第6章

WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter12WhileMissLintonmopedabouttheparkandgarden，alwayssilent，andalmostalwaysintears；andherbrothershuthimselfupamongbooksthatheneveropened——wearying，Iguessed，withacontinualvagueexpectationthatCatherine，repentingherconduct，wouldcomeofherownaccordtoaskpardon，andseekareconciliation——andshefastedpertinaciously，undertheidea，probably，thatateverymeal，Edgarwasreadytochokeforherabsence，andpridealoneheldhimfromrunningtocasthimselfatherfeet:Iwentaboutmyhouseholdduties，convincedthattheGrangehadbutonesensiblesoulinitswalls，andthatlodgedinmybody。IwastednocondolencesonMiss，noranyexpostulationsonmymistress；nordidIpaymuchattentiontothesighsofmymaster，whoyearnedtohearhislady"sname，sincehemightnothearhervoice。Ideterminedtheyshouldcomeaboutastheypleasedforme；andthoughitwasatiresomelyslowprocess，Ibegantorejoiceatlengthinafaintdawnofitsprogress:asIthoughtatfirst。

MrsLinton，onthethirdday，unbarredherdoor，andhavingfinishedthewaterinherpitcheranddecanter，desiredarenewedsupply，andabasinofgruel，forshebelievedshewasdying。ThatIsetdownasaspeechmeantforEdgar"sears；Ibelievednosuchthing，soIkeptittomyselfandbroughthersometeaanddrytoast。Sheateanddrankeagerly；andsankbackonherpillowagainclenchingherhandsandgroaning。`Oh，I

willdie，"sheexclaimed，`sincenoonecaresanythingaboutme。IwishIhadnottakenthat。"ThenagoodwhileafterIheardhermurmur，`No，I"llnotdie——he"dbeglad——hedoesnotlovemeatall——hewouldnevermissme!"

`Didyouwantanything，ma"am？"Iinquired，stillpreservingmyexternalcomposure，inspiteofherghastlycountenance，andstrangeexaggeratedmanner。

`Whatisthatapatheticbeingdoing？"shedemanded，pushingherthickentangledlocksfromherwastedface。`Hashefallenintoalethargy，orishedead？"

`Neither，"repliedI；`ifyoumeanMrLinton。He"stolerablywell，Ithink，thoughhisstudiesoccupyhimrathermorethantheyought:heiscontinuallyamonghisbooks，sincehehasnoothersociety。"

Ishouldnothavespokenso，ifIhadknownhertruecondition，butIcouldnotgetridofthenotionthatsheactedapartofherdisorder。

`Amonghisbooks!"shecried，confounded。`AndIdying!Ionthebrinkofthegrave!MyGod!doesheknowhowI"maltered？"continuedshe，staringatherreflectioninamirrorhangingagainsttheoppositewall。

`IsthatCatherineLinton!Heimaginesmeinapet——inplay，perhaps。Cannotyouinformhimthatitisfrightfulearnest？Nelly，ifitbenottoolate，assoonasIlearnhowhefeels，I"llchoosebetweenthesetwo；eithertostarveatonce——thatwouldbenopunishmentunlesshehadaheart——ortorecover，andleavethecountry。Areyouspeakingthetruthabouthimnow？Takecare。Isheactuallysoutterlyindifferentformylife？"

`Why，ma"am，"Ianswered，`themasterhasnoideaofyourbeingderanged；andofcoursehedoesnotfearthatyouwillletyourselfdieofhunger。"

`Youthinknot？CannotyoutellhimIwill？"shereturned。`Persuadehim!speakofyourownmind:sayyouarecertainIwill!"

`No，youforget，MrsLinton，"Isuggested，`thatyouhaveeatensomefoodwitharelishthisevening，andtomorrowyouwillperceiveitsgoodeffects。"

`IfIwereonlysureitwouldkillhim，"sheinterrupted，`I"dkillmyselfdirectly!Thesethreeawfulnights，I"veneverclosedmylids——andoh，I"vebeentormented!I"vebeenhaunted，Nelly!ButIbegintofancyyoudon"tlikeme。Howstrange!Ithought，thougheverybodyhatedanddespisedeachother，theycouldnotavoidlovingme。Andtheyhaveallturnedtoenemiesinafewhours:theyhave，I"mpositive；thepeoplehere。

Howdrearytomeetdeath，surroundedbytheircoldfaces!Isabellaterrifiedandrepelled，afraidtoentertheroom，itwouldbesodreadfultowatchCatherinego。AndEdgarstandingsolemnlybytoseeitover；thenofferingprayersofthankstoGodforrestoringpeacetohishouse，andgoingbacktohisbooks!Whatinthenameofallthatfeelshashetodowithbooks，whenIamdying？"

ShecouldnotbearthenotionwhichIhadputintoherheadofMrLinton"sphilosophicalresignation。Tossingabout，sheincreasedherfeverishbewildermenttomadness，andtorethepillowwithherteeth；thenraisingherselfupallburning，desiredthatIwouldopenthewindow。Wewereinthemiddleofwinter，thewindblewstrongfromthenorth-east，andIobjected。Boththeexpressionsflittingoverherface，andthechangesofhermoods，begantoalarmmeterribly；andbroughttomyrecollectionherformerillness，andthedoctor"sinjunctionthatsheshouldnotbecrossed。Aminutepreviouslyshewasviolent；now，supportedononearm，andnotnoticingmyrefusaltoobeyher，sheseemedtofindchildishdiversioninpullingthefeathersfromtherentsshehadjustmade，andrangingthemonthesheetaccordingtotheirdifferentspecies:hermindhadstrayedtootherassociations。

`That"saturkey"s，"shemurmuredtoherself；`andthisisawildduck"s；andthisisapigeon"s。Ah，theyputpigeons"feathersinthepillows——nowonderIcouldn"tdie!LetmetakecaretothrowitonthefloorwhenI

liedown。Andhereisamoor-cock"s；andthis——Ishouldknowitamongathousand——it"salapwing"s。Bonnybird；wheelingoverourheadsinthemiddleofthemoor。Itwantedtogettoitsnest，forthecloudshadtouchedtheswells，anditfeltraincoming。Thisfeatherwaspickedupfromtheheath，thebirdwasnotshot:wesawitsnestinthewinter，fulloflittleskeletons。Heathcliffsetatrapoverit，andtheoldonesdarenotcome。

