第7章

Hepointedintothesecondgarret，onlydifferingfromthefirstinbeingmorenakedaboutthewalls，andhavingalarge，low，curtainlessbed，withanindigo-colouredquiltatoneend。

`WhatdoIwantwithyours？"Iretorted。`IsupposeMrHeathcliffdoesnotlodgeatthetopofthehouse，doeshe？"

`Oh!it"sMaisterHathecliff"syah"rewenting!"criedhe，asifmakinganewdiscovery。`Couldn"tyeuhsaidsoa，atonst？unthen，Awmuduhtelledye，bahtallthiswark，utthat"sjustoneyahcannutsea——healIaskeepsitlocked，unnob"dyivermellson"tbuthisseln。"

`You"veanicehouse，Joseph，"Icouldnotrefrainfromobserving，`andpleasantinmates；andIthinktheconcentratedessenceofallthemadnessintheworldtookupitsabodeinmybrainthedayIlinkedmyfatewiththeirs!However，thatisnottothepresentpurpose——thereareotherrooms。Forheaven"ssakebequick，andletmesettlesomewhere!"

Hemadenoreplytothisadjuration；onlyploddingdoggedlydownthewoodensteps，andhaltingbeforeanapartmentwhich，fromthathaltandthesuperiorqualityofitsfurniture，Iconjecturedtobethebestone。Therewasacarpet:agoodone，butthepatternwasobliteratedbydust；afireplacehungwithcutpaper，droppingtopieces；ahandsomeoakbedsteadwithamplecrimsoncurtainsofratherexpensivematerialandmodernmake；buttheyhadevidentlyexperiencedroughusage:thevalanceshunginfestoons，wrenchedfromtheirrings，andtheironrodsupportingthemwasbentinanarcononeside，causingthedraperytotrailuponthefloor。

Thechairswerealsodamaged，manyofthemseverely；anddeepindentationsdeformedthepanelsofthewalls。Iwasendeavouringtogatherresolutionforenteringandtakingpossession，whenmyfoolofaguideannounced，`Thishereist"maister"s。"Mysupperbythistimewascold，myappetitegone，andmypatienceexhausted。Iinsistedonbeingprovidedinstantlywithaplaceofrefuge，andmeansofrepose。

`Whearthedivil？"beganthereligiouselder。`TheLordblessus!TheLordforgieus!Whearthehellwoldyegang？yemarred，wearisomenowt!YahseenallbudHareton"sbitufacham"er。They"snotanotherhoiletuhligdahnini"th"hahse!"

Iwassovexed，Iflungmytrayanditscontentsontheground；

andthenseatedmyselfatthestairs-head，hidmyfaceinmyhands，andcried。

`Ech!ech!"exclaimedJoseph。`Weeldone，MissCathy!weeldone，MissCathy!Hahsiver，t"maistersaIljusttum"leo"erthembrockenpots；

un"thenwe"shearsummut；we"shearhahit"stuhbe。Gooid-for-nowtmadling!

yahdesarvepiningfroothistoChurstmas，flingingt"preciousgiftsuhGodunderfooiti"yerflaysomerages!BudAw"mmista"enifyahshewyersperritlang。WillHathecliffbidesichbonnyways，thinkye？Awnobbutwishhemuhcotchyei"thatplisky。Awnobbutwishhemay。"

Andsohewentonscoldingtohisdenbeneath，takingthecandlewithhim；andIremainedinthedark。Theperiodofreflectionsucceedingthissillyaction，compelledmetoadmitthenecessityofsmotheringmyprideandchokingmywrath，andbestirringmyselftoremoveitseffects。

AnunexpectedaidpresentlyappearedintheshapeofThrottler，whomI

nowrecognizedasasonofouroldSkulker:ithadspentitswhelphoodattheGrange，andwasgivenbymyfathertoMrHindley。Ifancyitknewme:itpusheditsnoseagainstminebywayofsalute，andthenhastenedtodevourtheporridge；whileIgropedfromsteptostep，collectingtheshatteredearthenware，anddryingthespattersofmilkfromthebanisterwithmypockethandkerchief。OurlabourswerescarcelyoverwhenIheardEarnshaw"streadinthepassage；myassistanttuckedinhistail，andpressedtothewall；Istoleintothenearestdoorway。Thedog"sendeavourtoavoidhimwasunsuccessful；asIguessedbyascutterdownstairs，andaprolonged，piteousyelping。Ihadbetterluck!hepassedon，enteredhischamber，andshutthedoor。DirectlyafterJosephcameupwithHareton，toputhimtobed。IhadfoundshelterinHareton"sroom，andtheoldman，onseeingme，said:

`They"srahmforboathyeunyerpride，now，Isudthink，i"thehahse。It"sempty；yemayhevitalltoyerseln，unHimasallasmaksathird，i"suchillcompany!"

GladlydidItakeadvantageofthisintimation；andtheminuteIflungmyselfintoachair，bythefire，Inodded，andslept。Myslumberwasdeepandsweet，thoughoverfartoosoon。MrHeathcliffawokeme；hehadjustcomein，anddemanded，inhislovingmanner，whatIwasdoingthere？Itoldhimthecauseofmystayingupsolate——thathehadthekeyofourroominhispocket。Theadjectiveourgavemortaloffence。

Hesworeitwasnot，norevershouldbe，mine；andhe"d——ButI"llnotrepeathislanguage，nordescribehishabitualconduct:heisingeniousandunrestinginseekingtogainmyabhorrence!Isometimeswonderathimwithanintensitythatdeadensmyfear:yet，Iassureyou，atigeroravenomousserpentcouldnotrouseterrorinmeequaltothatwhichhewakens。HetoldmeofCatherine"sillness，andaccusedmybrotherofcausingit；promisingthatIshouldbeEdgar"sproxyinsuffering，tillhecouldgetholdofhim。

Idohatehim——Iamwretched——Ihavebeenafool!BewareofutteringonebreathofthistoanyoneattheGrange。Ishallexpectyoueveryday——don"tdisappointme!

