How would it beseem your rank to join these who shame their sex----No, no! It would be said to-morrow that the ornament of the house of Montfort had----" "That Countess Cordula had used her hands in extinguishing the fire," she interrupted with gay self-confidence.

"Is there any disgrace in that?
Must my noble birth debar me from being numbered among those who help their neighbours so far as lies in their power?
If any good is accomplished here, those poor women yonder will make it no worse by their aid.

If people here believe that they do, it will give me double pleasure to ennoble it by working with them.

Putting out the flames will not degrade me, and will make the women better.

So, forward! See how the fire is blazing yonder! Help is needed there and, thank Heaven, I am no weakling.