`And——didsheevermentionme？'heasked，hesitating，asifhedreadedtheanswertohisquestionwouldintroducedetailsthathecouldnotbeartohear。
　　`Hersensesneverreturned；sherecognizednobodyfromthetimeyoulefther，'Isaid。`Shelieswithasweetsmileonherface；andherlatestideaswanderedbacktopleasantearlydays。Herlifeclosedinagentledream——mayshewakeaskindlyintheotherworld!'
　　`Mayshewakeintorment!'hecried，withfrightfulvehemence，stampinghisfoot，andgroaninginasuddenparoxysmofungovernablepassion。
　　`Why，she'saliartotheend!Whereisshe？Notthere——notinheaven——notperished——where？Oh!yousaidyoucarednothingformysufferings!AndIprayoneprayer——Irepeatittillmytonguestiffens——CatherineEarnshaw，mayyounotrestaslongasIamliving!YousaidIkilledyou——hauntme，then!Themurdereddohaunttheirmurderers，Ibelieve。Iknowthatghostshavewanderedonearth。Bewithmealways——takeanyform——drivememad!onlydonotleavemeinthisabyss，whereIcannotfindyou!Oh，God!itisunutterable!Icannotlivewithoutmylife!Icannotlivewithoutmysoul!'
　　Hedashedhisheadagainsttheknottedtrunk；and，liftinguphiseyes，howled，notlikeaman，butlikeasavagebeastgettinggoadedtodeathwithknivesandspears。Iobservedseveralsplashesofbloodaboutthebarkofthetree，andhishandandforeheadwerebothstained；probablythesceneIwitnessedwasarepetitionofothersactedduringthenight。
　　Ithardlymovedmycompassion——itappalledme:still，Ifeltreluctanttoquithimso。Butthemomentherecollectedhimselfenoughtonoticemewatching，hethunderedacommandformetogo，andIobeyed。Hewasbeyondmyskilltoquietorconsole!
　　MrsLinton'sfuneralwasappointedtotakeplaceontheFridayfollowingherdecease；andtillthenhercoffinremaineduncovered，andstrewnwithflowersandscentedleaves，inthegreatdrawing-room。Lintonspenthisdaysandnightsthere，asleeplessguardian；and——acircumstanceconcealedfromallbutme——Heathcliffspenthisnights，atleast，outside，equallyastrangertorepose。Iheldnocommunicationwithhim；still，Iwasconsciousofhisdesigntoenter，ifhecould；andontheTuesday，alittleafterdark，whenmymaster，fromsheerfatigue，hadbeencompelledtoretireacoupleofhours，Iwentandopenedoneofthewindows；movedbyhisperseverance，togivehimachanceofbestowingonthefadedimageofhisidolonefinaladieu。Hedidnotomittoavailhimselfoftheopportunity，cautiouslyandbriefly:toocautiouslytobetrayhispresencebytheslightestnoise。
　　Indeed，Ishouldn'thavediscoveredthathehadbeenthere，exceptforthedisarrangementofthedraperyaboutthecorpse'sface，andforobservingontheflooracurloflighthair，fastenedwithasilverthread；
　　which，onexamination，IascertainedtohavebeentakenfromalockethungroundCatherine'sneck。Heathcliffhadopenedthetrinketandcastoutitscontents，replacingthembyablacklockofhisown。Itwistedthetwo，andenclosedthemtogether。
　　MrEarnshawwas，ofcourse，invitedtoattendtheremainsofhissistertothegrave；andhesentnoexcuse，buthenevercame；sothat，besidesherhusband，themournerswerewhollycomposedoftenantsandservants。
　　Isabellawasnotasked。
　　TheplaceofCatherine'sinterment，tothesurpriseofthevillagers，wasneitherinthechapelunderthecarvedmonumentoftheLintons，noryetbythetombsofherownrelations，outside。Itwasdugonagreenslopeinacornerofthekirkyard，wherethewallissolowthatheathandbilberryplantshaveclimbedoveritfromthemoor；andpeatmouldalmostburiesit。Herhusbandliesinthesamespotnow；andtheyhaveeachasimpleheadstoneabove，andaplaingreyblockattheirfeet，tomarkthegraves。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]
　　WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter17ThatFridaymadethelastofourfinedaysforamonth。Intheevening，theweatherbroke:thewindshiftedfromsouthtonortheast，andbroughtrainfirst，andthensleetandsnow。Onthemorrowonecouldhardlyimaginethattherehadbeenthreeweeksofsummer:theprimrosesandcrocuseswerehiddenunderwintrydrifts；thelarksweresilent，theyoungleavesoftheearlytreessmittenandblackened。Anddreary，andchill，anddismal，thatmorrowdidcreepover!Mymasterkepthisroom；Itookpossessionofthelonelyparlour，convertingitintoanursery:andthereIwas，sittingwiththemoaningdollofachildlaidonmyknee；rockingittoandfro，andwatching，meanwhile，thestilldrivingflakesbuilduptheuncurtainedwindow，whenthedooropened，andsomepersonentered，outofbreathandlaughing!Myangerwasgreaterthanmyastonishmentforaminute。Isupposeditoneofthemaids，andIcried——
　　`Havedone!Howdareyoushowyourgiddinesshere？WhatwouldMrLintonsayifheheardyou？'
　　`Excuseme!'answeredafamiliarvoice；`butIknowEdgarisinbed，andIcannotstopmyself。'
　　Withthatthespeakercameforwardtothefire，pantingandholdingherhandtoherside。
　　`IhaverunthewholewayfromWutheringHeights!'shecontinued，afterapause；`exceptwhereI'veflown。Icouldn'tcountthenumberoffallsI'vehad。Oh，I'machingallover!Don'tbealarmed!ThereshallbeanexplanationassoonasIcangiveit；onlyjusthavethegoodnesstostepoutandorderthecarriagetotakemeontoGimmerton，andtellaservanttoseekupafewclothesinmywardrobe。'
　　TheintruderwasMrsHeathcliff。Shecertainlyseemedinnolaughingpredicament:herhairstreamedonhershoulders，drippingwithsnowandwater；shewasdressedinthegirlishdressshecommonlywore，befittingheragemorethanherposition:alowfrockwithshortsleeves，andnothingoneitherheadorneck。Thefrockwasoflightsilk，andclungtoherwithwet，andherfeetwereprotectedmerelybythinslippers；addtothisadeepcutunderoneear，whichonlythecoldpreventedfrombleedingprofusely，awhitefacescratchedandbruised，andaframehardlyabletosupportitself，throughfatigue；andyoumayfancymyfirstfrightwasnotmuchallayedwhenIhadhadleisuretoexamineher。
