The black cross on Dr. Rank's cards is what he told Nora Helmer his signal would be when he was sure that he was near death. Therefore, it represents his impending decease. He has tuberculosis of the spine, something that he evidently inherited or contracted as a result of his father's indulgent and licentious behavior. He tells Nora that, when he is sure that he is at death's door, he will bar his own door to Torvald, Nora's husband and his own friend, because he knows how much Torvald dislikes things that are ugly. He says to Nora that he will "send [her] [his] card with a black cross on it," and in this way she will know that he has reached the end of his life. He deposits two such cards in the Helmers' mailbox after he departs from their home on the night of the Stenborgs' fancy dress party (where Nora dances the tarantella, at Torvald's request).
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