"Nay, my child, none can take from thee a holy life."
"If I make a vow of virginity none can hinder me."
"That was not what I meant. No maid has a right to take such a vow
on herself without consent of her father, nor is it binding
otherwise. No! but no one can take away from a Christian maid the
power of holiness. Bear that for ever in mind, sweetheart. Naught
that can be done by man or by devil to the body can hurt the soul
that is fixed on Christ and does not consent to evil."
"The Saints forefend that ever--ever I should consent to evil."
"It is the Blessed Spirit alone who can guard thy will, my child.
Will and soul not consenting nor being led astray thou art safe.
Nay, the lack of a fair-favoured face may be thy guard."
"All will hate me. Alack! alack!"
"Not so. See, thou hast won love amongst us. Wherefore shouldst not
thou in like manner win love among thine own people?"
"My mother hates me already, and my father heeds me not."
"Love them, child! Do them good offices! None can hinder thee from
that."
"Can I love those who love not me?"
"Yea, little one. To serve and tend another brings the heart to
love. Even as thou seest a poor dog love the master who beats him,
so it is with us, only with the higher Christian love. Service and
prayer open the heart to love, hoping for nothing again, and full oft
that which was not hoped for is vouchsafed.
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