　　`Mydearyounglady，'Iexclaimed，`I'llstirnowhere，andhearnothing，tillyouhaveremovedeveryarticleofyourclothes，andputondrythings；andcertainlyyoushallnotgotoGimmertontonight，soitisneedlesstoorderthecarriage。'
　　`Certainly，Ishall，'shesaid；`walkingorriding:yetI'venoobjectiontodressmyselfdecently。And——ah，seehowitflowsdownmynecknow!Thefiredoesmakeitsmart。'
　　Sheinsistedonmyfulfillingherdirections，beforeshewouldletmetouchher；andnottillafterthecoachmanhadbeeninstructedtogetready，andamaidsettopackupsomenecessaryattire，didIobtainherconsentforbindingthewoundandhelpingtochangehergarments。
　　`Now，Ellen，'shesaid，whenmytaskwasfinishedandshewasseatedinaneasychaironthehearth，withacupofteabeforeher，yousitdownoppositeme，andputpoorCatherine'sbabyaway:Idon'tliketoseeit!Youmustn'tthinkIcarelittleforCatherine，becauseIbehavedsofoolishlyonentering:I'vecried，too，bitterly——yes，morethananyoneelsehasreasontocry。Wepartedunreconciled，youremember，andIshan'tforgivemyself。But，forallthat，Iwasnotgoingtosympathizewithhim——thebrutebeast!Oh，givemethepoker!ThisisthelastthingofhisIhaveaboutme。'Sheslippedthegoldringfromherthirdfinger，andthrewitonthefloor。`I'llsmashit!'shecontinued，strikingitwithchildishspite，`andthenI'llburnit!'andshetookanddroppedthemisusedarticleamongthecoals。`There!heshallbuyanother，ifhegetsmebackagain。
　　He'dbecapableofcomingtoseekme，toteaseEdgar。Idarenotstay，lestthatnotionshouldpossesshiswickedhead!Andbesides，Edgarhasnotbeenkind，hashe？AndIwon'tcomesuingforhisassistance；norwillIbringhimintomoretrouble。Necessitycompelledmetoseekshelterhere；
　　though，ifIhadnotlearnedhewasoutoftheway，I'dhavehaltedatthekitchen，washedmyface，warmedmyself，gotyoutobringwhatIwanted，anddepartedagaintoanywhereoutofthereachofmyaccursed——ofthatincarnategoblin!Ah!hewasinsuchafury!Ifhehadcaughtme!It'sapityEarnshawisnothismatchinstrength:Iwouldn'thaveruntillI'dseenhimallbutdemolished，hadHindleybeenabletodoit!'
　　`Well，don'ttalksofast，miss!'Iinterrupted；`you'lldisorderthehandkerchiefIhavetiedroundyourface，andmakethecutbleedagain。
　　Drinkyourtea，andtakebreath，andgiveoverlaughing:laughterissadlyoutofplaceunderthisroof，andinyourcondition!'
　　`Anundeniabletruth，'shereplied。`Listentothatchild!Itmaintainsaconstantwail——senditoutofmyhearingforanhour；Ishan'tstayanylonger。'
　　Irangthebell，andcommittedittoaservant'scare；andthenIinquiredwhathadurgedhertoescapefromWutheringHeightsinsuchanunlikelyplight，andwhereshemeanttogo，assherefusedremainingwithus。
　　`Iought，andIwishtoremain，'answeredshe，`tocheerEdgarandtakecareofthebaby，fortwothings，andbecausetheGrangeismyrighthome。ButIBellyouhewouldn'tletme!Doyouthinkhecouldbeartoseemegrowfatandmerry；andcouldbeartothinkthatweweretranquil，andnotresolveonpoisoningourcomfort？Now，Ihavethesatisfactionofbeingsurethathedetestsme，tothepointofitsannoyinghimseriouslytohavemewithinearshotoreyesight:Inotice，whenIenterhispresence，themusclesofhiscountenanceareinvoluntarilydistortedintoanexpressionofhatred；partlyarisingfromhisknowledgeofthegoodcausesIhavetofeelthatsentimentforhim，andpartlyfromoriginalaversion。ItisstrongenoughtomakemefeelprettycertainthathewouldnotchasemeoverEngland，supposingIcontrivedaclearescape；andthereforeImustgetquiteaway。I'verecoveredfrommyfirstdesiretobekilledbyhim:
　　I'dratherhe'dkillhimself!Hehasextinguishedmyloveeffectually，andsoI'matmyease。IcanrecollectyethowIlovedhim；andcandimlyimaginethatIcouldstillbelovinghim，if——no，no!Evenifhehaddotedonme，thedevilishnaturewouldhaverevealeditsexistencesomehow。Catherinehadanawfullypervertedtastetoesteemhimsodearly，knowinghimsowell。Monster!wouldthathecouldbeblottedoutofcreation，andoutofmymemory!'
　　`Hush，hush!He'sahumanbeing，'Isaid。`Bemorecharitable:
　　thereareworsementhanheisyet!'
　　`He'snotahumanbeing，'sheretorted；`andhehasnoclaimonmycharity。Igavehimmyheart，andhetookandpinchedittodeath，andflungitbacktome。Peoplefeelwiththeirhearts，Ellen:andsincehehasdestroyedmine，Ihavenotpowertofeelforhim:andIwouldnot，thoughhegroanedfromthistohisdyingday，andwepttearsofbloodforCatherine!No，indeed，indeed，Iwouldn't!'AndhereIsabellabegantocry；but，immediatelydashingthewaterfromherlashes，sherecommenced。
　　`Youasked，whathasdrivenmetoflightatlast？Iwascompelledtoattemptit，becauseIhadsucceededinrousinghisrageapitchabovehismalignity。
　　Pullingoutthenerveswithred-hotpincersrequiresmorecoolnessthanknockingonthehead。Hewasworkeduptoforgetthefiendishprudenceheboastedof，andproceededtomurderousviolence。Iexperiencedpleasureinbeingabletoexasperatehim；thesenseofpleasurewokemyinstinctofself-preservation，soIfairlybrokefree；andifeverIcomeintohishandsagainheiswelcometoasignalrevenge。
　　`Yesterday，youknow，MrEarnshawshouldhavebeenatthefuneral。
　　Hekepthimselfsoberforthepurpose——tolerablysober:notgoingtobedmadatsixo'clockandgettingupdrunkattwelve。Consequentlyherose，insuicidallowspirits，asfitforthechurchasforadance；andinstead，hesatdownbythefireandswallowedginorbrandybytumblerfuls。
　　`Heathcliff——Ishuddertonamehim!hasbeenastrangerinthehousefromlastSundaytilltoday。Whethertheangelshavefedhim，orhiskinbeneath，Icannottell；buthehasnoteatenamealwithusfornearlyaweek。Hehasjustcomehomeatdawn，andgoneupstairstohischamber；lockinghimselfin——asifanybodydreamtofcovetinghiscompany!
