第5章

MrEarnshawinvitedhim!andhecalledonMrEarnshaw!

Iponderedthissentencepainfully，afterhewasgone。Isheturningoutabitofahypocrite，andcomingintothecountrytoworkmischiefunderacloak？Imused:Ihadapresentimentinthebottomofmyheartthathehadbetterhaveremainedaway。

Aboutthemiddleofthenight，IwaswakenedfrommyfirstnapbyMrsLintonglidingintomychamber，takingaseatonmybedside，andpullingmebythehairtorouseme。

`Icannotrest，Ellen，"shesaid，bywayofapology。`AndIwantsomelivingcreaturetokeepmecompanyinmyhappiness!Edgarissulky，becauseI"mgladofathingthatdoesnotinteresthim:herefusestoopenhismouth，excepttoutterpettish，sillyspeeches；andheaffirmedIwascruelandselfishforwishingtotalkwhenhewassosickandsleepy。Healwayscontrivestobesickattheleastcross!IgaveafewsentencesofcommendationtoHeathcliff，andhe，eitherforaheadacheorapangofenvy，begantocry:soIgotupandlefthim。"

`WhatuseisitpraisingHeathclifftohim？"Ianswered。`Asladstheyhadanaversiontoeachother，andHeathcliffwouldhatejustasmuchtohearhimpraised:it"shumannature。LetMrLintonaloneabouthim，unlessyouwouldlikeanopenquarrelbetweenthem。"

`Butdoesitnotshowgreatweakness？"pursuedshe。`I"mnotenvious:

IneverfeelhurtatthebrightnessofIsabella"syellowhairandthewhitenessofherskin，atherdaintyelegance，andthefondnessallthefamilyexhibitforher。Evenyou，Nelly，ifwehaveadisputesometimes，youbackIsabellaatonce；andIyieldlikeafoolishmother:Icallheradarling，andflatterherintoagoodtemper。Itpleasesherbrothertoseeuscordial，andthatpleasesme。Buttheyareverymuchalike:theyarespoiledchildren，andfancytheworldwasmadefortheiraccommodation；andthoughIhumourboth，Ithinkasmartchastisementmightimprovethem，allthesame。"

`You"remistaken，MrsLinton，"saidI。`Theyhumouryou:Iknowwhattherewouldbetodoiftheydidnot。Youcanwellaffordtoindulgetheirpassingwhimsaslongastheirbusinessistoanticipateallyourdesires。Youmay，however，fallout，atlast，oversomethingofequalconsequencetobothsides；andthenthoseyoutermweakareverycapableofbeingasobstinateasyou。"

`Andthenweshallfighttothedeath，shan"twe，Nelly？"shereturned，laughing。`No!Itellyou，IhavesuchfaithinLinton"slove，thatIbelieveImightkillhim，andhewouldn"twishtoretaliate。"

Iadvisedhertovaluehimthemoreforhisaffection。

`Ido，"sheanswered，`butheneedn"tresorttowhiningfortrifles。

Itischildish；and，insteadofmeltingintotearsbecauseIsaidthatHeathcliffwasnowworthyofanyone"sregard，anditwouldhonourthefirstgentlemaninthecountrytobehisfriend，heoughttohavesaiditforme，andbeendelightedfromsympathy。Hemustgetaccustomedtohim，andhemayaswelllikehim:consideringhowHeathcliffhasreasontoobjecttohim，I"msurehebehavedexcellently!"

`WhatdoyouthinkofhisgoingtoWutheringHeights？"Iinquired。

`Heisreformedineveryrespect，apparently:quiteaChristian:offeringtherighthandoffellowshiptohisenemiesallaround!"

`Heexplainedit，"shereplied。`Iwonderedasmuchasyou。Hesaidhecalledtogatherinformationconcerningmefromyou，supposingyouresidedtherestill；andJosephtoldHindley，whocameoutandfelltoquestioninghimofwhathehadbeendoing，andhowhehadbeenliving；

andfinally，desiredhimtowalkin。Thereweresomepersonssittingatcards；Heathcliffjoinedthem；mybrotherlostsomemoneytohim，and，findinghimplentifullysupplied，herequestedthathewouldcomeagainintheevening:towhichheconsented。Hindleyistoorecklesstoselecthisacquaintanceprudently:hedoesn"ttroublehimselftoreflectonthecauseshemighthaveformistrustingonewhomhehasbaselyinjured。ButHeathcliffaffirmshisprincipalreasonforresumingaconnectionwithhisancientpersecutorisawishtoinstallhimselfinquartersatwalkingdistancefromtheGrange，andanattachmenttothehousewherewelivedtogether；andlikewiseahopethatIshallhavemoreopportunitiesofseeinghimtherethanIcouldhaveifhesettledinGimmerton。HemeanstoofferliberalpaymentforpermissiontolodgeattheHeights；anddoubtlessmybrother"scovetousnesswillprompthimtoaccepttheterms:hewasalwaysgreedy；thoughwhathegraspswithonehandheflingsawaywiththeother。"

`It"saniceplaceforayoungmantofixhisdwellingin!"saidI。`Haveyounofearoftheconsequences，`MrsLinton？"

`Noneformyfriend，"shereplied:`hisstrongheadwillkeephimfromdanger；alittleforHindley:buthecan"tbemademorallyworsethanheis；andIstandbetweenhimandbodilyharm。TheeventofthiseveninghasreconciledmetoGodandhumanity!IhadriseninangryrebellionagainstProvidence。Oh，I"veenduredvery，verybittermisery，Nelly!Ifthatcreatureknewhowbitter，he"dbeashamedtoclouditsremovalwithidlepetulance。Itwaskindnessforhimwhichinducedmetobearitalone:

hadIexpressedtheagonyIfrequentlyfelt，hewouldhavebeentaughttolongforitsalleviationasardentlyasl。However，it"sover，andI"lltakenorevengeonhisfolly；Icanaffordtosufferanythinghereafter!

Shouldthemeanestthingaliveslapmeonthecheek，I"dnotonlyturntheother，but，I"daskpardonforprovokingit；and，asaproof，I"llgomakemypeacewithEdgarinstantly。Goodnight!I"manangel!"

