of 1620, it was Champlain's report which determined the
issue. Five years later, when the Duc de Ventadour became
viceroy in place of Montmorency, Champlain still remained
lieutenant-general of New France. Such were his character,
services, and knowledge that his tenure could not be
questioned.

Notwithstanding this source of satisfaction, the post
was difficult in the extreme. The government continued
to leave colonizing in the hands of the traders, and the
traders continued to shirk their obligations. The Company
of the De Caens did a large business, but suffered more
severely than any of its predecessors from the strife of
Catholic and Huguenot. Those of the reformed religion
even held their services in the presence of the Indians,
thus anticipating the scandals of Kikuyu. Though the Duc
de Ventadour gave orders that there should be no
psalm-singing after the outbound ships passed Newfoundland,
this provision seems not to have been effective. It was
a difficult problem for one like Champlain, who, while
a loyal Catholic, had been working all his life with
Huguenot associates.

The period of the De Caens was marked by the presence at
Quebec of Madame Champlain. The romance of Champlain's
life does not, however, revolve about his marriage. In
1610, at the age of forty-three, he espoused Helene
Boulle, whose father was secretary of the King's Chamber
to Henry IV. As the bride was only twelve years old,
the marriage contract provided that she should remain