第11章

`Andthenyouwouldlikemeaswellasyourfather？\'observedhe，morecheerfully。`Butpapasaysyouwouldlovemebetterthanhimandalltheworld，ifyouweremywife；soI\'dratheryouwerethat。\'

`No，Ishouldneverloveanybodybetterthanpapa，\'shereturnedgravely。`Andpeoplehatetheirwives，sometimes；butnottheirsistersandbrothers:andifyouwerethelatteryouwouldlivewithus，andpapawouldbeasfondofyouasheisofme。\'

Lintondeniedthatpeopleeverhatedtheirwives；butCathyaffirmedtheydid，and，inherwisdom，instancedhisownfather\'saversiontoheraunt。Iendeavouredtostopherthoughtlesstongue。Icouldn\'tsucceedtilleverythingsheknewwasout。MasterHeathcliff，muchirritated，assertedherrelationwasfalse。

`Papatoldme；andpapadoesnottellfalsehoods，\'sheansweredpertly。

`Nypapascornsyours!\'criedLinton。`Hecallshimasneakingfool!\'

`Yoursisawickedman，\'retortedCatherine，`andyouareverynaughtytodaretorepeatwhathesays。HemustbewickedtohavemadeAuntIsabellaleavehimasshedid!\'

`Shedidn\'tleavehim，\'saidtheboy；`youshan\'tcontradictme!\'

`Shedid!\'criedmyyounglady。

`Well，I\'lltellyousomething!\'saidLinton。`Yourmotherhatedyourfather:nowthen。\'

`Oh!\'exclaimedCatherine，tooenragedtocontinue。`Andshelovedmine!\'addedhe。

`Youlittleliar!Ihateyounow，\'shepanted，andherfacegrewredwithpassion。

`Shedid!shedid!\'sangLinton，sinkingintotherecessofhischair，andleaningbackhisheadtoenjoytheagitationoftheotherdisputant，whostoodbehind。

`Hush，MasterHeathcliff!\'Isaid；`that\'syourfather\'stale，too，Isuppose。\'

`Itisn\'t:youholdyourtongue!\'heanswered。`Shedid，shedid，Catherine!shedid，shedid!\'

Cathy，besideherself，gavethechairaviolentpush，andcausedhimtofallagainstonearm。Hewasimmediatelyseizedbyasuffocatingcoughthatsoonendedhistriumph。Itlastedsolongthatitfrightenedevenme。Astohiscousin，shewept，withallhermight；aghastatthemischiefshehaddone:thoughshesaidnothing。Iheldhimtillthefitexhausteditself。Thenhethrustmeaway，andleanthisheaddownsilently。

Catherinequelledherlamentationsalso，tookaseatopposite，andlookedsolemnlyintothefire。

`Howdoyoufeelnow，MasterHeathcliff？\'Iinquired，afterwaitingtenminutes。

`IwishshefeltasIdo，\'hereplied:`spiteful，cruelthing!Haretonnevertouchesme:heneverstruckmeinhislife。AndI

wasbettertoday:andthere——`hisvoicediedinawhimper。

`Ididn\'tstrikeyou!\'mutteredCathy，chewingherliptopreventanotherburstofemotion。

Hesighedandmoanedlikeoneundergreatsuffering，andkeptitupforaquarterofanhour；onpurposetodistresshiscousinapparently，forwheneverhecaughtastifledsobfromherheputrenewedpainandpathosintotheinflectionsofhisvoice。

`I\'msorryIhurtyou，Linton，\'shesaidatlength，rackedbeyondendurance。`ButIcouldn\'thavebeenhurtbythatlittlepush，andIhadnoideathatyoucould，either:you\'renotmuch，areyou，Linton？

Don\'tletmegohomethinkingI\'vedoneyouharm。Answer!speaktome。\'

`Ican\'tspeaktoyou，\'hemurmured；`you\'vehurtmeso，thatIshalllieawakeallnightchokingwiththiscough。Ifyouhadityou\'dknowwhatitwas；butyou\'llbecomfortablyasleepwhileI\'minagony，andnobodynearme。Iwonderhowyouwouldliketopassthosefearfulnights!\'Andhebegantowailaloud，forverypityofhimself。

`Sinceyouareinthehabitofpassingdreadfulnights，\'Isaid，`itwon\'tbemisswhospoilsyourease:you\'dbethesamehadshenevercome。However，sheshallnotdisturbyouagain；andperhapsyou\'llgetquieterwhenweleaveyou。

`MustIgo？\'askedCatherinedolefully，bendingoverhim。`Doyouwantmetogo，Linton？\'

`Youcan\'talterwhatyou\'vedone，\'herepliedpettishly，shrinkingfromher，`unlessyoualteritfortheworsebyteasingmeintoafever。\'

`Well，then，Imustgo？\'sherepeated。

`Letmealone，atleast，\'saidhe；`Ican\'tbearyourtalking。\'

Shelingered，andresistedmypersuasionstodepartureatiresomewhile；butasheneitherlookedupnorspoke，shefinallymadeamovementtothedoorandIfollowed。Wewererecalledbyascream。Lintonhadslidfromhisseatontothehearthstone，andlaywrithinginthemereperversenessofanindulgedplagueofachild，determinedtobeasgrievousandharassingasitcan。Ithoroughlygaugedhisdispositionfromhisbehaviour，andsawatonceitwouldbefollytoattempthumouringhim。Notsomycompanion:

sheranbackinterror，kneltdown，andcried，andsoothed，andentreated，tillhegrewquietfromlackofbreath:bynomeansfromcompunctionatdistressingher。

`Ishalllifthimonthesettle，\'Isaid，`andhemayrollaboutashepleases:wecan\'tstoptowatchhim。Ihopeyouaresatisfied，MissCathy，thatyouarenotthepersontobenefithim；andthathisconditionofhealthisnotoccasionedbyattachmenttoyou。Now，then，thereheis!Comeaway:assoonasheknowsthereisnobodybytocareforhisnonsense，he\'llbegladtoliestill。\'

Sheplacedacushionunderhishead，andofferedhimsomewater；

herejectedthelatter，andtosseduneasilyontheformer，asifitwereastoneorablockofwood。Shetriedtoputitmorecomfortably。

`Ican\'tdowiththat，\'hesaid；`it\'snothighenough。\'

