`Icarenothingforhisanger，'exclaimedCathy，imaginingshewouldbeitsobject。
　　`ButIdo，'saidhercousin，shuddering。`Don'tprovokehimagainstme，Catherine，forheisveryhard。'
　　`Isheseveretoyou，MasterHeathcliff？'Iinquired。`Hashegrownwearyofindulgence，andpassedfrompassivetoactivehatred？'
　　Lintonlookedatme，butdidnotanswer；and，afterkeepingherseatbyhissideanothertenminutes，duringwhichhisheadfelldrowsilyonhisbreast，andheutterednothingexceptsuppressedmoansofexhaustionorpain，Cathybegantoseeksolaceinlookingforbilberries，andsharingtheproduceofherresearcheswithme:shedidnotofferthemtohim，forshesawfurthernoticewouldonlywearyandannoy。
　　`Isithalfanhournow，Ellen？'shewhisperedinmyear，atlast。
　　`Ican'ttellwhyweshouldstay。He'sasleep，andpapawillbewantingusback。'
　　`Well，wemustnotleavehimasleep，'Ianswered；`waittillhewakes，andbepatient。Youweremightyeagertosetoff，butyourlongingtoseepoorLintonhassoonevaporated!'
　　`Whydidhewishtoseeme？'returnedCatherine。`Inhiscrossesthumours，formerly，IlikedhimbetterthanIdoinhispresentcuriousmood。It'sjustasifitwereataskhewascompelledtoperform——thisinterview——forfearhisfathershouldscoldhim。ButI'mhardlygoingtocometogiveMrHeathcliffpleasure；whateverreasonhemayhavefororderingLintontoundergothispenance。And，thoughI'mgladhe'sbetterinhealth，I'msorryhe'ssomuchlesspleasant，andsomuchlessaffectionatetome。'
　　`Youthinkheisbetterinhealththen？'Isaid。
　　`Yes，'sheanswered；`becausehealwaysmadesuchagreatdealofhissufferings，youknow。Heisnottolerablywell，ashetoldmetotellpapa；buthe'sbetter，verylikely。'
　　`Thereyoudifferwithme，MissCathy，'Iremarked；`Ishouldconjecturehimtobefarworse。'
　　Lintonherestartedfromhisslumberinbewilderedterror，andaskedifanyonehadcalledhisname。
　　`No，'saidCatherine；`unlessindreams。Icannotconceivehowyoumanagetodozeoutofdoors，inthemorning。'
　　`IthoughtIheardmyfather，'hegasped，glancinguptothefrowningnababoveus。`Youaresurenobodyspoke？'
　　`Quitesure，'repliedhiscousin。`OnlyEllenandIweredisputingconcerningyourhealth。Areyoutrulystronger，Linton，thanwhenweseparatedinwinter？IfyoubeI'mcertainonethingisnotstronger——yourregardforme:speak，——areyou？'
　　ThetearsgushedfromLinton'seyesasheanswered，`Yes，yes，Iam!'And，stillunderthespelloftheimaginaryvoice，hisgazewanderedupanddowntodetectitsowner。Cathyrose。`Fortodaywemustpart，'
　　shesaid。`AndIwon'tconcealthatIhavebeensadlydisappointedwithourmeeting；thoughI'llmentionittonobodybutyou:notthatIstandinaweofMrHeathcliff。'
　　`Hush，'murmuredLinton:`forGod'ssake，hush!He'scoming。'
　　AndheclungtoCatherine'sarm，strivingtodetainher；butatthatannouncementshehastilydisengagedherself，andwhistledtoMinny，whoobeyedherlikeadog。
　　`I'llbeherenextThursday，'shecried，springingtothesaddle。
　　`Goodbye。Quick，Ellen!'
　　Andsowelefthim，scarcelyconsciousofourdeparture，soabsorbedwasheinanticipatinghisfather'sapproach。
　　Beforewereachedhome，Catherine'sdispleasuresoftenedintoaperplexedsensationofpityandregret，largelyblendedwithvague，uneasydoubtsaboutLinton'sactualcircumstances，physicalandsocial；inwhichIpartook，thoughIcounselledhernottosaymuch；forasecondjourneywouldmakeusbetterjudges。Mymasterrequestedanaccountofourongoings。
　　Hisnephew'sofferingofthankswasdulydelivered，MissCathygentlytouchingontherest:Ialsothrewlittlelightonhisinquiries，forIhardlyknewwhattohide，andwhattoreveal。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter27Sevendaysglidedaway，everyonemarkingitscoursebythehenceforthrapidalterationofEdgarLinton'sstate。Thehavocthatmonthshadpreviouslywroughtwasnowemulatedbytheinroadsofhours。Catherine，wewouldfainhavedeludedyet:butherownquickspiritrefusedtodeludeher:itdivinedinsecret，andbroodedonthedreadfulprobability，graduallyripeningintocertainty。Shehadnotthehearttomentionherride，whenThursdaycameround；Imentioneditforher，andobtainedpermissiontoorderheroutofdoors:forthelibrary，whereherfatherstoppedashorttimedaily——thebriefperiodhecouldbeartositup——andhischamber，hadbecomeherwholeworld。Shegrudgedeachmomentthatdidnotfindherbendingoverhispillow，orseatedbyhisside:Hercountenancegrewwanwithwatchingandsorrow，andmymastergladlydismissedhertowhatheflatteredhimselfwouldbeahappychangeofsceneandsociety；drawingcomfortfromthehopethatshewouldnotnowbeleftentirelyaloneafterhisdeath。
　　Hehadafixedidea，Iguessedbyseveralobservationsheletfall，that，ashisnephewresembledhiminperson，hewouldresemblehiminmind；forLinton'slettersborefewornoindicationsofhisdefectivecharacter。AndI，throughpardonableweakness，refrainedfromcorrectingtheerror；askingmyselfwhatgoodtherewouldbeindisturbinghislastmomentswithinformationthathehadneitherpowernoropportunitytoturntoaccount。
　　Wedeferredourexcursiontilltheafternoon；agoldenafternoonofAugust:everybreathfromthehillssofulloflife，thatitseemedwhoeverrespiredit，thoughdying，mightrevive。Catherine'sfacewasjustlikethelandscape——shadowsandsunshineflittingoveritinrapidsuccession；
　　buttheshadowsrestedlonger，andthesunshinewasmoretransient；andherpoorlittleheartreproacheditselfforeventhatpassingforgetfulnessofitscares。
　　WediscernedLintonwatchingatthesamespothehadselectedbefore。Myyoungmistressalighted，andtoldmethat，asshewasresolvedtostayaverylittlewhile，Ihadbetterholdtheponyandremainonhorseback；
　　butIdissented:Iwouldn'trisklosingsightofthechargecommittedtomeaminute；soweclimbedtheslopeofheathtogether。MasterHeathcliffreceiveduswithgreateranimationonthisoccasion:nottheanimationofhighspiritsthough，noryetofjoy；itlookedmorelikefear。
　　`Itislate!'hesaid，speakingshortandwithdifficulty。`Isnotyourfatherveryill？Ithoughtyouwouldn'tcome。'
　　`Whywon'tyoubecandid？'criedCatherine，swallowinghergreeting。`Whycannotyousayatonceyoudon'twantme？Itisstrange，Linton，thatforthesecondtimeyouhavebroughtmehereonpurpose，apparently，todistressusboth，andfornoreasonbesides!'
