Emily Brontë
Wuthering Heights
Charlotte Brontë
Editors Preface to the New Edition of »Wuthering Heights«
I have just read over »Wuthering Heights« and for the first time have obtained
a clear glimpse of what are termed and perhaps really are its faults have
gained a definite notion of how it appears to other people to strangers who
knew nothing of the author who are unacquainted with the locality where the
scenes of the story are laid to whom the inhabitants the customs the natural
characteristics of the outlying hills and hamlets in the WestRiding of
Yorkshire are things alien and unfamiliar
To all such »Wuthering Heights« must appear a rude and strange production
The wild moors of the north of England can for them have no interest the
language the manners the very dwellings and household customs of the scattered
inhabitants of those districts must be to such readers in a great measure
unintelligible and where intelligible repulsive Men and women who
perhaps naturally very calm and with feelings moderate in degree and little
marked in kind have been trained from their cradle to observe the utmost
evenness of manner and guardedness of language will hardly know what to make of
the rough strong utterance the harshly manifested passions the unbridled
aversions and headlong partialities of unlettered moorland hinds and rugged
moorland squires who have grown up untaught and unchecked except by mentors as
harsh as themselves A large class of readers likewise will suffer greatly
from the introduction into the pages of this work of words printed with all
their letters which it has become the custom to represent by the initial and
final letter only a blank line filling the interval I may as well say at once
that for this circumstance it is out of my power to apologize deeming it
myself a rational plan to write words at full length The practice of hinting
by single letters those expletives with which profane and violent persons are
wont to garnish their discourse strikes me as a proceeding which however well
meant is weak and futile I cannot tell what good it does what feeling it
spares what horror it conceals
With regard to the rusticity of »Wuthering Heights« I admit the charge for
I feel the quality It is rustic all through It is moorish and wild and
knotty as a root of heath Nor was it natural that it should be otherwise the
author being herself a native and nursling of the moors Doubtless had her lot
been cast in a town her writings if she had written at all would have
possessed another character Even had chance or taste led her to choose a
similar subject she would have treated it otherwise Had Ellis Bell been a lady
or a gentleman accustomed to what is called the world her view of a remote and
unreclaimed region as well as of the dwellers therein would have differed
greatly from that actually taken by the homebred country girl Doubtless it
would have been wider more comprehensive whether it would have been more
original or more truthful is not so certain As far as the scenery and locality
are concerned it could scarcely have been so sympathetic Ellis Bell did not
describe as one whose eye and taste alone found pleasure in the prospect her
native hills were far more to her than a spectacle they were what she lived in
and by as much as the wild birds their tenants or as the heather their
produce Her descriptions then of natural scenery are what they should be
and all they should be
Where delineation of human character is concerned the case is different I
am bound to avow that she had scarcely more practical knowledge of the peasantry
amongst whom she lived than a nun has of the country people who sometimes pass
her convent gates My sisters disposition was not naturally gregarious
circumstances favoured and fostered her tendency to seclusion except to go to
church or take a walk on the hills she rarely crossed the threshold of home
Though her feeling for the people round was benevolent intercourse with them
she never sought nor with very few exceptions ever experienced And yet she
knew them knew their ways their language their family histories she could
hear of them with interest and talk of them with detail minute graphic and
accurate but with them she rarely exchanged a word Hence it ensued that what
her mind had gathered of the real concerning them was too exclusively confined
to those tragic and terrible traits of which in listening to the secret annals
of every rude vicinage the memory is sometimes compelled to receive the
impress Her imagination which was a spirit more sombre than sunny more
powerful than sportive found in such traits material whence it wrought
creations like Heathcliff like Earnshaw like Catherine Having formed these
beings she did not know what she had done If the auditor of her work when read
in manuscript shuddered under the grinding influence of natures so relentless
and implacable of spirits so lost and fallen if it was complained that the
mere hearing of certain vivid and fearful scenes banished sleep by night and
disturbed mental peace by day Ellis Bell would wonder what was meant and
suspect the complainant of affectation Had she but lived her mind would of
itself have grown like a strong tree loftier straighter widerspreading and
its matured fruits would have attained a mellower ripeness and sunnier bloom
but on that mind time and experience alone could work to the influence of other
intellects it was not amenable
Having avowed that over much of »Wuthering Heights« there broods »a horror
of great darkness« that in its stormheated and electrical atmosphere we seem
at times to breathe lightning let me point to those spots where clouded
daylight and the eclipsed sun still attest their existence For a specimen of
true benevolence and homely fidelity look at the character of Nelly Dean for
an example of constancy and tenderness remark that of Edgar Linton Some
people will think these qualities do not shine so well incarnate in a man as
they would do in a woman but Ellis Bell could never be brought to comprehend
this notion nothing moved her more than any insinuation that the faithfulness
and clemency the longsuffering and lovingkindness which are esteemed virtues
in the daughters of Eve become foibles in the sons of Adam She held that mercy
and forgiveness are the divinest attributes of the Great Being who made both man
and woman and that what clothes the Godhead in glory can disgrace no form of
feeble humanity There is a dry saturnine humour in the delineation of old
Joseph and some glimpses of grace and gaiety animate the younger Catherine Nor
is even the first heroine of the name destitute of a certain strange beauty in
her fierceness or of honesty in the midst of perverted passion and passionate
perversity
Heathcliff indeed stands unredeemed never once swerving in his
arrowstraight course to perdition from the time when »the little blackhaired
swarthy thing as dark as if it came from the Devil« was first unrolled out of
the bundle and set on its feet in the farmhouse kitchen to the hour when Nelly
Dean found the grim stalwart corpse laid on its back in the panelenclosed bed
with widegazing eyes that seemed »to sneer at her attempt to close them and
parted lips and sharp white teeth that sneered too«
Heathcliff betrays one solitary human feeling and that is not his love for
Catherine which is a sentiment fierce and inhuman a passion such as might boil
and glow in the bad essence of some evil genius a fire that might form the
tormented centre the eversuffering soul of a magnate of the infernal world
and by its quenchless and ceaseless ravage effect the execution of the decree
which dooms him to carry Hell with him wherever he wanders No the single link
that connects Heathcliff with humanity is his rudely confessed regard for
Hareton Earnshaw the young man whom he has ruined and then his halfimplied
esteem for Nelly Dean These solitary traits omitted we should say he was child
neither of Lascar nor gipsy but a mans shape animated by demon life a Ghoul
an Afreet
Whether it is right or advisable to create beings like Heathcliff I do not
know I scarcely think it is But this I know the writer who possesses the
creative gift owns something of which he is not always master something that
at times strangely wills and works for itself He may lay down rules and devise
principles and to rules and principles it will perhaps for years lie in
subjection and then haply without any warning of revolt there comes a time
when it will no longer consent to »harrow the vallies or be bound with a band
in the furrow« when it »laughs at the multitude of the city and regards not
the crying of the driver« when refusing absolutely to make ropes out of
seasand any longer it sets to work on statuehewing and you have a Pluto or a
Jove a Tisiphone or a Psyche a Mermaid or a Madonna as Fate or Inspiration
direct Be the work grim or glorious dread or divine you have little choice
left but quiescent adoption As for you the nominal artist your share in it
has been to work passively under dictates you neither delivered nor could
question that would not be uttered at your prayer nor suppressed nor changed
at your caprice If the result be attractive the World will praise you who
little deserve praise if it be repulsive the same World will blame you who
almost as little deserve blame
»Wuthering Heights« was hewn in a wild workshop with simple tools out of
homely materials The statuary found a granite block on a solitary moor gazing
thereon he saw how from the crag might be elicited a head savage swart
sinister a form moulded with at least one element of grandeur power He
wrought with a rude chisel and from no model but the vision of his meditations
With time and labour the crag took human shape and there it stands colossal
dark and frowning half statue half rock in the former sense terrible and
goblinlike in the latter almost beautiful for its colouring is of mellow
grey and moorland moss clothes it and heath with its blooming bells and balmy
fragrance grows faithfully close to the giants foot
CURRER BELL
Chapter I
1801 I have just returned from a visit to my landlord the solitary
neighbour that I shall be troubled with This is certainly a beautiful country
In all England I do not believe that I could have fixed on a situation so
completely removed from the stir of society A perfect misanthropists Heaven
and Mr Heathcliff and I are such a suitable pair to divide the desolation
between us A capital fellow He little imagined how my heart warmed towards him
when I beheld his black eyes withdraw so suspiciously under their brows as I
rode up and when his fingers sheltered themselves with a jealous resolution
still further in his waistcoat as I announced my name
»Mr Heathcliff« I said
A nod was the answer
»Mr Lockwood your new tenant sir I do myself the honour of calling as
soon as possible after my arrival to express the hope that I have not
inconvenienced you by my perseverance in soliciting the occupation of
Thrushcross Grange I heard yesterday you had had some thoughts «
»Thrushcross Grange is my own sir« he interrupted wincing »I should not
allow any one to inconvenience me if I could hinder it walk in«
The walk in was uttered with closed teeth and expressed the sentiment »Go
to the Deuce« even the gate over which he leant manifested no sympathizing
movement to the words and I think that circumstance determined me to accept the
invitation I felt interested in a man who seemed more exaggeratedly reserved
than myself
When he saw my horses breast fairly pushing the barrier he did pull out
his hand to unchain it and then sullenly preceded me up the causeway calling
as we entered the court
»Joseph take Mr Lockwoods horse and bring up some wine«
»Here we have the whole establishment of domestics I suppose« was the
reflection suggested by this compound order »No wonder the grass grows up
between the flags and cattle are the only hedgecutters«
Joseph was an elderly nay an old man very old perhaps though hale and
sinewy
»The Lord help us« he soliloquised in an undertone of peevish displeasure
while relieving me of my horse looking meantime in my face so sourly that I
charitably conjectured he must have need of divine aid to digest his dinner and
his pious ejaculation had no reference to my unexpected advent
Wuthering Heights is the name of Mr Heathcliffs dwelling Wuthering being
a significant provincial adjective descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to
which its station is exposed in stormy weather Pure bracing ventilation they
must have up there at all times indeed one may guess the power of the north
wind blowing over the edge by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at
the end of the house and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs
one way as if craving alms of the sun Happily the architect had foresight to
build it strong the narrow windows are deeply set in the wall and the corners
defended with large jutting stones
Before passing the threshold I paused to admire a quantity of grotesque
carving lavished over the front and especially about the principal door above
which among a wilderness of crumbling griffins and shameless little boys I
detected the date 1500 and the name »Hareton Earnshaw« I would have made a few
comments and requested a short history of the place from the surly owner but
his attitude at the door appeared to demand my speedy entrance or complete
departure and I had no desire to aggravate his impatience previous to
inspecting the penetralium
One step brought us into the family sittingroom without any introductory
lobby or passage they call it here the house preeminently It includes
kitchen and parlour generally but I believe at Wuthering Heights the kitchen
is forced to retreat altogether into another quarter at least I distinguished
a chatter of tongues and a clatter of culinary utensils deep within and I
observed no signs of roasting boiling or baking about the huge fireplace
nor any glitter of copper saucepans and tin cullenders on the walls One end
indeed reflected splendidly both light and heat from ranks of immense pewter
dishes interspersed with silver jugs and tankards towering row after row in
a vast oak dresser to the very roof The latter had never been underdrawn its
entire anatomy lay bare to an inquiring eye except where a frame of wood laden
with oatcakes and clusters of legs of beef mutton and ham concealed it Above
the chimney were sundry villainous old guns and a couple of horsepistols and
by way of ornament three gaudily painted canisters disposed along its ledge
The floor was of smooth white stone the chairs highbacked primitive
structures painted green one or two heavy black ones lurking in the shade In
an arch under the dresser reposed a huge livercoloured bitch pointer
surrounded by a swarm of squealing puppies and other dogs haunted other
recesses
The apartment and furniture would have been nothing extraordinary as
belonging to a homely northern farmer with a stubborn countenance and stalwart
limbs set out to advantage in kneebreeches and gaiters Such an individual
seated in his armchair his mug of ale frothing on the round table before him
is to be seen in any circuit of five or six miles among these hills if you go
at the right time after dinner But Mr Heathcliff forms a singular contrast
to his abode and style of living He is a dark skinned gipsy in aspect in
dress and manners a gentleman that is as much a gentleman as many a country
squire rather slovenly perhaps yet not looking amiss with his negligence
because he has an erect and handsome figure and rather morose possibly some
people might suspect him of a degree of underbred pride I have a sympathetic
chord within that tells me it is nothing of the sort I know by instinct his
reserve springs from an aversion to showy displays of feeling to
manifestations of mutual kindliness Hell love and hate equally under cover
and esteem it a species of impertinence to be loved or hated again No Im
running on too fast I bestow my own attributes over liberally on him Mr
Heathcliff may have entirely dissimilar reasons for keeping his hand out of the
way when he meets a would be acquaintance to those which actuate me Let me
hope my constitution is almost peculiar my dear mother used to say I should
never have a comfortable home and only last summer I proved myself perfectly
unworthy of one
While enjoying a month of fine weather at the seacoast I was thrown into
the company of a most fascinating creature a real goddess in my eyes as long
as she took no notice of me I never told my love vocally still if looks have
language the merest idiot might have guessed I was over head and ears she
understood me at last and looked a return the sweetest of all imaginable
looks and what did I do I confess it with shame shrunk icily into myself
like a snail at every glance retired colder and farther till finally the
poor innocent was led to doubt her own senses and overwhelmed with confusion
at her supposed mistake persuaded her mamma to decamp
By this curious turn of disposition I have gained the reputation of
deliberate heartlessness how undeserved I alone can appreciate
I took a seat at the end of the hearthstone opposite that towards which my
landlord advanced and filled up an interval of silence by attempting to caress
the canine mother who had left her nursery and was sneaking wolfishly to the
back of my legs her lip curled up and her white teeth watering for a snatch
My caress provoked a long guttural gnarl
»Youd better let the dog alone« growled Mr Heathcliff in unison
checking fiercer demonstrations with a punch of his foot »Shes not accustomed
to be spoiled not kept for a pet«
Then striding to a sidedoor he shouted again
»Joseph«
Joseph mumbled indistinctly in the depths of the cellar but gave no
intimation of ascending so his master dived down to him leaving me visàvis
the ruffianly bitch and a pair of grim shaggy sheep dogs who shared with her
a jealous guardianship over all my movements
Not anxious to come in contact with their fangs I sat still but
imagining they would scarcely understand tacit insults I unfortunately indulged
in winking and making faces at the trio and some turn of my physiognomy so
irritated madam that she suddenly broke into a fury and leapt on my knees I
flung her back and hastened to interpose the table between us This proceeding
roused the whole hive Halfadozen fourfooted fiends of various sizes and
ages issued from hidden dens to the common centre I felt my heels and
coatlaps peculiar subjects of assault and parrying off the larger combatants
as effectually as I could with the poker I was constrained to demand aloud
assistance from some of the household in reestablishing peace
Mr Heathcliff and his man climbed the cellar steps with vexatious phlegm I
dont think they moved one second faster than usual though the hearth was an
absolute tempest of worrying and yelping
Happily an inhabitant of the kitchen made more dispatch a lusty dame with
tucked up gown bare arms and fireflushed cheeks rushed into the midst of us
flourishing a fryingpan and used that weapon and her tongue to such purpose
that the storm subsided magically and she only remained heaving like a sea
after a high wind when her master entered on the scene
»What the devil is the matter« he asked eyeing me in a manner that I could
ill endure after this inhospitable treatment
»What the devil indeed« I muttered »The herd of possessed swine could
have had no worse spirits in them than those animals of yours sir You might as
well leave a stranger with a brood of tigers«
»They wont meddle with persons who touch nothing« he remarked putting the
bottle before me and restoring the displaced table »The dogs do right to be
vigilant Take a glass of wine«
»No thank you«
»Not bitten are you«
»If I had been I would have set my signet on the biter«
Heathcliffs countenance relaxed into a grin
»Come come« he said »you are flurried Mr Lockwood Here take a little
wine Guests are so exceedingly rare in this house that I and my dogs I am
willing to own hardly know how to receive them Your health sir«
I bowed and returned the pledge beginning to perceive that it would be
foolish to sit sulking for the misbehaviour of a pack of curs besides I felt
loth to yield the fellow further amusement at my expense since his humour took
that turn
He probably swayed by prudential considerations of the folly of offending
a good tenant relaxed a little in the laconic style of chipping off his
pronouns and auxiliary verbs and introduced what he supposed would be a
subject of interest to me a discourse on the advantages and disadvantages of my
present place of retirement
I found him very intelligent on the topics we touched and before I went
home I was encouraged so far as to volunteer another visit tomorrow
He evidently wished no repetition of my intrusion I shall go
notwithstanding It is astonishing how sociable I feel myself compared with him
Chapter II
Yesterday afternoon set in misty and cold I had half a mind to spend it by my
study fire instead of wading through heath and mud to Wuthering Heights
On coming up from dinner however NB I dine between twelve and one
oclock the housekeeper a matronly lady taken as a fixture along with the
house could not or would not comprehend my request that I might be served at
five On mounting the stairs with this lazy intention and stepping into the
room I saw a servantgirl on her knees surrounded by brushes and
coalscuttles and raising an infernal dust as she extinguished the flames with
heaps of cinders This spectacle drove me back immediately I took my hat and
after a four miles walk arrived at Heathcliffs garden gate just in time to
escape the first feathery flakes of a snow shower
On that bleak hill top the earth was hard with a black frost and the air
made me shiver through every limb Being unable to remove the chain I jumped
over and running up the flagged causeway bordered with straggling gooseberry
bushes knocked vainly for admittance till my knuckles tingled and the dogs
howled
»Wretched inmates« I ejaculated mentally »you deserve perpetual isolation
from your species for your churlish inhospitality At least I would not keep my
doors barred in the day time I dont care I will get in«
So resolved I grasped the latch and shook it vehemently Vinegarfaced
Joseph projected his head from a round window of the barn
»Whet are ye for« he shouted »T maisters dahn i t fowld Goa rahnd by
th end ut laith if yah went tuh spake tull him«
»Is there nobody inside to open the door« I hallooed responsively
»Theys nobbut t missis and shooll nut oppent an ye mak yer flaysome
dins till neeght«
»Why cannot you tell her who I am eh Joseph«
»Norne me Awll hae noa hend wit« muttered the head vanishing
The snow began to drive thickly I seized the handle to essay another trial
when a young man without coat and shouldering a pitchfork appeared in the
yard behind He hailed me to follow him and after marching through a
washhouse and a paved area containing a coalshed pump and pigeon cote we at
length arrived in the large warm cheerful apartment where I was formerly
received
It glowed delightfully in the radiance of an immense fire compounded of
coal peat and wood and near the table laid for a plentiful evening meal I
was pleased to observe the missis an individual whose existence I had never
previously suspected
I bowed and waited thinking she would bid me take a seat She looked at me
leaning back in her chair and remained motionless and mute
»Rough weather« I remarked »Im afraid Mrs Heathcliff the door must
bear the consequence of your servants leisure attendance I had hard work to
make them hear me«
She never opened her mouth I stared she stared also At any rate she
kept her eyes on me in a cool regardless manner exceedingly embarrassing and
disagreeable
»Sit down« said the young man gruffly »Hell be in soon«
I obeyed and hemmed and called the villain Juno who deigned at this
second interview to move the extreme tip of her tail in token of owning my
acquaintance
»A beautiful animal« I commenced again »Do you intend parting with the
little ones madam«
»They are not mine« said the amiable hostess more repellingly than
Heathcliff himself could have replied
»Ah your favourites are among these« I continued turning to an obscure
cushion full of something like cats
»A strange choice of favourites« she observed scornfully
Unluckily it was a heap of dead rabbits I hemmed once more and drew
closer to the hearth repeating my comment on the wildness of the evening
»You should not have come out« she said rising and reaching from the
chimney piece two of the painted canisters
Her position before was sheltered from the light now I had a distinct view
of her whole figure and countenance She was slender and apparently scarcely
past girlhood an admirable form and the most exquisite little face that I have
ever had the pleasure of beholding small features very fair flaxen ringlets
or rather golden hanging loose on her delicate neck and eyes had they been
agreeable in expression they would have been irresistible fortunately for my
susceptible heart the only sentiment they evinced hovered between scorn and a
kind of desperation singularly unnatural to be detected there
The canisters were almost out of her reach I made a motion to aid her she
turned upon me as a miser might turn if any one attempted to assist him in
counting his gold
»I dont want your help« she snapped »I can get them for myself«
»I beg your pardon« I hastened to reply
»Were you asked to tea« she demanded tying an apron over her neat black
frock and standing with a spoonful of the leaf poised over the pot
»I shall be glad to have a cup« I answered
»Were you asked« she repeated
»No« I said half smiling »You are the proper person to ask me«
She flung the tea back spoon and all and resumed her chair in a pet her
forehead corrugated and her red underlip pushed out like a childs ready to
cry
Meanwhile the young man had slung onto his person a decidedly shabby upper
garment and erecting himself before the blaze looked down on me from the
corner of his eyes for all the world as if there were some mortal feud
unavenged between us I began to doubt whether he were a servant or not his
dress and speech were both rude entirely devoid of the superiority observable
in Mr and Mrs Heathcliff his thick brown curls were rough and uncultivated
his whiskers encroached bearishly over his cheeks and his hands were embrowned
like those of a common labourer still his bearing was free almost haughty and
he showed none of a domestics assiduity in attending on the lady of the house
In the absence of clear proofs of his condition I deemed it best to abstain
from noticing his curious conduct and five minutes afterwards the entrance of
Heathcliff relieved me in some measure from my uncomfortable state
»You see sir I am come according to promise« I exclaimed assuming the
cheerful »and I fear I shall be weatherbound for half an hour if you can
afford me shelter during that space«
»Half an hour« he said shaking the white flakes from his clothes »I
wonder you should select the thick of a snowstorm to ramble about in Do you
know that you run a risk of being lost in the marshes People familiar with
these moors often miss their road on such evenings and I can tell you there
is no chance of a change at present«
»Perhaps I can get a guide among your lads and he might stay at the Grange
till morning could you spare me one«
»No I could not«
»Oh indeed Well then I must trust to my own sagacity«
»Umph«
»Are you going to mak th tea« demanded he of the shabby coat shifting his
ferocious gaze from me to the young lady
»Is he to have any« she asked appealing to Heathcliff
»Get it ready will you« was the answer uttered so savagely that I
started The tone in which the words were said revealed a genuine bad nature I
no longer felt inclined to call Heathcliff a capital fellow
When the preparations were finished he invited me with
»Now sir bring forward your chair« And we all including the rustic
youth drew round the table an austere silence prevailing while we discussed
our meal
I thought if I had caused the cloud it was my duty to make an effort to
dispel it They could not every day sit so grim and taciturn and it was
impossible however illtempered they might be that the universal scowl they
wore was their every day countenance
»It is strange« I began in the interval of swallowing one cup of tea and
receiving another »it is strange how custom can mould our tastes and ideas
many could not imagine the existence of happiness in a life of such complete
exile from the world as you spend Mr Heathcliff yet Ill venture to say
that surrounded by your family and with your amiable lady as the presiding
genius over your home and heart «
»My amiable lady« he interrupted with an almost diabolical sneer on his
face »Where is she my amiable lady«
»Mrs Heathcliff your wife I mean«
»Well yes Oh you would intimate that her spirit has taken the post of
ministering angel and guards the fortunes of Wuthering Heights even when her
body is gone Is that it«
Perceiving myself in a blunder I attempted to correct it I might have seen
there was too great a disparity between the ages of the parties to make it
likely that they were man and wife One was about forty a period of mental
vigour at which men seldom cherish the delusion of being married for love by
girls that dream is reserved for the solace of our declining years The other
did not look seventeen
Then it flashed upon me »the clown at my elbow who is drinking his tea out
of a basin and eating his bread with unwashed hands may be her husband
Heathcliff junior of course Here is the consequence of being buried alive
she has thrown herself away upon that boor from sheer ignorance that better
individuals existed A sad pity I must beware how I cause her to regret her
choice«
The last reflection may seem conceited it was not My neighbour struck me
as bordering on repulsive I knew through experience that I was tolerably
attractive
»Mrs Heathcliff is my daughterinlaw« said Heathcliff corroborating my
surmise He turned as he spoke a peculiar look in her direction a look of
hatred unless he has a most perverse set of facial muscles that will not like
those of other people interpret the language of his soul
»Ah certainly I see now you are the favoured possessor of the beneficent
fairy« I remarked turning to my neighbour
This was worse than before the youth grew crimson and clenched his fist
with every appearance of a meditated assault But he seemed to recollect
himself presently and smothered the storm in a brutal curse muttered on my
behalf which however I took care not to notice
»Unhappy in your conjectures sir« observed my host »we neither of us have
the privilege of owning your good fairy her mate is dead I said she was my
daughterinlaw therefore she must have married my son«
»And this young man is «
»Not my son assuredly«
Heathcliff smiled again as if it were rather too bold a jest to attribute
the paternity of that bear to him
»My name is Hareton Earnshaw« growled the other »and Id counsel you to
respect it«
»Ive shown no disrespect« was my reply laughing internally at the dignity
with which he announced himself
He fixed his eye on me longer than I cared to return the stare for fear I
might be tempted either to box his ears or render my hilarity audible I began
to feel unmistakably out of place in that pleasant family circle The dismal
spiritual atmosphere overcame and more than neutralized the glowing physical
comforts round me and I resolved to be cautious how I ventured under those
rafters a third time
The business of eating being concluded and no one uttering a word of
sociable conversation I approached a window to examine the weather
A sorrowful sight I saw dark night coming down prematurely and sky and
hills mingled in one bitter whirl of wind and suffocating snow
»I dont think it possible for me to get home now without a guide« I could
not help exclaiming »The roads will be buried already and if they were bare
I could scarcely distinguish a foot in advance«
»Hareton drive those dozen sheep into the barn porch Theyll be covered if
left in the fold all night and put a plank before them« said Heathcliff
»How must I do« I continued with rising irritation
There was no reply to my question and on looking round I saw only Joseph
bringing in a pail of porridge for the dogs and Mrs Heathcliff leaning over
the fire diverting herself with burning a bundle of matches which had fallen
from the chimneypiece as she restored the teacanister to its place
The former when he had deposited his burden took a critical survey of the
room and in cracked tones grated out
»Aw woonder hagh yah can faishion tub stand thear i idleness un war when
all on ems goan aght Bud yahre anowt audits noa use talking yahll niver
mend uh yer ill ways bud goa raight tuh t divil like yer mother afore ye«
I imagined for a moment that this piece of eloquence was addressed to me
and sufficiently enraged stepped towards the aged rascal with an intention of
kicking him out of the door
Mrs Heathcliff however checked me by her answer
»You scandalous old hypocrite« she replied »Are you not afraid of being
carried away bodily whenever you mention the devils name I warn you to
refrain from provoking me or Ill ask your abduction as a special favour Stop
look here Joseph« she continued taking a long dark book from a shelf »Ill
show you how far Ive progressed in the Black Art I shall soon be competent to
make a clear house of it The red cow didnt die by chance and your rheumatism
can hardly be reckoned among providential visitations«
»Oh wicked wicked« gasped the elder »may the Lord deliver us from evil«
»No reprobate you are a castaway be off or Ill hurt you seriously
Ill have you all modelled in wax and clay and the first who passes the limits
I fix shall Ill not say what he shall be done to but youll see Go Im
looking at you«
The little witch put a mock malignity into her beautiful eyes and Joseph
trembling with sincere horror hurried out praying and ejaculating wicked as he
went
I thought her conduct must be prompted by a species of dreary fun and now
that we were alone I endeavoured to interest her in my distress
»Mrs Heathcliff« I said earnestly »you must excuse me for troubling you
I presume because with that face Im sure you cannot help being
goodhearted Do point out some landmarks by which I may know my way home I
have no more idea how to get there than you would have how to get to London«
»Take the road you came« she answered ensconcing herself in a chair with
a candle and the long book open before her »It is brief advice but as sound
as I can give«
»Then if you hear of me being discovered dead in a bog or a pit full of
snow your conscience wont whisper that it is partly your fault«
»How so I cannot escort you They wouldnt let me go to the end of the
gardenwall«
»You I should be sorry to ask you to cross the threshold for my
convenience on such a night« I cried »I want you to tell me my way not to
show it or else to persuade Mr Heathcliff to give me a guide«
»Who There is himself Earnshaw Zillah Joseph and I Which would you
have«
»Are there no boys at the farm«
»No those are all«
»Then it follows that I am compelled to stay«
»That you may settle with your host I have nothing to do with it«
»I hope it will be a lesson to you to make no more rash journeys on these
hills« cried Heathcliffs stern voice from the kitchen entrance »As to staying
here I dont keep accommodations for visiters you must share a bed with
Hareton or Joseph if you do«
»I can sleep on a chair in this room« I replied
»No no A stranger is a stranger be he rich or poor it will not suit me
to permit any one the range of the place while I am off guard« said the
unmannerly wretch
With this insult my patience was at an end I uttered an expression of
disgust and pushed past him into the yard running against Earnshaw in my
haste It was so dark that I could not see the means of exit and as I wandered
round I heard another specimen of their civil behaviour amongst each other
At first the young man appeared about to befriend me
»Ill go with him as far as the park« he said
»Youll go with him to hell« exclaimed his master or whatever relation he
bore »And who is to look after the horses eh«
»A mans life is of more consequence than one evenings neglect of the
horses somebody must go« murmured Mrs Heathcliff more kindly than I
expected
»Not at your command« retorted Hareton »If you set store on him youd
better be quiet«
»Then I hope his ghost will haunt you and I hope Mr Heathcliff will never
get another tenant till the Grange is a ruin« she answered sharply
»Hearken hearken shoos cursing on em« muttered Joseph towards whom I
had been steering
He sat within earshot milking the cows by the aid of a lantern which I
seized unceremoniously and calling out that I would send it back on the morrow
rushed to the nearest postern
»Maister maister hes staling t lantern« shouted the ancient pursuing
my retreat »Hey Gnasher Hey dog Hey Wolf holld him holld him«
On opening the little door two hairy monsters flew at my throat bearing me
down and extinguishing the light while a mingled guffaw from Heathcliff and
Hareton put the copestone on my rage and humiliation
Fortunately the beasts seemed more bent on stretching their paws and
yawning and flourishing their tails than devouring me alive but they would
suffer no resurrection and I was forced to lie till their malignant masters
pleased to deliver me then hatless and trembling with wrath I ordered the
miscreants to let me out on their peril to keep me one minute longer with
several incoherent threats of retaliation that in their indefinite depth of
virulency smacked of King Lear
The vehemence of my agitation brought on a copious bleeding at the nose and
still Heathcliff laughed and still I scolded I dont know what would have
concluded the scene had there not been one person at hand rather more rational
than myself and more benevolent than my entertainer This was Zillah the stout
housewife who at length issued forth to inquire into the nature of the uproar
She thought that some of them had been laying violent hands on me and not
daring to attack her master she turned her vocal artillery against the younger
scoundrel
»Well Mr Earnshaw« she cried »I wonder what youll have agait next Are
we going to murder folk on our very doorstones I see this house will never do
for me look at t poor lad hes fair choking Wisht wisht you munnt go on
so come in and Ill cure that There now hold ye still«
With these words she suddenly splashed a pint of icy water down my neck and
pulled me into the kitchen Mr Heathcliff followed his accidental merriment
expiring quickly in his habitual moroseness
I was sick exceedingly and dizzy and faint and thus compelled perforce
to accept lodgings under his roof He told Zillah to give me a glass of brandy
and then passed on to the inner room while she condoled with me on my sorry
predicament and having obeyed his orders whereby I was somewhat revived
ushered me to bed
Chapter III
While leading the way upstairs she recommended that I should hide the candle
and not make a noise for her master had an odd notion about the chamber she
would put me in and never let anybody lodge there willingly
I asked the reason
She did not know she answered she had only lived there a year or two and
they had so many queer goings on she could not begin to be curious
Too stupified to be curious myself I fastened my door and glanced round for
the bed The whole furniture consisted of a chair a clothespress and a large
oak case with squares cut out near the top resembling coach windows
Having approached this structure I looked inside and perceived it to be a
singular sort of oldfashioned couch very conveniently designed to obviate the
necessity for every member of the family having a room to himself In fact it
formed a little closet and the ledge of a window which it enclosed served as
a table
I slid back the panelled sides got in with my light pulled them together
again and felt secure against the vigilance of Heathcliff and every one else
The ledge where I placed my candle had a few mildewed books piled up in
one corner and it was covered with writing scratched on the paint This
writing however was nothing but a name repeated in all kinds of characters
large and small Catherine Earnshaw here and there varied to Catherine
Heathcliff and then again to Catherine Linton
In vapid listlessness I leant my head against the window and continued
spelling over Catherine Earnshaw Heathcliff Linton till my eyes closed but
they had not rested five minutes when a glare of white letters started from the
dark as vivid as spectres the air swarmed with Catherines and rousing myself
to dispel the obtrusive name I discovered my candle wick reclining on one of
the antique volumes and perfuming the place with an odour of roasted calfskin
I snuffed it off and very ill at ease under the influence of cold and
lingering nausea sat up and spread open the injured tome on my knee It was a
Testament in lean type and smelling dreadfully musty a flyleaf bore the
inscription »Catherine Earnshaw her book« and a date some quarter of a
century back
I shut it and took up another and another till I had examined all
Catherines library was select and its state of dilapidation proved it to have
been well used though not altogether for a legitimate purpose scarcely one
chapter had escaped a pen and ink commentary at least the appearance of one
covering every morsel of blank that the printer had left
Some were detached sentences other parts took the form of a regular diary
scrawled in an unformed childish hand At the top of an extra page quite a
treasure probably when first lighted on I was greatly amused to behold an
excellent caricature of my friend Joseph rudely yet powerfully sketched
An immediate interest kindled within me for the unknown Catherine and I
began forthwith to decypher her faded hieroglyphics
»An awful Sunday« commenced the paragraph beneath »I wish my father were
back again Hindley is a detestable substitute his conduct to Heathcliff is
atrocious H and I are going to rebel we took our initiatory step this
evening
All day had been flooding with rain we could not go to church so Joseph
must needs get up a congregation in the garret and while Hindley and his wife
basked down stairs before a comfortable fire doing anything but reading their
bibles Ill answer for it Heathcliff myself and the unhappy ploughboy were
commanded to take our Prayerbooks and mount we were ranged in a row on a
sack of corn groaning and shivering and hoping that Joseph would shiver too
so that he might give us a short homily for his own sake A vain idea The
service lasted precisely three hours and yet my brother had the face to
exclaim when he saw us descending
What done already«
»On Sunday evenings we used to be permitted to play if we did not make much
noise now a mere titter is sufficient to send us into corners
You forget you have a master here says the tyrant Ill demolish the first
who puts me out of temper I insist on perfect sobriety and silence Oh boy
was that you Frances darling pull his hair as you go by I heard him snap his
fingers
Frances pulled his hair heartily and then went and seated herself on her
husbands knee and there they were like two babies kissing and talking
nonsense by the hour foolish palaver that we should be ashamed of
We made ourselves as snug as our means allowed in the arch of the dresser I
had just fastened our pinafores together and hung them up for a curtain when
in comes Joseph on an errand from the stables He tears down my handy work
boxes my ears and croaks
T maister nobbut just buried and Sabbath nut oered und t sahnd uht
gospel still i yer lugs and yah darr be laiking shame on ye sit ye dahn ill
childer theys good books eneugh if yell read em sit ye dahn and think uh
yer sowls
Saying this he compelled us so to square our positions that we might
receive from the faroff fire a dull ray to show us the text of the lumber he
thrust upon us
I could not bear the employment I took my dingy volume by the scroop and
hurled it into the dogkennel vowing I hated a good book
Heathcliff kicked his to the same place
Then there was a hubbub
Maister Hindley shouted our chaplain Maister coom hither Miss Cathys
riven th back off »Th Helmet uh Salvation« un Heathcliffs pawsed his fit
intuh t first part uh »T Brooad Way to Destruction« Its fair flaysome ut yah
let em goa on this gait Ech th owd man ud uh laced em properly bud hes
goan
Hindley hurried up from his paradise on the hearth and seizing one of us by
the collar and the other by the arm hurled both into the backkitchen where
Joseph asseverated owd Nick would fetch us as sure as we were living and so
comforted we each sought a separate nook to await his advent
I reached this book and a pot of ink from a shelf and pushed the
housedoor ajar to give me light and I have got the time on with writing for
twenty minutes but my companion is impatient and proposes that we should
appropriate the dairy womans cloak and have a scamper on the moors under its
shelter A pleasant suggestion and then if the surly old man come in he may
believe his prophesy verified we cannot be damper or colder in the rain than
we are here«
I suppose Catherine fulfilled her project for the next sentence took up another
subject she waxed lachrymose
»How little did I dream that Hindley would ever make me cry so« she wrote
»My head aches till I cannot keep it on the pillow and still I cant give
over Poor Heathcliff Hindley calls him a vagabond and wont let him sit with
us nor eat with us any more and he says he and I must not play together and
threatens to turn him out of the house if we break his orders
He has been blaming our father how dared he for treating H too
liberally and swears he will reduce him to his right place «
I began to nod drowsily over the dim page my eye wandered from manuscript to
print I saw a red ornamented title »Seventy Times Seven and the First of
the Seventy First A Pious Discourse delivered by the Reverend Jabes Branderham
in the Chapel of Gimmerden Sough« And while I was half consciously worrying
my brain to guess what Jabes Branderham would make of his subject I sank back
in bed and fell asleep
Alas for the effects of bad tea and bad temper what else could it be that
made me pass such a terrible night I dont remember another that I can at all
compare with it since I was capable of suffering
I began to dream almost before I ceased to be sensible of my locality I
thought it was morning and I had set out on my way home with Joseph for a
guide The snow lay yards deep in our road and as we floundered on my
companion wearied me with constant reproaches that I had not brought a pilgrims
staff telling me I could never get into the house without one and boastfully
flourishing a heavyheaded cudgel which I understood to be so denominated
For a moment I considered it absurd that I should need such a weapon to gain
admittance into my own residence Then a new idea flashed across me I was not
going there we were journeying to hear the famous Jabes Branderham preach from
the text »Seventy Times Seven« and either Joseph the preacher or I had
committed the »First of the Seventy First« and were to be publicly exposed and
excommunicated
We came to the chapel I have passed it really in my walks twice or
thrice it lies in a hollow between two hills an elevated hollow near a
swamp whose peaty moisture is said to answer all the purposes of embalming on
the few corpses deposited there The roof has been kept whole hitherto but as
the clergymans stipend is only twenty pounds per annum and a house with two
rooms threatening speedily to determine into one no clergyman will undertake
the duties of pastor especially as it is currently reported that his flock
would rather let him starve than increase the living by one penny from their own
pockets However in my dream Jabes had a full and attentive congregation and
he preached good God what a sermon Divided into four hundred and ninety
parts each fully equal to an ordinary address from the pulpit and each
discussing a separate sin Where he searched for them I cannot tell he had his
private manner of interpreting the phrase and it seemed necessary the brother
should sin different sins on every occasion
They were of the most curious character odd transgressions that I never
imagined previously
Oh how weary I grew How I writhed and yawned and nodded and revived
How I pinched and pricked myself and rubbed my eyes and stood up and sat down
again and nudged Joseph to inform me if he would ever have done
I was condemned to hear all out finally he reached the »First of the
SeventyFirst« At that crisis a sudden inspiration descended on me I was
moved to rise and denounce Jabes Branderham as the sinner of the sin that no
Christian need pardon
»Sir« I exclaimed »sitting here within these four walls at one stretch
I have endured and forgiven the four hundred and ninety heads of your discourse
Seventy times seven times have I plucked up my hat and been about to depart
Seventy times seven times have you preposterously forced me to resume my seat
The four hundred and ninetyfirst is too much Fellow martyrs have at him Drag
him down and crush him to atoms that the place which knows him may know him no
more«
»Thou art the Man« cried Jabes after a solemn pause leaning over his
cushion »Seventy times seven times didst thou gapingly contort thy visage
seventy times seven did I take counsel with my soul Lo this is human
weakness this also may be absolved The First of the SeventyFirst is come
Brethren execute upon him the judgment written such honour have all His
saints«
With that concluding word the whole assembly exalting their pilgrims
staves rushed round me in a body and I having no weapon to raise in
selfdefence commenced grappling with Joseph my nearest and most ferocious
assailant for his In the confluence of the multitude several clubs crossed
blows aimed at me fell on other sconces Presently the whole chapel resounded
with rappings and counterrappings Every mans hand was against his neighbour
and Branderham unwilling to remain idle poured forth his zeal in a shower of
loud taps on the boards of the pulpit which responded so smartly that at last
to my unspeakable relief they woke me
And what was it that had suggested the tremendous tumult what had played
Jabes part in the row Merely the branch of a firtree that touched my
lattice as the blast wailed by and rattled its dry cones against the panes
I listened doubtingly an instant detected the disturber then turned and
dosed and dreamt again if possible still more disagreeably than before
This time I remembered I was lying in the oak closet and I heard
distinctly the gusty wind and the driving of the snow I heard also the
firbough repeat its teasing sound and ascribed it to the right cause but it
annoyed me so much that I resolved to silence it if possible and I thought
I rose and endeavoured to unhasp the casement The hook was soldered into the
staple a circumstance observed by me when awake but forgotten
»I must stop it nevertheless« I muttered knocking my knuckles through the
glass and stretching an arm out to seize the importunate branch instead of
which my fingers closed on the fingers of a little icecold hand
The intense horror of nightmare came over me I tried to draw back my arm
but the hand clung to it and a most melancholy voice sobbed
»Let me in let me in«
»Who are you« I asked struggling meanwhile to disengage myself
»Catherine Linton« it replied shiveringly why did I think of Linton I
had read Earnshaw twenty times for Linton »Im come home Id lost my way on
the moor«
As it spoke I discerned obscurely a childs face looking through the
window Terror made me cruel and finding it useless to attempt shaking the
creature off I pulled its wrist on to the broken pane and rubbed it to and fro
till the blood ran down and soaked the bedclothes still it wailed »Let me
in« and maintained its tenacious gripe almost maddening me with fear
»How can I« I said at length »Let me go if you want me to let you in«
The fingers relaxed I snatched mine through the hole hurriedly piled the
books up in a pyramid against it and stopped my ears to exclude the lamentable
prayer
I seemed to keep them closed above a quarter of an hour yet the instant I
listened again there was the doleful cry moaning on
»Begone« I shouted »Ill never let you in not if you beg for twenty
years«
»Its twenty years« mourned the voice »twenty years Ive been a waif for
twenty years«
Thereat began a feeble scratching outside and the pile of books moved as if
thrust forward
I tried to jump up but could not stir a limb and so yelled aloud in a
frenzy of fright
To my confusion I discovered the yell was not ideal Hasty footsteps
approached my chamber door somebody pushed it open with a vigorous hand and a
light glimmered through the squares at the top of the bed I sat shuddering
yet and wiping the perspiration from my forehead the intruder appeared to
hesitate and muttered to himself
At last he said in a halfwhisper plainly not expecting an answer
»Is any one here«
I considered it best to confess my presence for I knew Heathcliffs
accents and feared he might search further if I kept quiet
With this intention I turned and opened the panels I shall not soon
forget the effect my action produced
Heathcliff stood near the entrance in his shirt and trousers with a candle
dripping over his fingers and his face as white as the wall behind him The
first creak of the oak startled him like an electric shock the light leaped
from his hold to a distance of some feet and his agitation was so extreme that
he could hardly pick it up
»It is only your guest sir« I called out desirous to spare him the
humiliation of exposing his cowardice further »I had the misfortune to scream
in my sleep owing to a frightful nightmare Im sorry I disturbed you«
»Oh God confound you Mr Lockwood I wish you were at the « commenced my
host setting the candle on a chair because he found it impossible to hold it
steady
»And who showed you up to this room« he continued crushing his nails into
his palms and grinding his teeth to subdue the maxillary convulsions »Who was
it Ive a good mind to turn them out of the house this moment«
»It was your servant Zillah« I replied flinging myself on to the floor
and rapidly resuming my garments »I should not care if you did Mr Heathcliff
she richly deserves it I suppose that she wanted to get another proof that the
place was haunted at my expense Well it is swarming with ghosts and
goblins You have reason in shutting it up I assure you No one will thank you
for a dose in such a den«
»What do you mean« asked Heathcliff »and what are you doing Lie down and
finish out the night since you are here but for Heavens sake dont repeat
that horrid noise Nothing could excuse it unless you were having your throat
cut«
»If the little fiend had got in at the window she probably would have
strangled me« I returned »Im not going to endure the persecutions of your
hospitable ancestors again Was not the Reverend Jabes Branderham akin to you
on the mothers side And that minx Catherine Linton or Earnshaw or however
she was called she must have been a changeling wicked little soul She told
me she had been walking the earth these twenty years a just punishment for her
mortal transgressions Ive no doubt«
Scarcely were these words uttered when I recollected the association of
Heathcliffs with Catherines name in the book which had completely slipped
from my memory till thus awakened I blushed at my inconsideration but without
showing further consciousness of the offence I hastened to add
»The truth is sir I passed the first part of the night in « Here I
stopped afresh I was about to say »perusing those old volumes« then it would
have revealed my knowledge of their written as well as their printed contents
so correcting myself I went on
»In spelling over the name scratched on that windowledge A monotonous
occupation calculated to set me asleep like counting or «
»What can you mean by talking in this way to me« thundered Heathcliff with
savage vehemence »How how dare you under my roof God hes mad to speak
so« And he struck his forehead with rage
I did not know whether to resent this language or pursue my explanation
but he seemed so powerfully affected that I took pity and proceeded with my
dreams affirming I had never heard the appellation of »Catherine Linton«
before but reading it often over produced an impression which personified
itself when I had no longer my imagination under control
Heathcliff gradually fell back into the shelter of the bed as I spoke
finally sitting down almost concealed behind it I guessed however by his
irregular and intercepted breathing that he struggled to vanquish an access of
violent emotion
Not liking to show him that I heard the conflict I continued my toilette
rather noisily looked at my watch and soliloquised on the length of the night
»Not three oclock yet I could have taken oath it had been six time
stagnates here we must surely have retired to rest at eight«
»Always at nine in winter and always rise at four« said my host
suppressing a groan and as I fancied by the motion of his shadows arm
dashing a tear from his eyes
»Mr Lockwood« he added »you may go into my room youll only be in the
way coming down stairs so early and your childish outcry has sent sleep to the
devil for me«
»And for me too« I replied »Ill walk in the yard till daylight and then
Ill be off and you need not dread a repetition of my intrusion I am now quite
cured of seeking pleasure in society be it country or town A sensible man
ought to find sufficient company in himself«
»Delightful company« muttered Heathcliff »Take the candle and go where
you please I shall join you directly Keep out of the yard though the dogs
are unchained and the house Juno mounts sentinel there and nay you can
only ramble about the steps and passages but away with you Ill come in two
minutes«
I obeyed so far as to quit the chamber when ignorant where the narrow
lobbies led I stood still and was witness involuntarily to a piece of
superstition on the part of my landlord which belied oddly his apparent
sense
He got on to the bed and wrenched open the lattice bursting as he pulled
at it into an uncontrollable passion of tears
»Come in come in« he sobbed »Cathy do come Oh do once more Oh my
hearts darling hear me this time Catherine at last«
The spectre showed a spectres ordinary caprice it gave no sign of being
but the snow and wind whirled wildly through even reaching my station and
blowing out the light
There was such anguish in the gush of grief that accompanied this raving
that my compassion made me overlook its folly and I drew off half angry to
have listened at all and vexed at having related my ridiculous nightmare since
it produced that agony though why was beyond my comprehension
I descended cautiously to the lower regions and landed in the backkitchen
where a gleam of fire raked compactly together enabled me to rekindle my
candle
Nothing was stirring except a brindled grey cat which crept from the
ashes and saluted me with a querulous mew
Two benches shaped in sections of a circle nearly enclosed the hearth on
one of these I stretched myself and Grimalkin mounted the other We were both
of us nodding ere any one invaded our retreat and then it was Joseph shuffling
down a wooden ladder that vanished in the roof through a trap the ascent to
his garret I suppose
He cast a sinister look at the little flame which I had enticed to play
between the ribs swept the cat from its elevation and bestowing himself in the
vacancy commenced the operation of stuffing a threeinch pipe with tobacco my
presence in his sanctum was evidently esteemed a piece of impudence too shameful
for remark He silently applied the tube to his lips folded his arms and
puffed away
I let him enjoy the luxury unannoyed and after sucking out the last
wreath and heaving a profound sigh he got up and departed as solemnly as he
came
A more elastic footstep entered next and now I opened my mouth for a good
morning but closed it again the salutation unachieved for Hareton Earnshaw
was performing his orisons sotto voce in a series of curses directed against
every object he touched while he rummaged a corner for a spade or shovel to
dig through the drifts He glanced over the back of the bench dilating his
nostrils and thought as little of exchanging civilities with me as with my
companion the cat
I guessed by his preparations that egress was allowed and leaving my hard
couch made a movement to follow him He noticed this and thrust at an inner
door with the end of his spade intimating by an inarticulate sound that there
was the place where I must go if I changed my locality
It opened into the house where the females were already astir Zillah
urging flakes of flame up the chimney with a colossal bellows and Mrs
Heathcliff kneeling on the hearth reading a book by the aid of the blaze
She held her hand interposed between the furnaceheat and her eyes and
seemed absorbed in her occupation desisting from it only to chide the servant
for covering her with sparks or to push away a dog now and then that snoozled
its nose over forwardly into her face
I was surprised to see Heathcliff there also He stood by the fire his back
towards me just finishing a stormy scene to poor Zillah who ever and anon
interrupted her labour to pluck up the corner of her apron and heave an
indignant groan
»And you you worthless « he broke out as I entered turning to his
daughterinlaw and employing an epithet as harmless as duck or sheep but
generally represented by a dash
»There you are at your idle tricks again The rest of them do earn their
bread you live on my charity Put your trash away and find something to do
You shall pay me for the plague of having you eternally in my sight do you
hear damnable jade«
»Ill put my trash away because you can make me if I refuse« answered the
young lady closing her book and throwing it on a chair »But Ill not do
anything though you should swear your tongue out except what I please«
Heathcliff lifted his hand and the speaker sprang to a safer distance
obviously acquainted with its weight
Having no desire to be entertained by a cat and dog combat I stepped
forward briskly as if eager to partake the warmth of the hearth and innocent
of any knowledge of the interrupted dispute Each had enough decorum to suspend
further hostilities Heathcliff placed his fists out of temptation in his
pockets Mrs Heathcliff curled her lip and walked to a seat far off where she
kept her word by playing the part of a statue during the remainder of my stay
That was not long I declined joining their breakfast and at the first
gleam of dawn took an opportunity of escaping into the free air now clear and
still and cold as impalpable ice
My landlord hallooed for me to stop ere I reached the bottom of the garden
and offered to accompany me across the moor It was well he did for the whole
hillback was one billowy white ocean the swells and falls not indicating
corresponding rises and depressions in the ground many pits at least were
filled to a level and entire ranges of mounds the refuse of the quarries
blotted from the chart which my yesterdays walk left pictured in my mind
I had remarked on one side of the road at intervals of six or seven yards
a line of upright stones continued through the whole length of the barren
these were erected and daubed with lime on purpose to serve as guides in the
dark and also when a fall like the present confounded the deep swamps on
either hand with the firmer path but excepting a dirty dot pointing up here
and there all traces of their existence had vanished and my companion found it
necessary to warn me frequently to steer to the right or left when I imagined
I was following correctly the windings of the road
We exchanged little conversation and he halted at the entrance of
Thrushcross park saying I could make no error there Our adieux were limited
to a hasty bow and then I pushed forward trusting to my own resources for the
porters lodge is untenanted as yet
The distance from the gate to the Grange is two miles I believe I managed
to make it four what with losing myself among the trees and sinking up to the
neck in snow a predicament which only those who have experienced it can
appreciate At any rate whatever were my wanderings the clock chimed twelve as
I entered the house and that gave exactly an hour for every mile of the usual
way from Wuthering Heights
My human fixture and her satellites rushed to welcome me exclaiming
tumultuously they had completely given me up everybody conjectured that I
perished last night and they were wondering how they must set about the search
for my remains
I bid them be quiet now that they saw me returned and benumbed to my very
heart I dragged upstairs whence after putting on dry clothes and pacing to
and fro thirty or forty minutes to restore the animal heat I am adjourned to
my study feeble as a kitten almost too much so to enjoy the cheerful fire and
smoking coffee which the servant has prepared for my refreshment
Chapter IV
What vain weathercocks we are I who had determined to hold myself independent
of all social intercourse and thanked my stars that at length I had lighted
on a spot where it was next to impracticable I weak wretch after maintaining
till dusk a struggle with low spirits and solitude was finally compelled to
strike my colours and under pretence of gaining information concerning the
necessities of my establishment I desired Mrs Dean when she brought in
supper to sit down while I ate it hoping sincerely she would prove a regular
gossip and either rouse me to animation or lull me to sleep by her talk
»You have lived here a considerable time« I commenced »did you not say
sixteen years«
»Eighteen sir I came when the mistress was married to wait on her after
she died the master retained me for his housekeeper«
»Indeed«
There ensued a pause She was not a gossip I feared unless about her own
affairs and those could hardly interest me
However having studied for an interval with a fist on either knee and a
cloud of meditation over her ruddy countenance she ejaculated
»Ah times are greatly changed since then«
»Yes« I remarked »youve seen a good many alterations I suppose«
»I have and troubles too« she said
»Oh Ill turn the talk on my landlords family« I thought to myself »A
good subject to start and that pretty girlwidow I should like to know her
history whether she be a native of the country or as is more probable an
exotic that the surly indigenae will not recognise for kin«
With this intention I asked Mrs Dean why Heathcliff let Thrushcross Grange
and preferred living in a situation and residence so much inferior
»Is he not rich enough to keep the estate in good order« I enquired
»Rich sir« she returned »He has nobody knows what money and every year
it increases Yes yes hes rich enough to live in a finer house than this but
hes very near closehanded and if he had meant to flit to Thrushcross
Grange as soon as he heard of a good tenant he could not have borne to miss
the chance of getting a few hundreds more It is strange people should be so
greedy when they are alone in the world«
»He had a son it seems«
»Yes he had one he is dead«
»And that young lady Mrs Heathcliff is his widow«
»Yes«
»Where did she come from originally«
»Why sir she is my late masters daughter Catherine Linton was her maiden
name I nursed her poor thing I did wish Mr Heathcliff would remove here and
then we might have been together again«
»What Catherine Linton« I exclaimed astonished But a minutes reflection
convinced me it was not my ghostly Catherine »Then« I continued »my
predecessors name was Linton«
»It was«
»And who is that Earnshaw Hareton Earnshaw who lives with Mr Heathcliff
are they relations«
»No he is the late Mrs Lintons nephew«
»The young ladys cousin then«
»Yes and her husband was her cousin also one on the mothers the
other on the fathers side Heathcliff married Mr Lintons sister«
»I see the house at Wuthering Heights has Earnshaw carved over the front
door Are they an old family«
»Very old sir and Hareton is the last of them as our Miss Cathy is of us
I mean of the Lintons Have you been to Wuthering Heights I beg pardon for
asking but I should like to hear how she is«
»Mrs Heathcliff she looked very well and very handsome yet I think not
very happy«
»Oh dear I dont wonder And how did you like the master«
»A rough fellow rather Mrs Dean Is not that his character«
»Rough as a sawedge and hard as whinstone The less you meddle with him
the better«
»He must have had some ups and downs in life to make him such a churl Do
you know anything of his history«
»Its a cuckoos sir I know all about it except where he was born and
who were his parents and how he got his money at first And Hareton has been
cast out like an unfledged dunnock The unfortunate lad is the only one in all
this parish that does not guess how he has been cheated«
»Well Mrs Dean it will be a charitable deed to tell me something of my
neighbours I feel I shall not rest if I go to bed so be good enough to sit
and chat an hour«
»Oh certainly sir Ill just fetch a little sewing and then Ill sit as
long as you please But youve caught cold I saw you shivering and you must
have some gruel to drive it out«
The worthy woman bustled off and I crouched nearer the fire my head felt
hot and the rest of me chill moreover I was excited almost to a pitch of
foolishness through my nerves and brain This caused me to feel not
uncomfortable but rather fearful as I am still of serious effects from the
incidents of today and yesterday
She returned presently bringing a smoking basin and a basket of work and
having placed the former on the hob drew in her seat evidently pleased to find
me so companionable
Before I came to live here she commenced waiting no further invitation to
her story I was almost always at Wuthering Heights because my mother had
nursed Mr Hindley Earnshaw that was Haretons father and I got used to
playing with the children I ran errands too and helped to make hay and hung
about the farm ready for anything that anybody would set me to
One fine summer morning it was the beginning of harvest I remember Mr
Earnshaw the old master came down stairs dressed for a journey and after he
had told Joseph what was to be done during the day he turned to Hindley and
Cathy and me for I sat eating my porridge with them and he said speaking
to his son
»Now my bonny man Im going to Liverpool today What shall I bring
you You may choose what you like only let it be little for I shall walk there
and back sixty miles each way that is a long spell«
Hindley named a fiddle and then he asked Miss Cathy she was hardly six
years old but she could ride any horse in the stable and she chose a whip
He did not forget me for he had a kind heart though he was rather severe
sometimes He promised to bring me a pocketful of apples and pears and then he
kissed his children good bye and set off
It seemed a long while to us all the three days of his absence and often
did little Cathy ask when he would be home Mrs Earnshaw expected him by
suppertime on the third evening and she put the meal off hour after hour
there were no signs of his coming however and at last the children got tired
of running down to the gate to look Then it grew dark she would have had them
to bed but they begged sadly to be allowed to stay up and just about eleven
oclock the doorlatch was raised quietly and in stept the master He threw
himself into a chair laughing and groaning and bid them all stand off for he
was nearly killed he would not have such another walk for the three kingdoms
»And at the end of it to be flighted to death« he said opening his great
coat which he held bundled up in his arms »See here wife I was never so
beaten with anything in my life but you must een take it as a gift of God
though its as dark almost as if it came from the devil«
We crowded round and over Miss Cathys head I had a peep at a dirty
ragged blackhaired child big enough both to walk and talk indeed its face
looked older than Catherines yet when it was set on its feet it only stared
round and repeated over and over again some gibberish that nobody could
understand I was frightened and Mrs Earnshaw was ready to fling it out of
doors she did fly up asking how he could fashion to bring that gipsy brat
into the house when they had their own bairns to feed and fend for What he
meant to do with it and whether he were mad
The master tried to explain the matter but he was really half dead with
fatigue and all that I could make out amongst her scolding was a tale of his
seeing it starving and houseless and as good as dumb in the streets of
Liverpool where he picked it up and inquired for its owner Not a soul knew to
whom it belonged he said and his money and time being both limited he
thought it better to take it home with him at once than run into vain
expenses there because he was determined he would not leave it as he found it
Well the conclusion was that my mistress grumbled herself calm and Mr
Earnshaw told me to wash it and give it clean things and let it sleep with the
children
Hindley and Cathy contented themselves with looking and listening till peace
was restored then both began searching their fathers pockets for the presents
he had promised them The former was a boy of fourteen but when he drew out
what had been a fiddle crushed to morsels in the great coat he blubbered aloud
and Cathy when she learnt the master had lost her whip in attending on the
stranger showed her humour by grinning and spitting at the stupid little thing
earning for her pains a sound blow from her father to teach her cleaner
manners
They entirely refused to have it in bed with them or even in their room
and I had no more sense so I put it on the landing of the stairs hoping it
might be gone on the morrow By chance or else attracted by hearing his voice
it crept to Mr Earnshaws door and there he found it on quitting his chamber
Inquiries were made as to how it got there I was obliged to confess and in
recompense for my cowardice and inhumanity was sent out of the house
This was Heathcliffs first introduction to the family on coming back a few
days afterwards for I did not consider my banishment perpetual I found they
had christened him Heathcliff it was the name of a son who died in childhood
and it has served him ever since both for christian and surname
Miss Cathy and he were now very thick but Hindley hated him and to say the
truth I did the same and we plagued and went on with him shamefully for I
wasnt reasonable enough to feel my injustice and the mistress never put in a
word on his behalf when she saw him wronged
He seemed a sullen patient child hardened perhaps to illtreatment he
would stand Hindleys blows without winking or shedding a tear and my pinches
moved him only to draw in a breath and open his eyes as if he had hurt himself
by accident and nobody was to blame
This endurance made old Earnshaw furious when he discovered his son
persecuting the poor fatherless child as he called him He took to Heathcliff
strangely believing all he said for that matter he said precious little
and generally the truth and petting him up far above Cathy who was too
mischievous and wayward for a favourite
So from the very beginning he bred bad feeling in the house and at Mrs
Earnshaws death which happened in less than two years after the young master
had learnt to regard his father as an oppressor rather than a friend and
Heathcliff as a usurper of his parents affections and his privileges and he
grew bitter with brooding over these injuries
I sympathised awhile but when the children fell ill of the measles and I
had to tend them and take on me the cares of a woman at once I changed my
ideas Heathcliff was dangerously sick and while he lay at the worst he would
have me constantly by his pillow I suppose he felt I did a good deal for him
and he hadnt wit to guess that I was compelled to do it However I will say
this he was the quietest child that ever nurse watched over The difference
between him and the others forced me to be less partial Cathy and her brother
harassed me terribly he was as uncomplaining as a lamb though hardness not
gentleness made him give little trouble
He got through and the doctor affirmed it was in a great measure owing to
me and praised me for my care I was vain of his commendations and softened
towards the being by whose means I earned them and thus Hindley lost his last
ally still I couldnt dote on Heathcliff and I wondered often what my master
saw to admire so much in the sullen boy who never to my recollection repaid
his indulgence by any sign of gratitude He was not insolent to his benefactor
he was simply insensible though knowing perfectly the hold he had on his heart
and conscious he had only to speak and all the house would be obliged to bend to
his wishes
As an instance I remember Mr Earnshaw once bought a couple of colts at the
parish fair and gave the lads each one Heathcliff took the handsomest but it
soon fell lame and when he discovered it he said to Hindley
»You must exchange horses with me I dont like mine and if you wont I
shall tell your father of the three thrashings youve given me this week and
show him my arm which is black to the shoulder«
Hindley put out his tongue and cuffed him over the ears
»Youd better do it at once« he persisted escaping to the porch they
were in the stable »you will have to and if I speak of these blows youll
get them again with interest«
»Off dog« cried Hindley threatening him with an iron weight used for
weighing potatoes and hay
»Throw it« he replied standing still »and then Ill tell how you boasted
that you would turn me out of doors as soon as he died and see whether he will
not turn you out directly«
Hindley threw it hitting him on the breast and down he fell but staggered
up immediately breathless and white and had not I prevented it he would have
gone just so to the master and got full revenge by letting his condition plead
for him intimating who had caused it
»Take my colt gipsy then« said young Earnshaw »And I pray that he may
break your neck take him and be damned you beggarly interloper and wheedle
my father out of all he has only afterwards show him what you are imp of
Satan And take that I hope hell kick out your brains«
