The event of the afternoon--the reading of the royal despatches--had
somewhat dashed the spirits of the councillors, for they saw clearly
the drift of events which was sweeping New France out of the lap of
her mother country, unless her policy were totally changed and the
hour of need brought forth a man capable of saving France herself
and her faithful and imperilled colonies.
"Hark!" exclaimed the Bishop, lifting his hand, "the Angelus is
ringing from tower and belfry, and thousands of knees are bending
with the simplicity of little children in prayer, without one
thought of theology or philosophy. Every prayer rising from a
sincere heart, asking pardon for the past and grace for the future,
is heard by our Father in heaven; think you not it is so, Herr
Kalm?"
The sad foreboding of colonists like La Corne St. Luc did not
prevent the desperate struggle that was made for the preservation of
French dominion in the next war. Like brave and loyal men, they did
their duty to God and their country, preferring death and ruin in a
lost cause to surrendering the flag which was the symbol of their
native land.
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