Inthisself-complacentconvictionshedeparted；andthesuccessofherfulfilledresolutionwasobviousonthemorrow:MrLintonhadnotonlyabjuredhispeevishness(thoughhisspiritsseemedstillsubduedbyCatherine"sexuberanceofvivacity)，butheventurednoobjectiontohertakingIsabellawithhertoWutheringHeightsintheafternoon；andsherewardedhimwithsuchasummerofsweetnessandaffectioninreturn，asmadethehouseaparadiseforseveraldays；bothmasterandservantsprofitingfromtheperpetualsunshine。

Heathcliff——MrHeathcliffIshouldsayinfuture——usedthelibertyofvisitingatThrushcrossGrangecautiously，atfirst:heseemedestimatinghowfaritsownerwouldbearhisintrusion。Catherine，also，deemeditjudicioustomoderateherexpressionsofpleasureinreceivinghim；andhegraduallyestablishedhisrighttobeexpected。Heretainedagreatdealofthereserveforwhichhisboyhoodwasremarkable；andthatservedtorepressallstartlingdemonstrationsoffeeling。Mymaster"suneasinessexperiencedalull，andfurthercircumstancesdiverteditintoanotherchannelforaspace。

HisnewsourceoftroublesprangfromthenotanticipatedmisfortuneofIsabellaLintonevincingasuddenandirresistibleattractiontowardsthetoleratedguest。Shewasatthattimeacharmingyoungladyofeighteen；

infantileinmanners，thoughpossessedofkeenwit，keenfeelings，andakeentemper，too，ifirritated。Herbrother，wholovedhertenderly，wasappalledatthisfantasticpreference。Leavingasidethedegradationofanalliancewithanamelessman，andthepossiblefactthathisproperty，indefaultofheirsmale，mightpassintosuchaone"spower，hehadsensetocomprehendHeathcliff"sdisposition:toknowthat，thoughhisexteriorwasaltered，hismindwasunchangeableandunchanged。Andhedreadedthatmind:itrevoltedhim:heshrankforebodinglyfromtheideaofcommittingIsabellatohiskeeping。Hewouldhaverecoiledstillmorehadhebeenawarethatherattachmentroseunsolicited，andwasbestowedwhereitawakenednoreciprocationofsentiment；fortheminutehediscovereditsexistence，helaidtheblameonHeathcliff"sdeliberatedesigning。

Wehadallremarked，duringsometime，thatMissLintonfrettedandpinedoversomething。Shegrewcrossandwearisome；snappingatandteasingCatherinecontinually，attheimminentriskofexhaustingherlimitedpatience。Weexcusedher，toacertainextent，onthepleaofill-health:

shewasdwindlingandfadingbeforeoureyes。Butoneday，whenshehadbeenpeculiarlywayward，rejectingherbreakfast，complainingthattheservantsdidnotdowhatshetoldthem；thatthemistresswouldallowhertobenothinginthehouse，andEdgarneglectedher；thatshehadcaughtacoldwiththedoorsbeingleftopen，andwelettheparlourfiregooutonpurposetovexher，withahundredyetmorefrivolousaccusations，MrsLintonperemptorilyinsistedthatsheshouldgettobed；and，havingscoldedherheartily，threatenedtosendforthedoctor。MentionofKennethcausedhertoexclaim，instantly，thatherhealthwasperfect，anditwasonlyCatherine"sharshnesswhichmadeherunhappy。

`HowcanyousayIamharsh，younaughtyfondling？"criedthemistress，amazedattheunreasonableassertion。`Youaresurelylosingyourreason。WhenhaveIbeenharsh，tellme？"

`Yesterday，"sobbedIsabella，`andnow!"

`Yesterday!"saidhersister-in-law。`Onwhatoccasion？"

`Inourwalkalongthemoor:youtoldmetoramblewhereIpleased，whileyousaunteredonwithMrHeathcliff!"

`Andthat"syournotionofharshness？"saidCatherine，laughing。

`Itwasnohintthatyourcompanywassuperfluous:wedidn"tcarewhetheryoukeptwithusornot；ImerelythoughtHeathcliffstalkwouldhavenothingentertainingforyourears。

`Ohno，"wepttheyounglady；`youwishedmeaway，becauseyouknewIlikedtobethere!"

`Isshesane？"askedMrsLinton，appealingtome。`I"llrepeatourconversation，wordforword，Isabella；andyoupointoutanycharmitcouldhavehadforyou。"

`Idon"tmindtheconversation，"sheanswered:`Iwantedtobewith——"

`Well!"saidCatherine，perceivingherhesitatetocompletethesentence。

`Withhim:andIwon"tbealwayssentoff!"shecontinued，kindlingup。`Youareadoginthemanger，Cathy，anddesirenoonetobelovedbutyourself!"

`Youareanimpertinentlittlemonkey!"exclaimedMrsLinton，insurprise。`ButI"llnotbelievethisidiocy!ItisimpossiblethatyoucancovettheadmirationofHeathcliff——thatyouconsiderhimanagreeableperson!IhopeIhavemisunderstoodyou，Isabella？"

`No，youhavenot，"saidtheinfatuatedgirl。`IlovehimmorethaneveryoulovedEdgar；andhemightloveme，ifyouwouldlethim!"

`Iwouldn"tbeyouforakingdom，then!"Catherinedeclaredemphatically:

andsheseemedtospeaksincerely。`Nelly，helpmetoconvinceherofhermadness。TellherwhatHeathcliffis:anunreclaimedcreature，withoutrefinement，withoutcultivation:anaridwildernessoffurzeandwhinstone。

I"dassoonputthatlittlecanaryintotheparkonawinter"sday，asrecommendyoutobestowyourheartonhim!Itisdeplorableignoranceofhischaracter，child，andnothingelse，whichmakesthatdreamenteryourhead。Pray，don"timaginethatheconcealsdepthsofbenevolenceandaffectionbeneathasternexterior!He"snotaroughdiamond——apearl-containingoysterofarustic:he"safierce，pitiless，wolfishman。Ineversaytohim，"Letthisorthatenemyalone，becauseitwouldbeungenerousorcrueltoharmthem"；Isay，"Letthemalone，becauseIshouldhatethemtobewronged":andhe"dcrushyoulikeasparrow"segg，Isabella，ifhefoundyouatroublesomecharge。Iknowhecouldn"tloveaLinton；andyethe"dbequitecapableofmarryingyourfortuneandexpectations!avariceisgrowingwithhimabesettingsin。There"smypicture:andI"mhisfriend——somuchso，thathadhethoughtseriouslytocatchyou，Ishould，perhaps，haveheldmytongue，andletyoufallintohistrap。"

MissLintonregardedhersister-in-lawwithindignation。

`Forshame!forshame!"sherepeatedangrily，`youareworsethantwentyfoes，youpoisonousfriend!"