Catherinebroughtanothertolayaboveit。

`That\'stoohigh，\'murmuredtheprovokingthing。

`HowmustIarrangeit，then？\'sheaskeddespairingly。

Hetwinedhimselfuptoher，asshehalfkneltbythesettle，andconvertedhershoulderintoasupport。

`No，thatwon\'tdo，\'Isaid。`You\'llbecontentwiththecushion，MasterHeathcliff。Misshaswastedtoomuchtimeonyoualready:wecannotremainfiveminuteslonger。\'

`Yes，yes，wecan!\'repliedCathy。`He\'sgoodandpatientnow。

He\'sbeginningtothinkIshallhavefargreatermiserythanhewilltonight，ifIbelieveheistheworseformyvisit；andthenIdarenotcomeagain。

Tellthetruthaboutit，Linton；forImustn\'tcome，ifIhavehurtyou。\'

`Youmustcome，tocureme，\'heanswered。`Yououghttocome，becauseyouhavehurtme:youknowyouhaveextremely!IwasnotasillwhenyouenteredasIamatpresent——wasI？\'

`Butyou\'vemadeyourselfillbycryingandbeinginapassion。\'

`Ididn\'tdoitatall，\'saidhiscousin。`However，we\'llbefriendsnow。Andyouwantme:youwouldwishtoseemesometimes，really？\'

`ItoldyouIdid，\'herepliedimpatiently。`Sitonthesettleandletmeleanonyourknee。That\'sasmammausedtodo，wholeafternoonstogether。Sitquitestillanddon\'ttalk:butyoumaysingasong，ifyoucansing；oryoumaysayanicelonginterestingballad——oneofthoseyoupromisedtoteachme:orastory。I\'dratherhaveaballad，though:begin。\'

Catherinerepeatedthelongestshecouldremember。Theemploymentpleasedbothmightily。Lintonwouldhaveanother；andafterthatanother，notwithstandingmystrenuousobjections；andsotheywentonuntiltheclockstrucktwelve，andweheardHaretoninthecourt，returningforhisdinner。

`Andtomorrow，Catherine，willyoubeheretomorrow？\'askedyoungHeathcliff，holdingherfrockassherosereluctantly。

`No，\'Ianswered，`nornextdayneither。\'She，however，gaveadifferentresponseevidently，forhisforeheadclearedasshestoopedandwhisperedinhisear。

`Youwon\'tgotomorrow，recollect，miss!\'Icommenced，whenwewereoutofthehouse。`Youarenotdreamingofit，areyou？\'

`Oh，I\'lltakegoodcare，\'Icontinued:`I\'llhavethatlockmended，andyoucanescapebynowayelse。\'

`Icangetoverthewall，\'shesaid，laughing。`TheGrangeisnotaprison，Ellen，andyouarenotmyjailer。Andbesides，I\'malmostseventeen:I\'mawoman。AndI\'mcertainLintonwouldrecoverquicklyifhehadmetolookafterhim。I\'molderthanheis，youknow，andwiser:

lesschildish，amInot？Andhe\'llsoondoasIdirecthim，withsomeslightcoaxing。He\'saprettylittledarlingwhenhe\'sgood。I\'dmakesuchapetofhim，ifheweremine。Weshouldneverquarrel，shouldwe，afterwewereusedtoeachother？Don\'tyoulikehim，Ellen？\'

`Likehim？\'Iexclaimed。`Theworst-temperedbitofasicklyslipthateverstruggledintoitsteens。Happily，asMrHeathcliffconjectured，he\'llnotwintwenty。Idoubtwhetherhe\'llseespring，indeed。Andsmalllosstohisfamilywheneverhedropsoff。Andluckyitisforusthathisfathertookhim:thekinderhewastreated，themoretediousandselfishhe\'dbe。I\'mgladyouhavenochanceofhavinghimforahusband，MissCatherine。\'

Mycompanionwaxedseriousathearingthisspeech。Tospeakofhisdeathsoregardlessly，woundedherfeelings。

`He\'syoungerthanI，\'sheanswered，afteraprotractedpauseofmeditation，`andheoughttolivethelongest:hewill——hemustliveaslongasIdo。He\'sasstrongnowaswhenhefirstcameintothenorth；

I\'mpositiveofthat。It\'sonlyacoldthatailshim，thesameaspapahas。Yousaypapawillgetbetter，andwhyshouldn\'the？\'

`Well，well，\'Icried，`afterall，weneedn\'ttroubleourselves；

forlisten，miss，andmind，I\'llkeepmyword，——ifyouattemptgoingtoWutheringHeightsagain，withorwithoutme，IshallinformMrLinton，and，unlessheallowit，theintimacywithyourcousinmustnotberevived。\'

`Ithasbeenrevived，\'mutteredCathysulkily。`Mustnotbecontinued，then，\'Isaid。

`We\'llsee，\'washerreply，andshesetoffatagallop，leavingmetotoilintherear。

Webothreachedhomebeforeourdinnertime；mymastersupposedwehadbeenwanderingthroughthepark，andthereforehedemandednoexplanationofourabsence。AssoonasIentered，Ihastenedtochangemysoakedshoesandstockings；butsittingsuchawhileattheHeightshaddonethemischief。

OnthesucceedingmorningIwaslaidup，andduringthreeweeksIremainedincapacitatedforattendingtomyduties:acalamityneverexperiencedpriortothatperiod，andnever，Iamthankfultosay，since。

Mylittlemistressbehavedlikeanangel，incomingtowaitonme，andcheermysolitude:theconfinementbroughtmeexceedinglylow。

