Ihavejustreturnedfromavisittomylandlord——thesolitaryneighbourthatIshallbetroubledwith。Thisiscertainlyabeautifulcountry!InallEngland，IdonotbelievethatIcouldhavefixedonasituationsocompletelyremovedfromthestirofsociety。Aperfectmisanthropist'sheaven:andMrHeathcliffandIaresuchasuitablepairtodividethedesolationbetweenus。Acapitalfellow!HelittleimaginedhowmyheartwarmedtowardshimwhenIbeheldhisblackeyeswithdrawsosuspiciouslyundertheirbrows，asIrodeup，andwhenhisfingersshelteredthemselves，withajealousresolution，stillfartherinhiswaistcoat，asIannouncedmyname。
　　`MrHeathcliff!'Isaid。
　　Anodwastheanswer。
　　`MrLockwood，yournewtenant，sir。Idomyselfthehonourofcallingassoonaspossibleaftermyarrival，toexpressthehopethatIhavenotinconveniencedyoubymyperseveranceinsolicitingtheoccupationofThrushcrossGrange:Iheardyesterdayyouhadhadsomethoughts——'
　　`ThrushcrossGrangeismyown，sir，'heinterrupted，wincing。
　　`Ishouldnotallowanyonetoinconvenienceme，ifIcouldhinderit——walkin!'
　　The`walkin'wasutteredwithclosedteeth，andexpressedthesentiment，`Gotothedeuce':eventhegateoverwhichheleantmanifestednosympathizingmovementtothewords；andIthinkthatcircumstancedeterminedmetoaccepttheinvitation:Ifeltinterestedinamanwhoseemedmoreexaggeratedlyreservedthanmyself。
　　Whenhesawmyhorse'sbreastfairlypushingthebarrier，hedidputouthishandtounchainit，andthensullenlyprecededmeupthecauseway，calling，asweenteredthecourt:`Joseph，takeMrLockwood'shorse；andbringupsomewine。'
　　`Herewehavethewholeestablishmentofdomestics，Isuppose，'
　　wasthereflectionsuggestedbythiscompoundorder。
　　`Nowonderthegrassgrowsupbetweentheflags，andcattlearetheonlyhedge-cutters。
　　Josephwasanelderly，nay，anoldman:veryold，perhaps，thoughhaleandsinewy。`TheLordhelpus!'hesoliloquizedinanundertoneofpeevishdispleasure，whilerelievingmeofmyhorse:looking，meantime，inmyfacesosourlythatIcharitablyconjecturedhemusthaveneedofdivineaidtodigesthisdinner，andhispiousejaculationhadnoreferencetomyunexpectedadvent。
　　WutheringHeightsisthenameofMrHeathcliff'sdwelling。`Wuthering'
　　beingasignificantprovincialadjective，descriptiveoftheatmospherictumulttowhichitsstationisexposedinstormyweather。Pure，bracingventilationtheymusthaveupthereatalltimes，indeed；onemayguessthepowerofthenorthwindblowingovertheedge，bytheexcessiveslantofafewstuntedfirsattheendofthehouse；andbyarangeofgauntthornsallstretchingtheirlimbsoneway，asifcravingalmsofthesun。
　　Happily，thearchitecthadforesighttobuilditstrong:thenarrowwindowsaredeeplysetinthewall，andthecornersdefendedwithlargejuttingstones。
　　Beforepassingthethreshold，Ipausedtoadmireaquantityofgrotesquecarvinglavishedoverthefront，andespeciallyabouttheprincipaldoor；abovewhich，amongawildernessofcrumblinggriffinsandshamelesslittleboys，Idetectedthedate`1500'，andthename`HaretonEarnshaw'。
　　Iwouldhavemadeafewcomments，andrequestedashorthistoryoftheplacefromthesurlyowner；buthisattitudeatthedoorappearedtodemandmyspeedyentrance，orcompletedeparture，andIhadnodesiretoaggravatehisimpatienceprevioustoinspectingthepenetralium。
　　Onestepbroughtusintothefamilysitting-room，withoutanyintroductorylobbyorpassage:theycallithere`thehouse'preeminently。
　　Itincludeskitchenandparlour，generally；butIbelieveatWutheringHeightsthekitchenisforcedtoretreataltogetherintoanotherquarter:
　　atleastIdistinguishedachatteroftongues，andaclatterofculinaryutensils，deepwithin；andIobservednosignsofroasting，boiling，orbaking，aboutthehugefireplace；noranyglitterofcoppersaucepansandtincullendersonthewalls。Oneend，indeed，reflectedsplendidlybothlightandheatfromranksofimmensepewterdishes，interspersedwithsilverjugsandtankards，toweringrowafterrow，onavastoakdresser，totheveryroof。Thelatterhadneverbeenunderdrawn:itsentireanatomylaybaretoaninquiringeye，exceptwhereaframeofwoodladenwithoatcakesandclustersoflegsofbeef，mutton，andham，concealedit。Abovethechimneyweresundryvillainous；oldguns，andacoupleofhorse-pistols:
　　and，bywayofornament，threegaudilypaintedcanistersdisposedalongitsledge。Thefloorwasofsmooth，whitestone；thechairs，high-backed，primitivestructures，paintedgreen:oneortwoheavyblackoneslurkingintheshade。Inanarchunderthedresser，reposedahuge，liver-colouredbitchpointer，surroundedbyaswarmofsquealingpuppies；andotherdogshauntedotherrecesses。
