CHAPTER XLII. FINIS.

kieshangfullanddark—awracksailsfromthewestthecloudscastthemselvesintostrangeforms—archesandbroadradiationsthereriseresplendentmornings—glorious,royal,purpleasmonarchinhisstatetheheavensareoneflamesowildarethey,theyrivalbattleatitsthickest—sobloody,theyshameVictoryinherpride.IknowsomesignsoftheskyIhavenotedthemeversincechildhood.Godwatchthatsail!Oh!guardit! Thewindshiftstothewest.Peace,peace,Banshee—“keening”ateverywindow!Itwillrise—itwillswell—itshrieksoutlong:wanderasImaythroughthehousethisnight,Icannotlulltheblast.Theadvancinghoursmakeitstrong:bymidnight,allsleeplesswatchershearandfearawildsouth-weststorm.Thatstormroaredfrenzied,forsevendays.ItdidnotceasetilltheAtlanticwasstrewnwithwrecks:itdidnotlulltillthedeepshadgorgedtheirfullofsustenance.Nottillthedestroyingangeloftempesthadachievedhisperfectwork,wouldhefoldthewingswhosewaftwasthunder—thetremorofwhoseplumeswasstorm. Peace,bestill!Oh!athousandweepers,prayinginagonyonwaitingshores,listenedforthatvoice,butitwasnotuttered—notutteredtillwhenthehushcame,somecouldnotfeelit:till,whenthesunreturned,hislightwasnighttosome! Herepause:pauseatonce.Thereisenoughsaid.Troublenoquiet,kindheartleavesunnyimaginationshope.Letitbetheirstoconceivethedelightofjoybornagainfreshoutofgreatterror,theraptureofrescuefromperil,thewondrousreprievefromdread,thefruitionofreturn.Letthempictureunionandahappysucceedinglife. MadameBeckprosperedallthedaysofherlifesodidPèreSilasMadameWalravensfulfilledherninetiethyearbeforeshedied.Farewell. THEEND.