第8章

`And——didsheevermentionme？\'heasked，hesitating，asifhedreadedtheanswertohisquestionwouldintroducedetailsthathecouldnotbeartohear。

`Hersensesneverreturned；sherecognizednobodyfromthetimeyoulefther，\'Isaid。`Shelieswithasweetsmileonherface；andherlatestideaswanderedbacktopleasantearlydays。Herlifeclosedinagentledream——mayshewakeaskindlyintheotherworld!\'

`Mayshewakeintorment!\'hecried，withfrightfulvehemence，stampinghisfoot，andgroaninginasuddenparoxysmofungovernablepassion。

`Why，she\'saliartotheend!Whereisshe？Notthere——notinheaven——notperished——where？Oh!yousaidyoucarednothingformysufferings!AndIprayoneprayer——Irepeatittillmytonguestiffens——CatherineEarnshaw，mayyounotrestaslongasIamliving!YousaidIkilledyou——hauntme，then!Themurdereddohaunttheirmurderers，Ibelieve。Iknowthatghostshavewanderedonearth。Bewithmealways——takeanyform——drivememad!onlydonotleavemeinthisabyss，whereIcannotfindyou!Oh，God!itisunutterable!Icannotlivewithoutmylife!Icannotlivewithoutmysoul!\'

Hedashedhisheadagainsttheknottedtrunk；and，liftinguphiseyes，howled，notlikeaman，butlikeasavagebeastgettinggoadedtodeathwithknivesandspears。Iobservedseveralsplashesofbloodaboutthebarkofthetree，andhishandandforeheadwerebothstained；probablythesceneIwitnessedwasarepetitionofothersactedduringthenight。

Ithardlymovedmycompassion——itappalledme:still，Ifeltreluctanttoquithimso。Butthemomentherecollectedhimselfenoughtonoticemewatching，hethunderedacommandformetogo，andIobeyed。Hewasbeyondmyskilltoquietorconsole!

MrsLinton\'sfuneralwasappointedtotakeplaceontheFridayfollowingherdecease；andtillthenhercoffinremaineduncovered，andstrewnwithflowersandscentedleaves，inthegreatdrawing-room。Lintonspenthisdaysandnightsthere，asleeplessguardian；and——acircumstanceconcealedfromallbutme——Heathcliffspenthisnights，atleast，outside，equallyastrangertorepose。Iheldnocommunicationwithhim；still，Iwasconsciousofhisdesigntoenter，ifhecould；andontheTuesday，alittleafterdark，whenmymaster，fromsheerfatigue，hadbeencompelledtoretireacoupleofhours，Iwentandopenedoneofthewindows；movedbyhisperseverance，togivehimachanceofbestowingonthefadedimageofhisidolonefinaladieu。Hedidnotomittoavailhimselfoftheopportunity，cautiouslyandbriefly:toocautiouslytobetrayhispresencebytheslightestnoise。

Indeed，Ishouldn\'thavediscoveredthathehadbeenthere，exceptforthedisarrangementofthedraperyaboutthecorpse\'sface，andforobservingontheflooracurloflighthair，fastenedwithasilverthread；

which，onexamination，IascertainedtohavebeentakenfromalockethungroundCatherine\'sneck。Heathcliffhadopenedthetrinketandcastoutitscontents，replacingthembyablacklockofhisown。Itwistedthetwo，andenclosedthemtogether。

MrEarnshawwas，ofcourse，invitedtoattendtheremainsofhissistertothegrave；andhesentnoexcuse，buthenevercame；sothat，besidesherhusband，themournerswerewhollycomposedoftenantsandservants。

Isabellawasnotasked。

TheplaceofCatherine\'sinterment，tothesurpriseofthevillagers，wasneitherinthechapelunderthecarvedmonumentoftheLintons，noryetbythetombsofherownrelations，outside。Itwasdugonagreenslopeinacornerofthekirkyard，wherethewallissolowthatheathandbilberryplantshaveclimbedoveritfromthemoor；andpeatmouldalmostburiesit。Herhusbandliesinthesamespotnow；andtheyhaveeachasimpleheadstoneabove，andaplaingreyblockattheirfeet，tomarkthegraves。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter17ThatFridaymadethelastofourfinedaysforamonth。Intheevening，theweatherbroke:thewindshiftedfromsouthtonortheast，andbroughtrainfirst，andthensleetandsnow。Onthemorrowonecouldhardlyimaginethattherehadbeenthreeweeksofsummer:theprimrosesandcrocuseswerehiddenunderwintrydrifts；thelarksweresilent，theyoungleavesoftheearlytreessmittenandblackened。Anddreary，andchill，anddismal，thatmorrowdidcreepover!Mymasterkepthisroom；Itookpossessionofthelonelyparlour，convertingitintoanursery:andthereIwas，sittingwiththemoaningdollofachildlaidonmyknee；rockingittoandfro，andwatching，meanwhile，thestilldrivingflakesbuilduptheuncurtainedwindow，whenthedooropened，andsomepersonentered，outofbreathandlaughing!Myangerwasgreaterthanmyastonishmentforaminute。Isupposeditoneofthemaids，andIcried——

`Havedone!Howdareyoushowyourgiddinesshere？WhatwouldMrLintonsayifheheardyou？\'

`Excuseme!\'answeredafamiliarvoice；`butIknowEdgarisinbed，andIcannotstopmyself。\'

Withthatthespeakercameforwardtothefire，pantingandholdingherhandtoherside。

`IhaverunthewholewayfromWutheringHeights!\'shecontinued，afterapause；`exceptwhereI\'veflown。Icouldn\'tcountthenumberoffallsI\'vehad。Oh，I\'machingallover!Don\'tbealarmed!ThereshallbeanexplanationassoonasIcangiveit；onlyjusthavethegoodnesstostepoutandorderthecarriagetotakemeontoGimmerton，andtellaservanttoseekupafewclothesinmywardrobe。\'

TheintruderwasMrsHeathcliff。Shecertainlyseemedinnolaughingpredicament:herhairstreamedonhershoulders，drippingwithsnowandwater；shewasdressedinthegirlishdressshecommonlywore，befittingheragemorethanherposition:alowfrockwithshortsleeves，andnothingoneitherheadorneck。Thefrockwasoflightsilk，andclungtoherwithwet，andherfeetwereprotectedmerelybythinslippers；addtothisadeepcutunderoneear，whichonlythecoldpreventedfrombleedingprofusely，awhitefacescratchedandbruised，andaframehardlyabletosupportitself，throughfatigue；andyoumayfancymyfirstfrightwasnotmuchallayedwhenIhadhadleisuretoexamineher。

