y hours to
live.

The dying man had accordingly desired that his children might be
summoned; and when they entered the apartment, the physician and the
priest were requested to withdraw.

Francisco now stood on one side of the bed, and Nisida on the other;
while the count collected his remaining strength to address his last
injunctions to his son.

"Francisco," he said, in a cold tone, "I have little inclination to
speak at any great length; but the words I am about to utter are
solemnly important. I believe you entertain the most sincere and earnest
faith in that symbol which now lies beneath your hand."

"The crucifix!" ejaculated the young man. "Oh, yes, my dear father!--it
is the emblem of that faith which teaches us how to live and die!"

"Then take it up--press it to your lips--and swear to obey the
instructions which I am about to give you," said the count.

Francisco did as he was desired; and, although tears were streaming from
his eyes, he exclaimed, in an emphatic manner, "I swear most solemnly to
fulfill your commands, my dear father, so confident am I that you will
enjoin nothing that involves aught dishonorable!"

"Spare your qualifications," cried the count, sternly; "and swear
without reserve--or expect my dying curse, rather than my blessing."

"Oh! my dear father," ejaculated the youth, with intense anguish of
soul; "talk not of so dreadful a thing as bequeathing me your dying
curse! I swear to fulfill your injunctions--without reserve."

And he kissed the holy symbol.

"You act wisely," said the count, fixing his glaring eyes upon the
handsome countenance of the young man, who now awaited, in breathless
suspense, a communication thus solemnly prefaced. "This key," continued
the nobleman, taking one from beneath his pillow as he spoke, "belongs
to the door in yonder corner of the apartment."

"That door which is never opened!" exclaimed Francisco, casting an
anxious glance in the direction indicated.

"Who told you that the door was never opened," demanded the count,
sternly.

"I have heard the servants remark----" began the youth in a timid, but
still frank and candid manner.

"Then, when I am no more, see that you put an end to such impertinent
gossiping," said the nobleman, impatiently; "and you will be the better
convinced of the propriety of thus acting, as soon as you have learned
the nature of my injunctions. That door," he continued, "communicates
with a small closet, which is