But it was too late to stay the fire, and the heat and falling embers drove him back.
"Still he could not go, but stayed there half suffocated, determined at least not to desert his post while a glimmer of hope remained.
"In a few moments there was a crash and a shower of sparks at his feet.
The trap-door had fallen in.
"Heedless of the peril or the pain, he sprang once more at the opening, and this time, how he knew not, succeeded in lifting himself into the blazing apartment.

Many a time had he been there before in happier days.
"He rushed across to the door and out into the great hall of the castle.
Not a man was there to stop him.

He heard voices and shouts outside, but the castle seemed to have been left to its fate.

There was yet time, thought he, before the flames reached so far, to rush up to his lady's room and save her.
"He sprang up the staircase.

Halfway up he saw a figure before him, ascending too.