were easily made, we left Montreal on the Feast of St. Michael, Sept.
29, 1658. Having been the sacristan of the parish church, I requested M.
Galimier, a priest of the seminary, to keep matters so arranged that I
could resume the pious duty on my return. I made the request before
starting for Europe, and he promised that my desire should be complied
with, provided I was not absent longer than a year. I made the promise
partly in jest, yet I Divine Providence ordained that I should return
safely on the next Feast of St. Michael. The crew of the vessel in which
we embarked numbered but six men, and were all Protestants, Mlle. Mance
and myself being the only Catholics on board. We scarcely ever went on
deck, preferring to remain quietly in the cabin allotted to us, and
perform our devotions. The crew, at times, _sang their prayers_ too
loudly for the comfort of an invalid, and Mlle. Mance was reluctantly
obliged to complain to the captain. After that the singing of the
prayers ceased, and we were treated with marked attention and respect.
We had a prosperous voyage over the blue sea, and cast anchor at La
Rochelle, during the Christmas holidays. Mlle. Mance went immediately to
La Fleche, to get her arm reset, in that famous hospital, and hoped to
bring back with her, on her return, a few of the Sisters, to assist in
the management of the hospital she had established at Ville-Marie. I was
delighted to have the consolation of again seeing M. de la Dauversiere,
that great servant of Mary, and noble protector of Montreal, who resided
at La Fleche, of which place he was Lieutenant-General. We remained
there a few days, and then set out for Paris. I had become in a manner
necessary to Mlle. Mance, as she was not able to dress without
assistance, and she willingly defrayed my expenses while we resided with
her sister during our stay in Paris. M. Olier, superior of St. Sulpice,
died two years before our arrival, and as she had great faith in his
intercession, she requested the new superior to allow her to pray at the
tomb of the deceased. She was refused the favor _then_, but was directed