Itiswearisome，toastirringactivebody:butfewhaveslighterreasonsforcomplaintthanIhad。ThemomentCatherineleftMrLinton\'sroom，sheappearedatmybedside。Herdaywasdividedbetweenus；noamusementusurpedaminute:sheneglectedhermeals，herstudies，andherplay；andshewasthefondestnursethateverwatched。Shemusthavehadawarmheart，whenshelovedherfatherso，togivesomuchtome。Isaidherdaysweredividedbetweenus；butthemasterretiredearly，andIgenerallyneedednothingaftersixo\'clock；thustheeveningwasherown。Poorthing!Ineverconsideredwhatshedidwithherselfaftertea。Andthoughfrequently，whenshelookedintobidmegoodnight，Iremarkedafreshcolourinhercheeksandapinknessoverherslenderfingers；insteadoffancyingthehueborrowedfromacoldrideacrossthemoors，Ilaidittothechargeofahotfireinthelibrary。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter24Atthecloseofthreeweeks，Iwasabletoquitmychamber，andmoveaboutthehouse。Andonthefirstoccasionofmysittingupintheevening，I

askedCatherinetoreadtome，becausemyeyeswereweak。Wewereinthelibrary，themasterhavinggonetobed:sheconsented，ratherunwillingly，Ifancied；andimaginingmysortofbooksdidnotsuither，Ibidherplaceherselfinthechoiceofwhatsheperused。Sheselectedoneofherownfavourites，andgotforwardsteadilyaboutanhour；thencamefrequentquestions。

`Ellen，arenotyoutired？Hadn\'tyoubetterliedownnow？You\'llbesick，keepingupsolong，Ellen。\'

`No，no，dear，I\'mnottired，\'Ireturnedcontinually。

Perceivingmeimmovable，sheessayedanothermethodofshowingherdisrelishforheroccupation。Itchangedtoyawning，andstretching，and:

`Ellen，I\'mtired。\'

`Giveoverthenandtalk，\'Ianswered。

Thatwasworse:shefrettedandsighed，andlikedatherwatchtilleight，andfinallywenttoherroom，completelyoverdonewithsleep；

judgingbyherpeevish，heavylook，andtheconstantrubbingsheinflictedonhereyes。Thefollowingnightsheseemedmoreimpatientstill；andonthethirdfromrecoveringmycompany，shecomplainedofaheadache，andleftme。Ithoughtherconductodd；andhavingremainedalonealongwhile，Iresolvedongoingandinquiringwhethershewerebetter，andaskinghertocomeandlieonthesofa，insteadofupstairsinthedark。NoCatherinecouldIdiscoverupstairs，andnonebelow。Theservantsaffirmedtheyhadnotseenher。IlistenedatMrEdgar\'sdoor；allwassilence。Ireturnedtoherapartment，extinguishedmycandle，andseatedmyselfinthewindow。

Themoonshonebright；asprinklingofsnowcoveredtheground，andIreflectedthatshemight，possibly，havetakenitintoherheadtowalkaboutthegarden，forrefreshment。Ididdetectafigurecreepingalongtheinnerfenceofthepark；butitwasnotmyyoungmistress:onitsemergingintothelight，Irecognizedoneofthegrooms。Hestoodaconsiderableperiod，viewingthecarriage-roadthroughthegrounds；thenstartedoffatabriskpace，asifhehaddetectedsomething，andreappearedpresently，leadingmiss\'spony；andthereshewas，justdismounted，andwalkingbyitsside。Themantookhischargestealthilyacrossthegrasstowardsthestable。Cathyenteredbythecasementwindowofthedrawing-room，andglidednoiselesslyuptowhereIawaitedher。Sheputthedoorgentlyto，slippedoffhersnowyshoes，untiedherhat，andwasproceeding，unconsciousofmyespionage，tolayasidehermantle，whenIsuddenlyroseandrevealedmyself。Thesurprisepetrifiedheraninstant:sheutteredaninarticulateexclamation，andstoodfixed。

`MydearMissCatherine，\'Ibegan，toovividlyimpressedbyherrecentkindnesstobreakintoascold，`wherehaveyoubeenridingoutatthishour？Andwhyshouldyoutrytodeceiveme，bytellingatale？

Wherehaveyoubeen？Speak。\'

`Tothebottomofthepark，\'shestammered。`Ididn\'ttellatale。\'

`Andnowhereelse？\'Idemanded。

`No，\'wasthemutteredreply。

`Oh，Catherine!\'Icriedsorrowfully。`Youknowyouhavebeendoingwrong，oryouwouldn\'tbedriventoutteringanuntruthtome。Thatdoesgrieveme。I\'dratherbethreemonthsill，thanhearyouframeadeliberatelie。\'

Shesprangforward，andburstingintotears，threwherarmsroundmyneck。

`Well，Ellen，I\'msoafraidofyoubeingangry，\'shesaid。`Promisenottobeangry，andyoushallknowtheverytruth:Ihatetohideit。\'

Wesatdowninthewindow-seat；IassuredherIwouldnotscold，whateverhersecretmightbe，andIguesseditofcourse；soshecommenced:

`I\'vebeentoWutheringHeights，Ellen，andI\'venevermissedgoingadaysinceyoufellill；exceptthricebefore，andtwiceafteryouleftyourroom。IgaveMichaelbooksandpicturestoprepareMinnyeveryevening，andtoputherbackinthestable:youmustn\'tscoldhimeither，mind。IwasattheHeightsbyhalf-pastsix，andgenerallystayedtillhalfpasteight，andthengallopedhome。ItwasnottoamusemyselfthatIwent:Iwasoftenwretchedallthetime。NowandthenIwashappy；

onceinaweekperhaps。Atfirst，IexpectedtherewouldbesadworkpersuadingyoutoletmekeepmywordtoLinton:forIhadengagedtocallagainnextday，whenwequittedhim；but，asyoustayedupstairsonthemorrow，I

escapedthattrouble；andwhileMichaelwasrefasteningthelockoftheparkdoorintheafternoon，Igotpossessionofthekey，andtoldhimhowmycousinwishedmetovisithim，becausehewassick，andcouldn\'tcometotheGrange；andhowpapawouldobjecttomygoing:andthenInegotiatedwithhimaboutthepony。Heisfondofreading，andhethinksofleavingsoontogetmarried；soheoffered，ifIwouldlendhimbooksoutofthelibrary，todowhatIwished:butIpreferredgivinghimmyown，andthatsatisfiedhimbetter。

`Onmysecondvisit，Lintonseemedinlivelyspirits；andZillah(thatistheirhousekeeper)madeusacleanroomandagoodfire，andtoldusthat，asJosephwasoutataprayermeetingandHaretonEarnshawwasoffwithhisdogs——robbingourwoodsofpheasants，asIheardafterwards——wemightdowhatweliked。Shebroughtmesomewarmwineandgingerbread，andappearedexceedinglygood-natured；andLintonsatinthearmchair，andIinthelittlerocking-chaironthehearthstone，andwelaughedandtalkedsomerrily，andfoundsomuchtosay:weplannedwherewewouldgo，andwhatwewoulddoinsummer。Ineedn\'trepeatthat，becauseyouwouldcallitsilly。

