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 of her resolution never to give to a simple mortal the heart that had been accepted by the King of kings.

Her parents left no means untried of overcoming her resistance, and addressed themselves to a Friar Preacher, whom they besought as a friend of the family to do all that he could to procure the consent of Catharine. He promised to second their views, out when he conversed with her, and found her will so firm, his conscience obliged him to sustain her, and instead of contending with her, he said to her: "Since you have decided to consecrate yourself to God, and those who surround you oppose it, prove to them that your resolution is not to be shaken. Cut off your hair, entirely; perhaps they will then let you enjoy tranquility." Catharine received this advice as coming from heaven; she took her scissors and joyfully cut off her beautiful tresses, now become hateful to her, because she supposed them to have been the cause of her committing a fault. She then covered her head, contrary to the custom of youthful maidens, whom however the Apostle recommends never to go forth without a veil. When Lapa saw this veil, she asked her the reason of wearing it; Catharine neither dared to tell a falsehood nor avow the truth, and spoke in as low a tone as possible. Her mother then seized the veil, and in removing it discovered her head shorn of its beautiful locks. "Ah I daughter what have you done?" cried she, but Catharine quietly resumed her veil and withdrew. At the mother's shriek the whole family met, and when they learned what had been done all in unison gave way to violent anger.

This was the occasion of a new persecution for Catharine, and more terrible than the former; she triumphed over it by the aid of heaven, and the means they adopted for separating her from our Lord, served on the contrary