第10章

`MissCathy，"Iinterrupted，`itwillbethreehoursinsteadofonethatweareout，presently。Wereallymustgoback。"

`No，thatmanisnotmyson，"answeredHeathcliff，pushingmeaside。`ButIhaveone，andyouhaveseenhimbeforetoo；and，thoughyournurseisinahurry，Ithinkbothyouandshewouldbethebetterforalittlerest。Willyoujustturnthisnabofheath，andwalkintomyhouse？

You"llgethomeearlierfortheease；andyoushallreceiveakindwelcome。

IwhisperedCatherinethatshemustn"t，onanyaccount，accedetotheproposal:itwasentirelyoutofthequestion。

`Why？"sheasked，aloud。`I"mtiredofrunning，andthegroundisdewy:Ican"tsithere。Letusgo，Ellen。Besides，hesaysIhaveseenhisson。He"smistaken，Ithink；butIguesswherehelives:atthefarmhouseIvisitedincomingfromPenistoneCrags。Don"tyou？"

`Ido。Come，Nelly，holdyourtongue——itwillbeatreatforhertolookinonus。Hareton，getforwardswiththelass。Youshallwalkwithme，Nelly。"

`No，she"snotgoingtoanysuchplace，"Icried，strugglingtoreleasemyarm，whichhehadseized:butshewasalmostatthedoorstonesalready，scamperingroundthebrowatfullspeed。Herappointedcompaniondidnotpretendtoescorther:heshiedoffbytheroadside，andvanished。

`MrHeathcliff，it"sverywrong，"Icontinued:`youknowyoumeannogood。Andthereshe"llseeLinton，andallwillbetoldassoonaseverwereturn；andIshallhavetheblame。

`IwanthertoseeLinton，"heanswered；`he"slookingbetterthesefewdays:it"snotoftenhe"sfittobeseen。Andwe"llsoonpersuadehertokeepthevisitsecret:whereistheharmofit？"

`Theharmofitis，thatherfatherwouldhatemeifhefoundIsufferedhertoenteryourhouse；andIamconvincedyouhaveabaddesigninencouraginghertodoso，"Ireplied。

`Mydesignisashonestaspossible。I"llinformyouofitswholescope，"hesaid。`Thatthetwocousinsmayfallinlove，andgetmarried。

I"mactinggenerouslytoyourmaster:hisyoungchithasnoexpectations，andshouldshesecondmywishes，she"llbeprovidedforatonceasjointsuccessorwithLinton。"

`IfLintondied，"Ianswered，`andhislifeisquiteuncertain，Catherinewouldbetheheir。"

`No，shewouldnot，"hesaid。`Thereisnoclauseinthewilltosecureitso:hispropertywouldgotome；but，topreventdisputes，Idesiretheirunion，andamresolvedtobringitabout。"

`AndI"mresolvedsheshallneverapproachyourhousewithmeagain，"Ireturned，aswereachedthegate，whereMissCathywaitedourcoming。

Heathcliffbidmebequiet；and，precedingusupthepath，hastenedtoopenthedoor。Myyoungladygavehimseverallooks，asifshecouldnotexactlymakeuphermindwhattothinkofhim；butnowhesmiledwhenhemethereye，andsoftenedhisvoiceinaddressingher；andIwasfoolishenoughtoimaginethememoryofhermothermightdisarmhimfromdesiringherinjury。Lintonstoodonthehearth。Hehadbeenoutwalkinginthefields，forhiscapwason，andhewascallingtoJosephtobringhimdryshoes。Hehadgrowntallofhisage，stillwantingsomemonthsofsixteen。

Hisfeatureswereprettyyet，andhiseyeandcomplexionbrighterthanIrememberedthem，thoughwithmerelytemporarylustreborrowedfromthesalubriousairandgenialsun。

`Now，whoisthat？"askedMrHeathcliff，turningtoCathy。`Canyoutell？"

`Yourson？"shesaid，havingdoubtfullysurveyed，firstoneandthentheother。

`Yes，yes，"answeredhe:`butisthistheonlytimeyouhavebeheldhim？Think!Ah!youhaveashortmemory。Linton，don"tyourecallyourcousin，thatyouusedtoteaseussowithwishingtosee？"

`What，Linton!"criedCathy，kindlingintojoyfulsurpriseatthename。`IsthatlittleLinton？He"stallerthanIam!Areyou，Linton？"

Theyouthsteppedforward，andacknowledgedhimself:shekissedhimfervently，andtheygazedwithwonderatthechangetimehadwroughtintheappearanceofeach。Catherinehadreachedherfullheight；herfigurewasbothplumpandslender，elasticassteel，andherwholeaspectsparklingwithhealthandspirits。Linton"slooksandmovementswereverylanguid，andhisformextremelyslight；buttherewasagraceinhismannerthatmitigatedthesedefects，andrenderedhimnotunpleasing。Afterexchangingnumerousmarksoffondnesswithhim，hiscousinwenttoMrHeathcliff，wholingeredbythedoor，dividinghisattentionbetweentheobjectsinsideandthosethatlaywithout:pretending，thatis，toobservethelatter，andreallynotingtheformeralone。

`Andyouaremyuncle，then!"shecried，reachinguptosalutehim。`IthoughtIlikedyou，thoughyouwerecrossatfirst。Whydon"tyouvisitattheGrangewithLinton？Tolivealltheseyearssuchcloseneighbours，andneverseeus，isodd:whathaveyoudonesofor？"

`Ivisiteditonceortwicetoooftenbeforeyouwereborn，"heanswered。`There——damnit!Ifyouhaveanykissestospare，givethemtoLinton:theyarethrownawayonme。

`NaughtyEllen!"exclaimedCatherine，flyingtoattackmenextwithherlavishcaresses。`WickedEllen!totrytohindermefromentering。

ButI"lltakethiswalkeverymorninginfuture:mayI，uncle？andsometimesbringpapa。Won"tyoubegladtoseeus？"

`Ofcourse!"repliedtheuncle，withahardlysuppressedgrimace，resultingfromhisdeepaversiontoboththeproposedvisitors。`Butstay，"

hecontinued，turningtowardstheyounglady。`NowIthinkofit，I"dbettertellyou。MrLintonhasaprejudiceagainstme:wequarrelledatonetimeofourlives，withunchristianferocity；and，ifyoumentioncomingheretohim，he"llputavetoonyourvisitsaltogether。Therefore，youmustnotmentionit，unlessyoubecarelessofseeingyourcousinhereafter:

youmaycome，ifyouwill，butyoumustnotmentionit。"

