第11章
`Andthenyouwouldlikemeaswellasyourfather？"observedhe，morecheerfully。`Butpapasaysyouwouldlovemebetterthanhimandalltheworld，ifyouweremywife；soI"dratheryouwerethat。"
`No，Ishouldneverloveanybodybetterthanpapa，"shereturnedgravely。`Andpeoplehatetheirwives，sometimes；butnottheirsistersandbrothers:andifyouwerethelatteryouwouldlivewithus，andpapawouldbeasfondofyouasheisofme。"
Lintondeniedthatpeopleeverhatedtheirwives；butCathyaffirmedtheydid，and，inherwisdom，instancedhisownfather"saversiontoheraunt。Iendeavouredtostopherthoughtlesstongue。Icouldn"tsucceedtilleverythingsheknewwasout。MasterHeathcliff，muchirritated，assertedherrelationwasfalse。
`Papatoldme；andpapadoesnottellfalsehoods，"sheansweredpertly。
`Nypapascornsyours!"criedLinton。`Hecallshimasneakingfool!"
`Yoursisawickedman，"retortedCatherine，`andyouareverynaughtytodaretorepeatwhathesays。HemustbewickedtohavemadeAuntIsabellaleavehimasshedid!"
`Shedidn"tleavehim，"saidtheboy；`youshan"tcontradictme!"
`Shedid!"criedmyyounglady。
`Well，I"lltellyousomething!"saidLinton。`Yourmotherhatedyourfather:nowthen。"
`Oh!"exclaimedCatherine，tooenragedtocontinue。`Andshelovedmine!"addedhe。
`Youlittleliar!Ihateyounow，"shepanted，andherfacegrewredwithpassion。
`Shedid!shedid!"sangLinton，sinkingintotherecessofhischair，andleaningbackhisheadtoenjoytheagitationoftheotherdisputant，whostoodbehind。
`Hush，MasterHeathcliff!"Isaid；`that"syourfather"stale，too，Isuppose。"
`Itisn"t:youholdyourtongue!"heanswered。`Shedid，shedid，Catherine!shedid，shedid!"
Cathy，besideherself，gavethechairaviolentpush，andcausedhimtofallagainstonearm。Hewasimmediatelyseizedbyasuffocatingcoughthatsoonendedhistriumph。Itlastedsolongthatitfrightenedevenme。Astohiscousin，shewept，withallhermight；aghastatthemischiefshehaddone:thoughshesaidnothing。Iheldhimtillthefitexhausteditself。Thenhethrustmeaway，andleanthisheaddownsilently。
Catherinequelledherlamentationsalso，tookaseatopposite，andlookedsolemnlyintothefire。
`Howdoyoufeelnow，MasterHeathcliff？"Iinquired，afterwaitingtenminutes。
`IwishshefeltasIdo，"hereplied:`spiteful，cruelthing!Haretonnevertouchesme:heneverstruckmeinhislife。AndI
wasbettertoday:andthere——`hisvoicediedinawhimper。
`Ididn"tstrikeyou!"mutteredCathy，chewingherliptopreventanotherburstofemotion。
Hesighedandmoanedlikeoneundergreatsuffering，andkeptitupforaquarterofanhour；onpurposetodistresshiscousinapparently，forwheneverhecaughtastifledsobfromherheputrenewedpainandpathosintotheinflectionsofhisvoice。
`I"msorryIhurtyou，Linton，"shesaidatlength，rackedbeyondendurance。`ButIcouldn"thavebeenhurtbythatlittlepush，andIhadnoideathatyoucould，either:you"renotmuch，areyou，Linton？
Don"tletmegohomethinkingI"vedoneyouharm。Answer!speaktome。"
`Ican"tspeaktoyou，"hemurmured；`you"vehurtmeso，thatIshalllieawakeallnightchokingwiththiscough。Ifyouhadityou"dknowwhatitwas；butyou"llbecomfortablyasleepwhileI"minagony，andnobodynearme。Iwonderhowyouwouldliketopassthosefearfulnights!"Andhebegantowailaloud，forverypityofhimself。
`Sinceyouareinthehabitofpassingdreadfulnights，"Isaid，`itwon"tbemisswhospoilsyourease:you"dbethesamehadshenevercome。However，sheshallnotdisturbyouagain；andperhapsyou"llgetquieterwhenweleaveyou。
`MustIgo？"askedCatherinedolefully，bendingoverhim。`Doyouwantmetogo，Linton？"
`Youcan"talterwhatyou"vedone，"herepliedpettishly，shrinkingfromher，`unlessyoualteritfortheworsebyteasingmeintoafever。"
`Well，then，Imustgo？"sherepeated。
`Letmealone，atleast，"saidhe；`Ican"tbearyourtalking。"
Shelingered，andresistedmypersuasionstodepartureatiresomewhile；butasheneitherlookedupnorspoke，shefinallymadeamovementtothedoorandIfollowed。Wewererecalledbyascream。Lintonhadslidfromhisseatontothehearthstone，andlaywrithinginthemereperversenessofanindulgedplagueofachild，determinedtobeasgrievousandharassingasitcan。Ithoroughlygaugedhisdispositionfromhisbehaviour，andsawatonceitwouldbefollytoattempthumouringhim。Notsomycompanion:
sheranbackinterror，kneltdown，andcried，andsoothed，andentreated，tillhegrewquietfromlackofbreath:bynomeansfromcompunctionatdistressingher。
`Ishalllifthimonthesettle，"Isaid，`andhemayrollaboutashepleases:wecan"tstoptowatchhim。Ihopeyouaresatisfied，MissCathy，thatyouarenotthepersontobenefithim；andthathisconditionofhealthisnotoccasionedbyattachmenttoyou。Now，then，thereheis!Comeaway:assoonasheknowsthereisnobodybytocareforhisnonsense，he"llbegladtoliestill。"
Sheplacedacushionunderhishead，andofferedhimsomewater；
herejectedthelatter，andtosseduneasilyontheformer，asifitwereastoneorablockofwood。Shetriedtoputitmorecomfortably。
`Ican"tdowiththat，"hesaid；`it"snothighenough。"
Catherinebroughtanothertolayaboveit。
`That"stoohigh，"murmuredtheprovokingthing。
`HowmustIarrangeit，then？"sheaskeddespairingly。
Hetwinedhimselfuptoher，asshehalfkneltbythesettle，andconvertedhershoulderintoasupport。
