In Sight of St. Paul's — page 226: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

WOMAN AGAINST WOMAN. 221 The two unconscious women were left alone in the scene of the recent revels. In the frantic retreat a large standing lamp had been overturned, and the burning oil was stealing across the floor toward some lace draperies that vailed one of the windows. Unless help were soon forthcoming, the villa and its helpless inmates were doomed to destruction. Suddenly Aileen moved and opened her eyes. With an effort, she raised herself to a sitting posture and gazed about her in a dazed way, not realizing at first where she was. Then a remembrance of all that had happened to her dashed back upon her, and with a weak cry, she rose to her feet. Meanwhile the flames had caught the curtains and were already licking the frame-work. One tiny thread of fire was stealing across the floor toward the long train of the Panther, who lay there face downward. A choking, deadly smoke was rapidly filling the room. Aileen staggered to her feet, and then, as with her returning senses, she understood the condition of affairs, she screamed aloud a wild appeal for help. The place was in flames! She was lost! But no! Just at that moment there was a ringing cheer from the balcony. The windows were dashed inward, and Aileen heard a voice exclaiming, ‘‘My (E(0) m Eomicbooks