Imadehimpromisehe"dnevershootalapwingafterthat，andhedidn"t。

Yes，herearemore!Didheshootmylapwings，Nelly？Aretheyred，anyofthem!Letmelook。"

`Giveoverwiththatbaby-work!"Iinterrupted，draggingthepillowaway，andturningtheholestowardsthemattress，forshewasremovingitscontentsbyhandfuls。`Liedownandshutyoureyes:you"rewandering。

There"samess!Thedownisflyingaboutlikesnow。"

Iwenthereandtherecollectingit。

`Iseeinyou，Nelly，"shecontinueddreamily，`anagedwoman:

youhavegreyhairandbentshoulders。ThisbedisthefairycaveunderPenistonCrag，andyouaregatheringelf-boltstohurtourheifers；pretending，whileIamnear，thattheyareonlylocksofwool。That"swhatyou"llcometofiftyyearshence:Iknowyouarenotsonow。I"mnotwandering:you"remistaken，orelseIshouldbelieveyoureallywerethatwitheredhag，andIshouldthinkIwasunderPenistonCrag；andI"mconsciousit"snight，andtherearetwocandlesonthetablemakingtheblackpressshinelikejet。"

`Theblackpress？whereisthat？"Iasked。`Youaretalkinginyoursleep!"

`It"sagainstthewall，asitalwaysis，"shereplied。`Itdoesappearodd——Iseeafaceinit!"

`There"snopressintheroom，andneverwas，"saidI，resumingmyseat，andloopingupthecurtainthatImightwatchher。

`Don"tyouseethatface？"sheinquired，gazingearnestlyatthemirror。

AndsaywhatIcould，Iwasincapableofmakinghercomprehendittobeherown；soIroseandcovereditwithashawl。

`It"sbehindtherestill!"shepursuedanxiously。`Anditstirred。

Whoisit？Ihopeitwillnotcomeoutwhenyouaregone!Oh!Nelly，theroomishaunted!I"mafraidofbeingalone!"

Itookherhandinmine，andbidherbecomposed:forasuccessionofshuddersconvulsedherframe，andshewouldkeepstraininghergazetowardstheglass。

`There"snobodyhere!"Iinsisted。`Itwasyourself，MrsLinton:youknewitawhilesince。"

`Myself!"shegasped，`andtheclockisstrikingtwelve!It"strue，then!that"sdreadful!"

Herfingersclutchedtheclothes，andgatheredthemoverhereyes。

Iattemptedtostealtothedoorwithanintentionofcallingherhusband；

butIwassummonedbackbyapiercingshriek——theshawlhaddroppedfromtheframe。

`Why，whatisthematter？"criedI。`Whoiscowardnow？

Wakeup!Thatistheglass——themirror，MrsLinton；andyouseeyourselfinit，andthereamItoo，byyourside。"

Tremblingandbewildered，sheheldmefast，butthehorrorgraduallypassedfromhercountenance；itspalenessgaveplacetoaglowofshame。

`Oh，dear!IthoughtIwasathome，"shesighed。`IthoughtI

waslyinginmychamberatWutheringHeights。BecauseI"mweak，mybraingotconfused，andIscreamedunconsciously。Dontsayanything；butstaywithme。Idreadsleeping:mydreamsappalme。"

`Asoundsleepwoulddoyougood，ma"am，"Ianswered；`andIhopethissufferingwillpreventyourtryingstarvingagain。"

`Oh，ifIwerebutinmyownbedintheoldhouse!"shewentonbitterly，wringingherhands，`Andthatwindsoundinginthefirsbythelattice。Doletmefeelit——itcomesstraightdownthemoor——doletmehaveonebreath!"

Topacifyher，Iheldthecasementajarafewseconds。Acoldblastrushedthrough；Iclosedit，andreturnedtomypost。Shelaystillnow，herfacebathedintears。Exhaustionofbodyhadentirelysubduedherspirit:ourfieryCatherinewasnobetterthanawailingchild。

`HowlongisitsinceIshutmyselfinhere？"sheasked，suddenlyreviving。

`ItwasMondayevening，"Ireplied，`andthisisThursdaynight，orratherFridaymorning，atpresent。

`What!ofthesameweek？"sheexclaimed。`Onlythatbrieftime？"

`Longenoughtoliveonnothingbutcoldwaterandill-temper，observedI。

`Well，itseemsawearynumberofhours，"shemuttereddoubtfully:

`itmustbemore。Irememberbeingintheparlouraftertheyhadquarrelled，andEdgarbeingcruellyprovoking，andmerunningintothisroomdesperate。

AssoonaseverIhadbarredthedoor，utterblacknessoverwhelmedme，andIfellonthefloor。Icouldn"texplaintoEdgarhowcertainIfeltofhavingafit，orgoingragingmad，ifhepersistedinteasingme!I

hadnocommandoftongue，orbrain，andhedidnotguessmyagony，perhaps:

itbarelyleftmesensetotrytoescapefromhimandhisvoice。BeforeIrecoveredsufficientlytoseeandhear，itbegantobedawn，and，Nelly，I"lltellyouwhatIthought，andwhathaskeptrecurringandrecurringtillIfearedformyreason。IthoughtasIlaythere，withmyheadagainstthattableleg，andmyeyesdimlydiscerningthegreysquareofthewindow，thatIwasenclosedintheoak-panelledbedathome；andmyheartachedwithsomegreatgriefwhich，justwaking，Icouldnotrecollect。Ipondered，andworriedmyselftodiscoverwhatitcouldbe，and，moststrangely，thewholelastsevenyearsofmylifegrewablank!Ididnotrecallthattheyhadbeenatall。Iwasachild；myfatherwasjustburied，andmymiseryarosefromtheseparationthatHindleyhadorderedbetweenmeandHeathcliff。

