第4章

`Youshallnotmeddlewithhim!\'Icontinued。`Hehatesyou——theyallhateyou——that\'sthetruth!Ahappyfamilyyouhave:andaprettystateyou\'recometo!\'

`Ishallcometoaprettier，yet，Nelly，\'laughedthemisguidedman，recoveringhishardness。`Atpresent，conveyyourselfandhimaway。

And，harkyou，Heathcliff!clearyoutoo，quitefrommyreachandhearing。

Iwouldn\'tmurderyoutonight；unless，perhaps，Isetthehouseonfire:

butthat\'sasmyfancygoes。

Whilesayingthishetookapintbottleofbrandyfromthedresser，andpouredsomeintoatumbler。

`Nay，don\'t!\'Ientreated。`MrHindley，dotakewarning。Havemercyonthisunfortunateboy，ifyoucarenothingforyourself!\'

`AnyonewilldobetterforhimthanIshall，\'heanswered。

`Havemercyonyourownsoul!\'Isaid，endeavouringtosnatchtheglassfromhishand。

`NotI!Onthecontrary，IshallhavegreatpleasureinsendingittoperditiontopunishitsMaker，\'exclaimedtheblasphemer。`Here\'stoitsheartydamnation!\'

Hedrankthespiritsandimpatientlybadeusgo；terminatinghiscommandwithasequelofhorridimprecations，toobadtorepeatorremember。

`It\'sapityhecannotkillhimselfwithdrink，\'observedHeathcliff，mutteringanechoofcursesbackwhenthedoorwasshut。`He\'sdoinghisveryutmost；buthisconstitutiondefieshim。MrKennethsayshewouldwagerhismare，thathe\'lloutliveanymanonthissideGimmerton，andgotothegraveahoarysinner；unlesssomehappychanceoutofthecommoncoursebefallhim。\'

Iwentintothekitchen，andsatdowntolullmylittlelambtosleep。Heathcliff，asIthought，walkedthroughtothebarn。Itturnedoutafterwardsthatheonlygotasfarastheothersidethesettle，whenheflunghimselfonabenchbythewall，removedfromthefire，andremainedsilent。

IwasrockingHaretononmyknee，andhummingasongthatbegan:

Itwasfarinthenight，andthebairniesgrat，Themitherbeneaththemoolsheardthat——whenMissCathy，whohadlistenedtothehubbubfromherroom，putherheadin，andwhispered:

`Areyoualone，Nelly？\'

`Yes，miss，\'Ireplied。

Sheenteredandapproachedthehearth。I，supposingshewasgoingtosaysomething，lookedup。Theexpressionofherfaceseemeddisturbedandanxious。Herlipswerehalfasunder，asifshemeanttospeak，andshedrewabreath；butitescapedinasighinsteadofasentence。Iresumedmysong；nothavingforgottenherrecentbehaviour。

`Where\'sHeathcliff？\'shesaid，interruptingme。

`Abouthisworkinthestable，\'wasmyanswer。

Hedidnotcontradictme；perhapshehadfallenintoadoze。Therefollowedanotherlongpause，duringwhichIperceivedadroportwotricklefromCatherine\'scheektotheflags。Isshesorryforhershamefulconduct？

Iaskedmyself。Thatwillbeanovelty:butshemaycometothepointasshewill——Ishan\'thelpher!No，shefeltsmalltroubleregardinganysubject，saveherownconcerns。

`Oh，dear!\'shecriedatlast。`I\'mveryunhappy!\'

`Apity，\'observedI。`You\'rehardtoplease:somanyfriendsandsofewcares，andcan\'tmakeyourselfcontent!\'

`Nelly，willyoukeepasecretforme？\'shepursued，kneelingdownbyme，andliftingherwinsomeeyestomyfacewiththatsortoflookwhichturnsoffbadtemper，evenwhenonehasalltherightintheworldtoindulgeit。

`Isitworthkeeping？\'Iinquired，lesssulkily。

`Yes，anditworriesme，andImustletitout!IwanttoknowwhatIshoulddo。Today，EdgarLintonhasaskedmetomarryhim，andI\'vegivenhimananswer。Now，beforeItellyouwhetheritwasaconsentordenial，youtellmewhichitoughttohavebeen。\'

`Really，MissCatherine，howcanIknow？\'Ireplied。`Tobesure，consideringtheexhibitionyouperformedinhispresencethisafternoon，Imightsayitwouldbewisetorefusehim:sinceheaskedyouafterthat，hemusteitherbehopelesslystupidoraventuresomefool。\'

`Ifyoutalkso，Iwon\'ttellyouanymore，\'shereturnedpeevishly，risingtoherfeet。`Iacceptedhim，Nelly。Bequick，andsaywhetherI

waswrong!\'

`Youacceptedhim!thenwhatgoodisitdiscussingthematter？

Youhavepledgedyourword，andcannotretract。\'

`But，saywhetherIshouldhavedoneso——do!\'sheexclaimedinanirritatedtone；chafingherhandstogether，andfrowning。

`Therearemanythingstobeconsideredbeforethatquestioncanbeansweredproperly，\'Isaidsententiously。`Firstandfore-most，doyouloveMrEdgar？\'

`Whocanhelpit？OfcourseIdo，\'sheanswered。

ThenIputherthroughthefollowingcatechism:foragirloftwenty-twoitwasnotinjudicious。

`Whydoyoulovehim，MissCathy？\'

`Nonsense，Ido——that\'ssufficient。\'

`Bynomeans；youmustsaywhy？\'

`Well，becauseheishandsome，andpleasanttobewith。\'

`Bad!\'wasmycommentary。

`Andbecauseheisyoungandcheerful。\'

`Bad，still。\'

`Andbecausehelovesme。\'

`Indifferent，comingthere。\'

`Andhewillberich，andIshallliketobethegreatestwomanoftheneighbourhood，andIshallbeproudofhavingsuchahusband。\'

`Worstofall。Andnow，sayhowyoulovehim？\'

`Aseverybodyloves——You\'resilly，Nelly。\'