Heathcliff had gone to loose the beast and shift it to his own stall He
was passing behind it when Hindley finished his speech by knocking him under
its feet and without stopping to examine whether his hopes were fulfilled ran
away as fast as he could
I was surprised to witness how coolly the child gathered himself up and
went on with his intention exchanging saddles and all and then sitting down on
a bundle of hay to overcome the qualm which the violent blow occasioned before
he entered the house
I persuaded him easily to let me lay the blame of his bruises on the horse
he minded little what tale was told since he had what he wanted He complained
so seldom indeed of such stirs as these that I really thought him not
vindictive I was deceived completely as you will hear
Chapter V
In the course of time Mr Earnshaw began to fail He had been active and
healthy yet his strength left him suddenly and when he was confined to the
chimneycorner he grew grievously irritable A nothing vexed him and suspected
slights of his authority nearly threw him into fits
This was especially to be remarked if any one attempted to impose upon or
domineer over his favourite he was painfully jealous lest a word should be
spoken amiss to him seeming to have got into his head the notion that because
he liked Heathcliff all hated and longed to do him an illturn
It was a disadvantage to the lad for the kinder among us did not wish to
fret the master so we humoured his partiality and that humouring was rich
nourishment to the childs pride and black tempers Still it became in a manner
necessary twice or thrice Hindleys manifestation of scorn while his father
was near roused the old man to a fury He seized his stick to strike him and
shook with rage that he could not do it
At last our curate we had a curate then who made the living answer by
teaching the little Lintons and Earnshaws and farming his bit of land himself
he advised that the young man should be sent to college and Mr Earnshaw
agreed though with a heavy spirit for he said
»Hindley was nought and would never thrive as where he wandered«
I hoped heartily we should have peace now It hurt me to think the master
should be made uncomfortable by his own good deed I fancied the discontent of
age and disease arose from his family disagreements as he would have it that it
did really you know sir it was in his sinking frame
We might have got on tolerably notwithstanding but for two people Miss
Cathy and Joseph the servant you saw him I dare say up yonder He was and
is yet most likely the wearisomest selfrighteous pharisee that ever
ransacked a bible to rake the promises to himself and fling the curses on his
neighbours By his knack of sermonizing and pious discoursing he contrived to
make a great impression on Mr Earnshaw and the more feeble the master became
the more influence he gained
He was relentless in worrying him about his souls concerns and about
ruling his children rigidly He encouraged him to regard Hindley as a reprobate
and night after night he regularly grumbled out a long string of tales against
Heathcliff and Catherine always minding to flatter Earnshaws weakness by
heaping the heaviest blame on the last
Certainly she had ways with her such as I never saw a child take up before
and she put all of us past our patience fifty times and oftener in a day from
the hour she came down stairs till the hour she went to bed we had not a
minutes security that she wouldnt be in mischief Her spirits were always at
highwater mark her tongue always going singing laughing and plaguing
everybody who would not do the same A wild wick slip she was but she had
the bonniest eye and sweetest smile and lightest foot in the parish and
after all I believe she meant no harm for when once she made you cry in good
earnest it seldom happened that she would not keep you company and oblige you
to be quiet that you might comfort her
She was much too fond of Heathcliff The greatest punishment we could invent
for her was to keep her separate from him yet she got chided more than any of
us on his account
In play she liked exceedingly to act the little mistress using her hands
freely and commanding her companions she did so to me but I would not bear
slapping and ordering and so I let her know
Now Mr Earnshaw did not understand jokes from his children he had always
been strict and grave with them and Catherine on her part had no idea why her
father should be crosser and less patient in his ailing condition than he was
in his prime
His peevish reproofs wakened in her a naughty delight to provoke him she
was never so happy as when we were all scolding her at once and she defying us
with her bold saucy look and her ready words turning Josephs religious
curses into ridicule baiting me and doing just what her father hated most
showing how her pretended insolence which he thought real had more power over
Heathcliff than his kindness How the boy would do her bidding in anything and
his only when it suited his own inclination
After behaving as badly as possible all day she sometimes came fondling to
make it up at night
»Nay Cathy« the old man would say »I cannot love thee thourt worse than
thy brother Go say thy prayers child and ask Gods pardon I doubt thy
mother and I must rue that we ever reared thee«
That made her cry at first and then being repulsed continually hardened
her and she laughed if I told her to say she was sorry for her faults and beg
to be forgiven
But the hour came at last that ended Mr Earnshaws troubles on earth He
died quietly in his chair one October evening seated by the fireside
A high wind blustered round the house and roared in the chimney it sounded
wild and stormy yet it was not cold and we were all together I a little
removed from the hearth busy at my knitting and Joseph reading his Bible near
the table for the servants generally sat in the house then after their work
was done Miss Cathy had been sick and that made her still she leant against
her fathers knee and Heathcliff was lying on the floor with his head in her
lap
I remember the master before he fell into a doze stroking her bonny hair
it pleased him rarely to see her gentle and saying
»Why canst thou not always be a good lass Cathy«
And she turned her face up to his and laughed and answered
»Why cannot you always be a good man father«
But as soon as she saw him vexed again she kissed his hand and said she
would sing him to sleep She began singing very low till his fingers dropped
from hers and his head sank on his breast Then I told her to hush and not
stir for fear she should wake him We all kept as mute as mice a full
halfhour and should have done longer only Joseph having finished his
chapter got up and said that he must rouse the master for prayers and bed He
stepped forward and called him by name and touched his shoulder but he would
not move so he took the candle and looked at him
I thought there was something wrong as he set down the light and seizing
the children each by an arm whispered them to »frame upstairs and make little
din they might pray alone that evening he had summut to do«
»I shall bid father goodnight first« said Catherine putting her arms
round his neck before we could hinder her
The poor thing discovered her loss directly she screamed out
»Oh hes dead Heathcliff hes dead«
And they both set up a heartbreaking cry
I joined my wail to theirs loud and bitter but Joseph asked what we could
be thinking of to roar in that way over a saint in Heaven
He told me to put on my cloak and run to Gimmerton for the doctor and the
parson I could not guess the use that either would be of then However I
went through wind and rain and brought one the doctor back with me the
other said he would come in the morning
Leaving Joseph to explain matters I ran to the childrens room their door
was ajar I saw they had never laid down though it was past midnight but they
were calmer and did not need me to console them The little souls were
comforting each other with better thoughts than I could have hit on no parson
in the world ever pictured Heaven so beautifully as they did in their innocent
talk and while I sobbed and listened I could not help wishing we were all
there safe together
Chapter VI
Mr Hindley came home to the funeral and a thing that amazed us and set the
neighbours gossiping right and left he brought a wife with him
What she was and where she was born he never informed us probably she had
neither money nor name to recommend her or he would scarcely have kept the
union from his father
She was not one that would have disturbed the house much on her own account
Every object she saw the moment she crossed the threshold appeared to delight
her and every circumstance that took place about her except the preparing for
the burial and the presence of the mourners
I thought she was half silly from her behaviour while that went on she ran
into her chamber and made me come with her though I should have been dressing
the children and there she sat shivering and clasping her hands and asking
repeatedly
»Are they gone yet«
Then she began describing with hysterical emotion the effect it produced on
her to see black and started and trembled and at last fell a weeping and
when I asked what was the matter answered she didnt know but she felt so
afraid of dying
I imagined her as little likely to die as myself She was rather thin but
young and fresh complexioned and her eyes sparkled as bright as diamonds I
did remark to be sure that mounting the stairs made her breathe very quick
that the least sudden noise set her all in a quiver and that she coughed
troublesomely sometimes but I knew nothing of what these symptoms portended
and had no impulse to sympathize with her We dont in general take to
foreigners here Mr Lockwood unless they take to us first
Young Earnshaw was altered considerably in the three years of his absence
He had grown sparer and lost his colour and spoke and dressed quite
differently and on the very day of his return he told Joseph and me we must
thenceforth quarter ourselves in the backkitchen and leave the house for him
Indeed he would have carpeted and papered a small spare room for a parlour but
his wife expressed such pleasure at the white floor and huge glowing
fireplace at the pewter dishes and delfcase and dogkennel and the wide
space there was to move about in where they usually sat that he thought it
unnecessary to her comfort and so dropped the intention
She expressed pleasure too at finding a sister among her new acquaintance
and she prattled to Catherine and kissed her and ran about with her and gave
her quantities of presents at the beginning Her affection tired very soon
however and when she grew peevish Hindley became tyrannical A few words from
her evincing a dislike to Heathcliff were enough to rouse in him all his old
hatred of the boy He drove him from their company to the servants deprived him
of the instructions of the curate and insisted that he should labour out of
doors instead compelling him to do so as hard as any other lad on the farm
He bore his degradation pretty well at first because Cathy taught him what
she learnt and worked or played with him in the fields They both promised fair
to grow up as rude as savages the young master being entirely negligent how
they behaved and what they did so they kept clear of him He would not even
have seen after their going to church on Sundays only Joseph and the curate
reprimanded his carelessness when they absented themselves and that reminded
him to order Heathcliff a flogging and Catherine a fast from dinner or supper
But it was one of their chief amusements to run away to the moors in the
morning and remain there all day and the after punishment grew a mere thing to
laugh at The curate might set as many chapters as he pleased for Catherine to
get by heart and Joseph might thrash Heathcliff till his arm ached they forgot
everything the minute they were together again at least the minute they had
contrived some naughty plan of revenge and many a time Ive cried to myself to
watch them growing more reckless daily and I not daring to speak a syllable for
fear of losing the small power I still retained over the unfriended creatures
One Sunday evening it chanced that they were banished from the
sittingroom for making a noise or a light offence of the kind and when I
went to call them to supper I could discover them nowhere
We searched the house above and below and the yard and stables they were
invisible and at last Hindley in a passion told us to bolt the doors and
swore nobody should let them in that night
The household went to bed and I too anxious to lie down opened my lattice
and put my head out to hearken though it rained determined to admit them in
spite of the prohibition should they return
In a while I distinguished steps coming up the road and the light of a
lantern glimmered through the gate
I threw a shawl over my head and ran to prevent them from waking Mr
Earnshaw by knocking There was Heathcliff by himself it gave me a start to
see him alone
»Where is Miss Catherine« I cried hurriedly »No accident I hope«
»At Thrushcross Grange« he answered »and I would have been there too but
they had not the manners to ask me to stay«
»Well you will catch it« I said »youll never be content till youre sent
about your business What in the world led you wandering to Thrushcross Grange«
»Let me get off my wet clothes and Ill tell you all about it Nelly« he
replied
I bid him beware of rousing the master and while he undressed and I waited
to put out the candle he continued
»Cathy and I escaped from the washhouse to have a ramble at liberty and
getting a glimpse of the Grange lights we thought we would just go and see
whether the Lintons passed their Sunday evenings standing shivering in corners
while their father and mother sat eating and drinking and singing and laughing
and burning their eyes out before the fire Do you think they do Or reading
sermons and being catechised by their manservant and set to learn a column of
Scripture names if they dont answer properly«
»Probably not« I responded »They are good children no doubt and dont
deserve the treatment you receive for your bad conduct«
»Dont you cant Nelly« he said »nonsense We ran from the top of the
Heights to the park without stopping Catherine completely beaten in the race
because she was barefoot Youll have to seek for her shoes in the bog
tomorrow We crept through a broken hedge groped our way up the path and
planted ourselves on a flowerpot under the drawingroom window The light came
from thence they had not put up the shutters and the curtains were only half
closed Both of us were able to look in by standing on the basement and
clinging to the ledge and we saw ah it was beautiful a splendid place
carpeted with crimson and crimsoncovered chairs and tables and a pure white
ceiling bordered by gold a shower of glassdrops hanging in silver chains from
the centre and shimmering with little soft tapers Old Mr and Mrs Linton were
not there Edgar and his sister had it entirely to themselves shouldnt they
have been happy We should have thought ourselves in heaven And now guess what
your good children were doing Isabella I believe she is eleven a year younger
than Cathy lay screaming at the farther end of the room shrieking as if
witches were running red hot needles into her Edgar stood on the hearth weeping
silently and in the middle of the table sat a little dog shaking its paw and
yelping which from their mutual accusations we understood they had nearly
pulled in two between them The idiots That was their pleasure to quarrel who
should hold a heap of warm hair and each begin to cry because both after
struggling to get it refused to take it We laughed outright at the petted
things we did despise them When would you catch me wishing to have what
Catherine wanted or find us by ourselves seeking entertainment in yelling and
sobbing and rolling on the ground divided by the whole room Id not exchange
for a thousand lives my condition here for Edgar Lintons at Thrushcross
Grange not if I might have the privilege of flinging Joseph off the highest
gable and painting the housefront with Hindleys blood«
»Hush hush« I interrupted »Still you have not told me Heathcliff how
Catherine is left behind«
»I told you we laughed« he answered »The Lintons heard us and with one
accord they shot like arrows to the door there was silence and then a cry
Oh mamma mamma Oh papa Oh mamma come here Oh papa oh They really did
howl out something in that way We made frightful noises to terrify them still
more and then we dropped off the ledge because somebody was drawing the bars
and we felt we had better flee I had Cathy by the hand and was urging her on
when all at once she fell down
Run Heathcliff run she whispered They have let the bulldog loose and
he holds me
The devil had seized her ankle Nelly I heard his abominable snorting She
did not yell out no She would have scorned to do it if she had been spitted
on the horns of a mad cow I did though I vociferated curses enough to
annihilate any fiend in Christendom and I got a stone and thrust it between his
jaws and tried with all my might to cram it down his throat A beast of a
servant came up with a lantern at last shouting
Keep fast Skulker keep fast He changed his note however when he saw
Skulkers game The dog was throttled off his huge purple tongue hanging half
a foot out of his mouth and his pendant lips streaming with bloody slaver
The man took Cathy up she was sick not from fear Im certain but from
pain He carried her in I followed grumbling execrations and vengeance
What prey Robert hallooed Linton from the entrance
Skulker has caught a little girl sir he replied and theres a lad here
he added making a clutch at me who looks an outandouter Very like the
robbers were for putting them through the window to open the doors to the gang
after all were asleep that they might murder us at their ease Hold your
tongue you foulmouthed thief you you shall go to the gallows for this Mr
Linton sir dont lay by your gun
No no Robert said the old fool The rascals knew that yesterday was my
rent day they thought to have me cleverly Come in Ill furnish them a
reception There John fasten the chain Give Skulker some water Jenny To
beard a magistrate in his stronghold and on the Sabbath too where will their
insolence stop Oh my dear Mary look here Dont be afraid it is but a boy
yet the villain scowls so plainly in his face would it not be a kindness to
the country to hang him at once before he shows his nature in acts as well as
features
He pulled me under the chandelier and Mrs Linton placed her spectacles on
her nose and raised her hands in horror The cowardly children crept nearer
also Isabella lisping
Frightful thing Put him in the cellar papa Hes exactly like the son of
the fortuneteller that stole my tame pheasant Isnt he Edgar
While they examined me Cathy came round she heard the last speech and
laughed Edgar Linton after an inquisitive stare collected sufficient wit to
recognise her They see us at church you know though we seldom meet them
elsewhere
Thats Miss Earnshaw he whispered to his mother and look how Skulker has
bitten her how her foot bleeds
Miss Earnshaw Nonsense cried the dame Miss Earnshaw scouring the country
with a gipsy And yet my dear the child is in mourning surely it is and
she may be lamed for life
What culpable carelessness in her brother exclaimed Mr Linton turning
from me to Catherine Ive understood from Shielders« that was the curate sir
»that he lets her grow up in absolute heathenism But who is this Where did she
pick up this companion Oho I declare he is that strange acquisition my late
neighbour made in his journey to Liverpool a little Lascar or an American or
Spanish castaway
A wicked boy at all events remarked the old lady and quite unfit for a
decent house Did you notice his language Linton Im shocked that my children
should have heard it
I recommenced cursing dont be angry Nelly and so Robert was ordered to
take me off I refused to go without Cathy he dragged me into the garden
pushed the lantern into my hand assured me that Mr Earnshaw should be
informed of my behaviour and bidding me march directly secured the door
again
The curtains were still looped up at one corner and I resumed my station as
spy because if Catherine had wished to return I intended shattering their
great glass panes to a million fragments unless they let her out
She sat on the sofa quietly Mrs Linton took off the grey cloak of the
dairy maid which we had borrowed for our excursion shaking her head and
expostulating with her I suppose she was a young lady and they made a
distinction between her treatment and mine Then the woman servant brought a
basin of warm water and washed her feet and Mr Linton mixed a tumbler of
negus and Isabella emptied a plateful of cakes into her lap and Edgar stood
gaping at a distance Afterwards they dried and combed her beautiful hair and
gave her a pair of enormous slippers and wheeled her to the fire and I left
her as merry as she could be dividing her food between the little dog and
Skulker whose nose she pinched as he ate and kindling a spark of spirit in the
vacant blue eyes of the Lintons a dim reflection from her own enchanting face
I saw they were full of stupid admiration she is so immeasurably superior to
them to everybody on earth is she not Nelly«
»There will more come of this business than you reckon on« I answered
covering him up and extinguishing the light »You are incurable Heathcliff and
Mr Hindley will have to proceed to extremities see if he wont«
My words came truer than I desired The luckless adventure made Earnshaw
furious And then Mr Linton to mend matters paid us a visit himself on the
morrow and read the young master such a lecture on the road he guided his
family that he was stirred to look about him in earnest
Heathcliff received no flogging but he was told that the first word he
spoke to Miss Catherine should ensure a dismissal and Mrs Earnshaw undertook
to keep her sisterinlaw in due restraint when she returned home employing
art not force with force she would have found it impossible
Chapter VII
Cathy stayed at Thrushcross Grange five weeks till Christmas By that time her
ankle was thoroughly cured and her manners much improved The mistress visited
her often in the interval and commenced her plan of reform by trying to raise
her selfrespect with fine clothes and flattery which she took readily so
that instead of a wild hatless little savage jumping into the house and
rushing to squeeze us all breathless there lighted from a handsome black pony a
very dignified person with brown ringlets falling from the cover of a feathered
beaver and a long cloth habit which she was obliged to hold up with both hands
that she might sail in
Hindley lifted her from her horse exclaiming delightedly
»Why Cathy you are quite a beauty I should scarcely have known you you
look like a lady now Isabella Linton is not to be compared with her is she
Frances«
»Isabella has not her natural advantages« replied his wife »but she must
mind and not grow wild again here Ellen help Miss Catherine off with her
things Stay dear you will disarrange your curls let me untie your hat«
I removed the habit and there shone forth beneath a grand plaid silk
frock white trousers and burnished shoes and while her eyes sparkled
joyfully when the dogs came bounding up to welcome her she dare hardly touch
them lest they should fawn upon her splendid garments
She kissed me gently I was all flour making the christmas cake and it
would not have done to give me a hug and then she looked round for
Heathcliff Mr and Mrs Earnshaw watched anxiously their meeting thinking it
would enable them to judge in some measure what grounds they had for hoping to
succeed in separating the two friends
Heathcliff was hard to discover at first If he were careless and uncared
for before Catherines absence he had been ten times more so since
Nobody but I even did him the kindness to call him a dirty boy and bid him
wash himself once a week and children of his age seldom have a natural
pleasure in soap and water Therefore not to mention his clothes which had
seen three months service in mire and dust and his thick uncombed hair the
surface of his face and hands was dismally beclouded He might well skulk behind
the settle on beholding such a bright graceful damsel enter the house instead
of a roughheaded counterpart to himself as he expected
»Is Heathcliff not here« she demanded pulling off her gloves and
displaying fingers wonderfully whitened with doing nothing and staying in
doors
»Heathcliff you may come forward« cried Mr Hindley enjoying his
discomfiture and gratified to see what a forbidding young blackguard he would be
compelled to present himself »You may come and wish Miss Catherine welcome
like the other servants«
Cathy catching a glimpse of her friend in his concealment flew to embrace
him she bestowed seven or eight kisses on his cheek within the second and
then stopped and drawing back burst into a laugh exclaiming
»Why how very black and cross you look and how how funny and grim But
thats because Im used to Edgar and Isabella Linton Well Heathcliff have
you forgotten me«
She had some reason to put the question for shame and pride threw double
gloom over his countenance and kept him immoveable
»Shake hands Heathcliff« said Mr Earnshaw condescendingly »once in a
way that is permitted«
»I shall not« replied the boy finding his tongue at last »I shall not
stand to be laughed at I shall not bear it«
And he would have broken from the circle but Miss Cathy seized him again
»I did not mean to laugh at you« she said »I could not hinder myself
Heathcliff shake hands at least What are you sulky for It was only that you
looked odd If you wash your face and brush your hair it will be all right
But you are so dirty«
She gazed concernedly at the dusky fingers she held in her own and also at
her dress which she feared had gained no embellishment from its contact with
his
»You neednt have touched me« He answered following her eye and snatching
away his hand »I shall be as dirty as I please and I like to be dirty and I
will be dirty«
With that he dashed head foremost out of the room amid the merriment of the
master and mistress and to the serious disturbance of Catherine who could not
comprehend how her remarks should have produced such an exhibition of bad
temper
After playing ladys maid to the new comer and putting my cakes in the
oven and making the house and kitchen cheerful with great fires befitting
Christmas eve I prepared to sit down and amuse myself by singing carols all
alone regardless of Josephs affirmations that he considered the merry tunes I
chose as next door to songs
He had retired to private prayer in his chamber and Mr and Mrs Earnshaw
were engaging Missys attention by sundry gay trifles bought for her to present
to the little Lintons as an acknowledgment of their kindness
They had invited them to spend the morrow at Wuthering Heights and the
invitation had been accepted on one condition Mrs Linton begged that her
darlings might be kept carefully apart from that »naughty swearing boy«
Under these circumstances I remained solitary I smelt the rich scent of the
heating spices and admired the shining kitchen utensils the polished clock
decked in holly the silver mugs ranged on a tray ready to be filled with mulled
ale for supper and above all the speckless purity of my particular care the
scoured and wellswept floor
I gave due inward applause to every object and then I remembered how old
Earnshaw used to come in when all was tidied and call me a cant lass and slip
a shilling into my hand as a christmas box and from that I went on to think
of his fondness for Heathcliff and his dread lest he should suffer neglect
after death had removed him and that naturally led me to consider the poor
lads situation now and from singing I changed my mind to crying It struck me
soon however there would be more sense in endeavouring to repair some of his
wrongs than shedding tears over them I got up and walked into the court to
seek him
He was not far I found him smoothing the glossy coat of the new pony in the
stable and feeding the other beasts according to custom
»Make haste Heathcliff« I said »the kitchen is so comfortable and Joseph
is upstairs make haste and let me dress you smart before Miss Cathy comes out
and then you can sit together with the whole hearth to yourselves and have a
long chatter till bedtime«
He proceeded with his task and never turned his head towards me
»Come are you coming« I continued »Theres a little cake for each of
you nearly enough and youll need half an hours donning«
I waited five minutes but getting no answer left him Catherine supped
with her brother and sisterinlaw Joseph and I joined at an unsociable meal
seasoned with reproofs on one side and sauciness on the other His cake and
cheese remained on the table all night for the fairies He managed to continue
work till nine oclock and then marched dumb and dour to his chamber
Cathy sat up late having a world of things to order for the reception of
her new friends she came into the kitchen once to speak to her old one but
he was gone and she only staid to ask what was the matter with him and then
went back
In the morning he rose early and as it was a holiday carried his
illhumour onto the moors not reappearing till the family were departed for
church Fasting and reflection seemed to have brought him to a better spirit
He hung about me for a while and having screwed up his courage exclaimed
abruptly
»Nelly make me decent Im going to be good«
»High time Heathcliff« I said »you have grieved Catherine shes sorry
she ever came home I dare say It looks as if you envied her because she is
more thought of than you«
The notion of envying Catherine was incomprehensible to him but the notion
of grieving her he understood clearly enough
»Did she say she was grieved« he inquired looking very serious
»She cried when I told her you were off again this morning«
»Well I cried last night« he returned »and I had more reason to cry than
she«
»Yes you had the reason of going to bed with a proud heart and an empty
stomach« said I »Proud people breed sad sorrows for themselves But if you
be ashamed of your touchiness you must ask pardon mind when she comes in You
must go up and offer to kiss her and say you know best what to say only do
it heartily and not as if you thought her converted into a stranger by her
grand dress And now though I have dinner to get ready Ill steal time to
arrange you so that Edgar Linton shall look quite a doll beside you and that he
does You are younger and yet Ill be bound you are taller and twice as
broad across the shoulders you could knock him down in a twinkling dont you
feel that you could«
Heathcliffs face brightened a moment then it was overcast afresh and he
sighed
»But Nelly if I knocked him down twenty times that wouldnt make him less
handsome or me more so I wish I had light hair and a fair skin and was
dressed and behaved as well and had a chance of being as rich as he will be«
»And cried for mamma at every turn « I added »and trembled if a country
lad heaved his fist against you and sat at home all day for a shower of rain
O Heathcliff you are showing a poor spirit Come to the glass and Ill let
you see what you should wish Do you mark those two lines between your eyes and
those thick brows that instead of rising arched sink in the middle and that
couple of black fiends so deeply buried who never open their windows boldly
but lurk glinting under them like devils spies Wish and learn to smooth away
the surly wrinkles to raise your lids frankly and change the fiends to
confident innocent angels suspecting and doubting nothing and always seeing
friends where they are not sure of foes Dont get the expression of a vicious
cur that appears to know the kicks it gets are its desert and yet hates all
the world as well as the kicker for what it suffers«
»In other words, I must wish for Edgar Lintons great blue eyes and even
forehead« he replied »I do and that wont help me to them«
»A good heart will help you to a bonny face my lad« I continued »if you
were a regular black and a bad one will turn the bonniest into something worse
than ugly And now that weve done washing and combing and sulking tell me
whether you dont think yourself rather handsome Ill tell you I do Youre
fit for a prince in disguise Who knows but your father was Emperor of China
and your mother an Indian queen each of them able to buy up with one weeks
income Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange together And you were
kidnapped by wicked sailors and brought to England Were I in your place I
would frame high notions of my birth and the thoughts of what I was should give
me courage and dignity to support the oppressions of a little farmer«
So I chattered on and Heathcliff gradually lost his frown and began to
look quite pleasant when all at once our conversation was interrupted by a
rumbling sound moving up the road and entering the court He ran to the window
and I to the door just in time to behold the two Lintons descend from the
family carriage smothered in cloaks and furs and the Earnshaws dismount from
their horses they often rode to church in winter Catherine took a hand of
each of the children and brought them into the house and set them before the
fire which quickly put colour into their white faces
I urged my companion to hasten now and show his amiable humour and he
willingly obeyed but ill luck would have it that as he opened the door leading
from the kitchen on one side Hindley opened it on the other they met and the
master irritated at seeing him clean and cheerful or perhaps eager to keep
his promise to Mrs Linton shoved him back with a sudden thrust and angrily
bade Joseph »keep the fellow out of the room send him into the garret till
dinner is over Hell be cramming his fingers in the tarts and stealing the
fruit if left alone with them a minute«
»Nay sir« I could not avoid answering »hell touch nothing not he and
I suppose he must have his share of the dainties as well as we«
»He shall have his share of my hand if I catch him down stairs again till
dark« cried Hindley »Begone you vagabond What you are attempting the
coxcomb are you Wait till I get hold of those elegant locks see if I wont
pull them a bit longer«
»They are long enough already« observed Master Linton peeping from the
doorway »I wonder they dont make his head ache Its like a colts mane over
his eyes«
He ventured this remark without any intention to insult but Heathcliffs
violent nature was not prepared to endure the appearance of impertinence from
one whom he seemed to hate even then as a rival He seized a tureen of hot
applesauce the first thing that came under his gripe and dashed it full
against the speakers face and neck who instantly commenced a lament that
brought Isabella and Catherine hurrying to the place
Mr Earnshaw snatched up the culprit directly and conveyed him to his
chamber where doubtless he administered a rough remedy to cool the fit of
passion for he reappeared red and breathless I got the dishcloth and rather
spitefully scrubbed Edgars nose and mouth affirming it served him right for
meddling His sister began weeping to go home and Cathy stood by confounded
blushing for all
»You should not have spoken to him« she expostulated with Master Linton
»He was in a bad temper and now youve spoilt your visit and hell be flogged
I hate him to be flogged I cant eat my dinner Why did you speak to him
Edgar«
»I didnt« sobbed the youth escaping from my hands and finishing the
remainder of the purification with his cambric pockethandkerchief »I promised
mamma that I wouldnt say one word to him and I didnt«
»Well dont cry« replied Catherine contemptuously »Youre not killed
dont make more mischief my brother is coming be quiet Give over Isabella
Has anybody hurt you«
»There there children to your seats« cried Hindley bustling in »That
brute of a lad has warmed me nicely Next time Master Edgar take the law into
your own fists it will give you an appetite«
The little party recovered its equanimity at sight of the fragrant feast
They were hungry after their ride and easily consoled since no real harm had
befallen them
Mr Earnshaw carved bountiful platefuls and the mistress made them merry
with lively talk I waited behind her chair and was pained to behold Catherine
with dry eyes and an indifferent air commence cutting up the wing of a goose
before her
»An unfeeling child« I thought to myself »how lightly she dismisses her
old playmates troubles I could not have imagined her to be so selfish«
She lifted a mouthful to her lips then she set it down again her cheeks
flushed and the tears gushed over them She slipped her fork to the floor and
hastily dived under the cloth to conceal her emotion I did not call her
unfeeling long for I perceived she was in purgatory throughout the day and
wearying to find an opportunity of getting by herself or paying a visit to
Heathcliff who had been locked up by the master as I discovered on
endeavouring to introduce to him a private mess of victuals
In the evening we had a dance Cathy begged that he might be liberated then
as Isabella Linton had no partner her entreaties were vain and I was appointed
to supply the deficiency
We got rid of all gloom in the excitement of the exercise and our pleasure
was increased by the arrival of the Gimmerton band mustering fifteen strong a
trumpet a trombone clarionets bassoons French horns and a bass viol
besides singers They go the rounds of all the respectable houses and receive
contributions every Christmas and we esteemed it a firstrate treat to hear
them
After the usual carols had been sung we set them to songs and glees Mrs
Earnshaw loved the music and so they gave us plenty
Catherine loved it too but she said it sounded sweetest at the top of the
steps and she went up in the dark I followed They shut the house door below
never noting our absence it was so full of people She made no stay at the
stairs head but mounted farther to the garret where Heathcliff was confined
and called him He stubbornly declined answering for a while she persevered
and finally persuaded him to hold communion with her through the boards
I let the poor things converse unmolested till I supposed the songs were
going to cease and the singers to get some refreshment then I clambered up
the ladder to warn her
Instead of finding her outside I heard her voice within The little monkey
had crept by the skylight of one garret along the roof into the skylight of
the other and it was with the utmost difficulty I could coax her out again
When she did come Heathcliff came with her and she insisted that I should
take him into the kitchen as my fellowservant had gone to a neighbours to be
removed from the sound of our »devils psalmody« as it pleased him to call it
I told them I intended by no means to encourage their tricks but as the
prisoner had never broken his fast since yesterdays dinner I would wink at his
cheating Mr Hindley that once
He went down I set him a stool by the fire and offered him a quantity of
good things but he was sick and could eat little and my attempts to entertain
him were thrown away He leant his two elbows on his knees and his chin on his
hands and remained wrapt in dumb meditation On my inquiring the subject of his
thoughts he answered gravely
»Im trying to settle how I shall pay Hindley back I dont care how long I
wait if I can only do it at last I hope he will not die before I do«
»For shame Heathcliff« said I »It is for God to punish wicked people we
should learn to forgive«
»No God wont have the satisfaction that I shall« he returned »I only
wish I knew the best way Let me alone and Ill plan it out while Im thinking
of that I dont feel pain«
But Mr Lockwood I forget these tales cannot divert you Im annoyed how I
should dream of chattering on at such a rate and your gruel cold and you
nodding for bed I could have told Heathcliffs history all that you need hear
in halfadozen words
Thus interrupting herself the housekeeper rose and proceeded to lay aside
her sewing but I felt incapable of moving from the hearth and I was very far
from nodding
»Sit still Mrs Dean« I cried »do sit still another half hour Youve
done just right to tell the story leisurely That is the method I like and you
must finish in the same style I am interested in every character you have
mentioned more or less«
»The clock is on the stroke of eleven sir«
»No matter Im not accustomed to go to bed in the long hours One or two
is early enough for a person who lies till ten«
»You shouldnt lie till ten Theres the very prime of the morning gone long
before that time A person who has not done one half his days work by ten
oclock runs a chance of leaving the other half undone«
»Nevertheless Mrs Dean resume your chair because tomorrow I intend
lengthening the night till afternoon I prognosticate for myself an obstinate
cold at least«
»I hope not sir Well you must allow me to leap over some three years
during that space Mrs Earnshaw «
»No no Ill allow nothing of the sort Are you acquainted with the mood of
mind in which if you were seated alone and the cat licking its kitten on the
rug before you you would watch the operation so intently that pusss neglect of
one ear would put you seriously out of temper«
»A terribly lazy mood I should say«
»On the contrary a tiresomely active one It is mine at present and
therefore continue minutely I perceive that people in these regions acquire
over people in towns the value that a spider in a dungeon does over a spider in
a cottage to their various occupants and yet the deepened attraction is not
entirely owing to the situation of the lookeron They do live more in earnest
more in themselves and less in surface change and frivolous external things I
could fancy a love for life here almost possible and I was a fixed unbeliever
in any love of a years standing one state resembles setting a hungry man down
to a single dish on which he may concentrate his entire appetite and do it
justice the other introducing him to a table laid out by French cooks he can
perhaps extract as much enjoyment from the whole but each part is a mere atom
in his regard and remembrance«
»Oh here we are the same as anywhere else when you get to know us«
observed Mrs Dean somewhat puzzled at my speech
»Excuse me« I responded »you my good friend are a striking evidence
against that assertion Excepting a few provincialisms of slight consequence
you have no marks of the manners that I am habituated to consider as peculiar to
your class I am sure you have thought a great deal more than the generality of
servants think You have been compelled to cultivate your reflective faculties
for want of occasions for frittering your life away in silly trifles«
Mrs Dean laughed
»I certainly esteem myself a steady reasonable kind of body« she said
»not exactly from living among the hills and seeing one set of faces and one
series of actions from years end to years end but I have undergone sharp
discipline which has taught me wisdom and then I have read more than you would
fancy Mr Lockwood You could not open a book in this library that I have not
looked into and got something out of also unless it be that range of Greek and
Latin and that of French and those I know one from another it is as much as
you can expect of a poor mans daughter
However if I am to follow my story in true gossips fashion I had better
go on and instead of leaping three years I will be content to pass to the next
summer the summer of 1778 that is nearly twentythree years ago«
Chapter VIII
On the morning of a fine June day my first bonny little nursling and the last
of the ancient Earnshaw stock was born
We were busy with the hay in a far away field when the girl that usually
brought our breakfasts came running an hour too soon across the meadow and up
the lane calling me as she ran
»Oh such a grand bairn« she panted out »The finest lad that ever
breathed But the doctor says missis must go he says shes been in a
consumption these many months I heard him tell Mr Hindley and now she has
nothing to keep her and shell be dead before winter You must come home
directly Youre to nurse it Nelly to feed it with sugar and milk and take
care of it day and night I wish I were you because it will be all yours when
there is no missis«
»But is she very ill« I asked flinging down my rake and tying my bonnet
»I guess she is yet she looks bravely« replied the girl »and she talks as
if she thought of living to see it grow a man Shes out of her head for joy
its such a beauty If I were her Im certain I should not die I should get
better at the bare sight of it in spite of Kenneth I was fairly mad at him
Dame Archer brought the cherub down to master in the house and his face just
began to light up then the old croaker steps forward and says he Earnshaw
its a blessing your wife has been spared to leave you this son When she came
I felt convinced we shouldnt keep her long and now I must tell you the
winter will probably finish her Dont take on and fret about it too much it
cant be helped And besides you should have known better than to choose such a
rush of a lass«
»And what did the master answer« I enquired
»I think he swore but I didnt mind him I was straining to see the
bairn« and she began again to describe it rapturously I as zealous as
herself hurried eagerly home to admire on my part though I was very sad for
Hindleys sake he had room in his heart only for two idols his wife and
himself he doted on both and adored one and I couldnt conceive how he would
bear the loss
When we got to Wuthering Heights there he stood at the front door and as
I passed in I asked »how was the baby«
»Nearly ready to run about Nell« he replied putting on a cheerful smile
»And the mistress« I ventured to inquire »the doctor says shes «
»Damn the doctor« he interrupted reddening »Frances is quite right
shell be perfectly well by this time next week Are you going upstairs will
you tell her that Ill come if shell promise not to talk I left her because
she would not hold her tongue and she must tell her Mr Kenneth says she must
be quiet«
I delivered this message to Mrs Earnshaw she seemed in flighty spirits
and replied merrily
»I hardly spoke a word Ellen and there he has gone out twice crying
Well say I promise I wont speak but that does not bind me not to laugh at
him«
Poor soul Till within a week of her death that gay heart never failed her
and her husband persisted doggedly nay furiously in affirming her health
improved every day When Kenneth warned him that his medicines were useless at
that stage of the malady and he neednt put him to further expense by attending
her he retorted
»I know you need not shes well she does not want any more attendance
from you She never was in a consumption It was a fever and it is gone her
pulse is as slow as mine now and her cheek as cool«
He told his wife the same story and she seemed to believe him but one
night while leaning on his shoulder in the act of saying she thought she
should be able to get up tomorrow a fit of coughing took her a very slight
one he raised her in his arms she put her two hands about his neck her face
changed and she was dead
As the girl had anticipated the child Hareton fell wholly into my hands
Mr Earnshaw provided he saw him healthy and never heard him cry was
contented as far as regarded him For himself he grew desperate his sorrow
was of that kind that will not lament he neither wept nor prayed he cursed
and defied execrated God and man and gave himself up to reckless dissipation
The servants could not bear his tyrannical and evil conduct long Joseph and
I were the only two that would stay I had not the heart to leave my charge and
besides you know I had been his foster sister and excused his behaviour more
readily than a stranger would
Joseph remained to hector over tenants and labourers and because it was his
vocation to be where he had plenty of wickedness to reprove
The masters bad ways and bad companions formed a pretty example for
Catherine and Heathcliff His treatment of the latter was enough to make a fiend
of a saint And truly it appeared as if the lad were possessed of something
diabolical at that period He delighted to witness Hindley degrading himself
past redemption and became daily more notable for savage sullenness and
ferocity
I could not half tell what an infernal house we had The curate dropped
calling and nobody decent came near us at last unless Edgar Lintons visits
to Miss Cathy might be an exception At fifteen she was the queen of the
countryside she had no peer and she did turn out a haughty headstrong
creature I own I did not like her after her infancy was past and I vexed her
frequently by trying to bring down her arrogance she never took an aversion to
me though She had a wondrous constancy to old attachments even Heathcliff kept
his hold on her affections unalterably and young Linton with all his
superiority found it difficult to make an equally deep impression
He was my late master that is his portrait over the fireplace It used to
hang on one side and his wifes on the other but hers has been removed or
else you might see something of what she was Can you make that out
Mrs Dean raised the candle and I discerned a softfeatured face
exceedingly resembling the young lady at the Heights but more pensive and
amiable in expression It formed a sweet picture The long light hair curled
slightly on the temples the eyes were large and serious the figure almost too
graceful I did not marvel how Catherine Earnshaw could forget her first friend
for such an individual I marvelled much how he with a mind to correspond with
his person could fancy my idea of Catherine Earnshaw
»A very agreeable portrait« I observed to the housekeeper »Is it like«
»Yes« she answered »but he looked better when he was animated that is his
everyday countenance he wanted spirit in general«
Catherine had kept up her acquaintance with the Lintons since her five
weeks residence among them and as she had no temptation to show her rough side
in their company and had the sense to be ashamed of being rude where she
experienced such invariable courtesy she imposed unwittingly on the old lady
and gentleman by her ingenious cordiality gained the admiration of Isabella
and the heart and soul of her brother acquisitions that flattered her from the
first for she was full of ambition and led her to adopt a double character
without exactly intending to deceive anyone
In the place where she heard Heathcliff termed a »vulgar young ruffian« and
»worse than a brute« she took care not to act like him but at home she had
small inclination to practise politeness that would only be laughed at and
restrain an unruly nature when it would bring her neither credit nor praise
Mr Edgar seldom mustered courage to visit Wuthering Heights openly He had
a terror of Earnshaws reputation and shrank from encountering him and yet he
was always received with our best attempts at civility the master himself
avoided offending him knowing why he came and if he could not be gracious
kept out of the way I rather think his appearance there was distasteful to
Catherine she was not artful never played the coquette and had evidently an
objection to her two friends meeting at all for when Heathcliff expressed
contempt of Linton in his presence she could not half coincide as she did in
his absence and when Linton evinced disgust and antipathy to Heathcliff she
dared not treat his sentiments with indifference as if depreciation of her
playmate were of scarcely any consequence to her
Ive had many a laugh at her perplexities and untold troubles which she
vainly strove to hide from my mockery That sounds illnatured but she was so
proud it became really impossible to pity her distresses till she should be
chastened into more humility
She did bring herself finally to confess and confide in me There was not
a soul else that she might fashion into an adviser
Mr Hindley had gone from home one afternoon and Heathcliff presumed to
give himself a holiday on the strength of it He had reached the age of sixteen
then I think and without having bad features or being deficient in intellect
he contrived to convey an impression of inward and outward repulsiveness that
his present aspect retains no traces of
In the first place he had by that time lost the benefit of his early
education continual hard work begun soon and concluded late had extinguished
any curiosity he once possessed in pursuit of knowledge and any love for books
or learning His childhoods sense of superiority instilled into him by the
favours of old Mr Earnshaw was faded away He struggled long to keep up an
equality with Catherine in her studies and yielded with poignant though silent
regret but he yielded completely and there was no prevailing on him to take a
step in the way of moving upward when he found he must necessarily sink
beneath his former level Then personal appearance sympathised with mental
deterioration he acquired a slouching gait and ignoble look his naturally
reserved disposition was exaggerated into an almost idiotic excess of unsociable
moroseness and he took a grim pleasure apparently in exciting the aversion
rather than the esteem of his few acquaintance
Catherine and he were constant companions still at his seasons of respite
from labour but he had ceased to express his fondness for her in words and
recoiled with angry suspicion from her girlish caresses as if conscious there
could be no gratification in lavishing such marks of affection on him On the
beforenamed occasion he came into the house to announce his intention of doing
nothing while I was assisting Miss Cathy to arrange her dress she had not
reckoned on his taking it into his head to be idle and imagining she would have
the whole place to herself she managed by some means to inform Mr Edgar of
her brothers absence and was then preparing to receive him
»Cathy are you busy this afternoon« asked Heathcliff »Are you going
anywhere«
»No it is raining« she answered
»Why have you that silk frock on then« he said »Nobody coming here I
hope«
»Not that I know of« stammered Miss »but you should be in the field now
Heathcliff It is an hour past dinner time I thought you were gone«
»Hindley does not often free us from his accursed presence« observed the
boy »Ill not work any more today Ill stay with you«
»O but Joseph will tell« she suggested »youd better go«
»Joseph is loading lime on the farther side of Pennistow Crag it will take
him till dark and hell never know«
So saying he lounged to the fire and sat down Catherine reflected an
instant with knitted brows she found it needful to smooth the way for an
intrusion
»Isabella and Edgar Linton talked of calling this afternoon« she said at
the conclusion of a minutes silence »As it rains I hardly expect them but
they may come and if they do you run the risk of being scolded for no good«
»Order Ellen to say you are engaged Cathy« he persisted »Dont turn me
out for those pitiful silly friends of yours Im on the point sometimes of
complaining that they but Ill not «
»That they what« cried Catherine gazing at him with a troubled
countenance »Oh Nelly« she added petulantly jerking her head away from my
hands »youve combed my hair quite out of curl Thats enough let me alone
What are you on the point of complaining about Heathcliff«
»Nothing only look at the almanack on that wall« he pointed to a framed
sheet hanging near the window and continued
»The crosses are for the evenings you have spent with the Lintons the dots
for those spent with me Do you see Ive marked every day«
»Yes very foolish as if I took notice« replied Catherine in a peevish
tone »And where is the sense of that«
»To show that I do take notice« said Heathcliff
»And should I always be sitting with you« she demanded growing more
irritated »What good do I get What do you talk about You might be dumb or a
baby for anything you say to amuse me or for anything you do either«
»You never told me before that I talked too little or that you disliked my
company Cathy« exclaimed Heathcliff in much agitation
»It is no company at all when people know nothing and say nothing« she
muttered
Her companion rose up but he hadnt time to express his feelings further
for a horses feet were heard on the flags and having knocked gently young
Linton entered his face brilliant with delight at the unexpected summons he had
received
Doubtless Catherine marked the difference between her friends as one came
in and the other went out The contrast resembled what you see in exchanging a
bleak hilly coal country for a beautiful fertile valley and his voice and
greeting were as opposite as his aspect He had a sweet low manner of
speaking and pronounced his words as you do thats less gruff than we talk
here and softer
»Im not come too soon am I« he said casting a look at me I had begun to
wipe the plate and tidy some drawers at the far end in the dresser
»No« answered Catherine »What are you doing there Nelly«
»My work Miss« I replied Mr Hindley had given me directions to make a
third party in any private visits Linton chose to pay
She stepped behind me and whispered crossly »Take yourself and your dusters
off when company are in the house servants dont commence scouring and
cleaning in the room where they are«
»Its a good opportunity now that master is away« I answered aloud »he
hates me to be fidgeting over these things in his presence Im sure Mr Edgar
will excuse me«
»I hate you to be fidgeting in my presence« exclaimed the young lady
imperiously not allowing her guest time to speak she had failed to recover
her equanimity since the little dispute with Heathcliff
»Im sorry for it Miss Catherine« was my response and I proceeded
assiduously with my occupation
She supposing Edgar could not see her snatched the cloth from my hand and
pinched me with a prolonged wrench very spitefully on the arm
Ive said I did not love her and rather relished mortifying her vanity now
and then besides she hurt me extremely so I started up from my knees and
screamed out
»O Miss thats a nasty trick You have no right to nip me and Im not
going to bear it«
»I didnt touch you you lying creature« cried she her fingers tingling to
repeat the act and her ears red with rage She never had power to conceal her
passion it always set her whole complexion in a blaze
»Whats that then« I retorted showing a decided purple witness to refute
her
She stamped her foot wavered a moment and then irresistibly impelled by
the naughty spirit within her slapped me on the cheek a stinging blow that
filled both eyes with water
»Catherine love Catherine« interposed Linton greatly shocked at the
double fault of falsehood and violence which his idol had committed
»Leave the room Ellen« she repeated trembling all over
Little Hareton who followed me everywhere and was sitting near me on the
floor at seeing my tears commenced crying himself and sobbed out complaints
against wicked aunt Cathy which drew her fury on to his unlucky head she
seized his shoulders and shook him till the poor child waxed livid and Edgar
thoughtlessly laid hold of her hand to deliver him In an instant one was wrung
free and the astonished young man felt it applied over his own ear in a way
that could not be mistaken for jest
He drew back in consternation I lifted Hareton in my arms and walked off
to the kitchen with him leaving the door of communication open for I was
curious to watch how they would settle their disagreement
The insulted visitor moved to the spot where he had laid his hat pale and
with a quivering lip
»Thats right« I said to myself »Take warning and begone Its a kindness
to let you have a glimpse of her genuine disposition«
»Where are you going« demanded Catherine advancing to the door
He swerved aside and attempted to pass
»You must not go« she exclaimed energetically
»I must and shall« he replied in a subdued voice
»No« she persisted grasping the handle »not yet Edgar Linton sit down
you shall not leave me in that temper I should be miserable all night and I
wont be miserable for you«
»Can I stay after you have struck me« asked Linton
Catherine was mute
»Youve made me afraid and ashamed of you« he continued »Ill not come
here again«
Her eyes began to glisten and her lids to twinkle
»And you told a deliberate untruth« he said
»I didnt« she cried recovering her speech »I did nothing deliberately
Well go if you please get away And now Ill cry Ill cry myself sick«
She dropped down on her knees by a chair and set to weeping in serious
earnest
Edgar persevered in his resolution as far as the court there he lingered
I resolved to encourage him
»Miss is dreadfully wayward sir« I called out »As bad as any marred child
youd better be riding home or else she will be sick only to grieve us«
The soft thing looked askance through the window he possessed the power to
depart as much as a cat possesses the power to leave a mouse half killed or a
bird half eaten
Ah I thought there will be no saving him Hes doomed and flies to his
fate
And so it was he turned abruptly hastened into the house again shut the
door behind him and when I went in a while after to inform them that Earnshaw
had come home rabid drunk ready to pull the old place about our ears his
ordinary frame of mind in that condition I saw the quarrel had merely effected
a closer intimacy had broken the outworks of youthful timidity and enabled
them to forsake the disguise of friendship and confess themselves lovers
Intelligence of Mr Hindleys arrival drove Linton speedily to his horse
and Catherine to her chamber I went to hide little Hareton and to take the
shot out of the masters fowling piece which he was fond of playing with in his
insane excitement to the hazard of the lives of any who provoked or even
attracted his notice too much and I had hit upon the plan of removing it that
he might do less mischief if he did go the length of firing the gun
Chapter IX
He entered vociferating oaths dreadful to hear and caught me in the act of
stowing his son away in the kitchen cupboard Hareton was impressed with a
wholesome terror of encountering either his wildbeasts fondness or his
madmans rage for in one he ran a chance of being squeezed and kissed to
death and in the other of being flung into the fire or dashed against the wall
and the poor thing remained perfectly quiet wherever I chose to put him
»There Ive found it out at last« cried Hindley pulling me back by the
skin of the neck like a dog »By Heaven and Hell youve sworn between you to
murder that child I know how it is now that he is always out of my way But
with the help of Satan I shall make you swallow the carving knife Nelly you
neednt laugh for Ive just crammed Kenneth headdownmost in the Blackhorse
marsh and two is the same as one and I want to kill some of you I shall have
no rest till I do«
»But I dont like the carving knife Mr Hindley« I answered »it has been
cutting red herrings Id rather be shot if you please«
»Youd rather be damned« he said »and so you shall No law in England can
hinder a man from keeping his house decent and mines abominable open your
mouth«
He held the knife in his hand and pushed its point between my teeth but
for my part I was never much afraid of his vagaries I spat out and affirmed it
tasted detestably I would not take it on any account
»Oh« said he releasing me »I see that hideous little villain is not
Hareton I beg your pardon Nell if it be he deserves flaying alive for not
running to welcome me and for screaming as if I were a goblin Unnatural cub
come hither Ill teach thee to impose on a goodhearted deluded father Now
dont you think the lad would be handsomer cropped It makes a dog fiercer and
I love something fierce Get me a scissors something fierce and trim
Besides its infernal affectation devilish conceit it is to cherish our ears
were asses enough without them Hush child hush well then it is my
darling wisht dry thy eyes theres a joy kiss me what it wont kiss me
Hareton Damn thee kiss me By God as if I would rear such a monster As sure
as Im living Ill break the brats neck«
Poor Hareton was squalling and kicking in his fathers arms with all his
might and redoubled his yells when he carried him upstairs and lifted him over
the bannister I cried out that he would frighten the child into fits and ran
to rescue him
As I reached them Hindley leant forward on the rails to listen to a noise
below almost forgetting what he had in his hands
»Who is that« he asked hearing some one approaching the stairsfoot
I leant forward also for the purpose of signing to Heathcliff whose step
I recognized not to come further and at the instant when my eye quitted
Hareton he gave a sudden spring delivered himself from the careless grasp that
held him and fell
There was scarcely time to experience a thrill of horror before he saw that
the little wretch was safe Heathcliff arrived underneath just at the critical
moment by a natural impulse he arrested his descent and setting him on his
feet looked up to discover the author of the accident
A miser who has parted with a lucky lottery ticket for five shillings and
finds next day he has lost in the bargain five thousand pounds could not show a
blanker countenance than he did on beholding the figure of Mr Earnshaw above
It expressed plainer than words could do the intensest anguish at having made
himself the instrument of thwarting his own revenge Had it been dark I dare
say he would have tried to remedy the mistake by smashing Haretons skull on
the steps but we witnessed his salvation and I was presently below with my
precious charge pressed to my heart
Hindley descended more leisurely sobered and abashed
»It is your fault Ellen« he said »you should have kept him out of sight
you should have taken him from me Is he injured anywhere«
»Injured« I cried angrily »If he is not killed hell be an idiot Oh I
wonder his mother does not rise from her grave to see how you use him Youre
worse than a heathen treating your own flesh and blood in that manner«
He attempted to touch the child who on finding himself with me sobbed off
his terror directly At the first finger his father laid on him however he
shrieked again louder than before and struggled as if he would go into
convulsions
»You shall not meddle with him« I continued »He hates you they all hate
you thats the truth A happy family you have and a pretty state youre come
to«
»I shall come to a prettier yet Nelly« laughed the misguided man
recovering his hardness »At present convey yourself and him away And hark
you Heathcliff dear you too quite from my reach and hearing I wouldnt
murder you tonight unless perhaps I set the house on fire but thats as my
fancy goes «
While saying this he took a pint bottle of brandy from the dresser and
poured some into a tumbler
»Nay dont« I entreated »Mr Hindley do take warning Have mercy on this
unfortunate boy if you care nothing for yourself«
»Anyone will do better for him than I shall« he answered
»Have mercy on your own soul« I said endeavouring to snatch the glass from
his hand
»Not I On the contrary I shall have great pleasure in sending it to
perdition to punish its maker« exclaimed the blasphemer »Heres to its hearty
damnation«
He drank the spirits and impatiently bade us go terminating his command
with a sequel of horrid imprecations too bad to repeat or remember
»Its a pity he cannot kill himself with drink« observed Heathcliff
muttering an echo of curses back when the door was shut »Hes doing his very
utmost but his constitution defies him Mr Kenneth says he would wager his
mare that hell outlive any man on this side Gimmerton and go to the grave a
hoary sinner unless some happy chance out of the common course befall him«
I went into the kitchen and sat down to lull my little lamb to sleep
Heathcliff as I thought walked through to the barn It turned out afterwards
that he only got as far as the other side the settle when he flung himself on a
bench by the wall removed from the fire and remained silent
I was rocking Hareton on my knee and humming a song that began
»It was far in the night and the bairnies grat
The mither beneath the mools heard that«
when Miss Cathy who had listened to the hubbub from her room put her head in
and whispered
»Are you alone Nelly«
»Yes Miss« I replied
She entered and approached the hearth I supposing she was going to say
something looked up The expression of her face seemed disturbed and anxious
Her lips were half asunder as if she meant to speak and she drew a breath but
it escaped in a sigh instead of a sentence
I resumed my song not having forgotten her recent behaviour
»Wheres Heathcliff« she said interrupting me
»About his work in the stable« was my answer
He did not contradict me perhaps he had fallen into a doze There followed
another long pause during which I perceived a drop or two trickle from
Catherines cheek to the flags
»Is she sorry for her shameful conduct« I asked myself »That will be a
novelty but she may come to the point as she will I shant help her«
No she felt small trouble regarding any subject save her own concerns
»Oh dear« she cried at last »Im very unhappy«
»A pity« observed I »youre hard to please so many friends and so few
cares and cant make yourself content«
»Nelly will you keep a secret for me« she pursued kneeling down by me
and lifting her winsome eyes to my face with that sort of look which turns off
bad temper even when one has all the right in the world to indulge it
»Is it worth keeping« I inquired less sulkily
»Yes and it worries me and I must let it out I want to know what I should
do Today Edgar Linton has asked me to marry him and Ive given him an
answer Now before I tell you whether it was a consent or denial you tell
me which it ought to have been«
»Really Miss Catherine how can I know« I replied »To be sure
considering the exhibition you performed in his presence this afternoon I
might say it would be wise to refuse him since he asked you after that he
must either be hopelessly stupid or a venturesome fool«
»If you talk so I wont tell you any more« she returned peevishly rising
to her feet »I accepted him Nelly be quick and say whether I was wrong«
»You accepted him then what good is it discussing the matter You have
pledged your word and cannot retract«
»But say whether I should have done so do« she exclaimed in an irritated
tone chafing her hands together and frowning
»There are many things to be considered before that question can be
answered properly« I said sententiously »First and foremost do you love Mr
Edgar«
»Who can help it Of course I do« she answered
Then I put her through the following catechism for a girl of twentytwo it
was not injudicious
»Why do you love him Miss Cathy«
»Nonsense I do thats sufficient«
»By no means you must say why«
»Well because he is handsome and pleasant to be with«
»Bad« was my commentary
»And because he is young and cheerful«
»Bad still«
»And because he loves me«
»Indifferent coming there«
»And he will be rich and I shall like to be the greatest woman of the
neighbourhood and I shall be proud of having such a husband«
»Worst of all And now say how you love him«
»As everybody loves Youre silly Nelly«
»Not at all Answer«
»I love the ground under his feet and the air over his head and everything
he touches and every word he says I love all his looks and all his actions
and him entirely and altogether There now«
»And why«
»Nay you are making a jest of it it is exceedingly illnatured Its no
jest to me« said the young lady scowling and turning her face to the fire
»Im very far from jesting Miss Catherine« I replied »you love Mr Edgar
because he is handsome and young and cheerful and rich and loves you The
last however goes for nothing You would love him without that probably and
with it you wouldnt unless he possessed the four former attractions«
»No to be sure not I should only pity him hate him perhaps if he were
ugly and a clown«
»But there are several other handsome rich young men in the world
handsomer possibly and richer than he is What should hinder you from loving
them«
»If there be any they are out of my way Ive seen none like Edgar«
»You may see some and he wont always be handsome and young and may not
always be rich«
»He is now and I have only to do with the present I wish you would speak
rationally«
»Well that settles it if you have only to do with the present marry Mr
Linton«
»I dont want your permission for that I shall marry him and yet you
have not told me whether Im right«
»Perfectly right if people be right to marry only for the present And now
let us hear what you are unhappy about Your brother will be pleased The old
lady and gentleman will not object I think you will escape from a disorderly
comfortless home into a wealthy respectable one and you love Edgar and Edgar
loves you All seems smooth and easy where is the obstacle«
»Here and here« replied Catherine striking one hand on her forehead and
the other on her breast »In whichever place the soul lives in my soul and in
my heart Im convinced Im wrong«
»That is very strange I cannot make it out«
»Its my secret but if you will not mock at me Ill explain it I cant do
it distinctly but Ill give you a feeling of how I feel«
She seated herself by me again her countenance grew sadder and graver and
her clasped hands trembled
»Nelly do you never dream queer dreams« she said suddenly after some
minutes reflection
»Yes now and then« I answered
»And so do I Ive dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me ever
after and changed my ideas theyve gone through and through me like wine
through water and altered the colour of my mind And this is one Im going to
tell it but take care not to smile at any part of it«
»Oh dont Miss Catherine« I cried »Were dismal enough without conjuring
up ghosts and visions to perplex us Come come be merry and like yourself
Look at little Hareton hes dreaming nothing dreary How sweetly he smiles in
his sleep«
»Yes and how sweetly his father curses in his solitude You remember him I
dare say when he was just such another as that chubby thing nearly as young
and innocent However Nelly I shall oblige you to listen its not long and
Ive no power to be merry tonight«
»I wont hear it I wont hear it« I repeated hastily
I was superstitious about dreams then and am still and Catherine had an
unusual gloom in her aspect that made me dread something from which I might
shape a prophecy and foresee a fearful catastrophe
She was vexed but she did not proceed Apparently taking up another
subject she recommenced in a short time
»If I were in heaven Nelly I should be extremely miserable«
»Because you are not fit to go there« I answered »All sinners would be
miserable in heaven«
»But it is not for that I dreamt once that I was there«
»I tell you I wont hearken to your dreams Miss Catherine Ill go to bed«
I interrupted again
She laughed and held me down for I made a motion to leave my chair
»This is nothing« cried she »I was only going to say that heaven did not
seem to be my home and I broke my heart with weeping to come back to earth and
the angels were so angry that they flung me out into the middle of the heath on
the top of Wuthering Heights where I woke sobbing for joy That will do to
explain my secret as well as the other Ive no more business to marry Edgar
Linton than I have to be in heaven and if the wicked man in there had not
brought Heathcliff so low I shouldnt have thought of it It would degrade me to
marry Heathcliff now so he shall never know how I love him and that not
because hes handsome Nelly but because hes more myself than I am Whatever
our souls are made of his and mine are the same and Lintons is as different
as a moonbeam from lightning or frost from fire«
Ere this speech was ended I became sensible of Heathcliffs presence Having
noticed a slight movement I turned my head and saw him rise from the bench
and steal out noiselessly He had listened till he heard Catherine say it would
degrade her to marry him and then he stayed to hear no farther
My companion sitting on the ground was prevented by the back of the settle
from remarking his presence or departure but I started and bade her hush
»Why« she asked gazing nervously round
»Joseph is here« I answered catching opportunely the roll of his
cartwheels up the road »and Heathcliff will come in with him Im not sure
whether he were not at the door this moment«
»Oh he couldnt overhear me at the door« said she »Give me Hareton while
you get the supper and when it is ready ask me to sup with you I want to cheat
my uncomfortable conscience and be convinced that Heathcliff has no notion of
these things he has not has he He does not know what being in love is«
»I see no reason that he should not know as well as you« I returned »and
if you are his choice hell be the most unfortunate creature that ever was
born As soon as you become Mrs Linton he loses friend and love and all
Have you considered how youll bear the separation and how hell bear to be
quite deserted in the world Because Miss Catherine «
»He quite deserted we separated« she exclaimed with an accent of
indignation »Who is to separate us pray Theyll meet the fate of Milo Not as
long as I live Ellen for no mortal creature Every Linton on the face of the
earth might melt into nothing before I could consent to forsake Heathcliff Oh
thats not what I intend thats not what I mean I shouldnt be Mrs Linton
were such a price demanded Hell be as much to me as he has been all his
lifetime Edgar must shake off his antipathy and tolerate him at least He
will when he learns my true feelings towards him Nelly I see now you think me
a selfish wretch but did it never strike you that if Heathcliff and I
married we should be beggars whereas if I marry Linton I can aid Heathcliff
to rise and place him out of my brothers power«
»With your husbands money Miss Catherine« I asked »Youll find him not
so pliable as you calculate upon and though Im hardly a judge I think thats
the worst motive youve given yet for being the wife of young Linton«
»It is not« retorted she »it is the best The others were the satisfaction
of my whims and for Edgars sake too to satisfy him This is for the sake of
one who comprehends in his person my feelings to Edgar and myself I cannot
express it but surely you and everybody have a notion that there is or should
be an existence of yours beyond you What were the use of creation if I were
entirely contained here My great miseries in this world have been Heathcliffs
