John's recovery, though continuous and satisfactory, was but slow; and it was not until Easter, which fell early, that his health was pronounced to be entirely re-established.

The last few weeks of his convalescence had proved to all of us a time of thankful and tranquil enjoyment.

If I may judge from my own experience, there are few epochs in our life more favourable to the growth of sentiments of affection and piety, or more full of pleasurable content, than is the period of gradual recovery from serious illness.

The chastening effect of our recent sickness has not yet passed away, and we are at once grateful to our Creator for preserving us, and to our friends for the countless acts of watchful kindness which it is the peculiar property of illness to evoke.
No mother ever nursed a son more tenderly than did Mrs.Temple nurse my brother, and before his restoration to health was complete the attachment between him and Constance had ripened into a formal betrothal.

Such an alliance was, as I have before explained, particularly suitable, and its prospect afforded the most lively pleasure to all those concerned.