Astry smiled again. "My dear Rachel," he said carelessly, "there might be a question about it; if I were Belhaven there would be a question about it."
She colored and Astry saw that she understood.
"Even an Arab has a right to protection; his bread and salt should not be abused," he said, watching her.
"But his bread and salt protect the life of the stranger who tastes them," she answered quickly.
Astry smiled bitterly. "I never thought of you as one to plead for the transgressor."
Rachel put the little book down on the table and sat looking at him with grave eyes, her heart throbbing heavily. Had Eva told him or—some one else?
He came over and stood beside her. "Rachel, I'm deeply sorry that there seems no way out, that you've got to bear it—or else your sacrifice goes for nothing."
"You mean—" she could not go on.
"Eva has told me."
Rachel sank back in her chair, her hands trembling in her lap. "Johnstone—you've forgiven her?"