第13章

Thatseemedrathertoofavourableanarrangementtobehopedfor:andyetIdidhope，andbegantocheerupundertheprospectofretainingmyhomeandmyemployment，and，aboveall，mybelovedyoungmistress；whenaservant——oneofthediscardedones，notyetdeparted——rushedhastilyin，andsaid`thatdevilHeathcliff"wascomingthroughthecourt:shouldhefastenthedoorinhisface？

Ifwehadbeenmadenoughtoorderthatproceeding，wehadnottime。Hemadenoceremonyofknockingorannouncinghisname:hewasmaster，andavailedhimselfofthemaster"sprivilegetowalkstraightin，withoutsayingaword。Thesoundofourinformant"svoicedirectedhimtothelibrary:

heentered，andmotioninghimout，shutthedoor。

Itwasthesameroomintowhichhehadbeenushered，asaguest，eighteenyearsbefore:thesamemoonshonethroughthewindow；andthesameautumnlandscapelayoutside。Wehadnotyetlightedacandle，butalltheapartmentwasvisible，eventotheportraitsonthewall:thesplendidheadofMrsLinton，andthegracefuloneofherhusband。Heathcliffadvancedtothehearth。Timehadlittlealteredhispersoneither。Therewasthesameman:hisdarkfacerathersallowerandmorecomposed，hisframeastoneortwoheavier，perhaps，andnootherdifference。Catherinehadrisen，withanimpulsetodashout，whenshesawhim。

`Stop!"hesaid，arrestingherbythearm。`Nomorerunningsaway!

Wherewouldyougo？I"mcometofetchyouhome；andIhopeyou"llbeadutifuldaughter，andnotencouragemysontofurtherdisobedience。IwasembarrassedhowtopunishhimwhenIdiscoveredhispartinthebusiness:

he"ssuchacobweb，apinchwouldannihilatehim；butyou"llseebyhislookthathehasreceivedhisdue!Ibroughthimdownoneevening，thedaybeforeyesterday，andjustsethiminachair，andnevertouchedhimafterwards。IsentHaretonout，andwehadtheroomtoourselves。Intwohours，IcalledJosephtocarryhimupagain；andsincethenmypresenceisaspotentonhisnervesasaghost；andIfancyheseesmeoften，thoughIamnotnear。Haretonsayshewakesandshrieksinthenightbythehourtogether，andcallsyoutoprotecthimfromme；and，whetheryoulikeyourpreciousmateornot，youmustcome:he"syourconcernnow；Iyieldallmyinterestinhimtoyou。

`WhynotletCatherinecontinuehere？"Ipleaded，`andsendMasterLintontoher。Asyouhatethemboth，you"dnotmissthem:theycanonlybeadailyplaguetoyourunnaturalheart。

`I"mseekingatenantfortheGrange，"heanswered；`andIwantmychildrenaboutme，tobesure。Besides，thatlassowesmeherservicesforherbread。I"mnotgoingtonurtureherinluxuryandidlenessafterLintonhasgone。Makehasteandgetready，now；anddon"tobligemetocompelyou。"

`Ishall，"saidCatherine。`LintonisallIhavetoloveintheworld，andthoughyouhavedonewhatyoucouldtomakehimhatefultome，andmetohim，youcannotmakeushateeachother。AndIdefyyoutohurthimwhenIamby，andIdefyyoutofrightenme!"

Youareaboastfulchampion，"repliedHeathcliff；`butIdon"tlikeyouwellenoughtohurthim:youshallgetthefullbenefitofthetorment，aslongasitlasts。ItisnotIwhowillmakehimhatefultoyou——itishisownsweetspirit。He"sasbitterasgallatyourdesertionanditsconsequences:don"texpectthanksforthisnobledevotion。IheardhimdrawapleasantpicturetoZillahofwhathewoulddoifhewereasstrongasI:theinclinationisthere，andhisveryweaknesswillsharpenhiswitstofindasubstituteforstrength。"

`Iknowhehasabadnature，"saidCatherine:`he"syourson。

ButI"mgladI"veabetter，toforgiveit；andIknowhelovesme，andforthatreasonIlovehim。MrHeathcliff，youhavenobodytoloveyou；and，howevermiserableyoumakeus，weshallstillhavetherevengeofthinkingthatyourcrueltyarisesfromyourgreatermisery。Youaremiserable，areyounot？Lonely，likethedevil，andenviouslikehim？Nobodylovesyou——nobodywillcryforyouwhenyoudie!Iwouldn"tbeyou!"

Catherinespokewithakindofdrearytriumph:sheseemedtohavemadeuphermindtoenterintothespiritofherfuturefamily，anddrawpleasurefromthegriefsofherenemies。

`Youshallbesorrytobeyourselfpresently"，saidherfather-in-law，`ifyoustandthereanotherminute。Begone，witch，andgetyourthings!"

Shescornfullywithdrew。Inherabsence，IbegantobegforZillah"splaceattheHeights，offeringtoresignminetoher；buthewouldsufferitonnoaccount。Hebidmebesilent；andthen，forthefirsttime，allowedhimselfaglanceroundtheroomandalookatthepictures。HavingstudiedMrsLinton，hesaid:

`Ishallhavethathome。NotbecauseIneedit，but——"Heturnedabruptlytothefire，andcontinued，withwhat，forlackofabetterword，Imustcallasmile——`I"IltellyouwhatIdidyesterday!Igotthesexton，whowasdiggingLinton"sgrave，toremovetheearthoffhercoffin-lid，andIopenedit。Ithought，once，Iwouldhavestayedthere:whenIsawherfaceagain——it。ishersyet!——hehad~hardworktostirme；buthesaiditwouldchangeiftheairblewonit，andsoIstruckonesideofthecoffinloose，andcovereditup:notLinton"sside，damnhim!Iwishhe"dbeensolderedinlead。AndIbribedthesextontopullitawaywhenI"mlaidthere，andslidemineouttoo；I"llhaveitmadeso:andthen，bythetimeLintongetstoushe"llnotknowwhichiswhich!"

