第8章

`And——didsheevermentionme？"heasked，hesitating，asifhedreadedtheanswertohisquestionwouldintroducedetailsthathecouldnotbeartohear。

`Hersensesneverreturned；sherecognizednobodyfromthetimeyoulefther，"Isaid。`Shelieswithasweetsmileonherface；andherlatestideaswanderedbacktopleasantearlydays。Herlifeclosedinagentledream——mayshewakeaskindlyintheotherworld!"

`Mayshewakeintorment!"hecried，withfrightfulvehemence，stampinghisfoot，andgroaninginasuddenparoxysmofungovernablepassion。

`Why，she"saliartotheend!Whereisshe？Notthere——notinheaven——notperished——where？Oh!yousaidyoucarednothingformysufferings!AndIprayoneprayer——Irepeatittillmytonguestiffens——CatherineEarnshaw，mayyounotrestaslongasIamliving!YousaidIkilledyou——hauntme，then!Themurdereddohaunttheirmurderers，Ibelieve。Iknowthatghostshavewanderedonearth。Bewithmealways——takeanyform——drivememad!onlydonotleavemeinthisabyss，whereIcannotfindyou!Oh，God!itisunutterable!Icannotlivewithoutmylife!Icannotlivewithoutmysoul!"

Hedashedhisheadagainsttheknottedtrunk；and，liftinguphiseyes，howled，notlikeaman，butlikeasavagebeastgettinggoadedtodeathwithknivesandspears。Iobservedseveralsplashesofbloodaboutthebarkofthetree，andhishandandforeheadwerebothstained；probablythesceneIwitnessedwasarepetitionofothersactedduringthenight。

Ithardlymovedmycompassion——itappalledme:still，Ifeltreluctanttoquithimso。Butthemomentherecollectedhimselfenoughtonoticemewatching，hethunderedacommandformetogo，andIobeyed。Hewasbeyondmyskilltoquietorconsole!

MrsLinton"sfuneralwasappointedtotakeplaceontheFridayfollowingherdecease；andtillthenhercoffinremaineduncovered，andstrewnwithflowersandscentedleaves，inthegreatdrawing-room。Lintonspenthisdaysandnightsthere，asleeplessguardian；and——acircumstanceconcealedfromallbutme——Heathcliffspenthisnights，atleast，outside，equallyastrangertorepose。Iheldnocommunicationwithhim；still，Iwasconsciousofhisdesigntoenter，ifhecould；andontheTuesday，alittleafterdark，whenmymaster，fromsheerfatigue，hadbeencompelledtoretireacoupleofhours，Iwentandopenedoneofthewindows；movedbyhisperseverance，togivehimachanceofbestowingonthefadedimageofhisidolonefinaladieu。Hedidnotomittoavailhimselfoftheopportunity，cautiouslyandbriefly:toocautiouslytobetrayhispresencebytheslightestnoise。

Indeed，Ishouldn"thavediscoveredthathehadbeenthere，exceptforthedisarrangementofthedraperyaboutthecorpse"sface，andforobservingontheflooracurloflighthair，fastenedwithasilverthread；

which，onexamination，IascertainedtohavebeentakenfromalockethungroundCatherine"sneck。Heathcliffhadopenedthetrinketandcastoutitscontents，replacingthembyablacklockofhisown。Itwistedthetwo，andenclosedthemtogether。

MrEarnshawwas，ofcourse，invitedtoattendtheremainsofhissistertothegrave；andhesentnoexcuse，buthenevercame；sothat，besidesherhusband，themournerswerewhollycomposedoftenantsandservants。

Isabellawasnotasked。

TheplaceofCatherine"sinterment，tothesurpriseofthevillagers，wasneitherinthechapelunderthecarvedmonumentoftheLintons，noryetbythetombsofherownrelations，outside。Itwasdugonagreenslopeinacornerofthekirkyard，wherethewallissolowthatheathandbilberryplantshaveclimbedoveritfromthemoor；andpeatmouldalmostburiesit。Herhusbandliesinthesamespotnow；andtheyhaveeachasimpleheadstoneabove，andaplaingreyblockattheirfeet，tomarkthegraves。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter17ThatFridaymadethelastofourfinedaysforamonth。Intheevening，theweatherbroke:thewindshiftedfromsouthtonortheast，andbroughtrainfirst，andthensleetandsnow。Onthemorrowonecouldhardlyimaginethattherehadbeenthreeweeksofsummer:theprimrosesandcrocuseswerehiddenunderwintrydrifts；thelarksweresilent，theyoungleavesoftheearlytreessmittenandblackened。Anddreary，andchill，anddismal，thatmorrowdidcreepover!Mymasterkepthisroom；Itookpossessionofthelonelyparlour，convertingitintoanursery:andthereIwas，sittingwiththemoaningdollofachildlaidonmyknee；rockingittoandfro，andwatching，meanwhile，thestilldrivingflakesbuilduptheuncurtainedwindow，whenthedooropened，andsomepersonentered，outofbreathandlaughing!Myangerwasgreaterthanmyastonishmentforaminute。Isupposeditoneofthemaids，andIcried——

`Havedone!Howdareyoushowyourgiddinesshere？WhatwouldMrLintonsayifheheardyou？"

`Excuseme!"answeredafamiliarvoice；`butIknowEdgarisinbed，andIcannotstopmyself。"

Withthatthespeakercameforwardtothefire，pantingandholdingherhandtoherside。

`IhaverunthewholewayfromWutheringHeights!"shecontinued，afterapause；`exceptwhereI"veflown。Icouldn"tcountthenumberoffallsI"vehad。Oh，I"machingallover!Don"tbealarmed!ThereshallbeanexplanationassoonasIcangiveit；onlyjusthavethegoodnesstostepoutandorderthecarriagetotakemeontoGimmerton，andtellaservanttoseekupafewclothesinmywardrobe。"

TheintruderwasMrsHeathcliff。Shecertainlyseemedinnolaughingpredicament:herhairstreamedonhershoulders，drippingwithsnowandwater；shewasdressedinthegirlishdressshecommonlywore，befittingheragemorethanherposition:alowfrockwithshortsleeves，andnothingoneitherheadorneck。Thefrockwasoflightsilk，andclungtoherwithwet，andherfeetwereprotectedmerelybythinslippers；addtothisadeepcutunderoneear，whichonlythecoldpreventedfrombleedingprofusely，awhitefacescratchedandbruised，andaframehardlyabletosupportitself，throughfatigue；andyoumayfancymyfirstfrightwasnotmuchallayedwhenIhadhadleisuretoexamineher。

