第13章

Thatseemedrathertoofavourableanarrangementtobehopedfor:andyetIdidhope，andbegantocheerupundertheprospectofretainingmyhomeandmyemployment，and，aboveall，mybelovedyoungmistress；whenaservant——oneofthediscardedones，notyetdeparted——rushedhastilyin，andsaid`thatdevilHeathcliff\'wascomingthroughthecourt:shouldhefastenthedoorinhisface？

Ifwehadbeenmadenoughtoorderthatproceeding，wehadnottime。Hemadenoceremonyofknockingorannouncinghisname:hewasmaster，andavailedhimselfofthemaster\'sprivilegetowalkstraightin，withoutsayingaword。Thesoundofourinformant\'svoicedirectedhimtothelibrary:

heentered，andmotioninghimout，shutthedoor。

Itwasthesameroomintowhichhehadbeenushered，asaguest，eighteenyearsbefore:thesamemoonshonethroughthewindow；andthesameautumnlandscapelayoutside。Wehadnotyetlightedacandle，butalltheapartmentwasvisible，eventotheportraitsonthewall:thesplendidheadofMrsLinton，andthegracefuloneofherhusband。Heathcliffadvancedtothehearth。Timehadlittlealteredhispersoneither。Therewasthesameman:hisdarkfacerathersallowerandmorecomposed，hisframeastoneortwoheavier，perhaps，andnootherdifference。Catherinehadrisen，withanimpulsetodashout，whenshesawhim。

`Stop!\'hesaid，arrestingherbythearm。`Nomorerunningsaway!

Wherewouldyougo？I\'mcometofetchyouhome；andIhopeyou\'llbeadutifuldaughter，andnotencouragemysontofurtherdisobedience。IwasembarrassedhowtopunishhimwhenIdiscoveredhispartinthebusiness:

he\'ssuchacobweb，apinchwouldannihilatehim；butyou\'llseebyhislookthathehasreceivedhisdue!Ibroughthimdownoneevening，thedaybeforeyesterday，andjustsethiminachair，andnevertouchedhimafterwards。IsentHaretonout，andwehadtheroomtoourselves。Intwohours，IcalledJosephtocarryhimupagain；andsincethenmypresenceisaspotentonhisnervesasaghost；andIfancyheseesmeoften，thoughIamnotnear。Haretonsayshewakesandshrieksinthenightbythehourtogether，andcallsyoutoprotecthimfromme；and，whetheryoulikeyourpreciousmateornot，youmustcome:he\'syourconcernnow；Iyieldallmyinterestinhimtoyou。

`WhynotletCatherinecontinuehere？\'Ipleaded，`andsendMasterLintontoher。Asyouhatethemboth，you\'dnotmissthem:theycanonlybeadailyplaguetoyourunnaturalheart。

`I\'mseekingatenantfortheGrange，\'heanswered；`andIwantmychildrenaboutme，tobesure。Besides，thatlassowesmeherservicesforherbread。I\'mnotgoingtonurtureherinluxuryandidlenessafterLintonhasgone。Makehasteandgetready，now；anddon\'tobligemetocompelyou。\'

`Ishall，\'saidCatherine。`LintonisallIhavetoloveintheworld，andthoughyouhavedonewhatyoucouldtomakehimhatefultome，andmetohim，youcannotmakeushateeachother。AndIdefyyoutohurthimwhenIamby，andIdefyyoutofrightenme!\'

Youareaboastfulchampion，\'repliedHeathcliff；`butIdon\'tlikeyouwellenoughtohurthim:youshallgetthefullbenefitofthetorment，aslongasitlasts。ItisnotIwhowillmakehimhatefultoyou——itishisownsweetspirit。He\'sasbitterasgallatyourdesertionanditsconsequences:don\'texpectthanksforthisnobledevotion。IheardhimdrawapleasantpicturetoZillahofwhathewoulddoifhewereasstrongasI:theinclinationisthere，andhisveryweaknesswillsharpenhiswitstofindasubstituteforstrength。\'

`Iknowhehasabadnature，\'saidCatherine:`he\'syourson。

ButI\'mgladI\'veabetter，toforgiveit；andIknowhelovesme，andforthatreasonIlovehim。MrHeathcliff，youhavenobodytoloveyou；and，howevermiserableyoumakeus，weshallstillhavetherevengeofthinkingthatyourcrueltyarisesfromyourgreatermisery。Youaremiserable，areyounot？Lonely，likethedevil，andenviouslikehim？Nobodylovesyou——nobodywillcryforyouwhenyoudie!Iwouldn\'tbeyou!\'

Catherinespokewithakindofdrearytriumph:sheseemedtohavemadeuphermindtoenterintothespiritofherfuturefamily，anddrawpleasurefromthegriefsofherenemies。

`Youshallbesorrytobeyourselfpresently\'，saidherfather-in-law，`ifyoustandthereanotherminute。Begone，witch，andgetyourthings!\'

Shescornfullywithdrew。Inherabsence，IbegantobegforZillah\'splaceattheHeights，offeringtoresignminetoher；buthewouldsufferitonnoaccount。Hebidmebesilent；andthen，forthefirsttime，allowedhimselfaglanceroundtheroomandalookatthepictures。HavingstudiedMrsLinton，hesaid:

`Ishallhavethathome。NotbecauseIneedit，but——\'Heturnedabruptlytothefire，andcontinued，withwhat，forlackofabetterword，Imustcallasmile——`I\'IltellyouwhatIdidyesterday!Igotthesexton，whowasdiggingLinton\'sgrave，toremovetheearthoffhercoffin-lid，andIopenedit。Ithought，once，Iwouldhavestayedthere:whenIsawherfaceagain——it。ishersyet!——hehad~hardworktostirme；buthesaiditwouldchangeiftheairblewonit，andsoIstruckonesideofthecoffinloose，andcovereditup:notLinton\'sside，damnhim!Iwishhe\'dbeensolderedinlead。AndIbribedthesextontopullitawaywhenI\'mlaidthere，andslidemineouttoo；I\'llhaveitmadeso:andthen，bythetimeLintongetstoushe\'llnotknowwhichiswhich!\'

