Summary
After the sudden death of Count Casarius from plague, his will demands that Rietta—the young widow he once tried to force into becoming his concubine—be entombed alive with him. Just as she faces this grim fate, the feared Archduke Axias arrives to claim a substantial debt owed by the late count. With a chilling smile, he offers to take Rietta as payment instead, addressing her as his temptress and leaving the mourners both shocked and relieved.