`Notatall——Answer。\'

`Ilovethegroundunderhisfeet，andtheairoverhishead，andeverythinghetouches，andeverywordhesays。Iloveallhislooks，andallhisactions，andhimentirelyandaltogether。Therenow!\'

`Andwhy？\'

`Nay；youaremakingajestofit；itisexceedinglyill-natured!It\'snojesttome!\'saidtheyounglady，scowling，andturningherfacetothefire。

`I\'mveryfarfromjesting，MissCatherine，\'Ireplied。`YouloveMrEdgarbecauseheishandsome，andyoung，andcheerful，andrich，andlovesyou。Thelast，however，goesfornothing:youwouldlovehimwithoutthat，probably；andwithityouwouldn\'t，unlesshepossessedthefourformerattractions。\'

`No，tobesurenot:Ishouldonlypityhim——hatehim，perhaps，ifhewereugly，andaclown。\'

`Butthereareseveralotherhandsome，richyoungmenintheworld:

handsomer，possibly，andricherthanheis。Whatshouldhinderyoufromlovingthem？\'

`Iftherebeany，theyareoutofmyway!I\'veseennonelikeEdgar。\'

`Youmayseesome；andhewon\'talwaysbehandsome，andyoung，andmaynotalwaysberich。\'

`Heisnow；andIhaveonlytodowiththepresent。Iwishyouwouldspeakrationally。\'

`Well，thatsettlesit:ifyouhaveonlytodowiththepresent，marryMrLinton。\'

`Idon\'twantyourpermissionforthat——Ishallmarryhim:

andyetyouhavenottoldmewhetherI\'mright。\'

`Perfectlyright；ifpeopleberighttomarryonlyforthepresent。

Andnow，letushearwhatyouareunhappyabout。Yourbrotherwillbepleased；

theoldladyandgentlemanwillnotobject，Ithink；youwillescapefromadisorderly，comfortlesshomeintoawealthy，respectableone；andyouloveEdgar，andEdgarlovesyou。Allseemssmoothandeasy:whereistheobstacle？\'

`Here!andhere!\'repliedCatherine，strikingonehandonherforehead，andtheotheronherbreast:`inwhicheverplacethesoullives。Inmysoulandinmyheart，I\'mconvincedI\'mwrong!\'

`That\'sverystrange!Icannotmakeitout。\'

`It\'smysecret。Butifyouwillnotmockatme，I\'llexplainit:Ican\'tdoitdistinctly:butI\'llgiveyouafeelingofhowIfeel。\'

Sheseatedherselfbymeagain:hercountenancegrewsadderandgraver，andherclaspedhandstrembled。

`Nelly，doyouneverdreamqueerdreams？\'shesaid，suddenly，aftersomeminutes\'reflection。

`Yes，nowandthen，\'Ianswered。

`AndsodoI。I\'vedreamtinmylifedreamsthathavestayedwithmeeverafter，andchangedmyideas:they\'vegonethroughandthroughme，likewinethroughwater，andalteredthecolourofmymind。Andthisisone；I\'mgoingtotellit——buttakecarenottosmileatanypartofit。\'

`Oh!don\'t，MissCatherine!\'Icried。`We\'redismalenoughwithoutconjuringupghostsandvisionstoperplexus。Come，come，bemerryandlikeyourself!LookatlittleHareton!he\'sdreamingnothingdreary。Howsweetlyhesmilesinhissleep!\'

`Yes；andhowsweetlyhisfathercursesinhissolitude!Yourememberhim，Idaresay，whenhewasjustsuchanotherasthatchubbything:nearlyasyoungandinnocent。However，Nelly，Ishallobligeyoutolisten:it\'snotlong；andI\'venopowertobemerrytonight。\'

`Iwon\'thearit，Iwon\'thearit!\'Irepeatedhastily。

Iwassuperstitiousaboutdreamsthen，andamstill；andCatherinehadanunusualgloominheraspect，thatmademedreadsomethingfromwhichImightshapeaprophecy，andforeseeafearfulcatastrophe。Shewasvexed，butshedidnotproceed。Apparentlytakingupanothersubject，sherecommencedinashorttime。

`IfIwereinheaven，Nelly，Ishouldbeextremelymiserable。\'

`Becauseyouarenotfittogothere，\'，Ianswered。`Allsinnerswouldbemiserableinheaven。\'

`Butitisnotforthat。IdreamtoncethatIwasthere。\'

`ItellyouIwon\'thearkentoyourdreams，MissCatherine!I\'llgotobed，\'Iinterruptedagain。

Shelaughed，andheldmedown；forImadeamotiontoleavemychair。

`Thisisnothing，\'criedshe:`Iwasonlygoingtosaythatheavendidnotseemtobemyhome；andIbrokemyheartwithweepingtocomebacktoearth；andtheangelsweresoangrythattheyflungmeoutintothemiddleoftheheathonthetopofWutheringHeights；whereIwokesobbingforjoy。Thatwilldotoexplainmysecret，aswellastheother。I\'venomorebusinesstomarryEdgarLintonthanIhavetobeinheaven；andifthewickedmanintherehadnotbroughtHeathcliffsolow，Ishouldn\'thavethoughtofit。ItwoulddegrademetomarryHeathcliffnow；soheshallneverknowhowIlovehim:andthat，notbecausehe\'shandsome，Nelly，butbecausehe\'smoremyselfthanIam。Whateveroursoulsaremadeof，hisandminearethesame；andLinton\'sisasdifferentasamoonbeamfromlightning，orfrostfromfire。\'

Erethisspeechended，IbecamesensibleofHeathcliff\'spresence。

Havingnoticedaslightmovement，Iturnedmyhead，andsawhimrisefromthebench，andstealoutnoiselessly。HehadlistenedtillheheardCatherinesayitwoulddegradehertomarryhim，andthenhestayedtohearnofurther。

Mycompanion，sittingontheground，waspreventedbythebackofthesettlefromremarkinghispresenceordeparture；butIstarted，andbadeherhush!