`Youwereverywicked，MrHeathcliff!\'Iexclaimed，`wereyounotashamedtodisturbthedead？\'

`Idisturbednobody，Nelly，\'hereplied；`andIgavesomeeasetomyself。Ishallbeagreatdealmorecomfortablenow；andyou\'llhaveabetterchanceofkeepingmeunderground，whenIgetthere。Disturbedher？No!shehasdisturbedme，nightandday，througheighteenyears——incessantly——remorselessly——tillyesternight；andyesternightIwastranquil。IdreamtIwassleepingthelastsleepbythatsleeper，withmyheartstoppedandmycheekfrozenagainsthers。\'

`Andifshehadbeendissolvedintoearth，orworse，whatwouldyouhavedreamtofthen？\'Isaid。

`Ofdissolvingwithher，andbeingmorehappystill!\'heanswered。

`DoyousupposeIdreadanychangeofthatsort？Iexpectedsuchatransformationonraisingthelid:butI\'mbetterpleasedthatitshouldnotcommencetillIshareit。Besides，unlessIhadreceivedadistinctimpressionofherpassionlessfeatures，thatstrangefeelingwouldhardlyhavebeenremoved。

Itbeganoddly。YouknowIwaswildaftershedied；andeternally，fromdawntodawn，prayinghertoreturntomeherspirit!Ihaveastrongfaithinghosts:Ihaveaconvictionthattheycan，anddo，existamongus!Thedayshewasburiedtherecameafallofsnow。IntheeveningIwenttothechurchyard。Itblewbleakaswinter——allroundwassolitary。Ididn\'tfearthatherfoolofahusbandwouldwanderupthedensolate；andnooneelsehadbusinesstobringthemthere。Beingalone，andconscioustwoyardsoflooseearthwasthesolebarrierbetweenus，Isaidtomyself——"I\'llhaveherinmyarmsagain!Ifshebecold，I\'llthinkitisthisnorthwindthatchillsme；andifshebemotionless，itissleep。"Igotaspadefromthetoolhouse，andbegantodelvewithallmymight——itscrapedthecoffin；Ifelltoworkwithmyhands；thewoodcommencedcrackingaboutthescrews；Iwasonthepointofattainingmyobject，whenitseemedthatIheardasighfromsomeoneabove，closeattheedgeofthegrave，andbendingdown。"IfIcanonlygetthisoff，"Imuttered，"Iwishtheymayshovelintheearthoverusboth!"andIwrenchedatitmoredesperatelystill。Therewasanothersigh，closeatmyear。Iappearedtofeelthewarmbreathofitdisplacingthesleet-ladenwind。Iknewnolivingthinginfleshandbloodwasby；but，ascertainlyasyouperceivetheapproachtosomesubstantialbodyinthedark，thoughitcannotbediscerned，socertainlyIfeltthatCathywasthere:notunderme，butontheearth。

Asuddensenseofreliefflowedfrommyheartthrougheverylimb。Irelinquishedmylabourofagony，andturnedconsoledatonce:unspeakablyconsoled。

Herpresencewaswithme:itremainedwhileIrefilledthegrave，andledmehome。Youmaylaugh，ifyouwill；butIwassureIshouldseeherthere。

Iwassureshewaswithme，andIcouldnothelptalkingtoher。HavingreachedtheHeights，Irushedeagerlytothedoor。Itwasfastened；and，Iremember，thataccursedEarnshawandmywifeopposedmyentrance。Irememberstoppingtokickthebreathoutofhim，andthenhurryingupstairs，tomyroomandhers。Ilookedroundimpatiently——Ifeltherbyme——Icouldalmostseeher，andyetIcouldnot!Ioughttohavesweatbloodthen，fromtheanguishofmyyearning——fromthefervourofmysupplicationstohavebutoneglimpse!Ihadnotone。Sheshowedherself，assheoftenwasinlife，adeviltome!And，sincethen，sometimesmoreandsometimesless，I\'vebeenthesportofthatintolerabletorture!Infernal!keepingmynervesatsuchastretch，that，iftheyhadnotresembledcatgut，theywouldlongagohaverelaxedtothefeeblenessofLinton\'s。WhenIsatinthehousewithHareton，itseemedthatongoingout，Ishouldmeether；

whenIwalkedonthemoorsIshouldmeethercomingin。WhenIwentfromhome，Ihastenedtoreturn:shemustbesomewhereattheHeights，Iwascertain!AndwhenIsleptinherchamber——Iwasbeatenoutofthat。

Icouldn\'tliethere；forthemomentIclosedmyeyes，shewaseitheroutsidethewindow，orslidingbackthepanels，orenteringtheroom，orevenrestingherdarlingheadonthesamepillowasshedidwhenachild；andImustopenmylidstosee。AndsoIopenedandclosedthemahundredtimesanight——tobealwaysdisappointed!Itrackedme!I\'veoftengroanedaloud，tillthatoldrascalJosephnodoubtbelievedthatmyconsciencewasplayingthefiendinsideofme。Now，sinceI\'veseenher，I\'mpacified——alittle。

It~sastrangewayofkilling!notbyinches，butbyfractionsandhairbreadths，tobeguilemewiththespectreofahope，througheighteenyears!\'

MrHeathcliffpausedandwipedhisforehead；hishairclungtoit，wetwithperspiration；hiseyeswerefixedontheredembersofthefire，thebrowsnotcontracted，butraisednextthetemples；diminishingthegrimaspectofhiscountenance，butimpartingapeculiarlookoftrouble，andapainfulappearanceofmentaltensiontowardsoneabsorbingsubject。

