第12章

`Icarenothingforhisanger，"exclaimedCathy，imaginingshewouldbeitsobject。

`ButIdo，"saidhercousin，shuddering。`Don"tprovokehimagainstme，Catherine，forheisveryhard。"

`Isheseveretoyou，MasterHeathcliff？"Iinquired。`Hashegrownwearyofindulgence，andpassedfrompassivetoactivehatred？"

Lintonlookedatme，butdidnotanswer；and，afterkeepingherseatbyhissideanothertenminutes，duringwhichhisheadfelldrowsilyonhisbreast，andheutterednothingexceptsuppressedmoansofexhaustionorpain，Cathybegantoseeksolaceinlookingforbilberries，andsharingtheproduceofherresearcheswithme:shedidnotofferthemtohim，forshesawfurthernoticewouldonlywearyandannoy。

`Isithalfanhournow，Ellen？"shewhisperedinmyear，atlast。

`Ican"ttellwhyweshouldstay。He"sasleep，andpapawillbewantingusback。"

`Well，wemustnotleavehimasleep，"Ianswered；`waittillhewakes，andbepatient。Youweremightyeagertosetoff，butyourlongingtoseepoorLintonhassoonevaporated!"

`Whydidhewishtoseeme？"returnedCatherine。`Inhiscrossesthumours，formerly，IlikedhimbetterthanIdoinhispresentcuriousmood。It"sjustasifitwereataskhewascompelledtoperform——thisinterview——forfearhisfathershouldscoldhim。ButI"mhardlygoingtocometogiveMrHeathcliffpleasure；whateverreasonhemayhavefororderingLintontoundergothispenance。And，thoughI"mgladhe"sbetterinhealth，I"msorryhe"ssomuchlesspleasant，andsomuchlessaffectionatetome。"

`Youthinkheisbetterinhealththen？"Isaid。

`Yes，"sheanswered；`becausehealwaysmadesuchagreatdealofhissufferings，youknow。Heisnottolerablywell，ashetoldmetotellpapa；buthe"sbetter，verylikely。"

`Thereyoudifferwithme，MissCathy，"Iremarked；`Ishouldconjecturehimtobefarworse。"

Lintonherestartedfromhisslumberinbewilderedterror，andaskedifanyonehadcalledhisname。

`No，"saidCatherine；`unlessindreams。Icannotconceivehowyoumanagetodozeoutofdoors，inthemorning。"

`IthoughtIheardmyfather，"hegasped，glancinguptothefrowningnababoveus。`Youaresurenobodyspoke？"

`Quitesure，"repliedhiscousin。`OnlyEllenandIweredisputingconcerningyourhealth。Areyoutrulystronger，Linton，thanwhenweseparatedinwinter？IfyoubeI"mcertainonethingisnotstronger——yourregardforme:speak，——areyou？"

ThetearsgushedfromLinton"seyesasheanswered，`Yes，yes，Iam!"And，stillunderthespelloftheimaginaryvoice，hisgazewanderedupanddowntodetectitsowner。Cathyrose。`Fortodaywemustpart，"

shesaid。`AndIwon"tconcealthatIhavebeensadlydisappointedwithourmeeting；thoughI"llmentionittonobodybutyou:notthatIstandinaweofMrHeathcliff。"

`Hush，"murmuredLinton:`forGod"ssake，hush!He"scoming。"

AndheclungtoCatherine"sarm，strivingtodetainher；butatthatannouncementshehastilydisengagedherself，andwhistledtoMinny，whoobeyedherlikeadog。

`I"llbeherenextThursday，"shecried，springingtothesaddle。

`Goodbye。Quick，Ellen!"

Andsowelefthim，scarcelyconsciousofourdeparture，soabsorbedwasheinanticipatinghisfather"sapproach。

Beforewereachedhome，Catherine"sdispleasuresoftenedintoaperplexedsensationofpityandregret，largelyblendedwithvague，uneasydoubtsaboutLinton"sactualcircumstances，physicalandsocial；inwhichIpartook，thoughIcounselledhernottosaymuch；forasecondjourneywouldmakeusbetterjudges。Mymasterrequestedanaccountofourongoings。

Hisnephew"sofferingofthankswasdulydelivered，MissCathygentlytouchingontherest:Ialsothrewlittlelightonhisinquiries，forIhardlyknewwhattohide，andwhattoreveal。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter27Sevendaysglidedaway，everyonemarkingitscoursebythehenceforthrapidalterationofEdgarLinton"sstate。Thehavocthatmonthshadpreviouslywroughtwasnowemulatedbytheinroadsofhours。Catherine，wewouldfainhavedeludedyet:butherownquickspiritrefusedtodeludeher:itdivinedinsecret，andbroodedonthedreadfulprobability，graduallyripeningintocertainty。Shehadnotthehearttomentionherride，whenThursdaycameround；Imentioneditforher，andobtainedpermissiontoorderheroutofdoors:forthelibrary，whereherfatherstoppedashorttimedaily——thebriefperiodhecouldbeartositup——andhischamber，hadbecomeherwholeworld。Shegrudgedeachmomentthatdidnotfindherbendingoverhispillow，orseatedbyhisside:Hercountenancegrewwanwithwatchingandsorrow，andmymastergladlydismissedhertowhatheflatteredhimselfwouldbeahappychangeofsceneandsociety；drawingcomfortfromthehopethatshewouldnotnowbeleftentirelyaloneafterhisdeath。

Hehadafixedidea，Iguessedbyseveralobservationsheletfall，that，ashisnephewresembledhiminperson，hewouldresemblehiminmind；forLinton"slettersborefewornoindicationsofhisdefectivecharacter。AndI，throughpardonableweakness，refrainedfromcorrectingtheerror；askingmyselfwhatgoodtherewouldbeindisturbinghislastmomentswithinformationthathehadneitherpowernoropportunitytoturntoaccount。

