MrEarnshawinvitedhim!andhecalledonMrEarnshaw!
　　Iponderedthissentencepainfully，afterhewasgone。Isheturningoutabitofahypocrite，andcomingintothecountrytoworkmischiefunderacloak？Imused:Ihadapresentimentinthebottomofmyheartthathehadbetterhaveremainedaway。
　　Aboutthemiddleofthenight，IwaswakenedfrommyfirstnapbyMrsLintonglidingintomychamber，takingaseatonmybedside，andpullingmebythehairtorouseme。
　　`Icannotrest，Ellen，'shesaid，bywayofapology。`AndIwantsomelivingcreaturetokeepmecompanyinmyhappiness!Edgarissulky，becauseI'mgladofathingthatdoesnotinteresthim:herefusestoopenhismouth，excepttoutterpettish，sillyspeeches；andheaffirmedIwascruelandselfishforwishingtotalkwhenhewassosickandsleepy。Healwayscontrivestobesickattheleastcross!IgaveafewsentencesofcommendationtoHeathcliff，andhe，eitherforaheadacheorapangofenvy，begantocry:soIgotupandlefthim。'
　　`WhatuseisitpraisingHeathclifftohim？'Ianswered。`Asladstheyhadanaversiontoeachother，andHeathcliffwouldhatejustasmuchtohearhimpraised:it'shumannature。LetMrLintonaloneabouthim，unlessyouwouldlikeanopenquarrelbetweenthem。'
　　`Butdoesitnotshowgreatweakness？'pursuedshe。`I'mnotenvious:
　　IneverfeelhurtatthebrightnessofIsabella'syellowhairandthewhitenessofherskin，atherdaintyelegance，andthefondnessallthefamilyexhibitforher。Evenyou，Nelly，ifwehaveadisputesometimes，youbackIsabellaatonce；andIyieldlikeafoolishmother:Icallheradarling，andflatterherintoagoodtemper。Itpleasesherbrothertoseeuscordial，andthatpleasesme。Buttheyareverymuchalike:theyarespoiledchildren，andfancytheworldwasmadefortheiraccommodation；andthoughIhumourboth，Ithinkasmartchastisementmightimprovethem，allthesame。'
　　`You'remistaken，MrsLinton，'saidI。`Theyhumouryou:Iknowwhattherewouldbetodoiftheydidnot。Youcanwellaffordtoindulgetheirpassingwhimsaslongastheirbusinessistoanticipateallyourdesires。Youmay，however，fallout，atlast，oversomethingofequalconsequencetobothsides；andthenthoseyoutermweakareverycapableofbeingasobstinateasyou。'
　　`Andthenweshallfighttothedeath，shan'twe，Nelly？'shereturned，laughing。`No!Itellyou，IhavesuchfaithinLinton'slove，thatIbelieveImightkillhim，andhewouldn'twishtoretaliate。'
　　Iadvisedhertovaluehimthemoreforhisaffection。
　　`Ido，'sheanswered，`butheneedn'tresorttowhiningfortrifles。
　　Itischildish；and，insteadofmeltingintotearsbecauseIsaidthatHeathcliffwasnowworthyofanyone'sregard，anditwouldhonourthefirstgentlemaninthecountrytobehisfriend，heoughttohavesaiditforme，andbeendelightedfromsympathy。Hemustgetaccustomedtohim，andhemayaswelllikehim:consideringhowHeathcliffhasreasontoobjecttohim，I'msurehebehavedexcellently!'
　　`WhatdoyouthinkofhisgoingtoWutheringHeights？'Iinquired。
　　`Heisreformedineveryrespect，apparently:quiteaChristian:offeringtherighthandoffellowshiptohisenemiesallaround!'
　　`Heexplainedit，'shereplied。`Iwonderedasmuchasyou。Hesaidhecalledtogatherinformationconcerningmefromyou，supposingyouresidedtherestill；andJosephtoldHindley，whocameoutandfelltoquestioninghimofwhathehadbeendoing，andhowhehadbeenliving；
　　andfinally，desiredhimtowalkin。Thereweresomepersonssittingatcards；Heathcliffjoinedthem；mybrotherlostsomemoneytohim，and，findinghimplentifullysupplied，herequestedthathewouldcomeagainintheevening:towhichheconsented。Hindleyistoorecklesstoselecthisacquaintanceprudently:hedoesn'ttroublehimselftoreflectonthecauseshemighthaveformistrustingonewhomhehasbaselyinjured。ButHeathcliffaffirmshisprincipalreasonforresumingaconnectionwithhisancientpersecutorisawishtoinstallhimselfinquartersatwalkingdistancefromtheGrange，andanattachmenttothehousewherewelivedtogether；andlikewiseahopethatIshallhavemoreopportunitiesofseeinghimtherethanIcouldhaveifhesettledinGimmerton。HemeanstoofferliberalpaymentforpermissiontolodgeattheHeights；anddoubtlessmybrother'scovetousnesswillprompthimtoaccepttheterms:hewasalwaysgreedy；thoughwhathegraspswithonehandheflingsawaywiththeother。'
　　`It'saniceplaceforayoungmantofixhisdwellingin!'saidI。`Haveyounofearoftheconsequences，`MrsLinton？'
　　`Noneformyfriend，'shereplied:`hisstrongheadwillkeephimfromdanger；alittleforHindley:buthecan'tbemademorallyworsethanheis；andIstandbetweenhimandbodilyharm。TheeventofthiseveninghasreconciledmetoGodandhumanity!IhadriseninangryrebellionagainstProvidence。Oh，I'veenduredvery，verybittermisery，Nelly!Ifthatcreatureknewhowbitter，he'dbeashamedtoclouditsremovalwithidlepetulance。Itwaskindnessforhimwhichinducedmetobearitalone:
　　hadIexpressedtheagonyIfrequentlyfelt，hewouldhavebeentaughttolongforitsalleviationasardentlyasl。However，it'sover，andI'lltakenorevengeonhisfolly；Icanaffordtosufferanythinghereafter!
　　Shouldthemeanestthingaliveslapmeonthecheek，I'dnotonlyturntheother，but，I'daskpardonforprovokingit；and，asaproof，I'llgomakemypeacewithEdgarinstantly。Goodnight!I'manangel!'