Heonlyhalfaddressedme，andImaintainedsilence。Ididn\'tliketohearhimtalk!Afterashortperiodheresumedhismeditationonthepicture，tookitdownandleantitagainstthesofatocontemplateitatbetteradvantage；andwhilesooccupiedCatherineentered，announcingthatshewasready，whenherponyshouldbesaddled。

`Sendthatovertomorrow，\'saidHeathclifftome；thenturningtoher，headded——`Youmaydowithoutyourpony:itisafineevening，andyou\'llneednoponiesatWutheringHeights；forwhatjourneysyoutake，yourownfeetwillserveyou。Comealong。\'

`Goodbye，Ellen!\'whisperedmydearlittlemistress。Asshekissedme，herlipsfeltlikeice。`Comeandseeme，Ellen；don\'tforget。\'

`Takecareyoudonosuchthing，MrsDean!\'saidhernewfather。

`WhenIwishtospeaktoyouI\'llcomehere。Iwantnoneofyourpryingatmyhouse!\'

Hesignedhertoprecedehim；andcastingbackalookthatcutmyheart，sheobeyed。Iwatchedthemfromthewindow，walkdownthegarden。

HeathclifffixedCatherine\'sarmunderhis:thoughshedisputedtheactatfirstevidently；andwithrapidstrideshehurriedherintothealley，whosetreesconcealedthem。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter30IhavepaidavisittotheHeights，butIhavenotseenhersincesheleft:

JosephheldthedoorinhishandwhenIcalledtoaskafterher，andwouldn\'tletmepass。HesaidMrsLintonwas`thrang\'，andthemasterwasnotin。

Zillahhastoldmesomethingofthewaytheygoon，otherwiseIshouldhardlyknowwhowasdeadandwholiving。ShethinksCatherinehaughty，anddoesnotlikeher，Icanguessbyhertalk。Myyoungladyaskedsomeaidofherwhenshefirstcame；butMrHeathclifftoldhertofollowherownbusiness，andlethisdaughter-in-lawlookafterherself；andZillahwillinglyacquiesced，beinganarrow-minded，selfishwoman。Catherineevincedachild\'sannoyanceatthisneglect；repaiditwithcontempt，andthusenlistedmyinformantamongherenemies，assecurelyasifshehaddonehersomegreatwrong。IhadalongtalkwithZillahaboutsixweeksago，alittlebeforeyoucame，onedaywhenweforegatheredonthemoor；andthisiswhatshetoldme。

`ThefirstthingMrsLintondid\'，shesaid，`onherarrivalattheHeights，wastorunupstairs，withoutevenwishinggoodeveningtomeandJoseph；sheshutherselfintoLinton\'sroom，andremainedtillmorning。

Then，whilethemasterandEarnshawwereatbreakfast，sheenteredthehouse，andaskedallinaquiverifthedoctormightbesentfor？hercousinwasveryill。

`"Weknowthat!"answeredHeathcliff；"buthislifeisnotworthafarthing，andIwon\'tspendafarthingonhim。"

`"ButIcannottellhowtodo，"shesaid；"andifnobodywillhelpme，he\'lldie!"

`"Walkoutoftheroom，"criedthemaster，"andletmeneverhearawordmoreabouthim!Noneherecarewhatbecomesofhim；ifyoudo，actthenurse；ifyoudonot，lockhimupandleavehim。"

`Thenshebegantobotherme，andIsaidI\'dhadenoughplaguewiththetiresomething；weeachhadourtasks，andherswastowaitonLinton，MrHeathcliffbidmeleavethatlabourtoher。

`Howtheymanagedtogether，Ican\'ttell。Ifancyhefrettedagreatdeal，andmoanedhisselnnightandday；andshehadpreciouslittlerest:onecouldguessbyherwhitefaceandheavyeyes。Shesometimescameintothekitchenallwilderedlike，andlookedasifshewouldfainbegassistance；butIwasnotgoingtodisobeythemaster:Ineverdaredisobeyhim，MrsDean；and，thoughIthoughtitwrongthatKennethshouldnotbesentfor，itwasnoconcernofmineeithertoadviseorcomplain，andI

alwaysrefusedtomeddle。Onceortwice，afterwehadgonetobed，I\'vehappenedtoopenmydooragainandseenhersittingcryingonthestairs\'

top；andthenI\'veshutmyselfinquick，forfearofbeingmovedtointerfere。

Ididpityherthen，I\'msure:stillIdidn\'twishtolosemyplace，youknow。

`Atlast，onenightshecameboldlyintomychamber，andfrightenedmeoutofmywits，bysaying:

`"TellMrHeathcliffthathissonisdying——I\'msureheis，thistime。Getup，instantly，andtellhim。"

`Havingutteredthisspeech，shevanishedagain。Ilayaquarterofanhourlisteningandtrembling。Nothingstirred——thehousewasquiet。

`She\'smistaken，Isaidtomyself。He\'sgotoverit。Ineedn\'tdisturbthem；andIbegantodoze。Butmysleepwasmarredasecondtimebyasharpringingofthebell——theonlybellwehave，putuponpurposeforLinton；andthemastercalledtometoseewhatwasthematter，andinformthemthathewouldn\'thavethatnoiserepeated。

`IdeliveredCatherine\'smessage。Hecursedtohimself，andinafewminutescameoutwithalightedcandle，andproceededtotheirroom。

Ifollowed。MrsHeathcliffwasseatedbythebedside，withherhandsfoldedonherknees。Herfather-in-lawwentup，heldthelighttoLinton\'sface，lookedathim，andtouchedhim；afterwardsheturnedtoher。

`"Now——Catherine，"hesaid，"howdoyoufeel？"`Shewasdumb。

`"Howdoyoufeel，Catherine？"herepeated。

`"He\'ssafe，andI\'mfree，"sheanswered:"Ishouldfeelwell——but"，shecontinued，withabitternessshecouldn\'tconceal，"youhaveleftmesolongtostruggleagainstdeathalone，thatIfeelandseeonlydeath!