Iwaslaidalone，forthefirsttime；and，rousingfromadismaldozeafteranightofweeping，Iliftedmyhandtopushthepanelsaside:itstruckthetabletop!Isweptitalongthecarpet，andthenmemoryburstin:mylateanguishwasswallowedinaparoxysmofdespair。IcannotsaywhyI

feltsowildlywretched:itmusthavebeentemporaryderangement，forthereisscarcelycause。But，supposingattwelveyearsoldIhadbeenwrenchedfromtheHeights，andeveryearlyassociation，andmyallinall，asHeathcliffwasatthattime，andbeenconvertedatastrokeintoMrsLinton，theladyofThrushcrossGrange，andthewifeofastranger:anexile，andoutcast，thenceforth，fromwhathadbeenmyworld。YoumayfancyaglimpseoftheabysswhereIgrovelled!Shakeyourheadasyouwill，Nelly，youhavehelpedtounsettleme!YoushouldhavespokentoEdgar，indeedyoushould，andcompelledhimtoleavemequiet!Oh，I"mburning!IwishI

wereoutofdoors!IwishIwereagirlagain，halfsavageandhardy，andfree；andlaughingatinjuries，notmaddeningunderthem!WhyamIsochanged？

whydoesmybloodrushintoahelloftumultatafewwords？I"msureI

shouldbemyselfwereIonceamongtheheatheronthosehills。Openthewindowagainwide:fastenitopen!Quick，whydon"tyoumove？"

`BecauseIwon"tgiveyouyourdeathofcold，"Ianswered。

`Youwon"tgivemeachanceoflife，youmean，"shesaidsullenly。

`However，I"mnothelpless，yet:I"llopenitmyself。"

AndslidingfromthebedbeforeIcouldhinderher，shecrossedtheroom，walkingveryuncertainly，threwitback，andbentout，carelessofthefrostyairthatcutabouthershouldersaskeenasaknife。Ientreated，andfinallyattemptedtoforcehertoretire。ButIsoonfoundherdeliriousstrengthmuchsurpassedmine(shewasdelirious，Ibecameconvincedbyhersubsequentactionsandravings)。Therewasnomoon，andeverythingbeneathlayinmistydarkness:notalightgleamedfromanyhouse，farornear——allhadbeenextinguishedlongago；andthoseatWutheringHeightswerenevervisible——stillsheassertedshecaughttheirshining。

`Look!"shecriedeagerly，`that"smyroomwiththecandleinit，andthetreesswayingbeforeit:andtheothercandleisinJoseph"sgarret。Josephsitsuplate，doesn"the？He"swaitingtillIcomehomethathemaylockthegate。Well，he"llwaitawhileyet。It"saroughjourney，andasadhearttotravelit；andwemustpassbyGimmertonKirk，togothatjourney!We"vebraveditsghostsoftentogether，anddaredeachothertostandamongthegravesandaskthemtocome。But，Heathcliff，ifIdareyounow，willyouventure？Ifyoudo，I"llkeepyou。I"llnotlietherebymyself:theymayburymetwelvefeetdeep，andthrowthechurchdownoverme，butIwon"tresttillyouarewithme。Ineverwill!"

Shepaused，andresumedwithastrangesmile。`He"sconsidering——he"dratherI"dcometohim!Findaway，then!notthroughthatkirkyard。Youareslow!Becontent，youalwaysfollowedme!"

Perceivingitvaintoargueagainstherinsanity，IwasplanninghowIcouldreachsomethingtowrapabouther，withoutquittingmyholdofherself(forIcouldnottrustheralonebythegapinglattice)，when，tomyconsternation，Iheardtherattleofthedoorhandle，andMrLintonentered。Hehadonlythencomefromthelibrary；and，inpassingthroughthelobby，hadnoticedourtalkingandbeenattractedbycuriosity，orfear，toexaminewhatitsignified，atthatlatehour。

`Oh，sir!"Icried，checkingtheexclamationrisentohislipsatthesightwhichmethim，andthebleakatmosphereofthechamber。`Mypoormistressisill，andshequitemastersme:Icannotmanageheratall；pray，comeandpersuadehertogotobed。Forgetyouranger，forshe"shardtoguideanywaybutherown。"

`Catherineill？"hesaid，hasteningtous。`Shutthewindow，Ellen!

Catherine!why——

Hewassilent。ThehaggardnessofMrsLinton"sappearancesmotehimspeechless，andhecouldonlyglancefromhertomeinhorrifiedastonishment。

`She"sbeenfrettinghere，"Icontinued，`andeatingscarcelyanything，andnevercomplaining；shewouldadmitnoneofustillthisevening，andsowecouldn"tinformyouofherstateaswewerenotawareofitourselves；

butitisnothing。"

IfeltIutteredmyexplanationsawkwardly；themasterfrowned。

`Itisnothing，isit，EllenDean？"hesaidsternly。`Youshallaccountmoreclearlyforkeepingmeignorantofthis!"Andhetookhiswifeinhisarms，andlookedatherwithanguish。

Atfirstshegavehimnoglanceofrecognition；hewasinvisibletoherabstractedgaze。Thedeliriumwasnotfixed，however；havingweanedhereyesfromcontemplatingtheouterdarkness，bydegreesshecentredherattentiononhim，anddiscoveredwhoitwasthatheldher。

`Ah!youarecome，areyou，EdgarLinton？"shesaid，withangryanimation。`Youareoneofthosethingsthatareeverfoundwhenleastwanted，andwhenyouarewanted，never!Isupposeweshallhaveplentyoflamentationsnow——Iseeweshall——buttheycan"tkeepmefrommynarrowhomeoutyonder:myresting-place，whereI"mboundbeforespringisover!

Thereitis:notamongtheLintons，mind，underthechapelroof，butintheopenair，withaheadstone；andyoumaypleaseyourself，whetheryougotothemorcometome!"

`Catherine，whathaveyoudone？"commencedthemaster。`AmInothingtoyouanymore？DoyoulovethatwretchHeath——"

`Hush!"criedMrsLinton。`Hush，thismoment!YoumentionthatnameandIendthematterinstantly，byaspringfromthewindow!Whatyoutouchatpresentyoumayhave；butmysoulwillbeonthathilltopbeforeyoulayhandsonmeagain。Idon"twantyou，Edgar:I"mpastwantingyou。Returntoyourbooks。I"mgladyoupossessaconsolation，forallyouhadinmeisgone。"

`Hermindwanders，sir，"Iinterposed。`Shehasbeentalkingnonsensethewholeevening；butletherhavequiet，andproperattendance，andshe"llrally。Hereafter，wemustbecautioushowwevexher。"

`Idesirenofurtheradvicefromyou，"answeredMrLinton。`Youknowyourmistress"snature，andyouencouragedmetoharassher。Andnottogivemeonehintofhowshehasbeenthesethreedays!Itwasheartless!

