第6章

WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter12WhileMissLintonmopedabouttheparkandgarden，alwayssilent，andalmostalwaysintears；andherbrothershuthimselfupamongbooksthatheneveropened——wearying，Iguessed，withacontinualvagueexpectationthatCatherine，repentingherconduct，wouldcomeofherownaccordtoaskpardon，andseekareconciliation——andshefastedpertinaciously，undertheidea，probably，thatateverymeal，Edgarwasreadytochokeforherabsence，andpridealoneheldhimfromrunningtocasthimselfatherfeet:Iwentaboutmyhouseholdduties，convincedthattheGrangehadbutonesensiblesoulinitswalls，andthatlodgedinmybody。IwastednocondolencesonMiss，noranyexpostulationsonmymistress；nordidIpaymuchattentiontothesighsofmymaster，whoyearnedtohearhislady\'sname，sincehemightnothearhervoice。Ideterminedtheyshouldcomeaboutastheypleasedforme；andthoughitwasatiresomelyslowprocess，Ibegantorejoiceatlengthinafaintdawnofitsprogress:asIthoughtatfirst。

MrsLinton，onthethirdday，unbarredherdoor，andhavingfinishedthewaterinherpitcheranddecanter，desiredarenewedsupply，andabasinofgruel，forshebelievedshewasdying。ThatIsetdownasaspeechmeantforEdgar\'sears；Ibelievednosuchthing，soIkeptittomyselfandbroughthersometeaanddrytoast。Sheateanddrankeagerly；andsankbackonherpillowagainclenchingherhandsandgroaning。`Oh，I

willdie，\'sheexclaimed，`sincenoonecaresanythingaboutme。IwishIhadnottakenthat。\'ThenagoodwhileafterIheardhermurmur，`No，I\'llnotdie——he\'dbeglad——hedoesnotlovemeatall——hewouldnevermissme!\'

`Didyouwantanything，ma\'am？\'Iinquired，stillpreservingmyexternalcomposure，inspiteofherghastlycountenance，andstrangeexaggeratedmanner。

`Whatisthatapatheticbeingdoing？\'shedemanded，pushingherthickentangledlocksfromherwastedface。`Hashefallenintoalethargy，orishedead？\'

`Neither，\'repliedI；`ifyoumeanMrLinton。He\'stolerablywell，Ithink，thoughhisstudiesoccupyhimrathermorethantheyought:heiscontinuallyamonghisbooks，sincehehasnoothersociety。\'

Ishouldnothavespokenso，ifIhadknownhertruecondition，butIcouldnotgetridofthenotionthatsheactedapartofherdisorder。

`Amonghisbooks!\'shecried，confounded。`AndIdying!Ionthebrinkofthegrave!MyGod!doesheknowhowI\'maltered？\'continuedshe，staringatherreflectioninamirrorhangingagainsttheoppositewall。

`IsthatCatherineLinton!Heimaginesmeinapet——inplay，perhaps。Cannotyouinformhimthatitisfrightfulearnest？Nelly，ifitbenottoolate，assoonasIlearnhowhefeels，I\'llchoosebetweenthesetwo；eithertostarveatonce——thatwouldbenopunishmentunlesshehadaheart——ortorecover，andleavethecountry。Areyouspeakingthetruthabouthimnow？Takecare。Isheactuallysoutterlyindifferentformylife？\'

`Why，ma\'am，\'Ianswered，`themasterhasnoideaofyourbeingderanged；andofcoursehedoesnotfearthatyouwillletyourselfdieofhunger。\'

`Youthinknot？CannotyoutellhimIwill？\'shereturned。`Persuadehim!speakofyourownmind:sayyouarecertainIwill!\'

`No，youforget，MrsLinton，\'Isuggested，`thatyouhaveeatensomefoodwitharelishthisevening，andtomorrowyouwillperceiveitsgoodeffects。\'

`IfIwereonlysureitwouldkillhim，\'sheinterrupted，`I\'dkillmyselfdirectly!Thesethreeawfulnights，I\'veneverclosedmylids——andoh，I\'vebeentormented!I\'vebeenhaunted，Nelly!ButIbegintofancyyoudon\'tlikeme。Howstrange!Ithought，thougheverybodyhatedanddespisedeachother，theycouldnotavoidlovingme。Andtheyhaveallturnedtoenemiesinafewhours:theyhave，I\'mpositive；thepeoplehere。

Howdrearytomeetdeath，surroundedbytheircoldfaces!Isabellaterrifiedandrepelled，afraidtoentertheroom，itwouldbesodreadfultowatchCatherinego。AndEdgarstandingsolemnlybytoseeitover；thenofferingprayersofthankstoGodforrestoringpeacetohishouse，andgoingbacktohisbooks!Whatinthenameofallthatfeelshashetodowithbooks，whenIamdying？\'

ShecouldnotbearthenotionwhichIhadputintoherheadofMrLinton\'sphilosophicalresignation。Tossingabout，sheincreasedherfeverishbewildermenttomadness，andtorethepillowwithherteeth；thenraisingherselfupallburning，desiredthatIwouldopenthewindow。Wewereinthemiddleofwinter，thewindblewstrongfromthenorth-east，andIobjected。Boththeexpressionsflittingoverherface，andthechangesofhermoods，begantoalarmmeterribly；andbroughttomyrecollectionherformerillness，andthedoctor\'sinjunctionthatsheshouldnotbecrossed。Aminutepreviouslyshewasviolent；now，supportedononearm，andnotnoticingmyrefusaltoobeyher，sheseemedtofindchildishdiversioninpullingthefeathersfromtherentsshehadjustmade，andrangingthemonthesheetaccordingtotheirdifferentspecies:hermindhadstrayedtootherassociations。

`That\'saturkey\'s，\'shemurmuredtoherself；`andthisisawildduck\'s；andthisisapigeon\'s。Ah，theyputpigeons\'feathersinthepillows——nowonderIcouldn\'tdie!LetmetakecaretothrowitonthefloorwhenI

liedown。Andhereisamoor-cock\'s；andthis——Ishouldknowitamongathousand——it\'salapwing\'s。Bonnybird；wheelingoverourheadsinthemiddleofthemoor。Itwantedtogettoitsnest，forthecloudshadtouchedtheswells，anditfeltraincoming。Thisfeatherwaspickedupfromtheheath，thebirdwasnotshot:wesawitsnestinthewinter，fulloflittleskeletons。Heathcliffsetatrapoverit，andtheoldonesdarenotcome。

