At this moment an elderly woman burst from the midst of a house in flames: the utmost consternation was painted in her looks; and, as soon as she could recollect herself enough to have a proper idea of her situation, the subject of her anxiety seemed, in an instant, to be totally changed.
"Where is my child ?" cried she, and cast an anxious and piercing look among the surrounding crowd.

"Oh, she is lost! she is in the midst of flames! Save her! save her! my child!" She filled the air with heart-rending shrieks.

She turned towards the house.

The people that were near endeavoured to prevent her, but she shook them off in a moment.

She entered the passage; viewed the hideous ruin; and was then going to plunge into the blazing staircase.