　　Inthisself-complacentconvictionshedeparted；andthesuccessofherfulfilledresolutionwasobviousonthemorrow:MrLintonhadnotonlyabjuredhispeevishnessthoughhisspiritsseemedstillsubduedbyCatherine'sexuberanceofvivacity，butheventurednoobjectiontohertakingIsabellawithhertoWutheringHeightsintheafternoon；andsherewardedhimwithsuchasummerofsweetnessandaffectioninreturn，asmadethehouseaparadiseforseveraldays；bothmasterandservantsprofitingfromtheperpetualsunshine。
　　Heathcliff——MrHeathcliffIshouldsayinfuture——usedthelibertyofvisitingatThrushcrossGrangecautiously，atfirst:heseemedestimatinghowfaritsownerwouldbearhisintrusion。Catherine，also，deemeditjudicioustomoderateherexpressionsofpleasureinreceivinghim；andhegraduallyestablishedhisrighttobeexpected。Heretainedagreatdealofthereserveforwhichhisboyhoodwasremarkable；andthatservedtorepressallstartlingdemonstrationsoffeeling。Mymaster'suneasinessexperiencedalull，andfurthercircumstancesdiverteditintoanotherchannelforaspace。
　　HisnewsourceoftroublesprangfromthenotanticipatedmisfortuneofIsabellaLintonevincingasuddenandirresistibleattractiontowardsthetoleratedguest。Shewasatthattimeacharmingyoungladyofeighteen；
　　infantileinmanners，thoughpossessedofkeenwit，keenfeelings，andakeentemper，too，ifirritated。Herbrother，wholovedhertenderly，wasappalledatthisfantasticpreference。Leavingasidethedegradationofanalliancewithanamelessman，andthepossiblefactthathisproperty，indefaultofheirsmale，mightpassintosuchaone'spower，hehadsensetocomprehendHeathcliff'sdisposition:toknowthat，thoughhisexteriorwasaltered，hismindwasunchangeableandunchanged。Andhedreadedthatmind:itrevoltedhim:heshrankforebodinglyfromtheideaofcommittingIsabellatohiskeeping。Hewouldhaverecoiledstillmorehadhebeenawarethatherattachmentroseunsolicited，andwasbestowedwhereitawakenednoreciprocationofsentiment；fortheminutehediscovereditsexistence，helaidtheblameonHeathcliff'sdeliberatedesigning。
　　Wehadallremarked，duringsometime，thatMissLintonfrettedandpinedoversomething。Shegrewcrossandwearisome；snappingatandteasingCatherinecontinually，attheimminentriskofexhaustingherlimitedpatience。Weexcusedher，toacertainextent，onthepleaofill-health:
　　shewasdwindlingandfadingbeforeoureyes。Butoneday，whenshehadbeenpeculiarlywayward，rejectingherbreakfast，complainingthattheservantsdidnotdowhatshetoldthem；thatthemistresswouldallowhertobenothinginthehouse，andEdgarneglectedher；thatshehadcaughtacoldwiththedoorsbeingleftopen，andwelettheparlourfiregooutonpurposetovexher，withahundredyetmorefrivolousaccusations，MrsLintonperemptorilyinsistedthatsheshouldgettobed；and，havingscoldedherheartily，threatenedtosendforthedoctor。MentionofKennethcausedhertoexclaim，instantly，thatherhealthwasperfect，anditwasonlyCatherine'sharshnesswhichmadeherunhappy。
　　`HowcanyousayIamharsh，younaughtyfondling？'criedthemistress，amazedattheunreasonableassertion。`Youaresurelylosingyourreason。WhenhaveIbeenharsh，tellme？'
　　`Yesterday，'sobbedIsabella，`andnow!'
　　`Yesterday!'saidhersister-in-law。`Onwhatoccasion？'
　　`Inourwalkalongthemoor:youtoldmetoramblewhereIpleased，whileyousaunteredonwithMrHeathcliff!'
　　`Andthat'syournotionofharshness？'saidCatherine，laughing。
　　`Itwasnohintthatyourcompanywassuperfluous:wedidn'tcarewhetheryoukeptwithusornot；ImerelythoughtHeathcliffstalkwouldhavenothingentertainingforyourears。
　　`Ohno，'wepttheyounglady；`youwishedmeaway，becauseyouknewIlikedtobethere!'
　　`Isshesane？'askedMrsLinton，appealingtome。`I'llrepeatourconversation，wordforword，Isabella；andyoupointoutanycharmitcouldhavehadforyou。'
　　`Idon'tmindtheconversation，'sheanswered:`Iwantedtobewith——'
　　`Well!'saidCatherine，perceivingherhesitatetocompletethesentence。
　　`Withhim:andIwon'tbealwayssentoff!'shecontinued，kindlingup。`Youareadoginthemanger，Cathy，anddesirenoonetobelovedbutyourself!'
　　`Youareanimpertinentlittlemonkey!'exclaimedMrsLinton，insurprise。`ButI'llnotbelievethisidiocy!ItisimpossiblethatyoucancovettheadmirationofHeathcliff——thatyouconsiderhimanagreeableperson!IhopeIhavemisunderstoodyou，Isabella？'
　　`No，youhavenot，'saidtheinfatuatedgirl。`IlovehimmorethaneveryoulovedEdgar；andhemightloveme，ifyouwouldlethim!'
　　`Iwouldn'tbeyouforakingdom，then!'Catherinedeclaredemphatically:
　　andsheseemedtospeaksincerely。`Nelly，helpmetoconvinceherofhermadness。TellherwhatHeathcliffis:anunreclaimedcreature，withoutrefinement，withoutcultivation:anaridwildernessoffurzeandwhinstone。
　　I'dassoonputthatlittlecanaryintotheparkonawinter'sday，asrecommendyoutobestowyourheartonhim!Itisdeplorableignoranceofhischaracter，child，andnothingelse，whichmakesthatdreamenteryourhead。Pray，don'timaginethatheconcealsdepthsofbenevolenceandaffectionbeneathasternexterior!He'snotaroughdiamond——apearl-containingoysterofarustic:he'safierce，pitiless，wolfishman。Ineversaytohim，"Letthisorthatenemyalone，becauseitwouldbeungenerousorcrueltoharmthem"；Isay，"Letthemalone，becauseIshouldhatethemtobewronged":andhe'dcrushyoulikeasparrow'segg，Isabella，ifhefoundyouatroublesomecharge。Iknowhecouldn'tloveaLinton；andyethe'dbequitecapableofmarryingyourfortuneandexpectations!avariceisgrowingwithhimabesettingsin。There'smypicture:andI'mhisfriend——somuchso，thathadhethoughtseriouslytocatchyou，Ishould，perhaps，haveheldmytongue，andletyoufallintohistrap。'
　　MissLintonregardedhersister-in-lawwithindignation。
　　`Forshame!forshame!'sherepeatedangrily，`youareworsethantwentyfoes，youpoisonousfriend!'