Imadehimpromisehe\'dnevershootalapwingafterthat，andhedidn\'t。

Yes，herearemore!Didheshootmylapwings，Nelly？Aretheyred，anyofthem!Letmelook。\'

`Giveoverwiththatbaby-work!\'Iinterrupted，draggingthepillowaway，andturningtheholestowardsthemattress，forshewasremovingitscontentsbyhandfuls。`Liedownandshutyoureyes:you\'rewandering。

There\'samess!Thedownisflyingaboutlikesnow。\'

Iwenthereandtherecollectingit。

`Iseeinyou，Nelly，\'shecontinueddreamily，`anagedwoman:

youhavegreyhairandbentshoulders。ThisbedisthefairycaveunderPenistonCrag，andyouaregatheringelf-boltstohurtourheifers；pretending，whileIamnear，thattheyareonlylocksofwool。That\'swhatyou\'llcometofiftyyearshence:Iknowyouarenotsonow。I\'mnotwandering:you\'remistaken，orelseIshouldbelieveyoureallywerethatwitheredhag，andIshouldthinkIwasunderPenistonCrag；andI\'mconsciousit\'snight，andtherearetwocandlesonthetablemakingtheblackpressshinelikejet。\'

`Theblackpress？whereisthat？\'Iasked。`Youaretalkinginyoursleep!\'

`It\'sagainstthewall，asitalwaysis，\'shereplied。`Itdoesappearodd——Iseeafaceinit!\'

`There\'snopressintheroom，andneverwas，\'saidI，resumingmyseat，andloopingupthecurtainthatImightwatchher。

`Don\'tyouseethatface？\'sheinquired，gazingearnestlyatthemirror。

AndsaywhatIcould，Iwasincapableofmakinghercomprehendittobeherown；soIroseandcovereditwithashawl。

`It\'sbehindtherestill!\'shepursuedanxiously。`Anditstirred。

Whoisit？Ihopeitwillnotcomeoutwhenyouaregone!Oh!Nelly，theroomishaunted!I\'mafraidofbeingalone!\'

Itookherhandinmine，andbidherbecomposed:forasuccessionofshuddersconvulsedherframe，andshewouldkeepstraininghergazetowardstheglass。

`There\'snobodyhere!\'Iinsisted。`Itwasyourself，MrsLinton:youknewitawhilesince。\'

`Myself!\'shegasped，`andtheclockisstrikingtwelve!It\'strue，then!that\'sdreadful!\'

Herfingersclutchedtheclothes，andgatheredthemoverhereyes。

Iattemptedtostealtothedoorwithanintentionofcallingherhusband；

butIwassummonedbackbyapiercingshriek——theshawlhaddroppedfromtheframe。

`Why，whatisthematter？\'criedI。`Whoiscowardnow？

Wakeup!Thatistheglass——themirror，MrsLinton；andyouseeyourselfinit，andthereamItoo，byyourside。\'

Tremblingandbewildered，sheheldmefast，butthehorrorgraduallypassedfromhercountenance；itspalenessgaveplacetoaglowofshame。

`Oh，dear!IthoughtIwasathome，\'shesighed。`IthoughtI

waslyinginmychamberatWutheringHeights。BecauseI\'mweak，mybraingotconfused，andIscreamedunconsciously。Dontsayanything；butstaywithme。Idreadsleeping:mydreamsappalme。\'

`Asoundsleepwoulddoyougood，ma\'am，\'Ianswered；`andIhopethissufferingwillpreventyourtryingstarvingagain。\'

`Oh，ifIwerebutinmyownbedintheoldhouse!\'shewentonbitterly，wringingherhands，`Andthatwindsoundinginthefirsbythelattice。Doletmefeelit——itcomesstraightdownthemoor——doletmehaveonebreath!\'

Topacifyher，Iheldthecasementajarafewseconds。Acoldblastrushedthrough；Iclosedit，andreturnedtomypost。Shelaystillnow，herfacebathedintears。Exhaustionofbodyhadentirelysubduedherspirit:ourfieryCatherinewasnobetterthanawailingchild。

`HowlongisitsinceIshutmyselfinhere？\'sheasked，suddenlyreviving。

`ItwasMondayevening，\'Ireplied，`andthisisThursdaynight，orratherFridaymorning，atpresent。

`What!ofthesameweek？\'sheexclaimed。`Onlythatbrieftime？\'

`Longenoughtoliveonnothingbutcoldwaterandill-temper，observedI。

`Well，itseemsawearynumberofhours，\'shemuttereddoubtfully:

`itmustbemore。Irememberbeingintheparlouraftertheyhadquarrelled，andEdgarbeingcruellyprovoking，andmerunningintothisroomdesperate。

AssoonaseverIhadbarredthedoor，utterblacknessoverwhelmedme，andIfellonthefloor。Icouldn\'texplaintoEdgarhowcertainIfeltofhavingafit，orgoingragingmad，ifhepersistedinteasingme!I

hadnocommandoftongue，orbrain，andhedidnotguessmyagony，perhaps:

itbarelyleftmesensetotrytoescapefromhimandhisvoice。BeforeIrecoveredsufficientlytoseeandhear，itbegantobedawn，and，Nelly，I\'lltellyouwhatIthought，andwhathaskeptrecurringandrecurringtillIfearedformyreason。IthoughtasIlaythere，withmyheadagainstthattableleg，andmyeyesdimlydiscerningthegreysquareofthewindow，thatIwasenclosedintheoak-panelledbedathome；andmyheartachedwithsomegreatgriefwhich，justwaking，Icouldnotrecollect。Ipondered，andworriedmyselftodiscoverwhatitcouldbe，and，moststrangely，thewholelastsevenyearsofmylifegrewablank!Ididnotrecallthattheyhadbeenatall。Iwasachild；myfatherwasjustburied，andmymiseryarosefromtheseparationthatHindleyhadorderedbetweenmeandHeathcliff。