Wedeferredourexcursiontilltheafternoon；agoldenafternoonofAugust:everybreathfromthehillssofulloflife，thatitseemedwhoeverrespiredit，thoughdying，mightrevive。Catherine"sfacewasjustlikethelandscape——shadowsandsunshineflittingoveritinrapidsuccession；

buttheshadowsrestedlonger，andthesunshinewasmoretransient；andherpoorlittleheartreproacheditselfforeventhatpassingforgetfulnessofitscares。

WediscernedLintonwatchingatthesamespothehadselectedbefore。Myyoungmistressalighted，andtoldmethat，asshewasresolvedtostayaverylittlewhile，Ihadbetterholdtheponyandremainonhorseback；

butIdissented:Iwouldn"trisklosingsightofthechargecommittedtomeaminute；soweclimbedtheslopeofheathtogether。MasterHeathcliffreceiveduswithgreateranimationonthisoccasion:nottheanimationofhighspiritsthough，noryetofjoy；itlookedmorelikefear。

`Itislate!"hesaid，speakingshortandwithdifficulty。`Isnotyourfatherveryill？Ithoughtyouwouldn"tcome。"

`Whywon"tyoubecandid？"criedCatherine，swallowinghergreeting。`Whycannotyousayatonceyoudon"twantme？Itisstrange，Linton，thatforthesecondtimeyouhavebroughtmehereonpurpose，apparently，todistressusboth，andfornoreasonbesides!"

Lintonshivered，andglancedather，halfsupplicating，halfashamed；

buthiscousin"spatiencewasnotsufficienttoendurethisenigmaticalbehaviour。

`Myfatherisveryill，"shesaid；`andwhyamIcalledfromhisbedside？Whydidn"tyousendtoabsolvemefrommypromise，when""youwishedIwouldn"tkeepit？Come!Idesireanexplanation:playingandtriflingarecompletelybanishedoutofmymind；andIcan"tdanceattendanceonyouraffectationsnow!"

`Myaffectations!"hemurmured；`whatarethey？ForHeaven"ssake，Catherine，don"tlooksoangry!Despisemeasmuchasyouplease；Iamaworthless，cowardlywretch:Ican"tbescornedenough；butI"mtoomeanforyouranger。Hatemyfather，andsparemeforcontempt。"

`Nonsense!"criedCatherine，inapassion。`Foolish，sillyboy!

Andthere!hetrembles，asifIwerereallygoingtotouchhim!Youneedn"tbespeakcontempt，Linton:anybodywillhaveitspontaneouslyatyourservice。

Getoff!Ishallreturnhome:itisfollydraggingyoufromthehearthstone，andpretending——whatdowepretend？Letgomyfrock!IfIpitiedyouforcryingandlookingsoveryfrightened，youshouldspurnsuchpity。Ellen，tellhimhowdisgracefulthisconductis。Rise，anddon"tdegradeyourselfintoanabjectreptile——don"t!"

Withstreamingfaceandanexpressionofagony，Lintonhadthrownhisnervelessframealongtheground:heseemedconvulsedwithexquisiteterror。

`Oh!"hesobbed，`Icannotbearit!Catherine，Catherine，I"matraitor，too，andIdarenottellyou!Butleaveme，andIshallbekilled!DearCatherine，mylifeisinyourhands:andyouhavesaidyoulovedme，andifyoudid，itwouldn"tharmyou。You"llnotgo，then？kind，sweet，goodCatherine!Andperhapsyouwillconsent——andhe"llletmediewithyou!"

Myyounglady，onwitnessinghisintenseanguish，stoopedtoraisehim。Theoldfeelingofindulgenttendernessovercamehervexation，andshegrewthoroughlymovedandalarmed。

`Consenttowhat？"sheasked。`Tostay？Tellmethemeaningofthisstrangetalk，andIwill。Youcontradictyourownwords，anddistractme!Becalmandfrank，andconfessatonceallthatweighsonyourheart。

Youwouldn"tinjureme，Linton，wouldyou？Youwouldn"tletanyenemyhurtme，ifyoucouldpreventit？I"llbelieveyouareacowardforyourself，butnotacowardlybetrayerofyourbestfriend。"

`Butmyfatherthreatenedme，"gaspedtheboy，claspinghisattenuatedfingers，`andIdreadhim——Idreadhim!Idarenottell!"

`Oh，well!"saidCatherine，withscornfulcompassion，`keepyoursecret:I"mnocoward。Saveyourself；I"mnotafraid!"

Hermagnanimityprovokedhistears:heweptwildly，kissinghersupportinghands，andyetcouldnotsummoncouragetospeakout。Iwascogitatingwhatthemysterymightbe，anddeterminedCatherineshouldneversuffer，tobenefithimoranyoneelse，bymygoodwill；whenhearingarustleamongtheling，IlookedupandsawMrHeathcliffalmostcloseuponus，descendingtheHeights。Hedidn"tcastaglancetowardsmycompanions，thoughtheyweresufficientlynearforLinton"ssobstobeaudible；buthailingmeinthealmostheartytoneheassumedtononebesides，andthesincerityofwhichIcouldn"tavoiddoubting，hesaid:

`Itissomethingtoseeyousonear"tomyhouse，Nelly。HowareyouattheGrange？Letushear。Therumourgoes"，headdedinalowertone，`thatEdgarLintonisonhisdeathbed:perhapstheyexaggeratehisillness!"

`No；mymasterisdying，"Ireplied:`itistrueenough。Asadthingitwillbeforusall，butablessingforhim!"

`Howlongwillhelast，doyouthink？"heasked。

`Idon"tknow，"Isaid。

`Because，"hecontinued，lookingatthetwoyoungpeople，whowerefixedunderhiseye——Lintonappearedasifhecouldnotventuretostirorraisehishead，andCatherinecouldnotmove，onhisaccount——`becausethatladyonderseemsdeterminedtobeatme；andI"dthankhisuncletobequick，andgobeforehim。Hallo!hasthewhelpbeenplayingthatgamelong？Ididgivehimsomelessonsaboutsnivelling。IsheprettylivelywithMissLintongenerally？"

`Lively？no——hehasshownthegreatestdistress，"Ianswered。

`Toseehim，Ishouldsay，thatinsteadoframblingwithhissweetheartonthehills，heoughttobeinbed，underthehandsofadoctor。"

`Heshallbeinadayortwo，"mutteredHeathcliff。`Butfirst——getup，Linton!Getup!"heshouted。`Don"tgrovelonthegroundthere:up，thismoment!"