　　Lintonshivered，andglancedather，halfsupplicating，halfashamed；
　　buthiscousin'spatiencewasnotsufficienttoendurethisenigmaticalbehaviour。
　　`Myfatherisveryill，'shesaid；`andwhyamIcalledfromhisbedside？Whydidn'tyousendtoabsolvemefrommypromise，when''youwishedIwouldn'tkeepit？Come!Idesireanexplanation:playingandtriflingarecompletelybanishedoutofmymind；andIcan'tdanceattendanceonyouraffectationsnow!'
　　`Myaffectations!'hemurmured；`whatarethey？ForHeaven'ssake，Catherine，don'tlooksoangry!Despisemeasmuchasyouplease；Iamaworthless，cowardlywretch:Ican'tbescornedenough；butI'mtoomeanforyouranger。Hatemyfather，andsparemeforcontempt。'
　　`Nonsense!'criedCatherine，inapassion。`Foolish，sillyboy!
　　Andthere!hetrembles，asifIwerereallygoingtotouchhim!Youneedn'tbespeakcontempt，Linton:anybodywillhaveitspontaneouslyatyourservice。
　　Getoff!Ishallreturnhome:itisfollydraggingyoufromthehearthstone，andpretending——whatdowepretend？Letgomyfrock!IfIpitiedyouforcryingandlookingsoveryfrightened，youshouldspurnsuchpity。Ellen，tellhimhowdisgracefulthisconductis。Rise，anddon'tdegradeyourselfintoanabjectreptile——don't!'
　　Withstreamingfaceandanexpressionofagony，Lintonhadthrownhisnervelessframealongtheground:heseemedconvulsedwithexquisiteterror。
　　`Oh!'hesobbed，`Icannotbearit!Catherine，Catherine，I'matraitor，too，andIdarenottellyou!Butleaveme，andIshallbekilled!DearCatherine，mylifeisinyourhands:andyouhavesaidyoulovedme，andifyoudid，itwouldn'tharmyou。You'llnotgo，then？kind，sweet，goodCatherine!Andperhapsyouwillconsent——andhe'llletmediewithyou!'
　　Myyounglady，onwitnessinghisintenseanguish，stoopedtoraisehim。Theoldfeelingofindulgenttendernessovercamehervexation，andshegrewthoroughlymovedandalarmed。
　　`Consenttowhat？'sheasked。`Tostay？Tellmethemeaningofthisstrangetalk，andIwill。Youcontradictyourownwords，anddistractme!Becalmandfrank，andconfessatonceallthatweighsonyourheart。
　　Youwouldn'tinjureme，Linton，wouldyou？Youwouldn'tletanyenemyhurtme，ifyoucouldpreventit？I'llbelieveyouareacowardforyourself，butnotacowardlybetrayerofyourbestfriend。'
　　`Butmyfatherthreatenedme，'gaspedtheboy，claspinghisattenuatedfingers，`andIdreadhim——Idreadhim!Idarenottell!'
　　`Oh，well!'saidCatherine，withscornfulcompassion，`keepyoursecret:I'mnocoward。Saveyourself；I'mnotafraid!'
　　Hermagnanimityprovokedhistears:heweptwildly，kissinghersupportinghands，andyetcouldnotsummoncouragetospeakout。Iwascogitatingwhatthemysterymightbe，anddeterminedCatherineshouldneversuffer，tobenefithimoranyoneelse，bymygoodwill；whenhearingarustleamongtheling，IlookedupandsawMrHeathcliffalmostcloseuponus，descendingtheHeights。Hedidn'tcastaglancetowardsmycompanions，thoughtheyweresufficientlynearforLinton'ssobstobeaudible；buthailingmeinthealmostheartytoneheassumedtononebesides，andthesincerityofwhichIcouldn'tavoiddoubting，hesaid:
　　`Itissomethingtoseeyousonear"tomyhouse，Nelly。HowareyouattheGrange？Letushear。Therumourgoes'，headdedinalowertone，`thatEdgarLintonisonhisdeathbed:perhapstheyexaggeratehisillness!'
　　`No；mymasterisdying，'Ireplied:`itistrueenough。Asadthingitwillbeforusall，butablessingforhim!'
　　`Howlongwillhelast，doyouthink？'heasked。
　　`Idon'tknow，'Isaid。
　　`Because，'hecontinued，lookingatthetwoyoungpeople，whowerefixedunderhiseye——Lintonappearedasifhecouldnotventuretostirorraisehishead，andCatherinecouldnotmove，onhisaccount——`becausethatladyonderseemsdeterminedtobeatme；andI'dthankhisuncletobequick，andgobeforehim。Hallo!hasthewhelpbeenplayingthatgamelong？Ididgivehimsomelessonsaboutsnivelling。IsheprettylivelywithMissLintongenerally？'
　　`Lively？no——hehasshownthegreatestdistress，'Ianswered。
　　`Toseehim，Ishouldsay，thatinsteadoframblingwithhissweetheartonthehills，heoughttobeinbed，underthehandsofadoctor。'
　　`Heshallbeinadayortwo，'mutteredHeathcliff。`Butfirst——getup，Linton!Getup!'heshouted。`Don'tgrovelonthegroundthere:up，thismoment!'