miseries and I watched and felt each from the beginning my great thought in
living is himself If all else perished and he remained I should still
continue to be and if all else remained and he were annihilated the Universe
would turn to a mighty stranger I should not seem a part of it My love for
Linton is like the foliage in the woods Time will change it Im well aware as
winter changes the trees my love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks
beneath a source of little visible delight but necessary Nelly I am
Heathcliff hes always always in my mind not as a pleasure any more than I
am always a pleasure to myself but as my own being so dont talk of our
separation again it is impracticable and «
She paused and hid her face in the folds of my gown but I jerked it
forcibly away I was out of patience with her folly
»If I can make any sense out of your nonsense Miss« I said »it only goes
to convince me that you are ignorant of the duties you undertake in marrying or
else that you are a wicked unprincipled girl But trouble me with no more
secrets Ill not promise to keep them«
»Youll keep that« she asked eagerly
»No Ill not promise« I repeated
She was about to insist when the entrance of Joseph finished our
conversation and Catherine removed her seat to a corner and nursed Hareton
while I made the supper
After it was cooked my fellow servant and I began to quarrel who should
carry some to Mr Hindley and we didnt settle it till all was nearly cold
Then we came to the agreement that we would let him ask if he wanted any for
we feared particularly to go into his presence when he had been for some time
alone
»Und hah isnt that nowt comed in frough th field be this time What is he
abaht girt eedle seeght« demanded the old man looking round for Heathcliff
»Ill call him« I replied »Hes in the barn Ive no doubt«
I went and called but got no answer On returning I whispered to Catherine
that he had heard a good part of what she said I was sure and told her how I
saw him quit the kitchen just as she complained of her brothers conduct
regarding him
She jumped up in a fine fright flung Hareton onto the settle and ran to
seek for her friend herself not taking leisure to consider why she was so
flurried or how her talk would have affected him
She was absent such a while that Joseph proposed that we should wait no
longer He cunningly conjectured that they were staying away in order to avoid
hearing his protracted blessing They were »ill eneugh for ony fahl manners« he
affirmed And on their behalf he added that night a special prayer to the
usual quarter of an hours supplication before meat and would have tacked
another to the end of the grace had not his young mistress broken in upon him
with a hurried command that he must run down the road and wherever Heathcliff
had rambled find and make him reenter directly
»I want to speak to him and I must before I go upstairs« she said »And
the gate is open he is somewhere out of hearing for he would not reply though
I shouted at the top of the fold as loud as I could«
Joseph objected at first she was too much in earnest however to suffer
contradiction and at last he placed his hat on his head and walked grumbling
forth
Meantime Catherine paced up and down the floor exclaiming
»I wonder where he is I wonder where he can be What did I say Nelly
Ive forgotten Was he vexed at my bad humour this afternoon Dear tell me what
Ive said to grieve him I do wish hed come I do wish he would«
»What a noise for nothing« I cried though rather uneasy myself »What a
trifle scares you Its surely no great cause of alarm that Heathcliff should
take a moonlight saunter on the moors or even lie too sulky to speak to us in
the hayloft Ill engage hes lurking there See if I dont ferret him out«
I departed to renew my search its result was disappointment and Josephs
quest ended in the same
»Yon lad gets war un war« observed he on reentering »Hes left th yate
ut t full swing and misss pony has trodden dahn two rigs uh corn un
plottered through raight oer intuh t meadow Hahsomdiver t maister ull
play t devil tomorn and hell do weel Hes patience itsseln wi sich
careless offald craters patience itsseln he is Bud hell nut be soa allus
yahs see all on ye Yah mumnt drive him aht uf his heead fur nowt«
»Have you found Heathcliff you ass« interrupted Catherine »Have you been
looking for him as I ordered«
»Aw sud more likker look for th horse« he replied »It ud be tuh more
sense Bud aw can look for norther horse nur man uf a neeght loike this as
black as t chimbley und Hathecliffs noan t chap tuh coom at maw whistle
happen hell be less hard uh hearing wi ye«
It was a very dark evening for summer the clouds appeared inclined to
thunder and I said we had better all sit down the approaching rain would be
certain to bring him home without further trouble
However Catherine would not be persuaded into tranquillity She kept
wandering to and fro from the gate to the door in a state of agitation which
permitted no repose and at length took up a permanent situation on one side
of the wall near the road where heedless of my expostulations and the
growling thunder and the great drops that began to plash around her she
remained calling at intervals and then listening and then crying outright
She beat Hareton or any child at a good passionate fit of crying
About midnight while we still sat up the storm came rattling over the
Heights in full fury There was a violent wind as well as thunder and either
one or the other split a tree off at the corner of the building a huge bough
fell across the roof and knocked down a portion of the east chimneystack
sending a clatter of stones and soot into the kitchen fire
We thought a bolt had fallen in the middle of us and Joseph swung onto his
knees beseeching the Lord to remember the patriarchs Noah and Lot and as in
former times spare the righteous though he smote the ungodly I felt some
sentiment that it must be a judgment on us also The Jonah in my mind was Mr
Earnshaw and I shook the handle of his den that I might ascertain if he were
yet living He replied audibly enough in a fashion which made my companion
vociferate more clamorously than before that a wide distinction might be drawn
between saints like himself and sinners like his master But the uproar passed
away in twenty minutes leaving us all unharmed excepting Cathy who got
thoroughly drenched for her obstinacy in refusing to take shelter and standing
bonnetless and shawlless to catch as much water as she could with her hair and
clothes
She came in and lay down on the settle all soaked as she was turning her
face to the back and putting her hands before it
»Well Miss« I exclaimed touching her shoulder »You are not bent on
getting your death are you Do you know what oclock it is Halfpast twelve
Come come to bed theres no use waiting longer on that foolish boy hell be
gone to Gimmerton and hell stay there now He guesses we shouldnt wake for
him till this late hour at least he guesses that only Mr Hindley would be up
and hed rather avoid having the door opened by the master«
»Nay nay hes noan at Gimmerton« said Joseph »Aws niver wonder bud
hes at t bothom uf a boghoile This visitation wornt for nowt und aw wod
hev ye tuh look aht Miss yah muh be t next Thank Hivin for all All warks
togither for gooid tuh them as is chozzen and piked aht froo th rubbidgel Yah
knaw whet t Scripture ses «
And he began quoting several texts referring us to the chapters and verses
where we might find them
I having vainly begged the wilful girl to rise and remove her wet things
left him preaching and her shivering and betook myself to bed with little
Hareton who slept as fast as if every one had been sleeping round him
I heard Joseph read on a while afterwards then I distinguished his slow
step on the ladder and then I dropt asleep
Coming down somewhat later than usual I saw by the sunbeams piercing the
chinks of the shutters Miss Catherine still seated near the fireplace The
housedoor was ajar too light entered from its unclosed windows Hindley had
come out and stood on the kitchen hearth haggard and drowsy
»What ails you Cathy« he was saying when I entered »You look as dismal as
a drowned whelp Why are you so damp and pale child«
»Ive been wet« she answered reluctantly »and Im cold thats all«
»Oh she is naughty« I cried perceiving the master to be tolerably sober
»She got steeped in the shower of yesterday evening and there she has sat the
night through and I couldnt prevail on her to stir«
Mr Earnshaw stared at us in surprise »The night through« he repeated
»What kept her up not fear of the thunder surely That was over hours since«
Neither of us wished to mention Heathcliffs absence as long as we could
conceal it so I replied I didnt know how she took it into her head to sit
up and she said nothing
The morning was fresh and cool I threw back the lattice and presently the
room filled with sweet scents from the garden but Catherine called peevishly to
me
»Ellen shut the window Im starving« And her teeth chattered as she
shrunk closer to the almost extinguished embers
»Shes ill « said Hindley taking her wrist »I suppose thats the reason
she would not go to bed Damn it I dont want to be troubled with more
sickness here What took you into the rain«
»Running after t lads as usuald« croaked Joseph catching an opportunity
from our hesitation to thrust in his evil tongue
»If Aw wur yah maister Awd just slam t boards i their faces all on em
gentle and simple Never a day ut yahre off but yon cat uh Linton comes
sneaking hither and Miss Nelly shoos a fine lass shoo sits watching for ye
i t kitchen and as yahre in at one door hes aht at tother Und then
wer grand lady goes a coorting uf hor side Its bonny behaviour lurking amang
t fields after twelve ut night wi that fahl flaysome divil of a gipsy
Heathcliff They think Awm blind but Awm noan nowt ut t soart Aw seed
young Linton boath coming and going and Aw seed yah directing his discourse
to me Yah gooid fur nowt slattenly witch nip up und bolt intuh th hahs t
minute yah heard t maisters horse fit clatter up t road«
»Silence eavesdropper« cried Catherine »None of your insolence before
me Edgar Linton came yesterday by chance Hindley and it was I who told him
to be off because I knew you would not like to have met him as you were«
»You lie Cathy no doubt« answered her brother »and you are a confounded
simpleton But never mind Linton at present Tell me were you not with
Heathcliff last night Speak the truth now You need not be afraid of harming
him Though I hate him as much as ever he did me a good turn a short time
since that will make my conscience tender of breaking his neck To prevent it
I shall send him about his business this very morning and after hes gone Id
advise you all to look sharp I shall only have the more humour for you«
»I never saw Heathcliff last night« answered Catherine beginning to sob
bitterly »and if you do turn him out of doors Ill go with him But perhaps
youll never have an opportunity perhaps hes gone« Here she burst into
uncontrollable grief and the remainder of her words were inarticulate
Hindley lavished on her a torrent of scornful abuse and bid her get to her
room immediately or she shouldnt cry for nothing I obliged her to obey and I
shall never forget what a scene she acted when we reached her chamber It
terrified me I thought she was going mad and I begged Joseph to run for the
doctor
It proved the commencement of delirium Mr Kenneth as soon as he saw her
pronounced her dangerously ill she had a fever
He bled her and he told me to let her live on whey and water gruel and
take care she did not throw herself down stairs or out of the window and then
he left for he had enough to do in the parish where two or three miles was the
ordinary distance between cottage and cottage
Though I cannot say I made a gentle nurse and Joseph and the master were no
better and though our patient was as wearisome and headstrong as a patient
could be she weathered it through
Old Mrs Linton paid us several visits to be sure and set things to
rights and scolded and ordered us all and when Catherine was convalescent
she insisted on conveying her to Thrushcross Grange for which deliverance we
were very grateful But the poor dame had reason to repent of her kindness
she and her husband both took the fever and died within a few days of each
other
Our young lady returned to us saucier and more passionate and haughtier
than ever Heathcliff had never been heard of since the evening of the
thunderstorm and one day I had the misfortune when she had provoked me
exceedingly to lay the blame of his disappearance on her where indeed it
belonged as she well knew From that period for several months she ceased to
hold any communication with me save in the relation of a mere servant Joseph
fell under a ban also he would speak his mind and lecture her all the same as
if she were a little girl and she esteemed herself a woman and our mistress
and thought that her recent illness gave her a claim to be treated with
consideration Then the doctor had said that she would not bear crossing much
she ought to have her own way and it was nothing less than murder in her eyes
for any one to presume to stand up and contradict her
From Mr Earnshaw and his companions she kept aloof and tutored by
Kenneth and serious threats of a fit that often attended her rages her brother
allowed her whatever she pleased to demand and generally avoided aggravating
her fiery temper He was rather too indulgent in humouring her caprices not
from affection but from pride he wished earnestly to see her bring honour to
the family by an alliance with the Lintons and as long as she let him alone
she might trample us like slaves for aught he cared
Edgar Linton as multitudes have been before and will be after him was
infatuated and believed himself the happiest man alive on the day he led her to
Gimmerton Chapel three years subsequent to his fathers death
Much against my inclination I was persuaded to leave Wuthering Heights and
accompany her here Little Hareton was nearly five years old and I had just
begun to teach him his letters We made a sad parting but Catherines tears
were more powerful than ours When I refused to go and when she found her
entreaties did not move me she went lamenting to her husband and brother The
former offered me munificent wages the latter ordered me to pack up he wanted
no women in the house he said now that there was no mistress and as to
Hareton the curate should take him in hand by and bye And so I had but one
choice left to do as I was ordered I told the master he got rid of all decent
people only to run to ruin a little faster I kissed Hareton good bye and
since then he has been a stranger and its very queer to think it but Ive no
doubt he has completely forgotten all about Ellen Dean and that he was ever
more than all the world to her and she to him
At this point of the housekeepers story she chanced to glance towards the
timepiece over the chimney and was in amazement on seeing the minutehand
measure half past one She would not hear of staying a second longer In truth
I felt rather disposed to defer the sequel of her narrative myself and now
that she is vanished to her rest and I have meditated for another hour or two
I shall summon courage to go also in spite of aching laziness of head and
limbs
Chapter X
A charming introduction to a hermits life Four weeks torture tossing and
sickness Oh these bleak winds and bitter northern skies and impassable
roads and dilatory country surgeons And oh this dearth of the human
physiognomy and worse than all the terrible intimation of Kenneth that I need
not expect to be out of doors till spring
Mr Heathcliff has just honoured me with a call About seven days ago he
sent me a brace of grouse the last of the season Scoundrel He is not
altogether guiltless in this illness of mine and that I had a great mind to
tell him But alas how could I offend a man who was charitable enough to sit
at my bedside a good hour and talk on some other subjects than pills and
draughts blisters and leeches
This is quite an easy interval I am too weak to read yet I feel as if I
could enjoy something interesting Why not have up Mrs Dean to finish her tale
I can recollect its chief incidents as far as she had gone Yes I remember her
hero had run off and never been heard of for three years and the heroine was
married Ill ring shell be delighted to find me capable of talking
cheerfully
Mrs Dean came
»It wants twenty minutes sir to taking the medicine« she commenced
»Away away with it« I replied »I desire to have «
»The doctor says you must drop the powders«
»With all my heart Dont interrupt me Come and take your seat here Keep
your fingers from that bitter phalanx of vials Draw your knitting out of your
pocket that will do now continue the history of Mr Heathcliff from where
you left off to the present day Did he finish his education on the Continent
and come back a gentleman or did he get a sizers place at college or escape
to America and earn honours by drawing blood from his foster country or make a
fortune more promptly on the English highways«
»He may have done a little in all these vocations Mr Lockwood but I
couldnt give my word for any I stated before that I didnt know how he gained
his money neither am I aware of the means he took to raise his mind from the
savage ignorance into which it was sunk but with your leave Ill proceed in
my own fashion if you think it will amuse and not weary you Are you feeling
better this morning«
»Much«
»Thats good news«
I got Miss Catherine and myself to Thrushcross Grange and to my agreeable
disappointment she behaved infinitely better than I dared to expect She seemed
almost over fond of Mr Linton and even to his sister she showed plenty of
affection They were both very attentive to her comfort certainly It was not
the thorn bending to the honeysuckles but the honeysuckles embracing the thorn
There were no mutual concessions one stood erect and the other yielded and
who can be illnatured and badtempered when they encounter neither
opposition nor indifference
I observed that Mr Edgar had a deeprooted fear of ruffling her humour He
concealed it from her but if ever he heard me answer sharply or saw any other
servant grow cloudy at some imperious order of hers he would show his trouble
by a frown of displeasure that never darkened on his own account He many a
time spoke sternly to me about my pertness and averred that the stab of a
knife could not inflict a worse pang than he suffered at seeing his lady vexed
Not to grieve a kind master I learned to be less touchy and for the space
of half a year the gunpowder lay as harmless as sand because no fire came near
to explode it Catherine had seasons of gloom and silence now and then they
were respected with sympathizing silence by her husband who ascribed them to an
alteration in her constitution produced by her perilous illness as she was
never subject to depression of spirits before The return of sunshine was
welcomed by answering sunshine from him I believe I may assert that they were
really in possession of deep and growing happiness
It ended Well we must be for ourselves in the long run the mild and
generous are only more justly selfish than the domineering and it ended when
circumstances caused each to feel that the ones interest was not the chief
consideration in the others thoughts
On a mellow evening in September I was coming from the garden with a heavy
basket of apples which I had been gathering It had got dusk and the moon
looked over the high wall of the court causing undefined shadows to lurk in the
corners of the numerous projecting portions of the building I set my burden on
the house steps by the kitchen door and lingered to rest and draw in a few
more breaths of the soft sweet air my eyes were on the moon and my back to
the entrance when I heard a voice behind me say
»Nelly is that you«
It was a deep voice and foreign in tone yet there was something in the
manner of pronouncing my name which made it sound familiar I turned about to
discover who spoke fearfully for the doors were shut and I had seen nobody on
approaching the steps
Something stirred in the porch and moving nearer I distinguished a tall
man dressed in dark clothes with dark face and hair He leant against the side
and held his fingers on the latch as if intending to open for himself
»Who can it be« I thought »Mr Earnshaw Oh no The voice has no
resemblance to his«
»I have waited here an hour« he resumed while I continued staring »and
the whole of that time all round has been as still as death I dared not enter
You do not know me Look Im not a stranger«
A ray fell on his features the cheeks were sallow and half covered with
black whiskers the brows lowering the eyes deep set and singular I remembered
the eyes
»What« I cried uncertain whether to regard him as a worldly visitor and I
raised my hands in amazement »What you come back Is it really you Is it«
»Yes Heathcliff« he replied glancing from me up to the windows which
reflected a score of glittering moons but showed no lights from within »Are
they at home where is she Nelly you are not glad you neednt be so
disturbed Is she here Speak I want to have one word with her your mistress
Go and say some person from Gimmerton desires to see her«
»How will she take it« I exclaimed »what will she do The surprise
bewilders me it will put her out of her head And you are Heathcliff But
altered Nay theres no comprehending it Have you been for a soldier«
»Go and carry my message« he interrupted impatiently »Im in hell till
you do«
He lifted the latch and I entered but when I got to the parlour where Mr
and Mrs Linton were I could not persuade myself to proceed
At length I resolved on making an excuse to ask if they would have the
candles lighted and I opened the door
They sat together in a window whose lattice lay back against the wall and
displayed beyond the garden trees and the wild green park the valley of
Gimmerton with a long line of mist winding nearly to its top for very soon
after you pass the chapel as you may have noticed the sough that runs from the
marshes joins a beck which follows the bend of the glen Wuthering Heights rose
above this silvery vapour but our old house was invisible it rather dips down
on the other side
Both the room and its occupants and the scene they gazed on looked
wondrously peaceful I shrank reluctantly from performing my errand and was
actually going away leaving it unsaid after having put my question about the
candles when a sense of my folly compelled me to return and mutter
»A person from Gimmerton wishes to see you maam«
»What does he want« asked Mrs Linton
»I did not question him« I answered
»Well close the curtains Nelly« she said »and bring up tea Ill be back
again directly«
She quitted the apartment Mr Edgar inquired carelessly who it was
»Some one mistress does not expect« I replied »That Heathcliff you
recollect him sir who used to live at Mr Earnshaws«
»What the gipsy the ploughboy« he cried »Why did you not say so to
Catherine«
»Hush you must not call him by those names master« I said »Shed be
sadly grieved to hear you She was nearly heartbroken when he ran off I guess
his return will make a jubilee to her«
Mr Linton walked to a window on the other side of the room that overlooked
the court He unfastened it and leant out I suppose they were below for he
exclaimed quickly
»Dont stand there love Bring the person in if it be any one particular«
Ere long I heard the click of the latch and Catherine flew upstairs
breathless and wild too excited to show gladness indeed by her face you
would rather have surmised an awful calamity
»Oh Edgar Edgar« she panted flinging her arms round his neck »Oh
Edgar darling Heathcliffs come back he is« And she tightened her embrace
to a squeeze
»Well well« cried her husband crossly »dont strangle me for that He
never struck me as such a marvellous treasure There is no need to be frantic«
»I know you didnt like him« she answered repressing a little the
intensity of her delight »Yet for my sake you must be friends now Shall I
tell him to come up«
»Here« he said »into the parlour«
»Where else« she asked
He looked vexed and suggested the kitchen as a more suitable place for him
Mrs Linton eyed him with a droll expression half angry half laughing at
his fastidiousness
»No« she added after a while »I cannot sit in the kitchen Set two tables
here Ellen one for your master and Miss Isabella being gentry the other for
Heathcliff and myself being of the lower orders Will that please you dear Or
must I have a fire lighted elsewhere If so give directions Ill run down and
secure my guest Im afraid the joy is too great to be real«
She was about to dart off again but Edgar arrested her
»You bid him step up« he said addressing me »and Catherine try to be
glad without being absurd The whole household need not witness the sight of
your welcoming a runaway servant as a brother«
I descended and found Heathcliff waiting under the porch evidently
anticipating an invitation to enter He followed my guidance without waste of
words and I ushered him into the presence of the master and mistress whose
flushed cheeks betrayed signs of warm talking But the ladys glowed with
another feeling when her friend appeared at the door she sprang forward took
both his hands and led him to Linton and then she seized Lintons reluctant
fingers and crushed them into his
Now fully revealed by the fire and candlelight I was amazed more than
ever to behold the transformation of Heathcliff He had grown a tall athletic
wellformed man beside whom my master seemed quite slender and youthlike His
upright carriage suggested the idea of his having been in the army His
countenance was much older in expression and decision of feature than Mr
Lintons it looked intelligent and retained no marks of former degradation A
halfcivilized ferocity lurked yet in the depressed brows and eyes full of
black fire but it was subdued and his manner was even dignified quite
divested of roughness though too stern for grace
My masters surprise equalled or exceeded mine he remained for a minute at
a loss how to address the ploughboy as he had called him Heathcliff dropped
his slight hand and stood looking at him coolly till he chose to speak
»Sit down sir« he said at length »Mrs Linton recalling old times
would have me give you a cordial reception and of course I am gratified when
anything occurs to please her«
»And I also« answered Heathcliff »especially if it be anything in which I
have a part I shall stay an hour or two willingly«
He took a seat opposite Catherine who kept her gaze fixed on him as if she
feared he would vanish were she to remove it He did not raise his to her
often a quick glance now and then sufficed but it flashed back each time
more confidently the undisguised delight he drank from hers
They were too much absorbed in their mutual joy to suffer embarrassment not
so Mr Edgar he grew pale with pure annoyance a feeling that reached its
climax when his lady rose and stepping across the rug seized Heathcliffs
hands again and laughed like one beside herself
»I shall think it a dream tomorrow« she cried »I shall not be able to
believe that I have seen and touched and spoken to you once more and yet
cruel Heathcliff you dont deserve this welcome To be absent and silent for
three years and never to think of me«
»A little more than you have thought of me« he murmured »I heard of your
marriage Cathy not long since and while waiting in the yard below I
meditated this plan just to have one glimpse of your face a stare of
surprise perhaps and pretended pleasure afterwards settle my score with
Hindley and then prevent the law by doing execution on myself Your welcome has
put these ideas out of my mind but beware of meeting me with another aspect
next time Nay youll not drive me off again you were really sorry for me
were you Well there was cause Ive fought through a bitter life since I last
heard your voice and you must forgive me for I struggled only for you«
»Catherine unless we are to have cold tea please to come to the table«
interrupted Linton striving to preserve his ordinary tone and a due measure of
politeness »Mr Heathcliff will have a long walk wherever he may lodge
tonight and Im thirsty«
She took her post before the urn and Miss Isabella came summoned by the
bell then having handed their chairs forward I left the room
The meal hardly endured ten minutes Catherines cup was never filled she
could neither eat nor drink Edgar had made a slop in his saucer and scarcely
swallowed a mouthful
Their guest did not protract his stay that evening above an hour longer I
asked as he departed if he went to Gimmerton
»No to Wuthering Heights« he answered »Mr Earnshaw invited me when I
called this morning«
Mr Earnshaw invited him and he called on Mr Earnshaw I pondered this
sentence painfully after he was gone Is he turning out a bit of a hypocrite
and coming into the country to work mischief under a cloak I mused I had a
presentiment in the bottom of my heart that he had better have remained away
About the middle of the night I was wakened from my first nap by Mrs
Linton gliding into my chamber taking a seat on my bedside and pulling me by
the hair to rouse me
»I cannot rest Ellen« she said by way of apology »And I want some living
creature to keep me company in my happiness Edgar is sulky because I am glad
of a thing that does not interest him He refuses to open his mouth except to
utter pettish silly speeches and he affirmed I was cruel and selfish for
wishing to talk when he was so sick and sleepy He always contrives to be sick
at the least cross I gave a few sentences of commendation to Heathcliff and
he either for a headache or a pang of envy began to cry so I got up and left
him«
»What use is it praising Heathcliff to him« I answered »As lads they had
an aversion to each other and Heathcliff would hate just as much to hear him
praised its human nature Let Mr Linton alone about him unless you would
like an open quarrel between them«
»But does it not show great weakness« pursued she »Im not envious I
never feel hurt at the brightness of Isabellas yellow hair and the whiteness
of her skin at her dainty elegance and the fondness all the family exhibit for
her Even you Nelly if we have a dispute sometimes you back Isabella at once
and I yield like a foolish mother I call her a darling and flatter her into a
good temper It pleases her brother to see us cordial and that pleases me But
they are very much alike they are spoiled children and fancy the world was
made for their accommodation and though I humour both I think a smart
chastisement might improve them all the same«
»Youre mistaken Mrs Linton« said I »They humour you I know what there
would be to do if they did not You can well afford to indulge their passing
whims as long as their business is to anticipate all your desires You may
however fall out at last over something of equal consequence to both sides
and then those you term weak are very capable of being as obstinate as you«
»And then we shall fight to the death shant we Nelly« she returned
laughing »No I tell you I have such faith in Lintons love that I believe I
might kill him and he wouldnt wish to retaliate«
I advised her to value him the more for his affection
»I do« she answered »but he neednt resort to whining for trifles It is
childish and instead of melting into tears because I said that Heathcliff was
now worthy of any ones regard and it would honour the first gentleman in the
country to be his friend he ought to have said it for me and been delighted
from sympathy He must get accustomed to him and he may as well like him
considering how Heathcliff has reason to object to him Im sure he behaved
excellently«
»What do you think of his going to Wuthering Heights« I inquired »He is
reformed in every respect apparently quite a Christian offering the right
hand of fellowship to his enemies all round«
»He explained it« she replied »I wondered as much as you He said he
called to gather information concerning me from you supposing you resided
there still and Joseph told Hindley who came out and fell to questioning him
of what he had been doing and how he had been living and finally desired him
to walk in There were some persons sitting at cards Heathcliff joined them
my brother lost some money to him and finding him plentifully supplied he
requested that he would come again in the evening to which he consented
Hindley is too reckless to select his acquaintance prudently he doesnt trouble
himself to reflect on the causes he might have for mistrusting one whom he has
basely injured But Heathcliff affirms his principal reason for resuming a
connection with his ancient persecutor is a wish to instal himself in quarters
at walking distance from the Grange and an attachment to the house where we
lived together and likewise a hope that I shall have more opportunities of
seeing him there than I could have if he settled in Gimmerton He means to offer
liberal payment for permission to lodge at the Heights and doubtless my
brothers covetousness will prompt him to accept the terms he was always
greedy though what he grasps with one hand he flings away with the other«
»Its a nice place for a young man to fix his dwelling in« said I »Have
you no fear of the consequences Mrs Linton«
»None for my friend« she replied »his strong head will keep him from
danger a little for Hindley but he cant be made morally worse than he is
and I stand between him and bodily harm The event of this evening has
reconciled me to God and humanity I had risen in angry rebellion against
providence Oh Ive endured very very bitter misery Nelly If that creature
knew how bitter hed be ashamed to cloud its removal with idle petulance It
was kindness for him which induced me to bear it alone had I expressed the
agony I frequently felt he would have been taught to long for its alleviation
as ardently as I However its over and Ill take no revenge on his folly I
can afford to suffer anything hereafter should the meanest thing alive slap me
on the cheek Id not only turn the other but Id ask pardon for provoking it
and as a proof Ill go make my peace with Edgar instantly Goodnight Im
an angel«
In this selfcomplacent conviction she departed and the success of her
fulfilled resolution was obvious on the morrow Mr Linton had not only abjured
his peevishness though his spirits seemed still subdued by Catherines
exuberance of vivacity but he ventured no objection to her taking Isabella with
her to Wuthering Heights in the afternoon and she rewarded him with such a
summer of sweetness and affection in return as made the house a paradise for
several days both master and servants profiting from the perpetual sunshine
Heathcliff Mr Heathcliff I should say in future used the liberty of
visiting Thrushcross Grange cautiously at first he seemed estimating how far
its owner would bear his intrusion Catherine also deemed it judicious to
moderate her expressions of pleasure in receiving him and he gradually
established his right to be expected
He retained a great deal of the reserve for which his boyhood was
remarkable and that served to repress all startling demonstrations of feeling
My masters uneasiness experienced a lull and further circumstances diverted it
into another channel for a space
His new source of trouble sprang from the not anticipated misfortune of
Isabella Linton evincing a sudden and irresistible attraction towards the
tolerated guest She was at that time a charming young lady of eighteen
infantile in manners though possessed of keen wit keen feelings and a keen
temper too if irritated Her brother who loved her tenderly was appalled at
this fantastic preference Leaving aside the degradation of an alliance with a
nameless man and the possible fact that his property in default of heirs male
might pass into such a ones power he had sense to comprehend Heathcliffs
disposition to know that though his exterior was altered his mind was
unchangeable and unchanged And he dreaded that mind it revolted him he
shrank forebodingly from the idea of committing Isabella to its keeping
He would have recoiled still more had he been aware that her attachment rose
unsolicited and was bestowed where it awakened no reciprocation of sentiment
for the minute he discovered its existence he laid the blame on Heathcliffs
deliberate designing
We had all remarked during some time that Miss Linton fretted and pined
over something She grew cross and wearisome snapping at and teasing Catherine
continually at the imminent risk of exhausting her limited patience We excused
her to a certain extent on the plea of ill health she was dwindling and
fading before our eyes But one day when she had been peculiarly wayward
rejecting her breakfast complaining that the servants did not do what she told
them that the mistress would allow her to be nothing in the house and Edgar
neglected her that she had caught a cold with the doors being left open and we
let the parlour fire go out on purpose to vex her with a hundred yet more
frivolous accusations Mrs Linton peremptorily insisted that she should get
tobed and having scolded her heartily threatened to send for the doctor
Mention of Kenneth caused her to exclaim instantly that her health was
perfect and it was only Catherines harshness which made her unhappy
»How can you say I am harsh you naughty fondling« cried the mistress
amazed at the unreasonable assertion »You are surely losing your reason When
have I been harsh tell me«
»Yesterday« sobbed Isabella »and now«
»Yesterday« said her sisterinlaw »On what occasion«
»In our walk along the moor you told me to ramble where I pleased while
you sauntered on with Mr Heathcliff«
»And thats your notion of harshness« said Catherine laughing »It was no
hint that your company was superfluous we didnt care whether you kept with us
or not I merely thought Heathcliffs talk would have nothing entertaining for
your ears«
»Oh no« wept the young lady »you wished me away because you knew I liked
to be there«
»Is she sane« asked Mrs Linton appealing to me »Ill repeat our
conversation word for word Isabella and you point out any charm it could have
had for you«
»I dont mind the conversation« she answered »I wanted to be with «
»Well« said Catherine perceiving her hesitate to complete the sentence
»With him and I wont always be sent off« she continued kindling up »You
are a dog in the manger Cathy and desire no one to be loved but yourself«
»You are an impertinent little monkey« exclaimed Mrs Linton in surprise
»But Ill not believe this idiocy It is impossible that you can covet the
admiration of Heathcliff that you consider him an agreeable person I hope I
have misunderstood you Isabella«
»No you have not« said the infatuated girl »I love him more than ever you
loved Edgar and he might love me if you would let him«
»I wouldnt be you for a kingdom then« Catherine declared emphatically
and she seemed to speak sincerely »Nelly help me to convince her of her
madness Tell her what Heathcliff is an unreclaimed creature without
refinement without cultivation an arid wilderness of furze and whinstone Id
as soon put that little canary into the park on a winters day as recommend you
to bestow your heart on him It is deplorable ignorance of his character child
and nothing else which makes that dream enter your head Pray dont imagine
that he conceals depths of benevolence and affection beneath a stern exterior
Hes not a rough diamond a pearlcontaining oyster of a rustic hes a fierce
pitiless wolfish man I never say to him let this or that enemy alone because
it would be ungenerous or cruel to harm them I say let them alone because I
should hate them to be wronged and hed crush you like a sparrows egg
Isabella if he found you a troublesome charge I know he couldnt love a
Linton and yet hed be quite capable of marrying your fortune and
expectations Avarice is growing with him a besetting sin Theres my picture
and Im his friend so much so that had he thought seriously to catch you I
should perhaps have held my tongue and let you fall into his trap«
Miss Linton regarded her sisterinlaw with indignation
»For shame for shame« she repeated angrily »You are worse than twenty
foes you poisonous friend«
»Ah you wont believe me then« said Catherine »You think I speak from
wicked selfishness«
»Im certain you do« retorted Isabella »and I shudder at you«
»Good« cried the other »Try for yourself if that be your spirit I have
done and yield the argument to your saucy insolence«
»And I must suffer for her egotism« she sobbed as Mrs Linton left the
room »All all is against me she has blighted my single consolation But she
uttered falsehoods didnt she Mr Heathcliff is not a fiend he has an
honourable soul and a true one or how could he remember her«
»Banish him from your thoughts miss« I said »Hes a bird of bad omen no
mate for you Mrs Linton spoke strongly and yet I cant contradict her She
is better acquainted with his heart than I or any one besides and she never
would represent him as worse than he is Honest people dont hide their deeds
How has he been living how has he got rich why is he staying at Wuthering
Heights the house of a man whom he abhors They say Mr Earnshaw is worse and
worse since he came They sit up all night together continually and Hindley has
been borrowing money on his land and does nothing but play and drink I heard
only a week ago it was Joseph who told me I met him at Gimmerton
Nelly he said wes hae a Crahnrs quest enah at ahr folks One on ems
amost getten his finger cut off wi haudin t other froo sticking hisseln
loike a cawlf Thats maister yah knaw uts soa up uh going tuh tgrand
sizes Hes noan feard uh t Bench uh judges norther Paul nur Peter nur
John nor Mathew nor noan on em nut he He fair likes he langs tuh set his
brazened face agean em And yon bonny lad Heathcliff yah mind hes a rare
un He can girn a laugh as weels onybody at a raight divils jest Does he
niver say nowt of his fine living amang us when he goas tuh t Grange This is
t way ont up at sundahn dice brandy cloised shutters und canle lught
till next day at nooin then t fooil gangs banning un raving to his chamer
makking dacent fowks dig thur fingers i thur lugs fur varry shaume un th
knave wah he carn cahnt his brass un ate un sleep un off tuh his
neighbours tuh gossip wi t wife I course he tells Dame Catherine hah hor
fathurs goold runs intuh his pocket and her fathurs son gallops dahn t Broad
road while he flees afore tuh oppen t pikes Now Miss Linton Joseph is an
old rascal but no liar and if his account of Heathcliffs conduct be true
you would never think of desiring such a husband would you«
»You are leagued with the rest Ellen« she replied »Ill not listen to
your slanders What malevolence you must have to wish to convince me that there
is no happiness in the world«
Whether she would have got over this fancy if left to herself or persevered
in nursing it perpetually I cannot say she had little time to reflect The day
after there was a justicemeeting at the next town my master was obliged to
attend and Mr Heathcliff aware of his absence called rather earlier than
usual Catherine and Isabella were sitting in the library on hostile terms but
silent The latter alarmed at her recent indiscretion and the disclosure she
had made of her secret feelings in a transient fit of passion the former on
mature consideration really offended with her companion and if she laughed
again at her pertness inclined to make it no laughing matter to her
She did laugh as she saw Heathcliff pass the window I was sweeping the
hearth and I noticed a mischievous smile on her lips Isabella absorbed in her
meditations or a book remained till the door opened and it was too late to
attempt an escape which she would gladly have done had it been practicable
»Come in thats right« exclaimed the mistress gaily pulling a chair to
the fire »Here are two people sadly in need of a third to thaw the ice between
them and you are the very one we should both of us choose Heathcliff Im
proud to show you at last somebody that dotes on you more than myself I
expect you to feel flattered nay its not Nelly dont look at her My poor
little sisterinlaw is breaking her heart by mere contemplation of your
physical and moral beauty It lies in your own power to be Edgars brother No
no Isabella you shant run off« she continued arresting with feigned
playfulness the confounded girl who had risen indignantly »We were quarrelling
like cats about you Heathcliff and I was fairly beaten in protestations of
devotion and admiration and moreover I was informed that if I would but have
the manners to stand aside my rival as she will have herself to be would
shoot a shaft into your soul that would fix you for ever and send my image into
eternal oblivion«
»Catherine« said Isabella calling up her dignity and disdaining to
struggle from the tight grasp that held her »Id thank you to adhere to the
truth and not slander me even in joke Mr Heathcliff be kind enough to bid
this friend of yours release me she forgets that you and I are not intimate
acquaintances and what amuses her is painful to me beyond expression«
As the guest answered nothing but took his seat and looked thoroughly
indifferent what sentiments she cherished concerning him she turned and
whispered an earnest appeal for liberty to her tormenter
»By no means« cried Mrs Linton in answer »I wont be named a dog in the
manger again You shall stay now then Heathcliff why dont you evince
satisfaction at my pleasant news Isabella swears that the love Edgar has for me
is nothing to that she entertains for you Im sure she made some speech of the
kind did she not Ellen And she has fasted ever since the day before
yesterdays walk from sorrow and rage that I despatched her out of your
society under the idea of its being unacceptable«
»I think you belie her« said Heathcliff twisting his chair to face them
»She wishes to be out of my society now at any rate«
And he stared hard at the object of discourse as one might do at a strange
repulsive animal a centipede from the Indies for instance which curiosity
leads one to examine in spite of the aversion it raises
The poor thing couldnt bear that she grew white and red in rapid
succession and while tears beaded her lashes bent the strength of her small
fingers to loosen the firm clutch of Catherine and perceiving that as fast as
she raised one finger off her arm another closed down and she could not remove
the whole together she began to make use of her nails and their sharpness
presently ornamented the detainers with crescents of red
»Theres a tigress« exclaimed Mrs Linton setting her free and shaking
her hand with pain »Begone for Gods sake and hide your vixen face How
foolish to reveal those talons to him Cant you fancy the conclusions hell
draw Look Heathcliff they are instruments that will do execution you must
beware of your eyes«
»Id wrench them off her fingers if they ever menaced me« he answered
brutally when the door had closed after her »But what did you mean by teasing
the creature in that manner Cathy You were not speaking the truth were you«
»I assure you I was« she returned »She has been pining for your sake
several weeks and raving about you this morning and pouring forth a deluge of
abuse because I represented your failings in a plain light for the purpose of
mitigating her adoration But dont notice it further I wished to punish her
sauciness thats all I like her too well my dear Heathcliff to let you
absolutely seize and devour her up«
»And I like her too ill to attempt it« said he »except in a very ghoulish
fashion Youd hear of odd things if I lived alone with that mawkish waxen
face the most ordinary would be painting on its white the colours of the
rainbow and turning the blue eyes black every day or two they detestably
resemble Lintons«
»Delectably« observed Catherine »They are doves eyes angels«
»Shes her brothers heir is she not« he asked after a brief silence
»I should be sorry to think so« returned his companion »Halfadozen
nephews shall erase her title please Heaven Abstract your mind from the
subject at present you are too prone to covet your neighbours goods
remember this neighbours goods are mine«
»If they were mine they would be none the less that« said Heathcliff »but
though Isabella Linton may be silly she is scarcely mad and in short well
dismiss the matter as you advise«
From their tongues they did dismiss it and Catherine probably from her
thoughts The other I felt certain recalled it often in the course of the
evening I saw him smile to himself grin rather and lapse into ominous
musing whenever Mrs Linton had occasion to be absent from the apartment
I determined to watch his movements My heart invariably cleaved to the
masters in preference to Catherines side with reason I imagined for he was
kind and trustful and honourable and she she could not be called the
opposite yet she seemed to allow herself such wide latitude that I had little
faith in her principles and still less sympathy for her feelings I wanted
something to happen which might have the effect of freeing both Wuthering
Heights and the Grange of Mr Heathcliff quietly leaving us as we had been
prior to his advent His visits were a continual nightmare to me and I
suspected to my master also His abode at the Heights was an oppression past
explaining I felt that God had forsaken the stray sheep there to its own wicked
wanderings and an evil beast prowled between it and the fold waiting his time
to spring and destroy
Chapter XI
Sometimes while meditating on these things in solitude Ive got up in a sudden
terror and put on my bonnet to go see how all was at the farm Ive persuaded
my conscience that it was a duty to warn him how people talked regarding his
ways and then Ive recollected his confirmed bad habits and hopeless of
benefiting him have flinched from reentering the dismal house doubting if I
could bear to be taken at my word
One time I passed the old gate going out of my way on a journey to
Gimmerton It was about the period that my narrative has reached a bright
frosty afternoon the ground bare and the road hard and dry
I came to a stone where the highway branches off on to the moor at your left
hand a rough sandpillar with the letters WH cut on its north side on the
east G and on the southwest TG It serves as guidepost to the Grange
Heights and village The sun shone yellow on its grey head reminding me of
summer and I cannot say why but all at once a gush of childs sensations
flowed into my heart Hindley and I held it a favourite spot twenty years
before
I gazed long at the weatherworn block and stooping down perceived a hole
near the bottom still full of snailshells and pebbles which we were fond of
storing there with more perishable things and as fresh as reality it
appeared that I beheld my early playmate seated on the withered turf his dark
square head bent forward and his little hand scooping out the earth with a
piece of slate
»Poor Hindley« I exclaimed involuntarily
I started my bodily eye was cheated into a momentary belief that the child
lifted its face and stared straight into mine It vanished in a twinkling but
immediately I felt an irresistible yearning to be at the Heights Superstition
urged me to comply with this impulse »supposing he should be dead« I thought
»or should die soon supposing it were a sign of death«
The nearer I got to the house the more agitated I grew and on catching
sight of it I trembled every limb The apparition had outstripped me it stood
looking through the gate That was my first idea on observing an elflocked
browneyed boy setting his ruddy countenance against the bars Further
reflection suggested this must be Hareton my Hareton not altered greatly since
I left him ten months since
»God bless thee darling« I cried forgetting instantaneously my foolish
fears »Hareton its Nelly Nelly thy nurse«
He retreated out of arms length and picked up a large flint
»I am come to see thy father Hareton« I added guessing from the action
that Nelly if she lived in his memory at all was not recognized as one with
me
He raised his missile to hurl it I commenced a soothing speech but could
not stay his hand The stone struck my bonnet and then ensued from the
stammering lips of the little fellow a string of curses which whether he
comprehended them or not were delivered with practised emphasis and distorted
his baby features into a shocking expression of malignity
You may be certain this grieved more than angered me Fit to cry I took an
orange from my pocket and offered it to propitiate him
He hesitated and then snatched it from my hold as if he fancied I only
intended to tempt and disappoint him
I showed another keeping it out of his reach
»Who has taught you those fine words my barn« I inquired »The curate«
»Damn the curate and thee Gie me that« he replied
»Tell us where you got your lessons and you shall have it« said I »Whos
your master«
»Devil daddy« was his answer
»And what do you learn from Daddy« I continued
He jumped at the fruit I raised it higher »What does he teach you« I
asked
»Naught« said he »but to keep out of his gait Daddy cannot bide me
because I swear at him«
»Ah and the devil teaches you to swear at Daddy« I observed
»Aye nay« he drawled
»Who then«
»Heathcliff«
I asked if he liked Mr Heathcliff
»Aye« he answered again
Desiring to have his reasons for liking him I could only gather the
sentences »I knownt he pays Dad back what he gives to me he curses Daddy
for cursing me He says I mun do as I will«
»And the curate does not teach you to read and write then« I pursued
»No I was told the curate should have his teeth dashed down his
throat if he stepped over the threshold Heathcliff had promised that«
I put the orange in his hand and bade him tell his father that a woman
called Nelly Dean was waiting to speak with him by the garden gate
He went up the walk and entered the house but instead of Hindley
Heathcliff appeared on the door stones and I turned directly and ran down the
road as hard as ever I could race making no halt till I gained the guide post
and feeling as scared as if I had raised a goblin
This is not much connected with Miss Isabellas affair except that it urged
me to resolve further on mounting vigilant guard and doing my utmost to check
the spread of such bad influence at the Grange even though I should wake a
domestic storm by thwarting Mrs Lintons pleasure
The next time Heathcliff came my young lady chanced to be feeding some
pigeons in the court She had never spoken a word to her sisterinlaw for
three days but she had likewise dropped her fretful complaining and we found
it a great comfort
Heathcliff had not the habit of bestowing a single unnecessary civility on
Miss Linton I knew Now as soon as he beheld her his first precaution was to
take a sweeping survey of the housefront I was standing by the kitchen window
but I drew out of sight He then stepped across the pavement to her and said
something she seemed embarrassed and desirous of getting away to prevent it
he laid his hand on her arm she averted her face he apparently put some
question which she had no mind to answer There was another rapid glance at the
house and supposing himself unseen the scoundrel had the impudence to embrace
her
»Judas Traitor« I ejaculated »you are a hypocrite too are you a
deliberate deceiver«
»Who is Nelly« said Catherines voice at my elbow I had been overintent
on watching the pair outside to mark her entrance
»Your worthless friend« I answered warmly »the sneaking rascal yonder
Ah he has caught a glimpse of us he is coming in I wonder will he have the
art to find a plausible excuse for making love to Miss when he told you he
hated her«
Mrs Linton saw Isabella tear herself free and run into the garden and a
minute after Heathcliff opened the door
I couldnt withhold giving some loose to my indignation but Catherine
angrily insisted on silence and threatened to order me out of the kitchen if I
dared be so presumptuous as to put in my insolent tongue
»To hear you people might think you were the mistress« she cried »You
want setting down in your right place Heathcliff what are you about raising
this stir I said you must let Isabella alone I beg you will unless you are
tired of being received here and wish Linton to draw the bolts against you«
»God forbid that he should try« answered the black villain I detested him
just then »God keep him meek and patient Every day I grow madder after sending
him to heaven«
»Hush« said Catherine shutting the inner door »Dont vex me Why have you
disregarded my request Did she come across you on purpose«
»What is it to you« he growled »I have a right to kiss her if she
chooses and you have no right to object Im not your husband you neednt be
jealous of me«
»Im not jealous of you« replied the mistress »Im jealous for you Clear
your face you shant scowl at me If you like Isabella you shall marry her
But do you like her tell the truth Heathcliff There you wont answer Im
certain you dont«
»And would Mr Linton approve of his sister marrying that man« I inquired
»Mr Linton should approve« returned my lady decisively
»He might spare himself the trouble« said Heathcliff »I could do as well
without his approbation And as to you Catherine I have a mind to speak a
few words now while we are at it I want you to be aware that I know you have
treated me infernally infernally Do you hear And if you flatter yourself
that I dont perceive it you are a fool and if you think I can be consoled by
sweet words you are an idiot and if you fancy Ill suffer unrevenged Ill
convince you of the contrary in a very little while Meantime thank you for
telling me your sisterinlaws secret I swear Ill make the most of it and
stand you aside«
»What new phase of his character is this« exclaimed Mrs Linton in
amazement »Ive treated you infernally and youll take your revenge How will
you take it ungrateful brute How have I treated you infernally«
»I seek no revenge on you« replied Heathcliff less vehemently »Thats not
the plan The tyrant grinds down his slaves and they dont turn against him
they crush those beneath them You are welcome to torture me to death for your
amusement only allow me to amuse myself a little in the same style And
refrain from insult as much as you are able Having levelled my palace dont
erect a hovel and complacently admire your own charity in giving me that for a
home If I imagined you really wished me to marry Isabella Id cut my throat«
»Oh the evil is that I am not jealous is it« cried Catherine »Well I
wont repeat my offer of a wife It is as bad as offering Satan a lost soul
Your bliss lies like his in inflicting misery You prove it Edgar is
restored from the illtemper he gave way to at your coming I begin to be secure
and tranquil and you restless to know us at peace appear resolved on
exciting a quarrel quarrel with Edgar if you please Heathcliff and deceive
his sister youll hit on exactly the most efficient method of revenging
yourself on me«
The conversation ceased Mrs Linton sat down by the fire flushed and
gloomy The spirit which served her was growing intractable she could neither
lay nor control it He stood on the hearth with folded arms brooding on his
evil thoughts and in this position I left them to seek the master who was
wondering what kept Catherine below so long
»Ellen« said he when I entered »have you seen your mistress«
»Yes she is in the kitchen sir« I answered »Shes sadly put out by Mr
Heathcliffs behaviour and indeed I do think its time to arrange his visits
on another footing Theres harm in being too soft and now its come to this
« And I related the scene in the court and as near as I dared the whole
subsequent dispute I fancied it could not be very prejudicial to Mrs Linton
unless she made it so afterwards by assuming the defensive for her guest
Edgar Linton had difficulty in hearing me to the close His first words
revealed that he did not clear his wife of blame
»This is insufferable« he exclaimed »It is disgraceful that she should own
him for a friend and force his company on me Call me two men out of the hall
Ellen Catherine shall linger no longer to argue with the low ruffian I have
humoured her enough«
He descended and bidding the servants wait in the passage went followed
by me to the kitchen Its occupants had recommenced their angry discussion
Mrs Linton at least was scolding with renewed vigour Heathcliff had moved to
the window and hung his head somewhat cowed by her violent rating apparently
He saw the master first and made a hasty motion that she should be silent
which she obeyed abruptly on discovering the reason of his intimation
»How is this« said Linton addressing her »what notion of propriety must
you have to remain here after the language which has been held to you by that
blackguard I suppose because it is his ordinary talk you think nothing of it
you are habituated to his baseness and perhaps imagine I can get used to it
too«
»Have you been listening at the door Edgar« asked the mistress in a tone
particularly calculated to provoke her husband implying both carelessness and
contempt of his irritation
Heathcliff who had raised his eyes at the former speech gave a sneering
laugh at the latter on purpose it seemed to draw Mr Lintons attention to
him
He succeeded but Edgar did not mean to entertain him with any high flights
of passion
»I have been so far forbearing with you sir« he said quietly »not that I
was ignorant of your miserable degraded character but I felt you were only
partly responsible for that and Catherine wishing to keep up your acquaintance
I acquiesced foolishly Your presence is a moral poison that would contaminate
the most virtuous for that cause and to prevent worse consequences I shall
deny you hereafter admission into this house and give notice now that I
require your instant departure Three minutes delay will render it involuntary
and ignominious«
Heathcliff measured the height and breadth of the speaker with an eye full
of derision
»Cathy this lamb of yours threatens like a bull« he said »It is in danger
of splitting its skull against my knuckles By God Mr Linton Im mortally
sorry that you are not worth knocking down«
My master glanced towards the passage and signed me to fetch the men he
had no intention of hazarding a personal encounter I obeyed the hint but Mrs
Linton suspecting something followed and when I attempted to call them she
pulled me back slammed the door to and locked it
»Fair means« she said in answer to her husbands look of angry surprise
»If you have not courage to attack him make an apology or allow yourself to be
beaten It will correct you of feigning more valour than you possess No Ill
swallow the key before you shall get it Im delightfully rewarded for my
kindness to each After constant indulgence of ones weak nature and the
others bad one I earn for thanks two samples of blind ingratitude stupid to
absurdity Edgar I was defending you and yours and I wish Heathcliff may flog
you sick for daring to think an evil thought of me«
It did not need the medium of a flogging to produce that effect on the
master He tried to wrest the key from Catherines grasp and for safety she
flung it into the hottest part of the fire whereupon Mr Edgar was taken with a
nervous trembling and his countenance grew deadly pale For his life he could
not avert that access of emotion mingled anguish and humiliation overcame him
completely He leant on the back of a chair and covered his face
»Oh heavens In old days this would win you knighthood« exclaimed Mrs
Linton »We are vanquished we are vanquished Heathcliff would as soon lift a
finger at you as a king would march his army against a colony of mice Cheer up
you shant be hurt Your type is not a lamb its a sucking leveret«
»I wish you joy of the milkblooded coward Cathy« said her friend »I
compliment you on your taste and that is the slavering shivering thing you
preferred to me I would not strike him with my fist but Id kick him with my
foot and experience considerable satisfaction Is he weeping or is he going to
faint for fear«
The fellow approached and gave the chair on which Linton rested a push Hed
better have kept his distance my master quickly sprang erect and struck him
full on the throat a blow that would have levelled a slighter man
It took his breath for a minute and while he choked Mr Linton walked out
by the back door into the yard and from thence to the front entrance
»There youve done with coming here« cried Catherine »Get away now
hell return with a brace of pistols and halfadozen assistants If he did
overhear us of course hed never forgive you Youve played me an ill turn
Heathcliff But go make haste Id rather see Edgar at bay than you«
»Do you suppose Im going with that blow burning in my gullet« he
thundered »By Hell no Ill crush his ribs in like a rotten hazelnut before
I cross the threshold If I dont floor him now I shall murder him some time
so as you value his existence let me get at him«
»He is not coming« I interposed framing a bit of a lie »Theres the
coachman and the two gardeners youll surely not wait to be thrust into the
road by them Each has a bludgeon and master will very likely be watching
from the parlour windows to see that they fulfil his orders«
The gardeners and coachman were there but Linton was with them They had
already entered the court Heathcliff on second thoughts resolved to avoid a
struggle against the three underlings he seized the poker smashed the lock
from the inner door and made his escape as they tramped in
Mrs Linton who was very much excited bid me accompany her upstairs She
did not know my share in contributing to the disturbance and I was anxious to
keep her in ignorance
»Im nearly distracted Nelly« she exclaimed throwing herself on the sofa
»A thousand smiths hammers are beating in my head Tell Isabella to shun me
this uproar is owing to her and should she or any one else aggravate my anger
at present I shall get wild And Nelly say to Edgar if you see him again
tonight that Im in danger of being seriously ill I wish it may prove true
He has startled and distressed me shockingly I want to frighten him Besides
he might come and begin a string of abuse or complainings Im certain I should
recriminate and God knows where we should end Will you do so my good Nelly
You are aware that I am no way blameable in this matter What possessed him to
turn listener Heathcliffs talk was outrageous after you left us but I could
soon have diverted him from Isabella and the rest meant nothing Now all is
dashed wrong by the foolscraving to hear evil of self that haunts some people
like a demon Had Edgar never gathered our conversation he would never have
been the worse for it Really when he opened on me in that unreasonable tone of
displeasure after I had scolded Heathcliff till I was hoarse for him I did not
care hardly what they did to each other especially as I felt that however
the scene closed we should all be driven asunder for nobody knows how long
Well if I cannot keep Heathcliff for my friend if Edgar will be mean and
jealous Ill try to break their hearts by breaking my own That will be a
prompt way of finishing all when I am pushed to extremity But its a deed to
be reserved for a forlorn hope Id not take Linton by surprise with it To
this point he has been discreet in dreading to provoke me you must represent
the peril of quitting that policy and remind him of my passionate temper
verging when kindled on frenzy I wish you could dismiss that apathy out of
your countenance and look rather more anxious about me«
The stolidity with which I received these instructions was no doubt rather
exasperating for they were delivered in perfect sincerity but I believed a
person who could plan the turning of her fits of passion to account beforehand
might by exerting her will manage to control herself tolerably even while
under their influence and I did not wish to frighten her husband as she said
and multiply his annoyances for the purpose of serving her selfishness
Therefore I said nothing when I met the master coming towards the parlour but I
took the liberty of turning back to listen whether they would resume their
quarrel together
He began to speak first
»Remain where you are Catherine« he said without any anger in his voice
but with much sorrowful despondency »I shall not stay I am neither come to
wrangle nor be reconciled but I wish just to learn whether after this
evenings events you intend to continue your intimacy with «
»Oh for mercys sake« interrupted the mistress stamping her foot »for
mercys sake let us hear no more of it now Your cold blood cannot be worked
into a fever your veins are full of icewater but mine are boiling and the
sight of such chilliness makes them dance«
»To get rid of me answer my question« persevered Mr Linton »You must
answer it and that violence does not alarm me I have found that you can be as
stoical as any one when you please Will you give up Heathcliff hereafter or
will you give up me It is impossible for you to be my friend and his at the
same time and I absolutely require to know which you choose«
»I require to be let alone« exclaimed Catherine furiously »I demand it
Dont you see I can scarcely stand Edgar you you leave me«
She rung the bell till it broke with a twang I entered leisurely It was
enough to try the temper of a saint such senseless wicked rages There she lay
dashing her head against the arm of the sofa and grinding her teeth so that
you might fancy she would crash them to splinters
Mr Linton stood looking at her in sudden compunction and fear He told me
to fetch some water She had no breath for speaking
I brought a glass full and as she would not drink I sprinkled it on her
face In a few seconds she stretched herself out stiff and turned up her eyes
while her cheeks at once blanched and livid assumed the aspect of death
Linton looked terrified
»There is nothing in the world the matter« I whispered I did not want him
to yield though I could not help being afraid in my heart
»She has blood on her lips« he said shuddering
»Never mind« I answered tartly And I told him how she had resolved
previous to his coming on exhibiting a fit of frenzy
I incautiously gave the account aloud and she heard me for she started up
her hair flying over her shoulders her eyes flashing the muscles of her neck
and arms standing out preternaturally I made up my mind for broken bones at
least but she only glared about for an instant and then rushed from the room
The master directed me to follow I did to her chamber door she hindered
me from going farther by securing it against me
As she never offered to descend to breakfast next morning I went to ask
whether she would have some carried up
»No« she replied peremptorily
The same question was repeated at dinner and tea and again on the morrow
after and received the same answer
Mr Linton on his part spent his time in the library and did not inquire
concerning his wifes occupations Isabella and he had had an hours interview
during which he tried to elicit from her some sentiment of proper horror for
Heathcliffs advances but he could make nothing of her evasive replies and was
obliged to close the examination unsatisfactorily adding however a solemn
warning that if she were so insane as to encourage that worthless suitor it
would dissolve all bonds of relationship between herself and him
Chapter XII
While Miss Linton moped about the park and garden always silent and almost
always in tears and her brother shut himself up among books that he never
opened wearying I guessed with a continual vague expectation that Catherine
repenting her conduct would come of her own accord to ask pardon and seek a
reconciliation and she fasted pertinaciously under the idea probably that at
every meal Edgar was ready to choke for her absence and pride alone held him
from running to cast himself at her feet I went about my household duties
convinced that the Grange had but one sensible soul in its walls and that
lodged in my body
I wasted no condolences on miss nor any expostulations on my mistress nor
did I pay attention to the sighs of my master who yearned to hear his ladys
name since he might not hear her voice
I determined they should come about as they pleased for me and though it
was a tiresomely slow process I began to rejoice at length in a faint dawn of
its progress as I thought at first
Mrs Linton on the third day unbarred her door and having finished the
water in her pitcher and decanter desired a renewed supply and a basin of
gruel for she believed she was dying That I set down as a speech meant for
Edgars ears I believed no such thing so I kept it to myself and brought her
some tea and dry toast
She eat and drank eagerly and sank back on her pillow again clenching her
hands and groaning
»Oh I will die« she exclaimed »since no one cares anything about me I
wish I had not taken that«
Then a good while after I heard her murmur
»No Ill not die hed be glad he does not love me at all he would
never miss me«
»Did you want anything maam« I enquired still preserving my external
composure in spite of her ghastly countenance and strange exaggerated manner
»What is that apathetic being doing« she demanded pushing the thick
entangled locks from her wasted face »Has he fallen into a lethargy or is he
dead«
»Neither« replied I »if you mean Mr Linton Hes tolerably well I think
though his studies occupy him rather more than they ought he is continually
among his books since he has no other society«
I should not have spoken so if I had known her true condition but I could
not get rid of the notion that she acted a part of her disorder
»Among his books« she cried confounded »And I dying I on the brink of
the grave My God does he know how Im altered« continued she staring at her
reflection in a mirror hanging against the opposite wall »Is that Catherine
Linton He imagines me in a pet in play perhaps Cannot you inform him that
it is frightful earnest Nelly if it be not too late as soon as I learn how he
feels Ill choose between these two either to starve at once that would be
no punishment unless he had a heart or to recover and leave the country Are
you speaking the truth about him now Take care Is he actually so utterly
indifferent for my life«
»Why maam« I answered »the master has no idea of your being deranged
and of course he does not fear that you will let yourself die of hunger«
»You think not Cannot you tell him I will« she returned »persuade him
speak of your own mind say you are certain I will«
»No you forget Mrs Linton« I suggested »that you have eaten some food
with a relish this evening and tomorrow you will perceive its good effects«
»If I were only sure it would kill him« she interrupted »Id kill myself
directly These three awful nights Ive never closed my lids and oh Ive
been tormented Ive been haunted Nelly But I begin to fancy you dont like
me How strange I thought though everybody hated and despised each other they
could not avoid loving me and they have all turned to enemies in a few hours
They have Im positive the people here How dreary to meet death surrounded
by their cold faces Isabella terrified and repelled afraid to enter the room
it would be so dreadful to watch Catherine go And Edgar standing solemnly by to
see it over then offering prayers of thanks to God for restoring peace to his
house and going back to his books What in the name of all that feels has he
to do with books when I am dying«
She could not bear the notion which I had put into her head of Mr Lintons
philosophical resignation Tossing about she increased her feverish
bewilderment to madness and tore the pillow with her teeth then raising
herself up all burning desired that I would open the window We were in the
middle of winter the wind blew strong from the northeast and I objected
Both the expressions flitting over her face and the changes of her moods
began to alarm me terribly and brought to my recollection her former illness
and the doctors injunction that she should not be crossed
A minute previously she was violent now supported on one arm and not
noticing my refusal to obey her she seemed to find childish diversion in
pulling the feathers from the rents she had just made and ranging them on the
sheet according to their different species her mind had strayed to other
associations
»Thats a turkeys« she murmured to herself »and this a wild ducks and
this is a pigeons Ah they put pigeons feathers in the pillows no wonder I
couldnt die Let me take care to throw it on the floor when I lie down And
heres a moorcocks and this I should know it among a thousand its a
lapwings Bonny bird wheeling over our heads in the middle of the moor It
wanted to get to its nest for the clouds touched the swells and it felt rain
coming This feather was picked up from the heath the bird was not shot we
saw its nest in the winter full of little skeletons Heathcliff set a trap over
it and the old ones dare not come I made him promise hed never shoot a
lapwing after that and he didnt Yes here are more Did he shoot my
lapwings Nelly Are they red any of them Let me look«
»Give over with that babywork« I interrupted dragging the pillow away
and turning the holes towards the mattress for she was removing its contents by
handfuls »Lie down and shut your eyes youre wandering Theres a mess The
down is flying about like snow«
I went here and there collecting it
»I see in you Nelly« she continued dreamily »an aged woman you have
grey hair and bent shoulders This bed is the fairy cave under Peniston Crag
and you are gathering elfbolts to hurt our heifers pretending while I am
near that they are only locks of wool Thats what youll come to fifty years
hence I know you are not so now Im not wandering you are mistaken or else I
should believe you really were that withered hag and I should think I was under
Peniston Crag and Im conscious its night and there are two candles on the
table making the black press shine like jet«
»The black press where is that« I asked »You are talking in your sleep«
»Its against the wall as it always is« she replied »It does appear odd
I see a face in it«
»Theres no press in the room and never was« said I resuming my seat and
looping up the curtain that I might watch her
»Dont you see that face« she enquired gazing earnestly at the mirror
And say what I could I was incapable of making her comprehend it to be her
own so I rose and covered it with a shawl
»Its behind there still« she pursued anxiously »And it stirred Who is