`Mydearyounglady，"Iexclaimed，`I"llstirnowhere，andhearnothing，tillyouhaveremovedeveryarticleofyourclothes，andputondrythings；andcertainlyyoushallnotgotoGimmertontonight，soitisneedlesstoorderthecarriage。"

`Certainly，Ishall，"shesaid；`walkingorriding:yetI"venoobjectiontodressmyselfdecently。And——ah，seehowitflowsdownmynecknow!Thefiredoesmakeitsmart。"

Sheinsistedonmyfulfillingherdirections，beforeshewouldletmetouchher；andnottillafterthecoachmanhadbeeninstructedtogetready，andamaidsettopackupsomenecessaryattire，didIobtainherconsentforbindingthewoundandhelpingtochangehergarments。

`Now，Ellen，"shesaid，whenmytaskwasfinishedandshewasseatedinaneasychaironthehearth，withacupofteabeforeher，yousitdownoppositeme，andputpoorCatherine"sbabyaway:Idon"tliketoseeit!Youmustn"tthinkIcarelittleforCatherine，becauseIbehavedsofoolishlyonentering:I"vecried，too，bitterly——yes，morethananyoneelsehasreasontocry。Wepartedunreconciled，youremember，andIshan"tforgivemyself。But，forallthat，Iwasnotgoingtosympathizewithhim——thebrutebeast!Oh，givemethepoker!ThisisthelastthingofhisIhaveaboutme。"Sheslippedthegoldringfromherthirdfinger，andthrewitonthefloor。`I"llsmashit!"shecontinued，strikingitwithchildishspite，`andthenI"llburnit!"andshetookanddroppedthemisusedarticleamongthecoals。`There!heshallbuyanother，ifhegetsmebackagain。

He"dbecapableofcomingtoseekme，toteaseEdgar。Idarenotstay，lestthatnotionshouldpossesshiswickedhead!Andbesides，Edgarhasnotbeenkind，hashe？AndIwon"tcomesuingforhisassistance；norwillIbringhimintomoretrouble。Necessitycompelledmetoseekshelterhere；

though，ifIhadnotlearnedhewasoutoftheway，I"dhavehaltedatthekitchen，washedmyface，warmedmyself，gotyoutobringwhatIwanted，anddepartedagaintoanywhereoutofthereachofmyaccursed——ofthatincarnategoblin!Ah!hewasinsuchafury!Ifhehadcaughtme!It"sapityEarnshawisnothismatchinstrength:Iwouldn"thaveruntillI"dseenhimallbutdemolished，hadHindleybeenabletodoit!"

`Well，don"ttalksofast，miss!"Iinterrupted；`you"lldisorderthehandkerchiefIhavetiedroundyourface，andmakethecutbleedagain。

Drinkyourtea，andtakebreath，andgiveoverlaughing:laughterissadlyoutofplaceunderthisroof，andinyourcondition!"

`Anundeniabletruth，"shereplied。`Listentothatchild!Itmaintainsaconstantwail——senditoutofmyhearingforanhour；Ishan"tstayanylonger。"

Irangthebell，andcommittedittoaservant"scare；andthenIinquiredwhathadurgedhertoescapefromWutheringHeightsinsuchanunlikelyplight，andwhereshemeanttogo，assherefusedremainingwithus。

`Iought，andIwishtoremain，"answeredshe，`tocheerEdgarandtakecareofthebaby，fortwothings，andbecausetheGrangeismyrighthome。ButIBellyouhewouldn"tletme!Doyouthinkhecouldbeartoseemegrowfatandmerry；andcouldbeartothinkthatweweretranquil，andnotresolveonpoisoningourcomfort？Now，Ihavethesatisfactionofbeingsurethathedetestsme，tothepointofitsannoyinghimseriouslytohavemewithinearshotoreyesight:Inotice，whenIenterhispresence，themusclesofhiscountenanceareinvoluntarilydistortedintoanexpressionofhatred；partlyarisingfromhisknowledgeofthegoodcausesIhavetofeelthatsentimentforhim，andpartlyfromoriginalaversion。ItisstrongenoughtomakemefeelprettycertainthathewouldnotchasemeoverEngland，supposingIcontrivedaclearescape；andthereforeImustgetquiteaway。I"verecoveredfrommyfirstdesiretobekilledbyhim:

I"dratherhe"dkillhimself!Hehasextinguishedmyloveeffectually，andsoI"matmyease。IcanrecollectyethowIlovedhim；andcandimlyimaginethatIcouldstillbelovinghim，if——no，no!Evenifhehaddotedonme，thedevilishnaturewouldhaverevealeditsexistencesomehow。Catherinehadanawfullypervertedtastetoesteemhimsodearly，knowinghimsowell。Monster!wouldthathecouldbeblottedoutofcreation，andoutofmymemory!"

`Hush，hush!He"sahumanbeing，"Isaid。`Bemorecharitable:

thereareworsementhanheisyet!"

`He"snotahumanbeing，"sheretorted；`andhehasnoclaimonmycharity。Igavehimmyheart，andhetookandpinchedittodeath，andflungitbacktome。Peoplefeelwiththeirhearts，Ellen:andsincehehasdestroyedmine，Ihavenotpowertofeelforhim:andIwouldnot，thoughhegroanedfromthistohisdyingday，andwepttearsofbloodforCatherine!No，indeed，indeed，Iwouldn"t!"AndhereIsabellabegantocry；but，immediatelydashingthewaterfromherlashes，sherecommenced。

`Youasked，whathasdrivenmetoflightatlast？Iwascompelledtoattemptit，becauseIhadsucceededinrousinghisrageapitchabovehismalignity。

Pullingoutthenerveswithred-hotpincersrequiresmorecoolnessthanknockingonthehead。Hewasworkeduptoforgetthefiendishprudenceheboastedof，andproceededtomurderousviolence。Iexperiencedpleasureinbeingabletoexasperatehim；thesenseofpleasurewokemyinstinctofself-preservation，soIfairlybrokefree；andifeverIcomeintohishandsagainheiswelcometoasignalrevenge。

`Yesterday，youknow，MrEarnshawshouldhavebeenatthefuneral。

Hekepthimselfsoberforthepurpose——tolerablysober:notgoingtobedmadatsixo"clockandgettingupdrunkattwelve。Consequentlyherose，insuicidallowspirits，asfitforthechurchasforadance；andinstead，hesatdownbythefireandswallowedginorbrandybytumblerfuls。

`Heathcliff——Ishuddertonamehim!hasbeenastrangerinthehousefromlastSundaytilltoday。Whethertheangelshavefedhim，orhiskinbeneath，Icannottell；buthehasnoteatenamealwithusfornearlyaweek。Hehasjustcomehomeatdawn，andgoneupstairstohischamber；lockinghimselfin——asifanybodydreamtofcovetinghiscompany!