ISABELLA。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter14AssoonasIhadperusedthisepistle，Iwenttothemaster，andinformedhimthathissisterhadarrivedattheHeights，andsentmealetterexpressinghersorrowforMrsLinton"ssituation，andherardentdesiretoseehim；

withawishthathewouldtransmittoher，asearlyaspossible，sometokenofforgivenessbyme。

`Forgiveness!"saidLinton。`Ihavenothingtoforgiveher，Ellen。

YoumaycallatWutheringHeightsthisafternoon，ifyoulike，andsaythatIamnotangry，butI"msorrytohavelosther；especiallyasIcanneverthinkshe"llbehappy。Itisoutofthequestionmygoingtoseeher，however:weareeternallydivided；andshouldshereallywishtoobligeme，letherpersuadethevillainshehasmarriedtoleavethecountry。"

`Andyouwon"twriteheralittlenote，sir？"Iaskedimploringly。

`No，"heanswered。`Itisneedless。MycommunicationwithHeathcliff"sfamilyshallbeassparingashiswithmine。Itshallnotexist!"

MrEdgar"scoldnessdepressedmeexceedingly；andallthewayfromtheGrangeIpuzzledmybrainshowtoputmoreheartintowhathesaid，whenIrepeatedit；andhowtosoftenhisrefusalofevenafewlinestoconsoleIsabella。Idaresayshehadbeenonthewatchformesincemorning:Isawherlookingthroughthelattice，asIcameupthegardencauseway，andInoddedtoher；butshedrewback，asifafraidofbeingobserved。Ienteredwithoutknocking。Thereneverwassuchadreary，dismalsceneastheformerlycheerfulhousepresented!Imustconfess，thatifIhadbeenintheyounglady"splace，Iwould，atleast，havesweptthehearth，andwipedthetableswithaduster。Butshealreadypartookofthepervadingspiritofneglectwhichencompassedher。Herprettyfacewaswanandlistless；herhairuncurled:somelockshanginglanklydown，andsomecarelesslytwistedroundherhead。Probablyshehadnottouchedherdresssinceyesterevening。Hindleywasnotthere。MrHeathcliffsatatatable，turningoversomepapersinhispocket-book；butherosewhenIappeared，askedmehowIdid，quitefriendly，andofferedmeachair。

Hewastheonlythingtherethatseemeddecent:andIthoughtheneverlookedbetter。Somuchhadcircumstancesalteredtheirpositions，thathewouldcertainlyhavestruckastrangerasabornandbredgentleman；

andhiswifeasathoroughlittleslattern!Shecameforwardeagerlytogreetme；andheldoutonehandtotaketheexpectedletter。Ishookmyhead。Shewouldn"tunderstandthehint，butfollowedmetoasideboard，whereIwenttolaymybonnet，andimportunedmeinawhispertogiveherdirectlywhatIhadbrought。Heathcliffguessedthemeaningofhermanoeuvres，andsaid:

`IfyouhavegotanythingforIsabella(asnodoubtyouhave，Nelly)，giveittoher。Youneedn"tmakeasecretofit!wehavenosecretsbetweenus。"

`Oh，Ihavenothing，"Ireplied，thinkingitbesttospeakthetruthatonce。`Mymasterbidmetellhissisterthatshemustnotexpecteitheraletteroravisitfromhimatpresent。Hesendshislove，ma"am，andhiswishesforyourhappiness，andhispardonforthegriefyouhaveoccasioned；buthethinksthatafterthistime，hishouseholdandthehouseholdhereshoulddropintercommunication，asnothinggoodcouldcomeofkeepingitup。"

MrsHeathcliff"slipquiveredslightly，andshereturnedtoherseatinthewindow。Herhusbandtookhisstandonthehearthstone，nearme，andbegantoputquestionsconcerningCatherine。ItoldhimasmuchasIthoughtproperofherillness，andheextortedfromme，bycross-examination，mostofthefactsconnectedwithitsorigin。Iblamedher，asshedeserved，forbringingitallonherself；andendedbyhopingthathewouldfollowMrLinton"sexampleandavoidfutureinterferencewithhisfamily，forgoodorevil。

`MrsLintonisnowjustrecovering，"Isaid；`she"llneverbelikeshewas，butherlifeisspared；andifyoureallyhavearegardforher，you"llshuncrossingherwayagain:nay，you"llmoveoutofthiscountryentirely；andthatyoumaynotregretit，I"llinformyouCatherineLintonisasdifferentnowfromyouroldfriendCatherineEarnshaw，asthatyoungladyisdifferentfromme。Herappearanceischangedgreatly，hercharactermuchmoreso；andthepersonwhoiscompelled，ofnecessity，tobehercompanion，willonlysustainhisaffectionhereafterbytheremembranceofwhatsheoncewas，bycommonhumanity，andasenseofduty!"

`Thatisquitepossible，"remarkedHeathcliff，forcinghimselftoseemcalm:`quitepossiblethatyourmastershouldhavenothingbutcommonhumanityandasenseofdutytofallbackupon。ButdoyouimaginethatIshallleaveCatherinetohisdutyandhumanity？andcanyoucomparemyfeelingsrespectingCatherinetohis？Beforeyouleavethishouse，Imustexactapromisefromyou，thatyou"llgetmeaninterviewwithher:consentorrefuse，Iwillseeher!Whatdoyousay？"

`Isay，MrHeathcliff，"Ireplied，`youmustnot:younevershall，throughmymeans。Anotherencounterbetweenyouandthemasterwouldkillheraltogether。"

`Withyouraid，thatmaybeavoided，"hecontinued；`andshouldtherebedangerofsuchanevent——shouldhebethecauseofaddingasingletroublemoretoherexistence——why，IthinkIshallbejustifiedingoingtoextremes!IwishyouhadsincerityenoughtotellmewhetherCatherinewouldsuffergreatlyfromhisloss:thefearthatshewouldrestrainsme。

Andthereyouseethedistinctionsbetweenourfeelings:hadhebeeninmyplace，andIinhis，thoughIhatedhimwithahatredthatturnedmylifetogall，Ineverwouldhaveraisedahandagainsthim。Youmaylookincredulous，ifyouplease!Ineverwouldhavebanishedhimfromhersocietyaslongasshedesiredhis。Themomentherregardceased，Iwouldhavetornhisheartout，anddrunkhisblood!But，tillthen——ifyoudon"tbelieveme，youdon"tknowme——tillthen，IwouldhavediedbyinchesbeforeI

touchedasinglehairofhishead!"

