Geronimo seized the keys, and, lighted by the lamp, he hastily traversed the subterranean passage, and mounted the staircase. The gray dawn was appearing in the east, but to the eyes of the young man so long accustomed to utter darkness it was almost as bright as noonday. Convinced that Julio's condition demanded immediate aid, Geronimo hastily tried all the keys in the exterior door, pulled all the bolts, endeavored to wrench the door from the hinges, and worked with so much energy that at last he fell from weakness. Taking a short rest, he arose, threw up the windows, shook the iron bars, ran up-stairs and called aloud for help. But all his efforts were useless--the pavilion was too far removed from any habitation to permit him to indulge the hope that his voice, weak as it was, could be heard. In running through the building--almost maddened by despair--to seek an outlet, he entered the kitchen, where he perceived a vessel full of water. The sight filled him with joy. Perhaps water, taken in large quantities, might deaden the effects of the poison and save Julio's life. At any rate, he had no other remedy, and as it was his only hope, he grasped at it as if it were an inspiration from heaven. Filling a pitcher, he ran with it to the cellar, and radiant with joy, approached Julio, who had barely strength to ask in a feeble voice: "Is the priest coming? Will the doctor be here? Ah! it is too late!" "Drink," said Geronimo, holding the pitcher to his lips; "the water will cool the inflammation and refresh you." Julio took the water. "Thank you, signor; it is useless, the water does me no good." "Take more, I beg you, Julio,--as much as you can." Julio obeyed mechanically and nearly emptied the pitcher. His respiration became very labored, and the sweat ran in big drops from his brow. "Do you feel better, Julio?" asked the young man. "A little better; the heat is not so burning." "There is still hope!" exclaimed Geronimo, joyfully. "Take courage, Julio; have confidence in the mercy of God. When all human aid fails us, then God gives his omnipotent assistance." "But," said Julio, "my heart beats so feebly, my limbs are benumbed. Signor, I am dying. The poison is killing me." "Die? Julio! You have delivered me from death, and shall I be powerless to save you? What shall I do? O my God, what can I try?" "Think no more of it, signor," said the dying man. "I feel that there is no hope. Alas! I was partly the cause of your bitter sufferings: I pushed you into the chair; I intended to kill you, the deliverer of my blind mother! Take pity on me! Let not your just malediction follow my poor soul into eternity. Pardon me, signor, pardon!" "Speak not thus, Julio. But for you, that yawning grave would now cover my corpse. Shall I refuse pardon to you who spared my life? No; I will pray for you, I will give alms for the repose of your soul. Have confidence in the goodness of God."