第4章

`Youshallnotmeddlewithhim!"Icontinued。`Hehatesyou——theyallhateyou——that"sthetruth!Ahappyfamilyyouhave:andaprettystateyou"recometo!"

`Ishallcometoaprettier，yet，Nelly，"laughedthemisguidedman，recoveringhishardness。`Atpresent，conveyyourselfandhimaway。

And，harkyou，Heathcliff!clearyoutoo，quitefrommyreachandhearing。

Iwouldn"tmurderyoutonight；unless，perhaps，Isetthehouseonfire:

butthat"sasmyfancygoes。

Whilesayingthishetookapintbottleofbrandyfromthedresser，andpouredsomeintoatumbler。

`Nay，don"t!"Ientreated。`MrHindley，dotakewarning。Havemercyonthisunfortunateboy，ifyoucarenothingforyourself!"

`AnyonewilldobetterforhimthanIshall，"heanswered。

`Havemercyonyourownsoul!"Isaid，endeavouringtosnatchtheglassfromhishand。

`NotI!Onthecontrary，IshallhavegreatpleasureinsendingittoperditiontopunishitsMaker，"exclaimedtheblasphemer。`Here"stoitsheartydamnation!"

Hedrankthespiritsandimpatientlybadeusgo；terminatinghiscommandwithasequelofhorridimprecations，toobadtorepeatorremember。

`It"sapityhecannotkillhimselfwithdrink，"observedHeathcliff，mutteringanechoofcursesbackwhenthedoorwasshut。`He"sdoinghisveryutmost；buthisconstitutiondefieshim。MrKennethsayshewouldwagerhismare，thathe"lloutliveanymanonthissideGimmerton，andgotothegraveahoarysinner；unlesssomehappychanceoutofthecommoncoursebefallhim。"

Iwentintothekitchen，andsatdowntolullmylittlelambtosleep。Heathcliff，asIthought，walkedthroughtothebarn。Itturnedoutafterwardsthatheonlygotasfarastheothersidethesettle，whenheflunghimselfonabenchbythewall，removedfromthefire，andremainedsilent。

IwasrockingHaretononmyknee，andhummingasongthatbegan:

Itwasfarinthenight，andthebairniesgrat，Themitherbeneaththemoolsheardthat——whenMissCathy，whohadlistenedtothehubbubfromherroom，putherheadin，andwhispered:

`Areyoualone，Nelly？"

`Yes，miss，"Ireplied。

Sheenteredandapproachedthehearth。I，supposingshewasgoingtosaysomething，lookedup。Theexpressionofherfaceseemeddisturbedandanxious。Herlipswerehalfasunder，asifshemeanttospeak，andshedrewabreath；butitescapedinasighinsteadofasentence。Iresumedmysong；nothavingforgottenherrecentbehaviour。

`Where"sHeathcliff？"shesaid，interruptingme。

`Abouthisworkinthestable，"wasmyanswer。

Hedidnotcontradictme；perhapshehadfallenintoadoze。Therefollowedanotherlongpause，duringwhichIperceivedadroportwotricklefromCatherine"scheektotheflags。Isshesorryforhershamefulconduct？

Iaskedmyself。Thatwillbeanovelty:butshemaycometothepointasshewill——Ishan"thelpher!No，shefeltsmalltroubleregardinganysubject，saveherownconcerns。

`Oh，dear!"shecriedatlast。`I"mveryunhappy!"

`Apity，"observedI。`You"rehardtoplease:somanyfriendsandsofewcares，andcan"tmakeyourselfcontent!"

`Nelly，willyoukeepasecretforme？"shepursued，kneelingdownbyme，andliftingherwinsomeeyestomyfacewiththatsortoflookwhichturnsoffbadtemper，evenwhenonehasalltherightintheworldtoindulgeit。

`Isitworthkeeping？"Iinquired，lesssulkily。

`Yes，anditworriesme，andImustletitout!IwanttoknowwhatIshoulddo。Today，EdgarLintonhasaskedmetomarryhim，andI"vegivenhimananswer。Now，beforeItellyouwhetheritwasaconsentordenial，youtellmewhichitoughttohavebeen。"

`Really，MissCatherine，howcanIknow？"Ireplied。`Tobesure，consideringtheexhibitionyouperformedinhispresencethisafternoon，Imightsayitwouldbewisetorefusehim:sinceheaskedyouafterthat，hemusteitherbehopelesslystupidoraventuresomefool。"

`Ifyoutalkso，Iwon"ttellyouanymore，"shereturnedpeevishly，risingtoherfeet。`Iacceptedhim，Nelly。Bequick，andsaywhetherI

waswrong!"

`Youacceptedhim!thenwhatgoodisitdiscussingthematter？

Youhavepledgedyourword，andcannotretract。"

`But，saywhetherIshouldhavedoneso——do!"sheexclaimedinanirritatedtone；chafingherhandstogether，andfrowning。

`Therearemanythingstobeconsideredbeforethatquestioncanbeansweredproperly，"Isaidsententiously。`Firstandfore-most，doyouloveMrEdgar？"

`Whocanhelpit？OfcourseIdo，"sheanswered。

ThenIputherthroughthefollowingcatechism:foragirloftwenty-twoitwasnotinjudicious。

`Whydoyoulovehim，MissCathy？"

`Nonsense，Ido——that"ssufficient。"

`Bynomeans；youmustsaywhy？"

`Well，becauseheishandsome，andpleasanttobewith。"

`Bad!"wasmycommentary。

`Andbecauseheisyoungandcheerful。"

`Bad，still。"

`Andbecausehelovesme。"

`Indifferent，comingthere。"

`Andhewillberich，andIshallliketobethegreatestwomanoftheneighbourhood，andIshallbeproudofhavingsuchahusband。"

`Worstofall。Andnow，sayhowyoulovehim？"

`Aseverybodyloves——You"resilly，Nelly。"

`Notatall——Answer。"

`Ilovethegroundunderhisfeet，andtheairoverhishead，andeverythinghetouches，andeverywordhesays。Iloveallhislooks，andallhisactions，andhimentirelyandaltogether。Therenow!"

