| 1 |
A CHARMING introduction to a hermit's life!
Four week's torture, tossing and sickness!
Oh, these bleak winds, and bitter, northern skies, and impassable
roads, and dilatory country surgeons!
And, oh, this dearth of the human physiognomy, and, worse than all,
the terrible intimation of Kenneth that I need not expect to be out
of doors till spring!
| 2 |
Mr Heathcliff has just honoured me with a call.
About seven days ago he sent me a brace of grouse -- the last of
the season.
Scoundrel!
He is not altogether guiltless in this illness of mine; and that I
had a great mind to tell him.
But, alas! how could I offend a man who was charitable enough to
sit at my bedside a good hour, and talk on some other subject than
pills, and draughts, blisters, and leeches?
| | 3 |
This is quite an easy interval.
I am too weak to read, yet I feel as if I could enjoy something
interesting.
Why not have up Mrs Dean to finish her tale?
I can recollect its chief incidents, as far as she had gone.
Yes, I remember her hero had run off, and never been heard of for
three years: and the heroine was married.
I'll ring; she'll be delighted to find me capable of talking
cheerfully.
Mrs Dean came.
| | 4 |
"It wants twenty minutes, sir, to taking the medicine," she
commenced.
| | 5 |
"Away, away with it!" I replied.
"I desire to have -- -- "
| | 6 |
"The doctor says you must drop the powders."
| | 7 |
"With all my heart!
Don't interrupt me.
Come and take your seat here.
Keep your fingers from that bitter phalanx of vials.
Draw your knitting out of your pocket -- that will do -- now
left off, to the present day.
Did he finish his education on the Continent, and come back a
gentleman? or did he get a sizer's place at college? or escape to
America, and earn honours by drawing blood from his foster-country?
or make a fortune more promptly, on the English highways?"
| | 8 |
"He may have done a little in all these vocations, Mr Lockwood; but
I couldn't give my word for any.
I stated before that I didn't know how he gained his money; neither
am I aware of the means he took to raise his mind from the savage
ignorance into which it was sunk; but, with your leave, I'll
proceed in my own fashion, if you think it will amuse, and not
weary you.
Are you feeling better this morning?"
| | 9 |
"Much."
| | 10 |
"That's good news."
| | 11 |
I got Miss Catherine and myself to Thrushcross Grange: and to my
agreeable disappointment, she behaved infinitely better than I
dared to expect.
She seemed almost over fond of Mr Linton; and even to his sister,
she showed plenty of affection.
They were both very attentive to her comfort, certainly.
It was not the thorn bending to the honeysuckles, but the
honeysuckles embracing the thorn.
There were no mutual concessions; one stood erect, and the other
yielded; and who can be ill-natured, and bad-tempered,
when they encounter neither opposition, nor indifference?
| | 12 |
I observed that Mr Edgar had a deep-rooted fear of ruffling her
humour.
He concealed it from her; but if ever he heard me answer sharply,
or saw any other servant grow cloudy at some imperious order of
hers, he would show his trouble by a frown of displeasure that
never darkened on his own account.
He, many a time, spoke sternly to me about my pertness; and averred
that the stab of a knife could not inflict a worse pang than he
suffered at seeing his lady vexed.
| | 13 |
Not to grieve a kind master I learned to be less touchy;
harmless as sand, because no fire came near to explode it.
Catherine had seasons of gloom and silence, now and then: they were
respected with sympathizing silence by her husband, who ascribed
them to an alteration in her constitution, produced by her perilous
illness, as she was never subject to depression of spirits before.
The return of sunshine was welcomed by answering sunshine from him.
I believe I may assert that they were really in possession of deep
and growing happiness.
| | 14 |
It ended.
Well, we must be for ourselves in the long run; the mild
and generous are only more justly selfish than the domineering --
and it ended when circumstances caused each to feel that the one's
interest was not the chief consideration in the other's thoughts.
| | 15 |
On a mellow evening in September, I was coming from the garden with
a heavy basket of apples which I had been gathering.
It had got dusk, and the moon looked over the high wall of the
court, causing undefined shadows to lurk in the corners of the
numerous projecting portions of the building.
