Page:The Ladies' Cabinet of Fashion, Music & Romance 1832.pdf/30

Rh " Locked!-locked! No, it cannot be!' repeated my brother; it is the heated air of the room. We must exert our whole strength together.' " We did so, and without effect. We were now in a truly desperate situation, with no opportunity to escape, and the fire already enveloping us. " Madmen ! fools ! why did we delay ! By heavens ! we must not perish here. Where are our friends !' " At this time, the cry of fire !' was raised in the street, and we heard the engines rattling along the pavements. We also thought we distinguished the sound of persons ascending the stairs, and called to them, but could not make them hear, in consequence of the roaring of the flames, and the shouts of the firemen in the street. " Down with the door ! round to the rear !' we understood distinctly, and echoed back the unavailing cry, while the heavy shock of a ladder, as it struck against the wooden walls, one story above us, showed the advance of the preparations for effecting an entrance in that quarter, and for quenching the fire. " My brother shouted for assistance, but the noise of the engines and the cry of fire !' without, drowned his voice. " It is useless,' said I ; ' that bellowing rabble will split their sides to out-bawl us.'" " Still more alarmed, and smarting with our burns, we now attempted to raise the window. But, as if the fates conspired against us, it refused to move ! " We shouted for help ; we shrieked, till our voices were hoarse. The floor under our feet had now kindled to flame, and it was with difficulty we could prevent our clothes being entirely consumed. " Come, Ludovico, ' said Petro, ' we can live here but a few minutes longer ; let us make one more trial.' " I can do no more ; I shall die ! ' exclaimed I, sinking to the floor, in the apathy of despair. I was suffering the most exquisite torture from my burns ; and to relieve me of my insupportable agony, I attempted to hasten my death by strangulation. My brother, who was less burnt, still struggled at the door. He turned and saw me stretched out in this situation. " Fool, fool !' he exclaimed, with angry energy ; 6 are you so willing to die ? Up ! up ! and assist me !' " I arose. The room was now filled with flame. I could not for a moment endure it. I flung myself again against the