`Andwhy？"

`Nay；youaremakingajestofit；itisexceedinglyill-natured!It"snojesttome!"saidtheyounglady，scowling，andturningherfacetothefire。

`I"mveryfarfromjesting，MissCatherine，"Ireplied。`YouloveMrEdgarbecauseheishandsome，andyoung，andcheerful，andrich，andlovesyou。Thelast，however，goesfornothing:youwouldlovehimwithoutthat，probably；andwithityouwouldn"t，unlesshepossessedthefourformerattractions。"

`No，tobesurenot:Ishouldonlypityhim——hatehim，perhaps，ifhewereugly，andaclown。"

`Butthereareseveralotherhandsome，richyoungmenintheworld:

handsomer，possibly，andricherthanheis。Whatshouldhinderyoufromlovingthem？"

`Iftherebeany，theyareoutofmyway!I"veseennonelikeEdgar。"

`Youmayseesome；andhewon"talwaysbehandsome，andyoung，andmaynotalwaysberich。"

`Heisnow；andIhaveonlytodowiththepresent。Iwishyouwouldspeakrationally。"

`Well，thatsettlesit:ifyouhaveonlytodowiththepresent，marryMrLinton。"

`Idon"twantyourpermissionforthat——Ishallmarryhim:

andyetyouhavenottoldmewhetherI"mright。"

`Perfectlyright；ifpeopleberighttomarryonlyforthepresent。

Andnow，letushearwhatyouareunhappyabout。Yourbrotherwillbepleased；

theoldladyandgentlemanwillnotobject，Ithink；youwillescapefromadisorderly，comfortlesshomeintoawealthy，respectableone；andyouloveEdgar，andEdgarlovesyou。Allseemssmoothandeasy:whereistheobstacle？"

`Here!andhere!"repliedCatherine，strikingonehandonherforehead，andtheotheronherbreast:`inwhicheverplacethesoullives。Inmysoulandinmyheart，I"mconvincedI"mwrong!"

`That"sverystrange!Icannotmakeitout。"

`It"smysecret。Butifyouwillnotmockatme，I"llexplainit:Ican"tdoitdistinctly:butI"llgiveyouafeelingofhowIfeel。"

Sheseatedherselfbymeagain:hercountenancegrewsadderandgraver，andherclaspedhandstrembled。

`Nelly，doyouneverdreamqueerdreams？"shesaid，suddenly，aftersomeminutes"reflection。

`Yes，nowandthen，"Ianswered。

`AndsodoI。I"vedreamtinmylifedreamsthathavestayedwithmeeverafter，andchangedmyideas:they"vegonethroughandthroughme，likewinethroughwater，andalteredthecolourofmymind。Andthisisone；I"mgoingtotellit——buttakecarenottosmileatanypartofit。"

`Oh!don"t，MissCatherine!"Icried。`We"redismalenoughwithoutconjuringupghostsandvisionstoperplexus。Come，come，bemerryandlikeyourself!LookatlittleHareton!he"sdreamingnothingdreary。Howsweetlyhesmilesinhissleep!"

`Yes；andhowsweetlyhisfathercursesinhissolitude!Yourememberhim，Idaresay，whenhewasjustsuchanotherasthatchubbything:nearlyasyoungandinnocent。However，Nelly，Ishallobligeyoutolisten:it"snotlong；andI"venopowertobemerrytonight。"

`Iwon"thearit，Iwon"thearit!"Irepeatedhastily。

Iwassuperstitiousaboutdreamsthen，andamstill；andCatherinehadanunusualgloominheraspect，thatmademedreadsomethingfromwhichImightshapeaprophecy，andforeseeafearfulcatastrophe。Shewasvexed，butshedidnotproceed。Apparentlytakingupanothersubject，sherecommencedinashorttime。

`IfIwereinheaven，Nelly，Ishouldbeextremelymiserable。"

`Becauseyouarenotfittogothere，"，Ianswered。`Allsinnerswouldbemiserableinheaven。"

`Butitisnotforthat。IdreamtoncethatIwasthere。"

`ItellyouIwon"thearkentoyourdreams，MissCatherine!I"llgotobed，"Iinterruptedagain。

Shelaughed，andheldmedown；forImadeamotiontoleavemychair。

`Thisisnothing，"criedshe:`Iwasonlygoingtosaythatheavendidnotseemtobemyhome；andIbrokemyheartwithweepingtocomebacktoearth；andtheangelsweresoangrythattheyflungmeoutintothemiddleoftheheathonthetopofWutheringHeights；whereIwokesobbingforjoy。Thatwilldotoexplainmysecret，aswellastheother。I"venomorebusinesstomarryEdgarLintonthanIhavetobeinheaven；andifthewickedmanintherehadnotbroughtHeathcliffsolow，Ishouldn"thavethoughtofit。ItwoulddegrademetomarryHeathcliffnow；soheshallneverknowhowIlovehim:andthat，notbecausehe"shandsome，Nelly，butbecausehe"smoremyselfthanIam。Whateveroursoulsaremadeof，hisandminearethesame；andLinton"sisasdifferentasamoonbeamfromlightning，orfrostfromfire。"

Erethisspeechended，IbecamesensibleofHeathcliff"spresence。

Havingnoticedaslightmovement，Iturnedmyhead，andsawhimrisefromthebench，andstealoutnoiselessly。HehadlistenedtillheheardCatherinesayitwoulddegradehertomarryhim，andthenhestayedtohearnofurther。

Mycompanion，sittingontheground，waspreventedbythebackofthesettlefromremarkinghispresenceordeparture；butIstarted，andbadeherhush!