`Whydidyouquarrel？"askedCatherine，considerablycrest-fallen。

`Hethoughtmetoopoortowedhissister，"answeredHeathcliff，`andwasgrievedthatIgother:hispridewashurt，andhe"llneverforgiveit。"

`That"swrong!"saidtheyounglady:`sometime，I"lltellhimso。ButLintonandIhavenoshareinyourquarrel。I"llnotcomehere，then；heshallcometotheGrange。"

`Itwillbetoofarforme，"murmuredhercousin:`towalkfourmileswouldkillme。No，comehere，MissCatherine，nowandthen:noteverymorning，butonceortwiceaweek。"

Thefatherlaunchedtowardshissonaglanceofbittercontempt。

`Iamafraid，Nelly，Ishalllosemylabour，"hemutteredtome。

`MissCatherine，astheninnycallsher，willdiscoverhisvalue，andsendhimtothedevil。Now，ifithadbeenHareton!——Doyouknowthat，twentytimesaday，IcovetHareton，withallhisdegradation？I"dhavelovedtheladhadhebeensomeoneelse。ButIthinkhe"ssafefromherlove。I"llpithimagainstthatpaltrycreature，unlessitbestiritselfbriskly。Wecalculateitwillscarcelylasttillitiseighteen。Oh，confoundthevapidthing!He"sabsorbedindryinghisfeet，andneverlooksather——Linton!"

`Yes，father，"answeredtheboy。

`Haveyounothingtoshowyourcousinanywhereabout？notevenarabbitoraweasel"snest？Takeherintothegarden，beforeyouchangeyourshoes；andintothestabletoseeyourhorse。

`Wouldn"tyourathersithere？"askedLinton，addressingCathyinatonewhichexpressedreluctancetomoveagain。

`Idon"tknow，"shereplied，castingalonginglooktothedoor，andevidentlyeagertobeactive。

Hekepthisseat，andshrankclosertothefire。Heathcliffrose，andwentintothekitchen，andfromthencetotheyard，callingoutforHareton。Haretonresponded，andpresentlythetworeentered。Theyoungmanhadbeenwashinghimself，aswasvisiblebytheglowonhischeeksandhiswettedhair。

`Oh，I"llaskyou，uncle，"criedMissCathy，recollectingthehousekeeper"sassertion。`Thatisnotmycousin，ishe？"

`Yes，"hereplied，`yourmother"snephew。Don"tyoulikehim？"

Catherinelookedqueer。`Ishenotahandsomelad？"hecontinued。Theuncivillittlethingstoodontiptoe，andwhisperedasentenceinHeathcliff"sear。Helaughed；Haretondarkened:Iperceivedhewasverysensitivetosuspectedslights，andhadobviouslyadimnotionofhisinferiority。Buthismasterorguardianchasedthefrownbyexclaiming:

`You"llbethefavouriteamongus，Hareton!Shesaysyouarea——Whatwasit？Well，somethingveryflattering。Here!yougowithherroundthefarm。Andbehavelikeagentleman，mind!Don"tuseanybadwords；anddon"tstarewhentheyoungladyisnotlookingatyou，andbereadytohideyourfacewhensheis；and，whenyouspeak，sayyourwordsslowly，andkeepyourhandsoutofyourpockets。Beoff，andentertainherasnicelyasyoucan。

Hewatchedthecouplewalkingpastthewindow。Earnshawhadhiscountenancecompletelyavertedfromhiscompanion。Heseemedstudyingthefamiliarlandscapewithastranger"sandanartist"sinterest。Catherinetookaslylookathim，expressingsmalladmiration。Shethenturnedherattentiontoseekingoutobjectsofamusementforherself，andtrippedmerrilyon，liltingatunetosupplythelackofconversation。

`I"vetiedhistongue，"observedHeathcliff。`He"llnotventureasinglesyllable，allthetime!Nelly，yourecollectmeathisage——nay，someyearsyounger。DidIeverlooksostupid:so``gaumless""，asJosephcallsit？"

`Worse，"Ireplied，`becausemoresullenwithit。"

`I"veapleasureinhim，"hecontinued，reflectingaloud。`Hehassatisfiedmyexpectations。IfhewereabornfoolIshouldnotenjoyithalfsomuch。Buthe"snofool；andIcansympathizewithallhisfeelings，havingfeltthemmyself。Iknowwhathesuffersnow，forinstance，exactly:

itismerelyabeginningofwhatheshallsuffer，though。Andhe"llneverbeabletoemergefromhisbathosofcoarsenessandignorance。I"vegothimfasterthanhisscoundrelofafathersecuredme，andlower；forhetakesaprideinhisbrutishness。I"vetaughthimtoscorneverythingextra-animalassillyandweak。Don"tyouthinkHindleywouldbeproudofhisson，ifhecouldseehim？almostasproudasIamofmine。Butthere"sthisdifference；

oneisgoldputtotheuseofpaving-stones，andtheotheristinpolishedtoapeaserviceofsilver。Minehasnothingvaluableaboutit；

yetIshallhavethemeritofmakingitgoasfarassuchpoorstuffcango。Hishadfirst-ratequalities，andtheyarelost:renderedworsethanunavailing。Ihavenothingtoregret；hewouldhavemorethananybutIareawareof。Andthebestofitis，Haretonisdamnablyfondofme!You"llownthatI"veoutmatchedHindleythere。Ifthedeadvillaincouldrisefromhisgravetoabusemeforhisoffspring"swrongs，Ishouldhavethefunofseeingthesaidoffspringfighthimbackagain，indignantthatheshoulddaretorailattheonefriendhehasintheworld!"