`Mydearyounglady，\'Iexclaimed，`I\'llstirnowhere，andhearnothing，tillyouhaveremovedeveryarticleofyourclothes，andputondrythings；andcertainlyyoushallnotgotoGimmertontonight，soitisneedlesstoorderthecarriage。\'

`Certainly，Ishall，\'shesaid；`walkingorriding:yetI\'venoobjectiontodressmyselfdecently。And——ah，seehowitflowsdownmynecknow!Thefiredoesmakeitsmart。\'

Sheinsistedonmyfulfillingherdirections，beforeshewouldletmetouchher；andnottillafterthecoachmanhadbeeninstructedtogetready，andamaidsettopackupsomenecessaryattire，didIobtainherconsentforbindingthewoundandhelpingtochangehergarments。

`Now，Ellen，\'shesaid，whenmytaskwasfinishedandshewasseatedinaneasychaironthehearth，withacupofteabeforeher，yousitdownoppositeme，andputpoorCatherine\'sbabyaway:Idon\'tliketoseeit!Youmustn\'tthinkIcarelittleforCatherine，becauseIbehavedsofoolishlyonentering:I\'vecried，too，bitterly——yes，morethananyoneelsehasreasontocry。Wepartedunreconciled，youremember，andIshan\'tforgivemyself。But，forallthat，Iwasnotgoingtosympathizewithhim——thebrutebeast!Oh，givemethepoker!ThisisthelastthingofhisIhaveaboutme。\'Sheslippedthegoldringfromherthirdfinger，andthrewitonthefloor。`I\'llsmashit!\'shecontinued，strikingitwithchildishspite，`andthenI\'llburnit!\'andshetookanddroppedthemisusedarticleamongthecoals。`There!heshallbuyanother，ifhegetsmebackagain。

He\'dbecapableofcomingtoseekme，toteaseEdgar。Idarenotstay，lestthatnotionshouldpossesshiswickedhead!Andbesides，Edgarhasnotbeenkind，hashe？AndIwon\'tcomesuingforhisassistance；norwillIbringhimintomoretrouble。Necessitycompelledmetoseekshelterhere；

though，ifIhadnotlearnedhewasoutoftheway，I\'dhavehaltedatthekitchen，washedmyface，warmedmyself，gotyoutobringwhatIwanted，anddepartedagaintoanywhereoutofthereachofmyaccursed——ofthatincarnategoblin!Ah!hewasinsuchafury!Ifhehadcaughtme!It\'sapityEarnshawisnothismatchinstrength:Iwouldn\'thaveruntillI\'dseenhimallbutdemolished，hadHindleybeenabletodoit!\'

`Well，don\'ttalksofast，miss!\'Iinterrupted；`you\'lldisorderthehandkerchiefIhavetiedroundyourface，andmakethecutbleedagain。

Drinkyourtea，andtakebreath，andgiveoverlaughing:laughterissadlyoutofplaceunderthisroof，andinyourcondition!\'

`Anundeniabletruth，\'shereplied。`Listentothatchild!Itmaintainsaconstantwail——senditoutofmyhearingforanhour；Ishan\'tstayanylonger。\'

Irangthebell，andcommittedittoaservant\'scare；andthenIinquiredwhathadurgedhertoescapefromWutheringHeightsinsuchanunlikelyplight，andwhereshemeanttogo，assherefusedremainingwithus。

`Iought，andIwishtoremain，\'answeredshe，`tocheerEdgarandtakecareofthebaby，fortwothings，andbecausetheGrangeismyrighthome。ButIBellyouhewouldn\'tletme!Doyouthinkhecouldbeartoseemegrowfatandmerry；andcouldbeartothinkthatweweretranquil，andnotresolveonpoisoningourcomfort？Now，Ihavethesatisfactionofbeingsurethathedetestsme，tothepointofitsannoyinghimseriouslytohavemewithinearshotoreyesight:Inotice，whenIenterhispresence，themusclesofhiscountenanceareinvoluntarilydistortedintoanexpressionofhatred；partlyarisingfromhisknowledgeofthegoodcausesIhavetofeelthatsentimentforhim，andpartlyfromoriginalaversion。ItisstrongenoughtomakemefeelprettycertainthathewouldnotchasemeoverEngland，supposingIcontrivedaclearescape；andthereforeImustgetquiteaway。I\'verecoveredfrommyfirstdesiretobekilledbyhim:

I\'dratherhe\'dkillhimself!Hehasextinguishedmyloveeffectually，andsoI\'matmyease。IcanrecollectyethowIlovedhim；andcandimlyimaginethatIcouldstillbelovinghim，if——no，no!Evenifhehaddotedonme，thedevilishnaturewouldhaverevealeditsexistencesomehow。Catherinehadanawfullypervertedtastetoesteemhimsodearly，knowinghimsowell。Monster!wouldthathecouldbeblottedoutofcreation，andoutofmymemory!\'

`Hush，hush!He\'sahumanbeing，\'Isaid。`Bemorecharitable:

thereareworsementhanheisyet!\'

`He\'snotahumanbeing，\'sheretorted；`andhehasnoclaimonmycharity。Igavehimmyheart，andhetookandpinchedittodeath，andflungitbacktome。Peoplefeelwiththeirhearts，Ellen:andsincehehasdestroyedmine，Ihavenotpowertofeelforhim:andIwouldnot，thoughhegroanedfromthistohisdyingday，andwepttearsofbloodforCatherine!No，indeed，indeed，Iwouldn\'t!\'AndhereIsabellabegantocry；but，immediatelydashingthewaterfromherlashes，sherecommenced。

`Youasked，whathasdrivenmetoflightatlast？Iwascompelledtoattemptit，becauseIhadsucceededinrousinghisrageapitchabovehismalignity。

Pullingoutthenerveswithred-hotpincersrequiresmorecoolnessthanknockingonthehead。Hewasworkeduptoforgetthefiendishprudenceheboastedof，andproceededtomurderousviolence。Iexperiencedpleasureinbeingabletoexasperatehim；thesenseofpleasurewokemyinstinctofself-preservation，soIfairlybrokefree；andifeverIcomeintohishandsagainheiswelcometoasignalrevenge。

`Yesterday，youknow，MrEarnshawshouldhavebeenatthefuneral。

Hekepthimselfsoberforthepurpose——tolerablysober:notgoingtobedmadatsixo\'clockandgettingupdrunkattwelve。Consequentlyherose，insuicidallowspirits，asfitforthechurchasforadance；andinstead，hesatdownbythefireandswallowedginorbrandybytumblerfuls。

`Heathcliff——Ishuddertonamehim!hasbeenastrangerinthehousefromlastSundaytilltoday。Whethertheangelshavefedhim，orhiskinbeneath，Icannottell；buthehasnoteatenamealwithusfornearlyaweek。Hehasjustcomehomeatdawn，andgoneupstairstohischamber；lockinghimselfin——asifanybodydreamtofcovetinghiscompany!