`Ah!youwon"tbelieveme，then？"saidCatherine。`YouthinkI

speakfromwickedselfishness？"

`I"mcertainyoudo，"retortedIsabella；`andIshudderatyou!"

`Good!"criedtheother。`Tryforyourself，ifthatbeyourspirit:

Ihavedone，andyieldtheargumenttoyoursaucyinsolence。"

`AndImustsufferforheregotism!"shesobbed，asMrsLintonlefttheroom。`All，allisagainstme；shehasblightedmysingleconsolation。

Butsheutteredfalsehoods，didn"tshe？MrHeathcliffisnotafiend:hehasanhonourablesoul，andatrueone，orhowcouldherememberher？"

`Banishhimfromyourthoughts，miss，"Isaid。`He"sabirdofbadomen:nomateforyou。MrsLintonspokestrongly，andyetIcan"tcontradicther。SheisbetteracquaintedwithhisheartthanI，oranyonebesides；

andshewouldneverrepresenthimasworsethanheis。Honestpeopledon"thidetheirdeeds。Howhashebeenliving？howhashegotrich？whyishestayingatWutheringHeights，thehouseofamanwhomheabhors？TheysayMrEarnshawisworseandworsesincehecame。Theysitupallnighttogethercontinually，andHindleyhasbeenborrowingmoneyonhisland，anddoesnothingbutplayanddrink:Iheardonlyaweekago——itwasJosephwhotoldme——ImethimatGimmerton:"Nelly，"hesaid，"we"shaeacrahnr"s`questenah，atahrfolks。Oneon`em"sa"mostgettenhisfingercutoffwi"haudingt"otherfroo"stickinghisselnloikeacawlf。That"smaister，yahknaw，`ut"ssoaupuhgoingtuht"grand`sizes。He"snoanfearduht"benchuhjudges，northerPaul，nurPeter，nurJohn，nurMatthew，nornoanon`em，nuthe!Hefairlikes——helangstosethisbrazenedfaceagean`em!AndyonbonnyladHeathcliff，yahmind，he"sarare`un!Hecangirnalaughasweel"sonybodyataraightdivil"sjest。Doesheniversaynowtofhisfinelivingamangus，whenhegoastuht"Grange？Thisist"wayon"t:——upatsundahn；dice，brandy，cloisedshutters，undcan"le-lughttillnextdayatnooin:then，tfooilgangsbanningunravingtohischam"er，makkingdacentfowksdigthurfingersi"thurlugsfurvarryshaume；un"

theknave，wahhecarncahnthisbrass，un"ate，un"sleep，un"offtohisneighbour"stuhgossipwi"t"wife。I"course，hetellsDameCatherinehahhorfather"sgooldrunsintuhhispocket，andherfather"ssongallopsdahnt"Broadroad，whilehefleesaforetooppent"pikes？"Now，MissLinton，Josephisanoldrascal，butnoliar；and，ifhisaccountofHeathcliff"sconductbetrue，youwouldneverthinkofdesiringsuchahusband，wouldyou？"

`Youareleaguedwiththerest，Ellen!"shereplied。`I"llnotlistentoyourslanders。Whatmalevolenceyoumusthavetowishtoconvincemethatthereisnohappinessintheworld!"

Whethershewouldhavegotoverthisfancyiflefttoherselforperseveredinnursingitperpetually，Icannotsay:shehadlittletimetoreflect。Thedayafter，therewasajustice-meetingatthenexttown；

mymasterwasobligedtoattend；andMrHeathcliff，awareofhisabsence，calledratherearlierthanusual。CatherineandIsabellaweresittinginthelibrary，onhostileterms，butsilent。Thelatteralarmedatherrecentindiscretion，andthedisclosureshehadmadeofhersecretfeelingsinatransientfitofpassion；theformer，onmatureconsideration，reallyoffendedwithhercompanion；and，ifshelaughedagainatherpertness，inclinedtomakeitnolaughingmattertoher。ShedidlaughasshesawHeathcliffpassthewindow。Iwassweepingthehearth，andInoticedamischievoussmileonherlips。Isabella，absorbedinhermeditations，orabook，remainedtillthedooropened；anditwastoolatetoattemptanescape，whichshewouldgladlyhavedonehaditbeenpracticable。

`Comein，that"sright!"exclaimedthemistressgaily，pullingachairtothefire。`Herearetwopeoplesadlyinneedofathirdtothawtheicebetweenthem；andyouaretheveryoneweshouldbothofuschoose。

Heathcliff，I"mproudtoshowyou，atlast，somebodythatdotesonyoumorethanmyself。Iexpectyoutofeelflattered。Nay，it"snotNelly；

don"tlookather!Mypoorlittlesister-in-lawisbreakingherheartbymerecontemplationofyourphysicalandmoralbeauty。ItliesinyourownpowertobeEdgar"sbrother!No，no，Isabella，youshan"trunoff，"shecontinued，arresting，withfeignedplayfulness，theconfoundedgirl，whohadrisenindignantly。`Wewerequarrellinglikecatsaboutyou，Heathcliff；

andIwasfairlybeateninprotestationsofdevotionandadmiration:and，moreover，IwasinformedthatifIwouldbuthavethemannerstostandaside，myrival，asshewillha"eherselftobe，wouldshootashaftintoyoursoulthatwouldfixyouforever，andsendmyimageintoeternaloblivion!"