　　Lintonhadsunkprostrateagaininanotherparoxysmofhelplessfear，causedbyhisfather'sglancetowardshim，Isuppose:therewasnothingelsetoproducesuchhumiliation。Hemadeseveraleffortstoobey，buthislittlestrengthwasannihilatedforthetime，andhefellbackagainwithamoan。MrHeathcliffadvanced，andliftedhimtoleanagainstaridgeofturf。
　　`Now，'saidhe，withcurbedferocity，`I'mgettingangry；andifyoudon'tcommandthatpaltryspiritofyours——Damnyou!getupdirectly!'
　　`Iwill，Father，'hepanted。`Only，letmealone，orIshallfaint。
　　I'vedoneasyouwished，I'msure。CatherinewilltellyouthatI——thatI——havebeencheerful。Ah!keepbyme，Catherine:givemeyourhand。'
　　`Takemine，'saidhisfather；`standonyourfeet。Therenow——she'lllendyouherarm:that'sright，lookather。YouwouldimagineI
　　wasthedevilhimself，MissLinton，toexcitesuchhorror。Besokindastowalkhomewithhim，willyou？HeshuddersifItouchhim。'
　　`Linton，dear!'whisperedCatherine，`Ican'tgotoWutheringHeights:papahasforbiddenme。He'llnotharmyou:whyareyousoafraid？'
　　`Icanneverre-enterthathouse，'heanswered。`I'mnottore-enteritwithoutyou!'
　　`Stop!'criedhisfather。`We'llrespectCatherine'sfilialscruples。
　　Nelly，takehimin，andI'llfollowyouradviceconcerningthedoctor，withoutdelay。'
　　`You'lldowell，'repliedI。`ButImustremainwithmymistress:
　　tomindyoursonisnotmybusiness。'
　　`Youareverystiff，'saidHeathcliff，`Iknowthat:butyou'llforcemetopinchthebabyandmakeitscreambeforeitmovesyourcharity。
　　Come，then，myhero。Areyouwillingtoreturn，escortedbyme？'
　　Heapproachedoncemore，andmadeasifhewouldseizethefragilebeing；but，shrinkingback，Lintonclungtohiscousin，andimploredhertoaccompanyhim，withafranticimportunitythatadmittednodenial。HoweverIdisapproved，Icouldn'thinderher:indeed，howcouldshehaverefusedhimherself？Whatwasfillinghimwithdreadwehadnomeansofdiscerning:
　　buttherehewas，powerlessunderitsgrip，andanyadditionseemedcapableofshockinghimintoidiotcy。Wereachedthethreshold:Catherinewalkedin，andIstoodwaitingtillshehadconductedtheinvalidtoachair，expectingheroutimmediately；whenMrHeathcliff，pushingmeforward，exclaimed:
　　`Myhouseisnotstrickenwiththeplague，Nelly；andIhaveamindtobehospitabletoday:sitdown，andallowmetoshutthedoor。'
　　Heshutandlockeditalso。Istarted。
　　`Youshallhaveteabeforeyougohome，'headded。`Iambymyself。
　　HaretonisgonewithsomecattletotheLees，andZillahandJosephareoffonajourneyofpleasure；and，thoughI'musedtobeingalone，I'dratherhavesomeinterestingcompany，ifIcangetit。MissLinton，takeyourseatbyhim。IgiveyouwhatIhave:thepresentishardlyworthaccepting；butIhavenothingelsetooffer。ItisLinton，Imean。
　　Howshedoesstare!It'soddwhatasavagefeelingIhavetoanythingthatseemsafraidofme!HadIbeenbornwherelawsarelessstrictandtasteslessdainty，Ishouldtreatmyself，toaslowvivisectionofthosetwo，asanevening'samusement。
　　Hedrewinhisbreath，struckthetable，andsworetohimself，`Byhell!Ihatethem。'
　　`I'mnotafraidofyou!'exclaimedCatherine，whocouldnothearthelatterpartofhisspeech。Shesteppedcloseup；herblackeyesflashingwithpassionandresolution。`Givemethatkey:Iwillhaveit!'shesaid。
　　`Iwouldn'teatordrinkhere，ifIwerestarving。'
　　Heathcliffhadthekeyinhishandthatremainedonthetable。
　　Helookedup，seizedwithasortofsurpriseatherboldness；or，possibly，remindedbyhervoiceandglance，ofthepersonfromwhomsheinheritedit。Shesnatchedattheinstrument，andhalfsucceededingettingitoutofhisloosenedfingers:butheractionrecalledhimtothepresent；herecovereditspeedily。
　　`Now，CatherineLinton，'hesaid，`standoff，orIshallknockyoudown；andthatwillmakeMrsDeanmad。'
　　Regardlessofthiswarning，shecapturedhisclosedhandanditscontentsagain。`Wewillgo!'sherepeated，exertingherutmosteffortstocausetheironmusclestorelax；andfindingthathernailsmadenoimpression，sheappliedherteethprettysharply。Heathcliffglancedatmeaglancethatkeptmefrominterferingamoment。Catherinewastoointentonhisfingerstonoticehisface。Heopenedthemsuddenly，andresignedtheobjectofdispute；but，ereshehadwellsecuredit，heseizedherwiththeliberatedhand，and，pullingheronhisknee，administeredwiththeotherashowerofterrificslapsonthesideofthehead，eachsufficienttohavefulfilledhisthreat，hadshebeenabletofall。
　　AtthisdiabolicalviolenceIrushedonhimfuriously。`Youvillain!'