Iwaslaidalone，forthefirsttime；and，rousingfromadismaldozeafteranightofweeping，Iliftedmyhandtopushthepanelsaside:itstruckthetabletop!Isweptitalongthecarpet，andthenmemoryburstin:mylateanguishwasswallowedinaparoxysmofdespair。IcannotsaywhyI

feltsowildlywretched:itmusthavebeentemporaryderangement，forthereisscarcelycause。But，supposingattwelveyearsoldIhadbeenwrenchedfromtheHeights，andeveryearlyassociation，andmyallinall，asHeathcliffwasatthattime，andbeenconvertedatastrokeintoMrsLinton，theladyofThrushcrossGrange，andthewifeofastranger:anexile，andoutcast，thenceforth，fromwhathadbeenmyworld。YoumayfancyaglimpseoftheabysswhereIgrovelled!Shakeyourheadasyouwill，Nelly，youhavehelpedtounsettleme!YoushouldhavespokentoEdgar，indeedyoushould，andcompelledhimtoleavemequiet!Oh，I\'mburning!IwishI

wereoutofdoors!IwishIwereagirlagain，halfsavageandhardy，andfree；andlaughingatinjuries，notmaddeningunderthem!WhyamIsochanged？

whydoesmybloodrushintoahelloftumultatafewwords？I\'msureI

shouldbemyselfwereIonceamongtheheatheronthosehills。Openthewindowagainwide:fastenitopen!Quick，whydon\'tyoumove？\'

`BecauseIwon\'tgiveyouyourdeathofcold，\'Ianswered。

`Youwon\'tgivemeachanceoflife，youmean，\'shesaidsullenly。

`However，I\'mnothelpless，yet:I\'llopenitmyself。\'

AndslidingfromthebedbeforeIcouldhinderher，shecrossedtheroom，walkingveryuncertainly，threwitback，andbentout，carelessofthefrostyairthatcutabouthershouldersaskeenasaknife。Ientreated，andfinallyattemptedtoforcehertoretire。ButIsoonfoundherdeliriousstrengthmuchsurpassedmine(shewasdelirious，Ibecameconvincedbyhersubsequentactionsandravings)。Therewasnomoon，andeverythingbeneathlayinmistydarkness:notalightgleamedfromanyhouse，farornear——allhadbeenextinguishedlongago；andthoseatWutheringHeightswerenevervisible——stillsheassertedshecaughttheirshining。

`Look!\'shecriedeagerly，`that\'smyroomwiththecandleinit，andthetreesswayingbeforeit:andtheothercandleisinJoseph\'sgarret。Josephsitsuplate，doesn\'the？He\'swaitingtillIcomehomethathemaylockthegate。Well，he\'llwaitawhileyet。It\'saroughjourney，andasadhearttotravelit；andwemustpassbyGimmertonKirk，togothatjourney!We\'vebraveditsghostsoftentogether，anddaredeachothertostandamongthegravesandaskthemtocome。But，Heathcliff，ifIdareyounow，willyouventure？Ifyoudo，I\'llkeepyou。I\'llnotlietherebymyself:theymayburymetwelvefeetdeep，andthrowthechurchdownoverme，butIwon\'tresttillyouarewithme。Ineverwill!\'

Shepaused，andresumedwithastrangesmile。`He\'sconsidering——he\'dratherI\'dcometohim!Findaway，then!notthroughthatkirkyard。Youareslow!Becontent，youalwaysfollowedme!\'

Perceivingitvaintoargueagainstherinsanity，IwasplanninghowIcouldreachsomethingtowrapabouther，withoutquittingmyholdofherself(forIcouldnottrustheralonebythegapinglattice)，when，tomyconsternation，Iheardtherattleofthedoorhandle，andMrLintonentered。Hehadonlythencomefromthelibrary；and，inpassingthroughthelobby，hadnoticedourtalkingandbeenattractedbycuriosity，orfear，toexaminewhatitsignified，atthatlatehour。

`Oh，sir!\'Icried，checkingtheexclamationrisentohislipsatthesightwhichmethim，andthebleakatmosphereofthechamber。`Mypoormistressisill，andshequitemastersme:Icannotmanageheratall；pray，comeandpersuadehertogotobed。Forgetyouranger，forshe\'shardtoguideanywaybutherown。\'

`Catherineill？\'hesaid，hasteningtous。`Shutthewindow，Ellen!

Catherine!why——

Hewassilent。ThehaggardnessofMrsLinton\'sappearancesmotehimspeechless，andhecouldonlyglancefromhertomeinhorrifiedastonishment。

`She\'sbeenfrettinghere，\'Icontinued，`andeatingscarcelyanything，andnevercomplaining；shewouldadmitnoneofustillthisevening，andsowecouldn\'tinformyouofherstateaswewerenotawareofitourselves；

butitisnothing。\'

IfeltIutteredmyexplanationsawkwardly；themasterfrowned。

`Itisnothing，isit，EllenDean？\'hesaidsternly。`Youshallaccountmoreclearlyforkeepingmeignorantofthis!\'Andhetookhiswifeinhisarms，andlookedatherwithanguish。

Atfirstshegavehimnoglanceofrecognition；hewasinvisibletoherabstractedgaze。Thedeliriumwasnotfixed，however；havingweanedhereyesfromcontemplatingtheouterdarkness，bydegreesshecentredherattentiononhim，anddiscoveredwhoitwasthatheldher。

`Ah!youarecome，areyou，EdgarLinton？\'shesaid，withangryanimation。`Youareoneofthosethingsthatareeverfoundwhenleastwanted，andwhenyouarewanted，never!Isupposeweshallhaveplentyoflamentationsnow——Iseeweshall——buttheycan\'tkeepmefrommynarrowhomeoutyonder:myresting-place，whereI\'mboundbeforespringisover!

Thereitis:notamongtheLintons，mind，underthechapelroof，butintheopenair，withaheadstone；andyoumaypleaseyourself，whetheryougotothemorcometome!\'

`Catherine，whathaveyoudone？\'commencedthemaster。`AmInothingtoyouanymore？DoyoulovethatwretchHeath——\'

`Hush!\'criedMrsLinton。`Hush，thismoment!YoumentionthatnameandIendthematterinstantly，byaspringfromthewindow!Whatyoutouchatpresentyoumayhave；butmysoulwillbeonthathilltopbeforeyoulayhandsonmeagain。Idon\'twantyou，Edgar:I\'mpastwantingyou。Returntoyourbooks。I\'mgladyoupossessaconsolation，forallyouhadinmeisgone。\'

`Hermindwanders，sir，\'Iinterposed。`Shehasbeentalkingnonsensethewholeevening；butletherhavequiet，andproperattendance，andshe\'llrally。Hereafter，wemustbecautioushowwevexher。\'

`Idesirenofurtheradvicefromyou，\'answeredMrLinton。`Youknowyourmistress\'snature，andyouencouragedmetoharassher。Andnottogivemeonehintofhowshehasbeenthesethreedays!Itwasheartless!

