Jasmin glanced from window to window; he waited till everybody was placed before beginning.
The cook, who was no less impatient than the old valet, and whose brain was excited by the marquis’s wine, stood near the fireworks with a lighted slow-match in one hand, while with the other he pushed his cotton cap over his left ear.
Meanwhile, stout Turlurette and two other servants were dancing about a transparency representing a moon, which Jasmin declared to be a portrait of young Chérubin.
“They are all there! everybody’s at the windows, and we can set them off,” said Jasmin, after a last glance at the house.
“Yes, yes, begin,” said Turlurette. “Oh! isn’t it going to be fine?”
“No women here!” cried the cook in a determined tone; “you will make us do some foolish thing; go up to the second floor, young women.”
“Oh! he told me that he would let me fire off one little petard at least; didn’t you, Monsieur Jasmin?”
“Yes, yes,” cried Jasmin; “everybody must have a good time to-day; it is for our young master! Turlurette shall fire a little rocket; that is the least we can do for her; but not now, later.--Ready, cook, let us begin; to our fireworks!”
The display began with a serpent or two, Bengal fire, and rockets; the guests looked on, and when any piece seemed to be aimed at a window, the ladies drew back with little exclamations of alarm, blended with bursts of laughter; the men encouraged them, taking their hands and pressing them; I am not sure that they took nothing else; however, the ladies consented to be reassured, resumed their places, applauded and were highly pleased; while the old marquis at his window, said to his wife:
“My dear love, it is superb! it is beautiful! it is dazzling! I am sorry that you are so far away.”
“But, my dear, suppose it should set the house on fire!”
“Don’t be afraid; Jasmin is prudent; he has undoubtedly notified the firemen at the station close by; besides, the courtyard is very large and there is no danger.”
The loving Aménaïde was not thoroughly comforted; she would have preferred that there should be no fireworks to celebrate the baptism; but everybody seemed pleased, and she dared not deprive the company of the pleasure which they took in the spectacle.