`No，thatwon"tdo，"Isaid。`You"llbecontentwiththecushion，MasterHeathcliff。Misshaswastedtoomuchtimeonyoualready:wecannotremainfiveminuteslonger。"
`Yes，yes，wecan!"repliedCathy。`He"sgoodandpatientnow。
He"sbeginningtothinkIshallhavefargreatermiserythanhewilltonight，ifIbelieveheistheworseformyvisit；andthenIdarenotcomeagain。
Tellthetruthaboutit，Linton；forImustn"tcome，ifIhavehurtyou。"
`Youmustcome，tocureme，"heanswered。`Yououghttocome，becauseyouhavehurtme:youknowyouhaveextremely!IwasnotasillwhenyouenteredasIamatpresent——wasI？"
`Butyou"vemadeyourselfillbycryingandbeinginapassion。"
`Ididn"tdoitatall，"saidhiscousin。`However，we"llbefriendsnow。Andyouwantme:youwouldwishtoseemesometimes，really？"
`ItoldyouIdid，"herepliedimpatiently。`Sitonthesettleandletmeleanonyourknee。That"sasmammausedtodo，wholeafternoonstogether。Sitquitestillanddon"ttalk:butyoumaysingasong，ifyoucansing；oryoumaysayanicelonginterestingballad——oneofthoseyoupromisedtoteachme:orastory。I"dratherhaveaballad，though:begin。"
Catherinerepeatedthelongestshecouldremember。Theemploymentpleasedbothmightily。Lintonwouldhaveanother；andafterthatanother，notwithstandingmystrenuousobjections；andsotheywentonuntiltheclockstrucktwelve，andweheardHaretoninthecourt，returningforhisdinner。
`Andtomorrow，Catherine，willyoubeheretomorrow？"askedyoungHeathcliff，holdingherfrockassherosereluctantly。
`No，"Ianswered，`nornextdayneither。"She，however，gaveadifferentresponseevidently，forhisforeheadclearedasshestoopedandwhisperedinhisear。
`Youwon"tgotomorrow，recollect，miss!"Icommenced，whenwewereoutofthehouse。`Youarenotdreamingofit，areyou？"
`Oh，I"lltakegoodcare，"Icontinued:`I"llhavethatlockmended，andyoucanescapebynowayelse。"
`Icangetoverthewall，"shesaid，laughing。`TheGrangeisnotaprison，Ellen，andyouarenotmyjailer。Andbesides，I"malmostseventeen:I"mawoman。AndI"mcertainLintonwouldrecoverquicklyifhehadmetolookafterhim。I"molderthanheis，youknow，andwiser:
lesschildish，amInot？Andhe"llsoondoasIdirecthim，withsomeslightcoaxing。He"saprettylittledarlingwhenhe"sgood。I"dmakesuchapetofhim，ifheweremine。Weshouldneverquarrel，shouldwe，afterwewereusedtoeachother？Don"tyoulikehim，Ellen？"
`Likehim？"Iexclaimed。`Theworst-temperedbitofasicklyslipthateverstruggledintoitsteens。Happily，asMrHeathcliffconjectured，he"llnotwintwenty。Idoubtwhetherhe"llseespring，indeed。Andsmalllosstohisfamilywheneverhedropsoff。Andluckyitisforusthathisfathertookhim:thekinderhewastreated，themoretediousandselfishhe"dbe。I"mgladyouhavenochanceofhavinghimforahusband，MissCatherine。"
Mycompanionwaxedseriousathearingthisspeech。Tospeakofhisdeathsoregardlessly，woundedherfeelings。
`He"syoungerthanI，"sheanswered，afteraprotractedpauseofmeditation，`andheoughttolivethelongest:hewill——hemustliveaslongasIdo。He"sasstrongnowaswhenhefirstcameintothenorth；
I"mpositiveofthat。It"sonlyacoldthatailshim，thesameaspapahas。Yousaypapawillgetbetter，andwhyshouldn"the？"
`Well，well，"Icried，`afterall，weneedn"ttroubleourselves；
forlisten，miss，andmind，I"llkeepmyword，——ifyouattemptgoingtoWutheringHeightsagain，withorwithoutme，IshallinformMrLinton，and，unlessheallowit，theintimacywithyourcousinmustnotberevived。"
`Ithasbeenrevived，"mutteredCathysulkily。`Mustnotbecontinued，then，"Isaid。
`We"llsee，"washerreply，andshesetoffatagallop，leavingmetotoilintherear。
Webothreachedhomebeforeourdinnertime；mymastersupposedwehadbeenwanderingthroughthepark，andthereforehedemandednoexplanationofourabsence。AssoonasIentered，Ihastenedtochangemysoakedshoesandstockings；butsittingsuchawhileattheHeightshaddonethemischief。
OnthesucceedingmorningIwaslaidup，andduringthreeweeksIremainedincapacitatedforattendingtomyduties:acalamityneverexperiencedpriortothatperiod，andnever，Iamthankfultosay，since。
Mylittlemistressbehavedlikeanangel，incomingtowaitonme，andcheermysolitude:theconfinementbroughtmeexceedinglylow。
Itiswearisome，toastirringactivebody:butfewhaveslighterreasonsforcomplaintthanIhad。ThemomentCatherineleftMrLinton"sroom，sheappearedatmybedside。Herdaywasdividedbetweenus；noamusementusurpedaminute:sheneglectedhermeals，herstudies，andherplay；andshewasthefondestnursethateverwatched。Shemusthavehadawarmheart，whenshelovedherfatherso，togivesomuchtome。Isaidherdaysweredividedbetweenus；butthemasterretiredearly，andIgenerallyneedednothingaftersixo"clock；thustheeveningwasherown。Poorthing!Ineverconsideredwhatshedidwithherselfaftertea。Andthoughfrequently，whenshelookedintobidmegoodnight，Iremarkedafreshcolourinhercheeksandapinknessoverherslenderfingers；insteadoffancyingthehueborrowedfromacoldrideacrossthemoors，Ilaidittothechargeofahotfireinthelibrary。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter24Atthecloseofthreeweeks，Iwasabletoquitmychamber，andmoveaboutthehouse。Andonthefirstoccasionofmysittingupintheevening，I