`Why？"sheasked，gazingnervouslyround。

`Josephishere，"Ianswered，catchingopportunelytherollofhiscart-wheelsuptheroad；`andHeathcliffwillcomeinwithhim。I"mnotsurewhetherhewerenotatthedoorthismoment。"

`Oh，hecouldn"toverhearmeatthedoor!"saidshe。`GivemeHareton，whileyougetthesupper，andwhenitisreadyaskmetosupwithyou。Iwanttocheatmyuncomfortableconscience，andbeconvincedthatHeathcliffhasnonotionofthesethings。Hehasnot，hashe？Hedoesnotknowwhatbeinginloveis？"

`Iseenoreasonthatheshouldnotknow，aswellasyou，"Ireturned；

`andifyouarehischoice，hewillbethemostunfortunatecreaturethateverwasborn!AssoonasyoubecomeMrsLinton，helosesfriend，andlove，andall!Haveyouconsideredhowyou"llbeartheseparation，andhowhe"llbedesertedintheworld？Because，MissCatherine——"

`Hequitedeserted!weseparated!"sheexclaimed，withanaccentofindignation。`Whoistoseparateus，pray？They"llmeetthefateofMilo!NotaslongasIlive，Ellen:fornomortalcreature。EveryLintononthefaceoftheearthmightmeltintonothing，beforeIcouldconsenttoforsakeHeathcliff。Oh，that"snotwhatIintend——that"snotwhatI

mean!Ishouldn"tbeMrsLintonweresuchapricedemanded!He"llbeasmuchtomeashehasbeenallhislifetime。Edgarmustshakeoffhisantipathy，andtoleratehim，atleast。Hewill，whenhelearnsmytruefeelingstowardshim。Nelly，Iseenow，youthinkmeaselfishwretch；butdiditneverstrikeyouthatifHeathcliffandImarried，weshouldbebeggars？whereas，ifImarryLinton，IcanaidHeathclifftorise，andplacehimoutofmybrother"spower。"

`Withyourhusband"smoney，MissCatherine？"Iasked。`You"llfindhimnotsopliableasyoucalculateupon:and，thoughI"mhardlyajudge，Ithinkthat"stheworstmotiveyou"vegivenyetforbeingthewifeofyoungLinton。"

`Itisnot，"retortedshe；`itisthebest!Theotherswerethesatisfactionofmywhims:andforEdgar"ssake，too，tosatisfyhim。ThisisforthesakeofonewhocomprehendsinhispersonmyfeelingstoEdgarandmyself。Icannotexpressit；butsurelyyouandeverybodyhaveanotionthatthereisorshouldbeanexistenceofyoursbeyondyou。Whatweretheuseofmycreation，ifIwereentirelycontainedhere？MygreatmiseriesinthisworldhavebeenHeathcliff"smiseries，andIwatchedandfelteachfromthebeginning:mygreatthoughtinlivingishimself。Ifallelseperished，andheremained，Ishouldstillcontinuetobe；andifallelseremained，andhewereannihilated，theuniversewouldturntoamightystranger:Ishouldnotseemapartofit。MyloveforLintonislikethefoliageinthewoods:timewillchangeit，I"mwellaware，aswinterchangesthetrees。MyloveforHeathcliffresemblestheeternalrocksbeneath:

asourceoflittlevisibledelight，butnecessary。Nelly，IamHeathcliff!

He"salways，alwaysinmymind:notasapleasure，anymorethanIamalwaysapleasuretomyself，butasmyownbeing。Sodon"ttalkofourseparationagain:itisimpracticable；and——"

Shepaused，andhidherfaceinthefoldsofmygown；butIjerkeditforciblyaway。Iwasoutofpatiencewithherfolly!

`IfIcanmakeanysenseofyournonsense，miss，"Isaid，`itonlygoestoconvincemethatyouareignorantofthedutiesyouundertakeinmarrying；orelsethatyouareawicked，unprincipledgirl。Buttroublemewithnomoresecrets:I"llnotpromisetokeepthem。"

`You"llkeepthat？"sheaskedeagerly。

`No，I"llnotpromise，"Irepeated。

Shewasabouttoinsist，whentheentranceofJosephfinishedourconversation；andCatherineremovedherseattoacorner，andnursedHareton，whileImadethesupper。Afteritwascooked，myfellow-servantandIbegantoquarrelwhoshouldcarrysometoMrHindley；andwedidn"tsettleittillallwasnearlycold。Thenwecametotheagreementthatwewouldlethimask，ifhewantedany；forwefearedparticularlytogointohispresencewhenhehadbeensometimealone。

`Undhahisn"tthatnowtcomedinfroughth"field，bethistime？

Whatisheabaht？girteedleseeght!"demandedtheoldman，lookingroundforHeathcliff。

`I"llcallhim，"Ireplied。`He"sinthebarn，I"venodoubt。"

Iwentandcalled，butgotnoanswer。Onreturning，IwhisperedtoCatherinethathehadheardagoodpartofwhatshesaid，Iwassure；

andtoldhowIsawhimquitthekitchenjustasshecomplainedofherbrother"sconductregardinghim。Shejumpedupinafinefright，flungHaretonontothesettle，andrantoseekforherfriendherself；nottakingleisuretoconsiderwhyshewassoflurried，orhowhertalkwouldhaveaffectedhim。ShewasabsentsuchawhilethatJosephproposedweshouldwaitnolonger。Hecunninglyconjecturedtheywerestayingawayinordertoavoidhearinghisprotractedblessing。Theywere`illeneughforonyfahlmanners"，heaffirmed。Andontheirbehalfheaddedthatnightaspecialprayertotheusualquarterofanhour"ssupplicationbeforemeat，andwouldhavetackedanothertotheendofthegrace，hadnothisyoungmistressbrokeninuponhimwithahurriedcommandthathemustrundowntheroad，andwhereverHeathcliffhadrambled，findandmakehimre-enterdirectly!