Therehehascontinued，prayinglikeaMethodist:onlythedeityheimploredinsenselessdustandashes；andGod，whenaddressed，wascuriouslyconfoundedwithhisownblackfather!Afterconcludingthesepreciousorisons——andtheylastedgenerallytillhegrewhoarseandhisvoicewasstrangledinhisthroat——hewouldbeoffagain；alwaysstraightdowntotheGrange!

I-wonderEdgardidnotsendforaconstable，andgivehimintocustody!

Forme，grievedasIwasaboutCatherine，itwasimpossibletoavoidregardingthisseasonofdeliverancefromdegradingoppressionasaholiday。

`IrecoveredspiritssufficienttohearJoseph\'seternallectureswithoutweeping，andtomoveupanddownthehouselesswiththefootofafrightenedthiefthanformerly。Youwouldn\'tthinkthatIshouldcryatanythingJosephcouldsay；butheandHaretonaredetestablecompanions。

I\'drathersitwithHindley，andhearhisawfultalk，thanwith``t\'littlemaister\'\'andhisstaunchsupporter，thatodiousoldman!WhenHeathcliffisin，I\'moftenobligedtoseekthekitchenandtheirsociety，orstarveamongthedampuninhabitedchambers；whenheisnot，aswasthecasethisweek，Iestablishatableandchairatonecomerofthehousefire，andnevermindhowMrEarnshawmayoccupyhimself；andhedoesnotinterferewithmyarrangements。Heisquieternowthanheusedtobe，ifnooneprovokeshim:moresullenanddepressed，andlessfurious。Josephaffirmshe\'ssurehe\'sanalteredman:thattheLordhastouchedhisheart，andheissaved``soasbyfire\'\'。I\'mpuzzledtodetectsignsofthefavourablechange:

butitisnotmybusiness。

`Yester-eveningIsatinmynookreadingsomeoldbookstilllateontowardstwelve。Itseemedsodismaltogoupstairs，withthewildsnowblowingoutside，andmythoughtscontinuallyrevertingtothekirkyardandthenew-madegrave!Idaredhardlyliftmyeyesfromthepagebeforeme，thatmelancholyscenesoinstantlyusurpeditsplace。Hindleysatopposite，hisheadleantonhishand；perhapsmeditatingonthesamesubject。Hehadceaseddrinkingatapointbelowirrationality，andhadneitherstirrednorspokenduringtwoorthreehours。Therewasnosoundthroughthehousebutthemoaningwind，whichshookthewindowseverynowandthen，thefaintcracklingofthecoals，andtheclickofmysnuffersasIremovedatintervalsthelongwickofthecandle。HaretonandJosephwereprobablyfastasleepinbed。Itwasvery，verysad:andwhileIreadIsighed，foritseemedasifalljoyhadvanishedfromtheworld，nevertoberestored。

`Thedolefulsilencewasbrokenatlengthbythesoundofthekitchenlatch:Heathcliffhadreturnedfromhiswatchearlierthanusual；

owing，Isuppose，tothesuddenstorm。Thatentrancewasfastened，andwebeardhimcomingroundtogetinbytheother。IrosewithanirrepressibleexpressionofwhatIfeltonmylips，whichinducedmycompanion，whohadbeenstaringtowardsthedoor，toturnandlookatme。

``I\'Ilkeephimoutfiveminutes，\'\'heexclaimed。``Youwon\'tobject？\'\'

`"No，youmaykeephimoutthewholenightforme，\'\'Ianswered。

``Do!putthekeyinthelock，anddrawthebolts。\'\'

`Earnshawaccomplishedthiserehisguestreachedthefront；hethencameandbroughthischairtotheothersideofmytable，leaningoverit，andsearchinginmyeyes，asympathywiththeburninghatethatgleamedfromhis:ashebothlookedandfeltlikeanassassin，hecouldn\'texactlyfindthat；buthediscoveredenoughtoencouragehimtospeak。

`"YouandI\'\'，hesaid，``haveeachagreatdebttosettlewiththemanoutyonder!Ifwewereneitherofuscowards，wemightcombinetodischargeit。Areyouassoftasyourbrother？Areyouwillingtoenduretothelast，andnotonceattemptarepayment？\'\'

``I\'mwearyofenduringnow，\'\'Ireplied；``andI\'dbegladofaretaliationthatwouldn\'trecoilonmyself；buttreacheryandviolencearespearspointedatbothends:theywoundthosewhoresorttothemworsethantheirenemies。\'\'

``Treacheryandviolenceareajustreturnfortreacheryandviolence!\'\'

criedHindley。``MrsHeathcliff，I\'llaskyoutodonothing；butsitstillandbedumb。Tellmenow，canyou？I\'msureyouwouldhaveasmuchpleasureasIinwitnessingtheconclusionofthefiend\'sexistence；he\'llbeyourdeathunlessyouoverreachhim；andhe\'llbemyruin。Damnthehellishvillain!Heknocksatthedoorasifheweremasterherealready!Promisetoholdyourtongue，andbeforethatclockstrikes——itwantsthreeminutesofone——you\'reafreewoman!\'\'

`HetooktheimplementswhichIdescribedtoyouinmyletterfromhisbreast，andwouldhaveturneddownthecandle。Isnatcheditaway，however，andseizedhisarm。

```I\'Ilnotholdmytongue!\'\'Isaid；``youmustn\'ttouchhim。

Letthedoorremainshut，andbequiet!\'\'

```No!I\'veformedmyresolution，andbyGodI\'llexecuteit!\'\'

criedthedesperatebeing。``I\'Ildoyouakindnessinspiteofyourself，andHaretonjustice!Andyouneedn\'ttroubleyourheadtoscreenme；Catherineisgone。Nobodyalivewouldregretme，orbeashamed，thoughIcutmythroatthisminute——andit\'stimetomakeanend!\'\'