　　Therehehascontinued，prayinglikeaMethodist:onlythedeityheimploredinsenselessdustandashes；andGod，whenaddressed，wascuriouslyconfoundedwithhisownblackfather!Afterconcludingthesepreciousorisons——andtheylastedgenerallytillhegrewhoarseandhisvoicewasstrangledinhisthroat——hewouldbeoffagain；alwaysstraightdowntotheGrange!
　　I-wonderEdgardidnotsendforaconstable，andgivehimintocustody!
　　Forme，grievedasIwasaboutCatherine，itwasimpossibletoavoidregardingthisseasonofdeliverancefromdegradingoppressionasaholiday。
　　`IrecoveredspiritssufficienttohearJoseph'seternallectureswithoutweeping，andtomoveupanddownthehouselesswiththefootofafrightenedthiefthanformerly。Youwouldn'tthinkthatIshouldcryatanythingJosephcouldsay；butheandHaretonaredetestablecompanions。
　　I'drathersitwithHindley，andhearhisawfultalk，thanwith``t'littlemaister''andhisstaunchsupporter，thatodiousoldman!WhenHeathcliffisin，I'moftenobligedtoseekthekitchenandtheirsociety，orstarveamongthedampuninhabitedchambers；whenheisnot，aswasthecasethisweek，Iestablishatableandchairatonecomerofthehousefire，andnevermindhowMrEarnshawmayoccupyhimself；andhedoesnotinterferewithmyarrangements。Heisquieternowthanheusedtobe，ifnooneprovokeshim:moresullenanddepressed，andlessfurious。Josephaffirmshe'ssurehe'sanalteredman:thattheLordhastouchedhisheart，andheissaved``soasbyfire''。I'mpuzzledtodetectsignsofthefavourablechange:
　　butitisnotmybusiness。
　　`Yester-eveningIsatinmynookreadingsomeoldbookstilllateontowardstwelve。Itseemedsodismaltogoupstairs，withthewildsnowblowingoutside，andmythoughtscontinuallyrevertingtothekirkyardandthenew-madegrave!Idaredhardlyliftmyeyesfromthepagebeforeme，thatmelancholyscenesoinstantlyusurpeditsplace。Hindleysatopposite，hisheadleantonhishand；perhapsmeditatingonthesamesubject。Hehadceaseddrinkingatapointbelowirrationality，andhadneitherstirrednorspokenduringtwoorthreehours。Therewasnosoundthroughthehousebutthemoaningwind，whichshookthewindowseverynowandthen，thefaintcracklingofthecoals，andtheclickofmysnuffersasIremovedatintervalsthelongwickofthecandle。HaretonandJosephwereprobablyfastasleepinbed。Itwasvery，verysad:andwhileIreadIsighed，foritseemedasifalljoyhadvanishedfromtheworld，nevertoberestored。
　　`Thedolefulsilencewasbrokenatlengthbythesoundofthekitchenlatch:Heathcliffhadreturnedfromhiswatchearlierthanusual；
　　owing，Isuppose，tothesuddenstorm。Thatentrancewasfastened，andwebeardhimcomingroundtogetinbytheother。IrosewithanirrepressibleexpressionofwhatIfeltonmylips，whichinducedmycompanion，whohadbeenstaringtowardsthedoor，toturnandlookatme。
　　``I'Ilkeephimoutfiveminutes，''heexclaimed。``Youwon'tobject？''
　　`"No，youmaykeephimoutthewholenightforme，''Ianswered。
　　``Do!putthekeyinthelock，anddrawthebolts。''
　　`Earnshawaccomplishedthiserehisguestreachedthefront；hethencameandbroughthischairtotheothersideofmytable，leaningoverit，andsearchinginmyeyes，asympathywiththeburninghatethatgleamedfromhis:ashebothlookedandfeltlikeanassassin，hecouldn'texactlyfindthat；buthediscoveredenoughtoencouragehimtospeak。
　　`"YouandI''，hesaid，``haveeachagreatdebttosettlewiththemanoutyonder!Ifwewereneitherofuscowards，wemightcombinetodischargeit。Areyouassoftasyourbrother？Areyouwillingtoenduretothelast，andnotonceattemptarepayment？''
　　``I'mwearyofenduringnow，''Ireplied；``andI'dbegladofaretaliationthatwouldn'trecoilonmyself；buttreacheryandviolencearespearspointedatbothends:theywoundthosewhoresorttothemworsethantheirenemies。''
　　``Treacheryandviolenceareajustreturnfortreacheryandviolence!''
　　criedHindley。``MrsHeathcliff，I'llaskyoutodonothing；butsitstillandbedumb。Tellmenow，canyou？I'msureyouwouldhaveasmuchpleasureasIinwitnessingtheconclusionofthefiend'sexistence；he'llbeyourdeathunlessyouoverreachhim；andhe'llbemyruin。Damnthehellishvillain!Heknocksatthedoorasifheweremasterherealready!Promisetoholdyourtongue，andbeforethatclockstrikes——itwantsthreeminutesofone——you'reafreewoman!''
　　`HetooktheimplementswhichIdescribedtoyouinmyletterfromhisbreast，andwouldhaveturneddownthecandle。Isnatcheditaway，however，andseizedhisarm。
　　```I'Ilnotholdmytongue!''Isaid；``youmustn'ttouchhim。
　　Letthedoorremainshut，andbequiet!''
　　```No!I'veformedmyresolution，andbyGodI'llexecuteit!''
　　criedthedesperatebeing。``I'Ildoyouakindnessinspiteofyourself，andHaretonjustice!Andyouneedn'ttroubleyourheadtoscreenme；Catherineisgone。Nobodyalivewouldregretme，orbeashamed，thoughIcutmythroatthisminute——andit'stimetomakeanend!''
