第7章

Hepointedintothesecondgarret，onlydifferingfromthefirstinbeingmorenakedaboutthewalls，andhavingalarge，low，curtainlessbed，withanindigo-colouredquiltatoneend。

`WhatdoIwantwithyours？\'Iretorted。`IsupposeMrHeathcliffdoesnotlodgeatthetopofthehouse，doeshe？\'

`Oh!it\'sMaisterHathecliff\'syah\'rewenting!\'criedhe，asifmakinganewdiscovery。`Couldn\'tyeuhsaidsoa，atonst？unthen，Awmuduhtelledye，bahtallthiswark，utthat\'sjustoneyahcannutsea——healIaskeepsitlocked，unnob\'dyivermellson\'tbuthisseln。\'

`You\'veanicehouse，Joseph，\'Icouldnotrefrainfromobserving，`andpleasantinmates；andIthinktheconcentratedessenceofallthemadnessintheworldtookupitsabodeinmybrainthedayIlinkedmyfatewiththeirs!However，thatisnottothepresentpurpose——thereareotherrooms。Forheaven\'ssakebequick，andletmesettlesomewhere!\'

Hemadenoreplytothisadjuration；onlyploddingdoggedlydownthewoodensteps，andhaltingbeforeanapartmentwhich，fromthathaltandthesuperiorqualityofitsfurniture，Iconjecturedtobethebestone。Therewasacarpet:agoodone，butthepatternwasobliteratedbydust；afireplacehungwithcutpaper，droppingtopieces；ahandsomeoakbedsteadwithamplecrimsoncurtainsofratherexpensivematerialandmodernmake；buttheyhadevidentlyexperiencedroughusage:thevalanceshunginfestoons，wrenchedfromtheirrings，andtheironrodsupportingthemwasbentinanarcononeside，causingthedraperytotrailuponthefloor。

Thechairswerealsodamaged，manyofthemseverely；anddeepindentationsdeformedthepanelsofthewalls。Iwasendeavouringtogatherresolutionforenteringandtakingpossession，whenmyfoolofaguideannounced，`Thishereist\'maister\'s。\'Mysupperbythistimewascold，myappetitegone，andmypatienceexhausted。Iinsistedonbeingprovidedinstantlywithaplaceofrefuge，andmeansofrepose。

`Whearthedivil？\'beganthereligiouselder。`TheLordblessus!TheLordforgieus!Whearthehellwoldyegang？yemarred，wearisomenowt!YahseenallbudHareton\'sbitufacham\'er。They\'snotanotherhoiletuhligdahnini\'th\'hahse!\'

Iwassovexed，Iflungmytrayanditscontentsontheground；

andthenseatedmyselfatthestairs-head，hidmyfaceinmyhands，andcried。

`Ech!ech!\'exclaimedJoseph。`Weeldone，MissCathy!weeldone，MissCathy!Hahsiver，t\'maistersaIljusttum\'leo\'erthembrockenpots；

un\'thenwe\'shearsummut；we\'shearhahit\'stuhbe。Gooid-for-nowtmadling!

yahdesarvepiningfroothistoChurstmas，flingingt\'preciousgiftsuhGodunderfooiti\'yerflaysomerages!BudAw\'mmista\'enifyahshewyersperritlang。WillHathecliffbidesichbonnyways，thinkye？Awnobbutwishhemuhcotchyei\'thatplisky。Awnobbutwishhemay。\'

Andsohewentonscoldingtohisdenbeneath，takingthecandlewithhim；andIremainedinthedark。Theperiodofreflectionsucceedingthissillyaction，compelledmetoadmitthenecessityofsmotheringmyprideandchokingmywrath，andbestirringmyselftoremoveitseffects。

AnunexpectedaidpresentlyappearedintheshapeofThrottler，whomI

nowrecognizedasasonofouroldSkulker:ithadspentitswhelphoodattheGrange，andwasgivenbymyfathertoMrHindley。Ifancyitknewme:itpusheditsnoseagainstminebywayofsalute，andthenhastenedtodevourtheporridge；whileIgropedfromsteptostep，collectingtheshatteredearthenware，anddryingthespattersofmilkfromthebanisterwithmypockethandkerchief。OurlabourswerescarcelyoverwhenIheardEarnshaw\'streadinthepassage；myassistanttuckedinhistail，andpressedtothewall；Istoleintothenearestdoorway。Thedog\'sendeavourtoavoidhimwasunsuccessful；asIguessedbyascutterdownstairs，andaprolonged，piteousyelping。Ihadbetterluck!hepassedon，enteredhischamber，andshutthedoor。DirectlyafterJosephcameupwithHareton，toputhimtobed。IhadfoundshelterinHareton\'sroom，andtheoldman，onseeingme，said:

`They\'srahmforboathyeunyerpride，now，Isudthink，i\'thehahse。It\'sempty；yemayhevitalltoyerseln，unHimasallasmaksathird，i\'suchillcompany!\'

GladlydidItakeadvantageofthisintimation；andtheminuteIflungmyselfintoachair，bythefire，Inodded，andslept。Myslumberwasdeepandsweet，thoughoverfartoosoon。MrHeathcliffawokeme；hehadjustcomein，anddemanded，inhislovingmanner，whatIwasdoingthere？Itoldhimthecauseofmystayingupsolate——thathehadthekeyofourroominhispocket。Theadjectiveourgavemortaloffence。

Hesworeitwasnot，norevershouldbe，mine；andhe\'d——ButI\'llnotrepeathislanguage，nordescribehishabitualconduct:heisingeniousandunrestinginseekingtogainmyabhorrence!Isometimeswonderathimwithanintensitythatdeadensmyfear:yet，Iassureyou，atigeroravenomousserpentcouldnotrouseterrorinmeequaltothatwhichhewakens。HetoldmeofCatherine\'sillness，andaccusedmybrotherofcausingit；promisingthatIshouldbeEdgar\'sproxyinsuffering，tillhecouldgetholdofhim。

Idohatehim——Iamwretched——Ihavebeenafool!BewareofutteringonebreathofthistoanyoneattheGrange。Ishallexpectyoueveryday——don\'tdisappointme!

