This feeling was now even stronger than before; even less than before did he feel capable of apprehending the meaning of death, and its inevitability rose up before him more terrible than ever.

But now, thanks to his wife's presence, that feeling did not reduce him to despair.

In spite of death, he felt the need of life and love.

He felt that love saved him from despair, and that this love, under the menace of despair, had become still stronger and purer.