`Youwereverywicked，MrHeathcliff!"Iexclaimed，`wereyounotashamedtodisturbthedead？"

`Idisturbednobody，Nelly，"hereplied；`andIgavesomeeasetomyself。Ishallbeagreatdealmorecomfortablenow；andyou"llhaveabetterchanceofkeepingmeunderground，whenIgetthere。Disturbedher？No!shehasdisturbedme，nightandday，througheighteenyears——incessantly——remorselessly——tillyesternight；andyesternightIwastranquil。IdreamtIwassleepingthelastsleepbythatsleeper，withmyheartstoppedandmycheekfrozenagainsthers。"

`Andifshehadbeendissolvedintoearth，orworse，whatwouldyouhavedreamtofthen？"Isaid。

`Ofdissolvingwithher，andbeingmorehappystill!"heanswered。

`DoyousupposeIdreadanychangeofthatsort？Iexpectedsuchatransformationonraisingthelid:butI"mbetterpleasedthatitshouldnotcommencetillIshareit。Besides，unlessIhadreceivedadistinctimpressionofherpassionlessfeatures，thatstrangefeelingwouldhardlyhavebeenremoved。

Itbeganoddly。YouknowIwaswildaftershedied；andeternally，fromdawntodawn，prayinghertoreturntomeherspirit!Ihaveastrongfaithinghosts:Ihaveaconvictionthattheycan，anddo，existamongus!Thedayshewasburiedtherecameafallofsnow。IntheeveningIwenttothechurchyard。Itblewbleakaswinter——allroundwassolitary。Ididn"tfearthatherfoolofahusbandwouldwanderupthedensolate；andnooneelsehadbusinesstobringthemthere。Beingalone，andconscioustwoyardsoflooseearthwasthesolebarrierbetweenus，Isaidtomyself——"I"llhaveherinmyarmsagain!Ifshebecold，I"llthinkitisthisnorthwindthatchillsme；andifshebemotionless，itissleep。"Igotaspadefromthetoolhouse，andbegantodelvewithallmymight——itscrapedthecoffin；Ifelltoworkwithmyhands；thewoodcommencedcrackingaboutthescrews；Iwasonthepointofattainingmyobject，whenitseemedthatIheardasighfromsomeoneabove，closeattheedgeofthegrave，andbendingdown。"IfIcanonlygetthisoff，"Imuttered，"Iwishtheymayshovelintheearthoverusboth!"andIwrenchedatitmoredesperatelystill。Therewasanothersigh，closeatmyear。Iappearedtofeelthewarmbreathofitdisplacingthesleet-ladenwind。Iknewnolivingthinginfleshandbloodwasby；but，ascertainlyasyouperceivetheapproachtosomesubstantialbodyinthedark，thoughitcannotbediscerned，socertainlyIfeltthatCathywasthere:notunderme，butontheearth。

Asuddensenseofreliefflowedfrommyheartthrougheverylimb。Irelinquishedmylabourofagony，andturnedconsoledatonce:unspeakablyconsoled。

Herpresencewaswithme:itremainedwhileIrefilledthegrave，andledmehome。Youmaylaugh，ifyouwill；butIwassureIshouldseeherthere。

Iwassureshewaswithme，andIcouldnothelptalkingtoher。HavingreachedtheHeights，Irushedeagerlytothedoor。Itwasfastened；and，Iremember，thataccursedEarnshawandmywifeopposedmyentrance。Irememberstoppingtokickthebreathoutofhim，andthenhurryingupstairs，tomyroomandhers。Ilookedroundimpatiently——Ifeltherbyme——Icouldalmostseeher，andyetIcouldnot!Ioughttohavesweatbloodthen，fromtheanguishofmyyearning——fromthefervourofmysupplicationstohavebutoneglimpse!Ihadnotone。Sheshowedherself，assheoftenwasinlife，adeviltome!And，sincethen，sometimesmoreandsometimesless，I"vebeenthesportofthatintolerabletorture!Infernal!keepingmynervesatsuchastretch，that，iftheyhadnotresembledcatgut，theywouldlongagohaverelaxedtothefeeblenessofLinton"s。WhenIsatinthehousewithHareton，itseemedthatongoingout，Ishouldmeether；

whenIwalkedonthemoorsIshouldmeethercomingin。WhenIwentfromhome，Ihastenedtoreturn:shemustbesomewhereattheHeights，Iwascertain!AndwhenIsleptinherchamber——Iwasbeatenoutofthat。

Icouldn"tliethere；forthemomentIclosedmyeyes，shewaseitheroutsidethewindow，orslidingbackthepanels，orenteringtheroom，orevenrestingherdarlingheadonthesamepillowasshedidwhenachild；andImustopenmylidstosee。AndsoIopenedandclosedthemahundredtimesanight——tobealwaysdisappointed!Itrackedme!I"veoftengroanedaloud，tillthatoldrascalJosephnodoubtbelievedthatmyconsciencewasplayingthefiendinsideofme。Now，sinceI"veseenher，I"mpacified——alittle。

It~sastrangewayofkilling!notbyinches，butbyfractionsandhairbreadths，tobeguilemewiththespectreofahope，througheighteenyears!"