ISABELLA。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter14AssoonasIhadperusedthisepistle，Iwenttothemaster，andinformedhimthathissisterhadarrivedattheHeights，andsentmealetterexpressinghersorrowforMrsLinton\'ssituation，andherardentdesiretoseehim；

withawishthathewouldtransmittoher，asearlyaspossible，sometokenofforgivenessbyme。

`Forgiveness!\'saidLinton。`Ihavenothingtoforgiveher，Ellen。

YoumaycallatWutheringHeightsthisafternoon，ifyoulike，andsaythatIamnotangry，butI\'msorrytohavelosther；especiallyasIcanneverthinkshe\'llbehappy。Itisoutofthequestionmygoingtoseeher，however:weareeternallydivided；andshouldshereallywishtoobligeme，letherpersuadethevillainshehasmarriedtoleavethecountry。\'

`Andyouwon\'twriteheralittlenote，sir？\'Iaskedimploringly。

`No，\'heanswered。`Itisneedless。MycommunicationwithHeathcliff\'sfamilyshallbeassparingashiswithmine。Itshallnotexist!\'

MrEdgar\'scoldnessdepressedmeexceedingly；andallthewayfromtheGrangeIpuzzledmybrainshowtoputmoreheartintowhathesaid，whenIrepeatedit；andhowtosoftenhisrefusalofevenafewlinestoconsoleIsabella。Idaresayshehadbeenonthewatchformesincemorning:Isawherlookingthroughthelattice，asIcameupthegardencauseway，andInoddedtoher；butshedrewback，asifafraidofbeingobserved。Ienteredwithoutknocking。Thereneverwassuchadreary，dismalsceneastheformerlycheerfulhousepresented!Imustconfess，thatifIhadbeenintheyounglady\'splace，Iwould，atleast，havesweptthehearth，andwipedthetableswithaduster。Butshealreadypartookofthepervadingspiritofneglectwhichencompassedher。Herprettyfacewaswanandlistless；herhairuncurled:somelockshanginglanklydown，andsomecarelesslytwistedroundherhead。Probablyshehadnottouchedherdresssinceyesterevening。Hindleywasnotthere。MrHeathcliffsatatatable，turningoversomepapersinhispocket-book；butherosewhenIappeared，askedmehowIdid，quitefriendly，andofferedmeachair。

Hewastheonlythingtherethatseemeddecent:andIthoughtheneverlookedbetter。Somuchhadcircumstancesalteredtheirpositions，thathewouldcertainlyhavestruckastrangerasabornandbredgentleman；

andhiswifeasathoroughlittleslattern!Shecameforwardeagerlytogreetme；andheldoutonehandtotaketheexpectedletter。Ishookmyhead。Shewouldn\'tunderstandthehint，butfollowedmetoasideboard，whereIwenttolaymybonnet，andimportunedmeinawhispertogiveherdirectlywhatIhadbrought。Heathcliffguessedthemeaningofhermanoeuvres，andsaid:

`IfyouhavegotanythingforIsabella(asnodoubtyouhave，Nelly)，giveittoher。Youneedn\'tmakeasecretofit!wehavenosecretsbetweenus。\'

`Oh，Ihavenothing，\'Ireplied，thinkingitbesttospeakthetruthatonce。`Mymasterbidmetellhissisterthatshemustnotexpecteitheraletteroravisitfromhimatpresent。Hesendshislove，ma\'am，andhiswishesforyourhappiness，andhispardonforthegriefyouhaveoccasioned；buthethinksthatafterthistime，hishouseholdandthehouseholdhereshoulddropintercommunication，asnothinggoodcouldcomeofkeepingitup。\'

MrsHeathcliff\'slipquiveredslightly，andshereturnedtoherseatinthewindow。Herhusbandtookhisstandonthehearthstone，nearme，andbegantoputquestionsconcerningCatherine。ItoldhimasmuchasIthoughtproperofherillness，andheextortedfromme，bycross-examination，mostofthefactsconnectedwithitsorigin。Iblamedher，asshedeserved，forbringingitallonherself；andendedbyhopingthathewouldfollowMrLinton\'sexampleandavoidfutureinterferencewithhisfamily，forgoodorevil。

`MrsLintonisnowjustrecovering，\'Isaid；`she\'llneverbelikeshewas，butherlifeisspared；andifyoureallyhavearegardforher，you\'llshuncrossingherwayagain:nay，you\'llmoveoutofthiscountryentirely；andthatyoumaynotregretit，I\'llinformyouCatherineLintonisasdifferentnowfromyouroldfriendCatherineEarnshaw，asthatyoungladyisdifferentfromme。Herappearanceischangedgreatly，hercharactermuchmoreso；andthepersonwhoiscompelled，ofnecessity，tobehercompanion，willonlysustainhisaffectionhereafterbytheremembranceofwhatsheoncewas，bycommonhumanity，andasenseofduty!\'

`Thatisquitepossible，\'remarkedHeathcliff，forcinghimselftoseemcalm:`quitepossiblethatyourmastershouldhavenothingbutcommonhumanityandasenseofdutytofallbackupon。ButdoyouimaginethatIshallleaveCatherinetohisdutyandhumanity？andcanyoucomparemyfeelingsrespectingCatherinetohis？Beforeyouleavethishouse，Imustexactapromisefromyou，thatyou\'llgetmeaninterviewwithher:consentorrefuse，Iwillseeher!Whatdoyousay？\'

`Isay，MrHeathcliff，\'Ireplied，`youmustnot:younevershall，throughmymeans。Anotherencounterbetweenyouandthemasterwouldkillheraltogether。\'

`Withyouraid，thatmaybeavoided，\'hecontinued；`andshouldtherebedangerofsuchanevent——shouldhebethecauseofaddingasingletroublemoretoherexistence——why，IthinkIshallbejustifiedingoingtoextremes!IwishyouhadsincerityenoughtotellmewhetherCatherinewouldsuffergreatlyfromhisloss:thefearthatshewouldrestrainsme。

Andthereyouseethedistinctionsbetweenourfeelings:hadhebeeninmyplace，andIinhis，thoughIhatedhimwithahatredthatturnedmylifetogall，Ineverwouldhaveraisedahandagainsthim。Youmaylookincredulous，ifyouplease!Ineverwouldhavebanishedhimfromhersocietyaslongasshedesiredhis。Themomentherregardceased，Iwouldhavetornhisheartout，anddrunkhisblood!But，tillthen——ifyoudon\'tbelieveme，youdon\'tknowme——tillthen，IwouldhavediedbyinchesbeforeI

touchedasinglehairofhishead!\'

`Andyet，\'Iinterrupted，`youhavenoscruplesincompletelyruiningallhopesofherperfectrestoration，bythrustingyourselfintoherremembrancenow，whenshehasnearlyforgottenyou，andinvolvingherinanewtumultofdiscordanddistress。\'