Ifeellikedeath!"

`Andshelookedlikeit，too!Igaveheralittlewine。HaretonandJoseph，whohadbeenwakenedbytheringingandthesoundoffeet，andheardourtalkfromoutside，nowentered。Josephwasfain，Ibelieve，ofthelad\'sremoval；Haretonseemedathoughtbothered:thoughhewasmoretakenupwithstaringatCatherinethanthinkingofLinton。Butthemasterbidhimgetofftobedagain:wedidn\'twanthishelp。HeafterwardsmadeJosephremovethebodytohischamber，andtoldmetoreturntomine，andMrsHeathcliffremainedbyherself。

`Inthemorning，hesentmetotellhershemustcomedowntobreakfast:shehadundressed，andappearedgoingtosleep，andsaidshewasill；atwhichIhardlywondered。IinformedMrHeathcliff，andhereplied:

`"Well，letherbetillafterthefuneral；andgoupnowandthentogetherwhatisneedful；and，assoonassheseemsbetter，tellme。"\'

Cathystayedupstairsafortnight，accordingtoZillah；whovisitedhertwiceaday，andwouldhavebeenrathermorefriendly，butherattemptsatincreasingkindnesswereproudlyandpromptlyrepelled。

Heathcliffwentuponce，toshowherLinton\'swill。Hehadbequeathedthewholeofhis，andwhathadbeenher，movablepropertytohisfather:

thepoorcreaturewasthreatened，orcoaxed，intothatactduringherweek\'sabsence，whenhisuncledied。Thelands，beingaminor，hecouldnotmeddlewith。However，MrHeathcliffhasclaimedandkepttheminhiswife\'srightandhisalso:Isupposelegally:atanyrate，Catherine，destituteofcashandfriends，cannotdisturbhispossession。

`Nobody\'，saidZillah，`everapproachedherdoor，exceptthatonce，butI；andnobodyaskedanythingabouther。ThefirstoccasionofhercomingdownintothehousewasonaSundayafternoon。Shehadcriedout，whenIcarriedupherdinner，thatshecouldn\'tbearanylongerbeinginthecold:andItoldherthemasterwasgoingtoThrushcrossGrange，andEarnshawandIneedn\'thinderherfromdescending；so，assoonassheheardHeathcliff\'shorsetrotoff，shemadeherappearancedonnedinblack，andheryellowcurlscombedbackbehindherearsasplainasaQuaker:

shecouldn\'tcombthemout。

`JosephandIgenerallygotochapelonSundays\'；thekirk，youknow，hasnoministernow，explainedMrsDean；andtheycalltheMethodists\'

orBaptists\'place(Ican\'tsaywhichitis)，atGimmerton，achapel。`Josephhadgone，\'shecontinued，`butIthoughtpropertobideathome。Youngfolksarealwaysthebetterforanelder\'soverlooking；andHareton，withallhisbashfulness，isn\'tamodelofnicebehaviour。Ilethimknowthathiscousinwouldverylikelysitwithus，andshehadbeenalwaysusedtoseetheSabbathrespected；sohehadasgoodleavehisgunsandbitsofindoorworkalone，whileshestayed。Hecolouredupatthenews，andcasthiseyesoverhishandsandclothes。Thetrain-oilandgunpowderwereshovedoutofsightinaminute。Isawhemeanttogiveherhiscompany；

andIguessed，byhisway，hewantedtobepresentable；so，laughing，asIdurstnotlaughwhenthemasterisby，Iofferedtohelphim，ifhewould，andjokedathisconfusion。Hegrewsullen，andbegantoswear。

`Now，MrsDean，\'Zillahwenton，seeingmenotpleasedbyhermanner，`youhappenthinkyouryoungladytoofineforMrHareton；andhappenyou\'reright:butIownIshouldlovewelltobringherprideapeglower。Andwhatwillallherlearningandherdaintinessdoforher，now？She\'saspoorasyouorI:poorerI\'llbebound:you\'resaving，andI\'mdoingmylittleallthatroad。\'？HaretonallowedZillahtogivehimheraid；andsheflatteredhimintoagoodhumour:so，whenCatherinecame，halfforgettingherformerinsults，hetriedtomakehimselfagreeable，bythehousekeeper\'saccount。

`Missiswalkedin\'，shesaid，`aschillasanicicle，andashighasaprincess。Igotupandofferedhermyseatinthearmchair。No，sheturneduphernoseatmycivility。Earnshawrose，too，andbidhercometothesettle，andsitclosebythefire:hewassureshewasstarved。

`"I\'vebeenstarvedamonthandmore，"sheanswered，restingonthewordasscornfulasshecould。

`Andshegotachairforherself，andplaceditatadistancefrombothofus。Havingsattillshewaswarm，shebegantolookround，anddiscoveredanumberofbooksinthedresser；shewasinstantlyuponherfeetagain，stretchingtoreachthem:buttheyweretoohighup。Hercousin，afterwatchingherendeavoursawhile，atlastsummonedcouragetohelpher；sheheldherfrock，andhefilleditwiththefirstthatcametohand。

`Thatwasagreatadvanceforthelad。Shedidn\'tthankhim；still，hefeltgratifiedthatshehadacceptedhisassistance，andventuredtostandbehindassheexaminedthem，andeventostoopandpointoutwhatstruckhisfancyincertainoldpictureswhichtheycontained；norwashedauntedbythesaucystyleinwhichshejerkedthepagefromhisfinger:

hecontentedhimselfwithgoingabitfartherback，andlookingatherinsteadofthebook。Shecontinuedreading，orseekingforsomethingtoread。Hisattentionbecame，bydegrees，quitecentredinthestudyofherthick，silkycurls:herfacehecouldn\'tsee，andshecouldn\'tseehim。

