consequence of the interdict, become a total loss, and rot on the
ground. Human prudence would have regarded the event as a misfortune,
and Sister Bourgeois, obedient as she was, sighed bitterly in secret.
But God, who knows how to draw good out of evil, turned the
contradiction into a work of enduring benefit. The contemplated wooden
building was forbidden, it is true, but a stone church was erected
instead, and the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame may be said
to date _from that period_. It does not appear that she had previously
thought of forming a community, but seeing her hopes thus suddenly
dashed to the ground, and feeling she could no longer do justice to the
children on the scattered plan she was compelled to adopt, she began
seriously to think of associating with herself a few companions.

Full of this idea, and convinced that in Ville-Marie she could not find
persons suitable for teachers, she decided on going back to France, to
induce the externs of Troyes, her native city, to form a corps of
teachers for Canada. She foresaw her return would be considered unwise
and ill-timed, but a voice within that would not be silenced, told her
that God required her to return. According to the wisdom of the world,
it did look badly for a single woman, without means or credit, to
recross the ocean for the purpose of inducing others to imitate her wise
folly, to renounce all things and sacrifice the peace and security of
home for the dangers of a wild, thinly-settled country. The citizens of
Troyes knew well that Canadian colonists were the constant prey of
relentless savages, being murdered in cold blood, not only on the island
of Montreal, but frequently at their own doors. Yet Sister Bourgeois,
animated by the Holy Spirit, listened only to the voice of God, as did
the Apostles of old, and as did also the holy woman who followed in
their track. She left Ville-Marie with a strong presentiment of success.
Perhaps she had also a prophetic view of what would follow. At least one