`Yousupposeshehasnearlyforgottenme？\'hesaid。`Oh，Nelly!

youknowshehasnot!YouknowaswellasIdo，thatforeverythoughtshespendsonLinton，shespendsathousandonme!Atamostmiserableperiodofmylife，Ihadanotionofthekind:ithauntedmeonmyreturntotheneighbourhoodlastsummer；butonlyherownassurancecouldmakemeadmitthehorribleideaagain。Andthen，Lintonwouldbenothing，norHindley，norallthedreamsthateverIdreamt。Twowordswouldcomprehendmyfuture——deathandhell:existence，afterlosingher，wouldbehell。YetIwasafooltofancyforamomentthatshevaluedEdgarLinton\'sattachmentmorethanmine。Ifhelovedwithallthepowersofhispunybeing，hecouldn\'tloveasmuchineightyyearsasIcouldinaday。AndCatherinehasaheartasdeepasIhave:theseacouldbeasreadilycontainedinthathorse-trough，asherwholeaffectionbemonopolizedbyhim!Tush!

Heisscarcelyadegreedearertoherthanherdog，orherhorse。Itisnotinhimtobelovedlikeme:howcansheloveinhimwhathehasnot？\'

`CatherineandEdgarareasfondofeachotherasanytwopeoplecanbe，\'criedIsabella，withsuddenvivacity。`Noonehasarighttotalkinthatmanner，andIwon\'thearmybrotherdepreciatedinsilence!\'

`Yourbrotheriswondrousfondofyoutoo，isn\'the？\'observedHeathcliffscornfully。`Heturnsyouadriftontheworldwithsurprisingalacrity。\'

`HeisnotawareofwhatIsuffer，\'shereplied。`Ididn\'ttellhimthat。

`Youhavebeentellinghimsomething，then:youhavewritten，haveyou？\'

`TosaythatIwasmarried，Ididwrite——yousawthenote。`Andnothingsince？\'

`No。\'

`Myyoungladyislookingsadlytheworseforherchangeofcondition，\'

Iremarked。`Somebody\'slovecomesshortinhercase，obviously:whose，Imayguess；but，perhaps，Ishouldn\'tsay。\'

`Ishouldguessitwasherown，\'saidHeathcliff。`Shedegeneratesintoamereslut!Sheistiredoftryingtopleasemeuncommonlyearly。

You\'dhardlycreditit，buttheverymorrowofourwedding，shewasweepingtogohome。However，she\'llsuitthishousesomuchthebetterfornotbeingovernice，andI\'lltakecareshedoesnotdisgracemebyramblingabroad。\'

`Well，sir，\'returnedI，`Ihopeyou\'llconsiderthatMrsHeathcliffisaccustomedtobelookedafterandwaitedon；andthatshehasbeenbroughtuplikeanonlydaughter，whomeveryonewasreadytoserve。Youmustletherhaveamaidtokeepthingstidyabouther，andyoumusttreatherkindly。

WhateverbeyournotionofMrEdgar，youcannotdoubtthatshehasacapacityforstrongattachments，orshewouldn\'thaveabandonedtheelegances，andcomforts，andfriendsofherformerhome，tofixcontentedly，insuchawildernessasthis，withyou。\'

`Sheabandonedthemunderadelusion，\'heanswered；`picturinginmeaheroofromance，andexpectingunlimitedindulgencesfrommychivalrousdevotion。Icanhardlyregardherinthelightofarationalcreature，soobstinatelyhasshepersistedinformingafabulousnotionofmycharacterandactingonthefalseimpressionsshecherished。But，atlast，Ithinkshebeginstoknowme:Idon\'tperceivethesillysmilesandgrimacesthatprovokedmeatfirst；andthesenselessincapabilityofdiscerningthatIwasinearnestwhenIgavehermyopinionofherinfatuationandherself。

ItwasamarvellouseffortofperspicacitytodiscoverthatIdidnotloveher。Ibelieved，atonetime，nolessonscouldteachherthat!Andyetitispoorlylearnt；forthismorningsheannounced，asapieceofappallingintelligence，thatIhadactuallysucceededinmakingherhateme!ApositivelabourofHercules，Iassureyou!Ifitbeachieved，Ihavecausetoreturnthanks。CanItrustyourassertion，Isabella？Areyousureyouhateme？

IfIletyoualoneforhalfaday，won\'tyoucomesighingandwheedlingtomeagain？IdaresayshewouldratherIhadseemedalltendernessbeforeyou:itwoundshervanitytohavethetruthexposed。ButIdon\'tcarewhoknowsthatthepassionwaswhollyononeside；andInevertoldheralieaboutit。Shecannotaccusemeofshowingabitofdeceitfulsoftness。

Thefirstthingshesawmedo，oncomingoutoftheGrange，wastohangupherlittledog；andwhenshepleadedforit，thefirstwordsIutteredwereawishthatIhadthehangingofeverybeingbelongingtoher，exceptone:possiblyshetookthatexceptionforherself。Butnobrutalitydisgustedher:Isupposeshehasaninnateadmirationofit，ifonlyherpreciouspersonweresecurefrominjury!Now，wasitnotthedepthofabsurdity——ofgenuineidiocy，forthatpitiful，slavish，mean-mindedbrachtodreamthatIcouldloveher？Tellyourmaster，Nelly，thatInever，inallmylife，metwithsuchanabjectthingassheis。SheevendisgracesthenameofLinton；andI\'vesometimesrelented，frompurelackofinvention，inmyexperimentsonwhatshecouldendure，andstillcreepshamefullycringingback!Buttellhim，also，tosethisfraternalandmagisterialheartatease:thatIkeepstrictlywithinthelimitsofthelaw。Ihaveavoided，uptothisperiod，givinghertheslightestrighttoclaimaseparation；

and，what\'smore，she\'dthanknobodyfordividingus。Ifshedesiredtogo，shemight:thenuisanceofherpresenceoutweighsthegratificationtobederivedfromtormentingher!\'

`MrHeathcliff，\'saidI，`thisisthetalkofamadman，andyourwife，mostlikely，isconvincedyouaremad；and，forthatreason，shehasbornewithyouhitherto:butnowthatyousayshemaygo，she\'lldoubtlessavailherselfofthepermission。Youarenotsobewitched，ma\'am，areyou，astoremainwithhimofyourownaccord？\'