`Catherine!"saidIsabella，callingupherdignity，anddisdainingtostrugglefromthetightgraspthatheldher。`I"dthankyoutoadheretothetruthandnotslanderme，eveninjoke!MrHeathcliff，bekindenoughtobidthisfriendofyoursreleaseme:sheforgetsthatyouandIarenotintimateacquaintances；andwhatamusesherispainfultomebeyondexpression。"

Astheguestanswerednothing，buttookhisseat，andlookedthoroughlyindifferentwhatsentimentsshecherishedconcerninghim，sheturnedandwhisperedanearnestappealforlibertytohertormentor。

`Bynomeans!"criedMrsLintoninanswer。`Iwon"tbenamedadoginthemangeragain。Youshallstay:nowthen!Heathcliff，whydon"tyouevincesatisfactionatmypleasantnews？IsabellaswearsthattheloveEdgarhasformeisnothingtothatsheentertainsforyou。I"msureshemadesomespeechofthekind；didshenot，Ellen？Andshehasfastedeversincethedaybeforeyesterday"swalk，fromsorrowandragethatIdispatchedheroutofyoursocietyundertheideaofitsbeingunacceptable。

`Ithinkyoubelieher，"saidHeathcliff，twistinghischairtofacethem。`Shewishestobeoutofmysocietynow，atanyrate!"Andhestaredhardattheobjectofdiscourse，asonemightdoatastrangerepulsiveanimal:acentipedefromtheIndies，forinstance，whichcuriosityleadsonetoexamineinspiteoftheaversionitraises。Thepoorthingcouldn"tbearthat:shegrewwhiteandredinrapidsuccession，and，whiletearsbeadedherlashes，bentthestrengthofhersmallfingerstoloosenthefirmclutchofCatherine；andperceivingthatasfastassheraisedonefingeroffherarmanothercloseddown，andshecouldnotremovethewholetogether，shebegantomakeuseofhernails；andtheirsharpnesspresentlyornamentedthedetainer"swithcrescentsofred。

`There"satigress!"exclaimedMrsLinton，settingherfree，andshakingherhandwithpain。`Begone，forGod"ssake，andhideyourvixenface!Howfoolishtorevealthosetalonstohim。Can"tyoufancytheconclusionshe"lldraw？Look，Heathcliff!theyareinstrumentsthatwilldoexecution——youmustbewareofyoureyes。

`I"dwrenchthemoffherfingers，iftheyevermenacedme，"heansweredbrutally，whenthedoorhadclosedafterher。`Butwhatdidyoumeanbyteasingthecreatureinthatmanner，Cathy？Youwerenotspeakingthetruth，wereyou？"

`IassureyouIwas，"shereturned。`Shehasbeenpiningforyoursakeseveralweeks；andravingaboutyouthismorning，andpouringforthadelugeofabuse，becauseIrepresentedyourfailingsinaplainlight，forthepurposeofmitigatingheradoration。Butdon"tnoticeitfurther:

Iwishedtopunishhersauciness，that"sall。Ilikehertoowell，mydearHeathcliff，toletyouabsolutelyseizeanddevourherup。"

`AndIlikehertooilltoattemptit，"saidhe，`exceptinaveryghoulishfashion。You"dhearofoddthingsifIlivedalonewiththatmawkish，waxenface:themostordinarywouldbepaintingonitswhitethecoloursoftherainbow，andturningtheblueeyesblack，everydayortwo:

theydetestablyresembleLinton"s。"

`Delectably!"observedCatherine。`Theyaredove"seyes——angel"s!"

`She"sherbrother"sheir，isshenot？"heasked，afterabriefsilence。

`Ishouldbesorrytothinkso，"returnedhiscompanion。`Halfadozennephewsshallerasehertitle，pleaseHeaven!Abstractyourmindfromthesubjectatpresent:youaretoopronetocovetyourneighbour"sgoods；rememberthisneighbour"sgoodsaremine。"

`Iftheyweremine，theywouldbenonethelessthat，"

saidHeathcliff；`butthoughIsabellaLintonmaybesilly，sheisscarcelymad；and，inshort，we"lldismissthematter，asyouadvise。"

Fromtheirtonguestheydiddismissit；andCatherine，probably，fromherthoughts。Theother，Ifeltcertain，recalleditofteninthecourseoftheevening。Isawhimsmiletohimself——grinrather——andlapseintoominousmusingwheneverMrsLintonhadoccasiontobeabsentfromtheapartment。

Ideterminedtowatchhismovements。Myheartinvariablycleavedtothemaster"s，inpreferencetoCatherine"sside:withreasonIimagined，forhewaskind，andtrustful，andhonourable；andshe——shecouldnotbecalledtheopposite，yetsheseemedtoallowherselfsuchwidelatitude，thatIhadlittlefaithinherprinciples，andstilllesssympathyforherfeelings。IwantedsomethingtohappenwhichmighthavetheeffectoffreeingbothWutheringHeightsandtheGrangeofMrHeathcliff，quietly；

leavingusaswehadbeenpriortohisadvent。Hisvisitswereacontinualnightmaretome；and，Isuspected，tomymasteralso。HisabodeattheHeightswasanoppressionpastexplaining。IfeltthatGodhadforsakenthestraysheeptheretoitsownwickedwanderings，andanevilbeastprowledbetweenitandthefold，waitinghistimetospringanddestroy。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter11Sometimes，whilemeditatingonthesethingsinsolitude，I"vegotupinasuddenterror，andputonmybonnettogoseehowallwasatthefarm。

I"vepersuadedmyconsciencethatitwasadutytowarnhimhowpeopletalkedregardinghisways；andthenI"verecollectedhisconfirmedbadhabits，and，hopelessofbenefitinghim，haveflinchedfromre-enteringthedismalhouse，doubtingifIcouldbeartobetakenatmyword。