Monthsofsicknesscouldnotcausesuchachange!"

Ibegantodefendmyself，thinkingittoobadtobeblamedforanother"swickedwaywardness。`IknewMrsLinton"snaturetobeheadstronganddomineering，"criedI；`butIdidn"tknowthatyouwishedtofosterherfiercetemper!Ididn"tknowthat，tohumourher，IshouldwinkatMrHeathcliff。Iperformedthedutyofafaithfulservantintellingyou，andIhavegotafaithfulservant"swages!Well，itwillteachmetobecarefulnexttime。Nexttimeyoumaygatherintelligenceforyourself!"

`Thenexttimeyoubringataletome，youshallquitmyservice，EllenDean，"hereplied。

`You"dratherhearnothingaboutit，Isuppose，then，MrLinton？"

saidI。`Heathcliffhasyourpermissiontocomeacourtingtomiss，andtodropinateveryopportunityyourabsenceoffers，onpurposetopoisonthemistressagainstyou？"

ConfusedasCatherinewas，herwitswerealertatapplyingourconversation。

`Ah!Nellyhasplayedtraitor，"sheexclaimedpassionately。`Nellyismyhiddenenemy。Youwitch!Soyoudoseekelf-boltstohurtus!Letmego，I"llmakeherrue!I"llmakeherhowlarecantation!"

Amaniac"sfurykindledunderherbrows；shestruggleddesperatelytodisengageherselffromLinton"sarms。Ifeltnoinclinationtotarrytheevent；and，resolvingtoseekmedicalaidonmyownresponsibility，Iquittedthechamber。

Inpassingthegardentoreachtheroad，ataplacewhereabridlehookisdrivenintothewall，Isawsomethingwhitemovedirregularly，evidentlybyanotheragentthanthewind。Notwithstandingmyhurry，Istayedtoexamineit，lesteverafterIshouldhavetheconvictionimpressedonmyimaginationthatitwasacreatureoftheotherworld。Mysurpriseandperplexityweregreattodiscover，bytouchmorethanvision，MissIsabella"sspringer，Fanny，suspendedbyahandkerchief，andnearlyatitslastgasp。

Iquicklyreleasedtheanimal，andlifteditintothegarden。Ihadseenitfollowitsmistressupstairswhenshewenttobed；andwonderedmuchhowitcouldhavegotoutthere，andwhatmischievouspersonhadtreateditso。Whileuntyingtheknotroundthehook，itseemedtomethatIrepeatedlycaughtthebeatofhorses"feetgallopingatsomedistance；butthereweresuchanumberofthingstooccupymyreflectionsthatIhardlygavethecircumstanceathought:thoughitwasastrangesound，inthatplace，attwoo"clockinthemorning。

MrKennethwasfortunatelyjustissuingfromhishousetoseeapatientinthevillageasIcameupthestreet；andmyaccountofCatherineLinton"smaladyinducedhimtoaccompanymebackimmediately。Hewasaplainroughman；andhemadenoscrupletospeakhisdoubtsofhersurvivingthissecondattack；unlesssheweremoresubmissivetohisdirectionsthanshehadshownherselfbefore。

`NellyDean，"saidhe，`Ican"thelpfancyingthere"sanextracauseforthis。WhathastherebeentodoattheGrange？We"veoddreportsuphere。Astout，heartylasslikeCatherine，doesnotfallillforatrifle；

andthatsortofpeopleshouldnoteither。It"shardworkbringingthemthroughfevers，andsuchthings。Howdiditbegin？"

`Themasterwillinformyou，"Ianswered；`butyouareacquaintedwiththeEarnshaws"violentdispositions，andMrsLintoncapsthemall。

Imaysaythis:itcommencedinaquarrel。Shewasstruckduringatempestofpassionwithakindoffit。That"sheraccount，atleast；forsheflewoffintheheightofit，andlockedherselfup。Afterwards，sherefusedtoeat，andnowshealternatelyravesandremainsinahalf-dream；knowingthoseabouther，byhavinghermindfilledwithallsortsofstrangeideasandillusions。"

`MrLintonwillbesorry？"observedKenneth，interrogatively。

`Sorry？he"llbreakhisheartshouldanythinghappen!"Ireplied。

`Don"talarmhimmorethannecessary。

`Well，Itoldhimtobeware，"saidmycompanion；`andhemustbidetheconsequencesofneglectingmywarning!Hasn"thebeenthickwithMrHeathcliff，lately？"

`HeathclifffrequentlyvisitsattheGrange，"answeredI，`thoughmoreonthestrengthofthemistresshavingknownhimwhenaboy，thanbecausethemasterlikeshiscompany。Atpresent，he"sdischargedfromthetroubleofcalling；owingtosomepresumptuousaspirationsafterMissLintonwhichhemanifested。Ihardlythinkhe"llbetakeninagain。"

`AnddoesMissLintonturnacoldshoulderonhim？"wasthedoctor"snextquestion。

`I"mnotinherconfidence，"returnedI，reluctanttocontinuethesubject。

`No，she"saslyone，"heremarked，shakinghishead。`Shekeepsherowncounsel!Butshe"sareallittlefool。Ihaveitfromgoodauthority，that，lastnight(andaprettynightitwas!)sheandHeathcliffwerewalkingintheplantationatthebackofyourhouse，abovetwohours；andhepressedhernottogoinagain，butjustmounthishorseandawaywithhim!Myinformantsaidshecouldonlyputhimoffbypledgingherwordofhonourtobepreparedontheirfirstmeetingafterthat:whenitwastobe，hedidn"thear；butyouurgeMrLintontolooksharp!"