`Imightaswellhavestruggledwithabear，orreasonedwithalunatic。Theonlyresourceleftmewastoruntoalatticeandwarnhisintendedvictimofthefatewhichawaitedhim。

`"You\'dbetterseeksheltersomewhereelsetonight!\'\'Iexclaimedinarathertriumphanttone。``MrEarnshawhasamindtoshootyou，ifyoupersistinendeavouringtoenter。\'\'

``You\'dbetteropenthedoor，you——"heanswered，addressingmebysomeeleganttermthatIdon\'tcaretorepeat。

``Ishallnotmeddleinthematter，\'\'Iretortedagain。``Comeinandgetshot，ifyouplease!I\'vedonemyduty。\'\'

`WiththatIshutthewindowandreturnedtomyplacebythefire；

havingtoosmallastockofhypocrisyatmycommandtopretendanyanxietyforthedangerthatmenacedhim。Earnshawsworepassionatelyatme:affirmingthatIlovedthevillainyet；andcallingmeallsortsofnamesforthebasespiritIevinced。AndI，inmysecretheart(andconscienceneverreproachedme)，thoughtwhatablessingitwouldbeforhimshouldHeathcliffputhimoutofmisery；andwhatablessingformeshouldhesendHeathclifftohisrightabode!AsIsatnursingthesereflections，thecasementbehindmewasbangedontothefloorbyablowfromthelatterindividual，andhisblackcountenancelikedblightinglythrough。Thestanchionsstoodtooclosetosufferhisshoulderstofollow，andIsmiled，exultinginmyfanciedsecurity。Hishairandclotheswerewhitenedwithsnow，andhissharpcannibalteeth，revealedbycoldandwrath，gleamedthroughthedark。

`"Isabella，letmein，orI\'llmakeyourepent!\'\'he``girned\'\'，asJosephcallsit。

Icannotcommitmurder，\'\'Ireplied。``MrHindleystandssentinelwithaknifeandloadedpistol。\'\'

``Letmeinbythekitchendoor，\'\'hesaid。

``Hindleywillbetherebeforeyou，\'\'Ianswered:``andthat\'sapoorloveofyoursthatcannotbearashowerofsnow!Wewereleftatpeaceonourbedsaslongasthesummermoonshone，butthemomentablastofwinterreturns，youmustrunforshelter!Heathcliff，ifIwereyou，I\'dgostretchmyselfoverhergraveanddielikeafaithfuldog。Theworldissurelynotworthlivinginnow，isit？YouhaddistinctlyimpressedonmetheideathatCatherinewasthewholejoyofyourlife:Ican\'timaginehowyouthinkofsurvivingherloss。\'\'

``He\'sthere，ishe？\'\'exclaimedmycompanion，rushingtothegap。``IfIcangetmyarmoutIcanhithim!\'\'

`I\'mafraid，Ellen，you\'llsetmedownasreallywicked；butyoudon\'tknowall，sodon\'tjudge。Iwouldn\'thaveaidedorabettedanattemptonevenhislifeforanything。Wishthatheweredead，Imust；andthereforeIwasfearfullydisappointed，andunnervedbyterrorfortheconsequencesofmytauntingspeech，whenheflunghimselfonEarnshaw\'sweaponandwrencheditfromhisgrasp。

`Thecharge，exploded，andtheknife，inspringingback，closedintoitsownerswrist。Heathcliffpulleditawaybymainforce，slittingupthefleshasitpassedon，andthrustitdrippingintohispocket。Hethentookastone，struckdownthedivisionbetweentwowindows，andsprangin。Hisadversaryhadfallensenselesswithexcessivepainandtheflowofblood，thatgushedfromanarteryoralargevein。Theruffiankickedandtrampledonhim，anddashedhisheadrepeatedlyagainsttheflags，holdingmewithonehand，meantime，topreventmesummoningJoseph。Heexertedpreterhumanself-denialinabstainingfromfinishinghimcompletely；

butgettingoutofbreathhefinallydesisted，anddraggedtheapparentlyinanimatebodyontothesettle。TherehetoreoffthesleeveofEarnshaw\'scoat，andboundupthewoundwithbrutalroughness；spittingandcursingduringtheoperationasenergeticallyashehadkickedbefore。Beingatliberty，Ilostnotimeinseekingtheoldservant；who，havinggatheredbydegreesthepurportofmyhastytale，hurriedbelow，gasping，ashedescendedthestepstwoatonce。

``Whatistheretodo，now？whatistheretodo，now？\'\'

`"There\'sthistodo，\'\'thunderedHeathcliff，``thatyourmaster\'smad；andshouldhelastanothermonth，I\'llhavehimtoanasylum。Andhowthedevildidyoucometofastenmeout，youtoothlesshound？Don\'tstandmutteringandmumblingthere。Come，I\'mnotgoingtonursehim。Washthatstuffaway；andmindthesparksofyourcandle——itismorethanhalfbrandy!\'\'

`"Andso，ye\'vebeenmurtheringonhim？\'\'exclaimedJoseph，liftinghishandsandeyesinhorror。``IfiverIseedaseeghtloikethis!MaytheLord——\'\'

`Heathcliffgavehimapushontohiskneesinthemiddleoftheblood，andflungatoweltohim；butinsteadofproceedingtodryitup，hejoinedhishandsandbeganaprayer，whichexcitedmylaughterfromitsoddphraseology。Iwasintheconditionofmindtobeshockedatnothing:

infact，Iwasasrecklessassomemalefactorsshowthemselvesatthefootofthegallows。

`"Oh，Iforgotyou，\'\'saidthetyrant。``Youshalldothat。Downwithyou。Andyouconspirewithhimagainstme，doyou，viper？There，thatisworkfitforyou!\'\'

`Heshookmetillmyteethrattled，andpitchedmebesideJoseph，whosteadilyconcludedhissupplicationsandthenrose，vowinghewouldsetofffortheGrangedirectly。MrLintonwasamagistrate，andthoughhehadfiftywivesdead，heshouldinquireintothis。Hewassoobstinateinhisresolution，thatHeathcliffdeemeditexpedienttocompelfrommylipsarecapitulationofwhathadtakenplace；standingoverme，heavingwithmalevolence，asIreluctantlydeliveredtheaccountinanswertohisquestions。ItrequiredagreatdealoflabourtosatisfytheoldmanthatHeathcliffwasnottheaggressor；especiallywithmyhardlywrungreplies。

