Such a gay and giddy set I never saw , and really , my dear , their ways and conversation were quite startling to an ignorant young thing like me . Pearl , coral , diamond , jet , gold , and silver heads , were all around me as well as vulgar brass knobs , jaunty black pins , good for nothing as they snap at the least strain , and my own relations , looking eminently neat and respectable among this theatrical rabble . For I will not disguise from you , Miss Ellen , that my first mistress was an actress , and my life a very gay one at the beginning . Merry , kind , and careless was the pretty Cora , and I am bound to confess I enjoyed myself immensely , for I was taken by chance with half a dozen friends to pin up the folds of her velvet train and mantle , in a fairy spectacle where she played the queen . It was very splendid , and , snugly settled among the soft folds , I saw it all , and probably felt that I too had my part ; humble as it was , it was faithfully performed , and I never once deserted my post for six weeks . `` Among the elves who went flitting about with silvery wings and spangled robes was one dear child who was the good genius of the queen , and was always fluttering near her , so I could not help seeing and loving the dear creature . She danced and sung , came out of flowers , swung down from trees , popped up from the lower regions , and finally , when all the queen 's troubles are over , flew away on a golden cloud , smiling through a blaze of red light , and dropping roses as she vanished . `` When the play ended , I used to see her in an old dress , a thin shawl , and shabby hat , go limping home with a tired-looking woman who dressed the girls . `` I thought a good deal about ` Little Viola , ' as they called her , -- though her real name was Sally , I believe , -- and one dreadful night I played a heroic part , and thrill now when I remember it . '' `` Go on , please , I long to know , '' said Miss Ellen , dropping the needle-book into her lap , and leaning forward to listen better . `` One evening the theatre took fire , '' continued the old pin impressively . `` I do n't know how , but all of a sudden there was a great uproar , smoke , flames , water pouring , people running frantically about , and such a wild panic I lost my small wits for a time . When I recovered them , I found Cora was leaning from a high window , with something wrapped closely in the velvet mantle that I pinned upon the left shoulder just under a paste buckle that only sparkled while I did all the work . `` A little golden head lay close by me , and a white face looked up from the crimson folds , but the sweet eyes were shut , the lips were drawn with pain , a horrible odor of burnt clothes came up to me , and the small hand that clutched Cora 's neck was all blistered with the cruel fire which would have devoured the child if my brave mistress had not rescued her at the risk of her own life . She could have escaped at first , but she heard Sally cry to her through the blinding smoke , and went to find and rescue her . I dimly recalled that , and pressed closer to the white shoulder , full of pride and affection for the kind soul whom I had often thought too gay and giddy to care for anything but pleasure . `` Now she was calling to the people in the street to put up a ladder , and , as she leaned and called , I could see the crowds far down , the smoke and flame bursting out below , and hear the hiss of water as it fell upon the blazing walls . It was a most exciting moment , as we hung there , watching the gallant men fix the long ladder , and one come climbing up till we could see his brave face , and hear him shout cheerily , -- '' ` Swing from the window-sill , I 'll catch you . ' `` But Cora answered , as she showed the little yellow head that shone in the red glare , -- '' ` No , save the child first ! ' '' ` Drop her then , and be quick : it 's hot work here , ' and the man held up his arms with a laugh , as the flames licked out below as if to eat away the frail support he stood on .
`` All in one breathless moment , Cora had torn off the mantle , XXXXX the child in it , bound her girdle about it , and finding the gaudy band would not tie , caught out the first pin that came to hand , and fastened it .
bursting calling came dropping ended saw smiling snap watching wrapped