The excluded to the enclosed; the solitary in the world to the solitary from the world; one who is known to Christ and to Love, writing to his only soul.

The Eva of whom I speak is Christ’s darling, left alone in the house for God’s sake; she is become the night raven in the house. Far from her homeland she seeks her true home. Or, rather, she has escaped from the turbulence of the world to the peace of God; escaping from mortal sufferings, she is seeking the eternal joy, which is God. May he receive her who received Mary Magdalene, who in the inexhaustible bosom of his kindness gathers and embraces every soul that comes to him. May he receive his darling and stranger; for the Lord has heard the poor, and has not disdained the prisoners. If by any chance this pilgrim letter, entrusted to uncertain winds but commended to God, should stray into alien hands, I pray that it may be returned to her for whom alone it is manifestly intended, lest someone appropriate what is not meant for him. This secret between two people is sealed with Christ as mediator, offering in sacrifice nothing but virginal simplicity and pure love. Far be from this pure encounter the whisperer of scandal, the lecherous eye, the pointing finger, the spewer of hot air and the dirty snickerer. The story is long, the words are awkward and feeble; he who does not like it should not read it, and should leave alone what was not written for him. But whatever happens, I would rather be ridiculed by the raised eyebrows of strangers than not do justice to love. Since this exhortatory letter is growing beyond moderate length, let it be divided into four segments, like way stations where it may pause on its journey and catch its breath.