`Why？\'sheasked，gazingnervouslyround。

`Josephishere，\'Ianswered，catchingopportunelytherollofhiscart-wheelsuptheroad；`andHeathcliffwillcomeinwithhim。I\'mnotsurewhetherhewerenotatthedoorthismoment。\'

`Oh，hecouldn\'toverhearmeatthedoor!\'saidshe。`GivemeHareton，whileyougetthesupper，andwhenitisreadyaskmetosupwithyou。Iwanttocheatmyuncomfortableconscience，andbeconvincedthatHeathcliffhasnonotionofthesethings。Hehasnot，hashe？Hedoesnotknowwhatbeinginloveis？\'

`Iseenoreasonthatheshouldnotknow，aswellasyou，\'Ireturned；

`andifyouarehischoice，hewillbethemostunfortunatecreaturethateverwasborn!AssoonasyoubecomeMrsLinton，helosesfriend，andlove，andall!Haveyouconsideredhowyou\'llbeartheseparation，andhowhe\'llbedesertedintheworld？Because，MissCatherine——\'

`Hequitedeserted!weseparated!\'sheexclaimed，withanaccentofindignation。`Whoistoseparateus，pray？They\'llmeetthefateofMilo!NotaslongasIlive，Ellen:fornomortalcreature。EveryLintononthefaceoftheearthmightmeltintonothing，beforeIcouldconsenttoforsakeHeathcliff。Oh，that\'snotwhatIintend——that\'snotwhatI

mean!Ishouldn\'tbeMrsLintonweresuchapricedemanded!He\'llbeasmuchtomeashehasbeenallhislifetime。Edgarmustshakeoffhisantipathy，andtoleratehim，atleast。Hewill，whenhelearnsmytruefeelingstowardshim。Nelly，Iseenow，youthinkmeaselfishwretch；butdiditneverstrikeyouthatifHeathcliffandImarried，weshouldbebeggars？whereas，ifImarryLinton，IcanaidHeathclifftorise，andplacehimoutofmybrother\'spower。\'

`Withyourhusband\'smoney，MissCatherine？\'Iasked。`You\'llfindhimnotsopliableasyoucalculateupon:and，thoughI\'mhardlyajudge，Ithinkthat\'stheworstmotiveyou\'vegivenyetforbeingthewifeofyoungLinton。\'

`Itisnot，\'retortedshe；`itisthebest!Theotherswerethesatisfactionofmywhims:andforEdgar\'ssake，too，tosatisfyhim。ThisisforthesakeofonewhocomprehendsinhispersonmyfeelingstoEdgarandmyself。Icannotexpressit；butsurelyyouandeverybodyhaveanotionthatthereisorshouldbeanexistenceofyoursbeyondyou。Whatweretheuseofmycreation，ifIwereentirelycontainedhere？MygreatmiseriesinthisworldhavebeenHeathcliff\'smiseries，andIwatchedandfelteachfromthebeginning:mygreatthoughtinlivingishimself。Ifallelseperished，andheremained，Ishouldstillcontinuetobe；andifallelseremained，andhewereannihilated，theuniversewouldturntoamightystranger:Ishouldnotseemapartofit。MyloveforLintonislikethefoliageinthewoods:timewillchangeit，I\'mwellaware，aswinterchangesthetrees。MyloveforHeathcliffresemblestheeternalrocksbeneath:

asourceoflittlevisibledelight，butnecessary。Nelly，IamHeathcliff!

He\'salways，alwaysinmymind:notasapleasure，anymorethanIamalwaysapleasuretomyself，butasmyownbeing。Sodon\'ttalkofourseparationagain:itisimpracticable；and——\'

Shepaused，andhidherfaceinthefoldsofmygown；butIjerkeditforciblyaway。Iwasoutofpatiencewithherfolly!

`IfIcanmakeanysenseofyournonsense，miss，\'Isaid，`itonlygoestoconvincemethatyouareignorantofthedutiesyouundertakeinmarrying；orelsethatyouareawicked，unprincipledgirl。Buttroublemewithnomoresecrets:I\'llnotpromisetokeepthem。\'

`You\'llkeepthat？\'sheaskedeagerly。

`No，I\'llnotpromise，\'Irepeated。

Shewasabouttoinsist，whentheentranceofJosephfinishedourconversation；andCatherineremovedherseattoacorner，andnursedHareton，whileImadethesupper。Afteritwascooked，myfellow-servantandIbegantoquarrelwhoshouldcarrysometoMrHindley；andwedidn\'tsettleittillallwasnearlycold。Thenwecametotheagreementthatwewouldlethimask，ifhewantedany；forwefearedparticularlytogointohispresencewhenhehadbeensometimealone。

`Undhahisn\'tthatnowtcomedinfroughth\'field，bethistime？

Whatisheabaht？girteedleseeght!\'demandedtheoldman，lookingroundforHeathcliff。

`I\'llcallhim，\'Ireplied。`He\'sinthebarn，I\'venodoubt。\'

Iwentandcalled，butgotnoanswer。Onreturning，IwhisperedtoCatherinethathehadheardagoodpartofwhatshesaid，Iwassure；

andtoldhowIsawhimquitthekitchenjustasshecomplainedofherbrother\'sconductregardinghim。Shejumpedupinafinefright，flungHaretonontothesettle，andrantoseekforherfriendherself；nottakingleisuretoconsiderwhyshewassoflurried，orhowhertalkwouldhaveaffectedhim。ShewasabsentsuchawhilethatJosephproposedweshouldwaitnolonger。Hecunninglyconjecturedtheywerestayingawayinordertoavoidhearinghisprotractedblessing。Theywere`illeneughforonyfahlmanners\'，heaffirmed。Andontheirbehalfheaddedthatnightaspecialprayertotheusualquarterofanhour\'ssupplicationbeforemeat，andwouldhavetackedanothertotheendofthegrace，hadnothisyoungmistressbrokeninuponhimwithahurriedcommandthathemustrundowntheroad，andwhereverHeathcliffhadrambled，findandmakehimre-enterdirectly!