`Andyet，"Iinterrupted，`youhavenoscruplesincompletelyruiningallhopesofherperfectrestoration，bythrustingyourselfintoherremembrancenow，whenshehasnearlyforgottenyou，andinvolvingherinanewtumultofdiscordanddistress。"

`Yousupposeshehasnearlyforgottenme？"hesaid。`Oh，Nelly!

youknowshehasnot!YouknowaswellasIdo，thatforeverythoughtshespendsonLinton，shespendsathousandonme!Atamostmiserableperiodofmylife，Ihadanotionofthekind:ithauntedmeonmyreturntotheneighbourhoodlastsummer；butonlyherownassurancecouldmakemeadmitthehorribleideaagain。Andthen，Lintonwouldbenothing，norHindley，norallthedreamsthateverIdreamt。Twowordswouldcomprehendmyfuture——deathandhell:existence，afterlosingher，wouldbehell。YetIwasafooltofancyforamomentthatshevaluedEdgarLinton"sattachmentmorethanmine。Ifhelovedwithallthepowersofhispunybeing，hecouldn"tloveasmuchineightyyearsasIcouldinaday。AndCatherinehasaheartasdeepasIhave:theseacouldbeasreadilycontainedinthathorse-trough，asherwholeaffectionbemonopolizedbyhim!Tush!

Heisscarcelyadegreedearertoherthanherdog，orherhorse。Itisnotinhimtobelovedlikeme:howcansheloveinhimwhathehasnot？"

`CatherineandEdgarareasfondofeachotherasanytwopeoplecanbe，"criedIsabella，withsuddenvivacity。`Noonehasarighttotalkinthatmanner，andIwon"thearmybrotherdepreciatedinsilence!"

`Yourbrotheriswondrousfondofyoutoo，isn"the？"observedHeathcliffscornfully。`Heturnsyouadriftontheworldwithsurprisingalacrity。"

`HeisnotawareofwhatIsuffer，"shereplied。`Ididn"ttellhimthat。

`Youhavebeentellinghimsomething，then:youhavewritten，haveyou？"

`TosaythatIwasmarried，Ididwrite——yousawthenote。`Andnothingsince？"

`No。"

`Myyoungladyislookingsadlytheworseforherchangeofcondition，"

Iremarked。`Somebody"slovecomesshortinhercase，obviously:whose，Imayguess；but，perhaps，Ishouldn"tsay。"

`Ishouldguessitwasherown，"saidHeathcliff。`Shedegeneratesintoamereslut!Sheistiredoftryingtopleasemeuncommonlyearly。

You"dhardlycreditit，buttheverymorrowofourwedding，shewasweepingtogohome。However，she"llsuitthishousesomuchthebetterfornotbeingovernice，andI"lltakecareshedoesnotdisgracemebyramblingabroad。"

`Well，sir，"returnedI，`Ihopeyou"llconsiderthatMrsHeathcliffisaccustomedtobelookedafterandwaitedon；andthatshehasbeenbroughtuplikeanonlydaughter，whomeveryonewasreadytoserve。Youmustletherhaveamaidtokeepthingstidyabouther，andyoumusttreatherkindly。

WhateverbeyournotionofMrEdgar，youcannotdoubtthatshehasacapacityforstrongattachments，orshewouldn"thaveabandonedtheelegances，andcomforts，andfriendsofherformerhome，tofixcontentedly，insuchawildernessasthis，withyou。"

`Sheabandonedthemunderadelusion，"heanswered；`picturinginmeaheroofromance，andexpectingunlimitedindulgencesfrommychivalrousdevotion。Icanhardlyregardherinthelightofarationalcreature，soobstinatelyhasshepersistedinformingafabulousnotionofmycharacterandactingonthefalseimpressionsshecherished。But，atlast，Ithinkshebeginstoknowme:Idon"tperceivethesillysmilesandgrimacesthatprovokedmeatfirst；andthesenselessincapabilityofdiscerningthatIwasinearnestwhenIgavehermyopinionofherinfatuationandherself。

ItwasamarvellouseffortofperspicacitytodiscoverthatIdidnotloveher。Ibelieved，atonetime，nolessonscouldteachherthat!Andyetitispoorlylearnt；forthismorningsheannounced，asapieceofappallingintelligence，thatIhadactuallysucceededinmakingherhateme!ApositivelabourofHercules，Iassureyou!Ifitbeachieved，Ihavecausetoreturnthanks。CanItrustyourassertion，Isabella？Areyousureyouhateme？

IfIletyoualoneforhalfaday，won"tyoucomesighingandwheedlingtomeagain？IdaresayshewouldratherIhadseemedalltendernessbeforeyou:itwoundshervanitytohavethetruthexposed。ButIdon"tcarewhoknowsthatthepassionwaswhollyononeside；andInevertoldheralieaboutit。Shecannotaccusemeofshowingabitofdeceitfulsoftness。

Thefirstthingshesawmedo，oncomingoutoftheGrange，wastohangupherlittledog；andwhenshepleadedforit，thefirstwordsIutteredwereawishthatIhadthehangingofeverybeingbelongingtoher，exceptone:possiblyshetookthatexceptionforherself。Butnobrutalitydisgustedher:Isupposeshehasaninnateadmirationofit，ifonlyherpreciouspersonweresecurefrominjury!Now，wasitnotthedepthofabsurdity——ofgenuineidiocy，forthatpitiful，slavish，mean-mindedbrachtodreamthatIcouldloveher？Tellyourmaster，Nelly，thatInever，inallmylife，metwithsuchanabjectthingassheis。SheevendisgracesthenameofLinton；andI"vesometimesrelented，frompurelackofinvention，inmyexperimentsonwhatshecouldendure，andstillcreepshamefullycringingback!Buttellhim，also，tosethisfraternalandmagisterialheartatease:thatIkeepstrictlywithinthelimitsofthelaw。Ihaveavoided，uptothisperiod，givinghertheslightestrighttoclaimaseparation；

and，what"smore，she"dthanknobodyfordividingus。Ifshedesiredtogo，shemight:thenuisanceofherpresenceoutweighsthegratificationtobederivedfromtormentingher!"