askedCatherinetoreadtome，becausemyeyeswereweak。Wewereinthelibrary，themasterhavinggonetobed:sheconsented，ratherunwillingly，Ifancied；andimaginingmysortofbooksdidnotsuither，Ibidherplaceherselfinthechoiceofwhatsheperused。Sheselectedoneofherownfavourites，andgotforwardsteadilyaboutanhour；thencamefrequentquestions。
`Ellen，arenotyoutired？Hadn"tyoubetterliedownnow？You"llbesick，keepingupsolong，Ellen。"
`No，no，dear，I"mnottired，"Ireturnedcontinually。
Perceivingmeimmovable，sheessayedanothermethodofshowingherdisrelishforheroccupation。Itchangedtoyawning，andstretching，and:
`Ellen，I"mtired。"
`Giveoverthenandtalk，"Ianswered。
Thatwasworse:shefrettedandsighed，andlikedatherwatchtilleight，andfinallywenttoherroom，completelyoverdonewithsleep；
judgingbyherpeevish，heavylook，andtheconstantrubbingsheinflictedonhereyes。Thefollowingnightsheseemedmoreimpatientstill；andonthethirdfromrecoveringmycompany，shecomplainedofaheadache，andleftme。Ithoughtherconductodd；andhavingremainedalonealongwhile，Iresolvedongoingandinquiringwhethershewerebetter，andaskinghertocomeandlieonthesofa，insteadofupstairsinthedark。NoCatherinecouldIdiscoverupstairs，andnonebelow。Theservantsaffirmedtheyhadnotseenher。IlistenedatMrEdgar"sdoor；allwassilence。Ireturnedtoherapartment，extinguishedmycandle，andseatedmyselfinthewindow。
Themoonshonebright；asprinklingofsnowcoveredtheground，andIreflectedthatshemight，possibly，havetakenitintoherheadtowalkaboutthegarden，forrefreshment。Ididdetectafigurecreepingalongtheinnerfenceofthepark；butitwasnotmyyoungmistress:onitsemergingintothelight，Irecognizedoneofthegrooms。Hestoodaconsiderableperiod，viewingthecarriage-roadthroughthegrounds；thenstartedoffatabriskpace，asifhehaddetectedsomething，andreappearedpresently，leadingmiss"spony；andthereshewas，justdismounted，andwalkingbyitsside。Themantookhischargestealthilyacrossthegrasstowardsthestable。Cathyenteredbythecasementwindowofthedrawing-room，andglidednoiselesslyuptowhereIawaitedher。Sheputthedoorgentlyto，slippedoffhersnowyshoes，untiedherhat，andwasproceeding，unconsciousofmyespionage，tolayasidehermantle，whenIsuddenlyroseandrevealedmyself。Thesurprisepetrifiedheraninstant:sheutteredaninarticulateexclamation，andstoodfixed。
`MydearMissCatherine，"Ibegan，toovividlyimpressedbyherrecentkindnesstobreakintoascold，`wherehaveyoubeenridingoutatthishour？Andwhyshouldyoutrytodeceiveme，bytellingatale？
Wherehaveyoubeen？Speak。"
`Tothebottomofthepark，"shestammered。`Ididn"ttellatale。"
`Andnowhereelse？"Idemanded。
`No，"wasthemutteredreply。
`Oh，Catherine!"Icriedsorrowfully。`Youknowyouhavebeendoingwrong，oryouwouldn"tbedriventoutteringanuntruthtome。Thatdoesgrieveme。I"dratherbethreemonthsill，thanhearyouframeadeliberatelie。"
Shesprangforward，andburstingintotears，threwherarmsroundmyneck。
`Well，Ellen，I"msoafraidofyoubeingangry，"shesaid。`Promisenottobeangry，andyoushallknowtheverytruth:Ihatetohideit。"
Wesatdowninthewindow-seat；IassuredherIwouldnotscold，whateverhersecretmightbe，andIguesseditofcourse；soshecommenced:
`I"vebeentoWutheringHeights，Ellen，andI"venevermissedgoingadaysinceyoufellill；exceptthricebefore，andtwiceafteryouleftyourroom。IgaveMichaelbooksandpicturestoprepareMinnyeveryevening，andtoputherbackinthestable:youmustn"tscoldhimeither，mind。IwasattheHeightsbyhalf-pastsix，andgenerallystayedtillhalfpasteight，andthengallopedhome。ItwasnottoamusemyselfthatIwent:Iwasoftenwretchedallthetime。NowandthenIwashappy；
onceinaweekperhaps。Atfirst，IexpectedtherewouldbesadworkpersuadingyoutoletmekeepmywordtoLinton:forIhadengagedtocallagainnextday，whenwequittedhim；but，asyoustayedupstairsonthemorrow，I
escapedthattrouble；andwhileMichaelwasrefasteningthelockoftheparkdoorintheafternoon，Igotpossessionofthekey，andtoldhimhowmycousinwishedmetovisithim，becausehewassick，andcouldn"tcometotheGrange；andhowpapawouldobjecttomygoing:andthenInegotiatedwithhimaboutthepony。Heisfondofreading，andhethinksofleavingsoontogetmarried；soheoffered，ifIwouldlendhimbooksoutofthelibrary，todowhatIwished:butIpreferredgivinghimmyown，andthatsatisfiedhimbetter。
`Onmysecondvisit，Lintonseemedinlivelyspirits；andZillah(thatistheirhousekeeper)madeusacleanroomandagoodfire，andtoldusthat，asJosephwasoutataprayermeetingandHaretonEarnshawwasoffwithhisdogs——robbingourwoodsofpheasants，asIheardafterwards——wemightdowhatweliked。Shebroughtmesomewarmwineandgingerbread，andappearedexceedinglygood-natured；andLintonsatinthearmchair，andIinthelittlerocking-chaironthehearthstone，andwelaughedandtalkedsomerrily，andfoundsomuchtosay:weplannedwherewewouldgo，andwhatwewoulddoinsummer。Ineedn"trepeatthat，becauseyouwouldcallitsilly。
`Onetime，however，wewerenearquarrelling。HesaidthepleasantestmannerofspendingahotJulydaywaslyingfrommorningtilleveningonabankofheathinthemiddleofthemoors，withthebeeshummingdreamilyaboutamongthebloom，andthelarkssinginghighupoverhead，andtheblueskyandbrightsunshiningsteadilyandcloudlessly。Thatwashismostperfectideaofheaven"shappiness:minewasrockinginarustlinggreentree，withawestwindblowing，andbrightwhitecloudsflittingrapidlyabove；andnotonlylarks，butthrostles，andblackbirds，andlinnets，andcuckoospouringoutmusiconeveryside，andthemoorsseenatadistance，brokenintocoolduskydells；butclosebygreatswellsoflonggrassundulatinginwavestothebreeze；andwoodsandsoundingwater，andthewholeworldawakeandwildwithjoy。Hewantedalltolieinanecstasyofpeace；I