`Iwanttospeaktohim，andImust，beforeIgoupstairs，\'

shesaid。`Andthegateisopen:heissomewhereoutofhearing；forhewouldnotreply，thoughIshoutedatthetopofthefoldasloudasIcould。\'

Josephobjectedatfirst；shewastoomuchinearnest，however，tosuffercontradiction；andatlastheplacedhishatonhishead，andwalkedgrumblingforth。Meantime，Catherinepacedupanddownthefloor，exclaiming:

`Iwonderwhereheis——Iwonderwherehecanbe？WhatdidIsay，Nelly？I\'veforgotten。Washevexedatmybadhumourthisafternoon？

Dear!tellmewhatI\'vesaidtogrievehim？Idowishhe\'dcome。Idowishhewould!\'

`Whatanoisefornothing!\'Icried，thoughratheruneasymyself。

`Whatatriflescaresyou!It\'ssurelynogreatcauseofalarmthatHeathcliffshouldtakeamoonlightsaunteronthemoors，orevenlietoosulkytospeaktousinthehay-loft。I\'llengagehe\'slurkingthere。SeeifIdon\'tferrethimout!\'

Idepartedtorenewmysearch；itsresultwasdisappointment，andJoseph\'squestendedinthesame。

`Yonladsgetswarunwar!\'observedheonre-entering。`He\'sleftth\'yateutt\'fullswing，andMiss\'sponyhastroddendahntworigsuhcorn，unplotteredthrough，raighto\'erintuht\'meadow!Hahsomdiver，t\'maister\'ullplayt\'deviltomorn，andhe\'lldoweel。He\'spatienceitsselnwi\'sichcareless，offaldcraters——patienceitsselnheis!Budhe\'llnutbesoaallus——yah\'ssee，allonye!Yahmum\'ntdrivehimahtufhisheeadfornowt!\'

`HaveyoufoundHeathcliff，youass？\'interruptedCatherine。`Haveyoubeenlookingforhim，asIordered？\'

`Awsudmorelikkerlookforth\'horse，\'hereplied。`It\'udbetuhmoresense。Bud，Awcanlookfornortherhorsenurmanufaneeghtloikethis——asblackast\'chimbley!undHathecliff\'snoant\'chaptocoomatmawwhistle——happenhe\'llbelessharduhhearingwi\'ye!\'

Itwasaverydarkeveningforsummer:thecloudsappearedinclinedtothunder，andIsaidwehadbetterallsitdown；theapproachingrainwouldbecertaintobringhimhomewithoutfurthertrouble。However，Catherinewouldnotbepersuadedintotranquillity。Shekeptwanderingtoandfro，fromthegatetothedoor，inastateofagitationwhichpermittednorepose；andatlengthtookupapermanentsituationononesideofthewall，neartheroad:where，heedlessofmyexpostulationsandthegrowlingthunder，andthegreatdropsthatbegantoplasharoundher，sheremained，callingatintervals，andthenlistening，andthencryingoutright。ShebeatHareton，oranychild，atagoodpassionatefitofcrying。

Aboutmidnight，whilewestillsatup，thestormcamerattlingovertheHeightsinfullfury。Therewasaviolentwind，aswellasthunder，andeitheroneortheothersplitatreeoffatthecornerofthebuilding:

ahugeboughfellacrosstheroof，andknockeddownaportionoftheeastchimney-stack，sendingaclatterofstonesandsootintothekitchenfire。

Wethoughtabolthadfalleninthemiddleofus；andJosephswungontohiskneesbeseechingtheLordtorememberthepatriarchsNoahandLot，and，asinformertimes，sparetherighteous，thoughHesmotetheungodly。

Ifeltsomesentimentthatitmustbeajudgmentonusalso。TheJonah，inmymind，wasMrEarnshaw；andIshookthehandleofhisdenthatImightascertainifhewereyetliving。Herepliedaudiblyenough，inafashionwhichmademycompanionvociferate，moreclamorouslythanbefore，thatawidedistinctionmightbedrawnbetweensaintslikehimselfandsinnerslikehismaster。Buttheuproarpassedawayintwentyminutes，leavingusallunharmed；exceptingCathy，whogotthoroughlydrenchedforherobstinacyinrefusingtotakeshelter，andstandingbonnetlessandshawl-lesstocatchasmuchwaterasshecouldwithherhairandclothes。Shecameinandlaydownonthesettle，allsoakedasshewas，turningherfacetotheback，andputtingherhandsbeforeit。

`Well，miss!\'Iexclaimed，touchinghershoulder；`youarenotbentongettingyourdeath，areyou？Doyouknowwhato\'clockitis？Halfpasttwelve。Come，cometobed!there\'snousewaitinglongeronthatfoolishboy:he\'llbegonetoGimmetton，andhe\'llstaytherenow。Heguessesweshouldn\'twaitforhimtillthislatehour:atleast，heguessesthatonlyMrHindleywouldbeup；andhe\'dratheravoidhavingthedooropenedbythemaster。

`Nay，nay，he\'snoanatGimmerton，\'saidJoseph。`Aw\'sniverwonder，budhe\'satt\'bothomufabog-hoile。Thisvisitationworn\'tfornowt，andIwodhevyetolookout，miss——yahmuhbet\'next。ThankHivenforall!Allwarkstogitherforgooidtothemasischozzen，andpikedoutfro\'th\'rubbidge!Yahknawwhett\'Scriptureses。\'Andhebeganquotingseveraltexts，referringustothechaptersandverseswherewemightfindthem。

I，havingvainlybeggedthewilfulgirltoriseandremoveherwetthings，lefthimpreachingandhershivering，andbetookmyselftobedwithlittleHareton，whosleptasfastasifeveryonehadbeensleepingroundhim。IheardJosephreadonawhileafterwards；thenIdistinguishedhisslowstepontheladder，andthenIdroppedasleep。

