In truth the singular austerity of his life gives some countenance to the report.

He is now thirty years old, every hour of which period has been passed in study, total seclusion from the world, and mortification of the flesh.

Till these last three weeks, when He was chosen superior of the Society to which He belongs, He had never been on the outside of the Abbey walls: Even now He never quits them except on Thursdays, when He delivers a discourse in this Cathedral which all Madrid assembles to hear.

His knowledge is said to be the most profound, his eloquence the most persuasive.

In the whole course of his life He has never been known to transgress a single rule of his order; The smallest stain is not to be discovered upon his character; and He is reported to be so strict an observer of Chastity, that He knows not in what consists the difference of Man and Woman.
The common People therefore esteem him to be a Saint.' 'Does that make a Saint ?' enquired Antonia; 'Bless me! Then am I one ?' 'Holy St.Barbara!' exclaimed Leonella; 'What a question! Fye, Child, Fye! These are not fit subjects for young Women to handle.