And，perhaps，notquiteawaketowhathedid，butattractedlikeachildtoacandle，atlastheproceededfromstaringtotouching；heputouthishandandstrokedonecurl，asgentlyasifitwereabird。Hemighthavestuckaknifeintoherneck，shestartedroundinsuchataking。

`"Getaway，thismoment!Howdareyoutouchme？Whyareyoustoppingthere？"shecried，inatoneofdisgust。"Ican\'tendureyou!I\'llgoupstairsagain，ifyoucomenearme。"

`MrHaretonrecoiled，lookingasfoolishashecoulddo:hesatdowninthesettleveryquiet，andshecontinuedturningoverhervolumesanotherhalf-hour；finally，Earnshawcrossedover，andwhisperedtome:

`"Willyouaskhertoreadtous，Zillah？I\'mstalledofdoingnaught；andIdolike——Icouldliketohearher!DunnotsayIwantedit，butaskofyourseln。"

`"MrHaretonwishesyouwouldreadtous，ma\'am，"Isaidimmediately。

"He\'dtakeitverykind——he\'dbemuchobliged。"

`Shefrowned；andlookingup，answered:

`"MrHareton，andthewholesetofyou，willbegoodenoughtounderstandthatIrejectanypretenceatkindnessyouhavethehypocrisytooffer!Idespiseyou，andwillhavenothingtosaytoanyofyou!WhenIwouldhavegivenmylifeforonekindword，eventoseeoneofyourfaces，youallkeptoff。ButIwon\'tcomplaintoyou!I\'mdrivendownherebythecold；noteithertoamuseyouorenjoyyoursociety。"

`"WhatcouldIha\'done？"beganEarnshaw。"HowwasItoblame？"

`"Oh!youareanexception，"answeredMrsHeathcliff。"Inevermissedsuchaconcernasyou。"

`"ButIofferedmorethanonce，andasked，"hesaid，kindlingupatherpertness，"IaskedMrHeathclifftoletmewakeforyou宍"Besilent!I\'llgooutofdoors，oranywhere，ratherthanhaveyourdisagreeablevoiceinmyear!"saidmylady。

`Haretonmutteredshemightgotohell，forhim!andunslinginghisgun，restrainedhimselffromhisSundayoccupationsnolonger。Hetalkednow，freelyenough；andshepresentlysawfittoretreattohersolitude:

butthefrosthadsetin，and，inspiteofherpride，shewasforcedtocondescendtoourcompany，moreandmore。However，Itookcarethereshouldbenofurtherscorningatmygoodnature:eversince，I\'vebeenasstiffasherself；andshehasnoloverorlikeramongus:andshedoesnotdeserveone；for，letthemsaytheleastwordtoher，andshe\'llcurlbackwithoutrespectofanyone!She\'llsnapatthemasterhimself，andasgoodasdareshimtothrashher；andthemorehurtshegets，themorevenomousshegrows。\'

Atfirst，onhearingthisaccountfromZillah，Ideterminedtoleavemysituation，takeacottage，andgetCatherinetocomeandlivewithme:butMrHeathcliffwouldassoonpermitthatashewouldsetupHaretoninanindependenthouse；andIcanseenoremedy，atpresent，unlessshecouldmarryagain:andthatschemeitdoesnotcomewithinmyprovincetoarrange。

ThusendedMrsDean\'sstory。Notwithstandingthedoctor\'sprophecy，Iamrapidlyrecoveringstrength；andthoughitbeonlythesecondweekinJanuary，Iproposegettingoutonhorsebackinadayortwo，andridingovertoWutheringHeights，toinformmylandlordthatIshallspendthenextsixmonthsinLondon；and，ifhelikes，hemaylookoutforanothertenanttotaketheplaceafterOctober。Iwouldnotpassanotherwinterhereformuch。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter31Yesterdaywasbright，calm，andfrosty。IwenttotheHeightsasIproposed；

myhousekeeperentreatedmetobearalittlenotefromhertoheryounglady，andIdidnotrefuse，fortheworthywomanwasnotconsciousofanythingoddinherrequest。Thefrontdoorstoodopen，butthejealousgatewasfastened，asatmylastvisit；Iknocked，andinvokedEarnshawfromamongthegardenbeds；heunchainedit，andIentered。Thefellowisashandsomearusticasneedbeseen。Itookparticularnoticeofhimthistime；butthenhedoeshisbest，apparently，tomaketheleastofhisadvantages。

IaskedifMrHeathcliffwereathome？Heanswered，No；buthewouldbeinatdinnertime。Itwaseleveno\'clock，andIannouncedmyintentionofgoinginandwaitingforhim，atwhichheimmediatelyflungdownhistoolsandaccompaniedme，intheofficeofwatchdog，notasasubstituteforthehost。

Weenteredtogether；Catherinewasthere，makingherselfusefulinpreparingsomevegetablesfortheapproachingmeal；shelookedmoresulkyandlessspiritedthanwhenIhadseenherfirst。Shehardlyraisedhereyestonoticeme，andcontinuedheremploymentwiththesamedisregardtocommonformsofpolitenessasbefore；neverreturningmybowandgoodmorningbytheslightestacknowledgment。

`Shedoesnotseemsoamiable\'，Ithought，`asMrsDeanwouldpersuademetobelieve。She\'sabeauty，itistrue；butnotanangel。\'

Earnshawsurlilybidherremoveherthingstothekitchen。`Removethemyourself，\'shesaid，pushingthemfromherassoonasshehaddone；

andretiringtoastoolbythewindow，whereshebegantocarvefiguresofbirdsandbeastsoutoftheturnipparingsinherlap。Iapproachedher，pretendingtodesireaviewofthegarden；and，asIfancied，adroitlydroppedMrsDean\'snoteontoherknee，unnoticedbyHareton——butsheaskedaloud，`Whatisthat？\'andchuckeditoff。

`Aletterfromyouroldacquaintance，thehousekeeperattheGrange，\'

