The ill and the weak gradually recovered.

In a few more weeks the Angels of Death and Disease retired from the field, and the island was not depopulated.
Whether another outbreak might or might not occur they could not tell; but knowing the thoroughness of the work which they had done, they were ready to hope that the victory was complete.

Gradually their work ceased, for there was no one in all the happy island who needed nursing or medical attendance.

Caius found then how wonderfully free the place was from all those ailments which ordinarily beset humanity.
This was in the middle of February, when the days were growing long, and even the evening was bright and light upon the islands of snow and the sea of ice.
It appeared to Caius that Madame Le Maitre had grown years older during the pestilence.

Deep lines of weariness had come in her face, and her eyes were heavy with want of sleep and sympathetic tears.