`MrHeathcliff，"saidI，`thisisthetalkofamadman，andyourwife，mostlikely，isconvincedyouaremad；and，forthatreason，shehasbornewithyouhitherto:butnowthatyousayshemaygo，she"lldoubtlessavailherselfofthepermission。Youarenotsobewitched，ma"am，areyou，astoremainwithhimofyourownaccord？"

`Takecare，Ellen!"answeredIsabella，hereyessparklingirefully；

therewasnomisdoubtingbytheirexpressionthefullsuccessofherpartner"sendeavourstomakehimselfdetested。`Don"tputfaithinasinglewordhespeaks。He"salyingfiend!amonster，andnotahumanbeing!I"vebeentoldImightleavehimbefore；andI"vemadetheattempt，butIdarenotrepeatit!Only，Ellen，promiseyou"llnotmentionasyllableofhisinfamousconversationtomybrotherorCatherine。Whateverhemaypretend，hewishestoprovokeEdgartodesperation:hesayshehasmarriedmeonpurposetoobtainpoweroverhim；andheshan"tobtainit——I"lldiefirst!Ijusthope，Ipray，thathemayforgethisdiabolicalprudenceandkillme!ThesinglepleasureIcanimagineistodieorseehimdead!"

`There——thatwilldoforthepresent!"saidHeathcliff。`Ifyouarecalleduponinacourtoflaw，you"llrememberherlanguage，Nelly!

Andtakeagoodlookatthatcountenance:she"snearthepointwhichwouldsuitme。No；you"renotfittobeyourownguardian，Isabella，now；andI，beingyourlegalprotector，mustdetainyouinmycustody，howeverdistastefultheobligationmaybe。Goupstairs；IhavesomethingtosaytoEllenDeaninprivate。That"snottheway:upstairs，Itellyou!Why，thisistheroadupstairs，child!"

Heseized，andthrustherfromtheroom:andreturnedmuttering:

`Ihavenopity!Ihavenopity!Themorethewormswrithe，themoreIyearntocrushouttheirentrails!Itisamoralteething；andI

grindwithgreaterenergy，inproportiontotheincreaseofpain。"

`Doyouunderstandwhatthewordpitymeans？"Isaid，hasteningtoresumemybonnet。`Didyoueverfeelatouchofitinyourlife？"

`Putthatdown!"heinterrupted，perceivingmyintentiontodepart。

`Youarenotgoingyet。Comeherenow，Nelly:ImusteitherpersuadeorcompelyoutoaidmeinfulfillingmydeterminationtoseeCatherine，andthatwithoutdelay。IswearthatImeditatenoharm:Idon"tdesiretocauseanydisturbance，ortoexasperateorinsultMrLinton；Ionlywishtohearfromherselfhowsheis，andwhyshehasbeenill；andtoaskifanythingthatIcoulddowouldbeofusetoher。Lastnight，IwasintheGrangegardensixhours，andI"llreturntheretonight；andeverynightI"llhaunttheplace，andeveryday，tillIfindanopportunityofentering。

IfEdgarLintonmeetsme，Ishallnothesitatetoknockhimdown，andgivehimenoughtoinsurehisquiescencewhileIstay。Ifhisservantsopposeme，Ishallthreatenthemoffwiththesepistols。Butwouldn"titbebettertopreventmycomingincontactwiththem，ortheirmaster？Andyoucoulddoitsoeasily。I"dwarnyouwhenIcame，andthenyoumightletmeinunobserved，assoonasshewasalone，andwatchtillIdeparted，yourconsciencequitecalm:youwouldbehinderingmischief。"

Iprotestedagainstplayingthattreacherouspartinmyemployer"shouse:and，besides，IurgedthecrueltyandselfishnessofhisdestroyingMrsLinton"stranquillityforhissatisfaction。`Thecommonestoccurrencestartlesherpainfully，"Isaid。`She"sallnerves，andshecouldn"tbearthesurprise，I"mpositive。Don"tpersist，sir!orelse，Ishallbeobligedtoinformmymasterofyourdesigns；andhe"lltakemeasurestosecurehishouseanditsinmatesfromanysuchunwarrantableintrusions!"

`Inthatcase，I"lltakemeasurestosecureyou，woman!"exclaimedHeathcliff；`youshallnotleaveWutheringHeightstilltomorrowmorning。

ItisafoolishstorytoassertthatCatherinecouldnotbeartoseeme；

andastosurprisingher，Idon"tdesireit:youmustprepareheraskherifImaycome。Yousayshenevermentionsmyname，andthatIamnevermentionedtoher。TowhomshouldshementionmeifIamaforbiddentopicinthehouse？Shethinksyouareallspiesforherhusband。Oh，I"venodoubtshe"sinhellamongyou!Iguessbyhersilence，asmuchasanything，whatshefeels。Yousaysheisoftenrestless，andanxious-looking；isthataproofoftranquillity？Youtalkofhermindbeingunsettled。Howthedevilcoulditbeotherwiseinherfrightfulisolation？Andthatinsipid，paltrycreatureattendingherfromdutyandhumanity!Frompityandcharity!Hemightaswellplantanoakinaflowerpot，andexpectittothrive，asimaginehecanrestorehertovigourinthesoilofhisshallowcares!Letussettleitatonce:willyoustayhere，andamItofightmywaytoCatherineoverLintonandhisfootmen？Orwillyoubemyfriendasyouhavebeenhitherto，anddowhatIrequest？Decide!

causethereisnoreasonformylingeringanotherminute，ifyoupersistinyourstubbornill-nature!"

Well，MrLockwood，Iarguedandcomplained，andflatlyrefusedhimfiftytimes；butinthelongrunheforcedmetoanagreement。Iengagedtocarryaletterfromhimtomymistress；andshouldsheconsent，IpromisedtolethimhaveintelligenceofLinton"snextabsencefromhome，whenhemightcome，andgetinashewasable:Iwouldn"tbethere，andmyfellow-servantsshouldbeequallyoutoftheway。Wasitrightorwrong？Ifearitwaswrong，thoughexpedient。IthoughtIpreventedanotherexplosionbymycompliance；andIthought，too，itmightcreateafavourablecrisisinCatherine"smentalillness:andthenIrememberedMrEdgar"ssternrebukeofmycarryingtales；andItriedtosmoothawayalldisquietudeonthesubject，byaffirming，withfrequentiteration，thatthatbetrayaloftrust，ifitmeritedsoharshanappellation，shouldbethelast。Notwithstanding，myjourneyhomewardwassadderthanmyjourneythither；andmanymisgivingsIhad，ereIcouldprevailonmyselftoputthemissiveintoMrsLinton"shand。

ButhereisKenneth；I"llgodown，andtellhimhowmuchbetteryouare。Myhistoryisdree，aswesay，andwillservetowhileawayanothermorning。

Dree，anddreary!Ireflectedasthegoodwomandescendedtoreceivethedoctor；andnotexactlyofthekindwhichIshouldhavechosentoamuseme。Butnevermind!I"llextractwholesomemedicinesfromMrsDean"sbitterherbs；andfirstly，letmebewarethefascinationthatlurksinCatherineHeathcliff"sbrillianteyes。IshouldbeinacurioustakingifIsurrenderedmyhearttothatyoungperson，andthedaughterturnedoutasecondeditionofthemother!