Lintonhadsunkprostrateagaininanotherparoxysmofhelplessfear，causedbyhisfather"sglancetowardshim，Isuppose:therewasnothingelsetoproducesuchhumiliation。Hemadeseveraleffortstoobey，buthislittlestrengthwasannihilatedforthetime，andhefellbackagainwithamoan。MrHeathcliffadvanced，andliftedhimtoleanagainstaridgeofturf。

`Now，"saidhe，withcurbedferocity，`I"mgettingangry；andifyoudon"tcommandthatpaltryspiritofyours——Damnyou!getupdirectly!"

`Iwill，Father，"hepanted。`Only，letmealone，orIshallfaint。

I"vedoneasyouwished，I"msure。CatherinewilltellyouthatI——thatI——havebeencheerful。Ah!keepbyme，Catherine:givemeyourhand。"

`Takemine，"saidhisfather；`standonyourfeet。Therenow——she"lllendyouherarm:that"sright，lookather。YouwouldimagineI

wasthedevilhimself，MissLinton，toexcitesuchhorror。Besokindastowalkhomewithhim，willyou？HeshuddersifItouchhim。"

`Linton，dear!"whisperedCatherine，`Ican"tgotoWutheringHeights:papahasforbiddenme。He"llnotharmyou:whyareyousoafraid？"

`Icanneverre-enterthathouse，"heanswered。`I"mnottore-enteritwithoutyou!"

`Stop!"criedhisfather。`We"llrespectCatherine"sfilialscruples。

Nelly，takehimin，andI"llfollowyouradviceconcerningthedoctor，withoutdelay。"

`You"lldowell，"repliedI。`ButImustremainwithmymistress:

tomindyoursonisnotmybusiness。"

`Youareverystiff，"saidHeathcliff，`Iknowthat:butyou"llforcemetopinchthebabyandmakeitscreambeforeitmovesyourcharity。

Come，then，myhero。Areyouwillingtoreturn，escortedbyme？"

Heapproachedoncemore，andmadeasifhewouldseizethefragilebeing；but，shrinkingback，Lintonclungtohiscousin，andimploredhertoaccompanyhim，withafranticimportunitythatadmittednodenial。HoweverIdisapproved，Icouldn"thinderher:indeed，howcouldshehaverefusedhimherself？Whatwasfillinghimwithdreadwehadnomeansofdiscerning:

buttherehewas，powerlessunderitsgrip，andanyadditionseemedcapableofshockinghimintoidiotcy。Wereachedthethreshold:Catherinewalkedin，andIstoodwaitingtillshehadconductedtheinvalidtoachair，expectingheroutimmediately；whenMrHeathcliff，pushingmeforward，exclaimed:

`Myhouseisnotstrickenwiththeplague，Nelly；andIhaveamindtobehospitabletoday:sitdown，andallowmetoshutthedoor。"

Heshutandlockeditalso。Istarted。

`Youshallhaveteabeforeyougohome，"headded。`Iambymyself。

HaretonisgonewithsomecattletotheLees，andZillahandJosephareoffonajourneyofpleasure；and，thoughI"musedtobeingalone，I"dratherhavesomeinterestingcompany，ifIcangetit。MissLinton，takeyourseatbyhim。IgiveyouwhatIhave:thepresentishardlyworthaccepting；butIhavenothingelsetooffer。ItisLinton，Imean。

Howshedoesstare!It"soddwhatasavagefeelingIhavetoanythingthatseemsafraidofme!HadIbeenbornwherelawsarelessstrictandtasteslessdainty，Ishouldtreatmyself，toaslowvivisectionofthosetwo，asanevening"samusement。

Hedrewinhisbreath，struckthetable，andsworetohimself，`Byhell!Ihatethem。"

`I"mnotafraidofyou!"exclaimedCatherine，whocouldnothearthelatterpartofhisspeech。Shesteppedcloseup；herblackeyesflashingwithpassionandresolution。`Givemethatkey:Iwillhaveit!"shesaid。

`Iwouldn"teatordrinkhere，ifIwerestarving。"

Heathcliffhadthekeyinhishandthatremainedonthetable。

Helookedup，seizedwithasortofsurpriseatherboldness；or，possibly，remindedbyhervoiceandglance，ofthepersonfromwhomsheinheritedit。Shesnatchedattheinstrument，andhalfsucceededingettingitoutofhisloosenedfingers:butheractionrecalledhimtothepresent；herecovereditspeedily。

`Now，CatherineLinton，"hesaid，`standoff，orIshallknockyoudown；andthatwillmakeMrsDeanmad。"

Regardlessofthiswarning，shecapturedhisclosedhandanditscontentsagain。`Wewillgo!"sherepeated，exertingherutmosteffortstocausetheironmusclestorelax；andfindingthathernailsmadenoimpression，sheappliedherteethprettysharply。Heathcliffglancedatmeaglancethatkeptmefrominterferingamoment。Catherinewastoointentonhisfingerstonoticehisface。Heopenedthemsuddenly，andresignedtheobjectofdispute；but，ereshehadwellsecuredit，heseizedherwiththeliberatedhand，and，pullingheronhisknee，administeredwiththeotherashowerofterrificslapsonthesideofthehead，eachsufficienttohavefulfilledhisthreat，hadshebeenabletofall。

AtthisdiabolicalviolenceIrushedonhimfuriously。`Youvillain!"