it I hope it will not come out when you are gone Oh Nelly the room is
haunted Im afraid of being alone«
I took her hand in mine and bid her be composed for a succession of
shudders convulsed her frame and she would keep straining her gaze towards the
glass
»Theres nobody here« I insisted »It was yourself Mrs Linton you knew
it a while since«
»Myself« she gasped »and the clock is striking twelve Its true then
thats dreadful«
Her fingers clutched the clothes and gathered them over her eyes I
attempted to steal to the door with an intention of calling her husband but I
was summoned back by a piercing shriek The shawl had dropped from the frame
»Why what is the matter« cried I »Who is coward now Wake up That is the
glass the mirror Mrs Linton and you see yourself in it and there am I too
by your side«
Trembling and bewildered she held me fast but the horror gradually passed
from her countenance its paleness gave place to a glow of shame
»Oh dear I thought I was at home« she sighed »I thought I was lying in
my chamber at Wuthering Heights Because Im weak my brain got confused and I
screamed unconsciously Dont say anything but stay with me I dread sleeping
my dreams appal me«
»A sound sleep would do you good maam« I answered »and I hope this
suffering will prevent your trying starving again«
»Oh if I were but in my own bed in the old house« she went on bitterly
wringing her hands »And that wind sounding in the firs by the lattice Do let
me feel it it comes straight down the moor do let me have one breath«
To pacify her I held the casement ajar a few seconds A cold blast rushed
through I closed it and returned to my post
She lay still now her face bathed in tears Exhaustion of body had
entirely subdued her spirit our fiery Catherine was no better than a wailing
child
»How long is it since I shut myself in here« she asked suddenly reviving
»It was Monday evening« I replied »and this is Thursday night or rather
Friday morning at present«
»What of the same week« she exclaimed »Only that brief time«
»Long enough to live on nothing but cold water and ill temper« observed I
»Well it seems a weary number of hours« she muttered doubtfully »it must
be more I remember being in the parlour after they had quarrelled and Edgar
being cruelly provoking and me running into this room desperate As soon as
ever I had barred the door utter blackness overwhelmed me and I fell on the
floor I couldnt explain to Edgar how certain I felt of having a fit or going
raging mad if he persisted in teasing me I had no command of tongue or brain
and he did not guess my agony perhaps it barely left me sense to try to escape
from him and his voice Before I recovered sufficiently to see and hear it
began to be dawn and Nelly Ill tell you what I thought and what has kept
recurring and recurring till I feared for my reason I thought as I lay there
with my head against that table leg and my eyes dimly discerning the grey
square of the window that I was enclosed in the oakpanelled bed at home and
my heart ached with some great grief which just waking I could not recollect
I pondered and worried myself to discover what it could be and most strangely
the whole last seven years of my life grew a blank I did not recall that they
had been at all I was a child my father was just buried and my misery arose
from the separation that Hindley had ordered between me and Heathcliff I was
laid alone for the first time and rousing from a dismal dose after a night of
weeping I lifted my hand to push the panels aside it struck the tabletop I
swept it along the carpet and then memory burst in my late anguish was
swallowed in a paroxysm of despair I cannot say why I felt so wildly wretched
it must have been temporary derangement for there is scarcely cause But
supposing at twelve years old I had been wrenched from the Heights and every
early association and my all in all as Heathcliff was at that time and been
converted at a stroke into Mrs Linton the lady of Thrushcross Grange and the
wife of a stranger an exile and outcast thenceforth from what had been my
world You may fancy a glimpse of the abyss where I grovelled Shake your head
as you will Nelly you have helped to unsettle me You should have spoken to
Edgar indeed you should and compelled him to leave me quiet Oh Im burning
I wish I were out of doors I wish I were a girl again half savage and hardy
and free and laughing at injuries not maddening under them Why am I so
changed why does my blood rush into a hell of tumult at a few words Im sure I
should be myself were I once among the heather on those hills Open the
window again wide fasten it open Quick why dont you move«
»Because I wont give you your death of cold« I answered
»You wont give me a chance of life you mean« she added sullenly
»However Im not helpless yet Ill open it myself«
And sliding from the bed before I could hinder her she crossed the room
walking very uncertainly threw it back and bent out careless of the frosty
air that cut about her shoulders as keen as a knife
I entreated and finally attempted to force her to retire But I soon found
her delirious strength much surpassed mine she was delirious I became
convinced by her subsequent actions and ravings
There was no moon and everything beneath lay in misty darkness not a light
gleamed from any house far or near all had been extinguished long ago and
those at Wuthering Heights were never visible still she asserted she caught
their shining
»Look« she cried eagerly »thats my room with the candle in it and the
trees swaying before it and the other candle is in Josephs garret
Joseph sits up late doesnt he Hes waiting till I come home that he may lock
the gate Well hell wait a while yet Its a rough journey and a sad heart to
travel it and we must pass by Gimmerton Kirk to go that journey Weve braved
its ghosts often together and dared each other to stand among the graves and
ask them to come But Heathcliff if I dare you now will you venture If you
do Ill keep you Ill not lie there by myself they may bury me twelve feet
deep and throw the church down over me but I wont rest till you are with me
I never will«
She paused and resumed with a strange smile »Hes considering hed
rather Id come to him Find a way then not through that Kirkyard You are
slow Be content you always followed me«
Perceiving it vain to argue against her insanity I was planning how I could
reach something to wrap about her without quitting my hold of herself for I
could not trust her alone by the gaping lattice when to my consternation I
heard the rattle of the doorhandle and Mr Linton entered He had only then
come from the library and in passing through the lobby had noticed our
talking and been attracted by curiosity or fear to examine what it signified
at that late hour
»Oh sir« I cried checking the exclamation risen to his lips at the sight
which met him and the bleak atmosphere of the chamber
»My poor Mistress is ill and she quite masters me I cannot manage her at
all pray come and persuade her to go to bed Forget your anger for shes hard
to guide any way but her own«
»Catherine ill« he said hastening to us »Shut the window Ellen
Catherine why «
He was silent the haggardness of Mrs Lintons appearance smote him
speechless and he could only glance from her to me in horrified astonishment
»Shes been fretting here« I continued »and eating scarcely anything and
never complaining she would admit none of us till this evening and so we
couldnt inform you of her state as we were not aware of it ourselves but it
is nothing«
I felt I uttered my explanations awkwardly the master frowned »It is
nothing is it Ellen Dean« he said sternly »You shall account more clearly for
keeping me ignorant of this« And he took his wife in his arms and looked at
her with anguish
At first she gave him no glance of recognition he was invisible to her
abstracted gaze The delirium was not fixed however having weaned her eyes
from contemplating the outer darkness by degrees she centred her attention on
him and discovered who it was that held her
»Ah you are come are you Edgar Linton« she said with angry animation
»You are one of those things that are ever found when least wanted and when
you are wanted never I suppose we shall have plenty of lamentations now I
see we shall but they cant keep me from my narrow home out yonder My
resting place where Im bound before Spring is over There it is not among the
Lintons mind under the chapelroof but in the open air with a headstone and
you may please yourself whether you go to them or come to me«
»Catherine what have you done« commenced the master »Am I nothing to you
any more Do you love that wretch Heath «
»Hush« cried Mrs Linton »Hush this moment You mention that name amp I
end the matter instantly by a spring from the window What you touch at
present you may have but my soul will be on that hilltop before you lay hands
on me again I dont want you Edgar Im past wanting you Return to your
books Im glad you possess a consolation for all you had in me is gone«
»Her mind wanders sir« I interposed »She has been talking nonsense the
whole evening but let her have quiet and proper attendance and shell rally
Hereafter we must be cautious how we vex her«
»I desire no further advice from you« answered Mr Linton »You knew your
mistresss nature and you encouraged me to harass her And not to give me one
hint of how she has been these three days It was heartless months of sickness
could not cause such a change«
I began to defend myself thinking it too bad to be blamed for anothers
wicked waywardness
»I knew Mrs Lintons nature to be headstrong and domineering« cried I
»but I didnt know that you wished to foster her fierce temper I didnt know
that to humour her I should wink at Mr Heathcliff I performed the duty of a
faithful servant in telling you and I have got a faithful servants wages
Well it will teach me to be careful next time Next time you may gather
intelligence for yourself«
»The next time you bring a tale to me you shall quit my service Ellen
Dean« he replied
»Youd rather hear nothing about it I suppose then Mr Linton« said I
»Heathcliff has your permission to come a courting to Miss and to drop in at
every opportunity your absence offers on purpose to poison the mistress against
you«
Confused as Catherine was her wits were alert at applying our conversation
»Ah Nelly has played traitor« she exclaimed passionately »Nelly is my
hidden enemy you witch So you do seek elfbolts to hurt us Let me go and
Ill make her rue Ill make her howl a recantation«
A maniacs fury kindled under her brows she struggled desperately to
disengage herself from Lintons arms I felt no inclination to tarry the event
and resolving to seek medical aid on my own responsibility I quitted the
chamber
In passing the garden to reach the road at a place where a bridle hook is
driven into the wall I saw something white moved irregularly evidently by
another agent than the wind Notwithstanding my hurry I stayed to examine it
lest ever after I should have the conviction impressed on my imagination that it
was a creature of the other world
My surprise and perplexity were great to discover by touch more than
vision Miss Isabellas springer Fanny suspended to a handkerchief and nearly
at its last gasp
I quickly released the animal and lifted it into the garden I had seen it
follow its mistress upstairs when she went to bed and wondered much how it
could have got out there and what mischievous person had treated it so
While untying the knot round the hook it seemed to me that I repeatedly
caught the beat of horses feet galloping at some distance but there was such a
number of things to occupy my reflections that I hardly gave the circumstance a
thought though it was a strange sound in that place at two oclock in the
morning
Mr Kenneth was fortunately just issuing from his house to see a patient in
the village as I came up the street and my account of Catherine Lintons malady
induced him to accompany me back immediately
He was a plain rough man and he made no scruple to speak his doubts of her
surviving this second attack unless she were more submissive to his directions
than she had shown herself before
»Nelly Dean« said he »I cant help fancying theres an extra cause for
this What has there been to do at the Grange Weve odd reports up here A
stout hearty lass like Catherine does not fall ill for a trifle and that sort
of people should not either Its hard work bringing them through fevers and
such things How did it begin«
»The master will inform you« I answered »but you are acquainted with the
Earnshaws violent dispositions and Mrs Linton caps them all I may say this
it commenced in a quarrel She was struck during a tempest of passion with a
kind of fit Thats her account at least for she flew off in the height of it
and locked herself up Afterwards she refused to eat and now she alternately
raves and remains in a half dream knowing those about her but having her mind
filled with all sorts of strange ideas and illusions«
»Mr Linton will be sorry« observed Kenneth interrogatively
»Sorry hell break his heart should anything happen« I replied »Dont
alarm him more than necessary«
»Well I told him to beware« said my companion »and he must bide the
consequences of neglecting my warning Hasnt he been thick with Mr Heathcliff
lately«
»Heathcliff frequently visits at the Grange« answered I »though more on
the strength of the mistress having known him when a boy than because the
master likes his company At present hes discharged from the trouble of
calling owing to some presumptuous aspirations after Miss Linton which he
manifested I hardly think hell be taken in again«
»And does Miss Linton turn a cold shoulder on him« was the doctors next
question
»Im not in her confidence« returned I reluctant to continue the subject
»No shes a sly one« he remarked shaking his head »She keeps her own
counsel But shes a real little fool I have it from good authority that last
night and a pretty night it was she and Heathcliff were walking in the
plantation at the back of your house above two hours and he pressed her not to
go in again but just mount his horse and away with him My informant said she
could only put him off by pledging her word of honour to be prepared on their
first meeting after that when it was to be he didnt hear but you urge Mr
Linton to look sharp«
This news filled me with fresh fears I outstripped Kenneth and ran most of
the way back The little dog was yelping in the garden yet I spared a minute to
open the gate for it but instead of going to the house door it coursed up and
down snuffing the grass and would have escaped to the road had I not seized
and conveyed it in with me
On ascending to Isabellas room my suspicions were confirmed it was empty
Had I been a few hours sooner Mrs Lintons illness might have arrested her
rash step But what could be done now There was a bare possibility of
overtaking them if pursued instantly I could not pursue them however and I
dare not rouse the family and fill the place with confusion still less unfold
the business to my master absorbed as he was in his present calamity and
having no heart to spare for a second grief
I saw nothing for it but to hold my tongue and suffer matters to take
their course and Kenneth being arrived I went with a badly composed
countenance to announce him
Catherine lay in a troubled sleep her husband had succeeded in soothing the
access of frenzy he now hung over her pillow watching every shade and every
change of her painfully expressive features
The doctor on examining the case for himself spoke hopefully to him of its
having a favourable termination if we could only preserve around her perfect
and constant tranquillity To me he signified the threatening danger was not
so much death as permanent alienation of intellect
I did not close my eyes that night nor did Mr Linton indeed we never
went to bed and the servants were all up long before the usual hour moving
through the house with stealthy tread and exchanging whispers as they
encountered each other in their vocations Every one was active but Miss
Isabella and they began to remark how sound she slept her brother too asked
if she had risen and seemed impatient for her presence and hurt that she
showed so little anxiety for her sisterinlaw
I trembled lest he should send me to call her but I was spared the pain of
being the first proclaimant of her flight One of the maids a thoughtless girl
who had been on an early errand to Gimmerton came panting up stairs
openmouthed and dashed into the chamber crying
»Oh dear dear What mun we have next Master master our young lady «
»Hold your noise« cried I hastily enraged at her clamorous manner
»Speak lower Mary What is the matter« said Mr Linton »What ails your
young lady«
»Shes gone shes gone Yon Heathcliffs run off wi her« gasped the
girl
»That is not true« exclaimed Linton rising in agitation »It cannot be
how has the idea entered your head Ellen Dean go and seek her it is
incredible it cannot be«
As he spoke he took the servant to the door and then repeated his demand
to know her reasons for such an assertion
»Why I met on the road a lad that fetches milk here« she stammered »and
he asked whether we wernt in trouble at the Grange I thought he meant for
Mississ sickness so I answered yes Then says he Theys some body gone after
em I guess I stared He saw I knew naught about it and he told how a
gentleman and lady had stopped to have a horses shoe fastened at a blacksmiths
shop two miles out of Gimmerton not very long after midnight and how the
blacksmiths lass had got up to spy who they were she knew them both directly
And she noticed the man Heathcliff it was she felt certain nobdy could
mistake him besides put a sovereign in her fathers hand for payment The
lady had a cloak about her face but having desired a sup of water while she
drank it fell back and she saw her very plain Heathcliff held both bridles
as they rode on and they set their faces from the village and went as fast as
the rough roads would let them The lass said nothing to her father but she
told it all over Gimmerton this morning«
I ran and peeped for forms sake into Isabellas room confirming when I
returned the servants statement Mr Linton had resumed his seat by the bed
on my reentrance he raised his eyes read the meaning of my blank aspect and
dropped them without giving an order or uttering a word
»Are we to try any measures for overtaking and bringing her back« I
inquired »How should we do«
»She went of her own accord« answered the master »she had a right to go if
she pleased Trouble me no more about her Hereafter she is only my sister in
name not because I disown her but because she has disowned me«
And that was all he said on the subject he did not make a single inquiry
further or mention her in any way except directing me to send what property
she had in the house to her fresh home wherever it was when I knew it
Chapter XIII
For two months the fugitives remained absent in those two months Mrs Linton
encountered and conquered the worst shock of what was denominated a brain fever
No mother could have nursed an only child more devotedly than Edgar tended her
Day and night he was watching and patiently enduring all the annoyances that
irritable nerves and a shaken reason could inflict and though Kenneth remarked
that what he saved from the grave would only recompense his care by forming the
source of constant future anxiety in fact that his health and strength were
being sacrificed to preserve a mere ruin of humanity he knew no limits in
gratitude and joy when Catherines life was declared out of danger and hour
after hour he would sit beside her tracing the gradual return to bodily
health and flattering his too sanguine hopes with the illusion that her mind
would settle back to its right balance also and she would soon be entirely her
former self
The first time she left her chamber was at the commencement of the
following March Mr Linton had put on her pillow in the morning a handful of
golden crocuses her eye long stranger to any gleam of pleasure caught them in
waking and shone delighted as she gathered them eagerly together
»These are the earliest flowers at the Heights« she exclaimed »They remind
me of soft thaw winds and warm sunshine and nearly melted snow Edgar is
there not a south wind and is not the snow almost gone«
»The snow is quite gone down here darling« replied her husband »and I
only see two white spots on the whole range of moors The sky is blue and the
larks are singing and the becks and brooks are all brim full Catherine last
spring at this time I was longing to have you under this roof now I wish you
were a mile or two up those hills the air blows so sweetly I feel that it
would cure you«
»I shall never be there but once more« said the invalid »and then youll
leave me and I shall remain for ever Next spring youll long again to have me
under this roof and youll look back and think you were happy today«
Linton lavished on her the kindest caresses and tried to cheer her by the
fondest words but vaguely regarding the flowers she let the tears collect on
her lashes and stream down her cheeks unheeding
We knew she was really better and therefore decided that long confinement
to a single place produced much of this despondency and it might be partially
removed by a change of scene
The master told me to light a fire in the manyweeks deserted parlour and
to set an easychair in the sunshine by the window and then he brought her
down and she sat a long while enjoying the genial heat and as we expected
revived by the objects round her which though familiar were free from the
dreary associations investing her hated sickchamber By evening she seemed
greatly exhausted yet no arguments could persuade her to return to that
apartment and I had to arrange the parlour sofa for her bed till another room
could be prepared
To obviate the fatigue of mounting and descending the stairs we fitted up
this where you lie at present on the same floor with the parlour and she was
soon strong enough to move from one to the other leaning on Edgars arm
Ah I thought myself she might recover so waited on as she was And there
was double cause to desire it for on her existence depended that of another we
cherished the hope that in a little while Mr Lintons heart would be
gladdened and his lands secured from a strangers gripe by the birth of an
heir
I should mention that Isabella sent to her brother some six weeks from her
departure a short note announcing her marriage with Heathcliff It appeared dry
and cold but at the bottom was dotted in with pencil an obscure apology and
an entreaty for kind remembrance and reconciliation if her proceeding had
offended him asserting that she could not help it then and being done she had
now no power to repeal it
Linton did not reply to this I believe and in a fortnight more I got a
long letter which I considered odd coming from the pen of a bride just out of
the honeymoon Ill read it for I keep it yet Any relic of the dead is
precious if they were valued living
Dear Ellen it begins
I came last night to Wuthering Heights and heard for the first
time that Catherine has been and is yet very ill I must not write to
her I suppose and my brother is either too angry or too distressed to
answer what I send him Still I must write to somebody and the only
choice left me is you
Inform Edgar that Id give the world to see his face again that my
heart returned to Thrushcross Grange in twentyfour hours after I left
it and is there at this moment full of warm feelings for him and
Catherine I cant follow it though those words are underlined
they need not expect me and they may draw what conclusions they please
taking care however to lay nothing at the door of my weak will or
deficient affection
The remainder of the letter is for yourself alone I want to ask you
two questions the first is
How did you contrive to preserve the common sympathies of human
nature when you resided here I cannot recognize any sentiment which
those around share with me
The second question I have great interest in it is this
Is Mr Heathcliff a man If so is he mad And if not is he a
devil I shant tell my reasons for making this inquiry but I beseech
you to explain if you can what I have married that is when you call
to see me and you must call Ellen very soon Dont write but come
and bring me something from Edgar
Now you shall hear how I have been received in my new home as I am
led to imagine the Heights will be It is to amuse myself that I dwell
on such subjects as the lack of external comforts they never occupy my
thoughts except at the moment when I miss them I should laugh and
dance for joy if I found their absence was the total of my miseries
and the rest was an unnatural dream
The sun set behind the Grange as we turned on to the moors by
that I judged it to be six oclock and my companion halted
halfanhour to inspect the park and the gardens and probably the
place itself as well as he could so it was dark when we dismounted in
the paved yard of the farmhouse and your old fellow servant Joseph
issued out to receive us by the light of a dip candle He did it with a
courtesy that redounded to his credit His first act was to elevate his
torch to a level with my face squint malignantly project his upper
lip and turn away
Then he took the two horses and led them into the stables
reappearing for the purpose of locking the outer gate as if we lived in
an ancient castle
Heathcliff stayed to speak to him and I entered the kitchen a
dingy untidy hole I dare say you would not know it it is so changed
since it was in your charge
By the fire stood a ruffianly child strong in limb and dirty in
garb with a look of Catherine in his eyes and about his mouth
»This is Edgars legal nephew« I reflected »mine in a manner I
must shake hands and yes I must kiss him It is right to establish
a good understanding at the beginning«
I approached and attempting to take his chubby fist said
»How do you do my dear«
He replied in a jargon I did not comprehend
»Shall you and I be friends Hareton« was my next essay at
conversation
An oath and a threat to set Throttler on me if I did not frame off
rewarded my perseverance
»Hey Throttler lad« whispered the little wretch rousing a
halfbred bulldog from its lair in a corner »Now wilt tuh be
ganging« he asked authoritatively
Love for my life urged a compliance I stepped over the threshold to
wait till the others should enter Mr Heathcliff was nowhere visible
and Joseph whom I followed to the stables and requested to accompany
me in after staring and muttering to himself screwed up his nose and
replied
»Mim mim mim Did iver Christian body hear owt like it Minching
un munching Hah can aw tell whet ye say«
»I say I wish you to come with me into the house« I cried
thinking him deaf yet highly disgusted at his rudeness
»Nor nuh me Aw getten summut else to do« he answered and
continued his work moving his lantern jaws meanwhile and surveying my
dress and countenance the former a great deal too fine but the latter
Im sure as sad as he could desire with sovereign contempt
I walked round the yard and through a wicket to another door at
which I took the liberty of knocking in hopes some more civil servant
might show himself
After a short suspense it was opened by a tall gaunt man without
neckerchief and otherwise extremely slovenly his features were lost in
masses of shaggy hair that hung on his shoulders and his eyes too
were like a ghostly Catherines with all their beauty annihilated
»Whats your business here« he demanded grimly »Who are you«
»My name was Isabella Linton« I replied »Youve seen me before
sir Im lately married to Mr Heathcliff and he has brought me here
I suppose by your permission«
»Is he come back then« asked the hermit glaring like a hungry
wolf
»Yes we came just now« I said »but he left me by the kitchen
door and when I would have gone in your little boy played sentinel
over the place and frightened me off by the help of a bulldog«
»Its well the hellish villain has kept his word« growled my future
host searching the darkness beyond me in expectation of discovering
Heathcliff and then he indulged in a soliloquy of execrations and
threats of what he would have done had the fiend deceived him
I repented having tried this second entrance and was almost
inclined to slip away before he finished cursing but ere I could
execute that intention he ordered me in and shut and re fastened the
door
There was a great fire and that was all the light in the huge
apartment whose floor had grown a uniform grey and the once brilliant
pewter dishes which used to attract my gaze when I was a girl partook of
a similar obscurity created by tarnish and dust
I inquired whether I might call the maid and be conducted to a
bedroom Mr Earnshaw vouchsafed no answer He walked up and down with
his hands in his pockets apparently quite forgetting my presence and
his abstraction was evidently so deep and his whole aspect so
misanthropical that I shrank from disturbing him again
Youll not be surprised Ellen at my feeling particularly
cheerless seated in worse than solitude on that inhospitable hearth
and remembering that four miles distant lay my delightful home
containing the only people I loved on earth and there might as well be
the Atlantic to part us instead of those four miles I could not
overpass them
I questioned with myself where must I turn for comfort and mind
you dont tell Edgar or Catherine above every sorrow beside this
rose preeminent despair at finding nobody who could or would be my
ally against Heathcliff
I had sought shelter at Wuthering Heights almost gladly because I
was secured by that arrangement from living alone with him but he knew
the people we were coming amongst and he did not fear their
intermeddling
I sat and thought a doleful time the clock struck eight and nine
and still my companion paced to and fro his head bent on his breast
and perfectly silent unless a groan or a bitter ejaculation forced
itself out at intervals
I listened to detect a womans voice in the house and filled the
interim with wild regrets and dismal anticipations which at last
spoke audibly in irrepressible sighing and weeping
I was not aware how openly I grieved till Earnshaw halted opposite
in his measured walk and gave me a stare of newly awakened surprise
Taking advantage of his recovered attention I exclaimed
»Im tired with my journey and I want to go to bed Where is the
maidservant Direct me to her as she wont come to me«
»We have none« he answered »you must wait on yourself«
»Where must I sleep then« I sobbed I was beyond regarding
selfrespect weighed down by fatigue and wretchedness
»Joseph will show you Heathcliffs chamber« said he »open that
door hes in there«
I was going to obey but he suddenly arrested me and added in the
strangest tone
»Be so good as to turn your lock and draw your bolt dont omit
it«
»Well« I said »But why Mr Earnshaw« I did not relish the notion
of deliberately fastening my self in with Heathcliff
»Look here« he replied pulling from his waistcoat a curiously
constructed pistol having a double edged spring knife attached to the
barrel »Thats a great tempter to a desperate man is it not I cannot
resist going up with this every night and trying his door If once I
find it open hes done for I do it invariably even though the minute
before I have been recalling a hundred reasons that should make me
refrain it is some devil that urges me to thwart my own schemes by
killing him you fight against that devil for love as long as you
may when the time comes not all the angels in heaven shall save him«
I surveyed the weapon inquisitively a hideous notion struck me
How powerful I should be possessing such an instrument I took it from
his hand and touched the blade He looked astonished at the expression
my face assumed during a brief second It was not horror it was
covetousness He snatched the pistol back jealously shut the knife
and returned it to its concealment
»I dont care if you tell him« said he »Put him on his guard and
watch for him You know the terms we are on I see his danger does not
shock you«
»What has Heathcliff done to you« I asked »In what has he wronged
you to warrant this appalling hatred Wouldnt it be wiser to bid him
quit the house«
»No« thundered Earnshaw »should he offer to leave me hes a dead
man persuade him to attempt it and you are a murderess Am I to lose
all without a chance of retrieval Is Hareton to be a beggar Oh
damnation I will have it back and Ill have his gold too and then his
blood and hell shall have his soul It will be ten times blacker with
that guest than ever it was before«
Youve acquainted me Ellen with your old masters habits He is
clearly on the verge of madness he was so last night at least I
shuddered to be near him and thought on the servants illbred
moroseness as comparatively agreeable
He now recommenced his moody walk and I raised the latch and
escaped into the kitchen
Joseph was bending over the fire peering into a large pan that
swung above it and a wooden bowl of oatmeal stood on the settle close
by The contents of the pan began to boil and he turned to plunge his
hand into the bowl I conjectured that this preparation was probably for
our supper and being hungry I resolved it should be eatable so
crying out sharply »Ill make the porridge« I removed the vessel out
of his reach and proceeded to take off my hat and riding habit »Mr
Earnshaw« I continued »directs me to wait on myself I will Im not
going to act the lady among you for fear I should starve«
»Gooid Lord« he muttered sitting down and stroking his ribbed
stockings from the knee to the ankle »If theys tuh be fresh ortherings
just when Aw getten used tuh two maisters if aw mun hev a mistress
set oer my heead its loike time tuh be flitting Aw niver did think
tuh say t day ut aw mud lave th owld place but aw daht its nigh at
hend«
This lamentation drew no notice from me I went briskly to work
sighing to remember a period when it would have been all merry fun but
compelled speedily to drive off the remembrance It racked me to recall
past happiness and the greater peril there was of conjuring up its
apparition the quicker the thible ran round and the faster the
handfuls of meal fell into the water
Joseph beheld my style of cookery with growing indignation
»Thear« he ejaculated »Hareton thah willnt sup thy porridge tuh
neeght theyll be nowt bud lumps as big as maw nave Thear agean Awd
fling in bowl un all if aw wer yah Thear pale t guilp off un then
yahll hae done wit Bang bang Its a marcy t bothom isnt deaved
aht«
It was rather a rough mess I own when poured into the basins four
had been provided and a gallon pitcher of new milk was brought from the
dairy which Hareton seized and commenced drinking and spilling from the
expansive lip
I expostulated and desired that he should have his in a mug
affirming that I could not taste the liquid treated so dirtily The old
cynic chose to be vastly offended at this nicety assuring me
repeatedly that »the barn was every bit as gooid« as I »and every bit
as wollsome« and wondering how I could fashion to be so conceited
meanwhile the infant ruffian continued sucking and glowered up at me
defyingly as he slavered into the jug
»I shall have my supper in another room« I said »Have you no place
you call a parlour«
»Parlour« he echoed sneeringly »parlour Nay weve noa parlours
If yah dunnut loike wer company theys maisters un if yah dunnut
loike maister theys us«
»Then I shall go upstairs« I answered »show me a chamber«
I put my basin on a tray and went myself to fetch some more milk
With great grumblings the fellow rose and preceded me in my
ascent we mounted to the garrets he opening a door now and then to
look into the apartments we passed
»Heres a rahm« he said at last flinging back a cranky board on
hinges »Its weel eneugh tuh ate a few porridge in Theys a pack uh
corn i t corner thear meeterly clane if yahre feared uh muckying
yer grand silk cloes spread yer hankerchir ut t top ont«
The rahm was a kind of lumberhole smelling strong of malt and
grain various sacks of which articles were piled around leaving a
wide bare space in the middle
»Why man« I exclaimed facing him angrily »this is not a place to
sleep in I wish to see my bedroom«
»Bedrume« he repeated in a tone of mockery »Yahs see all t
bedrumes thear is yons mine«
He pointed into the second garret only differing from the first in
being more naked about the walls and having a large low curtainless
bed with an indigocoloured quilt at one end
»What do I want with yours« I retorted »I suppose Mr Heathcliff
does not lodge at the top of the house does he«
»Oh its Maister Hathecliffs yahre wenting« cried he as if
making a new discovery »Couldnt ye uh said soa at onst un then aw
mud ha telled ye baht all this wark ut thats just one yah cannut sea
he allas keeps it locked un nobdy iver mells ont but hisseln«
»Youve a nice house Joseph« I could not refrain from observing
»and pleasant inmates and I think the concentrated essence of all the
madness in the world took up its abode in my brain the day I linked my
fate with theirs However that is not to the present purpose there
are other rooms For Heavens sake be quick and let me settle
somewhere«
He made no reply to this adjuration only plodding doggedly down the
wooden steps and halting before an apartment which from that halt and
the superior quality of its furniture I conjectured to be the best one
There was a carpet a good one but the pattern was obliterated by
dust a fireplace hung with cut paper dropping to pieces a handsome
oakbedstead with ample crimson curtains of rather expensive material
and modern make But they had evidently experienced rough usage the
valances hung in festoons wrenched from their rings and the iron rod
supporting them was bent in an arc on one side causing the drapery to
trail upon the floor The chairs were also damaged many of them
severely and deep indentations deformed the panels of the walls
I was endeavouring to gather resolution for entering and taking
possession when my fool of a guide announced
»This here is t maisters«
My supper by this time was cold my appetite gone and my patience
exhausted I insisted on being provided instantly with a place of
refuge and means of repose
»Whear the divil« began the religious elder »The Lord bless us
The Lord forgie us Whear the hell wold ye gang ye marred wearisome
nowt Yah seen all bud Haretons bit uf a chamer Theres nut another
hoile tuh lig dahn in i th hahse«
I was so vexed I flung my tray and its contents on the ground and
then seated myself at the stairshead hid my face in my hands and
cried
»Ech ech« exclaimed Joseph »Weel done Miss Cathy weel done
Miss Cathy Hahsiver t maister sall just tumle oer them brocken
pots un then wes hear summut wes hear hah its tuh be
Gooidfurnowt madling yah desarve pining froo this tuh Churstmas
flinging t precious gifts uh God under fooit i yer flaysome rages
Bud awm mistaen if yah shew yer sperrit long Will Hathecliff bide
sich bonny ways think ye Aw nobbut wish he muh cotch ye i that
plisky Aw nobbut wish he may«
And so he went scolding to his den beneath taking the candle with
him and I remained in the dark
The period of reflection succeeding this silly action compelled me
to admit the necessity of smothering my pride and choking my wrath and
bestirring myself to remove its effects
An unexpected aid presently appeared in the shape of Throttler whom
I now recognized as a son of our old Skulker it had spent its whelphood
at the Grange and was given by my father to Mr Hindley I fancy it
knew me it pushed its nose against mine by way of salute and then
hastened to devour the porridge while I groped from step to step
collecting the shattered earthenware and drying the splatters of milk
from the bannisters with my pockethandkerchief
Our labours were scarcely over when I heard Earnshaws tread in the
passage my assistant tucked in his tail and pressed to the wall I
stole into the nearest doorway The dogs endeavour to avoid him was
unsuccessful as I guessed by a scutter down stairs and a prolonged
piteous yelping I had better luck He passed on entered his chamber
and shut the door
Directly after Joseph came up with Hareton to put him to bed I had
found shelter in Haretons room and the old man on seeing me said
»Theys rahm fur boath yah un yer pride nah aw sud think i th
hahse Its empty yah muh hev it all tuh yerseln un Him as allas makes
a third i sich ill company«
Gladly did I take advantage of this intimation and the minute I
flung myself into a chair by the fire I nodded and slept
My slumber was deep and sweet though over far too soon Mr
Heathcliff awoke me he had just come in and demanded in his loving
manner what I was doing there
I told him the cause of my staying up so late that he had the key
of our room in his pocket
The adjective our gave mortal offence He swore it was not nor ever
should be mine and hed but Ill not repeat his language nor
describe his habitual conduct he is ingenious and unresting in seeking
to gain my abhorrence I sometimes wonder at him with an intensity that
deadens my fear yet I assure you a tiger or a venomous serpent could
not rouse terror in me equal to that which he wakens He told me of
Catherines illness and accused my brother of causing it promising
that I should be Edgars proxy in suffering till he could get a hold of
him
I do hate him I am wretched I have been a fool Beware of
uttering one breath of this to any one at the Grange I shall expect you
every day dont disappoint me
ISABELLA
Chapter XIV
As soon as I had perused this epistle I went to the master and informed him
that his sister had arrived at the Heights and sent me a letter expressing her
sorrow for Mrs Lintons situation and her ardent desire to see him with a
wish that he would transmit to her as early as possible some token of
forgiveness by me
»Forgiveness« said Linton »I have nothing to forgive her Ellen you may
call at Wuthering Heights this afternoon if you like and say that I am not
angry but Im sorry to have lost her especially as I can never think shell be
happy It is out of the question my going to see her however we are eternally
divided and should she really wish to oblige me let her persuade the villain
she has married to leave the country«
»And you wont write her a little note sir« I asked imploringly
»No« he answered »It is needless My communication with Heathcliffs
family shall be as sparing as his with mine It shall not exist«
Mr Edgars coldness depressed me exceedingly and all the way from the
Grange I puzzled my brains how to put more heart into what he said when I
repeated it and how to soften his refusal of even a few lines to console
Isabella
I dare say she had been on the watch for me since morning I saw her looking
through the lattice as I came up the garden causeway and I nodded to her but
she drew back as if afraid of being observed
I entered without knocking There never was such a dreary dismal scene as
the formerly cheerful house presented I must confess that if I had been in the
young ladys place I would at least have swept the hearth and wiped the
tables with a duster But she already partook of the pervading spirit of neglect
which encompassed her Her pretty face was wan and listless her hair uncurled
some locks hanging lankly down and some carelessly twisted round her head
Probably she had not touched her dress since yester evening
Hindley was not there Mr Heathcliff sat at a table turning over some
papers in his pocketbook but he rose when I appeared asked me how I did
quite friendly and offered me a chair
He was the only thing there that seemed decent and I thought he never
looked better So much had circumstances altered their positions that he would
certainly have struck a stranger as a born and bred gentleman and his wife as a
thorough little slattern
She came forward eagerly to greet me and held out one hand to take the
expected letter
I shook my head She wouldnt understand the hint but followed me to a
sideboard where I went to lay my bonnet and importuned me in a whisper to give
her directly what I had brought
Heathcliff guessed the meaning of her manoeuvres and said
»If you have got anything for Isabella as no doubt you have Nelly give it
to her You neednt make a secret of it we have no secrets between us«
»Oh I have nothing« I replied thinking it best to speak the truth at
once »My master bid me tell his sister that she must not expect either a letter
or a visit from him at present He sends his love maam and his wishes for
your happiness and his pardon for the grief you have occasioned but he thinks
that after this time his household and the household here should drop
intercommunication as nothing good could come of keeping it up«
Mrs Heathcliffs lip quivered slightly and she returned to her seat in the
window Her husband took his stand on the hearthstone near me and began to put
questions concerning Catherine
I told him as much as I thought proper of her illness and he extorted from
me by crossexamination most of the facts connected with its origin
I blamed her as she deserved for bringing it all on herself and ended by
hoping that he would follow Mr Lintons example and avoid future interference
with his family for good or evil
»Mrs Linton is now just recovering« I said »shell never be like she was
but her life is spared and if you really have a regard for her youll shun
crossing her way again Nay youll move out of this country entirely and that
you may not regret it Ill inform you Catherine Linton is as different now
from your old friend Catherine Earnshaw as that young lady is different from
me Her appearance is changed greatly her character much more so and the
person who is compelled of necessity to be her companion will only sustain
his affection hereafter by the remembrance of what she once was by common
humanity and a sense of duty«
»That is quite possible« remarked Heathcliff forcing himself to seem calm
»quite possible that your master should have nothing but common humanity and a
sense of duty to fall back upon But do you imagine that I shall leave Catherine
to his duty and humanity and can you compare my feelings respecting Catherine
to his Before you leave this house I must exact a promise from you that
youll get me an interview with her consent or refuse I will see her What
do you say«
»I say Mr Heathcliff« I replied »you must not you never shall through
my means Another encounter between you and the master would kill her
altogether«
»With your aid that may be avoided« he continued »and should there be
danger of such an event should he be the cause of adding a single trouble more
to her existence Why I think I shall be justified in going to extremes I
wish you had sincerity enough to tell me whether Catherine would suffer greatly
from his loss The fear that she would restrains me and there you see the
distinction between our feelings Had he been in my place and I in his though
I hated him with a hatred that turned my life to gall I never would have raised
a hand against him You may look incredulous if you please I never would have
banished him from her society as long as she desired his The moment her regard
ceased I would have torn his heart out and drunk his blood But till then if
you dont believe me you dont know me till then I would have died by inches
before I touched a single hair of his head«
»And yet« I interrupted »you have no scruples in completely ruining all
hopes of her perfect restoration by thrusting yourself in to her remembrance
now when she has nearly forgotten you and involving her in a new tumult of
discord and distress«
»You suppose she has nearly forgotten me« he said »Oh Nelly you know she
has not You know as well as I do that for every thought she spends on Linton
she spends a thousand on me At a most miserable period of my life I had a
notion of the kind it haunted me on my return to the neighbourhood last
summer but only her own assurance could make me admit the horrible idea again
And then Linton would be nothing nor Hindley nor all the dreams that ever I
dreamt Two words would comprehend my future death and hell existence after
losing her would be hell
Yet I was a fool to fancy for a moment that she valued Edgar Lintons
attachment more than mine If he loved with all the powers of his puny being
he couldnt love as much in eighty years as I could in a day And Catherine has
a heart as deep as I have the sea could be as readily contained in that
horsetrough as her whole affection be monopolized by him Tush He is
scarcely a degree dearer to her than her dog or her horse It is not in him to
be loved like me how can she love in him what he has not«
»Catherine and Edgar are as fond of each other as any two people can be«
cried Isabella with sudden vivacity »No one has a right to talk in that manner
and I wont hear my brother depreciated in silence«
»Your brother is wondrous fond of you too isnt he« observed Heathcliff
scornfully »He turns you adrift on the world with surprising alacrity«
»He is not aware of what I suffer« she replied »I didnt tell him that«
»You have been telling him something then you have written have you«
»To say that I was married I did write you saw the note«
»And nothing since«
»No«
»My young lady is looking sadly the worse for her change of condition« I
remarked »Somebodys love comes short in her case obviously whose I may
guess but perhaps I shouldnt say«
»I should guess it was her own« said Heathcliff »She degenerates into a
mere slut She is tired of trying to please me uncommonly early Youd hardly
credit it but the very morrow of our wedding she was weeping to go home
However shell suit this house so much the better for not being over nice and
Ill take care she does not disgrace me by rambling abroad«
»Well sir« returned I »I hope youll consider that Mrs Heathcliff is
accustomed to be looked after and waited on and that she has been brought up
like an only daughter whom every one was ready to serve You must let her have
a maid to keep things tidy about her and you must treat her kindly Whatever
be your notion of Mr Edgar you cannot doubt that she has a capacity for strong
attachments or she wouldnt have abandoned the elegancies and comforts and
friends of her former home to fix contentedly in such a wilderness as this
with you«
»She abandoned them under a delusion« he answered »picturing in me a hero
of romance and expecting unlimited indulgences from my chivalrous devotion I
can hardly regard her in the light of a rational creature so obstinately has
she persisted in forming a fabulous notion of my character and acting on the
false impressions she cherished But at last I think she begins to know me I
dont perceive the silly smiles and grimaces that provoked me at first and the
senseless incapability of discerning that I was in earnest when I gave her my
opinion of her infatuation and herself It was a marvellous effort of
perspicacity to discover that I did not love her I believed at one time no
lessons could teach her that and yet it is poorly learnt for this morning she
announced as a piece of appalling intelligence that I had actually succeeded
in making her hate me A positive labour of Hercules I assure you If it be
achieved I have cause to return thanks Can I trust your assertion Isabella
are you sure you hate me If I let you alone for halfaday wont you come
sighing and wheedling to me again I dare say she would rather I had seemed all
tenderness before you it wounds her vanity to have the truth exposed But I
dont care who knows that the passion was wholly on one side and I never told
her a lie about it She cannot accuse me of showing a bit of deceitful softness
The first thing she saw me do on coming out of the Grange was to hang up her
little dog and when she pleaded for it the first words I uttered were a wish
that I had the hanging of every being belonging to her except one possibly
she took that exception for herself But no brutality disgusted her I
suppose she has an innate admiration of it if only her precious person were
secure from injury Now was it not the depth of absurdity of genuine idiocy
for that pitiful slavish meanminded brach to dream that I could love her
Tell your master Nelly that I never in all my life met with such an abject
thing as she is She even disgraces the name of Linton and Ive sometimes
relented from pure lack of invention in my experiments on what she could
endure and still creep shamefully cringing back But tell him also to set his
fraternal and magisterial heart at ease that I keep strictly within the limits
of the law I have avoided up to this period giving her the slightest right
to claim a separation and whats more shed thank nobody for dividing us if
she desired to go she might the nuisance of her presence outweighs the
gratification to be derived from tormenting her«
»Mr Heathcliff« said I »this is the talk of a madman and your wife most
likely is convinced you are mad and for that reason she has borne with you
hitherto but now that you say she may go shell doubtless avail herself of the
permission You are not so bewitched maam are you as to remain with him of
your own accord«
»Take care Ellen« answered Isabella her eyes sparkling irefully there
was no misdoubting by their expression the full success of her partners
endeavours to make himself detested »Dont put faith in a single word he
speaks Hes a lying fiend a monster and not a human being Ive been told I
might leave him before and Ive made the atempt but I dare not repeat it Only
Ellen promise youll not mention a syllable of his infamous conversation to my
brother or Catherine whatever he may pretend he wishes to provoke Edgar to
desperation he says he has married me on purpose to obtain power over him and
he shant obtain it Ill die first I just hope I pray that he may forget his
diabolical prudence and kill me The single pleasure I can imagine is to die
or to see him dead«
»There that will do for the present« said Heathcliff »If you are called
upon in a court of law youll remember her language Nelly And take a good
look at that countenance shes near the point which would suit me No youre
not fit to be your own guardian Isabella now and I being your legal
protector must retain you in my custody however distasteful the obligation may
be Go upstairs I have something to say to Ellen Dean in private Thats not
the way upstairs I tell you Why this is the road upstairs child«
He seized and thrust her from the room and returned muttering
»I have no pity I have no pity The more the worms writhe the more I yearn
to crush out their entrails It is a moral teething and I grind with greater
energy in proportion to the increase of pain«
»Do you understand what the word pity means« I said hastening to resume my
bonnet »Did you ever feel a touch of it in your life«
»Put that down« he interrupted perceiving my intention to depart »You are
not going yet Come here now Nelly I must either persuade or compel you to
aid me in fulfilling my determination to see Catherine and that without delay
I swear that I meditate no harm I dont desire to cause any disturbance or to
exasperate or insult Mr Linton I only wish to hear from herself how she is
and why she has been ill and to ask if anything that I could do would be of
use to her Last night I was in the Grange garden six hours and Ill return
there tonight and every night Ill haunt the place and every day till I find
an opportunity of entering If Edgar Linton meets me I shall not hesitate to
knock him down and give him enough to insure his quiescence while I stay If
his servants oppose me I shall threaten them off with these pistols But
wouldnt it be better to prevent my coming in contact with them or their
master And you could do it so easily Id warn you when I came and then you
might let me in unobserved as soon as she was alone and watch till I departed
your conscience quite calm you would be hindering mischief«
I protested against playing that treacherous part in my employers house
and besides I urged the cruelty and selfishness of his destroying Mrs
Lintons tranquillity for his satisfaction
»The commonest occurrence startles her painfully« I said »Shes all
nerves and she couldnt bear the surprise Im positive Dont persist sir
or else I shall be obliged to inform my master of your designs and hell take
measures to secure his house and its inmates from any such unwarrantable
intrusions«
»In that case Ill take measures to secure you woman« exclaimed
Heathcliff »you shall not leave Wuthering Heights till tomorrow morning It is
a foolish story to assert that Catherine could not bear to see me and as to
surprising her I dont desire it you must prepare her ask her if I may come
You say she never mentions my name and that I am never mentioned to her To
whom should she mention me if I am a forbidden topic in the house She thinks
you are all spies for her husband Oh Ive no doubt shes in hell among you I
guess by her silence as much as anything what she feels You say she is often
restless and anxiouslooking is that a proof of tranquillity You talk of her
mind being unsettled How the devil could it be otherwise in her frightful
isolation And that insipid paltry creature attending her from duty and
humanity From pity and charity He might as well plant an oak in a flowerpot
and expect it to thrive as imagine he can restore her to vigour in the soil of
his shallow cares Let us settle it at once will you stay here and am I to
fight my way to Catherine over Linton and his footmen Or will you be my
friend as you have been hitherto and do what I request Decide because there
is no reason for my lingering another minute if you persist in your stubborn
illnature«
Well Mr Lockwood I argued and complained and flatly refused him fifty
times but in the long run he forced me to an agreement I engaged to carry a
letter from him to my mistress and should she consent I promised to let him
have intelligence of Lintons next absence from home when he might come and
get in as he was able I wouldnt be there and my fellow servants should be
equally out of the way
Was it right or wrong I fear it was wrong though expedient I thought I
prevented another explosion by my compliance and I thought too it might create
a favourable crisis in Catherines mental illness and then I remembered Mr
Edgars stern rebuke of my carrying tales and I tried to smooth away all
disquietude on the subject by affirming with frequent iteration that that
betrayal of trust if it merited so harsh an appellation should be the last
Notwithstanding my journey homeward was sadder than my journey thither and
many misgivings I had ere I could prevail on myself to put the missive in Mrs
Lintons hand
But here is Kenneth Ill go down and tell him how much better you are My
history is dree as we say and will serve to wile away another morning
Dree and dreary I reflected as the good woman descended to receive the doctor
and not exactly of the kind which I should have chosen to amuse me but never
mind Ill extract wholesome medicines from Mrs Deans bitter herbs and
firstly let me beware of the fascination that lurks in Catherine Heathcliffs
brilliant eyes I should be in a curious taking if I surrendered my heart to
that young person and the daughter turned out a second edition of the mother
Chapter XV
Another week over and I am so many days nearer health and spring I have now
heard all my neighbours history at different sittings as the housekeeper
could spare time from more important occupations Ill continue it in her own
words only a little condensed She is on the whole a very fair narrator and I
dont think I could improve her style
In the evening she said the evening of my visit to the Heights I knew as
well as if I saw him that Mr Heathcliff was about the place and I shunned
going out because I still carried his letter in my pocket and didnt want to
be threatened or teased any more
I had made up my mind not to give it till my master went somewhere as I
could not guess how its receipt would affect Catherine The consequence was
that it did not reach her before the lapse of three days The fourth was Sunday
and I brought it into her room after the family were gone to church
There was a man servant left to keep the house with me and we generally
made a practice of locking the doors during the hours of service but on that
occasion the weather was so warm and pleasant that I set them wide open and to
fulfil my engagement as I knew who would be coming I told my companion that
the mistress wished very much for some oranges and he must run over to the
village and get a few to be paid for on the morrow He departed and I went
upstairs
Mrs Linton sat in a loose white dress with a light shawl over her
shoulders in the recess of the open window as usual Her thick long hair had
been partly removed at the beginning of her illness and now she wore it simply
combed in its natural tresses over her temples and neck Her appearance was
altered as I had told Heathcliff but when she was calm there seemed unearthly
beauty in the change
The flash of her eyes had been succeeded by a dreamy and melancholy
softness they no longer gave the impression of looking at the objects around
her they appeared always to gaze beyond and far beyond you would have said
out of this world Then the paleness of her face its haggard aspect having
vanished as she recovered flesh and the peculiar expression arising from her
mental state though painfully suggestive of their causes added to the touching
interest which she awakened and invariably to me I know and to any person
who saw her I should think refuted more tangible proofs of convalescence and
stamped her as one doomed to decay
A book lay spread on the sill before her and the scarcely perceptible wind
fluttered its leaves at intervals I believe Linton had laid it there for she
never endeavoured to divert herself with reading or occupation of any kind and
he would spend many an hour in trying to entice her attention to some subject
which had formerly been her amusement
She was conscious of his aim and in her better moods endured his efforts
placidly only showing their uselessness by now and then suppressing a wearied
sigh and restraining him at last with the saddest of smiles and kisses At
other times she would turn petulantly away and hide her face in her hands or
even push him off angrily and then he took care to let her alone for he was
certain of doing no good
Gimmerton chapel bells were still ringing and the full mellow flow of the
beck in the valley came soothingly on the ear It was a sweet substitute for
the yet absent murmur of the summer foliage which drowned that music about the
Grange when the trees were in leaf At Wuthering Heights it always sounded on
quiet days following a great thaw or a season of steady rain and of
Wuthering Heights Catherine was thinking as she listened that is if she
thought or listened at all but she had the vague distant look I mentioned
before which expressed no recognition of material things either by ear or eye
»Theres a letter for you Mrs Linton« I said gently inserting it in one
hand that rested on her knee »You must read it immediately because it wants an
answer Shall I break the seal«
»Yes« she answered without altering the direction of her eyes
I opened it it was very short
»Now« I continued »read it«
She drew away her hand and let it fall I replaced it in her lap and stood
waiting till it should please her to glance down but that movement was so long
delayed that at last I resumed
»Must I read it maam It is from Mr Heathcliff«
There was a start and a troubled gleam of recollection and a struggle to
arrange her ideas She lifted the letter and seemed to peruse it and when she
came to the signature she sighed yet still I found she had not gathered its
import for upon my desiring to hear her reply she merely pointed to the name
and gazed at me with mournful and questioning eagerness
»Well he wishes to see you« said I guessing her need of an interpreter
»Hes in the garden by this time and impatient to know what answer I shall
bring«
As I spoke I observed a large dog lying on the sunny grass beneath raise
its ears as if about to bark and then smoothing them back announce by a wag
of the tail that someone approached whom it did not consider a stranger
Mrs Linton bent forward and listened breathlessly The minute after a step
traversed the hall the open house was too tempting for Heathcliff to resist
walking in most likely he supposed that I was inclined to shirk my promise and
so resolved to trust to his own audacity
With straining eagerness Catherine gazed towards the entrance of her
chamber He did not hit the right room directly she motioned me to admit him
but he found it out ere I could reach the door and in a stride or two was at
her side and had her grasped in his arms
He neither spoke nor loosed his hold for some five minutes during which
period he bestowed more kisses than ever he gave in his life before I dare say
but then my mistress had kissed him first and I plainly saw that he could
hardly bear for downright agony to look into her face The same conviction had
stricken him as me from the instant he beheld her that there was no prospect
of ultimate recovery there she was fated sure to die
»Oh Cathy Oh my life how can I bear it« was the first sentence he
uttered in a tone that did not seek to disguise his despair
And now he stared at her so earnestly that I thought the very intensity of
his gaze would bring tears into his eyes but they burned with anguish they did
not melt
»What now« said Catherine leaning back and returning his look with a
suddenly clouded brow her humour was a mere vane for constantly varying
caprices »You and Edgar have broken my heart Heathcliff And you both come to
bewail the deed to me as if you were the people to be pitied I shall not pity
you not I You have killed me and thriven on it I think How strong you are
How many years do you mean to live after I am gone«
Heathcliff had knelt on one knee to embrace her he attempted to rise but
she seized his hair and kept him down
»I wish I could hold you« she continued bitterly »till we were both dead
I shouldnt care what you suffered I care nothing for your sufferings Why
shouldnt you suffer I do Will you forget me will you be happy when I am in
the earth Will you say twenty years hence Thats the grave of Catherine
Earnshaw I loved her long ago and was wretched to lose her but it is past
Ive loved many others since my children are dearer to me than she was and
at death I shall not rejoice that I am going to her I shall be sorry that I
must lose them Will you say so Heathcliff«
»Dont torture me till Im as mad as yourself« cried he wrenching his head
free and grinding his teeth
The two to a cool spectator made a strange and fearful picture Well might
Catherine deem that heaven would be a land of exile to her unless with her
mortal body she cast away her mortal character also Her present countenance
had a wild vindictiveness in its white cheek and a bloodless lip and
scintillating eye and she retained in her closed fingers a portion of the
locks she had been grasping As to her companion while raising himself with one
hand he had taken her arm with the other and so inadequate was his stock of
gentleness to the requirements of her condition that on his letting go I saw
four distinct impressions left blue in the colourless skin
»Are you possessed with a devil« he pursued savagely »to talk in that
manner to me when you are dying Do you reflect that all those words will be
branded in my memory and eating deeper eternally after you have left me You
know you lie to say I have killed you and Catherine you know that I could as
soon forget you as my existence Is it not sufficient for your infernal
selfishness that while you are at peace I shall writhe in the torments of
hell«
»I shall not be at peace« moaned Catherine recalled to a sense of physical
weakness by the violent unequal throbbing of her heart which beat visibly and
audibly under this excess of agitation
She said nothing further till the paroxysm was over then she continued
more kindly
»Im not wishing you greater torment than I have Heathcliff I only wish us
never to be parted and should a word of mine distress you hereafter think I
feel the same distress underground and for my own sake forgive me Come here
and kneel down again You never harmed me in your life Nay if you nurse anger
that will be worse to remember than my harsh words Wont you come here again
Do«
Heathcliff went to the back of her chair and leant over but not so far as
to let her see his face which was livid with emotion She bent round to look at
him he would not permit it turning abruptly he walked to the fireplace
where he stood silent with his back towards us
Mrs Lintons glance followed him suspiciously every movement woke a new
sentiment in her After a pause and a prolonged gaze she resumed addressing
me in accents of indignant disappointment
»Oh you see Nelly he would not relent a moment to keep me out of the
grave That is how Im loved Well never mind That is not my Heathcliff I
shall love mine yet and take him with me hes in my soul And« added she
musingly »the thing that irks me most is this shattered prison after all Im
tired tired of being enclosed here Im wearying to escape into that glorious
world and to be always there not seeing it dimly through tears and yearning
for it through the walls of an aching heart but really with it and in it
Nelly you think you are better and more fortunate than I in full health and
strength you are sorry for me very soon that will be altered I shall be
sorry for you I shall be incomparably beyond and above you all I wonder he
wont be near me« She went on to herself »I thought he wished it Heathcliff
dear you should not be sullen now Do come to me Heathcliff«
In her eagerness she rose and supported herself on the arm of the chair At
that earnest appeal he turned to her looking absolutely desperate His eyes
wide and wet at last flashed fiercely on her his breast heaved convulsively
An instant they held asunder and then how they met I hardly saw but Catherine
made a spring and he caught her and they were locked in an embrace from which
I thought my mistress would never be released alive In fact to my eyes she
seemed directly insensible He flung himself into the nearest seat and on my
approaching hurriedly to ascertain if she had fainted he gnashed at me and
foamed like a mad dog and gathered her to him with greedy jealousy I did not
feel as if I were in the company of a creature of my own species it appeared
that he would not understand though I spoke to him so I stood off and held
my tongue in great perplexity
A movement of Catherines relieved me a little presently she put up her
hand to clasp his neck and bring her cheek to his as he held her while he in
return covering her with frantic caresses said wildly
»You teach me now how cruel youve been cruel and false Why did you
despise me Why did you betray your own heart Cathy I have not one word of
comfort you deserve this You have killed yourself Yes you may kiss me and
cry and wring out my kisses and tears Theyll blight you theyll damn you
You loved me then what right had you to leave me What right answer me for
the poor fancy you felt for Linton Because misery and degradation and death
and nothing that God or satan could inflict would have parted us you of your
own will did it I have not broken your heart you have broken it and in
breaking it you have broken mine So much the worse for me that I am strong
Do I want to live What kind of living will it be when you oh God would you
like to live with your soul in the grave«
»Let me alone Let me alone« sobbed Catherine »If Ive done wrong Im
dying for it It is enough You left me too but I wont upbraid you I forgive
you Forgive me«
»It is hard to forgive and to look at those eyes and feel those wasted
hands« he answered »Kiss me again and dont let me see your eyes I forgive
what you have done to me I love my murderer but yours How can I«
They were silent their faces hid against each other and washed by each
others tears At least I suppose the weeping was on both sides as it seemed
Heathcliff could weep on a great occasion like this
I grew very uncomfortable meanwhile for the afternoon wore fast away the
man whom I had sent off returned from his errand and I could distinguish by
the shine of the westering sun up the valley a concourse thickening outside
Gimmerton chapel porch
»Service is over« I announced »My master will be here in halfanhour«
Heathcliff groaned a curse and strained Catherine closer she never moved
Ere long I perceived a group of the servants passing up the road towards the
kitchen wing Mr Linton was not far behind he opened the gate himself and
sauntered slowly up probably enjoying the lovely afternoon that breathed as
soft as summer
»Now he is here« I exclaimed »For Heavens sake hurry down Youll not
meet any one on the front stairs Do be quick and stay among the trees till he
is fairly in«
»I must go Cathy« said Heathcliff seeking to extricate himself from his
companions arms »But if I live Ill see you again before you are asleep I
wont stray five yards from your window«
»You must not go« she answered holding him as firmly as her strength
allowed »You shall not I tell you«
»For one hour« he pleaded earnestly
»Not for one minute« she replied
»I must Linton will be up immediately« persisted the alarmed intruder
He would have risen and unfixed her fingers by the act she clung fast
gasping there was mad resolution in her face
»No« she shrieked »Oh dont dont go It is the last time Edgar will
not hurt us Heathcliff I shall die I shall die«
»Damn the fool There he is« cried Heathcliff sinking back into his seat
»Hush my darling Hush hush Catherine Ill stay If he shot me so Id
expire with a blessing on my lips«
And there they were fast again I heard my master mounting the stairs the
cold sweat ran from my forehead I was horrified
»Are you going to listen to her ravings« I said passionately »She does
not know what she says Will you ruin her because she has not wit to help
herself Get up You could be free instantly That is the most diabolical deed
that ever you did We are all done for master mistress and servant«
I wrung my hands and cried out and Mr Linton hastened his step at the
noise In the midst of my agitation I was sincerely glad to observe that
Catherines arms had fallen relaxed and her head hung down
»Shes fainted or dead« I thought »so much the better Far better that she
should be dead than lingering a burden and a miserymaker to all about her«
Edgar sprang to his unbidden guest blanched with astonishment and rage
What he meant to do I cannot tell however the other stopped all
demonstrations at once by placing the lifelesslooking form in his arms
»Look there« he said »unless you be a fiend help her first then you
shall speak to me«
He walked into the parlour and sat down Mr Linton summoned me and with
great difficulty and after resorting to many means we managed to restore her
to sensation but she was all bewildered she sighed and moaned and knew
nobody Edgar in his anxiety for her forgot her hated friend I did not I
went at the earliest opportunity and besought him to depart affirming that
Catherine was better and he should hear from me in the morning how she passed
the night
»I shall not refuse to go out of doors« he answered »but I shall stay in
the garden and Nelly mind you keep your word tomorrow I shall be under
those larch trees mind or I pay another visit whether Linton be in or not«
He sent a rapid glance through the halfopen door of the chamber and
ascertaining that what I stated was apparently true delivered the house of his
luckless presence
Chapter XVI
About twelve oclock that night was born the Catherine you saw at Wuthering
Heights a puny seven months child and two hours after the mother died
having never recovered sufficient consciousness to miss Heathcliff or know
Edgar
The latters distraction at his bereavement is a subject too painful to be
dwelt on its after effects showed how deep the sorrow sunk
A great addition in my eyes was his being left without an heir I bemoaned
that as I gazed on the feeble orphan and I mentally abused old Linton for
what was only natural partiality the securing his estate to his own daughter
instead of his sons
An unwelcomed infant it was poor thing It might have wailed out of life
and nobody cared a morsel during those first hours of existence We redeemed
the neglect afterwards but its beginning was as friendless as its end is likely
to be
Next morning bright and cheerful out of doors stole softened in through
the blinds of the silent room and suffused the couch and its occupant with a
mellow tender glow
Edgar Linton had his head laid on the pillow and his eyes shut His young
and fair features were almost as deathlike as those of the form beside him and
almost as fixed but his was the hush of exhausted anguish and hers of perfect
peace Her brow smooth her lids closed her lips wearing the expression of a
smile No angel in heaven could be more beautiful than she appeared and I
partook of the infinite calm in which she lay My mind was never in a holier
frame than while I gazed on that untroubled image of Divine rest I
instinctively echoed the words she had uttered a few hours before
»Incomparably beyond and above us all Whether still on earth or now in heaven
her spirit is at home with God«
I dont know if it be a peculiarity in me but I am seldom otherwise than
happy while watching in the chamber of death should no frenzied or despairing
mourner share the duty with me I see a repose that neither earth nor hell can
break and I feel an assurance of the endless and shadowless hereafter the
Eternity they have entered where life is boundless in its duration and love
in its sympathy and joy in its fulness I noticed on that occasion how much
selfishness there is even in a love like Mr Lintons when he so regretted
Catherines blessed release
To be sure one might have doubted after the wayward and impatient existence
she had led whether she merited a haven of peace at last One might doubt in
seasons of cold reflection but not then in the presence of her corpse It
asserted its own tranquillity which seemed a pledge of equal quiet to its
former inhabitant
»Do you believe such people are happy in the other world sir Id give a
great deal to know«
I declined answering Mrs Deans question which struck me as something
heterodox She proceeded
»Retracing the course of Catherine Linton I fear we have no right to think