Monthsofsicknesscouldnotcausesuchachange!\'

Ibegantodefendmyself，thinkingittoobadtobeblamedforanother\'swickedwaywardness。`IknewMrsLinton\'snaturetobeheadstronganddomineering，\'criedI；`butIdidn\'tknowthatyouwishedtofosterherfiercetemper!Ididn\'tknowthat，tohumourher，IshouldwinkatMrHeathcliff。Iperformedthedutyofafaithfulservantintellingyou，andIhavegotafaithfulservant\'swages!Well，itwillteachmetobecarefulnexttime。Nexttimeyoumaygatherintelligenceforyourself!\'

`Thenexttimeyoubringataletome，youshallquitmyservice，EllenDean，\'hereplied。

`You\'dratherhearnothingaboutit，Isuppose，then，MrLinton？\'

saidI。`Heathcliffhasyourpermissiontocomeacourtingtomiss，andtodropinateveryopportunityyourabsenceoffers，onpurposetopoisonthemistressagainstyou？\'

ConfusedasCatherinewas，herwitswerealertatapplyingourconversation。

`Ah!Nellyhasplayedtraitor，\'sheexclaimedpassionately。`Nellyismyhiddenenemy。Youwitch!Soyoudoseekelf-boltstohurtus!Letmego，I\'llmakeherrue!I\'llmakeherhowlarecantation!\'

Amaniac\'sfurykindledunderherbrows；shestruggleddesperatelytodisengageherselffromLinton\'sarms。Ifeltnoinclinationtotarrytheevent；and，resolvingtoseekmedicalaidonmyownresponsibility，Iquittedthechamber。

Inpassingthegardentoreachtheroad，ataplacewhereabridlehookisdrivenintothewall，Isawsomethingwhitemovedirregularly，evidentlybyanotheragentthanthewind。Notwithstandingmyhurry，Istayedtoexamineit，lesteverafterIshouldhavetheconvictionimpressedonmyimaginationthatitwasacreatureoftheotherworld。Mysurpriseandperplexityweregreattodiscover，bytouchmorethanvision，MissIsabella\'sspringer，Fanny，suspendedbyahandkerchief，andnearlyatitslastgasp。

Iquicklyreleasedtheanimal，andlifteditintothegarden。Ihadseenitfollowitsmistressupstairswhenshewenttobed；andwonderedmuchhowitcouldhavegotoutthere，andwhatmischievouspersonhadtreateditso。Whileuntyingtheknotroundthehook，itseemedtomethatIrepeatedlycaughtthebeatofhorses\'feetgallopingatsomedistance；butthereweresuchanumberofthingstooccupymyreflectionsthatIhardlygavethecircumstanceathought:thoughitwasastrangesound，inthatplace，attwoo\'clockinthemorning。

MrKennethwasfortunatelyjustissuingfromhishousetoseeapatientinthevillageasIcameupthestreet；andmyaccountofCatherineLinton\'smaladyinducedhimtoaccompanymebackimmediately。Hewasaplainroughman；andhemadenoscrupletospeakhisdoubtsofhersurvivingthissecondattack；unlesssheweremoresubmissivetohisdirectionsthanshehadshownherselfbefore。

`NellyDean，\'saidhe，`Ican\'thelpfancyingthere\'sanextracauseforthis。WhathastherebeentodoattheGrange？We\'veoddreportsuphere。Astout，heartylasslikeCatherine，doesnotfallillforatrifle；

andthatsortofpeopleshouldnoteither。It\'shardworkbringingthemthroughfevers，andsuchthings。Howdiditbegin？\'

`Themasterwillinformyou，\'Ianswered；`butyouareacquaintedwiththeEarnshaws\'violentdispositions，andMrsLintoncapsthemall。

Imaysaythis:itcommencedinaquarrel。Shewasstruckduringatempestofpassionwithakindoffit。That\'sheraccount，atleast；forsheflewoffintheheightofit，andlockedherselfup。Afterwards，sherefusedtoeat，andnowshealternatelyravesandremainsinahalf-dream；knowingthoseabouther，byhavinghermindfilledwithallsortsofstrangeideasandillusions。\'

`MrLintonwillbesorry？\'observedKenneth，interrogatively。

`Sorry？he\'llbreakhisheartshouldanythinghappen!\'Ireplied。

`Don\'talarmhimmorethannecessary。

`Well，Itoldhimtobeware，\'saidmycompanion；`andhemustbidetheconsequencesofneglectingmywarning!Hasn\'thebeenthickwithMrHeathcliff，lately？\'

`HeathclifffrequentlyvisitsattheGrange，\'answeredI，`thoughmoreonthestrengthofthemistresshavingknownhimwhenaboy，thanbecausethemasterlikeshiscompany。Atpresent，he\'sdischargedfromthetroubleofcalling；owingtosomepresumptuousaspirationsafterMissLintonwhichhemanifested。Ihardlythinkhe\'llbetakeninagain。\'

`AnddoesMissLintonturnacoldshoulderonhim？\'wasthedoctor\'snextquestion。

`I\'mnotinherconfidence，\'returnedI，reluctanttocontinuethesubject。

`No，she\'saslyone，\'heremarked，shakinghishead。`Shekeepsherowncounsel!Butshe\'sareallittlefool。Ihaveitfromgoodauthority，that，lastnight(andaprettynightitwas!)sheandHeathcliffwerewalkingintheplantationatthebackofyourhouse，abovetwohours；andhepressedhernottogoinagain，butjustmounthishorseandawaywithhim!Myinformantsaidshecouldonlyputhimoffbypledgingherwordofhonourtobepreparedontheirfirstmeetingafterthat:whenitwastobe，hedidn\'thear；butyouurgeMrLintontolooksharp!\'

Thisnewsfilledmewithfreshfears；IoutstrippedKenneth，andranmostofthewayback。Thelittledogwasyelpinginthegardenyet。