　　Theapartmentandfurniturewouldhavebeennothingextraordinaryasbelongingtoahomely，northernfarmer，withastubborncountenance，andstalwartlimbssetouttoadvantageinkneebreechesandgaiters。Suchanindividualseatedinhisarmchair，hismugofalefrothingontheroundtablebeforehim，istobeseeninanycircuitoffiveorsixmilesamongthesehills，ifyougoattherighttimeafterdinner。ButMrHeathcliffformsasingularcontrasttohisabodeandstyleofliving。Heisadark-skinnedgipsyinaspect，indressandmannersagentleman:thatis，asmuchagentlemanasmanyacountrysquire:ratherslovenly，perhaps，yetnotlookingamisswithhisnegligence，becausehehasanerectandhandsomefigure；andrathermorose。Possibly，somepeoplemightsuspecthimofadegreeofunder-bredpride；Ihaveasympatheticchordwithinthattellsmeitisnothingofthesort:Iknow，byinstinct，hisreservespringsfromanaversiontoshowydisplaysoffeeling——tomanifestationsofmutualkindliness。He'llloveandhateequallyundercover，andesteemitaspeciesofimpertinencetobelovedorhatedagain。No，I'mrunningontoofast:Ibestowmyownattributesoverliberallyonhim。MrHeathcliffmayhaveentirelydissimilarreasonsforkeepinghishandoutofthewaywhenhemeetsawould-beacquaintance，tothosewhichactuateme。Letmehopemyconstitutionisalmostpeculiar:
　　mydearmotherusedtosayIshouldneverhaveacomfortablehome；andonlylastsummerIprovedmyselfperfectlyunworthyofone。
　　Whileenjoyingamonthoffineweatherattheseacoast，Iwasthrownintothecompanyofamostfascinatingcreature:arealgoddessinmyeyes，aslongasshetooknonoticeofme。I`nevertoldmylove'
　　vocally；still，iflookshavelanguage，themerestidiotmighthaveguessedIwasoverheadandears:sheunderstoodmeatlast，andlookedareturn——thesweetestofallimaginablelooks。AndwhatdidIdo？Iconfessitwithshame——shrunkicilyintomyself，likeasnail；ateveryglanceretiredcolderandfurther；tillfinallythepoorinnocentwasledtodoubtherownsenses，and，overwhelmedwithconfusionathersupposedmistake，persuadedhermammatodecamp。BythiscuriousturnofdispositionIhavegainedthereputationofdeliberateheartlessness；howundeserved，Ialonecanappreciate。
　　Itookaseatattheendofthehearthstoneoppositethattowardswhichmylandlordadvanced，andfilledupanintervalofsilencebyattemptingtocaressthecaninemother，whohadlefthernursery，andwassneakingwolfishlytothebackofmylegs，herlipcurledup，andherwhiteteethwateringforasnatch。
　　Mycaressprovokedalong，gutturalgnarl。
　　`You'dbetterletthedogalone，'growledMrHeathcliffinunison，checkingfiercerdemonstrationswithapunchofhisfoot。`She'snotaccustomedtobespoiled——notkeptforapet。'Then，stridingtoasidedoor，heshoutedagain，`Joseph!'
　　Josephmumbledindistinctlyinthedepthsofthecellar，butgavenointimationofascending；sohismasterdiveddowntohim，leavingmevis-à；-vistheruffianlybitchandapairofgrimshaggysheep-dogs，whosharedwithherajealousguardianshipoverallmymovements。Notanxioustocomeincontactwiththeirfangs，Isatstill；but，imaginingtheywouldscarcelyunderstandtacitinsults，Iunfortunatelyindulgedinwinkingandmakingfacesatthetrio，andsometurnofmyphysiognomysoirritatedmadam，thatshesuddenlybrokeintoafuryandleaptonmyknees。Iflungherback，andhastenedtointerposethetablebetweenus。Thisproceedingrousedthewholehive:halfadozenfour-footedfiends，ofvarioussizesandages，issuedfromhiddendenstothecommoncentre。Ifeltmyheelsandcoat-lapspeculiarsubjectsofassault；andparryingoffthelargercombatantsaseffectuallyasIcouldwiththepoker，Iwasconstrainedtodemand，aloud，assistancefromsomeofthehouseholdinre-establishingpeace。
　　MrHeathcliffandhismanclimbedthecellarstepswithvexatiousphlegm:Idon'tthinktheymovedonesecondfasterthanusual，thoughthehearthwasanabsolutetempestofworryingandyelping。Happily，aninhabitantofthekitchenmademoredispatch:alustydame，withtucked-upgown，barearms，andfire-flushedcheeks，rushedintothemidstofusflourishingafrying-pan:andusedthatweapon，andhertongue，tosuchpurpose，thatthestormsubsidedmagically，andsheonlyremained，heavinglikeaseaafterahighwind，whenhermasterenteredonthescene。
　　`Whatthedevilisthematter？'heasked，eyeingmeinamannerthatIcouldillendureafterthisinhospitabletreatment。
　　`Whatthedevil，indeed!'Imuttered。`Theherdofpossessedswinecouldhavehadnoworsespiritsinthemthanthoseanimalsofyours，sir。
　　Youmightaswellleaveastrangerwithabroodoftigers!'
　　`Theywon'tmeddlewithpersonswhotouchnothing，'heremarked，puttingthebottlebeforeme，andrestoringthedisplacedtable。`Thedogsdorighttobevigilant。Takeaglassofwine？'
　　`No，thankyou。'
　　`Notbitten，areyou？'
　　`IfIhadbeen，Iwouldhavesetmysignetonthebiter。'
　　Heathcliff'scountenancerelaxedintoagrin。
　　`Come，come，'hesaid，`youareflurried，MrLockwood。Here，takealittlewine。GuestsaresoexceedinglyrareinthishousethatIandmydogs，Iamwillingtoown，hardlyknowhowtoreceivethem。Yourhealth，sir!'