　　`Ah!youwon'tbelieveme，then？'saidCatherine。`YouthinkI
　　speakfromwickedselfishness？'
　　`I'mcertainyoudo，'retortedIsabella；`andIshudderatyou!'
　　`Good!'criedtheother。`Tryforyourself，ifthatbeyourspirit:
　　Ihavedone，andyieldtheargumenttoyoursaucyinsolence。'
　　`AndImustsufferforheregotism!'shesobbed，asMrsLintonlefttheroom。`All，allisagainstme；shehasblightedmysingleconsolation。
　　Butsheutteredfalsehoods，didn'tshe？MrHeathcliffisnotafiend:hehasanhonourablesoul，andatrueone，orhowcouldherememberher？'
　　`Banishhimfromyourthoughts，miss，'Isaid。`He'sabirdofbadomen:nomateforyou。MrsLintonspokestrongly，andyetIcan'tcontradicther。SheisbetteracquaintedwithhisheartthanI，oranyonebesides；
　　andshewouldneverrepresenthimasworsethanheis。Honestpeopledon'thidetheirdeeds。Howhashebeenliving？howhashegotrich？whyishestayingatWutheringHeights，thehouseofamanwhomheabhors？TheysayMrEarnshawisworseandworsesincehecame。Theysitupallnighttogethercontinually，andHindleyhasbeenborrowingmoneyonhisland，anddoesnothingbutplayanddrink:Iheardonlyaweekago——itwasJosephwhotoldme——ImethimatGimmerton:"Nelly，"hesaid，"we'shaeacrahnr's`questenah，atahrfolks。Oneon`em'sa'mostgettenhisfingercutoffwi'haudingt'otherfroo'stickinghisselnloikeacawlf。That'smaister，yahknaw，`ut'ssoaupuhgoingtuht'grand`sizes。He'snoanfearduht'benchuhjudges，northerPaul，nurPeter，nurJohn，nurMatthew，nornoanon`em，nuthe!Hefairlikes——helangstosethisbrazenedfaceagean`em!AndyonbonnyladHeathcliff，yahmind，he'sarare`un!Hecangirnalaughasweel'sonybodyataraightdivil'sjest。Doesheniversaynowtofhisfinelivingamangus，whenhegoastuht'Grange？Thisist'wayon't:——upatsundahn；dice，brandy，cloisedshutters，undcan'le-lughttillnextdayatnooin:then，tfooilgangsbanningunravingtohischam'er，makkingdacentfowksdigthurfingersi'thurlugsfurvarryshaume；un'
　　theknave，wahhecarncahnthisbrass，un'ate，un'sleep，un'offtohisneighbour'stuhgossipwi't'wife。I'course，hetellsDameCatherinehahhorfather'sgooldrunsintuhhispocket，andherfather'ssongallopsdahnt'Broadroad，whilehefleesaforetooppent'pikes？"Now，MissLinton，Josephisanoldrascal，butnoliar；and，ifhisaccountofHeathcliff'sconductbetrue，youwouldneverthinkofdesiringsuchahusband，wouldyou？'
　　`Youareleaguedwiththerest，Ellen!'shereplied。`I'llnotlistentoyourslanders。Whatmalevolenceyoumusthavetowishtoconvincemethatthereisnohappinessintheworld!'
　　Whethershewouldhavegotoverthisfancyiflefttoherselforperseveredinnursingitperpetually，Icannotsay:shehadlittletimetoreflect。Thedayafter，therewasajustice-meetingatthenexttown；
　　mymasterwasobligedtoattend；andMrHeathcliff，awareofhisabsence，calledratherearlierthanusual。CatherineandIsabellaweresittinginthelibrary，onhostileterms，butsilent。Thelatteralarmedatherrecentindiscretion，andthedisclosureshehadmadeofhersecretfeelingsinatransientfitofpassion；theformer，onmatureconsideration，reallyoffendedwithhercompanion；and，ifshelaughedagainatherpertness，inclinedtomakeitnolaughingmattertoher。ShedidlaughasshesawHeathcliffpassthewindow。Iwassweepingthehearth，andInoticedamischievoussmileonherlips。Isabella，absorbedinhermeditations，orabook，remainedtillthedooropened；anditwastoolatetoattemptanescape，whichshewouldgladlyhavedonehaditbeenpracticable。
　　`Comein，that'sright!'exclaimedthemistressgaily，pullingachairtothefire。`Herearetwopeoplesadlyinneedofathirdtothawtheicebetweenthem；andyouaretheveryoneweshouldbothofuschoose。
　　Heathcliff，I'mproudtoshowyou，atlast，somebodythatdotesonyoumorethanmyself。Iexpectyoutofeelflattered。Nay，it'snotNelly；
　　don'tlookather!Mypoorlittlesister-in-lawisbreakingherheartbymerecontemplationofyourphysicalandmoralbeauty。ItliesinyourownpowertobeEdgar'sbrother!No，no，Isabella，youshan'trunoff，'shecontinued，arresting，withfeignedplayfulness，theconfoundedgirl，whohadrisenindignantly。`Wewerequarrellinglikecatsaboutyou，Heathcliff；
　　andIwasfairlybeateninprotestationsofdevotionandadmiration:and，moreover，IwasinformedthatifIwouldbuthavethemannerstostandaside，myrival，asshewillha"eherselftobe，wouldshootashaftintoyoursoulthatwouldfixyouforever，andsendmyimageintoeternaloblivion!'