OnetimeIpassedtheoldgate，goingoutofmyway，onajourneytoGimmerton。Itwasabouttheperiodthatmynarrativehasreached:abrightfrostyafternoon；thegroundbare，andtheroadhardanddry。I

cametoastonewherethehighwaybranchesoffontothemooratyourlefthand；aroughsandpillar，withthelettersW。H。cutonitsnorthside，ontheeast，G。，andonthesouth-west，T。G。Itservesasguide-posttotheGrange，theHeights，andvillage。Thesunshoneyellowonitsgreyhead，remindingmeofsummer；andIcannotsaywhy，butallatonce，agushofchild"ssensationsflowedintomyheart。HindleyandIhelditafavouritespottwentyyearsbefore。Igazedlongattheweather-wornblock，and，stoopingdown，perceivedaholenearthebottomstillfullofsnail-shellsandpebbles，whichwewerefondofstoringtherewithmoreperishablethings；and，asfreshasreality，itappearedthatIbeheldmyearlyplaymateseatedonthewitheredturf:hisdark，squareheadbentforward，andhislittlehandscoopingouttheearthwithapieceofslate。

`PoorHindley!"Iexclaimedinvoluntarily。Istarted:mybodilyeyewascheatedintoamomentarybeliefthatthechildlifteditsfaceandstaredstraightintomine!Itvanishedinatwinkling；butimmediatelyIfeltanirresistibleyearningtobeattheHeights。Superstitionurgedmetocomplywiththisimpulse:supposingheshouldbedead!Ithought——orshoulddiesoon!——supposingitwereasignofdeath!ThenearerIgottothehousethemoreagitatedIgrew；andoncatchingsightofitItrembledineverylimb。Theapparitionhadoutstrippedme:itstoodlookingthroughthegate。

Thatwasmyfirstideaonobservinganelf-locked，brown-eyedboysettinghisruddycountenanceagainstthebars。FurtherreflectionsuggestedthismustbeHareton，myHareton，notalteredgreatlysinceIlefthim，tenmonthssince。

`Godblessthee，darling!"Icried，forgettinginstantaneouslymyfoolishfears。`Hareton，it"sNelly!Nelly，thynurse。"

Heretreatedoutofarm"slength，andpickedupalargeflint。

`Iamcometoseethyfather，Hareton，"Iadded，guessingfromtheactionthatNelly，ifshelivedinhismemoryatall，wasnotrecognizedasonewithme。

Heraisedhismissiletohurlit；Icommencedasoothingspeech，butcouldnotstayhishand:thestonestruckmybonnet；andthenensued，fromthestammeringlipsofthelittlefellow，astringofcurses，which，whetherhecomprehendedthemornot，weredeliveredwithpractisedemphasis，anddistortedhisbabyfeaturesintoashockingexpressionofmalignity。

Youmaybecertainthisgrievedmorethanangeredme。Fittocry，Itookanorangefrommypocket，andofferedittopropitiatehim。Hehesitated，andthensnatcheditfrommyhold；asifhefanciedIonlyintendedtotemptanddisappointhim。Ishowedanother，keepingitoutofhisreach。

`Whohastaughtyouthosefinewords，mybairn？"Iinquired。`Thecurate？"

`Damnthecurate，andthee!Giemethat，"hereplied。

`Telluswhereyougotyourlessons，andyoushallhaveit，"saidI。`Who"syourmaster？"

`Devildaddy，"washisanswer。

`Andwhatdoyoulearnfromdaddy？"Icontinued。

Hejumpedatthefruit；Iraisedithigher。`Whatdoesheteachyou？"Iasked。

`Naught，"saidhe，`buttokeepoutofhisgait。Daddycannotbideme，becauseIswearathim。"

`Ah!andthedevilteachesyoutoswearatdaddy？"Iobserved。

`Ah——nay，"hedrawled。

`Whothen？"

`Heathcliff。"

IaskedifhelikedMrHeathcliff。

`Ay!"heansweredagain。

Desiringtohavehisreasonsforlikinghim，Icouldonlygatherthesentences——`Iknown"t:hepaysdadbackwhathegiestome——hecursesdaddyforcursingme。HesaysImundoasIwill。"

`Andthecuratedoesnotteachyoutoreadandwritethen？"I

pursued。

`No，Iwastoldthecurateshouldhavehis——teethdasheddownhisthroat，——ifhesteppedoverthethreshold——Heathcliffhadpromisedthat!"

Iputtheorangeinhishand，andbadehimtellhisfatherthatawomancalledNellyDeanwaswaitingtospeakwithhim，bythegardengate。Hewentupthewalk，andenteredthehouse；but，insteadofHindley，Heathcliffappearedonthedoorstones；andIturneddirectlyandrandowntheroadashardaseverIcouldrace，makingnohalttillIgainedtheguide-post，andfeelingasscaredasifIhadraisedagoblin。ThisisnotmuchconnectedwithMissIsabella"saffair:exceptthatiturgedmetoresolvefurtheronmountingvigilantguard，anddoingmyutmosttocheckthespreadofsuchbadinfluenceattheGrange:eventhoughIshouldwakeadomesticstorm，bythwartingMrsLinton"spleasure。

ThenexttimeHeathcliffcame，myyoungladychancedtobefeedingsomepigeonsinthecourt。Shehadneverspokenawordtohersister-in-lawforthreedays；butshehadlikewisedroppedherfretfulcomplaining，andwefounditagreatcomfort。HeathcliffhadnotthehabitofbestowingasingleunnecessarycivilityonMissLinton，Iknew。Now，assoonashebeheldher，hisfirstprecautionwastotakeasweepingsurveyofthehousefront。Iwasstandingbythekitchenwindow，butIdrewoutofsight。Hethensteppedacrossthepavementtoher，andsaidsomething:sheseemedembarrassed，anddesirousofgettingaway；topreventit，helaidhishandonherarm。Sheavertedherface:heapparentlyputsomequestionwhichshehadnomindtoanswer。Therewasanotherrapidglanceatthehouse，andsupposinghimselfunseen，thescoundrelhadtheimpudencetoembraceher。

`Judas!traitor!"Iejaculated。`Youareahypocrite，too，areyou？Adeliberatedeceiver。"

`Whois，Nelly？"saidCatherine"svoiceatmyelbow:Ihadbeenoverintentonwatchingthepairoutsidetomarkherentrance。