MrHeathcliffpausedandwipedhisforehead；hishairclungtoit，wetwithperspiration；hiseyeswerefixedontheredembersofthefire，thebrowsnotcontracted，butraisednextthetemples；diminishingthegrimaspectofhiscountenance，butimpartingapeculiarlookoftrouble，andapainfulappearanceofmentaltensiontowardsoneabsorbingsubject。

Heonlyhalfaddressedme，andImaintainedsilence。Ididn"tliketohearhimtalk!Afterashortperiodheresumedhismeditationonthepicture，tookitdownandleantitagainstthesofatocontemplateitatbetteradvantage；andwhilesooccupiedCatherineentered，announcingthatshewasready，whenherponyshouldbesaddled。

`Sendthatovertomorrow，"saidHeathclifftome；thenturningtoher，headded——`Youmaydowithoutyourpony:itisafineevening，andyou"llneednoponiesatWutheringHeights；forwhatjourneysyoutake，yourownfeetwillserveyou。Comealong。"

`Goodbye，Ellen!"whisperedmydearlittlemistress。Asshekissedme，herlipsfeltlikeice。`Comeandseeme，Ellen；don"tforget。"

`Takecareyoudonosuchthing，MrsDean!"saidhernewfather。

`WhenIwishtospeaktoyouI"llcomehere。Iwantnoneofyourpryingatmyhouse!"

Hesignedhertoprecedehim；andcastingbackalookthatcutmyheart，sheobeyed。Iwatchedthemfromthewindow，walkdownthegarden。

HeathclifffixedCatherine"sarmunderhis:thoughshedisputedtheactatfirstevidently；andwithrapidstrideshehurriedherintothealley，whosetreesconcealedthem。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]

WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter30IhavepaidavisittotheHeights，butIhavenotseenhersincesheleft:

JosephheldthedoorinhishandwhenIcalledtoaskafterher，andwouldn"tletmepass。HesaidMrsLintonwas`thrang"，andthemasterwasnotin。

Zillahhastoldmesomethingofthewaytheygoon，otherwiseIshouldhardlyknowwhowasdeadandwholiving。ShethinksCatherinehaughty，anddoesnotlikeher，Icanguessbyhertalk。Myyoungladyaskedsomeaidofherwhenshefirstcame；butMrHeathclifftoldhertofollowherownbusiness，andlethisdaughter-in-lawlookafterherself；andZillahwillinglyacquiesced，beinganarrow-minded，selfishwoman。Catherineevincedachild"sannoyanceatthisneglect；repaiditwithcontempt，andthusenlistedmyinformantamongherenemies，assecurelyasifshehaddonehersomegreatwrong。IhadalongtalkwithZillahaboutsixweeksago，alittlebeforeyoucame，onedaywhenweforegatheredonthemoor；andthisiswhatshetoldme。

`ThefirstthingMrsLintondid"，shesaid，`onherarrivalattheHeights，wastorunupstairs，withoutevenwishinggoodeveningtomeandJoseph；sheshutherselfintoLinton"sroom，andremainedtillmorning。

Then，whilethemasterandEarnshawwereatbreakfast，sheenteredthehouse，andaskedallinaquiverifthedoctormightbesentfor？hercousinwasveryill。

`"Weknowthat!"answeredHeathcliff；"buthislifeisnotworthafarthing，andIwon"tspendafarthingonhim。"

`"ButIcannottellhowtodo，"shesaid；"andifnobodywillhelpme，he"lldie!"

`"Walkoutoftheroom，"criedthemaster，"andletmeneverhearawordmoreabouthim!Noneherecarewhatbecomesofhim；ifyoudo，actthenurse；ifyoudonot，lockhimupandleavehim。"

`Thenshebegantobotherme，andIsaidI"dhadenoughplaguewiththetiresomething；weeachhadourtasks，andherswastowaitonLinton，MrHeathcliffbidmeleavethatlabourtoher。

`Howtheymanagedtogether，Ican"ttell。Ifancyhefrettedagreatdeal，andmoanedhisselnnightandday；andshehadpreciouslittlerest:onecouldguessbyherwhitefaceandheavyeyes。Shesometimescameintothekitchenallwilderedlike，andlookedasifshewouldfainbegassistance；butIwasnotgoingtodisobeythemaster:Ineverdaredisobeyhim，MrsDean；and，thoughIthoughtitwrongthatKennethshouldnotbesentfor，itwasnoconcernofmineeithertoadviseorcomplain，andI

alwaysrefusedtomeddle。Onceortwice，afterwehadgonetobed，I"vehappenedtoopenmydooragainandseenhersittingcryingonthestairs"

top；andthenI"veshutmyselfinquick，forfearofbeingmovedtointerfere。

Ididpityherthen，I"msure:stillIdidn"twishtolosemyplace，youknow。

`Atlast，onenightshecameboldlyintomychamber，andfrightenedmeoutofmywits，bysaying:

`"TellMrHeathcliffthathissonisdying——I"msureheis，thistime。Getup，instantly，andtellhim。"

`Havingutteredthisspeech，shevanishedagain。Ilayaquarterofanhourlisteningandtrembling。Nothingstirred——thehousewasquiet。

`She"smistaken，Isaidtomyself。He"sgotoverit。Ineedn"tdisturbthem；andIbegantodoze。Butmysleepwasmarredasecondtimebyasharpringingofthebell——theonlybellwehave，putuponpurposeforLinton；andthemastercalledtometoseewhatwasthematter，andinformthemthathewouldn"thavethatnoiserepeated。

`IdeliveredCatherine"smessage。Hecursedtohimself，andinafewminutescameoutwithalightedcandle，andproceededtotheirroom。

Ifollowed。MrsHeathcliffwasseatedbythebedside，withherhandsfoldedonherknees。Herfather-in-lawwentup，heldthelighttoLinton"sface，lookedathim，andtouchedhim；afterwardsheturnedtoher。

`"Now——Catherine，"hesaid，"howdoyoufeel？"`Shewasdumb。

`"Howdoyoufeel，Catherine？"herepeated。

`"He"ssafe，andI"mfree，"sheanswered:"Ishouldfeelwell——but"，shecontinued，withabitternessshecouldn"tconceal，"youhaveleftmesolongtostruggleagainstdeathalone，thatIfeelandseeonlydeath!

