The Wildfire Club - The Emma Hardinge Britten Archive

40 THE MONOMANIAC,
tales of wonder and mystery. He knew not, he eared not.
Irresistibly the voice spoke to his heart; a presence, actual,
tangible, though still viewless, was by his side; calmness
stole over his spirit; hope was in his heart, and courage in
his eye. .
Almost unconsciously to himself he syllabled the words,
.. How long?" \Vhether he actually spoke, or merely
thought, he never could determine; but, to his infinite
rapture, he was instantly answered, in the following
words :-
. "Many hours of suffering must elapse ere rescue can
reach thee, my beloved; but fear not; I will never leave
thee! "
And many hours of suffering did elapse, and yet the
poor waif on the mighty ocean did not fear; neither did
he ever again feel himself alone. A burning, fervid day,
and then a long, eternal, endless night followed, and still
the sailor floated over the broad bosom of the ocean on his
frail bark of chips.
Another long, scorching day before him, and still a vast,
spotless waste of horizon, without a speck of hope or the
faintest prospect of human aid; and yet the tender whisperer
was there, and yet the Bailor Buffered and endured
with strong courage and ever-tranquil joy; for he could no
longer doubt that he had a companion - one who not only
read hi. thoughts, but distinctly, lovingly, hopefully an­
Bwered them. Sometimes he would actually forget his
pain; hunger and thirst were no more, and his miserable
raft seemed like a floating palace, for the Bweet, precious
,'oice told him o.f hours so bright and glorious, a destiny
for man so new and magnificent, and a purpose in human
suffering so wise, that her astounded auditor forgot the
whole world in listening to her angelic revealments.