CHAPTER XLII. FINIS.

Mancannotprophesy.Loveisnooracle.Fearsometimesimaginesavainthing.Thoseyearsofabsence!HowhadIsickenedovertheiranticipation!Thewoetheymustbringseemedcertainasdeath.Iknewthenatureoftheircourse:Ineverhaddoubthowitwouldharrowasitwent.Thejuggernautonhiscartoweredthereagrimload.Seeinghimdrawnigh,buryinghisbroadwheelsintheoppressedsoil—I,theprostratevotary—feltbeforehandtheannihilatingcraunch. Strangetosay—strange,yettrue,andowningmanyparallelsinlife’sexperience—thatanticipatorycraunchprovedall—yes—nearlyallthetorture.ThegreatJuggernaut,inhisgreatchariot,drewonlofty,loud,andsullen.Hepassedquietly,likeashadowsweepingthesky,atnoon.Nothingbutachillingdimnesswasseenorfelt.Ilookedup.Chariotanddemoncharioteerweregonebythevotarystilllived. M.Emanuelwasawaythreeyears.Reader,theywerethethreehappiestyearsofmylife.Doyouscouttheparadox?Listen.IcommencedmyschoolIworked—Iworkedhard.Ideemedmyselfthestewardofhisproperty,anddetermined,Godwilling,torenderagoodaccount.Pupilscame—burghersatfirst—ahigherclasserelong.Aboutthemiddleofthesecondyearanunexpectedchancethrewintomyhandsanadditionalhundredpounds:onedayIreceivedfromEnglandalettercontainingthatsum.ItcamefromMr.Marchmont,thecousinandheirofmydearanddeadmistress.Hewasjustrecoveringfromadangerousillnessthemoneywasapeace-offeringtohisconscience,reproachinghiminthematterof,Iknownotwhat,papersormemorandafoundafterhiskinswoman’sdeath—namingorrecommendingLucySnowe.Mrs.Barretthadgivenhimmyaddress.Howfarhisconsciencehadbeensinnedagainst,Ineverinquired.Iaske