Ifeellikedeath!"

`Andshelookedlikeit，too!Igaveheralittlewine。HaretonandJoseph，whohadbeenwakenedbytheringingandthesoundoffeet，andheardourtalkfromoutside，nowentered。Josephwasfain，Ibelieve，ofthelad"sremoval；Haretonseemedathoughtbothered:thoughhewasmoretakenupwithstaringatCatherinethanthinkingofLinton。Butthemasterbidhimgetofftobedagain:wedidn"twanthishelp。HeafterwardsmadeJosephremovethebodytohischamber，andtoldmetoreturntomine，andMrsHeathcliffremainedbyherself。

`Inthemorning，hesentmetotellhershemustcomedowntobreakfast:shehadundressed，andappearedgoingtosleep，andsaidshewasill；atwhichIhardlywondered。IinformedMrHeathcliff，andhereplied:

`"Well，letherbetillafterthefuneral；andgoupnowandthentogetherwhatisneedful；and，assoonassheseemsbetter，tellme。""

Cathystayedupstairsafortnight，accordingtoZillah；whovisitedhertwiceaday，andwouldhavebeenrathermorefriendly，butherattemptsatincreasingkindnesswereproudlyandpromptlyrepelled。

Heathcliffwentuponce，toshowherLinton"swill。Hehadbequeathedthewholeofhis，andwhathadbeenher，movablepropertytohisfather:

thepoorcreaturewasthreatened，orcoaxed，intothatactduringherweek"sabsence，whenhisuncledied。Thelands，beingaminor，hecouldnotmeddlewith。However，MrHeathcliffhasclaimedandkepttheminhiswife"srightandhisalso:Isupposelegally:atanyrate，Catherine，destituteofcashandfriends，cannotdisturbhispossession。

`Nobody"，saidZillah，`everapproachedherdoor，exceptthatonce，butI；andnobodyaskedanythingabouther。ThefirstoccasionofhercomingdownintothehousewasonaSundayafternoon。Shehadcriedout，whenIcarriedupherdinner，thatshecouldn"tbearanylongerbeinginthecold:andItoldherthemasterwasgoingtoThrushcrossGrange，andEarnshawandIneedn"thinderherfromdescending；so，assoonassheheardHeathcliff"shorsetrotoff，shemadeherappearancedonnedinblack，andheryellowcurlscombedbackbehindherearsasplainasaQuaker:

shecouldn"tcombthemout。

`JosephandIgenerallygotochapelonSundays"；thekirk，youknow，hasnoministernow，explainedMrsDean；andtheycalltheMethodists"

orBaptists"place(Ican"tsaywhichitis)，atGimmerton，achapel。`Josephhadgone，"shecontinued，`butIthoughtpropertobideathome。Youngfolksarealwaysthebetterforanelder"soverlooking；andHareton，withallhisbashfulness，isn"tamodelofnicebehaviour。Ilethimknowthathiscousinwouldverylikelysitwithus，andshehadbeenalwaysusedtoseetheSabbathrespected；sohehadasgoodleavehisgunsandbitsofindoorworkalone，whileshestayed。Hecolouredupatthenews，andcasthiseyesoverhishandsandclothes。Thetrain-oilandgunpowderwereshovedoutofsightinaminute。Isawhemeanttogiveherhiscompany；

andIguessed，byhisway，hewantedtobepresentable；so，laughing，asIdurstnotlaughwhenthemasterisby，Iofferedtohelphim，ifhewould，andjokedathisconfusion。Hegrewsullen，andbegantoswear。

`Now，MrsDean，"Zillahwenton，seeingmenotpleasedbyhermanner，`youhappenthinkyouryoungladytoofineforMrHareton；andhappenyou"reright:butIownIshouldlovewelltobringherprideapeglower。Andwhatwillallherlearningandherdaintinessdoforher，now？She"saspoorasyouorI:poorerI"llbebound:you"resaving，andI"mdoingmylittleallthatroad。"？HaretonallowedZillahtogivehimheraid；andsheflatteredhimintoagoodhumour:so，whenCatherinecame，halfforgettingherformerinsults，hetriedtomakehimselfagreeable，bythehousekeeper"saccount。

`Missiswalkedin"，shesaid，`aschillasanicicle，andashighasaprincess。Igotupandofferedhermyseatinthearmchair。No，sheturneduphernoseatmycivility。Earnshawrose，too，andbidhercometothesettle，andsitclosebythefire:hewassureshewasstarved。

`"I"vebeenstarvedamonthandmore，"sheanswered，restingonthewordasscornfulasshecould。

`Andshegotachairforherself，andplaceditatadistancefrombothofus。Havingsattillshewaswarm，shebegantolookround，anddiscoveredanumberofbooksinthedresser；shewasinstantlyuponherfeetagain，stretchingtoreachthem:buttheyweretoohighup。Hercousin，afterwatchingherendeavoursawhile，atlastsummonedcouragetohelpher；sheheldherfrock，andhefilleditwiththefirstthatcametohand。

`Thatwasagreatadvanceforthelad。Shedidn"tthankhim；still，hefeltgratifiedthatshehadacceptedhisassistance，andventuredtostandbehindassheexaminedthem，andeventostoopandpointoutwhatstruckhisfancyincertainoldpictureswhichtheycontained；norwashedauntedbythesaucystyleinwhichshejerkedthepagefromhisfinger:

hecontentedhimselfwithgoingabitfartherback，andlookingatherinsteadofthebook。Shecontinuedreading，orseekingforsomethingtoread。Hisattentionbecame，bydegrees，quitecentredinthestudyofherthick，silkycurls:herfacehecouldn"tsee，andshecouldn"tseehim。