Thisnewsfilledmewithfreshfears；IoutstrippedKenneth，andranmostofthewayback。Thelittledogwasyelpinginthegardenyet。

Isparedaminutetoopenthegateforit，butinsteadofgoingtothehousedoor，itcoursedupanddownsnuffingthegrass，andwouldhaveescapedtotheroad，hadInotseizedandconveyeditinwithme。OnascendingtoIsabella"sroom，mysuspicionswereconfirmed:itwasempty。HadIbeenafewhourssooner，MrsLinton"sillnessmighthavearrestedherrashstep。

Butwhatcouldbedonenow？Therewasabarepossibilityofovertakingthemifpursuedinstantly。Icouldnotpursuethem，however；andIdarenotrousethefamily，andfilltheplacewithconfusion；stilllessunfoldthebusinesstomymaster，absorbedashewasinhispresentcalamity，andhavingnohearttospareforasecondgrief!Isawnothingforitbuttoholdmytongue，andsuffermatterstotaketheircourse；andKennethbeingarrived，Iwentwithabadlycomposedcountenancetoannouncehim。

Catherinelayinatroubledsleep:herhusbandhadsucceededinsoothingtheaccessoffrenzy:henowhungoverherpillow，watchingeveryshade，andeverychangeofherpainfullyexpressivefeatures。

Thedoctor，onexaminingthecaseforhimself，spokehopefullytohimofitshavingafavourabletermination，ifwecouldonlypreservearoundherperfectandconstanttranquillity。Tome，hesignifiedthethreateningdangerwasnotsomuchdeath，aspermanentalienationofintellect。

Ididnotclosemyeyesthatnight，nordidMrLinton:indeed，weneverwenttobed；andtheservantswerealluplongbeforetheusualhour，movingthroughthehousewithstealthytread，andexchangingwhispersastheyencounteredeachotherintheirvocations。Everyonewasactive，butMissIsabella；andtheybegantoremarkhowsoundsheslept:herbrother，too，askedifshehadrisen，andseemedimpatientforherpresence，andhurtthatsheshowedsolittleanxietyforhersister-in-law。Itrembledlestheshouldsendmetocallher；butIwassparedthepainofbeingthefirstproclaimantofherflight。Oneofthemaids，athoughtlessgirl，whohadbeenonanearlyerrandtoGimmerton，camepantingupstairs，openmouthed，anddashedintothechamber，crying:

`Oh，dear，dear!Whatmunwehavenext？Master，master，ouryounglady——

`Holdyournoise!"criedIhastily，enragedatherclamorousmanner。

`Speaklower，Mary——Whatisthematter？"saidMrLinton。`Whatailsyouryounglady？"

`She"sgone，she"sgone!Yon"Heathcliff"srunoffwi"her!"gaspedthegirl。

`Thatisnottrue!"exclaimedLinton，risinginagitation。`Itcannotbe:howhastheideaenteredyourhead？EllenDean，goandseekher。Itisincredible:itcannotbe。"

Ashespokehetooktheservanttothedoor，andthenrepeatedhisdemandtoknowherreasonsforsuchanassertion。

`Why，Imetontheroadaladthatfetchesmilkhere，"shestammered，`andheaskedwhetherweweren"tintroubleattheGrange。Ithoughthemeantformissis"ssickness，soIanswered，yes。Thensayshe，"They"ssomebodygoneafter`em，Iguess？"Istared。HesawIknewnoughtaboutit，andhetoldhowagentlemanandladyhadstoppedtohaveahorse"sshoefastenedatablacksmith"sshop，twomilesoutofGimmerton，notverylongaftermidnight!andhowtheblacksmith"slasshadgotuptospywhotheywere:sheknewthembothdirectly。Andshenoticedtheman——Heathcliffitwas，shefeltcertain:nobodycouldmistakehim，besides——putasovereigninherfather"shandforpayment。Theladyhadacloakaboutherface；

buthavingdesiredasupofwater，whileshedrank，itfellback，andshesawherveryplain。Heathcliffheldbothbridlesastheyrodeon，andtheysettheirfacesfromthevillage，andwentasfastastheroughroadswouldletthem。Thelasssaidnothingtoherfather，butshetolditalloverGimmertonthismorning。"

Iranandpeeped，forform"ssake，intoIsabella"sroom；confirming，whenIreturned，theservant"sstatement。MrLintonhadresumedhisseatbythebed；onmyre-entrance，heraisedhiseyes，readthemeaningofmyblankaspect，anddroppedthemwithoutgivinganorder，orutteringaword。

`Arewetotryanymeasuresforovertakingandbringingherback？"

Iinquired。`Howshouldwedo？"

`Shewentofherownaccord，"answeredthemaster；`shehadarighttogoifshepleased。Troublemenomoreabouther。Hereaftersheisonlymysisterinname:notbecauseIdisownher，butbecauseshehasdisownedme。"

Andthatwasallhesaidonthesubject:hedidnotmakeasingleinquiryfurther，ormentionherinanyway，exceptdirectingmetosendwhatpropertyshehadinthehousetoherfreshhome，whereveritwas，whenIknewit。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter13Fortwomonthsthefugitivesremainedabsent；inthosetwomonths，MrsLintonencounteredandconqueredtheworstshockofwhatwasdenominatedabrainfever。NomothercouldhavenursedanonlychildmoredevotedlythanEdgartendedher。Dayandnighthewaswatching，andpatientlyenduringalltheannoyancesthatirritablenervesandashakenreasoncouldinflict；

and，thoughKennethremarkedthatwhathesavedfromthegravewouldonlyrecompensehiscarebyformingthesourceofconstantfutureanxiety——infact，thathishealthandstrengthwerebeingsacrificedtopreserveamereruinofhumanity——heknewnolimitsingratitudeandjoywhenCatherine"slifewasdeclaredoutofdanger；andhourafterhourhewouldsitbesideher，tracingthegradualreturntobodilyhealth，andflatteringhistoosanguinehopeswiththeillusionthathermindwouldsettlebacktoitsrightbalancealso，andshewouldsoonbeentirelyherformerself。

ThefirsttimesheleftherchamberwasatthecommencementofthefollowingMarch。MrLintonhadputonherpillow，inthemorning，ahandfulofgoldencrocuses；hereye，longstrangertoanygleamofpleasure，caughttheminwaking，andshonedelightedasshegatheredthemeagerlytogether。