Heathcliffchuckledafiendishlaughattheidea。Imadenoreply，becauseIsawthatheexpectednone。Meantime，ouryoungcompanion，whosattooremovedfromustohearwhatwassaid，begantoevincesymptomsofuneasiness，probablyrepentingthathehaddeniedhimselfthetreatofCatherine"ssocietyforfearofalittlefatigue。Hisfatherremarkedtherestlessglanceswanderingtothewindow，andthehandirresolutelyextendedtowardshiscap。

`Getup，youidleboy!"heexclaimed，withassumedheartiness。

`Awayafterthem!theyarejustatthecorner，bythestandofhives。"

Lintongatheredhisenergies，andleftthehearth。Thelatticewasopen，and，ashesteppedout，IheardCathyinquiringofherunsociableattendant，whatwasthatinscriptionoverthedoor？Haretonstaredup，andscratchedhisheadlikeatrueclown。

`It"ssomedamnablewriting，"heanswered。`Icannotreadit。"

`Can"treadit？"criedCatherine；`Icanreadit:it"sEnglish。

ButIwanttoknowwhyitisthere。"

Lintongiggled:thefirstappearanceofmirthhehadexhibited。

`Hedoesnotknowhisletters，"hesaidtohiscousin。`Couldyoubelieveintheexistenceofsuchacolossaldunce？"

`Isheallasheshouldbe？"askedMissCathyseriously；`orishesimple:notright？I"vequestionedhimtwicenow，andeachtimehelookedsostupidIthinkhedoesnotunderstandme。Icanhardlyunderstandhim，I"msure!"

Lintonrepeatedhislaugh，andglancedatHaretontauntingly；

whocertainlydidnotseemquiteclearofcomprehensionatthatmoment。

`There"snothingthematterbutlaziness；isthere，Earnshaw？"

hesaid。`Mycousinfanciesyouareanidiot。Thereyouexperiencetheconsequenceofscorning``book-larning""，asyouwouldsay。Haveyounoticed，Catherine，hisfrightfulYorkshirepronunciation？"

`Why，wherethedevilistheuseon"t？"growledHareton，morereadyinansweringhisdailycompanion。Hewasabouttoenlargefurther，butthetwoyoungstersbrokeintoanoisyfitofmerriment；mygiddymissbeingdelightedtodiscoverthatshemightturnhisstrangetalktomatterofamusement。

`Whereistheuseofthedevilinthatsentence？"titteredLinton。

`Papatoldyounottosayanybadwords，andyoucan"topenyourmouthwithoutone。Dotrytobehavelikeagentleman，nowdo!"

`Ifthouweren"tmorealassthanalad，I"dfelltheethisminute，Iwould；pitifullathofacrater!"retortedtheangryboor，retreating，whilehisfaceburntwithmingledrageandmortification；forhewasconsciousofbeinginsulted，andembarrassedhowtoresentit。

MrHeathcliffhavingoverheardtheconversation，aswellasI，smiledwhenhesawhimgo；butimmediatelyafterwardscastalookofsingularaversionontheflippantpair，whoremainedchatteringinthedoorway:

theboyfindinganimationenoughwhilediscussingHareton"sfaultsanddeficiencies，andrelatinganecdotesofhisgoings-on；andthegirlrelishinghispertandspitefulsayings，withoutconsideringtheillnaturetheyevinced:butIbegantodislike，morethantocompassionateLinton，andtoexcusehisfather，insomemeasure，forholdinghimcheap。

Westayedtillafternoon:IcouldnottearMissCathyaway，before；

buthappilymymasterhadnotquittedhisapartment，andremainedignorantofourprolongedabsence。Aswewalkedhome，Iwouldfainhaveenlightenedmychargeonthecharactersofthepeoplewehadquitted；butshegotitintoherheadthatIwasprejudicedagainstthem。

`Aha!"shecried，`youtakepapa"sside，Ellen:youarepartial，Iknow；orelseyouwouldn"thavecheatedmesomanyyearsintothenotionthatLintonlivedalongwayfromhere。I"mreallyextremelyangry；onlyI"msopleasedIcan"tshowit!Butyoumustholdyourtongueaboutmyuncle:he"smyuncle，remember；andI"llscoldpapaforquarrellingwithhim。

Andsosheranon，tillIdroppedendeavouringtoconvinceherofhermistake。Shedidnotmentionthevisitthatnight，becauseshedidnotseeMrLinton。Nextdayitallcameout，sadlytomychagrin；andstillIwasnotaltogethersorry:Ithoughttheburdenofdirectingandwarningwouldbemoreefficientlybornebyhimthanme。ButhewastootimidingivingsatisfactoryreasonsforhiswishthatsheshouldshunconnectionwiththehouseholdoftheHeights，andCatherinelikedgoodreasonsforeveryrestraintthatharassedherpettedwill。

`Papa!"sheexclaimed，afterthemorning"ssalutations，`guesswhomIsawyesterday，inmywalkonthemoors。Ah，papa，youstarted!you"venotdoneright，haveyou，now？Isaw——Butlisten，andyoushallhearhowIfoundyouout；andEllen，whoisinleaguewithyou，andyetpretendedtopitymeso，whenIkepthoping，andwasalwaysdisappointedaboutLinton"scomingback!"

Shegaveafaithfulaccountofherexcursionanditsconsequences；

andmymaster，thoughhecastmorethanonereproachfullookatme，saidnothingtillshehadconcluded。Thenhedrewhertohim，andaskedifsheknewwhyhehadconcealedLinton"snearneighbourhoodfromher。Couldshethinkitwastodenyherapleasurethatshemightharmlesslyenjoy？

`ItwasbecauseyoudislikedMrHeathcliff，"sheanswered。

`ThenyoubelieveIcaremoreformyownfeelingsthanyours，Cathy？"hesaid。`No，itwasnotbecauseIdislikedMrHeathcliff，butbecauseMrHeathcliffdislikesme；andisamostdiabolicalman，delightingtowrongandruinthosehehates，iftheygivehimtheslightestopportunity。

Iknewthatyoucouldnotkeepupanacquaintancewithyourcousin，withoutbeingbroughtintocontactwithhim；andIknewhewoulddetestyouonmyaccount；soforyourowngood，andnothingelse，ItookprecautionsthatyoushouldnotseeLintonagain。Imeanttoexplainthissometimeasyougrewolder，andI"msorryIdelayedit。"

`ButMrHeathcliffwasquitecordial，papa，"observedCatherine，notatallconvinced；`andhedidn"tobjecttoourseeingeachother:

hesaidImightcometohishousewhenIpleased；onlyImustnottellyou，becauseyouhadquarrelledwithhim，andwouldnotforgivehimformarryingauntIsabella。Andyouwon"t。Youaretheonetobeblamed:

heiswillingtoletusbefriends，atleast；LintonandI；andyouarenot。

Mymaster，perceivingthatshewouldnottakehiswordforheruncle-in-law"sevildisposition，gaveahastysketchofhisconducttoIsabella，andthemannerinwhichWutheringHeightsbecamehisproperty。