　　Ibegantocry，`youvillain!'Atouchonthechestsilencedme:Iamstout，andsoonputoutofbreath；and，whatwiththatandtherage，Istaggereddizzilyback，andfeltreadytosuffocate，ortoburstabloodvessel。
　　Thescenewasoverintwominutes；Catherine，released，puthertwohandstohertemples，andlookedjustasifshewerenotsurewhetherherearswereofforon。Shetrembledlikeareed，poorthing，andleantagainstthetableperfectlybewildered。
　　`Iknowhowtochastisechildren，yousee，'saidthescoundrelgrimly，ashestoopedtorepossesshimselfofthekey，whichhaddroppedtothefloor。`GotoLintonnow，asItoldyou；andcryatyourease!I
　　shallbeyourfather，tomorrow——allthefatheryou'llhaveinafewdays——andyoushallhaveplentyofthat。Youcanbearplenty；you'renoweakling:
　　youshallhaveadailytaste，ifIcatchsuchadevilofatemperinyoureyesagain!'
　　CathyrantomeinsteadofLinton，andkneltdownandputherburningcheekonmylap，weepingaloud。Hercousinhadshrunkintoacornerofthesettle，asquietasamouse，congratulatinghimself，Idaresay，thatthecorrectionhadlightedonanotherthanhim。MrHeathcliff，perceivingusallconfounded，rose，andexpeditiouslymadetheteahimself。Thecupsandsaucerswerelaidready。Hepoureditout，andhandedmeacup。
　　`Washawayyourspleen，'hesaid。`Andhelpyourownnaughtypetandmine。Itisnotpoisoned，thoughIpreparedit。I'mgoingouttoseekyourhorses。'
　　Ourfirstthought，onhisdeparture，wastoforceanexitsomewhere。
　　Wetriedthekitchendoor，butthatwasfastenedoutside:welookedatthewindows——theyweretoonarrowforevenCathy'slittlefigure。
　　`Masterinto，'Icried，seeingwewereregularlyimprisoned:`youknowwhatyourdiabolicalfatherisafter，andyoushalltellus，orI'llboxyourears，ashehasdoneyourcousin's。'
　　`Yes，Linton，youmusttell，'saidCatherine。`ItwasforyoursakeIcame；anditwillbewickedlyungratefulifyourefuse。'
　　`Givemesometea，I'mthirsty，andthenI'lltellyou，'heanswered。
　　`MrsDean，goaway。Idon'tlikeyoustandingoverme。Now，Catherine，youarelettingyourtearsfallintomycup。Iwon'tdrinkthat。Givemeanother。'
　　Catherinepushedanothertohim，andwipedherface。Ifeltdisgustedatthelittlewretch'scomposure，sincehewasnolongerinterrorforhimself。TheanguishhehadexhibitedonthemoorsubsidedassoonaseverheenteredWutheringHeights；soIguessedhehadbeenmenacedwithanawfulvisitationofwrathifhefailedindecoyingusthere；and，thataccomplished，hehadnofurtherimmediatefears。
　　`Papawantsustobemarried，'hecontinued，aftersippingsomeoftheliquid。`Andheknowsyourpapawouldn'tletusmarrynow；andhe'safraidofmydying，ifwewait；sowearetobemarriedinthemorning，andyouaretostayhereallnight；andifyoudoashewishes，youshallreturnhomenextday，andtakemewithyou。'
　　`Takeyouwithher，pitifulchangeling？'Iexclaimed。`Youmarry？
　　Why，themanismad；orhethinksusfools，everyone。Anddoyouimaginethatbeautifulyounglady，thathealthy，heartygirl，willtieherselftoalittleperishingmonkeylikeyou!Areyoucherishingthenotionthatanybody，letaloneMissCatherineLinton，wouldhaveyouforahusband？
　　Youwantwhippingforbringingusinhereatall，withyourdastardlypulingtricks；and——don'tlooksosilly，now!I'veaverygoodmindtoshakeyouseverely，foryourcontemptibletreachery，andyourimbecileconceit。'
　　Ididgivehimaslightshaking；butitbroughtonthecough，andhetooktohisordinaryresourceofmoaningandweeping，andCatherinerebukedme。
　　`Stayallnight？No，'shesaid，lookingslowlyround。`Ellen，I'llburnthatdoordown，butI'llgetout。'
　　Andshewouldhavecommencedtheexecutionofherthreatdirectly，butLintonwasupinalarmforhisdearselfagain。Heclaspedherinhistwofeeblearms，sobbing:
　　`Won'tyouhaveme，andsaveme？notletmecometotheGrange？
　　Oh!darlingCatherine!youmustn'tgoandleaveme，afterall。Youmustobeymyfather——youmust!'
　　`Imustobeymyown，'shereplied，`andrelievehimfromthiscruelsuspense。Thewholenight!Whatwouldhethink？he'llbedistressedalready。I'lleitherbreakorburnawayoutofthehouse。Bequiet!You'reinnodanger；butifyouhinderme——Linton，Ilovepapabetterthanyou!'
　　ThemortalterrorhefeltofMrHeathcliff'sanger，restoredtotheboyhiscoward'seloquence。Catherinewasneardistraught:still，shepersistedthatshemustgohome，andtriedentreatyinherturn，persuadinghimtosubduehisselfishagony。Whiletheywerethusoccupied，ourgaolerre-entered。
　　`Yourbeastshavetrottedoff，'hesaid，`and——now，Linton!snivellingagain？Whathasshebeendoingtoyou？Come，come——havedone，andgettobed。Inamonthortwo，mylad，you'llbeabletopayherbackherpresenttyrannieswithavigoroushand。You'repiningforpurelove，areyounot？
　　nothingelseintheworld:andsheshallhaveyou!There，tobed!Zillahwon'tbeheretonight；youmustundressyourself。Hush!holdyournoise!
　　Onceinyourownroom，I'llnotcomenearyou:youneedn'tfear。Bychanceyou'vemanagedtolerably。I'lllooktotherest。'
　　Hespokethesewords，holdingthedooropenforhissontopass；
　　andthelatterachievedhisexitexactlyasaspanielmight，whichsuspectedthepersonwhoattendedonitofdesigningaspitefulsqueeze。Thelockwasre-secured。Heathcliffapproachedthefire，wheremymistressandI
　　stoodsilent。Catherinelookedup，andinstinctivelyraisedherhandtohercheek:hisneighbourhoodrevivedapainfulsensation。Anybodyelsewouldhavebeenincapableofregardingthechildishactwithsternness，buthescowledonher，andmuttered:
　　`Oh!youarenotafraidofme？Yourcourageiswelldisguised:
　　youseemdamnablyafraid!'
