Sister Magdalen turns to her husband, and they converse in low tones, yet with an earnestness that leaves no room for doubt of their sincerity.

Presently John sees his father motion, and he joins them.

“My boy, your mother has forgiven me.  Heaven knows I do not merit such action, but she is an earthly angel.  And I want to ask you if you can also forgive me, because through my actions you have all these years been deprived of a mother’s love?”

His contrite manner, his dejected attitude—­these things would go far toward influencing John even were his heart hardened toward the unfortunate author of all this misery, which it is not.

“Ah! father, with such an example before me how could I entertain hard feelings?  The past is gone.  Why should we live in it.  Better that we look forward toward the future and endeavor to find happiness.  You know Heaven works in a mysterious way, and much good has come to the world at large through our suffering.”

“Then you do forgive, my boy?”

“There is nothing to forgive, sir.  Let us strive to forget the past and hope that years of happiness may be before us.”

“Ah!  John, you have her spirit,” sighs his father, as he wrings his boy’s hand.

Sister Magdalen smiles sweetly and sadly, for she knows full well that their time together in this world will be short.  She does not wish to cast a damper on their present joy, however, and hence says nothing.

The Moor has been greatly impressed by all this.  He learns a lesson in life, for, as a rule, the female element in oriental circles has very little to do with the events that occur from day to day, and never engage in any of the discussions upon the leading questions of the hour.

Later on the little party leave the house of Ali Ben Taleb.  Their passage through the streets is accomplished in safety, for the Moor sees to it that all are well disguised.

John never learns the truth about the coming of his father.  He has reason to believe that Mustapha Cadi must have entered into some arrangement of the older Craig, after hearing his story, although the stolid face of the Arab never betrays his secret.

When Lady Ruth learns that the end has come, and John’s quest is at an end, she rejoices with him.

Another day in Algiers.

Then a steamer will be due, upon which they can take passage for France, and later on reach America.

Duncan Craig is very subdued, and intensely devoted to his recovered wife.  They have long conversations alone, and all that has passed in the years of their separation is told.  Craig opens his heart and reveals his inmost feelings.  He tells how he suffered in spirit while showing a proud face to the world, and finally how he came to learn the truth.

John becomes interested in the courtship of Sir Lionel, who, finding his ardent affection returned, pursues his game with such intensity of purpose that he wins.