herself into them by her own fault. He then clearly showed me the ravishing beauty of that soul, and since that time, it is rare for me to see any one, without directly becoming acquainted with their interior state." And she added. " Father, could you but see the beauty of a rational soul, you would sacrifice your life a hundred times, were it necessary, for its salvation. No, naught in this material world is comparable to its beauty." I then requested her to give me a full account of that transaction, and in consequence she gave me the above narrative: only that she softened as far as possible, the injuries which the Sister had offered to her; Others of the Sisters worthy of confidence, who were witnesses of it, acquainted me with their grievousness.
I will add one fact, which will complete these remarks. I frequently served as interpreter between Gregory XI. and Catharine; she did not understand Latin, and the Sovereign Pontiff did not speak Italian. In one of these interviews, Catherine asked why she found in the court of Rome, in which all the virtues ought to bloom, nothing but the spread of disgraceful vices. The Sovereign Pontiff asked her if it were long since she arrived at the Court, and on being informed that it was merely a few days since, he said to her: "How have you so soon learned what occurs here ?" Then Catherine quitting her humble posture in order to assume an air of authority, which astonished me, pronounced the following words: "I must declare, to the glory of Almighty God, that I have perceived more distinctly the infections of the sins that are committed in the Court of Rome, while yet in my native city, than those even who committed them, and are still daily committing then." The Pope remained silent; I could not overcome
