XLIV. To M. de Palierne, Treasurer of France at Moulins.

Vive ✠ Jésus!

Paris, August 15, 1620.

Sir,

Your regard for the Bishop of Geneva and for our little Institute, together with the prudence with which you have always guided our Convent of Moulins, gives me hope that you will find a means of adjusting the opposing claims of the Bishop of Nevers and Madame du Tertre. The pregnant arguments you put forward bear, I acknowledge, great weight, but so do those of his Lordship of Nevers. I see much to consider on both sides. Yet I tell you frankly, and it seems to me that I am not unreasonable in my opinion, that, in consideration of Madame du Tertre's resolve to live with us, what she has so freely given ought to be left with the house of Nevers: otherwise she would have to make a virtue of necessity, and this we should be sorry to oblige her to do. But I am chiefly influenced by the fact that the authorities of Nevers only gave permission for the establishment of the Convent because Madame du Tertre accompanied her petition by a promise of ten thousand crowns, which promise was followed by the actual purchase in her name of a property, and the payment of a third of the foundation money; and on the strength of this the Sisters were received. Possession was afterwards taken of the house. The Sisters were installed by the Bishop, enclosure established, and the Blessed Sacrament reserved. Since that day the Divine Office[A] has been continuously recited. Thus, the foundation is, as you see, completely established. How, then, can Madame du Tertre, having undertaken the financial establishment of this house, now draw back without upsetting the whole affair? For as his Lordship of Nevers has upon two occasions plainly told me, the spiritual foundation cannot exist without the temporal.

Do you not see, Sir, that to do what this young lady wishes would mean ruining one of our houses to ensure abundance to the other house.

My very dear brother, may I, Sir, so call you? When writing to you, I have often thought of doing so because of my sisterly confidence in, and affection for you, and because of the obligations under which you have placed me. This I say simply and frankly, though perhaps somewhat unconventionally. Allow me Sir, my very dear brother, to tell you that the property is not ours to divide. As Madame du Tertre no longer wishes to adhere to her first resolve, she may be at liberty to take back what she has given, but I do not know what justice would have to say on this point. Still, putting justice aside, the Bishop of Geneva would surely not approve of our retaining one teston[B] that was not freely given. Oh! of that there is no doubt. But as she has entered amongst us, and as our house of Moulins is satisfied with the twenty thousand francs she brings, acknowledging that this sum is quite sufficient to provide the young lady with all she requires, and as the affair concerns our own houses, is it not better to follow the advice of his Lordship of Geneva and share the ten thousand crowns between the two houses? or at least leave ten thousand francs to Nevers, so that that house may not be ruined. It was upon the assurance of this from our Moulins sisters that those of Nevers decided to go to that town. Before God, how can we possibly put into the power of the Bishop of Nevers such a favourable pretext for sending the sisters away? Oh! can you not see, my very dear brother, how shameful it would be, and how prejudicial to the service of God? Although the houses are ours, and we have the principal interest in them, the agreement has been more to the advantage of this dear young lady than to us. For with her twenty thousand francs she possesses at Moulins all the privileges she could hope for were it fifty thousand, and besides, when there is just reason, in virtue of her title of benefactress, she is free to pass on to Nevers and there enjoy the same rights as are conferred on her at Moulins. This, in my opinion, is a very just arrangement and I most humbly beg of you to induce her to accept it. Use your influence with her, I beseech of you, for the honour and glory of God and of His Blessed Mother, and also for the love you bear our little Institute. Madame du Tertre desired to know the wishes of the Bishop of Geneva, and he has acceded to her request. Let her then accommodate herself to his views and live in peace. I appeal to you in the name of God, for I see no other way of settling this affair, and I own candidly that I can obtain nothing more from his Lordship of Nevers, who holds out for the full sum and writes about it in a very matter-of-fact way. I answer as God directs me, resolved through His grace to place all in His hands and to remain in peace and submission to whatever divine Providence ordains.

I beg of our Sisters of Moulins to do whatever justice demands. Oh! what a shame it would be to see our houses sueing one another! A thousand times rather would I prefer to see them overwhelmed with reproaches and poverty than that this should ever happen. If, dearest brother, after all these humble petitions and arguments, Madame du Tertre and our Sisters of Moulins wish to act against those of Nevers she must do as she pleases; but we shall neither blame them nor defend ourselves, for to do so would not be the will of God, and under these circumstances I am persuaded it would be better for one or other entirely to surrender its claim. Such, too, is the opinion of his Lordship of Geneva.

Oblige me by telling our Sister, the Superior of Moulins, that I have already written to her, as by accident she may not have yet received my letter. This, that I now write to you, will also serve for good Madame du Tertre, it being all I am able for, as I have a slight indisposition which is becoming habitual with me. I have no other wish than that she should be treated sweetly and cordially with all affection as she certainly merits. But, I assure you, Nevers was entirely her own free choice: I have ample evidence of this in her letters. God only knows all that has passed on this subject. Our poor Sister Superior may have appeared somewhat inflexible and shown how much she felt this rupture. But, dearest brother, in consideration for her position we must throw over this fault of weakness or surprise, the mantle of holy charity, that mantle which bears with all, excuses all, and hides all the defects of her children. These last lines are in confidence for your own ear only, your goodness and piety encouraging me to confide in you. I beseech of you in conclusion to use all the influence at your command in favour of peace and charity. Believe me, I am truly indifferent to everything except the glory of God.

I remain, Sir, very dear brother, with much affection,

Your humble and obliged Sister and servant in Our Lord.