Hecouldnotbeartodiscourselonguponthetopic；forthoughhespokelittleofit，hestillfeltthesamehorroranddetestationofhisancientenemythathadoccupiedhishearteversinceMrsLinton"sdeath。`Shemighthavebeenlivingyet，ifithadnotbeenforhim!"washisconstantbitterreflection；and，inhiseyes，Heathcliffseemedamurderer。MissCathy——conversantwithnobaddeedsexceptherownslightactsofdisobedience，injustice，andpassion，risingfromhottemperandthoughtlessness，andrepentedofonthedaytheywerecommitted——wasamazedattheblacknessofspiritthatcouldbroodonandcoverrevengeforyears，anddeliberatelyprosecuteitsplanswithoutavisitationofremorse。Sheappearedsodeeplyimpressedandshockedatthisnewviewofhumannature——excludedfromallherstudiesandallherideastillnow——thatMrEdgardeemeditunnecessarytopursuethesubject。Hemerelyadded:

`Youwillknowhereafter，darling，whyIwishyoutoavoidhishouseandfamily；nowreturntoyouroldemploymentsandamusements，andthinknomoreaboutthem。"

Catherinekissedherfatherandsatdownquietlytoherlessonsforacoupleofhours，accordingtocustom；thensheaccompaniedhimintothegrounds，andthewholedaypassedasusual:butintheevening，whenshehadretiredtoherroom，andIwenttohelphertoundress，Ifoundhercrying，onherkneesbythebedside。

`Oh，fie，sillychild!"Iexclaimed。`Ifyouhadanyrealgriefs，you"dbeashamedtowasteatearonthislittlecontrariety。Youneverhadoneshadowofsubstantialsorrow，MissCatherine。Suppose，foraminute，thatmasterandIweredead，andyouwerebyyourselfintheworld:howwouldyoufeelthen？Comparethepresentoccasionwithsuchanafflictionasthat，andbethankfulforthefriendsyouhave，insteadofcovetingmore。"

`I"mnotcryingformyself，Ellen，"sheanswered，`it"sforhim。

Heexpectedtoseemeagaintomorrow，andtherehe"llbesodisappointed:

andhe"llwaitforme，andIshan"tcome!"

`Nonsense，"saidI，`doyouimaginehehasthoughtasmuchofyouasyouhaveofhim？Hasn"theHaretonforacompanion？Notoneinahundredwouldweepatlosingarelationtheyhadjustseentwice，fortwoafternoons。Lintonwillconjecturehowitis，andtroublehimselfnofurtheraboutyou。"

`ButmayInotwriteanotetotellhimwhyIcannotcome？"sheasked，risingtoherfeet。`AndjustsendthosebooksIpromisedtolendhim？Hisbooksarenotasniceasmine，andhewantedtohavethemextremely，whenItoldhimhowinterestingtheywere。MayInot，Ellen？"

`No，indeed!no，indeed!"repliedI，withdecision。`Thenhewouldwritetoyou，andthere"dneverbeanendofit。No，MissCatherine，theacquaintancemustbedroppedentirely:sopapaexpects，andIshallseethatitisdone。"

`Buthowcanonelittlenote——"sherecommenced，puttingonanimploringcountenance。

`Silence!"Iinterrupted。`We"llnotbeginwithyourlittlenotes。

Getintobed。"

Shethrewatmeaverynaughtylook，sonaughtythatIwouldnotkisshergoodnightatfirst:Icoveredherup，andshutherdoor，ingreatdispleasure；but，repentinghalfway，Ireturnedsoftly，andlo!therewasmissstandingatthetablewithabitofblankpaperbeforeherandapencilinherhand，whichsheguiltilyslippedoutofsight，onmyentrance。

`You"llgetnobodytotakethat，Catherine，"Isaid，`ifyouwriteit；andatpresentIshallputoutyourcandle。"

Isettheextinguisherontheflame，receivingasIdidsoaslaponmyhand，andpetulant`Crossthing!"Ithenquittedheragain，andshedrewtheboltinoneofherworst，mostpeevishhumours。Theletterwasfinishedandforwardedtoitsdestinationbyamilk-fetcherwhocamefromthevillage:butthatIdidn"tlearntillsometimeafterwards。Weekspassedon，andCathyrecoveredhertemper；thoughshegrewwondrousfondofstealingofftocornersbyherself；andoften，ifIcamenearhersuddenlywhilereading，shewouldstartandbendoverthebook，evidentlydesiroustohideit；andIdetectededgesofloosepaperstickingoutbeyondtheleaves。

Shealsogotatrickofcomingdownearlyinthemorningandlingeringaboutthekitchen，asifshewereexpectingthearrivalofsomething:andshehadasmalldrawerinacabinetinthelibrary，whichshewouldtrifleoverforhours，andwhosekeyshetookspecialcaretoremovewhensheleftit。

Oneday，assheinspectedthisdrawer，Iobservedthattheplaythings，andtrinketswhichrecentlyformeditscontents，weretransmutedintobitsoffoldedpaper。Mycuriosityandsuspicionswerearoused；Ideterminedtotakeapeepathermysterioustreasures；so，atnight，assoonassheandmymasterweresafeupstairs，Isearchedandreadilyfoundamongmyhousekeysonethatwouldfitthelock。Havingopened，Iemptiedthewholecontentsintomyapron，andtookthemwithmetoexamineatleisureinmyownchamber。ThoughIcouldnotbutsuspect，Iwasstillsurprisedtodiscoverthattheywereamassofcorrespondence——dailyalmost，itmusthavebeen——fromLintonHeathcliff:answerstodocumentsforwardedbyher。

Theearlierdatedwereembarrassedandshort；gradually，however，theyexpandedintocopiousloveletters，foolish，astheageofthewriterrenderednatural，yetwithtoucheshereandtherewhichIthoughtwereborrowedfromamoreexperiencedsource。Someofthemstruckmeassingularlyoddcompoundsofardourandflatness；commencinginstrongfeeling，andconcludingintheaffected，wordywaythataschoolboymightusetoafancied，incorporealsweetheart。WhethertheysatisfiedCathy，Idon"tknow；buttheyappearedveryworthlesstrashtome。AfterturningoverasmanyasIthoughtproper，Itiedtheminahandkerchiefandsetthemaside，relockingthevacantdrawer。

