No small stir was made by this
ceremony, for which all the resources of the convent were called
into action. The day selected was that sacred to St. Ambrosius.
The chapel was decorated with flowers. Mass was celebrated,
candles flamed upon the altar surrounding a figure of the Infant
Jesus, incense was burning around the baby, sisters and novices
knelt in serried rows of virginity
"like doves
Sunning their milky bosoms on the thatch. "
Mother Suspiciosa carried the infant, clothed in a pure white
robe, with a red cross embroidered on its front. In the absence
of the natural parent a wax figure of St. Ambrosius did duty for
him, and another wax figure stood godfather: but I dare not enter
into details of matters that may be looked at as awfully profane,
or awfully solemn, by different spectators. These things are a
mystery.
I have no hesitation about describing the impious behavior of
little Ginx. Whatever swaddled infant could do in the way of
opposition, with hands, and legs, and voice, was done by that
embryo saint. The incense made him cough and sputter; the
lights and singing raised the very devil within him. His cries
drowned the prayers. He frightened his conductress by the
redness of his face.
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