第1章
Ihavejustreturnedfromavisittomylandlord——thesolitaryneighbourthatIshallbetroubledwith。Thisiscertainlyabeautifulcountry!InallEngland，IdonotbelievethatIcouldhavefixedonasituationsocompletelyremovedfromthestirofsociety。Aperfectmisanthropist"sheaven:andMrHeathcliffandIaresuchasuitablepairtodividethedesolationbetweenus。Acapitalfellow!HelittleimaginedhowmyheartwarmedtowardshimwhenIbeheldhisblackeyeswithdrawsosuspiciouslyundertheirbrows，asIrodeup，andwhenhisfingersshelteredthemselves，withajealousresolution，stillfartherinhiswaistcoat，asIannouncedmyname。
`MrHeathcliff!"Isaid。
Anodwastheanswer。
`MrLockwood，yournewtenant，sir。Idomyselfthehonourofcallingassoonaspossibleaftermyarrival，toexpressthehopethatIhavenotinconveniencedyoubymyperseveranceinsolicitingtheoccupationofThrushcrossGrange:Iheardyesterdayyouhadhadsomethoughts——"
`ThrushcrossGrangeismyown，sir，"heinterrupted，wincing。
`Ishouldnotallowanyonetoinconvenienceme，ifIcouldhinderit——walkin!"
The`walkin"wasutteredwithclosedteeth，andexpressedthesentiment，`Gotothedeuce":eventhegateoverwhichheleantmanifestednosympathizingmovementtothewords；andIthinkthatcircumstancedeterminedmetoaccepttheinvitation:Ifeltinterestedinamanwhoseemedmoreexaggeratedlyreservedthanmyself。
Whenhesawmyhorse"sbreastfairlypushingthebarrier，hedidputouthishandtounchainit，andthensullenlyprecededmeupthecauseway，calling，asweenteredthecourt:`Joseph，takeMrLockwood"shorse；andbringupsomewine。"
`Herewehavethewholeestablishmentofdomestics，Isuppose，"
wasthereflectionsuggestedbythiscompoundorder。
`Nowonderthegrassgrowsupbetweentheflags，andcattlearetheonlyhedge-cutters。
Josephwasanelderly，nay，anoldman:veryold，perhaps，thoughhaleandsinewy。`TheLordhelpus!"hesoliloquizedinanundertoneofpeevishdispleasure，whilerelievingmeofmyhorse:looking，meantime，inmyfacesosourlythatIcharitablyconjecturedhemusthaveneedofdivineaidtodigesthisdinner，andhispiousejaculationhadnoreferencetomyunexpectedadvent。
WutheringHeightsisthenameofMrHeathcliff"sdwelling。`Wuthering"
beingasignificantprovincialadjective，descriptiveoftheatmospherictumulttowhichitsstationisexposedinstormyweather。Pure，bracingventilationtheymusthaveupthereatalltimes，indeed；onemayguessthepowerofthenorthwindblowingovertheedge，bytheexcessiveslantofafewstuntedfirsattheendofthehouse；andbyarangeofgauntthornsallstretchingtheirlimbsoneway，asifcravingalmsofthesun。
Happily，thearchitecthadforesighttobuilditstrong:thenarrowwindowsaredeeplysetinthewall，andthecornersdefendedwithlargejuttingstones。
Beforepassingthethreshold，Ipausedtoadmireaquantityofgrotesquecarvinglavishedoverthefront，andespeciallyabouttheprincipaldoor；abovewhich，amongawildernessofcrumblinggriffinsandshamelesslittleboys，Idetectedthedate`1500"，andthename`HaretonEarnshaw"。
Iwouldhavemadeafewcomments，andrequestedashorthistoryoftheplacefromthesurlyowner；buthisattitudeatthedoorappearedtodemandmyspeedyentrance，orcompletedeparture，andIhadnodesiretoaggravatehisimpatienceprevioustoinspectingthepenetralium。
Onestepbroughtusintothefamilysitting-room，withoutanyintroductorylobbyorpassage:theycallithere`thehouse"preeminently。
Itincludeskitchenandparlour，generally；butIbelieveatWutheringHeightsthekitchenisforcedtoretreataltogetherintoanotherquarter:
atleastIdistinguishedachatteroftongues，andaclatterofculinaryutensils，deepwithin；andIobservednosignsofroasting，boiling，orbaking，aboutthehugefireplace；noranyglitterofcoppersaucepansandtincullendersonthewalls。Oneend，indeed，reflectedsplendidlybothlightandheatfromranksofimmensepewterdishes，interspersedwithsilverjugsandtankards，toweringrowafterrow，onavastoakdresser，totheveryroof。Thelatterhadneverbeenunderdrawn:itsentireanatomylaybaretoaninquiringeye，exceptwhereaframeofwoodladenwithoatcakesandclustersoflegsofbeef，mutton，andham，concealedit。Abovethechimneyweresundryvillainous；oldguns，andacoupleofhorse-pistols:
and，bywayofornament，threegaudilypaintedcanistersdisposedalongitsledge。Thefloorwasofsmooth，whitestone；thechairs，high-backed，primitivestructures，paintedgreen:oneortwoheavyblackoneslurkingintheshade。Inanarchunderthedresser，reposedahuge，liver-colouredbitchpointer，surroundedbyaswarmofsquealingpuppies；andotherdogshauntedotherrecesses。
