herself reassured her. One morning before she arose, being fully awake,
and occupied with holy thoughts, a lady clothed in dazzling white robes,
and of extraordinary beauty, suddenly stood before her, and said, slowly
and distinctly: "Go to Canada. I will never abandon you." After which
the glorious vision disappeared. Margaret's heart was filled with
strength and joy, because she knew the peerless Mother of God had spoken
to her. When M. Jandret heard it he rejoiced exceedingly, and predicted
great results from the voyage, even hinting that she might possibly be
able to form in Canada the community they had both failed to establish
in Troyes. She replied that nothing was further from her thoughts than
the establishment of any community, more especially, as she was to live
alone at Ville-Marie. "Nevertheless," responded the good priest, "my
good angel and yours shall be the first members." Satisfied with the
pious ideas thus suggested, she quietly set to work at the preparations
for the voyage across the Atlantic, which was then considered a very
extraordinary affair. M. de Maisonneuve told her they would set sail at
the end of May, it being then February, that the embarkation would take
place at Nantes, in Bretagne, and advised her to be there in advance of
him. He also gave her a letter of recommendation to M. le Coq, a
merchant of that city, requesting him to offer her the hospitalities of
his home during her stay, and promising to rejoin her as soon as his
business was satisfactorily arranged. Everything else he left to her own
prudence and discretion. Any other person, except Sister Bourgeois, or
an apostle, would have prepared a good supply of clothing, and provided
a sufficient sum of money for so long a journey, but she being fully
convinced that to follow Jesus Christ it was necessary to forsake all
things, began by despoiling herself of what she possessed, bestowing her
money and clothing on the poor, and reserving nothing except a little
package of linen, in order to appear decent. She carried the package to
the ship herself, feeling that no one was worthy of wearing the livery