However，MrEarnshawsoonconvincedhimthathewasalivestill；Josephhastenedtoadministeradoseofspirits，andbytheirsuccourhismasterpresentlyregainedmotionandconsciousness。Heathcliff，awarethathisopponentwasignorantofthetreatmentreceivedwhileinsensible，calledhimdeliriouslyintoxicated；andsaidheshouldnotnoticehisatrociousconductfurther，butadvisedhimtogettobed。Tomyjoy，heleftus，aftergivingthisjudiciouscounsel，andHindleystretchedhimselfonthehearthstone。Idepartedtomyownroom，marvellingthatIhadescapedsoeasily。

`Thismorning，whenIcamedown，abouthalfanhourbeforenoon，MrEarnshawwassittingbythefire，deadlysick；hisevilgenius，almostasgauntandghastly，leantagainstthechimney。Neitherappearedinclinedtodine，and，havingwaitedtillallwascoldonthetable，Icommencedalone。Nothinghinderedmefromeatingheartily，andIexperiencedacertainsenseofsatisfactionandsuperiority，as，atintervals，Icastalooktowardsmysilentcompanions，andfeltthecomfortofaquietconsciencewithinme。AfterIhaddone，Iventuredontheunusuallibertyofdrawingnearthefire，goingroundEarnshaw\'sseat，andkneelinginthecornerbesidehim。

`Heathcliffdidnotglancemyway，andIgazedup，andcontemplatedhisfeaturesalmostasconfidentlyasiftheyhadbeenturnedtostone。

Hisforehead，thatIoncethoughtsomanly，andthatInowthinksodiabolical，wasshadedwithaheavycloud；hisbasiliskeyeswerenearlyquenchedbysleeplessness，andweeping，perhaps，forthelasheswerewetthen；hislipsdevoidoftheirferocioussneer，andsealedinanexpressionofunspeakablesadness。Haditbeenanother，Iwouldhavecoveredmyfaceinthepresenceofsuchgrief。Inhiscase，Iwasgratified；and，ignobleasitseemstoinsultafallenenemy，Icouldn\'tmissthischanceofstickinginadart:hisweaknesswastheonlytimewhenIcouldtastethedelightofpayingwrongforwrong。

`Fie，fie，miss!\'Iinterrupted。`OnemightsupposeyouhadneveropenedaBibleinyourlife。IfGodafflictyourenemies，surelythatoughttosufficeyou。ItisbothmeanandpresumptuoustoaddyourtorturetoHis!\'

`IngeneralI\'llallowthatitwouldbe，Ellen，\'shecontinued；

`butwhatmiserylaidonHeathcliffcouldcontentme，unlessIhaveahandinit？I\'dratherhesufferedless，ifImightcausehissufferingsandhemightknowthatIwasthecause。O，Iowehimsomuch。OnonlyoneconditioncanIhopetoforgivehim。Itis，ifImaytakeaneyeforaneye，atoothforatooth；foreverywrenchofagonyreturnawrench:

reducehimtomylevel。Ashewasthefirsttoinjure，makehimthefirsttoimplorepardon；andthen——whythen，Ellen，Imightshowyousomegenerosity。

ButitisutterlyimpossibleIcaneverberevenged，andthereforeIcannotforgivehim。Hindleywantedsomewater，andIhandedhimaglass，andaskedhimhowhewas。

``NotasillasIwish，\'\'hereplied。``Butleavingoutmyarm，everyinchofmeisassoreasifIhadbeenfightingwithalegionofimps!\'\'

`"Yes，nowonder，\'\'wasmynextremark。``Catherineusedtoboastthatshestoodbetweenyouandbodilyharm:shemeantthatcertainpersonswouldnothurtyouforfearofoffendingher。It\'swellpeopledon\'treallyrisefromtheirgrave，or，lastnight，shemighthavewitnessedarepulsivescene!Arenotyoubruisedandcutoveryourchestandshoulders？\'\'

``Ican\'tsay，\'\'heanswered:``butwhatdoyoumean？DidhedaretostrikemewhenIwasdown？"

"Hetrampledonyouandkickedyou，anddashedyouontheground，\'\'

Iwhispered。``Andhismouthwateredtotearyouwithhisteeth；becausehe\'sonlyhalfaman——notsomuch。\'\'

`MrEarnshawlookedup，likeme，tothecountenanceofourmutualfoe；who，absorbedinhisanguish，seemedinsensibletoanythingaroundhim:thelongerhestood，theplainerhisreflectionsrevealedtheirblacknessthroughhisfeatures。

`"Oh，ifGodwouldbutgivemestrengthtostranglehiminmylastagony，I\'dgotohellwithjoy，\'\'groanedtheimpatientman，writhingtorise，andsinkingbackindespair，convincedofhisinadequacyforthestruggle。

`"Nay，it\'senoughthathehasmurderedoneofyou，\'\'Iobservedaloud。``AttheGrange，everyoneknowsyoursisterwouldhavebeenlivingnow，haditnotbeenforMrHeathcliff。Afterall，itispreferabletobehatedthanlovedbyhim。WhenIrecollecthowhappywewere——howhappyCatherinewasbeforehecame——I\'mfittocursetheday。\'\'

`Mostlikely，Heathcliffnoticedmorethetruthofwhatwassaid，thanthespiritofthepersonwhosaidit。Hisattentionwasroused，I

saw，forhiseyesraineddowntearsamongtheashes，andhedrewhisbreathinsuffocatingsighs。Istaredfullathim，andlaughedscornfully。Thecloudedwindowsofhellflashedamomenttowardsme；thefiendwhichusuallylookedout，however，wassodimmedanddrownedthatIdidnotfeartohazardanothersoundofderision。

``Getup，andbegoneoutofmysight，\'\'saidthemourner。

`Iguessedheutteredthosewords，atleast，thoughhisvoicewashardlyintelligible。

`"Ibegyourpardon，\'\'Ireplied。``ButIlovedCatherinetoo；

andherbrotherrequiresattendance，which，forhersake，Ishallsupply。

Nowthatshe\'sdead，IseeherinHindley:Hindleyhasexactlyhereyes，ifyouhadnottriedtogougethemout，andmadethemblackandred；andher——\'\'

``Getup，wretchedidiot，beforeIstampyoutodeath!\'\'hecried，makingamovementthatcausedmetomakeonealso。

``Butthen，\'\'Icontinued，holdingmyselfreadytoflee；``ifpoorCatherinehadtrustedyou，andassumedtheridiculous，contemptible，degradingtitleofMrsHeathcliff，shewouldsoonhavepresentedasimilarpicture!Shewouldn\'thaveborneyourabominablebehaviourquietly:

herdetestationanddisgustmusthavefoundvoice。\'\'

