I like this 1840 storyline but I can't help but find how strange the "new" Barnabas has been behaving.
For instance, the first place he goes to (that we see anyway) is Josette's room at the old house. He then proceeds to take her portrait down while he's biding her farewell my lovely, and going on about beginning a whole new life now without her.
What a far cry from the Barnabas we know, who once released from his coffin in 1967 went about restoring the old house and fixing up Josette's room. He had her room practically restored right down to the letter along with the perfect vanity she had on the dresser bureau! And Heaven help anyone who would ever think of removing her portrait. He seemed to be so obsessed with her.
So, why this sudden change of heart? I guess 175 years as compared to the 40 year "absence really does make the heart grow fonder."
Cassandra