Followingherhabit，myyoungladydescendedearly，andvisitedthekitchen:Iwatchedhergotothedoor，onthearrivalofacertainlittleboy；and，whilethedairymaidfilledhiscan，shetuckedsomethingintohisjacketpocket，andpluckedsomethingout。Iwentroundbythegarden，andlaidwaitforthemessenger；whofoughtvalorouslytodefendhistrust，andwespiltthemilkbetweenus；butIsucceededinabstractingtheepistle；and，threateningseriousconsequencesifhedidnotlooksharphome，IremainedunderthewallandperusedMissCathy"saffectionatecomposition。

Itwasmoresimpleandmoreeloquentthanhercousin"s；veryprettyandverysilly。Ishookmyhead，andwentmeditatingintothehouse。Thedaybeingwet，shecouldnotdivertherselfwithramblingaboutthepark；so，attheconclusionofhermorningstudies，sheresortedtothesolaceofthedrawer。Herfathersatreadingatthetable；andI，onpurpose，hadsoughtabitofworkinsomeunrippedfringesofthewindowcurtain，keepingmyeyesteadilyfixedonherproceedings。Neverdidanybirdflyingbacktoaplunderednestwhichithadleftbrimfulofchirpingyoungones，expressmorecompletedespairinitsanguishedcriesandflutterings，thanshebyhersingle`Oh!"andthechangethattransfiguredherlatehappycountenance。

MrLintonlookedup。

`Whatisthematter，love？Haveyouhurtyourself？"hesaid。

Histoneandlookassuredherhehadnotbeenthediscovererofthehoard。

`No，papa!"shegasped。`Ellen!Ellen!comeupstairs-I"msick!"

Iobeyedhersummons，andaccompaniedherout。

`Oh，Ellen!youhavegotthem，"shecommencedimmediately，droppingonherknees，whenwewereenclosedalone。`Oh，givethemtome，andI"llnever，neverdosoagain!Don"ttellpapa。Youhavenottoldpapa，Ellen？

sayyouhavenot？I"vebeenexceedinglynaughty，butIwon"tdoitanymore!"

Withagraveseverityinmymanner，Ibidherstandup。

`So，"Iexclaimed，`MissCatherine，youaretolerablyfaron，itseems:youmaywellbeashamedofthem!Afinebundleoftrashyoustudyinyourleisurehours，tobesure:why，it"sgoodenoughtobeprinted!

AndwhatdoyousupposethemasterwillthinkwhenIdisplayitbeforehim？Ihaven"tshownityet，butyouneedn"timagineIshallkeepyourridiculoussecrets。Forshame!andyoumusthaveledthewayinwritingsuchabsurdities:hewouldnothavethoughtofbeginning，I"mcertain。"

`Ididn"t!Ididn"t!"sobbedCathyfittobreakherheart。`I

didn"toncethinkoflovinghimtill——"

`Loving!"criedI，asscornfullyasIcoulduttertheword。

`Loving!Didanybodyeverhearthelike!Imightjustaswelltalkoflovingthemillerwhocomesonceayeartobuyourcorn。Prettyloving，indeed!andbothtimestogetheryouhaveseenLintonhardlyfourhoursinyourlife!Nowhereisthebabyishtrash。I"mgoingwithittothelibrary；

andwe"llseewhatyourfathersaystosuchloving。"

Shesprangatherpreciousepistles，butIheldthemabovemyhead；andthenshepouredoutfurtherfranticentreatiesthatIwouldburnthem——doanythingratherthanshowthem。Andbeingreallyfullyasinclinedtolaughasscold——forIesteemeditallgirlishvanity——Iatlengthrelentedinameasure，andasked:

`IfIconsenttoburnthem，willyoupromisefaithfullyneithertosendnorreceivealetteragain，norabook(forIperceiveyouhavesenthimbooks)，norlocksofhair，norrings，norplaythings？"

`Wedon"tsendplaythings!"criedCatherine，herprideovercominghershame。

`Noranythingatall，then，mylady，"Isaid。`Unlessyouwill，hereIgo。"

`Ipromise，Ellen!"shecried，catchingmydress。`Oh，puttheminthefire，do，do!"

ButwhenIproceededtoopenaplacewiththepoker，thesacrificewastoopainfultobeborne。SheearnestlysupplicatedthatIwouldspareheroneortwo。

`Oneortwo，Ellen，tokeepforLinton"ssake!"

Iunknottedthehandkerchief，andcommenceddroppingtheminfromanangle，andtheflamecurledupthechimney。

`Iwillhaveone，youcruelwretch!"shescreamed，dartingherhandintothefire，anddrawingforthsomehalfconsumedfragments，attheexpenseofherfingers。

`Verywell——andIwillhavesometoexhibittopapa!"Ianswered，shakingbacktherestintothebundle，andturninganewtothedoor。

Sheemptiedherblackenedpiecesintotheflames，andmotionedmetofinishtheimmolation。Itwasdone；Istirreduptheashes，andinterredthemunderashovelfulofcoals；andshemutely，andwithasenseofintenseinjury，retiredtoherprivateapartment。Idescendedtotellmymasterthattheyounglady"squalmofsicknesswasalmostgone，butIjudgeditbestforhertoliedownawhile。Shewouldn"tdine；butshereappearedattea，pale，andredabouttheeyes，andmarvellouslysubduedinoutwardaspect。NextmorningIansweredtheletterbyaslipofpaper，inscribed，`MasterHeathcliffisrequestedtosendnomorenotestoMissLinton，asshewillnotreceivethem。"And，thenceforth，thelittleboycamewithvacantpockets。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter22Summerdrewtoanend，andearlyautumn:itwaspastMichaelmas，buttheharvestwaslatethatyear，andafewofourfieldswerestilluncleared。

MrLintonandhisdaughterwouldfrequentlywalkoutamongthereapers；

atthecarryingofthelastsheaves，theystayedtilldusk，andtheeveninghappeningtobechillanddamp，mymastercaughtabadcold，thatsettlingobstinatelyonhislungs，confinedhimindoorsthroughoutthewholeofthewinter，nearlywithoutintermission。