I set my burden on the house steps by the kitchen door, and
lingered to rest, and draw in a few more breaths of the soft, sweet
air; my eyes were on the moon, and my back to the entrance, when I
heard a voice behind me say --
| | 16 |
"Nelly, is that you?"
| | 17 |
It was a deep voice, and foreign in tone; yet, there was something
in the manner of pronouncing my name which made it sound familiar.
I turned about to discover who spoke, fearfully, for the doors were
shut, and I had seen nobody on approaching the steps.
| | 18 |
Something stirred in the porch; and moving nearer, I distinguished
a tall man dressed in dark clothes, with dark face and hair.
He leant against the side, and held his fingers on the latch, as if
| | 19 |
"Who can it be?" I thought.
"Mr Earnshaw?
Oh, no!
The voice has no resemblance to his."
| | 20 |
"I have waited here an hour," he resumed, while I continued
staring; "and the whole of that time all round has been as still as
death.
I dared not enter.
You do not know me?
Look, I'm not a stranger!"
| | 21 |
A ray fell on his features; the cheeks were sallow, and half
covered with black whiskers; the brows lowering, the eyes deep set
and singular.
I remembered the eyes.
| | 22 |
"What!" I cried, uncertain whether to regard him as a worldly
visitor, and I raised my hands in amazement.
"What!
you come back?
Is it really you?
Is it?"
| | 23 |
"Yes, Heathcliff," he replied, glancing from me up to the windows
which reflected a score of glittering moons, but showed no lights
from within.
"Are they at home -- where is she?
Nelly, you are not glad -- you needn't be so disturbed.
Is she here?
Speak!
I want to have one word with her -- your mistress.
Go, and say some person from Gimmerton desires to see her."
| | 24 |
"How will she take it?" I exclaimed, "what will she do?
The surprise bewilders me -- it will put her out of her head!
And you are Heathcliff?
But altered!
Nay, there's no comprehending it.
Have you been for a soldier?"
| | 25 |
"Go, and carry my message," he interrupted impatiently; "I'm in
hell till you do!"
| | 26 |
He lifted the latch, and I entered; but when I got to the parlour
where Mr and Mrs Linton were, I could not persuade myself to
proceed.
| | 27 |
At length, I resolved on making an excuse to ask if they would have
the candles lighted, and I opened the door.
| | 28 |
They sat together in a window whose lattice lay back against the
wall, and displayed beyond the garden trees, and the wild green
park, the valley of Gimmerton, with a long line of mist winding
chapel, as you may have noticed, the sough that runs from the
marshes joins a beck which follows the bend of the glen), Wuthering
Heights rose above this silvery vapour; but our old house was
invisible -- it rather dips down on the other side.
| | 29 |
Both the room, and its occupants, and the scene they gazed on,
looked wondrously peaceful.
I shrank reluctantly from performing my errand: and was actually
going away, leaving it unsaid, after having put my question about
the candles, when a sense of my folly compelled me to return, and
mutter:
| | 30 |
"A person from Gimmerton wishes to see you, ma'am."
| | 31 |
"What does he want?" asked Mrs Linton.
| | 32 |
"I did not question him," I answered.
| | 33 |
"Well, close the curtains, Nelly," she said; "and bring up tea.
I'll be back again directly."
| | 34 |
She quitted the apartment; Mr Edgar inquired, carelessly, who it
was?
| | 35 |
"Some one mistress does not expect," I replied.
"That Heathcliff, you recollect him, sir, who used to live at Mr
Earnshaw's."
| | 36 |
"What, the gipsy -- the ploughboy?" he cried.
"Why did you not say so to Catherine?"
| | 37 |
"Hush! you must not call him by those names, master," I said.
"She'd be sadly grieved to hear you.
She was nearly heartbroken when he ran off; I guess his return will
make a jubilee to her."
| | 38 |
Mr Linton walked to a window on the other side of the room that
overlooked the court.
He unfastened it, and leant out.
I suppose they were below, for he exclaimed, quickly: --
| | 39 |
"Don't stand there, love!