Therehehascontinued，prayinglikeaMethodist:onlythedeityheimploredinsenselessdustandashes；andGod，whenaddressed，wascuriouslyconfoundedwithhisownblackfather!Afterconcludingthesepreciousorisons——andtheylastedgenerallytillhegrewhoarseandhisvoicewasstrangledinhisthroat——hewouldbeoffagain；alwaysstraightdowntotheGrange!

I-wonderEdgardidnotsendforaconstable，andgivehimintocustody!

Forme，grievedasIwasaboutCatherine，itwasimpossibletoavoidregardingthisseasonofdeliverancefromdegradingoppressionasaholiday。

`IrecoveredspiritssufficienttohearJoseph"seternallectureswithoutweeping，andtomoveupanddownthehouselesswiththefootofafrightenedthiefthanformerly。Youwouldn"tthinkthatIshouldcryatanythingJosephcouldsay；butheandHaretonaredetestablecompanions。

I"drathersitwithHindley，andhearhisawfultalk，thanwith``t"littlemaister""andhisstaunchsupporter，thatodiousoldman!WhenHeathcliffisin，I"moftenobligedtoseekthekitchenandtheirsociety，orstarveamongthedampuninhabitedchambers；whenheisnot，aswasthecasethisweek，Iestablishatableandchairatonecomerofthehousefire，andnevermindhowMrEarnshawmayoccupyhimself；andhedoesnotinterferewithmyarrangements。Heisquieternowthanheusedtobe，ifnooneprovokeshim:moresullenanddepressed，andlessfurious。Josephaffirmshe"ssurehe"sanalteredman:thattheLordhastouchedhisheart，andheissaved``soasbyfire""。I"mpuzzledtodetectsignsofthefavourablechange:

butitisnotmybusiness。

`Yester-eveningIsatinmynookreadingsomeoldbookstilllateontowardstwelve。Itseemedsodismaltogoupstairs，withthewildsnowblowingoutside，andmythoughtscontinuallyrevertingtothekirkyardandthenew-madegrave!Idaredhardlyliftmyeyesfromthepagebeforeme，thatmelancholyscenesoinstantlyusurpeditsplace。Hindleysatopposite，hisheadleantonhishand；perhapsmeditatingonthesamesubject。Hehadceaseddrinkingatapointbelowirrationality，andhadneitherstirrednorspokenduringtwoorthreehours。Therewasnosoundthroughthehousebutthemoaningwind，whichshookthewindowseverynowandthen，thefaintcracklingofthecoals，andtheclickofmysnuffersasIremovedatintervalsthelongwickofthecandle。HaretonandJosephwereprobablyfastasleepinbed。Itwasvery，verysad:andwhileIreadIsighed，foritseemedasifalljoyhadvanishedfromtheworld，nevertoberestored。

`Thedolefulsilencewasbrokenatlengthbythesoundofthekitchenlatch:Heathcliffhadreturnedfromhiswatchearlierthanusual；

owing，Isuppose，tothesuddenstorm。Thatentrancewasfastened，andwebeardhimcomingroundtogetinbytheother。IrosewithanirrepressibleexpressionofwhatIfeltonmylips，whichinducedmycompanion，whohadbeenstaringtowardsthedoor，toturnandlookatme。

``I"Ilkeephimoutfiveminutes，""heexclaimed。``Youwon"tobject？""

`"No，youmaykeephimoutthewholenightforme，""Ianswered。

``Do!putthekeyinthelock，anddrawthebolts。""

`Earnshawaccomplishedthiserehisguestreachedthefront；hethencameandbroughthischairtotheothersideofmytable，leaningoverit，andsearchinginmyeyes，asympathywiththeburninghatethatgleamedfromhis:ashebothlookedandfeltlikeanassassin，hecouldn"texactlyfindthat；buthediscoveredenoughtoencouragehimtospeak。

`"YouandI""，hesaid，``haveeachagreatdebttosettlewiththemanoutyonder!Ifwewereneitherofuscowards，wemightcombinetodischargeit。Areyouassoftasyourbrother？Areyouwillingtoenduretothelast，andnotonceattemptarepayment？""

``I"mwearyofenduringnow，""Ireplied；``andI"dbegladofaretaliationthatwouldn"trecoilonmyself；buttreacheryandviolencearespearspointedatbothends:theywoundthosewhoresorttothemworsethantheirenemies。""

``Treacheryandviolenceareajustreturnfortreacheryandviolence!""

criedHindley。``MrsHeathcliff，I"llaskyoutodonothing；butsitstillandbedumb。Tellmenow，canyou？I"msureyouwouldhaveasmuchpleasureasIinwitnessingtheconclusionofthefiend"sexistence；he"llbeyourdeathunlessyouoverreachhim；andhe"llbemyruin。Damnthehellishvillain!Heknocksatthedoorasifheweremasterherealready!Promisetoholdyourtongue，andbeforethatclockstrikes——itwantsthreeminutesofone——you"reafreewoman!""

`HetooktheimplementswhichIdescribedtoyouinmyletterfromhisbreast，andwouldhaveturneddownthecandle。Isnatcheditaway，however，andseizedhisarm。

```I"Ilnotholdmytongue!""Isaid；``youmustn"ttouchhim。

Letthedoorremainshut，andbequiet!""

```No!I"veformedmyresolution，andbyGodI"llexecuteit!""

criedthedesperatebeing。``I"Ildoyouakindnessinspiteofyourself，andHaretonjustice!Andyouneedn"ttroubleyourheadtoscreenme；Catherineisgone。Nobodyalivewouldregretme，orbeashamed，thoughIcutmythroatthisminute——andit"stimetomakeanend!""