Theapartmentandfurniturewouldhavebeennothingextraordinaryasbelongingtoahomely，northernfarmer，withastubborncountenance，andstalwartlimbssetouttoadvantageinkneebreechesandgaiters。Suchanindividualseatedinhisarmchair，hismugofalefrothingontheroundtablebeforehim，istobeseeninanycircuitoffiveorsixmilesamongthesehills，ifyougoattherighttimeafterdinner。ButMrHeathcliffformsasingularcontrasttohisabodeandstyleofliving。Heisadark-skinnedgipsyinaspect，indressandmannersagentleman:thatis，asmuchagentlemanasmanyacountrysquire:ratherslovenly，perhaps，yetnotlookingamisswithhisnegligence，becausehehasanerectandhandsomefigure；andrathermorose。Possibly，somepeoplemightsuspecthimofadegreeofunder-bredpride；Ihaveasympatheticchordwithinthattellsmeitisnothingofthesort:Iknow，byinstinct，hisreservespringsfromanaversiontoshowydisplaysoffeeling——tomanifestationsofmutualkindliness。He"llloveandhateequallyundercover，andesteemitaspeciesofimpertinencetobelovedorhatedagain。No，I"mrunningontoofast:Ibestowmyownattributesoverliberallyonhim。MrHeathcliffmayhaveentirelydissimilarreasonsforkeepinghishandoutofthewaywhenhemeetsawould-beacquaintance，tothosewhichactuateme。Letmehopemyconstitutionisalmostpeculiar:
mydearmotherusedtosayIshouldneverhaveacomfortablehome；andonlylastsummerIprovedmyselfperfectlyunworthyofone。
Whileenjoyingamonthoffineweatherattheseacoast，Iwasthrownintothecompanyofamostfascinatingcreature:arealgoddessinmyeyes，aslongasshetooknonoticeofme。I`nevertoldmylove"
vocally；still，iflookshavelanguage，themerestidiotmighthaveguessedIwasoverheadandears:sheunderstoodmeatlast，andlookedareturn——thesweetestofallimaginablelooks。AndwhatdidIdo？Iconfessitwithshame——shrunkicilyintomyself，likeasnail；ateveryglanceretiredcolderandfurther；tillfinallythepoorinnocentwasledtodoubtherownsenses，and，overwhelmedwithconfusionathersupposedmistake，persuadedhermammatodecamp。BythiscuriousturnofdispositionIhavegainedthereputationofdeliberateheartlessness；howundeserved，Ialonecanappreciate。
Itookaseatattheendofthehearthstoneoppositethattowardswhichmylandlordadvanced，andfilledupanintervalofsilencebyattemptingtocaressthecaninemother，whohadlefthernursery，andwassneakingwolfishlytothebackofmylegs，herlipcurledup，andherwhiteteethwateringforasnatch。
Mycaressprovokedalong，gutturalgnarl。
`You"dbetterletthedogalone，"growledMrHeathcliffinunison，checkingfiercerdemonstrationswithapunchofhisfoot。`She"snotaccustomedtobespoiled——notkeptforapet。"Then，stridingtoasidedoor，heshoutedagain，`Joseph!"
Josephmumbledindistinctlyinthedepthsofthecellar，butgavenointimationofascending；sohismasterdiveddowntohim，leavingmevis-à；-vistheruffianlybitchandapairofgrimshaggysheep-dogs，whosharedwithherajealousguardianshipoverallmymovements。Notanxioustocomeincontactwiththeirfangs，Isatstill；but，imaginingtheywouldscarcelyunderstandtacitinsults，Iunfortunatelyindulgedinwinkingandmakingfacesatthetrio，andsometurnofmyphysiognomysoirritatedmadam，thatshesuddenlybrokeintoafuryandleaptonmyknees。Iflungherback，andhastenedtointerposethetablebetweenus。Thisproceedingrousedthewholehive:halfadozenfour-footedfiends，ofvarioussizesandages，issuedfromhiddendenstothecommoncentre。Ifeltmyheelsandcoat-lapspeculiarsubjectsofassault；andparryingoffthelargercombatantsaseffectuallyasIcouldwiththepoker，Iwasconstrainedtodemand，aloud，assistancefromsomeofthehouseholdinre-establishingpeace。
MrHeathcliffandhismanclimbedthecellarstepswithvexatiousphlegm:Idon"tthinktheymovedonesecondfasterthanusual，thoughthehearthwasanabsolutetempestofworryingandyelping。Happily，aninhabitantofthekitchenmademoredispatch:alustydame，withtucked-upgown，barearms，andfire-flushedcheeks，rushedintothemidstofusflourishingafrying-pan:andusedthatweapon，andhertongue，tosuchpurpose，thatthestormsubsidedmagically，andsheonlyremained，heavinglikeaseaafterahighwind，whenhermasterenteredonthescene。
`Whatthedevilisthematter？"heasked，eyeingmeinamannerthatIcouldillendureafterthisinhospitabletreatment。
`Whatthedevil，indeed!"Imuttered。`Theherdofpossessedswinecouldhavehadnoworsespiritsinthemthanthoseanimalsofyours，sir。
Youmightaswellleaveastrangerwithabroodoftigers!"
`Theywon"tmeddlewithpersonswhotouchnothing，"heremarked，puttingthebottlebeforeme，andrestoringthedisplacedtable。`Thedogsdorighttobevigilant。Takeaglassofwine？"
`No，thankyou。"
`Notbitten，areyou？"
`IfIhadbeen，Iwouldhavesetmysignetonthebiter。"
Heathcliff"scountenancerelaxedintoagrin。
`Come，come，"hesaid，`youareflurried，MrLockwood。Here，takealittlewine。GuestsaresoexceedinglyrareinthishousethatIandmydogs，Iamwillingtoown，hardlyknowhowtoreceivethem。Yourhealth，sir!"
