I determined, therefore, to make the best of a bad bargain, and to bear up manfully against whatever might betide.

In this endeavour, I succeeded beyond my own expectations.

At the period of Marnoo's visit, I had been in the valley, as nearly as I could conjecture, some two months.

Although not completely recovered from my strange illness, which still lingered about me, I was free from pain and able to take exercise.

In short, I had every reason to anticipate a perfect recovery.