`Takecare，Ellen!\'answeredIsabella，hereyessparklingirefully；

therewasnomisdoubtingbytheirexpressionthefullsuccessofherpartner\'sendeavourstomakehimselfdetested。`Don\'tputfaithinasinglewordhespeaks。He\'salyingfiend!amonster，andnotahumanbeing!I\'vebeentoldImightleavehimbefore；andI\'vemadetheattempt，butIdarenotrepeatit!Only，Ellen，promiseyou\'llnotmentionasyllableofhisinfamousconversationtomybrotherorCatherine。Whateverhemaypretend，hewishestoprovokeEdgartodesperation:hesayshehasmarriedmeonpurposetoobtainpoweroverhim；andheshan\'tobtainit——I\'lldiefirst!Ijusthope，Ipray，thathemayforgethisdiabolicalprudenceandkillme!ThesinglepleasureIcanimagineistodieorseehimdead!\'

`There——thatwilldoforthepresent!\'saidHeathcliff。`Ifyouarecalleduponinacourtoflaw，you\'llrememberherlanguage，Nelly!

Andtakeagoodlookatthatcountenance:she\'snearthepointwhichwouldsuitme。No；you\'renotfittobeyourownguardian，Isabella，now；andI，beingyourlegalprotector，mustdetainyouinmycustody，howeverdistastefultheobligationmaybe。Goupstairs；IhavesomethingtosaytoEllenDeaninprivate。That\'snottheway:upstairs，Itellyou!Why，thisistheroadupstairs，child!\'

Heseized，andthrustherfromtheroom:andreturnedmuttering:

`Ihavenopity!Ihavenopity!Themorethewormswrithe，themoreIyearntocrushouttheirentrails!Itisamoralteething；andI

grindwithgreaterenergy，inproportiontotheincreaseofpain。\'

`Doyouunderstandwhatthewordpitymeans？\'Isaid，hasteningtoresumemybonnet。`Didyoueverfeelatouchofitinyourlife？\'

`Putthatdown!\'heinterrupted，perceivingmyintentiontodepart。

`Youarenotgoingyet。Comeherenow，Nelly:ImusteitherpersuadeorcompelyoutoaidmeinfulfillingmydeterminationtoseeCatherine，andthatwithoutdelay。IswearthatImeditatenoharm:Idon\'tdesiretocauseanydisturbance，ortoexasperateorinsultMrLinton；Ionlywishtohearfromherselfhowsheis，andwhyshehasbeenill；andtoaskifanythingthatIcoulddowouldbeofusetoher。Lastnight，IwasintheGrangegardensixhours，andI\'llreturntheretonight；andeverynightI\'llhaunttheplace，andeveryday，tillIfindanopportunityofentering。

IfEdgarLintonmeetsme，Ishallnothesitatetoknockhimdown，andgivehimenoughtoinsurehisquiescencewhileIstay。Ifhisservantsopposeme，Ishallthreatenthemoffwiththesepistols。Butwouldn\'titbebettertopreventmycomingincontactwiththem，ortheirmaster？Andyoucoulddoitsoeasily。I\'dwarnyouwhenIcame，andthenyoumightletmeinunobserved，assoonasshewasalone，andwatchtillIdeparted，yourconsciencequitecalm:youwouldbehinderingmischief。\'

Iprotestedagainstplayingthattreacherouspartinmyemployer\'shouse:and，besides，IurgedthecrueltyandselfishnessofhisdestroyingMrsLinton\'stranquillityforhissatisfaction。`Thecommonestoccurrencestartlesherpainfully，\'Isaid。`She\'sallnerves，andshecouldn\'tbearthesurprise，I\'mpositive。Don\'tpersist，sir!orelse，Ishallbeobligedtoinformmymasterofyourdesigns；andhe\'lltakemeasurestosecurehishouseanditsinmatesfromanysuchunwarrantableintrusions!\'

`Inthatcase，I\'lltakemeasurestosecureyou，woman!\'exclaimedHeathcliff；`youshallnotleaveWutheringHeightstilltomorrowmorning。

ItisafoolishstorytoassertthatCatherinecouldnotbeartoseeme；

andastosurprisingher，Idon\'tdesireit:youmustprepareheraskherifImaycome。Yousayshenevermentionsmyname，andthatIamnevermentionedtoher。TowhomshouldshementionmeifIamaforbiddentopicinthehouse？Shethinksyouareallspiesforherhusband。Oh，I\'venodoubtshe\'sinhellamongyou!Iguessbyhersilence，asmuchasanything，whatshefeels。Yousaysheisoftenrestless，andanxious-looking；isthataproofoftranquillity？Youtalkofhermindbeingunsettled。Howthedevilcoulditbeotherwiseinherfrightfulisolation？Andthatinsipid，paltrycreatureattendingherfromdutyandhumanity!Frompityandcharity!Hemightaswellplantanoakinaflowerpot，andexpectittothrive，asimaginehecanrestorehertovigourinthesoilofhisshallowcares!Letussettleitatonce:willyoustayhere，andamItofightmywaytoCatherineoverLintonandhisfootmen？Orwillyoubemyfriendasyouhavebeenhitherto，anddowhatIrequest？Decide!

causethereisnoreasonformylingeringanotherminute，ifyoupersistinyourstubbornill-nature!\'

Well，MrLockwood，Iarguedandcomplained，andflatlyrefusedhimfiftytimes；butinthelongrunheforcedmetoanagreement。Iengagedtocarryaletterfromhimtomymistress；andshouldsheconsent，IpromisedtolethimhaveintelligenceofLinton\'snextabsencefromhome，whenhemightcome，andgetinashewasable:Iwouldn\'tbethere，andmyfellow-servantsshouldbeequallyoutoftheway。Wasitrightorwrong？Ifearitwaswrong，thoughexpedient。IthoughtIpreventedanotherexplosionbymycompliance；andIthought，too，itmightcreateafavourablecrisisinCatherine\'smentalillness:andthenIrememberedMrEdgar\'ssternrebukeofmycarryingtales；andItriedtosmoothawayalldisquietudeonthesubject，byaffirming，withfrequentiteration，thatthatbetrayaloftrust，ifitmeritedsoharshanappellation，shouldbethelast。Notwithstanding，myjourneyhomewardwassadderthanmyjourneythither；andmanymisgivingsIhad，ereIcouldprevailonmyselftoputthemissiveintoMrsLinton\'shand。

ButhereisKenneth；I\'llgodown，andtellhimhowmuchbetteryouare。Myhistoryisdree，aswesay，andwillservetowhileawayanothermorning。

Dree，anddreary!Ireflectedasthegoodwomandescendedtoreceivethedoctor；andnotexactlyofthekindwhichIshouldhavechosentoamuseme。Butnevermind!I\'llextractwholesomemedicinesfromMrsDean\'sbitterherbs；andfirstly，letmebewarethefascinationthatlurksinCatherineHeathcliff\'sbrillianteyes。IshouldbeinacurioustakingifIsurrenderedmyhearttothatyoungperson，andthedaughterturnedoutasecondeditionofthemother!