Ibowedandreturnedthepledge；beginningtoperceivethatitwouldbefoolishtositsulkingforthemisbehaviourofapackofcurs:
besides，Ifeltloathtoyieldthefellowfurtheramusementatmyexpense；
sincethehumourtookthatturn。He——probablyswayedbyprudentialconsiderationofthefollyofoffendingagoodtenant——relaxedalittleinthelaconicstyleofchippingoffhispronounsandauxiliaryverbs，andintroducedwhathesupposedwouldbeasubjectofinteresttome——adiscourseontheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofmypresentplaceofretirement。Ifoundhimveryintelligentonthetopicswetouched；andbeforeIwenthome，Iwasencouragedsofarastovolunteeranothervisittomorrow。Heevidentlywishednorepetitionofmyintrusion。Ishallgo，notwithstanding。ItisastonishinghowsociableIfeelmyselfcomparedwithhim。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter2Yesterdayafternoonsetinmistyandcold。Ihadhalfamindtospenditbymystudyfire，insteadofwadingthroughheathandmudtoWutheringHeights。Oncomingupfromdinner，however(N。B。Idinebetweentwelveandoneo"clock；thehousekeeper，amatronlylady，takenasafixturealongwiththehouse，couldnot，orwouldnot，comprehendmyrequestthatImightbeservedatfive)，onmountingthestairswiththislazyintention，andsteppingintotheroom，Isawaservantgirlonherkneessurroundedbybrushesandcoal-scuttles，andraisinganinfernaldustassheextinguishedtheflameswithheapsofcinders。Thisspectacledrovemebackimmediately；
Itookmyhat，and，afterafour-miles"walk，arrivedatHeathcliff"sgardengatejustintimetoescapethefirstfeatheryflakesofasnowshower。
Onthatbleakhilltoptheearthwashardwithablackfrost，andtheairmademeshiverthrougheverylimb。Beingunabletoremovethechain，Ijumpedover，and，runninguptheflaggedcausewayborderedwithstragglinggooseberrybushes，knockedvainlyforadmittance，tillmyknucklestingledandthedogshowled。
`Wretchedinmates!"Iejaculatedmentally，`youdeserveperpetualisolationfromyourspeciesforyourchurlishinhospitality。Atleast，Iwouldnotkeepmydoorsbarredinthedaytime。Idon"tcare——Iwillgetin!"Soresolved，Igraspedthelatchandshookitvehemently。Vinegar-facedJosephprojectedhisheadfromaroundwindowofthebarn。
`Whetareyefor？"heshouted。`T"maister"sdahni"t"fowld。
Gorahndbyth"endut"laith，ifyahwenttuhspaketullhim。"
`Istherenobodyinsidetoopenthedoor？"Ihallooed，responsively。
`They"snobbutt"missis；andshoo"llnutoppen"tanyemakyerflaysomedinstillneeght。"
`Why？CannotyoutellherwhoIam，eh，Joseph？"
`Nor-neme!Aw"llhaenoahendwi"t，"mutteredthehead，vanishing。
Thesnowbegantodrivethickly。Iseizedthehandletoessayanothertrial；whenayoungmanwithoutcoat，andshoulderingapitchfork，appearedintheyardbehind。Hehailedmetofollowhim，and，aftermarchingthroughawash-house，andapavedareacontainingacoalshed，pump，andpigeoncot，weatlengtharrivedinthehuge，warm，cheerfulapartment，whereIwasformerlyreceived。Itgloweddelightfullyintheradianceofanimmensefire，compoundedofcoal，peat，andwood；andnearthetable，laidforaplentifuleveningmeal，Iwaspleasedtoobservethe`missis"，anindividualwhoseexistenceIhadneverpreviouslysuspected。Ibowedandwaited，thinkingshewouldbidmetakeaseat。Shelookedatme，leaningbackinherchair，andremainedmotionlessandmute。
`Roughweather!"Iremarked。`I"mafraid，MrsHeathcliff，thedoormustbeartheconsequenceofyourservants"leisureattendance:I
hadhardworktomakethemhearme。"
Sheneveropenedhermouth。Istared——shestaredalso:atanyrate，shekepthereyesonmeinacool，regardlessmanner，exceedinglyembarrassinganddisagreeable。
`Sitdown，"saidtheyoungmangruffly。`He"llbeinsoon。"
Iobeyed；andhemmed，andcalledthevillainJuno，whodeigned，atthissecondinterview，tomovetheextremetipofhertail，intokenofowningmyacquaintance。
`Abeautifulanimal!"Icommencedagain。`Doyouintendpartingwiththelittleones，madam？"
`Theyarenotmine，"saidtheamiablehostess，morerepellinglythanHeathcliffhimselfcouldhavereplied。
`Ah，yourfavouritesareamongthese？"Icontinued，turningtoanobscurecushionfullofsomethinglikecats。
`Astrangechoiceoffavourites!"sheobservedscornfully。
Unluckily，itwasaheapofdeadrabbits。Ihemmedoncemore，anddrewclosertothehearth，repeatingmycommentonthewildnessoftheevening。
`Youshouldnothavecomeout，"shesaid，risingandreachingfromthechimney-piecetwoofthepaintedcanisters。
Herpositionbeforewasshelteredfromthelight；now，Ihadadistinctviewofherwholefigureandcountenance。Shewasslender，andapparentlyscarcelypastgirlhood:anadmirableform，andthemostexquisitelittlefacethatIhaveeverhadthepleasureofbeholding；smallfeatures，veryfair；flaxenringlets，orrathergolden，hanginglooseonherdelicateneck；andeyes，hadtheybeenagreeableinexpression，theywouldhavebeenirresistible:fortunatelyformysusceptibleheart，theonlysentimenttheyevincedhoveredbetweenscorn，andakindofdesperation，singularlyunnaturaltobedetectedthere。Thecanisterswerealmostoutofherreach；
Imadeamotiontoaidher；sheturneduponmeasamisermightturnifanyoneattemptedtoassisthimincountinghisgold。
`Idon"twantyourhelp，"shesnapped；`Icangetthemformyself。"
`Ibegyourpardon!"Ihastenedtoreply。
`Wereyouaskedtotea？"shedemanded，tyinganapronoverherneatblackfrock，andstandingwithaspoonfuloftheleafpoisedoverthepot。
`Ishallbegladtohaveacup，"Ianswered。
`Wereyouasked？"sherepeated。
`No，"Isaid，halfsmiling。`Youaretheproperpersontoaskme。"
Sheflungtheteaback，spoonandall，andresumedherchairinapet；herforeheadcorrugated，andherredunderlippushedout，likeachild"sreadytocry。
Meanwhile，theyoungmanhadslungontohispersonadecidedlyshabbyuppergarment，and，erectinghimselfbeforetheblaze，lookeddownonmefromthecornerofhiseyes，foralltheworldasifthereweresomemortalfeudunavengedbetweenus。Ibegantodoubtwhetherhewereaservantornot:hisdressandspeechwerebothrude，entirelydevoidofthesuperiorityobservableinMrandMrsHeathcliff；histhickbrowncurlswereroughanduncultivated，hiswhiskersencroachedbearishlyoverhischeeks，andhishandswereembrownedlikethoseofacommonlabourer:stillhisbearingwasfree，almosthaughty，andheshowednoneofadomestic"sassiduityinattendingontheladyofthehouse。Intheabsenceofclearproofsofhiscondition，Ideemeditbesttoabstainfromnoticinghiscuriousconduct；
and，fiveminutesafterwards，theentranceofHeathcliffrelievedme，insomemeasure，frommyuncomfortablestate。
`Yousee，sir，Iamcome，accordingtopromise!"Iexclaimed，assumingthecheerful；`andIfearIshallbeweatherboundforhalfanhour，ifyoucanaffordmeshelterduringthatspace。"
`Halfanhour？"hesaid，shakingthewhiteflakesfromhisclothes；
`Iwonderyoushouldselectthethickofasnowstormtorambleaboutin。
Doyouknowthatyourunariskofbeinglostinthemarshes？Peoplefamiliarwiththesemoorsoftenmisstheirroadonsuchevenings；andIcantellyouthereisnochanceofachangeatpresent。"
`PerhapsIcangetaguideamongyourlads，andhemightstayattheGrangetillmorning——couldyousparemeone？"
`No，Icouldnot。"
`Oh，indeed!Well，then，Imusttrusttomyownsagacity。"
`Umph!"