Bring the person in, if it be any one particular."
| | 40 |
Ere long, I heard the click of the latch, and Catherine flew up-
stairs, breathless and wild, too excited to show glad
an awful calamity.
| | 41 |
"Oh, Edgar, Edgar!" she panted, flinging her arms round his neck.
"Oh, Edgar, darling!
Heathcliff's come back -- he is!"
And she tightened her embrace to a squeeze.
| | 42 |
"Well, well," cried her husband, crossly, "don't strangle me for
that!
He never struck me as such a marvellous treasure.
There is no need to be frantic!"
| | 43 |
"I know you didn't like him," she answered, repressing a little the
intensity of her delight.
"Yet for my sake, you must be friends now.
Shall I tell him to come up?"
| | 44 |
"Here?" he said, "into the parlour?"
| | 45 |
"Where else?" she asked.
| | 46 |
He looked vexed, and suggested the kitchen as a more suitable place
for him.
| | 47 |
Mrs Linton eyed him with a droll expression -- half angry, half
laughing at his fastidiousness.
| | 48 |
"No," she added after a while; "I cannot sit in the kitchen.
Set two tables here, Ellen; one for your master and Miss Isabella,
being gentry; the other for Heathcliff and myself, being of the
lower orders.
Will that please you, dear?
Or must I have a fire lighted elsewhere?
If so, give directions.
I'll run down and secure my guest.
I'm afraid the joy is too great to be real!"
| | 49 |
She was about to dart off again; but Edgar arrested her.
| | 50 |
"You bid him step up," he said, addressing me; "and,
Catherine, try to be glad, without being absurd!
The whole household need not witness the sight of your welcoming a
runaway servant as a brother."
| | 51 |
I descended and found Heathcliff waiting under the porch, evidently
anticipating an invitation to enter.
He followed my guidance without waste of words, and I ushered him
into the presence of the master and mistress, whose flushed cheeks
betrayed signs of warm talking.
friend appeared at the door; she sprang forward, took both his
hands, and led him to Linton; and then she seized Linton's
reluctant fingers and crushed them into his.
| | 52 |
Now fully revealed by the fire and candle-light, I was amazed, more
than ever, to behold the transformation of Heathcliff.
He had grown a tall, athletic, well-formed man; beside whom, my
master seemed quite slender and youth-like.
His upright carriage suggested the idea of his having been in the
army.
His countenance was much older in expression, and decision of
feature than Mr Linton's; it looked intelligent, and retained no
marks of former degradation.
A half-civilized ferocity lurked yet in the depressed brows, and
eyes full of black fire, but it was subdued; and his manner was
even dignified, quite divested of roughness though too stern for
grace.
| | 53 |
My master's surprise equalled or exceeded mine: he remained for a
minute at a loss how to address the ploughboy, as he had called
him.
Heathcliff dropped his slight hand, and stood looking at him coolly
till he chose to speak.
| | 54 |
"Sit down, sir," he said, at length.
"Mrs Linton, recalling old times, would have me give you a cordial
reception, and, of course, I am gratified when anything occurs to
please her."
| | 55 |
"And I also," answered Heathcliff, "especially if it be anything in
which I have a part.
I shall stay an hour or two willingly."
| | 56 |
He took a seat opposite Catherine, who kept her gaze fixed on him
as if she feared he would vanish were she to remove it.
He did not raise his to her, often; a quick glance now and then
sufficed; but it flashed back, each time, more confidently, the
undisguised delight he drank from hers.
| | 57 |
They were too much absorbed in their mutual joy to suffer
embarrassment; not so Mr Edgar, he grew pale with
lady rose -- and stepping across the rug, seized Heathcliff's hands
again, and laughed like one beside herself.
| | 58 |
"I shall think it a dream to-morrow!" she cried.
"I shall not be able to believe that I have seen, and touched, and
spoken to you once more -- and yet, cruel Heathcliff! you don't
deserve this welcome.
To be absent and silent for three years, and never to think of me!"
| | 59 |
"A little more than you have thought of me!" he murmured.
"I heard of your marriage, Cathy, not long since; and, while
waiting in the yard below, I meditated this plan -- just to have
one glimpse of your face -- a stare of surprise, perhaps, and
pretended pleasure; afterwards settle my score with Hindley; and
then prevent the law by doing execution on myself.