`Imightaswellhavestruggledwithabear，orreasonedwithalunatic。Theonlyresourceleftmewastoruntoalatticeandwarnhisintendedvictimofthefatewhichawaitedhim。

`"You"dbetterseeksheltersomewhereelsetonight!""Iexclaimedinarathertriumphanttone。``MrEarnshawhasamindtoshootyou，ifyoupersistinendeavouringtoenter。""

``You"dbetteropenthedoor，you——"heanswered，addressingmebysomeeleganttermthatIdon"tcaretorepeat。

``Ishallnotmeddleinthematter，""Iretortedagain。``Comeinandgetshot，ifyouplease!I"vedonemyduty。""

`WiththatIshutthewindowandreturnedtomyplacebythefire；

havingtoosmallastockofhypocrisyatmycommandtopretendanyanxietyforthedangerthatmenacedhim。Earnshawsworepassionatelyatme:affirmingthatIlovedthevillainyet；andcallingmeallsortsofnamesforthebasespiritIevinced。AndI，inmysecretheart(andconscienceneverreproachedme)，thoughtwhatablessingitwouldbeforhimshouldHeathcliffputhimoutofmisery；andwhatablessingformeshouldhesendHeathclifftohisrightabode!AsIsatnursingthesereflections，thecasementbehindmewasbangedontothefloorbyablowfromthelatterindividual，andhisblackcountenancelikedblightinglythrough。Thestanchionsstoodtooclosetosufferhisshoulderstofollow，andIsmiled，exultinginmyfanciedsecurity。Hishairandclotheswerewhitenedwithsnow，andhissharpcannibalteeth，revealedbycoldandwrath，gleamedthroughthedark。

`"Isabella，letmein，orI"llmakeyourepent!""he``girned""，asJosephcallsit。

Icannotcommitmurder，""Ireplied。``MrHindleystandssentinelwithaknifeandloadedpistol。""

``Letmeinbythekitchendoor，""hesaid。

``Hindleywillbetherebeforeyou，""Ianswered:``andthat"sapoorloveofyoursthatcannotbearashowerofsnow!Wewereleftatpeaceonourbedsaslongasthesummermoonshone，butthemomentablastofwinterreturns，youmustrunforshelter!Heathcliff，ifIwereyou，I"dgostretchmyselfoverhergraveanddielikeafaithfuldog。Theworldissurelynotworthlivinginnow，isit？YouhaddistinctlyimpressedonmetheideathatCatherinewasthewholejoyofyourlife:Ican"timaginehowyouthinkofsurvivingherloss。""

``He"sthere，ishe？""exclaimedmycompanion，rushingtothegap。``IfIcangetmyarmoutIcanhithim!""

`I"mafraid，Ellen，you"llsetmedownasreallywicked；butyoudon"tknowall，sodon"tjudge。Iwouldn"thaveaidedorabettedanattemptonevenhislifeforanything。Wishthatheweredead，Imust；andthereforeIwasfearfullydisappointed，andunnervedbyterrorfortheconsequencesofmytauntingspeech，whenheflunghimselfonEarnshaw"sweaponandwrencheditfromhisgrasp。

`Thecharge，exploded，andtheknife，inspringingback，closedintoitsownerswrist。Heathcliffpulleditawaybymainforce，slittingupthefleshasitpassedon，andthrustitdrippingintohispocket。Hethentookastone，struckdownthedivisionbetweentwowindows，andsprangin。Hisadversaryhadfallensenselesswithexcessivepainandtheflowofblood，thatgushedfromanarteryoralargevein。Theruffiankickedandtrampledonhim，anddashedhisheadrepeatedlyagainsttheflags，holdingmewithonehand，meantime，topreventmesummoningJoseph。Heexertedpreterhumanself-denialinabstainingfromfinishinghimcompletely；

butgettingoutofbreathhefinallydesisted，anddraggedtheapparentlyinanimatebodyontothesettle。TherehetoreoffthesleeveofEarnshaw"scoat，andboundupthewoundwithbrutalroughness；spittingandcursingduringtheoperationasenergeticallyashehadkickedbefore。Beingatliberty，Ilostnotimeinseekingtheoldservant；who，havinggatheredbydegreesthepurportofmyhastytale，hurriedbelow，gasping，ashedescendedthestepstwoatonce。

``Whatistheretodo，now？whatistheretodo，now？""

`"There"sthistodo，""thunderedHeathcliff，``thatyourmaster"smad；andshouldhelastanothermonth，I"llhavehimtoanasylum。Andhowthedevildidyoucometofastenmeout，youtoothlesshound？Don"tstandmutteringandmumblingthere。Come，I"mnotgoingtonursehim。Washthatstuffaway；andmindthesparksofyourcandle——itismorethanhalfbrandy!""

`"Andso，ye"vebeenmurtheringonhim？""exclaimedJoseph，liftinghishandsandeyesinhorror。``IfiverIseedaseeghtloikethis!MaytheLord——""

`Heathcliffgavehimapushontohiskneesinthemiddleoftheblood，andflungatoweltohim；butinsteadofproceedingtodryitup，hejoinedhishandsandbeganaprayer，whichexcitedmylaughterfromitsoddphraseology。Iwasintheconditionofmindtobeshockedatnothing:

infact，Iwasasrecklessassomemalefactorsshowthemselvesatthefootofthegallows。

`"Oh，Iforgotyou，""saidthetyrant。``Youshalldothat。Downwithyou。Andyouconspirewithhimagainstme，doyou，viper？There，thatisworkfitforyou!""