`Onetime，however，wewerenearquarrelling。HesaidthepleasantestmannerofspendingahotJulydaywaslyingfrommorningtilleveningonabankofheathinthemiddleofthemoors，withthebeeshummingdreamilyaboutamongthebloom，andthelarkssinginghighupoverhead，andtheblueskyandbrightsunshiningsteadilyandcloudlessly。Thatwashismostperfectideaofheaven\'shappiness:minewasrockinginarustlinggreentree，withawestwindblowing，andbrightwhitecloudsflittingrapidlyabove；andnotonlylarks，butthrostles，andblackbirds，andlinnets，andcuckoospouringoutmusiconeveryside，andthemoorsseenatadistance，brokenintocoolduskydells；butclosebygreatswellsoflonggrassundulatinginwavestothebreeze；andwoodsandsoundingwater，andthewholeworldawakeandwildwithjoy。Hewantedalltolieinanecstasyofpeace；I

wantedalltosparkleanddanceinagloriousjubilee。Isaidhisheavenwouldbeonlyhalfalive；andhesaidminewouldbedrunk:IsaidIshouldfallasleepinhis；andhesaidhecouldnotbreatheinmine，andbegantogrowverysnappish。Atlast，weagreedtotryboth，assoonastherightweathercame；andthenwekissedeachotherandwerefriends。

`Aftersittingstillanhour，Ilookedatthegreatroomwithitssmoothuncarpetedfloor，andthoughthowniceitwouldbetoplayin，ifweremovedthetable；andIaskedLintontocallZillahintohelpus，andwe\'dhaveagameatblind-man\'sbuff；sheshouldtrytocatchus:youusedto，youknow，Ellen。Hewouldn\'t:therewasnopleasureinit，hesaid；butheconsentedtoplayatballwithme。Wefoundtwoinacupboard，amongaheapofoldtoys，tops，andhoops，andbattledores，andshuttlecocks。

OnewasmarkedC。，andtheotherH。；IwishedtohavetheC。，becausethatstoodforCatherine，andtheH。mightbeforHeathcliff，hisname；butthebrancameoutofH。，andLintondidn\'tlikeit。Ibeathimconstantly，andhegotcrossagain，andcoughed，andreturnedtohischair。Thatnight，though，heeasilyrecoveredhisgoodhumour:hewascharmedwithtwoorthreeprettysongs——yoursongs，Ellen；andwhenIwasobligedtogo，hebeggedandentreatedmetocomethefollowingevening；andIpromised。

MinnyandIwentflyinghomeaslightasair；andIdreamtofWutheringHeightsandmysweet，darlingcousin，tillmorning。

`OnthemorrowIwassad；partlybecauseyouwerepoorly，andpartlythatIwishedmyfatherknew，andapprovedofmyexcursions:butitwasbeautifulmoonlightaftertea；and，asIrodeon，thegloomcleared。

Ishallhaveanotherhappyevening，Ithoughttomyself:andwhatdelightsmemore，myprettyLintonwill。Itrotteduptheirgarden，andwasturningroundtotheback，whenthatfellowEarnshawmetme，tookmybridle，andbidmegoinbythefrontentrance。HepattedMinny\'sneck，andsaidshewasabonnybeast，andappearedasifhewantedmetospeaktohim。Ionlytoldhimtoleavemyhorsealone，orelseitwouldkickhim。Heansweredinhisvulgaraccent，``Itwouldn\'tdomuchhurtifitdid"；andsurveyeditslegswithasmile。Iwashalfinclinedtomakeittry；however，hemovedofftoopenthedoor，and，asheraisedthelatch，helookeduptotheinscriptionabove，andsaid，withastupidmixtureofawkwardnessandelation:

```MissCatherine!Icanreadyon，nah。\'\'

```Wonderful，\'\'Iexclaimed。``Prayletushearyou——youaregrownclever!\'\'

`Hespelt，anddrawledoverbysyllables，thename——"HaretonEarnshaw"。

```Andthefigures？\'\'Icriedencouragingly，perceivingthathecametoadeadhalt。

```Icannottellthemyet，\'\'heanswered。

``Oh，youdunce!\'\'Isaid，laughingheartilyathisfailure。

`Thefoolstared，withagrinhoveringabouthislips，andascowlgatheringoverhiseyes，asifuncertainwhetherhemightnotjoininmymirth:whetheritwerenotpleasantfamiliarity，orwhatitreallywas，contempt。Isettledhisdoubts，bysuddenlyretrievingmygravityanddesiringhimtowalkaway，forIcametoseeLinton，nothim。Hereddened——Isawthatbythemoonlight——droppedhishandfromthelatch，andskulkedoff，apictureofmortifiedvanity。HeimaginedhimselftobeasaccomplishedasLinton，Isuppose，becausehecouldspellhisownname；andwasmarvellouslydiscomfitedthatIdidn\'tthinkthesame。\'

`Stop，MissCatherine，dear!\'Iinterrupted。`Ishallnotscold，butIdon\'tlikeyourconductthere。IfyouhadrememberedthatHaretonwasyourcousinasmuchasMasterHeathcliff，youwouldhavefelthowimproperitwastobehaveinthatway。Atleast，itwaspraiseworthyambitionforhimtodesiretobeasaccomplishedasLinton；andprobablyhedidnotlearnmerelytoshowoff:youhadmadehimashamedofhisignorancebefore，Ihavenodoubt；andhewishedtoremedyitandpleaseyou。Tosneerathisimperfectattemptwasverybadbreeding。Hadyoubeenbroughtupinhiscircumstances，wouldyoubelessrude？Hewasasquickandasintelligentachildaseveryouwere；andI\'mhurtthatheshouldbedespisednow，becausethatbaseHeathcliffhastreatedhimsounjustly。\'

`Well，Ellen，youwon\'tcryaboutit，willyou？\'sheexclaimed，surprisedatmyearnestness。`Butwait，andyoushallhearifheconnedhisABCtopleaseme；andifitwereworthwhilebeingciviltothebrute。