Ibegantocry，`youvillain!"Atouchonthechestsilencedme:Iamstout，andsoonputoutofbreath；and，whatwiththatandtherage，Istaggereddizzilyback，andfeltreadytosuffocate，ortoburstabloodvessel。

Thescenewasoverintwominutes；Catherine，released，puthertwohandstohertemples，andlookedjustasifshewerenotsurewhetherherearswereofforon。Shetrembledlikeareed，poorthing，andleantagainstthetableperfectlybewildered。

`Iknowhowtochastisechildren，yousee，"saidthescoundrelgrimly，ashestoopedtorepossesshimselfofthekey，whichhaddroppedtothefloor。`GotoLintonnow，asItoldyou；andcryatyourease!I

shallbeyourfather，tomorrow——allthefatheryou"llhaveinafewdays——andyoushallhaveplentyofthat。Youcanbearplenty；you"renoweakling:

youshallhaveadailytaste，ifIcatchsuchadevilofatemperinyoureyesagain!"

CathyrantomeinsteadofLinton，andkneltdownandputherburningcheekonmylap，weepingaloud。Hercousinhadshrunkintoacornerofthesettle，asquietasamouse，congratulatinghimself，Idaresay，thatthecorrectionhadlightedonanotherthanhim。MrHeathcliff，perceivingusallconfounded，rose，andexpeditiouslymadetheteahimself。Thecupsandsaucerswerelaidready。Hepoureditout，andhandedmeacup。

`Washawayyourspleen，"hesaid。`Andhelpyourownnaughtypetandmine。Itisnotpoisoned，thoughIpreparedit。I"mgoingouttoseekyourhorses。"

Ourfirstthought，onhisdeparture，wastoforceanexitsomewhere。

Wetriedthekitchendoor，butthatwasfastenedoutside:welookedatthewindows——theyweretoonarrowforevenCathy"slittlefigure。

`Masterinto，"Icried，seeingwewereregularlyimprisoned:`youknowwhatyourdiabolicalfatherisafter，andyoushalltellus，orI"llboxyourears，ashehasdoneyourcousin"s。"

`Yes，Linton，youmusttell，"saidCatherine。`ItwasforyoursakeIcame；anditwillbewickedlyungratefulifyourefuse。"

`Givemesometea，I"mthirsty，andthenI"lltellyou，"heanswered。

`MrsDean，goaway。Idon"tlikeyoustandingoverme。Now，Catherine，youarelettingyourtearsfallintomycup。Iwon"tdrinkthat。Givemeanother。"

Catherinepushedanothertohim，andwipedherface。Ifeltdisgustedatthelittlewretch"scomposure，sincehewasnolongerinterrorforhimself。TheanguishhehadexhibitedonthemoorsubsidedassoonaseverheenteredWutheringHeights；soIguessedhehadbeenmenacedwithanawfulvisitationofwrathifhefailedindecoyingusthere；and，thataccomplished，hehadnofurtherimmediatefears。

`Papawantsustobemarried，"hecontinued，aftersippingsomeoftheliquid。`Andheknowsyourpapawouldn"tletusmarrynow；andhe"safraidofmydying，ifwewait；sowearetobemarriedinthemorning，andyouaretostayhereallnight；andifyoudoashewishes，youshallreturnhomenextday，andtakemewithyou。"

`Takeyouwithher，pitifulchangeling？"Iexclaimed。`Youmarry？

Why，themanismad；orhethinksusfools，everyone。Anddoyouimaginethatbeautifulyounglady，thathealthy，heartygirl，willtieherselftoalittleperishingmonkeylikeyou!Areyoucherishingthenotionthatanybody，letaloneMissCatherineLinton，wouldhaveyouforahusband？

Youwantwhippingforbringingusinhereatall，withyourdastardlypulingtricks；and——don"tlooksosilly，now!I"veaverygoodmindtoshakeyouseverely，foryourcontemptibletreachery，andyourimbecileconceit。"

Ididgivehimaslightshaking；butitbroughtonthecough，andhetooktohisordinaryresourceofmoaningandweeping，andCatherinerebukedme。

`Stayallnight？No，"shesaid，lookingslowlyround。`Ellen，I"llburnthatdoordown，butI"llgetout。"

Andshewouldhavecommencedtheexecutionofherthreatdirectly，butLintonwasupinalarmforhisdearselfagain。Heclaspedherinhistwofeeblearms，sobbing:

`Won"tyouhaveme，andsaveme？notletmecometotheGrange？

Oh!darlingCatherine!youmustn"tgoandleaveme，afterall。Youmustobeymyfather——youmust!"

`Imustobeymyown，"shereplied，`andrelievehimfromthiscruelsuspense。Thewholenight!Whatwouldhethink？he"llbedistressedalready。I"lleitherbreakorburnawayoutofthehouse。Bequiet!You"reinnodanger；butifyouhinderme——Linton，Ilovepapabetterthanyou!"

ThemortalterrorhefeltofMrHeathcliff"sanger，restoredtotheboyhiscoward"seloquence。Catherinewasneardistraught:still，shepersistedthatshemustgohome，andtriedentreatyinherturn，persuadinghimtosubduehisselfishagony。Whiletheywerethusoccupied，ourgaolerre-entered。

`Yourbeastshavetrottedoff，"hesaid，`and——now，Linton!snivellingagain？Whathasshebeendoingtoyou？Come，come——havedone，andgettobed。Inamonthortwo，mylad，you"llbeabletopayherbackherpresenttyrannieswithavigoroushand。You"repiningforpurelove，areyounot？

nothingelseintheworld:andsheshallhaveyou!There，tobed!Zillahwon"tbeheretonight；youmustundressyourself。Hush!holdyournoise!

Onceinyourownroom，I"llnotcomenearyou:youneedn"tfear。Bychanceyou"vemanagedtolerably。I"lllooktotherest。"

Hespokethesewords，holdingthedooropenforhissontopass；

andthelatterachievedhisexitexactlyasaspanielmight，whichsuspectedthepersonwhoattendedonitofdesigningaspitefulsqueeze。Thelockwasre-secured。Heathcliffapproachedthefire，wheremymistressandI

stoodsilent。Catherinelookedup，andinstinctivelyraisedherhandtohercheek:hisneighbourhoodrevivedapainfulsensation。Anybodyelsewouldhavebeenincapableofregardingthechildishactwithsternness，buthescowledonher，andmuttered:

`Oh!youarenotafraidofme？Yourcourageiswelldisguised:

youseemdamnablyafraid!"

