XXXIX. To Mademoiselle de Chantal.
London Visitation Nuns (Harrow translation
[The Saint tells her daughter of M. de Toulonjon's proposal of marriage.]
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Paris, 1620.
My dearest Daughter,
Let us bless God who takes such care of His children who trust in Him. His divine Providence is arranging for you something that I think you will like: and for my part, it is altogether desirable to me. Your brother is going to see you and he will tell you about the gentleman,[A] whom you do not know but who has seen you. He is our neighbour at Monthelon, a fine straightforward, brave gentleman, rich too, and with a very well-appointed house. We are extremely pleased at the honourable way in which he comes to make his courtship. Tell me promptly and candidly, I beg of you, my dear daughter, if your affections are free, for if so, and that you continue as reasonable and submissive as you promised me to be in your last letter, you will be happier than you or I could have dreamt of. For the love of God, my darling, put your whole heart entirely into the hands of God and don't let yourself be prejudiced by any foolish talking, or taken up with silly thoughts and apprehensions. Let us act, for your happiness is dearer to us than it is to yourself.
If it please the great God to bring this affair to a satisfactory termination, verily you will be happy and well pleased, for this gentleman is all that I could desire for you. All the rest I leave for your brother to tell you. Do not speak about this matter to anyone, but pray and send me your answer as soon as you can. Now don't fail to do so. Write by two routes and promptly. In fifteen days I shall send to the coach office for your answer, and I beg of you to have it there for me. As regards other business, I have already asked you to urge M. Coulon to sell Foretz. Be sure to see to this; for we must have three thousand crowns in ready money, as I have promised that sum. Arrange that M. Coulon pays you in full, at latest within six months; urge him, and be careful to see that there is no unnecessary expenditure. I write in the greatest haste. God bless you, my child. Unite with me in praising and blessing Him always. I shall settle things to your best advantage, so have no fear, dearest daughter.