she is but well leave her with her Maker«
The master looked asleep and I ventured soon after sunrise to quit the room
and steal out to the pure refreshing air The servants thought me gone to shake
off the drowsiness of my protracted watch in reality my chief motive was seeing
Mr Heathcliff If he had remained among the larches all night he would have
heard nothing of the stir at the Grange unless perhaps he might catch the
gallop of the messenger going to Gimmerton If he had come nearer he would
probably be aware from the lights flitting to and fro and the opening and
shutting of the outer doors that all was not right within
I wished yet feared to find him I felt the terrible news must be told and
I longed to get it over but how to do it I did not know
He was there at least a few yards further in the park leant against an
old ash tree his hat off and his hair soaked with the dew that had gathered on
the budded branches and fell pattering round him He had been standing a long
time in that position for I saw a pair of ousels passing and repassing
scarcely three feet from him busy in building their nest and regarding his
proximity no more than that of a piece of timber They flew off at my approach
and he raised his eyes and spoke
»Shes dead« he said »Ive not waited for you to learn that Put your
handkerchief away dont snivel before me Damn you all she wants none of your
tears«
I was weeping as much for him as her we do sometimes pity creatures that
have none of the feeling either for themselves or others and when I first
looked into his face I perceived that he had got intelligence of the
catastrophe and a foolish notion struck me that his heart was quelled and he
prayed because his lips moved and his gaze was bent on the ground
»Yes shes dead« I answered checking my sobs and drying my cheeks »Gone
to heaven I hope where we may every one join her if we take due warning
and leave our evil ways to follow good«
»Did she take due warning then« asked Heathcliff attempting a sneer »Did
she die like a saint Come give me a true history of the event How did «
He endeavoured to pronounce the name but could not manage it and
compressing his mouth he held a silent combat with his inward agony defying
meanwhile my sympathy with an unflinching ferocious stare
»How did she die« he resumed at last fain notwithstanding his
hardihood to have a support behind him for after the struggle he trembled
in spite of himself to his very fingerends
»Poor wretch« I thought »you have a heart and nerves the same as your
brother men Why should you be anxious to conceal them your pride cannot blind
God You tempt him to wring them till he forces a cry of humiliation«
»Quietly as a lamb« I answered aloud »She drew a sigh and stretched
herself like a child reviving and sinking again to sleep and five minutes
after I felt one little pulse at her heart and nothing more«
»And did she ever mention me« he asked hesitating as if he dreaded the
answer to his question would introduce details that he could not bear to hear
»Her senses never returned she recognized nobody from the time you left
her« I said »She lies with a sweet smile on her face and her latest ideas
wandered back to pleasant early days Her life closed in a gentle dream may
she wake as kindly in the other world«
»May she wake in torment« he cried with frightful vehemence stamping his
foot and groaning in a sudden paroxysm of ungovernable passion »Why shes a
liar to the end Where is she Not there not in heaven not perished where
Oh you said you cared nothing for my sufferings And I pray one prayer I
repeat it till my tongue stiffens Catherine Earnshaw may you not rest as
long as I am living You said I killed you haunt me then The murdered do
haunt their murderers I believe I know that ghosts have wandered on earth Be
with me always take any form drive me mad only do not leave me in this
abyss where I cannot find you Oh God it is unutterable I cannot live
without my life I cannot live without my soul«
He dashed his head against the knotted trunk and lifting up his eyes
howled not like a man but like a savage beast getting goaded to death with
knives and spears
I observed several splashes of blood about the bark of the tree and his
hand and forehead were both stained probably the scene I witnessed was a
repetition of others acted during the night It hardly moved my compassion it
appalled me still I felt reluctant to quit him so But the moment he
recollected himself enough to notice me watching he thundered a command for me
to go and I obeyed He was beyond my skill to quiet or console
Mrs Lintons funeral was appointed to take place on the Friday following
her decease and till then her coffin remained uncovered and strewn with
flowers and scented leaves in the great drawingroom Linton spent his days and
nights there a sleepless guardian and a circumstance concealed from all but
me Heathcliff spent his nights at least outside equally a stranger to
repose
I held no communication with him still I was conscious of his design to
enter if he could and on the Tuesday a little after dark when my master from
sheer fatigue had been compelled to retire a couple of hours I went and opened
one of the windows moved by his perseverance to give him a chance of bestowing
on the fading image of his idol one final adieu
He did not omit to avail himself of the opportunity cautiously and briefly
too cautiously to betray his presence by the slightest noise indeed I
shouldnt have discovered that he had been there except for the disarrangement
of the drapery about the corpses face and for observing on the floor a curl of
light hair fastened with a silver thread which on examination I ascertained
to have been taken from a locket hung round Catherines neck Heathcliff had
opened the trinket and cast out its contents replacing them by a black lock of
his own I twisted the two and enclosed them together
Mr Earnshaw was of course invited to attend the remains of his sister to
the grave and he sent no excuse but he never came so that besides her
husband the mourners were wholly composed of tenants and servants Isabella was
not asked
The place of Catherines interment to the surprise of the villagers was
neither in the chapel under the carved monument of the Lintons nor yet by the
tombs of her own relations outside It was dug on a green slope in a corner of
the kirkyard where the wall is so low that heath and bilberry plants have
climbed over it from the moor and peat mould almost buries it Her husband lies
in the same spot now and they have each a simple headstone above and a plain
grey block at their feet to mark the graves
Chapter XVII
That Friday made the last of our fine days for a month In the evening the
weather broke the wind shifted from south to northeast and brought rain
first and then sleet and snow
On the morrow one could hardly imagine that there had been three weeks of
summer the primroses and crocuses were hidden under wintry drifts the larks
were silent the young leaves of the early trees smitten and blackened And
dreary and chill and dismal that morrow did creep over My master kept his
room I took possession of the lonely parlour converting it into a nursery
and there I was sitting with the moaning doll of a child laid on my knee
rocking it to and fro and watching meanwhile the still driving flakes build
up the uncurtained window when the door opened and some person entered out of
breath and laughing
My anger was greater than my astonishment for a minute I supposed it one of
the maids and I cried
»Have done How dare you show your giddiness here What would Mr Linton
say if he heard you«
»Excuse me« answered a familiar voice »but I know Edgar is in bed and I
cannot stop myself«
With that the speaker came forward to the fire panting and holding her
hand to her side
»I have run the whole way from Wuthering Heights« she continued after a
pause »Except where Ive flown I couldnt count the number of falls Ive had
Oh Im aching all over Dont be alarmed There shall be an explanation as
soon as I can give it only just have the goodness to step out and order the
carriage to take me on to Gimmerton and tell a servant to seek up a few clothes
in my wardrobe«
The intruder was Mrs Heathcliff she certainly seemed in no laughing
predicament her hair streamed on her shoulders dripping with snow and water
she was dressed in the girlish dress she commonly wore befitting her age more
than her position a low frock with short sleeves and nothing on either head
or neck The frock was of light silk and clung to her with wet and her feet
were protected merely by thin slippers add to this a deep cut under one ear
which only the cold prevented from bleeding profusely a white face scratched
and bruised and a frame hardly able to support itself through fatigue and you
may fancy my first fright was not much allayed when I had leisure to examine
her
»My dear young lady« I exclaimed »Ill stir nowhere and hear nothing
till you have removed every article of your clothes and put on dry things and
certainly you shall not go to Gimmerton tonight so it is needless to order the
carriage«
»Certainly I shall« she said »walking or riding yet Ive no objection
to dress myself decently and ah see how it flows down my neck now The fire
does make it smart«
She insisted on my fulfilling her directions before she would let me touch
her and not till after the coachman had been instructed to get ready and a
maid set to pack up some necessary attire did I obtain her consent for binding
the wound and helping to change her garments
»Now Ellen« she said when my task was finished and she was seated in an
easy chair on the hearth with a cup of tea before her »You sit down opposite
me and put poor Catherines baby away I dont like to see it You mustnt
think I care little for Catherine because I behaved so foolishly on entering
Ive cried too bitterly yes more than any one else has reason to cry we
parted unreconciled you remember and I shant forgive myself But for all
that I was not going to sympathise with him the brute beast O give me the
poker This is the last thing of his I have about me« she slipped the gold ring
from her third finger and threw it on the floor »Ill smash it« she continued
striking with childish spite »And then Ill burn it« and she took and dropped
the misused article among the coals »There he shall buy another if he gets me
back again Hed be capable of coming to seek me to tease Edgar I dare not
stay lest that notion should possess his wicked head And besides Edgar has
not been kind has he And I wont come suing for his assistance nor will I
bring him into more trouble Necessity compelled me to seek shelter here
though if I had not learnt he was out of the way Id have halted at the
kitchen washed my face warmed myself got you to bring what I wanted and
departed again to anywhere out of reach of my accursed of that incarnate
goblin Ah he was in such a fury if he had caught me Its a pity Earnshaw
is not his match in strength I wouldnt have run till Id seen him all but
demolished had Hindley been able to do it«
»Well dont talk so fast Miss« I interrupted »youll disorder the
handkerchief I have tied round your face and make the cut bleed again Drink
your tea and take breath and give over laughing Laughter is sadly out of
place under this roof and in your condition«
»An undeniable truth« she replied »Listen to that child It maintains a
constant wail send it out of my hearing for an hour I shant stay any
longer«
I rang the bell and committed it to a servants care and then I inquired
what had urged her to escape from Wuthering Heights in such an unlikely plight
and where she meant to go as she refused remaining with us
»I ought and I wish to remain« answered she »to cheer Edgar and take
care of the baby for two things and because the Grange is my right home but
I tell you he wouldnt let me Do you think he could bear to see me grow fat
and merry and could bear to think that we were tranquil and not resolve on
poisoning our comfort Now I have the satisfaction of being sure that he
detests me to the point of its annoying him seriously to have me within earshot
or eyesight I notice when I enter his presence the muscles of his
countenance are involuntarily distorted into an expression of hatred partly
arising from his knowledge of the good causes I have to feel that sentiment for
him and partly from original aversion It is strong enough to make me feel
pretty certain that he would not chase me over England supposing I contrived a
clear escape and therefore I must get quite away Ive recovered from my first
desire to be killed by him Id rather hed kill himself He has extinguished my
love effectually and so Im at my ease I can recollect yet how I loved him
and can dimly imagine that I could still be loving him if No no Even if he
had doted on me the devilish nature would have revealed its existence somehow
Catherine had an awfully perverted taste to esteem him so dearly knowing him so
well Monster would that he could be blotted out of creation and out of my
memory«
»Hush hush Hes a human being« I said »Be more charitable there are
worse men than he is yet«
»Hes not a human being« she retorted »and he has no claim on my charity
I gave him my heart and he took and pinched it to death and flung it back to
me people feel with their hearts Ellen and since he has destroyed mine I
have not power to feel for him and I would not though he groaned from this to
his dying day and wept tears of blood for Catherine No indeed indeed I
wouldnt« And here Isabella began to cry but immediately dashing the water
from her lashes she recommenced
»You asked what has driven me to flight at last I was compelled to attempt
it because I had succeeded in rousing his rage a pitch above his malignity
Pulling out the nerves with red hot pincers requires more coolness than
knocking on the head He was worked up to forget the fiendish prudence he
boasted of and proceeding to murderous violence I experienced pleasure in
being able to exasperate him the sense of pleasure woke my instinct of
selfpreservation so I fairly broke free and if ever I come into his hands
again he is welcome to a signal revenge
Yesterday you know Mr Earnshaw should have been at the funeral He kept
himself sober for the purpose tolerably sober not going tobed mad at six
oclock and getting up drunk at twelve Consequently he rose in suicidal low
spirits as fit for the church as for a dance and instead he sat down by the
fire and swallowed gin or brandy by tumblerfuls
Heathcliff I shudder to name him has been a stranger in the house from
last Sunday till today Whether the angels have fed him or his kin beneath I
cannot tell but he has not eaten a meal with us for nearly a week He has
just come home at dawn and gone upstairs to his chamber locking himself in
as if anybody dreamt of coveting his company There he has continued praying
like a methodist only the deity he implored is senseless dust and ashes and
God when addressed was curiously confounded with his own black father After
concluding these precious orisons and they lasted generally till he grew
hoarse and his voice was strangled in his throat he would be off again always
straight down to the Grange I wonder Edgar did not send for a constable and
give him into custody For me grieved as I was about Catherine it was
impossible to avoid regarding this season of deliverance from degrading
oppression as a holiday
I recovered spirits sufficient to hear Josephs eternal lectures without
weeping and to move up and down the house less with the foot of a frightened
thief than formerly You wouldnt think that I should cry at anything Joseph
could say but he and Hareton are detestable companions Id rather sit with
Hindley and hear his awful talk than with t little maister and his staunch
supporter that odious old man
When Heathcliff is in Im often obliged to seek the kitchen and their
society or starve among the damp uninhabited chambers when he is not as was
the case this week I establish a table and chair at one corner of the house
fire and never mind how Mr Earnshaw may occupy himself and he does not
interfere with my arrangements he is quieter now than he used to be if no
one provokes him more sullen and depressed and less furious Joseph affirms
hes sure hes an altered man that the Lord has touched his heart and he is
saved so as by fire Im puzzled to detect signs of the favourable change but
it is not my business
Yesterevening I sat in my nook reading some old books till late on
towards twelve It seemed so dismal to go upstairs with the wild snow blowing
outside and my thoughts continually reverting to the kirkyard and the new made
grave I dared hardly lift my eyes from the page before me that melancholy
scene so instantly usurped its place
Hindley sat opposite his head leant on his hand perhaps meditating on the
same subject He had ceased drinking at a point below irrationality and had
neither stirred nor spoken during two or three hours There was no sound
through the house but the moaning wind which shook the windows every now and
then the faint crackling of the coals and the click of my snuffers as I
removed at intervals the long wick of the candle Hareton and Joseph were
probably fast asleep in bed It was very very sad and while I read I sighed
for it seemed as if all joy had vanished from the world never to be restored
The doleful silence was broken at length by the sound of the kitchen latch
Heathcliff had returned from his watch earlier than usual owing I suppose
to the sudden storm
That entrance was fastened and we heard him coming round to get in by the
other I rose with an irrepressible expression of what I felt on my lips which
induced my companion who had been staring towards the door to turn and look at
me
Ill keep him out five minutes he exclaimed You wont object
No you may keep him out the whole night for me I answered Do put the
key in the lock and draw the bolts
Earnshaw accomplished this ere his guest reached the front he then came
and brought his chair to the other side of my table leaning over it and
searching in my eyes a sympathy with the burning hate that gleamed from his as
he both looked and felt like an assassin he couldnt exactly find that but he
discovered enough to encourage him to speak
You and I he said have each a great debt to settle with the man out
yonder If we were neither of us cowards we might combine to discharge it Are
you as soft as your brother Are you willing to endure to the last and not once
attempt a repayment
Im weary of enduring now I replied and Id be glad of a retaliation that
wouldnt recoil on myself but treachery and violence are spears pointed at
both ends they wound those who resort to them worse than their enemies
Treachery and violence are a just return for treachery and violence cried
Hindley Mrs Heathcliff Ill ask you to do nothing but sit still and be dumb
Tell me now can you Im sure you would have as much pleasure as I in
witnessing the conclusion of the fiends existence hell be your death unless
you overreach him and hell be my ruin Damn the hellish villain He knocks
at the door as if he were master here already Promise to hold your tongue
and before that clock strikes it wants three minutes of one youre a free
woman
He took the implements which I described to you in my letter from his
breast and would have turned down the candle I snatched it away however and
seized his arm
Ill not hold my tongue I said You mustnt touch him Let the door
remain shut and be quiet
No Ive formed my resolution and by God Ill execute it cried the
desperate being Ill do you a kindness in spite of yourself and Hareton
justice And you neednt trouble your head to screen me Catherine is gone
Nobody alive would regret me or be ashamed though I cut my throat this minute
and its time to make an end
I might as well have struggled with a bear or reasoned with a lunatic The
only resource left me was to run to a lattice and warn his intended victim of
the fate which awaited him
Youd better seek shelter somewhere else tonight I exclaimed in a rather
triumphant tone Mr Earnshaw has a mind to shoot you if you persist in
endeavouring to enter
Youd better open the door you he answered addressing me by some
elegant term that I dont care to repeat
I shall not meddle in the matter I retorted again Come in and get shot
if you please Ive done my duty
With that I shut the window and returned to my place by the fire having
too small a stock of hypocrisy at my command to pretend any anxiety for the
danger that menaced him
Earnshaw swore passionately at me affirming that I loved the villain yet
and calling me all sorts of names for the base spirit I evinced And I in my
secret heart and conscience never reproached me thought what a blessing it
would be for him should Heathcliff put him out of misery and what a blessing
for me should he send Heathcliff to his right abode As I sat nursing these
reflections the casement behind me was banged on to the floor by a blow from
the latter individual and his black countenance looked blightingly through The
stanchions stood too close to suffer his shoulders to follow and I smiled
exulting in my fancied security His hair and clothes were whitened with snow
and his sharp cannibal teeth revealed by cold and wrath gleamed through the
dark
Isabella let me in or Ill make you repent he girned as Joseph calls it
I cannot commit murder I replied Mr Hindley stands sentinel with a knife
and loaded pistol
Let me in by the kitchen door he said
Hindley will be there before me I answered And thats a poor love of
yours that cannot bear a shower of snow We were left at peace in our beds as
long as the summer moon shone but the moment a blast of winter returns you
must run for shelter Heathcliff if I were you Id go stretch myself over her
grave and die like a faithful dog The world is surely not worth living in
now is it You had distinctly impressed on me the idea that Catherine was the
whole joy of your life I cant imagine how you think of surviving her loss
Hes there is he exclaimed my companion rushing to the gap If I can
get my arm out I can hit him
Im afraid Ellen youll set me down as really wicked but you dont know
all so dont judge I wouldnt have aided or abetted an attempt on even his
life for anything Wish that he were dead I must and therefore I was
fearfully disappointed and unnerved by terror for the consequences of my
taunting speech when he flung himself on Earnshaws weapon and wrenched it from
his grasp
The charge exploded and the knife in springing back closed into its
owners wrist Heathcliff pulled it away by main force slitting up the flesh as
it passed on and thrust it dripping into his pocket He then took a stone
struck down the division between two windows and sprung in His adversary had
fallen senseless with excessive pain and the flow of blood that gushed from an
artery or a large vein
The ruffian kicked and trampled on him and dashed his head repeatedly
against the flags holding me with one hand meantime to prevent me summoning
Joseph
He exerted preterhuman selfdenial in abstaining from finishing him
completely but getting out of breath he finally desisted and dragged the
apparently inanimate body onto the settle
There he tore off the sleeve of Earnshaws coat and bound up the wound with
brutal roughness spitting and cursing during the operation as energetically
as he had kicked before
Being at liberty I lost no time in seeking the old servant who having
gathered by degrees the purport of my hasty tale hurried below gasping as he
descended the steps two at once
Whet is thur tuh do nah whet is thur tuh do nah
Theres this to do thundered Heathcliff that your masters mad and should
he last another month Ill have him to an asylum And how the devil did you
come to fasten me out you toothless hound Dont stand muttering and mumbling
there Come Im not going to nurse him Wash that stuff away and mind the
sparks of your candle it is more than half brandy
And soa yah been murthering on him exclaimed Joseph lifting his hands and
eyes in horror If iver Aw seed a seeght loike this May the Lord
Heathcliff gave him a push onto his knees in the middle of the blood and
flung a towel to him but instead of proceeding to dry it up he joined his
hands and began a prayer which excited my laughter from its odd phraseology I
was in the condition of mind to be shocked at nothing in fact I was as
reckless as some malefactors show themselves at the foot of the gallows
Oh I forgot you said the tyrant you shall do that Down with you And you
conspire with him against me do you viper There that is work fit for you
He shook me till my teeth rattled and pitched me beside Joseph who
steadily concluded his supplications and then rose vowing he would set off for
the Grange directly Mr Linton was a magistrate and though he had fifty wives
dead he should inquire into this
He was so obstinate in his resolution that Heathcliff deemed it expedient to
compel from my lips a recapitulation of what had taken place standing over
me heaving with malevolence as I reluctantly delivered the account in answer
to his questions
It required a great deal of labour to satisfy the old man that he was not
the aggressor especially with my hardly wrung replies However Mr Earnshaw
soon convinced him that he was alive still he hastened to administer a dose of
spirits and by their succour his master presently regained motion and
consciousness
Heathcliff aware that he was ignorant of the treatment received while
insensible called him deliriously intoxicated and said he should not notice
his atrocious conduct further but advised him to get to bed To my joy he left
us after giving this judicious counsel and Hindley stretched himself on the
hearthstone I departed to my own room marvelling that I had escaped so
easily
This morning when I came down about halfanhour before noon Mr Earnshaw
was sitting by the fire deadly sick his evil genius almost as gaunt and
ghastly leant against the chimney Neither appeared inclined to dine and
having waited till all was cold on the table I commenced alone
Nothing hindered me from eating heartily and I experienced a certain sense
of satisfaction and superiority as at intervals I cast a look towards my
silent companions and felt the comfort of a quiet conscience within me
After I had done I ventured on the unusual liberty of drawing near the
fire going round Earnshaws seat and kneeling in the corner beside him
Heathcliff did not glance my way and I gazed up and contemplated his
features almost as confidently as if they had been turned to stone His
forehead that I once thought so manly and that I now think so diabolical was
shaded with a heavy cloud his basilisk eyes were nearly quenched by
sleeplessness and weeping perhaps for the lashes were wet then his lips
devoid of their ferocious sneer and sealed in an expression of unspeakable
sadness Had it been another I would have covered my face in the presence of
such grief In his case I was gratified and ignoble as it seems to insult a
fallen enemy I couldnt miss this chance of sticking in a dart his weakness
was the only time when I could taste the delight of paying wrong for wrong«
»Fie fie Miss« I interrupted »One might suppose you had never opened a
Bible in your life If God afflict your enemies surely that ought to suffice
you It is both mean and presumptuous to add your torture to his«
»In general Ill allow that it would be Ellen« she continued »But what
misery laid on Heathcliff could content me unless I have a hand in it Id
rather he suffered less if I might cause his sufferings and he might know that
I was the cause Oh I owe him so much On only one condition can I hope to
forgive him It is if I may take an eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth for
every wrench of agony return a wrench reduce him to my level As he was the
first to injure make him the first to implore pardon and then why then
Ellen I might show you some generosity But it is utterly impossible I can ever
be revenged and therefore I cannot forgive him Hindley wanted some water and
I handed him a glass and asked him how he was
Not as ill as I wish he replied But leaving out my arm every inch of me
is as sore as if I had been fighting with a legion of imps
Yes no wonder was my next remark Catherine used to boast that she stood
between you and bodily harm she meant that certain persons would not hurt you
for fear of offending her Its well people dont really rise from their grave
or last night she might have witnessed a repulsive scene Are not you bruised
and cut over your chest and shoulders
I cant say he answered but what do you mean Did he dare to strike me
when I was down
He trampled on and kicked you and dashed you on the ground I whispered
And his mouth watered to tear you with his teeth because hes only half a man
not so much
Mr Earnshaw looked up like me to the countenance of our mutual foe who
absorbed in his anguish seemed insensible to anything around him the longer he
stood the plainer his reflections revealed their blackness through his
features
Oh if God would but give me strength to strangle him in my last agony Id
go to hell with joy groaned the impatient man writhing to rise and sinking
back in despair convinced of his inadequacy for the struggle
Nay its enough that he has murdered one of you I observed aloud At the
Grange every one knows your sister would have been living now had it not been
for Mr Heathcliff After all it is preferable to be hated than loved by him
When I recollect how happy we were how happy Catherine was before he came
Im fit to curse the day
Most likely Heathcliff noticed more the truth of what was said than the
spirit of the person who said it His attention was roused I saw for his eyes
rained down tears among the ashes and he drew his breath in suffocating sighs
I stared full at him and laughed scornfully The clouded windows of hell
flashed a moment towards me the fiend which usually looked out however was
so dimmed and drowned that I did not fear to hazard another sound of derision
Get up and begone out of my sight said the mourner
I guessed he uttered those words at least though his voice was hardly
intelligible
I beg your pardon I replied But I loved Catherine too and her brother
requires attendance which for her sake I shall supply Now that shes dead I
see her in Hindley Hindley has exactly her eyes if you had not tried to gouge
them out and made them black and red and her
Get up wretched idiot before I stamp you to death he cried making a
movement that caused me to make one also
But then I continued holding myself ready to flee if poor Catherine had
trusted you and assumed the ridiculous contemptible degrading title of Mrs
Heathcliff she would soon have presented a similar picture She wouldnt have
borne your abominable behaviour quietly her detestation and disgust must have
found voice
The back of the settle and Earnshaws person interposed between me and him
so instead of endeavouring to reach me he snatched a dinner knife from the
table and flung it at my head It struck beneath my ear and stopped the
sentence I was uttering but pulling it out I sprang to the door and delivered
another which I hope went a little deeper than his missile
The last glimpse I caught of him was a furious rush on his part checked by
the embrace of his host and both fell locked together on the hearth
In my flight through the kitchen I bid Joseph speed to his master I knocked
over Hareton who was hanging a litter of puppies from a chairback in the
doorway and blest as a soul escaped from purgatory I bounded leaped and
flew down the steep road then quitting its windings shot direct across the
moor rolling over banks and wading through marshes precipitating myself in
fact towards the beacon light of the Grange And far rather would I be
condemned to a perpetual dwelling in the infernal regions than even for one
night abide beneath the roof of Wuthering Heights again«
Isabella ceased speaking and took a drink of tea then she rose and
bidding me put on her bonnet and a great shawl I had brought and turning a
deaf ear to my entreaties for her to remain another hour she stepped onto a
chair kissed Edgars and Catherines portraits bestowed a similar salute on
me and descended to the carriage accompanied by Fanny who yelped wild with joy
at recovering her mistress She was driven away never to revisit this
neighbourhood but a regular correspondence was established between her and my
master when things were more settled
I believe her new abode was in the south near London there she had a son
born a few months subsequent to her escape He was christened Linton and from
the first she reported him to be an ailing peevish creature
Mr Heathcliff meeting me one day in the village inquired where she lived
I refused to tell He remarked that it was not of any moment only she must
beware of coming to her brother she should not be with him if he had to keep
her himself
Though I would give no information he discovered through some of the other
servants both her place of residence and the existence of the child Still he
didnt molest her for which forbearance she might thank his aversion I
suppose
He often asked about the infant when he saw me and on hearing its name
smiled grimly and observed
»They wish me to hate it too do they«
»I dont think they wish you to know anything about it« I answered
»But Ill have it« he said »when I want it They may reckon on that«
Fortunately its mother died before the time arrived some thirteen years
after the decease of Catherine when Linton was twelve or a little more
On the day succeeding Isabellas unexpected visit I had no opportunity of
speaking to my master he shunned conversation and was fit for discussing
nothing When I could get him to listen I saw it pleased him that his sister
had left her husband whom he abhorred with an intensity which the mildness of
his nature would scarcely seem to allow So deep and sensitive was his aversion
that he refrained from going anywhere where he was likely to see or hear of
Heathcliff Grief and that together transformed him into a complete hermit he
threw up his office of magistrate ceased even to attend church avoided the
village on all occasions and spent a life of entire seclusion within the limits
of his park and grounds only varied by solitary rambles on the moors and
visits to the grave of his wife mostly at evening or early morning before
other wanderers were abroad
But he was too good to be thoroughly unhappy long He didnt pray for
Catherines soul to haunt him Time brought resignation and a melancholy
sweeter than common joy He recalled her memory with ardent tender love and
hopeful aspiring to the better world where he doubted not she was gone
And he had earthly consolation and affections also For a few days I said
he seemed regardless of the puny successor to the departed that coldness melted
as fast as snow in April and ere the tiny thing could stammer a word or totter
a step it wielded a despots sceptre in his heart
It was named Catherine but he never called it the name in full as he had
never called the first Catherine short probably because Heathcliff had a habit
of doing so The little one was always Cathy it formed to him a distinction
from the mother and yet a connection with her and his attachment sprang from
its relation to her far more than from its being his own
I used to draw a comparison between him and Hindley Earnshaw and perplex
myself to explain satisfactorily why their conduct was so opposite in similar
circumstances They had both been fond husbands and were both attached to their
children and I could not see how they shouldnt both have taken the same road
for good or evil But I thought in my mind Hindley with apparently the
stronger head has shown himself sadly the worse and the weaker man When his
ship struck the captain abandoned his post and the crew instead of trying to
save her rushed into riot and confusion leaving no hope for their luckless
vessel Linton on the contrary displayed the true courage of a loyal and
faithful soul he trusted God and God comforted him One hoped and the other
despaired they chose their own lots and were righteously doomed to endure
them
But youll not want to hear my moralizing Mr Lockwood youll judge as
well as I can all these things at least youll think you will and thats the
same
The end of Earnshaw was what might have been expected it followed fast on
his sisters there was scarcely six months between them We at the Grange
never got a very succinct account of his state preceding it all that I did
learn was on occasion of going to aid in the preparations for the funeral Mr
Kenneth came to announce the event to my master
»Well Nelly« said he riding into the yard one morning too early not to
alarm me with an instant presentiment of bad news »Its yours and my turn to
go into mourning at present Whos given us the slip now do you think«
»Who« I asked in a flurry
»Why guess« he returned dismounting and slinging his bridle on a hook by
the door »And nip up the corner of your apron Im certain youll need it«
»Not Mr Heathcliff surely« I exclaimed
»What would you have tears for him« said the doctor »No Heathcliffs a
tough young fellow he looks blooming today Ive just seen him Hes rapidly
regaining flesh since he lost his better half«
»Who is it then Mr Kenneth« I repeated impatiently
»Hindley Earnshaw Your old friend Hindley « he replied »And my wicked
gossip though hes been too wild for me this long while There I said we
should draw water But cheer up He died true to his character drunk as a lord
Poor lad Im sorry too One cant help missing an old companion though he
had the worst tricks with him that ever man imagined and has done me many a
rascally turn Hes barely twentyseven it seems thats your own age who
would have thought you were born in one year«
I confess this blow was greater to me than the shock of Mrs Lintons death
ancient associations lingered round my heart I sat down in the porch and wept
as for a blood relation desiring Kenneth to get another servant to introduce
him to the master
I could not hinder myself from pondering on the question »Had he had fair
play« Whatever I did that idea would bother me it was so tiresomely
pertinacious that I resolved on requesting leave to go to Wuthering Heights and
assist in the last duties to the dead Mr Linton was extremely reluctant to
consent but I pleaded eloquently for the friendless condition in which he lay
and I said my old master and foster brother had a claim on my services as
strong as his own Besides I reminded him that the child Hareton was his
wifes nephew and in the absence of nearer kin he ought to act as its
guardian and he ought to and must inquire how the property was left and look
over the concerns of his brotherinlaw
He was unfit for attending to such matters then but he bid me speak to his
lawyer and at length permitted me to go His lawyer had been Earnshaws also
I called at the village and asked him to accompany me He shook his head and
advised that Heathcliff should be let alone affirming if the truth were known
Hareton would be found little else than a beggar
»His father died in debt« he said »the whole property is mortgaged and
the sole chance for the natural heir is to allow him an opportunity of creating
some interest in the creditors heart that he may be inclined to deal leniently
towards him«
When I reached the Heights I explained that I had come to see everything
carried on decently and Joseph who appeared in sufficient distress expressed
satisfaction at my presence Mr Heathcliff said he did not perceive that I was
wanted but I might stay and order the arrangements for the funeral if I chose
»Correctly« he remarked »that fools body should be buried at the
crossroads without ceremony of any kind I happened to leave him ten minutes
yesterday afternoon and in that interval he fastened the two doors of the
house against me and he has spent the night in drinking himself to death
deliberately We broke in this morning for we heard him snorting like a horse
and there he was laid over the settle flaying and scalping would not have
wakened him I sent for Kenneth and he came but not till the beast had
changed into carrion he was both dead and cold and stark and so youll
allow it was useless making more stir about him«
The old servant confirmed this statement but muttered
»Awd rayther hed goan hisseln fur t doctor Aw sud uh taen tent uh t
maister better nur him un he warnt deead when Aw left nowt uh t soart«
I insisted on the funeral being respectable Mr Heathcliff said I might
have my own way there too only he desired me to remember that the money for
the whole affair came out of his pocket
He maintained a hard careless deportment indicative of neither joy nor
sorrow if anything it expressed a flinty gratification at a piece of difficult
work successfully executed I observed once indeed something like exultation
in his aspect It was just when the people were bearing the coffin from the
house he had the hypocrisy to represent a mourner and previous to following
with Hareton he lifted the unfortunate child on to the table and muttered with
peculiar gusto
»Now my bonny lad you are mine And well see if one tree wont grow as
crooked as another with the same wind to twist it«
The unsuspecting thing was pleased at this speech he played with
Heathcliffs whiskers and stroked his cheek but I divined its meaning and
observed tartly
»That boy must go back with me to Thrushcross Grange Sir There is nothing
in the world less yours than he is«
»Does Linton say so« he demanded
»Of course he has ordered me to take him« I replied
»Well« said the scoundrel »Well not argue the subject now but I have a
fancy to try my hand at rearing a young one so intimate to your master that I
must supply the place of this with my own if he attempt to remove it I dont
engage to let Hareton go undisputed but Ill be pretty sure to make the other
come remember to tell him«
This hint was enough to bind our hands I repeated its substance on my
return and Edgar Linton little interested at the commencement spoke no more
of interfering Im not aware that he could have done it to any purpose had he
been ever so willing
The guest was now the master of Wuthering Heights he held firm possession
and proved to the attorney who in his turn proved it to Mr Linton that
Earnshaw had mortgaged every yard of land he owned for cash to supply his mania
for gaming and he Heathcliff was the mortgagee
In that manner Hareton who should now be the first gentleman in the
neighbourhood was reduced to a state of complete dependence on his fathers
inveterate enemy and lives in his own house as a servant deprived of the
advantages of wages and quite unable to right himself because of his
friendlessness and his ignorance that he has been wronged
Chapter XVIII
The twelve years continued Mrs Dean following that dismal period were the
happiest of my life my greatest troubles in their passage rose from our
little ladys trifling illnesses which she had to experience in common with all
children rich and poor
For the rest after the first six months she grew like a larch and could
walk and talk too in her own way before the heath blossomed a second time over
Mrs Lintons dust
She was the most winning thing that ever brought sunshine into a desolate
house a real beauty in face with the Earnshaws handsome dark eyes but the
Lintons fair skin and small features and yellow curling hair Her spirit was
high though not rough and qualified by a heart sensitive and lively to excess
in its affections That capacity for intense attachments reminded me of her
mother still she did not resemble her for she could be soft and mild as a
dove and she had a gentle voice and pensive expression her anger was never
furious her love never fierce it was deep and tender
However it must be acknowledged she had faults to foil her gifts A
propensity to be saucy was one and a perverse will that indulged children
invariably acquire whether they be good tempered or cross If a servant chanced
to vex her it was always »I shall tell papa« And if he reproved her even by
a look you would have thought it a heartbreaking business I dont believe he
ever did speak a harsh word to her
He took her education entirely on himself and made it an amusement
fortunately curiosity and a quick intellect urged her into an apt scholar she
learnt rapidly and eagerly and did honour to his teaching
Till she reached the age of thirteen she had not once been beyond the range
of the park by herself Mr Linton would take her with him a mile or so
outside on rare occasions but he trusted her to no one else Gimmerton was an
unsubstantial name in her ears the chapel the only building she had
approached or entered except her own home Wuthering Heights and Mr
Heathcliff did not exist for her she was a perfect recluse and apparently
perfectly contented Sometimes indeed while surveying the country from her
nursery window she would observe
»Ellen how long will it be before I can walk to the top of those hills I
wonder what lies on the other side is it the sea«
»No Miss Cathy« I would answer »it is hills again just like these«
»And what are those golden rocks like when you stand under them« she once
asked
The abrupt descent of Penistone Craggs particularly attracted her notice
especially when the setting sun shone on it and the topmost Heights and the
whole extent of landscape besides lay in shadow
I explained that they were bare masses of stone with hardly enough earth in
their clefts to nourish a stunted tree
»And why are they bright so long after it is evening here« she pursued
»Because they are a great deal higher up than we are« replied I »you could
not climb them they are too high and steep In winter the frost is always there
before it comes to us and deep into summer I have found snow under that black
hollow on the northeast side«
»Oh you have been on them« she cried gleefully »Then I can go too when
I am a woman Has papa been Ellen«
»Papa would tell you Miss« I answered hastily »that they are not worth
the trouble of visiting The moors where you ramble with him are much nicer
and Thrushcross park is the finest place in the world«
»But I know the park and I dont know those« she murmured to herself »And
I should delight to look round me from the brow of that tallest point my
little pony Minny shall take me sometime«
One of the maids mentioning the Fairy cave quite turned her head with a
desire to fulfil this project she teased Mr Linton about it and he promised
she should have the journey when she got older but Miss Catherine measured her
age by months and
»Now am I old enough to go to Penistone Craggs« was the constant question
in her mouth
The road thither wound close by Wuthering Heights Edgar had not the heart
to pass it so she received as constantly the answer
»Not yet love not yet«
I said Mrs Heathcliff lived above a dozen years after quitting her husband
Her family were of a delicate constitution she and Edgar both lacked the ruddy
health that you will generally meet in these parts What her last illness was I
am not certain I conjecture they died of the same thing a kind of fever slow
at its commencement but incurable and rapidly consuming life towards the
close
She wrote to inform her brother of the probable conclusion of a four months
indisposition under which she had suffered and entreated him to come to her
if possible for she had much to settle and she wished to bid him adieu and
deliver Linton safely into his hands Her hope was that Linton might be left
with him as he had been with her his father she would fain convince herself
had no desire to assume the burden of his maintenance or education
My master hesitated not a moment in complying with her request reluctant as
he was to leave home at ordinary calls he flew to answer this commending
Catherine to my peculiar vigilance in his absence with reiterated orders that
she must not wander out of the park even under my escort he did not calculate
on her going unaccompanied
He was away three weeks the first day or two my charge sat in a corner of
the library too sad for either reading or playing in that quiet state she
caused me little trouble but it was succeeded by an interval of impatient
fretful weariness and being too busy and too old then to run up and down
amusing her I hit on a method by which she might entertain herself
I used to send her on her travels round the grounds now on foot and now
on a pony indulging her with a patient audience of all her real and imaginary
adventures when she returned
The summer shone in full prime and she took such a taste for this solitary
rambling that she often contrived to remain out from breakfast till tea and
then the evenings were spent in recounting her fanciful tales I did not fear
her breaking bounds because the gates were generally locked and I thought she
would scarcely venture forth alone if they had stood wide open
Unluckily my confidence proved misplaced Catherine came to me one
morning at eight oclock and said she was that day an Arabian merchant going
to cross the Desert with his caravan and I must give her plenty of provision
for herself and beasts a horse and three camels personated by a large hound
and a couple of pointers
I got together good store of dainties and slung them in a basket on one
side of the saddle and she sprang up as gay as a fairy sheltered by her
widebrimmed hat and gauze veil from the July sun and trotted off with a merry
laugh mocking my cautious counsel to avoid galloping and come back early
The naughty thing never made her appearance at tea One traveller the
hound being an old dog and fond of its ease returned but neither Cathy nor
the pony nor the two pointers were visible in any direction and I despatched
emissaries down this path and that path and at last went wandering in search
of her myself
There was a labourer working at a fence round a plantation on the borders
of the grounds I enquired of him if he had seen our young lady
»I saw her at morn« he replied »she would have me to cut her a hazel
switch and then she leapt her galloway over the hedge yonder where it is
lowest and galloped out of sight«
You may guess how I felt at hearing this news It struck me directly she
must have started for Penistone Craggs
»What will become of her« I ejaculated pushing through a gap which the man
was repairing and making straight to the high road
I walked as if for a wager mile after mile till a turn brought me in view
of the Heights but no Catherine could I detect far or near
The Craggs lie about a mile and a half beyond Mr Heathcliffs place and
that is four from the Grange so I began to fear night would fall ere I could
reach them
»And what if she should have slipped in clambering among them« I reflected
»and been killed or broken some of her bones«
My suspense was truly painful and at first it gave me delightful relief
to observe in hurrying by the farmhouse Charlie the fiercest of the
pointers lying under a window with swelled head and bleeding ear
I opened the wicket and ran to the door knocking vehemently for
admittance A woman whom I knew and who formerly lived at Gimmerton answered
she had been servant there since the death of Mr Earnshaw
»Ah« said she »you are come a seeking your little mistress dont be
frightened Shes here safe but Im glad it isnt the master«
»He is not at home then is he« I panted quite breathless with quick
walking and alarm
»No no« she replied »both he and Joseph are off and I think they wont
return this hour or more Step in and rest you a bit«
I entered and beheld my stray lamb seated on the hearth rocking herself
in a little chair that had been her mothers when a child Her hat was hung
against the wall and she seemed perfectly at home laughing and chattering in
the best spirits imaginable to Hareton now a great strong lad of eighteen
who stared at her with considerable curiosity and astonishment comprehending
precious little of the fluent succession of remarks and questions which her
tongue never ceased pouring forth
»Very well Miss« I exclaimed concealing my joy under an angry
countenance »This is your last ride till papa comes back Ill not trust you
over the threshold again you naughty naughty girl«
»Aha Ellen« she cried gaily jumping up and running to my side »I shall
have a pretty story to tell tonight and so youve found me out Have you ever
been here in your life before«
»Put that hat on and home at once« said I »Im dreadfully grieved at you
Miss Cathy youve done extremely wrong Its no use pouting and crying that
wont repay the trouble Ive had scouring the country after you To think how
Mr Linton charged me to keep you in and you stealing off so it shows you are
a cunning little fox and nobody will put faith in you any more«
»What have I done« sobbed she instantly checked »Papa charged me nothing
hell not scold me Ellen hes never cross like you«
»Come come« I repeated »Ill tie the riband Now let us have no
petulance Oh for shame You thirteen years old and such a baby«
This exclamation was caused by her pushing the hat from her head and
retreating to the chimney out of my reach
»Nay« said the servant »dont be hard on the bonny lass Mrs Dean We
made her stop shed fain have ridden forwards afeard you should be uneasy
But Hareton offered to go with her and I thought he should Its a wild road
over the hills«
Hareton during the discussion stood with his hands in his pockets too
awkward to speak though he looked as if he did not relish my intrusion
»How long am I to wait« I continued disregarding the womans interference
»It will be dark in ten minutes Where is the pony Miss Cathy And where is
Phenix I shall leave you unless you be quick so please yourself«
»The pony is in the yard« she replied »and Phenix is shut in there Hes
bitten and so is Charlie I was going to tell you all about it but you are in
a bad temper and dont deserve to hear«
I picked up her hat and approached to reinstate it but perceiving that the
people of the house took her part she commenced capering round the room and
on my giving chase ran like a mouse over and under and behind the furniture
rendering it ridiculous for me to pursue
Hareton and the woman laughed and she joined them and waxed more
impertinent still till I cried in great irritation
»Well Miss Cathy if you were aware whose house this is youd be glad
enough to get out«
»Its your fathers isnt it« said she turning to Hareton
»Nay« he replied looking down and blushing bashfully
He could not stand a steady gaze from her eyes though they were just his
own
»Whose then your masters« she asked
He coloured deeper with a different feeling muttered an oath and turned
away
»Who is his master« continued the tiresome girl appealing to me »He
talked about our house and our folk I thought he had been the owners son And
he never said Miss he should have done shouldnt he if hes a servant«
Hareton grew black as a thundercloud at this childish speech I silently
shook my questioner and at last succeeded in equipping her for departure
»Now get my horse« she said addressing her unknown kinsman as she would
one of the stableboys at the Grange »And you may come with me I want to see
where the goblin hunter rises in the marsh and to hear about the fairishes as
you call them but make haste Whats the matter Get my horse I say«
»Ill see thee damned before I be thy servant« growled the lad
»Youll see me what« asked Catherine in surprise
»Damned thou saucy witch« he replied
»There Miss Cathy you see you have got into pretty company« I interposed
»Nice words to be used to a young lady Pray dont begin to dispute with him
Come let us seek for Minny ourselves and begone«
»But Ellen« cried she staring fixed in astonishment »How dare he speak
so to me Mustnt he be made to do as I ask him You wicked creature I shall
tell papa what you said Now then«
Hareton did not appear to feel this threat so the tears sprung into her
eyes with indignation »You bring the pony« she exclaimed turning to the
woman »and let my dog free this moment«
»Softly Miss« answered the addressed »Youll lose nothing by being
civil Though Mr Hareton there be not the masters son hes your cousin and
I was never hired to serve you«
»He my cousin« cried Cathy with a scornful laugh
»Yes indeed« responded her reprover
»Oh Ellen dont let them say such things« she pursued in great trouble
»Papa is gone to fetch my cousin from London my cousin is a gentlemans son
That my « she stopped and wept outright upset at the bare notion of
relationship with such a clown
»Hush hush« I whispered »people can have many cousins and of all sorts
Miss Cathy without being any the worse for it only they neednt keep their
company if they be disagreeable and bad«
»Hes not hes not my cousin Ellen« she went on gathering fresh grief
from reflection and flinging herself into my arms for refuge from the idea
I was much vexed at her and the servant for their mutual revelations having
no doubt of Lintons approaching arrival communicated by the former being
reported to Mr Heathcliff and feeling as confident that Catherines first
thought on her fathers return would be to seek an explanation of the latters
assertion concerning her rudebred kindred
Hareton recovering from his disgust at being taken for a servant seemed
moved by her distress and having fetched the pony round to the door he took
to propitiate her a fine crookedlegged terrier whelp from the kennel and
putting it into her hand bid her wisht for he meant naught
Pausing in her lamentations she surveyed him with a glance of awe and
horror then burst forth anew
I could scarcely refrain from smiling at this antipathy to the poor fellow
who was a wellmade athletic youth good looking in features and stout and
healthy but attired in garments befitting his daily occupations of working on
the farm and lounging among the moors after rabbits and game Still I thought
I could detect in his physiognomy a mind owning better qualities than his father
ever possessed Good things lost amid a wilderness of weeds to be sure whose
rankness far overtopped their neglected growth yet notwithstanding evidence
of a wealthy soil that might yield luxuriant crops under other and favourable
circumstances Mr Heathcliff I believe had not treated him physically ill
thanks to his fearless nature which offered no temptation to that course of
oppression it had none of the timid susceptibility that would have given zest
to illtreatment in Heathcliffs judgment He appeared to have bent his
malevolence on making him a brute he was never taught to read or write never
rebuked for any bad habit which did not annoy his keeper never led a single
step towards virtue or guarded by a single precept against vice And from what
I heard Joseph contributed much to his deterioration by a narrow minded
partiality which prompted him to flatter and pet him as a boy because he was
the head of the old family And as he had been in the habit of accusing
Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff when children of putting the master past
his patience and compelling him to seek solace in drink by what he termed
their offalld ways so at present he laid the whole burden of Haretons faults
on the shoulders of the usurper of his property
If the lad swore he wouldnt correct him nor however culpably he behaved
It gave Joseph satisfaction apparently to watch him go the worst lengths He
allowed that he was ruined that his soul was abandoned to perdition but then
he reflected that Heathcliff must answer for it Haretons blood would be
required at his hands and there lay immense consolation in that thought
Joseph had instilled into him a pride of name and of his lineage he would
had he dared have fostered hate between him and the present owner of the
Heights but his dread of that owner amounted to superstition and he confined
his feelings regarding him to muttered inuendos and private comminations
I dont pretend to be intimately acquainted with the mode of living
customary in those days at Wuthering Heights I only speak from hearsay for I
saw little The villagers affirmed Mr Heathcliff was near and a cruel hard
landlord to his tenants but the house inside had regained its ancient aspect
of comfort under female management and the scenes of riot common in Hindleys
time were not now enacted within its walls The master was too gloomy to seek
companionship with any people good or bad and he is yet
This however is not making progress with my story Miss Cathy rejected the
peaceoffering of the terrier and demanded her own dogs Charlie and Phenix
They came limping and hanging their heads and we set out for home sadly out
of sorts every one of us
I could not wring from my little lady how she had spent the day except
that as I supposed the goal of her pilgrimage was Penistone Crags and she
arrived without adventure to the gate of the farmhouse when Hareton happened to
issue forth attended by some canine followers who attacked her train
They had a smart battle before their owners could separate them that
formed an introduction Catherine told Hareton who she was and where she was
going and asked him to show her the way finally beguiling him to accompany
her
He opened the mysteries of the Fairy cave and twenty other queer places
but being in disgrace I was not favoured with the description of the
interesting objects she saw
I could gather however that her guide had been a favourite till she hurt
his feelings by addressing him as a servant and Heathcliffs housekeeper hurt
hers by calling him her cousin
Then the language he had held to her rankled in her heart she who was
always love and darling and queen and angel with everybody at the Grange to
be insulted so shockingly by a stranger She did not comprehend it and hard
work I had to obtain a promise that she would not lay the grievance before her
father
I explained how he objected to the whole household at the Heights and how
sorry he would be to find she had been there but I insisted most on the fact,
that if she revealed my negligence of his orders he would perhaps be so angry
that I should have to leave and Cathy couldnt bear that prospect she pledged
her word and kept it for my sake after all she was a sweet little girl
Chapter XIX
A letter edged with black announced the day of my masters return Isabella
was dead and he wrote to bid me get mourning for his daughter and arrange a
room and other accommodations for his youthful nephew
Catherine ran wild with joy at the idea of welcoming her father back and
indulged most sanguine anticipations of the innumerable excellencies of her real
cousin
The evening of their expected arrival came Since early morning she had
been busy ordering her own small affairs and now attired in her new black
frock poor thing her aunts death impressed her with no definite sorrow she
obliged me by constant worrying to walk with her down through the grounds to
meet them
»Linton is just six months younger than I am« she chattered as we strolled
leisurely over the swells and hollows of mossy turf under shadow of the trees
»How delightful it will be to have him for a playfellow Aunt Isabella sent papa
a beautiful lock of his hair it was lighter than mine more flaxen and quite
as fine I have it carefully preserved in a little glass box and Ive often
thought what pleasure it would be to see its owner Oh I am happy and papa
dear dear papa come Ellen let us run come run«
She ran and returned and ran again many times before my sober footsteps
reached the gate and then she seated herself on the grassy bank beside the
path and tried to wait patiently but that was impossible she couldnt be
still a minute
»How long they are« she exclaimed »Ah I see some dust on the road they
are coming No When will they be here May we not go a little way half a
mile Ellen only just half a mile Do say yes to that clump of birches at the
turn«
I refused staunchily and at length her suspense was ended the travelling
carriage rolled in sight
Miss Cathy shrieked and stretched out her arms as soon as she caught her
fathers face looking from the window He descended nearly as eager as
herself and a considerable interval elapsed ere they had a thought to spare
for any but themselves
While they exchanged caresses I took a peep in to see after Linton He was
asleep in a corner wrapped in a warm furlined cloak as if it had been
winter A pale delicate effeminate boy who might have been taken for my
masters younger brother so strong was the resemblance but there was a sickly
peevishness in his aspect that Edgar Linton never had
The latter saw me looking and having shaken hands advised me to close the
door and leave him undisturbed for the journey had fatigued him
Cathy would fain have taken one glance but her father told her to come on
and they walked together up the park while I hastened before to prepare the
servants
»Now darling« said Mr Linton addressing his daughter as they halted at
the bottom of the front steps »Your cousin is not so strong or so merry as you
are and he has lost his mother remember a very short time since therefore
dont expect him to play and run about with you directly And dont harass him
much by talking let him be quiet this evening at least will you«
»Yes yes papa« answered Catherine »but I do want to see him and he
hasnt once looked out«
The carriage stopped and the sleeper being roused was lifted to the
ground by his uncle
»This is your cousin Cathy Linton« he said putting their little hands
together »Shes fond of you already and mind you dont grieve her by crying
tonight Try to be cheerful now the travelling is at an end and you have
nothing to do but rest and amuse yourself as you please«
»Let me go to bed then« answered the boy shrinking from Catherines
salute and he put his fingers to his eyes to remove incipient tears
»Come come theres a good child« I whispered leading him in »Youll
make her weep too see how sorry she is for you«
I do not know whether it were sorrow for him but his cousin put on as sad a
countenance as himself and returned to her father All three entered and
mounted to the library where tea was laid ready
I proceeded to remove Lintons cap and mantle and placed him on a chair by
the table but he was no sooner seated than he began to cry afresh My master
inquired what was the matter
»I cant sit on a chair« sobbed the boy
»Go to the sofa then and Ellen shall bring you some tea« answered his
uncle patiently
He had been greatly tried during the journey I felt convinced by his
fretful ailing charge
Linton slowly trailed himself off and lay down Cathy carried a footstool
and her cup to his side
At first she sat silent but that could not last she had resolved to make a
pet of her little cousin as she would have him to be and she commenced
stroking his curls and kissing his cheek and offering him tea in her saucer
like a baby This pleased him for he was not much better he dried his eyes
and lightened into a faint smile
»Oh hell do very well« said the master to me after watching them a
minute »Very well if we can keep him Ellen The company of a child of his own
age will instil new spirit into him soon and by wishing for strength hell gain
it«
»Aye if we can keep him« I mused to myself and sore misgivings came over
me that there was slight hope of that And then I thought however will that
weakling live at Wuthering Heights between his father and Hareton what
playmates and instructors theyll be
Our doubts were presently decided even earlier than I expected I had just
taken the children up stairs after tea was finished and seen Linton asleep
he would not suffer me to leave him till that was the case I had come down
and was standing by the table in the hall lighting a bedroom candle for Mr
Edgar when a maid stepped out of the kitchen and informed me that Mr
Heathcliffs servant Joseph was at the door and wished to speak with the
master
»I shall ask him what he wants first« I said in considerable trepidation
»A very unlikely hour to be troubling people and the instant they have returned
from a long journey I dont think the master can see him«
Joseph had advanced through the kitchen as I uttered these words and now
presented himself in the hall He was donned in his Sunday garments with his
most sanctimonious and sourest face and holding his hat in one hand and his
stick in the other he proceeded to clean his shoes on the mat
»Good evening Joseph« I said coldly »What business brings you here
tonight«
»Its Maister Linton Aw mun spake tull« he answered waving me disdainfully
aside
»Mr Linton is going to bed unless you have something particular to say
Im sure he wont hear it now« I continued »You had better sit down in there
and entrust your message to me«
»Which is his rahm« pursued the fellow surveying the range of closed
doors
I perceived he was bent on refusing my mediation so very reluctantly I
went up to the library and announced the unseasonable visiter advising that he
should be dismissed till next day
Mr Linton had no time to empower me to do so for he mounted close at my
heels and pushing into the apartment planted himself at the far side of the
table with his two fists clapped on the head of his stick and began in an
elevated tone as if anticipating opposition
»Hathecliff has send me for his lad un Aw munnt goa back baht him«
Edgar Linton was silent a minute an expression of exceeding sorrow overcast
his features he would have pitied the child on his own account but recalling
Isabellas hopes and fears and anxious wishes for her son and her
commendations of him to his care he grieved bitterly at the prospect of
yielding him up and searched in his heart how it might be avoided No plan
offered itself the very exhibition of any desire to keep him would have
rendered the claimant more peremptory there was nothing left but to resign him
However he was not going to rouse him from his sleep
»Tell Mr Heathcliff« he answered calmly »that his son shall come to
Wuthering Heights tomorrow He is in bed and too tired to go the distance now
You may also tell him that the mother of Linton desired him to remain under my
guardianship and at present his health is very precarious«
»Noa« said Joseph giving a thud with his prop on the floor and assuming
an authoritative air »Noa that manes nowt Hathecliff maks noa cahnt uh t
mother nur yah norther bud hell hev his lad und Aw mun tak him soa nah
yah knaw«
»You shall not tonight« answered Linton decisively »Walk down stairs at
once and repeat to your master what I have said Ellen show him down Go «
And aiding the indignant elder with a lift by the arm he rid the room of
him and closed the door
»Varrah weel« shouted Joseph as he slowly drew off »Tuh morn hes come
hisseln and thrust him aht if yah darr«
Chapter XX
To obviate the danger of this threat being fulfilled Mr Linton commissioned me
to take the boy home early on Catherines pony and said he
»As we shall now have no influence over his destiny good or bad you must
say nothing of where he is gone to my daughter she cannot associate with him
hereafter and it is better for her to remain in ignorance of his proximity
lest she should be restless and anxious to visit the Heights merely tell her
his father sent for him suddenly and he has been obliged to leave us«
Linton was very reluctant to be roused from his bed at five oclock and
astonished to be informed that he must prepare for further travelling but I
softened off the matter by stating that he was going to spend some time with his
father Mr Heathcliff who wished to see him so much he did not like to defer
the pleasure till he should recover from his late journey
»My father« he cried in strange perplexity »Mamma never told me I had a
father Where does he live Id rather stay with uncle«
»He lives a little distance from the Grange« I replied »just beyond those
hills not so far but you may walk over here when you get hearty And you
should be glad to go home and to see him You must try to love him as you did
your mother and then he will love you«
»But why have I not heard of him before« asked Linton »why didnt mamma
and he live together as other people do«
»He had business to keep him in the north« I answered »and your mothers
health required her to reside in the south«
»And why didnt mamma speak to me about him« persevered the child »She
often talked of uncle and I learnt to love him long ago How am I to love papa
I dont know him«
»Oh all children love their parents« I said »Your mother perhaps
thought you would want to be with him if she mentioned him often to you Let us
make haste An early ride on such a beautiful morning is much preferable to an
hours more sleep«
»Is she to go with us« he demanded »The little girl I saw yesterday«
»Not now« replied I
»Is uncle« he continued
»No I shall be your companion there« I said
Linton sank back on his pillow and fell into a brown study
»I wont go without uncle« he cried at length »I cant tell where you mean
to take me«
I attempted to persuade him of the naughtiness of showing reluctance to meet
his father still he obstinately resisted any progress towards dressing and I
had to call for my masters assistance in coaxing him out of bed
The poor thing was finally got off with several delusive assurances that his
absence should be short that Mr Edgar and Cathy would visit him and other
promises equally illfounded which I invented and reiterated at intervals
throughout the way
The pure heatherscented air and the bright sunshine and the gentle canter
of Minny relieved his despondency after a while He began to put questions
concerning his new home and its inhabitants with greater interest and
liveliness
»Is Wuthering Heights as pleasant a place as Thrushcross Grange« he
inquired turning to take a last glance into the valley whence a light mist
mounted and formed fleecy cloud on the skirts of the blue
»It is not so buried in trees« I replied »and it is not quite so large
but you can see the country beautifully all round and the air is healthier for
you fresher and dryer You will perhaps think the building old and dark at
first though it is a respectable house the next best in the neighbourhood
And you will have such nice rambles on the moors Hareton Earnshaw that is
Miss Cathys other cousin and so yours in a manner will show you all the
sweetest spots and you can bring a book in fine weather and make a green
hollow your study and now and then your uncle may join you in a walk he
does frequently walk out on the hills«
»And what is my father like« he asked »Is he as young and handsome as
uncle«
»Hes as young« said I »but he has black hair and eyes and looks sterner
and he is taller and bigger altogether Hell not seem to you so gentle and kind
at first perhaps because it is not his way still mind you be frank and
cordial with him and naturally hell be fonder of you than any uncle for you
are his own«
»Black hair and eyes« mused Linton »I cant fancy him Then I am not like
him am I«
»Not much« I answered Not a morsel I thought surveying with regret
the white complexion and slim frame of my companion and his large languid eyes
his mothers eyes save that unless a morbid touchiness kindled them a
moment they had not a vestige of her sparkling spirit
»How strange that he should never come to see mama and me« he murmured
»Has he ever seen me If he have I must have been a baby I remember not a
single thing about him«
»Why Master Linton« said I »three hundred miles is a great distance and
ten years seem very different in length to a grown up person compared with
what they do to you It is probable Mr Heathcliff proposed going from summer
to summer but never found a convenient opportunity and now it is too late
Dont trouble him with questions on the subject it will disturb him for no
good«
The boy was fully occupied with his own cogitations for the remainder of the
ride till we halted before the farmhouse garden gate I watched to catch his
impressions in his countenance He surveyed the carved front and lowbrowed
lattices the straggling gooseberry bushes and crooked firs with solemn
intentness and then shook his head his private feelings entirely disapproved
of the exterior of his new abode but he had sense to postpone complaining
there might be compensation within
Before he dismounted I went and opened the door It was halfpast six the
family had just finished breakfast the servant was clearing and wiping down the
table Joseph stood by his masters chair telling some tale concerning a lame
horse and Hareton was preparing for the hayfield
»Hallo Nelly« cried Mr Heathcliff when he saw me »I feared I should
have to come down and fetch my property myself Youve brought it have you
Let us see what we can make of it«
He got up and strode to the door Hareton and Joseph followed in gaping
curiosity Poor Linton ran a frightened eye over the faces of the three
»Surely« said Joseph after a grave inspection »hes swopped wi ye
maister an yons his lass«
Heathcliff having stared his son into an ague of confusion uttered a
scornful laugh
»God what a beauty what a lovely charming thing« he exclaimed »Havent
they reared it on snails and sour milk Nelly Oh damn my soul but thats
worse than I expected and the devil knows I was not sanguine«
I bid the trembling and bewildered child get down and enter He did not
thoroughly comprehend the meaning of his fathers speech or whether it were
intended for him indeed he was not yet certain that the grim sneering
stranger was his father but he clung to me with growing trepidation and on Mr
Heathcliffs taking a seat and bidding him come hither he hid his face on my
shoulder and wept
»Tut tut« said Heathcliff stretching out a hand and dragging him roughly
between his knees and then holding up his head by the chin »None of that
nonsense Were not going to hurt thee Linton isnt that thy name Thou art
thy mothers child entirely Where is my share in thee puling chicken«
He took off the boys cap and pushed back his thick flaxen curls felt his
slender arms and his small fingers during which examination Linton ceased
crying and lifted his great blue eyes to inspect the inspector
»Do you know me« asked Heathcliff having satisfied himself that the limbs
were all equally frail and feeble
»No« said Linton with a gaze of vacant fear
»Youve heard of me I dare say«
»No« he replied again
»No What a shame of your mother never to waken your filial regard for me
You are my son then Ill tell you and your mother was a wicked slut to leave
you in ignorance of the sort of father you possessed Now dont wince and
colour up Though it is something to see you have not white blood Be a good
lad and Ill do for you Nelly if you be tired you may sit down if not get