`Iamafraidnow，"shereplied，`because，ifIstay，papawillbemiserable；andhowcanIenduremakinghimmiserable；——whenhe——whenhe——MrHeathcliff，letmegohome!IpromisetomarryLinton:papawouldlikemeto，andIlovehim——whyshouldyouwishtoforcemetodowhatI"llwillinglydoofmyself？"

`Lethimdaretoforceyou!"Icried。`There"slawintheland，thankGodthereis；thoughwebeinanout-of-the-wayplace。I"dinformifheweremyownson:andit"sfelonywithoutbenefitofclergy!"

`Silence!"saidtheruffian。`Tothedevilwithyourclamour!

Idon"twantyoutospeak。MissLinton，Ishallenjoymyselfremarkablyinthinkingyourfatherwillbemiserable:Ishallnotsleepforsatisfaction。

Youcouldhavehitonnosurerwayoffixingyourresidenceundermyroofforthenexttwenty-fourhours，thaninformingmethatsuchaneventwouldfollow。AstoyourpromisetomarryLinton，I"lltakecareyoushallkeepit；foryoushallnotquitthisplacetillitisfulfilled。"

`SendEllen，then，toletpapaknowI"msafe!"exclaimedCatherine，weepingbitterly。`Ormarrymenow。Poorpapa!Ellen，he"llthinkwe"relost。Whatshallwedo？"

`Nothe!He"llthinkyouaretiredofwaitingonhim，andrunoffforalittleamusement，"answeredHeathcliff。`Youcannotdenythatyouenteredmyhouseofyourownaccord，incontemptofhisinjunctionstothecontrary。Anditisquitenaturalthatyoushoulddesireamusementatyourage；aridthatyouwouldwearyofnursingasickman，andthatmanonlyyourfather。Catherine，hishappiestdayswereoverwhenyourdaysbegan。Hecursedyou，Idaresay，forcomingintotheworld(I

did，atleast)；anditwouldjustdoifhecursedyouashewentoutofit。I"djoinhim。Idon"tloveyou!HowshouldI？Weepaway。AsfarasIcansee，itwillbeyourchiefdiversionhereafter；unlessLintonmakeamendsforotherlosses:andyourprovidentparentappearstofancyhemay。Hislettersofadviceandconsolationentertainedmevastly。Inhislastherecommendedmyjeweltobecarefulofhis；andkindtoherwhenhegother。Carefulandkind——that"spaternal。ButLintonrequireshiswholestockofcareandkindnessforhimself。Lintoncanplaythelittletyrantwell。He"llundertaketotortureanynumberofcats，iftheirteethbedrawnandtheirclawspared。You"llbeabletotellhisunclefinetalesofhiskindness，whenyougethomeagain，Iassureyou。"

`You"rerightthere!"Isaid；`explainyourson"scharacter。Showhisresemblancetoyourself；andthen，Ihope，MissCathywillthinktwicebeforeshetakesthecockatrice!"

`Idon"tmuchmindspeakingofhisamiablequalitiesnow，"heanswered；`becauseshemusteitheraccepthimorremainaprisoner，andyoualongwithher，tillyourmasterdies。Icandetainyouboth，quiteconcealed，here。Ifyoudoubt，encouragehertoretractherword，andyou"llhaveanopportunityofjudging!"

`I"llnotretractmyword，"saidCatherine。`I"llmarryhimwithinthishour，ifImaygotoThrushcrossGrangeafterwards。MrHeathcliff，you"reacruelman，butyou"renotafiend；andyouwon"t，frommeremalice，destroyirrevocablyallmyhappiness。IfpapathoughtIhadlefthimonpurpose，andifhediedbeforeIreturned，couldIbeartolive？

I"vegivenovercrying:butI"mgoingtokneelhere，atyourknee；andI"llnotgetup，andI"llnottakemyeyesfromyourfacetillyoulookbackatme!No，don"tturnaway!dolook!You"llseenothingtoprovokeyou。Idon"thateyou。I"mnotangrythatyoustruckme。Haveyouneverlovedanybodyinallyourlife，uncle？never？Ah!youmustlookonce。I"msowretched，youcan"thelpbeingsorryandpityingme。"

`Keepyoureft"sfingersoff；andmove，orI"llkickyou!"criedHeathcliff，brutallyrepulsingher。`I"dratherbehuggedbyasnake。Howthedevilcanyoudreamoffawningonme？Idetestyou!"

Heshruggedhisshoulders:shookhimself，indeed，asifhisfleshcreptwithaversion；andthrustbackhischair；whileIgotup，andopenedmymouth，tocommenceadownrighttorrentofabuse。ButIwasrendereddumbinthemiddleofthefirstsentence，byathreatthatIshouldbeshownintoaroombymyselftheverynextsyllableIuttered。Itwasgrowingdark——weheardasoundofvoicesatthegardengate。Ourhosthurriedoutinstantly:hehadhiswitsabouthim；wehadnot。Therewasatalkoftwoorthreeminutes，andhereturnedalone。

`IthoughtithadbeenyourcousinHareton，"IobservedtoCatherine。

`Iwishhewouldarrive!Whoknowsbuthemighttakeourpart？"

`ItwasthreeservantssenttoseekyoufromtheGrange，"saidHeathcliff，overhearingme。`Youshouldhaveopenedalatticeandcalledout:butIcouldswearthatchitisgladyoudidn"t。She"sgladtobeobligedtostay，I"mcertain。"

Atlearningthechancewehadmissed，webothgaveventtoourgriefwithoutcontrol；andheallowedustowailontillnineo"clock。

Thenhebidusgoupstairs，throughthekitchen，toZillah"schamber；andIwhisperedmycompaniontoobey:perhapswemightcontrivetogetthroughthewindowthere，orintoagarret，andoutbyitsskylight。Thewindow，however，wasnarrow，likethosebelow，andthegarrettrapwassafefromourattempts；forwewerefastenedinasbefore。Weneitherofuslaydown:

Catherinetookherstationbythelattice，andwatchedanxiouslyformorning；

adeepsighbeingtheonlyanswerIcouldobtaintomyfrequententreatiesthatshewouldtrytorest。Iseatedmyselfinachair，androckedtoandfro，passingharshjudgmentonmymanyderelictionsofduty；fromwhich，itstruckmethen，allthemisfortunesofallmyemployerssprang。Itwasnotthecase，inreality，Iamaware；butitwas，inmyimagination，thatdismalnight；andIthoughtHeathcliffhimselflessguiltythanI。

Atseveno"clockhecame，andinquiredifMissLintonhadrisen。

Sherantothedoorimmediately，andanswered，`Yes。"`Here，then，"

hesaid，openingit，andpullingheroutIrosetofollow，butheturnedthelockagain。Idemandedmyrelease。

`Bepatient，"hereplied；`I"llsendupyourbreakfastinawhile。"

Ithumpedonthepanels，andrattledthelatchangrily；andCatherineaskedwhyIwasstillshutup？Heanswered，Imusttrytoendureitanotherhour，andtheywentaway。Ienduredittwoorthreehours；atlength，I

heardafootstep:notHeathcliff"s。

`I"vebroughtyousomethingtoeat，"saidavoice；`oppentdoor!"

Complyingeagerly，IbeheldHareton，ladenwithfoodenoughtolastmeallday。

`Takit，"headded，thrustingthetrayintomyhand。

`Stayoneminute，"Ibegan。

`Nay，"criedhe，andretired，regardlessofanyprayersIcouldpourforthtodetainhim。

AndthereIremainedenclosedthewholeday，andthewholeofthenextnight；andanother，andanother。FivenightsandfourdaysIremained，altogether，seeingnobodybutHareton，onceeverymorning；andhewasamodelofajailer:surly，anddumb，anddeaftoeveryattemptatmovinghissenseofjusticeorcompassion。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter28Onthefifthmorning，orratherafternoon，adifferentstepapproached——lighterandshorter；and，thistime，thepersonenteredtheroom。ItwasZillah；

donnedinherscarletshawl，withablacksilkbonnetonherhead，andawillowbasketswungtoherarm。

`Eh，dear!MrsDean!"sheexclaimed。`Well!thereisatalkaboutyouatGimmerton。IneverthoughtbutyouweresunkintheBlackhorsemarsh，andmissywithyou，tillmastertoldmeyou"dbeenfound，andhe"dlodgedyouhere!What!andyoumusthavegotonanisland，sure？Andhowlongwereyouinthehole？Didmastersaveyou，MrsDean？Butyou"renotsothin——you"venotbeensopoorly，haveyou？"

`Yourmasterisatruescoundrel!"Ireplied。`Butheshallanswerforit。Heneedn"thaveraisedthattale:itshallallbelaidbare!"

`Whatdoyoumean？"askedzillah。`It"snothistale:theytellthatinthevillage——aboutyourbeinglostinthemarsh:andIcallstoEarnshaw，whenIcomein——"Eh，they"squeerthings，MrHareton，happenedsinceIwentoff。It"sasadpityofthatlikelyyounglass，andcantNellyDean。""Hestared。Ithoughthehadnotheardaught，soItoldhimtherumour。Themasterlistened，andhejustsmiledtohimself，andsaid，``Iftheyhavebeeninthemarsh，theyareoutnow，Zillah。NellyDeanislodged，atthisminute，inyourroom。Youcantellhertoflit，whenyougoup；

hereisthekey。Thebogwatergotintoherhead，andshewouldhaverunhomequiteflighty；butIfixedhertillshecameroundtohersenses。

YoucanbidhergototheGrangeatonce，ifshebeable，andcarryamessagefromme，thatheryoungladywillfollowintimetoattendthesquire"sfuneral。""

`MrEdgarisnotdead？"Igasped。`Oh!Zillah，Zillah!"

`No，no；sityoudown，mygoodmistress，"shereplied，`you"rerightsicklyyet。He"snotdead:DoctorKenneththinkshemaylastanotherday。Imethimontheroadandasked。"

Insteadofsittingdown，Isnatchedmyoutdoorthings，andhastenedbelow，forthewaywasfree。Onenteringthehouse，IlookedaboutforsomeonetogiveinformationofCatherine。Theplacewasfilledwithsunshine，andthedoorstoodwideopen；butnobodyseemedathand。AsIhesitatedwhethertogooffatonce，orreturnandseekmymistress，aslightcoughdrewmyattentiontothehearth。Lintonlayonthesettle，soletenant，suckingastickofsugar-candy，andpursuingmymovementswithapatheticeyes。`WhereisMissCatherine？"Idemandedsternly，supposingIcouldfrightenhimintogivingintelligence，bycatchinghimthus，alone。Hesuckedonlikeaninnocent。

`Isshegone？"Isaid。

`No，"hereplied；`she"supstairs:she"snottogo；wewon"tlether。"

`Youwon"tlether，littleidiot!"Iexclaimed。`Directmetoherroomimmediately，orI"llmakeyousingoutsharply。"

`Papawouldmakeyousingout，ifyouattemptedtogetthere，"

heanswered。`HesaysI"mnottobesoftwithCatherine:she"smywife，andit"sshamefulthatsheshouldwishtoleaveme。Hesays，shehatesmeandwantsmetodie，thatshemayhavemymoney；butsheshan"thaveit:andsheshan"tgohome!Shenevershall!——shemaycry，andbesickasmuchasshepleases!"