`ThebackofthesettleandEarnshaw\'spersoninterposedbetweenmeandhim:soinsteadofendeavouringtoreachme，hesnatchedadinnerknifefromthetableandflungitatmyhead。Itstruckbeneathmyear，andstoppedthesentenceIwasuttering；but，pullingitout，Isprangtothedooranddeliveredanother；whichIhopewentalittledeeperthanhismissile。ThelastglimpseIcaughtofhimwasafuriousrushonhispart，checkedbytheembraceofhishost；andbothfelllockedtogetheronthehearth。InmyflightthroughthekitchenIbidJosephspeedtohismaster；IknockedoverHareton，whowashangingalitterofpuppiesfromachairbackinthedoorway；and，blestasasoulescapedfrompurgatory，Ibounded，leaped，andflewdownthesteeproad；then，quittingitswindings，shotdirectacrossthemoor，rollingoverbanks，andwadingthroughmarshes:

precipitatingmyself，infact，towardsthebeaconlightoftheGrange。

AndfarratherwouldIbecondemnedtoaperpetualdwellingintheinfernalregions，than，evenforonenight，abidebeneaththeroofofWutheringHeightsagain。\'

Isabellaceasedspeaking，andtookadrinkoftea；thensherose，andbiddingmeputonherbonnet，andagreatshawlIhadbrought，andturningadeafeartomyentreatiesforhertoremainanotherhour，shesteppedontoachair，kissedEdgar\'sandCatherine\'sportraits，bestowedasimilarsaluteonme，anddescendedtothecarriage，accompaniedbyFanny，whoyelpedwildwithjoyatrecoveringhermistress。Shewasdrivenaway，nevertorevisittheneighbourhood:butaregularcorrespondencewasestablishedbetweenherandmymasterwhenthingsweremoresettled。Ibelievehernewabodewasinthesouth，nearLondon；thereshehadasonborn，afewmonthssubsequenttoherescape。HewaschristenedLinton，and，fromthefirst，shereportedhimtobeanailing，peevishcreature。

MrHeathcliff，meetingmeonedayinthevillage，inquiredwhereshelived。Irefusedtotell。Heremarkedthatitwasnotofanymoment，onlyshemustbewareofcomingtoherbrother:sheshouldnotbewithhim，ifhehadtokeepherhimself。ThoughIwouldgivenoinformation，hediscovered，throughsomeoftheotherservants，bothherplaceofresidenceandtheexistenceofthechild。Stillhedidn\'tmolesther:forwhichforbearanceshemightthankhisaversion，Isuppose。Heoftenaskedabouttheinfant，whenhesawme；andonhearingitsname，smiledgrimly，andobserved:

`Theywishmetohateittoo，dothey？\'

`Idon\'tthinktheywishyoutoknowanythingaboutit，\'Ianswered。

`ButI\'llhaveit，\'hesaid，`whenIwantit。Theymayreckononthat!\'

Fortunately，itsmotherdiedbeforethetimearrived；somethirteenyearsafterthedeceaseofCatherine，whenLintonwastwelve，oralittlemore。

OnthedaysucceedingIsabella\'sunexpectedvisit，Ihadnoopportunityofspeakingtomymaster:heshunnedconversation，andwasfitfordiscussingnothing。WhenIcouldgethimtolisten，Isawitpleasedhimthathissisterhadleftherhusband；whomheabhorredwithanintensitywhichthemildnessofhisnaturewouldscarcelyseemtoallow。Sodeepandsensitivewashisaversion，thatherefrainedfromgoinganywherewherehewaslikelytoseeorhearofHeathcliff。Grief，andthattogether，transformedhimintoacompletehermit:hethrewuphisofficeofmagistrate，ceasedeventoattendchurch，avoidedthevillageonalloccasions，andspentalifeofentireseclusionwithinthelimitsofhisparkandgrounds；onlyvariedbysolitaryramblesonthemoors，andvisitstothegraveofhiswife，mostlyatevening，orearlymorningbeforeotherwandererswereabroad。

Buthewastoogoodtobethoroughlyunhappylong。Hedidn\'tprayforCatherine\'ssoultohaunthim。Timebroughtresignation，andamelancholysweeterthancommonjoy。Herecalledhermemorywithardent，tenderlove，andhopefulaspiringtothebetterworld；wherehedoubtednotshewasgone。

Andhehadearthlyconsolationandaffectionsalso。Forafewdays，Isaid，heseemedregardlessofthepunysuccessortothedeparted:

thecoldnessmeltedasfastassnowinApril，anderethetinythingcouldstammerawordortotterastep，itwieldedadespot\'ssceptreinhisheart。

ItwasnamedCatherine；buthenevercalleditthenameinfull，ashehadnevercalledthefirstCatherineshort；probablybecauseHeathcliffhadahabitofdoingso。ThelittleonewasalwaysCathy；itformedtohimadistinctionfromthemother，andyetaconnectionwithher；andhisattachmentsprangfromitsrelationtoher，farmorethanfromitsbeinghisown。

IusedtodrawacomparisonbetweenhimandHindleyEarnshaw，andperplexmyselftoexplainsatisfactorilywhytheirconductwassooppositeinsimilarcircumstances。Theyhadbothbeenfondhusbands，andwerebothattachedtotheirchildren；andIcouldnotseehowtheyshouldn\'tbothhavetakenthesameroad，forgoodorevil。But，Ithoughtinmymind，Hindley，withapparentlythestrongerhead，hasshownhimselfsadlytheworseandtheweakerman。Whenhisshipstruck，thecaptainabandonedhispost；andthecrew，insteadoftryingtosaveher，rushedintoriotandconfusion，leavingnohopefortheirlucklessvessel。Linton，onthecontrary，displayedthetruecourageofaloyalandfaithfulsoul:hetrustedGod；

andGodcomfortedhim。Onehoped，andtheotherdespaired:theychosetheirownlots，andwererighteouslydoomedtoendurethem。Butyou\'llnotwanttohearmymoralizing，MrLockwood:you\'lljudgeaswellasIcan，allthesethings:atleast，you\'llthinkyouwill，andthat\'sthesame。TheendofEarnshawwaswhatmighthavebeenexpected；itfollowedfastonhissister\'s:therewasscarcelysixmonthsbetweenthem。We，attheGrange，nevergotaverysuccinctaccountofhisstateprecedingit；allthatI

didlearn，wasonoccasionofgoingtoaidinthepreparationsforthefuneral。MrKennethcametoannouncetheeventtomymaster。