wantedalltosparkleanddanceinagloriousjubilee。Isaidhisheavenwouldbeonlyhalfalive；andhesaidminewouldbedrunk:IsaidIshouldfallasleepinhis；andhesaidhecouldnotbreatheinmine，andbegantogrowverysnappish。Atlast，weagreedtotryboth，assoonastherightweathercame；andthenwekissedeachotherandwerefriends。
`Aftersittingstillanhour，Ilookedatthegreatroomwithitssmoothuncarpetedfloor，andthoughthowniceitwouldbetoplayin，ifweremovedthetable；andIaskedLintontocallZillahintohelpus，andwe"dhaveagameatblind-man"sbuff；sheshouldtrytocatchus:youusedto，youknow，Ellen。Hewouldn"t:therewasnopleasureinit，hesaid；butheconsentedtoplayatballwithme。Wefoundtwoinacupboard，amongaheapofoldtoys，tops，andhoops，andbattledores，andshuttlecocks。
OnewasmarkedC。，andtheotherH。；IwishedtohavetheC。，becausethatstoodforCatherine，andtheH。mightbeforHeathcliff，hisname；butthebrancameoutofH。，andLintondidn"tlikeit。Ibeathimconstantly，andhegotcrossagain，andcoughed，andreturnedtohischair。Thatnight，though，heeasilyrecoveredhisgoodhumour:hewascharmedwithtwoorthreeprettysongs——yoursongs，Ellen；andwhenIwasobligedtogo，hebeggedandentreatedmetocomethefollowingevening；andIpromised。
MinnyandIwentflyinghomeaslightasair；andIdreamtofWutheringHeightsandmysweet，darlingcousin，tillmorning。
`OnthemorrowIwassad；partlybecauseyouwerepoorly，andpartlythatIwishedmyfatherknew，andapprovedofmyexcursions:butitwasbeautifulmoonlightaftertea；and，asIrodeon，thegloomcleared。
Ishallhaveanotherhappyevening，Ithoughttomyself:andwhatdelightsmemore，myprettyLintonwill。Itrotteduptheirgarden，andwasturningroundtotheback，whenthatfellowEarnshawmetme，tookmybridle，andbidmegoinbythefrontentrance。HepattedMinny"sneck，andsaidshewasabonnybeast，andappearedasifhewantedmetospeaktohim。Ionlytoldhimtoleavemyhorsealone，orelseitwouldkickhim。Heansweredinhisvulgaraccent，``Itwouldn"tdomuchhurtifitdid"；andsurveyeditslegswithasmile。Iwashalfinclinedtomakeittry；however，hemovedofftoopenthedoor，and，asheraisedthelatch，helookeduptotheinscriptionabove，andsaid，withastupidmixtureofawkwardnessandelation:
```MissCatherine!Icanreadyon，nah。""
```Wonderful，""Iexclaimed。``Prayletushearyou——youaregrownclever!""
`Hespelt，anddrawledoverbysyllables，thename——"HaretonEarnshaw"。
```Andthefigures？""Icriedencouragingly，perceivingthathecametoadeadhalt。
```Icannottellthemyet，""heanswered。
``Oh，youdunce!""Isaid，laughingheartilyathisfailure。
`Thefoolstared，withagrinhoveringabouthislips，andascowlgatheringoverhiseyes，asifuncertainwhetherhemightnotjoininmymirth:whetheritwerenotpleasantfamiliarity，orwhatitreallywas，contempt。Isettledhisdoubts，bysuddenlyretrievingmygravityanddesiringhimtowalkaway，forIcametoseeLinton，nothim。Hereddened——Isawthatbythemoonlight——droppedhishandfromthelatch，andskulkedoff，apictureofmortifiedvanity。HeimaginedhimselftobeasaccomplishedasLinton，Isuppose，becausehecouldspellhisownname；andwasmarvellouslydiscomfitedthatIdidn"tthinkthesame。"
`Stop，MissCatherine，dear!"Iinterrupted。`Ishallnotscold，butIdon"tlikeyourconductthere。IfyouhadrememberedthatHaretonwasyourcousinasmuchasMasterHeathcliff，youwouldhavefelthowimproperitwastobehaveinthatway。Atleast，itwaspraiseworthyambitionforhimtodesiretobeasaccomplishedasLinton；andprobablyhedidnotlearnmerelytoshowoff:youhadmadehimashamedofhisignorancebefore，Ihavenodoubt；andhewishedtoremedyitandpleaseyou。Tosneerathisimperfectattemptwasverybadbreeding。Hadyoubeenbroughtupinhiscircumstances，wouldyoubelessrude？Hewasasquickandasintelligentachildaseveryouwere；andI"mhurtthatheshouldbedespisednow，becausethatbaseHeathcliffhastreatedhimsounjustly。"
`Well，Ellen，youwon"tcryaboutit，willyou？"sheexclaimed，surprisedatmyearnestness。`Butwait，andyoushallhearifheconnedhisABCtopleaseme；andifitwereworthwhilebeingciviltothebrute。
Ientered；Lintonwaslyingonthesettle，andhalfgotuptowelcomeme。
```I"milltonight，Catherine，love，""hesaid；``andyoumusthaveallthetalk，andletmelisten。Come，andsitbyme。Iwassureyouwouldn"tbreakyourword，andI"llmakeyoupromiseagain，beforeyougo。""
`IknewnowthatImustn"tteasehim，ashe`wasill；andIspokesoftlyandputnoquestions，andavoidedirritatinghiminanyway。Ihadbroughtsomeofmynicestbooksforhim；heaskedmetoreadalittleofone，andIwasabouttocomply，whenEarnshawburstthedooropen:havinggatheredvenomwithreflection。Headvanceddirecttous，seizedLintonbythearm，andswunghimofftheseat。
``Gettothyownroom!""hesaid，inavoicealmostinarticulatewithpassion；andhisfacelookedswelledandfurious。``Takeherthereifshecomestoseethee:thoushalln"tkeepmeoutofthis。Begonewi"
yeboth!""