Ianswered；annoyedatherexposingmykinddeed，andfearfullestitshouldbeimaginedamissiveofmyown。Shewouldgladlyhavegathereditupatthisinformation，butHaretonbeather；heseizedandputitinhiswaistcoat，sayingMrHeathcliffshouldlookatitfirst。Thereat，Catherinesilentlyturnedherfacefromus，and，verystealthily，drewoutherpockethandkerchiefandappliedittohereyes；andhercousin，afterstrugglingawhiletokeepdownhissofterfeelings，pulledouttheletterandflungitonthefloorbesideher，asungraciouslyashecould。Catherinecaughtandperusediteagerly；thenshebutafewquestionstomeconcerningtheinmates，rationalandirrational，ofherformerhome；andgazingtowardsthehills，murmuredinsoliloquy:

`IshouldliketoberidingMinnydownthere!Ishouldliketobeclimbingupthere!Oh!I\'mtired——I\'mstalled，Hareton!\'Andsheleantherprettyheadbackagainstthesill，withhalfayawnandhalfasigh，andlapsedintoanaspectofabstractedsadness:neithercaringnorknowingwhetherweremarkedher。

`MrsHeathcliff，\'Isaid，aftersittingsometimemute，`youarenotawarethatIamanacquaintanceofyours？sointimatethatIthinkitstrangeyouwon\'tcomeandspeaktome。Myhousekeeperneverweariesoftalkingaboutandpraisingyou；andshe\'llbegreatlydisappointedifIreturnwithnonewsoforfromyou，exceptthatyoureceivedherletterandsaidnothing!\'

Sheappearedtowonderatthisspeech，andasked:

`DoesEllenlikeyou？\'

`Yes，verywell，\'Irepliedunhesitatingly。

`Youmusttellher，\'shecontinued，`thatIwouldanswerherletter，butlhavenomaterialsforwriting:notevenabookfromwhichImighttearaleaf。\'

`Nobooks!\'Iexclaimed。`Howdoyoucontrivetoliveherewithoutthem？iflmaytakethelibertytoinquire。Thoughprovidedwithalargelibrary，I\'mfrequentlyverydullattheGrange；takemybooksaway，andIshouldbedesperate!\'

`Iwasalwaysreading，whenIhadthem，\'saidCatherine；`andMrHeathcliffneverreads；sohetookitintohisheadtodestroymybooks。

Ihavenothadaglimpseofoneforweeks。Onlyonce，IsearchedthroughJoseph\'sstoreoftheology，tohisgreatirritation；andonce，Hareton，Icameuponasecretstockinyourroom——someLatinandGreek，andsometalesandpoetry:alloldfriends。Ibroughtthelasthere——andyougatheredthem，asamagpiegatherssilverspoons，forthemereloveofstealing!

Theyareofnousetoyou；orelseyouconcealedtheminthebadspiritthatasyoucannotenjoythemnobodyelseshall。PerhapsyourenvycounselledMrHeathclifftorobmeofmytreasures？ButI\'vemostofthemwrittenonmybrainandprintedinmyheart，andyoucannotdeprivemeofthose!\'

Earnshawblushedcrimsonwhenhiscousinmadethisrevelationofhisprivateliteraryaccumulations，andstammeredanindignantdenialofheraccusations。\'

`MrHaretonisdesirousofincreasinghisamountofknowledge，\'

Isaid，comingtohisrescue。`Heisnotenviousbutemulousofyourattainments。He\'llbeacleverscholarinafewyears。\'

`Andhewantsmetosinkintoadunce，meantime，\'answeredCatherine。`Yes，Ihearhimtryingtospellandreadtohimself，andprettyblundershemakes!IwishyouwouldrepeatChevyChaseasyoudidyesterday:

itwasextremelyfunny。Iheardyou；andIheardyouturningoverthedictionarytoseekoutthehardwords，andthencursingbecauseyoucouldn\'treadtheirexplanations!\'

Theyoungmanevidentlythoughtittoobadthatheshouldbelaughedatforhisignorance，andthenlaughedatfortryingtoremoveit。Ihadasimilarnotion；and，rememberingMrsDean\'sanecdoteofhisfirstattemptatenlighteningthedarknessinwhichhehadbeenreared，Iobserved:

`But，MrsHeathcliff，wehaveeachhadacommencement，andeachstumbledandtotteredonthethreshold；hadourteachersscornedinsteadofaidingus，weshouldstumbleandtotteryet。\'

`Oh!\'shereplied，`Idon\'twishtolimithisacquirements:still，hehasnorighttoappropriatewhatismine，andmakeitridiculoustomewithhisvilemistakesandmispronunciations!Thosebooks，bothproseandverse，wereconsecratedtomebyotherassociations；andIhatetohavethemdebasedandprofanedinhismouth!Besides，ofall，hehasselectedmyfavouritepiecesthatIlovethemosttorepeat，asifoutofdeliberatemalice。\'

Hareton\'schestheavedinsilenceaminute:helabouredunderaseveresenseofmortificationandwrath，whichitwasnoeasytasktosuppress。Irose，and，fromagentlemanlyideaofrelievinghisembarrassment，tookupmystationinthedoorway，surveyingtheexternalprospectasI

stood。Hefollowedmyexample，andlefttheroom；butpresentlyreappeared，bearinghalfadozenvolumesinhishands，whichhethrewintoCatherine\'slap，exclaiming:

`Takethem!Ineverwanttohear，orread，orthinkofthemagain!\'

`Iwon\'thavethemnow，\'sheanswered。`Ishallconnectthemwithyou，andhatethem。\'

Sheopenedonethathadobviouslybeenoftenturnedover，andreadaportioninthedrawlingtoneofabeginner；thenlaughed，andthrewitfromher。`Andlisten，\'shecontinuedprovokingly，commencingaverseofanoldballadinthesamefashion。

