Death united him to his beloved.

He hailed death as his friend and savior, as the priest who was to unite him to his Geraldine.

He heard the great Tower clock of the prison which with threatening stroke made known the hour; and each passing hour he hailed with a joyous throb of the heart.

The evening came and deep night descended upon him--the last night that was allotted to him-the last night that separated him from his Geraldine.
The turnkey opened the door to bring the earl a light, and to ask whether he had any orders to give.

Heretofore it had been the king's special command not to allow him a light in his cell; and he had spent these six long evenings and nights of his imprisonment in darkness.