　　`Imightaswellhavestruggledwithabear，orreasonedwithalunatic。Theonlyresourceleftmewastoruntoalatticeandwarnhisintendedvictimofthefatewhichawaitedhim。
　　`"You'dbetterseeksheltersomewhereelsetonight!''Iexclaimedinarathertriumphanttone。``MrEarnshawhasamindtoshootyou，ifyoupersistinendeavouringtoenter。''
　　``You'dbetteropenthedoor，you——"heanswered，addressingmebysomeeleganttermthatIdon'tcaretorepeat。
　　``Ishallnotmeddleinthematter，''Iretortedagain。``Comeinandgetshot，ifyouplease!I'vedonemyduty。''
　　`WiththatIshutthewindowandreturnedtomyplacebythefire；
　　havingtoosmallastockofhypocrisyatmycommandtopretendanyanxietyforthedangerthatmenacedhim。Earnshawsworepassionatelyatme:affirmingthatIlovedthevillainyet；andcallingmeallsortsofnamesforthebasespiritIevinced。AndI，inmysecretheartandconscienceneverreproachedme，thoughtwhatablessingitwouldbeforhimshouldHeathcliffputhimoutofmisery；andwhatablessingformeshouldhesendHeathclifftohisrightabode!AsIsatnursingthesereflections，thecasementbehindmewasbangedontothefloorbyablowfromthelatterindividual，andhisblackcountenancelikedblightinglythrough。Thestanchionsstoodtooclosetosufferhisshoulderstofollow，andIsmiled，exultinginmyfanciedsecurity。Hishairandclotheswerewhitenedwithsnow，andhissharpcannibalteeth，revealedbycoldandwrath，gleamedthroughthedark。
　　`"Isabella，letmein，orI'llmakeyourepent!''he``girned''，asJosephcallsit。
　　Icannotcommitmurder，''Ireplied。``MrHindleystandssentinelwithaknifeandloadedpistol。''
　　``Letmeinbythekitchendoor，''hesaid。
　　``Hindleywillbetherebeforeyou，''Ianswered:``andthat'sapoorloveofyoursthatcannotbearashowerofsnow!Wewereleftatpeaceonourbedsaslongasthesummermoonshone，butthemomentablastofwinterreturns，youmustrunforshelter!Heathcliff，ifIwereyou，I'dgostretchmyselfoverhergraveanddielikeafaithfuldog。Theworldissurelynotworthlivinginnow，isit？YouhaddistinctlyimpressedonmetheideathatCatherinewasthewholejoyofyourlife:Ican'timaginehowyouthinkofsurvivingherloss。''
　　``He'sthere，ishe？''exclaimedmycompanion，rushingtothegap。``IfIcangetmyarmoutIcanhithim!''
　　`I'mafraid，Ellen，you'llsetmedownasreallywicked；butyoudon'tknowall，sodon'tjudge。Iwouldn'thaveaidedorabettedanattemptonevenhislifeforanything。Wishthatheweredead，Imust；andthereforeIwasfearfullydisappointed，andunnervedbyterrorfortheconsequencesofmytauntingspeech，whenheflunghimselfonEarnshaw'sweaponandwrencheditfromhisgrasp。
　　`Thecharge，exploded，andtheknife，inspringingback，closedintoitsownerswrist。Heathcliffpulleditawaybymainforce，slittingupthefleshasitpassedon，andthrustitdrippingintohispocket。Hethentookastone，struckdownthedivisionbetweentwowindows，andsprangin。Hisadversaryhadfallensenselesswithexcessivepainandtheflowofblood，thatgushedfromanarteryoralargevein。Theruffiankickedandtrampledonhim，anddashedhisheadrepeatedlyagainsttheflags，holdingmewithonehand，meantime，topreventmesummoningJoseph。Heexertedpreterhumanself-denialinabstainingfromfinishinghimcompletely；
　　butgettingoutofbreathhefinallydesisted，anddraggedtheapparentlyinanimatebodyontothesettle。TherehetoreoffthesleeveofEarnshaw'scoat，andboundupthewoundwithbrutalroughness；spittingandcursingduringtheoperationasenergeticallyashehadkickedbefore。Beingatliberty，Ilostnotimeinseekingtheoldservant；who，havinggatheredbydegreesthepurportofmyhastytale，hurriedbelow，gasping，ashedescendedthestepstwoatonce。
　　``Whatistheretodo，now？whatistheretodo，now？''
　　`"There'sthistodo，''thunderedHeathcliff，``thatyourmaster'smad；andshouldhelastanothermonth，I'llhavehimtoanasylum。Andhowthedevildidyoucometofastenmeout，youtoothlesshound？Don'tstandmutteringandmumblingthere。Come，I'mnotgoingtonursehim。Washthatstuffaway；andmindthesparksofyourcandle——itismorethanhalfbrandy!''
　　`"Andso，ye'vebeenmurtheringonhim？''exclaimedJoseph，liftinghishandsandeyesinhorror。``IfiverIseedaseeghtloikethis!MaytheLord——''
　　`Heathcliffgavehimapushontohiskneesinthemiddleoftheblood，andflungatoweltohim；butinsteadofproceedingtodryitup，hejoinedhishandsandbeganaprayer，whichexcitedmylaughterfromitsoddphraseology。Iwasintheconditionofmindtobeshockedatnothing:
　　infact，Iwasasrecklessassomemalefactorsshowthemselvesatthefootofthegallows。
　　`"Oh，Iforgotyou，''saidthetyrant。``Youshalldothat。Downwithyou。Andyouconspirewithhimagainstme，doyou，viper？There，thatisworkfitforyou!''
