I could have sung aloud for delight as I stepped swiftly along toward home--and Nina! I was aware of a great weakness in my limbs--my eyes and head ached with the strong dazzling light; occasionally, too, an icy shiver ran through me that made my teeth chatter.

But I recognized these symptoms as the after effects of my so nearly fatal illness, and I paid no heed to them.

A few weeks' rest under my wife's loving care, and I knew I should be as well as ever.

I stepped on bravely.

For some time I met no one, but at last I overtook a small cart laden with freshly gathered grapes.