The girl embraced the youth's knees, and it was well with her that he suffered her to do so.
"I thank thee for keeping thy word," said Feriz; "look now! that woman was not my beloved. She has a husband who loves her."
Indescribably sweet were these words to the damsel. In them she found the sweetest reward for her sufferings and self-sacrifice. Then it was not love after all which made Feriz save this woman through her!
The uproar meanwhile was extending along the shore, the pursuers could see that they were on the track of the fugitives.
"We must be off," said Feriz; "wouldst thou like to come with me?"
"Come with him!" What a thought was that for Azrael! To be able to live under the same roof with him!
Yet she answered: "I will not come."
It occurred to her that if she were found with the dear youth he would perish because of her. And besides, she knew that the invitation was due not to love but to magnanimous gratitude.
"I want to go over to the island," she said in a faint voice.
"Then I'll help thee to find thy skiff," said the youth, extending his hand to the odalisk to raise her up.