`Hesworeatus，andleftLintonnotimetoanswer，nearlythrowinghimintothekitchen；andheclenchedhisfistasIfollowed，seeminglylongingtoknockmedown。Iwasafraidforamoment，andIletonevolumefall；hekickeditafterme，andshutusout。Iheardamalignant，cracklylaughbythefire，andturning，beheldthatodiousJosephstandingrubbinghisbonyhands，andquivering。
``Awwersurehe"dsarveyeeht!He"sagrandlad!He"sgettent"raightsperritinhim!Heknaws——Aye，heknaws，asweelasAwdo，whosudbet"maisteryonder——Ech，ech，ech!Hemadyeskiftproperly!
Ech，ech，ech!""
``Wheremustwego？""Isaidtomycousin，disregardingtheoldwretch"smockery。
`Lintonwaswhiteandtrembling。Hewasnotprettythen，Ellen:
ohno!helookedfrightful；forhisthinfaceandlargeeyeswerewroughtintoanexpressionoffrantic，powerlessfury。Hegraspedthehandleofthedoor，andshookit:itwasfastenedinside。
``Ifyoudon"tletmeinI"llkillyou!——Ifyoudon"tletmein，I"llkillyou!""herathershriekedthansaid。``Devil!devil!——I"llkillyou——I"llkillyou!""
`Josephutteredhiscroakinglaughagain。
``Thear，that"st"father!""hecried。``That"sfather!We"vealIassummutuhorthersideinus。NiverheedHareton，lad——dunnutbe`feard——hecannotgetatthee!""
`ItookholdofLinton"shands，andtriedtopullhimaway；butheshriekedsoshockinglythatIdarednotproceed。Atlasthiscrieswerechokedbyadreadfulfitofcoughing；bloodgushedfromhismouth，andhefellontheground。Iranintotheyard，sickwithterror；andcalledforZillah，asloudasIcould。Shesoonheardme:shewasmilkingthecowsinashedbehindthebarn，`andhurryingfromherwork，sheinquiredwhattherewastodo？Ihadn"tbreathtoexplain；draggingherin，IlookedaboutforLinton。Earnshawhadcomeouttoexaminethemischiefhehadcaused，andhewasthenconveyingthepoorthingupstairs。ZillahandI
ascendedafterhim；buthestoppedmeatthetopofthesteps，andsaidIshouldn"tgoin:Imustgohome。IexclaimedthathehadkilledLinton，andIwouldenter。Josephlockedthedoor，anddeclaredIshoulddo``nosichstuff""，andaskedmewhetherIwere``bahntobeasmadashim""。Istoodcrying，tillthehousekeeperreappeared。Sheaffirmedhewouldbebetterinabit，buthecouldn"tdowiththatshriekinganddin；
andshetookme，andnearlycarriedmeintothehouse。
`Ellen，Iwasreadytotearmyhairoffmyhead!Isobbedandweptsothatmyeyeswerealmostblind；andtheruffianyouhavesuchsympathywithstoodopposite:presumingeverynowandthentobidme``wisht""，anddenyingthatitwashisfault；and，finally，frightenedbymyassertionsthatIwouldtellpapa，andthatheshouldbeputinprisonandhanged，hecommencedblubberinghimself，andhurriedouttohidehiscowardlyagitation。
Still，Iwasnotridofhim:whenatlengththeycompelledmetodepart，andIhadgotsomehundredyardsoffthepremises，hesuddenlyissuedfromtheshadowoftheroadside，andcheckedMinnyandtookholdofme。
``MissCatherine，I"millgrieved，""hebegan，``butit"sraythertoobad——""
`Igavehimacutwithmywhip，thinkingperhapshewouldmurderme。Heletgo，thunderingoneofhishorridcurses，andIgallopedhomemorethanhalfoutofmysenses。
`Ididn"tbidyougoodnightthatevening，andIdidn"tgotoWutheringHeightsthenext:Iwishedto，exceedingly；butIwasstrangelyexcited，anddreadedtohearthatLintonwasdead，sometimes；andsometimesshudderedatthethoughtofencounteringHareton。OnthethirddayItookcourage:atleast，Icouldn"tbearlongersuspense，andstoleoffoncemore。Iwentatfiveo"clock，andwalked；fancyingImightmanagetocreepintothehouse，anduptoLinton"sroom，unobserved。However，thedogsgavenoticeofmyapproach。Zillahreceivedme，andsaying，``theladwasmendingnicely""，showedmeintoasmall，tidy，carpetedapartment，where，tomyinexpressiblejoy，IbeheldLintonlaidonalittlesofa，readingoneofmybooks。Buthewouldneitherspeaktomenorlookatme，throughawholehour，Ellen:hehassuchanunhappytemper。Andwhatquiteconfoundedme，whenhedidopenhismouth，itwastoutterthefalsehoodthatIhadoccasionedtheuproar，andHaretonwasnottoblame!Unabletoreply，exceptpassionately，Igotupandwalkedfromtheroom。Hesentaftermeafaint``Catherine!""Hedidnotreckononbeingansweredso:butIwouldn"tturnback；andthemorrowwastheseconddayonwhichIstayedathome，nearlydeterminedtovisithimnomore。Butitwassomiserablegoingtobedandgettingup，andneverhearinganythingabouthim，thatmyresolutionmeltedintoairbeforeitwasproperlyformed。Ithadappearedwrongtotakethejourneyonce；nowitseemedwrongtorefrain。MichaelcametoaskifhemustsaddleMinny；Isaid``Yes""，andconsideredmyselfdoingadutyassheboremeoverthehills。Iwasforcedtopassthefrontwindowstogettothecourt:itwasnousetryingtoconcealmypresence。
``Youngmasterisinthehouse，""saidZillah，asshesawmemakingfortheparlour。Iwentin；Earnshawwastherealso，buthequittedtheroomdirectly。Lintonsatinthegreatarmchairhalfasleep；walkinguptothefire，Ibeganinaserioustone，partlymeaningittobetrue:
``Asyoudon"tlikeme，Linton，andasyouthinkIcomeonpurposetohurtyou，andpretendthatIdosoeverytime，thisisourlastmeeting:
letussaygoodbye；andtellMrHeathcliffthatyouhavenowishtoseeme，andthathemustn"tinventanymorefalsehoodsonthesubject。""
```Sitdownandtakeyourhatoff，Catherine，""heanswered。
``YouaresomuchhappierthanIam，yououghttobebetter。Papatalksenoughofmydefects，andshowsenoughscornofme，tomakeitnaturalIshoulddoubtmyself。IdoubtwhetherIamnotaltogetherasworthlessashecallsme，frequently；andthenIfeelsocrossandbitter，Ihateeverybody!Iamworthless，andbadintemper，andbadinspirit，almostalways；and，ifyouchoose，youmaysaygoodbye:you"llgetridofanannoyance。Only，Catherine，domethisjustice:believethatifI
mightbeassweet，andaskind，andasgoodasyouare，Iwouldbe；aswillingly，andmoreso，thanashappyandashealthy。AndbelievethatyourkindnesshasmademeloveyoudeeperthanifIdeservedyourlove:
andthoughIcouldn"t，andcannothelpshowingmynaturetoyou，Iregretitandrepentit；andshallregretandrepentittillIdie!""
`Ifelthespokethetruth；andIfeltImustforgivehim:and，thoughheshouldquarrelthenextmoment，Imustforgivehimagain。Wewerereconciled；butwecried，bothofus，thewholetimeIstayed:notentirelyforsorrow；yetIwassorryLintonhadthatdistortednature。
He"llneverlethisfriendsbeatease，andhe"llneverbeateasehimself!
Ihavealwaysgonetohislittleparlour，sincethatnight；becausehisfatherreturnedthedayafter。
`Aboutthreetimes，Ithink，wehavebeenmerryandhopeful，aswewerethefirstevening；therestofmyvisitsweredrearyandtroubled:
nowwithhisselfishnessandspite，andnowwithhissufferings:butI"velearnedtoenduretheformerwithnearlyaslittleresentmentasthelatter。
MrHeathcliffpurposelyavoidsme:
Ihavehardlyseenhimatall。LastSunday，indeed，comingearlierthanusual，IheardhimabusingpoorLinton，cruelly，forhisconductofthenightbefore。Ican"ttellhowheknewofit，unlesshelistened。Lintonhadcertainlybehavedprovokingly:however，itwasthebusinessofnobodybutme，andIinterruptedMrHeathcliff"slecturebyenteringandtellinghimso。Heburstintoalaugh，andwentaway，sayinghewasgladItookthatviewofthematter。Sincethen，I"vetoldLintonhemustwhisperhisbitterthings。NowEllen，youhaveheardall；andIcan"tbepreventedfromgoingtoWutheringHeightsexceptbyinflictingmiseryontwopeople；
whereas，ifyou"llonlynottellpapa，mygoingneeddisturbthetranquillityofnone。You"llnottell，willyou？Itwillbeveryheartlessifyoudo。"
`I"llmakeupmymindonthatpointbytomorrow，MissCatherine，"
Ireplied。`Itrequiressomestudy；andsoI"llleaveyoutoyourrest，andgothinkitover。"
Ithoughtitoveraloud，inmymaster"spresence；walkingstraightfromherroomtohis，andrelatingthewholestory:withtheexceptionofherconversationswithhercousin，andanymentionofHareton。MrLintonwasalarmedanddistressed，morethanhewouldacknowledgetome。Inthemorning，Catherinelearntmybetrayalofherconfidence，andshelearntalsothathersecretvisitsweretoend。Invainsheweptandwrithedagainsttheinterdict，andimploredherfathertohavepityonLinton:allshegottocomfortherwasapromisethathewouldwriteandgivehimleavetocometotheGrangewhenhepleased；butexplainingthathemustnolongerexpecttoseeCatherineatWutheringHeights。Perhaps，hadhebeenawareofhisnephew"sdispositionandstateofhealth，hewouldhaveseenfittowithholdeventhatslightconsolation。
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WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter25`Thesethingshappenedlastwinter，sir，"saidMrsDean；`hardlymorethanayearago。Lastwinter，Ididnotthink，atanothertwelvemonths"end，Ishouldbeamusingastrangertothefamilywithrelatingthem!Yet，whoknowshowlongyou"llbeastranger？You"retooyoungtorestalwayscontented，livingbyyourself；andIsomewayfancynoonecouldseeCatherineLintonandnotloveher。Yousmile；butwhydoyoulooksolivelyandinterested，whenItalkabouther？andwhyhaveyouaskedmetohangherpictureoveryourfireplace？andwhy——"
`Stop，mygoodfriend!"Icried。`ItmaybeverypossiblethatIshouldloveher；butwouldsheloveme？Idoubtittoomuchtoventuremytranquillitybyrunningintotemptation:andthenmyhomeisnothere。
I"mofthebusyworld，andtoitsarmsImustreturn。Goon。WasCatherineobedienttoherfather"scommands？"
`Shewas，"continuedthehousekeeper。`Heraffectionforhimwasstillthechiefsentimentinherheart；andhespokewithoutanger:hespokeinthedeeptendernessofoneabouttoleavehistreasureamidperilsandfoes，wherehisrememberedwordswouldbetheonlyaidthathecouldbequeathtoguideher。Hesaidtome，afewdaysafterwards:
`"Iwishmynephewwouldwrite，Ellen，orcall。Tellme，sincerely，whatyouthinkofhim:ishechangedforthebetter，oristhereaprospectofimprovement，ashegrowsaman？""
```He"sverydelicate，sir，""Ireplied；``andscarcelylikelytoreachmanhood；butthisIcansay，hedoesnotresemblehisfather；
andifMissCatherinehadthemisfortunetomarryhim，hewouldnotbebeyondhercontrol:unlessshewereextremelyandfoolishlyindulgent。
