Time, however, did not pass in vain.

He was not born to be a victim; his healthy nature reasserted its rights.

Much became clear to him; even the blow that had fallen on him no longer seemed to him to have been quite unforeseen; he understood his wife,--we can only fully understand those who are near to us, when we are separated from them.

He could take up his interests, could work again, though with nothing like his former zeal; scepticism, half-formed already by the experiences of his life, and by his education, took complete possession of his heart.

He became indifferent to everything.
Four years passed by, and he felt himself strong enough to return to his country, to meet his own people.