`Iwanttospeaktohim，andImust，beforeIgoupstairs，"

shesaid。`Andthegateisopen:heissomewhereoutofhearing；forhewouldnotreply，thoughIshoutedatthetopofthefoldasloudasIcould。"

Josephobjectedatfirst；shewastoomuchinearnest，however，tosuffercontradiction；andatlastheplacedhishatonhishead，andwalkedgrumblingforth。Meantime，Catherinepacedupanddownthefloor，exclaiming:

`Iwonderwhereheis——Iwonderwherehecanbe？WhatdidIsay，Nelly？I"veforgotten。Washevexedatmybadhumourthisafternoon？

Dear!tellmewhatI"vesaidtogrievehim？Idowishhe"dcome。Idowishhewould!"

`Whatanoisefornothing!"Icried，thoughratheruneasymyself。

`Whatatriflescaresyou!It"ssurelynogreatcauseofalarmthatHeathcliffshouldtakeamoonlightsaunteronthemoors，orevenlietoosulkytospeaktousinthehay-loft。I"llengagehe"slurkingthere。SeeifIdon"tferrethimout!"

Idepartedtorenewmysearch；itsresultwasdisappointment，andJoseph"squestendedinthesame。

`Yonladsgetswarunwar!"observedheonre-entering。`He"sleftth"yateutt"fullswing，andMiss"sponyhastroddendahntworigsuhcorn，unplotteredthrough，raighto"erintuht"meadow!Hahsomdiver，t"maister"ullplayt"deviltomorn，andhe"lldoweel。He"spatienceitsselnwi"sichcareless，offaldcraters——patienceitsselnheis!Budhe"llnutbesoaallus——yah"ssee，allonye!Yahmum"ntdrivehimahtufhisheeadfornowt!"

`HaveyoufoundHeathcliff，youass？"interruptedCatherine。`Haveyoubeenlookingforhim，asIordered？"

`Awsudmorelikkerlookforth"horse，"hereplied。`It"udbetuhmoresense。Bud，Awcanlookfornortherhorsenurmanufaneeghtloikethis——asblackast"chimbley!undHathecliff"snoant"chaptocoomatmawwhistle——happenhe"llbelessharduhhearingwi"ye!"

Itwasaverydarkeveningforsummer:thecloudsappearedinclinedtothunder，andIsaidwehadbetterallsitdown；theapproachingrainwouldbecertaintobringhimhomewithoutfurthertrouble。However，Catherinewouldnotbepersuadedintotranquillity。Shekeptwanderingtoandfro，fromthegatetothedoor，inastateofagitationwhichpermittednorepose；andatlengthtookupapermanentsituationononesideofthewall，neartheroad:where，heedlessofmyexpostulationsandthegrowlingthunder，andthegreatdropsthatbegantoplasharoundher，sheremained，callingatintervals，andthenlistening，andthencryingoutright。ShebeatHareton，oranychild，atagoodpassionatefitofcrying。

Aboutmidnight，whilewestillsatup，thestormcamerattlingovertheHeightsinfullfury。Therewasaviolentwind，aswellasthunder，andeitheroneortheothersplitatreeoffatthecornerofthebuilding:

ahugeboughfellacrosstheroof，andknockeddownaportionoftheeastchimney-stack，sendingaclatterofstonesandsootintothekitchenfire。

Wethoughtabolthadfalleninthemiddleofus；andJosephswungontohiskneesbeseechingtheLordtorememberthepatriarchsNoahandLot，and，asinformertimes，sparetherighteous，thoughHesmotetheungodly。

Ifeltsomesentimentthatitmustbeajudgmentonusalso。TheJonah，inmymind，wasMrEarnshaw；andIshookthehandleofhisdenthatImightascertainifhewereyetliving。Herepliedaudiblyenough，inafashionwhichmademycompanionvociferate，moreclamorouslythanbefore，thatawidedistinctionmightbedrawnbetweensaintslikehimselfandsinnerslikehismaster。Buttheuproarpassedawayintwentyminutes，leavingusallunharmed；exceptingCathy，whogotthoroughlydrenchedforherobstinacyinrefusingtotakeshelter，andstandingbonnetlessandshawl-lesstocatchasmuchwaterasshecouldwithherhairandclothes。Shecameinandlaydownonthesettle，allsoakedasshewas，turningherfacetotheback，andputtingherhandsbeforeit。

`Well，miss!"Iexclaimed，touchinghershoulder；`youarenotbentongettingyourdeath，areyou？Doyouknowwhato"clockitis？Halfpasttwelve。Come，cometobed!there"snousewaitinglongeronthatfoolishboy:he"llbegonetoGimmetton，andhe"llstaytherenow。Heguessesweshouldn"twaitforhimtillthislatehour:atleast，heguessesthatonlyMrHindleywouldbeup；andhe"dratheravoidhavingthedooropenedbythemaster。

`Nay，nay，he"snoanatGimmerton，"saidJoseph。`Aw"sniverwonder，budhe"satt"bothomufabog-hoile。Thisvisitationworn"tfornowt，andIwodhevyetolookout，miss——yahmuhbet"next。ThankHivenforall!Allwarkstogitherforgooidtothemasischozzen，andpikedoutfro"th"rubbidge!Yahknawwhett"Scriptureses。"Andhebeganquotingseveraltexts，referringustothechaptersandverseswherewemightfindthem。

I，havingvainlybeggedthewilfulgirltoriseandremoveherwetthings，lefthimpreachingandhershivering，andbetookmyselftobedwithlittleHareton，whosleptasfastasifeveryonehadbeensleepingroundhim。IheardJosephreadonawhileafterwards；thenIdistinguishedhisslowstepontheladder，andthenIdroppedasleep。

Comingdownsomewhatlaterthanusual，Isaw，bythesunbeamspiercingthechinksoftheshutters，MissCatherinestillseatednearthefireplace。Thehousedoorwasajar，too；lightenteredfromitsunclosedwindows；Hindleyhadcomeout，andstoodonthekitchenhearth，haggardanddrowsy。