　　`Iamafraidnow，'shereplied，`because，ifIstay，papawillbemiserable；andhowcanIenduremakinghimmiserable；——whenhe——whenhe——MrHeathcliff，letmegohome!IpromisetomarryLinton:papawouldlikemeto，andIlovehim——whyshouldyouwishtoforcemetodowhatI'llwillinglydoofmyself？'
　　`Lethimdaretoforceyou!'Icried。`There'slawintheland，thankGodthereis；thoughwebeinanout-of-the-wayplace。I'dinformifheweremyownson:andit'sfelonywithoutbenefitofclergy!'
　　`Silence!'saidtheruffian。`Tothedevilwithyourclamour!
　　Idon'twantyoutospeak。MissLinton，Ishallenjoymyselfremarkablyinthinkingyourfatherwillbemiserable:Ishallnotsleepforsatisfaction。
　　Youcouldhavehitonnosurerwayoffixingyourresidenceundermyroofforthenexttwenty-fourhours，thaninformingmethatsuchaneventwouldfollow。AstoyourpromisetomarryLinton，I'lltakecareyoushallkeepit；foryoushallnotquitthisplacetillitisfulfilled。'
　　`SendEllen，then，toletpapaknowI'msafe!'exclaimedCatherine，weepingbitterly。`Ormarrymenow。Poorpapa!Ellen，he'llthinkwe'relost。Whatshallwedo？'
　　`Nothe!He'llthinkyouaretiredofwaitingonhim，andrunoffforalittleamusement，'answeredHeathcliff。`Youcannotdenythatyouenteredmyhouseofyourownaccord，incontemptofhisinjunctionstothecontrary。Anditisquitenaturalthatyoushoulddesireamusementatyourage；aridthatyouwouldwearyofnursingasickman，andthatmanonlyyourfather。Catherine，hishappiestdayswereoverwhenyourdaysbegan。Hecursedyou，Idaresay，forcomingintotheworldI
　　did，atleast；anditwouldjustdoifhecursedyouashewentoutofit。I'djoinhim。Idon'tloveyou!HowshouldI？Weepaway。AsfarasIcansee，itwillbeyourchiefdiversionhereafter；unlessLintonmakeamendsforotherlosses:andyourprovidentparentappearstofancyhemay。Hislettersofadviceandconsolationentertainedmevastly。Inhislastherecommendedmyjeweltobecarefulofhis；andkindtoherwhenhegother。Carefulandkind——that'spaternal。ButLintonrequireshiswholestockofcareandkindnessforhimself。Lintoncanplaythelittletyrantwell。He'llundertaketotortureanynumberofcats，iftheirteethbedrawnandtheirclawspared。You'llbeabletotellhisunclefinetalesofhiskindness，whenyougethomeagain，Iassureyou。'
　　`You'rerightthere!'Isaid；`explainyourson'scharacter。Showhisresemblancetoyourself；andthen，Ihope，MissCathywillthinktwicebeforeshetakesthecockatrice!'
　　`Idon'tmuchmindspeakingofhisamiablequalitiesnow，'heanswered；`becauseshemusteitheraccepthimorremainaprisoner，andyoualongwithher，tillyourmasterdies。Icandetainyouboth，quiteconcealed，here。Ifyoudoubt，encouragehertoretractherword，andyou'llhaveanopportunityofjudging!'
　　`I'llnotretractmyword，'saidCatherine。`I'llmarryhimwithinthishour，ifImaygotoThrushcrossGrangeafterwards。MrHeathcliff，you'reacruelman，butyou'renotafiend；andyouwon't，frommeremalice，destroyirrevocablyallmyhappiness。IfpapathoughtIhadlefthimonpurpose，andifhediedbeforeIreturned，couldIbeartolive？
　　I'vegivenovercrying:butI'mgoingtokneelhere，atyourknee；andI'llnotgetup，andI'llnottakemyeyesfromyourfacetillyoulookbackatme!No，don'tturnaway!dolook!You'llseenothingtoprovokeyou。Idon'thateyou。I'mnotangrythatyoustruckme。Haveyouneverlovedanybodyinallyourlife，uncle？never？Ah!youmustlookonce。I'msowretched，youcan'thelpbeingsorryandpityingme。'
　　`Keepyoureft'sfingersoff；andmove，orI'llkickyou!'criedHeathcliff，brutallyrepulsingher。`I'dratherbehuggedbyasnake。Howthedevilcanyoudreamoffawningonme？Idetestyou!'
　　Heshruggedhisshoulders:shookhimself，indeed，asifhisfleshcreptwithaversion；andthrustbackhischair；whileIgotup，andopenedmymouth，tocommenceadownrighttorrentofabuse。ButIwasrendereddumbinthemiddleofthefirstsentence，byathreatthatIshouldbeshownintoaroombymyselftheverynextsyllableIuttered。Itwasgrowingdark——weheardasoundofvoicesatthegardengate。Ourhosthurriedoutinstantly:hehadhiswitsabouthim；wehadnot。Therewasatalkoftwoorthreeminutes，andhereturnedalone。
　　`IthoughtithadbeenyourcousinHareton，'IobservedtoCatherine。
　　`Iwishhewouldarrive!Whoknowsbuthemighttakeourpart？'
　　`ItwasthreeservantssenttoseekyoufromtheGrange，'saidHeathcliff，overhearingme。`Youshouldhaveopenedalatticeandcalledout:butIcouldswearthatchitisgladyoudidn't。She'sgladtobeobligedtostay，I'mcertain。'
　　Atlearningthechancewehadmissed，webothgaveventtoourgriefwithoutcontrol；andheallowedustowailontillnineo'clock。
　　Thenhebidusgoupstairs，throughthekitchen，toZillah'schamber；andIwhisperedmycompaniontoobey:perhapswemightcontrivetogetthroughthewindowthere，orintoagarret，andoutbyitsskylight。Thewindow，however，wasnarrow，likethosebelow，andthegarrettrapwassafefromourattempts；forwewerefastenedinasbefore。Weneitherofuslaydown:
　　Catherinetookherstationbythelattice，andwatchedanxiouslyformorning；
　　adeepsighbeingtheonlyanswerIcouldobtaintomyfrequententreatiesthatshewouldtrytorest。Iseatedmyselfinachair，androckedtoandfro，passingharshjudgmentonmymanyderelictionsofduty；fromwhich，itstruckmethen，allthemisfortunesofallmyemployerssprang。Itwasnotthecase，inreality，Iamaware；butitwas，inmyimagination，thatdismalnight；andIthoughtHeathcliffhimselflessguiltythanI。
　　Atseveno'clockhecame，andinquiredifMissLintonhadrisen。
　　Sherantothedoorimmediately，andanswered，`Yes。'`Here，then，'
　　hesaid，openingit，andpullingheroutIrosetofollow，butheturnedthelockagain。Idemandedmyrelease。
　　`Bepatient，'hereplied；`I'llsendupyourbreakfastinawhile。'
　　Ithumpedonthepanels，andrattledthelatchangrily；andCatherineaskedwhyIwasstillshutup？Heanswered，Imusttrytoendureitanotherhour，andtheywentaway。Ienduredittwoorthreehours；atlength，I
　　heardafootstep:notHeathcliff's。
　　`I'vebroughtyousomethingtoeat，'saidavoice；`oppentdoor!'
