h, and me to inhumanity. All prayer, all supplication
is useless; nothing can save your life. I beg you, signor, not to increase
the difficulties of my task; accept with resignation a fate you cannot
escape."

A sharp cry escaped Geronimo, as these unfeeling words convinced him that
all hope was lost.

"My God!" he exclaimed, "is it then true that this dungeon is to become my
tomb? Must I die without confession? Shall my body lie in unconsecrated
ground? Oh, mercy! mercy!"

"Necessity is a merciless law, signor," replied Julio, "and I have more
cause than you to complain of its harshness. You, at least, will receive
in heaven the recompense of your innocent life, while I must commit here a
crime from which I recoil with horror, but which is forced upon me by an
irresistible power, and for which my poor soul will stand accused before
the judgment-seat of God. But do not cherish a deceitful hope; there is no
hope for you. Before I depart from here, that grave must receive your
body. That I did not immediately on entering fulfil my sad mission is
partly owing to the fact that an uncontrollable compassion paralyzed my
arm, but still more, to my desire to afford you time to say some prayers.
Therefore prepare your soul for its last passage. I will wait patiently
even for a quarter of an hour. Pray with a tranquil mind--I will not
strike without giving notice."

Saying these words, Julio put down the lamp replaced his dagger in its
scabbard, and seated himself on a block of wood which was in a corner of
the cellar.

Geronimo, overwhelmed by Julio's insensibility, bowed his head upon his
breast. For some time he neither spoke nor moved, seeming to accept his
fate with complete resignation. But the terror of death again possessed
him.

"Impossible!" he exclaimed. "You will not kill me, Julio? I conjure you,
by your soul's salvation, not to imbrue your hands in my blood!"

And the unfortunate young man endeavored to drag his feeble body to
Julio's feet; but the latter drew his dagger in a threatening manner.

Geronimo uttered a cry of despair, crawled back to the side of the grave,
and fell exhausted on the ground, where he bewept his sad fate.

His stifled sobs were so heart-breaking that Julio's soul was stirred
within him, and without being conscious of it, he wiped away the tears
which fell from his eyes.

In a voice full of compassion he said:

"Come, signor, be calm, and submit with resignation to the irrevoca