And，perhaps，notquiteawaketowhathedid，butattractedlikeachildtoacandle，atlastheproceededfromstaringtotouching；heputouthishandandstrokedonecurl，asgentlyasifitwereabird。Hemighthavestuckaknifeintoherneck，shestartedroundinsuchataking。

`"Getaway，thismoment!Howdareyoutouchme？Whyareyoustoppingthere？"shecried，inatoneofdisgust。"Ican"tendureyou!I"llgoupstairsagain，ifyoucomenearme。"

`MrHaretonrecoiled，lookingasfoolishashecoulddo:hesatdowninthesettleveryquiet，andshecontinuedturningoverhervolumesanotherhalf-hour；finally，Earnshawcrossedover，andwhisperedtome:

`"Willyouaskhertoreadtous，Zillah？I"mstalledofdoingnaught；andIdolike——Icouldliketohearher!DunnotsayIwantedit，butaskofyourseln。"

`"MrHaretonwishesyouwouldreadtous，ma"am，"Isaidimmediately。

"He"dtakeitverykind——he"dbemuchobliged。"

`Shefrowned；andlookingup，answered:

`"MrHareton，andthewholesetofyou，willbegoodenoughtounderstandthatIrejectanypretenceatkindnessyouhavethehypocrisytooffer!Idespiseyou，andwillhavenothingtosaytoanyofyou!WhenIwouldhavegivenmylifeforonekindword，eventoseeoneofyourfaces，youallkeptoff。ButIwon"tcomplaintoyou!I"mdrivendownherebythecold；noteithertoamuseyouorenjoyyoursociety。"

`"WhatcouldIha"done？"beganEarnshaw。"HowwasItoblame？"

`"Oh!youareanexception，"answeredMrsHeathcliff。"Inevermissedsuchaconcernasyou。"

`"ButIofferedmorethanonce，andasked，"hesaid，kindlingupatherpertness，"IaskedMrHeathclifftoletmewakeforyou宍"Besilent!I"llgooutofdoors，oranywhere，ratherthanhaveyourdisagreeablevoiceinmyear!"saidmylady。

`Haretonmutteredshemightgotohell，forhim!andunslinginghisgun，restrainedhimselffromhisSundayoccupationsnolonger。Hetalkednow，freelyenough；andshepresentlysawfittoretreattohersolitude:

butthefrosthadsetin，and，inspiteofherpride，shewasforcedtocondescendtoourcompany，moreandmore。However，Itookcarethereshouldbenofurtherscorningatmygoodnature:eversince，I"vebeenasstiffasherself；andshehasnoloverorlikeramongus:andshedoesnotdeserveone；for，letthemsaytheleastwordtoher，andshe"llcurlbackwithoutrespectofanyone!She"llsnapatthemasterhimself，andasgoodasdareshimtothrashher；andthemorehurtshegets，themorevenomousshegrows。"

Atfirst，onhearingthisaccountfromZillah，Ideterminedtoleavemysituation，takeacottage，andgetCatherinetocomeandlivewithme:butMrHeathcliffwouldassoonpermitthatashewouldsetupHaretoninanindependenthouse；andIcanseenoremedy，atpresent，unlessshecouldmarryagain:andthatschemeitdoesnotcomewithinmyprovincetoarrange。

ThusendedMrsDean"sstory。Notwithstandingthedoctor"sprophecy，Iamrapidlyrecoveringstrength；andthoughitbeonlythesecondweekinJanuary，Iproposegettingoutonhorsebackinadayortwo，andridingovertoWutheringHeights，toinformmylandlordthatIshallspendthenextsixmonthsinLondon；and，ifhelikes，hemaylookoutforanothertenanttotaketheplaceafterOctober。Iwouldnotpassanotherwinterhereformuch。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter31Yesterdaywasbright，calm，andfrosty。IwenttotheHeightsasIproposed；

myhousekeeperentreatedmetobearalittlenotefromhertoheryounglady，andIdidnotrefuse，fortheworthywomanwasnotconsciousofanythingoddinherrequest。Thefrontdoorstoodopen，butthejealousgatewasfastened，asatmylastvisit；Iknocked，andinvokedEarnshawfromamongthegardenbeds；heunchainedit，andIentered。Thefellowisashandsomearusticasneedbeseen。Itookparticularnoticeofhimthistime；butthenhedoeshisbest，apparently，tomaketheleastofhisadvantages。

IaskedifMrHeathcliffwereathome？Heanswered，No；buthewouldbeinatdinnertime。Itwaseleveno"clock，andIannouncedmyintentionofgoinginandwaitingforhim，atwhichheimmediatelyflungdownhistoolsandaccompaniedme，intheofficeofwatchdog，notasasubstituteforthehost。

Weenteredtogether；Catherinewasthere，makingherselfusefulinpreparingsomevegetablesfortheapproachingmeal；shelookedmoresulkyandlessspiritedthanwhenIhadseenherfirst。Shehardlyraisedhereyestonoticeme，andcontinuedheremploymentwiththesamedisregardtocommonformsofpolitenessasbefore；neverreturningmybowandgoodmorningbytheslightestacknowledgment。

`Shedoesnotseemsoamiable"，Ithought，`asMrsDeanwouldpersuademetobelieve。She"sabeauty，itistrue；butnotanangel。"

Earnshawsurlilybidherremoveherthingstothekitchen。`Removethemyourself，"shesaid，pushingthemfromherassoonasshehaddone；

andretiringtoastoolbythewindow，whereshebegantocarvefiguresofbirdsandbeastsoutoftheturnipparingsinherlap。Iapproachedher，pretendingtodesireaviewofthegarden；and，asIfancied，adroitlydroppedMrsDean"snoteontoherknee，unnoticedbyHareton——butsheaskedaloud，`Whatisthat？"andchuckeditoff。

`Aletterfromyouroldacquaintance，thehousekeeperattheGrange，"