Ientered；Lintonwaslyingonthesettle，andhalfgotuptowelcomeme。

```I\'milltonight，Catherine，love，\'\'hesaid；``andyoumusthaveallthetalk，andletmelisten。Come，andsitbyme。Iwassureyouwouldn\'tbreakyourword，andI\'llmakeyoupromiseagain，beforeyougo。\'\'

`IknewnowthatImustn\'tteasehim，ashe`wasill；andIspokesoftlyandputnoquestions，andavoidedirritatinghiminanyway。Ihadbroughtsomeofmynicestbooksforhim；heaskedmetoreadalittleofone，andIwasabouttocomply，whenEarnshawburstthedooropen:havinggatheredvenomwithreflection。Headvanceddirecttous，seizedLintonbythearm，andswunghimofftheseat。

``Gettothyownroom!\'\'hesaid，inavoicealmostinarticulatewithpassion；andhisfacelookedswelledandfurious。``Takeherthereifshecomestoseethee:thoushalln\'tkeepmeoutofthis。Begonewi\'

yeboth!\'\'

`Hesworeatus，andleftLintonnotimetoanswer，nearlythrowinghimintothekitchen；andheclenchedhisfistasIfollowed，seeminglylongingtoknockmedown。Iwasafraidforamoment，andIletonevolumefall；hekickeditafterme，andshutusout。Iheardamalignant，cracklylaughbythefire，andturning，beheldthatodiousJosephstandingrubbinghisbonyhands，andquivering。

``Awwersurehe\'dsarveyeeht!He\'sagrandlad!He\'sgettent\'raightsperritinhim!Heknaws——Aye，heknaws，asweelasAwdo，whosudbet\'maisteryonder——Ech，ech，ech!Hemadyeskiftproperly!

Ech，ech，ech!\'\'

``Wheremustwego？\'\'Isaidtomycousin，disregardingtheoldwretch\'smockery。

`Lintonwaswhiteandtrembling。Hewasnotprettythen，Ellen:

ohno!helookedfrightful；forhisthinfaceandlargeeyeswerewroughtintoanexpressionoffrantic，powerlessfury。Hegraspedthehandleofthedoor，andshookit:itwasfastenedinside。

``Ifyoudon\'tletmeinI\'llkillyou!——Ifyoudon\'tletmein，I\'llkillyou!\'\'herathershriekedthansaid。``Devil!devil!——I\'llkillyou——I\'llkillyou!\'\'

`Josephutteredhiscroakinglaughagain。

``Thear，that\'st\'father!\'\'hecried。``That\'sfather!We\'vealIassummutuhorthersideinus。NiverheedHareton，lad——dunnutbe`feard——hecannotgetatthee!\'\'

`ItookholdofLinton\'shands，andtriedtopullhimaway；butheshriekedsoshockinglythatIdarednotproceed。Atlasthiscrieswerechokedbyadreadfulfitofcoughing；bloodgushedfromhismouth，andhefellontheground。Iranintotheyard，sickwithterror；andcalledforZillah，asloudasIcould。Shesoonheardme:shewasmilkingthecowsinashedbehindthebarn，`andhurryingfromherwork，sheinquiredwhattherewastodo？Ihadn\'tbreathtoexplain；draggingherin，IlookedaboutforLinton。Earnshawhadcomeouttoexaminethemischiefhehadcaused，andhewasthenconveyingthepoorthingupstairs。ZillahandI

ascendedafterhim；buthestoppedmeatthetopofthesteps，andsaidIshouldn\'tgoin:Imustgohome。IexclaimedthathehadkilledLinton，andIwouldenter。Josephlockedthedoor，anddeclaredIshoulddo``nosichstuff\'\'，andaskedmewhetherIwere``bahntobeasmadashim\'\'。Istoodcrying，tillthehousekeeperreappeared。Sheaffirmedhewouldbebetterinabit，buthecouldn\'tdowiththatshriekinganddin；

andshetookme，andnearlycarriedmeintothehouse。

`Ellen，Iwasreadytotearmyhairoffmyhead!Isobbedandweptsothatmyeyeswerealmostblind；andtheruffianyouhavesuchsympathywithstoodopposite:presumingeverynowandthentobidme``wisht\'\'，anddenyingthatitwashisfault；and，finally，frightenedbymyassertionsthatIwouldtellpapa，andthatheshouldbeputinprisonandhanged，hecommencedblubberinghimself，andhurriedouttohidehiscowardlyagitation。

Still，Iwasnotridofhim:whenatlengththeycompelledmetodepart，andIhadgotsomehundredyardsoffthepremises，hesuddenlyissuedfromtheshadowoftheroadside，andcheckedMinnyandtookholdofme。

``MissCatherine，I\'millgrieved，\'\'hebegan，``butit\'sraythertoobad——\'\'

`Igavehimacutwithmywhip，thinkingperhapshewouldmurderme。Heletgo，thunderingoneofhishorridcurses，andIgallopedhomemorethanhalfoutofmysenses。

`Ididn\'tbidyougoodnightthatevening，andIdidn\'tgotoWutheringHeightsthenext:Iwishedto，exceedingly；butIwasstrangelyexcited，anddreadedtohearthatLintonwasdead，sometimes；andsometimesshudderedatthethoughtofencounteringHareton。OnthethirddayItookcourage:atleast，Icouldn\'tbearlongersuspense，andstoleoffoncemore。Iwentatfiveo\'clock，andwalked；fancyingImightmanagetocreepintothehouse，anduptoLinton\'sroom，unobserved。However，thedogsgavenoticeofmyapproach。Zillahreceivedme，andsaying，``theladwasmendingnicely\'\'，showedmeintoasmall，tidy，carpetedapartment，where，tomyinexpressiblejoy，IbeheldLintonlaidonalittlesofa，readingoneofmybooks。Buthewouldneitherspeaktomenorlookatme，throughawholehour，Ellen:hehassuchanunhappytemper。Andwhatquiteconfoundedme，whenhedidopenhismouth，itwastoutterthefalsehoodthatIhadoccasionedtheuproar，andHaretonwasnottoblame!Unabletoreply，exceptpassionately，Igotupandwalkedfromtheroom。Hesentaftermeafaint``Catherine!\'\'Hedidnotreckononbeingansweredso:butIwouldn\'tturnback；andthemorrowwastheseconddayonwhichIstayedathome，nearlydeterminedtovisithimnomore。Butitwassomiserablegoingtobedandgettingup，andneverhearinganythingabouthim，thatmyresolutionmeltedintoairbeforeitwasproperlyformed。Ithadappearedwrongtotakethejourneyonce；nowitseemedwrongtorefrain。MichaelcametoaskifhemustsaddleMinny；Isaid``Yes\'\'，andconsideredmyselfdoingadutyassheboremeoverthehills。Iwasforcedtopassthefrontwindowstogettothecourt:itwasnousetryingtoconcealmypresence。

``Youngmasterisinthehouse，\'\'saidZillah，asshesawmemakingfortheparlour。Iwentin；Earnshawwastherealso，buthequittedtheroomdirectly。Lintonsatinthegreatarmchairhalfasleep；walkinguptothefire，Ibeganinaserioustone，partlymeaningittobetrue:

``Asyoudon\'tlikeme，Linton，andasyouthinkIcomeonpurposetohurtyou，andpretendthatIdosoeverytime，thisisourlastmeeting:

letussaygoodbye；andtellMrHeathcliffthatyouhavenowishtoseeme，andthathemustn\'tinventanymorefalsehoodsonthesubject。\'\'