`Heshookmetillmyteethrattled，andpitchedmebesideJoseph，whosteadilyconcludedhissupplicationsandthenrose，vowinghewouldsetofffortheGrangedirectly。MrLintonwasamagistrate，andthoughhehadfiftywivesdead，heshouldinquireintothis。Hewassoobstinateinhisresolution，thatHeathcliffdeemeditexpedienttocompelfrommylipsarecapitulationofwhathadtakenplace；standingoverme，heavingwithmalevolence，asIreluctantlydeliveredtheaccountinanswertohisquestions。ItrequiredagreatdealoflabourtosatisfytheoldmanthatHeathcliffwasnottheaggressor；especiallywithmyhardlywrungreplies。

However，MrEarnshawsoonconvincedhimthathewasalivestill；Josephhastenedtoadministeradoseofspirits，andbytheirsuccourhismasterpresentlyregainedmotionandconsciousness。Heathcliff，awarethathisopponentwasignorantofthetreatmentreceivedwhileinsensible，calledhimdeliriouslyintoxicated；andsaidheshouldnotnoticehisatrociousconductfurther，butadvisedhimtogettobed。Tomyjoy，heleftus，aftergivingthisjudiciouscounsel，andHindleystretchedhimselfonthehearthstone。Idepartedtomyownroom，marvellingthatIhadescapedsoeasily。

`Thismorning，whenIcamedown，abouthalfanhourbeforenoon，MrEarnshawwassittingbythefire，deadlysick；hisevilgenius，almostasgauntandghastly，leantagainstthechimney。Neitherappearedinclinedtodine，and，havingwaitedtillallwascoldonthetable，Icommencedalone。Nothinghinderedmefromeatingheartily，andIexperiencedacertainsenseofsatisfactionandsuperiority，as，atintervals，Icastalooktowardsmysilentcompanions，andfeltthecomfortofaquietconsciencewithinme。AfterIhaddone，Iventuredontheunusuallibertyofdrawingnearthefire，goingroundEarnshaw"sseat，andkneelinginthecornerbesidehim。

`Heathcliffdidnotglancemyway，andIgazedup，andcontemplatedhisfeaturesalmostasconfidentlyasiftheyhadbeenturnedtostone。

Hisforehead，thatIoncethoughtsomanly，andthatInowthinksodiabolical，wasshadedwithaheavycloud；hisbasiliskeyeswerenearlyquenchedbysleeplessness，andweeping，perhaps，forthelasheswerewetthen；hislipsdevoidoftheirferocioussneer，andsealedinanexpressionofunspeakablesadness。Haditbeenanother，Iwouldhavecoveredmyfaceinthepresenceofsuchgrief。Inhiscase，Iwasgratified；and，ignobleasitseemstoinsultafallenenemy，Icouldn"tmissthischanceofstickinginadart:hisweaknesswastheonlytimewhenIcouldtastethedelightofpayingwrongforwrong。

`Fie，fie，miss!"Iinterrupted。`OnemightsupposeyouhadneveropenedaBibleinyourlife。IfGodafflictyourenemies，surelythatoughttosufficeyou。ItisbothmeanandpresumptuoustoaddyourtorturetoHis!"

`IngeneralI"llallowthatitwouldbe，Ellen，"shecontinued；

`butwhatmiserylaidonHeathcliffcouldcontentme，unlessIhaveahandinit？I"dratherhesufferedless，ifImightcausehissufferingsandhemightknowthatIwasthecause。O，Iowehimsomuch。OnonlyoneconditioncanIhopetoforgivehim。Itis，ifImaytakeaneyeforaneye，atoothforatooth；foreverywrenchofagonyreturnawrench:

reducehimtomylevel。Ashewasthefirsttoinjure，makehimthefirsttoimplorepardon；andthen——whythen，Ellen，Imightshowyousomegenerosity。

ButitisutterlyimpossibleIcaneverberevenged，andthereforeIcannotforgivehim。Hindleywantedsomewater，andIhandedhimaglass，andaskedhimhowhewas。

``NotasillasIwish，""hereplied。``Butleavingoutmyarm，everyinchofmeisassoreasifIhadbeenfightingwithalegionofimps!""

`"Yes，nowonder，""wasmynextremark。``Catherineusedtoboastthatshestoodbetweenyouandbodilyharm:shemeantthatcertainpersonswouldnothurtyouforfearofoffendingher。It"swellpeopledon"treallyrisefromtheirgrave，or，lastnight，shemighthavewitnessedarepulsivescene!Arenotyoubruisedandcutoveryourchestandshoulders？""

``Ican"tsay，""heanswered:``butwhatdoyoumean？DidhedaretostrikemewhenIwasdown？"

"Hetrampledonyouandkickedyou，anddashedyouontheground，""

Iwhispered。``Andhismouthwateredtotearyouwithhisteeth；becausehe"sonlyhalfaman——notsomuch。""

`MrEarnshawlookedup，likeme，tothecountenanceofourmutualfoe；who，absorbedinhisanguish，seemedinsensibletoanythingaroundhim:thelongerhestood，theplainerhisreflectionsrevealedtheirblacknessthroughhisfeatures。

`"Oh，ifGodwouldbutgivemestrengthtostranglehiminmylastagony，I"dgotohellwithjoy，""groanedtheimpatientman，writhingtorise，andsinkingbackindespair，convincedofhisinadequacyforthestruggle。

`"Nay，it"senoughthathehasmurderedoneofyou，""Iobservedaloud。``AttheGrange，everyoneknowsyoursisterwouldhavebeenlivingnow，haditnotbeenforMrHeathcliff。Afterall，itispreferabletobehatedthanlovedbyhim。WhenIrecollecthowhappywewere——howhappyCatherinewasbeforehecame——I"mfittocursetheday。""

`Mostlikely，Heathcliffnoticedmorethetruthofwhatwassaid，thanthespiritofthepersonwhosaidit。Hisattentionwasroused，I

saw，forhiseyesraineddowntearsamongtheashes，andhedrewhisbreathinsuffocatingsighs。Istaredfullathim，andlaughedscornfully。Thecloudedwindowsofhellflashedamomenttowardsme；thefiendwhichusuallylookedout，however，wassodimmedanddrownedthatIdidnotfeartohazardanothersoundofderision。

``Getup，andbegoneoutofmysight，""saidthemourner。

`Iguessedheutteredthosewords，atleast，thoughhisvoicewashardlyintelligible。

`"Ibegyourpardon，""Ireplied。``ButIlovedCatherinetoo；

andherbrotherrequiresattendance，which，forhersake，Ishallsupply。

Nowthatshe"sdead，IseeherinHindley:Hindleyhasexactlyhereyes，ifyouhadnottriedtogougethemout，andmadethemblackandred；andher——""

``Getup，wretchedidiot，beforeIstampyoutodeath!""hecried，makingamovementthatcausedmetomakeonealso。

``Butthen，""Icontinued，holdingmyselfreadytoflee；``ifpoorCatherinehadtrustedyou，andassumedtheridiculous，contemptible，degradingtitleofMrsHeathcliff，shewouldsoonhavepresentedasimilarpicture!Shewouldn"thaveborneyourabominablebehaviourquietly:

herdetestationanddisgustmusthavefoundvoice。""