Isparedaminutetoopenthegateforit，butinsteadofgoingtothehousedoor，itcoursedupanddownsnuffingthegrass，andwouldhaveescapedtotheroad，hadInotseizedandconveyeditinwithme。OnascendingtoIsabella\'sroom，mysuspicionswereconfirmed:itwasempty。HadIbeenafewhourssooner，MrsLinton\'sillnessmighthavearrestedherrashstep。

Butwhatcouldbedonenow？Therewasabarepossibilityofovertakingthemifpursuedinstantly。Icouldnotpursuethem，however；andIdarenotrousethefamily，andfilltheplacewithconfusion；stilllessunfoldthebusinesstomymaster，absorbedashewasinhispresentcalamity，andhavingnohearttospareforasecondgrief!Isawnothingforitbuttoholdmytongue，andsuffermatterstotaketheircourse；andKennethbeingarrived，Iwentwithabadlycomposedcountenancetoannouncehim。

Catherinelayinatroubledsleep:herhusbandhadsucceededinsoothingtheaccessoffrenzy:henowhungoverherpillow，watchingeveryshade，andeverychangeofherpainfullyexpressivefeatures。

Thedoctor，onexaminingthecaseforhimself，spokehopefullytohimofitshavingafavourabletermination，ifwecouldonlypreservearoundherperfectandconstanttranquillity。Tome，hesignifiedthethreateningdangerwasnotsomuchdeath，aspermanentalienationofintellect。

Ididnotclosemyeyesthatnight，nordidMrLinton:indeed，weneverwenttobed；andtheservantswerealluplongbeforetheusualhour，movingthroughthehousewithstealthytread，andexchangingwhispersastheyencounteredeachotherintheirvocations。Everyonewasactive，butMissIsabella；andtheybegantoremarkhowsoundsheslept:herbrother，too，askedifshehadrisen，andseemedimpatientforherpresence，andhurtthatsheshowedsolittleanxietyforhersister-in-law。Itrembledlestheshouldsendmetocallher；butIwassparedthepainofbeingthefirstproclaimantofherflight。Oneofthemaids，athoughtlessgirl，whohadbeenonanearlyerrandtoGimmerton，camepantingupstairs，openmouthed，anddashedintothechamber，crying:

`Oh，dear，dear!Whatmunwehavenext？Master，master，ouryounglady——

`Holdyournoise!\'criedIhastily，enragedatherclamorousmanner。

`Speaklower，Mary——Whatisthematter？\'saidMrLinton。`Whatailsyouryounglady？\'

`She\'sgone，she\'sgone!Yon\'Heathcliff\'srunoffwi\'her!\'gaspedthegirl。

`Thatisnottrue!\'exclaimedLinton，risinginagitation。`Itcannotbe:howhastheideaenteredyourhead？EllenDean，goandseekher。Itisincredible:itcannotbe。\'

Ashespokehetooktheservanttothedoor，andthenrepeatedhisdemandtoknowherreasonsforsuchanassertion。

`Why，Imetontheroadaladthatfetchesmilkhere，\'shestammered，`andheaskedwhetherweweren\'tintroubleattheGrange。Ithoughthemeantformissis\'ssickness，soIanswered，yes。Thensayshe，"They\'ssomebodygoneafter`em，Iguess？"Istared。HesawIknewnoughtaboutit，andhetoldhowagentlemanandladyhadstoppedtohaveahorse\'sshoefastenedatablacksmith\'sshop，twomilesoutofGimmerton，notverylongaftermidnight!andhowtheblacksmith\'slasshadgotuptospywhotheywere:sheknewthembothdirectly。Andshenoticedtheman——Heathcliffitwas，shefeltcertain:nobodycouldmistakehim，besides——putasovereigninherfather\'shandforpayment。Theladyhadacloakaboutherface；

buthavingdesiredasupofwater，whileshedrank，itfellback，andshesawherveryplain。Heathcliffheldbothbridlesastheyrodeon，andtheysettheirfacesfromthevillage，andwentasfastastheroughroadswouldletthem。Thelasssaidnothingtoherfather，butshetolditalloverGimmertonthismorning。\'

Iranandpeeped，forform\'ssake，intoIsabella\'sroom；confirming，whenIreturned，theservant\'sstatement。MrLintonhadresumedhisseatbythebed；onmyre-entrance，heraisedhiseyes，readthemeaningofmyblankaspect，anddroppedthemwithoutgivinganorder，orutteringaword。

`Arewetotryanymeasuresforovertakingandbringingherback？\'

Iinquired。`Howshouldwedo？\'

`Shewentofherownaccord，\'answeredthemaster；`shehadarighttogoifshepleased。Troublemenomoreabouther。Hereaftersheisonlymysisterinname:notbecauseIdisownher，butbecauseshehasdisownedme。\'

Andthatwasallhesaidonthesubject:hedidnotmakeasingleinquiryfurther，ormentionherinanyway，exceptdirectingmetosendwhatpropertyshehadinthehousetoherfreshhome，whereveritwas，whenIknewit。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter13Fortwomonthsthefugitivesremainedabsent；inthosetwomonths，MrsLintonencounteredandconqueredtheworstshockofwhatwasdenominatedabrainfever。NomothercouldhavenursedanonlychildmoredevotedlythanEdgartendedher。Dayandnighthewaswatching，andpatientlyenduringalltheannoyancesthatirritablenervesandashakenreasoncouldinflict；

and，thoughKennethremarkedthatwhathesavedfromthegravewouldonlyrecompensehiscarebyformingthesourceofconstantfutureanxiety——infact，thathishealthandstrengthwerebeingsacrificedtopreserveamereruinofhumanity——heknewnolimitsingratitudeandjoywhenCatherine\'slifewasdeclaredoutofdanger；andhourafterhourhewouldsitbesideher，tracingthegradualreturntobodilyhealth，andflatteringhistoosanguinehopeswiththeillusionthathermindwouldsettlebacktoitsrightbalancealso，andshewouldsoonbeentirelyherformerself。

ThefirsttimesheleftherchamberwasatthecommencementofthefollowingMarch。MrLintonhadputonherpillow，inthemorning，ahandfulofgoldencrocuses；hereye，longstrangertoanygleamofpleasure，caughttheminwaking，andshonedelightedasshegatheredthemeagerlytogether。

