"Mother," said Violette, "do you not smell something?"
"The house is on fire," said Agnella. "Look what a light is round about us!"
They sprang from their beds and ran to the parlor. The flames had already taken possession of it and of the neighboring chambers.
"Ourson! Passerose!" cried Agnella.
"Ourson! Ourson!" exclaimed Violette.
Passerose sprang half clothed into the parlor.
"We are lost, madam! The flames are all through the house. The doors and windows are firmly closed—it is impossible to open them."
"My son! my son!" cried Agnella.
"My brother! my brother!" exclaimed Violette.
They ran to the doors; all their efforts to open them or the windows were ineffectual.