Such were the three persons whom we have thus minutely described to our readers. The count had been ill for some weeks at the time when this chapter opens; but on the night which marks that commencement, Dr. Duras had deemed it his duty to warn the nobleman that he had not many 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.