`ThesearetheearliestflowersattheHeights，\'sheexclaimed。

`Theyremindmeofsoftthawwinds，andwarmsunshine，andnearlymeltedsnow。Edgar，istherenotasouthwind，andisnotthesnowalmostgone？\'

`Thesnowisquitegonedownhere，darling，\'repliedherhusband；

`andIonlyseetwowhitespotsonthewholerangeofmoors:theskyisblue，andthelarksaresinging，andthebecksandbrooksareallbrimfull。Catherine，lastspringatthistime，Iwaslongingtohaveyouunderthisroof，now，Iwishyouwereamileortwoupthosehills:theairblowssosweetly，Ifeelthatitwouldcureyou。

`Ishallneverbetherebutoncemore，\'saidtheinvalid；`andthenyou\'llleaveme，andIshallremainforever。Nextspringyou\'lllongagaintohavemeunderthisroof，andyou\'lllookbackandthinkyouwerehappytoday。

Lintonlavishedonherthekindestcaresses，andtriedtocheerherbythefondestwords；but，vaguelyregardingtheflowers，sheletthetearscollectonherlashesandstreamdownhercheeksunheeding。Weknewshewasreallybetter，and，therefore，decidedthatlongconfinementtoasingleplaceproducedmuchofthisdespondency，anditmightbepartiallyremovedbyachangeofscene。Themastertoldmetolightafireinthemany-weeks-desertedparlour，andtosetaneasychairinthesunshinebythewindow；andthenhebroughtherdown，andshesatalongwhileenjoyingthegenialheat，and，asweexpected，revivedbytheobjectsroundher:

which，thoughfamiliar，werefreefromthedrearyassociationsinvestingherhatedsickchamber。Byevening，sheseemedgreatlyexhausted；yetnoargumentscouldpersuadehertoreturntothatapartment，andIhadtoarrangetheparloursofaforherbed，tillanotherroomcouldbeprepared。

Toobviatethefatigueofmountinganddescendingthestairs，wefittedupthis，whereyoulieatpresent:onthesamefloorwiththeparlour；

andshewassoonstrongenoughtomovefromonetotheother，leaningonEdgar\'sarm。Ah，Ithoughtmyselfshemightrecover，sowaitedonasshewas。Andtherewasdoublecausetodesireit，foronherexistencedependedthatofanother:wecherishedthehopethatinalittlewhile，MrLinton\'sheartwouldbegladdened，andhislandssecuredfromastranger\'sgripe，bythebirthofanheir。

IshouldmentionthatIsabellasenttoherbrother，somesixweeksfromherdeparture，ashortnote，announcinghermarriagewithHeathcliff。

Itappeareddryandcold；butatthebottomwasdottedinwithpencilanobscureapology，andanentreatyforkindremembranceandreconciliation，ifherproceedinghadoffendedhim:assertingthatshecouldnothelpitthen，andbeingdone，shehadnownopowertorepealit。Lintondidnotreplytothis，Ibelieve；and，inafortnightmore，IgotalongletterwhichIconsideredodd，comingfromthepenofabridejustoutofthehoneymoon。I\'llreadit:forIkeepityet。Anyrelicofthedeadisprecious，iftheywerevaluedliving。

DEARELLEN，itbegins:——

IcamelastnighttoWutheringHeights，andheard，forthefirsttime，thatCatherinehasbeen，andisyet，veryill。Imustnotwritetoher，Isuppose，andmybrotheriseithertooangryortoodistressedtoanswerwhatIsenthim。Still，Imustwritetosomebody，andtheonlychoiceleftmeisyou。

InformEdgarthatI\'dgivetheworldtoseehisfaceagain——thatmyheartreturnedtoThrushcrossGrangeintwenty-fourhoursafterIleftit，andisthereatthismoment，fullofwarmfeelingsforhim，andCatherine!Ican\'tfollowit，though——(thosewordsareunderlined)theyneednotexpectme，andtheymaydrawwhatconclusionstheyplease；takingcare，however，tolaynothingatthedoorofmyweakwillordeficientaffection。

Theremainderoftheletterisforyourselfalone。Iwanttoaskyoutwoquestions:thefirstis——Howdidyoucontrivetopreservethecommonsympathiesofhumannaturewhenyouresidedhere？Icannotrecognizeanysentimentwhichthosearoundsharewithme。

Thesecondquestion，Ihavegreatinterestin；itisthis——IsMrHeathcliffaman？Ifso，ishemad？Andifnot，isheadevil？Ishan\'ttellmyreasonsformakingthisinquiry；but，Ibeseechyoutoexplain，ifyoucan，whatIhavemarried:thatis，whenyoucalltoseeme；andyoumustcall，Ellen，verysoon。Don\'twrite，butcome，andbringmesomethingfromEdgar。

Now，youshallhearhowIhavebeenreceivedinmynewhome，asIamledtoimaginetheHeightswillbe。ItistoamusemyselfthatIdwellonsuchsubjectsasthelackofexternalcomforts:theyneveroccupymythoughts，exceptatthemomentwhenImissthem。Ishouldlaughanddanceforjoy，ifIfoundtheirabsencewasthetotalofmymiseries，andtherestwasanunnaturaldream!

ThesunsetbehindtheGrange，asweturnedontothemoors；bythat，Ijudgedittobesixo\'clock；andmycompanionhaltedhalfanhour，toinspectthepark，andthegardens，and，probably，theplaceitself，aswellashecould；soitwasdarkwhenwedismountedinthepavedyardofthefarmhouse，andyouroldfellow-servant，Joseph，issuedouttoreceiveusbythelightofadipcandle。Hediditwithacourtesythatredoundedtohiscredit。Hisfirstactwastoelevatehistorchtoalevelwithmyface，squintmalignantly，projecthisunderlip，andturnaway。Thenhetookthetwohorses，andledthemintothestables；reappearingforthepurposeoflockingtheoutergate，asifwelivedinanancientcastle。

Heathcliffstayedtospeaktohim，andIenteredthekitchen——adingy，untidyhole；Idaresayyouwouldnotknowit，itissochangedsinceitwasinyourcharge。Bythefirestoodaruffianlychild，stronginlimbanddirtyingarb，withalookofCatherineinhiseyesandabouthismouth。