　　`Catherine!'saidIsabella，callingupherdignity，anddisdainingtostrugglefromthetightgraspthatheldher。`I'dthankyoutoadheretothetruthandnotslanderme，eveninjoke!MrHeathcliff，bekindenoughtobidthisfriendofyoursreleaseme:sheforgetsthatyouandIarenotintimateacquaintances；andwhatamusesherispainfultomebeyondexpression。'
　　Astheguestanswerednothing，buttookhisseat，andlookedthoroughlyindifferentwhatsentimentsshecherishedconcerninghim，sheturnedandwhisperedanearnestappealforlibertytohertormentor。
　　`Bynomeans!'criedMrsLintoninanswer。`Iwon'tbenamedadoginthemangeragain。Youshallstay:nowthen!Heathcliff，whydon'tyouevincesatisfactionatmypleasantnews？IsabellaswearsthattheloveEdgarhasformeisnothingtothatsheentertainsforyou。I'msureshemadesomespeechofthekind；didshenot，Ellen？Andshehasfastedeversincethedaybeforeyesterday'swalk，fromsorrowandragethatIdispatchedheroutofyoursocietyundertheideaofitsbeingunacceptable。
　　`Ithinkyoubelieher，'saidHeathcliff，twistinghischairtofacethem。`Shewishestobeoutofmysocietynow，atanyrate!'Andhestaredhardattheobjectofdiscourse，asonemightdoatastrangerepulsiveanimal:acentipedefromtheIndies，forinstance，whichcuriosityleadsonetoexamineinspiteoftheaversionitraises。Thepoorthingcouldn'tbearthat:shegrewwhiteandredinrapidsuccession，and，whiletearsbeadedherlashes，bentthestrengthofhersmallfingerstoloosenthefirmclutchofCatherine；andperceivingthatasfastassheraisedonefingeroffherarmanothercloseddown，andshecouldnotremovethewholetogether，shebegantomakeuseofhernails；andtheirsharpnesspresentlyornamentedthedetainer'swithcrescentsofred。
　　`There'satigress!'exclaimedMrsLinton，settingherfree，andshakingherhandwithpain。`Begone，forGod'ssake，andhideyourvixenface!Howfoolishtorevealthosetalonstohim。Can'tyoufancytheconclusionshe'lldraw？Look，Heathcliff!theyareinstrumentsthatwilldoexecution——youmustbewareofyoureyes。
　　`I'dwrenchthemoffherfingers，iftheyevermenacedme，'heansweredbrutally，whenthedoorhadclosedafterher。`Butwhatdidyoumeanbyteasingthecreatureinthatmanner，Cathy？Youwerenotspeakingthetruth，wereyou？'
　　`IassureyouIwas，'shereturned。`Shehasbeenpiningforyoursakeseveralweeks；andravingaboutyouthismorning，andpouringforthadelugeofabuse，becauseIrepresentedyourfailingsinaplainlight，forthepurposeofmitigatingheradoration。Butdon'tnoticeitfurther:
　　Iwishedtopunishhersauciness，that'sall。Ilikehertoowell，mydearHeathcliff，toletyouabsolutelyseizeanddevourherup。'
　　`AndIlikehertooilltoattemptit，'saidhe，`exceptinaveryghoulishfashion。You'dhearofoddthingsifIlivedalonewiththatmawkish，waxenface:themostordinarywouldbepaintingonitswhitethecoloursoftherainbow，andturningtheblueeyesblack，everydayortwo:
　　theydetestablyresembleLinton's。'
　　`Delectably!'observedCatherine。`Theyaredove'seyes——angel's!'
　　`She'sherbrother'sheir，isshenot？'heasked，afterabriefsilence。
　　`Ishouldbesorrytothinkso，'returnedhiscompanion。`Halfadozennephewsshallerasehertitle，pleaseHeaven!Abstractyourmindfromthesubjectatpresent:youaretoopronetocovetyourneighbour'sgoods；rememberthisneighbour'sgoodsaremine。'
　　`Iftheyweremine，theywouldbenonethelessthat，'
　　saidHeathcliff；`butthoughIsabellaLintonmaybesilly，sheisscarcelymad；and，inshort，we'lldismissthematter，asyouadvise。'
　　Fromtheirtonguestheydiddismissit；andCatherine，probably，fromherthoughts。Theother，Ifeltcertain，recalleditofteninthecourseoftheevening。Isawhimsmiletohimself——grinrather——andlapseintoominousmusingwheneverMrsLintonhadoccasiontobeabsentfromtheapartment。
　　Ideterminedtowatchhismovements。Myheartinvariablycleavedtothemaster's，inpreferencetoCatherine'sside:withreasonIimagined，forhewaskind，andtrustful，andhonourable；andshe——shecouldnotbecalledtheopposite，yetsheseemedtoallowherselfsuchwidelatitude，thatIhadlittlefaithinherprinciples，andstilllesssympathyforherfeelings。IwantedsomethingtohappenwhichmighthavetheeffectoffreeingbothWutheringHeightsandtheGrangeofMrHeathcliff，quietly；
　　leavingusaswehadbeenpriortohisadvent。Hisvisitswereacontinualnightmaretome；and，Isuspected，tomymasteralso。HisabodeattheHeightswasanoppressionpastexplaining。IfeltthatGodhadforsakenthestraysheeptheretoitsownwickedwanderings，andanevilbeastprowledbetweenitandthefold，waitinghistimetospringanddestroy。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter11Sometimes，whilemeditatingonthesethingsinsolitude，I'vegotupinasuddenterror，andputonmybonnettogoseehowallwasatthefarm。
　　I'vepersuadedmyconsciencethatitwasadutytowarnhimhowpeopletalkedregardinghisways；andthenI'verecollectedhisconfirmedbadhabits，and，hopelessofbenefitinghim，haveflinchedfromre-enteringthedismalhouse，doubtingifIcouldbeartobetakenatmyword。
　　OnetimeIpassedtheoldgate，goingoutofmyway，onajourneytoGimmerton。Itwasabouttheperiodthatmynarrativehasreached:abrightfrostyafternoon；thegroundbare，andtheroadhardanddry。I