`ThebackofthesettleandEarnshaw"spersoninterposedbetweenmeandhim:soinsteadofendeavouringtoreachme，hesnatchedadinnerknifefromthetableandflungitatmyhead。Itstruckbeneathmyear，andstoppedthesentenceIwasuttering；but，pullingitout，Isprangtothedooranddeliveredanother；whichIhopewentalittledeeperthanhismissile。ThelastglimpseIcaughtofhimwasafuriousrushonhispart，checkedbytheembraceofhishost；andbothfelllockedtogetheronthehearth。InmyflightthroughthekitchenIbidJosephspeedtohismaster；IknockedoverHareton，whowashangingalitterofpuppiesfromachairbackinthedoorway；and，blestasasoulescapedfrompurgatory，Ibounded，leaped，andflewdownthesteeproad；then，quittingitswindings，shotdirectacrossthemoor，rollingoverbanks，andwadingthroughmarshes:

precipitatingmyself，infact，towardsthebeaconlightoftheGrange。

AndfarratherwouldIbecondemnedtoaperpetualdwellingintheinfernalregions，than，evenforonenight，abidebeneaththeroofofWutheringHeightsagain。"

Isabellaceasedspeaking，andtookadrinkoftea；thensherose，andbiddingmeputonherbonnet，andagreatshawlIhadbrought，andturningadeafeartomyentreatiesforhertoremainanotherhour，shesteppedontoachair，kissedEdgar"sandCatherine"sportraits，bestowedasimilarsaluteonme，anddescendedtothecarriage，accompaniedbyFanny，whoyelpedwildwithjoyatrecoveringhermistress。Shewasdrivenaway，nevertorevisittheneighbourhood:butaregularcorrespondencewasestablishedbetweenherandmymasterwhenthingsweremoresettled。Ibelievehernewabodewasinthesouth，nearLondon；thereshehadasonborn，afewmonthssubsequenttoherescape。HewaschristenedLinton，and，fromthefirst，shereportedhimtobeanailing，peevishcreature。

MrHeathcliff，meetingmeonedayinthevillage，inquiredwhereshelived。Irefusedtotell。Heremarkedthatitwasnotofanymoment，onlyshemustbewareofcomingtoherbrother:sheshouldnotbewithhim，ifhehadtokeepherhimself。ThoughIwouldgivenoinformation，hediscovered，throughsomeoftheotherservants，bothherplaceofresidenceandtheexistenceofthechild。Stillhedidn"tmolesther:forwhichforbearanceshemightthankhisaversion，Isuppose。Heoftenaskedabouttheinfant，whenhesawme；andonhearingitsname，smiledgrimly，andobserved:

`Theywishmetohateittoo，dothey？"

`Idon"tthinktheywishyoutoknowanythingaboutit，"Ianswered。

`ButI"llhaveit，"hesaid，`whenIwantit。Theymayreckononthat!"

Fortunately，itsmotherdiedbeforethetimearrived；somethirteenyearsafterthedeceaseofCatherine，whenLintonwastwelve，oralittlemore。

OnthedaysucceedingIsabella"sunexpectedvisit，Ihadnoopportunityofspeakingtomymaster:heshunnedconversation，andwasfitfordiscussingnothing。WhenIcouldgethimtolisten，Isawitpleasedhimthathissisterhadleftherhusband；whomheabhorredwithanintensitywhichthemildnessofhisnaturewouldscarcelyseemtoallow。Sodeepandsensitivewashisaversion，thatherefrainedfromgoinganywherewherehewaslikelytoseeorhearofHeathcliff。Grief，andthattogether，transformedhimintoacompletehermit:hethrewuphisofficeofmagistrate，ceasedeventoattendchurch，avoidedthevillageonalloccasions，andspentalifeofentireseclusionwithinthelimitsofhisparkandgrounds；onlyvariedbysolitaryramblesonthemoors，andvisitstothegraveofhiswife，mostlyatevening，orearlymorningbeforeotherwandererswereabroad。

Buthewastoogoodtobethoroughlyunhappylong。Hedidn"tprayforCatherine"ssoultohaunthim。Timebroughtresignation，andamelancholysweeterthancommonjoy。Herecalledhermemorywithardent，tenderlove，andhopefulaspiringtothebetterworld；wherehedoubtednotshewasgone。

Andhehadearthlyconsolationandaffectionsalso。Forafewdays，Isaid，heseemedregardlessofthepunysuccessortothedeparted:

thecoldnessmeltedasfastassnowinApril，anderethetinythingcouldstammerawordortotterastep，itwieldedadespot"ssceptreinhisheart。

ItwasnamedCatherine；buthenevercalleditthenameinfull，ashehadnevercalledthefirstCatherineshort；probablybecauseHeathcliffhadahabitofdoingso。ThelittleonewasalwaysCathy；itformedtohimadistinctionfromthemother，andyetaconnectionwithher；andhisattachmentsprangfromitsrelationtoher，farmorethanfromitsbeinghisown。

IusedtodrawacomparisonbetweenhimandHindleyEarnshaw，andperplexmyselftoexplainsatisfactorilywhytheirconductwassooppositeinsimilarcircumstances。Theyhadbothbeenfondhusbands，andwerebothattachedtotheirchildren；andIcouldnotseehowtheyshouldn"tbothhavetakenthesameroad，forgoodorevil。But，Ithoughtinmymind，Hindley，withapparentlythestrongerhead，hasshownhimselfsadlytheworseandtheweakerman。Whenhisshipstruck，thecaptainabandonedhispost；andthecrew，insteadoftryingtosaveher，rushedintoriotandconfusion，leavingnohopefortheirlucklessvessel。Linton，onthecontrary，displayedthetruecourageofaloyalandfaithfulsoul:hetrustedGod；

andGodcomfortedhim。Onehoped，andtheotherdespaired:theychosetheirownlots，andwererighteouslydoomedtoendurethem。Butyou"llnotwanttohearmymoralizing，MrLockwood:you"lljudgeaswellasIcan，allthesethings:atleast，you"llthinkyouwill，andthat"sthesame。TheendofEarnshawwaswhatmighthavebeenexpected；itfollowedfastonhissister"s:therewasscarcelysixmonthsbetweenthem。We，attheGrange，nevergotaverysuccinctaccountofhisstateprecedingit；allthatI

didlearn，wasonoccasionofgoingtoaidinthepreparationsforthefuneral。MrKennethcametoannouncetheeventtomymaster。