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter15Anotherweekover——andIamsomanydaysnearerhealth，andspring!Ihavenowheardallmyneighbour"shistory，atdifferentsittings，asthehousekeepercouldsparetimefrommoreimportantoccupations。I"llcontinueitinherownwords，onlyalittlecondensed。Sheis，onthewhole，averyfairnarrator，andIdon"tthinkIcouldimproveherstyle。

Intheevening，shesaid，theeveningofmyvisittotheHeights，Iknew，aswellasifIsawhim，thatMrHeathcliffwasabouttheplace；

andIshunnedgoingout，becauseIstillcarriedhisletterinmypocket，anddidn"twanttobethreatenedorteasedanymore。Ihadmadeupmymindnottogiveittillmymasterwentsomewhere，asIcouldnotguesshowitsreceiptwouldaffectCatherine。Theconsequencewas，thatitdidnotreachherbeforethelapseofthreedays。ThefourthwasSunday，andI

broughtitintoherroomafterthefamilyweregonetochurch。Therewasamanservantlefttokeepthehousewithme，andwegenerallymadeapracticeoflockingthedoorsduringthehoursofservice；butonthatoccasiontheweatherwassowarmandpleasantthatIsetthemwideopen，and，tofulfilmyengagement，asIknewwhowouldbecoming，Itoldmycompanionthatthemistresswishedverymuchforsomeoranges，andhemustrunovertothevillageandgetafew，tobepaidforonthemorrow。Hedeparted，andIwentupstairs。

MrsLintonsatinaloose，whitedress，withalightshawloverhershoulders，intherecessoftheopenwindow，asusual。Herthick，longhairhadbeenpartlyremovedatthebeginningofherillness，andnowsheworeitsimplycombedinitsnaturaltressesoverhertemplesandneck。

Herappearancewasaltered，asIhadtoldHeathcliff；butwhenshewascalm，thereseemedunearthlybeautyinthechange。Theflashofhereyeshadbeensucceededbyadreamyandmelancholysoftness；theynolongergavetheimpressionoflookingattheobjectsaroundher:theyappearedalwaystogazebeyond，andfarbeyond——youwouldhavesaidoutofthisworld。Thenthepalenessofherface——itshaggardaspecthavingvanishedassherecoveredflesh——andthepeculiarexpressionarisingfromhermentalstate，thoughpainfullysuggestiveoftheircauses，addedtothetouchinginterestwhichsheawakened；and——invariablytome，Iknow，andtoanypersonwhosawher，Ishouldthink——refutedmoretangibleproofsofconvalescence，andstampedherasonedoomedtodecay。

Abooklayspreadonthesillbeforeher，andthescarcelyperceptiblewindfluttereditsleavesatintervals。IbelieveLintonhadlaiditthere:

forsheneverendeavouredtodivertherselfwithreading，oroccupationofanykind，andhewouldspendmanyanhourintryingtoenticeherattentiontosomesubjectwhichhadformerlybeenheramusement。Shewasconsciousofhisaim，andinherbettermoodsenduredhiseffortsplacidly，onlyshowingtheiruselessnessbynowandthensuppressingaweariedsigh，andcheckinghimatlastwiththesaddestofsmilesandkisses。Atothertimes，shewouldturnpetulantlyaway，andhideherfaceinherhands，orevenpushhimoffangrily；andthenhetookcaretoletheralone，forhewascertainofdoingnogood。

Gimmertonchapelbellswerestillringing；andthefull，mellowflowofthebeckinthevalleycamesoothinglyontheear。Itwasasweetsubstitutefortheyetabsentmurmurofthesummerfoliage，whichdrownedthatmusicabouttheGrangewhenthetreeswereinleaf。AtWutheringHeightsitalwayssoundedonquietdaysfollowingagreatthaworaseasonofsteadyrain。AndofWutheringHeightsCatherinewasthinkingasshelistened:

thatis，ifshethoughtorlistenedatall；butshehadthevague，distantlookImentionedbefore，whichexpressednorecognitionofmaterialthingseitherbyearoreye。

`There"saletterforyou，MrsLinton，"Isaid，gentlyinsertingitinonehandthatrestedonherknee。`Youmustreaditimmediately，becauseitwantsananswer。ShallIbreaktheseal？"

`Yes，"sheanswered，withoutalteringthedirectionofhereyes。

Iopenedit——itwasveryshort。`Now"，Icontinued，`readit。"Shedrewawayherhand，andletitfall。Ireplaceditinherlap，andstoodwaitingtillitshouldpleasehertoglancedown；butthatmovementwassolongdelayedthatatlastIresumed:

`MustIreadit，ma"am？ItisfromMrHeathcliff。"

Therewasastartandatroubledgleamofrecollection，andastruggletoarrangeherideas。Sheliftedtheletter，andseemedtoperuseit；andwhenshecametothesignatureshesighed:yetstillIfoundshehadnotgathereditsimport，for，uponmydesiringtohearherreply，shemerelypointedtothename，andgazedatmewithmournfulandquestioningeagerness。

`Well，hewishestoseeyou，"saidI，guessingherneedofaninterpreter。`He"sinthegardenbythistime，andimpatienttoknowwhatanswerIshallbring。"

AsIspoke，Iobservedalargedoglyingonthesunnygrassbeneathraiseitsearsasifabouttobark，andthensmoothingthemback，announce，byawagofthetail，thatsomeoneapproachedwhomitdidnotconsiderastranger。MrsLintonbentforward，andlistenedbreathlessly。Theminuteafterasteptraversedthehall；theopenhousewastootemptingforHeathclifftoresistwalkingin:mostlikelyhesupposedthatIwasinclinedtoshirkmypromise，andsoresolvedtotrusttohisownaudacity。WithstrainingeagernessCatherinegazedtowardstheentranceofherchamber。Hedidnothittherightroomdirectly，shemotionedmetoadmithim，buthefounditoutereIcouldreachthedoor，andinastrideortwowasatherside，andhadhergraspedinhisarms。

Heneitherspokenorloosedhisholdforsomefiveminutes，duringwhichperiodhebestowedmorekissesthaneverhegaveinhislifebefore，Idaresay:butthenmymistresshadkissedhimfirst，andIplainlysawthathecouldhardlybear，fordownrightagony，tolookintoherface!