However，master，you"llhaveplentyoftimetogetacquaintedwithhim，andseewhetherhewouldsuither:itwantsfouryearsandmoretohisbeingofage。"""
Edgarsighed；andwalkingtothewindow，lookedouttowardsGimmertonKirk。Itwasamistyafternoon，buttheFebruarysunshonedimly，andwecouldjustdistinguishthetwofirtreesintheyard，andthesparelyscatteredgravestones。
`I"veprayedoften"，hehalfsoliloquized，`fortheapproachofwhatiscoming；andnowIbegintoshrink，andfearit。IthoughtthememoryofthehourIcamedownthatglenabridegroomwouldbelesssweetthantheanticipationthatIwassoon，inafewmonths，or，possibly，weeks，tobecarriedup，andlaidinitslonelyhollow!Ellen，I"vebeenveryhappywithmylittleCathy:throughwinternightsandsummerdaysshewasalivinghopeatmyside。ButI"vebeenashappymusingbymyselfamongthosestones，underthatoldchurch:lying，throughthelongJuneevenings，onthegreenmoundofhermother"sgraveandwishing——yearningforthetimewhenImightliebeneathit。WhatcanIdoforCathy？HowmustIquither？I"dnotcareonemomentforLintonbeingHeathcliff"sson；norforhistakingherfromme，ifhecouldconsoleherformyloss。I"dnotcarethatHeathcliffgainedhisends，andtriumphedinrobbingmeofmylastblessing!ButshouldLintonbeunworthy——onlyafeebletooltohisfather——I
cannotabandonhertohim!And，hardthoughitbetocrushherbuoyantspirit，ImustpersevereinmakinghersadwhileIlive，andleavinghersolitarywhenIdie。Darling!I"dratherresignhertoGod，andlayherintheearthbeforeme。"
ResignhertoGod，asitis，sir，"Ianswered，`andifweshouldloseyou——whichmayHeforbid——underHisprovidence，I"llstandherfriendandcounsellortothelast。MissCatherineisagoodgirl:Idon"tfearthatshewillgowilfullywrong；andpeoplewhodotheirdutyarealwaysfinallyrewarded。"
Springadvanced；yetmymastergatherednorealstrength，thoughheresumedhiswalksinthegroundswithhisdaughter。Toherinexperiencednotions，thisitselfwasasignofconvalescence；andthenhischeekwasoftenflushed，andhiseyeswerebright:shefeltsureofhisrecovering。
Onherseventeenthbirthday，hedidnotvisitthechurchyard:itwasraining，andIobserved:
`You"llsurelynotgoouttonight，sir？"
Heanswered:
`No，I"lldeferitthisyearalittlelonger。"
HewroteagaintoLinton，expressinghisgreatdesiretoseehim；
and，hadtheinvalidbeenpresentable，I"venodoubthisfatherwouldhavepermittedhimtocome。Asitwas，beinginstructed，hereturnedananswer，intimatingthatMrHeathcliffobjectedtohiscallingattheGrange；buthisuncle"skindremembrancedelightedhim，andhehopedtomeethim，sometimes，inhisrambles，andpersonallytopetitionthathiscousinandhemightnotremainlongsoutterlydivided。
Thatpartofhisletterwassimple，andprobablyhisown。HeathcliffknewhecouldpleadeloquentlyenoughforCatherine"scompany，then。
`Idonotask"，hesaid，`thatshemayvisithere；but，amInevertoseeher，becausemyfatherforbidsmetogotoherhome，andyouforbidhertocometomine？Donowandthen，ridewithhertowardstheHeights；
andletusexchangeafewwords，inyourpresence!Wehavedonenothingtodeservethisseparation；andyouarenotangrywithme；youhavenoreasontodislikeme，youallow，yourself。Dearuncle!sendmeakindnotetomorrow，andleavetojoinyouanywhereyouplease，exceptatThrushcrossGrange。Ibelieveaninterviewwouldconvinceyouthatmyfather"scharacterisnotmine:heaffirmsIammoreyournephewthanhisson；andthoughIhavefaultswhichrendermeunworthyofCatherine，shehasexcusedthem，andforhersake，youshouldalso。Youinquireaftermyhealth——itisbetter；
butwhileIremaincutofffromallhope，anddoomedtosolitude，orthesocietyofthosewhoneverdidandneverwilllikeme，howcanIbecheerfulandwell？"
Edgar，thoughhefeltfortheboy，couldnotconsenttogranthisrequest；becausehecouldnotaccompanyCatherine。Hesaid，insummer，perhaps，theymightmeet:meantime，hewishedhimtocontinuewritingatintervals，andengagedtogivehimwhatadviceandcomforthewasablebyletter；beingwellawareofhishardpositioninhisfamily。Lintoncomplied；andhadhebeenunrestrained，wouldprobablyhavespoiledallbyfillinghisepistleswithcomplaintsandlamentations:buthisfatherkeptasharpwatchoverhim；and，ofcourse，insistedoneverylinethatmymastersentbeingshown；so，insteadofpenninghispeculiarpersonalsufferingsanddistresses，thethemesconstantlyuppermostinhisthoughts，heharpedonthecruelobligationofbeingheldasunderfromhisfriendandlove；andgentlyintimatedthatMrLintonmustallowaninterviewsoon，orheshouldfearhewaspurposelydeceivinghimwithemptypromises。