`ThisisEdgar\'slegalnephew，\'Ireflected——`mineinamanner；

Imustshakehands，and——yes——Imustkisshim。Itisrighttoestablishagoodunderstandingatthebeginning。\'

Iapproached，and，attemptingtotakehischubbyfist，said:`Howdoyoudo，mydear？\'HerepliedinajargonIdidnotcomprehend。`ShallyouandIbefriends，Hareton？\'wasmynextessayatconversation。

Anoath，andathreattosetThrottleronmeifIdidnot`frameoff\'，rewardedmyperseverance。

`Hey，Throttler，lad!\'whisperedthelittlewretch，rousingahalf-bredbulldogfromitslairinacorner。Now，wilttuhbeganging？\'

heaskedauthoritatively。

Loveformylifeurgedacompliance；Isteppedoverthethresholdtowaittilltheothersshouldenter。MrHeathcliffwasnowherevisible；

andJoseph，whomIfollowedtothestables，andrequestedtoaccompanymein，afterstaringandmutteringtohimself，screweduphisnose，andreplied:

`Mim!mim!mim!DidiverChristianbodyhearaughtlikeit？MinchingUn\'munching!HowcanAwtellwhetyesay？\'

`Isay，Iwishyoutocomewithmeintothehouse!\'Icried，thinkinghimdeaf，yethighlydisgustedathisrudeness。

`Nornuhme!Igettensummatelsetodo，\'heanswered，andcontinuedhiswork；movinghislanternjawsmeanwhile，andsurveyingmydressandcountenance(theformeragreatdealtoofine，butthelatter，I\'msure，assadashecoulddesire)withsovereigncontempt。

Iwalkedroundtheyard，andthroughawicket，toanotherdoor，atwhichItookthelibertyofknocking，inhopessomemorecivilservantmightshowhimself。Afterashortsuspense，itwasopenedbyatall，gauntman，withoutneckerchief，andotherwiseextremelyslovenly；hisfeatureswerelostinmassesofshaggyhairthathungonhisshoulders；andhiseyes，too，werelikeaghostlyCatherine\'swithalltheirbeautyannihilated。

`What\'syourbusinesshere？\'hedemandedgrimly。`Whoareyou？\'

`MynamewasIsabellaLinton，\'Ireplied。`You\'veseenmebefore，sir。I\'mlatelymarriedtoMrHeathcliff，andhehasbroughtmehere——Isupposebyyourpermission。\'

`Ishecomeback，then？\'askedthehermit，glaringlikeahungrywolf。

`Yes——wecamejustnow，\'Isaid；`butheleftmebythekitchendoor；andwhenIwouldhavegonein，yourlittleboyplayedsentinelovertheplace，andfrightenedmeoffbythehelpofabulldog。\'

`It\'swellthehellishvillainhaskepthisword!\'growledmyfuturehost，searchingthedarknessbeyondmeinexpectationofdiscoveringHeathcliff；andthenheindulgedinasoliloquyofexecrations，andthreatsofwhathewouldhavedonehadthe`fiend\'deceivedhim。

Irepentedhavingtriedthissecondentrance，andwasalmostinclinedtoslipawaybeforehefinishedcursing，butereIcouldexecutethatintention，heorderedmein，andshutandrefastenedthedoor。Therewasagreatfire，andthatwasallthelightinthehugeapartment，whosefloorhadgrownauniformgrey；andtheoncebrilliantpewterdishes，whichusedtoattractmygazewhenIwasagirl，partookofasimilarobscurity，createdbytarnishanddust。IinquiredwhetherImightcallthemaid，andbeconductedtoabedroom？MrEarnshawvouchsafednoanswer。Hewalkedupanddown，withhishandsinhispockets，apparentlyquiteforgettingmypresence；andhisabstractionwasevidentlysodeep，andhiswholeaspectsomisanthropical，thatIshrankfromdisturbinghimagain。

You\'llnotbesurprised，Ellen，atmyfeelingparticularlycheerless，seatedinworsethansolitudeonthatinhospitablehearth，andrememberingthatfourmilesdistantlaymydelightfulhome，containingtheonlypeopleIlovedonearth；andtheremightaswellbetheAtlantictopartus，insteadofthosefourmiles:Icouldnotoverpassthem!Iquestionedwithmyself——wheremustIturnforcomfort？and——mindyoudon\'ttellEdgar，orCatherine——aboveeverysorrowbeside，thisrosepre-eminent:despairatfindingnobodywhocouldorwouldbemyallyagainstHeathcliff!IhadsoughtshelteratWutheringHeights，almostgladly，becauseIwassecuredbythatarrangementfromlivingalonewithhim；butheknewthepeoplewewerecomingamongst，andhedidnotfeartheirintermeddling。

Isatandthoughtadolefultime:theclockstruckeight，andnine，andstillmycompanionpacedtoandfro，hisheadbentonhisbreast，andperfectlysilent，unlessagroanorabitterejaculationforceditselfoutatintervals。Ilistenedtodetectawoman\'svoiceinthehouse，andfilledtheinterimwithwildregretsanddismalanticipations，which，atlast，spokeaudiblyinirrepressiblesighingandweeping。IwasnotawarehowopenlyIgrieved，tillEarnshawhaltedopposite，inhismeasuredwalk，andgavemeastareofnewly-awakenedsurprise。Takingadvantageofhisrecoveredattention，Iexclaimed:

`I\'mtiredwithmyjourney，andIwanttogotobed!Whereisthemaidservant？Directmetoher，asshewon\'tcometome!\'

`Wehavenone，\'heanswered；`youmustwaitonyourself!\'

`WheremustIsleep，then？\'Isobbed:Iwasbeyondregardingself-respect，weigheddownbyfatigueandwretchedness。

`JosephwillshowyouHeathcliff\'schamber，\'saidhe；`openthatdoor——he\'sinthere。\'

Iwasgoingtoobey，buthesuddenlyarrestedme，andaddedinthestrangesttone:

`Besogoodastoturnyourlock，anddrawyourbolt——don\'tomitit!\'

`Well!\'Isaid。`Butwhy，MrEarnshaw？\'IdidnotrelishthenotionofdeliberatelyfasteningmyselfinwithHeathcliff。