Thesameconvictionhadstrickenhimasme，fromtheinstanthebeheldher，thattherewasnoprospectofultimaterecoverythere——shewasfated，suretodie。

`Oh，Cathy!Oh，mylife!howcanIbearit？"wasthefirstsentenceheuttered，inatonethatdidnotseektodisguisehisdespair。AndnowhestaredathersoearnestlythatIthoughttheveryintensityofhisgazewouldbringtearsintohiseyes；buttheyburnedwithanguish:theydidnotmelt。

`Whatnow？"saidCatherine，leaningback，andreturninghislookwithasuddenlycloudedbrow:herhumourwasamerevaneforconstantlyvaryingcaprices。`YouandEdgarhavebrokenmyheart，Heathcliff!Andyoubothcametobewailthedeedtome，asifyouwerethepeopletobepitied!Ishallnotpityyou，notI。Youhavekilledme——andthrivenonit，Ithink。Howstrongyouare!HowmanyyearsdoyoumeantoliveafterIamgone？"

Heathcliffhadkneltononekneetoembraceher；heattemptedtorise，butsheseizedhishair，andkepthimdown。

`IwishIcouldholdyou，"shecontinuedbitterly，`tillwewerebothdead!Ishouldn"tcarewhatyousuffered。Icarenothingforyoursufferings。Whyshouldn"tyousuffer？Ido!Willyouforgetme？WillyoubehappywhenIamintheearth？Willyousaytwentyyearshence，``That"sthegraveofCatherineEarnshaw。Ilovedherlongago，andwaswretchedtoloseher；butitispast。I"velovedmanyotherssince:mychildrenaredearertomethanshewas；andatdeath，IshallnotrejoicethatI

amgoingtoher:IshallbesorrythatImustleavethem!""Willyousayso，Heathcliff？"

`Don"ttorturemetillIamasmadasyourself，"criedhe，wrenchinghisheadfree，andgrindinghisteeth。

Thetwo，toacoolspectator，madeastrangeandfearfulpicture。

WellmightCatherinedeemthatheavenwouldbealandofexiletoher，unlesswithhermortalbodyshecastawayhermoralcharacteralso。Herpresentcountenancehadawildvindictivenessinitswhitecheek，andabloodlesslipandscintillatingeye；andsheretainedinherclosedfingersaportionofthelocksshehadbeengrasping。Astohercompanion，whileraisinghimselfwithonehand，hehadtakenherarmwiththeother；andsoinadequatewashisstockofgentlenesstotherequirementsofhercondition，thatonhislettinggoIsawfourdistinctimpressionsleftblueinthecolourlessskin。

`Areyoupossessedwithadevil，"hepursuedsavagely，`totalkinthatmannertomewhenyouaredying？Doyoureflectthatallthosewordswillbebrandedonmymemory，andeatingdeepereternallyafteryouhaveleftme？YouknowyoulietosayIhavekilledyou:and，Catherine，youknowthatIcouldassoonforgetyouasmyexistence!Isitnotsufficientforyourinfernalselfishness，thatwhileyouareatpeaceIshallwritheinthetormentsofhell？"

`Ishallnotbeatpeace，"moanedCatherine，recalledtoasenseofphysicalweaknessbytheviolent，unequalthrobbingofherheart，whichbeatvisiblyandaudiblyunderthisexcessofagitation。Shesaidnothingfurthertilltheparoxysmwasover；thenshecontinued，morekindly——

`I"mnotwishingyougreatertormentthanIhave，Heathcliff。

Ionlywishusnevertobeparted:andshouldawordofminedistressyouhereafter，thinkIfeelthesamedistressunderground，andformyownsake，forgiveme!Comehereandkneeldownagain!Youneverharmedmeinyourlife。Nay，ifyounurseanger，thatwillbeworsetorememberthanmyharshwords!Won"tyoucomehereagain？Do!"

Heathcliffwenttothebackofherchair，andleantover，butnotsofarastoletherseehisface，whichwaslividwithemotion。Shebentroundtolookathim；hewouldnotpermitit:turningabruptly，hewalkedtothefireplace，wherehestood，silent，withhisbacktowardsus。MrsLinton"sglancefollowedhimsuspiciously:everymovementwokeanewsentimentinher。Afterapauseandaprolongedgaze，sheresumed；

addressingmeinaccentsofindignantdisappointment——

`Oh，yousee，Nelly，hewouldnotrelentamomenttokeepmeoutofthegrave。ThatishowI"mloved!Well，nevermind。ThatisnotmyHeathcliff。Ishalllovemineyet；andtakehimwithme:he"sinmysoul。And"，addedshe，musingly，`thethingthatirksmemostinthisshatteredprison，afterall。I"mtired，tiredofbeingenclosedhere。

I"mwearyingtoescapeintothatgloriousworld，andtobealwaysthere:

notseeingitdimlythroughtears，andyearningforitthroughthewallsofanachingheart；butreallywithit，andinit。Nelly，youthinkyouarebetterandmorefortunatethanI；infullhealthandstrength:youaresorryforme——verysoonthatwillbealtered。Ishallbesorryforyou。Ishallbeincomparablybeyondandaboveyouall。Iwonderhewon"tbenearme!"Shewentontoherself。`Ithoughthewishedit。

Heathcliff，dear!youshouldnotbesullennow。Docometome，Heathcliff。"

Inhereagernesssheroseandsupportedherselfonthearmofthechair。Atthatearnestappealheturnedtoher，lookingabsolutelydesperate。Hiseyes，wideandwet，atlastflashedfiercelyonher；hisbreastheavedconvulsively。Aninstanttheyheldasunder，andthenhowtheymetIhardlysaw，butCatherinemadeaspring，andhecaughther，andtheywerelockedinanembracefromwhichIthoughtmymistresswouldneverbereleasedalive:infact，tomyeyes，sheseemeddirectlyinsensible。