`Yourworthlessfriend!"Iansweredwarmly:`thesneakingrascalyonder。Ah，hehascaughtaglimpseofus——heiscomingin!IwonderwillhehavethearttofindaplausibleexcuseformakinglovetoMiss，whenhetoldyouhehatedher？"

MrsLintonsawIsabellatearherselffree，andrunintothegarden；

andaminuteafter，Heathcliffopenedthedoor。Icouldn"twithholdgivingsomeloosetomyindignation；butCatherineangrilyinsistedonsilence，andthreatenedtoordermeoutofthekitchen，ifIdaredtobesopresumptuousastoputinmyinsolenttongue。

`Tohearyou，peoplemightthinkyouwerethemistress!"shecried。

`Youwantsettingdowninyourrightplace!Heathcliff，whatareyouabout，raisingthisstir？IsaidyoumustletIsabellaalone!——Ibegyouwill，unlessyouaretiredofbeingreceivedhere，andwishLintontodrawtheboltsagainstyou!"

`Godforbidthatheshouldtry!"answeredtheblackvillain。I

detestedhimjustthen。`Godkeephimmeekandpatient!EverydayIgrowmadderaftersendinghimtoheaven!"

`Hush!"saidCatherine，shuttingtheinnerdoor。`Don"tvexme。

Whyhaveyoudisregardedmyrequest？Didshecomeacrossyouonpurpose？"

`Whatisittoyou？"hegrowled。`I。havearighttokissher，ifshechooses；andyouhavenorighttoobject。I"mnotyourhusband:youneedn"tbejealousofme!"

`I"mnotjealousofyou，"repliedthemistress，`I"mjealousforyou。Clearyourface:youshan"tscowlatme!IfyoulikeIsabella，youshallmarryher。Butdoyoulikeher？Tellthetruth，Heathcliff!There，youwon"tanswer。I"mcertainyoudon"t!"

`AndwouldMrLintonapproveofhissistermarryingthatman？"

Iinquired。

`MrLintonshouldapprove，"returnedmylady，decisively。

`Hemightsparehimselfthetrouble，"saidHeathcliff:`Icoulddoaswellwithouthisapprobation。Andastoyou，Catherine，Ihaveamindtospeakafewwordsnow，whileweareatit。IwantyoutobeawarethatIknowyouhavetreatedmeinfernally——infernally!Doyouhear？

AndifyouflatteryourselfthatIdon"tperceiveit，youareafool；andifyouthinkIcanbeconsoledbysweetwords，youareanidiot；andifyoufancyI"llsufferunrevenged，I"llconvinceyouofthecontrary，inaverylittlewhile!Meantime，thankyoufortellingmeyoursister-in-law"ssecret:IswearI"llmakethemostofit。Andstandyouaside!"

`Whatnewphaseofhischaracteristhis？"exclaimedMrsLinton，inamazement。`I"vetreatedyouinfernally——andyou"lltakeyourrevenge!

Howwillyoutakeit，ungratefulbrute？HowhaveItreatedyouinfernally？"

`Iseeknorevengeonyou，"repliedHeathclifflessvehemently。

`That"snottheplan。Thetyrantgrindsdownhisslavesandtheydon"tturnagainsthim；theycrushthosebeneaththem。Youarewelcometotorturemetodeathforyouramusement，onlyallowmetoamusemyselfalittleinthesamestyle，andrefrainfrominsultasmuchasyouareable。Havinglevelledmypalace，don"terectahovelandcomplacentlyadmireyourowncharityingivingmethatforahome。IfIimaginedyoureallywishedmetomarryIsabel，I"dcutmythroat!"

`Oh，theevilisthatIamnotjealous，isit？"criedCatherine。

`Well，Iwon"trepeatmyofferofawife:itisasbadasofferingSatanalostsoul。Yourblisslies，likehis，ininflictingmisery。Youproveit。Edgarisrestoredfromtheill-temperhegavewaytoatyourcoming；

Ibegintobesecureandtranquil；andyou，restlesstoknowusatpeace，appearresolvedonexcitingaquarrel。QuarrelwithEdgar，ifyouplease，Heathcliff，anddeceivehissister:you"llhitonexactlythemostefficientmethodofrevengingyourselfonme。"

Theconversationceased。MrsLintonsatdownbythefire，flushedandgloomy。Thespiritwhichservedherwasgrowingintractable:shecouldneitherlaynorcontrolit。Hestoodonthehearthwithfoldedarms，broodingonhisevilthoughts；andinthispositionIleftthemtoseekthemaster，whowaswonderingwhatkeptCatherinebelowsolong。

`Ellen，"saidhe，whenIentered，`haveyouseenyourmistress？"

`Yes；she"sinthekitchen，sir，"Ianswered。`She"ssadlyputoutbyMrHeathcliff"sbehaviour:and，indeed，Idothinkit"stimetoarrangehisvisitsonanotherfooting。There"sharminbeingtoosoft，andnowit"scometothis——`AndIrelatedthesceneinthecourt，and，asnearasIdared，thewholesubsequentdispute。IfancieditcouldnotbeveryprejudicialtoMrsLinton；unlessshemadeitsoafterwards，byassumingthedefensiveforherguest。EdgarLintonhaddifficultyinhearingmetotheclose。Hisfirstwordsrevealedthathedidnotclearhiswifeofblame。

`Thisisinsufferable!"heexclaimed。`Itisdisgracefulthatsheshouldownhimforafriend，andforcehiscompanyonme!Callmetwomenoutofthehall，Ellen。Catherineshalllingernolongertoarguewiththelowruffian——Ihavehumouredherenough。"

Hedescended，andbiddingtheservantswaitinthepassage，went，followedbyme，tothekitchen。Itsoccupantshadrecommencedtheirangrydiscussion:MrsLinton，atleast，wasscoldingwithrenewedvigour；Heathcliffhadmovedtothewindow，andhunghishead，somewhatcowedbyherviolentratingapparently。Hesawthemasterfirst，andmadeahastymotionthatsheshouldbesilent；whichsheobeyed，abruptly，ondiscoveringthereasonofhisintimation。

`Howisthis？"saidLinton，addressingher；`whatnotionofproprietymustyouhavetoremainhere，afterthelanguagewhichhasbeenheldtoyoubythatblackguard？Isuppose，becauseitishisordinarytalk，youthinknothingofit；youarehabituatedtohisbaseness，and，perhaps，imagineIcangetusedtoittoo!"