Ianswered；annoyedatherexposingmykinddeed，andfearfullestitshouldbeimaginedamissiveofmyown。Shewouldgladlyhavegathereditupatthisinformation，butHaretonbeather；heseizedandputitinhiswaistcoat，sayingMrHeathcliffshouldlookatitfirst。Thereat，Catherinesilentlyturnedherfacefromus，and，verystealthily，drewoutherpockethandkerchiefandappliedittohereyes；andhercousin，afterstrugglingawhiletokeepdownhissofterfeelings，pulledouttheletterandflungitonthefloorbesideher，asungraciouslyashecould。Catherinecaughtandperusediteagerly；thenshebutafewquestionstomeconcerningtheinmates，rationalandirrational，ofherformerhome；andgazingtowardsthehills，murmuredinsoliloquy:

`IshouldliketoberidingMinnydownthere!Ishouldliketobeclimbingupthere!Oh!I"mtired——I"mstalled，Hareton!"Andsheleantherprettyheadbackagainstthesill，withhalfayawnandhalfasigh，andlapsedintoanaspectofabstractedsadness:neithercaringnorknowingwhetherweremarkedher。

`MrsHeathcliff，"Isaid，aftersittingsometimemute，`youarenotawarethatIamanacquaintanceofyours？sointimatethatIthinkitstrangeyouwon"tcomeandspeaktome。Myhousekeeperneverweariesoftalkingaboutandpraisingyou；andshe"llbegreatlydisappointedifIreturnwithnonewsoforfromyou，exceptthatyoureceivedherletterandsaidnothing!"

Sheappearedtowonderatthisspeech，andasked:

`DoesEllenlikeyou？"

`Yes，verywell，"Irepliedunhesitatingly。

`Youmusttellher，"shecontinued，`thatIwouldanswerherletter，butlhavenomaterialsforwriting:notevenabookfromwhichImighttearaleaf。"

`Nobooks!"Iexclaimed。`Howdoyoucontrivetoliveherewithoutthem？iflmaytakethelibertytoinquire。Thoughprovidedwithalargelibrary，I"mfrequentlyverydullattheGrange；takemybooksaway，andIshouldbedesperate!"

`Iwasalwaysreading，whenIhadthem，"saidCatherine；`andMrHeathcliffneverreads；sohetookitintohisheadtodestroymybooks。

Ihavenothadaglimpseofoneforweeks。Onlyonce，IsearchedthroughJoseph"sstoreoftheology，tohisgreatirritation；andonce，Hareton，Icameuponasecretstockinyourroom——someLatinandGreek，andsometalesandpoetry:alloldfriends。Ibroughtthelasthere——andyougatheredthem，asamagpiegatherssilverspoons，forthemereloveofstealing!

Theyareofnousetoyou；orelseyouconcealedtheminthebadspiritthatasyoucannotenjoythemnobodyelseshall。PerhapsyourenvycounselledMrHeathclifftorobmeofmytreasures？ButI"vemostofthemwrittenonmybrainandprintedinmyheart，andyoucannotdeprivemeofthose!"

Earnshawblushedcrimsonwhenhiscousinmadethisrevelationofhisprivateliteraryaccumulations，andstammeredanindignantdenialofheraccusations。"

`MrHaretonisdesirousofincreasinghisamountofknowledge，"

Isaid，comingtohisrescue。`Heisnotenviousbutemulousofyourattainments。He"llbeacleverscholarinafewyears。"

`Andhewantsmetosinkintoadunce，meantime，"answeredCatherine。`Yes，Ihearhimtryingtospellandreadtohimself，andprettyblundershemakes!IwishyouwouldrepeatChevyChaseasyoudidyesterday:

itwasextremelyfunny。Iheardyou；andIheardyouturningoverthedictionarytoseekoutthehardwords，andthencursingbecauseyoucouldn"treadtheirexplanations!"

Theyoungmanevidentlythoughtittoobadthatheshouldbelaughedatforhisignorance，andthenlaughedatfortryingtoremoveit。Ihadasimilarnotion；and，rememberingMrsDean"sanecdoteofhisfirstattemptatenlighteningthedarknessinwhichhehadbeenreared，Iobserved:

`But，MrsHeathcliff，wehaveeachhadacommencement，andeachstumbledandtotteredonthethreshold；hadourteachersscornedinsteadofaidingus，weshouldstumbleandtotteryet。"

`Oh!"shereplied，`Idon"twishtolimithisacquirements:still，hehasnorighttoappropriatewhatismine，andmakeitridiculoustomewithhisvilemistakesandmispronunciations!Thosebooks，bothproseandverse，wereconsecratedtomebyotherassociations；andIhatetohavethemdebasedandprofanedinhismouth!Besides，ofall，hehasselectedmyfavouritepiecesthatIlovethemosttorepeat，asifoutofdeliberatemalice。"

Hareton"schestheavedinsilenceaminute:helabouredunderaseveresenseofmortificationandwrath，whichitwasnoeasytasktosuppress。Irose，and，fromagentlemanlyideaofrelievinghisembarrassment，tookupmystationinthedoorway，surveyingtheexternalprospectasI

stood。Hefollowedmyexample，andlefttheroom；butpresentlyreappeared，bearinghalfadozenvolumesinhishands，whichhethrewintoCatherine"slap，exclaiming:

`Takethem!Ineverwanttohear，orread，orthinkofthemagain!"

