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'placeIcan'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，