they who have continued with
Me in My temptations, and I dispose to you, as My Father hath
disposed to Me, a kingdom."[49]

XIX

August 19, 1894.

This is perhaps the last time that I need have recourse to writing
in order to talk to you, my dear little sister. God in His
goodness has granted my dearest wish. Come, and we will suffer
together . . . Then Jesus will take one of us, and the others will
remain in exile yet a little longer. Now, listen well to what I am
going to say: God will never, never separate us; and if I die
before you, do not think that I shall be far away--never shall we
have been more closely united. You must not be grieved at my
childish prophecy. I am not ill, I have an iron constitution; but
the Lord can break iron as if it were clay.

Our dear Father makes his presence felt in a way which touches me
deeply. After a death lasting for five long years, what joy to
find him as he used to be, nay, more a father than ever! How well
he is going to repay you for the care you so generously bestowed
on him! You were his Angel, now he will be yours. He has only been
one month in heaven, and already, through the power of his
intercession, all your plans are succeeding. It is easy for him
now to arrange matters for us, and he has had less to suffer on
Celine's account than he had for his poor little Queen.

For a long time you have been asking me for news about the
noviciate, especially about my work, and now I am going to satisfy
you. In my dealings with the novices I am like a setter on the
scent of game. The role gives me much anxiety because it so very
exacting. You shall decide for yourself if this be not the case.
All day long, from morn till night, I am in pursuit of game.
Mother Prioress and the Novice Mistress play the part of
sportsmen--but sportsmen are too big to be creeping through the
cover, whereas a little dog can push its way in anywhere . . . and
then its scent is so keen! I keep a close watch upon my little
rabbits; I do not want to do them any harm, but I tell them
gently: "You must keep your fur glossy, and must not look
foolishly about as does a rabbit of the warren." In fact, I try to
make them such as the Hunter of Souls would have them, simple
little creatures th