means to trouble my rest with messages and
presents;” but we may be sure that at this time
in her life she would gladly have had these
glimpses of the outer world permitted to continue. The days dragged heavily, and the poor
bird beat her wings vainly against the iron bars
of her cage, but could not obtain her freedom;
then, with the adaptability of youth, she wisely
resolved to make the best of her new situation.
Soon in the convent, as in the world, she became the centre of an admiring circle. To meet
the approval of those around her was an instinct
with Theresa, and she ingenuously wrote, “All
the nuns were pleased with me, for our Lord
gave me the grace to please every one wherever
I might be.”
The sister who had charge of the young pupils was a woman wise in knowledge of the human heart. She studied Theresa sufficiently to discover that she was not a commonplace girl, and determined to win her confidence and affection. She saw that she was ready to give herself body and soul into the hands of any one whom she loved; and to win this love Doña