　　Complyingeagerly，IbeheldHareton，ladenwithfoodenoughtolastmeallday。
　　`Takit，'headded，thrustingthetrayintomyhand。
　　`Stayoneminute，'Ibegan。
　　`Nay，'criedhe，andretired，regardlessofanyprayersIcouldpourforthtodetainhim。
　　AndthereIremainedenclosedthewholeday，andthewholeofthenextnight；andanother，andanother。FivenightsandfourdaysIremained，altogether，seeingnobodybutHareton，onceeverymorning；andhewasamodelofajailer:surly，anddumb，anddeaftoeveryattemptatmovinghissenseofjusticeorcompassion。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter28Onthefifthmorning，orratherafternoon，adifferentstepapproached——lighterandshorter；and，thistime，thepersonenteredtheroom。ItwasZillah；
　　donnedinherscarletshawl，withablacksilkbonnetonherhead，andawillowbasketswungtoherarm。
　　`Eh，dear!MrsDean!'sheexclaimed。`Well!thereisatalkaboutyouatGimmerton。IneverthoughtbutyouweresunkintheBlackhorsemarsh，andmissywithyou，tillmastertoldmeyou'dbeenfound，andhe'dlodgedyouhere!What!andyoumusthavegotonanisland，sure？Andhowlongwereyouinthehole？Didmastersaveyou，MrsDean？Butyou'renotsothin——you'venotbeensopoorly，haveyou？'
　　`Yourmasterisatruescoundrel!'Ireplied。`Butheshallanswerforit。Heneedn'thaveraisedthattale:itshallallbelaidbare!'
　　`Whatdoyoumean？'askedzillah。`It'snothistale:theytellthatinthevillage——aboutyourbeinglostinthemarsh:andIcallstoEarnshaw，whenIcomein——"Eh，they'squeerthings，MrHareton，happenedsinceIwentoff。It'sasadpityofthatlikelyyounglass，andcantNellyDean。''Hestared。Ithoughthehadnotheardaught，soItoldhimtherumour。Themasterlistened，andhejustsmiledtohimself，andsaid，``Iftheyhavebeeninthemarsh，theyareoutnow，Zillah。NellyDeanislodged，atthisminute，inyourroom。Youcantellhertoflit，whenyougoup；
　　hereisthekey。Thebogwatergotintoherhead，andshewouldhaverunhomequiteflighty；butIfixedhertillshecameroundtohersenses。
　　YoucanbidhergototheGrangeatonce，ifshebeable，andcarryamessagefromme，thatheryoungladywillfollowintimetoattendthesquire'sfuneral。"'
　　`MrEdgarisnotdead？'Igasped。`Oh!Zillah，Zillah!'
　　`No，no；sityoudown，mygoodmistress，'shereplied，`you'rerightsicklyyet。He'snotdead:DoctorKenneththinkshemaylastanotherday。Imethimontheroadandasked。'
　　Insteadofsittingdown，Isnatchedmyoutdoorthings，andhastenedbelow，forthewaywasfree。Onenteringthehouse，IlookedaboutforsomeonetogiveinformationofCatherine。Theplacewasfilledwithsunshine，andthedoorstoodwideopen；butnobodyseemedathand。AsIhesitatedwhethertogooffatonce，orreturnandseekmymistress，aslightcoughdrewmyattentiontothehearth。Lintonlayonthesettle，soletenant，suckingastickofsugar-candy，andpursuingmymovementswithapatheticeyes。`WhereisMissCatherine？'Idemandedsternly，supposingIcouldfrightenhimintogivingintelligence，bycatchinghimthus，alone。Hesuckedonlikeaninnocent。
　　`Isshegone？'Isaid。
　　`No，'hereplied；`she'supstairs:she'snottogo；wewon'tlether。'
　　`Youwon'tlether，littleidiot!'Iexclaimed。`Directmetoherroomimmediately，orI'llmakeyousingoutsharply。'
　　`Papawouldmakeyousingout，ifyouattemptedtogetthere，'
　　heanswered。`HesaysI'mnottobesoftwithCatherine:she'smywife，andit'sshamefulthatsheshouldwishtoleaveme。Hesays，shehatesmeandwantsmetodie，thatshemayhavemymoney；butsheshan'thaveit:andsheshan'tgohome!Shenevershall!——shemaycry，andbesickasmuchasshepleases!'