Heresumedhisformeroccupation，closinghislids，asifhemeanttodropasleep。

`MasterHeathcliff，"Iresumed，`haveyouforgottenallCatherine"skindnesstoyoulastwinter，whenyouaffirmedyoulovedher，andwhenshebroughtyoubooksandsungyousongs，andcamemanyatimethroughwindandsnowtoseeyou？Shewepttomissoneevening，becauseyouwouldbedisappointed；andyoufeltthenthatshewasahundredtimestoogoodtoyou:andnowyoubelievetheliesyourfathertells，thoughyouknowhedetestsyouboth。Andyoujoinhimagainsther。That"sfinegratitude，isitnot？"

ThecornerofLinton"smouthfell，andhetookthesugar-candyfromhislips。

`DidshecometoWutheringHeights，becauseshehatedyou？"I

continued。`Thinkforyourself!Astoyourmoney，shedoesnotevenknowthatyouwillhaveany。Andyousayshe"ssick；andyet，youleaveheralone，upthereinastrangehouse!Youwhohavefeltwhatitistobesoneglected!Youcouldpityyourownsufferings；andshepitiedthemtoo；

butyouwon"tpityhers!Ishedtears，MasterHeathcliff，yousee——anelderlywoman，andaservantmerely——andyou，afterpretendingsuchaffection，andhavingreasontoworshipheralmost，storeeverytearyouhaveforyourself，andlietherequiteatease。Ah!you"reaheartless，selfishboy!"

`Ican"tstaywithher，"heansweredcrossly。`I"llnotstaybymyself。ShecriessoIcan"tbearit。Andshewon"tgiveover，thoughI

sayI"llcallmyfather。Ididcallhimonce，andhethreatenedtostrangleher，ifshewasnotquiet；butshebeganagaintheinstanthelefttheroom，moaningandgrievingallnightlong，thoughIscreamedforvexationthatIcouldn"tsleep。"

`IsMrHeathcliffout？"Iinquired，perceivingthatthewretchedcreaturehadnopowertosympathizewithhiscousin"smentaltortures。

`He"sinthecourt，"hereplied，`talkingtoDrKenneth；whosaysuncleisdying，truly，atlast。I"mglad，forIshallbemasteroftheGrangeafterhim——andCatherinealwaysspokeofitasherhouse。

Itisn"thers!It"smine:papasayseverythingshehasismine。Allhernicebooksaremine；sheofferedtogivemethem，andherprettybirds，andherponyMinny，ifIwouldgetthekeyofourroom，andletherout；

butItoldhershehadnothingtogive，theywereall，allmine。Andthenshecried，andtookalittlepicturefromherneck，andsaidIshouldhavethat；twopicturesinagoldcase，ononesidehermother，andontheother，uncle，whentheywereyoung。Thatwasyesterday——Isaidtheyweremine，too；andtriedtogetthemfromher。Thespitefulthingwouldn"tletme:shepushedmeoff，andhurtme。Ishriekedout——thatfrightensher——sheheardpapacoming，andshebrokethehingesanddividedthecase，andgavemehermother"sportrait；theothersheattemptedtohide:butpapaaskedwhatwasthematter，andIexplainedit。HetooktheoneIhadaway，andorderedhertoresignherstome；sherefused，andhe——hestruckherdown，andwrencheditoffthechain，andcrusheditwithhisfoot。"

`Andwereyoupleasedtoseeherstruck？"Iasked:havingmydesignsinencouraginghistalk。

`Iwinked，"heanswered:`Iwinktoseemyfatherstrikeadogorahorse，hedoesitsohard。YetIwasgladatfirst——shedeservedpunishingforpushingme:butwhenpapawasgone，shemademecometothewindowandshowedmehercheekcutontheinside，againstherteeth，andhermouthfillingwithblood；andthenshegatheredupthebitsofthepicture，andwentandsatdownwithherfacetothewall，andshehasneverspokentomesince:andIsometimesthinkshecan"tspeakforpain。Idon"tliketothinkso；butshe"sanaughtythingforcryingcontinually；andshelookssopaleandwild，I"mafraidofher。"

`Andyoucangetthekeyifyouchoose？"Isaid。

`Yes，whenI"mupstairs，"heanswered；`butIcan"twalkupstairsnow。

`Inwhatapartmentisit？"Iasked。

`Oh，"hecried，`Ishan"ttellyouwhereitis!Itisoursecret。

Nobody，neitherHaretonnorZillah，istoknow。There!you"vetiredme——goaway，goaway!"Andheturnedhisfaceontohisarm，andshuthiseyesagain。

IconsidereditbesttodepartwithoutseeingMrHeathcliff，andbringarescueformyyoungladyfromtheGrange。Onreachingit，theastonishmentofmyfellow-servantstoseeme，andtheirjoyalso，wasintense；andwhentheyheardthattheirlittlemistresswassafe，twoorthreewereabouttohurryupandshoutthenewsatMrEdgar"sdoor:butIbespoketheannouncementofit，myself。HowchangedIfoundhim，eveninthosefewdays!Helayanimageofsadnessandresignationwaitinghisdeath。Veryyounghelooked；

thoughhisactualagewasthirty-nine，onewouldhavecalledhimtenyearsyounger，atleast。HethoughtofCatherine；forhemurmuredhername。I

touchedhishand，andspoke。

`Catherineiscoming，dearmaster!"Iwhispered；`sheisaliveandwell；andwillbehere，Ihope，tonight。"

Itrembledatthefirsteffectsofthisintelligence:hehalfroseup，lookedeagerlyroundtheapartment，andthensankbackinaswoon。

Assoonasherecovered，Irelatedourcompulsoryvisit，anddetentionattheHeights。IsaidHeathcliffforcedmetogoin:whichwasnotquitetrue。IutteredaslittleaspossibleagainstLinton；nordidIdescribeallhisfather"sbrutalconduct——myintentionsbeingtoaddnobitterness，ifIcouldhelpit，tohisalreadyoverflowingcup。

Hedivinedthatoneofhisenemy"spurposeswastosecurethepersonalproperty，aswellastheestate，tohisson:orratherhimself；

yetwhyhedidnotwaittillhisdeceasewasapuzzletomymaster，becauseignoranthownearlyheandhisnephewwouldquittheworldtogether。However，hefeltthathiswillhadbetterbealtered:insteadofleavingCatherine"sfortuneatherowndisposal，hedeterminedtoputitinthehandsoftrusteesforheruseduringlife，andforherchildren，ifshehadany，afterher。