　　cametoastonewherethehighwaybranchesoffontothemooratyourlefthand；aroughsandpillar，withthelettersW。H。cutonitsnorthside，ontheeast，G。，andonthesouth-west，T。G。Itservesasguide-posttotheGrange，theHeights，andvillage。Thesunshoneyellowonitsgreyhead，remindingmeofsummer；andIcannotsaywhy，butallatonce，agushofchild'ssensationsflowedintomyheart。HindleyandIhelditafavouritespottwentyyearsbefore。Igazedlongattheweather-wornblock，and，stoopingdown，perceivedaholenearthebottomstillfullofsnail-shellsandpebbles，whichwewerefondofstoringtherewithmoreperishablethings；and，asfreshasreality，itappearedthatIbeheldmyearlyplaymateseatedonthewitheredturf:hisdark，squareheadbentforward，andhislittlehandscoopingouttheearthwithapieceofslate。
　　`PoorHindley!'Iexclaimedinvoluntarily。Istarted:mybodilyeyewascheatedintoamomentarybeliefthatthechildlifteditsfaceandstaredstraightintomine!Itvanishedinatwinkling；butimmediatelyIfeltanirresistibleyearningtobeattheHeights。Superstitionurgedmetocomplywiththisimpulse:supposingheshouldbedead!Ithought——orshoulddiesoon!——supposingitwereasignofdeath!ThenearerIgottothehousethemoreagitatedIgrew；andoncatchingsightofitItrembledineverylimb。Theapparitionhadoutstrippedme:itstoodlookingthroughthegate。
　　Thatwasmyfirstideaonobservinganelf-locked，brown-eyedboysettinghisruddycountenanceagainstthebars。FurtherreflectionsuggestedthismustbeHareton，myHareton，notalteredgreatlysinceIlefthim，tenmonthssince。
　　`Godblessthee，darling!'Icried，forgettinginstantaneouslymyfoolishfears。`Hareton，it'sNelly!Nelly，thynurse。'
　　Heretreatedoutofarm'slength，andpickedupalargeflint。
　　`Iamcometoseethyfather，Hareton，'Iadded，guessingfromtheactionthatNelly，ifshelivedinhismemoryatall，wasnotrecognizedasonewithme。
　　Heraisedhismissiletohurlit；Icommencedasoothingspeech，butcouldnotstayhishand:thestonestruckmybonnet；andthenensued，fromthestammeringlipsofthelittlefellow，astringofcurses，which，whetherhecomprehendedthemornot，weredeliveredwithpractisedemphasis，anddistortedhisbabyfeaturesintoashockingexpressionofmalignity。
　　Youmaybecertainthisgrievedmorethanangeredme。Fittocry，Itookanorangefrommypocket，andofferedittopropitiatehim。Hehesitated，andthensnatcheditfrommyhold；asifhefanciedIonlyintendedtotemptanddisappointhim。Ishowedanother，keepingitoutofhisreach。
　　`Whohastaughtyouthosefinewords，mybairn？'Iinquired。`Thecurate？'
　　`Damnthecurate，andthee!Giemethat，'hereplied。
　　`Telluswhereyougotyourlessons，andyoushallhaveit，'saidI。`Who'syourmaster？'
　　`Devildaddy，'washisanswer。
　　`Andwhatdoyoulearnfromdaddy？'Icontinued。
　　Hejumpedatthefruit；Iraisedithigher。`Whatdoesheteachyou？'Iasked。
　　`Naught，'saidhe，`buttokeepoutofhisgait。Daddycannotbideme，becauseIswearathim。'
　　`Ah!andthedevilteachesyoutoswearatdaddy？'Iobserved。
　　`Ah——nay，'hedrawled。
　　`Whothen？'
　　`Heathcliff。'
　　IaskedifhelikedMrHeathcliff。
　　`Ay!'heansweredagain。
　　Desiringtohavehisreasonsforlikinghim，Icouldonlygatherthesentences——`Iknown't:hepaysdadbackwhathegiestome——hecursesdaddyforcursingme。HesaysImundoasIwill。'
　　`Andthecuratedoesnotteachyoutoreadandwritethen？'I
　　pursued。
　　`No，Iwastoldthecurateshouldhavehis——teethdasheddownhisthroat，——ifhesteppedoverthethreshold——Heathcliffhadpromisedthat!'
　　Iputtheorangeinhishand，andbadehimtellhisfatherthatawomancalledNellyDeanwaswaitingtospeakwithhim，bythegardengate。Hewentupthewalk，andenteredthehouse；but，insteadofHindley，Heathcliffappearedonthedoorstones；andIturneddirectlyandrandowntheroadashardaseverIcouldrace，makingnohalttillIgainedtheguide-post，andfeelingasscaredasifIhadraisedagoblin。ThisisnotmuchconnectedwithMissIsabella'saffair:exceptthatiturgedmetoresolvefurtheronmountingvigilantguard，anddoingmyutmosttocheckthespreadofsuchbadinfluenceattheGrange:eventhoughIshouldwakeadomesticstorm，bythwartingMrsLinton'spleasure。
　　ThenexttimeHeathcliffcame，myyoungladychancedtobefeedingsomepigeonsinthecourt。Shehadneverspokenawordtohersister-in-lawforthreedays；butshehadlikewisedroppedherfretfulcomplaining，andwefounditagreatcomfort。HeathcliffhadnotthehabitofbestowingasingleunnecessarycivilityonMissLinton，Iknew。Now，assoonashebeheldher，hisfirstprecautionwastotakeasweepingsurveyofthehousefront。Iwasstandingbythekitchenwindow，butIdrewoutofsight。Hethensteppedacrossthepavementtoher，andsaidsomething:sheseemedembarrassed，anddesirousofgettingaway；topreventit，helaidhishandonherarm。Sheavertedherface:heapparentlyputsomequestionwhichshehadnomindtoanswer。Therewasanotherrapidglanceatthehouse，andsupposinghimselfunseen，thescoundrelhadtheimpudencetoembraceher。
　　`Judas!traitor!'Iejaculated。`Youareahypocrite，too，areyou？Adeliberatedeceiver。'
　　`Whois，Nelly？'saidCatherine'svoiceatmyelbow:Ihadbeenoverintentonwatchingthepairoutsidetomarkherentrance。
　　`Yourworthlessfriend!'Iansweredwarmly:`thesneakingrascalyonder。Ah，hehascaughtaglimpseofus——heiscomingin!IwonderwillhehavethearttofindaplausibleexcuseformakinglovetoMiss，whenhetoldyouhehatedher？'
　　MrsLintonsawIsabellatearherselffree，andrunintothegarden；
　　andaminuteafter，Heathcliffopenedthedoor。Icouldn'twithholdgivingsomeloosetomyindignation；butCatherineangrilyinsistedonsilence，andthreatenedtoordermeoutofthekitchen，ifIdaredtobesopresumptuousastoputinmyinsolenttongue。
　　`Tohearyou，peoplemightthinkyouwerethemistress!'shecried。
　　`Youwantsettingdowninyourrightplace!Heathcliff，whatareyouabout，raisingthisstir？IsaidyoumustletIsabellaalone!——Ibegyouwill，unlessyouaretiredofbeingreceivedhere，andwishLintontodrawtheboltsagainstyou!'