`Haveyoubeenlisteningatthedoor，Edgar？"askedthemistress，inatoneparticularlycalculatedtoprovokeherhusband，implyingbothcarelessnessandcontemptofhisirritation。Heathcliff，whohadraisedhiseyesattheformerspeech，gaveasneeringlaughatthelatter；onpurpose，itseemed，todrawMrLinton"sattentiontohim。Hesucceeded；

butEdgardidnotmeantoentertainhimwithanyhighflightsofpassion。

`Ihavebeensofarforbearingwithyou，sir，"hesaidquietly；

`notthatIwasignorantofyourmiserable，degradedcharacter，butIfeltyouwereonlypartlyresponsibleforthat；andCatherinewishingtokeepupyouracquaintance，Iacquiesced——foolishly。Yourpresenceisamoralpoisonthatwouldcontaminatethemostvirtuous:forthatcause，andtopreventworseconsequences，Ishalldenyyouhereafteradmissionintothishouse，andgivenoticenowthatIrequireyourinstantdeparture。Threeminutes"delaywillrenderitinvoluntaryandignominious。"

Heathcliffmeasuredtheheightandbreadthofthespeakerwithaneyefullofderision。

`Cathy，thislambofyoursthreatenslikeabull!"hesaid。`Itisindangerofsplittingitsskullagainstmyknuckles。ByGod!MrLinton，I"mmortallysorrythatyouarenotworthknockingdown!"

Mymasterglancedtowardsthepassage，andsignedmetofetchthemen:hehadnointentionofhazardingapersonalencounter。Iobeyedthehint；butMrsLinton，suspectingsomething，followed；andwhenIattemptedtocallthem，shepulledmeback，slammedthedoorto，andlockedit。

`Fairmeans!"shesaid，inanswertoherhusband"slookofangrysurprise`Ifyouhavenotcouragetoattackhim，makeanapology，orallowyourselftobebeaten。Itwillcorrectyouoffeigningmorevalourthanyoupossess。No，I"llswallowthekeybeforeyoushallgetit!I"mdelightfullyrewardedformykindnesstoeach!Afterconstantindulgenceofone"sweaknature，andtheother"sbadone，Iearnforthankstwosamplesofblindingratitude，stupidtoabsurdity!Edgar，Iwasdefendingyouandyours；

andIwishHeathcliffmayflogyousick，fordaringtothinkanevilthoughtofme。!"

Itdidnotneedthemediumofafloggingtoproducethateffectonthemaster。HetriedtowrestthekeyfromCatherine"sgrasp，andforsafetysheflungitintothehottestpartofthefire；whereuponMrEdgarwastakenwithanervoustrembling，andhiscountenancegrewdeadlypale。

Forhislifehecouldnotavertthataccessofemotion；mingledanguishandhumiliationovercamehimcompletely。Heleantonthebackofachair，andcoveredhisface。

`Oh，heavens!Inolddays，thiswouldwinyouknighthood!"exclaimedMrsLinton。`Wearevanquished!wearevanquished!Heathcliffwouldassoonliftafingeratyouasakingwouldmarchhisarmyagainstacolonyofmice。Cheerup!youshan"tbehurt!Yourtypeisnotalamb，it"sasuckingleveret。"

`Iwishyoujoyofthemilk-bloodedcoward，Cathy!"saidherfriend。

`Icomplimentyouonyourtaste。Andthatistheslavering，shiveringthingyoupreferredtome!Iwouldnotstrikehimwithmyfist，butI"dkickhimwithmyfoot，andexperienceconsiderablesatisfaction。Isheweeping，orishegoingtofaintforfear？"

ThefellowapproachedandgavethechaironwhichLintonrestedapush。He"dbetterhavekepthisdistance；mymasterquicklysprangerect，andstruckhimfullonthethroatablowthatwouldhavelevelledaslighterman。Ittookhisbreathforaminute；andwhilehechoked，MrLintonwalkedoutbythebackdoorintotheyard，andfromthencetothefrontentrance。

`There!you"vedonewithcominghere，"criedCatherine。`Getaway，now；he"llreturnwithabraceofpistols，andhalfadozenassistants。

Ifhedidoverhearus，ofcoursehe"dneverforgiveyou。You"veplayedhimanillturn，Heathcliff!Butgo——makehaste!I"dratherseeEdgaratbaythanyou。"

`DoyousupposeI"mgoingwiththatblowburninginmygullet？"

hethundered。`Byhell，no!I"llcrushhisribsinlikearottenhazelnutbeforeIcrossthethreshold!IfIdon"tfloorhimnow，Ishallmurderhimsometime；so，asyouvaluehisexistence，letmegetathim!"

`He"snotcoming，"Iinterposed，framingabitofalie。`There"sthecoachmanandthetwogardeners；you"llsurelynotwaittobethrustintotheroadbythem!Eachhasabludgeon；andmasterwill，verylikely，bewatchingfromtheparlourwindows，toseethattheyfulfilhisorders。"

Thegardenersandcoachmanwerethere；butLintonwaswiththem。Theyhadalreadyenteredthecourt。Heathcliff，onsecondthoughts，resolvedtoavoidastruggleagainstthethreeunderlings；heseizedthepoker，smashedthelockfromtheinnerdoor，andmadehisescapeastheytrampedin。

MrsLinton，whowasverymuchexcited，bademeaccompanyherupstairs。

Shedidnotknowmyshareincontributingtothedisturbance，andIwasanxioustokeepherinignorance。

`I"mnearlydistracted，Nelly!"sheexclaimed，throwingherselfonthesofa。`Athousandsmiths"hammersarebeatinginmyhead!TellIsabellatoshunme；thisuproarisowingtoher；andshouldsheoranyoneelseaggravatemyangeratpresent，Ishallgetwild。And，Nelly，saytoEdgar，ifyouseehimagaintonight，thatI"mindangerofbeingseriouslyill。

Iwishitmayprovetrue。Hehasstartledanddistressedmeshockingly!