`Areyougoingtomakth"tea？"demandedheoftheshabbycoat，shiftinghisferociousgazefrommetotheyounglady。
`Ishetohaveany？"sheasked，appealingtoHeathcliff。
`Getitready，willyou？"wastheanswer，utteredsosavagelythatIstarted。Thetoneinwhichthewordsweresaidrevealedagenuinebadnature。InolongerfeltinclinedtocallHeathcliffacapitalfellow。
Whenthepreparationswerefinished，heinvitedmewith——`Now，sir，bringforwardyourchair。"Andweall，includingtherusticyouth，drewroundthetable:anausteresilenceprevailingwhilewediscussedourmeal。
Ithought，ifIhadcausedthecloud，itwasmydutytomakeanefforttodispelit。Theycouldnoteverydaysitsogrimandtaciturn；
anditwasimpossible，howeverill-temperedtheymightbe，thattheuniversalscowltheyworewastheireverydaycountenance。
`Itisstrange，"Ibegan，intheintervalofswallowingonecupofteaandreceivinganother——`itisstrangehowcustomcanmouldourtastesandideas:manycouldnotimaginetheexistenceofhappinessinalifeofsuchcompleteexilefromtheworldasyouspend，MrHeathcliff；yetI"llventuretosay，that，surroundedbyyourfamily，andwithyouramiableladyasthepresidinggeniusoveryourhomeandheart——"
`Myamiablelady!"heinterrupted，withanalmostdiabolicalsneeronhisface。`Whereisshe——myamiablelady？"
`MrsHeathcliff，yourwife，Imean。"
`Well，yes——Oh，youwouldintimatethatherspirithastakenthepostofministeringangel，andguardsthefortunesofWutheringHeightsevenwhenherbodyisgone。Isthatit？"
Perceivingmyselfinablunder，Iattemptedtocorrectit。Imighthaveseentherewastoogreatadisparitybetweentheagesofthepartiestomakeitlikelythattheyweremanandwife。Onewasaboutforty:aperiodofmentalvigouratwhichmenseldomcherishthedelusionofbeingmarriedforlovebygirls:thatdreamisreservedforthesolaceofourdecliningyears。Theotherdidnotlookseventeen。
Thenitflasheduponme——`Theclownatmyelbow，whoisdrinkinghisteaoutofabasinandeatinghisbreadwithunwashedhands，maybeherhusband:Heathcliff，junior，ofcourse。Hereistheconsequenceofbeingburiedalive:shehasthrownherselfawayuponthatboorfromsheerignorancethatbetterindividualsexisted!Asadpity——ImustbewarehowIcausehertoregretherchoice。"Thelastreflectionmayseemconceited；
itwasnot。Myneighbourstruckmeasborderingonrepulsive；Iknew，throughexperience，thatIwastolerablyattractive。
`MrsHeathcliffismydaughter-in-law，"saidHeathcliff，corroboratingmysurmise。Heturned，ashespoke，apeculiarlookinherdirection:alookofhatred；unlesshehasamostperversesetoffacialmusclesthatwillnot，likethoseofotherpeople，interpretthelanguageofhissoul。
`Ah，certainly——Iseenow:youarethefavouredpossessorofthebeneficentfairy，"Iremarked，turningtomyneighbour。
Thiswasworsethanbefore:theyouthgrewcrimson，andclenchedhisfist，witheveryappearanceofameditatedassault。Butheseemedtorecollecthimselfpresently，andsmotheredthestorminabrutalcurse，mutteredonmybehalf:which，however，Itookcarenottonotice。
`Unhappyinyourconjectures，sir，"observedmyhost；`weneitherofushavetheprivilegeofowningyourgoodfairy；hermateisdead。I
saidshewasmydaughter-in-law，therefore，shemusthavemarriedmyson。"
`Andthisyoungmanis——"
`Notmyson，assuredly。"
Heathcliffsmiledagain，asifitwererathertooboldajesttoattributethepaternityofthatbeartohim。
`MynameisHaretonEarnshaw，"growledtheother；`andI"dcounselyoutorespectit!"
