Flora showed
that each was a prey to the same breathless suspense; the same mingled
feelings of bright hopes and vague fears. In a few moments the door was
slowly opened; and the venerable old man appeared, his countenance
wearing a solemn and mournful aspect. Then Francisco and the young
countess knew that all was over; and tears started into their eyes.

Christian Rosencrux beckoned them to advance toward the bed, around
which the curtains were drawn closer; and as they entered the room, the
rapid and simultaneous glances which they cast toward the spot where
Fernand Wagner fell down and surrendered up his breath, showed them that
the corpse had been removed. Approaching the bed with slow and measured
steps, Rosencrux drew aside the drapery; and for a moment Francisco and
Flora shrank back from the spectacle which met their view; but at the
next instant they advanced to the couch, and contemplated with mournful
attention the scene presented to them. For there--upon that couch--side
by side, lay Fernand Wagner and Nisida of Riverola--stiff, motionless,
cold.

"Grieve not for her loss, children," said Christian Rosencrux; "she has
gone to a happier realm--for the sincere repentance which she manifested
in her last hours has atoned for all the evil she wrought in her
lifetime. From the moment, young lady, when she banished from her soul
the rancor long harbored there against thee--from the instant that she
received thee in her arms, and called thee sister--the blessing of
Heaven was vouchsafed unto her. She was penitent, very penitent, while I
administered to her the consolations of religion, and a complete change
came over her mind. Grieve not, then, for her; happy on earth she never
could have been again--but happy in heaven she doubtless now is!"

Francisco and the young countess knelt by the side of the couch, and
prayed for a long time in silence, with their faces buried in their
hands. When they again raised their heads, and glanced around, the
venerable old man no longer met their eyes. Christian Rosencrux had
departed, leaving Francisco and Flora in complete ignorance of his name;
but they experienced a secret conviction that he was something more than
an ordinary mortal; and the remembrance of the blessing which he had
bestowed upon them the preceding day, shed a soothing and holy influence
over their minds.

Little now remains to be said; a few brief observations and a rapid
glance at the eventual fortunes