```Sitdownandtakeyourhatoff，Catherine，\'\'heanswered。

``YouaresomuchhappierthanIam，yououghttobebetter。Papatalksenoughofmydefects，andshowsenoughscornofme，tomakeitnaturalIshoulddoubtmyself。IdoubtwhetherIamnotaltogetherasworthlessashecallsme，frequently；andthenIfeelsocrossandbitter，Ihateeverybody!Iamworthless，andbadintemper，andbadinspirit，almostalways；and，ifyouchoose，youmaysaygoodbye:you\'llgetridofanannoyance。Only，Catherine，domethisjustice:believethatifI

mightbeassweet，andaskind，andasgoodasyouare，Iwouldbe；aswillingly，andmoreso，thanashappyandashealthy。AndbelievethatyourkindnesshasmademeloveyoudeeperthanifIdeservedyourlove:

andthoughIcouldn\'t，andcannothelpshowingmynaturetoyou，Iregretitandrepentit；andshallregretandrepentittillIdie!\'\'

`Ifelthespokethetruth；andIfeltImustforgivehim:and，thoughheshouldquarrelthenextmoment，Imustforgivehimagain。Wewerereconciled；butwecried，bothofus，thewholetimeIstayed:notentirelyforsorrow；yetIwassorryLintonhadthatdistortednature。

He\'llneverlethisfriendsbeatease，andhe\'llneverbeateasehimself!

Ihavealwaysgonetohislittleparlour，sincethatnight；becausehisfatherreturnedthedayafter。

`Aboutthreetimes，Ithink，wehavebeenmerryandhopeful，aswewerethefirstevening；therestofmyvisitsweredrearyandtroubled:

nowwithhisselfishnessandspite，andnowwithhissufferings:butI\'velearnedtoenduretheformerwithnearlyaslittleresentmentasthelatter。

MrHeathcliffpurposelyavoidsme:

Ihavehardlyseenhimatall。LastSunday，indeed，comingearlierthanusual，IheardhimabusingpoorLinton，cruelly，forhisconductofthenightbefore。Ican\'ttellhowheknewofit，unlesshelistened。Lintonhadcertainlybehavedprovokingly:however，itwasthebusinessofnobodybutme，andIinterruptedMrHeathcliff\'slecturebyenteringandtellinghimso。Heburstintoalaugh，andwentaway，sayinghewasgladItookthatviewofthematter。Sincethen，I\'vetoldLintonhemustwhisperhisbitterthings。NowEllen，youhaveheardall；andIcan\'tbepreventedfromgoingtoWutheringHeightsexceptbyinflictingmiseryontwopeople；

whereas，ifyou\'llonlynottellpapa，mygoingneeddisturbthetranquillityofnone。You\'llnottell，willyou？Itwillbeveryheartlessifyoudo。\'

`I\'llmakeupmymindonthatpointbytomorrow，MissCatherine，\'

Ireplied。`Itrequiressomestudy；andsoI\'llleaveyoutoyourrest，andgothinkitover。\'

Ithoughtitoveraloud，inmymaster\'spresence；walkingstraightfromherroomtohis，andrelatingthewholestory:withtheexceptionofherconversationswithhercousin，andanymentionofHareton。MrLintonwasalarmedanddistressed，morethanhewouldacknowledgetome。Inthemorning，Catherinelearntmybetrayalofherconfidence，andshelearntalsothathersecretvisitsweretoend。Invainsheweptandwrithedagainsttheinterdict，andimploredherfathertohavepityonLinton:allshegottocomfortherwasapromisethathewouldwriteandgivehimleavetocometotheGrangewhenhepleased；butexplainingthathemustnolongerexpecttoseeCatherineatWutheringHeights。Perhaps，hadhebeenawareofhisnephew\'sdispositionandstateofhealth，hewouldhaveseenfittowithholdeventhatslightconsolation。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter25`Thesethingshappenedlastwinter，sir，\'saidMrsDean；`hardlymorethanayearago。Lastwinter，Ididnotthink，atanothertwelvemonths\'end，Ishouldbeamusingastrangertothefamilywithrelatingthem!Yet，whoknowshowlongyou\'llbeastranger？You\'retooyoungtorestalwayscontented，livingbyyourself；andIsomewayfancynoonecouldseeCatherineLintonandnotloveher。Yousmile；butwhydoyoulooksolivelyandinterested，whenItalkabouther？andwhyhaveyouaskedmetohangherpictureoveryourfireplace？andwhy——\'

`Stop，mygoodfriend!\'Icried。`ItmaybeverypossiblethatIshouldloveher；butwouldsheloveme？Idoubtittoomuchtoventuremytranquillitybyrunningintotemptation:andthenmyhomeisnothere。

I\'mofthebusyworld，andtoitsarmsImustreturn。Goon。WasCatherineobedienttoherfather\'scommands？\'