Your welcome has put these ideas out of my mind; but beware of
meeting me with another aspect next time!
Nay, you'll not drive me off again -- you were really sorry for me,
were you?
Well, there was cause.
I've fought through a bitter life since I last heard your voice,
and you must forgive me, for I struggled only for you!"
| | 60 |
"Catherine, unless we are to have cold tea, please to come to the
table," interrupted Linton, striving to preserve his ordinary tone,
and a due measure of politeness.
"Mr Heathcliff will have a long walk, wherever he may lodge to-
night; and I'm thirsty."
| | 61 |
She took her post before the urn; and Miss Isabella came, summoned
by the bell; then, having handed their chairs forward, I left the
room.
| | 62 |
The meal hardly endured ten minutes -- Catherine's cup was never
filled, she could neither eat, nor drink.
Edgar had made a slop in his saucer, and scarcely swallowed a
mouthful.
| | 63 |
Their guest did not protract his stay, that evening, above an hour
longer.
| | 64 |
"No, to Wuthering Heights," he answered, "Mr Earnshaw invited me
when I called this morning."
| | 65 |
Mr Earnshaw invited him! and he called on Mr
Earnshaw!
I pondered this sentence painfully, after he was gone.
Is he turning out a bit of a hypocrite, and coming into the country
to work mischief under a cloak?
I mused -- I had a presentiment, in the bottom of my heart, that he
had better have remained away.
| | 66 |
About the middle of the night, I was wakened from my first nap by
Mrs Linton gliding into my chamber, taking a seat on my bedside,
and pulling me by the hair to rouse me.
| | 67 |
"I cannot rest, Ellen;" she said, by way of apology.
"And I want some living creature to keep me company in my
happiness!
Edgar is sulky, because I am glad of a thing that does not interest
him -- He refuses to open his mouth, except to utter pettish, silly
speeches; and he affirmed I was cruel and selfish for wishing to
talk when he was so sick and sleepy.
He always contrives to be sick at the least cross!
I gave a few sentences of commendation to Heathcliff, and he,
either for a headache or a pang of envy, began to cry: so I got up
and left him."
| | 68 |
"What use is it praising Heathcliff to him?" I answered.
"As lads they had an aversion to each other, and Heathcliff would
hate just as much to hear him praised -- it's human nature.
Let Mr Linton alone about him, unless you would like an open
quarrel between them."
| | 69 |
"But does it not show great weakness?" pursued she.
"I'm not envious -- I never feel hurt at the brightness of
Isabella's yellow hair, and the whiteness of her skin; at her
dainty elegance, and the fondness all the family exhibit for her.
Even you Nelly, if we have a dispute sometimes, you back Isabella,
at once; and I yield like a foolish mother -- I call her a darling,
and flatter her into a good temper.
It pleases her brother to see us cordial, and that pleases me.
But, they are very much alike: they are spoiled children, and fancy
the world was made for their accommodation; and, though I humour
both, I think a smart chastisement might improve them, all the
same."
| | 70 |
"You're mistaken, Mrs Linton," said I, "They humour you -- I know
what there would be to do if they did not!
You can well afford to indulge their passing whims, as long as
their business is to anticipate all your desires -- You may,
however, fall out, at last, over something of equal consequence to
both sides; and, then those you term weak are very capable of being
as obstinate as you."
| | 71 |
"And then we shall fight to the death, shan't we, Nelly?" she
returned laughing, "No! I tell you, I have such faith in Linton's
love that I believe I might kill him, and he wouldn't wish to
retaliate."
| | 72 |
I advised her to value him the more for his affection.
| | 73 |
"I do," she answered; "but, he needn't resort to whining for
trifles.
It is childish; and, instead of melting into tears, because I said
that Heathcliff was now worthy of any one's regard, and it would
honour the first gentleman in the country to be his friend; he
ought to have said it for me, and been delighted from sympathy --
He must get accustomed to him, and he may as well like him --
considering how Heathcliff has reason to object to him, I'm sure he
behaved excellently!"
| | 74 |
"What do you think of his going to Wuthering Heights?" I inquired.