　　Ibowedandreturnedthepledge；beginningtoperceivethatitwouldbefoolishtositsulkingforthemisbehaviourofapackofcurs:
　　besides，Ifeltloathtoyieldthefellowfurtheramusementatmyexpense；
　　sincethehumourtookthatturn。He——probablyswayedbyprudentialconsiderationofthefollyofoffendingagoodtenant——relaxedalittleinthelaconicstyleofchippingoffhispronounsandauxiliaryverbs，andintroducedwhathesupposedwouldbeasubjectofinteresttome——adiscourseontheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofmypresentplaceofretirement。Ifoundhimveryintelligentonthetopicswetouched；andbeforeIwenthome，Iwasencouragedsofarastovolunteeranothervisittomorrow。Heevidentlywishednorepetitionofmyintrusion。Ishallgo，notwithstanding。ItisastonishinghowsociableIfeelmyselfcomparedwithhim。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]
　　WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter2Yesterdayafternoonsetinmistyandcold。Ihadhalfamindtospenditbymystudyfire，insteadofwadingthroughheathandmudtoWutheringHeights。Oncomingupfromdinner，howeverN。B。Idinebetweentwelveandoneo'clock；thehousekeeper，amatronlylady，takenasafixturealongwiththehouse，couldnot，orwouldnot，comprehendmyrequestthatImightbeservedatfive，onmountingthestairswiththislazyintention，andsteppingintotheroom，Isawaservantgirlonherkneessurroundedbybrushesandcoal-scuttles，andraisinganinfernaldustassheextinguishedtheflameswithheapsofcinders。Thisspectacledrovemebackimmediately；
　　Itookmyhat，and，afterafour-miles'walk，arrivedatHeathcliff'sgardengatejustintimetoescapethefirstfeatheryflakesofasnowshower。
　　Onthatbleakhilltoptheearthwashardwithablackfrost，andtheairmademeshiverthrougheverylimb。Beingunabletoremovethechain，Ijumpedover，and，runninguptheflaggedcausewayborderedwithstragglinggooseberrybushes，knockedvainlyforadmittance，tillmyknucklestingledandthedogshowled。
　　`Wretchedinmates!'Iejaculatedmentally，`youdeserveperpetualisolationfromyourspeciesforyourchurlishinhospitality。Atleast，Iwouldnotkeepmydoorsbarredinthedaytime。Idon'tcare——Iwillgetin!'Soresolved，Igraspedthelatchandshookitvehemently。Vinegar-facedJosephprojectedhisheadfromaroundwindowofthebarn。
　　`Whetareyefor？'heshouted。`T'maister'sdahni't'fowld。
　　Gorahndbyth'endut'laith，ifyahwenttuhspaketullhim。'
　　`Istherenobodyinsidetoopenthedoor？'Ihallooed，responsively。
　　`They'snobbutt'missis；andshoo'llnutoppen'tanyemakyerflaysomedinstillneeght。'
　　`Why？CannotyoutellherwhoIam，eh，Joseph？'
　　`Nor-neme!Aw'llhaenoahendwi't，'mutteredthehead，vanishing。
　　Thesnowbegantodrivethickly。Iseizedthehandletoessayanothertrial；whenayoungmanwithoutcoat，andshoulderingapitchfork，appearedintheyardbehind。Hehailedmetofollowhim，and，aftermarchingthroughawash-house，andapavedareacontainingacoalshed，pump，andpigeoncot，weatlengtharrivedinthehuge，warm，cheerfulapartment，whereIwasformerlyreceived。Itgloweddelightfullyintheradianceofanimmensefire，compoundedofcoal，peat，andwood；andnearthetable，laidforaplentifuleveningmeal，Iwaspleasedtoobservethe`missis'，anindividualwhoseexistenceIhadneverpreviouslysuspected。Ibowedandwaited，thinkingshewouldbidmetakeaseat。Shelookedatme，leaningbackinherchair，andremainedmotionlessandmute。
　　`Roughweather!'Iremarked。`I'mafraid，MrsHeathcliff，thedoormustbeartheconsequenceofyourservants'leisureattendance:I
　　hadhardworktomakethemhearme。'
　　Sheneveropenedhermouth。Istared——shestaredalso:atanyrate，shekepthereyesonmeinacool，regardlessmanner，exceedinglyembarrassinganddisagreeable。
　　`Sitdown，'saidtheyoungmangruffly。`He'llbeinsoon。'
　　Iobeyed；andhemmed，andcalledthevillainJuno，whodeigned，atthissecondinterview，tomovetheextremetipofhertail，intokenofowningmyacquaintance。
　　`Abeautifulanimal!'Icommencedagain。`Doyouintendpartingwiththelittleones，madam？'
　　`Theyarenotmine，'saidtheamiablehostess，morerepellinglythanHeathcliffhimselfcouldhavereplied。
　　`Ah，yourfavouritesareamongthese？'Icontinued，turningtoanobscurecushionfullofsomethinglikecats。
　　`Astrangechoiceoffavourites!'sheobservedscornfully。
　　Unluckily，itwasaheapofdeadrabbits。Ihemmedoncemore，anddrewclosertothehearth，repeatingmycommentonthewildnessoftheevening。
　　`Youshouldnothavecomeout，'shesaid，risingandreachingfromthechimney-piecetwoofthepaintedcanisters。
　　Herpositionbeforewasshelteredfromthelight；now，Ihadadistinctviewofherwholefigureandcountenance。Shewasslender，andapparentlyscarcelypastgirlhood:anadmirableform，andthemostexquisitelittlefacethatIhaveeverhadthepleasureofbeholding；smallfeatures，veryfair；flaxenringlets，orrathergolden，hanginglooseonherdelicateneck；andeyes，hadtheybeenagreeableinexpression，theywouldhavebeenirresistible:fortunatelyformysusceptibleheart，theonlysentimenttheyevincedhoveredbetweenscorn，andakindofdesperation，singularlyunnaturaltobedetectedthere。Thecanisterswerealmostoutofherreach；
　　Imadeamotiontoaidher；sheturneduponmeasamisermightturnifanyoneattemptedtoassisthimincountinghisgold。
　　`Idon'twantyourhelp，'shesnapped；`Icangetthemformyself。'
　　`Ibegyourpardon!'Ihastenedtoreply。
　　`Wereyouaskedtotea？'shedemanded，tyinganapronoverherneatblackfrock，andstandingwithaspoonfuloftheleafpoisedoverthepot。
　　`Ishallbegladtohaveacup，'Ianswered。
　　`Wereyouasked？'sherepeated。
　　`No，'Isaid，halfsmiling。`Youaretheproperpersontoaskme。'
　　Sheflungtheteaback，spoonandall，andresumedherchairinapet；herforeheadcorrugated，andherredunderlippushedout，likeachild'sreadytocry。
　　Meanwhile，theyoungmanhadslungontohispersonadecidedlyshabbyuppergarment，and，erectinghimselfbeforetheblaze，lookeddownonmefromthecornerofhiseyes，foralltheworldasifthereweresomemortalfeudunavengedbetweenus。Ibegantodoubtwhetherhewereaservantornot:hisdressandspeechwerebothrude，entirelydevoidofthesuperiorityobservableinMrandMrsHeathcliff；histhickbrowncurlswereroughanduncultivated，hiswhiskersencroachedbearishlyoverhischeeks，andhishandswereembrownedlikethoseofacommonlabourer:stillhisbearingwasfree，almosthaughty，andheshowednoneofadomestic'sassiduityinattendingontheladyofthehouse。Intheabsenceofclearproofsofhiscondition，Ideemeditbesttoabstainfromnoticinghiscuriousconduct；
　　and，fiveminutesafterwards，theentranceofHeathcliffrelievedme，insomemeasure，frommyuncomfortablestate。
　　`Yousee，sir，Iamcome，accordingtopromise!'Iexclaimed，assumingthecheerful；`andIfearIshallbeweatherboundforhalfanhour，ifyoucanaffordmeshelterduringthatspace。'
　　`Halfanhour？'hesaid，shakingthewhiteflakesfromhisclothes；
　　`Iwonderyoushouldselectthethickofasnowstormtorambleaboutin。
　　Doyouknowthatyourunariskofbeinglostinthemarshes？Peoplefamiliarwiththesemoorsoftenmisstheirroadonsuchevenings；andIcantellyouthereisnochanceofachangeatpresent。'
　　`PerhapsIcangetaguideamongyourlads，andhemightstayattheGrangetillmorning——couldyousparemeone？'
　　`No，Icouldnot。'
　　`Oh，indeed!Well，then，Imusttrusttomyownsagacity。'
　　`Umph!'