home again I guess youll report what you hear and see to the cipher at the
Grange and this thing wont be settled while you linger about it«
»Well« replied I »I hope youll be kind to the boy Mr Heathcliff or
youll not keep him long and hes all you have akin in the wide world that you
will ever know remember«
»Ill be very kind to him you neednt fear« he said laughing »Only nobody
else must be kind to him Im jealous of monopolizing his affection And to
begin my kindness Joseph bring the lad some breakfast Hareton you infernal
calf begone to your work Yes Nell« he added when they were departed »my son
is prospective owner of your place and I should not wish him to die till I was
certain of being his successor Besides hes mine and I want the triumph of
seeing my descendent fairly lord of their estates my child hiring their
children to till their fathers lands for wages That is the sole
consideration which can make me endure the whelp I despise him for himself
and hate him for the memories he revives But that consideration is sufficient
hes as safe with me and shall be tended as carefully as your master tends his
own I have a room upstairs furnished for him in handsome style Ive
engaged a tutor also to come three times a week from twenty miles distance
to teach him what he pleases to learn Ive ordered Hareton to obey him and in
fact Ive arranged everything with a view to preserve the superior and the
gentleman in him above his associates I do regret however that he so little
deserves the trouble if I wished any blessing in the world it was to find him
a worthy object of pride and Im bitterly disappointed with the wheyfaced
whining wretch«
While he was speaking Joseph returned bearing a basin of milkporridge
and placed it before Linton He stirred round the homely mess with a look of
aversion and affirmed he could not eat it
I saw the old man servant shared largely in his masters scorn of the child
though he was compelled to retain the sentiment in his heart because Heathcliff
plainly meant his underlings to hold him in honour
»Cannot ate it« repeated he peering in Lintons face and subduing his
voice to a whisper for fear of being overheard »But Maister Hareton nivir ate
nowt else when he wer a little un und what wer gooid eneugh fur hims gooid
eneugh fur yah Aws rayther think«
»I shant eat it« answered Linton snappishly »Take it away«
Joseph snatched up the food indignantly and brought it to us
»Is there owt ails th victuals« he asked thrusting the tray under
Heathcliffs nose
»What should ail them« he said
»Wah« answered Joseph »yon dainty chap says he cannut ate em Bud Aw
guess its raight His mother wer just soa we wer amost too mucky tuh sow t
corn for makking her breead«
»Dont mention his mother to me« said the master angrily »Get him
something that he can eat thats all What is his usual food Nelly«
I suggested boiled milk or tea and the housekeeper received instructions to
prepare some
Come I reflected his fathers selfishness may contribute to his comfort
He perceives his delicate constitution and the necessity of treating him
tolerably Ill console Mr Edgar by acquainting him with the turn Heathcliffs
humour has taken
Having no excuse for lingering longer I slipped out while Linton was
engaged in timidly rebuffing the advances of a friendly sheepdog But he was
too much on the alert to be cheated as I closed the door I heard a cry and a
frantic repetition of the words
»Dont leave me Ill not stay here Ill not stay here«
Then the latch was raised and fell they did not suffer him to come forth
I mounted Minny and urged her to a trot and so my brief guardianship ended
Chapter XXI
We had sad work with little Cathy that day she rose in high glee eager to join
her cousin and such passionate tears and lamentations followed the news of his
departure that Edgar himself was obliged to soothe her by affirming he
should come back soon he added however »if I can get him« and there were no
hopes of that
This promise poorly pacified her but time was more potent and though
still at intervals she inquired of her father when Linton would return
before she did see him again his features had waxed so dim in her memory that
she did not recognise him
When I chanced to encounter the housekeeper of Wuthering Heights in paying
businessvisits to Gimmerton I used to ask how the young master got on for he
lived almost as secluded as Catherine herself and was never to be seen I could
gather from her that he continued in weak health and was a tiresome inmate She
said Mr Heathcliff seemed to dislike him ever longer and worse though he took
some trouble to conceal it He had an antipathy to the sound of his voice and
could not do at all with his sitting in the same room with him many minutes
together
There seldom passed much talk between them Linton learnt his lessons and
spent his evenings in a small apartment they called the parlour or else lay in
bed all day for he was constantly getting coughs and colds and aches and
pains of some sort
»And I never knew such a fainthearted creature« added the woman »nor one
so careful of hisseln He will go on if I leave the window open a bit late in
the evening Oh its killing a breath of night air And he must have a fire in
the middle of summer and Josephs bacca pipe is poison and he must always have
sweets and dainties and always milk milk for ever heeding naught how the
rest of us are pinched in winter and there hell sit wrapped in his furred
cloak in his chair by the fire and some toast and water or other slop on the
hob to sip at and if Hareton for pity comes to amuse him Hareton is not
badnatured though hes rough theyre sure to part one swearing and the
other crying I believe the master would relish Earnshaws thrashing him to a
mummy if he were not his son and Im certain he would be fit to turn him out
of doors if he knew half the nursing he gives hisseln But then he wont go
into danger of temptation he never enters the parlour and should Linton show
those ways in the house where he is he sends him up stairs directly«
I divined from this account that utter lack of sympathy had rendered young
Heathcliff selfish and disagreeable if he were not so originally and my
interest in him consequently decayed though still I was moved by a sense of
grief at his lot and a wish that he had been left with us
Mr Edgar encouraged me to gain information he thought a great deal about
him I fancy and would have run some risk to see him and he told me once to
ask the housekeeper whether he ever came into the village
She said he had only been twice on horseback accompanying his father and
both times he pretended to be quite knocked up for three or four days
afterwards
That housekeeper left if I recollect rightly two years after he came and
another whom I did not know was her successor she lives there still
Time wore on at the Grange in its former pleasant way till Miss Cathy
reached sixteen On the anniversary of her birth we never manifested any signs
of rejoicing because it was also the anniversary of my late mistresss death
Her father invariably spent that day alone in the library and walked at dusk
as far as Gimmerton kirkyard where he would frequently prolong his stay beyond
midnight Therefore Catherine was thrown on her own resources for amusement
This twentieth of March was a beautiful spring day and when her father had
retired my young lady came down dressed for going out and said she had asked
to have a ramble on the edge of the moors with me and Mr Linton had given her
leave if we went only a short distance and were back within the hour
»So make haste Ellen« she cried »I know where I wish to go where a
colony of moor game are settled I want to see whether they have made their
nests yet«
»That must be a good distance up« I answered »they dont breed on the edge
of the moor«
»No its not« she said »Ive gone very near with papa«
I put on my bonnet and sallied out thinking nothing more of the matter
She bounded before me and returned to my side and was off again like a young
greyhound and at first I found plenty of entertainment in listening to the
larks singing far and near and enjoying the sweet warm sunshine and watching
her my pet and my delight with her golden ringlets flying loose behind and
her bright cheek as soft and pure in its bloom as a wild rose and her eyes
radiant with cloudless pleasure She was a happy creature and an angel in
those days Its a pity she could not be content
»Well« said I »where are your moorgame Miss Cathy We should be at them
the Grange parkfence is a great way off now«
»Oh a little further only a little further Ellen« was her answer
continually »Climb to that hillock pass that bank and by the time you reach
the other side I shall have raised the birds«
But there were so many hillocks and banks to climb and pass that at
length I began to be weary and told her we must halt and retrace our steps
I shouted to her as she had outstripped me a long way she either did not
hear or did not regard for she still sprang on and I was compelled to follow
Finally she dived into a hollow and before I came in sight of her again she
was two miles nearer Wuthering Heights than her own home and I beheld a couple
of persons arrest her one of whom I felt convinced was Mr Heathcliff himself
Cathy had been caught in the act of plundering or at least hunting out
the nests of the grouse
The Heights were Heathcliffs land and he was reproving the poacher
»Ive neither taken any nor found any« she said as I toiled to them
expanding her hands in corroboration of the statement »I didnt mean to take
them but papa told me there were quantities up here and I wished to see the
eggs«
Heathcliff glanced at me with an illmeaning smile expressing his
acquaintance with the party and consequently his malevolence towards it and
demanded who papa was
»Mr Linton of Thrushcross Grange« she replied »I thought you did not know
me or you wouldnt have spoken in that way«
»You suppose papa is highly esteemed and respected then« he said
sarcastically
»And what are you« inquired Catherine gazing curiously on the speaker
»That man Ive seen before Is he your son«
She pointed to Hareton the other individual who had gained nothing but
increased bulk and strength by the addition of two years to his age he seemed
as awkward and rough as ever
»Miss Cathy« I interrupted »it will be three hours instead of one that we
are out presently We really must go back«
»No that man is not my son« answered Heathcliff pushing me aside »But I
have one and you have seen him before too and though your nurse is in a
hurry I think both you and she would be the better for a little rest Will you
just turn this nab of heath and walk into my house Youll get home earlier for
the ease and you shall receive a kind welcome«
I whispered Catherine that she mustnt on any account accede to the
proposal it was entirely out of the question
»Why« she asked aloud »Im tired of running and the ground is dewy I
cant sit here Let us go Ellen Besides he says I have seen his son Hes
mistaken I think but I guess where he lives at the farmhouse I visited in
coming from Penistone Craggs Dont you«
»I do Come Nelly hold your tongue it will be a treat for her to look in
on us Hareton get forwards with the lass You shall walk with me Nelly«
»No shes not going to any such place« I cried struggling to release my
arm which he had seized but she was almost at the doorstones already
scampering round the brow at full speed Her appointed companion did not pretend
to escort her he shyed off by the road side and vanished
»Mr Heathcliff its very wrong« I continued »you know you mean no good
and there shell see Linton and all will be told as soon as ever we return
and I shall have the blame«
»I want her to see Linton« he answered »hes looking better these few
days its not often hes fit to be seen And well soon persuade her to keep
the visit secret where is the harm of it«
»The harm of it is that her father would hate me if he found I suffered
her to enter your house and I am convinced you have a bad design in encouraging
her to do so« I replied
»My design is as honest as possible Ill inform you of its whole scope« he
said »That the two cousins may fall in love and get married Im acting
generously to your master his young chit has no expectations and should she
second my wishes shell be provided for at once as joint successor with
Linton«
»If Linton died« I answered »and his life is quite uncertain Catherine
would be the heir«
»No she would not« he said »There is no clause in the will to secure it
so his property would go to me but to prevent disputes I desire their union
and am resolved to bring it about«
»And Im resolved she shall never approach your house with me again« I
returned as we reached the gate where Miss Cathy waited our coming
Heathcliff bid me be quiet and preceding us up the path hastened to open
the door My young lady gave him several looks as if she could not exactly make
up her mind what to think of him but now he smiled when he met her eye and
softened his voice in addressing her and I was foolish enough to imagine the
memory of her mother might disarm him from desiring her injury
Linton stood on the hearth He had been out walking in the fields for his
cap was on and he was calling to Joseph to bring him dry shoes
He had grown tall of his age still wanting some months of sixteen His
features were pretty yet and his eye and complexion brighter than I remembered
them though with merely temporary lustre borrowed from the salubrious air and
genial sun
»Now who is that« asked Mr Heathcliff turning to Cathy »Can you tell«
»Your son« she said having doubtfully surveyed first one and then the
other
»Yes yes« answered he »but is this the only time you have beheld him
Think Ah you have a short memory Linton dont you recall your cousin that
you used to tease us so with wishing to see«
»What Linton« cried Cathy kindling into joyful surprise at the name »Is
that little Linton Hes taller than I am Are you Linton«
The youth stepped forward and acknowledged himself she kissed him
fervently and they gazed with wonder at the change time had wrought in the
appearance of each
Catherine had reached her full height her figure was both plump and
slender elastic as steel and her whole aspect sparkling with health and
spirits Lintons looks and movements were very languid and his form extremely
slight but there was a grace in his manner that mitigated these defects and
rendered him not unpleasing
After exchanging numerous marks of fondness with him his cousin went to Mr
Heathcliff who lingered by the door dividing his attention between the objects
inside and those that lay without pretending that is to observe the latter
and really noting the former alone
»And you are my uncle then« she cried reaching up to salute him »I
thought I liked you though you were cross at first Why dont you visit at the
Grange with Linton To live all these years such close neighbours and never see
us is odd what have you done so for«
»I visited it once or twice too often before you were born« he answered
»There damn it If you have any kisses to spare give them to Linton they
are thrown away on me«
»Naughty Ellen« exclaimed Catherine flying to attack me next with her
lavish caresses »Wicked Ellen to try to hinder me from entering But Ill
take this walk every morning in future may I uncle and sometimes bring
papa Wont you be glad to see us«
»Of course« replied the uncle with a hardly suppressed grimace resulting
from his deep aversion to both the proposed visiters »But stay« he continued
turning towards the young lady »Now I think of it Id better tell you Mr
Linton has a prejudice against me we quarrelled at one time of our lives with
unchristian ferocity and if you mention coming here to him hell put a veto
on your visits altogether Therefore you must not mention it unless you be
careless of seeing your cousin hereafter you may come if you will but you
must not mention it«
»Why did you quarrel« asked Catherine considerably crestfallen
»He thought me too poor to wed his sister« answered Heathcliff »and was
grieved that I got her his pride was hurt and hell never forgive it«
»Thats wrong« said the young lady »some time Ill tell him so but
Linton and I have no share in your quarrel Ill not come here then he shall
come to the Grange«
»It will be too far for me« murmured her cousin »to walk four miles would
kill me No come here Miss Catherine now and then not every morning but
once or twice a week«
The father launched towards his son a glance of bitter contempt
»I am afraid Nelly I shall lose my labour« he muttered to me »Miss
Catherine as the ninny calls her will discover his value and send him to the
devil Now if it had been Hareton do you know that twenty times a day I
covet Hareton with all his degradation Id have loved the lad had he been some
one else But I think hes safe from her love Ill pit him against that paltry
creature unless it bestir itself briskly We calculate it will scarcely last
till it is eighteen Oh confound the vapid thing Hes absorbed in drying his
feet and never looks at her Linton«
»Yes father« answered the boy
»Have you nothing to show your cousin anywhere about not even a rabbit or
a weasels nest Take her into the garden before you change your shoes and
into the stable to see your horse«
»Wouldnt you rather sit here« asked Linton addressing Cathy in a tone
which expressed reluctance to move again
»I dont know« she replied casting a longing look to the door and
evidently eager to be active
He kept his seat and shrank closer to the fire
Heathcliff rose and went into the kitchen and from thence to the yard
calling out for Hareton
Hareton responded and presently the two reentered The young man had been
washing himself as was visible by the glow on his cheeks and his wetted hair
»Oh Ill ask you uncle« cried Miss Cathy recollecting the housekeepers
assertion »Thats not my cousin is he«
»Yes« he replied »your mothers nephew Dont you like him«
Catherine looked queer
»Is he not a handsome lad« he continued
The uncivil little thing stood on tiptoe and whispered a sentence in
Heathcliffs ear
He laughed Hareton darkened I perceived he was very sensitive to suspected
slights and had obviously a dim notion of his inferiority But his master or
guardian chased the frown by exclaiming
»Youll be the favourite among us Hareton She says you are a What was
it Well something very flattering Here you go with her round the farm And
behave like a gentleman mind Dont use any bad words and dont stare when
the young lady is not looking at you and be ready to hide your face when she
is and when you speak say your words slowly and keep your hands out of your
pockets Be off and entertain her as nicely as you can«
He watched the couple walking past the window Earnshaw had his countenance
completely averted from his companion He seemed studying the familiar landscape
with a strangers and an artists interest
Catherine took a sly look at him expressing small admiration She then
turned her attention to seeking out objects of amusement for herself and
tripped merrily on lilting a tune to supply the lack of conversation
»I have tied his tongue« observed Heathcliff »Hell not venture a single
syllable all the time Nelly you recollect me at his age nay some years
younger Did I ever look so stupid so gaumless as Joseph calls it«
»Worse« I replied »because more sullen with it«
»Ive a pleasure in him« he continued reflecting aloud »He has satisfied
my expectations If he were a born fool I should not enjoy it half so much
But hes no fool and I can sympathize with all his feelings having felt them
myself I know what he suffers now for instance exactly it is merely a
beginning of what he shall suffer though And hell never be able to emerge
from his bathos of coarseness and ignorance Ive got him faster than his
scoundrel of a father secured me and lower for he takes a pride in his
brutishness Ive taught him to scorn everything extraanimal as silly and
weak Dont you think Hindley would be proud of his son if he could see him
almost as proud as I am of mine But theres this difference one is gold put
to the use of paving stones and the other is tin polished to ape a service of
silver Mine has nothing valuable about it yet I shall have the merit of
making it go as far as such poor stuff can go His had firstrate qualities and
they are lost rendered worse than unavailing I have nothing to regret he
would have more than any but I are aware of And the best of it is Hareton
is damnably fond of me Youll own that Ive outmatched Hindley there If the
dead villain could rise from his grave to abuse me for his offsprings wrongs I
should have the fun of seeing the said offspring fight him back again indignant
that he should dare to rail at the one friend he has in the world«
Heathcliff chuckled a fiendish laugh at the idea I made no reply because I
saw that he expected none
Meantime our young companion who sat too removed from us to hear what was
said began to evince symptoms of uneasiness probably repenting that he had
denied himself the treat of Catherines society for fear of a little fatigue
His father remarked the restless glances wandering to the window and the
hand irresolutely extended towards his cap
»Get up you idle boy« he exclaimed with assumed heartiness »Away after
them they are just at the corner by the stand of hives«
Linton gathered his energies and left the hearth The lattice was open and
as he stepped out I heard Cathy inquiring of her unsociable attendant what was
that inscription over the door
Hareton stared up and scratched his head like a true clown
»Its some damnable writing« he answered »I cannot read it«
»Cant read it« cried Catherine »I can read it Its English but I
want to know why it is there«
Linton giggled the first appearance of mirth he had exhibited
»He does not know his letters« he said to his cousin »Could you believe in
the existence of such a colossal dunce«
»Is he all as he should be« asked Miss Cathy seriously »or is he simple
not right Ive questioned him twice now and each time he looked so stupid
I think he does not understand me I can hardly understand him Im sure«
Linton repeated his laugh and glanced at Hareton tauntingly who certainly
did not seem quite clear of comprehension at that moment
»Theres nothing the matter but laziness is there Earnshaw« he said »My
cousin fancies you are an idiot There you experience the consequence of
scorning booklarning as you would say Have you noticed Catherine his
frightful Yorkshire pronunciation«
»Why where the devil is the use ont« growled Hareton more ready in
answering his daily companion He was about to enlarge further but the two
youngsters broke into a noisy fit of merriment my giddy Miss being delighted to
discover that she might turn his strange talk to matter of amusement
»Where is the use of the devil in that sentence« tittered Linton »Papa
told you not to say any bad words and you cant open your mouth without one
Do try to behave like a gentleman now do«
»If thou werent more a lass than a lad Id fell thee this minute I would
pitiful lath of a crater« retorted the angry boor retreating while his face
burnt with mingled rage and mortification for he was conscious of being
insulted and embarrassed how to resent it
Mr Heathcliff having overheard the conversation as well as I smiled when
he saw him go but immediately afterwards cast a look of singular aversion on
the flippant pair who remained chattering in the doorway The boy finding
animation enough while discussing Haretons faults and deficiencies and
relating anecdotes of his goings on and the girl relishing his pert and
spiteful sayings without considering the illnature they evinced but I began
to dislike more than to compassionate Linton and to excuse his father in
some measure for holding him cheap
We staid till afternoon I could not tear Miss Cathy away before but
happily my master had not quitted his apartment and remained ignorant of our
prolonged absence
As we walked home I would fain have enlightened my charge on the characters
of the people we had quitted but she got it into her head that I was prejudiced
against them
»Aha« she cried »you take papas side Ellen you are partial I know
or else you wouldnt have cheated me so many years into the notion that Linton
lived a long way from here Im really extremely angry only Im so pleased I
cant show it But you must hold your tongue about my uncle hes my uncle
remember and Ill scold papa for quarrelling with him«
And so she ran on till I dropped endeavouring to convince her of her
mistake
She did not mention the visit that night because she did not see Mr
Linton Next day it all came out sadly to my chagrin and still I was not
altogether sorry I thought the burden of directing and warning would be more
efficiently borne by him than me but he was too timid in giving satisfactory
reasons for his wish that she would shun connection with the household of the
Heights and Catherine liked good reasons for every restraint that harassed her
petted will
»Papa« she exclaimed after the mornings salutations »guess whom I saw
yesterday in my walk on the moors Ah papa you started youve not done
right have you now I saw But listen and you shall hear how I found you
out and Ellen who is in league with you and yet pretended to pity me so when
I kept hoping and was always disappointed about Lintons coming back«
She gave a faithful account of her excursion and its consequences and my
master though he cast more than one reproachful look at me said nothing till
she had concluded Then he drew her to him and asked if she knew why he had
concealed Lintons near neighbourhood from her Could she think it was to deny
her a pleasure that she might harmlessly enjoy
»It was because you disliked Mr Heathcliff« she answered
»Then you believe I care more for my own feelings than yours Cathy« he
said »No it was not because I disliked Mr Heathcliff but because Mr
Heathcliff dislikes me and is a most diabolical man delighting to wrong and
ruin those he hates if they give him the slightest opportunity I knew that you
could not keep up an acquaintance with your cousin without being brought into
contact with him and I knew he would detest you on my account so for your
own good and nothing else I took precautions that you should not see Linton
again I meant to explain this sometime as you grew older and Im sorry I
delayed it«
»But Mr Heathcliff was quite cordial papa« observed Catherine not at all
convinced »and he didnt object to our seeing each other he said I might come
to his house when I pleased only I must not tell you because you had
quarrelled with him and would not forgive him for marrying Aunt Isabella And
you wont you are the one to be blamed he is willing to let us be friends
at least Linton and I and you are not«
My master perceiving that she would not take his word for her
uncleinlaws evil disposition gave a hasty sketch of his conduct to Isabella
and the manner in which Wuthering Heights became his property He could not bear
to discourse long upon the topic for though he spoke little of it he still
felt the same horror and detestation of his ancient enemy that had occupied his
heart ever since Mrs Lintons death »She might have been living yet if it had
not been for him« was his constant bitter reflection and in his eyes
Heathcliff seemed a murderer
Miss Cathy conversant with no bad deeds except her own slight acts of
disobedience injustice and passion rising from hot temper and
thoughtlessness and repented of on the day they were committed was amazed at
the blackness of spirit that could brood on and cover revenge for years amp
deliberately prosecute its plans without a visitation of remorse She appeared
so deeply impressed and shocked at this new view of human nature excluded from
all her studies and all her ideas till now that Mr Edgar deemed it
unnecessary to pursue the subject He merely added
»You will know hereafter darling why I wish you to avoid his house and
family now return to your old employments and amusements and think no more
about them«
Catherine kissed her father and sat down quietly to her lessons for a
couple of hours according to custom then she accompanied him into the grounds
and the whole day passed as usual but in the evening when she had retired to
her room and I went to help her to undress I found her crying on her knees by
the bedside
»Oh fie silly child« I exclaimed »If you had any real griefs youd be
ashamed to waste a tear on this little contrariety You never had one shadow of
substantial sorrow Miss Catherine Suppose for a minute that master and I
were dead and you were by yourself in the world how would you feel then
Compare the present occasion with such an affliction as that and be thankful
for the friends you have instead of coveting more«
»Im not crying for myself Ellen« she answered »its for him He
expected to see me again tomorrow and there hell be so disappointed and
hell wait for me and I shant come«
»Nonsense« said I »do you imagine he has thought as much of you as you
have of him Hasnt he Hareton for a companion Not one in a hundred would weep
at losing a relation they had just seen twice for two afternoons Linton will
conjecture how it is and trouble himself no further about you«
»But may I not write a note to tell him why I cannot come« she asked rising
to her feet »And just send those books I promised to lend him his books are
not as nice as mine and he wanted to have them extremely when I told him how
interesting they were May I not Ellen«
»No indeed no indeed« replied I with decision »Then he would write to
you and thered never be an end of it No Miss Catherine the acquaintance
must be dropped entirely so papa expects and I shall see that it is done«
»But how can one little note « she recommenced putting on an imploring
countenance
»Silence« I interrupted »We will not begin with your little notes Get
into bed«
She threw at me a very naughty look so naughty that I would not kiss her
goodnight at first I covered her up and shut her door in great displeasure
but repenting halfway I returned softly and lo there was Miss standing at
the table with a bit of blank paper before her and a pencil in her hand which
she guiltily slipped out of sight on my reentrance
»Youll get nobody to take that Catherine« I said »if you write it and
at present I shall put out your candle«
I set the extinguisher on the flame receiving as I did so a slap on my
hand and a petulant cross thing I then quitted her again and she drew the
bolt in one of her worst most peevish humours
The letter was finished and forwarded to its destination by a milkfetcher
who came from the village but that I didnt learn till some time afterwards
Weeks passed on and Cathy recovered her temper though she grew wondrous fond
of stealing off to corners by herself and often if I came near her suddenly
while reading she would start and bend over the book evidently desirous to
hide it and I detected edges of loose paper sticking out beyond the leaves
She also got a trick of coming down early in the morning and lingering
about the kitchen as if she were expecting the arrival of something and she
had a small drawer in a cabinet in the library which she would trifle over for
hours and whose key she took special care to remove when she left it
One day as she inspected this drawer I observed that the playthings and
trinkets which recently formed its contents were transmuted into bits of folded
paper
My curiosity and suspicions were roused I determined to take a peep at her
mysterious treasures so at night as soon as she and my master were safe up
stairs I searched and readily found among my house keys one that would fit the
lock Having opened I emptied the whole contents into my apron and took them
with me to examine at leisure in my own chamber
Though I could not but suspect I was still surprised to discover that they
were a mass of correspondence daily almost it must have been from Linton
Heathcliff answers to documents forwarded by her The earlier dated were
embarrassed and short gradually however they expanded into copious love
letters foolish as the age of the writer rendered natural yet with touches
here and there which I thought were borrowed from a more experienced source
Some of them struck me as singularly odd compounds of ardour and flatness
commencing in strong feeling and concluding in the affected wordy way that a
schoolboy might use to a fancied incorporeal sweetheart
Whether they satisfied Cathy I dont know but they appeared very worthless
trash to me
After turning over as many as I thought proper I tied them in a
handkerchief and set them aside relocking the vacant drawer
Following her habit my young lady descended early and visited the kitchen
I watched her go to the door on the arrival of a certain little boy and while
the dairy maid filled his can she tucked something into his jacket pocket and
plucked something out
I went round by the garden and laid wait for the messenger who fought
valorously to defend his trust and we spilt the milk between us but I
succeeded in abstracting the epistle and threatening serious consequences if he
did not look sharp home I remained under the wall and perused Miss Cathys
affectionate composition It was more simple and more eloquent than her
cousins very pretty and very silly I shook my head and went meditating into
the house
The day being wet she could not divert herself with rambling about the
park so at the conclusion of her morning studies she resorted to the solace
of the drawer Her father sat reading at the table and I on purpose had
sought a bit of work in some unripped fringes of the window curtain keeping my
eye steadily fixed on her proceedings
Never did any bird flying back to a plundered nest which it had left
brimful of chirping young ones express more complete despair in its anguished
cries and flutterings than she by her single »Oh« and the change that
transfigured her late happy countenance Mr Linton looked up
»What is the matter love Have you hurt yourself« he said
His tone and look assured her he had not been the discoverer of the hoard
»No papa « she gasped »Ellen Ellen come upstairs Im sick«
I obeyed her summons and accompanied her out
»Oh Ellen you have got them« she commenced immediately dropping on her
knees when we were enclosed alone »O give them to me and Ill never never do
so again Dont tell papa You have not told papa Ellen say you have not
Ive been exceedingly naughty but I wont do it any more«
With a grave severity in my manner I bid her stand up
»So« I exclaimed »Miss Catherine you are tolerably far on it seems you
may well be ashamed of them A fine bundle of trash you study in your leisure
hours to be sure Why its good enough to be printed And what do you suppose
the master will think when I display it before him I havent shown it yet but
you neednt imagine I shall keep your ridiculous secrets For shame And you
must have led the way in writing such absurdities he would not have thought of
beginning Im certain«
»I didnt I didnt« sobbed Cathy fit to break her heart »I didnt once
think of loving him till «
»Loving« cried I as scornfully as I could utter the word »Loving Did
anybody ever hear the like I might just as well talk of loving the miller who
comes once a year to buy our corn Pretty loving indeed and both times
together you have seen Linton hardly four hours in your life Now here is the
babyish trash Im going with it to the library and well see what your father
says to such loving«
She sprang at her precious epistles but I held them above my head and then
she poured out further frantic entreaties that I would burn them do anything
rather than show them And being really fully as inclined to laugh as scold for
I esteemed it all girlish vanity I at length relented in a measure and asked
»If I consent to burn them will you promise faithfully neither to send
nor receive a letter again nor a book for I perceive you have sent him books
nor locks of hair nor rings nor playthings«
»We dont send playthings« cried Catherine her pride overcoming her shame
»Nor anything at all then my lady« I said »Unless you will here I go«
»I promise Ellen« she cried catching my dress »Oh put them in the fire
do do«
But when I proceeded to open a place with the poker the sacrifice was too
painful to be borne She earnestly supplicated that I would spare her one or
two
»One or two Ellen to keep for Lintons sake«
I unknotted the handkerchief and commenced dropping them in from an angle
and the flame curled up the chimney
»I will have one you cruel wretch« she screamed darting her hand into the
fire and drawing forth some half consumed fragments at the expense of her
fingers
»Very well and I will have some to exhibit to papa« I answered shaking
back the rest into the bundle and turning anew to the door
She emptied her blackened pieces into the flames and motioned me to finish
the immolation It was done I stirred up the ashes and interred them under a
shovel full of coals and she mutely and with a sense of intense injury
retired to her private apartment I descended to tell my master that the young
ladys qualm of sickness was almost gone but I judged it best for her to lie
down a while
She wouldnt dine but she reappeared at tea pale and red about the eyes
and marvellously subdued in outward aspect
Next morning I answered the letter by a slip of paper inscribed »Master
Heathcliff is requested to send no more notes to Miss Linton as she will not
receive them« And thenceforth the little boy came with vacant pockets
Chapter XXII
Summer drew to an end and early Autumn it was past Michaelmas but the
harvest was late that year and a few of our fields were still uncleared
Mr Linton and his daughter would frequently walk out among the reapers at
the carrying of the last sheaves they stayed till dusk and the evening
happening to be chill and damp my master caught a bad cold that settling
obstinately on his lungs confined him indoors throughout the whole of the
winter nearly without intermission
Poor Cathy frightened from her little romance had been considerably sadder
and duller since its abandonment and her father insisted on her reading less
and taking more exercise She had his companionship no longer I esteemed it a
duty to supply its lack as much as possible with mine an inefficient
substitute for I could only spare two or three hours from my numerous diurnal
occupations to follow her footsteps and then my society was obviously less
desirable than his
On an afternoon in October or the beginning of November a fresh watery
afternoon when the turf and paths were rustling with moist withered leaves
and the cold blue sky was half hidden by clouds dark grey streamers rapidly
mounting from the west and boding abundant rain I requested my young lady to
forego her ramble because I was certain of showers She refused and I
unwillingly donned a cloak and took my umbrella to accompany her on a stroll to
the bottom of the park a formal walk which she generally affected if
lowspirited and that she invariably was when Mr Edgar had been worse than
ordinary a thing never known from his confession but guessed both by her and
me from his increased silence and the melancholy of his countenance
She went sadly on there was no running or bounding now though the chill
wind might well have tempted her to a race And often from the side of my eye
I could detect her raising a hand and brushing something off her cheek
I gazed round for a means of diverting her thoughts On one side of the road
rose a high rough bank where hazels and stunted oaks with their roots half
exposed held uncertain tenour the soil was too loose for the latter and
strong winds had blown some nearly horizontal In summer Miss Catherine
delighted to climb along these trunks and sit in the branches swinging twenty
feet above the ground and I pleased with her agility and her light childish
heart still considered it proper to scold every time I caught her at such an
elevation but so that she knew there was no necessity for descending From
dinner to tea she would lie in her breezerocked cradle doing nothing except
singing old songs my nursery lore to herself or watching the birds joint
tenants feed and entice their young ones to fly or nestling with closed lids
half thinking half dreaming happier than words can express
»Look Miss« I exclaimed pointing to a nook under the roots of one twisted
tree »Winter is not here yet Theres a little flower up yonder the last bud
from the multitude of bluebells that clouded those turf steps in July with a
lilac mist Will you clamber up and pluck it to show to papa«
Cathy stared a long time at the lonely blossom trembling in its earthy
shelter and replied at length
»No Ill not touch it but it looks melancholy does it not Ellen«
»Yes« I observed »about as starved and sackless as you your cheeks are
bloodless let us take hold of hands and run Youre so low I dare say I shall
keep up with you«
»No« she repeated and continued sauntering on pausing at intervals to
muse over a bit of moss or a tuft of blanched grass or a fungus spreading its
bright orange among the heaps of brown foliage and ever and anon her hand was
lifted to her averted face
»Catherine why are you crying love« I asked approaching and putting my
arm over her shoulder »You mustnt cry because papa has a cold be thankful it
is nothing worse«
She now put no further restraint on her tears her breath was stifled by
sobs
»Oh it will be something worse« she said »And what shall I do when papa
and you leave me and I am by myself I cant forget your words Ellen they are
always in my ear How life will be changed how dreary the world will be when
papa and you are dead«
»None can tell whether you wont die before us« I replied »Its wrong to
anticipate evil well hope there are years and years to come before any of us
go master is young and I am strong and hardly fortyfive My mother lived
till eighty a canty dame to the last And suppose Mr Linton were spared till
he saw sixty that would be more years than you have counted Miss And would it
not be foolish to mourn a calamity above twenty years beforehand«
»But Aunt Isabella was younger than papa« she remarked gazing up with
timid hope to seek further consolation
»Aunt Isabella had not you and me to nurse her« I replied »She wasnt as
happy as master she hadnt as much to live for All you need do is to wait
well on your father and cheer him by letting him see you cheerful and avoid
giving him anxiety on any subject mind that Cathy Ill not disguise but you
might kill him if you were wild and reckless and cherished a foolish fanciful
affection for the son of a person who would be glad to have him in his grave
and allowed him to discover that you fretted over the separation he has judged
it expedient to make«
»I fret about nothing on earth except papas illness« answered my
companion »I care for nothing in comparison with papa And Ill never never
oh never while I have my senses do an act or say a word to vex him I love
him better than myself Ellen and I know it by this I pray every night that I
may live after him because I would rather be miserable than that he should be
that proves I love him better than myself«
»Good words« I replied »But deeds must prove it also and after he is
well remember you dont forget resolutions formed in the hour of fear«
As we talked we neared a door that opened on the road and my young lady
lightening into sunshine again climbed up and seated herself on the top of the
wall reaching over to gather some hips that bloomed scarlet on the summit
branches of the wild rose trees shadowing the highway side the lower fruit had
disappeared but only birds could touch the upper except from Cathys present
station
In stretching to pull them her hat fell off and as the door was locked
she proposed scrambling down to recover it I bid her be cautious lest she got a
fall and she nimbly disappeared
But the return was no such easy matter the stones were smooth and neatly
cemented and the rosebushes and blackberry stragglers could yield no
assistance in reascending I like a fool didnt recollect that till I heard
her laughing and exclaiming
»Ellen youll have to fetch the key or else I must run round to the
porters lodge I cant scale the ramparts on this side«
»Stay where you are« I answered »I have my bundle of keys in my pocket
perhaps I may manage to open it if not Ill go«
Catherine amused herself with dancing to and fro before the door while I
tried all the large keys in succession I had applied the last and found that
none would do so repeating my desire that she would remain there I was about
to hurry home as fast as I could when an approaching sound arrested me It was
the trot of a horse Cathys dance stopped and in a minute the horse stopped
also
»Who is that« I whispered
»Ellen I wish you could open the door« whispered back my companion
anxiously
»Ho Miss Linton« cried a deep voice the riders »Im glad to meet you
Dont be in haste to enter for I have an explanation to ask and obtain«
»I shant speak to you Mr Heathcliff« answered Catherine »Papa says you
are a wicked man and you hate both him and me and Ellen says the same«
»That is nothing to the purpose« said Heathcliff He it was »I dont
hate my son I suppose and it is concerning him that I demand your attention
Yes you have cause to blush Two or three months since were you not in the
habit of writing to Linton making love in play eh You deserved both of you
flogging for that You especially the elder and less sensitive as it turns
out Ive got your letters and if you give me any pertness Ill send them to
your father I presume you grew weary of the amusement and dropped it didnt
you Well you dropped Linton with it into a Slough of Despond He was in
earnest in love really As true as I live hes dying for you breaking his
heart at your fickleness not figuratively but actually Though Hareton has
made him a standing jest for six weeks and I have used more serious measures
and attempted to frighten him out of his idiocy he gets worse daily and hell
be under the sod before summer unless you restore him«
»How can you lie so glaringly to the poor child« I called from the inside
»Pray ride on How can you deliberately get up such paltry falsehoods Miss
Cathy Ill knock the lock off with a stone you wont believe that vile
nonsense You can feel in yourself it is impossible that a person should die
for love of a stranger«
»I was not aware there were eavesdroppers« muttered the detected villain
»Worthy Mrs Dean I like you but I dont like your double dealing« he added
aloud »How could you lie so glaringly as to affirm I hated the poor child And
invent bugbear stories to terrify her from my doorstones Catherine Linton
the very name warms me my bonny lass I shall be from home all this week go
and see if I have not spoken truth do theres a darling Just imagine your
father in my place and Linton in yours then think how you would value your
careless lover if he refused to stir a step to comfort you when your father
himself entreated him and dont from pure stupidity fall into the same
error I swear on my salvation hes going to his grave and none but you can
save him«
The lock gave way and I issued out
»I swear Linton is dying« repeated Heathcliff looking hard at me »And
grief and disappointment are hastening his death Nelly if you wont let her go
you can walk over yourself But I shall not return till this time next week and
I think your master himself would scarcely object to her visiting her cousin«
»Come in« said I taking Cathy by the arm and half forcing her to reenter
for she lingered viewing with troubled eyes the features of the speaker too
stern to express his inward deceit
He pushed his horse close and bending down observed
»Miss Catherine Ill own to you that I have little patience with Linton
and Hareton and Joseph have less Ill own hes with a harsh set He pines for
kindness as well as love and a kind word from you would be his best medicine
Dont mind Mrs Deans cruel cautions but be generous and contrive to see him
He dreams of you day and night and cannot be persuaded that you dont hate him
since you neither write nor call«
I closed the door and rolled a stone to assist the loosened lock in holding
it and spreading my umbrella I drew my charge underneath for the rain began
to drive through the moaning branches of the trees and warned us to avoid
delay
Our hurry prevented any comment on the encounter with Heathcliff as we
stretched towards home but I divined instinctively that Catherines heart was
clouded now in double darkness Her features were so sad they did not seem
hers she evidently regarded what she had heard as every syllable true
The master had retired to rest before we came in Cathy stole to his room to
inquire how he was he had fallen asleep She returned and asked me to sit with
her in the library We took our tea together and afterwards she lay down on the
rug and told me not to talk for she was weary
I got a book and pretended to read As soon as she supposed me absorbed in
my occupation she recommenced her silent weeping it appeared at present her
favourite diversion I suffered her to enjoy it a while then I expostulated
deriding and ridiculing all Mr Heathcliffs assertions about his son as if I
were certain she would coincide Alas I hadnt skill to counteract the effect
his account had produced it was just what he intended
»You may be right Ellen« she answered »but I shall never feel at ease
till I know and I must tell Linton it is not my fault that I dont write and
convince him that I shall not change«
What use were anger and protestations against her silly credulity We parted
that night hostile but next day beheld me on the road to Wuthering Heights by
the side of my wilful young mistresss pony I couldnt bear to witness her
sorrow to see her pale dejected countenance and heavy eyes and I yielded in
the faint hope that Linton himself might prove by his reception of us how
little of the tale was founded on fact
Chapter XXIII
The rainy night had ushered in a misty morning half frost half drizzle and
temporary brooks crossed our path gurgling from the uplands My feet were
thoroughly wetted I was cross and low exactly the humour suited for making the
most of these disagreeable things
We entered the farmhouse by the kitchen way to ascertain whether Mr
Heathcliff were really absent because I put slight faith in his own
affirmation
Joseph seemed sitting in a sort of elysium alone beside a roaring fire a
quart of ale on the table near him bristling with large pieces of toasted oat
cake and his black short pipe in his mouth
Catherine ran to the hearth to warm herself I asked if the master were in
My question remained so long unanswered that I thought the old man had
grown deaf and repeated it louder
»Na ay« he snarled or rather screamed through his nose »Na ay yah
mun goa back whear yah coom frough«
»Joseph« cried a peevish voice simultaneously with me from the inner
room »How often am I to call you There are only a few red ashes now Joseph
come this moment«
Vigorous puffs and a resolute stare into the grate declared he had no ear
for this appeal The housekeeper and Hareton were invisible one gone on an
errand and the other at his work probably We knew Lintons tones and entered
»Oh I hope youll die in a garret starved to death« said the boy
mistaking our approach for that of his negligent attendant
He stopped on observing his error his cousin flew to him
»Is that you Miss Linton« he said raising his head from the arm of the
great chair in which he reclined »No dont kiss me It takes my breath
dear me Papa said you would call« continued he after recovering a little from
Catherines embrace while she stood by looking very contrite »Will you shut
the door if you please you left it open and those those detestable
creatures wont bring coals to the fire Its so cold«
I stirred up the cinders and fetched a scuttle full myself The invalid
complained of being covered with ashes but he had a tiresome cough and looked
feverish and ill so I did not rebuke his temper
»Well Linton« murmured Catherine when his corrugated brow relaxed »Are
you glad to see me Can I do you any good«
»Why didnt you come before« he said »You should have come instead of
writing It tired me dreadfully writing those long letters Id far rather have
talked to you Now I can neither bear to talk nor anything else I wonder
where Zillah is will you looking at me step into the kitchen and see«
I had received no thanks for my other service and being unwilling to run to
and fro at his behest I replied
»Nobody is out there but Joseph«
»I want to drink« he exclaimed fretfully turning away »Zillah is
constantly gadding off to Gimmerton since papa went Its miserable And Im
obliged to come down here they resolved never to hear me up stairs«
»Is your father attentive to you Master Heathcliff« I asked perceiving
Catherine to be checked in her friendly advances
»Attentive He makes them a little more attentive at least« he cried »The
wretches Do you know Miss Linton that brute Hareton laughs at me I hate him
indeed I hate them all they are odious beings«
Cathy began searching for some water she lighted on a pitcher in the
dresser filled a tumbler and brought it He bid her add a spoonful of wine
from a bottle on the table and having swallowed a small portion appeared more
tranquil and said she was very kind
»And are you glad to see me« asked she reiterating her former question
and pleased to detect the faint dawn of a smile
»Yes I am Its something new to hear a voice like yours« he replied
»But I have been vexed because you wouldnt come And papa swore it was owing
to me he called me a pitiful shuffling worthless thing and said you despised
me and if he had been in my place he would be more the master of the Grange
than your father by this time But you dont despise me do you Miss «
»I wish you would say Catherine or Cathy« interrupted my young lady
»Despise you No Next to papa and Ellen I love you better than anybody
living I dont love Mr Heathcliff though and I dare not come when he
returns will he stay away many days«
»Not many« answered Linton »but he goes onto the moors frequently since
the shooting season commenced and you might spend an hour or two with me in
his absence Do say you will I think I should not be peevish with you youd
not provoke me and youd always be ready to help me wouldnt you«
»Yes« said Catherine stroking his long soft hair »if I could only get
papas consent Id spend half my time with you Pretty Linton I wish you were
my brother«
»And then you would like me as well as your father« observed he more
cheerfully »But papa says you would love me better than him and all the world
if you were my wife so Id rather you were that«
»No I should never love anybody better than papa« she returned gravely
»And people hate their wives sometimes but not their sisters and brothers and
if you were the latter you would live with us and papa would be as fond of
you as he is of me«
Linton denied that people ever hated their wives but Cathy affirmed they
did and in her wisdom instanced his own fathers aversion to her aunt
I endeavoured to stop her thoughtless tongue I couldnt succeed till
everything she knew was out Master Heathcliff much irritated asserted her
relation was false
»Papa told me and papa does not tell falsehoods« she answered pertly
»My papa scorns yours« cried Linton »He calls him a sneaking fool«
»Yours is a wicked man« retorted Catherine »and you are very naughty to
dare to repeat what he says He must be wicked to have made Aunt Isabella
leave him as she did«
»She didnt leave him« said the boy »you shant contradict me«
»She did« cried my young lady
»Well Ill tell you something« said Linton »Your mother hated your
father now then«
»Oh« exclaimed Catherine too enraged to continue
»And she loved mine« added he
»You little liar I hate you now« she panted and her face grew red with
passion
»She did she did« sang Linton sinking into the recess of his chair and
leaning back his head to enjoy the agitation of the other disputant who stood
behind
»Hush Master Heathcliff« I said »thats your fathers tale too I
suppose«
»It isnt you hold your tongue« he answered »she did she did
Catherine she did she did«
Cathy beside herself gave the chair a violent push and caused him to fall
against one arm He was immediately seized by a suffocating cough that soon
ended his triumph
It lasted so long that it frightened even me As to his cousin she wept
with all her might aghast at the mischief she had done though she said
nothing
I held him till the fit exhausted itself Then he thrust me away and leant
his head down silently Catherine quelled her lamentations also took a seat
opposite and looked solemnly into the fire
»How do you feel now Master Heathcliff« I inquired after waiting ten
minutes
»I wish she felt as I do« he replied »spiteful cruel thing Hareton never
touches me he never struck me in his life And I was better today and there
« his voice died in a whimper
»I didnt strike you« muttered Cathy chewing her lip to prevent another
burst of emotion
He sighed and moaned like one under great suffering and kept it up for a
quarter of an hour on purpose to distress his cousin apparently for whenever
he caught a stifled sob from her he put renewed pain and pathos into the
inflexions of his voice
»Im sorry I hurt you Linton« she said at length racked beyond endurance
»But I couldnt have been hurt by that little push and I had no idea that you
could either youre not much are you Linton Dont let me go home thinking
Ive done you harm answer speak to me«
»I cant speak to you« he murmured »youve hurt me so that I shall lie
awake all night choking with this cough If you had it youd know what it was
but youll be comfortably asleep while Im in agony and nobody near me I
wonder how you would like to pass those fearful nights« And he began to wail
aloud for very pity of himself
»Since you are in the habit of passing dreadful nights« I said »it wont
be Miss who spoils your ease youd be the same had she never come However
she shall not disturb you again and perhaps youll get quieter when we leave
you«
»Must I go« asked Catherine dolefully bending over him »Do you want me to
go Linton«
»You cant alter what youve done« he replied pettishly shrinking from
her »unless you alter it for the worse by teasing me into a fever«
»Well then I must go« she repeated
»Let me alone at least« said he »I cant bear your talking«
She lingered and resisted my persuasions to departure a tiresome while
but as he neither looked up nor spoke she finally made a movement to the door
and I followed
We were recalled by a scream Linton had slid from his seat on to the
hearthstone and lay writhing in the mere perverseness of an indulged plague of
a child determined to be as grievous and harassing as it can
I thoroughly guaged his disposition from his behaviour and saw at once it
would be folly to attempt humouring him Not so my companion she ran back in
terror knelt down and cried and soothed and entreated till he grew quiet
from lack of breath by no means from compunction at distressing her
»I shall lift him on to the settle« I said »and he may roll about as he
pleases we cant stop to watch him I hope you are satisfied Miss Cathy that
you are not the person to benefit him and that his condition of health is not
occasioned by attachment to you Now then there he is Come away as soon as he
knows there is nobody by to care for his nonsense hell be glad to lie still«
She placed a cushion under his head and offered him some water he rejected
the latter and tossed uneasily on the former as if it were a stone or a block
of wood
She tried to put it more comfortably
»I cant do with that« he said »its not high enough«
Catherine brought another to lay above it
»Thats too high« murmured the provoking thing
»How must I arrange it then« she asked despairingly
He twined himself up to her as she half knelt by the settle and converted
her shoulder into a support
»No that wont do« I said »Youll be content with the cushion Master
Heathcliff Miss has wasted too much time on you already we cannot remain five
minutes longer«
»Yes yes we can« replied Cathy »Hes good and patient now Hes
beginning to think I shall have far greater misery than he will tonight if I
believe he is the worse for my visit and then I dare not come again Tell the
truth about it Linton for I mustnt come if I have hurt you«
»You must come to cure me« he answered »You ought to come because you
have hurt me You know you have extremely I was not as ill when you entered
as I am at present was I«
»But youve made yourself ill by crying and being in a passion«
»I didnt do it all« said his cousin »However well be friends now And
you want me you would wish to see me sometimes really«
»I told you I did« he replied impatiently »Sit on the settle and let me
lean on your knee Thats as mamma used to do whole afternoons together Sit
quite still and dont talk but you may sing a song if you can sing or you may
say a nice long interesting ballad one of those you promised to teach me or
a story Id rather have a ballad though begin«
Catherine repeated the longest she could remember The employment pleased
both mightily Linton would have another and after that another
notwithstanding my strenuous objections and so they went on until the clock
struck twelve and we heard Hareton in the court returning for his dinner
»And tomorrow Catherine will you be here tomorrow« asked young
Heathcliff holding her frock as she rose reluctantly
»No« I answered »nor next day neither« She however gave a different
response evidently for his forehead cleared as she stooped and whispered in
his ear
»You wont go tomorrow recollect Miss« I commenced when we were out of
the house »You are not dreaming of it are you«
She smiled
»Oh Ill take good care« I continued »Ill have that lock mended and you
can escape by no way else«
»I can get over the wall« she said laughing »The Grange is not a prison
Ellen and you are not my jailer And besides Im almost seventeen Im a woman
and Im certain Linton would recover quickly if he had me to look after him
Im older than he is you know and wiser less childish am I not And hell
soon do as I direct him with some slight coaxing Hes a pretty little darling
when hes good Id make such a pet of him if he were mine We should never
quarrel should we after we were used to each other Dont you like him
Ellen«
»Like him« I exclaimed »The worst tempered bit of a sickly slip that ever
struggled into its teens Happily as Mr Heathcliff conjectured hell not win
twenty I doubt whether hell see spring indeed and small loss to his family
whenever he drops off and lucky it is for us that his father took him The
kinder he was treated the more tedious and selfish hed be Im glad you have
no chance of having him for a husband Miss Catherine«
My companion waxed serious at hearing this speech To speak of his death so
regardlessly wounded her feelings
»Hes younger than I« she answered after a protracted pause of meditation
»and he ought to live the longest he will he must live as long as I do Hes
as strong now as when he first came into the North Im positive of that Its
only a cold that ails him the same as papa has You say papa will get better
and why shouldnt he«
»Well well« I cried »after all we neednt trouble ourselves for listen
Miss and mind Ill keep my word If you attempt going to Wuthering Heights
again with or without me I shall inform Mr Linton and unless he allow it
the intimacy with your cousin must not be revived«
»It has been revived« muttered Cathy sulkily
»Must not be continued then« I said
»Well see« was her reply and she set off at a gallop leaving me to toil
in the rear
We both reached home before our dinnertime my master supposed we had been
wandering through the park and therefore he demanded no explanation of our
absence As soon as I entered I hastened to change my soaked shoes and
stockings but sitting such a while at the Heights had done the mischief On
the succeeding morning I was laid up and during three weeks I remained
incapacitated for attending to my duties a calamity never experienced prior to
that period and never I am thankful to say since
My little mistress behaved like an angel in coming to wait on me and cheer
my solitude the confinement brought me exceedingly low It is wearisome to a
stirring active body but few have slighter reasons for complaint than I had
The moment Catherine left Mr Lintons room she appeared at my bedside Her
day was divided between us no amusement usurped a minute she neglected her
meals her studies and her play and she was the fondest nurse that ever
watched she must have had a warm heart when she loved her father so to give
so much to me
I said her days were divided between us but the master retired early and I
generally needed nothing after six oclock thus the evening was her own
Poor thing I never considered what she did with herself after tea And
though frequently when she looked in to bid me good night I remarked a fresh
colour in her cheeks and a pinkness over her slender fingers instead of
fancying the hue borrowed from a cold ride across the moors I laid it to the
charge of a hot fire in the library
Chapter XXIV
At the close of three weeks I was able to quit my chamber and move about the
house And on the first occasion of my sitting up in the evening I asked
Catherine to read to me because my eyes were weak We were in the library the
master having gone to bed she consented rather unwillingly I fancied and
imagining my sort of books did not suit her I bid her please herself in the
choice of what she perused
She selected one of her own favourites and got forward steadily about an
hour then came frequent questions
»Ellen are not you tired Hadnt you better lie down now Youll be sick
keeping up so long Ellen«
»No no dear Im not tired« I returned continually
Perceiving me immovable she essayed another method of showing her
disrelish for her occupation It changed to yawning and stretching and
»Ellen Im tired«
»Give over then and talk« I answered
That was worse she fretted and sighed and looked at her watch till eight
and finally went to her room completely overdone with sleep judging by her
peevish heavy look and the constant rubbing she inflicted on her eyes
The following night she seemed more impatient still and on the third from
recovering my company she complained of a headache and left me
I thought her conduct odd and having remained alone a long while I was
resolved on going and inquiring whether she were better and asking her to come
and lie on the sofa instead of up stairs in the dark
No Catherine could I discover up stairs and none below The servants
affirmed they had not seen her I listened at Mr Edgars door all was
silence I returned to her apartment extinguished my candle and seated myself
in the window
The moon shone bright a sprinkling of snow covered the ground and I
reflected that she might possibly have taken it into her head to walk about
the garden for refreshment I did detect a figure creeping along the inner
fence of the park but it was not my young mistress on its emerging into the
light I recognized one of the grooms
He stood a considerable period viewing the carriage road through the
grounds then started off at a brisk pace as if he had detected something and
reappeared presently leading Misss pony and there she was just dismounted
and walking by its side
The man took his charge stealthily across the grass towards the stable
Cathy entered by the casementwindow of the drawingroom and glided noiselessly
up to where I awaited her
She put the door gently to slipped off her snowy shoes untied her hat and
was proceeding unconscious of my espionage to lay aside her mantle when I
suddenly rose and revealed myself The surprise petrified her an instant she
uttered an inarticulate exclamation and stood fixed
»My dear Miss Catherine« I began too vividly impressed by her recent
kindness to break into a scold »where have you been riding out at this hour
And why should you try to deceive me by telling a tale Where have you been
Speak«
»To the bottom of the park« she stammered »I didnt tell a tale«
»And no where else« I demanded
»No« was the muttered reply
»Oh Catherine« I cried sorrowfully »You know you have been doing wrong
or you wouldnt be driven to uttering an untruth to me That does grieve me Id
rather be three months ill than hear you frame a deliberate lie«
She sprang forward and bursting into tears threw her arms round my neck
»Well Ellen Im so afraid of you being angry« she said »Promise not to be
angry and you shall know the very truth I hate to hide it«
We sat down in the windowseat I assured her I would not scold whatever
her secret might be and I guessed it of course so she commenced
»Ive been to Wuthering Heights Ellen and Ive never missed going a day
since you fell ill except thrice before and twice after you left your room I
gave Michael books and pictures to prepare Minny every evening and to put her
back in the stable you mustnt scold him either mind I was at the Heights by
halfpast six and generally stayed till halfpast eight and then gallopped
home It was not to amuse myself that I went I was often wretched all the time
Now and then I was happy once in a week perhaps At first I expected there
would be sad work persuading you to let me keep my word to Linton for I had
engaged to call again next day when we quitted him but as you stayed up
stairs on the morrow I escaped that trouble and while Michael was refastening
the lock of the park door in the afternoon I got possession of the key and
told him how my cousin wished me to visit him because he was sick and couldnt
come to the Grange and how papa would object to my going And then I negotiated
with him about the pony He is fond of reading and he thinks of leaving soon to
get married so he offered if I would lend him books out of the library to do
what I wished but I preferred giving him my own and that satisfied him better
On my second visit Linton seemed in lively spirits and Zillah that is
their housekeeper made us a clean room and a good fire and told us that as
Joseph was out at a prayermeeting and Hareton Earnshaw was off with his dogs
robbing our woods of pheasants as I heard afterwards we might do what we
liked
She brought me some warm wine and gingerbread and appeared exceedingly
goodnatured and Linton sat in the armchair and I in the little rocking
chair on the hearthstone and we laughed and talked so merrily and found so
much to say we planned where we would go and what we would do in summer I
neednt repeat that because you would call it silly
One time however we were near quarrelling He said the pleasantest manner
of spending a hot July day was lying from morning till evening on a bank of
heath in the middle of the moors with the bees humming dreamily about among the
bloom and the larks singing high up over head and the blue sky and bright sun
shining steadily and cloudlessly That was his most perfect idea of heavens
happiness mine was rocking in a rustling green tree with a west wind blowing
and bright white clouds flitting rapidly above and not only larks but
throstles and blackbirds and linnets and cuckoos pouring out music on every
side and the moors seen at a distance broken into cool dusky dells but close
by great swells of long grass undulating in waves to the breeze and woods and
sounding water and the whole world awake and wild with joy He wanted all to
lie in an ecstacy of peace I wanted all to sparkle and dance in a glorious
jubilee
I said his heaven would be only half alive and he said mine would be drunk
I said I should fall asleep in his and he said he could not breathe in mine
and began to grow very snappish At last we agreed to try both as soon as the
right weather came and then we kissed each other and were friends After
sitting still an hour I looked at the great room with its smooth uncarpeted
floor and thought how nice it would be to play in if we removed the table and
I asked Linton to call Zillah in to help us and wed have a game at
blindmans buff she should try to catch us you used to you know Ellen He
wouldnt there was no pleasure in it he said but he consented to play ball
with me We found two in a cupboard among a heap of old toys tops and hoops
and battledoors and shuttlecocks One was marked C and the other H I wished
to have the C because that stood for Catherine and the H might be for
Heathcliff his name but the bran came out of H and Linton didnt like it
I beat him constantly and he got cross again and coughed and returned to
his chair that night though he easily recovered his good humour he was
charmed with two or three pretty songs your songs Ellen and when I was
obliged to go he begged and entreated me to come the following evening and I
promised
Minny and I went flying home as light as air and I dreamt of Wuthering
Heights and my sweet darling cousin till morning
On the morrow I was sad partly because you were poorly and partly that I
wished my father knew and approved of my excursions but it was beautiful
moonlight after tea and as I rode on the gloom cleared
I shall have another happy evening I thought to myself and what delights
me more my pretty Linton will
I trotted up their garden and was turning round to the back when that
fellow Earnshaw met me took my bridle and bid me go in by the front entrance
He patted Minnys neck and said she was a bonny beast and appeared as if he
wanted me to speak to him I only told him to leave my horse alone or else it
would kick him
He answered in his vulgar accent
It wouldnt do mitch hurt if it did and surveyed its legs with a smile
I was half inclined to make it try however he moved off to open the door
and as he raised the latch he looked up to the inscription above and said
with a stupid mixture of awkwardness and elation
Miss Catherine I can read yon nah
Wonderful I exclaimed Pray let us hear you you are grown clever
He spelt and drawled over by syllables the name
Hareton Earnshaw
And the figures I cried encouragingly perceiving that he came to a dead
halt
I cannot tell them yet he answered
Oh you dunce I said laughing heartily at his failure
The fool stared with a grin hovering about his lips and a scowl gathering
over his eyes as if uncertain whether he might not join in my mirth whether it
were not pleasant familiarity or what it really was contempt
I settled his doubts by suddenly retrieving my gravity and desiring him to
walk away for I came to see Linton not him
He reddened I saw that by the moonlight dropped his hand from the latch
and skulked off a picture of mortified vanity He imagined himself to be as
accomplished as Linton I suppose because he could spell his own name and was
marvellously discomfited that I didnt think the same«
»Stop Miss Catherine dear« I interrupted »I shall not scold but I dont
like your conduct there If you had remembered that Hareton was your cousin as
much as Master Heathcliff you would have felt how improper it was to behave in
that way At least it was praiseworthy ambition for him to desire to be as
accomplished as Linton and probably he did not learn merely to show off you
had made him ashamed of his ignorance before I have no doubt and he wished to
remedy it and please you To sneer at his imperfect attempt was very bad
breeding had you been brought up in his circumstances would you be less rude
he was as quick and as intelligent a child as ever you were and Im hurt that
he should be despised now because that base Heathcliff has treated him so
unjustly«
»Well Ellen you wont cry about it will you« she exclaimed surprised at
my earnestness »But wait and you shall hear if he conned his a b c, to please
me and if it were worth while being civil to the brute I entered Linton was
lying on the settle and half got up to welcome me
Im ill tonight Catherine love he said and you must have all the talk
and let me listen Come and sit by me I was sure you wouldnt break your
word and Ill make you promise again before you go
I knew now that I mustnt tease him as he was ill and I spoke softly and
put no questions and avoided irritating him in any way I had brought some of
my nicest books for him he asked me to read a little of one and I was about to
comply when Earnshaw burst the door open having gathered venom with
reflection He advanced direct to us seized Linton by the arm and swung him
off the seat
Get to thy own room he said in a voice almost inarticulate with passion
and his face looked swelled and furious Take her there if she comes to see thee
thou shallnt keep me out of this Begone wi ye both
He swore at us and left Linton no time to answer nearly throwing him into
the kitchen and he clenched his fist as I followed seemingly longing to knock
me down I was afraid for a moment and I let one volume fall he kicked it
after me and shut us out
I heard a malignant crackly laugh by the fire and turning beheld that
odious Joseph standing rubbing his bony hands and quivering
Aw wer sure hed sarve ye eht Hes a grand lad Hes getten t raight
sperrit in him He knaws Aye he knaws as weel as Aw do who sud be t
maister yonder Ech ech ech He made ye skift properly Ech ech ech
Where must we go I said to my cousin disregarding the old wretchs
mockery
Linton was white and trembling He was not pretty then Ellen Oh no he
looked frightful for his thin face and large eyes were wrought into an
expression of frantic powerless fury He grasped the handle of the door and
shook it it was fastened inside
If you dont let me in Ill kill you If you dont let me in Ill kill you
he rather shrieked than said Devil devil Ill kill you Ill kill you
Joseph uttered his croaking laugh again
Thear thats t father he cried Thats father Weve allas summat uh
orther side in us Niver heed Hareton lad dunnut be feard he cannot get
at thee
I took hold of Lintons hands and tried to pull him away but he shrieked
so shockingly that I dared not proceed At last his cries were choked by a
dreadful fit of coughing blood gushed from his mouth and he fell on the
ground
I ran into the yard sick with terror and called for Zillah as loud as I
could She soon heard me she was milking the cows in a shed behind the barn
and hurrying from her work she inquired what there was to do
I hadnt breath to explain dragging her in I looked about for Linton
Earnshaw had come out to examine the mischief he had caused and he was then
conveying the poor thing upstairs Zillah and I ascended after him but he
stopped me at the top of the steps and said I shouldnt go in I must go home