`Shewas，\'continuedthehousekeeper。`Heraffectionforhimwasstillthechiefsentimentinherheart；andhespokewithoutanger:hespokeinthedeeptendernessofoneabouttoleavehistreasureamidperilsandfoes，wherehisrememberedwordswouldbetheonlyaidthathecouldbequeathtoguideher。Hesaidtome，afewdaysafterwards:

`"Iwishmynephewwouldwrite，Ellen，orcall。Tellme，sincerely，whatyouthinkofhim:ishechangedforthebetter，oristhereaprospectofimprovement，ashegrowsaman？\'\'

```He\'sverydelicate，sir，\'\'Ireplied；``andscarcelylikelytoreachmanhood；butthisIcansay，hedoesnotresemblehisfather；

andifMissCatherinehadthemisfortunetomarryhim，hewouldnotbebeyondhercontrol:unlessshewereextremelyandfoolishlyindulgent。

However，master，you\'llhaveplentyoftimetogetacquaintedwithhim，andseewhetherhewouldsuither:itwantsfouryearsandmoretohisbeingofage。\'\'\'

Edgarsighed；andwalkingtothewindow，lookedouttowardsGimmertonKirk。Itwasamistyafternoon，buttheFebruarysunshonedimly，andwecouldjustdistinguishthetwofirtreesintheyard，andthesparelyscatteredgravestones。

`I\'veprayedoften\'，hehalfsoliloquized，`fortheapproachofwhatiscoming；andnowIbegintoshrink，andfearit。IthoughtthememoryofthehourIcamedownthatglenabridegroomwouldbelesssweetthantheanticipationthatIwassoon，inafewmonths，or，possibly，weeks，tobecarriedup，andlaidinitslonelyhollow!Ellen，I\'vebeenveryhappywithmylittleCathy:throughwinternightsandsummerdaysshewasalivinghopeatmyside。ButI\'vebeenashappymusingbymyselfamongthosestones，underthatoldchurch:lying，throughthelongJuneevenings，onthegreenmoundofhermother\'sgraveandwishing——yearningforthetimewhenImightliebeneathit。WhatcanIdoforCathy？HowmustIquither？I\'dnotcareonemomentforLintonbeingHeathcliff\'sson；norforhistakingherfromme，ifhecouldconsoleherformyloss。I\'dnotcarethatHeathcliffgainedhisends，andtriumphedinrobbingmeofmylastblessing!ButshouldLintonbeunworthy——onlyafeebletooltohisfather——I

cannotabandonhertohim!And，hardthoughitbetocrushherbuoyantspirit，ImustpersevereinmakinghersadwhileIlive，andleavinghersolitarywhenIdie。Darling!I\'dratherresignhertoGod，andlayherintheearthbeforeme。\'

ResignhertoGod，asitis，sir，\'Ianswered，`andifweshouldloseyou——whichmayHeforbid——underHisprovidence，I\'llstandherfriendandcounsellortothelast。MissCatherineisagoodgirl:Idon\'tfearthatshewillgowilfullywrong；andpeoplewhodotheirdutyarealwaysfinallyrewarded。\'

Springadvanced；yetmymastergatherednorealstrength，thoughheresumedhiswalksinthegroundswithhisdaughter。Toherinexperiencednotions，thisitselfwasasignofconvalescence；andthenhischeekwasoftenflushed，andhiseyeswerebright:shefeltsureofhisrecovering。

Onherseventeenthbirthday，hedidnotvisitthechurchyard:itwasraining，andIobserved:

`You\'llsurelynotgoouttonight，sir？\'

Heanswered:

`No，I\'lldeferitthisyearalittlelonger。\'

HewroteagaintoLinton，expressinghisgreatdesiretoseehim；

and，hadtheinvalidbeenpresentable，I\'venodoubthisfatherwouldhavepermittedhimtocome。Asitwas，beinginstructed，hereturnedananswer，intimatingthatMrHeathcliffobjectedtohiscallingattheGrange；buthisuncle\'skindremembrancedelightedhim，andhehopedtomeethim，sometimes，inhisrambles，andpersonallytopetitionthathiscousinandhemightnotremainlongsoutterlydivided。

Thatpartofhisletterwassimple，andprobablyhisown。HeathcliffknewhecouldpleadeloquentlyenoughforCatherine\'scompany，then。

`Idonotask\'，hesaid，`thatshemayvisithere；but，amInevertoseeher，becausemyfatherforbidsmetogotoherhome，andyouforbidhertocometomine？Donowandthen，ridewithhertowardstheHeights；

andletusexchangeafewwords，inyourpresence!Wehavedonenothingtodeservethisseparation；andyouarenotangrywithme；youhavenoreasontodislikeme，youallow，yourself。Dearuncle!sendmeakindnotetomorrow，andleavetojoinyouanywhereyouplease，exceptatThrushcrossGrange。Ibelieveaninterviewwouldconvinceyouthatmyfather\'scharacterisnotmine:heaffirmsIammoreyournephewthanhisson；andthoughIhavefaultswhichrendermeunworthyofCatherine，shehasexcusedthem，andforhersake，youshouldalso。Youinquireaftermyhealth——itisbetter；

butwhileIremaincutofffromallhope，anddoomedtosolitude，orthesocietyofthosewhoneverdidandneverwilllikeme，howcanIbecheerfulandwell？\'

Edgar，thoughhefeltfortheboy，couldnotconsenttogranthisrequest；becausehecouldnotaccompanyCatherine。Hesaid，insummer，perhaps，theymightmeet:meantime，hewishedhimtocontinuewritingatintervals，andengagedtogivehimwhatadviceandcomforthewasablebyletter；beingwellawareofhishardpositioninhisfamily。Lintoncomplied；andhadhebeenunrestrained，wouldprobablyhavespoiledallbyfillinghisepistleswithcomplaintsandlamentations:buthisfatherkeptasharpwatchoverhim；and，ofcourse，insistedoneverylinethatmymastersentbeingshown；so，insteadofpenninghispeculiarpersonalsufferingsanddistresses，thethemesconstantlyuppermostinhisthoughts，heharpedonthecruelobligationofbeingheldasunderfromhisfriendandlove；andgentlyintimatedthatMrLintonmustallowaninterviewsoon，orheshouldfearhewaspurposelydeceivinghimwithemptypromises。