　　`Areyougoingtomakth'tea？'demandedheoftheshabbycoat，shiftinghisferociousgazefrommetotheyounglady。
　　`Ishetohaveany？'sheasked，appealingtoHeathcliff。
　　`Getitready，willyou？'wastheanswer，utteredsosavagelythatIstarted。Thetoneinwhichthewordsweresaidrevealedagenuinebadnature。InolongerfeltinclinedtocallHeathcliffacapitalfellow。
　　Whenthepreparationswerefinished，heinvitedmewith——`Now，sir，bringforwardyourchair。'Andweall，includingtherusticyouth，drewroundthetable:anausteresilenceprevailingwhilewediscussedourmeal。
　　Ithought，ifIhadcausedthecloud，itwasmydutytomakeanefforttodispelit。Theycouldnoteverydaysitsogrimandtaciturn；
　　anditwasimpossible，howeverill-temperedtheymightbe，thattheuniversalscowltheyworewastheireverydaycountenance。
　　`Itisstrange，'Ibegan，intheintervalofswallowingonecupofteaandreceivinganother——`itisstrangehowcustomcanmouldourtastesandideas:manycouldnotimaginetheexistenceofhappinessinalifeofsuchcompleteexilefromtheworldasyouspend，MrHeathcliff；yetI'llventuretosay，that，surroundedbyyourfamily，andwithyouramiableladyasthepresidinggeniusoveryourhomeandheart——'
　　`Myamiablelady!'heinterrupted，withanalmostdiabolicalsneeronhisface。`Whereisshe——myamiablelady？'
　　`MrsHeathcliff，yourwife，Imean。'
　　`Well，yes——Oh，youwouldintimatethatherspirithastakenthepostofministeringangel，andguardsthefortunesofWutheringHeightsevenwhenherbodyisgone。Isthatit？'
　　Perceivingmyselfinablunder，Iattemptedtocorrectit。Imighthaveseentherewastoogreatadisparitybetweentheagesofthepartiestomakeitlikelythattheyweremanandwife。Onewasaboutforty:aperiodofmentalvigouratwhichmenseldomcherishthedelusionofbeingmarriedforlovebygirls:thatdreamisreservedforthesolaceofourdecliningyears。Theotherdidnotlookseventeen。
　　Thenitflasheduponme——`Theclownatmyelbow，whoisdrinkinghisteaoutofabasinandeatinghisbreadwithunwashedhands，maybeherhusband:Heathcliff，junior，ofcourse。Hereistheconsequenceofbeingburiedalive:shehasthrownherselfawayuponthatboorfromsheerignorancethatbetterindividualsexisted!Asadpity——ImustbewarehowIcausehertoregretherchoice。'Thelastreflectionmayseemconceited；
　　itwasnot。Myneighbourstruckmeasborderingonrepulsive；Iknew，throughexperience，thatIwastolerablyattractive。
　　`MrsHeathcliffismydaughter-in-law，'saidHeathcliff，corroboratingmysurmise。Heturned，ashespoke，apeculiarlookinherdirection:alookofhatred；unlesshehasamostperversesetoffacialmusclesthatwillnot，likethoseofotherpeople，interpretthelanguageofhissoul。
　　`Ah，certainly——Iseenow:youarethefavouredpossessorofthebeneficentfairy，'Iremarked，turningtomyneighbour。
　　Thiswasworsethanbefore:theyouthgrewcrimson，andclenchedhisfist，witheveryappearanceofameditatedassault。Butheseemedtorecollecthimselfpresently，andsmotheredthestorminabrutalcurse，mutteredonmybehalf:which，however，Itookcarenottonotice。
　　`Unhappyinyourconjectures，sir，'observedmyhost；`weneitherofushavetheprivilegeofowningyourgoodfairy；hermateisdead。I
　　saidshewasmydaughter-in-law，therefore，shemusthavemarriedmyson。'
　　`Andthisyoungmanis——'
　　`Notmyson，assuredly。'
　　Heathcliffsmiledagain，asifitwererathertooboldajesttoattributethepaternityofthatbeartohim。
　　`MynameisHaretonEarnshaw，'growledtheother；`andI'dcounselyoutorespectit!'