　　`Godforbidthatheshouldtry!'answeredtheblackvillain。I
　　detestedhimjustthen。`Godkeephimmeekandpatient!EverydayIgrowmadderaftersendinghimtoheaven!'
　　`Hush!'saidCatherine，shuttingtheinnerdoor。`Don'tvexme。
　　Whyhaveyoudisregardedmyrequest？Didshecomeacrossyouonpurpose？'
　　`Whatisittoyou？'hegrowled。`I。havearighttokissher，ifshechooses；andyouhavenorighttoobject。I'mnotyourhusband:youneedn'tbejealousofme!'
　　`I'mnotjealousofyou，'repliedthemistress，`I'mjealousforyou。Clearyourface:youshan'tscowlatme!IfyoulikeIsabella，youshallmarryher。Butdoyoulikeher？Tellthetruth，Heathcliff!There，youwon'tanswer。I'mcertainyoudon't!'
　　`AndwouldMrLintonapproveofhissistermarryingthatman？'
　　Iinquired。
　　`MrLintonshouldapprove，'returnedmylady，decisively。
　　`Hemightsparehimselfthetrouble，'saidHeathcliff:`Icoulddoaswellwithouthisapprobation。Andastoyou，Catherine，Ihaveamindtospeakafewwordsnow，whileweareatit。IwantyoutobeawarethatIknowyouhavetreatedmeinfernally——infernally!Doyouhear？
　　AndifyouflatteryourselfthatIdon'tperceiveit，youareafool；andifyouthinkIcanbeconsoledbysweetwords，youareanidiot；andifyoufancyI'llsufferunrevenged，I'llconvinceyouofthecontrary，inaverylittlewhile!Meantime，thankyoufortellingmeyoursister-in-law'ssecret:IswearI'llmakethemostofit。Andstandyouaside!'
　　`Whatnewphaseofhischaracteristhis？'exclaimedMrsLinton，inamazement。`I'vetreatedyouinfernally——andyou'lltakeyourrevenge!
　　Howwillyoutakeit，ungratefulbrute？HowhaveItreatedyouinfernally？'
　　`Iseeknorevengeonyou，'repliedHeathclifflessvehemently。
　　`That'snottheplan。Thetyrantgrindsdownhisslavesandtheydon'tturnagainsthim；theycrushthosebeneaththem。Youarewelcometotorturemetodeathforyouramusement，onlyallowmetoamusemyselfalittleinthesamestyle，andrefrainfrominsultasmuchasyouareable。Havinglevelledmypalace，don'terectahovelandcomplacentlyadmireyourowncharityingivingmethatforahome。IfIimaginedyoureallywishedmetomarryIsabel，I'dcutmythroat!'
　　`Oh，theevilisthatIamnotjealous，isit？'criedCatherine。
　　`Well，Iwon'trepeatmyofferofawife:itisasbadasofferingSatanalostsoul。Yourblisslies，likehis，ininflictingmisery。Youproveit。Edgarisrestoredfromtheill-temperhegavewaytoatyourcoming；
　　Ibegintobesecureandtranquil；andyou，restlesstoknowusatpeace，appearresolvedonexcitingaquarrel。QuarrelwithEdgar，ifyouplease，Heathcliff，anddeceivehissister:you'llhitonexactlythemostefficientmethodofrevengingyourselfonme。'
　　Theconversationceased。MrsLintonsatdownbythefire，flushedandgloomy。Thespiritwhichservedherwasgrowingintractable:shecouldneitherlaynorcontrolit。Hestoodonthehearthwithfoldedarms，broodingonhisevilthoughts；andinthispositionIleftthemtoseekthemaster，whowaswonderingwhatkeptCatherinebelowsolong。
　　`Ellen，'saidhe，whenIentered，`haveyouseenyourmistress？'
　　`Yes；she'sinthekitchen，sir，'Ianswered。`She'ssadlyputoutbyMrHeathcliff'sbehaviour:and，indeed，Idothinkit'stimetoarrangehisvisitsonanotherfooting。There'sharminbeingtoosoft，andnowit'scometothis——`AndIrelatedthesceneinthecourt，and，asnearasIdared，thewholesubsequentdispute。IfancieditcouldnotbeveryprejudicialtoMrsLinton；unlessshemadeitsoafterwards，byassumingthedefensiveforherguest。EdgarLintonhaddifficultyinhearingmetotheclose。Hisfirstwordsrevealedthathedidnotclearhiswifeofblame。
　　`Thisisinsufferable!'heexclaimed。`Itisdisgracefulthatsheshouldownhimforafriend，andforcehiscompanyonme!Callmetwomenoutofthehall，Ellen。Catherineshalllingernolongertoarguewiththelowruffian——Ihavehumouredherenough。'
　　Hedescended，andbiddingtheservantswaitinthepassage，went，followedbyme，tothekitchen。Itsoccupantshadrecommencedtheirangrydiscussion:MrsLinton，atleast，wasscoldingwithrenewedvigour；Heathcliffhadmovedtothewindow，andhunghishead，somewhatcowedbyherviolentratingapparently。Hesawthemasterfirst，andmadeahastymotionthatsheshouldbesilent；whichsheobeyed，abruptly，ondiscoveringthereasonofhisintimation。
　　`Howisthis？'saidLinton，addressingher；`whatnotionofproprietymustyouhavetoremainhere，afterthelanguagewhichhasbeenheldtoyoubythatblackguard？Isuppose，becauseitishisordinarytalk，youthinknothingofit；youarehabituatedtohisbaseness，and，perhaps，imagineIcangetusedtoittoo!'
