| abstract | - Jeremiah intended to keep his promise, and even made plans to leave town (377). Unable to face the prospect of life without him, Josette pleaded with Barnabas to convince Jeremiah to remain (377). Not long after, Barnabas decided to move the wedding date up. Josette was once again overcome by her love for Jeremiah and the two ran away together, even as Barnabas waited downstairs with the minister. (380) Josette's marriage to Jeremiah was short-lived. They enjoyed three blissful days at the Collinsport Inn before they returned to Collinwood to announce their marriage. Barnabas was stunned (despite all the evidence, he had not truly believed she had left him for his uncle). Almost mad with jealousy, he challenged Jeremiah to a duel (383). Terrified of losing the two men she loved most in the world, Josette begged Jeremiah not to fight. Jeremiah was touched at his wife's devotion, and explained that he was going to fight for her sake; if he lived he would make a good life for her, and if he died she would be free to marry again. Josette insisted that she did not wish to be free. For Josette's sake, Jeremiah agreed to meet with Barnabas one last time - however it quickly became clear that a reconciliation was impossible. Jeremiah was overcome with guilt, but when Barnabas asked him if he would do it all over again, Jeremiah admitted that he would. The two men left the house and Angelique ran to Josette to inform her of their intentions. Josette and Angelique ran to the location just as the shots were fired. Jeremiah was mortally wounded. Jeremiah hovered between life and death for a few days, and Josette was constantly by his side. When he passed away, at 2 o'clock in the morning, Josette saw his spirit in her bedroom. In the weeks and months that followed, Josette visited her husband's grave and mourned his passing. Despite their brief marriage, Jeremiah's spirit watched over Josette for the rest of her life. After Jeremiah's death, Barnabas attempted to rekindle their past romance. This was spoiled by Angelique, who showed Josette a vision of herself as a vampire, terrifying the woman. Barnabas followed her to Widows' Hill and as he attempted to reason with the hysterical Josette, they struggled, and Josette fell to her death (425).
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