Toward night she improved considerably, and fell into a refreshing sleep.
Bambino went repeatedly on deck to look out for a sail, but did not see one.
His position was a precarious one, for should another storm arise, there was little doubt the vessel would either capsize or break her back.
He drew some consolation from the fact that he was in the path of the steamships which were constantly crossing and recrossing the Atlantic ocean.
Two days passed, during which the lady remained in a comatose state; but, as he continued to feed her at intervals, she gradually regained her strength, and on the third day was able to get up and converse.
Her mind, however, was gone. She talked incoherently, persisting that she had died during the storm, and that she was a spirit.
"When I was alive," she would say, "I lived in France and I married an English nobleman. When he dies and comes to the land of spirits, he will not deny that I am his wife, though on earth, he drove me from him and broke my heart."
"What was his name?" asked Bambino, who became interested in her random utterings, he scarcely knew why.
"Lord Maltravers; you see I remember that, though I cannot recollect all things that happened before I died. I was called Adéle."
Bambino started and visibly changed color.