Cathywasapowerfulallyathome；and，betweenthem，theyatlengthpersuadedmymastertoacquiesceintheirhavingarideorawalktogetheraboutonceaweek，undermyguardianship，andonthemoorsnearesttheGrange:forJunefoundhimstilldeclining；andthoughhehadsetasideyearlyaportionofhisincomeformyyounglady\'sfortune，hehadanaturaldesirethatshemightretain——oratleastreturninashorttimeto——thehouseofherancestors；andheconsideredheronlyprospectofdoingthatwasbyaunionwithhisheir；hehadnoideathatthelatterwasfailingalmostasfastashimself；norhadanyone；Ibelieve:nodoctorvisitedtheHeights，andnoonesawMasterHeathclifftomakereportofhisconditionamongus。I，formypart，begantofancymyforebodingswerefalse，andthathemustbeactuallyrallying，whenhementionedridingandwalkingonthemoors，andseemedsoearnestinpursuinghisobject。IcouldnotpictureafathertreatingadyingchildastyrannicallyandwickedlyasIafterwardslearnedHeathcliffhadtreatedhim，tocompelthisapparenteagerness:hiseffortsredoublingthemoreimminentlyhisavariciousandunfeelingplanswerethreatenedwithdefeatbydeath。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter26Summerwasalreadypastitsprime，whenEdgarreluctantlyyieldedhisassenttotheirentreaties，andCatherineandIsetoutonourfirstridetojoinhercousin。Itwasaclose，sultryday:devoidofsunshine，butwithaskytoodappledandhazytothreatenrain；andourplaceofmeetinghadbeenfixedattheguide-stone，bythecrossroads。Onarrivingthere，however，alittleherd-boy，dispatchedasamessenger，toldusthat:

`MaisterLintonwerjustutthissideth\'Heights:andhe\'dbemitchobleegedtoustogangonabitfarther。\'

`ThenMasterLintonhasforgotthefirstinjunctionofhisuncle，\'

Iobserved:`hebiduskeepontheGrangeland，andhereweareoffatonce。\'

`Well，we\'llturnourhorses\'headsround，whenwereachhim，\'

answeredmycompanion，`ourexcursionshalllietowardshome。\'

Butwhenwereachedhim，andthatwasscarcelyaquarterofamilefromhisowndoor，wefoundhehadnohorse；andwewereforcedtodismount，andleaveourstograze。Helayontheheath，awaitingourapproach，anddidnotrisetillwecamewithinafewyards。Thenhewalkedsofeebly，andlookedsopale，thatIimmediatelyexclaimed:

`Why，MasterHeathcliff，youarenotfitforenjoyingaramble，thismorning。Howillyoudolook!\'

Catherinesurveyedhimwithgriefandastonishment；andchangedtheejaculationofjoyonherlips，tooneofalarm；andthecongratulationontheirlong-postponedmeeting，toananxiousinquiry，whetherhewereworsethanusual？

`No——better——better!\'hepanted，trembling，andretainingherhandasifheneededitssupport，whilehislargeblueeyeswanderedtimidlyoverher；thehollownessroundthemtransformingtohaggardwildnessthelanguidexpressiontheyoncepossessed。

`Butyouhavebeenworse，\'persistedhiscousin；`worsethanwhenIsawyoulast；youarethinner，and——

`I\'mtired，\'heinterruptedhurriedly。`Itistoohotforwalking，letusresthere。And，inthemorning，Ioftenfeelsick——papasaysIgrowsofast。\'

Badlysatisfied，Cathysatdown，andhereclinedbesideher。

`Thisissomethinglikeyourparadise，\'saidshe，makinganeffortatcheerfulness。`Yourecollectthetwodaysweagreedtospendintheplaceandwayeachthoughtpleasantest？Thisissurelyyours，onlythereareclouds:butthentheyaresosoftandmellow:itisnicerthansunshine。

Nextweek，ifyoucan，we\'llridedowntotheGrangePark，andtrymine。\'

Lintondidnotappeartorememberwhatshetalkedof；andhehadevidentlygreatdifficultyinsustaininganykindofconversation。Hislackofinterestinthesubjectsshestarted，andhisequalincapacitytocontributetoherentertainment，weresoobviousthatshecouldnotconcealherdisappointment。Anindefinitealterationhadcomeoverhiswholepersonandmanner。Thepettishnessthatmightbecaressedintofondness，hadyieldedtoalistlessapathy；therewaslessofthepeevishtemperofachildwhichfretsandteasesonpurposetobesoothed，andmoreoftheself-absorbedmorosenessofaconfirmedinvalid，repellingconsolation，andreadytoregardthegood-humouredmirthofothersasaninsult。Catherineperceived，aswellasIdid，thathehelditratherapunishment，thanagratification，toendureourcompany；andshemadenoscrupleofproposing，presently，todepart。Thatproposal，unexpectedly，rousedLintonfromhislethargy，andthrewhimintoastrangestateofagitation。HeglancedfearfullytowardstheHeights，beggingshewouldremainanotherhalf-houratleast。

`ButIthink\'，saidCathy，`you\'dbemorecomfortableathomethansittinghere；andIcannotamuseyoutoday，Isee，bymytales，andsongs，andchatter:youhavegrownwiserthanI，inthesesixmonths；youhavelittletasteformydiversionsnow:orelse，ifIcouldamuseyou，I\'dwillinglystay。\'

`Staytorestyourself，\'hereplied。`AndCatherine，don\'tthink，orsaythatI\'mveryunwell:itistheheavyweatherandheatthatmakemedull；andIwalkedabout，beforeyoucame，agreatdealforme。

TelluncleI\'mintolerablehealth，willyou？\'

`I\'lltellhimthatyousayso，Linton。Icouldn\'taffirmthatyouare，\'observedmyyounglady，wonderingathispertinaciousassertionofwhatwasevidentlyanuntruth。

`AndbehereagainnextThursday，\'continuedhe，shunningherpuzzledgaze。`Andgivehimmythanksforpermittingyoutocome——mybestthanks，Catherine。And-and，ifyoudidmeetmyfather，andheaskedyouaboutme，don\'tleadhimtosupposethatI\'vebeenextremelysilentandstupid:don\'tlooksadanddowncast，asyouaredoing——he\'llbeangry。\'