Heflunghimselfintothenearestseat，andonmyapproachinghurriedlytoascertainifshehadfainted，hegnashedatme，andfoamedlikeamaddog，andgatheredhertohimwithgreedyjealousy。IdidnotfeelasifIwereinthecompanyofacreatureofmyownspecies:itappearedthathewouldnotunderstand，thoughIspoketohim；soIstoodoff，andheldmytongue，ingreatperplexity。

AmovementofCatherine"srelievedmealittlepresently:sheputupherhandtoclasphisneck，andbringhercheektohisasheheldher；whilehe，inreturn，coveringherwithfranticcaresses，saidwildly——

`Youteachmenowhowcruelyou"vebeen——cruelandfalse。Whydidyoudespiseme？Whydidyoubetrayyourownheart，Cathy？I

havenotonewordofcomfort。Youdeservethis。Youhavekilledyourself。

Yes，youmaykissme，andcry；andringoutmykissesandtears:they"llblightyou——they"lldamnyou。Youlovedme——thenwhatrighthadyoutoleaveme？Whatright——answerme——forthepoorfancyyoufeltforLinton？Becausemiseryanddegradation，anddeath，andnothingthatGodorSatancouldinflictwouldhavepartedus，you，ofyourownwill，didit。Ihavenotbrokenyourheart——youhavebrokenit；andinbreakingit，youhavebrokenmine。Somuchtheworseforme，thatIamstrong。DoIwanttolive？Whatkindoflivingwillitbewhenyou——oh，God!wouldyouliketolivewithyoursoulinthegrave？"

`Letmealone。letmealone，"sobbedCatherine。`IfIhavedonewrong，I"mdyingforit。Itisenough!Youleftmetoo:butIwon"tupbraidyou!Iforgiveyou。Forgiveme!"

`Itishardtoforgive，andtolookatthoseeyes，andfeelthosewastedhands，"heanswered。`Kissmeagain；anddon"tletmeseeyoureyes!

Iforgivewhatyouhavedonetome。Ilovemymurderer——butyours!

HowcanI？"

Theyweresilent——theirfaceshidagainsteachother，andwashedbyeachother"stears。Atleast，Isupposetheweepingwasonbothsides；

asitseemedHeathcliffcouldweeponagreatoccasionlikethis。

Igrewveryuncomfortable，meanwhile；fortheafternoonworefastaway，themanwhomIhadsentoffreturnedfromhiserrand，andIcoulddistinguish，bytheshineofthewesteringsunupthevalley，aconcoursethickeningoutsideGimmertonchapelporch。

`Serviceisover，"Iannounced。`Mymasterwillbehereinhalfanhour。"

Heathcliffgroanedacurse，andstrainedCatherinecloser:shenevermoved。

ErelongIperceivedagroupoftheservantspassinguptheroadtowardsthekitchenwing。MrLintonwasnotfarbehind；heopenedthegatehimselfandsaunteredslowlyup，probablyenjoyingthelovelyafternoonthatbreathedassoftassummer。

`Nowheishere，"Iexclaimed。`ForHeaven"ssake，hurrydown!

You"llnotmeetanyoneonthefrontstairs。Dobequick；andstayamongthetreestillheisfairlyin。"

`Imustgo，Cathy，"saidHeathcliff，seekingtoextricatehimselffromhiscompanion"sarms。`ButifIlive，I"llseeyouagainbeforeyouareasleep。Iwon"tstrayfiveyardsfromyourwindow。"

`Youmustnotgo!"sheanswered，holdinghimasfirmlyasherstrengthallowed。`Youshallnot，Itellyou。"

`Foronehour，"hepleadedearnestly。

`Notforoneminute，"shereplied。

`Imust——Lintonwillbeupimmediately，"persistedthealarmedintruder。

Hewouldhaverisen，andunfixedherfingersbytheact——sheclungfast，gasping:therewasmadresolutioninherface。

`No!"sheshrieked。`Oh，don"t，don"tgo。Itisthelasttime!

Edgarwillnothurtus。Heathcliff，Ishalldie!Ishalldie!"

`Damnthefool!Thereheis，"criedHeathcliff，sinkingbackintohisseat。`Hush，mydarling!Hush，hush，Catherine!I"llstay。Ifheshotmeso，I"dexpirewithablessingonmylips。"

Andtheretheywerefastagain。Iheardmymastermountingthestairs——thecoldsweatranfrommyforehead:Iwashorrified。

`Areyougoingtolistentoherravings？"Isaidpassionately。

`Shedoesnotknowwhatshesays。Willyouruinher，becauseshehasnotwittohelpherself？Getup!Youcouldbefreeinstantly。Thatisthemostdiabolicaldeedthateveryoudid。Wearealldonefor——master，mistress，andservant。

Iwrungmyhands，andcriedout；MrLintonhastenedhisstepatthenoise。Inthemidstofmyagitation，IwassincerelygladtoobservethatCatherine"sarmshadfallenrelaxed，andherheadhungdown。

`She"sfaintedordead，"Ithought:`somuchthebetter。Farbetterthatsheshouldbedead，thanlingeringaburdenandamisery-makertoallabouther。"

Edgarsprangtohisunbiddenguest，blanchedwithastonishmentandrage。Whathemeanttodo，Icannottell；however，theotherstoppedalldemonstrations，atonce，byplacingthelifelesslookingforminhisarms。

`Lookthere!"hesaid；`unlessyoubeafiend，helpherfirst——thenyoushallspeaktome!"

Hewalkedintotheparlour，andsatdown。MrLintonsummonedme，andwithgreatdifficulty，andafterresortingtomanymeans，wemanagedtorestorehertosensation；butshewasallbewildered；shesighed，andmoaned，andknewnobody。Edgar，inhisanxietyforher，forgotherhatedfriend。Ididnot。Iwent，attheearliestopportunity，andbesoughthimtodepart；affirmingthatCatherinewasbetter，andheshouldhearfrommeinthemorninghowshepassedthenight。

`Ishallnotrefusetogooutofdoors，"heanswered；`butIshallstayinthegarden:and，Nelly，mindyoukeepyourwordtomorrow。Ishallbeunderthoselarchtrees。Mind!orIpayanothervisit，whetherLintonbeinornot。

Hesentarapidglancethroughthehalf-opendoorofthechamber，and，ascertainingthatwhatIstatedwasapparentlytrue，deliveredthehouseofhislucklesspresence。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter16Abouttwelveo"clockthatnight，wasborntheCatherineyousawatWutheringHeights:apuny，sevenmonths"child；andtwohoursafterthemotherdied，havingneverrecoveredsufficientconsciousnesstomissHeathcliff，orknowEdgar。Thelatter"sdistractionathisbereavementisasubjecttoopainfultobedwelton；itsaftereffectsshowedhowdeepthesorrowsunk。

Agreataddition，inmyeyes，washisbeingleftwithoutanheir。Ibemoanedthat，asIgazedonthefeebleorphan；andImentallyabusedoldLintonfor(whatwasonlynaturalpartiality)thesecuringhisestatetohisowndaughter，insteadofhisson"s。Anunwelcomedinfantitwas，poorthing!