PoorCathy，frightenedfromherlittleromance，hadbeenconsiderablysadderanddullersinceitsabandonment；andherfatherinsistedonherreadingless，andtakingmoreexercise。Shehadhiscompanionshipnolonger；

Iesteemeditadutytosupplyitslack，asmuchaspossible，withmine:

aninefficientsubstitute；forIcouldonlysparetwoorthreehours，frommynumerousdiurnaloccupations，tofollowherfootsteps，andthenmysocietywasobviouslylessdesirablethanhis。

OnanafternooninOctober，orthebeginningofNovember——afreshwateryafternoon，whentheturfandpathswererustlingwithmoist，witheredleaves，andthecold，blueskywashalfhiddenbyclouds——darkgreystreamers，rapidlymountingfromthewest，andbodingabundantrain——Irequestedmyyoungladytoforegoherramble，becauseIwascertainofshowers。Sherefused；andIunwillinglydonnedacloak，andtookmyumbrellatoaccompanyheronastrolltothebottomofthepark；aformalwalkwhichshegenerallyaffectediflow-spirited——andthatsheinvariablywaswhenMrEdgarhadbeenworsethanordinary，athingneverknownfromhisconfession，butguessedbothbyherandme，fromhisincreasedsilenceandthemelancholyofhiscountenance。Shewentsadlyon:therewasnorunningorboundingnow，thoughthechillwindmightwellhavetemptedhertoarace。Andoften，fromthesideofmyeye，Icoulddetectherraisingahand，andbrushingsomethingoffhercheek。Igazedroundforameansofdivertingherthoughts。

Ononesideoftheroadroseahigh，roughbank，wherehazelsandstuntedoaks，withtheirrootshalfexposed，helduncertaintenure:thesoilwastoolooseforthelatter；andstrongwindshadblownsomenearlyhorizontal。

Insummer，MissCatherinedelightedtoclimbalongthesetrunks，andsitinthebranches，swingingtwentyfeetabovetheground；andI，pleasedwithheragilityandherlight，childishheart，stillconsidereditpropertoscoldeverytimeIcaughtheratsuchanelevation，butsothatsheknewtherewasnonecessityfordescending。Fromdinnertoteashewouldlieinherbreeze-rockedcradle，doingnothingexceptsingingoldsongs——mynurserylore——toherself，orwatchingthebirds，jointtenants，feedandenticetheiryoungonestofly:ornestlingwithclosedlids，halfthinking，halfdreaming，happierthanwordscanexpress。

`Look，miss!"Iexclaimed，pointingtoanookundertherootsofonetwistedtree。`Winterisnothereyet。There"salittleflowerupyonder，thelastbudfromthemultitudeofbluebellsthatcloudedthoseturfstepsinJulywithalilacmist。Willyouclamberup，andpluckittoshowtopapa？"

Cathystaredalongtimeatthelonelyblossomtremblinginitsearthyshelter，andreplied，atlength:

`No，I"llnottouchit:butitlooksmelancholy，doesitnot，Ellen？"

`Yes，"Iobserved，`aboutasstarvedandsacklessasyou:yourcheeksarebloodless；letustakeholdofhandsandrun。You"resolow，IdaresayIshallkeepupwithyou。

`No，"sherepeated，andcontinuedsaunteringon，pausing，atintervals，tomuseoverabitofmoss，oratuftofblanchedgrass，orafungusspreadingitsbrightorangeamongtheheapsofbrownfoliage；and，everandanon，herhandwasliftedtoheravertedface。

`Catherine，whyareyoucrying，love？"Iasked，approachingandputtingmyarmoverhershoulder。`Youmustn"tcrybecausepapahasacold；

bethankfulitisnothingworse。

Shenowputnofurtherrestraintonhertears；herbreathwasstifledbysobs。

`Oh，itwillbesomethingworse，"shesaid。`AndwhatshallIdowhenpapaandyouleaveme，andIambymyself？Ican"tforgetyourwords，Ellen；theyarealwaysinmyear。Howlifewillbechanged，howdrearytheworldwillbe，whenpapaandyouaredead。"

`Nonecantell，whetheryouwon"tdiebeforeus，"Ireplied。`It"swrongtoanticipateevil。We"llhopethereareyearsandyearstocomebeforeanyofusgo:masterisyoung，andIamstrong，andhardlyforty-five。

Mymotherlivedtilleighty，acantydametothelast。AndsupposeMrLintonweresparedtillhesawsixty，thatwouldbemoreyearsthanyouhavecounted，miss。Andwoulditnotbefoolishtomournacalamityabovetwentyyearsbeforehand？"

`ButAuntIsabellawasyoungerthanpapa，"sheremarked，gazingupwithtimidhopetoseekfurtherconsolation。

`AuntIsabellahadnotyouandmetonurseher，"Ireplied。`Shewasn"tashappyasmaster:shehadn"tasmuchtolivefor。Allyouneeddo，istowaitwellonyourfather，andcheerhimbylettinghimseeyoucheerful；andavoidgivinghimanxietyonanysubject:mindthat，Cathy!

I"llnotdisguisebutyoumightkillhim，ifyouwerewildandreckless，andcherishedafoolish，fancifulaffectionforthesonofapersonwhowouldbegladtohavehiminhisgrave；andallowedhimtodiscoverthatyoufrettedovertheseparationhehadjudgeditexpedienttomake。"

`Ifretaboutnothingonearthexceptpapa"sillness，"answeredmycompanion。`Icarefornothingincomparisonwithpapa。AndI"llnever——never——oh，never，whileIhavemysenses，doanactorsayawordtovexhim。Ilovehimbetterthanmyself，Ellen；andIknowitbythis:IprayeverynightthatImayliveafterhim；becauseIwouldratherbemiserablethanthatheshouldbe:thatprovesIlovehimbetterthanmyself。"

`Goodwords，"Ireplied。`Butdeedsmustproveitalso；andafterheiswell，rememberyoudon"tforgetresolutionsformedinthehouroffear。"

Aswetalked，wenearedadoorthatopenedontheroad；andmyyounglady，lighteningintosunshineagain，climbedupandseatedherselfonthetopofthewall，reachingovertogathersomehipsthatbloomedscarletonthesummitbranchesofthewildrosetrees，shadowingthehighwayside:thelowerfruithaddisappeared，butonlybirdscouldtouchtheupper，exceptfromCathy"spresentstation。Instretchingtopullthem，herhatfelloff；andasthedoorwaslocked，sheproposedscramblingdowntorecoverit。Ibidherbecautiouslestshegotafall，andshenimblydisappeared。

Butthereturnwasnosucheasymatter:thestonesweresmoothandneatlycemented，andtherose-bushesandblackberrystragglerscouldyieldnoassistanceinre-ascending。I，likeafool，didn"trecollectthat，tillIheardherlaughingandexclaiming:

`Ellen，you"llhavetofetchthekey，orelseImustrunroundtotheporter"slodge。Ican"tscaletherampartsonthisside!"