　　`Heshookmetillmyteethrattled，andpitchedmebesideJoseph，whosteadilyconcludedhissupplicationsandthenrose，vowinghewouldsetofffortheGrangedirectly。MrLintonwasamagistrate，andthoughhehadfiftywivesdead，heshouldinquireintothis。Hewassoobstinateinhisresolution，thatHeathcliffdeemeditexpedienttocompelfrommylipsarecapitulationofwhathadtakenplace；standingoverme，heavingwithmalevolence，asIreluctantlydeliveredtheaccountinanswertohisquestions。ItrequiredagreatdealoflabourtosatisfytheoldmanthatHeathcliffwasnottheaggressor；especiallywithmyhardlywrungreplies。
　　However，MrEarnshawsoonconvincedhimthathewasalivestill；Josephhastenedtoadministeradoseofspirits，andbytheirsuccourhismasterpresentlyregainedmotionandconsciousness。Heathcliff，awarethathisopponentwasignorantofthetreatmentreceivedwhileinsensible，calledhimdeliriouslyintoxicated；andsaidheshouldnotnoticehisatrociousconductfurther，butadvisedhimtogettobed。Tomyjoy，heleftus，aftergivingthisjudiciouscounsel，andHindleystretchedhimselfonthehearthstone。Idepartedtomyownroom，marvellingthatIhadescapedsoeasily。
　　`Thismorning，whenIcamedown，abouthalfanhourbeforenoon，MrEarnshawwassittingbythefire，deadlysick；hisevilgenius，almostasgauntandghastly，leantagainstthechimney。Neitherappearedinclinedtodine，and，havingwaitedtillallwascoldonthetable，Icommencedalone。Nothinghinderedmefromeatingheartily，andIexperiencedacertainsenseofsatisfactionandsuperiority，as，atintervals，Icastalooktowardsmysilentcompanions，andfeltthecomfortofaquietconsciencewithinme。AfterIhaddone，Iventuredontheunusuallibertyofdrawingnearthefire，goingroundEarnshaw'sseat，andkneelinginthecornerbesidehim。
　　`Heathcliffdidnotglancemyway，andIgazedup，andcontemplatedhisfeaturesalmostasconfidentlyasiftheyhadbeenturnedtostone。
　　Hisforehead，thatIoncethoughtsomanly，andthatInowthinksodiabolical，wasshadedwithaheavycloud；hisbasiliskeyeswerenearlyquenchedbysleeplessness，andweeping，perhaps，forthelasheswerewetthen；hislipsdevoidoftheirferocioussneer，andsealedinanexpressionofunspeakablesadness。Haditbeenanother，Iwouldhavecoveredmyfaceinthepresenceofsuchgrief。Inhiscase，Iwasgratified；and，ignobleasitseemstoinsultafallenenemy，Icouldn'tmissthischanceofstickinginadart:hisweaknesswastheonlytimewhenIcouldtastethedelightofpayingwrongforwrong。
　　`Fie，fie，miss!'Iinterrupted。`OnemightsupposeyouhadneveropenedaBibleinyourlife。IfGodafflictyourenemies，surelythatoughttosufficeyou。ItisbothmeanandpresumptuoustoaddyourtorturetoHis!'
　　`IngeneralI'llallowthatitwouldbe，Ellen，'shecontinued；
　　`butwhatmiserylaidonHeathcliffcouldcontentme，unlessIhaveahandinit？I'dratherhesufferedless，ifImightcausehissufferingsandhemightknowthatIwasthecause。O，Iowehimsomuch。OnonlyoneconditioncanIhopetoforgivehim。Itis，ifImaytakeaneyeforaneye，atoothforatooth；foreverywrenchofagonyreturnawrench:
　　reducehimtomylevel。Ashewasthefirsttoinjure，makehimthefirsttoimplorepardon；andthen——whythen，Ellen，Imightshowyousomegenerosity。
　　ButitisutterlyimpossibleIcaneverberevenged，andthereforeIcannotforgivehim。Hindleywantedsomewater，andIhandedhimaglass，andaskedhimhowhewas。
　　``NotasillasIwish，''hereplied。``Butleavingoutmyarm，everyinchofmeisassoreasifIhadbeenfightingwithalegionofimps!''
　　`"Yes，nowonder，''wasmynextremark。``Catherineusedtoboastthatshestoodbetweenyouandbodilyharm:shemeantthatcertainpersonswouldnothurtyouforfearofoffendingher。It'swellpeopledon'treallyrisefromtheirgrave，or，lastnight，shemighthavewitnessedarepulsivescene!Arenotyoubruisedandcutoveryourchestandshoulders？''
　　``Ican'tsay，''heanswered:``butwhatdoyoumean？DidhedaretostrikemewhenIwasdown？"
　　"Hetrampledonyouandkickedyou，anddashedyouontheground，''
　　Iwhispered。``Andhismouthwateredtotearyouwithhisteeth；becausehe'sonlyhalfaman——notsomuch。''
　　`MrEarnshawlookedup，likeme，tothecountenanceofourmutualfoe；who，absorbedinhisanguish，seemedinsensibletoanythingaroundhim:thelongerhestood，theplainerhisreflectionsrevealedtheirblacknessthroughhisfeatures。
　　`"Oh，ifGodwouldbutgivemestrengthtostranglehiminmylastagony，I'dgotohellwithjoy，''groanedtheimpatientman，writhingtorise，andsinkingbackindespair，convincedofhisinadequacyforthestruggle。
　　`"Nay，it'senoughthathehasmurderedoneofyou，''Iobservedaloud。``AttheGrange，everyoneknowsyoursisterwouldhavebeenlivingnow，haditnotbeenforMrHeathcliff。Afterall，itispreferabletobehatedthanlovedbyhim。WhenIrecollecthowhappywewere——howhappyCatherinewasbeforehecame——I'mfittocursetheday。''
　　`Mostlikely，Heathcliffnoticedmorethetruthofwhatwassaid，thanthespiritofthepersonwhosaidit。Hisattentionwasroused，I
　　saw，forhiseyesraineddowntearsamongtheashes，andhedrewhisbreathinsuffocatingsighs。Istaredfullathim，andlaughedscornfully。Thecloudedwindowsofhellflashedamomenttowardsme；thefiendwhichusuallylookedout，however，wassodimmedanddrownedthatIdidnotfeartohazardanothersoundofderision。
　　``Getup，andbegoneoutofmysight，''saidthemourner。
　　`Iguessedheutteredthosewords，atleast，thoughhisvoicewashardlyintelligible。
　　`"Ibegyourpardon，''Ireplied。``ButIlovedCatherinetoo；
　　andherbrotherrequiresattendance，which，forhersake，Ishallsupply。
　　Nowthatshe'sdead，IseeherinHindley:Hindleyhasexactlyhereyes，ifyouhadnottriedtogougethemout，andmadethemblackandred；andher——''
　　``Getup，wretchedidiot，beforeIstampyoutodeath!''hecried，makingamovementthatcausedmetomakeonealso。
　　``Butthen，''Icontinued，holdingmyselfreadytoflee；``ifpoorCatherinehadtrustedyou，andassumedtheridiculous，contemptible，degradingtitleofMrsHeathcliff，shewouldsoonhavepresentedasimilarpicture!Shewouldn'thaveborneyourabominablebehaviourquietly:
　　herdetestationanddisgustmusthavefoundvoice。''