Buthisself-lovewouldendurenofurthertorment:Iheard，andnotaltogetherdisapprovingly，amanualcheckgiventohersaucytongue。

Thelittlewretchhaddoneherutmosttohurthercousinssensitivethoughuncultivatedfeelings，andaphysicalargumentwastheonlymodehehadofbalancingtheaccount，andrepayingitseffectsontheinflicter。Heafterwardsgatheredthebooksandhurledthemonthefire。Ireadinhiscountenancewhatanguishitwastoofferthatsacrificetospleen。Ifanciedthatastheyconsumed，herecalledthepleasuretheyhadalreadyimparted，andthetriumphandever-increasingpleasurehehadanticipatedfromthem；

andIfanciedIguessedtheincitementtohissecretstudiesalso。Hehadbeencontentwithdailylabourandroughanimalenjoyments，tillCatherinecrossedhispath。Shameatherscorn，andhopeofherapproval，werehisfirstprompterstohigherpursuits；and，insteadofguardinghimfromoneandwinninghimtotheother，hisendeavourstorisehimselfhadproducedjustthecontraryresult。

`Yes；that\'sallthegoodthatsuchabruteasyoucangetfromthem!\'criedCatherine，suckingherdamagedlip，andwatchingtheconflagrationwithindignanteyes。

`You\'dbetterholdyourtongue，now，\'heansweredfiercely。

Andhisagitationprecludingfurtherspeech，headvancedhastilytotheentrance，whereImadewayforhimtopass。Buterehehadcrossedthedoorstones，MrHeathcliff，comingupthecauseway，encounteredhim，andlayingholdofhisshoulder，asked:

"What\'stodonow，mylad？\'

`Naught，naught，\'hesaid，andbrokeawaytoenjoyhisgriefandangerinsolitude。

Heathcliffgazedafterhim，andsighed。

`ItwillbeoddifIthwartmyself，\'hemuttered，unconsciousthatIwasbehindhim。`ButwhenIlookforhisfatherinhisface，Ifindhereverydaymore。Howthedevilishesolike？Icanhardlybeartoseehim。\'

Hebenthiseyestotheground，andwalkedmoodilyin。Therewasarestless，anxiousexpressioninhiscountenanceIhadneverremarkedtherebefore；andhelookedsparerinperson。Hisdaughter-in-law，onperceivinghimthroughthewindow，immediatelyescapedtothekitchen，sothatIremainedalone。

`I\'mgladtoseeyououtofdoorsagain，MrLockwood，\'hesaid，inreplytomygreeting；`fromselfishmotivespartly:Idon\'tthinkI

couldreadilysupplyyourlossinthisdesolation。I\'vewonderedmorethanoncewhatbroughtyouhere。

`Anidlewhim，Ifear，sir，\'wasmyanswer；`orelseanidlewhimisgoingtospiritmeaway。IshallsetoutforLondon，nextweek；andImustgiveyouwarningthatIfeelnodispositiontoretainThrushcrossGrangebeyondthetwelvemonthsIagreedtorentit。1believeIshallnotlivethereanymore。\'

`Oh，indeed；you\'retiredofbeingbanishedfromtheworld，areyou？\'hesaid。`Butifyoubecomingtopleadoffpayingforaplaceyouwon\'toccupy，yourjourneyisuseless:Ineverrelentinexactingmyduefromanyone。\'

`I\'mcomingtopleadoffnothingaboutit，\'Iexclaimed，considerablyirritated。`Shouldyouwishit，I\'llsettlewithyounow，\'andIdrewmynotebookfrommypocket。

`No，no，\'herepliedcoolly；`you\'llleavesufficientbehindtocoveryourdebts，ifyoufailtoreturn:I\'mnotinsuchahurry。Sitdownandtakeyourdinnerwithus；aguestthatissafefromrepeatinghisvisitcangenerallybemadewelcome。Catherine，bringthethingsin:whereareyou？\'

Catherinereappeared，bearingatrayofknivesandforks。

`YoumaygetyourdinnerwithJoseph，\'mutteredHeathcliffaside，`andremaininthekitchentillheisgone。\'

Sheobeyedhisdirectionsverypunctually:perhapsshehadnotemptationtotransgress。Livingamongclownsandmisanthropists，sheprobablycannotappreciateabetterclassofpeoplewhenshemeetsthem。

WithMrHeathcliff，grimandsaturnine，ontheonehand，andHareton，absolutelydumb，ontheother，Imadeasomewhatcheerlessmeal，andbidadieuearly。Iwouldhavedepartedbythebackway，togetalastglimpseofCatherineandannoyoldJoseph；butHaretonreceivedorderstoleadupmyhorse，andmyhosthimselfescortedmetothedoor，soIcouldnotfulfilmywish。

`Howdrearylifegetsoverinthathouse!\'lreflected，whileridingdowntheroad。`WhatarealizationofsomethingmoreromanticthanafairytaleitwouldhavebeenforMrsLintonHeathcliff，hadsheandIstruckupanattachment，ashergoodnursedesired，andmigratedtogetherintothestirringatmosphereofthetown!\'

[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter321802——

ThisSeptemberIwasinvitedtodevastatethemoorsofafriendinthenorth，andonmyjourneytohisabode，IunexpectedlycamewithinfifteenmilesofGimmerton。Theostlerataroadsidepublichousewasholdingapailofwatertorefreshmyhorses，whenacartofverygreenoats，newlyreaped，passedby，andheremarked:

`Yon\'sfroughGimmerton，nah!They\'reallasthreewickafterotherfolkwi\'therharvest。\'

`Gimmerton？`Irepeated——myresidenceinthatlocalityhadalreadygrowndimanddreamy。`Ah!Iknow。Howfarisitfromthis？\'