`Staywhereyouare，"Ianswered，`Ihavemybundleofkeysinmypocket:perhapsImaymanagetoopenit；ifnotI"llgo。"

Catherineamusedherselfwithdancingtoandfrobeforethedoor，whileItriedallthelargekeysinsuccession。Ihadappliedthelast，andfoundthatnonewoulddo；so，repeatingmydesirethatshewouldremainthere，IwasabouttohurryhomeasfastasIcould，whenanapproachingsoundarrestedme。Itwasthetrotofahorse；Cathy"sdancestopped，andinaminutethehorsestoppedalso。

`Whoisthat？"Iwhispered。

`Ellen，Iwishyoucouldopenthedoor，"whisperedbackmycompanionanxiously。

`Ho，MissLinton!"criedadeepvoice(therider"s)，`I"mgladtomeetyou。Don"tbeinhastetoenter，forIhaveanexplanationtoaskandobtain。"

`Ishan"tspeaktoyou，MrHeathcliff，"answeredCatherine。`Papasaysyouareawickedman，andyouhatebothhimandme；andEllensaysthesame。"

`Thatisnothingtothepurpose，"saidHeathcliff。(Heitwas。)

`Idon"thatemyson，Isuppose；anditisconcerninghimthatIdemandyourattention。Yes；youhavecausetoblush。Twoorthreemonthssince，wereyounotinthehabitofwritingtoLinton？makingloveinplay，eh？

Youdeserved，bothofyou，floggingforthat!Youespecially，theelder；

andlesssensitive，asitturnsout。I"vegotyourletters，andifyougivemeanypertnessI"llsendthemtoyourfather。Ipresumeyougrewwearyoftheamusementanddroppedit，didn"tyou？Well，youdroppedLintonwithitintoasloughofdespond。Hewasinearnest:inlove，really。AstrueasIlive，he"sdyingforyou；breakinghisheartatyourfickleness:

notfiguratively，butactually。ThoughHaretonhasmadehimastandingjestforsixweeks，andIhaveusedmoreseriousmeasures，andattemptedtofrightenhimoutofhisidiotcy，hegetsworsedaily；andhe"llbeunderthesodbeforesummer，unlessyourestorehim!"

`Howcanyouliesoglaringlytothepoorchild？"Icalledfromtheinside。`Prayrideon!Howcanyoudeliberatelygetupsuchpaltryfalsehoods？MissCathy，I"llknockthelockoffwithastone:youwon"tbelievethatvilenonsense。Youcanfeelinyourself，itisimpossiblethatapersonshoulddieforloveofastranger。"

`Iwasnotawaretherewereeavesdroppers，"mutteredthedetectedvillain。`WorthyMrsDean，Ilikeyou，butIdon"tlikeyourdouble-dealing，"

headdedaloud。`Howcouldyouliesoglaringly，astoaffirmIhatedthe``poorchild""？andinventbugbearstoriestoterrifyherfrommydoorstones？

CatherineLinton(theverynamewarmsme)，mybonnielass，Ishallbefromhomeallthisweek；goandseeifIhavenotspokentruth:do，there"sadarling!Justimagineyourfatherinmyplace，andLintoninyours；thenthinkhowyouwouldvalueyourcarelessloverifherefusedtostirasteptocomfortyou，whenyourfatherhimselfentreatedhim；anddon"t，frompurestupidity，fallintothesameerror。Iswear，onmysalvation，he"sgoingtohisgrave，andnonebutyoucansavehim!"

ThelockgavewayandIissuedout。

`IswearLintonisdying，"repeatedHeathcliff，lookinghardatme。`Andgriefanddisappointmentarehasteninghisdeath。Nelly，ifyouwon"tlethergo，youcanwalkoveryourself。ButIshallnotreturntillthistimenextweek；andIthinkyourmasterhimselfwouldscarcelyobjecttohervisitinghercousin!"

`Comein，"saidI，takingCathybythearmandhalf-forcinghertore-enter；forshelingered，viewingwithtroubledeyesthefeaturesofthespeaker，toosterntoexpresshisinwarddeceit。

Hepushedhishorseclose，and，bendingdown，observed:

`MissCatherine，I"llowetoyouthatIhavelittlepatiencewithLinton；andHaretonandJosephhaveless。I"llownthathe"swithaharshset。Hepinesforkindness，aswellaslove；andakindwordfromyouwouldbehisbestmedicine。Don"tmindMrsDean"scruelcautions；butbegenerous，andcontrivetoseehim。Hedreamsofyoudayandnight，andcannotbepersuadedthatyoudon"thatehim，sinceyouneitherwritenorcall。"

Iclosedthedoor，androlledastonetoassisttheloosenedlockinholdingit；andspreadingmyumbrella，Idrewmychargeunderneath:

fortherainbegantodrivethroughthemoaningbranchesofthetrees，andwarnedustoavoiddelay。OurhurrypreventedanycommentontheencounterwithHeathcliff，aswestretchedtowardshome；butIdivinedinstinctivelythatCatherine"sheartwascloudednowindoubledarkness。Herfeaturesweresosad，theydidnotseemhers:sheevidentlyregardedwhatshehadheardaseverysyllabletrue。

Themasterhadretiredtorestbeforewecamein。Cathystoletohisroomtoinquirehowhewas；hehadfallenasleep。Shereturned，andaskedmetositwithherinthelibrary。Wetookourteatogether；

andafterwardsshelaydownontherug，andtoldmenottotalk，forshewasweary。Igotabook，andpretendedtoread。Assoonasshesupposedmeabsorbedinmyoccupation，sherecommencedhersilentweeping:itappeared，atpresent，herfavouritediversion。Isufferedhertoenjoyitawhile；

thenIexpostulated:deridingandridiculingallMrHeathcliff"sassertionsabouthisson，asifIwerecertainshewouldcoincide。Alas!Ihadn"tskilltocounteracttheeffecthisaccounthadproduced:itwasjustwhatheintended。