`ThesearetheearliestflowersattheHeights，"sheexclaimed。

`Theyremindmeofsoftthawwinds，andwarmsunshine，andnearlymeltedsnow。Edgar，istherenotasouthwind，andisnotthesnowalmostgone？"

`Thesnowisquitegonedownhere，darling，"repliedherhusband；

`andIonlyseetwowhitespotsonthewholerangeofmoors:theskyisblue，andthelarksaresinging，andthebecksandbrooksareallbrimfull。Catherine，lastspringatthistime，Iwaslongingtohaveyouunderthisroof，now，Iwishyouwereamileortwoupthosehills:theairblowssosweetly，Ifeelthatitwouldcureyou。

`Ishallneverbetherebutoncemore，"saidtheinvalid；`andthenyou"llleaveme，andIshallremainforever。Nextspringyou"lllongagaintohavemeunderthisroof，andyou"lllookbackandthinkyouwerehappytoday。

Lintonlavishedonherthekindestcaresses，andtriedtocheerherbythefondestwords；but，vaguelyregardingtheflowers，sheletthetearscollectonherlashesandstreamdownhercheeksunheeding。Weknewshewasreallybetter，and，therefore，decidedthatlongconfinementtoasingleplaceproducedmuchofthisdespondency，anditmightbepartiallyremovedbyachangeofscene。Themastertoldmetolightafireinthemany-weeks-desertedparlour，andtosetaneasychairinthesunshinebythewindow；andthenhebroughtherdown，andshesatalongwhileenjoyingthegenialheat，and，asweexpected，revivedbytheobjectsroundher:

which，thoughfamiliar，werefreefromthedrearyassociationsinvestingherhatedsickchamber。Byevening，sheseemedgreatlyexhausted；yetnoargumentscouldpersuadehertoreturntothatapartment，andIhadtoarrangetheparloursofaforherbed，tillanotherroomcouldbeprepared。

Toobviatethefatigueofmountinganddescendingthestairs，wefittedupthis，whereyoulieatpresent:onthesamefloorwiththeparlour；

andshewassoonstrongenoughtomovefromonetotheother，leaningonEdgar"sarm。Ah，Ithoughtmyselfshemightrecover，sowaitedonasshewas。Andtherewasdoublecausetodesireit，foronherexistencedependedthatofanother:wecherishedthehopethatinalittlewhile，MrLinton"sheartwouldbegladdened，andhislandssecuredfromastranger"sgripe，bythebirthofanheir。

IshouldmentionthatIsabellasenttoherbrother，somesixweeksfromherdeparture，ashortnote，announcinghermarriagewithHeathcliff。

Itappeareddryandcold；butatthebottomwasdottedinwithpencilanobscureapology，andanentreatyforkindremembranceandreconciliation，ifherproceedinghadoffendedhim:assertingthatshecouldnothelpitthen，andbeingdone，shehadnownopowertorepealit。Lintondidnotreplytothis，Ibelieve；and，inafortnightmore，IgotalongletterwhichIconsideredodd，comingfromthepenofabridejustoutofthehoneymoon。I"llreadit:forIkeepityet。Anyrelicofthedeadisprecious，iftheywerevaluedliving。

DEARELLEN，itbegins:——

IcamelastnighttoWutheringHeights，andheard，forthefirsttime，thatCatherinehasbeen，andisyet，veryill。Imustnotwritetoher，Isuppose，andmybrotheriseithertooangryortoodistressedtoanswerwhatIsenthim。Still，Imustwritetosomebody，andtheonlychoiceleftmeisyou。

InformEdgarthatI"dgivetheworldtoseehisfaceagain——thatmyheartreturnedtoThrushcrossGrangeintwenty-fourhoursafterIleftit，andisthereatthismoment，fullofwarmfeelingsforhim，andCatherine!Ican"tfollowit，though——(thosewordsareunderlined)theyneednotexpectme，andtheymaydrawwhatconclusionstheyplease；takingcare，however，tolaynothingatthedoorofmyweakwillordeficientaffection。

Theremainderoftheletterisforyourselfalone。Iwanttoaskyoutwoquestions:thefirstis——Howdidyoucontrivetopreservethecommonsympathiesofhumannaturewhenyouresidedhere？Icannotrecognizeanysentimentwhichthosearoundsharewithme。

Thesecondquestion，Ihavegreatinterestin；itisthis——IsMrHeathcliffaman？Ifso，ishemad？Andifnot，isheadevil？Ishan"ttellmyreasonsformakingthisinquiry；but，Ibeseechyoutoexplain，ifyoucan，whatIhavemarried:thatis，whenyoucalltoseeme；andyoumustcall，Ellen，verysoon。Don"twrite，butcome，andbringmesomethingfromEdgar。

Now，youshallhearhowIhavebeenreceivedinmynewhome，asIamledtoimaginetheHeightswillbe。ItistoamusemyselfthatIdwellonsuchsubjectsasthelackofexternalcomforts:theyneveroccupymythoughts，exceptatthemomentwhenImissthem。Ishouldlaughanddanceforjoy，ifIfoundtheirabsencewasthetotalofmymiseries，andtherestwasanunnaturaldream!

ThesunsetbehindtheGrange，asweturnedontothemoors；bythat，Ijudgedittobesixo"clock；andmycompanionhaltedhalfanhour，toinspectthepark，andthegardens，and，probably，theplaceitself，aswellashecould；soitwasdarkwhenwedismountedinthepavedyardofthefarmhouse，andyouroldfellow-servant，Joseph，issuedouttoreceiveusbythelightofadipcandle。Hediditwithacourtesythatredoundedtohiscredit。Hisfirstactwastoelevatehistorchtoalevelwithmyface，squintmalignantly，projecthisunderlip，andturnaway。Thenhetookthetwohorses，andledthemintothestables；reappearingforthepurposeoflockingtheoutergate，asifwelivedinanancientcastle。

Heathcliffstayedtospeaktohim，andIenteredthekitchen——adingy，untidyhole；Idaresayyouwouldnotknowit，itissochangedsinceitwasinyourcharge。Bythefirestoodaruffianlychild，stronginlimbanddirtyingarb，withalookofCatherineinhiseyesandabouthismouth。