Bythatmeans，itcouldnotfalltoMrHeathcliffshouldLintondie。

Havingreceivedhisorders，Idispatchedamantofetchtheattorney，andfourmore，providedwithserviceableweapons，todemandmyyoungladyofherjailer。Bothpartiesweredelayedverylate。Thesingleservantreturnedfirst。HesaidMrGreen，thelawyer，wasoutwhenhearrivedathishouse，andhehadtowaittwohoursforhisre-entrance；andthenMrGreentoldhimhehadalittlebusinessinthevillagethatmustbedone；

buthewouldbeatThrushcrossGrangebeforemorning。Thefourmencamebackunaccompaniedalso。TheybroughtwordthatCatherinewasill:tooilltoquitherroom；andHeathcliffwouldnotsufferthemtoseeher。

Iscoldedthestupidfellowswellforlisteningtothattale，whichIwouldnotcarrytomymaster；resolvingtotakeawholebevyuptotheHeights，atdaylight，andstormitliterally，unlesstheprisonerwerequietlysurrenderedtous。Herfathershallseeher，Ivowed，andvowedagain，ifthatdevilbekilledonhisowndoorstonesintryingtopreventit!

Happily，Iwassparedthejourneyandthetrouble。Ihadgonedownstairsatthreeo"clocktofetchajugofwater；andwaspassingthroughthehallwithitinmyhand，whenasharpknockatthefrontdoormademejump。`Oh!itisGreen，"Isaid，recollectingmyself——`onlyGreen，"

andIwenton，intendingtosendsomebodyelsetoopenit；buttheknockwasrepeated:notloud，andstillimportunately。Iputthejugonthebanisterandhastenedtoadmithimmyself。Theharvestmoonshoneclearoutside。

Itwasnottheattorney。Myownsweetlittlemistresssprangonmyneck，sobbing:

`Ellen!Ellen!ispapaalive？"

`Yes，"Icried:`yes，myangel，heis。Godbethanked，youaresafewithusagain!"

Shewantedtorun，breathlessasshewas，upstairstoMrLinton"sroom；butIcompelledhertositdownonachair，andmadeherdrink，andwashedherpaleface，chafingitintoafaintcolourwithmyapron。ThenIsaidImustgofirst，andtellofherarrival；imploringhertosay，sheshouldbehappywithyoungHeathcliff。Shestared，butsooncomprehendingwhyIcounselledhertoutterthefalsehood，sheassuredmeshewouldnotcomplain。

Icouldn"tabidetobepresentattheirmeeting。Istoodoutsidethechamberdooraquarterofanhour，andhardlyventurednearthebed，then。Allwascomposed，however:Catherine"sdespairwasassilentasherfather"sjoy。Shesupportedhimcalmly，inappearance；andhefixedonherfeatureshisraisedeyes，thatseemeddilatingwithecstasy。

Hediedblissfully，MrLockwood:hediedso。Kissinghercheek，hemurmured。

`Iamgoingtoher；andyou，darlingchild，shallcometous!"

andneverstirredorspokeagain；butcontinuedthatrapt，radiantgaze，tillhispulseimperceptiblystoppedandhissouldeparted。Nonecouldhavenoticedtheexactminuteofhisdeath，itwassoentirelywithoutastruggle。

WhetherCatherinehadspenthertears，orwhetherthegriefweretooweightytoletthemflow，shesattheredry-eyedtillthesunrose:

shesattillnoon，andwouldstillhaveremainedbroodingoverthatdeathbed，butIinsistedonhercomingawayandtakingsomerepose。ItwaswellI

succeededinremovingher；foratdinnertimeappearedthelawyer，havingcalledatWutheringHeightstogethisinstructionshowtobehave。HehadsoldhimselftoMrHeathcliff，andthatwasthecauseofhisdelayinobeyingmymaster"ssummons。Fortunately，nothoughtofworldlyaffairscrossedthelatter"smind，todisturbhim，afterhisdaughter"sarrival。

MrGreentookuponhimselftoordereverythingandeverybodyabouttheplace。Hegavealltheservants，butme，noticetoquit。HewouldhavecarriedhisdelegatedauthoritytothepointofinsistingthatEdgarLintonshouldnotbeburiedbesidehiswife，butinthechapel，withhisfamily。

Therewasthewill，however，tohinderthat，andmyloudprotestationsagainstanyinfringementofitsdirections。Thefuneralwashurriedover；

Catherine，MrsLintonHeathcliffnow，wassufferedtostayattheGrangetillherfather"scorpsehadquittedit。

ShetoldmethatheranguishhadatlastspurredLintontoincurtheriskofliberatingher。SheheardthemenIsentdisputingatthedoor，andshegatheredthesenseofHeathcliff"sanswer。Itdroveherdesperate。

Linton，whohadbeenconveyeduptothelittleparloursoonafterIleft，wasterrifiedintofetchingthekeybeforehisfatherre-ascended。Hehadthecunningtounlockandrelockthedoor，withoutshuttingit；andwhenheshouldhavegonetobed，hebeggedtosleepwithHareton，andhispetitionwasgrantedforonce。Catherinestoleoutbeforebreakofday。Shedarenottrythedoors，lestthedogsshouldraiseanalarm；shevisitedtheemptychambersandexaminedtheirwindows；and，luckily，lightingonhermother"s，shegoteasilyoutofitslattice，andontotheground，bymeansofthefirtreecloseby。Heraccomplicesufferedforhisshareintheescape，notwithstandinghistimidcontrivances。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter29Theeveningafterthefuneral，myyoungladyandIwereseatedinthelibrary；

nowmusingmournfully——oneofusdespairingly——onourloss，nowventuringconjecturesastothegloomyfuture。

WehadjustagreedthebestdestinywhichcouldawaitCatherine，wouldbeapermissiontocontinueresidentattheGrange；atleast，duringLinton"slife:hebeingallowedtojoinherthere，andItoremainashousekeeper。