`Youmayberight，Ellen，"sheanswered；`butIshallneverfeelateasetillIknow。AndImusttellLintonitisnotmyfaultthatIdon"twrite，andconvincehimthatIshallnotchange。"

Whatusewereangerandprotestationsagainsthersillycredulity？

Wepartedthatnight——hostile；butnextdaybeheldmeontheroadtoWutheringHeights，bythesideofmywilfulyoungmistress"spony。Icouldn"tbeartowitnesshersorrow:toseeherpaledejectedcountenance，andheavyeyes；andIyielded，inthefainthopethatLintonhimselfmightprove，byhisreceptionofus，howlittleofthetalewasfoundedonfact。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter23Therainynighthadusheredinamistymorning——halffrost，halfdrizzleandtemporarybrookscrossedourpath——gurglingfromtheuplands。Myfeetwerethoroughlywetted；Iwascrossandlow；exactlythehumoursuitedformakingthemostofthesedisagreeablethings。Weenteredthefarmhousebythekitchenway，toascertainwhetherMrHeathcliffwerereallyabsent；

becauseIputslightfaithinhisownaffirmation。

Josephseemedsittinginasortofelysiumalone，besidearoaringfire；aquartofaleonthetablenearhim，bristlingwithlargepiecesoftoastedoatcake；andhisblack，shortpipeinhismouth。Catherinerantothehearthtowarmherself。Iaskedifthemasterwasin？Myquestionremainedsolongunanswered，thatIthoughttheoldmanhadgrowndeaf，andrepeateditlouder。

`Na-ay!"hesnarled，orratherscreamedthroughhisnose。`Na-ay!

yahmuhgoabackwhearyahcoomfrough。"

`Joseph!"criedapeevishvoice，simultaneouslywithme，fromtheinnerroom。`HowoftenamItocallyou？Thereareonlyafewredashesnow。Joseph!comethismoment。

Vigorouspuffs，andaresolutestareintothegratedeclaredhehadnoearforthisappeal。ThehousekeeperandHaretonwereinvisible；

onegoneonanerrand，andtheotherathiswork，probably。WeknewLinton"stones，andentered。

`Oh，Ihopeyou"lldieinagarret!starvedtodeath，"saidtheboy，mistakingourapproachforthatofhisnegligentattendant。

Hestopped，onobservinghiserror；hiscousinflewtohim。

`Isthatyou，MissLinton？"hesaid，raisinghisheadfromthearmofthegreatchair，inwhichhereclined。`No——don"tkissme:ittakesmybreath。Dearme!Papasaidyouwouldcall，"continuedhe，afterrecoveringalittlefromCatherine"sembrace；whileshestoodbylikingverycontrite。

`Willyoushutthedoor，ifyouplease？youleftitopen；andthose——thosedetestablecreatureswon"tbringcoalstothefire。It"ssocold!"

Istirredupthecinders，andfetchedascuttlefulmyself。Theinvalidcomplainedofbeingcoveredwithashes；buthehadatiresomecough，andlookedfeverishandill，soIdidnotrebukehistemper。

`Well，Linton，"murmuredCatherine，whenhiscorrugatedbrowrelaxed。

`Areyougladtoseeme？CanIdoyouanygood？"

`Whydidn"tyoucomebefore？"heasked。`Youshouldhavecome，insteadofwriting。Ittiredmedreadfully，writingthoselongletters。

I"dfarratherhavetalkedtoyou。Now，Icanneitherbeartotalk，noranythingelse。IwonderwhereZillahis!Willyou(lookingatme)stepintothekitchenandsee？"

Ihadreceivednothanksformyotherservice；andbeingunwillingtorunouttoandfroathisbehest，Ireplied:

`NobodyisouttherebutJoseph。"

`Iwanttodrink，"heexclaimedfretfully，turningaway。`ZillahisconstantlygaddingofftoGimmertonsincepapawent:it"smiserable!

AndI"mobligedtocomedownhere——theyresolvednevertohearmeupstairs。"

`Isyourfatherattentivetoyou，MasterHeathcliff？"Iasked，perceivingCatherinetobecheckedinherfriendlyadvances。

`Attentive？Hemakesthemalittlemoreattentiveatleast，"

hecried。`Thewretches!Doyouknow，MissLinton，thatbruteHaretonlaughsatme!Ihatehim!indeed，Ihatethemall:theyareodiousbeings。"

Cathybegansearchingforsomewater；shelightedonapitcherinthedresser，filledatumbler，andbroughtit。Hebidheraddaspoonfulofwinefromabottleonthetable；andhavingswallowedasmallportion，appearedmoretranquil，andsaidshewasverykind。

`Andareyougladtoseeme？"askedshe，reiteratingherformerquestion，andpleasedtodetectthefaintdawnofasmile。

`Yes，Iam。It"ssomethingnewtohearavoicelikeyours!"hereplied。`ButIhavebeenvexed，becauseyouwouldn"tcome。Andpapasworeitwasowingtome:hecalledmeapitiful，shuffling，worthlessthing；andsaidyoudespisedme；andifhehadbeeninmyplace，hewouldbemorethemasteroftheGrangethanyourfather，bythistime。Butyoudon"tdespiseme，doyou，Miss——

`IwishyouwouldsayCatherine，orCathy，"interruptedmyyounglady。`Despiseyou？No!NexttopapaandEllen，Iloveyoubetterthananybodyliving。Idon"tloveMrHeathcliff，though；andIdarenotcomewhenhereturns；willhestayawaymanydays？"

`Notmany，"answeredLinton；`buthegoesontothemoorsfrequently，sincetheshootingseasoncommenced；andyoumightspendanhourortwowithmeinhisabsence。Dosayyouwill。IthinkIshouldnotbepeevishwithyou:you"dnotprovokeme，andyou"dalwaysbereadytohelpme，wouldn"tyou？"

`Yes，"saidCatherine，strokinghislongsofthair；`ifIcouldonlygetpapa"sconsent，I"dspendhalfmytimewithyou。PrettyLinton!

Iwishyouweremybrother。"