`ThisisEdgar"slegalnephew，"Ireflected——`mineinamanner；

Imustshakehands，and——yes——Imustkisshim。Itisrighttoestablishagoodunderstandingatthebeginning。"

Iapproached，and，attemptingtotakehischubbyfist，said:`Howdoyoudo，mydear？"HerepliedinajargonIdidnotcomprehend。`ShallyouandIbefriends，Hareton？"wasmynextessayatconversation。

Anoath，andathreattosetThrottleronmeifIdidnot`frameoff"，rewardedmyperseverance。

`Hey，Throttler，lad!"whisperedthelittlewretch，rousingahalf-bredbulldogfromitslairinacorner。Now，wilttuhbeganging？"

heaskedauthoritatively。

Loveformylifeurgedacompliance；Isteppedoverthethresholdtowaittilltheothersshouldenter。MrHeathcliffwasnowherevisible；

andJoseph，whomIfollowedtothestables，andrequestedtoaccompanymein，afterstaringandmutteringtohimself，screweduphisnose，andreplied:

`Mim!mim!mim!DidiverChristianbodyhearaughtlikeit？MinchingUn"munching!HowcanAwtellwhetyesay？"

`Isay，Iwishyoutocomewithmeintothehouse!"Icried，thinkinghimdeaf，yethighlydisgustedathisrudeness。

`Nornuhme!Igettensummatelsetodo，"heanswered，andcontinuedhiswork；movinghislanternjawsmeanwhile，andsurveyingmydressandcountenance(theformeragreatdealtoofine，butthelatter，I"msure，assadashecoulddesire)withsovereigncontempt。

Iwalkedroundtheyard，andthroughawicket，toanotherdoor，atwhichItookthelibertyofknocking，inhopessomemorecivilservantmightshowhimself。Afterashortsuspense，itwasopenedbyatall，gauntman，withoutneckerchief，andotherwiseextremelyslovenly；hisfeatureswerelostinmassesofshaggyhairthathungonhisshoulders；andhiseyes，too，werelikeaghostlyCatherine"swithalltheirbeautyannihilated。

`What"syourbusinesshere？"hedemandedgrimly。`Whoareyou？"

`MynamewasIsabellaLinton，"Ireplied。`You"veseenmebefore，sir。I"mlatelymarriedtoMrHeathcliff，andhehasbroughtmehere——Isupposebyyourpermission。"

`Ishecomeback，then？"askedthehermit，glaringlikeahungrywolf。

`Yes——wecamejustnow，"Isaid；`butheleftmebythekitchendoor；andwhenIwouldhavegonein，yourlittleboyplayedsentinelovertheplace，andfrightenedmeoffbythehelpofabulldog。"

`It"swellthehellishvillainhaskepthisword!"growledmyfuturehost，searchingthedarknessbeyondmeinexpectationofdiscoveringHeathcliff；andthenheindulgedinasoliloquyofexecrations，andthreatsofwhathewouldhavedonehadthe`fiend"deceivedhim。

Irepentedhavingtriedthissecondentrance，andwasalmostinclinedtoslipawaybeforehefinishedcursing，butereIcouldexecutethatintention，heorderedmein，andshutandrefastenedthedoor。Therewasagreatfire，andthatwasallthelightinthehugeapartment，whosefloorhadgrownauniformgrey；andtheoncebrilliantpewterdishes，whichusedtoattractmygazewhenIwasagirl，partookofasimilarobscurity，createdbytarnishanddust。IinquiredwhetherImightcallthemaid，andbeconductedtoabedroom？MrEarnshawvouchsafednoanswer。Hewalkedupanddown，withhishandsinhispockets，apparentlyquiteforgettingmypresence；andhisabstractionwasevidentlysodeep，andhiswholeaspectsomisanthropical，thatIshrankfromdisturbinghimagain。

You"llnotbesurprised，Ellen，atmyfeelingparticularlycheerless，seatedinworsethansolitudeonthatinhospitablehearth，andrememberingthatfourmilesdistantlaymydelightfulhome，containingtheonlypeopleIlovedonearth；andtheremightaswellbetheAtlantictopartus，insteadofthosefourmiles:Icouldnotoverpassthem!Iquestionedwithmyself——wheremustIturnforcomfort？and——mindyoudon"ttellEdgar，orCatherine——aboveeverysorrowbeside，thisrosepre-eminent:despairatfindingnobodywhocouldorwouldbemyallyagainstHeathcliff!IhadsoughtshelteratWutheringHeights，almostgladly，becauseIwassecuredbythatarrangementfromlivingalonewithhim；butheknewthepeoplewewerecomingamongst，andhedidnotfeartheirintermeddling。

Isatandthoughtadolefultime:theclockstruckeight，andnine，andstillmycompanionpacedtoandfro，hisheadbentonhisbreast，andperfectlysilent，unlessagroanorabitterejaculationforceditselfoutatintervals。Ilistenedtodetectawoman"svoiceinthehouse，andfilledtheinterimwithwildregretsanddismalanticipations，which，atlast，spokeaudiblyinirrepressiblesighingandweeping。IwasnotawarehowopenlyIgrieved，tillEarnshawhaltedopposite，inhismeasuredwalk，andgavemeastareofnewly-awakenedsurprise。Takingadvantageofhisrecoveredattention，Iexclaimed:

`I"mtiredwithmyjourney，andIwanttogotobed!Whereisthemaidservant？Directmetoher，asshewon"tcometome!"

`Wehavenone，"heanswered；`youmustwaitonyourself!"

`WheremustIsleep，then？"Isobbed:Iwasbeyondregardingself-respect，weigheddownbyfatigueandwretchedness。

`JosephwillshowyouHeathcliff"schamber，"saidhe；`openthatdoor——he"sinthere。"

Iwasgoingtoobey，buthesuddenlyarrestedme，andaddedinthestrangesttone:

`Besogoodastoturnyourlock，anddrawyourbolt——don"tomitit!"