`I"veshownnodisrespect，"wasmyreply，laughinginternallyatthedignitywithwhichheannouncedhimself。
HefixedhiseyeonmelongerthanIcaredtoreturnthestare，forfearImightbetemptedeithertoboxhisearsorrendermyhilarityaudible。
Ibegantofeelunmistakablyoutofplaceinthatpleasantfamilycircle。
Thedismalspiritualatmosphereovercame，andmorethanneutralized，theglowingphysicalcomfortsroundme；andIresolvedtobecautioushowI
venturedunderthoseraftersathirdtime。
Thebusinessofeatingbeingconcluded，andnooneutteringawordofsociableconversation，Iapproachedawindowtoexaminetheweather。
AsorrowfulsightIsaw:darknightcomingdownprematurely，andskyandhillsmingledinonebitterwhirlofwindandsuffocatingsnow。
`Idon"tthinkitpossibleformetogethomenowwithoutaguide，"
Icouldnothelpexclaiming。`Theroadswillbeburiedalready；and，iftheywerebare，Icouldscarcelydistinguishafootinadvance。
`Hareton，drivethosedozensheepintothebarnporch。They"llbecoveredifleftinthefoldallnight:andputaplankbeforethem，"
saidHeathcliff。
`HowmustIdo？"Icontinued，withrisingirritation。
Therewasnoreplytomyquestion；andonlookingroundIsawonlyJosephbringinginapailofporridgeforthedogs，andMrsHeathcliffleaningoverthefire，divertingherselfwithburningabundleofmatcheswhichhadfallenfromthechimney-pieceassherestoredtheteacanistertoitsplace。Theformer，whenhehaddepositedhisburden，tookacriticalsurveyoftheroom，andincrackedtones，gratedout:
`Awwoonderhaghyahcanfaishiontuhstandtheari"idlenessunwar，whenallon"em"sgoanaght!Budyah"reanowt，andit"snoausetalking——yah"llnivermenduhyerillways，budgoaraighttuht"divil，likeyermotheraforeye!"
Iimagined，foramoment，thatthispieceofeloquencewasaddressedtome；and，sufficientlyenraged，steppedtowardstheagedrascalwithanintentionofkickinghimoutofthedoor。MrsHeathcliff，however，checkedmebyheranswer。
`Youscandalousoldhypocrite!"shereplied。`Areyounotafraidofbeingcarriedawaybodily，wheneveryoumentionthedevil"sname？I
warnyoutorefrainfromprovokingme，orI"llaskyourabductionasaspecialfavour。Stop!lookhere，Joseph，"shecontinued，takingalong，darkbookfromashelf；`I"llshowyouhowfarI"veprogressedintheBlackArt:Ishallsoonbecompetenttomakeaclearhouseofit。Theredcowdidn"tdiebychance；andyourrheumatismcanhardlybereckonedamongprovidentialvisitations!"
`Oh，wicked，wicked!"gaspedtheelder；`maytheLorddeliverusfromevil!"
`No，reprobate!youareacastaway——beoff，orI"llhurtyouseriously!
I"llhaveyouallmodelledinwaxandclay；andthefirstwhopassesthelimitsIfix，shall——I"llnotsaywhatheshallbedoneto——but，you"llsee!Go，I"mlookingatyou!"
Thelittlewitchputamockmalignityintoherbeautifuleyes，andJoseph，tremblingwithsincerehorror，hurriedoutprayingandejaculating`wicked"ashewent。Ithoughtherconductmustbepromptedbyaspeciesofdrearyfun；and，nowthatwewerealone，Iendeavouredtointerestherinmydistress。
`MrsHeathcliff，"Isaidearnestly，`youmustexcusemefortroublingyou。Ipresume，because，withthatface，I"msureyoucannothelpbeinggood-hearted。DopointoutsomelandmarksbywhichImayknowmywayhome:
IhavenomoreideahowtogettherethanyouwouldhavehowtogettoLondon!"
`Taketheroadyoucame，"sheanswered，ensconcingherselfinachair，withacandle，andthelongbookopenbeforeher。`Itisbriefadvice，butassoundasIcangive。"
`Then，ifyouhearofmebeingdiscovereddeadinabogorapitfullofsnow，yourconsciencewon"twhisperthatitispartlyyourfault？"
`Howso？Icannotescortyou。Theywouldn"tletmegototheendofthegardenwall。"
`You!Ishouldbesorrytoaskyoutocrossthethreshold，formyconvenience，onsuchanight，"Icried。`Iwantyoutotellmemyway，nettoshowit；orelsetopersuadeMrHeathclifftogivemeaguide。"
`Who？Thereishimself，Earnshaw，Zillah，Joseph，andI。Whichwouldyouhave？"
`Aretherenoboysatthefarm？"
`No，thoseareall。"
`Then，itfollowsthatIamcompelledtostay。"
`Thatyoumaysettlewithyourhost。Ihavenothingtodowithit。"
`Ihopeitwillbealessontoyoutomakenomorerashjourneysonthesehills，"criedHeathcliff"ssternvoicefromthekitchenentrance。
`Astostayinghere，Idon"tkeepaccommodationsforvisitors:youmustshareabedwithHaretonorJoseph，ifyoudo。"
`Icansleeponachairinthisroom，"Ireplied。
`No，no!Astrangerisastranger，beherichorpoor:itwillnotsuitmetopermitanyonetherangeoftheplacewhileIamoffguard!"
saidtheunmannerlywretch。
Withthisinsult，mypatiencewasatanend。Iutteredanexpressionofdisgust，andpushedpasthimintotheyard，runningagainstEarnshawinmyhaste。ItwassodarkthatIcouldnotseethemeansofexit；and，asIwanderedround，Iheardanotherspecimenoftheircivilbehaviouramongsteachother。Atfirsttheyoungmanappearedabouttobefriendme。
`I"llgowithhimasfarasthepark，"hesaid。
`You"llgowithhimtohell!"exclaimedhismaster，orwhateverrelationhebore。`Andwhoistolookafterthehorses，eh？"
Aman"slifeisofmoreconsequencethanoneevening"sneglectofthehorses:somebodymustgo，murmuredMrsHeathcliff，morekindlythanIexpected。
`Notatyourcommand!"retortedHareton。`Ifyousetstoreonhim，you"dbetterbequiet。"
`ThenIhopehisghostwillhauntyou；andIhopeMrHeathcliffwillnevergetanothertenanttilltheGrangeisaruin!"sheansweredsharply。
`Hearken，hearken，shoo"scursingon"em!"mutteredJoseph，towardswhomIhadbeensteering。
Hesatwithinearshot，milkingthecowsbythelightofalantern，whichIseizedunceremoniously，and，callingoutthatIwouldsenditbackonthemorrow，rushedtothenearestpostern。
`Maister，maister，he"sstealingt"lantern!"shoutedtheancient，pursuingmyretreat。`Hey，Gnasher!Hey，dog!Hey，Wolf，holldhim，holldhim!"