`Well，Nelly，"saidhe，ridingintotheyardonemorning，tooearlynottoalarmmewithaninstantpresentimentofbadnews，`it"syoursandmyturntogointomourningatpresent。Who"sgivenustheslipnow，doyouthink？"

`Who？"Iaskedinaflurry。

`Why，guess!"hereturned，dismounting，andslinginghisbridleonahookbythedoor。`Andnipupthecornerofyourapron:I"mcertainyou"llneedit。"

`NotMrHeathcliff，surely？"Iexclaimed。

`What!wouldyouhavetearsforhim？"saidthedoctor。`No，Heathcliff"satoughyoungfellow:helooksbloomingtoday。I"vejustseenhim。He"srapidlyregainingfleshsincehelosthisbetterhalf。"

`Whoisitthen，MrKenneth？"Irepeatedimpatiently。

`HindleyEarnshaw!YouroldfriendHindley，"hereplied，`andmywickedgossip:thoughhe"sbeentoowildformethislongwhile。There!

Isaidweshoulddrawwater。Butcheerup。Hediedtruetohischaracter:

drunkasalord。Poorlad!I"msorry，too。Onecan"thelpmissinganoldcompanion:thoughhehadtheworsttrickswithhimthatevermanimagined，andhasdonememanyarascallyturn。He"sbarelytwenty-seven，itseems；

that"syourownage:whowouldhavethoughtyouwereborninoneyear？"

IconfessthisblowwasgreatertomethantheshockofMrsLinton"sdeath:ancientassociationslingeredroundmyheart；Isatdownintheporchandweptasforabloodrelation，desiringKennethtogetanotherservanttointroducehimtothemaster。Icouldnothindermyselffromponderingonthequestion——`Hadhehadfairplay？"WhateverIdid，thatideawouldbotherme:itwassotiresomelypertinaciousthatIresolvedonrequestingleavetogotoWutheringHeights，andassistinthelastdutiestothedead。MrLintonwasextremelyreluctanttoconsent，butI

pleadedeloquentlyforthefriendlessconditioninwhichhelay；andI

saidmyoldmasterandfoster-brotherhadaclaimonmyservicesasstrongashisown。Besides，IremindedhimthatthechildHaretonwashiswife"snephew，and，intheabsenceofnearerkin，heoughttoactasitsguardian；

andheoughttoandmustinquirehowthepropertywasleft，andlookovertheconcernsofhisbrother-in-law。Hewasunfitforattendingtosuchmattersthen，buthebidmespeaktohislawyer；andatlengthpermittedmetogo。HislawyerhadbeenEarnshaw"salso:Icalledatthevillage，andaskedhimtoaccompanyme。Heshookhishead，andadvisedthatHeathcliffshouldbeletalone；affirming，ifthetruthwereknown，Haretonwouldbefoundlittleelsethanabeggar。

`Hisfatherdiedindebt，"hesaid；`thewholepropertyismortgaged，andthesolechanceforthenaturalheiristoallowhimanopportunityofcreatingsomeinterestinthecreditor"sheart，thathemaybeinclinedtodeallenientlytowardshim。"

WhenIreachedtheHeights，IexplainedthatIhadcometoseeeverythingcarriedondecently；andJoseph，whoappearedinsufficientdistress，expressedsatisfactionatmypresence。MrHeathcliffsaidhedidnotperceivethatIwaswanted；butImightstayandorderthearrangementsforthefuneral，ifIchose。

`Correctly，"heremarked，`thatfool"sbodyshouldbeburiedatthecrossroads，withoutceremonyofanykind。Ihappenedtoleavehimtenminutesyesterdayafternoon，andinthatintervalhefastenedthetwodoorsofthehouseagainstme，andhehasspentthenightindrinkinghimselftodeathdeliberately!Webrokeinthismorning，forweheardhimsnortinglikeahorse；andtherehewas，laidoverthesettle；flayingandscalpingwouldnothavewakenedhim。IsentforKenneth，andhecame；butnottillthebeasthadchangedintocarrion:hewasbothdeadandcold，andstark；

andsoyou"llallowitwasuselessmakingmorestirabouthim!"

Theoldservantconfirmedthisstatement，butmuttered:

`Aw"draytherhe"dgoanhisselnfurt"doctor!Awsuduhtaententuht"maisterbetternurhim——unhewarn"tdeeadwhenAwleft，nowtuht"soart!"

Iinsistedonthefuneralbeingrespectable。MrHeathcliffsaidImighthavemyownwaytheretoo；only，hedesiredmetorememberthatthemoneyforthewholeaffaircameoutofhispocket。Hemaintainedahard，carelessdeportment，indicativeofneitherjoynorsorrow；ifanything，itexpressedaflintygratificationatapieceofdifficultworksuccessfullyexecuted。Iobservedonce，indeed，somethinglikeexultationinhisaspect:

itwasjustwhenthepeoplewerebearingthecoffinfromthehouse。Hehadthehypocrisytorepresentamourner:andprevioustofollowingwithHareton，heliftedtheunfortunatechildontothetableandmuttered，withpeculiargusto，`Now，mybonnylad，youaremine!Andwe"llseeifonetreewon"tgrowascrookedasanother，withthesamewindtotwistit!"Theunsuspectingthingwaspleasedatthisspeech:heplayedwithHeathcliff"swhiskers，andstrokedhischeek；butIdivineditsmeaning，andobservedtartly，`ThatboymustgobackwithmetoThrushcrossGrange，sir。Thereisnothingintheworldlessyoursthanheis!"