　　Heresumedhisformeroccupation，closinghislids，asifhemeanttodropasleep。
　　`MasterHeathcliff，'Iresumed，`haveyouforgottenallCatherine'skindnesstoyoulastwinter，whenyouaffirmedyoulovedher，andwhenshebroughtyoubooksandsungyousongs，andcamemanyatimethroughwindandsnowtoseeyou？Shewepttomissoneevening，becauseyouwouldbedisappointed；andyoufeltthenthatshewasahundredtimestoogoodtoyou:andnowyoubelievetheliesyourfathertells，thoughyouknowhedetestsyouboth。Andyoujoinhimagainsther。That'sfinegratitude，isitnot？'
　　ThecornerofLinton'smouthfell，andhetookthesugar-candyfromhislips。
　　`DidshecometoWutheringHeights，becauseshehatedyou？'I
　　continued。`Thinkforyourself!Astoyourmoney，shedoesnotevenknowthatyouwillhaveany。Andyousayshe'ssick；andyet，youleaveheralone，upthereinastrangehouse!Youwhohavefeltwhatitistobesoneglected!Youcouldpityyourownsufferings；andshepitiedthemtoo；
　　butyouwon'tpityhers!Ishedtears，MasterHeathcliff，yousee——anelderlywoman，andaservantmerely——andyou，afterpretendingsuchaffection，andhavingreasontoworshipheralmost，storeeverytearyouhaveforyourself，andlietherequiteatease。Ah!you'reaheartless，selfishboy!'
　　`Ican'tstaywithher，'heansweredcrossly。`I'llnotstaybymyself。ShecriessoIcan'tbearit。Andshewon'tgiveover，thoughI
　　sayI'llcallmyfather。Ididcallhimonce，andhethreatenedtostrangleher，ifshewasnotquiet；butshebeganagaintheinstanthelefttheroom，moaningandgrievingallnightlong，thoughIscreamedforvexationthatIcouldn'tsleep。'
　　`IsMrHeathcliffout？'Iinquired，perceivingthatthewretchedcreaturehadnopowertosympathizewithhiscousin'smentaltortures。
　　`He'sinthecourt，'hereplied，`talkingtoDrKenneth；whosaysuncleisdying，truly，atlast。I'mglad，forIshallbemasteroftheGrangeafterhim——andCatherinealwaysspokeofitasherhouse。
　　Itisn'thers!It'smine:papasayseverythingshehasismine。Allhernicebooksaremine；sheofferedtogivemethem，andherprettybirds，andherponyMinny，ifIwouldgetthekeyofourroom，andletherout；
　　butItoldhershehadnothingtogive，theywereall，allmine。Andthenshecried，andtookalittlepicturefromherneck，andsaidIshouldhavethat；twopicturesinagoldcase，ononesidehermother，andontheother，uncle，whentheywereyoung。Thatwasyesterday——Isaidtheyweremine，too；andtriedtogetthemfromher。Thespitefulthingwouldn'tletme:shepushedmeoff，andhurtme。Ishriekedout——thatfrightensher——sheheardpapacoming，andshebrokethehingesanddividedthecase，andgavemehermother'sportrait；theothersheattemptedtohide:butpapaaskedwhatwasthematter，andIexplainedit。HetooktheoneIhadaway，andorderedhertoresignherstome；sherefused，andhe——hestruckherdown，andwrencheditoffthechain，andcrusheditwithhisfoot。'
　　`Andwereyoupleasedtoseeherstruck？'Iasked:havingmydesignsinencouraginghistalk。
　　`Iwinked，'heanswered:`Iwinktoseemyfatherstrikeadogorahorse，hedoesitsohard。YetIwasgladatfirst——shedeservedpunishingforpushingme:butwhenpapawasgone，shemademecometothewindowandshowedmehercheekcutontheinside，againstherteeth，andhermouthfillingwithblood；andthenshegatheredupthebitsofthepicture，andwentandsatdownwithherfacetothewall，andshehasneverspokentomesince:andIsometimesthinkshecan'tspeakforpain。Idon'tliketothinkso；butshe'sanaughtythingforcryingcontinually；andshelookssopaleandwild，I'mafraidofher。'
　　`Andyoucangetthekeyifyouchoose？'Isaid。
　　`Yes，whenI'mupstairs，'heanswered；`butIcan'twalkupstairsnow。
　　`Inwhatapartmentisit？'Iasked。
　　`Oh，'hecried，`Ishan'ttellyouwhereitis!Itisoursecret。
　　Nobody，neitherHaretonnorZillah，istoknow。There!you'vetiredme——goaway，goaway!'Andheturnedhisfaceontohisarm，andshuthiseyesagain。
　　IconsidereditbesttodepartwithoutseeingMrHeathcliff，andbringarescueformyyoungladyfromtheGrange。Onreachingit，theastonishmentofmyfellow-servantstoseeme，andtheirjoyalso，wasintense；andwhentheyheardthattheirlittlemistresswassafe，twoorthreewereabouttohurryupandshoutthenewsatMrEdgar'sdoor:butIbespoketheannouncementofit，myself。HowchangedIfoundhim，eveninthosefewdays!Helayanimageofsadnessandresignationwaitinghisdeath。Veryyounghelooked；
　　thoughhisactualagewasthirty-nine，onewouldhavecalledhimtenyearsyounger，atleast。HethoughtofCatherine；forhemurmuredhername。I
　　touchedhishand，andspoke。
　　`Catherineiscoming，dearmaster!'Iwhispered；`sheisaliveandwell；andwillbehere，Ihope，tonight。'
　　Itrembledatthefirsteffectsofthisintelligence:hehalfroseup，lookedeagerlyroundtheapartment，andthensankbackinaswoon。
　　Assoonasherecovered，Irelatedourcompulsoryvisit，anddetentionattheHeights。IsaidHeathcliffforcedmetogoin:whichwasnotquitetrue。IutteredaslittleaspossibleagainstLinton；nordidIdescribeallhisfather'sbrutalconduct——myintentionsbeingtoaddnobitterness，ifIcouldhelpit，tohisalreadyoverflowingcup。
　　Hedivinedthatoneofhisenemy'spurposeswastosecurethepersonalproperty，aswellastheestate，tohisson:orratherhimself；
　　yetwhyhedidnotwaittillhisdeceasewasapuzzletomymaster，becauseignoranthownearlyheandhisnephewwouldquittheworldtogether。However，hefeltthathiswillhadbetterbealtered:insteadofleavingCatherine'sfortuneatherowndisposal，hedeterminedtoputitinthehandsoftrusteesforheruseduringlife，andforherchildren，ifshehadany，afterher。
　　Bythatmeans，itcouldnotfalltoMrHeathcliffshouldLintondie。
　　Havingreceivedhisorders，Idispatchedamantofetchtheattorney，andfourmore，providedwithserviceableweapons，todemandmyyoungladyofherjailer。Bothpartiesweredelayedverylate。Thesingleservantreturnedfirst。HesaidMrGreen，thelawyer，wasoutwhenhearrivedathishouse，andhehadtowaittwohoursforhisre-entrance；andthenMrGreentoldhimhehadalittlebusinessinthevillagethatmustbedone；
　　buthewouldbeatThrushcrossGrangebeforemorning。Thefourmencamebackunaccompaniedalso。TheybroughtwordthatCatherinewasill:tooilltoquitherroom；andHeathcliffwouldnotsufferthemtoseeher。
　　Iscoldedthestupidfellowswellforlisteningtothattale，whichIwouldnotcarrytomymaster；resolvingtotakeawholebevyuptotheHeights，atdaylight，andstormitliterally，unlesstheprisonerwerequietlysurrenderedtous。Herfathershallseeher，Ivowed，andvowedagain，ifthatdevilbekilledonhisowndoorstonesintryingtopreventit!
