as partly covered with clotted blood; the
portion visible was excessively pale, and his cheeks were so sunken that
those few days of suffering had left only the skin to cover his bones. His
eyes, rolling wildly, were sunk in their sockets; his neck, weakened by
the wound, could not support his head, which fell upon his right shoulder.
His clothes were blood-stained and covered with dirt. It was evident that
in his struggle against death he had dragged himself around the tomb to
try, if possible, to escape it.

"Whoever you may be," cried out Geronimo, "for the love of God, one drop
of water!"

His voice was weak, but capable of moving the hardest heart.

Julio shook his head, without speaking.

"Water! water!" repeated the young man. "I am burning up, consumed by
thirst. Water! water! one drop of water! Save me from a frightful death!"

Moved by pity and forgetting, as it were, his own situation, Julio thrust
his hand under his doublet, drew out the bottle, uncorked it, and without
speaking gave it to the wounded gentleman. He uttered a cry of joy, seized
the bottle with feverish energy, and kissed with transport the hand which
presented him the saving beverage.

Julio, with palpitating heart, watched the unfortunate Geronimo, as with
trembling joy he placed the bottle to his lips, as if the contents were
imparting to him a new life.

And indeed, after having quaffed a deep draught, Geronimo appeared to have
new strength; for a sweet smile appeared upon his face, his eyes sparkled
with gratitude, and lifting his hands to Julio, he said:

"May God bless you! you have saved me from a frightful death. May Heaven
hear my prayer and reward you on the day of judgment for all the good I
may have done in my life. The light blinded me; I could not see. Are you
not Julio?"

This recognition struck Geronimo with terror, and in a feeble and
discouraged voice he said:

"Julio, Julio, you pushed me into the chair!"

Then seeing the dagger in Julio's hands, he shuddered.

"A dagger in your hand! Ah! you come to kill me?"

"Yes, signor," replied Julio, sadly, "I come to take your life; but do not
suppose I fulfil this fatal mission without emotion; on the contrary, my
heart bleeds for you, and I feel an indescribable repugnance to deal the
fatal blow."

"Ah! you are not merciless; you will have pity on me," said Geronimo.

"Impossible!" replied Julio. "Fatality governs us both; it has irrevocably
condemned you to deat