and arrange every thing with such promptitude that the ill-tempered sick woman herself would be in surprise. This continued a considerable time, her patience and zeal never diminishing. Every body was in admiration except Lapa, who complained: " Certainly my daughter you will take the leprosy; I desire that you will not serve that sick person." But she, who placed all her confidence in God, appeased her mother by assuring her that she had nothing to fear, because Providence had confided this work to her, and would never forsake her. Thus, her charity triumphed over all obstacles, and pursued what it had commenced. Satan then had recourse to other means. Our Lord permitted her hands to become covered with leprosy, in order to render the triumph of his faithful spouse the more striking; her fingers which had touched the body of Teeca contracted the infirmity, and it became evident that Catherine had taken her contagious malady. This misfortune did not arrest her, she preferred being covered with leprosy to renouncing her charitable functions; her body she looked upon as dust; she was not anxious concerning what might happen to it, if what she did were agreeable to our Lord. The leprosy lingered a long time, but divine love hindered her from perceiving it. At last He who heals when striking, who exalts in abasing, and who renders all profitable to those who love him, after rejoicing in the courage of his handmaid, would try her no longer. Teeca died, and Catherine happily assisted her in her last agony. Her body was frightful to behold. Catherine carefully washed it, clothed it, exposed it, and buried it herself. When this last act of charity was terminated, the disease disappeared from Catherine's body suddenly; her hands seemed to be whiter than the rest of her person, as though the leprosy