"He is reformed in every respect, apparently -- quite a christian -
- offering the right hand of fellowship to his enemies all round!"
| | 75 |
"He explained it," she replied.
"I wonder as much as you -- He said he called to gather information
concerning me, from you, supposing you resided there still; and
Joseph told Hindley, who came out, and fell to questioning him of
and finally, desired him to walk in -- There were some persons
sitting at cards -- Heathcliff joined them; my brother lost some
money to him; and, finding him plentifully supplied, he requested
that he would come again in the evening, to which he consented.
Hindley is too reckless to select his acquaintance prudently; he
doesn't trouble himself to reflect on the causes he might have for
mistrusting one whom he has basely injured -- But, Heathcliff
affirms his principal reason for resuming a connection with his
ancient persecutor is a wish to instal himself in quarters at
walking distance from the Grange, and an attachment to the house
where we lived together, and, likewise a hope that I shall have
more opportunities of seeing him there than I could have if he
settled in Gimmerton.
He means to offer liberal payment for permission to lodge at the
Heights; and doubtless my brother's covetousness will prompt him to
accept the terms; he was always greedy, though what he grasps with
one hand, he flings away with the other."
| | 76 |
"It's a nice place for a young man to fix his dwelling in!" said I.
Have you no fear of the consequences, Mrs Linton?"
| | 77 |
"None for my friend," she replied, "his strong head will keep him
from danger -- a little for Hindley; but, he can't be made morally
worse than he is; and I stand between him and bodily harm -- The
event of this evening has reconciled me to God, and humanity!
I had risen in angry rebellion against providence -- Oh, I've
endured very, very bitter misery.
Nelly!
If that creature knew how bitter, he'd be ashamed to cloud its
removal with idle petulance -- It was kindness for him which
induced me to bear it alone: had I expressed the agony I frequently
felt, he would have been taught to long for its alleviation as
ardently as I -- However, it's over, and I'll take no revenge on
his folly -- I can afford to suffer anything, hereafter! should the
only turn the other, but, I'd ask pardon for provoking it -- and,
as a proof, I'll go make my peace with Edgar instantly -- Good-
night -- I'm an angel!"
| | 78 |
In this self-complacent conviction she departed; and the success of
her fulfilled resolution was obvious on the morrow -- Mr Linton had
not only abjured his peevishness (though his spirits seemed still
subdued by Catherine's exuberance of vivacity) but he ventured no
objection to her taking Isabella with her to Wuthering Heights, in
the afternoon; and she rewarded him with such a summer of sweetness
and affection, in return, as made the house a paradise for several
days; both master, and servants profiting from the perpetual
sunshine.
| | 79 |
Heathcliff -- Mr Heathcliff I should say in future -- used the
liberty of visiting Thrushcross Grange cautiously, at first: he
seemed estimating how far its owner would bear his intrusion.
Catherine also, deemed it judicious to moderate her expressions of
pleasure in receiving him; and he gradually established his right
to be expected.
| | 80 |
He retained a great deal of the reserve for which his boyhood was
remarkable, and that served to repress all startling demonstrations
of feeling.
My master's uneasiness experienced a lull, and further
circumstances diverted it into another channel for a space.
| | 81 |
His new source of trouble sprang from the not anticipated
misfortune of Isabella Linton evincing a sudden and irresistible
attraction towards the tolerated guest -- She was at that time a
charming young lady of eighteen; infantile in manners, though
possessed of keen wit, keen feelings, and a keen temper, too, if
irritated.
Her brother, who loved her tenderly, was appalled at this fantastic
preference.
Leaving aside the degradation of an alliance with a nameless man,
and the possible fact that his property, in default of heirs
comprehend Heathcliff's disposition -- to know that, though his
exterior was altered, his mind was unchangeable, and unchanged.
And he dreaded that mind; it revolted him; he shrank forebodingly
from the idea of committing Isabella to its keeping.
| | 82 |
He would have recoiled still more had he been aware that her
attachment rose unsolicited, and was bestowed where it awakened no
reciprocation of sentiment; for the minute he discovered its
existence, he laid the blame on Heathcliff's deliberate designing.
| | 83 |
We had all remarked, during some time, that Miss Linton fretted and
pined over something.