Comingdownsomewhatlaterthanusual，Isaw，bythesunbeamspiercingthechinksoftheshutters，MissCatherinestillseatednearthefireplace。Thehousedoorwasajar，too；lightenteredfromitsunclosedwindows；Hindleyhadcomeout，andstoodonthekitchenhearth，haggardanddrowsy。

`Whatailsyou，Cathy？\'hewassayingwhenIentered:`youlookasdismalasadrownedwhelp。Whyareyousodampandpale，child？\'

`I\'vebeenwet，\'sheansweredreluctantly\'`andI\'mcold，that\'sall。\'

`Oh，sheisnaughty!\'Icried，perceivingthemastertobetolerablysober。`Shegotsteepedintheshowerofyesterdayevening，andthereshehassatthenightthrough，andIcouldn\'tprevailonhertostir。\'

MrEarnshawstaredatusinsurprise。`Thenightthrough，\'herepeated。`Whatkeptherup？notfearofthethunder，surely？Thatwasoverhourssince。\'

NeitherofuswishedtomentionHeathcliff\'sabsence，aslongaswecouldconcealit；soIreplied，Ididn\'tknowhowshetookitintoherheadtositup；andshesaidnothing。Themorningwasfreshandcool；

Ithrewbackthelattice，andpresentlytheroomfilledwithsweetscentsfromthegarden；butCatherinecalledpeevishlytome，`Ellen，shutthewindow。I\'mstarving!\'Andherteethchatteredassheshrunkclosertothealmostextinguishedembers。

`She\'sill，\'saidHindley，takingherwrist；`Isupposethat\'sthereasonshewouldnotgotobed。Damnit!Idon\'twanttobetroubledwithmoresicknesshere。Whattookyouintotherain!\'

`Runningaftert\'lads，asusuald!\'croakedJoseph，catchinganopportunity，fromourhesitation，tothrustinhiseviltongue。`IfIwaryah，maister，I\'djustslamt\'boardsi\'theirfacesallon\'em，gentleandsimple!Neveradayutyah\'reoff，butyoncato\'Lintoncomessneakinghither；andMissNelly，shoo\'safinelass!shoositswatchingforyei\'

t\'kitchen；andasyah\'reinatonedoor，he\'soutatt\'other；and，then，wergrandladygoesacoortingofherside!It\'sbonnybehaviour，lurkingamangt\'fields，aftertwelveo\'t\'night，wi\'thatfahl，flaysomedivilofagipsy，Heathcliff!TheythinkI\'mblind；butI\'mnoan:nowtutt\'soart!——IseedyoungLintonboathcomingandgoing，andIseedyah\'

(directinghisdiscoursetome)，`yahgooidfurnowt，slattenlywitch!

nipupandboltintoth\'house，t\'minuteyahheardt\'maister\'shorsefitclatterupt\'road。\'

`Silence，eavesdropper!\'criedCatherine；`noneofyourinsolencebeforeme!EdgarLintoncameyesterdaybychance，Hindley；anditwasIwhotoldhimtobeoff:becauseIknewyouwouldnotliketohavemethimasyouwere。

`Youlie，Cathy，nodoubt，\'answeredherbrother，`andyouareaconfoundedsimpleton!ButnevermindLintonatpresent:tellme，wereyounotwithHeathclifflastnight？Speakthetruth，now。Youneednotbeafraidofharminghim:thoughIhatehimasmuchasever，hedidmeagoodturnashorttimesince，thatwillmakemyconsciencetenderofbreakinghisneck。Topreventit，Ishallsendhimabouthisbusiness，thisverymorning；andafterhe\'sgone，I\'dadviseyoualltolooksharp:

Ishallonlyhavethemorehumourforyou。

`IneversawHeathclifflastnight，\'answeredCatherine，beginningtosobbitterly:`andifyoudoturnhimoutofdoors，I\'llgowithhim。

But，perhaps，you\'llneverhaveanopportunity:perhapshe\'sgone。\'Heresheburstintouncontrollablegrief，andtheremainderofherwordswereinarticulate。

Hindleylavishedonheratorrentofscornfulabuse，andbadehergettoherroomimmediately，orsheshouldn\'tcryfornothing!Iobligedhertoobey；andIshallneverforgetwhatascenesheactedwhenwereachedherchamber:itterrifiedme。Ithoughtshewasgoingmad，andIbeggedJosephtorunforthedoctor。Itprovedthecommencementofdelirium:MrKenneth，assoonashesawher，pronouncedherdangerouslyill；shehadafever。Hebledher，andhetoldmetoletherliveonwheyandwatergruel，andtakecareshedidnotthrowherselfdownstairsoroutofthewindow；andthenheleft:forhehadenoughtodointheparish，wheretwoorthreemileswastheordinarydistancebetweencottageandcottage。

ThoughIcannotsayImadeagentlenurse，andJosephandthemasterwerenobetter；andthoughourpatientwasaswearisomeandheadstrongasapatientcouldbe，sheweathereditthrough。OldMrsLintonpaidusseveralvisits，tobesure，andsetthingstorights，andscoldedandorderedusall；andwhenCatherinewasconvalescent，sheinsistedonconveyinghertoThrushcrossGrange:forwhichdeliverancewewereverygrateful。

Butthepoordamehadreasontorepentofherkindness:sheandherhusbandbothtookthefever，anddiedwithinafewdaysofeachother。

