Some years afterwards Mohammed Ali heard where Emir Bey was living, and invited him to come back to Cairo, settled a pension on him, and made him many friendly offers. But Emir Bey would never trust the pacha again. He lived at Acre for the rest of his life, and died there.
Hugh and Lucy listened breathlessly to this story. When it was finished Lucy said, "I am so glad Emir Bey would not go back. I was afraid he might."
"Was it safe for the officer to hide him?" asked Hugh.
"No, he did it at the risk of his life."
"What a noble man! Did he know Emir Bey before?"
"Probably not. He saw a stranger in distress, and risked his life to help him."
"How generous!" Hugh cried. "Emir Bey must have felt as though he could never do enough to show his gratitude. I wonder whether they ever met again."
This no one could tell. But the noble act of the Albanian officer led us to talk of the gracious Saviour, who came from heaven, not only to risk his life, but to give it for us. He gave it, not for those who had done him neither good nor harm, but for us who were rebels against him; and he came, not to win for us earthly life, which must soon pass away, but a heavenly life, which will last for ever and ever. Shall not we show our gratitude to him by helping our neighbours whenever we can, even at the cost of some self-denial? The heathen officer has set us a noble example of love to each other.