`Happenfourteenmileo\'erth\'hills；andaroughroad，\'heanswered。

AsuddenimpulseseizedmetovisitThrushcrossGrange。Itwasscarcelynoon，andIconceivedthatImightaswellpassthenightundermyownroofasinaninn。Besides，Icouldspareadayeasilytoarrangematterswithmylandlord，andthussavemyselfthetroubleofinvadingtheneighbourhoodagain。Havingrestedawhile，Idirectedmyservanttoinquirethewaytothevillage；and，withgreatfatiguetoourbeasts，wemanagedthedistanceinsomethreehours。

Ilefthimthere，andproceededdownthevalleyalone。Thegreychurchlookedgreyer，andthelonelychurchyardlonelier。Idistinguishedamoorsheepcroppingtheshortturfonthegraves。Itwassweet，warmweather——toowarmfortravelling；buttheheatdidnothindermefromenjoyingthedelightfulsceneryaboveandbelow:hadIseenitnearerAugust，I\'msureitwouldhavetemptedmetowasteamonthamongitssolitudes。Inwinternothingmoredreary，insummernothingmoredivine，thanthoseglensshutinbyhills，andthosebluff，boldswellsofheath。

IreachedtheGrangebeforesunset，andknockedforadmittance；

butthefamilyhadretreated\'intothebackpremises，Ijudged，byonethin，bluewreathcurlingfromthekitchenchimney，andtheydidnothear。

Irodeintothecourt。Undertheporch，agirlofnineortensatknitting，andanoldwomanreclinedonthehousesteps，smokingameditativepipe。

`IsMrsDeanwithin？\'Idemandedofthedame。

`MistressDean？Nay!\'sheanswered，`shoodoesn\'tbidehere:shoo\'supatth\'Heights。\'

`Areyouthehousekeeper，then？\'Icontinued。

`Ea，Awkeepth\'house，\'shereplied。

`Well，I\'mMrLockwood，themaster。Arethereanyroomstolodgemein，Iwonder？Iwishtostayhereallnight。\'

`T\'maister!\'shecriedinastonishment。`Whet，whoiverknewyahwurcoming？Yahsudha\'sendword。They\'snowtnortherdrynormensfulabahtt\'place:nowtthereisn\'t!\'

Shethrewdownherpipeandbustledin，thegirlfollowed，andIenteredtoo；soonperceivingthatherreportwastrue，and，moreover，thatIhadalmostupsetherwitsbymyunwelcomeapparition，Ibidherbecomposed。Iwouldgooutforawalk；and，meantime，shemusttrytoprepareacornerofasitting-roomformetosupin，andabedroomtosleepin。Nosweepinganddusting，onlygoodfireanddrysheetswerenecessary。

Sheseemedwillingtodoherbest；thoughshethrustthehearth-brushintothegratesinmistakeforthepoker，andmalappropriatedseveralotherarticlesofhercraft:butIretired，confidinginherenergyforaresting-placeagainstmyreturn。WutheringHeightswasthegoalofmyproposedexcursion。

Anafterthoughtbroughtmeback，whenIhadquittedthecourt。

`AllwellattheHeights？\'Iinquiredofthewoman。

`Eea，f\'rowtEeknaw，\'sheanswered，skurryingawaywithapanofhotcinders。

IwouldhaveaskedwhyMrsDeanhaddesertedtheGrange，butitwasimpossibletodelayheratsuchacrisis，soIturnedawayandmademyexit，ramblingleisurelyalongwiththeglowofasinkingsunbehind，andthemildgloryofarisingmooninfront——onefading，andtheotherbrightening——asIquittedthepark，andclimbedthestonyby-roadbranchingofftoMrHeathcliff\'sdwelling。BeforeIarrivedinsightofit，allthatremainedofdaywasabeamlessamberlightalongthewest:butIcouldseeeverypebbleonthepath，andeverybladeofgrass，bythatsplendidmoon。Ihadneithertoclimbthegatenortoknock——ityieldedtomyhand。

Thatisanimprovement，Ithought。AndInoticedanother，bytheaidofmynostrils；afragranceofstocksandwallflowerswaftedontheairfromamongstthehomelyfruittrees。

Bothdoorsandlatticeswereopen；andyet，asisusuallythecaseinacoaldistrict，afine，redfireilluminedthechimney:thecomfortwhichtheeyederivesfromitrenderstheextraheatendurable。ButthehouseofWutheringHeightsissolarge，thattheinmateshaveplentyofspaceforwithdrawingoutofitsinfluence；andaccordingly，whatinmatestherewerehadstationedthemselvesnotfarfromoneofthewindows。I

couldbothseethemandhearthemtalkbeforeIentered，andlookedandlistenedinconsequence；beingmovedtheretobyamingledsenseofcuriosityandenvy，thatgrewasIlingered。

`Con-trary!\'saidavoiceassweetasasilverbell——`Thatforthethirdtime，youdunce!I\'mnotgoingtotellyouagain。Recollect，orI\'llpullyourhair!\'

`Contrary，then，\'answeredanother，indeepbutsoftenedtones。

`Andnow，kissme，formindingsowell。\'

`No，readitoverfirstcorrectly，withoutasinglemistake。\'

Themalespeakerbegantoread:hewasayoungman，respectablydressedandseatedatatable，havingabookbeforehim。Hishandsomefeaturesglowedwithpleasure，andhiseyeskeptimpatientlywanderingfromthepagetoasmallwhitehandoverhisshoulder，whichrecalledhimbyasmartslaponthecheek，wheneveritsownerdetectedsuchsignsofinattention。

Itsownerstoodbehind；herlight，shiningringletsblending，atintervals，withhisbrownlocks，asshebenttosuperintendhisstudies；andherface——itwasluckyhecouldnotseeherface，orhewouldneverhavebeensosteady。

Icould:andIbitmylipinspite，athavingthrownawaythechanceI

mighthavehadofdoingsomethingbesidesstaringatitssmilingbeauty。

Thetaskwasdone，notfreefromfurtherblunders；butthepupilclaimedareward，andreceivedatleastfivekisses:which，