Ouryoungladyreturnedtous，saucierandmorepassionate，andhaughtierthanever。Heathcliffhadneverbeenheardofsincetheeveningofthethunder-storm；andonedayIhadthemisfortune，whenshehadprovokedmeexceedingly，tolaytheblameofhisdisappearanceonher:whereindeeditbelonged，asshewellknew。Fromthatperiod，forseveralmonths，sheceasedtoholdanycommunicationwithme，saveintherelationofamereservant。Josephfellunderabanalso:hewouldspeakhismind，andlectureherallthesameasifshewerealittlegirl；andsheesteemedherselfawoman，andourmistress，andthoughtthatherrecentillnessgaveheraclaimtobetreatedwithconsideration。Thenthedoctorhadsaidthatshewouldnotbearcrossingmuch；sheoughttohaveherownway；

anditwasnothinglessthanmurderinhereyesforanyonetopresumetostandupandcontradicther。FromMrEarnshawandhiscompanionsshekeptaloof；andtutoredbyKenneth，andseriousthreatsofafitthatoftenattendedherrages，herbrotherallowedherwhatevershepleasedtodemand，andgenerallyavoidedaggravatingherfierytemper。Hewasrathertooindulgentinhumouringhercaprices；notfromaffection，butfrompride:

hewishedearnestlytoseeherbringhonourtothefamilybyanalliancewiththeLintons，andaslongasshelet。himaloneshemighttrampleuslikeslaves，foraughthecared!EdgarLinton，asmultitudeshavebeenbeforeandwillbeafterhim，wasinfatuated；andbelievedhimselfth，ehappiestmanaliveonthedayheledhertoGimmertonChapel，threeyearssubsequenttohisfather\'sdeath。

Muchagainstmyinclination，IwaspersuadedtoleaveWutheringHeightsandaccompanyherhere。LittleHaretonwasnearlyfiveyearsold，andIhadjustbeguntoteachhimhisletters。Wemadeasadparting；butCatherine\'stearsweremorepowerfulthanours。WhenIrefusedtogo，andwhenshefoundherentreatiesdidnotmoveme，shewentlamentingtoherhusbandandbrother。Theformerofferedmemunificentwages；thelatterorderedmetopackup:hewantednowomeninthehouse，hesaid，nowthattherewasnomistress；andastoHareton，thecurateshouldtakehiminhand，byandby。AndsoIhadbutonechoiceleft:todoasIwasordered。

Itoldthemasterhegotridofalldecentpeopleonlytoruntoruinalittlefaster；IkissedHaretongoodbye；andsincethenhehasbeenastranger:

andit\'sveryqueertothinkit，butI\'venodoubthehascompletelyforgottenallaboutEllenDean，andthathewasevermorethanalltheworldtoher，andshetohim!

Atthispointofthehousekeeper\'sstory，shechancedtoglancetowardsthetimepieceoverthechimney；andwasinamazementonseeingtheminutehandmeasurehalfpastone。Shewouldnothearofstayingasecondlonger:intruth，Ifeltratherdisposedtodeferthesequelofhernarrative，myself。Andnowthatsheisvanishedtoherrest，andI

havemeditatedforanotherhourortwo，Ishallsummoncouragetogo，also，inspiteofachinglazinessofheadandlimbs。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter10Acharmingintroductiontoahermit\'slife!Fourweeks\'torture，tossing，andsickness!Oh!thesebleakwindsandbitternorthernskies，andimpassableroads，anddilatorycountrysurgeons!And，oh，thisdearthofthehumanphysiognomy!and，worsethanall，theterribleintimationofKenneththatIneednotexpecttobeoutofdoorstillspring!

MrHeathcliffhasjusthonouredmewithacallsAboutsevendaysagohesentmeabraceofgrouse——thelastoftheseason。Scoundrel!Heisnotaltogetherguiltlessinthisillnessofmine；andthatIhadagreatmindtotellhim。But，alas!howcouldIoffendamanwhowascharitableenoughtositatmybedsideagoodhour，andtalkonsomeothersubjectthanpillsanddraughts，blistersandleeches？Thisisquiteaneasyinterval。

Iamtooweaktoread；yetIfeelasifIcouldenjoysomethinginteresting。

WhynothaveupMrsDeantofinishhertale？Icanrecollectitschiefincidentsasfarasshehadgone。Yes:Irememberherherohadrunoff，andneverbeenheardofforthreeyears；andtheheroinewasmarried。I\'llring:she\'llbedelightedtofindmecapableoftalkingcheerfully。MrsDeancame。

`Itwantstwentyminutes，sir，totakingthemedicine，\'shecommenced。

`Away，awaywithit!\'Ireplied；`Idesiretohave——\'

`Thedoctorsaysyoumustdropthepowders。\'

`Withallmyheart!Don\'tinterruptme。Comeandtakeyourseathere。Keepyourfingersfromthatbitterphalanxofvials。Drawyourknittingoutofyourpocket——thatwilldo——nowcontinuethehistoryofMrHeathcliff，fromwhereyouleftoff，tothepresentday。DidhefinishhiseducationontheContinent，andcomebackagentleman？or。didhegetasizar\'splaceatcollege，orescapetoAmerica，andearnhonoursbydrawingbloodfromhisfoster-country？ormakeafortunemorepromptlyontheEnglishhighways？\'

`Hemayhavedonealittleinallthesevocations，MrLockwood；

butIcouldn\'tgivemywordforany。IstatedbeforethatIdidn\'tknowhowhegainedhismoney；neitheramIawareofthemeanshetooktoraisehismindfromthesavageignoranceintowhichitwassunk:but，withyourleave，I\'llproceedinmyownfashion，ifyouthinkitwillamuseandnotwearyyou。Areyoufeelingbetterthismorning？\'

`Much。\'

`That\'sgoodnews。IgotMissCatherineandmyselftoThrushcrossGrange；and，tomyagreeabledisappointment，shebehavedinfinitelybetterthanIdaredexpect。SheseemedalmostoverfondofMrLinton；andeventohissistersheshowedplentyofaffection。Theywerebothveryattentivetohercomfort，certainly。Itwasnotthethornbendingtothehoneysuckles，butthehoneysucklesembracingthethorn。Therewerenomutualconcessions；

onestooderect，andtheothersyielded:andwhocanbeill-naturedandbad-temperedwhentheyencounterneitheroppositionnorindifference？I

observedthatMrEdgarhadadeeprootedfearofrufflingherhumour。Heconcealeditfromher；butifeverheheardmeanswersharply，orsawanyotherservantgrowcloudyatsomeimperiousorderofhers，hewouldshowhistroublebyafrownofdispleasurethatneverdarkenedonhisownaccount。