Onopeningthelittledoor，twohairymonstersflewatmythroat，bearingmedownandextinguishingthelight；whileamingledguffawfromHeathcliffandHareton，putthecopestoneonmyrageandhumiliation。Fortunately，thebeastsseemedmorebentonstretchingtheirpawsandyawning，andflourishingtheirtails，thandevouringmealive；buttheywouldsuffernoresurrection，andIwasforcedtolietilltheirmalignantmasterpleasedtodeliverme:then，hatlessandtremblingwithwrath，Iorderedthemiscreantstoletmeout——ontheirperiltokeepmeoneminutelonger-withseveralincoherentthreatsofretaliationthat，intheirindefinitedepthofvirulency，smackedofKingLear。
Thevehemenceofmyagitationbroughtonacopiousbleedingatthenose，andstillHeathclifflaughed，andstillIscolded。Idon"tknowwhatwouldhaveconcludedthescene，hadtherenotbeenonepersonathandrathermorerationalthanmyself，andmorebenevolentthanmyentertainer。
ThiswasZillah，thestouthousewife；whoatlengthissuedforthtoinquireintothenatureoftheuproar。Shethoughtthatsomeofthemhadbeenlayingviolenthandsonme；and，notdaringtoattackhermaster，sheturnedhervocalartilleryagainsttheyoungscoundrel。
`Well，MrEarnshaw，"shecried，`Iwonderwhatyou"llhaveagaitnext!Arewegoingtomurderfolkonourverydoorstones？Iseethishousewillneverdoforme——lookatt"poorlad，he"sfairchoking!Wisht，wisht!
youmun"n"tgoonso。Comein，andI"llcurethat；therenow，holdyestill。"
Withthesewordsshesuddenlysplashedapintoficywaterdownmyneck，andpulledmeintothekitchen。MrHeathclifffollowed，hisaccidentalmerrimentexpiringquicklyinhishabitualmoroseness。
Iwassickexceedingly，anddizzyandfaint；andthuscompelledperforcetoacceptlodgingsunderhisroof。HetoldZillahtogivemeaglassofbrandy，andthenpassedontotheinnerroom；whileshecondoledwithmeonmysorrypredicament，andhavingobeyedhisorders，wherebyIwassomewhatrevived，usheredmetobed。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter3Whileleadingthewayupstairs，sherecommendedthatIshouldhidethecandle，andnotmakeanoise；forhermasterhadanoddnotionaboutthechambershewouldputmein，andneverletanybodylodgetherewillingly。
Iaskedthereason。Shedidnotknow，sheanswered:shehadonlylivedthereayearortwo；andtheyhadsomanyqueergoingson，shecouldnotbegintobecurious。
Toostupefiedtobecuriousmyself，Ifastenedmydoorandglancedroundforthebed。Thewholefurnitureconsistedofachair，aclothes-press，andalargeoakcase，withsquarescutoutnearthetopresemblingcoachwindows。HavingapproachedthisstructureIlookedinside，andperceivedittobeasingularsortofold-fashionedcouch，veryconvenientlydesignedtoobviatethenecessityforeverymemberofthefamilyhavingaroomtohimself。Infactitformedalittlecloset，andtheledgeofawindow，whichitenclosed，servedasatable。Islidbackthepanelledsides，gotinwithmylight，pulledthemtogetheragain，andfeltsecureagainstthevigilanceofHeathcliff，andeveryoneelse。
Theledge，whereIplacedmycandle，hadafewmildewedbookspiledupinonecorner；anditwascoveredwithwritingscratchedonthepaint。Thiswriting，however，wasnothingbutanamerepeatedinallkindsofcharacters，largeandsmall——CatherineEarnshaw，hereandtherevariedtoCatherineHeathcliff，andagaintoCatherineLinton。
InvapidlistlessnessIleantmyheadagainstthewindow，andcontinuedspellingoverCatherineEarnshaw——Heathcliff——Linton，tillmyeyesclosed；buttheyhadnotrestedfiveminuteswhenaglareofwhitelettersstartedfromthedarkasvividasspectres——theairswarmedwithCatherines；androusingmyselftodispeltheobtrusivename，Idiscoveredmycandlewickrecliningononeoftheantiquevolumes，andperfumingtheplacewithanodourofroastedcalfskin。Isnuffeditoff，and，veryillateaseundertheinfluenceofcoldandlingeringnausea，satupandspreadopentheinjuredtomeonmyknee。ItwasaTestament，inleantype，andsmellingdreadfullymusty:afly-leafboretheinscription——`CatherineEarnshaw，herbook"，andadatesomequarterofacenturyback。Ishutit，andtookupanother，andanother，tillIhadexaminedall。Catherine"slibrarywasselect，anditsstateofdilapidationprovedittohavebeenwellused；thoughnotaltogetherforalegitimatepurpose:scarcelyonechapterhadescapedapen-and-inkcommentary——atleast，theappearanceofone——coveringeverymorselofblankthattheprinterhadleft。Someweredetachedsentences；otherpartstooktheformofaregulardiary，scrawledinanunformedchildishhand。Atthetopofanextrapage(quiteatreasure，probably，whenfirstlightedon)IwasgreatlyamusedtobeholdanexcellentcaricatureofmyfriendJoseph，——rudely，yetpowerfullysketched。
AnimmediateinterestkindledwithinmefortheunknownCatherine，andIbeganforthwithtodecipherherfadedhieroglyphics。
`AnawfulSunday!"commencedtheparagraphbeneath。`Iwishmyfatherwerebackagain。HindleyisadetestablesubstitutehisconducttoHeathcliffisatrocious——H。andIaregoingtorebel——wetookourinitiatorystepthisevening。
`Alldayhadbeenfloodingwithrain；wecouldnotgotochurch，soJosephmustneedsgetupacongregationinthegarret；and，whileHindleyandhiswifebaskeddownstairsbeforeacomfortablefire——doinganythingbutreadingtheirBibles，I"llanswerforit——Heathcliff，myself，andtheunhappyplough-boy，werecommandedtotakeourprayerbooks，andmount:
wewererangedinarow，onasackofcorn，groaningandshivering，andhopingthatJosephwouldshivertoo，sothathemightgiveusashorthomilyforhisownsake。Avainidea!Theservicelastedpreciselythreehours；
andyetmybrotherhadthefacetoexclaim，whenhesawusdescending，"What，donealready？"OnSundayeveningsweusedtobepermittedtoplay，ifwedidnotmakemuchnoise；nowameretitterissufficienttosendusintocomers!