`Well，Nelly，\'saidhe，ridingintotheyardonemorning，tooearlynottoalarmmewithaninstantpresentimentofbadnews，`it\'syoursandmyturntogointomourningatpresent。Who\'sgivenustheslipnow，doyouthink？\'

`Who？\'Iaskedinaflurry。

`Why，guess!\'hereturned，dismounting，andslinginghisbridleonahookbythedoor。`Andnipupthecornerofyourapron:I\'mcertainyou\'llneedit。\'

`NotMrHeathcliff，surely？\'Iexclaimed。

`What!wouldyouhavetearsforhim？\'saidthedoctor。`No，Heathcliff\'satoughyoungfellow:helooksbloomingtoday。I\'vejustseenhim。He\'srapidlyregainingfleshsincehelosthisbetterhalf。\'

`Whoisitthen，MrKenneth？\'Irepeatedimpatiently。

`HindleyEarnshaw!YouroldfriendHindley，\'hereplied，`andmywickedgossip:thoughhe\'sbeentoowildformethislongwhile。There!

Isaidweshoulddrawwater。Butcheerup。Hediedtruetohischaracter:

drunkasalord。Poorlad!I\'msorry，too。Onecan\'thelpmissinganoldcompanion:thoughhehadtheworsttrickswithhimthatevermanimagined，andhasdonememanyarascallyturn。He\'sbarelytwenty-seven，itseems；

that\'syourownage:whowouldhavethoughtyouwereborninoneyear？\'

IconfessthisblowwasgreatertomethantheshockofMrsLinton\'sdeath:ancientassociationslingeredroundmyheart；Isatdownintheporchandweptasforabloodrelation，desiringKennethtogetanotherservanttointroducehimtothemaster。Icouldnothindermyselffromponderingonthequestion——`Hadhehadfairplay？\'WhateverIdid，thatideawouldbotherme:itwassotiresomelypertinaciousthatIresolvedonrequestingleavetogotoWutheringHeights，andassistinthelastdutiestothedead。MrLintonwasextremelyreluctanttoconsent，butI

pleadedeloquentlyforthefriendlessconditioninwhichhelay；andI

saidmyoldmasterandfoster-brotherhadaclaimonmyservicesasstrongashisown。Besides，IremindedhimthatthechildHaretonwashiswife\'snephew，and，intheabsenceofnearerkin，heoughttoactasitsguardian；

andheoughttoandmustinquirehowthepropertywasleft，andlookovertheconcernsofhisbrother-in-law。Hewasunfitforattendingtosuchmattersthen，buthebidmespeaktohislawyer；andatlengthpermittedmetogo。HislawyerhadbeenEarnshaw\'salso:Icalledatthevillage，andaskedhimtoaccompanyme。Heshookhishead，andadvisedthatHeathcliffshouldbeletalone；affirming，ifthetruthwereknown，Haretonwouldbefoundlittleelsethanabeggar。

`Hisfatherdiedindebt，\'hesaid；`thewholepropertyismortgaged，andthesolechanceforthenaturalheiristoallowhimanopportunityofcreatingsomeinterestinthecreditor\'sheart，thathemaybeinclinedtodeallenientlytowardshim。\'

WhenIreachedtheHeights，IexplainedthatIhadcometoseeeverythingcarriedondecently；andJoseph，whoappearedinsufficientdistress，expressedsatisfactionatmypresence。MrHeathcliffsaidhedidnotperceivethatIwaswanted；butImightstayandorderthearrangementsforthefuneral，ifIchose。

`Correctly，\'heremarked，`thatfool\'sbodyshouldbeburiedatthecrossroads，withoutceremonyofanykind。Ihappenedtoleavehimtenminutesyesterdayafternoon，andinthatintervalhefastenedthetwodoorsofthehouseagainstme，andhehasspentthenightindrinkinghimselftodeathdeliberately!Webrokeinthismorning，forweheardhimsnortinglikeahorse；andtherehewas，laidoverthesettle；flayingandscalpingwouldnothavewakenedhim。IsentforKenneth，andhecame；butnottillthebeasthadchangedintocarrion:hewasbothdeadandcold，andstark；

andsoyou\'llallowitwasuselessmakingmorestirabouthim!\'

Theoldservantconfirmedthisstatement，butmuttered:

`Aw\'draytherhe\'dgoanhisselnfurt\'doctor!Awsuduhtaententuht\'maisterbetternurhim——unhewarn\'tdeeadwhenAwleft，nowtuht\'soart!\'

Iinsistedonthefuneralbeingrespectable。MrHeathcliffsaidImighthavemyownwaytheretoo；only，hedesiredmetorememberthatthemoneyforthewholeaffaircameoutofhispocket。Hemaintainedahard，carelessdeportment，indicativeofneitherjoynorsorrow；ifanything，itexpressedaflintygratificationatapieceofdifficultworksuccessfullyexecuted。Iobservedonce，indeed，somethinglikeexultationinhisaspect:

itwasjustwhenthepeoplewerebearingthecoffinfromthehouse。Hehadthehypocrisytorepresentamourner:andprevioustofollowingwithHareton，heliftedtheunfortunatechildontothetableandmuttered，withpeculiargusto，`Now，mybonnylad，youaremine!Andwe\'llseeifonetreewon\'tgrowascrookedasanother，withthesamewindtotwistit!\'Theunsuspectingthingwaspleasedatthisspeech:heplayedwithHeathcliff\'swhiskers，andstrokedhischeek；butIdivineditsmeaning，andobservedtartly，`ThatboymustgobackwithmetoThrushcrossGrange，sir。Thereisnothingintheworldlessyoursthanheis!\'

`DoesLintonsayso？\'hedemanded。

`Ofcourse——hehasorderedmetotakehim，\'Ireplied。

`Well，\'saidthescoundrel，`we\'llnotarguethesubjectnow:

butIhaveafancytotrymyhandatrearingayoungone；sointimatetoyourmasterthatImustsupplytheplaceofthiswithmyown，ifheattempttoremoveit。Idon\'tengagetoletHaretongoundisputed；butI\'llbeprettysuretomaketheothercome!Remembertotellhim。\'

Thishintwasenoughtobindourhands。Irepeateditssubstanceonmyreturn；andEdgarLinton，littleinterestedatthecommencement，spokenomoreofinterferingI\'mnotawarethathecouldhavedoneittoanypurpose，hadhebeeneversowilling。