　　`ThebackofthesettleandEarnshaw'spersoninterposedbetweenmeandhim:soinsteadofendeavouringtoreachme，hesnatchedadinnerknifefromthetableandflungitatmyhead。Itstruckbeneathmyear，andstoppedthesentenceIwasuttering；but，pullingitout，Isprangtothedooranddeliveredanother；whichIhopewentalittledeeperthanhismissile。ThelastglimpseIcaughtofhimwasafuriousrushonhispart，checkedbytheembraceofhishost；andbothfelllockedtogetheronthehearth。InmyflightthroughthekitchenIbidJosephspeedtohismaster；IknockedoverHareton，whowashangingalitterofpuppiesfromachairbackinthedoorway；and，blestasasoulescapedfrompurgatory，Ibounded，leaped，andflewdownthesteeproad；then，quittingitswindings，shotdirectacrossthemoor，rollingoverbanks，andwadingthroughmarshes:
　　precipitatingmyself，infact，towardsthebeaconlightoftheGrange。
　　AndfarratherwouldIbecondemnedtoaperpetualdwellingintheinfernalregions，than，evenforonenight，abidebeneaththeroofofWutheringHeightsagain。'
　　Isabellaceasedspeaking，andtookadrinkoftea；thensherose，andbiddingmeputonherbonnet，andagreatshawlIhadbrought，andturningadeafeartomyentreatiesforhertoremainanotherhour，shesteppedontoachair，kissedEdgar'sandCatherine'sportraits，bestowedasimilarsaluteonme，anddescendedtothecarriage，accompaniedbyFanny，whoyelpedwildwithjoyatrecoveringhermistress。Shewasdrivenaway，nevertorevisittheneighbourhood:butaregularcorrespondencewasestablishedbetweenherandmymasterwhenthingsweremoresettled。Ibelievehernewabodewasinthesouth，nearLondon；thereshehadasonborn，afewmonthssubsequenttoherescape。HewaschristenedLinton，and，fromthefirst，shereportedhimtobeanailing，peevishcreature。
　　MrHeathcliff，meetingmeonedayinthevillage，inquiredwhereshelived。Irefusedtotell。Heremarkedthatitwasnotofanymoment，onlyshemustbewareofcomingtoherbrother:sheshouldnotbewithhim，ifhehadtokeepherhimself。ThoughIwouldgivenoinformation，hediscovered，throughsomeoftheotherservants，bothherplaceofresidenceandtheexistenceofthechild。Stillhedidn'tmolesther:forwhichforbearanceshemightthankhisaversion，Isuppose。Heoftenaskedabouttheinfant，whenhesawme；andonhearingitsname，smiledgrimly，andobserved:
　　`Theywishmetohateittoo，dothey？'
　　`Idon'tthinktheywishyoutoknowanythingaboutit，'Ianswered。
　　`ButI'llhaveit，'hesaid，`whenIwantit。Theymayreckononthat!'
　　Fortunately，itsmotherdiedbeforethetimearrived；somethirteenyearsafterthedeceaseofCatherine，whenLintonwastwelve，oralittlemore。
　　OnthedaysucceedingIsabella'sunexpectedvisit，Ihadnoopportunityofspeakingtomymaster:heshunnedconversation，andwasfitfordiscussingnothing。WhenIcouldgethimtolisten，Isawitpleasedhimthathissisterhadleftherhusband；whomheabhorredwithanintensitywhichthemildnessofhisnaturewouldscarcelyseemtoallow。Sodeepandsensitivewashisaversion，thatherefrainedfromgoinganywherewherehewaslikelytoseeorhearofHeathcliff。Grief，andthattogether，transformedhimintoacompletehermit:hethrewuphisofficeofmagistrate，ceasedeventoattendchurch，avoidedthevillageonalloccasions，andspentalifeofentireseclusionwithinthelimitsofhisparkandgrounds；onlyvariedbysolitaryramblesonthemoors，andvisitstothegraveofhiswife，mostlyatevening，orearlymorningbeforeotherwandererswereabroad。
　　Buthewastoogoodtobethoroughlyunhappylong。Hedidn'tprayforCatherine'ssoultohaunthim。Timebroughtresignation，andamelancholysweeterthancommonjoy。Herecalledhermemorywithardent，tenderlove，andhopefulaspiringtothebetterworld；wherehedoubtednotshewasgone。
　　Andhehadearthlyconsolationandaffectionsalso。Forafewdays，Isaid，heseemedregardlessofthepunysuccessortothedeparted:
　　thecoldnessmeltedasfastassnowinApril，anderethetinythingcouldstammerawordortotterastep，itwieldedadespot'ssceptreinhisheart。
　　ItwasnamedCatherine；buthenevercalleditthenameinfull，ashehadnevercalledthefirstCatherineshort；probablybecauseHeathcliffhadahabitofdoingso。ThelittleonewasalwaysCathy；itformedtohimadistinctionfromthemother，andyetaconnectionwithher；andhisattachmentsprangfromitsrelationtoher，farmorethanfromitsbeinghisown。
　　IusedtodrawacomparisonbetweenhimandHindleyEarnshaw，andperplexmyselftoexplainsatisfactorilywhytheirconductwassooppositeinsimilarcircumstances。Theyhadbothbeenfondhusbands，andwerebothattachedtotheirchildren；andIcouldnotseehowtheyshouldn'tbothhavetakenthesameroad，forgoodorevil。But，Ithoughtinmymind，Hindley，withapparentlythestrongerhead，hasshownhimselfsadlytheworseandtheweakerman。Whenhisshipstruck，thecaptainabandonedhispost；andthecrew，insteadoftryingtosaveher，rushedintoriotandconfusion，leavingnohopefortheirlucklessvessel。Linton，onthecontrary，displayedthetruecourageofaloyalandfaithfulsoul:hetrustedGod；
　　andGodcomfortedhim。Onehoped，andtheotherdespaired:theychosetheirownlots，andwererighteouslydoomedtoendurethem。Butyou'llnotwanttohearmymoralizing，MrLockwood:you'lljudgeaswellasIcan，allthesethings:atleast，you'llthinkyouwill，andthat'sthesame。TheendofEarnshawwaswhatmighthavebeenexpected；itfollowedfastonhissister's:therewasscarcelysixmonthsbetweenthem。We，attheGrange，nevergotaverysuccinctaccountofhisstateprecedingit；allthatI
　　didlearn，wasonoccasionofgoingtoaidinthepreparationsforthefuneral。MrKennethcametoannouncetheeventtomymaster。
　　`Well，Nelly，'saidhe，ridingintotheyardonemorning，tooearlynottoalarmmewithaninstantpresentimentofbadnews，`it'syoursandmyturntogointomourningatpresent。Who'sgivenustheslipnow，doyouthink？'
　　`Who？'Iaskedinaflurry。
　　`Why，guess!'hereturned，dismounting，andslinginghisbridleonahookbythedoor。`Andnipupthecornerofyourapron:I'mcertainyou'llneedit。'
　　`NotMrHeathcliff，surely？'Iexclaimed。
　　`What!wouldyouhavetearsforhim？'saidthedoctor。`No，Heathcliff'satoughyoungfellow:helooksbloomingtoday。I'vejustseenhim。He'srapidlyregainingfleshsincehelosthisbetterhalf。'
　　`Whoisitthen，MrKenneth？'Irepeatedimpatiently。
　　`HindleyEarnshaw!YouroldfriendHindley，'hereplied，`andmywickedgossip:thoughhe'sbeentoowildformethislongwhile。There!