`Well!"Isaid。`Butwhy，MrEarnshaw？"IdidnotrelishthenotionofdeliberatelyfasteningmyselfinwithHeathcliff。

`Lookhere!"hereplied，pullingfromhiswaistcoatacuriouslyconstructedpistol，havingadouble-edgedspringknifeattachedtothebarrel。`That"sagreattemptertoadesperateman，isitnot？Icannotresistgoingupwiththiseverynight，andtryinghisdoor。IfonceIfinditopenhe"sdonefor!Idoitinvariably，eventhoughtheminutebeforeIhavebeenrecallingahundredreasonsthatshouldmakemerefrain:itissomedevilthaturgesmetothwartmyownschemesbykillinghim。Youfightagainstthatdevilforloveaslongasyoumay；whenthetimescomes，notalltheangelsinheavenshallsavehim!"

Isurveyedtheweaponinquisitively。Ahideousnotionstruckme:

howpowerfulIshouldbepossessingsuchaninstrument!Itookitfromhishand，andtouchedtheblade。Helookedastonishedattheexpressionmyfaceassumedduringabriefsecond:itwasnothorror，itwascovetousness。

Hesnatchedthepistolback，jealously；shuttheknife，andreturnedittoitsconcealment。

`Idon"tcareifyoutellhim，"saidhe。`Puthimonhisguard，andwatchforhim。Youknowthetermsweareon，Isee:hisdangerdoesnotshockyou。"

`WhathasHeathcliffdonetoyou？"Iasked。`Inwhathashewrongedyou，towarrantthisappallinghatred？Wouldn"titbewisertobidhimquitthehouse？"

`No!"thunderedEarnshaw，`shouldheoffertoleaveme，he"sadeadman:persuadehimtoattemptit，andyouareamurderess!AmItoloseall，withoutachanceofretrieval？IsHaretontobeabeggar？

Oh，damnation!Iwillhaveitback；andI"llhavehisgoldtoo；andthenhisblood；andhellshallhavehissoul!Itwillbetentimesblackerwiththatguestthaneveritwasbefore!"

You"veacquaintedme，Ellen，withyouroldmaster"shabits。Heisclearlyonthevergeofmadness:hewassolastnightatleast。Ishudderedtobenearhim，andthoughtontheservant"sill-bredmorosenessascomparativelyagreeable。Henowrecommencedhismoodywalk，andIraisedthelatch，andescapedintothekitchen。Josephwasbendingoverthefire，peeringintoalargepanthatswungaboveit；andawoodenbowlofoatmealstoodonthesettlecloseby。Thecontentsofthepanbegantoboil，andheturnedtoplungehishandintothebowl；Iconjecturedthatthispreparationwasprobablyforoursupper，and，beinghungry，Iresolveditshouldbeeatable；

so，cryingoutsharply，`I"llmaketheporridge!"Iremovedthevesseloutofhisreach，andproceededtotakeoffmyhatandridinghabit。

`MrEarnshaw"，Icontinued，`directsmetowaitonmyself:Iwill。I"mnotgoingtoacttheladyamongyou，forfearIshouldstarve。"

`GooidLord!"hemuttered，sittingdown，andstrokinghisribbedstockingsfromthekneetotheankle。`Ifthey"stuhbefreshortherings——justwhenAwgettinusedtuhtwomaisters，ifAwmunhevamistressseto"ermyheead，it"sloiketimetuhbeflitting。Awniverdidthinktuhsayt"dayutAwmudlaveth"owldplace——butAwdahtit"snighathend!"

Thislamentationdrewnonoticefromme:Iwentbrisklytowork，sighingtorememberaperiodwhenitwouldhavebeenallmerryfun；butcompelledspeedilytodriveofftheremembrance。Itrackedmetorecallpasthappiness，andthegreaterperiltherewasofconjuringupitsapparition，thequickerthethibleranround，andthefasterthehandfulsofmealfellintothewater。Josephbeheldmystyleofcookerywithgrowingindignation。

`Thear!"heejaculated，`Hareton，thahwillutsupthyporridgetuhneight；they"llbenowtbudlumpsasbigasmawnave。Thear，agean!

Aw"dflinginbowlunall，ifAwweryah!There，palet"guilpoff，un"

thenyah"llhaedonewi"t。Bang，bang。It"samarcyt"bothomisn"tdeavedaht!"

Itwasratheraroughmess，Iown，whenpouredintothebasins；fourhadbeenprovided，andagallonpitcherofnewmilkwasbroughtfromthedairy，whichHaretonseizedandcommenceddrinkingandspillingfromtheexpansivelip。Iexpostulated，anddesiredthatheshouldhavehisinamug；affirmingthatIcouldnottastetheliquidtreatedsodirtily。

Theoldcynicchosetobevastlyoffendedatthisnicety；assuringme，repeatedly，that`thebarnwaseverybitasgood"asI，`andeverybitaswollsome"，andwonderinghowIcouldfashiontobesoconceited。Meanwhile，theinfantruffiancontinuedsucking；andgloweredatmedefyingly，asheslaveredintothejug。

`Ishallhavemysupperinanotherroom，"Isaid。`Haveyounoplaceyoucallaparlour？"

`Parlour!"heechoedsneeringly，`parlour!Nay，we"venoaparlours。Ifyahdunnutloikewercompany，there"smaister"s；

un"ifyahdunnutloikemaister，there"sus。

`ThenIshallgoupstairs!"Ianswered；`showmeachamber。"I

putmybasinonatray，andwentmyselftofetchsomemoremilk。Withgreatgrumblings，thefellowrose，andprecededmeinmyascent:wemountedtothegarrets；heopeningadoor，nowandthen，tolookintotheapartmentswepassed。

`Here"sarahm，"hesaid，atlast，flingingbackacrankyboardonhinges。`It"sweeleneughtuhateafewporridgein。They"sapacko"

corni"t"corner，thear，meeterlyclane；ifyah"refeareduhmuckyingyergrandsilkcloes，spreadyerhankerchiro"t"topon"t。"

The`rahm"wasakindoflumber-holesmellingstrongofmaltandgrain；varioussacksofwhicharticleswerepiledaround，leavingawide，barespaceinthemiddle。

`Why，man!"Iexclaimed，facinghimangrily，`thisisnotaplacetosleepin。Iwishtoseemybedroom。

`Bed-rume!"herepeated，inatoneofmockery。`Yah"sseeallt"bed-rumesthearis——yon"smine。"