Iwanttofrightenhim。Besides，hemightcomeandbeginastringofabuseorcomplainings；I"mcertainIshouldrecriminate，andGodknowswhereweshouldend!Willyoudoso，mygoodNelly？YouareawarethatIaminnowayblamableinthismatter。Whatpossessedhimtoturnlistener？Heathcliff"stalkwasoutrageous，afteryouleftus；butIcouldsoonhavedivertedhimfromIsabella，andtherestmeantnothing。Nowallisdashedwrongbythefool"scravingtohearevilofself，thathauntssomepeoplelikeademon!HadEdgarnevergatheredourconversation，hewouldneverhavebeentheworseforit。Really，whenheopenedonmeinthatunreasonabletoneofdispleasureafterIhadscoldedHeathclifftillIwashoarseforhim，Ididnotcare，hardly，whattheydidtoeachother；especiallyasIfeltthat，howeverthesceneclosed，weshouldallbedrivenasunderfornobodyknowshowlong!Well，ifIcannotkeepHeathcliffformyfriend——ifEdgarwillbemeanandjealous，I"lltrytobreaktheirheartsbybreakingmyown。Thatwillbeapromptwayoffinishingall，whenIampushedtoextremity!Butit"sadeedtobereservedforaforlornhope；I"dnottakeLintonbysurprisewithit。Tothispointhehasbeendiscreetindreadingtoprovokeme；youmustrepresenttheperilofquittingthatpolicy，andremindhimofmypassionatetemper，verging，whenkindled，onfrenzy。I

wishyoucoulddismissthatapathyoutofyourcountenance，andlookrathermoreanxiousaboutme。"

ThestoliditywithwhichIreceivedtheseinstructionswas，nodoubt，ratherexasperating:fortheyweredeliveredinperfectsincerity；

butIbelievedapersonwhocouldplantheturningofherfitsofpassiontoaccount，beforehand，might，byexertingherwill，managetocontrolherselftolerably，evenwhileundertheirinfluence；andIdidnotwishto`frighten"herhusband，asshesaid，andmultiplyhisannoyancesforthepurposeofservingherselfishness。ThereforeIsaidnothingwhenI

metthemastercomingtowardstheparlour；butItookthelibertyofturningbacktolistenwhethertheywouldresumetheirquarreltogether。Hebegantospeakfirst。

`Remainwhereyouare，Catherine，"hesaid；withoutanyangerinhisvoice，butwithmuchsorrowfuldespondency。`Ishallnotstay。I

amneithercometowranglenorbereconciled；butIwishjusttolearnwhether，afterthisevening"sevents，youintendtocontinueyourintimacywith——

`Oh，formercy"ssake，"interruptedthemistress，stampingherfoot，`formercy"ssake，letushearnomoreofitnow!Yourcoldbloodcannotbeworkedintoafever:yourveinsarefullofice-water；butmineareboiling，andthesightofsuchchillnessmakesthemdance。"

`Togetridofme，answermyquestion，"perseveredMrLinton。

`Youmustanswerit；andthatviolencedoesnotalarmme。Ihavefoundthatyoucanbeasstoicalasanyone，whenyouplease。WillyougiveupHeathcliffhereafter，orwillyougiveupme？Itisimpossibleforyoutobemyfriendandhisatthesametime；andIabsolutelyrequiretoknowwhichyouchoose。"

`Irequiretobeletalone!"exclaimedCatherinefuriously。`I

demandit!Don"tyouseeIcanscarcelystand？Edgar，you——youleaveme!"

Sherangthebelltillitbrokewithatwang；Ienteredleisurely。

Itwasenoughtotrythetemperofasaint，suchsenseless，wickedrages!

Thereshelaydashingherheadagainstthearmofthesofa，andgrindingherteeth，sothatyoumightfancyshewouldcrashthemtosplinters!MrLintonstoodlookingatherinsuddencompunctionandfear。Hetoldmetofetchsomewater。Shehadnobreathforspeaking。Ibroughtaglassfull；andasshewouldnotdrink，Isprinkleditonherface。Inafewsecondsshestretchedherselfoutstiff，andturneduphereyes，whilehercheeks，atonceblanchedandlivid，assumedtheaspectofdeath。Lintonlookedterrified。

`Thereisnothingintheworldthematter，"Iwhispered。Ididnotwanthimtoyield，thoughIcouldnothelpbeingafraidinmyheart。

`Shehasbloodonherlips!"hesaid，shuddering。

`Nevermind!"Iansweredtartly。AndItoldhimhowshehadresolved，previoustohiscoming，onexhibitingafitoffrenzy。Iincautiouslygavetheaccountaloud，andsheheardme；forshestartedup——herhairflyingoverhershoulders，hereyesflashing，themusclesofherneckandarmsstandingoutpreternaturally。Imadeupmymindforbrokenbones，atleast；

butsheonlyglaredaboutherforaninstant，andthenrushedfromtheroom。Themasterdirectedmetofollow；Idid，toherchamberdoor:shehinderedmefromgoingfartherbysecuringitagainstme。

Assheneverofferedtodescendtobreakfastnextmorning，Iwenttoaskwhethershewouldhavesomecarriedup。`No!"sherepliedperemptorily。

Thesamequestionwasrepeatedatdinnerandtea；andagainonthemorrowafter，andreceivedthesameanswer。MrLinton，onhispart，spenthistimeinthelibrary，anddidnotinquireconcerninghiswife"soccupations。

Isabellaandhehadhadanhour"sinterview，duringwhichhetriedtoelicitfromhersomesentimentofproperhorrorforHeathcliff"sadvances:buthecouldmakenothingofherevasivereplies，andwasobligedtoclosetheexaminationunsatisfactorily；adding，however，asolemnwarning，thatifsheweresoinsaneastoencouragethatworthlesssuitor，itwoulddissolveallbondsofrelationshipbetweenherselfandhim。

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