`Whatailsyou，Cathy？"hewassayingwhenIentered:`youlookasdismalasadrownedwhelp。Whyareyousodampandpale，child？"

`I"vebeenwet，"sheansweredreluctantly"`andI"mcold，that"sall。"

`Oh，sheisnaughty!"Icried，perceivingthemastertobetolerablysober。`Shegotsteepedintheshowerofyesterdayevening，andthereshehassatthenightthrough，andIcouldn"tprevailonhertostir。"

MrEarnshawstaredatusinsurprise。`Thenightthrough，"herepeated。`Whatkeptherup？notfearofthethunder，surely？Thatwasoverhourssince。"

NeitherofuswishedtomentionHeathcliff"sabsence，aslongaswecouldconcealit；soIreplied，Ididn"tknowhowshetookitintoherheadtositup；andshesaidnothing。Themorningwasfreshandcool；

Ithrewbackthelattice，andpresentlytheroomfilledwithsweetscentsfromthegarden；butCatherinecalledpeevishlytome，`Ellen，shutthewindow。I"mstarving!"Andherteethchatteredassheshrunkclosertothealmostextinguishedembers。

`She"sill，"saidHindley，takingherwrist；`Isupposethat"sthereasonshewouldnotgotobed。Damnit!Idon"twanttobetroubledwithmoresicknesshere。Whattookyouintotherain!"

`Runningaftert"lads，asusuald!"croakedJoseph，catchinganopportunity，fromourhesitation，tothrustinhiseviltongue。`IfIwaryah，maister，I"djustslamt"boardsi"theirfacesallon"em，gentleandsimple!Neveradayutyah"reoff，butyoncato"Lintoncomessneakinghither；andMissNelly，shoo"safinelass!shoositswatchingforyei"

t"kitchen；andasyah"reinatonedoor，he"soutatt"other；and，then，wergrandladygoesacoortingofherside!It"sbonnybehaviour，lurkingamangt"fields，aftertwelveo"t"night，wi"thatfahl，flaysomedivilofagipsy，Heathcliff!TheythinkI"mblind；butI"mnoan:nowtutt"soart!——IseedyoungLintonboathcomingandgoing，andIseedyah"

(directinghisdiscoursetome)，`yahgooidfurnowt，slattenlywitch!

nipupandboltintoth"house，t"minuteyahheardt"maister"shorsefitclatterupt"road。"

`Silence，eavesdropper!"criedCatherine；`noneofyourinsolencebeforeme!EdgarLintoncameyesterdaybychance，Hindley；anditwasIwhotoldhimtobeoff:becauseIknewyouwouldnotliketohavemethimasyouwere。

`Youlie，Cathy，nodoubt，"answeredherbrother，`andyouareaconfoundedsimpleton!ButnevermindLintonatpresent:tellme，wereyounotwithHeathclifflastnight？Speakthetruth，now。Youneednotbeafraidofharminghim:thoughIhatehimasmuchasever，hedidmeagoodturnashorttimesince，thatwillmakemyconsciencetenderofbreakinghisneck。Topreventit，Ishallsendhimabouthisbusiness，thisverymorning；andafterhe"sgone，I"dadviseyoualltolooksharp:

Ishallonlyhavethemorehumourforyou。

`IneversawHeathclifflastnight，"answeredCatherine，beginningtosobbitterly:`andifyoudoturnhimoutofdoors，I"llgowithhim。

But，perhaps，you"llneverhaveanopportunity:perhapshe"sgone。"Heresheburstintouncontrollablegrief，andtheremainderofherwordswereinarticulate。

Hindleylavishedonheratorrentofscornfulabuse，andbadehergettoherroomimmediately，orsheshouldn"tcryfornothing!Iobligedhertoobey；andIshallneverforgetwhatascenesheactedwhenwereachedherchamber:itterrifiedme。Ithoughtshewasgoingmad，andIbeggedJosephtorunforthedoctor。Itprovedthecommencementofdelirium:MrKenneth，assoonashesawher，pronouncedherdangerouslyill；shehadafever。Hebledher，andhetoldmetoletherliveonwheyandwatergruel，andtakecareshedidnotthrowherselfdownstairsoroutofthewindow；andthenheleft:forhehadenoughtodointheparish，wheretwoorthreemileswastheordinarydistancebetweencottageandcottage。

ThoughIcannotsayImadeagentlenurse，andJosephandthemasterwerenobetter；andthoughourpatientwasaswearisomeandheadstrongasapatientcouldbe，sheweathereditthrough。OldMrsLintonpaidusseveralvisits，tobesure，andsetthingstorights，andscoldedandorderedusall；andwhenCatherinewasconvalescent，sheinsistedonconveyinghertoThrushcrossGrange:forwhichdeliverancewewereverygrateful。

Butthepoordamehadreasontorepentofherkindness:sheandherhusbandbothtookthefever，anddiedwithinafewdaysofeachother。

Ouryoungladyreturnedtous，saucierandmorepassionate，andhaughtierthanever。Heathcliffhadneverbeenheardofsincetheeveningofthethunder-storm；andonedayIhadthemisfortune，whenshehadprovokedmeexceedingly，tolaytheblameofhisdisappearanceonher:whereindeeditbelonged，asshewellknew。Fromthatperiod，forseveralmonths，sheceasedtoholdanycommunicationwithme，saveintherelationofamereservant。Josephfellunderabanalso:hewouldspeakhismind，andlectureherallthesameasifshewerealittlegirl；andsheesteemedherselfawoman，andourmistress，andthoughtthatherrecentillnessgaveheraclaimtobetreatedwithconsideration。Thenthedoctorhadsaidthatshewouldnotbearcrossingmuch；sheoughttohaveherownway；

anditwasnothinglessthanmurderinhereyesforanyonetopresumetostandupandcontradicther。FromMrEarnshawandhiscompanionsshekeptaloof；andtutoredbyKenneth，andseriousthreatsofafitthatoftenattendedherrages，herbrotherallowedherwhatevershepleasedtodemand，andgenerallyavoidedaggravatingherfierytemper。Hewasrathertooindulgentinhumouringhercaprices；notfromaffection，butfrompride:

hewishedearnestlytoseeherbringhonourtothefamilybyanalliancewiththeLintons，andaslongasshelet。himaloneshemighttrampleuslikeslaves，foraughthecared!EdgarLinton，asmultitudeshavebeenbeforeandwillbeafterhim，wasinfatuated；andbelievedhimselfth，ehappiestmanaliveonthedayheledhertoGimmertonChapel，threeyearssubsequenttohisfather"sdeath。