　　`Haveyoubeenlisteningatthedoor，Edgar？'askedthemistress，inatoneparticularlycalculatedtoprovokeherhusband，implyingbothcarelessnessandcontemptofhisirritation。Heathcliff，whohadraisedhiseyesattheformerspeech，gaveasneeringlaughatthelatter；onpurpose，itseemed，todrawMrLinton'sattentiontohim。Hesucceeded；
　　butEdgardidnotmeantoentertainhimwithanyhighflightsofpassion。
　　`Ihavebeensofarforbearingwithyou，sir，'hesaidquietly；
　　`notthatIwasignorantofyourmiserable，degradedcharacter，butIfeltyouwereonlypartlyresponsibleforthat；andCatherinewishingtokeepupyouracquaintance，Iacquiesced——foolishly。Yourpresenceisamoralpoisonthatwouldcontaminatethemostvirtuous:forthatcause，andtopreventworseconsequences，Ishalldenyyouhereafteradmissionintothishouse，andgivenoticenowthatIrequireyourinstantdeparture。Threeminutes'delaywillrenderitinvoluntaryandignominious。'
　　Heathcliffmeasuredtheheightandbreadthofthespeakerwithaneyefullofderision。
　　`Cathy，thislambofyoursthreatenslikeabull!'hesaid。`Itisindangerofsplittingitsskullagainstmyknuckles。ByGod!MrLinton，I'mmortallysorrythatyouarenotworthknockingdown!'
　　Mymasterglancedtowardsthepassage，andsignedmetofetchthemen:hehadnointentionofhazardingapersonalencounter。Iobeyedthehint；butMrsLinton，suspectingsomething，followed；andwhenIattemptedtocallthem，shepulledmeback，slammedthedoorto，andlockedit。
　　`Fairmeans!'shesaid，inanswertoherhusband'slookofangrysurprise`Ifyouhavenotcouragetoattackhim，makeanapology，orallowyourselftobebeaten。Itwillcorrectyouoffeigningmorevalourthanyoupossess。No，I'llswallowthekeybeforeyoushallgetit!I'mdelightfullyrewardedformykindnesstoeach!Afterconstantindulgenceofone'sweaknature，andtheother'sbadone，Iearnforthankstwosamplesofblindingratitude，stupidtoabsurdity!Edgar，Iwasdefendingyouandyours；
　　andIwishHeathcliffmayflogyousick，fordaringtothinkanevilthoughtofme。!'
　　Itdidnotneedthemediumofafloggingtoproducethateffectonthemaster。HetriedtowrestthekeyfromCatherine'sgrasp，andforsafetysheflungitintothehottestpartofthefire；whereuponMrEdgarwastakenwithanervoustrembling，andhiscountenancegrewdeadlypale。
　　Forhislifehecouldnotavertthataccessofemotion；mingledanguishandhumiliationovercamehimcompletely。Heleantonthebackofachair，andcoveredhisface。
　　`Oh，heavens!Inolddays，thiswouldwinyouknighthood!'exclaimedMrsLinton。`Wearevanquished!wearevanquished!Heathcliffwouldassoonliftafingeratyouasakingwouldmarchhisarmyagainstacolonyofmice。Cheerup!youshan'tbehurt!Yourtypeisnotalamb，it'sasuckingleveret。'
　　`Iwishyoujoyofthemilk-bloodedcoward，Cathy!'saidherfriend。
　　`Icomplimentyouonyourtaste。Andthatistheslavering，shiveringthingyoupreferredtome!Iwouldnotstrikehimwithmyfist，butI'dkickhimwithmyfoot，andexperienceconsiderablesatisfaction。Isheweeping，orishegoingtofaintforfear？'
　　ThefellowapproachedandgavethechaironwhichLintonrestedapush。He'dbetterhavekepthisdistance；mymasterquicklysprangerect，andstruckhimfullonthethroatablowthatwouldhavelevelledaslighterman。Ittookhisbreathforaminute；andwhilehechoked，MrLintonwalkedoutbythebackdoorintotheyard，andfromthencetothefrontentrance。
　　`There!you'vedonewithcominghere，'criedCatherine。`Getaway，now；he'llreturnwithabraceofpistols，andhalfadozenassistants。
　　Ifhedidoverhearus，ofcoursehe'dneverforgiveyou。You'veplayedhimanillturn，Heathcliff!Butgo——makehaste!I'dratherseeEdgaratbaythanyou。'
　　`DoyousupposeI'mgoingwiththatblowburninginmygullet？'
　　hethundered。`Byhell，no!I'llcrushhisribsinlikearottenhazelnutbeforeIcrossthethreshold!IfIdon'tfloorhimnow，Ishallmurderhimsometime；so，asyouvaluehisexistence，letmegetathim!'
　　`He'snotcoming，'Iinterposed，framingabitofalie。`There'sthecoachmanandthetwogardeners；you'llsurelynotwaittobethrustintotheroadbythem!Eachhasabludgeon；andmasterwill，verylikely，bewatchingfromtheparlourwindows，toseethattheyfulfilhisorders。'
　　Thegardenersandcoachmanwerethere；butLintonwaswiththem。Theyhadalreadyenteredthecourt。Heathcliff，onsecondthoughts，resolvedtoavoidastruggleagainstthethreeunderlings；heseizedthepoker，smashedthelockfromtheinnerdoor，andmadehisescapeastheytrampedin。
　　MrsLinton，whowasverymuchexcited，bademeaccompanyherupstairs。
　　Shedidnotknowmyshareincontributingtothedisturbance，andIwasanxioustokeepherinignorance。
　　`I'mnearlydistracted，Nelly!'sheexclaimed，throwingherselfonthesofa。`Athousandsmiths'hammersarebeatinginmyhead!TellIsabellatoshunme；thisuproarisowingtoher；andshouldsheoranyoneelseaggravatemyangeratpresent，Ishallgetwild。And，Nelly，saytoEdgar，ifyouseehimagaintonight，thatI'mindangerofbeingseriouslyill。
　　Iwishitmayprovetrue。Hehasstartledanddistressedmeshockingly!