　　`I'veshownnodisrespect，'wasmyreply，laughinginternallyatthedignitywithwhichheannouncedhimself。
　　HefixedhiseyeonmelongerthanIcaredtoreturnthestare，forfearImightbetemptedeithertoboxhisearsorrendermyhilarityaudible。
　　Ibegantofeelunmistakablyoutofplaceinthatpleasantfamilycircle。
　　Thedismalspiritualatmosphereovercame，andmorethanneutralized，theglowingphysicalcomfortsroundme；andIresolvedtobecautioushowI
　　venturedunderthoseraftersathirdtime。
　　Thebusinessofeatingbeingconcluded，andnooneutteringawordofsociableconversation，Iapproachedawindowtoexaminetheweather。
　　AsorrowfulsightIsaw:darknightcomingdownprematurely，andskyandhillsmingledinonebitterwhirlofwindandsuffocatingsnow。
　　`Idon'tthinkitpossibleformetogethomenowwithoutaguide，'
　　Icouldnothelpexclaiming。`Theroadswillbeburiedalready；and，iftheywerebare，Icouldscarcelydistinguishafootinadvance。
　　`Hareton，drivethosedozensheepintothebarnporch。They'llbecoveredifleftinthefoldallnight:andputaplankbeforethem，'
　　saidHeathcliff。
　　`HowmustIdo？'Icontinued，withrisingirritation。
　　Therewasnoreplytomyquestion；andonlookingroundIsawonlyJosephbringinginapailofporridgeforthedogs，andMrsHeathcliffleaningoverthefire，divertingherselfwithburningabundleofmatcheswhichhadfallenfromthechimney-pieceassherestoredtheteacanistertoitsplace。Theformer，whenhehaddepositedhisburden，tookacriticalsurveyoftheroom，andincrackedtones，gratedout:
　　`Awwoonderhaghyahcanfaishiontuhstandtheari'idlenessunwar，whenallon'em'sgoanaght!Budyah'reanowt，andit'snoausetalking——yah'llnivermenduhyerillways，budgoaraighttuht'divil，likeyermotheraforeye!'
　　Iimagined，foramoment，thatthispieceofeloquencewasaddressedtome；and，sufficientlyenraged，steppedtowardstheagedrascalwithanintentionofkickinghimoutofthedoor。MrsHeathcliff，however，checkedmebyheranswer。
　　`Youscandalousoldhypocrite!'shereplied。`Areyounotafraidofbeingcarriedawaybodily，wheneveryoumentionthedevil'sname？I
　　warnyoutorefrainfromprovokingme，orI'llaskyourabductionasaspecialfavour。Stop!lookhere，Joseph，'shecontinued，takingalong，darkbookfromashelf；`I'llshowyouhowfarI'veprogressedintheBlackArt:Ishallsoonbecompetenttomakeaclearhouseofit。Theredcowdidn'tdiebychance；andyourrheumatismcanhardlybereckonedamongprovidentialvisitations!'
　　`Oh，wicked，wicked!'gaspedtheelder；`maytheLorddeliverusfromevil!'
　　`No，reprobate!youareacastaway——beoff，orI'llhurtyouseriously!
　　I'llhaveyouallmodelledinwaxandclay；andthefirstwhopassesthelimitsIfix，shall——I'llnotsaywhatheshallbedoneto——but，you'llsee!Go，I'mlookingatyou!'
　　Thelittlewitchputamockmalignityintoherbeautifuleyes，andJoseph，tremblingwithsincerehorror，hurriedoutprayingandejaculating`wicked'ashewent。Ithoughtherconductmustbepromptedbyaspeciesofdrearyfun；and，nowthatwewerealone，Iendeavouredtointerestherinmydistress。
　　`MrsHeathcliff，'Isaidearnestly，`youmustexcusemefortroublingyou。Ipresume，because，withthatface，I'msureyoucannothelpbeinggood-hearted。DopointoutsomelandmarksbywhichImayknowmywayhome:
　　IhavenomoreideahowtogettherethanyouwouldhavehowtogettoLondon!'
　　`Taketheroadyoucame，'sheanswered，ensconcingherselfinachair，withacandle，andthelongbookopenbeforeher。`Itisbriefadvice，butassoundasIcangive。'
　　`Then，ifyouhearofmebeingdiscovereddeadinabogorapitfullofsnow，yourconsciencewon'twhisperthatitispartlyyourfault？'
　　`Howso？Icannotescortyou。Theywouldn'tletmegototheendofthegardenwall。'
　　`You!Ishouldbesorrytoaskyoutocrossthethreshold，formyconvenience，onsuchanight，'Icried。`Iwantyoutotellmemyway，nettoshowit；orelsetopersuadeMrHeathclifftogivemeaguide。'
　　`Who？Thereishimself，Earnshaw，Zillah，Joseph，andI。Whichwouldyouhave？'
　　`Aretherenoboysatthefarm？'
　　`No，thoseareall。'
　　`Then，itfollowsthatIamcompelledtostay。'
　　`Thatyoumaysettlewithyourhost。Ihavenothingtodowithit。'
　　`Ihopeitwillbealessontoyoutomakenomorerashjourneysonthesehills，'criedHeathcliff'ssternvoicefromthekitchenentrance。
　　`Astostayinghere，Idon'tkeepaccommodationsforvisitors:youmustshareabedwithHaretonorJoseph，ifyoudo。'
　　`Icansleeponachairinthisroom，'Ireplied。
　　`No，no!Astrangerisastranger，beherichorpoor:itwillnotsuitmetopermitanyonetherangeoftheplacewhileIamoffguard!'
　　saidtheunmannerlywretch。
　　Withthisinsult，mypatiencewasatanend。Iutteredanexpressionofdisgust，andpushedpasthimintotheyard，runningagainstEarnshawinmyhaste。ItwassodarkthatIcouldnotseethemeansofexit；and，asIwanderedround，Iheardanotherspecimenoftheircivilbehaviouramongsteachother。Atfirsttheyoungmanappearedabouttobefriendme。
　　`I'llgowithhimasfarasthepark，'hesaid。
　　`You'llgowithhimtohell!'exclaimedhismaster，orwhateverrelationhebore。`Andwhoistolookafterthehorses，eh？'
　　Aman'slifeisofmoreconsequencethanoneevening'sneglectofthehorses:somebodymustgo，murmuredMrsHeathcliff，morekindlythanIexpected。
　　`Notatyourcommand!'retortedHareton。`Ifyousetstoreonhim，you'dbetterbequiet。'
　　`ThenIhopehisghostwillhauntyou；andIhopeMrHeathcliffwillnevergetanothertenanttilltheGrangeisaruin!'sheansweredsharply。
　　`Hearken，hearken，shoo'scursingon'em!'mutteredJoseph，towardswhomIhadbeensteering。
　　Hesatwithinearshot，milkingthecowsbythelightofalantern，whichIseizedunceremoniously，and，callingoutthatIwouldsenditbackonthemorrow，rushedtothenearestpostern。
　　`Maister，maister，he'sstealingt'lantern!'shoutedtheancient，pursuingmyretreat。`Hey，Gnasher!Hey，dog!Hey，Wolf，holldhim，holldhim!'