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter15Anotherweekover——andIamsomanydaysnearerhealth，andspring!Ihavenowheardallmyneighbour\'shistory，atdifferentsittings，asthehousekeepercouldsparetimefrommoreimportantoccupations。I\'llcontinueitinherownwords，onlyalittlecondensed。Sheis，onthewhole，averyfairnarrator，andIdon\'tthinkIcouldimproveherstyle。

Intheevening，shesaid，theeveningofmyvisittotheHeights，Iknew，aswellasifIsawhim，thatMrHeathcliffwasabouttheplace；

andIshunnedgoingout，becauseIstillcarriedhisletterinmypocket，anddidn\'twanttobethreatenedorteasedanymore。Ihadmadeupmymindnottogiveittillmymasterwentsomewhere，asIcouldnotguesshowitsreceiptwouldaffectCatherine。Theconsequencewas，thatitdidnotreachherbeforethelapseofthreedays。ThefourthwasSunday，andI

broughtitintoherroomafterthefamilyweregonetochurch。Therewasamanservantlefttokeepthehousewithme，andwegenerallymadeapracticeoflockingthedoorsduringthehoursofservice；butonthatoccasiontheweatherwassowarmandpleasantthatIsetthemwideopen，and，tofulfilmyengagement，asIknewwhowouldbecoming，Itoldmycompanionthatthemistresswishedverymuchforsomeoranges，andhemustrunovertothevillageandgetafew，tobepaidforonthemorrow。Hedeparted，andIwentupstairs。

MrsLintonsatinaloose，whitedress，withalightshawloverhershoulders，intherecessoftheopenwindow，asusual。Herthick，longhairhadbeenpartlyremovedatthebeginningofherillness，andnowsheworeitsimplycombedinitsnaturaltressesoverhertemplesandneck。

Herappearancewasaltered，asIhadtoldHeathcliff；butwhenshewascalm，thereseemedunearthlybeautyinthechange。Theflashofhereyeshadbeensucceededbyadreamyandmelancholysoftness；theynolongergavetheimpressionoflookingattheobjectsaroundher:theyappearedalwaystogazebeyond，andfarbeyond——youwouldhavesaidoutofthisworld。Thenthepalenessofherface——itshaggardaspecthavingvanishedassherecoveredflesh——andthepeculiarexpressionarisingfromhermentalstate，thoughpainfullysuggestiveoftheircauses，addedtothetouchinginterestwhichsheawakened；and——invariablytome，Iknow，andtoanypersonwhosawher，Ishouldthink——refutedmoretangibleproofsofconvalescence，andstampedherasonedoomedtodecay。

Abooklayspreadonthesillbeforeher，andthescarcelyperceptiblewindfluttereditsleavesatintervals。IbelieveLintonhadlaiditthere:

forsheneverendeavouredtodivertherselfwithreading，oroccupationofanykind，andhewouldspendmanyanhourintryingtoenticeherattentiontosomesubjectwhichhadformerlybeenheramusement。Shewasconsciousofhisaim，andinherbettermoodsenduredhiseffortsplacidly，onlyshowingtheiruselessnessbynowandthensuppressingaweariedsigh，andcheckinghimatlastwiththesaddestofsmilesandkisses。Atothertimes，shewouldturnpetulantlyaway，andhideherfaceinherhands，orevenpushhimoffangrily；andthenhetookcaretoletheralone，forhewascertainofdoingnogood。

Gimmertonchapelbellswerestillringing；andthefull，mellowflowofthebeckinthevalleycamesoothinglyontheear。Itwasasweetsubstitutefortheyetabsentmurmurofthesummerfoliage，whichdrownedthatmusicabouttheGrangewhenthetreeswereinleaf。AtWutheringHeightsitalwayssoundedonquietdaysfollowingagreatthaworaseasonofsteadyrain。AndofWutheringHeightsCatherinewasthinkingasshelistened:

thatis，ifshethoughtorlistenedatall；butshehadthevague，distantlookImentionedbefore，whichexpressednorecognitionofmaterialthingseitherbyearoreye。

`There\'saletterforyou，MrsLinton，\'Isaid，gentlyinsertingitinonehandthatrestedonherknee。`Youmustreaditimmediately，becauseitwantsananswer。ShallIbreaktheseal？\'

`Yes，\'sheanswered，withoutalteringthedirectionofhereyes。

Iopenedit——itwasveryshort。`Now\'，Icontinued，`readit。\'Shedrewawayherhand，andletitfall。Ireplaceditinherlap，andstoodwaitingtillitshouldpleasehertoglancedown；butthatmovementwassolongdelayedthatatlastIresumed:

`MustIreadit，ma\'am？ItisfromMrHeathcliff。\'

Therewasastartandatroubledgleamofrecollection，andastruggletoarrangeherideas。Sheliftedtheletter，andseemedtoperuseit；andwhenshecametothesignatureshesighed:yetstillIfoundshehadnotgathereditsimport，for，uponmydesiringtohearherreply，shemerelypointedtothename，andgazedatmewithmournfulandquestioningeagerness。

`Well，hewishestoseeyou，\'saidI，guessingherneedofaninterpreter。`He\'sinthegardenbythistime，andimpatienttoknowwhatanswerIshallbring。\'

AsIspoke，Iobservedalargedoglyingonthesunnygrassbeneathraiseitsearsasifabouttobark，andthensmoothingthemback，announce，byawagofthetail，thatsomeoneapproachedwhomitdidnotconsiderastranger。MrsLintonbentforward，andlistenedbreathlessly。Theminuteafterasteptraversedthehall；theopenhousewastootemptingforHeathclifftoresistwalkingin:mostlikelyhesupposedthatIwasinclinedtoshirkmypromise，andsoresolvedtotrusttohisownaudacity。WithstrainingeagernessCatherinegazedtowardstheentranceofherchamber。Hedidnothittherightroomdirectly，shemotionedmetoadmithim，buthefounditoutereIcouldreachthedoor，andinastrideortwowasatherside，andhadhergraspedinhisarms。

Heneitherspokenorloosedhisholdforsomefiveminutes，duringwhichperiodhebestowedmorekissesthaneverhegaveinhislifebefore，Idaresay:butthenmymistresshadkissedhimfirst，andIplainlysawthathecouldhardlybear，fordownrightagony，tolookintoherface!