　　Isaidweshoulddrawwater。Butcheerup。Hediedtruetohischaracter:
　　drunkasalord。Poorlad!I'msorry，too。Onecan'thelpmissinganoldcompanion:thoughhehadtheworsttrickswithhimthatevermanimagined，andhasdonememanyarascallyturn。He'sbarelytwenty-seven，itseems；
　　that'syourownage:whowouldhavethoughtyouwereborninoneyear？'
　　IconfessthisblowwasgreatertomethantheshockofMrsLinton'sdeath:ancientassociationslingeredroundmyheart；Isatdownintheporchandweptasforabloodrelation，desiringKennethtogetanotherservanttointroducehimtothemaster。Icouldnothindermyselffromponderingonthequestion——`Hadhehadfairplay？'WhateverIdid，thatideawouldbotherme:itwassotiresomelypertinaciousthatIresolvedonrequestingleavetogotoWutheringHeights，andassistinthelastdutiestothedead。MrLintonwasextremelyreluctanttoconsent，butI
　　pleadedeloquentlyforthefriendlessconditioninwhichhelay；andI
　　saidmyoldmasterandfoster-brotherhadaclaimonmyservicesasstrongashisown。Besides，IremindedhimthatthechildHaretonwashiswife'snephew，and，intheabsenceofnearerkin，heoughttoactasitsguardian；
　　andheoughttoandmustinquirehowthepropertywasleft，andlookovertheconcernsofhisbrother-in-law。Hewasunfitforattendingtosuchmattersthen，buthebidmespeaktohislawyer；andatlengthpermittedmetogo。HislawyerhadbeenEarnshaw'salso:Icalledatthevillage，andaskedhimtoaccompanyme。Heshookhishead，andadvisedthatHeathcliffshouldbeletalone；affirming，ifthetruthwereknown，Haretonwouldbefoundlittleelsethanabeggar。
　　`Hisfatherdiedindebt，'hesaid；`thewholepropertyismortgaged，andthesolechanceforthenaturalheiristoallowhimanopportunityofcreatingsomeinterestinthecreditor'sheart，thathemaybeinclinedtodeallenientlytowardshim。'
　　WhenIreachedtheHeights，IexplainedthatIhadcometoseeeverythingcarriedondecently；andJoseph，whoappearedinsufficientdistress，expressedsatisfactionatmypresence。MrHeathcliffsaidhedidnotperceivethatIwaswanted；butImightstayandorderthearrangementsforthefuneral，ifIchose。
　　`Correctly，'heremarked，`thatfool'sbodyshouldbeburiedatthecrossroads，withoutceremonyofanykind。Ihappenedtoleavehimtenminutesyesterdayafternoon，andinthatintervalhefastenedthetwodoorsofthehouseagainstme，andhehasspentthenightindrinkinghimselftodeathdeliberately!Webrokeinthismorning，forweheardhimsnortinglikeahorse；andtherehewas，laidoverthesettle；flayingandscalpingwouldnothavewakenedhim。IsentforKenneth，andhecame；butnottillthebeasthadchangedintocarrion:hewasbothdeadandcold，andstark；
　　andsoyou'llallowitwasuselessmakingmorestirabouthim!'
　　Theoldservantconfirmedthisstatement，butmuttered:
　　`Aw'draytherhe'dgoanhisselnfurt'doctor!Awsuduhtaententuht'maisterbetternurhim——unhewarn'tdeeadwhenAwleft，nowtuht'soart!'
　　Iinsistedonthefuneralbeingrespectable。MrHeathcliffsaidImighthavemyownwaytheretoo；only，hedesiredmetorememberthatthemoneyforthewholeaffaircameoutofhispocket。Hemaintainedahard，carelessdeportment，indicativeofneitherjoynorsorrow；ifanything，itexpressedaflintygratificationatapieceofdifficultworksuccessfullyexecuted。Iobservedonce，indeed，somethinglikeexultationinhisaspect:
　　itwasjustwhenthepeoplewerebearingthecoffinfromthehouse。Hehadthehypocrisytorepresentamourner:andprevioustofollowingwithHareton，heliftedtheunfortunatechildontothetableandmuttered，withpeculiargusto，`Now，mybonnylad，youaremine!Andwe'llseeifonetreewon'tgrowascrookedasanother，withthesamewindtotwistit!'Theunsuspectingthingwaspleasedatthisspeech:heplayedwithHeathcliff'swhiskers，andstrokedhischeek；butIdivineditsmeaning，andobservedtartly，`ThatboymustgobackwithmetoThrushcrossGrange，sir。Thereisnothingintheworldlessyoursthanheis!'