　　Onopeningthelittledoor，twohairymonstersflewatmythroat，bearingmedownandextinguishingthelight；whileamingledguffawfromHeathcliffandHareton，putthecopestoneonmyrageandhumiliation。Fortunately，thebeastsseemedmorebentonstretchingtheirpawsandyawning，andflourishingtheirtails，thandevouringmealive；buttheywouldsuffernoresurrection，andIwasforcedtolietilltheirmalignantmasterpleasedtodeliverme:then，hatlessandtremblingwithwrath，Iorderedthemiscreantstoletmeout——ontheirperiltokeepmeoneminutelonger-withseveralincoherentthreatsofretaliationthat，intheirindefinitedepthofvirulency，smackedofKingLear。
　　Thevehemenceofmyagitationbroughtonacopiousbleedingatthenose，andstillHeathclifflaughed，andstillIscolded。Idon'tknowwhatwouldhaveconcludedthescene，hadtherenotbeenonepersonathandrathermorerationalthanmyself，andmorebenevolentthanmyentertainer。
　　ThiswasZillah，thestouthousewife；whoatlengthissuedforthtoinquireintothenatureoftheuproar。Shethoughtthatsomeofthemhadbeenlayingviolenthandsonme；and，notdaringtoattackhermaster，sheturnedhervocalartilleryagainsttheyoungscoundrel。
　　`Well，MrEarnshaw，'shecried，`Iwonderwhatyou'llhaveagaitnext!Arewegoingtomurderfolkonourverydoorstones？Iseethishousewillneverdoforme——lookatt'poorlad，he'sfairchoking!Wisht，wisht!
　　youmun'n'tgoonso。Comein，andI'llcurethat；therenow，holdyestill。'
　　Withthesewordsshesuddenlysplashedapintoficywaterdownmyneck，andpulledmeintothekitchen。MrHeathclifffollowed，hisaccidentalmerrimentexpiringquicklyinhishabitualmoroseness。
　　Iwassickexceedingly，anddizzyandfaint；andthuscompelledperforcetoacceptlodgingsunderhisroof。HetoldZillahtogivemeaglassofbrandy，andthenpassedontotheinnerroom；whileshecondoledwithmeonmysorrypredicament，andhavingobeyedhisorders，wherebyIwassomewhatrevived，usheredmetobed。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]
　　WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter3Whileleadingthewayupstairs，sherecommendedthatIshouldhidethecandle，andnotmakeanoise；forhermasterhadanoddnotionaboutthechambershewouldputmein，andneverletanybodylodgetherewillingly。
　　Iaskedthereason。Shedidnotknow，sheanswered:shehadonlylivedthereayearortwo；andtheyhadsomanyqueergoingson，shecouldnotbegintobecurious。
　　Toostupefiedtobecuriousmyself，Ifastenedmydoorandglancedroundforthebed。Thewholefurnitureconsistedofachair，aclothes-press，andalargeoakcase，withsquarescutoutnearthetopresemblingcoachwindows。HavingapproachedthisstructureIlookedinside，andperceivedittobeasingularsortofold-fashionedcouch，veryconvenientlydesignedtoobviatethenecessityforeverymemberofthefamilyhavingaroomtohimself。Infactitformedalittlecloset，andtheledgeofawindow，whichitenclosed，servedasatable。Islidbackthepanelledsides，gotinwithmylight，pulledthemtogetheragain，andfeltsecureagainstthevigilanceofHeathcliff，andeveryoneelse。
　　Theledge，whereIplacedmycandle，hadafewmildewedbookspiledupinonecorner；anditwascoveredwithwritingscratchedonthepaint。Thiswriting，however，wasnothingbutanamerepeatedinallkindsofcharacters，largeandsmall——CatherineEarnshaw，hereandtherevariedtoCatherineHeathcliff，andagaintoCatherineLinton。
　　InvapidlistlessnessIleantmyheadagainstthewindow，andcontinuedspellingoverCatherineEarnshaw——Heathcliff——Linton，tillmyeyesclosed；buttheyhadnotrestedfiveminuteswhenaglareofwhitelettersstartedfromthedarkasvividasspectres——theairswarmedwithCatherines；androusingmyselftodispeltheobtrusivename，Idiscoveredmycandlewickrecliningononeoftheantiquevolumes，andperfumingtheplacewithanodourofroastedcalfskin。Isnuffeditoff，and，veryillateaseundertheinfluenceofcoldandlingeringnausea，satupandspreadopentheinjuredtomeonmyknee。ItwasaTestament，inleantype，andsmellingdreadfullymusty:afly-leafboretheinscription——`CatherineEarnshaw，herbook'，andadatesomequarterofacenturyback。Ishutit，andtookupanother，andanother，tillIhadexaminedall。Catherine'slibrarywasselect，anditsstateofdilapidationprovedittohavebeenwellused；thoughnotaltogetherforalegitimatepurpose:scarcelyonechapterhadescapedapen-and-inkcommentary——atleast，theappearanceofone——coveringeverymorselofblankthattheprinterhadleft。Someweredetachedsentences；otherpartstooktheformofaregulardiary，scrawledinanunformedchildishhand。Atthetopofanextrapagequiteatreasure，probably，whenfirstlightedonIwasgreatlyamusedtobeholdanexcellentcaricatureofmyfriendJoseph，——rudely，yetpowerfullysketched。
　　AnimmediateinterestkindledwithinmefortheunknownCatherine，andIbeganforthwithtodecipherherfadedhieroglyphics。
　　`AnawfulSunday!'commencedtheparagraphbeneath。`Iwishmyfatherwerebackagain。HindleyisadetestablesubstitutehisconducttoHeathcliffisatrocious——H。andIaregoingtorebel——wetookourinitiatorystepthisevening。
　　`Alldayhadbeenfloodingwithrain；wecouldnotgotochurch，soJosephmustneedsgetupacongregationinthegarret；and，whileHindleyandhiswifebaskeddownstairsbeforeacomfortablefire——doinganythingbutreadingtheirBibles，I'llanswerforit——Heathcliff，myself，andtheunhappyplough-boy，werecommandedtotakeourprayerbooks，andmount:
　　wewererangedinarow，onasackofcorn，groaningandshivering，andhopingthatJosephwouldshivertoo，sothathemightgiveusashorthomilyforhisownsake。Avainidea!Theservicelastedpreciselythreehours；
　　andyetmybrotherhadthefacetoexclaim，whenhesawusdescending，"What，donealready？"OnSundayeveningsweusedtobepermittedtoplay，ifwedidnotmakemuchnoise；nowameretitterissufficienttosendusintocomers!
