Marthe ou La Soeur Hospitaliereby M. L’abbe J****. 5th edition, Tours, Ad Mame et Cie. Imprimeurs-Libraires, 1851

This small romance novel traces the early 19th century vocation of the fictional Soeur Marthe (Ernestine Dubuisson). Her parents are, according to the fashion of the time unbelievers, and the novel traces the extraordinary story how their daughter Ernestine becomes a Sister of Charity (and a nurse) serving as a symbol of faith and charity in action in the midst of the stormy mid-years of the century. A fascinating look at how the Sisters of Charity were perceived in the 19th century.