`Iwon"thavethemnow，"sheanswered。`Ishallconnectthemwithyou，andhatethem。"

Sheopenedonethathadobviouslybeenoftenturnedover，andreadaportioninthedrawlingtoneofabeginner；thenlaughed，andthrewitfromher。`Andlisten，"shecontinuedprovokingly，commencingaverseofanoldballadinthesamefashion。

Buthisself-lovewouldendurenofurthertorment:Iheard，andnotaltogetherdisapprovingly，amanualcheckgiventohersaucytongue。

Thelittlewretchhaddoneherutmosttohurthercousinssensitivethoughuncultivatedfeelings，andaphysicalargumentwastheonlymodehehadofbalancingtheaccount，andrepayingitseffectsontheinflicter。Heafterwardsgatheredthebooksandhurledthemonthefire。Ireadinhiscountenancewhatanguishitwastoofferthatsacrificetospleen。Ifanciedthatastheyconsumed，herecalledthepleasuretheyhadalreadyimparted，andthetriumphandever-increasingpleasurehehadanticipatedfromthem；

andIfanciedIguessedtheincitementtohissecretstudiesalso。Hehadbeencontentwithdailylabourandroughanimalenjoyments，tillCatherinecrossedhispath。Shameatherscorn，andhopeofherapproval，werehisfirstprompterstohigherpursuits；and，insteadofguardinghimfromoneandwinninghimtotheother，hisendeavourstorisehimselfhadproducedjustthecontraryresult。

`Yes；that"sallthegoodthatsuchabruteasyoucangetfromthem!"criedCatherine，suckingherdamagedlip，andwatchingtheconflagrationwithindignanteyes。

`You"dbetterholdyourtongue，now，"heansweredfiercely。

Andhisagitationprecludingfurtherspeech，headvancedhastilytotheentrance，whereImadewayforhimtopass。Buterehehadcrossedthedoorstones，MrHeathcliff，comingupthecauseway，encounteredhim，andlayingholdofhisshoulder，asked:

"What"stodonow，mylad？"

`Naught，naught，"hesaid，andbrokeawaytoenjoyhisgriefandangerinsolitude。

Heathcliffgazedafterhim，andsighed。

`ItwillbeoddifIthwartmyself，"hemuttered，unconsciousthatIwasbehindhim。`ButwhenIlookforhisfatherinhisface，Ifindhereverydaymore。Howthedevilishesolike？Icanhardlybeartoseehim。"

Hebenthiseyestotheground，andwalkedmoodilyin。Therewasarestless，anxiousexpressioninhiscountenanceIhadneverremarkedtherebefore；andhelookedsparerinperson。Hisdaughter-in-law，onperceivinghimthroughthewindow，immediatelyescapedtothekitchen，sothatIremainedalone。

`I"mgladtoseeyououtofdoorsagain，MrLockwood，"hesaid，inreplytomygreeting；`fromselfishmotivespartly:Idon"tthinkI

couldreadilysupplyyourlossinthisdesolation。I"vewonderedmorethanoncewhatbroughtyouhere。

`Anidlewhim，Ifear，sir，"wasmyanswer；`orelseanidlewhimisgoingtospiritmeaway。IshallsetoutforLondon，nextweek；andImustgiveyouwarningthatIfeelnodispositiontoretainThrushcrossGrangebeyondthetwelvemonthsIagreedtorentit。1believeIshallnotlivethereanymore。"

`Oh，indeed；you"retiredofbeingbanishedfromtheworld，areyou？"hesaid。`Butifyoubecomingtopleadoffpayingforaplaceyouwon"toccupy，yourjourneyisuseless:Ineverrelentinexactingmyduefromanyone。"

`I"mcomingtopleadoffnothingaboutit，"Iexclaimed，considerablyirritated。`Shouldyouwishit，I"llsettlewithyounow，"andIdrewmynotebookfrommypocket。

`No，no，"herepliedcoolly；`you"llleavesufficientbehindtocoveryourdebts，ifyoufailtoreturn:I"mnotinsuchahurry。Sitdownandtakeyourdinnerwithus；aguestthatissafefromrepeatinghisvisitcangenerallybemadewelcome。Catherine，bringthethingsin:whereareyou？"

Catherinereappeared，bearingatrayofknivesandforks。

`YoumaygetyourdinnerwithJoseph，"mutteredHeathcliffaside，`andremaininthekitchentillheisgone。"

Sheobeyedhisdirectionsverypunctually:perhapsshehadnotemptationtotransgress。Livingamongclownsandmisanthropists，sheprobablycannotappreciateabetterclassofpeoplewhenshemeetsthem。

WithMrHeathcliff，grimandsaturnine，ontheonehand，andHareton，absolutelydumb，ontheother，Imadeasomewhatcheerlessmeal，andbidadieuearly。Iwouldhavedepartedbythebackway，togetalastglimpseofCatherineandannoyoldJoseph；butHaretonreceivedorderstoleadupmyhorse，andmyhosthimselfescortedmetothedoor，soIcouldnotfulfilmywish。

`Howdrearylifegetsoverinthathouse!"lreflected，whileridingdowntheroad。`WhatarealizationofsomethingmoreromanticthanafairytaleitwouldhavebeenforMrsLintonHeathcliff，hadsheandIstruckupanattachment，ashergoodnursedesired，andmigratedtogetherintothestirringatmosphereofthetown!"

