my love. I wish to
give all to Jesus, since He makes me understand that He alone is
perfect happiness. All!--all shall be for Him! And even when I
have nothing, as is the case to-night, I will give Him this
nothing . . .

III

1889.

. . . . . . .

I have a longing for those heart-wounds, those pin-pricks which
inflict so much pain. I know of no ecstasy to which I do not
prefer sacrifice. There I find happiness, and there alone. The
slender reed has no fear of being broken, for it is planted beside
the waters of Love. When, therefore, it bends before the gale, it
gathers strength in the refreshing stream, and longs for yet
another storm to pass and sway its head. My very weakness makes me
strong. No harm can come to me since, in whatever happens, I see
only the tender Hand of Jesus . . . Besides, no suffering is too
big a price to pay for the glorious palm.

IV

(Written during her retreat before profession.)

September, 1890.

MY DEAREST MOTHER,--Your little hermit must give you an account of
her journey. Before starting, my Beloved asked me in what land I
wished to travel, and what road I wished to take. I told him that
I had only one desire, that of reaching the summit of the
_Mountain of Love._

Thereupon roads innumerable spread before my gaze, but so many of
these were perfect that I felt incapable of choosing any of my own
free will. Then I said to my Divine Guide: "Thou knowest where
lies the goal of my desire, and for Whose sake I would climb the
Mountain. Thou knowest Who possesses the love of my heart. For Him
only I set out on this journey; lead me therefore by the paths of
His choosing: my joy shall be full if only He is pleased."

And Our Lord took me by the hand, and led me through an
underground passage where it is neither hot nor cold, where the
sun shines not, and where neither wind nor rain can enter--a place
where I see nothing but a half-veiled light, the light that gleams
from the downcast Eyes of the Face of Jesus.

My Spouse speaks not a word, and I say nothing save that I love
Him more than myself; and in the depths of my heart I know this is
true, for I am more His than mine. I cannot see that we are
advancing toward our journey's goal since we travel by a
subterranean way; and yet, without knowing how, it seems to me
that we are nearing the summit of the Mountain.

I give thanks to my Jesus for making me walk in darkness, and in
this darkness I enjoy profoun