　　Iwanttofrightenhim。Besides，hemightcomeandbeginastringofabuseorcomplainings；I'mcertainIshouldrecriminate，andGodknowswhereweshouldend!Willyoudoso，mygoodNelly？YouareawarethatIaminnowayblamableinthismatter。Whatpossessedhimtoturnlistener？Heathcliff'stalkwasoutrageous，afteryouleftus；butIcouldsoonhavedivertedhimfromIsabella，andtherestmeantnothing。Nowallisdashedwrongbythefool'scravingtohearevilofself，thathauntssomepeoplelikeademon!HadEdgarnevergatheredourconversation，hewouldneverhavebeentheworseforit。Really，whenheopenedonmeinthatunreasonabletoneofdispleasureafterIhadscoldedHeathclifftillIwashoarseforhim，Ididnotcare，hardly，whattheydidtoeachother；especiallyasIfeltthat，howeverthesceneclosed，weshouldallbedrivenasunderfornobodyknowshowlong!Well，ifIcannotkeepHeathcliffformyfriend——ifEdgarwillbemeanandjealous，I'lltrytobreaktheirheartsbybreakingmyown。Thatwillbeapromptwayoffinishingall，whenIampushedtoextremity!Butit'sadeedtobereservedforaforlornhope；I'dnottakeLintonbysurprisewithit。Tothispointhehasbeendiscreetindreadingtoprovokeme；youmustrepresenttheperilofquittingthatpolicy，andremindhimofmypassionatetemper，verging，whenkindled，onfrenzy。I
　　wishyoucoulddismissthatapathyoutofyourcountenance，andlookrathermoreanxiousaboutme。'
　　ThestoliditywithwhichIreceivedtheseinstructionswas，nodoubt，ratherexasperating:fortheyweredeliveredinperfectsincerity；
　　butIbelievedapersonwhocouldplantheturningofherfitsofpassiontoaccount，beforehand，might，byexertingherwill，managetocontrolherselftolerably，evenwhileundertheirinfluence；andIdidnotwishto`frighten'herhusband，asshesaid，andmultiplyhisannoyancesforthepurposeofservingherselfishness。ThereforeIsaidnothingwhenI
　　metthemastercomingtowardstheparlour；butItookthelibertyofturningbacktolistenwhethertheywouldresumetheirquarreltogether。Hebegantospeakfirst。
　　`Remainwhereyouare，Catherine，'hesaid；withoutanyangerinhisvoice，butwithmuchsorrowfuldespondency。`Ishallnotstay。I
　　amneithercometowranglenorbereconciled；butIwishjusttolearnwhether，afterthisevening'sevents，youintendtocontinueyourintimacywith——
　　`Oh，formercy'ssake，'interruptedthemistress，stampingherfoot，`formercy'ssake，letushearnomoreofitnow!Yourcoldbloodcannotbeworkedintoafever:yourveinsarefullofice-water；butmineareboiling，andthesightofsuchchillnessmakesthemdance。'
　　`Togetridofme，answermyquestion，'perseveredMrLinton。
　　`Youmustanswerit；andthatviolencedoesnotalarmme。Ihavefoundthatyoucanbeasstoicalasanyone，whenyouplease。WillyougiveupHeathcliffhereafter，orwillyougiveupme？Itisimpossibleforyoutobemyfriendandhisatthesametime；andIabsolutelyrequiretoknowwhichyouchoose。'
　　`Irequiretobeletalone!'exclaimedCatherinefuriously。`I
　　demandit!Don'tyouseeIcanscarcelystand？Edgar，you——youleaveme!'
　　Sherangthebelltillitbrokewithatwang；Ienteredleisurely。
　　Itwasenoughtotrythetemperofasaint，suchsenseless，wickedrages!
　　Thereshelaydashingherheadagainstthearmofthesofa，andgrindingherteeth，sothatyoumightfancyshewouldcrashthemtosplinters!MrLintonstoodlookingatherinsuddencompunctionandfear。Hetoldmetofetchsomewater。Shehadnobreathforspeaking。Ibroughtaglassfull；andasshewouldnotdrink，Isprinkleditonherface。Inafewsecondsshestretchedherselfoutstiff，andturneduphereyes，whilehercheeks，atonceblanchedandlivid，assumedtheaspectofdeath。Lintonlookedterrified。
　　`Thereisnothingintheworldthematter，'Iwhispered。Ididnotwanthimtoyield，thoughIcouldnothelpbeingafraidinmyheart。
　　`Shehasbloodonherlips!'hesaid，shuddering。
　　`Nevermind!'Iansweredtartly。AndItoldhimhowshehadresolved，previoustohiscoming，onexhibitingafitoffrenzy。Iincautiouslygavetheaccountaloud，andsheheardme；forshestartedup——herhairflyingoverhershoulders，hereyesflashing，themusclesofherneckandarmsstandingoutpreternaturally。Imadeupmymindforbrokenbones，atleast；
　　butsheonlyglaredaboutherforaninstant，andthenrushedfromtheroom。Themasterdirectedmetofollow；Idid，toherchamberdoor:shehinderedmefromgoingfartherbysecuringitagainstme。
　　Assheneverofferedtodescendtobreakfastnextmorning，Iwenttoaskwhethershewouldhavesomecarriedup。`No!'sherepliedperemptorily。
　　Thesamequestionwasrepeatedatdinnerandtea；andagainonthemorrowafter，andreceivedthesameanswer。MrLinton，onhispart，spenthistimeinthelibrary，anddidnotinquireconcerninghiswife'soccupations。
　　Isabellaandhehadhadanhour'sinterview，duringwhichhetriedtoelicitfromhersomesentimentofproperhorrorforHeathcliff'sadvances:buthecouldmakenothingofherevasivereplies，andwasobligedtoclosetheexaminationunsatisfactorily；adding，however，asolemnwarning，thatifsheweresoinsaneastoencouragethatworthlesssuitor，itwoulddissolveallbondsofrelationshipbetweenherselfandhim。
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