Muchagainstmyinclination，IwaspersuadedtoleaveWutheringHeightsandaccompanyherhere。LittleHaretonwasnearlyfiveyearsold，andIhadjustbeguntoteachhimhisletters。Wemadeasadparting；butCatherine"stearsweremorepowerfulthanours。WhenIrefusedtogo，andwhenshefoundherentreatiesdidnotmoveme，shewentlamentingtoherhusbandandbrother。Theformerofferedmemunificentwages；thelatterorderedmetopackup:hewantednowomeninthehouse，hesaid，nowthattherewasnomistress；andastoHareton，thecurateshouldtakehiminhand，byandby。AndsoIhadbutonechoiceleft:todoasIwasordered。

Itoldthemasterhegotridofalldecentpeopleonlytoruntoruinalittlefaster；IkissedHaretongoodbye；andsincethenhehasbeenastranger:

andit"sveryqueertothinkit，butI"venodoubthehascompletelyforgottenallaboutEllenDean，andthathewasevermorethanalltheworldtoher，andshetohim!

Atthispointofthehousekeeper"sstory，shechancedtoglancetowardsthetimepieceoverthechimney；andwasinamazementonseeingtheminutehandmeasurehalfpastone。Shewouldnothearofstayingasecondlonger:intruth，Ifeltratherdisposedtodeferthesequelofhernarrative，myself。Andnowthatsheisvanishedtoherrest，andI

havemeditatedforanotherhourortwo，Ishallsummoncouragetogo，also，inspiteofachinglazinessofheadandlimbs。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter10Acharmingintroductiontoahermit"slife!Fourweeks"torture，tossing，andsickness!Oh!thesebleakwindsandbitternorthernskies，andimpassableroads，anddilatorycountrysurgeons!And，oh，thisdearthofthehumanphysiognomy!and，worsethanall，theterribleintimationofKenneththatIneednotexpecttobeoutofdoorstillspring!

MrHeathcliffhasjusthonouredmewithacallsAboutsevendaysagohesentmeabraceofgrouse——thelastoftheseason。Scoundrel!Heisnotaltogetherguiltlessinthisillnessofmine；andthatIhadagreatmindtotellhim。But，alas!howcouldIoffendamanwhowascharitableenoughtositatmybedsideagoodhour，andtalkonsomeothersubjectthanpillsanddraughts，blistersandleeches？Thisisquiteaneasyinterval。

Iamtooweaktoread；yetIfeelasifIcouldenjoysomethinginteresting。

WhynothaveupMrsDeantofinishhertale？Icanrecollectitschiefincidentsasfarasshehadgone。Yes:Irememberherherohadrunoff，andneverbeenheardofforthreeyears；andtheheroinewasmarried。I"llring:she"llbedelightedtofindmecapableoftalkingcheerfully。MrsDeancame。

`Itwantstwentyminutes，sir，totakingthemedicine，"shecommenced。

`Away，awaywithit!"Ireplied；`Idesiretohave——"

`Thedoctorsaysyoumustdropthepowders。"

`Withallmyheart!Don"tinterruptme。Comeandtakeyourseathere。Keepyourfingersfromthatbitterphalanxofvials。Drawyourknittingoutofyourpocket——thatwilldo——nowcontinuethehistoryofMrHeathcliff，fromwhereyouleftoff，tothepresentday。DidhefinishhiseducationontheContinent，andcomebackagentleman？or。didhegetasizar"splaceatcollege，orescapetoAmerica，andearnhonoursbydrawingbloodfromhisfoster-country？ormakeafortunemorepromptlyontheEnglishhighways？"

`Hemayhavedonealittleinallthesevocations，MrLockwood；

butIcouldn"tgivemywordforany。IstatedbeforethatIdidn"tknowhowhegainedhismoney；neitheramIawareofthemeanshetooktoraisehismindfromthesavageignoranceintowhichitwassunk:but，withyourleave，I"llproceedinmyownfashion，ifyouthinkitwillamuseandnotwearyyou。Areyoufeelingbetterthismorning？"

`Much。"

`That"sgoodnews。IgotMissCatherineandmyselftoThrushcrossGrange；and，tomyagreeabledisappointment，shebehavedinfinitelybetterthanIdaredexpect。SheseemedalmostoverfondofMrLinton；andeventohissistersheshowedplentyofaffection。Theywerebothveryattentivetohercomfort，certainly。Itwasnotthethornbendingtothehoneysuckles，butthehoneysucklesembracingthethorn。Therewerenomutualconcessions；

onestooderect，andtheothersyielded:andwhocanbeill-naturedandbad-temperedwhentheyencounterneitheroppositionnorindifference？I

observedthatMrEdgarhadadeeprootedfearofrufflingherhumour。Heconcealeditfromher；butifeverheheardmeanswersharply，orsawanyotherservantgrowcloudyatsomeimperiousorderofhers，hewouldshowhistroublebyafrownofdispleasurethatneverdarkenedonhisownaccount。