　　`"Youforgetyouhaveamasterhere，"saysthetyrant。"I'lldemolishthefirstwhoputsmeoutoftemper!Iinsistonperfectsobrietyandsilence。
　　Oh，boy!wasthatyou？Frances，darling，pullhishairasyougoby:I
　　heardhimsnaphisfingers。"Francespulledhishairheartily，andthenwentandseatedherselfonherhusband'sknee；andtheretheywere，liketwobabies，kissingandtalkingnonsensebythehour——foolishpalaverthatweshouldbeashamedof。Wemadeourselvesassnugasourmeansallowedinthearchofthedresser。Ihadjustfastenedourpinaforestogether，andhungthemupforacurtain，whenincomesJosephonanerrandfromthestables。Hetearsdownmyhandiwork，boxesmyears，andcroaks——
　　`"T'maisternobbutjustburied，andSabbathnuto'ered，undt'
　　sahnduht'gospelstilli'yerlugs，andyahdarrbelaiking!Shameonye!sityedahn，illchilder!they'sgoodbookseneughifye'llread'em!
　　sityedahn，andthinkuhyersowls!"
　　`Sayingthis，hecompelledussotosquareourpositionsthatwemightreceivefromthefar-offfireadullraytoshowusthetextofthelumberthrustuponus。Icouldnotbeartheemployment。Itookmydingyvolumebythescroop，andhurleditintothedogkennel，vowingIhatedagoodbook。Heathcliffkickedhistothesameplace。Thentherewasahubbub!
　　`"MaisterHindley!"shoutedourchaplain。"Maister，coomhither!
　　MissCathy'sriventh'backoff`Th'HelmetuhSalvation，un'Heathcliff'spawsedhisfitintuht'firstpartuh`T'BrooadWaytoDestruction!'It'sfairflaysomeutyahlet'emgoaonthisgait。Ech!th'owdmanuduhlaced'emproperly——buthe'sgoan!"
　　`Hindleyhurriedupfromhisparadiseonthehearth，andseizingoneofusbythecollar，andtheotherbythearm，hurledbothintothebackkitchen；where，Josephasseverated，"owdNick"wouldfetchusassureaswewereliving:and，socomforted，weeachsoughtaseparatenooktoawaithisadvent。Ireachedthisbook，andapotofinkfromashelf，andpushedthehousedoorajartogivemelight，andIhavegotthetimeonwithwritingfortwentyminutes；butmycompanionisimpatient，andproposesthatweshouldappropriatethedairywoman'scloak，andhaveascamperonthemoors，underitsshelter。Apleasantsuggestion——andthen，ifthesurlyoldmancomein，hemaybelievehisprophecyverified——wecannotbedamper，orcolder，intherainthanwearehere。'
　　***IsupposeCatherinefulfilledherproject，forthenextsentencetookupanothersubject:shewaxedlachrymose。
　　`HowlittledidIdreamthatHindleywouldevermakemecryso!'
　　shewrote。`Myheadaches，tillIcannotkeepitonthepillow；andstillIcan'tgiveover。PoorHeathcliff!Hindleycallshimavagabond，andwon'tlethimsitwithus，noreatwithusanymore；and，hesays，heandImustnotplaytogether，andthreatenstoturnhimoutofthehouseifwebreakhisorders。Hehasbeenblamingourfatherhowdaredhe？fortreatingH。tooliberally；andswearshewillreducehimtohisrightplace——'
　　***Ibegantonoddrowsilyoverthedimpage:myeyewanderedfrommanuscripttoprint，Isawaredornamentedtitle——`SeventyTimesSeven，andtheFirstoftheSeventy-First。APiousDiscoursedeliveredbytheReverendJabesBranderham，intheChapelofGimmerdenSough。'AndwhileIwas，halfconsciously，worryingmybraintoguesswhatJabesBranderhamwouldmakeofhissubject，Isankbackinbed，andfellasleep。Alas，fortheeffectsofbadteaandbadtemper!whatelsecoulditbethatmademepasssuchaterriblenight？
　　Idon'trememberanotherthatIcanatallcomparewithitsinceIwascapableofsuffering。
　　Ibegantodream，almostbeforeIceasedtobesensibleofmylocality。Ithoughtitwasmorning；andIhadsetoutonmywayhome，withJosephforaguide。Thesnowlayyardsdeepinourroad；and，asweflounderedon，mycompanionweariedmewithconstantreproachesthatIhadnotbroughtapilgrim'sstaff:tellingmethatIcouldnevergetintothehousewithoutone，andboastfullyflourishingaheavy-headedcudgel，whichIunderstoodtobesodenominated。ForamomentIconsidereditabsurdthatIshouldneedsuchaweapontogainadmittanceintomyownresidence。Thenanewideaflashedacrossme。Iwasnotgoingthere:wewerejourneyingtohearthefamousJabesBranderhampreachfromthetext——`SeventyTimesSeven'；
　　andeitherJoseph，thepreacher，orIhadcommittedthe`FirstoftheSeventy-First'，andweretobepubliclyexposedandexcommunicated。
　　Wecametothechapel。Ihavepasseditreallyinmywalks，twiceorthrice；itliesinahollow，betweentwohills；anelevatedhollow，nearaswamp，whosepeatymoistureissaidtoanswerallthepurposesofembalmingonthefewcorpsesdepositedthere。Theroofhasbeenkeptwholehitherto；butastheclergyman'sstipendisonlytwentypoundsperannum，andahousewithtworooms，threateningspeedilytodetermineintoone，noclergymanwillundertakethedutiesofpastor:especiallyasitiscurrentlyreportedthathisflockwouldratherlethimstarvethanincreasethelivingbyonepennyfromtheirownpockets。However，inmydream，Jabeshadafullandattentivecongregation；andhepreached——goodGod!whatasermon'。
　　dividedintofourhundredandninetyparts，eachfullyequaltoanordinaryaddressfromthepulpit，andeachdiscussingaseparatesin!Wherehesearchedforthem，Icannottell。Hehadhisprivatemannerofinterpretingthephrase，anditseemednecessarythebrothershouldsindifferentsinsoneveryoccasion。Theywereofthemostcuriouscharacter:oddtransgressionsthatIneverimaginedpreviously。
　　Oh，howwearyIgrew。HowIwrithed，andyawned，andnodded，andrevived!HowIpinchedandprickedmyself，andrubbedmyeyes，andstoodup，andsatdownagain，andnudgedJosephtoinformmeifhewouldeverhavedone。Iwascondemned10hearallout:finally，hereachedthe`FirstoftheSeventy-First'。Atthatcrisis，asuddeninspirationdescendedonme；IwasmovedtoriseanddenounceJabesBranderhamasthesinnerofthesinthatnoChristianneedpardon。
　　`Sir，'Iexclaimed，`sittingherewithinthesefourwalls，atonestretch，Ihaveenduredandforgiventhefourhundredandninetyheadsofyourdiscourse。SeventytimesseventimeshaveIpluckedupmyhatandbeenabouttodepart——seventytimesseventimeshaveyoupreposterouslyforcedmetoresumemyseat。Thefourhundredandninety-firstistoomuch。
　　Fellow-martyrs，haveathim!Draghimdown，andcrushhimtoatoms，thattheplacewhichknowshimmayknowhimnomore!'