Hemanyatimespokesternlytomeaboutmypertness；andaverredthatthestabofaknifecouldnotinflictaworsepangthanhesufferedatseeinghisladyvexed。Nottogrieveakindmaster，Ilearnedtobelesstouchy；and，forthespaceofhalfayear，thegunpowderlayasharmlessassand，becausenofirecameneartoexplodeit。Catherinehadseasonsofgloomandsilencenowandthen:theywererespectedwithsympathizingsilencebyherhusband，whoascribedthemtoanalterationinherconstitution，producedbyherperilousillness；asshewasneversubjecttodepressionofspiritsbefore。Thereturnofsunshinewaswelcomedbyansweringsunshinefromhim。IbelieveImayassertthattheywerereallyinpossessionofdeepandgrowinghappiness。

Itended。Well，wemustbeforourselvesinthelongrun；

themildandgenerousareonlymorejustlyselfishthanthedomineering；

anditendedwhencircumstancescausedeachtofeelthattheonesinterestwasnotthechiefconsiderationintheother\'sthoughts。OnamelloweveninginSeptember，IwascomingfromthegardenwithaheavybasketofappleswhichIhadbeengathering。Ithadgotdusk，andthemoonlookedoverthehighwallofthecourt，causingundefinedshadowstolurkinthecornersofthenumerousprojectingportionsofthebuilding。Isetmyburdenonthehousestepsbythekitchendoor，andlingeredtorest，anddrewinafewmorebreathsofthesoft，sweetair；myeyeswereonthemoon，andmybacktotheentrance，whenIheardavoicebehindmesay——

`Nelly，isthatyou？\'

Itwasadeepvoice，andforeignintone；yettherewassomethinginthemannerofpronouncingmynamewhichmadeitsoundfamiliar。Iturnedabouttodiscoverwhospoke，fearfully；forthedoorswereshut，andI

hadseennobodyonapproachingthesteps。Somethingstirredintheporch；

and，movingnearer，Idistinguishedatallmandressedindarkclothes，withdarkfaceandhair。Heleantagainsttheside，andheldhisfingersonthelatchasifintendingtoopenforhimself。`Whocanitbe？\'Ithought。

`MrEarnshaw？Oh，no!Thevoicehasnoresemblancetohis。\'

`Ihavewaitedhereanhour，\'heresumed，whileIcontinuedstaring；

`andthewholeofthattimeallroundhasbeenasstillasdeath。Idarednotenter。Youdonotknowme？Look，I\'mnotastranger!\'

Arayfellonhisfeatures；thecheeksweresallow，andhalfcoveredwithblackwhiskers；thebrowslowering，theeyesdeepsetandsingular。

Irememberedtheeyes。

`What!\'Icried，uncertainwhethertoregardhimasaworldlyvisitor，andIraisedmyhandsinamazement。What!youcomeback？Isitreallyyou？Isit？\'

`Yes，Heathcliff，\'hereplied，glancingfrommeuptothewindows，whichreflectedascoreofglitteringmoons，butshowednolightsfromwithin。`Aretheyathome？whereisshe？Nelly，youarenotglad!youneedn\'tbesodisturbed。Isshehere？Speak!Iwanttohaveonewordwithher——yourmistress。Go，andsaysomepersonfromGimmertondesirestoseeher。\'

`Howwillshetakeit？\'Iexclaimed。`Whatwillshedo？Thesurprisebewildersme——itwillputheroutofherhead!AndyouareHeathcliff!

Butaltered!Nay，there\'snocomprehendingit。Haveyoubeenforasoldier？\'

`Goandcarrymymessage，\'heinterruptedimpatiently。`I\'minhelltillyoudo!\'

Heliftedthelatch，andIentered；butwhenIgottotheparlourwhereMrandMrsLintonwere，Icouldnotpersuademyselftoproceed。Atlength，Iresolvedonmakinganexcusetoaskiftheywouldhavethecandleslighted，andIopenedthedoor。

Theysattogetherinawindowwhoselatticelaybackagainstthewall，anddisplayed，beyondthegardentreesandthewildgreenpark，thevalleyofGimmerton，withalonglineofmistwindingnearlytoitstop(forverysoonafteryoupassthechapel，asyoumayhavenoticed，thesoughthatrunsfromthemarshesjoinsabeckwhichfollowsthebendoftheglen)。WutheringHeightsroseabovethissilveryvapour；butouroldhousewasinvisible；itratherdipsdownontheotherside。Boththeroomanditsoccupants，andthescenetheygazedon，lookedwondrouslypeaceful。

Ishrankreluctantlyfromperformingmyerrand；andwasactuallygoingawayleavingitunsaid，afterhavingputmyquestionaboutthecandles，whenasenseofmyfollycompelledmetoreturn，andmutter——`ApersonfromGimmertonwishestoseeyou，ma\'am。\'

`Whatdoeshewant？\'askedMrsLinton。

`Ididnotquestionhim，\'Ianswered。

`Well，closethecurtains，Nelly，\'shesaid；`andbringuptea。

I\'llbebackagaindirectly。\'

Shequittedtheapartment；MrEdgarinquired，carelessly，whoitwas。

`Someonemistressdoesnotexpect，\'Ireplied。`ThatHeathcliff——yourecollecthim，sir，——whousedtoliveatMrEarnshaw\'s。\'

`What!thegipsy——theploughboy？\'hecried。`WhydidyounotsaysotoCatherine？\'

`Hush!youmustnotcallhimbythosenames，master，\'Isaid。

`She\'dbesadlygrievedtohearyou。Shewasnearlyheartbrokenwhenheranoff。Iguesshisreturnwillmakeajubileetoher。\'

MrLintonwalkedtoawindowontheothersideoftheroomthatoverlookedthecourt。Heunfasteneditandleantout。Isupposetheywerebelow，forheexclaimedquickly——`Don\'tstandthere，love!Bringthepersonin，ifitbeanyoneparticular。\'ErelongIheardtheclickofthelatch，andCatherineflewupstairs，breathlessandwild；tooexcitedtoshowgladness:

indeed，byherface，youwouldratherhavesurmisedanawfulcalamity。

`Oh，Edgar，Edgar!\'shepanted，flingingherarmsroundhisneck。

`OhEdgar，darling!Heathcliff\'scomeback-heis!\'Andshetightenedherembracetoasqueeze。