　　Happily，Iwassparedthejourneyandthetrouble。Ihadgonedownstairsatthreeo'clocktofetchajugofwater；andwaspassingthroughthehallwithitinmyhand，whenasharpknockatthefrontdoormademejump。`Oh!itisGreen，'Isaid，recollectingmyself——`onlyGreen，'
　　andIwenton，intendingtosendsomebodyelsetoopenit；buttheknockwasrepeated:notloud，andstillimportunately。Iputthejugonthebanisterandhastenedtoadmithimmyself。Theharvestmoonshoneclearoutside。
　　Itwasnottheattorney。Myownsweetlittlemistresssprangonmyneck，sobbing:
　　`Ellen!Ellen!ispapaalive？'
　　`Yes，'Icried:`yes，myangel，heis。Godbethanked，youaresafewithusagain!'
　　Shewantedtorun，breathlessasshewas，upstairstoMrLinton'sroom；butIcompelledhertositdownonachair，andmadeherdrink，andwashedherpaleface，chafingitintoafaintcolourwithmyapron。ThenIsaidImustgofirst，andtellofherarrival；imploringhertosay，sheshouldbehappywithyoungHeathcliff。Shestared，butsooncomprehendingwhyIcounselledhertoutterthefalsehood，sheassuredmeshewouldnotcomplain。
　　Icouldn'tabidetobepresentattheirmeeting。Istoodoutsidethechamberdooraquarterofanhour，andhardlyventurednearthebed，then。Allwascomposed，however:Catherine'sdespairwasassilentasherfather'sjoy。Shesupportedhimcalmly，inappearance；andhefixedonherfeatureshisraisedeyes，thatseemeddilatingwithecstasy。
　　Hediedblissfully，MrLockwood:hediedso。Kissinghercheek，hemurmured。
　　`Iamgoingtoher；andyou，darlingchild，shallcometous!'
　　andneverstirredorspokeagain；butcontinuedthatrapt，radiantgaze，tillhispulseimperceptiblystoppedandhissouldeparted。Nonecouldhavenoticedtheexactminuteofhisdeath，itwassoentirelywithoutastruggle。
　　WhetherCatherinehadspenthertears，orwhetherthegriefweretooweightytoletthemflow，shesattheredry-eyedtillthesunrose:
　　shesattillnoon，andwouldstillhaveremainedbroodingoverthatdeathbed，butIinsistedonhercomingawayandtakingsomerepose。ItwaswellI
　　succeededinremovingher；foratdinnertimeappearedthelawyer，havingcalledatWutheringHeightstogethisinstructionshowtobehave。HehadsoldhimselftoMrHeathcliff，andthatwasthecauseofhisdelayinobeyingmymaster'ssummons。Fortunately，nothoughtofworldlyaffairscrossedthelatter'smind，todisturbhim，afterhisdaughter'sarrival。
　　MrGreentookuponhimselftoordereverythingandeverybodyabouttheplace。Hegavealltheservants，butme，noticetoquit。HewouldhavecarriedhisdelegatedauthoritytothepointofinsistingthatEdgarLintonshouldnotbeburiedbesidehiswife，butinthechapel，withhisfamily。
　　Therewasthewill，however，tohinderthat，andmyloudprotestationsagainstanyinfringementofitsdirections。Thefuneralwashurriedover；
　　Catherine，MrsLintonHeathcliffnow，wassufferedtostayattheGrangetillherfather'scorpsehadquittedit。
　　ShetoldmethatheranguishhadatlastspurredLintontoincurtheriskofliberatingher。SheheardthemenIsentdisputingatthedoor，andshegatheredthesenseofHeathcliff'sanswer。Itdroveherdesperate。
　　Linton，whohadbeenconveyeduptothelittleparloursoonafterIleft，wasterrifiedintofetchingthekeybeforehisfatherre-ascended。Hehadthecunningtounlockandrelockthedoor，withoutshuttingit；andwhenheshouldhavegonetobed，hebeggedtosleepwithHareton，andhispetitionwasgrantedforonce。Catherinestoleoutbeforebreakofday。Shedarenottrythedoors，lestthedogsshouldraiseanalarm；shevisitedtheemptychambersandexaminedtheirwindows；and，luckily，lightingonhermother's，shegoteasilyoutofitslattice，andontotheground，bymeansofthefirtreecloseby。Heraccomplicesufferedforhisshareintheescape，notwithstandinghistimidcontrivances。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]
　　WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter29Theeveningafterthefuneral，myyoungladyandIwereseatedinthelibrary；
　　nowmusingmournfully——oneofusdespairingly——onourloss，nowventuringconjecturesastothegloomyfuture。
　　WehadjustagreedthebestdestinywhichcouldawaitCatherine，wouldbeapermissiontocontinueresidentattheGrange；atleast，duringLinton'slife:hebeingallowedtojoinherthere，andItoremainashousekeeper。