"I must confess that I have not always loved you. But I have been in the
wrong, and I ask your pardon. It is God who governs the heart. And what
does your divine Master say about that, too? 'Whom God hath joined
together let not man put asunder.' That is the true word about love and
marriage--the first, and the last, and the only one."
Then he rose, and both Helena and Gordon rose with him. One moment he
stood between them without speaking, and then, stooping over Helena's
hand and kissing it, he said, in a scarcely audible whisper--
"I divorce thee! I divorce thee! I divorce thee!"
It was the Mohammedan form of divorcement, and all that was necessary to
set Helena free. When he raised his head his face was still smiling--a
pitiful, heart-breaking smile.
Then, still holding Helena's hand, he reached out for Gordon's also, and
said--
"I give her back to thee, my brother. And do not think I give what I
would not keep. Perhaps--who knows?--perhaps I loved her too."
Helena was deeply affected. Gordon found it impossible to look into
Ishmael's face. They felt his wearied eyes resting upon them; they felt
their hands being brought together; they felt Ishmael's hand resting for
a moment on their hands; and then they heard him say--
"Maa-es-salamah! Be happy! Keep together as long as you can. And
never forget we shall meet some day."