`Lookhere!\'hereplied，pullingfromhiswaistcoatacuriouslyconstructedpistol，havingadouble-edgedspringknifeattachedtothebarrel。`That\'sagreattemptertoadesperateman，isitnot？Icannotresistgoingupwiththiseverynight，andtryinghisdoor。IfonceIfinditopenhe\'sdonefor!Idoitinvariably，eventhoughtheminutebeforeIhavebeenrecallingahundredreasonsthatshouldmakemerefrain:itissomedevilthaturgesmetothwartmyownschemesbykillinghim。Youfightagainstthatdevilforloveaslongasyoumay；whenthetimescomes，notalltheangelsinheavenshallsavehim!\'

Isurveyedtheweaponinquisitively。Ahideousnotionstruckme:

howpowerfulIshouldbepossessingsuchaninstrument!Itookitfromhishand，andtouchedtheblade。Helookedastonishedattheexpressionmyfaceassumedduringabriefsecond:itwasnothorror，itwascovetousness。

Hesnatchedthepistolback，jealously；shuttheknife，andreturnedittoitsconcealment。

`Idon\'tcareifyoutellhim，\'saidhe。`Puthimonhisguard，andwatchforhim。Youknowthetermsweareon，Isee:hisdangerdoesnotshockyou。\'

`WhathasHeathcliffdonetoyou？\'Iasked。`Inwhathashewrongedyou，towarrantthisappallinghatred？Wouldn\'titbewisertobidhimquitthehouse？\'

`No!\'thunderedEarnshaw，`shouldheoffertoleaveme，he\'sadeadman:persuadehimtoattemptit，andyouareamurderess!AmItoloseall，withoutachanceofretrieval？IsHaretontobeabeggar？

Oh，damnation!Iwillhaveitback；andI\'llhavehisgoldtoo；andthenhisblood；andhellshallhavehissoul!Itwillbetentimesblackerwiththatguestthaneveritwasbefore!\'

You\'veacquaintedme，Ellen，withyouroldmaster\'shabits。Heisclearlyonthevergeofmadness:hewassolastnightatleast。Ishudderedtobenearhim，andthoughtontheservant\'sill-bredmorosenessascomparativelyagreeable。Henowrecommencedhismoodywalk，andIraisedthelatch，andescapedintothekitchen。Josephwasbendingoverthefire，peeringintoalargepanthatswungaboveit；andawoodenbowlofoatmealstoodonthesettlecloseby。Thecontentsofthepanbegantoboil，andheturnedtoplungehishandintothebowl；Iconjecturedthatthispreparationwasprobablyforoursupper，and，beinghungry，Iresolveditshouldbeeatable；

so，cryingoutsharply，`I\'llmaketheporridge!\'Iremovedthevesseloutofhisreach，andproceededtotakeoffmyhatandridinghabit。

`MrEarnshaw\'，Icontinued，`directsmetowaitonmyself:Iwill。I\'mnotgoingtoacttheladyamongyou，forfearIshouldstarve。\'

`GooidLord!\'hemuttered，sittingdown，andstrokinghisribbedstockingsfromthekneetotheankle。`Ifthey\'stuhbefreshortherings——justwhenAwgettinusedtuhtwomaisters，ifAwmunhevamistressseto\'ermyheead，it\'sloiketimetuhbeflitting。Awniverdidthinktuhsayt\'dayutAwmudlaveth\'owldplace——butAwdahtit\'snighathend!\'

Thislamentationdrewnonoticefromme:Iwentbrisklytowork，sighingtorememberaperiodwhenitwouldhavebeenallmerryfun；butcompelledspeedilytodriveofftheremembrance。Itrackedmetorecallpasthappiness，andthegreaterperiltherewasofconjuringupitsapparition，thequickerthethibleranround，andthefasterthehandfulsofmealfellintothewater。Josephbeheldmystyleofcookerywithgrowingindignation。

`Thear!\'heejaculated，`Hareton，thahwillutsupthyporridgetuhneight；they\'llbenowtbudlumpsasbigasmawnave。Thear，agean!

Aw\'dflinginbowlunall，ifAwweryah!There，palet\'guilpoff，un\'

thenyah\'llhaedonewi\'t。Bang，bang。It\'samarcyt\'bothomisn\'tdeavedaht!\'

Itwasratheraroughmess，Iown，whenpouredintothebasins；fourhadbeenprovided，andagallonpitcherofnewmilkwasbroughtfromthedairy，whichHaretonseizedandcommenceddrinkingandspillingfromtheexpansivelip。Iexpostulated，anddesiredthatheshouldhavehisinamug；affirmingthatIcouldnottastetheliquidtreatedsodirtily。

Theoldcynicchosetobevastlyoffendedatthisnicety；assuringme，repeatedly，that`thebarnwaseverybitasgood\'asI，`andeverybitaswollsome\'，andwonderinghowIcouldfashiontobesoconceited。Meanwhile，theinfantruffiancontinuedsucking；andgloweredatmedefyingly，asheslaveredintothejug。

`Ishallhavemysupperinanotherroom，\'Isaid。`Haveyounoplaceyoucallaparlour？\'

`Parlour!\'heechoedsneeringly，`parlour!Nay，we\'venoaparlours。Ifyahdunnutloikewercompany，there\'smaister\'s；

un\'ifyahdunnutloikemaister，there\'sus。

`ThenIshallgoupstairs!\'Ianswered；`showmeachamber。\'I

putmybasinonatray，andwentmyselftofetchsomemoremilk。Withgreatgrumblings，thefellowrose，andprecededmeinmyascent:wemountedtothegarrets；heopeningadoor，nowandthen，tolookintotheapartmentswepassed。

`Here\'sarahm，\'hesaid，atlast，flingingbackacrankyboardonhinges。`It\'sweeleneughtuhateafewporridgein。They\'sapacko\'

corni\'t\'corner，thear，meeterlyclane；ifyah\'refeareduhmuckyingyergrandsilkcloes，spreadyerhankerchiro\'t\'topon\'t。\'

The`rahm\'wasakindoflumber-holesmellingstrongofmaltandgrain；varioussacksofwhicharticleswerepiledaround，leavingawide，barespaceinthemiddle。

`Why，man!\'Iexclaimed，facinghimangrily，`thisisnotaplacetosleepin。Iwishtoseemybedroom。

`Bed-rume!\'herepeated，inatoneofmockery。`Yah\'sseeallt\'bed-rumesthearis——yon\'smine。\'