`"Youforgetyouhaveamasterhere，"saysthetyrant。"I"lldemolishthefirstwhoputsmeoutoftemper!Iinsistonperfectsobrietyandsilence。
Oh，boy!wasthatyou？Frances，darling，pullhishairasyougoby:I
heardhimsnaphisfingers。"Francespulledhishairheartily，andthenwentandseatedherselfonherhusband"sknee；andtheretheywere，liketwobabies，kissingandtalkingnonsensebythehour——foolishpalaverthatweshouldbeashamedof。Wemadeourselvesassnugasourmeansallowedinthearchofthedresser。Ihadjustfastenedourpinaforestogether，andhungthemupforacurtain，whenincomesJosephonanerrandfromthestables。Hetearsdownmyhandiwork，boxesmyears，andcroaks——
`"T"maisternobbutjustburied，andSabbathnuto"ered，undt"
sahnduht"gospelstilli"yerlugs，andyahdarrbelaiking!Shameonye!sityedahn，illchilder!they"sgoodbookseneughifye"llread"em!
sityedahn，andthinkuhyersowls!"
`Sayingthis，hecompelledussotosquareourpositionsthatwemightreceivefromthefar-offfireadullraytoshowusthetextofthelumberthrustuponus。Icouldnotbeartheemployment。Itookmydingyvolumebythescroop，andhurleditintothedogkennel，vowingIhatedagoodbook。Heathcliffkickedhistothesameplace。Thentherewasahubbub!
`"MaisterHindley!"shoutedourchaplain。"Maister，coomhither!
MissCathy"sriventh"backoff`Th"HelmetuhSalvation，un"Heathcliff"spawsedhisfitintuht"firstpartuh`T"BrooadWaytoDestruction!"It"sfairflaysomeutyahlet"emgoaonthisgait。Ech!th"owdmanuduhlaced"emproperly——buthe"sgoan!"
`Hindleyhurriedupfromhisparadiseonthehearth，andseizingoneofusbythecollar，andtheotherbythearm，hurledbothintothebackkitchen；where，Josephasseverated，"owdNick"wouldfetchusassureaswewereliving:and，socomforted，weeachsoughtaseparatenooktoawaithisadvent。Ireachedthisbook，andapotofinkfromashelf，andpushedthehousedoorajartogivemelight，andIhavegotthetimeonwithwritingfortwentyminutes；butmycompanionisimpatient，andproposesthatweshouldappropriatethedairywoman"scloak，andhaveascamperonthemoors，underitsshelter。Apleasantsuggestion——andthen，ifthesurlyoldmancomein，hemaybelievehisprophecyverified——wecannotbedamper，orcolder，intherainthanwearehere。"
***IsupposeCatherinefulfilledherproject，forthenextsentencetookupanothersubject:shewaxedlachrymose。
`HowlittledidIdreamthatHindleywouldevermakemecryso!"
shewrote。`Myheadaches，tillIcannotkeepitonthepillow；andstillIcan"tgiveover。PoorHeathcliff!Hindleycallshimavagabond，andwon"tlethimsitwithus，noreatwithusanymore；and，hesays，heandImustnotplaytogether，andthreatenstoturnhimoutofthehouseifwebreakhisorders。Hehasbeenblamingourfather(howdaredhe？)fortreatingH。tooliberally；andswearshewillreducehimtohisrightplace——"
***Ibegantonoddrowsilyoverthedimpage:myeyewanderedfrommanuscripttoprint，Isawaredornamentedtitle——`SeventyTimesSeven，andtheFirstoftheSeventy-First。APiousDiscoursedeliveredbytheReverendJabesBranderham，intheChapelofGimmerdenSough。"AndwhileIwas，halfconsciously，worryingmybraintoguesswhatJabesBranderhamwouldmakeofhissubject，Isankbackinbed，andfellasleep。Alas，fortheeffectsofbadteaandbadtemper!whatelsecoulditbethatmademepasssuchaterriblenight？
Idon"trememberanotherthatIcanatallcomparewithitsinceIwascapableofsuffering。
Ibegantodream，almostbeforeIceasedtobesensibleofmylocality。Ithoughtitwasmorning；andIhadsetoutonmywayhome，withJosephforaguide。Thesnowlayyardsdeepinourroad；and，asweflounderedon，mycompanionweariedmewithconstantreproachesthatIhadnotbroughtapilgrim"sstaff:tellingmethatIcouldnevergetintothehousewithoutone，andboastfullyflourishingaheavy-headedcudgel，whichIunderstoodtobesodenominated。ForamomentIconsidereditabsurdthatIshouldneedsuchaweapontogainadmittanceintomyownresidence。Thenanewideaflashedacrossme。Iwasnotgoingthere:wewerejourneyingtohearthefamousJabesBranderhampreachfromthetext——`SeventyTimesSeven"；
andeitherJoseph，thepreacher，orIhadcommittedthe`FirstoftheSeventy-First"，andweretobepubliclyexposedandexcommunicated。
Wecametothechapel。Ihavepasseditreallyinmywalks，twiceorthrice；itliesinahollow，betweentwohills；anelevatedhollow，nearaswamp，whosepeatymoistureissaidtoanswerallthepurposesofembalmingonthefewcorpsesdepositedthere。Theroofhasbeenkeptwholehitherto；butastheclergyman"sstipendisonlytwentypoundsperannum，andahousewithtworooms，threateningspeedilytodetermineintoone，noclergymanwillundertakethedutiesofpastor:especiallyasitiscurrentlyreportedthathisflockwouldratherlethimstarvethanincreasethelivingbyonepennyfromtheirownpockets。However，inmydream，Jabeshadafullandattentivecongregation；andhepreached——goodGod!whatasermon"。
dividedintofourhundredandninetyparts，eachfullyequaltoanordinaryaddressfromthepulpit，andeachdiscussingaseparatesin!Wherehesearchedforthem，Icannottell。Hehadhisprivatemannerofinterpretingthephrase，anditseemednecessarythebrothershouldsindifferentsinsoneveryoccasion。Theywereofthemostcuriouscharacter:oddtransgressionsthatIneverimaginedpreviously。
Oh，howwearyIgrew。HowIwrithed，andyawned，andnodded，andrevived!HowIpinchedandprickedmyself，andrubbedmyeyes，andstoodup，andsatdownagain，andnudgedJosephtoinformmeifhewouldeverhavedone。Iwascondemned10hearallout:finally，hereachedthe`FirstoftheSeventy-First"。Atthatcrisis，asuddeninspirationdescendedonme；IwasmovedtoriseanddenounceJabesBranderhamasthesinnerofthesinthatnoChristianneedpardon。
`Sir，"Iexclaimed，`sittingherewithinthesefourwalls，atonestretch，Ihaveenduredandforgiventhefourhundredandninetyheadsofyourdiscourse。SeventytimesseventimeshaveIpluckedupmyhatandbeenabouttodepart——seventytimesseventimeshaveyoupreposterouslyforcedmetoresumemyseat。Thefourhundredandninety-firstistoomuch。
Fellow-martyrs，haveathim!Draghimdown，andcrushhimtoatoms，thattheplacewhichknowshimmayknowhimnomore!"