`DoesLintonsayso？"hedemanded。

`Ofcourse——hehasorderedmetotakehim，"Ireplied。

`Well，"saidthescoundrel，`we"llnotarguethesubjectnow:

butIhaveafancytotrymyhandatrearingayoungone；sointimatetoyourmasterthatImustsupplytheplaceofthiswithmyown，ifheattempttoremoveit。Idon"tengagetoletHaretongoundisputed；butI"llbeprettysuretomaketheothercome!Remembertotellhim。"

Thishintwasenoughtobindourhands。Irepeateditssubstanceonmyreturn；andEdgarLinton，littleinterestedatthecommencement，spokenomoreofinterferingI"mnotawarethathecouldhavedoneittoanypurpose，hadhebeeneversowilling。

TheguestwasnowthemasterofWutheringHeights:heheldfirmpossession，andprovedtotheattorney——who，inhisturn，provedittoMrLinton——thatEarnshawhadmortgagedeveryyardoflandheowned，forcashtosupplyhismaniaforgaming；andhe，Heathcliff，wasthemortgagee。

InthatmannerHareton，whoshouldnowbethefirstgentlemanintheneighbourhood，wasreducedtoastateofcompletedependenceonhisfather"sinveterateenemy；andlivesinhisownhouseasaservant，deprivedoftheadvantageofwages，andquiteunabletorighthimself，becauseofhisfriendlessness，andhisignorancethathehasbeenwronged。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter18Thetwelveyears，continuedMrsDean，followingthatdismalperiod，werethehappiestofmylife:mygreatesttroublesintheirpassagerosefromourlittlelady"striflingillnesses，whichshehadtoexperienceincommonwithallchildren，richandpoor。Fortherest，afterthefirstsixmonths，shegrewlikealarch，andcouldwalkandtalktoo，inherownway，beforetheheathblossomedasecondtimeoverMrsLinton"sdust。Shewasthemostwinningthingthateverbroughtsunshineintoadesolatehouse:arealbeautyinface，withtheEarnshaws"handsomedarkeyes，buttheLintons"

fairskinandsmallfeatures，andyellowcurlinghair。Herspiritwashigh，thoughnotrough，andqualifiedbyaheartsensitiveandlivelytoexcessinitsaffections。Thatcapacityforintenseattachmentsremindedmeofhermother:stillshedidnotresembleher；forshecouldbesoftandmildasadove，andshehadagentlevoiceandpensiveexpression:herangerwasneverfurious；herloveneverfierce:itwasdeepandtender。However，itmustbeacknowledged，shehadfaultstofoilhergifts。Apropensitytobesaucywasone；andaperversewill，thatindulgedchildreninvariablyacquire，whethertheybegood-temperedorcross。Ifaservantchancedtovexher，itwasalways——`Ishalltellpapa!"Andifhereprovedher，evenbyalook，youwouldhavethoughtitaheart-breakingbusiness:Idon"tbelieveheeverdidspeakaharshwordtoher。Hetookhereducationentirelyonhimself，andmadeitanamusement。Fortunately，curiosityandaquickintellecturgedherintoanaptscholar:shelearnedrapidlyandeagerly，anddidhonourtohisteaching。

Tillshereachedtheageofthirteen，shehadnotoncebeenbeyondtherangeoftheparkbyherself。MrLintonwouldtakeherwithhimamileorsooutside，onrareoccasions；buthetrustedhertonooneelse。Gimmertonwasanunsubstantialnameinherears；thechapel，theonlybuildingshehadapproachedorentered，exceptherownhome。WutheringHeightsandMrHeathcliffdidnotexistforher:shewasaperfectrecluse；and，apparently，perfectlycontented。Sometimes，indeed，whilesurveyingthecountryfromhernurserywindow，shewouldobserve:

`Ellen，howlongwillitbebeforeIcanwalktothetopofthosehills？Iwonderwhatliesontheotherside——isitthesea？"

`No，MissCathy，"Iwouldanswer；`itishillsagain，justlikethese。"

`Andwhatarethosegoldenrockslikewhenyoustandunderthem？"

sheonceasked。

TheabruptdescentofPenistoneCragsparticularlyattractedhernotice；especiallywhenthesettingsunshoneonitandthetopmostheights，andthewholeextentoflandscapebesideslayinshadow。Iexplainedthattheywerebaremassesofstone，withhardlyenoughearthintheircleftstonourishastuntedtree。

`Andwhyaretheybrightsolongafteritiseveninghere？"shepursued。

`Becausetheyareagreatdealhigherupthanweare，"repliedI；`youcouldnotclimbthem，theyaretoohighandsteep。Inwinterthefrostisalwaystherebeforeitcomestous；anddeepintosummerIhavefoundsnowunderthatblackhollowonthenorth-eastside!"

`Oh，youhavebeenonthem!"shecriedgleefully。`ThenIcango，too，whenIamawoman。Haspapabeen，Ellen？"

`Papawouldtellyou，miss，"Iansweredhastily，`thattheyarenotworththetroubleofvisiting。Themoors，whereyouramblewithhim，aremuchnicer；andThrushcrossParkisthefinestplaceintheworld。"

`ButIknowthepark，andIdon"tknowthose，"shemurmuredtoherself。`AndIshoulddelighttolookroundmefromthebrowofthattallestpoint:mylittleponyMinnyshalltakemesometime。"

OneofthemaidsmentioningtheFairyCave，quiteturnedherheadwithadesiretofulfilthisproject:sheteasedMrLintonaboutit；andhepromisedsheshouldhavethejourneywhenshegotolder。ButMissCatherinemeasuredheragebymonths，and，`Now，amIoldenoughtogotoPenistoneCrags？"wastheconstantquestioninhermouth。TheroadthitherwoundclosebyWutheringHeights。Edgarhadnotthehearttopassit；soshereceivedasconstantlytheanswer，`Notyet，love:notyet。

IsaidMrsHeathclifflivedaboveadozenyearsafterquittingherhusband。Herfamilywereofadelicateconstitution:sheandEdgarbothlackedtheruddyhealththatyouwillgenerallymeetintheseparts。

Whatherlastillnesswas，Iamnotcertain:Iconjecture，theydiedofthesamething，akindoffever，slowatitscommencement，butincurable，andrapidlyconsuminglifetowardstheclose。Shewrotetoinformherbrotheroftheprobableconclusionofafourmonths"indispositionunderwhichshehadsuffered，andentreatedhimtocometoher，ifpossible；

forshehadmuchtosettle，andshewishedtobidhimadieu，anddeliverLintonsafelyintohishands。Herhopewas，thatLintonmightbeleftwithhim，ashehadbeenwithher:hisfather，shewouldfainconvinceherself，hadnodesiretoassumetheburdenofhismaintenanceoreducation。Mymasterhesitatednotamomentincomplyingwithherrequest:reluctantashewastoleavehomeatordinarycalls，heflewtoanswerthis；commendingCatherinetomypeculiarvigilance，inhisabsence，withreiteratedordersthatshemustnotwanderoutofthepark，evenundermyescort:hedidnotcalculateonhergoingunaccompanied。