I exclaimed that he had killed Linton and I would enter
Joseph locked the door and declared I should do no sich stuff and asked me
whether I were bahn to be as mad as him
I stood crying till the housekeeper reappeared she affirmed that he would
be better in a bit but he couldnt do with that shrieking and din and she
took me and nearly carried me into the house
Ellen I was ready to tear my hair off my head I sobbed and wept so that my
eyes were almost blind and the ruffian you have such sympathy with stood
opposite presuming every now and then to bid me wisht and denying that it was
his fault and finally frightened by my assertions that I would tell papa and
that he should be put in prison and hanged he commenced blubbering himself
and hurried out to hide his cowardly agitation
Still I was not rid of him when at length they compelled me to depart and
I had got some hundred yards off the premises he suddenly issued from the
shadow of the roadside and checked Minny and took hold of me
Miss Catherine Im ill grieved he began but its rayther too bad
I gave him a cut with my whip thinking perhaps he would murder me He let
go thundering one of his horrid curses and I gallopped home more than half out
of my senses
I didnt bid you goodnight that evening and I didnt go to Wuthering
Heights the next I wished to exceedingly but I was strangely excited and
dreaded to hear that Linton was dead sometimes and sometimes shuddered at the
thought of encountering Hareton
On the third day I took courage at least I couldnt bear longer suspense
and stole off once more I went at five oclock and walked fancying I might
manage to creep into the house and up to Lintons room unobserved However
the dogs gave notice of my approach Zillah received me and saying the lad was
mending nicely showed me into a small tidy carpeted apartment where to my
inexpressible joy I beheld Linton laid on a little sofa reading one of my
books But he would neither speak to me nor look at me through a whole hour
Ellen He has such an unhappy temper and what quite confounded me when he
did open his mouth it was to utter the falsehood that I had occasioned the
uproar and Hareton was not to blame«
»Unable to reply except passionately I got up and walked from the room
He sent after me a faint Catherine he did not reckon on being answered so but
I wouldnt turn back and the morrow was the second day on which I stayed at
home nearly determined to visit him no more
But it was so miserable going to bed and getting up and never hearing
anything about him that my resolution again melted into air before it was
properly formed It had appeared wrong to take the journey once now it seemed
wrong to refrain Michael came to ask if he must saddle Minny I said Yes and
considered myself doing a duty as she bore me over the hills
I was forced to pass the front windows to get to the court it was no use
trying to conceal my presence
Young master is in the house said Zillah as she saw me making for the
parlour
I went in Earnshaw was there also but he quitted the room directly Linton
sat in the great arm chair half asleep walking up to the fire I began in a
serious tone partly meaning it to be true
As you dont like me Linton and as you think I come on purpose to hurt you
and pretend that I do so every time this is our last meeting let us say
goodbye and tell Mr Heathcliff that you have no wish to see me and that he
mustnt invent any more falsehoods on the subject
Sit down and take your hat off Catherine he answered You are so much
happier than I am you ought to be better Papa talks enough of my defects and
shows enough scorn of me to make it natural I should doubt myself I doubt
whether I am not altogether as worthless as he calls me frequently and then I
feel so cross and bitter I hate everybody I am worthless and bad in temper
and bad in spirit almost always and if you choose you may say goodbye
youll get rid of an annoyance Only Catherine do me this justice believe
that if I might be as sweet and as kind and as good as you are I would be as
willingly and more so than as happy and as healthy And believe that your
kindness has made me love you deeper than if I deserved your love and though I
couldnt and cannot help showing my nature to you I regret it and repent it
and shall regret and repent it till I die
I felt he spoke the truth and I felt I must forgive him and though he
should quarrel the next moment I must forgive him again We were reconciled
but we cried both of us the whole time I stayed Not entirely for sorrow yet
I was sorry Linton had that distorted nature Hell never let his friends be at
ease and hell never be at ease himself
I have always gone to his little parlour since that night because his
father returned the day after About three times I think we have been merry
and hopeful as we were the first evening the rest of my visits were dreary and
troubled now with his selfishness and spite and now with his sufferings but
Ive learned to endure the former with nearly as little resentment as the
latter
Mr Heathcliff purposely avoids me I have hardly seen him at all Last
Sunday indeed coming earlier than usual I heard him abusing poor Linton
cruelly for his conduct of the night before I cant tell how he knew of it
unless he listened Linton had certainly behaved provokingly however it was
the business of nobody but me and I interrupted Mr Heathcliffs lecture by
entering and telling him so He burst into a laugh and went away saying he
was glad I took that view of the matter Since then Ive told Linton he must
whisper his bitter things
Now Ellen you have heard all and I cant be prevented from going to
Wuthering Heights except by inflicting misery on two people whereas if
youll only not tell papa my going need disturb the tranquillity of none
Youll not tell will you It will be very heartless if you do«
»Ill make up my mind on that point by tomorrow Miss Catherine« I
replied »It requires some study and so Ill leave you to your rest and go
think it over«
I thought it over aloud in my masters presence walking straight from her
room to his and relating the whole story with the exception of her
conversations with her cousin and any mention of Hareton
Mr Linton was alarmed and distressed more than he would acknowledge to me
In the morning Catherine learnt my betrayal of her confidence and she learnt
also that her secret visits were to end
In vain she wept and writhed against the interdict and implored her father
to have pity on Linton all she got to comfort her was a promise that he would
write and give him leave to come to the Grange when he pleased but explaining
that he must no longer expect to see Catherine at Wuthering Heights Perhaps
had he been aware of his nephews disposition and state of health he would have
seen fit to withhold even that slight consolation
Chapter XXV
»These things happened last winter sir« said Mrs Dean »hardly more than a
year ago Last winter I did not think at another twelve months end I should
be amusing a stranger to the family with relating them Yet who knows how long
youll be a stranger Youre too young to rest always contented living by
yourself and I some way fancy no one could see Catherine Linton and not love
her You smile but why do you look so lively and interested when I talk about
her and why have you asked me to hang her picture over your fireplace and why
«
»Stop my good friend« I cried »It may be very possible that I should love
her but would she love me I doubt it too much to venture my tranquillity by
running into temptation and then my home is not here Im of the busy world
and to its arms I must return Go on Was Catherine obedient to her fathers
commands«
»She was« continued the housekeeper »Her affection for him was still the
chief sentiment in her heart and he spoke without anger he spoke in the deep
tenderness of one about to leave his treasure amid perils and foes where his
remembered words would be the only aid that he could bequeath to guide her«
He said to me a few days afterwards
»I wish my nephew would write Ellen or call Tell me sincerely what you
think of him is he changed for the better or is there a prospect of
improvement as he grows a man«
»Hes very delicate sir« I replied »and scarcely likely to reach manhood
but this I can say he does not resemble his father and if Miss Catherine had
the misfortune to marry him he would not be beyond her control unless she were
extremely and foolishly indulgent However master youll have plenty of time
to get acquainted with him and see whether he would suit her it wants four
years and more to his being of age«
Edgar sighed and walking to the window looked out towards Gimmerton Kirk
It was a misty afternoon but the February sun shone dimly and we could just
distinguish the two fir trees in the yard and the sparely scattered
gravestones
»Ive prayed often« he half soliloquized »for the approach of what is
coming and now I begin to shrink and fear it I thought the memory of the hour
I came down that glen a bridegroom would be less sweet than the anticipation
that I was soon in a few months or possibly weeks to be carried up and
laid in its lonely hollow Ellen Ive been very happy with my little Cathy
Through winter nights and summer days she was a living hope at my side but
Ive been as happy musing by myself among those stones under that old church
lying through the long June evenings on the green mound of her mothers grave
and wishing yearning for the time when I might lie beneath it What can I do
for Cathy How must I quit her Id not care one moment for Linton being
Heathcliffs son nor for his taking her from me if he could console her for my
loss Id not care that Heathcliff gained his ends and triumphed in robbing me
of my last blessing But should Linton be unworthy only a feeble tool to his
father I cannot abandon her to him And hard though it be to crush her
buoyant spirit I must persevere in making her sad while I live and leaving her
solitary when I die Darling Id rather resign her to God and lay her in the
earth before me«
»Resign her to God as it is sir« I answered »and if we should lose you
which may He forbid under His providence Ill stand her friend and counsellor
to the last Miss Catherine is a good girl I dont fear that she will go
wilfully wrong and people who do their duty are always finally rewarded«
Spring advanced yet my master gathered no real strength though he resumed
his walks in the grounds with his daughter To her inexperienced notions this
itself was a sign of convalescence and then his cheek was often flushed and
his eyes were bright she felt sure of his recovering
On her seventeenth birthday he did not visit the churchyard it was
raining and I observed
»Youll surely not go out tonight sir«
He answered
»No Ill defer it this year a little longer«
He wrote again to Linton expressing his great desire to see him and had
the invalid been presentable Ive no doubt his father would have permitted him
to come As it was being instructed he returned an answer intimating that Mr
Heathcliff objected to his calling at the Grange but his uncles kind
remembrance delighted him and he hoped to meet him sometimes in his rambles
and personally to petition that his cousin and he might not remain long so
utterly divided
That part of his letter was simple and probably his own Heathcliff knew
he could plead eloquently enough for Catherines company then
»I do not ask« he said »that she may visit here but am I never to see
her because my father forbids me to go to her home and you forbid her to come
to mine Do now and then ride with her towards the Heights and let us
exchange a few words in your presence we have done nothing to deserve this
separation and you are not angry with me you have no reason to dislike me
you allow yourself Dear uncle send me a kind note tomorrow and leave to join
you anywhere you please except at Thrushcross Grange I believe an interview
would convince you that my fathers character is not mine he affirms I am more
your nephew than his son and though I have faults which render me unworthy of
Catherine she has excused them and for her sake you should also You inquire
after my health it is better but while I remain cut off from all hope and
doomed to solitude or the society of those who never did and never will like
me how can I be cheerful and well«
Edgar though he felt for the boy could not consent to grant his request
because he could not accompany Catherine
He said in summer perhaps they might meet meantime he wished him to
continue writing at intervals and engaged to give him what advice and comfort
he was able by letter being well aware of his hard position in his family
Linton complied and had he been unrestrained would probably have spoiled
all by filling his epistles with complaints and lamentations but his father
kept a sharp watch over him and of course insisted on every line that my
master sent being shown so instead of penning his peculiar personal
sufferings and distresses the themes constantly uppermost in his thoughts he
harped on the cruel obligation of being held asunder from his friend and love
and gently intimated that Mr Linton must allow an interview soon or he should
fear he was purposely deceiving him with empty promises
Cathy was a powerful ally at home and between them they at length
persuaded my master to acquiesce in their having a ride or a walk together
about once a week under my guardianship and on the moors nearest the Grange
for June found him still declining and though he had set aside yearly a
portion of his income for my young ladys fortune he had a natural desire that
she might retain or at least return in a short time to the house of her
ancestors and he considered her only prospect of doing that was by a union with
his heir he had no idea that the latter was failing almost as fast as himself
nor had any one I believe no doctor visited the Heights and no one saw Master
Heathcliff to make report of his condition among us
I for my part began to fancy my forebodings were false and that he must
be actually rallying when he mentioned riding and walking on the moors and
seemed so earnest in pursuing his object
I could not picture a father treating a dying child as tyrannically and
wickedly as I afterwards learnt Heathcliff had treated him to compel this
apparent eagerness his efforts redoubling the more imminently his avaricious
and unfeeling plans were threatened with defeat by death
Chapter XXVI
Summer was already past its prime when Edgar reluctantly yielded his assent to
their entreaties and Catherine and I set out on our first ride to join her
cousin
It was a close sultry day devoid of sunshine but with a sky too dappled
and hazy to threaten rain and our place of meeting had been fixed at the
guidestone by the crossroads On arriving there however a little herdboy
despatched as a messenger told us that
»Maister Linton wer just ut this side th Heights and hed be mitch
obleeged to us to gang on a bit further«
»Then Master Linton has forgot the first injunction of his uncle« I
observed »he bid us keep on the Grange land and here we are off at once«
»Well well turn our horses heads round when we reach him« answered my
companion »our excursion shall lie towards home«
But when we reached him and that was scarcely a quarter of a mile from his
own door we found he had no horse and we were forced to dismount and leave
ours to graze
He lay on the heath awaiting our approach and did not rise till we came
within a few yards Then he walked so feebly and looked so pale that I
immediately exclaimed
»Why Master Heathcliff you are not fit for enjoying a ramble this
morning How ill you do look«
Catherine surveyed him with grief and astonishment and changed the
ejaculation of joy on her lips to one of alarm and the congratulation on their
long postponed meeting to an anxious inquiry whether he were worse than usual
»No better better« he panted trembling and retaining her hand as if
he needed its support while his large blue eyes wandered timidly over her the
hollowness round them transforming to haggard wildness the languid expression
they once possessed
»But you have been worse« persisted his cousin »worse than when I saw you
last you are thinner and «
»Im tired« he interrupted hurriedly »It is too hot for walking let us
rest here And in the morning I often feel sick papa says I grow so fast«
Badly satisfied Cathy sat down and he reclined beside her
»This is something like your paradise« said she making an effort at
cheerfulness »You recollect the two days we agreed to spend in the place and
way each thought pleasantest This is nearly yours only there are clouds but
then they are so soft and mellow it is nicer than sunshine Next week if you
can well ride down to the Grange Park and try mine«
Linton did not appear to remember what she talked of and he had evidently
great difficulty in sustaining any kind of conversation His lack of interest in
the subjects she started and his equal incapacity to contribute to her
entertainment were so obvious that she could not conceal her disappointment An
indefinite alteration had come over his whole person and manner The pettishness
that might be caressed into fondness had yielded to a listless apathy there
was less of the peevish temper of a child which frets and teases on purpose to
be soothed and more of the self-absorbed moroseness of a confirmed invalid
repelling consolation and ready to regard the goodhumoured mirth of others as
an insult
Catherine perceived as well as I did that he held it rather a punishment
than a gratification to endure our company and she made no scruple of
proposing presently to depart
That proposal unexpectedly roused Linton from his lethargy and threw him
into a strange state of agitation He glanced fearfully towards the Heights
begging she would remain another halfhour at least
»But I think« said Cathy »youd be more comfortable at home than sitting
here and I cannot amuse you today I see by my tales and songs and chatter
you have grown wiser than I in these six months you have little taste for my
diversions now or else if I could amuse you Id willingly stay«
»Stay to rest yourself« he replied »And Catherine dont think or say
that Im very unwell it is the heavy weather and heat that make me dull and
I walked about before you came a great deal for me Tell uncle Im in
tolerable health will you«
»Ill tell him that you say so Linton I couldnt affirm that you are«
observed my young lady wondering at his pertinacious assertion of what was
evidently an untruth
»And be here again next Thursday« continued he shunning her puzzled gaze
»And give him my thanks for permitting you to come my best thanks Catherine
And and if you did meet my father and he asked you about me dont lead him
to suppose that Ive been extremely silent and stupid dont look silent and
downcast as you are doing hell be angry«
»I care nothing for his anger« exclaimed Cathy imagining she would be its
object
»But I do« said her cousin shuddering »Dont provoke him against me
Catherine for he is very hard«
»Is he severe to you Master Heathcliff« I inquired »Has he grown weary of
indulgence and passed from passive to active hatred«
Linton looked at me but did not answer and after keeping her seat by his
side another ten minutes during which his head fell drowsily on his breast
and he uttered nothing except suppressed moans of exhaustion or pain Cathy
began to seek solace in looking for bilberries and sharing the produce of her
researches with me she did not offer them to him for she saw further notice
would only weary and annoy
»Is it half an hour now Ellen« she whispered in my ear at last »I cant
tell why we should stay Hes asleep and papa will be wanting us back«
»Well we must not leave him asleep« I answered »wait till he wakes and be
patient You are mighty eager to set off but your longing to see poor Linton
has soon evaporated«
»Why did he wish to see me« returned Catherine »In his crossest humours
formerly I liked him better than I do in his present curious mood Its just as
if it were a task he was compelled to perform this interview for fear his
father should scold him But Im hardly going to come to give Mr Heathcliff
pleasure whatever reason he may have for ordering Linton to undergo this
penance And though Im glad hes better in health Im sorry hes so much less
pleasant and so much less affectionate to me«
»You think he is better in health then« I said
»Yes« she answered »because he always made such a great deal of his
sufferings you know He is not tolerably well as he told me to tell papa but
hes better very likely«
»There you differ with me Miss Cathy« I remarked »I should conjecture him
to be far worse«
Linton here started from his slumber in bewildered terror and asked if
anyone had called his name
»No« said Catherine »unless in dreams I cannot conceive how you manage to
dose out of doors in the morning«
»I thought I heard my father« he gasped glancing up to the frowning nab
above us »You are sure nobody spoke«
»Quite sure« replied his cousin »Only Ellen and I were disputing
concerning your health Are you truly stronger Linton than when we separated
in winter If you be Im certain one thing is not stronger your regard for me
speak are you«
The tears gushed from Lintons eyes as he answered
»Yes yes I am«
And still under the spell of the imaginary voice his gaze wandered up and
down to detect its owner
Cathy rose
»For today we must part« she said »And I wont conceal that I have been
sadly disappointed with our meeting though Ill mention it to nobody but you
not that I stand in awe of Mr Heathcliff«
»Hush« murmured Linton »for Gods sake hush Hes coming« And he clung
to Catherines arm striving to detain her but at that announcement she
hastily disengaged herself and whistled to Minny who obeyed her like a dog
»Ill be here next Thursday« she cried springing to the saddle »Goodbye
Quick Ellen«
And so we left him scarcely conscious of our departure so absorbed was he
in anticipating his fathers approach
Before we reached home Catherines displeasure softened into a perplexed
sensation of pity and regret largely blended with vague uneasy doubts about
Lintons actual circumstances physical and social in which I partook though I
counselled her not to say much for a second journey would make us better
judges
My master requested an account of our ongoings his nephews offering of
thanks was duly delivered Miss Cathy gently touching on the rest I also threw
little lights on his inquiries for I hardly knew what to hide and what to
reveal
Chapter XXVII
Seven days glided away every one marking its course by the henceforth rapid
alteration of Edgar Lintons state The havoc that months had previously
wrought was now emulated by the inroads of hours
Catherine we would fain have deluded yet but her own quick spirit refused
to delude her It divined in secret and brooded on the dreadful probability
gradually ripening into certainty
She had not the heart to mention her ride when Thursday came round I
mentioned it for her and obtained permission to order her out of doors for the
library where her father stopped a short time daily the brief period he could
bear to sit up and his chamber had become her whole world She grudged each
moment that did not find her bending over his pillow or seated by his side Her
countenance grew wan with watching and sorrow and my master gladly dismissed
her to what he flattered himself would be a happy change of scene and society
drawing comfort from the hope that she would not now be left entirely alone
after his death
He had a fixed idea I guessed by several observations he let fall that as
his nephew resembled him in person he would resemble him in mind for Lintons
letters bore few or no indications of his defective character And I through
pardonable weakness refrained from correcting the error asking myself what good
there would be in disturbing his last moments with information that he had
neither power nor opportunity to turn to account
We deferred our excursion till the afternoon a golden afternoon of August
every breath from the hills so full of life that it seemed whoever respired it
though dying might revive
Catherines face was just like the landscape shadows and sunshine flitting
over it in rapid succession but the shadows rested longer and the sunshine was
more transient and her poor little heart reproached itself for even that
passing forgetfulness of its cares
We discerned Linton watching at the same spot he had selected before My
young mistress alighted and told me that as she was resolved to stay a very
little while I had better hold the pony and remain on horseback but I
dissented I wouldnt risk losing sight of the charge committed to me a minute
so we climbed the slope of heath together
Master Heathcliff received us with greater animation on this occasion not
the animation of high spirits though nor yet of joy it looked more like fear
»It is late« he said speaking short and with difficulty »Is not your
father very ill I thought you wouldnt come«
»Why wont you be candid« cried Catherine swallowing her greeting »Why
cannot you say at once you dont want me It is strange Linton that for the
second time you have brought me here on purpose apparently to distress us
both and for no reason besides«
Linton shivered and glanced at her half supplicating half ashamed but
his cousins patience was not sufficient to endure this enigmatical behaviour
»My father is very ill« she said »and why am I called from his bedside
why didnt you send to absolve me from my promise when you wished I wouldnt
keep it Come I desire an explanation playing and trifling are completely
banished out of my mind and I cant dance attendance on your affectations
now«
»My affectations« he murmured »what are they For Heavens sake Catherine
dont look so angry Despise me as much as you please I am a worthless
cowardly wretch I cant be scorned enough but Im too mean for your anger
hate my father and spare me for contempt«
»Nonsense« cried Catherine in a passion »Foolish silly boy And there he
trembles as if I were really going to touch him You neednt bespeak contempt
Linton anybody will have it spontaneously at your service Get off I shall
return home it is folly dragging you from the hearthstone and pretending
what do we pretend Let go my frock if I pitied you for crying and looking so
very frightened you should spurn such pity Ellen tell him how disgraceful
this conduct is Rise and dont degrade yourself into an abject reptile
dont«
With streaming face and an expression of agony Linton had thrown his
nerveless frame along the ground he seemed convulsed with exquisite terror
»Oh« he sobbed »I cannot bear it Catherine Catherine Im a traitor too
and I dare not tell you But leave me and I shall be killed Dear Catherine my
life is in your hands and you have said you loved me and if you did it
wouldnt harm you Youll not go then kind sweet good Catherine And perhaps
you will consent and hell let me die with you«
My young lady on witnessing his intense anguish stooped to raise him The
old feeling of indulgent tenderness overcame her vexation and she grew
thoroughly moved and alarmed
»Consent to what« she asked »To stay Tell me the meaning of this strange
talk and I will You contradict your own words and distract me Be calm and
frank and confess at once all that weighs on your heart You wouldnt injure
me Linton would you You wouldnt let any enemy hurt me if you could prevent
it Ill believe you are a coward for yourself but not a cowardly betrayer of
your best friend«
»But my father threatened me« gasped the boy clasping his attenuated
fingers »and I dread him I dread him I dare not tell«
»Oh well« said Catherine with scornful compassion »keep your secret Im
no coward save yourself Im not afraid«
Her magnanimity provoked his tears he wept wildly kissing her supporting
hands and yet could not summon courage to speak out
I was cogitating what the mystery might be and determined Catherine should
never suffer to benefit him or anyone else by my good will When hearing a
rustle among the ling I looked up and saw Mr Heathcliff almost close upon us
descending the Heights He didnt cast a glance towards my companions though
they were sufficiently near for Lintons sobs to be audible but hailing me in
the almost hearty tone he assumed to none besides and the sincerity of which I
couldnt avoid doubting he said
»It is something to see you so near to my house Nelly How are you at the
Grange Let us hear The rumour goes« he added in a lower tone »that Edgar
Linton is on his deathbed perhaps they exaggerate his illness«
»No my master is dying« I replied »it is true enough A sad thing it will
be for us all but a blessing for him«
»How long will he last do you think« he asked
»I dont know« I said
»Because« he continued looking at the two young people who were fixed
under his eye Linton appeared as if he could not venture to stir or raise his
head and Catherine could not move on his account »Because that lad yonder
seems determined to beat me and Id thank his uncle to be quick and go before
him Hallo Has the whelp been playing that game long I did give him some
lessons about snivelling Is he pretty lively with Miss Linton generally«
»Lively no he has shown the greatest distress« I answered »To see him
I should say that instead of rambling with his sweetheart on the hills he
ought to be in bed under the hands of a doctor«
»He shall be in a day or two« muttered Heathcliff »But first get up
Linton Get up« he shouted »Dont grovel on the ground there up this
moment«
Linton had sunk prostrate again in another paroxysm of helpless fear caused
by his fathers glance towards him I suppose there was nothing else to produce
such humiliation He made several efforts to obey but his little strength was
annihilated for the time and he fell back again with a moan
Mr Heathcliff advanced and lifted him to lean against a ridge of turf
»Now« said he with curbed ferocity »Im getting angry and if you dont
command that paltry spirit of yours Damn you Get up directly«
»I will father« he panted »Only let me alone or I shall faint Ive
done as you wished Im sure Catherine will tell you that I that I have
been cheerful Ah keep by me Catherine give me your hand«
»Take mine« said his father »stand on your feet There now shell lend
you her arm thats right look at her You would imagine I was the devil
himself Miss Linton to excite such horror Be so kind as to walk home with
him will you He shudders if I touch him«
»Linton dear« whispered Catherine »I cant go to Wuthering Heights
papa has forbidden me Hell not harm you why are you so afraid«
»I can never reenter that house« he answered »I am not to reenter it
without you«
»Stop « cried his father »Well respect Catherines filial scruples
Nelly take him in and Ill follow your advice concerning the doctor without
delay«
»Youll do well« replied I »but I must remain with my mistress To mind
your son is not my business«
»You are very stiff« said Heathcliff »I know that but youll force me to
pinch the baby and make it scream before it moves your charity Come then my
hero Are you willing to return escorted by me«
He approached once more and made as if he would seize the fragile being
but shrinking back Linton clung to his cousin and implored her to accompany
him with a frantic importunity that admitted no denial
However I disapproved I couldnt hinder her indeed how could she have
refused him herself What was filling him with dread we had no means of
discerning but there he was powerless under its gripe and any addition seemed
capable of shocking him into idiocy
We reached the threshold Catherine walked in and I stood waiting till she
had conducted the invalid to a chair expecting her out immediately when Mr
Heathcliff pushing me forward exclaimed
»My house is not stricken with the plague Nelly and I have a mind to be
hospitable today sit down and allow me to shut the door«
He shut and locked it also I started
»You shall have tea before you go home« he added »I am by myself Hareton
is gone with some cattle to the Lees and Zillah and Joseph are off on a
journey of pleasure And though Im used to being alone Id rather have some
interesting company if I can get it Miss Linton take your seat by him I give
you what I have the present is hardly worth accepting but I have nothing else
to offer It is Linton I mean How she does stare Its odd what a savage
feeling I have to anything that seems afraid of me Had I been born where laws
are less strict and tastes less dainty I should treat myself to a slow
vivifisection of those two as an evenings amusement«
He drew in his breath struck the table and swore to himself
»By hell I hate them«
»Im not afraid of you« exclaimed Catherine who could not hear the latter
part of his speech
She stepped close up her black eyes flashing with passion and resolution
»Give me that key I will have it« she said »I wouldnt eat or drink
here if I were starving«
Heathcliff had the key in his hand that remained on the table He looked up
seized with a sort of surprise at her boldness or possibly reminded by her
voice and glance of the person from whom she inherited it
She snatched at the instrument and half succeeded in getting it out of his
loosened fingers but her action recalled him to the present he recovered it
speedily
»Now Catherine Linton« he said »stand off or I shall knock you down and
that will make Mrs Dean mad«
Regardless of this warning she captured his closed hand and its contents
again
»We will go« she repeated exerting her utmost efforts to cause the iron
muscles to relax and finding that her nails made no impression she applied her
teeth pretty sharply
Heathcliff glanced at me a glance that kept me from interfering a moment
Catherine was too intent on his fingers to notice his face He opened them
suddenly and resigned the object of dispute but ere she had well secured it
he seized her with the liberated hand and pulling her on his knee
administered with the other a shower of terrific slaps on both sides of the
head each sufficient to have fulfilled his threat had she been able to fall
At this diabolical violence I rushed on him furiously
»You villain« I began to cry »you villain«
A touch on the chest silenced me I am stout and soon put out of breath
and what with that and the rage I staggered dizzily back and felt ready to
suffocate or to burst a bloodvessel
The scene was over in two minutes Catherine released put her two hands to
her temples and looked just as if she were not sure whether her ears were off
or on She trembled like a reed poor thing and leant against the table
perfectly bewildered
»I know how to chastise children you see« said the scoundrel grimly as
he stooped to repossess himself of the key which had dropped to the floor »Go
to Linton now as I told you and cry at your ease I shall be your father
tomorrow all the father youll have in a few days and you shall have plenty
of that you can bear plenty youre no weakling you shall have a daily
taste if I catch such a devil of a temper in your eyes again«
Cathy ran to me instead of Linton and knelt down and put her burning cheek
on my lap weeping aloud Her cousin had shrunk into a corner of the settle as
quiet as a mouse congratulating himself I dare say that the correction had
lighted on another than him
Mr Heathcliff perceiving us all confounded rose and expeditiously made
the tea himself The cups and saucers were laid ready He poured it out and
handed me a cup
»Wash away your spleen« he said »And help your own naughty pet and mine
It is not poisoned though I prepared it Im going out to seek your horses«
Our first thought on his departure was to force an exit somewhere We
tried the kitchen door but that was fastened outside we looked at the windows
they were too narrow for even Cathys little figure
»Master Linton« I cried seeing we were regularly imprisoned »You know
what your diabolical father is after and you shall tell us or Ill box your
ears as he has done your cousins«
»Yes Linton you must tell« said Catherine »It was for your sake I came
and it will be wickedly ungrateful if you refuse«
»Give me some tea Im thirsty and then Ill tell you« he answered »Mrs
Dean go away I dont like you standing over me Now Catherine you are
letting your tears fall into my cup I wont drink that Give me another«
Catherine pushed another to him and wiped her face I felt disgusted at the
little wretchs composure since he was no longer in terror for himself The
anguish he had exhibited on the moor subsided as soon as ever he entered
Wuthering Heights so I guessed he had been menaced with an awful visitation of
wrath if he failed in decoying us there and that accomplished he had no
further immediate fears
»Papa wants us to be married« he continued after sipping some of the
liquid »And he knows your papa wouldnt let us marry now and hes afraid of my
dying if we wait so we are to be married in the morning and you are to stay
here all night and if you do as he wishes you shall return home next day and
take me with you«
»Take you with her pitiful changeling« I exclaimed »You marry Why the
man is mad or he thinks us fools every one And do you imagine that beautiful
young lady that healthy hearty girl will tie herself to a little perishing
monkey like you Are you cherishing the notion that anybody let alone Miss
Catherine Linton would have you for a husband You want whipping for bringing
us in here at all with your dastardly puling tricks and dont look so silly
now Ive a very good mind to shake you severely for your contemptible
treachery and your imbecile conceit«
I did give him a slight shaking but it brought on the cough and he took to
his ordinary resource of moaning and weeping and Catherine rebuked me
»Stay all night No« she said looking slowly round »Ellen Ill burn that
door down but Ill get out«
And she would have commenced the execution of her threat directly but
Linton was up in alarm for his dear self again He clasped her in his two
feeble arms sobbing
»Wont you have me and save me not let me come to the Grange Oh darling
Catherine you mustnt go and leave me after all You must obey my father you
must«
»I must obey my own« she replied »and relieve him from this cruel
suspense The whole night What would he think hell be distressed already
Ill either break or burn a way out of the house Be quiet Youre in no danger
but if you hinder me Linton I love papa better than you«
The mortal terror he felt of Mr Heathcliffs anger restored to the boy his
cowards eloquence Catherine was near distraught still she persisted that
she must go home and tried entreaty in her turn persuading him to subdue his
selfish agony
While they were thus occupied our jailer reentered
»Your beasts have trotted off« he said »and Now Linton snivelling
again What has she been doing to you Come come have done and get to bed
In a month or two my lad youll be able to pay her back her present tyrannies
with a vigorous hand youre pining for pure love are you not nothing else in
the world and she shall have you There to bed Zillah wont be here tonight
you must undress yourself Hush hold your noise Once in your own room Ill
not come near you you neednt fear By chance youve managed tolerably Ill
look to the rest«
He spoke these words holding the door open for his son to pass and the
latter achieved his exit exactly as a spaniel might which suspected the person
who attended on it of designing a spiteful squeeze
The lock was resecured Heathcliff approached the fire where my mistress
and I stood silent Catherine looked up and instinctively raised her hand to
her cheek his neighbourhood revived a painful sensation Anybody else would
have been incapable of regarding the childish act with sternness but he scowled
on her and muttered
»Oh you are not afraid of me Your courage is well disguised you seem
damnably afraid«
»I am afraid now« she replied »because if I stay papa will be miserable
and how can I endure making him miserable when he when he Mr Heathcliff
let me go home I promise to marry Linton papa would like me to and I love
him and why should you wish to force me to do what Ill willingly do of
myself«
»Let him dare to force you« I cried »Theres law in the land thank God
there is though we be in an outoftheway place Id inform if he were my own
son and its felony without benefit of clergy«
»Silence« said the ruffian »To the devil with your clamour I dont want
you to speak Miss Linton I shall enjoy myself remarkably in thinking your
father will be miserable I shall not sleep for satisfaction You could have hit
on no surer way of fixing your residence under my roof for the next twentyfour
hours than informing me that such an event would follow As to your promise to
marry Linton Ill take care you shall keep it for you shall not quit the place
till it is fulfilled«
»Send Ellen then to let papa know Im safe« exclaimed Catherine weeping
bitterly »Or marry me now Poor papa Ellen hell think were lost What shall
we do«
»Not he Hell think you are tired of waiting on him and run off for a
little amusement« answered Heathcliff »You cannot deny that you entered my
house of your own accord in contempt of his injunctions to the contrary And it
is quite natural that you should desire amusement at your age and that you
should weary of nursing a sick man and that man only your father Catherine
his happiest days were over when your days began He cursed you I dare say for
coming into the world I did at least And it would just do if he cursed you
as he went out of it Id join him I dont love you How should I Weep away
As far as I can see it will be your chief diversion hereafter unless Linton
make amends for other losses and your provident parent appears to fancy he may
His letters of advice and consolation entertained me vastly In his last he
recommended my jewel to be careful of his and kind to her when he got her
Careful and kind thats paternal But Linton requires his whole stock of care
and kindness for himself Linton can play the little tyrant well Hell
undertake to torture any number of cats if their teeth be drawn and their claws
pared Youll be able to tell his uncle fine tales of his kindness when you get
home again I assure you«
»Youre right there« I said »explain your sons character Show his
resemblance to yourself and then I hope Miss Cathy will think twice before
she takes the cockatrice«
»I dont much mind speaking of his amiable qualities now« he answered
»because she must either accept him or remain a prisoner and you along with
her till your master dies I can detain you both quite concealed here If you
doubt encourage her to retract her word and youll have an opportunity of
judging«
»Ill not retract my word« said Catherine »Ill marry him within this
hour if I may go to Thrushcross Grange afterwards Mr Heathcliff youre a
cruel man but youre not a fiend and you wont from mere malice destroy
irrevocably all my happiness If papa thought I had left him on purpose and
if he died before I returned could I bear to live Ive given over crying but
Im going to kneel here at your knee and Ill not get up and Ill not take my
eyes from your face till you look back at me No dont turn away do look
Youll see nothing to provoke you I dont hate you Im not angry that you
struck me Have you never loved anybody in all your life uncle never Ah you
must look once Im so wretched you cant help being sorry and pitying me«
»Keep your efts fingers off and move or Ill kick you« cried Heathcliff
brutally repulsing her »Id rather be hugged by a snake How the devil can you
dream of fawning on me I detest you«
He shrugged his shoulders shook himself indeed as if his flesh crept
with aversion and thrust back his chair while I got up and opened my mouth
to commence a downright torrent of abuse but I was rendered dumb in the middle
of the first sentence by a threat that I should be shown into a room by myself
the very next syllable I uttered
It was growing dark we heard a sound of voices at the garden gate Our
host hurried out instantly he had his wits about him we had not There was a
talk of two or three minutes and he returned alone
»I thought it had been your cousin Hareton« I observed to Catherine »I
wish he would arrive Who knows but he might take our part«
»It was three servants sent to seek you from the Grange« said Heathcliff
overhearing me »You should have opened a lattice and called out but I could
swear that chit is glad you didnt Shes glad to be obliged to stay Im
certain«
At learning the chance we had missed we both gave vent to our grief without
control and he allowed us to wail on till nine oclock then he bid us go up
stairs through the kitchen to Zillahs chamber and I whispered my companion
to obey perhaps we might contrive to get through the window there or into a
garret and out by its skylight
The window however was narrow like those below and the garret trap was
safe from our attempts for we were fastened in as before
We neither of us lay down Catherine took her station by the lattice and
watched anxiously for morning a deep sigh being the only answer I could obtain
to my frequent entreaties that she would try to rest
I seated myself in a chair and rocked to and fro passing harsh judgment
on my many derelictions of duty from which it struck me then all the
misfortunes of all my employers sprang It was not the case in reality I am
aware but it was in my imagination that dismal night and I thought
Heathcliff himself less guilty than I
At seven oclock he came and inquired if Miss Linton had risen
She ran to the door immediately and answered
»Yes«
»Here then« he said opening it and pulling her out
I rose to follow but he turned the lock again I demanded my release
»Be patient« he replied »Ill send up your breakfast in a while«
I thumped on the panels and rattled the latch angrily and Catherine asked
why I was still shut up He answered I must try to endure it another hour and
they went away
I endured it two or three hours at length I heard a footstep not
Heathcliffs
»Ive brought you something to eat« said a voice »oppen t door«
Complying eagerly I beheld Hareton laden with food enough to last me all
day
»Tak it« he added thrusting the tray into my hand
»Stay one minute« I began
»Nay« cried he and retired regardless of any prayers I could pour forth
to detain him
And there I remained enclosed the whole day and the whole of the next
night and another and another Five nights and four days I remained
altogether seeing nobody but Hareton once every morning and he was a model of
a jailer surly and dumb and deaf to every attempt at moving his sense of
justice or compassion
Chapter XXVIII
On the fifth morning or rather afternoon a different step approached lighter
and shorter and this time the person entered the room It was Zillah donned
in her scarlet shawl with a black silk bonnet on her head and a willow basket
swung to her arm
»Eh dear Mrs Dean« she exclaimed »Well there is a talk about you at
Gimmerton I never thought but you were sunk in the Blackhorse marsh and Missy
with you till master told me youd been found and hed lodged you here What
and you must have got on an island sure And how long were you in the hole Did
master save you Mrs Dean But youre not so thin youve not been so poorly
have you«
»Your master is a true scoundrel« I replied »But he shall answer for it
He neednt have raised that tale it shall all be laid bare«
»What do you mean« asked Zillah »Its not his tale they tell that in the
village about your being lost in the marsh and I calls to Earnshaw when I
come in «
»Eh theys queer things Mr Hareton happened since I went off Its a
sad pity of that likely young lass and cant Nelly Dean«
»He stared I thought he had not heard aught so I told him the rumour
The master listened and he just smiled to himself and said
If they have been in the marsh they are out now Zillah Nelly Dean is
lodged at this minute in your room You can tell her to flit when you go up
here is the key The bogwater got into her head and she would have run home
quite flighty but I fixed her till she came round to her senses You can bid
her go to the Grange at once if she be able and carry a message from me that
her young lady will follow in time to attend the squires funeral«
»Mr Edgar is not dead« I gasped »Oh Zillah Zillah«
»No no sit you down my good mistress« she replied »youre right sickly
yet Hes not dead Dr Kenneth thinks he may last another day I met him on the
road and asked«
Instead of sitting down I snatched my outdoor things and hastened below
for the way was free
On entering the house I looked about for some one to give information of
Catherine
The place was filled with sunshine and the door stood wide open but nobody
seemed at hand
As I hesitated whether to go off at once or return and seek my mistress a
slight cough drew my attention to the hearth
Linton lay on the settle sole tenant sucking a stick of sugarcandy and
pursuing my movements with apathetic eyes
»Where is Miss Catherine« I demanded sternly supposing I could frighten
him into giving intelligence by catching him thus alone
He sucked on like an innocent
»Is she gone« I said
»No« he replied »shes up stairs shes not to go we wont let her«
»You wont let her little idiot« I exclaimed »Direct me to her room
immediately or Ill make you sing out sharply«
»Papa would make you sing out if you attempted to get there« he answered
»He says Im not to be soft with Catherine shes my wife and its shameful
that she should wish to leave me He says she hates me and wants me to die
that she may have my money but she shant have it and she shant go home she
never shall she may cry and be sick as much as she pleases«
He resumed his former occupation closing his lids as if he meant to drop
asleep
»Master Heathcliff« I resumed »have you forgotten all Catherines kindness
to you last winter when you affirmed you loved her and when she brought you
books and sung you songs and came many a time through wind and snow to see
you She wept to miss one evening because you would be disappointed and you
felt then that she was a hundred times too good to you and now you believe the
lies your father tells though you know he detests you both And you join him
against her Thats fine gratitude is it not«
The corner of Lintons mouth fell and he took the sugarcandy from his
lips
»Did she come to Wuthering Heights because she hated you« I continued
»Think for yourself As to your money she does not even know that you will have
any And you say shes sick and yet you leave her alone up there in a strange
house You who have felt what it is to be so neglected You could pity your own
sufferings and she pitied them too but you wont pity hers I shed tears
Master Heathcliff you see an elderly woman and a servant merely and you
after pretending such affection and having reason to worship her almost store
every tear you have for yourself and lie there quite at ease Ah youre a
heartless selfish boy«
»I cant stay with her« he answered crossly »Ill not stay by myself She
cries so I cant bear it And she wont give over though I say Ill call my
father I did call him once and he threatened to strangle her if she was not
quiet but she began again the instant he left the room moaning and grieving
all night long though I screamed for vexation that I couldnt sleep«
»Is Mr Heathcliff out« I inquired perceiving that the wretched creature
had no power to sympathise with his cousins mental tortures
»Hes in the court« he replied »talking to Doctor Kenneth who says uncle
is dying truly at last Im glad for I shall be master of the Grange after
him and Catherine always spoke of it as her house It isnt hers Its mine
papa says everything she has is mine All her nice books are mine she offered
to give me them and her pretty birds and her pony Minny if I would get the
key of our room and let her out but I told her she had nothing to give they
were all all mine And then she cried and took a little picture from her neck
and said I should have that two pictures in a gold case on one side her
mother and on the other uncle when they were young That was yesterday I
said they were mine too and tried to get them from her The spiteful thing
wouldnt let me she pushed me off and hurt me I shrieked out that frightens
her she heard papa coming and she broke the hinges and divided the case and
gave me her mothers portrait the other she attempted to hide but papa asked
what was the matter and I explained it He took the one I had away and ordered
her to resign hers to me she refused and he he struck her down and wrenched
it off the chain and crushed it with his foot«
»And you were pleased to see her struck« I asked having my designs in
encouraging his talk
»I winked« he answered »I wink to see my father strike a dog or a horse
he does it so hard yet I was glad at first she deserved punishing for
pushing me but when papa was gone she made me come to the window and showed me
her cheek cut on the inside against her teeth and her mouth filling with
blood and then she gathered up the bits of the picture and went and sat down
with her face to the wall and she has never spoken to me since and I sometimes
think she cant speak for pain I dont like to think so but shes a naughty
thing for crying continually and she looks so pale and wild Im afraid of
her«
»And you can get the key if you choose« I said
»Yes when I am upstairs« he answered »but I cant walk upstairs now«
»In what apartment is it« I asked
»Oh« he cried »I shant tell you where it is It is our secret Nobody
neither Hareton nor Zillah are to know There youve tired me go away go
away« And he turned his face onto his arm and shut his eyes again
I considered it best to depart without seeing Mr Heathcliff and bring a
rescue for my young lady from the Grange
On reaching it the astonishment of my fellow servants to see me and their
joy also was intense and when they heard that their little mistress was safe
two or three were about to hurry up and shout the news at Mr Edgars door but
I bespoke the announcement of it myself
How changed I found him even in those few days He lay an image of sadness
and resignation waiting his death Very young he looked though his actual age
was thirtynine one would have called him ten years younger at least He
thought of Catherine for he murmured her name I touched his hand and spoke
»Catherine is coming dear master« I whispered »she is alive and well
and will be here I hope tonight«
I trembled at the first effects of this intelligence he half rose up
looked eagerly round the apartment and then sunk back in a swoon
As soon as he recovered I related our compulsory visit and detention at
the Heights I said Heathcliff forced me to go in which was not quite true I
uttered as little as possible against Linton nor did I describe all his
fathers brutal conduct my intentions being to add no bitterness if I could
help it to his already overflowing cup
He divined that one of his enemys purposes was to secure the personal
property as well as the estate to his son or rather himself yet why he did
not wait till his decease was a puzzle to my master because ignorant how
nearly he and his nephew would quit the world together
However he felt that his will had better be altered instead of leaving
Catherines fortune at her own disposal he determined to put it in the hands of
trustees for her use during life and for her children if she had any after
her By that means it could not fall to Mr Heathcliff should Linton die
Having received his orders I despatched a man to fetch the attorney and
four more provided with serviceable weapons to demand my young lady of her
jailer Both parties were delayed very late The single servant returned first
He said Mr Green the lawyer was out when he arrived at his house and he
had to wait two hours for his reentrance and then Mr Green told him he had a
little business in the village that must be done but he would be at
Thrushcross Grange before morning
The four men came back unaccompanied also They brought word that Catherine
was ill too ill to quit her room and Heathcliff would not suffer them to see
her
I scolded the stupid fellows well for listening to that tale which I would
not carry to my master resolving to take a whole bevy up to the Heights at
daylight and storm it literally unless the prisoner were quietly surrendered
to us
Her father shall see her I vowed and vowed again if that devil be killed
on his own doorstones in trying to prevent it
Happily I was spared the journey and the trouble
I had gone downstairs at three oclock to fetch a jug of water and was
passing through the hall with it in my hand when a sharp knock at the front
door made me jump
»Oh it is Green I said recollecting myself only Green« and I went on
intending to send someone else to open it but the knock was repeated not loud
and still importunately
I put the jug on the bannister and hastened to admit him myself
The harvest moon shone clear outside It was not the attorney My own sweet
little mistress sprung on my neck sobbing
»Ellen Ellen is papa alive«
»Yes« I cried »yes my angel he is God be thanked you are safe with us
again«
She wanted to run breathless as she was upstairs to Mr Lintons room
but I compelled her to sit down on a chair and made her drink and washed her
paleface chafing it into a faint colour with my apron Then I said I must go
first and tell of her arrival imploring her to say she should be happy with
young Heathcliff She stared but soon comprehended why I counselled her to
utter the falsehood she assured me she would not complain
I couldnt abide to be present at their meeting I stood outside the
chamberdoor a quarter of an hour and hardly ventured near the bed then
All was composed however Catherines despair was as silent as her fathers
joy She supported him calmly in appearance and he fixed on her features his
raised eyes that seemed dilating with ecstasy
He died blissfully Mr Lockwood he died so kissing her cheek he
murmured
»I am going to her and you darling child shall come to us« and never
stirred or spoke again but continued that rapt radiant gaze till his pulse
imperceptibly stopped and his soul departed None could have noticed the exact
minute of his death it was so entirely without a struggle
Whether Catherine had spent her tears or whether the grief were too weighty
to let them flow she sat there dryeyed till the sun rose she sat till noon
and would still have remained brooding over that deathbed but I insisted on
her coming away and taking some repose
It was well I succeeded in removing her for at dinnertime appeared the
lawyer having called at Wuthering Heights to get his instructions how to
behave He had sold himself to Mr Heathcliff and that was the cause of his
delay in obeying my masters summons Fortunately no thought of worldly affairs
crossed the latters mind to disturb him after his daughters arrival
Mr Green took upon himself to order everything and everybody about the
place He gave all the servants but me notice to quit He would have carried
his delegated authority to the point of insisting that Edgar Linton should not
be buried beside his wife but in the chapel with his family There was the
will however to hinder that and my loud protestations against any infringement
of its directions
The funeral was hurried over Catherine Mrs Linton Heathcliff now was
suffered to stay at the Grange till her fathers corpse had quitted it
She told me that her anguish had at last spurred Linton to incur the risk of
liberating her She heard the men I sent disputing at the door and she
gathered the sense of Heathcliffs answer It drove her desperate Linton who
had been conveyed up to the little parlour soon after I left was terrified into
fetching the key before his father reascended
He had the cunning to unlock and relock the door without shutting it and
when he should have gone to bed he begged to sleep with Hareton and his
petition was granted for once
Catherine stole out before break of day She dare not try the doors lest
the dogs should raise an alarm she visited the empty chambers and examined
their windows and luckily lighting on her mothers she got easily out of its
lattice and onto the ground by means of the fir tree close by Her accomplice
suffered for his share in the escape notwithstanding his timid contrivances
Chapter XXIX
The evening after the funeral my young lady and I were seated in the library
now musing mournfully one of us despairingly on our loss now venturing
conjectures as to the gloomy future
We had just agreed the best destiny which could await Catherine would be a
permission to continue resident at the Grange at least during Lintons life
he being allowed to join her there and I to remain as housekeeper That seemed
rather too favourable an arrangement to be hoped for and yet I did hope and
began to cheer up under the prospect of retaining my home and my employment
and above all my beloved young mistress when a servant one of the discarded
ones not yet departed rushed hastily in and said »that devil Heathcliff«
was coming through the court should he fasten the door in his face
If we had been mad enough to order that proceeding we had not time He made
no ceremony of knocking or announcing his name he was master and availed
himself of the masters privilege to walk straight in without saying a word
The sound of our informants voice directed him to the library he entered
and motioning him out shut the door
It was the same room into which he had been ushered as a guest eighteen
years before the same moon shone through the window and the same autumn
landscape lay outside We had not yet lighted a candle but all the apartment
was visible even to the portraits on the wall the splendid head of Mrs
Linton and the graceful one of her husband
Heathcliff advanced to the hearth Time had little altered his person
either There was the same man his dark face rather sallower and more
composed his frame a stone or two heavier perhaps and no other difference
Catherine had risen with an impulse to dash out when she saw him
»Stop« he said arresting her by the arm »No more runnings away Where
would you go Im come to fetch you home and I hope youll be a dutiful
daughter and not encourage my son to further disobedience I was embarrassed
how to punish him when I discovered his part in the business hes such a
cobweb a pinch would annihilate him but youll see by his look that he has
received his due I brought him down one evening the day before yesterday and
just set him in a chair and never touched him afterwards I sent Hareton out
and we had the room to ourselves In two hours I called Joseph to carry him up
again and since then my presence is as potent on his nerves as a ghost and
I fancy he sees me often though I am not near Hareton says he wakes and
shrieks in the night by the hour together and calls you to protect him from me
and whether you like your precious mate or not you must come hes your
concern now I yield all my interest in him to you«
»Why not let Catherine continue here« I pleaded »and send Master Linton to
her As you hate them both youd not miss them they can only be a daily
plague to your unnatural heart«
»Im seeking a tenant for the Grange« he answered »and I want my children
about me to be sure besides that lass owes me her services for her bread Im
not going to nurture her in luxury and idleness after Linton is gone Make haste
and get ready now And dont oblige me to compel you«
»I shall« said Catherine »Linton is all I have to love in the world and
though you have done what you could to make him hateful to me and me to him
you cannot make us hate each other and I defy you to hurt him when I am by and
I defy you to frighten me«
»You are a boastful champion« replied Heathcliff »but I dont like you
well enough to hurt him you shall get the full benefit of the torment as long
as it lasts It is not I who will make him hateful to you it is his own sweet
spirit Hes as bitter as gall at your desertion and its consequences dont
expect thanks for this noble devotion I heard him draw a pleasant picture to
Zillah of what he would do if he were as strong as I the inclination is
there and his very weakness will sharpen his wits to find a substitute for
strength«
»I know he has a bad nature« said Catherine »hes your son But Im glad
Ive a better to forgive it and I know he loves me and for that reason I love
him Mr Heathcliff you have nobody to love you and however miserable you
make us we shall still have the revenge of thinking that your cruelty rises
from your greater misery You are miserable are you not Lonely like the
devil and envious like him Nobody loves you nobody will cry for you when
you die I wouldnt be you«
Catherine spoke with a kind of dreary triumph she seemed to have made up
her mind to enter into the spirit of her future family and draw pleasure from
the griefs of her enemies
»You shall be sorry to be yourself presently« said her fatherinlaw »if
you stand there another minute Begone witch and get your things«
She scornfully withdrew
In her absence I began to beg for Zillahs place at the Heights offering
to resign her mine but he would suffer it on no account He bid me be silent
and then for the first time allowed himself a glance round the room and a
look at the pictures Having studied Mrs Linton he said
»I shall have that at home Not because I need it but «
He turned abruptly to the fire and continued with what for lack of a
better word I must call a smile
»Ill tell you what I did yesterday I got the sexton who was digging
Lintons grave to remove the earth off her coffin lid and I opened it I
thought once I would have stayed there when I saw her face again it is hers
yet he had hard work to stir me but he said it would change if the air blew
on it and so I struck one side of the coffin loose and covered it up not
Lintons side damn him I wish hed been soldered in lead and I bribed the
sexton to pull it away when Im laid there and slide mine out too Ill have
it made so and then by the time Linton gets to us hell not know which is
which«
»You were very wicked Mr Heathcliff« I exclaimed »were you not ashamed
to disturb the dead«
»I disturbed nobody Nelly« he replied »and I gave some ease to myself I
shall be a great deal more comfortable now and youll have a better chance of
keeping me underground when I get there Disturbed her No she has disturbed
me night and day through eighteen years incessantly remorselessly till
yesternight and yesternight I was tranquil I dreamt I was sleeping the last
sleep by that sleeper with my heart stopped and my cheek frozen against
hers«
»And if she had been dissolved into earth or worse what would you have
dreamt of then« I said
»Of dissolving with her and being more happy still« he answered »Do you
suppose I dread any change of that sort I expected such a transformation on
raising the lid but Im better pleased that it should not commence till I share
it Besides unless I had received a distinct impression of her passionless
features that strange feeling would hardly have been removed It began oddly
You know I was wild after she died and eternally from dawn to dawn praying
her to return to me her spirit I have a strong faith in ghosts I have a
conviction that they can and do exist among us
The day she was buried there came a fall of snow In the evening I went to
the churchyard It blew bleak as winter all round was solitary I didnt fear
that her fool of a husband would wander up the den so late and no one else had
business to bring them there
Being alone and conscious two yards of loose earth was the sole barrier
between us I said to myself
Ill have her in my arms again If she be cold Ill think it is this north
wind that chills me and if she be motionless it is sleep
I got a spade from the toolhouse and began to delve with all my might it
scraped the coffin I fell to work with my hands the wood commenced cracking
about the screws I was on the point of attaining my object when it seemed that
I heard a sigh from some one above close at the edge of the grave and bending
down If I can only get this off I muttered I wish they may shovel in the
earth over us both and I wrenched at it more desperately still There was
another sigh close at my ear I appeared to feel the warm breath of it
displacing the sleetladen wind I knew no living thing in flesh and blood was
by but as certainly as you perceive the approach to some substantial body in
the dark though it cannot be discerned so certainly I felt that Cathy was
there not under me but on the earth
A sudden sense of relief flowed from my heart through every limb I
relinquished my labour of agony and turned consoled at once unspeakably
consoled Her presence was with me it remained while I refilled the grave and
led me home You may laugh if you will but I was sure I should see her there
I was sure she was with me and I could not help talking to her
Having reached the Heights I rushed eagerly to the door It was fastened
and I remember that accursed Earnshaw and my wife opposed my entrance I
remember stopping to kick the breath out of him and then hurrying up stairs to
my room and hers I looked round impatiently I felt her by me I could
almost see her and yet I could not I ought to have sweat blood then from the
anguish of my yearning from the fervour of my supplications to have but one
glimpse I had not one She showed herself as she often was in life a devil to
me And since then sometimes more and sometimes less Ive been the sport of
that intolerable torture Infernal keeping my nerves at such a stretch that
if they had not resembled catgut they would long ago have relaxed to the
feebleness of Lintons
When I sat in the house with Hareton it seemed that on going out I should
meet her when I walked on the moors I should meet her coming in When I went
from home I hastened to return she must be somewhere at the Heights I was
certain And when I slept in her chamber I was beaten out of that I couldnt
lie there for the moment I closed my eyes she was either outside the window
or sliding back the panels or entering the room or even resting her darling
head on the same pillow as she did when a child And I must open my lids to see
And so I opened and closed them a hundred times anight to be always
disappointed It racked me Ive often groaned aloud till that old rascal
Joseph no doubt believed that my conscience was playing the fiend inside of me
Now since Ive seen her Im pacified a little It was a strange way of
killing not by inches but by fractions of hairbreadths to beguile me with
the spectre of a hope through eighteen years«
Mr Heathcliff paused and wiped his forehead his hair clung to it wet
with perspiration his eyes were fixed on the red embers of the fire the brows
not contracted but raised next the temples diminishing the grim aspect of his
countenance but imparting a peculiar look of trouble and a painful appearance
of mental tension towards one absorbing subject He only half addressed me and
I maintained silence I didnt like to hear him talk
After a short period he resumed his meditation on the picture took it
down and leant it against the sofa to contemplate it at better advantage and
while so occupied Catherine entered announcing that she was ready when her
pony should be saddled
»Send that over tomorrow« said Heathcliff to me then turning to her he
added »You may do without your pony it is a fine evening and youll need no
ponies at Wuthering Heights for what journies you take your own feet will
serve you Come along«
»Goodbye Ellen« whispered my dear little mistress As she kissed me her
lips felt like ice »Come and see me Ellen dont forget«
»Take care you do no such thing Mrs Dean« said her new father »When I
wish to speak to you Ill come here I want none of your prying at my house«
He signed her to precede him and casting back a look that cut my heart she
obeyed
I watched them from the window walk down the garden Heathcliff fixed
Catherines arm under his though she disputed the act at first evidently and
with rapid strides he hurried her into the alley whose trees concealed them
Chapter XXX
I have paid a visit to the Heights but I have not seen her since she left
Joseph held the door in his hand when I called to ask after her and wouldnt
let me pass He said Mrs Linton was thrang and the master was not in Zillah
has told me something of the way they go on otherwise I should hardly know who
was dead and who living
She thinks Catherine haughty and does not like her I can guess by her
talk My young lady asked some aid of her when she first came but Mr
Heathcliff told her to follow her own business and let his daughterinlaw look
after herself and Zillah willingly acquiesced being a narrowminded selfish
woman Catherine evinced a childs annoyance at this neglect repaid it with
contempt and thus enlisted my informant among her enemies as securely as if
she had done her some great wrong
I had a long talk with Zillah about six weeks ago a little before you
came one day when we foregathered on the moor and this is what she told me
»The first thing Mrs Linton did« she said »on her arrival at the Heights
was to run upstairs without even wishing goodevening to me and Joseph she shut
herself into Lintons room and remained till morning then while the master
and Earnshaw were at breakfast she entered the house and asked all in a quiver
if the doctor might be sent for her cousin was very ill«
»We know that« answered Heathcliff »but his life is not worth a farthing
and I wont spend a farthing on him«
»But I cannot tell how to do« she said »and if nobody will help me hell
die«
»Walk out of the room« cried the master »and let me never hear a word more
about him None here care what becomes of him if you do act the nurse if you
do not lock him up and leave him«
Then she began to bother me and I said Id had enough plague with the
tiresome thing we each had our tasks and hers was to wait on Linton Mr
Heathcliff bid me leave that labour to her
How they managed together I cant tell I fancy he fretted a great deal
and moaned hisseln night and day and she had precious little rest one could
guess by her white face and heavy eyes she sometimes came into the kitchen
all wildered like and looked as if she would fain beg assistance but I was not
going to disobey the master I never dare disobey him Mrs Dean and though I
thought it wrong that Kenneth should not be sent for it was no concern of mine
either to advise or complain and I always refused to meddle
Once or twice after we had gone to bed Ive happened to open my door
again and seen her sitting crying on the stairs top and then Ive shut
myself in quick for fear of being moved to interfere I did pity her then Im
sure still I didnt wish to lose my place you know
At last one night she came boldly into my chamber and frightened me out of
my wits by saying
»Tell Mr Heathcliff that his son is dying Im sure he is this time
Get up instantly and tell him«
Having uttered this speech she vanished again I lay a quarter of an hour
listening and trembling Nothing stirred the house was quiet
»Shes mistaken I said to myself Hes got over it I neednt disturb
them« And I began to dose But my sleep was marred a second time by a sharp
ringing of the bell the only bell we have put up on purpose for Linton and
the master called to me to see what was the matter and inform them that he
wouldnt have that noise repeated
I delivered Catherines message He cursed to himself and in a few minutes
came out with a lighted candle and proceeded to their room I followed Mrs
Heathcliff was seated by the bedside with her hands folded on her knees Her
fatherinlaw went up held the light to Lintons face looked at him and
touched him afterwards he turned to her
»Now Catherine he said how do you feel
She was dumb
How do you feel Catherine he repeated
Hes safe and Im free she answered I should feel well but she
continued with a bitterness she couldnt conceal You have left me so long to
struggle against death alone that I feel and see only death I feel like
death
And she looked like it too I gave her a little wine Hareton and Joseph
who had been wakened by the ringing and the sound of feet and heard our talk
from outside now entered Joseph was fain I believe of the lads removal
Hareton seemed a thought bothered though he was more taken up with staring at
Catherine than thinking of Linton But the master bid him get off to bed again
we didnt want his help He afterwards made Joseph remove the body to his
chamber and told me to return to mine and Mrs Heathcliff remained by herself
In the morning he sent me to tell her she must come down to breakfast she
had undressed and appeared going to sleep and said she was ill at which I
hardly wondered I informed Mr Heathcliff and he replied
Well let her be till after the funeral and go up now and then to get her
what is needful and as soon as she seems better tell me«
Cathy stayed upstairs a fortnight according to Zillah who visited her
twice aday and would have been rather more friendly but her attempts at
increasing kindness were proudly and promptly repelled
Heathcliff went up once to show her Lintons will He had bequeathed the
whole of his and what had been her moveable property to his father The poor
creature was threatened or coaxed into that act during her weeks absence
when his uncle died The lands being a minor he could not meddle with However
Mr Heathcliff has claimed and kept them in his wifes right and his also I
suppose legally at any rate Catherine destitute of cash and friends cannot
disturb his possession
»Nobody« said Zillah »ever approached her door except that once but I
and nobody asked anything about her The first occasion of her coming down
into the house was on a Sunday afternoon
She had cried out when I carried up her dinner that she couldnt bear any
longer being in the cold and I told her the master was going to Thrushcross
Grange and Earnshaw and I neednt hinder her from descending so as soon as
she heard Heathcliffs horse trot off she made her appearance donned in black
and her yellow curls combed back behind her ears as plain as a quaker she
couldnt comb them out«
»Joseph and I generally go to chapel on Sundays the Kirk you know has
no minister now explained Mrs Dean and they call the Methodists or
Baptists place I cant say which it is, at Gimmerton a chapel« »Joseph had
gone« she continued »but I thought proper to bide at home Young folks are
always the better for an elders overlooking and Hareton with all his
bashfulness isnt a model of nice behaviour I let him know that his cousin
would very likely sit with us and she had been always used to see the Sabbath
respected so he had as good leave his guns and bits of indoor work alone
while she stayed