`Well，well，\'criedherhusbandcrossly，`don\'tstranglemeforthat!Heneverstruckmeassuchamarvelloustreasure。Thereisnoneedtobefrantic!\'

`Iknowyoudidn\'tlikehim，\'sheanswered，repressingalittletheintensityofherdelight。`Yet，formysake，youmustbefriendsnow。

ShallItellhimtocomeup？\'

`Here？\'hesaid，`intotheparlour？\'

`Whereelse？\'sheasked。

Helookedvexed，andsuggestedthekitchenasamoresuitableplaceforhim。MrsLintoneyedhimwithadrollexpression——halfangry，halflaughingathisfastidiousness。

`No，\'sheaddedafterawhile；`Icannotsitinthekitchen。Settwotableshere，Ellen:oneforyourmasterandMissIsabella，beinggentry；

theotherforHeathcliffandmyself，beingofthelowerorders。Willthatpleaseyou，dear？OrmustIhaveafirelightedelsewhere？Ifso，givedirections。I\'llrundownandsecuremyguest。I\'mafraidthejoyistoogreattobereal!\'

Shewasabouttodartoffagain；butEdgararrestedher。

`Youbidhimstepup，\'hesaid，addressingme!`and，Catherine，trytobeglad，withoutbeingabsurd!thewholehouseholdneednotwitnessthesightofyourwelcomingarunawayservantasabrother。\'

IdescendedandfoundHeathcliffwaitingundertheporch，evidentlyanticipatinganinvitationtoenter。Hefollowedmyguidancewithoutwasteofwords，andIusheredhimintothepresenceofthemasterandmistress，whoseflushedcheeksbetrayedsignsofwarmtalking。Butthelady\'sglowedwithanotherfeelingwhenherfriendappearedatthedoor:shesprangforward，tookbothhishands，andledhimtoLinton；andthensheseizedLinton\'sreluctantfingersandcrushedthemintohis。Nowfullyrevealedbythefireandcandlelight，Iwasamazed，morethanever，tobeholdthetransformationofHeathcliff。Hehadgrownatall，athletic，well-formedman；besidewhom，mymasterseemedquiteslenderandyouth-like。Hisuprightcarriagesuggestedtheideaofhishavingbeeninthearmy。HiscountenancewasmucholderinexpressionanddecisionoffeaturethanMrLinton\'s；itlookedintelligent，andretainednomarksofformerdegradation。Ahalf-civilizedferocitylurkedyetinthedepressedbrowsandeyesfullofblackfire，butitwassubdued；andhismannerwasevendignified:quitedivestedofroughness，thoughtoosternforgrace。Mymaster\'ssurpriseequalledorexceededmine:

heremainedforaminuteatalosshowtoaddresstheploughboy，ashehadcalledhim。Heathcliffdroppedhisslighthand，andstoodlookingathimcoollytillhechosetospeak。

`Sitdown，sir，\'hesaid，atlength。`MrsLinton，recallingoldtimes，wouldhavemegiveyouacordialreception；and，ofcourse，Iamgratifiedwhenanythingoccurstopleaseher。\'

`AndIalso，\'answeredHeathcliff，`especiallyifitbeanythinginwhichIhaveapart。Ishallstayanhourortwowillingly。\'

HetookaseatoppositeCatherine，whokepthergazefixedonhimasifshefearedhewouldvanishwereshetoremoveit。Hedidnotraisehistoheroften:aquickglancenowandthensufficed；butitflashedback，eachtimemoreconfidently，theundisguiseddelighthedrankfromhers。Theyweretoomuchabsorbedintheirmutualjoytosufferembarrassment。

NotsoMrEdgar:hegrewpalewithpureannoyance:afeelingthatreacheditsclimaxwhenhisladyrose，andsteppingacrosstherug，seizedHeathcliff\'shandsagain，andlaughedlikeonebesideherself。

`Ishallthinkitadreamtomorrow!\'shecried。`IshallnotbeabletobelievethatIhaveseen，andtouched，andspokentoyouoncemore。

Andyet，cruelHeathcliff!youdon\'tdeservethiswelcome。Tobeabsentandsilentforthreeyears，andnevertothinkofme!\'

`Alittlemorethanyouhavethoughtofme，\'hemurmured。`Iheardofyourmarriage，Cathy，notlongsince；and，whilewaitingintheyardbelow，Imeditatedthisplan:——justtohaveoneglimpseofyourface，astareofsurprise，perhaps，andpretendedpleasure；afterwardssettlemyscorewithHindley；andthenpreventthelawbydoingexecutiononmyself。

Yourwelcomehasputtheseideasoutofmymind；butbewareofmeetingmewithanotheraspectnexttime!Nay，you\'llnotdrivemeoffagain。Youwerereallysorryforme，wereyou？Well，therewascause。I\'vefoughtthroughabitterlifesinceIlastheardyourvoice；andyoumustforgiveme，forIstruggledonlyforyou!\'

`Catherine，unlesswearetohavecoldtea，pleasetocometothetable，\'interruptedLinton，strivingtopreservehisordinarytone，andaduemeasureofpoliteness。`MrHeathcliffwillhavealongwalk，whereverhemaylodgetonight；andI\'mthirsty。\'

Shetookherpostbeforetheurn；andMissIsabellacame，summonedbythebell；then，havinghandedtheirchairsforward，Ilefttheroom。

Themealhardlyenduredtenminutes。Catherine\'scupwasneverfilled:

shecouldneithereatnordrink。Edgarhadmadeaslopinhissaucer，andscarcelyswallowedamouthful。Theirguestdidnotprotracthisstaythateveningaboveanhourlonger。Iasked，ashedeparted，ifhewenttoGimmerton？

`No，toWutheringHeights，\'heanswered:`MrEarnshawinvitedme，whenIcalledthismorning。\'