`ThouarttheMan!"criesJabes，afterasolemnpause，leaningoverhiscushion。`Seventytimesseventimesdidstthougapinglycontortthyvisage——seventytimessevendidItakecounselwithmysoul——Lo，thisishumanweakness:thisalsomaybeabsolved!TheFirstoftheSeventy-Firstiscome。Brethren，executeuponhimthejudgmentwritten。SuchhonourhaveallHissaints!"
Withthatconcludingword，thewholeassembly，exaltingtheirpilgrim"sstaves，rushedroundmeinabody；andI，havingnoweapontoraiseinself-defence，commencedgrapplingwithJoseph，mynearestandmostferociousassailant，forhis。Intheconfluenceofthemultitude，severalclubscrossed；blows，aimedatme，fellonothersconces。Presentlythewholechapelresoundedwithrappingsandcounter-rappings:everyman"shandwasagainsthisneighbour；andBranderham，unwillingtoremainidle，pouredforthhiszealinashowerofloudtapsontheboardsofthepulpit，whichrespondedsosmartlythat，atlast，tomyunspeakablerelief，theywokeme。Andwhatwasitthathadsuggestedthetremendoustumult？WhathadplayedJabes"spartintherow？Merely，thebranchofafirtreethattouchedmylattice，astheblastwailedby，andrattleditsdryconesagainstthepanes!Ilisteneddoubtinglyaninstant；detectedthedisturber，thenturnedanddozed，anddreamtagain:ifpossible，stillmoredisagreeablythanbefore。
Thistime，IrememberedIwaslyingintheoakcloset，andIhearddistinctlythegustywind，andthedrivingofthesnow；Iheard，also，thefirboughrepeatitsteasingsound，andascribedittotherightcause:
butitannoyedmesomuch，thatIresolvedto——silenceit，ifpossible；
and，Ithought，Iroseandendeavouredtounhaspthecasement。Thehookwassolderedintothestaple:acircumstanceobservedbymewhenawake，butforgotten。`Imuststopit，nevertheless!"Imuttered，knockingmyknucklesthroughtheglass，andstretchinganarmouttoseizetheimportunatebranch；insteadofwhich，myfingersclosedonthefingersofalittle，ice-coldhand!Theintensehorrorofnightmarecameoverme:Itriedtodrawbackmyarm，butthehandclungtoit，andamostmelancholyvoicesobbed，`Letmein——letmein!"`Whoareyou？"Iasked，struggling，meanwhile，todisengagemyself。`CatherineLinton，"itreplied，shiveringly(whydidIthinkofLinton？IhadreadEarnshawtwentytimesforLinton)；
`I"mcomehome:I"dlostmywayonthemoor!"Asitspoke，Idiscerned，obscurely，achild"sfacelookingthroughthewindow。Terrormademecruel；
and，findingituselesstoattemptshakingthecreatureoff，Ipulleditswristontothebrokenpane，andrubbedittoandfrotillthebloodrandownandsoakedthebedclothes:stillitwailed，`Letmein!"andmaintaineditstenaciousgrip，almostmaddeningmewithfear。`HowcanI？"Isaidatlength。`Letmego，ifyouwantmetoletyouin!"Thefingersrelaxed，Isnatchedminethroughthehole，hurriedlypiledthebooksupinapyramidagainstit，andstoppedmyearstoexcludethelamentableprayer。Iseemedtokeepthemclosedaboveaquarterofanhour；yet，theinstantIlistenedagain，therewasthedolefulcrymoaningon!`Begone!"
Ishouted，`I"llneverletyouin，notifyoubegfortwentyyears。"`Itistwentyyears，"mournedthevoice:`twentyyears。I"vebeenawaiffortwentyyears!"Thereatbeganafeeblescratchingoutside，andthepileofbooksmovedasifthrustforward。Itriedtojumpup；butcouldnotstiralimb；andsoyelledaloud，inafrenzyoffright。Tomyconfusion，Idiscoveredtheyellwasnotideal:hastyfootstepsapproachedmychamberdoor；somebodypusheditopen，withavigoroushand，andalightglimmeredthroughthesquaresatthetopofthebed。Isatshudderingyet，andwipingtheperspirationfrommyforehead:theintruderappearedtohesitate，andmutteredtohimself。Atlast，hesaidinahalf-whisper，plainlynotexpectingananswer，`Isanyonehere？"Iconsidereditbesttoconfessmypresence，forIknewHeathcliff"saccents，andfearedhemightsearchfurther，ifIkeptquiet。Withthisintention，Iturnedandopenedthepanels。Ishallnotsoonforgettheeffectmyactionproduced。