Thesameconvictionhadstrickenhimasme，fromtheinstanthebeheldher，thattherewasnoprospectofultimaterecoverythere——shewasfated，suretodie。

`Oh，Cathy!Oh，mylife!howcanIbearit？\'wasthefirstsentenceheuttered，inatonethatdidnotseektodisguisehisdespair。AndnowhestaredathersoearnestlythatIthoughttheveryintensityofhisgazewouldbringtearsintohiseyes；buttheyburnedwithanguish:theydidnotmelt。

`Whatnow？\'saidCatherine，leaningback，andreturninghislookwithasuddenlycloudedbrow:herhumourwasamerevaneforconstantlyvaryingcaprices。`YouandEdgarhavebrokenmyheart，Heathcliff!Andyoubothcametobewailthedeedtome，asifyouwerethepeopletobepitied!Ishallnotpityyou，notI。Youhavekilledme——andthrivenonit，Ithink。Howstrongyouare!HowmanyyearsdoyoumeantoliveafterIamgone？\'

Heathcliffhadkneltononekneetoembraceher；heattemptedtorise，butsheseizedhishair，andkepthimdown。

`IwishIcouldholdyou，\'shecontinuedbitterly，`tillwewerebothdead!Ishouldn\'tcarewhatyousuffered。Icarenothingforyoursufferings。Whyshouldn\'tyousuffer？Ido!Willyouforgetme？WillyoubehappywhenIamintheearth？Willyousaytwentyyearshence，``That\'sthegraveofCatherineEarnshaw。Ilovedherlongago，andwaswretchedtoloseher；butitispast。I\'velovedmanyotherssince:mychildrenaredearertomethanshewas；andatdeath，IshallnotrejoicethatI

amgoingtoher:IshallbesorrythatImustleavethem!\'\'Willyousayso，Heathcliff？\'

`Don\'ttorturemetillIamasmadasyourself，\'criedhe，wrenchinghisheadfree，andgrindinghisteeth。

Thetwo，toacoolspectator，madeastrangeandfearfulpicture。

WellmightCatherinedeemthatheavenwouldbealandofexiletoher，unlesswithhermortalbodyshecastawayhermoralcharacteralso。Herpresentcountenancehadawildvindictivenessinitswhitecheek，andabloodlesslipandscintillatingeye；andsheretainedinherclosedfingersaportionofthelocksshehadbeengrasping。Astohercompanion，whileraisinghimselfwithonehand，hehadtakenherarmwiththeother；andsoinadequatewashisstockofgentlenesstotherequirementsofhercondition，thatonhislettinggoIsawfourdistinctimpressionsleftblueinthecolourlessskin。

`Areyoupossessedwithadevil，\'hepursuedsavagely，`totalkinthatmannertomewhenyouaredying？Doyoureflectthatallthosewordswillbebrandedonmymemory，andeatingdeepereternallyafteryouhaveleftme？YouknowyoulietosayIhavekilledyou:and，Catherine，youknowthatIcouldassoonforgetyouasmyexistence!Isitnotsufficientforyourinfernalselfishness，thatwhileyouareatpeaceIshallwritheinthetormentsofhell？\'

`Ishallnotbeatpeace，\'moanedCatherine，recalledtoasenseofphysicalweaknessbytheviolent，unequalthrobbingofherheart，whichbeatvisiblyandaudiblyunderthisexcessofagitation。Shesaidnothingfurthertilltheparoxysmwasover；thenshecontinued，morekindly——

`I\'mnotwishingyougreatertormentthanIhave，Heathcliff。

Ionlywishusnevertobeparted:andshouldawordofminedistressyouhereafter，thinkIfeelthesamedistressunderground，andformyownsake，forgiveme!Comehereandkneeldownagain!Youneverharmedmeinyourlife。Nay，ifyounurseanger，thatwillbeworsetorememberthanmyharshwords!Won\'tyoucomehereagain？Do!\'

Heathcliffwenttothebackofherchair，andleantover，butnotsofarastoletherseehisface，whichwaslividwithemotion。Shebentroundtolookathim；hewouldnotpermitit:turningabruptly，hewalkedtothefireplace，wherehestood，silent，withhisbacktowardsus。MrsLinton\'sglancefollowedhimsuspiciously:everymovementwokeanewsentimentinher。Afterapauseandaprolongedgaze，sheresumed；

addressingmeinaccentsofindignantdisappointment——

`Oh，yousee，Nelly，hewouldnotrelentamomenttokeepmeoutofthegrave。ThatishowI\'mloved!Well，nevermind。ThatisnotmyHeathcliff。Ishalllovemineyet；andtakehimwithme:he\'sinmysoul。And\'，addedshe，musingly，`thethingthatirksmemostinthisshatteredprison，afterall。I\'mtired，tiredofbeingenclosedhere。

I\'mwearyingtoescapeintothatgloriousworld，andtobealwaysthere:

notseeingitdimlythroughtears，andyearningforitthroughthewallsofanachingheart；butreallywithit，andinit。Nelly，youthinkyouarebetterandmorefortunatethanI；infullhealthandstrength:youaresorryforme——verysoonthatwillbealtered。Ishallbesorryforyou。Ishallbeincomparablybeyondandaboveyouall。Iwonderhewon\'tbenearme!\'Shewentontoherself。`Ithoughthewishedit。

Heathcliff，dear!youshouldnotbesullennow。Docometome，Heathcliff。\'

Inhereagernesssheroseandsupportedherselfonthearmofthechair。Atthatearnestappealheturnedtoher，lookingabsolutelydesperate。Hiseyes，wideandwet，atlastflashedfiercelyonher；hisbreastheavedconvulsively。Aninstanttheyheldasunder，andthenhowtheymetIhardlysaw，butCatherinemadeaspring，andhecaughther，andtheywerelockedinanembracefromwhichIthoughtmymistresswouldneverbereleasedalive:infact，tomyeyes，sheseemeddirectlyinsensible。