Cathywasapowerfulallyathome；and，betweenthem，theyatlengthpersuadedmymastertoacquiesceintheirhavingarideorawalktogetheraboutonceaweek，undermyguardianship，andonthemoorsnearesttheGrange:forJunefoundhimstilldeclining；andthoughhehadsetasideyearlyaportionofhisincomeformyyounglady"sfortune，hehadanaturaldesirethatshemightretain——oratleastreturninashorttimeto——thehouseofherancestors；andheconsideredheronlyprospectofdoingthatwasbyaunionwithhisheir；hehadnoideathatthelatterwasfailingalmostasfastashimself；norhadanyone；Ibelieve:nodoctorvisitedtheHeights，andnoonesawMasterHeathclifftomakereportofhisconditionamongus。I，formypart，begantofancymyforebodingswerefalse，andthathemustbeactuallyrallying，whenhementionedridingandwalkingonthemoors，andseemedsoearnestinpursuinghisobject。IcouldnotpictureafathertreatingadyingchildastyrannicallyandwickedlyasIafterwardslearnedHeathcliffhadtreatedhim，tocompelthisapparenteagerness:hiseffortsredoublingthemoreimminentlyhisavariciousandunfeelingplanswerethreatenedwithdefeatbydeath。
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WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter26Summerwasalreadypastitsprime，whenEdgarreluctantlyyieldedhisassenttotheirentreaties，andCatherineandIsetoutonourfirstridetojoinhercousin。Itwasaclose，sultryday:devoidofsunshine，butwithaskytoodappledandhazytothreatenrain；andourplaceofmeetinghadbeenfixedattheguide-stone，bythecrossroads。Onarrivingthere，however，alittleherd-boy，dispatchedasamessenger，toldusthat:
`MaisterLintonwerjustutthissideth"Heights:andhe"dbemitchobleegedtoustogangonabitfarther。"
`ThenMasterLintonhasforgotthefirstinjunctionofhisuncle，"
Iobserved:`hebiduskeepontheGrangeland，andhereweareoffatonce。"
`Well，we"llturnourhorses"headsround，whenwereachhim，"
answeredmycompanion，`ourexcursionshalllietowardshome。"
Butwhenwereachedhim，andthatwasscarcelyaquarterofamilefromhisowndoor，wefoundhehadnohorse；andwewereforcedtodismount，andleaveourstograze。Helayontheheath，awaitingourapproach，anddidnotrisetillwecamewithinafewyards。Thenhewalkedsofeebly，andlookedsopale，thatIimmediatelyexclaimed:
`Why，MasterHeathcliff，youarenotfitforenjoyingaramble，thismorning。Howillyoudolook!"
Catherinesurveyedhimwithgriefandastonishment；andchangedtheejaculationofjoyonherlips，tooneofalarm；andthecongratulationontheirlong-postponedmeeting，toananxiousinquiry，whetherhewereworsethanusual？
`No——better——better!"hepanted，trembling，andretainingherhandasifheneededitssupport，whilehislargeblueeyeswanderedtimidlyoverher；thehollownessroundthemtransformingtohaggardwildnessthelanguidexpressiontheyoncepossessed。
`Butyouhavebeenworse，"persistedhiscousin；`worsethanwhenIsawyoulast；youarethinner，and——
`I"mtired，"heinterruptedhurriedly。`Itistoohotforwalking，letusresthere。And，inthemorning，Ioftenfeelsick——papasaysIgrowsofast。"
Badlysatisfied，Cathysatdown，andhereclinedbesideher。
`Thisissomethinglikeyourparadise，"saidshe，makinganeffortatcheerfulness。`Yourecollectthetwodaysweagreedtospendintheplaceandwayeachthoughtpleasantest？Thisissurelyyours，onlythereareclouds:butthentheyaresosoftandmellow:itisnicerthansunshine。
Nextweek，ifyoucan，we"llridedowntotheGrangePark，andtrymine。"
Lintondidnotappeartorememberwhatshetalkedof；andhehadevidentlygreatdifficultyinsustaininganykindofconversation。Hislackofinterestinthesubjectsshestarted，andhisequalincapacitytocontributetoherentertainment，weresoobviousthatshecouldnotconcealherdisappointment。Anindefinitealterationhadcomeoverhiswholepersonandmanner。Thepettishnessthatmightbecaressedintofondness，hadyieldedtoalistlessapathy；therewaslessofthepeevishtemperofachildwhichfretsandteasesonpurposetobesoothed，andmoreoftheself-absorbedmorosenessofaconfirmedinvalid，repellingconsolation，andreadytoregardthegood-humouredmirthofothersasaninsult。Catherineperceived，aswellasIdid，thathehelditratherapunishment，thanagratification，toendureourcompany；andshemadenoscrupleofproposing，presently，todepart。Thatproposal，unexpectedly，rousedLintonfromhislethargy，andthrewhimintoastrangestateofagitation。HeglancedfearfullytowardstheHeights，beggingshewouldremainanotherhalf-houratleast。
`ButIthink"，saidCathy，`you"dbemorecomfortableathomethansittinghere；andIcannotamuseyoutoday，Isee，bymytales，andsongs，andchatter:youhavegrownwiserthanI，inthesesixmonths；youhavelittletasteformydiversionsnow:orelse，ifIcouldamuseyou，I"dwillinglystay。"
`Staytorestyourself，"hereplied。`AndCatherine，don"tthink，orsaythatI"mveryunwell:itistheheavyweatherandheatthatmakemedull；andIwalkedabout，beforeyoucame，agreatdealforme。
TelluncleI"mintolerablehealth，willyou？"
`I"lltellhimthatyousayso，Linton。Icouldn"taffirmthatyouare，"observedmyyounglady，wonderingathispertinaciousassertionofwhatwasevidentlyanuntruth。
`AndbehereagainnextThursday，"continuedhe，shunningherpuzzledgaze。`Andgivehimmythanksforpermittingyoutocome——mybestthanks，Catherine。And-and，ifyoudidmeetmyfather，andheaskedyouaboutme，don"tleadhimtosupposethatI"vebeenextremelysilentandstupid:don"tlooksadanddowncast，asyouaredoing——he"llbeangry。"