　　`DoesLintonsayso？'hedemanded。
　　`Ofcourse——hehasorderedmetotakehim，'Ireplied。
　　`Well，'saidthescoundrel，`we'llnotarguethesubjectnow:
　　butIhaveafancytotrymyhandatrearingayoungone；sointimatetoyourmasterthatImustsupplytheplaceofthiswithmyown，ifheattempttoremoveit。Idon'tengagetoletHaretongoundisputed；butI'llbeprettysuretomaketheothercome!Remembertotellhim。'
　　Thishintwasenoughtobindourhands。Irepeateditssubstanceonmyreturn；andEdgarLinton，littleinterestedatthecommencement，spokenomoreofinterferingI'mnotawarethathecouldhavedoneittoanypurpose，hadhebeeneversowilling。
　　TheguestwasnowthemasterofWutheringHeights:heheldfirmpossession，andprovedtotheattorney——who，inhisturn，provedittoMrLinton——thatEarnshawhadmortgagedeveryyardoflandheowned，forcashtosupplyhismaniaforgaming；andhe，Heathcliff，wasthemortgagee。
　　InthatmannerHareton，whoshouldnowbethefirstgentlemanintheneighbourhood，wasreducedtoastateofcompletedependenceonhisfather'sinveterateenemy；andlivesinhisownhouseasaservant，deprivedoftheadvantageofwages，andquiteunabletorighthimself，becauseofhisfriendlessness，andhisignorancethathehasbeenwronged。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]
　　WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter18Thetwelveyears，continuedMrsDean，followingthatdismalperiod，werethehappiestofmylife:mygreatesttroublesintheirpassagerosefromourlittlelady'striflingillnesses，whichshehadtoexperienceincommonwithallchildren，richandpoor。Fortherest，afterthefirstsixmonths，shegrewlikealarch，andcouldwalkandtalktoo，inherownway，beforetheheathblossomedasecondtimeoverMrsLinton'sdust。Shewasthemostwinningthingthateverbroughtsunshineintoadesolatehouse:arealbeautyinface，withtheEarnshaws'handsomedarkeyes，buttheLintons'
　　fairskinandsmallfeatures，andyellowcurlinghair。Herspiritwashigh，thoughnotrough，andqualifiedbyaheartsensitiveandlivelytoexcessinitsaffections。Thatcapacityforintenseattachmentsremindedmeofhermother:stillshedidnotresembleher；forshecouldbesoftandmildasadove，andshehadagentlevoiceandpensiveexpression:herangerwasneverfurious；herloveneverfierce:itwasdeepandtender。However，itmustbeacknowledged，shehadfaultstofoilhergifts。Apropensitytobesaucywasone；andaperversewill，thatindulgedchildreninvariablyacquire，whethertheybegood-temperedorcross。Ifaservantchancedtovexher，itwasalways——`Ishalltellpapa!'Andifhereprovedher，evenbyalook，youwouldhavethoughtitaheart-breakingbusiness:Idon'tbelieveheeverdidspeakaharshwordtoher。Hetookhereducationentirelyonhimself，andmadeitanamusement。Fortunately，curiosityandaquickintellecturgedherintoanaptscholar:shelearnedrapidlyandeagerly，anddidhonourtohisteaching。
　　Tillshereachedtheageofthirteen，shehadnotoncebeenbeyondtherangeoftheparkbyherself。MrLintonwouldtakeherwithhimamileorsooutside，onrareoccasions；buthetrustedhertonooneelse。Gimmertonwasanunsubstantialnameinherears；thechapel，theonlybuildingshehadapproachedorentered，exceptherownhome。WutheringHeightsandMrHeathcliffdidnotexistforher:shewasaperfectrecluse；and，apparently，perfectlycontented。Sometimes，indeed，whilesurveyingthecountryfromhernurserywindow，shewouldobserve:
　　`Ellen，howlongwillitbebeforeIcanwalktothetopofthosehills？Iwonderwhatliesontheotherside——isitthesea？'
　　`No，MissCathy，'Iwouldanswer；`itishillsagain，justlikethese。'
　　`Andwhatarethosegoldenrockslikewhenyoustandunderthem？'
　　sheonceasked。
　　TheabruptdescentofPenistoneCragsparticularlyattractedhernotice；especiallywhenthesettingsunshoneonitandthetopmostheights，andthewholeextentoflandscapebesideslayinshadow。Iexplainedthattheywerebaremassesofstone，withhardlyenoughearthintheircleftstonourishastuntedtree。
　　`Andwhyaretheybrightsolongafteritiseveninghere？'shepursued。
　　`Becausetheyareagreatdealhigherupthanweare，'repliedI；`youcouldnotclimbthem，theyaretoohighandsteep。Inwinterthefrostisalwaystherebeforeitcomestous；anddeepintosummerIhavefoundsnowunderthatblackhollowonthenorth-eastside!'
　　`Oh，youhavebeenonthem!'shecriedgleefully。`ThenIcango，too，whenIamawoman。Haspapabeen，Ellen？'
　　`Papawouldtellyou，miss，'Iansweredhastily，`thattheyarenotworththetroubleofvisiting。Themoors，whereyouramblewithhim，aremuchnicer；andThrushcrossParkisthefinestplaceintheworld。'
　　`ButIknowthepark，andIdon'tknowthose，'shemurmuredtoherself。`AndIshoulddelighttolookroundmefromthebrowofthattallestpoint:mylittleponyMinnyshalltakemesometime。'
　　OneofthemaidsmentioningtheFairyCave，quiteturnedherheadwithadesiretofulfilthisproject:sheteasedMrLintonaboutit；andhepromisedsheshouldhavethejourneywhenshegotolder。ButMissCatherinemeasuredheragebymonths，and，`Now，amIoldenoughtogotoPenistoneCrags？'wastheconstantquestioninhermouth。TheroadthitherwoundclosebyWutheringHeights。Edgarhadnotthehearttopassit；soshereceivedasconstantlytheanswer，`Notyet，love:notyet。
　　IsaidMrsHeathclifflivedaboveadozenyearsafterquittingherhusband。Herfamilywereofadelicateconstitution:sheandEdgarbothlackedtheruddyhealththatyouwillgenerallymeetintheseparts。
　　Whatherlastillnesswas，Iamnotcertain:Iconjecture，theydiedofthesamething，akindoffever，slowatitscommencement，butincurable，andrapidlyconsuminglifetowardstheclose。Shewrotetoinformherbrotheroftheprobableconclusionofafourmonths'indispositionunderwhichshehadsuffered，andentreatedhimtocometoher，ifpossible；
　　forshehadmuchtosettle，andshewishedtobidhimadieu，anddeliverLintonsafelyintohishands。Herhopewas，thatLintonmightbeleftwithhim，ashehadbeenwithher:hisfather，shewouldfainconvinceherself，hadnodesiretoassumetheburdenofhismaintenanceoreducation。Mymasterhesitatednotamomentincomplyingwithherrequest:reluctantashewastoleavehomeatordinarycalls，heflewtoanswerthis；commendingCatherinetomypeculiarvigilance，inhisabsence，withreiteratedordersthatshemustnotwanderoutofthepark，evenundermyescort:hedidnotcalculateonhergoingunaccompanied。