Itmighthavewailedoutoflife，andnobodycaredamorsel，duringthosefirsthoursofexistence。Weredeemedtheneglectafterwards；butitsbeginningwasasfriendlessasitsendislikelytobe。

Nextmorning——brightandcheerfuloutofdoors——stolesoftenedinthroughtheblindsofthesilentroom，andsuffusedthecouchanditsoccupantwithamellow，tenderglow。EdgarLintonhadhisheadlaidonthepillow，andhiseyesshut。Hisyoungandfairfeatureswerealmostasdeathlikeasthoseoftheformbesidehim，andalmostasfixed:buthiswasthehushofexhaustedanguish，andhersofperfectpeace。Herbrowsmooth，herlidsclosed，herlipswearingtheexpressionofasmile；noangelinheavencouldbemorebeautifulthansheappeared。

AndIpartookoftheinfinitecalminwhichshelay:mymindwasneverinaholierframethanwhileIgazedonthatuntroubledimageofdivinerest。Iinstinctivelyechoedthewordsshehadutteredafewhoursbefore:

`Incomparablybeyondandaboveusall!Whetherstillonearthornowinheaven，herspiritisathomewithGod!"

Idon"tknowifitbeapeculiarityinme，butIamseldomotherwisethanhappywhilewatchinginthechamberofdeath，shouldnofrenziedordespairingmournersharethedutywithme。Iseeareposethatneitherearthnorhellcanbreak，andIfeelanassuranceoftheendlessandshadowlesshereafter——theEternitytheyhaveentered——wherelifeisboundlessinitsduration，andloveinitssympathy，andjoyinitsfulness。InoticedonthatoccasionhowmuchselfishnessthereiseveninalovelikeMrLinton"s，whenhesoregrettedCatherine"sblessedrelease!Tobesure，onemighthavedoubted，afterthewaywardandimpatientexistenceshehadled，whethershemeritedahavenofpeaceatlast。Onemightdoubtinseasonsofcoldreflection；butnotthen，inthepresenceofhercorpse。Itasserteditsowntranquillity，whichseemedapledgeofequalquiettoitsformerinhabitant。

Doyoubelievesuchpeoplearehappyintheotherworld，sir？

I"dgiveagreatdealtoknow。

IdeclinedansweringMrsDean"squestion，whichstruckmeassomethingheterodox。Sheproceeded——

RetracingthecourseofCatherineLinton，Ifearwehavenorighttothinksheis；butwe"llleaveherwithherMaker。

Themasterlookedasleep，andIventuredsoonaftersunrisetoquittheroomandstealouttothepurerefreshingair。Theservantsthoughtmegonetoshakeoffthedrowsinessofmyprotractedwatch；inreality，mychiefmotivewasseeingMrHeathcliff。Ifhehadremainedamongthelarchesallnight，hewouldhaveheardnothingofthestirattheGrange；

unless，perhaps，hemightcatchthegallopofthemessengergoingtoGimmerton。

Ifhehadcomenearer，hewouldprobablybeaware，fromthelightsflittingtoandfro，andtheopeningandshuttingoftheouterdoors，thatallwasnotrightwithin。Iwished，yetfeared，tofindhim。Ifelttheterriblenewsmustbetold，andIlongedtogetitover；buthowtodoit，Ididnotknow。Hewasthere——atleastafewyardsfartherinthepark；

leantagainstanoldashtree，hishatoff，andhishairsoakedwiththedewthathadgatheredonthebuddedbranches，andfellpatteringroundhim。Hehadbeenstandingalongtimeinthatposition，forIsawapairofouselspassingandrepassingscarcelythreefeetfromhim，busyinbuildingtheirnest，andregardinghisproximitynomorethanthatofapieceoftimber。Theyflewoffatmyapproach，andheraisedhiseyesandspoke——

`She"sdead!"hesaid；`I"venotwaitedforyoutolearnthat。

Putyourhandkerchiefaway——don"tsnivelbeforeme。Damnyouall!shewantsnoneofyourtears!"

Iwasweepingasmuchforhimasher；wedosometimespitycreaturesthathavenoneofthefeelingeitherforthemselvesorothers；andwhenIfirstlookedintohisface，Iperceivedthathehadgotintelligenceofthecatastrophe；andafoolishnotionstruckmethathisheartwasquelledandheprayed，becausehislipsmovedandhisgazewasbentontheground。

`Yes，she"sdead!"Ianswered，checkingmysobsanddryingmycheeks。`Gonetoheaven，Ihope；wherewemay，everyone，joinher，ifwetakeduewarningandleaveourevilwaystofollowgood!"

`Didshetakeduewarning，then？"askedHeathcliff，attemptingasneer。`Didshedielikeasaint？Come，givemeatruehistoryoftheevent。Howdid——"

Heendeavouredtopronouncethename，butcouldnotmanageit；

andcompressinghismouthheheldasilentcombatwithhisinwardagony，defying，meanwhile，mysympathywithanunflinchingferociousstare。`Howdidshedie？"heresumedatlast——fain，notwithstandinghishardihood，tohaveasupportbehindhim；for，afterthestruggle，hetrembled，inspiteofhimself，tohisveryfinger-ends。

`Poorwretch!"Ithought；`youhaveaheartandnervesthesameasyourbrothermen!Whyshouldyoubeanxioustoconcealthem？YourpridecannotblindGod!YoutemptHimtowringthem，tillHeforcesacryofhumiliation。

`Quietlyasalamb!"Iansweredaloud。`Shedrewasigh，andstretchedherself，likeachildreviving，andsinkingagaintosleep；andfiveminutesafterIfeltonelittlepulseatherheart，andnothingmore!"