[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter321802——

ThisSeptemberIwasinvitedtodevastatethemoorsofafriendinthenorth，andonmyjourneytohisabode，IunexpectedlycamewithinfifteenmilesofGimmerton。Theostlerataroadsidepublichousewasholdingapailofwatertorefreshmyhorses，whenacartofverygreenoats，newlyreaped，passedby，andheremarked:

`Yon"sfroughGimmerton，nah!They"reallasthreewickafterotherfolkwi"therharvest。"

`Gimmerton？`Irepeated——myresidenceinthatlocalityhadalreadygrowndimanddreamy。`Ah!Iknow。Howfarisitfromthis？"

`Happenfourteenmileo"erth"hills；andaroughroad，"heanswered。

AsuddenimpulseseizedmetovisitThrushcrossGrange。Itwasscarcelynoon，andIconceivedthatImightaswellpassthenightundermyownroofasinaninn。Besides，Icouldspareadayeasilytoarrangematterswithmylandlord，andthussavemyselfthetroubleofinvadingtheneighbourhoodagain。Havingrestedawhile，Idirectedmyservanttoinquirethewaytothevillage；and，withgreatfatiguetoourbeasts，wemanagedthedistanceinsomethreehours。

Ilefthimthere，andproceededdownthevalleyalone。Thegreychurchlookedgreyer，andthelonelychurchyardlonelier。Idistinguishedamoorsheepcroppingtheshortturfonthegraves。Itwassweet，warmweather——toowarmfortravelling；buttheheatdidnothindermefromenjoyingthedelightfulsceneryaboveandbelow:hadIseenitnearerAugust，I"msureitwouldhavetemptedmetowasteamonthamongitssolitudes。Inwinternothingmoredreary，insummernothingmoredivine，thanthoseglensshutinbyhills，andthosebluff，boldswellsofheath。

IreachedtheGrangebeforesunset，andknockedforadmittance；

butthefamilyhadretreated"intothebackpremises，Ijudged，byonethin，bluewreathcurlingfromthekitchenchimney，andtheydidnothear。

Irodeintothecourt。Undertheporch，agirlofnineortensatknitting，andanoldwomanreclinedonthehousesteps，smokingameditativepipe。

`IsMrsDeanwithin？"Idemandedofthedame。

`MistressDean？Nay!"sheanswered，`shoodoesn"tbidehere:shoo"supatth"Heights。"

`Areyouthehousekeeper，then？"Icontinued。

`Ea，Awkeepth"house，"shereplied。

`Well，I"mMrLockwood，themaster。Arethereanyroomstolodgemein，Iwonder？Iwishtostayhereallnight。"

`T"maister!"shecriedinastonishment。`Whet，whoiverknewyahwurcoming？Yahsudha"sendword。They"snowtnortherdrynormensfulabahtt"place:nowtthereisn"t!"

Shethrewdownherpipeandbustledin，thegirlfollowed，andIenteredtoo；soonperceivingthatherreportwastrue，and，moreover，thatIhadalmostupsetherwitsbymyunwelcomeapparition，Ibidherbecomposed。Iwouldgooutforawalk；and，meantime，shemusttrytoprepareacornerofasitting-roomformetosupin，andabedroomtosleepin。Nosweepinganddusting，onlygoodfireanddrysheetswerenecessary。

Sheseemedwillingtodoherbest；thoughshethrustthehearth-brushintothegratesinmistakeforthepoker，andmalappropriatedseveralotherarticlesofhercraft:butIretired，confidinginherenergyforaresting-placeagainstmyreturn。WutheringHeightswasthegoalofmyproposedexcursion。

Anafterthoughtbroughtmeback，whenIhadquittedthecourt。

`AllwellattheHeights？"Iinquiredofthewoman。

`Eea，f"rowtEeknaw，"sheanswered，skurryingawaywithapanofhotcinders。

IwouldhaveaskedwhyMrsDeanhaddesertedtheGrange，butitwasimpossibletodelayheratsuchacrisis，soIturnedawayandmademyexit，ramblingleisurelyalongwiththeglowofasinkingsunbehind，andthemildgloryofarisingmooninfront——onefading，andtheotherbrightening——asIquittedthepark，andclimbedthestonyby-roadbranchingofftoMrHeathcliff"sdwelling。BeforeIarrivedinsightofit，allthatremainedofdaywasabeamlessamberlightalongthewest:butIcouldseeeverypebbleonthepath，andeverybladeofgrass，bythatsplendidmoon。Ihadneithertoclimbthegatenortoknock——ityieldedtomyhand。

Thatisanimprovement，Ithought。AndInoticedanother，bytheaidofmynostrils；afragranceofstocksandwallflowerswaftedontheairfromamongstthehomelyfruittrees。

Bothdoorsandlatticeswereopen；andyet，asisusuallythecaseinacoaldistrict，afine，redfireilluminedthechimney:thecomfortwhichtheeyederivesfromitrenderstheextraheatendurable。ButthehouseofWutheringHeightsissolarge，thattheinmateshaveplentyofspaceforwithdrawingoutofitsinfluence；andaccordingly，whatinmatestherewerehadstationedthemselvesnotfarfromoneofthewindows。I

couldbothseethemandhearthemtalkbeforeIentered，andlookedandlistenedinconsequence；beingmovedtheretobyamingledsenseofcuriosityandenvy，thatgrewasIlingered。

`Con-trary!"saidavoiceassweetasasilverbell——`Thatforthethirdtime，youdunce!I"mnotgoingtotellyouagain。Recollect，orI"llpullyourhair!"

`Contrary，then，"answeredanother，indeepbutsoftenedtones。

`Andnow，kissme，formindingsowell。"

`No，readitoverfirstcorrectly，withoutasinglemistake。"

Themalespeakerbegantoread:hewasayoungman，respectablydressedandseatedatatable，havingabookbeforehim。Hishandsomefeaturesglowedwithpleasure，andhiseyeskeptimpatientlywanderingfromthepagetoasmallwhitehandoverhisshoulder，whichrecalledhimbyasmartslaponthecheek，wheneveritsownerdetectedsuchsignsofinattention。

Itsownerstoodbehind；herlight，shiningringletsblending，atintervals，withhisbrownlocks，asshebenttosuperintendhisstudies；andherface——itwasluckyhecouldnotseeherface，orhewouldneverhavebeensosteady。

Icould:andIbitmylipinspite，athavingthrownawaythechanceI

mighthavehadofdoingsomethingbesidesstaringatitssmilingbeauty。

Thetaskwasdone，notfreefromfurtherblunders；butthepupilclaimedareward，andreceivedatleastfivekisses:which，