Hemanyatimespokesternlytomeaboutmypertness；andaverredthatthestabofaknifecouldnotinflictaworsepangthanhesufferedatseeinghisladyvexed。Nottogrieveakindmaster，Ilearnedtobelesstouchy；and，forthespaceofhalfayear，thegunpowderlayasharmlessassand，becausenofirecameneartoexplodeit。Catherinehadseasonsofgloomandsilencenowandthen:theywererespectedwithsympathizingsilencebyherhusband，whoascribedthemtoanalterationinherconstitution，producedbyherperilousillness；asshewasneversubjecttodepressionofspiritsbefore。Thereturnofsunshinewaswelcomedbyansweringsunshinefromhim。IbelieveImayassertthattheywerereallyinpossessionofdeepandgrowinghappiness。

Itended。Well，wemustbeforourselvesinthelongrun；

themildandgenerousareonlymorejustlyselfishthanthedomineering；

anditendedwhencircumstancescausedeachtofeelthattheonesinterestwasnotthechiefconsiderationintheother"sthoughts。OnamelloweveninginSeptember，IwascomingfromthegardenwithaheavybasketofappleswhichIhadbeengathering。Ithadgotdusk，andthemoonlookedoverthehighwallofthecourt，causingundefinedshadowstolurkinthecornersofthenumerousprojectingportionsofthebuilding。Isetmyburdenonthehousestepsbythekitchendoor，andlingeredtorest，anddrewinafewmorebreathsofthesoft，sweetair；myeyeswereonthemoon，andmybacktotheentrance，whenIheardavoicebehindmesay——

`Nelly，isthatyou？"

Itwasadeepvoice，andforeignintone；yettherewassomethinginthemannerofpronouncingmynamewhichmadeitsoundfamiliar。Iturnedabouttodiscoverwhospoke，fearfully；forthedoorswereshut，andI

hadseennobodyonapproachingthesteps。Somethingstirredintheporch；

and，movingnearer，Idistinguishedatallmandressedindarkclothes，withdarkfaceandhair。Heleantagainsttheside，andheldhisfingersonthelatchasifintendingtoopenforhimself。`Whocanitbe？"Ithought。

`MrEarnshaw？Oh，no!Thevoicehasnoresemblancetohis。"

`Ihavewaitedhereanhour，"heresumed，whileIcontinuedstaring；

`andthewholeofthattimeallroundhasbeenasstillasdeath。Idarednotenter。Youdonotknowme？Look，I"mnotastranger!"

Arayfellonhisfeatures；thecheeksweresallow，andhalfcoveredwithblackwhiskers；thebrowslowering，theeyesdeepsetandsingular。

Irememberedtheeyes。

`What!"Icried，uncertainwhethertoregardhimasaworldlyvisitor，andIraisedmyhandsinamazement。What!youcomeback？Isitreallyyou？Isit？"

`Yes，Heathcliff，"hereplied，glancingfrommeuptothewindows，whichreflectedascoreofglitteringmoons，butshowednolightsfromwithin。`Aretheyathome？whereisshe？Nelly，youarenotglad!youneedn"tbesodisturbed。Isshehere？Speak!Iwanttohaveonewordwithher——yourmistress。Go，andsaysomepersonfromGimmertondesirestoseeher。"

`Howwillshetakeit？"Iexclaimed。`Whatwillshedo？Thesurprisebewildersme——itwillputheroutofherhead!AndyouareHeathcliff!

Butaltered!Nay，there"snocomprehendingit。Haveyoubeenforasoldier？"

`Goandcarrymymessage，"heinterruptedimpatiently。`I"minhelltillyoudo!"

Heliftedthelatch，andIentered；butwhenIgottotheparlourwhereMrandMrsLintonwere，Icouldnotpersuademyselftoproceed。Atlength，Iresolvedonmakinganexcusetoaskiftheywouldhavethecandleslighted，andIopenedthedoor。

Theysattogetherinawindowwhoselatticelaybackagainstthewall，anddisplayed，beyondthegardentreesandthewildgreenpark，thevalleyofGimmerton，withalonglineofmistwindingnearlytoitstop(forverysoonafteryoupassthechapel，asyoumayhavenoticed，thesoughthatrunsfromthemarshesjoinsabeckwhichfollowsthebendoftheglen)。WutheringHeightsroseabovethissilveryvapour；butouroldhousewasinvisible；itratherdipsdownontheotherside。Boththeroomanditsoccupants，andthescenetheygazedon，lookedwondrouslypeaceful。

Ishrankreluctantlyfromperformingmyerrand；andwasactuallygoingawayleavingitunsaid，afterhavingputmyquestionaboutthecandles，whenasenseofmyfollycompelledmetoreturn，andmutter——`ApersonfromGimmertonwishestoseeyou，ma"am。"

`Whatdoeshewant？"askedMrsLinton。

`Ididnotquestionhim，"Ianswered。

`Well，closethecurtains，Nelly，"shesaid；`andbringuptea。

I"llbebackagaindirectly。"

Shequittedtheapartment；MrEdgarinquired，carelessly，whoitwas。

`Someonemistressdoesnotexpect，"Ireplied。`ThatHeathcliff——yourecollecthim，sir，——whousedtoliveatMrEarnshaw"s。"

`What!thegipsy——theploughboy？"hecried。`WhydidyounotsaysotoCatherine？"

`Hush!youmustnotcallhimbythosenames，master，"Isaid。

`She"dbesadlygrievedtohearyou。Shewasnearlyheartbrokenwhenheranoff。Iguesshisreturnwillmakeajubileetoher。"

MrLintonwalkedtoawindowontheothersideoftheroomthatoverlookedthecourt。Heunfasteneditandleantout。Isupposetheywerebelow，forheexclaimedquickly——`Don"tstandthere，love!Bringthepersonin，ifitbeanyoneparticular。"ErelongIheardtheclickofthelatch，andCatherineflewupstairs，breathlessandwild；tooexcitedtoshowgladness:

indeed，byherface，youwouldratherhavesurmisedanawfulcalamity。

`Oh，Edgar，Edgar!"shepanted，flingingherarmsroundhisneck。

`OhEdgar，darling!Heathcliff"scomeback-heis!"Andshetightenedherembracetoasqueeze。

`Well，well，"criedherhusbandcrossly，`don"tstranglemeforthat!Heneverstruckmeassuchamarvelloustreasure。Thereisnoneedtobefrantic!"