TheguestwasnowthemasterofWutheringHeights:heheldfirmpossession，andprovedtotheattorney——who，inhisturn，provedittoMrLinton——thatEarnshawhadmortgagedeveryyardoflandheowned，forcashtosupplyhismaniaforgaming；andhe，Heathcliff，wasthemortgagee。

InthatmannerHareton，whoshouldnowbethefirstgentlemanintheneighbourhood，wasreducedtoastateofcompletedependenceonhisfather\'sinveterateenemy；andlivesinhisownhouseasaservant，deprivedoftheadvantageofwages，andquiteunabletorighthimself，becauseofhisfriendlessness，andhisignorancethathehasbeenwronged。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter18Thetwelveyears，continuedMrsDean，followingthatdismalperiod，werethehappiestofmylife:mygreatesttroublesintheirpassagerosefromourlittlelady\'striflingillnesses，whichshehadtoexperienceincommonwithallchildren，richandpoor。Fortherest，afterthefirstsixmonths，shegrewlikealarch，andcouldwalkandtalktoo，inherownway，beforetheheathblossomedasecondtimeoverMrsLinton\'sdust。Shewasthemostwinningthingthateverbroughtsunshineintoadesolatehouse:arealbeautyinface，withtheEarnshaws\'handsomedarkeyes，buttheLintons\'

fairskinandsmallfeatures，andyellowcurlinghair。Herspiritwashigh，thoughnotrough，andqualifiedbyaheartsensitiveandlivelytoexcessinitsaffections。Thatcapacityforintenseattachmentsremindedmeofhermother:stillshedidnotresembleher；forshecouldbesoftandmildasadove，andshehadagentlevoiceandpensiveexpression:herangerwasneverfurious；herloveneverfierce:itwasdeepandtender。However，itmustbeacknowledged，shehadfaultstofoilhergifts。Apropensitytobesaucywasone；andaperversewill，thatindulgedchildreninvariablyacquire，whethertheybegood-temperedorcross。Ifaservantchancedtovexher，itwasalways——`Ishalltellpapa!\'Andifhereprovedher，evenbyalook，youwouldhavethoughtitaheart-breakingbusiness:Idon\'tbelieveheeverdidspeakaharshwordtoher。Hetookhereducationentirelyonhimself，andmadeitanamusement。Fortunately，curiosityandaquickintellecturgedherintoanaptscholar:shelearnedrapidlyandeagerly，anddidhonourtohisteaching。

Tillshereachedtheageofthirteen，shehadnotoncebeenbeyondtherangeoftheparkbyherself。MrLintonwouldtakeherwithhimamileorsooutside，onrareoccasions；buthetrustedhertonooneelse。Gimmertonwasanunsubstantialnameinherears；thechapel，theonlybuildingshehadapproachedorentered，exceptherownhome。WutheringHeightsandMrHeathcliffdidnotexistforher:shewasaperfectrecluse；and，apparently，perfectlycontented。Sometimes，indeed，whilesurveyingthecountryfromhernurserywindow，shewouldobserve:

`Ellen，howlongwillitbebeforeIcanwalktothetopofthosehills？Iwonderwhatliesontheotherside——isitthesea？\'

`No，MissCathy，\'Iwouldanswer；`itishillsagain，justlikethese。\'

`Andwhatarethosegoldenrockslikewhenyoustandunderthem？\'

sheonceasked。

TheabruptdescentofPenistoneCragsparticularlyattractedhernotice；especiallywhenthesettingsunshoneonitandthetopmostheights，andthewholeextentoflandscapebesideslayinshadow。Iexplainedthattheywerebaremassesofstone，withhardlyenoughearthintheircleftstonourishastuntedtree。

`Andwhyaretheybrightsolongafteritiseveninghere？\'shepursued。

`Becausetheyareagreatdealhigherupthanweare，\'repliedI；`youcouldnotclimbthem，theyaretoohighandsteep。Inwinterthefrostisalwaystherebeforeitcomestous；anddeepintosummerIhavefoundsnowunderthatblackhollowonthenorth-eastside!\'

`Oh，youhavebeenonthem!\'shecriedgleefully。`ThenIcango，too，whenIamawoman。Haspapabeen，Ellen？\'

`Papawouldtellyou，miss，\'Iansweredhastily，`thattheyarenotworththetroubleofvisiting。Themoors，whereyouramblewithhim，aremuchnicer；andThrushcrossParkisthefinestplaceintheworld。\'

`ButIknowthepark，andIdon\'tknowthose，\'shemurmuredtoherself。`AndIshoulddelighttolookroundmefromthebrowofthattallestpoint:mylittleponyMinnyshalltakemesometime。\'

OneofthemaidsmentioningtheFairyCave，quiteturnedherheadwithadesiretofulfilthisproject:sheteasedMrLintonaboutit；andhepromisedsheshouldhavethejourneywhenshegotolder。ButMissCatherinemeasuredheragebymonths，and，`Now，amIoldenoughtogotoPenistoneCrags？\'wastheconstantquestioninhermouth。TheroadthitherwoundclosebyWutheringHeights。Edgarhadnotthehearttopassit；soshereceivedasconstantlytheanswer，`Notyet，love:notyet。

IsaidMrsHeathclifflivedaboveadozenyearsafterquittingherhusband。Herfamilywereofadelicateconstitution:sheandEdgarbothlackedtheruddyhealththatyouwillgenerallymeetintheseparts。

Whatherlastillnesswas，Iamnotcertain:Iconjecture，theydiedofthesamething，akindoffever，slowatitscommencement，butincurable，andrapidlyconsuminglifetowardstheclose。Shewrotetoinformherbrotheroftheprobableconclusionofafourmonths\'indispositionunderwhichshehadsuffered，andentreatedhimtocometoher，ifpossible；

forshehadmuchtosettle，andshewishedtobidhimadieu，anddeliverLintonsafelyintohishands。Herhopewas，thatLintonmightbeleftwithhim，ashehadbeenwithher:hisfather，shewouldfainconvinceherself，hadnodesiretoassumetheburdenofhismaintenanceoreducation。Mymasterhesitatednotamomentincomplyingwithherrequest:reluctantashewastoleavehomeatordinarycalls，heflewtoanswerthis；commendingCatherinetomypeculiarvigilance，inhisabsence，withreiteratedordersthatshemustnotwanderoutofthepark，evenundermyescort:hedidnotcalculateonhergoingunaccompanied。