　　`ThouarttheMan!'criesJabes，afterasolemnpause，leaningoverhiscushion。`Seventytimesseventimesdidstthougapinglycontortthyvisage——seventytimessevendidItakecounselwithmysoul——Lo，thisishumanweakness:thisalsomaybeabsolved!TheFirstoftheSeventy-Firstiscome。Brethren，executeuponhimthejudgmentwritten。SuchhonourhaveallHissaints!'
　　Withthatconcludingword，thewholeassembly，exaltingtheirpilgrim'sstaves，rushedroundmeinabody；andI，havingnoweapontoraiseinself-defence，commencedgrapplingwithJoseph，mynearestandmostferociousassailant，forhis。Intheconfluenceofthemultitude，severalclubscrossed；blows，aimedatme，fellonothersconces。Presentlythewholechapelresoundedwithrappingsandcounter-rappings:everyman'shandwasagainsthisneighbour；andBranderham，unwillingtoremainidle，pouredforthhiszealinashowerofloudtapsontheboardsofthepulpit，whichrespondedsosmartlythat，atlast，tomyunspeakablerelief，theywokeme。Andwhatwasitthathadsuggestedthetremendoustumult？WhathadplayedJabes'spartintherow？Merely，thebranchofafirtreethattouchedmylattice，astheblastwailedby，andrattleditsdryconesagainstthepanes!Ilisteneddoubtinglyaninstant；detectedthedisturber，thenturnedanddozed，anddreamtagain:ifpossible，stillmoredisagreeablythanbefore。
　　Thistime，IrememberedIwaslyingintheoakcloset，andIhearddistinctlythegustywind，andthedrivingofthesnow；Iheard，also，thefirboughrepeatitsteasingsound，andascribedittotherightcause:
　　butitannoyedmesomuch，thatIresolvedto——silenceit，ifpossible；
　　and，Ithought，Iroseandendeavouredtounhaspthecasement。Thehookwassolderedintothestaple:acircumstanceobservedbymewhenawake，butforgotten。`Imuststopit，nevertheless!'Imuttered，knockingmyknucklesthroughtheglass，andstretchinganarmouttoseizetheimportunatebranch；insteadofwhich，myfingersclosedonthefingersofalittle，ice-coldhand!Theintensehorrorofnightmarecameoverme:Itriedtodrawbackmyarm，butthehandclungtoit，andamostmelancholyvoicesobbed，`Letmein——letmein!'`Whoareyou？'Iasked，struggling，meanwhile，todisengagemyself。`CatherineLinton，'itreplied，shiveringlywhydidIthinkofLinton？IhadreadEarnshawtwentytimesforLinton；
　　`I'mcomehome:I'dlostmywayonthemoor!'Asitspoke，Idiscerned，obscurely，achild'sfacelookingthroughthewindow。Terrormademecruel；
　　and，findingituselesstoattemptshakingthecreatureoff，Ipulleditswristontothebrokenpane，andrubbedittoandfrotillthebloodrandownandsoakedthebedclothes:stillitwailed，`Letmein!'andmaintaineditstenaciousgrip，almostmaddeningmewithfear。`HowcanI？'Isaidatlength。`Letmego，ifyouwantmetoletyouin!'Thefingersrelaxed，Isnatchedminethroughthehole，hurriedlypiledthebooksupinapyramidagainstit，andstoppedmyearstoexcludethelamentableprayer。Iseemedtokeepthemclosedaboveaquarterofanhour；yet，theinstantIlistenedagain，therewasthedolefulcrymoaningon!`Begone!'
　　Ishouted，`I'llneverletyouin，notifyoubegfortwentyyears。'`Itistwentyyears，'mournedthevoice:`twentyyears。I'vebeenawaiffortwentyyears!'Thereatbeganafeeblescratchingoutside，andthepileofbooksmovedasifthrustforward。Itriedtojumpup；butcouldnotstiralimb；andsoyelledaloud，inafrenzyoffright。Tomyconfusion，Idiscoveredtheyellwasnotideal:hastyfootstepsapproachedmychamberdoor；somebodypusheditopen，withavigoroushand，andalightglimmeredthroughthesquaresatthetopofthebed。Isatshudderingyet，andwipingtheperspirationfrommyforehead:theintruderappearedtohesitate，andmutteredtohimself。Atlast，hesaidinahalf-whisper，plainlynotexpectingananswer，`Isanyonehere？'Iconsidereditbesttoconfessmypresence，forIknewHeathcliff'saccents，andfearedhemightsearchfurther，ifIkeptquiet。Withthisintention，Iturnedandopenedthepanels。Ishallnotsoonforgettheeffectmyactionproduced。