Heflunghimselfintothenearestseat，andonmyapproachinghurriedlytoascertainifshehadfainted，hegnashedatme，andfoamedlikeamaddog，andgatheredhertohimwithgreedyjealousy。IdidnotfeelasifIwereinthecompanyofacreatureofmyownspecies:itappearedthathewouldnotunderstand，thoughIspoketohim；soIstoodoff，andheldmytongue，ingreatperplexity。

AmovementofCatherine\'srelievedmealittlepresently:sheputupherhandtoclasphisneck，andbringhercheektohisasheheldher；whilehe，inreturn，coveringherwithfranticcaresses，saidwildly——

`Youteachmenowhowcruelyou\'vebeen——cruelandfalse。Whydidyoudespiseme？Whydidyoubetrayyourownheart，Cathy？I

havenotonewordofcomfort。Youdeservethis。Youhavekilledyourself。

Yes，youmaykissme，andcry；andringoutmykissesandtears:they\'llblightyou——they\'lldamnyou。Youlovedme——thenwhatrighthadyoutoleaveme？Whatright——answerme——forthepoorfancyyoufeltforLinton？Becausemiseryanddegradation，anddeath，andnothingthatGodorSatancouldinflictwouldhavepartedus，you，ofyourownwill，didit。Ihavenotbrokenyourheart——youhavebrokenit；andinbreakingit，youhavebrokenmine。Somuchtheworseforme，thatIamstrong。DoIwanttolive？Whatkindoflivingwillitbewhenyou——oh，God!wouldyouliketolivewithyoursoulinthegrave？\'

`Letmealone。letmealone，\'sobbedCatherine。`IfIhavedonewrong，I\'mdyingforit。Itisenough!Youleftmetoo:butIwon\'tupbraidyou!Iforgiveyou。Forgiveme!\'

`Itishardtoforgive，andtolookatthoseeyes，andfeelthosewastedhands，\'heanswered。`Kissmeagain；anddon\'tletmeseeyoureyes!

Iforgivewhatyouhavedonetome。Ilovemymurderer——butyours!

HowcanI？\'

Theyweresilent——theirfaceshidagainsteachother，andwashedbyeachother\'stears。Atleast，Isupposetheweepingwasonbothsides；

asitseemedHeathcliffcouldweeponagreatoccasionlikethis。

Igrewveryuncomfortable，meanwhile；fortheafternoonworefastaway，themanwhomIhadsentoffreturnedfromhiserrand，andIcoulddistinguish，bytheshineofthewesteringsunupthevalley，aconcoursethickeningoutsideGimmertonchapelporch。

`Serviceisover，\'Iannounced。`Mymasterwillbehereinhalfanhour。\'

Heathcliffgroanedacurse，andstrainedCatherinecloser:shenevermoved。

ErelongIperceivedagroupoftheservantspassinguptheroadtowardsthekitchenwing。MrLintonwasnotfarbehind；heopenedthegatehimselfandsaunteredslowlyup，probablyenjoyingthelovelyafternoonthatbreathedassoftassummer。

`Nowheishere，\'Iexclaimed。`ForHeaven\'ssake，hurrydown!

You\'llnotmeetanyoneonthefrontstairs。Dobequick；andstayamongthetreestillheisfairlyin。\'

`Imustgo，Cathy，\'saidHeathcliff，seekingtoextricatehimselffromhiscompanion\'sarms。`ButifIlive，I\'llseeyouagainbeforeyouareasleep。Iwon\'tstrayfiveyardsfromyourwindow。\'

`Youmustnotgo!\'sheanswered，holdinghimasfirmlyasherstrengthallowed。`Youshallnot，Itellyou。\'

`Foronehour，\'hepleadedearnestly。

`Notforoneminute，\'shereplied。

`Imust——Lintonwillbeupimmediately，\'persistedthealarmedintruder。

Hewouldhaverisen，andunfixedherfingersbytheact——sheclungfast，gasping:therewasmadresolutioninherface。

`No!\'sheshrieked。`Oh，don\'t，don\'tgo。Itisthelasttime!

Edgarwillnothurtus。Heathcliff，Ishalldie!Ishalldie!\'

`Damnthefool!Thereheis，\'criedHeathcliff，sinkingbackintohisseat。`Hush，mydarling!Hush，hush，Catherine!I\'llstay。Ifheshotmeso，I\'dexpirewithablessingonmylips。\'

Andtheretheywerefastagain。Iheardmymastermountingthestairs——thecoldsweatranfrommyforehead:Iwashorrified。

`Areyougoingtolistentoherravings？\'Isaidpassionately。

`Shedoesnotknowwhatshesays。Willyouruinher，becauseshehasnotwittohelpherself？Getup!Youcouldbefreeinstantly。Thatisthemostdiabolicaldeedthateveryoudid。Wearealldonefor——master，mistress，andservant。

Iwrungmyhands，andcriedout；MrLintonhastenedhisstepatthenoise。Inthemidstofmyagitation，IwassincerelygladtoobservethatCatherine\'sarmshadfallenrelaxed，andherheadhungdown。

`She\'sfaintedordead，\'Ithought:`somuchthebetter。Farbetterthatsheshouldbedead，thanlingeringaburdenandamisery-makertoallabouther。\'

Edgarsprangtohisunbiddenguest，blanchedwithastonishmentandrage。Whathemeanttodo，Icannottell；however，theotherstoppedalldemonstrations，atonce，byplacingthelifelesslookingforminhisarms。

`Lookthere!\'hesaid；`unlessyoubeafiend，helpherfirst——thenyoushallspeaktome!\'

Hewalkedintotheparlour，andsatdown。MrLintonsummonedme，andwithgreatdifficulty，andafterresortingtomanymeans，wemanagedtorestorehertosensation；butshewasallbewildered；shesighed，andmoaned，andknewnobody。Edgar，inhisanxietyforher，forgotherhatedfriend。Ididnot。Iwent，attheearliestopportunity，andbesoughthimtodepart；affirmingthatCatherinewasbetter，andheshouldhearfrommeinthemorninghowshepassedthenight。

`Ishallnotrefusetogooutofdoors，\'heanswered；`butIshallstayinthegarden:and，Nelly，mindyoukeepyourwordtomorrow。Ishallbeunderthoselarchtrees。Mind!orIpayanothervisit，whetherLintonbeinornot。

Hesentarapidglancethroughthehalf-opendoorofthechamber，and，ascertainingthatwhatIstatedwasapparentlytrue，deliveredthehouseofhislucklesspresence。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter16Abouttwelveo\'clockthatnight，wasborntheCatherineyousawatWutheringHeights:apuny，sevenmonths\'child；andtwohoursafterthemotherdied，havingneverrecoveredsufficientconsciousnesstomissHeathcliff，orknowEdgar。Thelatter\'sdistractionathisbereavementisasubjecttoopainfultobedwelton；itsaftereffectsshowedhowdeepthesorrowsunk。

Agreataddition，inmyeyes，washisbeingleftwithoutanheir。Ibemoanedthat，asIgazedonthefeebleorphan；andImentallyabusedoldLintonfor(whatwasonlynaturalpartiality)thesecuringhisestatetohisowndaughter，insteadofhisson\'s。Anunwelcomedinfantitwas，poorthing!