He coloured up at the news and cast his eyes over his hands and clothes
The trainoil and gunpowder were shoved out of sight in a minute I saw he
meant to give her his company and I guessed by his way he wanted to be
presentable so laughing as I durst not laugh when the master is by I offered
to help him if he would and joked at his confusion He grew sullen and began
to swear
Now Mrs Dean« she went on seeing me not pleased by her manner »you
happen think your young lady too fine for Mr Hareton and happen youre right
but I own I should love well to bring her pride a peg lower And what will all
her learning and her daintiness do for her now Shes as poor as you or I
poorer Ill be bound youre saving and Im doing my little all that road«
Hareton allowed Zillah to give him her aid and she flattered him into a
good humour so when Catherine came half forgetting her former insults he
tried to make himself agreeable by the housekeepers account
»Missis walked in« she said »as chill as an icicle and as high as a
princess I got up and offered her my seat in the armchair No she turned up
her nose at my civility Earnshaw rose too and bid her come to the settle and
sit close by the fire he was sure she was starved
Ive been starved a month and more she answered resting on the word as
scornful as she could
And she got a chair for herself and placed it at a distance from both of
us
Having sat till she was warm she began to look round and discovered a
number of books in the dresser she was instantly upon her feet again
stretching to reach them but they were too high up
Her cousin after watching her endeavours a while at last summoned courage
to help her she held her frock and he filled it with the first that came to
hand
That was a great advance for the lad she didnt thank him still he felt
gratified that she had accepted his assistance and ventured to stand behind as
she examined them and even to stoop and point out what struck his fancy in
certain old pictures which they contained nor was he daunted by the saucy
style in which she jerked the page from his finger he contented himself with
going a bit farther back and looking at her instead of the book
She continued reading or seeking for something to read His attention
became by degrees quite centred in the study of her thick silky curls her
face he couldnt see and she couldnt see him And perhaps not quite awake to
what he did but attracted like a child to a candle at last he proceeded from
staring to touching he put out his hand and stroked one curl as gently as if
it were a bird He might have stuck a knife into her neck she started round in
such a taking
Get away this moment How dare you touch me Why are you stopping there
she cried in a tone of disgust I cant endure you Ill go up stairs again
if you come near me
Mr Hareton recoiled looking as foolish as he could do he sat down in the
settle very quiet and she continued turning over her volumes another half
hour finally Earnshaw crossed over and whispered to me
Will you ask her to read to us Zillah Im stalled of doing naught and I
do like I could like to hear her dunnot say I wanted it but ask of yourseln
Mr Hareton wishes you would read to us maam I said immediately Hed
take it very kind hed be much obliged
She frowned and looking up answered
Mr Hareton and the whole set of you will be good enough to understand that
I reject any pretence at kindness you have the hypocrisy to offer I despise
you and will have nothing to say to any of you When I would have given my life
for one kind word even to see one of your faces you all kept off But I wont
complain to you Im driven down here by the cold not either to amuse you or
enjoy your society
What could I ha done began Earnshaw How was I to blame
Oh you are an exception answered Mrs Heathcliff I never missed such a
concern as you
But I offered more than once and asked he said kindling up at her
pertness I asked Mr Heathcliff to let me wake for you
Be silent Ill go out of doors or anywhere rather than have your
disagreeable voice in my ear said my lady
Hareton muttered she might go to hell for him and unslinging his gun
restrained himself from his Sunday occupations no longer
He talked now freely enough and she presently saw fit to retreat to her
solitude but the frost had set in and in spite of her pride she was forced
to condescend to our company more and more However I took care there should
be no further scorning at my good nature ever since Ive been as stiff as
herself and she has no lover or liker among us and she does not deserve one
for let them say the least word to her and shell curl back without respect
of any one Shell snap at the master himself and as good as dares him to
thrash her and the more hurt she gets the more venomous she grows«
At first on hearing this account from Zillah I determined to leave my
situation take a cottage and get Catherine to come and live with me but Mr
Heathcliff would as soon permit that as he would set up Hareton in an
independent house and I can see no remedy at present unless she could marry
again and that scheme it does not come within my province to arrange
Thus ended Mrs Deans story Notwithstanding the doctors prophecy I am
rapidly recovering strength and though it be only the second week in January
I propose getting out on horseback in a day or two and riding over to
Wuthering Heights to inform my landlord that I shall spend the next six months
in London and if he likes he may look out for another tenant to take the
place after October I would not pass another winter here for much
Chapter XXXI
Yesterday was bright calm and frosty I went to the Heights as I proposed my
housekeeper entreated me to bear a little note from her to her young lady and I
did not refuse for the worthy woman was not conscious of anything odd in her
request
The front door stood open but the jealous gate was fastened as at my last
visit I knocked and invoked Earnshaw from among the garden beds he unchained
it and I entered The fellow is as handsome a rustic as need be seen I took
particular notice of him this time but then he does his best apparently to
make the least of his advantages
I asked if Mr Heathcliff were at home He answered no but he would be in
at dinnertime It was eleven oclock and I announced my intention of going in
and waiting for him at which he immediately flung down his tools and
accompanied me in the office of watchdog not as a substitute for the host
We entered together Catherine was there making herself useful in preparing
some vegetables for the approaching meal she looked more sulky and less
spirited than when I had seen her first She hardly raised her eyes to notice
me and continued her employment with the same disregard to common forms of
politeness as before never returning my bow and good morning by the slightest
acknowledgment
»She does not seem so amiable« I thought »as Mrs Dean would persuade me
to believe Shes a beauty it is true but not an angel«
Earnshaw surlily bid her remove her things to the kitchen
»Remove them yourself« she said pushing them from her as soon as she had
done and retiring to a stool by the window where she began to carve figures of
birds and beasts out of the turnip parings in her lap
I approached her pretending to desire a view of the garden and as I
fancied adroitly dropped Mrs Deans note onto her knee unnoticed by Hareton
but she asked aloud
»What is that« And chucked it off
»A letter from your old acquaintance the housekeeper at the Grange« I
answered annoyed at her exposing my kind deed and fearful lest it should be
imagined a missive of my own
She would gladly have gathered it up at this information but Hareton beat
her he seized and put it in his waistcoat saying Mr Heathcliff should look
at it first
Thereat Catherine silently turned her face from us and very stealthily
drew out her pockethandkerchief and applied it to her eyes and her cousin
after struggling a while to keep down his softer feelings pulled out the letter
and flung it on the floor beside her as ungraciously as he could
Catherine caught and perused it eagerly then she put a few questions to me
concerning the inmates rational and irrational of her former home and gazing
towards the hills murmured in soliloquy
»I should like to be riding Minny down there I should like to be climbing
up there Oh Im tired Im stalled Hareton«
And she leant her pretty head back against the sill with half a yawn and
half a sigh and lapsed into an aspect of abstracted sadness neither caring
nor knowing whether we remarked her
»Mrs Heathcliff« I said after sitting some time mute »you are not aware
that I am an acquaintance of yours so intimate that I think it strange you
wont come and speak to me My housekeeper never wearies of talking about and
praising you and shell be greatly disappointed if I return with no news of or
from you except that you received her letter and said nothing«
She appeared to wonder at this speech and asked
»Does Ellen like you«
»Yes very well« I replied unhesitatingly
»You must tell her« she continued »that I would answer her letter but I
have no materials for writing not even a book from which I might tear a leaf«
»No books« I exclaimed »How do you contrive to live here without them If
I may take the liberty to enquire Though provided with a large library Im
frequently very dull at the Grange take my books away and I should be
desperate«
»I was always reading when I had them« said Catherine »and Mr Heathcliff
never reads so he took it into his head to destroy my books I have not had a
glimpse of one for weeks Only once I searched through Josephs store of
theology to his great irritation and once Hareton I came upon a secret stock
in your room some Latin and Greek and some tales and poetry all old
friends I brought the last here and you gathered them as a magpie gathers
silver spoons for the mere love of stealing They are of no use to you or
else you concealed them in the bad spirit that as you cannot enjoy them nobody
else shall Perhaps your envy counselled Mr Heathcliff to rob me of my
treasures But Ive most of them written on my brain and printed in my heart
and you cannot deprive me of those«
Earnshaw blushed crimson when his cousin made this revelation of his
private literary accumulations and stammered an indignant denial of her
accusations
»Mr Hareton is desirous of increasing his amount of knowledge« I said
coming to the rescue »He is not envious but emulous of your attainments Hell
be a clever scholar in a few years«
»And he wants me to sink into a dunce meantime« answered Catherine »Yes
I hear him trying to spell and read to himself and pretty blunders he makes I
wish you would repeat Chevy Chase as you did yesterday It was extremely
funny I heard you and I heard you turning over the dictionary to seek out
the hard words and then cursing because you couldnt read their explanations«
The young man evidently thought it too bad that he should be laughed at for
his ignorance and then laughed at for trying to remove it I had a similar
notion and remembering Mrs Deans anecdote of his first attempt at
enlightening the darkness in which he had been reared I observed
»But Mrs Heathcliff we have each had a commencement and each stumbled
and tottered on the threshold and had our teachers scorned instead of aiding
us we should stumble and totter yet«
»Oh« she replied »I dont wish to limit his acquirements still he has
no right to appropriate what is mine and make it ridiculous to me with his vile
mistakes and mispronunciations Those books both prose and verse were
consecrated to me by other associations and I hate to have them debased and
profaned in his mouth Besides of all he has selected my favourite pieces that
I love the most to repeat as if out of deliberate malice«
Haretons chest heaved in silence a minute he laboured under a severe sense
of mortification and wrath which it was no easy task to suppress
I rose and from a gentlemanly idea of relieving his embarrassment took up
my station in the doorway surveying the external prospect as I stood
He followed my example and left the room but presently reappeared
bearing halfadozen volumes in his hands which he threw into Catherines lap
exclaiming
»Take them I never want to hear or read or think of them again«
»I wont have them now« she answered »I shall connect them with you and
hate them«
She opened one that had obviously been often turned over and read a portion
in the drawling tone of a beginner then laughed and threw it from her
»And listen« she continued provokingly commencing a verse of an old ballad
in the same fashion
But his selflove would endure no further torment I heard and not
altogether disapprovingly a manual check given to her saucy tongue The little
wretch had done her utmost to hurt her cousins sensitive though uncultivated
feelings and a physical argument was the only mode he had of balancing the
account and repaying its effects on the inflicter
He afterwards gathered the books and hurled them on the fire I read in his
countenance what anguish it was to offer that sacrifice to spleen I fancied
that as they consumed he recalled the pleasure they had already imparted and
the triumph and ever increasing pleasure he had anticipated from them and I
fancied I guessed the incitement to his secret studies also He had been
content with daily labour and rough animal enjoyments till Catherine crossed
his path Shame at her scorn and hope of her approval were his first prompters
to higher pursuits and instead of guarding him from one and winning him the
other his endeavours to raise himself produced just the contrary result
»Yes thats all the good such a brute as you can get from them« cried
Catherine sucking her damaged lip and watching the conflagration with
indignant eyes
»Youd better hold your tongue now« he answered fiercely
And his agitation precluding further speech he advanced hastily to the
entrance where I made way for him to pass But ere he had crossed the door
Mr Heathcliff coming up the causeway encountered him and laying hold of his
shoulder asked
»Whats to do now my lad«
»Naught naught« he said and broke away to enjoy his grief and anger in
solitude
Heathcliff gazed after him and sighed
»It will be odd if I thwart myself« he muttered unconscious that I was
behind him »But when I look for his father in his face I find her every day
more How the devil is he so like I can hardly bear to see him«
He bent his eyes to the ground and walked moodily in There was a restless
anxious expression in his countenance I had never remarked there before and he
looked sparer in person
His daughterinlaw on perceiving him through the window immediately
escaped to the kitchen so that I remained alone
»Im glad to see you out of doors again Mr Lockwood« he said in reply to
my greeting »from selfish motives partly I dont think I could readily supply
your loss in this desolation Ive wondered more than once what brought you
here«
»An idle whim I fear sir« was my answer »or else an idle whim is going
to spirit me away I shall set out for London next week and I must give you
warning that I feel no disposition to retain Thrushcross Grange beyond the
twelvemonths I agreed to rent it I believe I shall not live there any more«
»Oh indeed youre tired of being banished from the world are you« he
said »But if you be coming to plead off paying for a place you wont occupy
your journey is useless I never relent in exacting my due from any one«
»Im coming to plead off nothing about it« I exclaimed considerably
irritated »Should you wish it Ill settle with you now« and I drew my
notebook from my pocket
»No no« he replied coolly »youll leave sufficient behind to cover your
debts if you fail to return Im not in such a hurry sit down and take
your dinner with us a guest that is safe from repeating his visit can
generally be made welcome Catherine bring the things in where are you«
Catherine reappeared bearing a tray of knives and forks
»You may get your dinner with Joseph« muttered Heathcliff aside »and
remain in the kitchen till he is gone«
She obeyed his directions very punctually perhaps she had no temptation to
transgress Living among clowns and misanthropists she probably cannot
appreciate a better class of people when she meets them
With Mr Heathcliff grim and saturnine on the one hand and Hareton
absolutely dumb on the other I made a somewhat cheerless meal and bid adieu
early I would have departed by the back way to get a last glimpse of
Catherine and annoy old Joseph but Hareton received orders to lead up my
horse and my host himself escorted me to the door so I could not fulfil my
wish
»How dreary life gets over in that house« I reflected while riding down
the road »What a realization of something more romantic than a fairy tale it
would have been for Mrs Linton Heathcliff had she and I struck up an
attachment as her good nurse desired and migrated together into the stirring
atmosphere of the town«
Chapter XXXII
1802 This September I was invited to devastate the moors of a friend in the
North and on my journey to his abode I unexpectedly came within fifteen miles
of Gimmerton The hostler at a roadside publichouse was holding a pail of
water to refresh my horses when a cart of very green oats newly reaped passed
by and he remarked
»Yons frough Gimmerton nah Theyre alias three wick after other folk wi
ther harvest«
»Gimmerton« I repeated my residence in that locality had already grown dim
and dreamy »Ah I know How far is it from this«
»Happen fourteen mile oer th hills and a rough road« he answered
A sudden impulse seized me to visit Thrushcross Grange It was scarcely
noon and I conceived that I might as well pass the night under my own roof as
in an inn Besides I could spare a day easily to arrange matters with my
landlord and thus save myself the trouble of invading the neighbourhood again
Having rested a while I directed my servant to inquire the way to the
village and with great fatigue to our beasts we managed the distance in some
three hours
I left him there and proceeded down the valley alone The grey church
looked greyer and the lonely churchyard lonelier I distinguished a moor sheep
cropping the short turf on the graves It was sweet warm weather too warm for
travelling but the heat did not hinder me from enjoying the delightful scenery
above and below had I seen it nearer August Im sure it would have tempted me
to waste a month among its solitudes In winter nothing more dreary in summer
nothing more divine than those glens shut in by hills and those bluff bold
swells of heath
I reached the Grange before sunset and knocked for admittance but the
family had retreated into the back premises I judged by one thin blue wreath
curling from the kitchen chimney and they did not hear
I rode into the court Under the porch a girl of nine or ten sat knitting
and an old woman reclined on the horsesteps smoking a meditative pipe
»Is Mrs Dean within« I demanded of the dame
»Mistress Dean Nay« she answered »shoo doesnt bide here shoos up at
th Heights«
»Are you the housekeeper then« I continued
»Eea Aw keep th hause« she replied
»Well Im Mr Lockwood the master Are there any rooms to lodge me in I
wonder I wish to stay here all night«
»T maister« she cried in astonishment »Whet whoiver knew yah wur coming
Yah sud ha send word Theys nowt norther dry nor mensful abaht t place
nowt there is nt«
She threw down her pipe and bustled in the girl followed and I entered
too soon perceiving that her report was true and moreover that I had almost
upset her wits by my unwelcome apparition
I bid her be composed I would go out for a walk and meantime she must
try to prepare a corner of a sittingroom for me to sup in and a bedroom to
sleep in No sweeping and dusting only good fires and dry sheets were
necessary
She seemed willing to do her best though she thrust the hearthbrush into
the grates in mistake for the poker and malappropriated several other articles
of her craft but I retired confiding in her energy for a restingplace against
my return
Wuthering Heights was the goal of my proposed excursion An afterthought
brought me back when I had quitted the court
»All well at the Heights« I inquired of the woman
»Eea fr owt Ee knaw« she answered skurrying away with a pan of hot
cinders
I would have asked why Mrs Dean had deserted the Grange but it was
impossible to delay her at such a crisis so I turned away and made my exit
rambling leisurely along with the glow of a sinking sun behind and the mild
glory of a rising moon in front one fading and the other brightening as I
quitted the park and climbed the stony byroad branching off to Mr
Heathcliffs dwelling
Before I arrived in sight of it all that remained of day was a beamless
amber light along the west but I could see every pebble on the path and every
blade of grass by that splendid moon
I had neither to climb the gate nor to knock it yielded to my hand
That is an improvement I thought And I noticed another by the aid of my
nostrils a fragrance of stocks and wall flowers wafted on the air from
amongst the homely fruit trees
Both doors and lattices were open and yet as is usually the case in a
coal district a fine red fire illumined the chimney the comfort which the eye
derives from it renders the extra heat endurable But the house of Wuthering
Heights is so large that the inmates have plenty of space for withdrawing out
of its influence and accordingly what inmates there were had stationed
themselves not far from one of the windows I could both see them and hear them
talk before I entered and looked and listened in consequence being moved
thereto by a mingled sense of curiosity and envy that grew as I lingered
»Contrary« said a voice as sweet as a silver bell »That for the third
time you dunce Im not going to tell you again Recollect or Ill pull your
hair«
»Contrary then« answered another in deep but softened tones »And now
kiss me for minding so well«
»No read it over first correctly without a single mistake«
The male speaker began to read he was a young man respectably dressed
and seated at a table having a book before him His handsome features glowed
with pleasure and his eyes kept impatiently wandering from the page to a small
white hand over his shoulder which recalled him by a smart slap on the cheek
whenever its owner detected such signs of inattention
Its owner stood behind her light shining ringlets blending at intervals
with his brown locks as she bent to superintend his studies and her face it
was lucky he could not see her face or he would never have been so steady I
could and I bit my lip in spite at having thrown away the chance I might have
had of doing something else besides staring at its smiting beauty
The task was done not free from further blunders but the pupil claimed a
reward and received at least five kisses which however he generously
returned Then they came to the door and from their conversation I judged
they were about to issue out and have a walk on the moors I supposed I should
be condemned in Hareton Earnshaws heart if not by his mouth to the lowest pit
in the infernal regions if I showed my unfortunate person in his neighbourhood
then and feeling very mean and malignant I skulked round to seek refuge in the
kitchen
There was unobstructed admittance on that side also and at the door sat
my old friend Nelly Dean sewing and singing a song which was often
interrupted from within by harsh words of scorn and intolerance uttered in far
from musical accents
»Awd rayther by th haulf hev em swearing i my lugs frough morn tuh
neeght nur hearken yah hahsiver« said the tenant of the kitchen in answer to
an unheard speech of Nellys »Its a blazing shaime ut Aw cannut oppen t
Blessed Book bud yah set up them glories tuh sattan un all t flaysome
wickednesses ut iver wer born intuh t warld Oh yahre a raight nowt un
shoos another un that poor lad ull be lost atween ye Poor lad« he added
with a groan »hes witched Awm sartin ont O Lord judge em fur theys
norther law nur justice amang wer rullers«
»No or we should be sitting in flaming fagots I suppose« retorted the
singer »But wisht old man and read your Bible like a christian and never
mind me This is Fairy Annies Wedding a bonny tune it goes to a dance«
Mrs Dean was about to recommence when I advanced and recognizing me
directly she jumped to her feet crying
»Why bless you Mr Lockwood How could you think of returning in this way
Alls shut up at Thrushcross Grange You should have given us notice«
»Ive arranged to be accommodated there for as long as I shall stay« I
answered »I depart again tomorrow And how are you transplanted here Mrs
Dean tell me that«
»Zillah left and Mr Heathcliff wished me to come soon after you went to
London and stay till you returned But step in pray Have you walked from
Gimmerton this evening«
»From the Grange« I replied »and while they make me lodging room there I
want to finish my business with your master because I dont think of having
another opportunity in a hurry«
»What business sir« said Nelly conducting me into the house »Hes gone
out at present and wont return soon«
»About the rent« I answered
»Oh then it is with Mrs Heathcliff you must settle« she observed »or
rather with me She has not learnt to manage her affairs yet and I act for her
theres nobody else«
I looked surprised
»Ah you have not heard of Heathcliffs death I see« she continued
»Heathcliff dead« I exclaimed astonished »How long ago«
»Three months since but sit down and let me take your hat and Ill tell
you all about it Stop you have had nothing to eat have you«
»I want nothing I have ordered supper at home You sit down too I never
dreamt of his dying Let me hear how it came to pass You say you dont expect
them back for some time the young people«
»No I have to scold them every evening for their late rambles but they
dont care for me At least have a drink of our old ale it will do you good
you seem weary«
She hastened to fetch it before I could refuse and I heard Joseph asking
whether »it warnt a crying scandal that she should have fellies at her time of
life And then to get them jocks out uh t Maisters cellar He fair shaamed to
bide still and see it«
She did not stay to retaliate but reentered in a minute bearing a
reaming silver pint whose contents I lauded with becoming earnestness And
afterwards she furnished me with the sequel of Heathcliffs history He had a
queer end as she expressed it
I was summoned to Wuthering Heights within a fortnight of your leaving us she
said and I obeyed joyfully for Catherines sake
My first interview with her grieved and shocked me she had altered so much
since our separation Mr Heathcliff did not explain his reasons for taking a
new mind about my coming here he only told me he wanted me and he was tired of
seeing Catherine I must make the little parlour my sitting room and keep her
with me It was enough if he were obliged to see her once or twice a day
She seemed pleased at this arrangement and by degrees I smuggled over a
great number of books and other articles that had formed her amusement at the
Grange and flattered myself we should get on in tolerable comfort
The delusion did not last long Catherine contented at first in a brief
space grew irritable and restless For one thing she was forbidden to move out
of the garden and it fretted her sadly to be confined to its narrow bounds as
Spring drew on for another in following the house I was forced to quit her
frequently and she complained of loneliness she preferred quarrelling with
Joseph in the kitchen to sitting at peace in her solitude
I did not mind their skirmishes but Hareton was often obliged to seek the
kitchen also when the master wanted to have the house to himself and though
in the beginning she either left it at his approach or quietly joined in my
occupations and shunned remarking or addressing him and though he was always
as sullen and silent as possible after a while she changed her behaviour
and became incapable of letting him alone Talking at him commenting on his
stupidity and idleness expressing her wonder how he could endure the life he
lived how he could sit a whole evening staring into the fire and dozing
»Hes just like a dog is he not Ellen« she once observed »or a
carthorse He does his work eats his food and sleeps eternally What a
blank dreary mind he must have Do you ever dream Hareton And if you do
what is it about But you cant speak to me«
Then she looked at him but he would neither open his mouth nor look again
»Hes perhaps dreaming now« she continued »He twitched his shoulder as
Juno twitches hers Ask him Ellen«
»Mr Hareton will ask the master to send you up stairs if you dont
behave« I said He had not only twitched his shoulder but clenched his fist
as if tempted to use it
»I know why Hareton never speaks when I am in the kitchen« she exclaimed
on another occasion »He is afriad I shall laugh at him Ellen what do you
think He began to teach himself to read once and because I laughed he burned
his books and dropped it was he not a fool«
»Were not you naughty« I said »answer me that«
»Perhaps I was« she went on »but I did not expect him to be so silly
Hareton if I gave you a book would you take it now Ill try«
She placed one she had been perusing on his hand he flung it off and
muttered if she did not give over he would break her neck
»Well I shall put it here« she said »in the table drawer and Im going
to bed«
Then she whispered me to watch whether he touched it and departed But he
would not come near it and so I informed her in the morning to her great
disappointment I saw she was sorry for his persevering sulkiness and indolence
her conscience reproved her for frightening him off improving himself she
had done it effectually
But her ingenuity was at work to remedy the injury while I ironed or
pursued other stationary employments I could not well do in the parlour she
would bring some pleasant volume and read it aloud to me When Hareton was
there she generally paused in an interesting part and left the book lying
about that she did repeatedly but he was as obstinate as a mule and instead
of snatching at her bait in wet weather he took to smoking with Joseph and
they sat like automatons one on each side of the fire the elder happily too
deaf to understand her wicked nonsense as he would have called it the younger
doing his best to seem to disregard it On fine evenings the latter followed his
shooting expeditions and Catherine yawned and sighed and teased me to talk to
her and ran off into the court or garden the moment I began and as a last
resource cried and said she was tired of living her life was useless
Mr Heathcliff who grew more and more disinclined to society had almost
banished Earnshaw out of his apartment Owing to an accident at the
commencement of March he became for some days a fixture in the kitchen His gun
burst while out on the hills by himself a splinter cut his arm and he lost a
good deal of blood before he could reach home The consequence was that
perforce he was condemned to the fireside and tranquillity till he made it up
again
It suited Catherine to have him there at any rate it made her hate her
room up stairs more than ever and she would compel me to find out business
below that she might accompany me
On Easter Monday Joseph went to Gimmerton fair with some cattle and in
the afternoon I was busy getting up linen in the kitchen Earnshaw sat morose
as usual at the chimney corner and my little mistress was beguiling an idle
hour with drawing pictures on the window panes varying her amusement by
smothered bursts of songs and whispered ejaculations and quick glances of
annoyance and impatience in the direction of her cousin who steadfastly smoked
and looked into the grate
At a notice that I could do with her no longer intercepting my light she
removed to the hearthstone I bestowed little attention on her proceedings but
presently I heard her begin
»Ive found out Hareton that I want that Im glad that I should like
you to be my cousin now if you had not grown so cross to me and so rough«
Hareton returned no answer
»Hareton Hareton Hareton do you hear« she continued
»Get off wi ye« he growled with uncompromising gruffness
»Let me take that pipe« she said cautiously advancing her hand and
abstracting it from his mouth
Before he could attempt to recover it it was broken and behind the fire
He swore at her and seized another
»Stop« she cried »you must listen to me first and I cant speak while
those clouds are floating in my face«
»Will you go to the devil« he exclaimed ferociously »and let me be«
»No« she persisted »I wont I cant tell what to do to make you talk to
me and you are determined not to understand When I call you stupid I dont
mean anything I dont mean that I despise you Come you shall take notice of
me Hareton you are my cousin and you shall own me«
»I shall have naught to do wi you and your mucky pride and your damned
mocking tricks« he answered »Ill go to hell body and soul before I look
sideways after you again Side out of t gait now this minute«
Catherine frowned and retreated to the windowseat chewing her lip and
endeavouring by humming an eccentric tune to conceal a growing tendency to
sob
»You should be friends with your cousin Mr Hareton« I interrupted »since
she repents of her sauciness it would do you a great deal of good it would
make you another man to have her for a companion«
»A companion« he cried »when she hates me and does not think me fit to
wipe her shoon Nay if it made me a king Id not be scorned for seeking her
goodwill any more«
»It is not I who hate you it is you who hate me« wept Cathy no longer
disguising her trouble »You hate me as much as Mr Heathcliff does and more«
»You are a damned liar« began Earnshaw »why have I made him angry by
taking your part then a hundred times and that when you sneered at and
despised me and Go on plaguing me and Ill step in yonder and say you
worried me out of the kitchen«
»I didnt know you took my part« she answered drying her eyes »and I was
miserable and bitter at every body but now I thank you and beg you to forgive
me what can I do besides«
She returned to the hearth and frankly extended her hand
He blackened and scowled like a thunder cloud and kept his fists
resolutely clenched and his gaze fixed on the ground
Catherine by instinct must have divined it was obdurate perversity and
not dislike that prompted this dogged conduct for after remaining an instant
undecided she stooped and impressed on his cheek a gentle kiss
The little rogue thought I had not seen her and drawing back she took her
former station by the window quite demurely
I shook my head reprovingly and then she blushed and whispered
»Well what should I have done Ellen He wouldnt shake hands and he
wouldnt look I must show him some way that I like him that I want to be
friends«
Whether the kiss convinced Hareton I cannot tell he was very careful for
some minutes that his face should not be seen and when he did raise it he was
sadly puzzled where to turn his eyes
Catherine employed herself in wrapping a handsome book neatly in white
paper and having tied it with a bit of ribband and addressed it to Mr Hareton
Earnshaw she desired me to be her ambassadress and convey the present to its
destined recipient
»And tell him if hell take it Ill come and teach him to read it right«
she said and »if he refuse it Ill go upstairs and never tease him again«
I carried it and repeated the message anxiously watched by my employer
Hareton would not open his fingers so I laid it on his knee He did not strike
it off either I returned to my work Catherine leaned her head and arms on the
table till she heard the slight rustle of the covering being removed then she
stole away and quietly seated herself beside her cousin He trembled and his
face glowed all his rudeness and all his surly harshness had deserted him
he could not summon courage at first to utter a syllable in reply to her
questioning look and her murmured petition
»Say you forgive me Hareton do You can make me so happy by speaking that
little word«
He muttered something inaudible
»And youll be my friend« added Catherine interrogatively
»Nay youll be ashamed of me every day of your life« he answered »And the
more the more you know me and I cannot bide it«
»So you wont be my friend« she said smiling as sweet as honey and
creeping close up
I overheard no further distinguishable talk but on looking round again I
perceived two such radiant countenances bent over the page of the accepted book
that I did not doubt the treaty had been ratified on both sides and the
enemies were thenceforth sworn allies
The work they studied was full of costly pictures and those and their
position had charm enough to keep them unmoved till Joseph came home He poor
man was perfectly aghast at the spectacle of Catherine seated on the same bench
with Hareton Earnshaw leaning her hand on his shoulder and confounded at his
favourites endurance of her proximity It affected him too deeply to allow an
observation on the subject that night His emotion was only revealed by the
immense sighs he drew as he solemnly spread his large bible on the table and
overlaid it with dirty banknotes from his pocketbook the produce of the days
transactions At length he summoned Hareton from his seat
»Tak these in tuh t maister lad« he said »un bide theare Aws gang up
tuh my awn rahm This hoiles norther mensful nor seemly fur us we mun side
aht and seearch another«
»Come Catherine« I said »we must side out too Ive done my ironing
are you ready to go«
»It is not eight oclock« she answered rising unwillingly »Hareton Ill
leave this book on the chimneypiece and Ill bring some more tomorrow«
»Ony books ut yah leave Aw shall tak intuh th hahse« said Joseph »un
it ull be mitch if yah find em agean soa yah muh plase yourseln«
Cathy threatened that his library should pay for hers and smiling as she
passed Hareton went singing up stairs lighter of heart I venture to say than
ever she had been under that roof before except perhaps during her earliest
visits to Linton
The intimacy thus commenced grew rapidly though it encountered temporary
interruptions Earnshaw was not to be civilized with a wish and my young lady
was no philosopher and no paragon of patience but both their minds tending to
the same point one loving and desiring to esteem and the other loving and
desiring to be esteemed they contrived in the end to reach it
You see Mr Lockwood it was easy enough to win Mrs Heathcliffs heart
but now Im glad you did not try the crown of all my wishes will be the union
of those two I shall envy no one on their weddingday there wont be a
happier woman than myself in England
Chapter XXXIII
On the morrow of that Monday Earnshaw being still unable to follow his ordinary
employments and therefore remaining about the house I speedily found it
would be impracticable to retain my charge beside me as heretofore
She got downstairs before me and out into the garden where she had seen her
cousin performing some easy work and when I went to bid them come to breakfast
I saw she had persuaded him to clear a large space of ground from currant and
gooseberry bushes and they were busy planning together an importation of plants
from the Grange
I was terrified at the devastation which had been accomplished in a brief
half hour the black currant trees were the apple of Josephs eye and she had
just fixed her choice of a flower bed in the midst of them
»There That will be all shewn to the master« I exclaimed »the minute it
is discovered And what excuse have you to offer for taking such liberties with
the garden We shall have a fine explosion on the head of it see if we dont
Mr Hareton I wonder you should have no more wit than to go and make that mess
at her bidding«
»Id forgotten they were Josephs« answered Earnshaw rather puzzled »but
Ill tell him I did it«
We always ate our meals with Mr Heathcliff I held the mistresss post in
making tea and carving so I was indispensable at table Catherine usually sat
by me but today she stole nearer to Hareton and I presently saw she would
have no more discretion in her friendship than she had in her hostility
»Now mind you dont talk with and notice your cousin too much« were my
whispered instructions as we entered the room »It will certainly annoy Mr
Heathcliff and hell be mad at you both«
»Im not going to« she answered
The minute after she had sidled to him and was sticking primroses in his
plate of porridge
He dared not speak to her there he dared hardly look and yet she went on
teasing till he was twice on the point of being provoked to laugh and I
frowned and then she glanced towards the master whose mind was occupied on
other subjects than his company as his countenance evinced and she grew
serious for an instant scrutinizing him with deep gravity Afterwards she
turned and recommenced her nonsense at last Hareton uttered a smothered
laugh
Mr Heathcliff started his eye rapidly surveyed our faces Catherine met it
with her accustomed look of nervousness and yet defiance which he abhorred
»It is well you are out of my reach« he exclaimed »What fiend possesses
you to stare back at me continually with those infernal eyes Down with them
and dont remind me of your existence again I thought I had cured you of
laughing«
»It was me« muttered Hareton
»What do you say« demanded the master
Hareton looked at his plate and did not repeat the confession
Mr Heathcliff looked at him a bit and then silently resumed his breakfast
and his interrupted musing
We had nearly finished and the two young people prudently shifted wider
asunder so I anticipated no further disturbance during that sitting when
Joseph appeared at the door revealing by his quivering lip and furious eyes
that the outrage committed on his precious shrubs was detected
He must have seen Cathy and her cousin about the spot before he examined
it for while his jaws worked like those of a cow chewing its cud and rendered
his speech difficult to understand he began
»Aw mun hev my wage and Aw mun goa Aw hed aimed tuh dee wheare Awd
sarved fur sixty year un Aw thowt Awd lug my books up intuh t garret un
all my bits uh stuff un they sud hev t kitchen tuh theirseln fur t sake uh
quietness It wur hard tuh gie up my awn hearthstun bud Aw thowt Aw could do
that Bud nah shoos taan my garden frough me un by th heart Maister Aw
cannot stand it Yah muh bend tuh th yoak an ye will Aw noan used to t and
an owd man doesnt sooin get used tuh new barthens Awd rayther arn my bite
an my sup wi a hammer in th road«
»Now now idiot« interrupted Heathcliff »cut it short Whats your
grievance Ill interfere in no quarrels between you and Nelly She may thrust
you into the coalhole for anything I care«
»Its noan Nelly« answered Joseph »Aw sudnt shift fur Nelly Nasty ill
nowt as shoo is Thank God shoo cannot stale t sowl uh nobdy Shoo wer niver
soa handsome bud whet a body mud look at her baht winking Its yon flaysome
graceless quean uts witched ahr lad wi her bold een un her forrard ways
till Nay it fair brusts my heart Hes forgetten all E done for him un made
on him un goan un riven up a whole row ut t grandest currant trees i t
garden« And here he lamented outright unmanned by a sense of his bitter
injuries and Earnshaws ingratitude and dangerous condition
»Is the fool drunk« asked Mr Heathcliff »Hareton is it you hes finding
fault with«
»Ive pulled up two or three bushes« replied the young man »but Im going
to set em again«
»And why have you pulled them up« said the master
Catherine wisely put in her tongue
»We wanted to plant some flowers there« she cried »Im the only person to
blame for I wished him to do it«
»And who the devil gave you leave to touch a stick about the place«
demanded her fatherinlaw much surprised »And who ordered you to obey her«
he added turning to Hareton
The latter was speechless his cousin replied
»You shouldnt grudge a few yards of earth for me to ornament when you
have taken all my land«
»Your land insolent slut You never had any« said Heathcliff
»And my money« she continued returning his angry glare and meantime
biting a piece of crust the remnant of her breakfast
»Silence« he exclaimed »Get done and begone«
»And Haretons land and his money« pursued the reckless thing »Hareton
and I are friends now and I shall tell him all about you«
The master seemed confounded a moment he grew pale and rose up eyeing her
all the while with an expression of mortal hate
»If you strike me Hareton will strike you« she said »so you may as well
sit down«
»If Hareton does not turn you out of the room Ill strike him to Hell«
thundered Heathcliff »Damnable witch dare you pretend to rouse him against me
Off with her Do you hear Fling her into the kitchen Ill kill her Ellen
Dean if you let her come into my sight again«
Hareton tried under his breath to persuade her to go
»Drag her away« he cried savagely »Are you staying to talk« And he
approached to execute his own command
»Hell not obey you wicked man any more« said Catherine »and hell soon
detest you as much as I do«
»Wisht wisht« muttered the young man reproachfully »I will not hear you
speak so to him Have done«
»But you wont let him strike me« she cried
»Come then« he whispered earnestly
It was too late Heathcliff had caught hold of her
»Now you go« he said to Earnshaw »Accursed witch this time she has
provoked me when I could not bear it and Ill make her repent it for ever«
He had his hand in her hair Hareton attempted to release the locks
entreating him not to hurt her that once His black eyes flashed he seemed
ready to tear Catherine in pieces and I was just worked up to risk coming to
the rescue when of a sudden his fingers relaxed he shifted his grasp from her
head to her arm and gazed intently in her face Then he drew his hand over
his eyes stood a moment to collect himself apparently and turning anew to
Catherine said with assumed calmness
»You must learn to avoid putting me in a passion or I shall really murder
you sometime go with Mrs Dean and keep with her and confine your insolence
to her ears As to Hareton Earnshaw if I see him listen to you Ill send him
seeking his bread where he can get it your love will make him an outcast and a
beggar Nelly take her and leave me all of you Leave me«
I led my young lady out she was too glad of her escape to resist the
other followed and Mr Heathcliff had the room to himself till dinner
I had counselled Catherine to get hers upstairs but as soon as he
perceived her vacant seat he sent me to call her He spoke to none of us eat
very little and went out directly afterwards intimating that he should not
return before evening
The two new friends established themselves in the house during his absence
where I heard Hareton sternly check his cousin on her offering a revelation of
her fatherinlaws conduct to his father
He said he wouldnt suffer a word to be uttered to him in his
disparagement if he were the devil it didnt signify he would stand by him
and hed rather she would abuse himself as she used to than begin on Mr
Heathcliff
Catherine was waxing cross at this but he found means to make her hold her
tongue by asking how she would like him to speak ill of her father and then
she comprehended that Earnshaw took the masters reputation home to himself and
was attached by ties stronger than reason could break chains forged by habit
which it would be cruel to attempt to loosen
She showed a good heart thenceforth in avoiding both complaints and
expressions of antipathy concerning Heathcliff and confessed to me her sorrow
that she had endeavoured to raise a bad spirit between him and Hareton indeed
I dont believe she has ever breathed a syllable in the latters hearing
against her oppressor since
When this slight disagreement was over they were thick again and as busy
as possible in their several occupations of pupil and teacher I came in to
sit with them after I had done my work and I felt so soothed and comforted to
watch them that I did not notice how time got on You know they both appeared
in a measure my children I had long been proud of one and now I was sure
the other would be a source of equal satisfaction His honest warm and
intelligent nature shook off rapidly the clouds of ignorance and degradation in
which it had been bred and Catherines sincere commendations acted as a spurto
his industry His brightening mind brightened his features and added spirit and
nobility to their aspect I could hardly fancy it the same individual I had
beheld on the day I discovered my little lady at Wuthering Heights after her
expedition to the Crags
While I admired and they laboured dusk drew on and with it returned the
master He came upon us quite unexpectedly entering by the front way and had a
full view of the whole three ere we could raise our heads to glance at him
Well I reflected there never was a pleasanter or more harmless sight and
it will be a burning shame to scold them The red firelight glowed on their two
bonny heads and revealed their faces animated with the eager interest of
children for though he was twentythree and she eighteen each had so much of
novelty to feel and learn that neither experienced nor evinced the sentiments
of sober disenchanted maturity
They lifted their eyes together to encounter Mr Heathcliff perhaps you
have never remarked that their eyes are precisely similar and they are those of
Catherine Earnshaw The present Catherine has no other likeness to her except a
breadth of forehead and a certain arch of the nostril that makes her appear
rather haughty whether she will or not With Hareton the resemblance is
carried farther it is singular at all times then it was particularly
striking because his senses were alert and his mental faculties wakened to
unwonted activity
I suppose this resemblance disarmed Mr Heathcliff he walked to the hearth
in evident agitation but it quickly subsided as he looked at the young man
or I should say altered its character for it was there yet
He took the book from his hand and glanced at the open page then returned
it without any observation merely signing Catherine away her companion
lingered very little behind her and I was about to depart also but he bid me
sit still
»It is a poor conclusion is it not« he observed having brooded a while on
the scene he had just witnessed »An absurd termination to my violent exertions
I get levers and mattocks to demolish the two houses and train myself to be
capable of working like Hercules and when everything is ready and in my power
I find the will to lift a slate off either roof has vanished My old enemies
have not beaten me now would be the precise time to revenge myself on their
representatives I could do it and none could hinder me But where is the
use I dont care for striking I cant take the trouble to raise my hand That
sounds as if I had been labouring the whole time only to exhibit a fine trait
of magnanimity It is far from being the case I have lost the faculty of
enjoying their destruction and I am too idle to destroy for nothing
Nelly there is a strange change approaching Im in its shadow at present
I take so little interest in my daily life that I hardly remember to eat and
drink Those two who have left the room are the only objects which retain a
distinct material appearance to me and that appearance causes me pain
amounting to agony About her I wont speak and I dont desire to think but I
earnestly wish she were invisible her presence invokes only maddening
sensations He moves me differently and yet if I could do it without seeming
insane Id never see him again Youll perhaps think me rather inclined to
become so« he added making an effort to smile »if I try to describe the
thousand forms of past associations and ideas he awakens or embodies But
youll not talk of what I tell you and my mind is so eternally secluded in
itself, it is tempting at last to turn it out to another«
»Five minutes ago Hareton seemed a personification of my youth not a human
being I felt to him in such a variety of ways that it would have been
impossible to have accosted him rationally
In the first place his startling likeness to Catherine connected him
fearfully with her That however which you may suppose the most potent to
arrest my imagination is actually the least for what is not connected with
her to me and what does not recall her I cannot look down to this floor but
her features are shaped in the flags In every cloud in every tree filling
the air at night and caught by glimpses in every object by day I am surrounded
with her image The most ordinary faces of men and women my own features mock
me with a resemblance The entire world is a dreadful collection of memoranda
that she did exist and that I have lost her
Well Haretons aspect was the ghost of my immortal love of my wild
endeavours to hold my right my degradation my pride my happiness and my
anguish
But it is frenzy to repeat these thoughts to you only it will let you know
why with a reluctance to be always alone his society is no benefit rather an
aggravation of the constant torment I suffer and it partly contributes to
render me regardless how he and his cousin go on together I can give them no
attention any more«
»But what do you mean by a change Mr Heathcliff« I said alarmed at his
manner though he was neither in danger of losing his senses nor dying
according to my judgment he was quite strong and healthy and as to his reason
from childhood he had a delight in dwelling on dark things and entertaining
odd fancies he might have had a monomania on the subject of his departed idol
but on every other point his wits were as sound as mine
»I shall not know that till it comes« he said »Im only half conscious of
it now«
»You have no feeling of illness have you« I asked
»No Nelly I have not« he answered
»Then you are not afraid of death« I pursued
»Afraid No« he replied »I have neither a fear nor a presentiment nor a
hope of death Why should I With my hard constitution and temperate mode of
living and unperilous occupations I ought to and probably shall remain above
ground till there is scarcely a black hair on my head And yet I cannot
continue in this condition I have to remind myself to breathe almost to
remind my heart to beat And it is like bending back a stiff spring it is by
compulsion that I do the slightest act not prompted by one thought and by
compulsion that I notice anything alive or dead which is not associated with
one universal idea I have a single wish and my whole being and faculties
are yearning to attain it They have yearned towards it so long and so
unwaveringly that Im convinced it will be reached and soon because it has
devoured my existence I am swallowed in the anticipation of its fulfilment
My confessions have not relieved me but they may account for some
otherwise unaccountable phases of humour which I show O God It is a long
fight I wish it were over«
He began to pace the room muttering terrible things to himself till I was
inclined to believe as he said Joseph did that conscience had turned his heart
to an earthly hell I wondered greatly how it would end
Though he seldom before had revealed this state of mind even by looks it
was his habitual mood I had no doubt he asserted it himself but not a soul
from his general bearing would have conjectured the fact You did not when you
saw him Mr Lockwood and at the period of which I speak he was just the same
as then only fonder of continued solitude and perhaps still more laconic in
company
Chapter XXXIV
For some days after that evening Mr Heathcliff shunned meeting us at meals
yet he would not consent formally to exclude Hareton and Cathy He had an
aversion to yielding so completely to his feelings choosing rather to absent
himself And eating once in twentyfour hours seemed sufficient sustenance for
him
One night after the family were in bed I heard him go down stairs and out
at the front door I did not hear him reenter and in the morning I found he
was still away
We were in April then the weather was sweet and warm the grass as green as
showers and sun could make it and the two dwarf apple trees near the southern
wall in full bloom
After breakfast Catherine insisted on my bringing a chair and sitting
with my work under the firtrees at the end of the house and she beguiled
Hareton who had perfectly recovered from his accident to dig and arrange her
little garden which was shifted to that corner by the influence of Josephs
complaints
I was comfortably revelling in the spring fragrance around and the
beautiful soft blue overhead when my young lady who had run down near the
gate to procure some primrose roots for a border returned only half laden and
informed us that Mr Heathcliff was coming in
»And he spoke to me« she added with a perplexed countenance
»What did he say« asked Hareton
»He told me to begone as fast as I could« she answered »But he looked so
different from his usual look that I stopped a moment to stare at him«
»How« he inquired
»Why almost bright and cheerful No almost nothing very much excited
and wild and glad« she replied
»Nightwalking amuses him then« I remarked affecting a careless manner
In reality as surprised as she was and anxious to ascertain the truth of her
statement for to see the master looking glad would not be an every day
spectacle I framed an excuse to go in
Heathcliff stood at the open door he was pale and he trembled yet
certainly he had a strange joyful glitter in his eyes that altered the aspect
of his whole face
»Will you have some breakfast« I said »You must be hungry rambling about
all night«
I wanted to discover where he had been but I did not like to ask directly
»No Im not hungry« he answered averting his head and speaking rather
contemptuously as if he guessed I was trying to divine the occasion of his good
humour
I felt perplexed I didnt know whether it were not a proper opportunity to
offer a bit of admonition
»I dont think it right to wander out of doors« I observed »instead of
being in bed it is not wise at any rate this moist season I dare say youll
catch a bad cold or a fever you have something the matter with you now«
»Nothing but what I can bear« he replied »and with the greatest pleasure
provided youll leave me alone get in and dont annoy me«
I obeyed and in passing I noticed he breathed as fast as a cat
»Yes« I reflected to myself »we shall have a fit of illness I cannot
conceive what he has been doing«
That noon he sat down to dinner with us and received a heaped up plate
from my hands as if he intended to make amends for previous fasting
»Ive neither cold nor fever Nelly« he remarked in allusion to my
mornings speech »And Im ready to do justice to the food you give me«
He took his knife and fork and was going to commence eating when the
inclination appeared to become suddenly extinct He laid them on the table
looked eagerly towards the window then rose and went out
We saw him walking to and fro in the garden while we concluded our meal
and Earnshaw said hed go and ask why he would not dine he thought we had
grieved him some way
»Well is he coming« cried Catherine when her cousin returned
»Nay« he answered »but hes not angry he seemed rare and pleased indeed
only I made him impatient by speaking to him twice and then he bid me be off
to you he wondered how I could want the company of any body else«
I set his plate to keep warm on the fender and after an hour or two he
reentered when the room was clear in no degree calmer the same unnatural
it was unnatural appearance of joy under his black brows the same bloodless
hue and his teeth visible now and then in a kind of smile his frame
shivering not as one shivers with chill or weakness but as a tightstretched
cord vibrates a strong thrilling rather than trembling
I will ask what is the matter I thought or who should And I exclaimed
»Have you heard any good news Mr Heathcliff You look uncommonly
animated«
»Where should good news come from to me« he said »Im animated with
hunger and seemingly I must not eat«
»Your dinner is here« I returned »why wont you get it«
»I dont want it now« he muttered hastily »Ill wait till supper And
Nelly once for all let me beg you to warn Hareton and the other away from me
I wish to be troubled by nobody I wish to have this place to myself«
»Is there some new reason for this banishment« I inquired »Tell me why you
are so queer Mr Heathcliff Where were you last night Im not putting the
question through idle curiosity but «
»You are putting the question through very idle curiosity« he interrupted
with a laugh »Yet Ill answer it Last night I was on the threshold of hell
Today I am within sight of my heaven I have my eyes on it hardly three
feet to sever me And now youd better go Youll neither see nor hear anything
to frighten you if you refrain from prying«
Having swept the hearth and wiped the table I departed more perplexed than
ever
He did not quit the house again that afternoon and no one intruded on his
solitude till at eight oclock I deemed it proper though unsummoned to
carry a candle and his supper to him
He was leaning against the ledge of an open lattice but not looking out
his face was turned to the interior gloom The fire had smouldered to ashes the
room was filled with the damp mild air of the cloudy evening and so still
that not only the murmur of the beck down Gimmerton was distinguishable but its
ripples and its gurgling over the pebbles or through the large stones which it
could not cover
I uttered an ejaculation of discontent at seeing the dismal grate and
commenced shutting the casements one after another till I came to his
»Must I close this« I asked in order to rouse him for he would not stir
The light flashed on his features as I spoke Oh Mr Lockwood I cannot
express what a terrible start I got by the momentary view Those deep black
eyes That smile and ghastly paleness It appeared to me not Mr Heathcliff
but a goblin and in my terror I let the candle bend towards the wall and it
left me in darkness
»Yes close it« he replied in his familiar voice »There that is pure
awkwardness Why did you hold the candle horizontally Be quick and bring
another«
I hurried out in a foolish state of dread and said to Joseph
»The master wishes you to take him a light and rekindle the fire« For I
dare not go in myself again just then
Joseph rattled some fire into the shovel and went but he brought it back
immediately with the supper tray in his other hand explaining that Mr
Heathcliff was going to bed and he wanted nothing to eat till morning
We heard him mount the stairs directly he did not proceed to his ordinary
chamber but turned into that with the panelled bed its window as I mentioned
before is wide enough for anybody to get through and it struck me that he
plotted another midnight excursion which he had rather we had no suspicion of
»Is he a ghoul or a vampire« I mused I had read of such hideous
incarnate demons And then I set myself to reflect how I had tended him in
infancy and watched him grow to youth and followed him almost through his
whole course and what absurd nonsense it was to yield to that sense of horror
»But where did he come from the little dark thing harboured by a good man
to his bane« muttered superstition as I dozed into unconsciousness And I
began half dreaming to weary myself with imaging some fit parentage for him
and repeating my waking meditations I tracked his existence over again with
grim variations at last picturing his death and funeral of which all I can
remember is being exceedingly vexed at having the task of dictating an
inscription for his monument and consulting the sexton about it and as he had
no surname and we could not tell his age we were obliged to content ourselves
with the single word Heathcliff That came true we were If you enter the
kirkyard youll read on his headstone only that and the date of his death
Dawn restored me to common sense I rose and went into the garden as soon
as I could see to ascertain if there were any footmarks under his window There
were none
»He has stayed at home« I thought »and hell be all right today«
I prepared breakfast for the household as was my usual custom but told
Hareton and Catherine to get theirs ere the master came down for he lay late
They preferred taking it out of doors under the trees and I set a little table
to accommodate them
On my reentrance I found Mr Heathcliff below He and Joseph were
conversing about some farming business he gave clear minute directions
concerning the matter discussed but he spoke rapidly and turned his head
continually aside and had the same excited expression even more exaggerated
When Joseph quitted the room he took his seat in the place he generally
chose and I put a basin of coffee before him He drew it nearer and then
rested his arms on the table and looked at the opposite wall as I supposed
surveying one particular portion up and down with glittering restless eyes
and with such eager interest that he stopped breathing during half a minute
together
»Come now« I exclaimed pushing some bread against his hand »Eat and drink
that while it is hot It has been waiting near an hour«
He didnt notice me and yet he smiled Id rather have seen him gnash his
teeth than smile so
»Mr Heathcliff master« I cried »Dont for Gods sake stare as if you
saw an unearthly vision«
»Dont for Gods sake shout so loud« he replied »Turn round and tell
me are we by ourselves«
»Of course« was my answer »of course we are«
Still I involuntarily obeyed him as if I were not quite sure
With a sweep of his hand he cleared a vacant space in front among the
breakfast things and leant forward to gaze more at his ease
Now I perceived he was not looking at the wall for when I regarded him
alone it seemed exactly that he gazed at something within two yards distance
And whatever it was it communicated apparently both pleasure and pain in
exquisite extremes at least the anguished yet raptured expression of his
countenance suggested that idea
The fancied object was not fixed either his eyes pursued it with unwearied
diligence and even in speaking to me were never weaned away
I vainly reminded him of his protracted abstinence from food if he stirred
to touch anything in compliance with my entreaties if he stretched his hand out
to get a piece of bread his fingers clenched before they reached it and
remained on the table forgetful of their aim
I sat a model of patience trying to attract his absorbed attention from its
engrossing speculation till he grew irritable and got up asking why I would
not allow him to have his own time in taking his meals and saying that on the
next occasion I neednt wait I might set the things down and go
Having uttered these words he left the house slowly sauntered down the
garden path and disappeared through the gate
The hours crept anxiously by another evening came I did not retire to rest
till late and when I did I could not sleep He returned after midnight and
instead of going to bed shut himself into the room beneath I listened and
tossed about and finally dressed and descended It was too irksome to lie up
there harassing my brain with a hundred idle misgivings
I distinguished Mr Heathcliffs step restlessly measuring the floor and
he frequently broke the silence by a deep inspiration resembling a groan He
muttered detached words also the only one I could catch was the name of
Catherine coupled with some wild term of endearment or suffering and spoken
as one would speak to a person present low and earnest and wrung from the
depth of his soul
I had not courage to walk straight into the apartment but I desired to
divert him from his reverie and therefore fell foul of the kitchen fire
stirred it and began to scrape the cinders It drew him forth sooner than I
expected He opened the door immediately and said
»Nelly come here is it morning Come in with your light«
»It is striking four« I answered »you want a candle to take up stairs
you might have lit one at this fire«
»No I dont wish to go up stairs« he said »Come in and kindle me a fire
and do anything there is to do about the room«
»I must blow the coals red first before I can carry any« I replied
getting a chair and the bellows
He roamed to and fro meantime in a state approaching distraction his
heavy sighs succeeding each other so thick as to leave no space for common
breathing between
»When day breaks Ill send for Green« he said »I wish to make some legal
inquiries of him while I can bestow a thought on those matters and while I can
act calmly I have not written my will yet and how to leave my property I
cannot determine I wish I could annihilate it from the face of the earth«
»I would not talk so Mr Heathcliff« I interposed »Let your will be a
while youll be spared to repent of your many injustices yet I never
expected that your nerves would be disordered they are at present
marvellously so however and almost entirely through your own fault The way
youve passed these three last days might knock up a Titan Do take some food
and some repose You need only look at yourself in a glass to see how you
require both Your cheeks are hollow and your eyes bloodshot like a person
starving with hunger and going blind with loss of sleep«
»It is not my fault that I cannot eat or rest« he replied »I assure you
it is through no settled designs Ill do both as soon as I possibly can But
you might as well bid a man struggling in the water rest within armslength of
the shore I must reach it first and then Ill rest Well never mind Mr
Green as to repenting of my injustices Ive done no injustice and I repent of
nothing Im too happy and yet Im not happy enough My souls bliss kills my
body but does not satisfy itself«
»Happy master« I cried »Strange happiness If you would hear me without
being angry I might offer some advice that would make you happier«
»What is that« he asked »Give it«
»You are aware Mr Heathcliff« I said »that from the time you were
thirteen years old you have lived a selfish unchristian life and probably
hardly had a Bible in your hands during all that period You must have
forgotten the contents of the book and you may not have space to search it now
Could it be hurtful to send for some one some minister of any denomination it
does not matter which to explain it and show you how very far you have erred
from its precepts and how unfit you will be for its heaven unless a change
takes place before you die«
»Im rather obliged than angry Nelly« he said »for you remind me of the
manner that I desire to be buried in It is to be carried to the churchyard in
the evening You and Hareton may if you please accompany me and mind
particularly to notice that the sexton obeys my directions concerning the two
coffins No minister need come nor need anything be said over me I tell you
I have nearly attained my heaven and that of others is altogether unvalued and
uncoveted by me«
»And supposing you persevered in your obstinate fast and died by that
means and they refused to bury you in the precincts of the Kirk« I said
shocked at his godless indifference »How would you like it«
»They wont do that« he replied »if they did you must have me removed
secretly and if you neglect it you shall prove practically that the dead are
not annihilated«
As soon as he heard the other members of the family stirring he retired to
his den and I breathed freer But in the afternoon while Joseph and Hareton
were at their work he came into the kitchen again and with a wild look bid me
come and sit in the house he wanted somebody with him
I declined telling him plainly that his strange talk and manner
frightened me and I had neither the nerve nor the will to be his companion
alone
»I believe you think me a fiend« he said with his dismal laugh »something
too horrible to live under a decent roof« Then turning to Catherine who was
there and who drew behind me at his approach he added half sneeringly
»Will you come chuck Ill not hurt you No to you Ive made myself worse
than the devil Well there is one who wont shrink from my company By God
shes relentless Oh damn it Its unutterably too much for flesh and blood to
bear even mine«
He solicited the society of no one more At dusk he went into his chamber
through the whole night and far into the morning we heard him groaning and
murmuring to himself Hareton was anxious to enter but I bid him fetch Mr
Kenneth and he should go in and see him
When he came and I requested admittance and tried to open the door I found
it locked and Heathcliff bid us be damned He was better and would be left
alone so the doctor went away
The following evening was very wet indeed it poured down till daydawn
and as I took my morning walk round the house I observed the masters window
swinging open and the rain driving straight in
»He cannot be in bed« I thought »those showers would drench him through
He must either be up or out But Ill make no more ado Ill go boldly and
look«
Having succeeded in gaining entrance with another key I ran to unclose the
panels for the chamber was vacant quickly pushing them aside I peeped in
Mr Heathcliff was there laid on his back His eyes met mine so keen and
fierce I started and then he seemed to smile
I could not think him dead but his face and throat were washed with rain
the bedclothes dripped and he was perfectly still The lattice flapping to
and fro had grazed one hand that rested on the sill no blood trickled from
the broken skin and when I put my fingers to it I could doubt no more he was
dead and stark
I hasped the window I combed his black long hair from his forehead I tried
to close his eyes to extinguish if possible that frightful lifelike gaze
of exultation before anyone else beheld it They would not shut they seemed
to sneer at my attempts and his parted lips and sharp white teeth sneered
too Taken with another fit of cowardice I cried out for Joseph Joseph
shuffled up and made a noise but resolutely refused to meddle with him
»Th divils harried off his soul« he cried »and he muh hev his carcass
intuh t bargin for owt Aw care Ech what a wicked un he looks girnning at
death« and the old sinner grinned in mockery
I thought he intended to cut a caper round the bed but suddenly composing
himself he fell on his knees and raised his hands and returned thanks that
the lawful master and the ancient stock were restored to their rights
I felt stunned by the awful event and my memory unavoidably recurred to
former times with a sort of oppressive sadness But poor Hareton the most
wronged was the only one that really suffered much He sat by the corpse all
night weeping in bitter earnest He pressed its hand and kissed the sarcastic
savage face that everyone else shrank from contemplating and bemoaned him with
that strong grief which springs naturally from a generous heart though it be
tough as tempered steel
Kenneth was perplexed to pronounce of what disorder the master died I
concealed the fact of his having swallowed nothing for four days fearing it
might lead to trouble and then I am persuaded he did not abstain on purpose
it was the consequence of his strange illness not the cause
We buried him to the scandal of the whole neighbourhood as he had wished
Earnshaw and I the sexton and six men to carry the coffin comprehended the
whole attendance
The six men departed when they had let it down into the grave we stayed to
see it covered Hareton with a streaming face dug green sods and laid them
over the brown mould himself at present it is as smooth and verdant as its
companion mounds and I hope its tenant sleeps as soundly But the country
folks if you asked them would swear on their bible that he walks There are
those who speak to having met him near the church and on the moor and even
within this house Idle tales youll say and so say I Yet that old man by
the kitchen fire affirms he has seen two on em looking out of his chamber
window on every rainy night since his death and an odd thing happened to me
about a month ago
I was going to the Grange one evening a dark evening threatening thunder
and just at the turn of the Heights I encountered a little boy with a sheep
and two lambs before him he was crying terribly and I supposed the lambs were
skittish and would not be guided
»What is the matter my little man« I asked
»Theys Heathcliff and a woman yonder under t Nab« he blubbered »un
Aw darnut pass em«
I saw nothing but neither the sheep nor he would go on so I bid him take
the road lower down
He probably raised the phantoms from thinking as he traversed the moors
alone on the nonsense he had heard his parents and companions repeat yet
still I dont like being out in the dark now and I dont like being left by
myself in this grim house I cannot help it I shall be glad when they leave
it and shift to the Grange
»They are going to the Grange then« I said
»Yes« answered Mrs Dean »as soon as they are married and that will be on
New Years day«
»And who will live here then«
»Why Joseph will take care of the house and perhaps a lad to keep him
company They will live in the kitchen and the rest will be shut up«
»For the use of such ghosts as choose to inhabit it« I observed
»No Mr Lockwood« said Nelly shaking her head »I believe the dead are at
peace but it is not right to speak of them with levity«
At that moment the garden gate swung to the ramblers were returning
»They are afraid of nothing« I grumbled watching their approach through
the window »Together they would brave satan and all his legions«
As they stepped onto the doorstones and halted to take a last look at the
moon or more correctly at each other by her light I felt irresistibly
impelled to escape them again and pressing a remembrance into the hand of Mrs
Dean and disregarding her expostulations at my rudeness I vanished through the
kitchen as they opened the housedoor and so should have confirmed Joseph in
his opinion on his fellowservants gay indiscretions had he not fortunately
recognized me for a respectable character by the sweet ring of a sovereign at
his feet
My walk home was lengthened by a diversion in the direction of the kirk
When beneath its walls I perceived decay had made progress even in seven
months many a window showed black gaps deprived of glass and slates jutted
off here and there beyond the right line of the roof to be gradually worked
off in coming autumn storms
I sought and soon discovered the three headstones on the slope next the
moor the middle one grey and half buried in heath Edgar Lintons only
harmonized by the turf and moss creeping up its foot Heathcliffs still bare
I lingered round them under that benign sky watched the moths fluttering
among the heath and harebells listened to the soft wind breathing through the
grass and wondered how anyone could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the
sleepers in that quiet earth