This had effectually prevented the egress of the unfortunate person inside.
Being a powerful man, the Italian exerted himself to the utmost and succeeded in removing a bureau, some chairs and a heavy table which were piled up in confusion.
Then the door flew open, and he beheld a lady lying on a bed, and it was easily observable that she was in a state of complete exhaustion, having been many days without food.
Had not help come when it did, she could not have survived much longer.
Though the face was very beautiful, the cheeks were sunken, emaciated and hollow; her long silken hair hung in disheveled masses over her shoulders, and in her deeply expressive eyes there was the glare of incipient insanity.
No sooner did the girl see Bambino than she endeavored to rise, but was compelled to fall back again by weakness.
"Who are you?" he asked, tenderly.
"I am an angel now," she replied. "Death has held me in his arms. I do not suffer any more, though it was hard and bitter to die."
Her voice was faint and feeble. There was that in her words and manner which indicated that her mind was wandering. Reason had tottered on its throne, until it had finally given way beneath the weight of her sufferings.
Seeing that she was in want of nourishment, he procured some food which he administered with a spoon, afterward compelling her to drink some wine.