Awakened in the night by the light of the flames, she sprang out of bed, wrapped herself in a dressing-gown, and attempted to escape by the door, but the corridor by which she hoped to fly was already a prey to the flames.

She then returned to her room, calling for help as loudly as she could, when suddenly her window, which was twenty feet from the ground, was opened, a young peasant jumped into the chamber, seized her in his arms, and with superhuman skill and strength conveyed her to the turf of the grass-plot, where she fainted.

When she recovered, her father was by her side.

All the servants surrounded her, offering her assistance.

An entire wing of the villa was burnt down; but what of that, as long as Carmela was safe and uninjured?
Her preserver was everywhere sought for, but he did not appear; he was inquired after, but no one had seen him.