`Iknowyoudidn"tlikehim，"sheanswered，repressingalittletheintensityofherdelight。`Yet，formysake，youmustbefriendsnow。

ShallItellhimtocomeup？"

`Here？"hesaid，`intotheparlour？"

`Whereelse？"sheasked。

Helookedvexed，andsuggestedthekitchenasamoresuitableplaceforhim。MrsLintoneyedhimwithadrollexpression——halfangry，halflaughingathisfastidiousness。

`No，"sheaddedafterawhile；`Icannotsitinthekitchen。Settwotableshere，Ellen:oneforyourmasterandMissIsabella，beinggentry；

theotherforHeathcliffandmyself，beingofthelowerorders。Willthatpleaseyou，dear？OrmustIhaveafirelightedelsewhere？Ifso，givedirections。I"llrundownandsecuremyguest。I"mafraidthejoyistoogreattobereal!"

Shewasabouttodartoffagain；butEdgararrestedher。

`Youbidhimstepup，"hesaid，addressingme!`and，Catherine，trytobeglad，withoutbeingabsurd!thewholehouseholdneednotwitnessthesightofyourwelcomingarunawayservantasabrother。"

IdescendedandfoundHeathcliffwaitingundertheporch，evidentlyanticipatinganinvitationtoenter。Hefollowedmyguidancewithoutwasteofwords，andIusheredhimintothepresenceofthemasterandmistress，whoseflushedcheeksbetrayedsignsofwarmtalking。Butthelady"sglowedwithanotherfeelingwhenherfriendappearedatthedoor:shesprangforward，tookbothhishands，andledhimtoLinton；andthensheseizedLinton"sreluctantfingersandcrushedthemintohis。Nowfullyrevealedbythefireandcandlelight，Iwasamazed，morethanever，tobeholdthetransformationofHeathcliff。Hehadgrownatall，athletic，well-formedman；besidewhom，mymasterseemedquiteslenderandyouth-like。Hisuprightcarriagesuggestedtheideaofhishavingbeeninthearmy。HiscountenancewasmucholderinexpressionanddecisionoffeaturethanMrLinton"s；itlookedintelligent，andretainednomarksofformerdegradation。Ahalf-civilizedferocitylurkedyetinthedepressedbrowsandeyesfullofblackfire，butitwassubdued；andhismannerwasevendignified:quitedivestedofroughness，thoughtoosternforgrace。Mymaster"ssurpriseequalledorexceededmine:

heremainedforaminuteatalosshowtoaddresstheploughboy，ashehadcalledhim。Heathcliffdroppedhisslighthand，andstoodlookingathimcoollytillhechosetospeak。

`Sitdown，sir，"hesaid，atlength。`MrsLinton，recallingoldtimes，wouldhavemegiveyouacordialreception；and，ofcourse，Iamgratifiedwhenanythingoccurstopleaseher。"

`AndIalso，"answeredHeathcliff，`especiallyifitbeanythinginwhichIhaveapart。Ishallstayanhourortwowillingly。"

HetookaseatoppositeCatherine，whokepthergazefixedonhimasifshefearedhewouldvanishwereshetoremoveit。Hedidnotraisehistoheroften:aquickglancenowandthensufficed；butitflashedback，eachtimemoreconfidently，theundisguiseddelighthedrankfromhers。Theyweretoomuchabsorbedintheirmutualjoytosufferembarrassment。

NotsoMrEdgar:hegrewpalewithpureannoyance:afeelingthatreacheditsclimaxwhenhisladyrose，andsteppingacrosstherug，seizedHeathcliff"shandsagain，andlaughedlikeonebesideherself。

`Ishallthinkitadreamtomorrow!"shecried。`IshallnotbeabletobelievethatIhaveseen，andtouched，andspokentoyouoncemore。

Andyet，cruelHeathcliff!youdon"tdeservethiswelcome。Tobeabsentandsilentforthreeyears，andnevertothinkofme!"

`Alittlemorethanyouhavethoughtofme，"hemurmured。`Iheardofyourmarriage，Cathy，notlongsince；and，whilewaitingintheyardbelow，Imeditatedthisplan:——justtohaveoneglimpseofyourface，astareofsurprise，perhaps，andpretendedpleasure；afterwardssettlemyscorewithHindley；andthenpreventthelawbydoingexecutiononmyself。

Yourwelcomehasputtheseideasoutofmymind；butbewareofmeetingmewithanotheraspectnexttime!Nay，you"llnotdrivemeoffagain。Youwerereallysorryforme，wereyou？Well，therewascause。I"vefoughtthroughabitterlifesinceIlastheardyourvoice；andyoumustforgiveme，forIstruggledonlyforyou!"

`Catherine，unlesswearetohavecoldtea，pleasetocometothetable，"interruptedLinton，strivingtopreservehisordinarytone，andaduemeasureofpoliteness。`MrHeathcliffwillhavealongwalk，whereverhemaylodgetonight；andI"mthirsty。"

Shetookherpostbeforetheurn；andMissIsabellacame，summonedbythebell；then，havinghandedtheirchairsforward，Ilefttheroom。

Themealhardlyenduredtenminutes。Catherine"scupwasneverfilled:

shecouldneithereatnordrink。Edgarhadmadeaslopinhissaucer，andscarcelyswallowedamouthful。Theirguestdidnotprotracthisstaythateveningaboveanhourlonger。Iasked，ashedeparted，ifhewenttoGimmerton？

`No，toWutheringHeights，"heanswered:`MrEarnshawinvitedme，whenIcalledthismorning。"