Itmighthavewailedoutoflife，andnobodycaredamorsel，duringthosefirsthoursofexistence。Weredeemedtheneglectafterwards；butitsbeginningwasasfriendlessasitsendislikelytobe。

Nextmorning——brightandcheerfuloutofdoors——stolesoftenedinthroughtheblindsofthesilentroom，andsuffusedthecouchanditsoccupantwithamellow，tenderglow。EdgarLintonhadhisheadlaidonthepillow，andhiseyesshut。Hisyoungandfairfeatureswerealmostasdeathlikeasthoseoftheformbesidehim，andalmostasfixed:buthiswasthehushofexhaustedanguish，andhersofperfectpeace。Herbrowsmooth，herlidsclosed，herlipswearingtheexpressionofasmile；noangelinheavencouldbemorebeautifulthansheappeared。

AndIpartookoftheinfinitecalminwhichshelay:mymindwasneverinaholierframethanwhileIgazedonthatuntroubledimageofdivinerest。Iinstinctivelyechoedthewordsshehadutteredafewhoursbefore:

`Incomparablybeyondandaboveusall!Whetherstillonearthornowinheaven，herspiritisathomewithGod!\'

Idon\'tknowifitbeapeculiarityinme，butIamseldomotherwisethanhappywhilewatchinginthechamberofdeath，shouldnofrenziedordespairingmournersharethedutywithme。Iseeareposethatneitherearthnorhellcanbreak，andIfeelanassuranceoftheendlessandshadowlesshereafter——theEternitytheyhaveentered——wherelifeisboundlessinitsduration，andloveinitssympathy，andjoyinitsfulness。InoticedonthatoccasionhowmuchselfishnessthereiseveninalovelikeMrLinton\'s，whenhesoregrettedCatherine\'sblessedrelease!Tobesure，onemighthavedoubted，afterthewaywardandimpatientexistenceshehadled，whethershemeritedahavenofpeaceatlast。Onemightdoubtinseasonsofcoldreflection；butnotthen，inthepresenceofhercorpse。Itasserteditsowntranquillity，whichseemedapledgeofequalquiettoitsformerinhabitant。

Doyoubelievesuchpeoplearehappyintheotherworld，sir？

I\'dgiveagreatdealtoknow。

IdeclinedansweringMrsDean\'squestion，whichstruckmeassomethingheterodox。Sheproceeded——

RetracingthecourseofCatherineLinton，Ifearwehavenorighttothinksheis；butwe\'llleaveherwithherMaker。

Themasterlookedasleep，andIventuredsoonaftersunrisetoquittheroomandstealouttothepurerefreshingair。Theservantsthoughtmegonetoshakeoffthedrowsinessofmyprotractedwatch；inreality，mychiefmotivewasseeingMrHeathcliff。Ifhehadremainedamongthelarchesallnight，hewouldhaveheardnothingofthestirattheGrange；

unless，perhaps，hemightcatchthegallopofthemessengergoingtoGimmerton。

Ifhehadcomenearer，hewouldprobablybeaware，fromthelightsflittingtoandfro，andtheopeningandshuttingoftheouterdoors，thatallwasnotrightwithin。Iwished，yetfeared，tofindhim。Ifelttheterriblenewsmustbetold，andIlongedtogetitover；buthowtodoit，Ididnotknow。Hewasthere——atleastafewyardsfartherinthepark；

leantagainstanoldashtree，hishatoff，andhishairsoakedwiththedewthathadgatheredonthebuddedbranches，andfellpatteringroundhim。Hehadbeenstandingalongtimeinthatposition，forIsawapairofouselspassingandrepassingscarcelythreefeetfromhim，busyinbuildingtheirnest，andregardinghisproximitynomorethanthatofapieceoftimber。Theyflewoffatmyapproach，andheraisedhiseyesandspoke——

`She\'sdead!\'hesaid；`I\'venotwaitedforyoutolearnthat。

Putyourhandkerchiefaway——don\'tsnivelbeforeme。Damnyouall!shewantsnoneofyourtears!\'

Iwasweepingasmuchforhimasher；wedosometimespitycreaturesthathavenoneofthefeelingeitherforthemselvesorothers；andwhenIfirstlookedintohisface，Iperceivedthathehadgotintelligenceofthecatastrophe；andafoolishnotionstruckmethathisheartwasquelledandheprayed，becausehislipsmovedandhisgazewasbentontheground。

`Yes，she\'sdead!\'Ianswered，checkingmysobsanddryingmycheeks。`Gonetoheaven，Ihope；wherewemay，everyone，joinher，ifwetakeduewarningandleaveourevilwaystofollowgood!\'

`Didshetakeduewarning，then？\'askedHeathcliff，attemptingasneer。`Didshedielikeasaint？Come，givemeatruehistoryoftheevent。Howdid——\'

Heendeavouredtopronouncethename，butcouldnotmanageit；

andcompressinghismouthheheldasilentcombatwithhisinwardagony，defying，meanwhile，mysympathywithanunflinchingferociousstare。`Howdidshedie？\'heresumedatlast——fain，notwithstandinghishardihood，tohaveasupportbehindhim；for，afterthestruggle，hetrembled，inspiteofhimself，tohisveryfinger-ends。

`Poorwretch!\'Ithought；`youhaveaheartandnervesthesameasyourbrothermen!Whyshouldyoubeanxioustoconcealthem？YourpridecannotblindGod!YoutemptHimtowringthem，tillHeforcesacryofhumiliation。

`Quietlyasalamb!\'Iansweredaloud。`Shedrewasigh，andstretchedherself，likeachildreviving，andsinkingagaintosleep；andfiveminutesafterIfeltonelittlepulseatherheart，andnothingmore!\'