She grew cross and wearisome, snapping at and teasing Catherine,
continually, at the imminent risk of exhausting her limited
patience.
We excused her to a certain extent, on the plea of ill-health --
she was dwindling and fading before our eyes -- But, one day when
she had been peculiarly wayward, rejecting her breakfast,
complaining that the servants did not do what she told them; that
the mistress would allow her to be nothing in the house, and Edgar
neglected her; that she had caught a cold with the doors being left
open, and we let the parlour fire go out on purpose to vex her;
with a hundred yet more frivolous accusations; Mrs Linton
peremptorily insisted that she should get to-bed; and, having
scolded her heartily, threatened to send for the doctor.
| | 84 |
Mention of Kenneth, caused her to exclaim, instantly, that her
health was perfect, and it was only Catherine's harshness which
made her unhappy.
| | 85 |
"How can you say I am harsh, you naughty fondling?" cried the
mistress, amazed at the unreasonable assertion.
"You are surely losing your reason.
When have I been harsh, tell me?"
| | 86 |
| | 87 |
"Yesterday!" said her sister-in-law.
"On what occasion?"
| | 88 |
"In our walk along the moor; you told me to ramble where I pleased,
while you sauntered on with Mr Heathcliff!"
| | 89 |
"And that's your notion of harshness?" said Catherine, laughing.
"It was no hint that your company was superfluous; we didn't care
whether you kept with us or not; I merely thought Heathcliff's talk
would have nothing entertaining for your ears."
| | 90 |
"Oh, no," wept the young lady, "you wished me away, because you
knew I liked to be there!"
| | 91 |
"Is she sane?" asked Mrs Linton, appealing to me.
"I'll repeat our conversation, word for word, Isabella; and you
point out any charm it could have had for you."
| | 92 |
"I don't mind the conversation," she answered: "I wanted to be with
-- -- "
| | 93 |
"Well!" said Catherine, perceiving her hesitate to complete the
sentence.
| | 94 |
"With him; and I won't be always sent off!" she continued, kindling
up.
"You are a dog in the manger, Cathy, and desire no one to be loved
but yourself!"
| | 95 |
"You are an impertinent little monkey!" exclaimed Mrs Linton, in
surprise.
"But I'll not believe this idiocy!
It is impossible that you can covet the admiration of Heathcliff --
that you consider him an agreeable person!
I hope I have misunderstood you, Isabella?"
| | 96 |
"No, you have not," said the infatuated girl.
"I love him more than ever you loved Edgar; and he might love me,
if you would let him!"
| | 97 |
"I wouldn't be you for a kingdom, then!" Catherine declared,
emphatically -- and she seemed to speak sincerely.
"Nelly, help me to convince her of her madness.
Tell her what Heathcliff is -- an unreclaimed creature, without
of furze and whinstone.
I'd as soon put that little canary into the park on a winter's day
as recommend you to bestow your heart on him!
It is deplorable ignorance of his character, child, and nothing
else, which makes that dream enter your head.
Pray don't imagine that he conceals depths of benevolence and
affection beneath a stern exterior!
He's not a rough diamond -- a pearl-containing oyster of a rustic;
he's a fierce, pitiless, wolfish man.
I never say to him let this or that enemy alone, because it would
be ungenerous or cruel to harm them -- I say let them alone,
because I should hate them to be wronged: and he'd crush
you, like a sparrow's egg, Isabella, if he found you a troublesome
charge.
I know he couldn't love a Linton; and yet, he'd be quite capable of
marrying your fortune, and expectations.
Avarice is growing with him a besetting sin.
There's my picture; and I'm his friend -- so much so, that had he
thought seriously to catch you, I should, perhaps, have held my
tongue, and let you fall into his trap."
| | 98 |
Miss Linton regarded her sister-in-law with indignation.
| | 99 |
"For shame! for shame!" she repeated, angrily, "You are worse than
twenty foes, you poisonous friend!"
| | 100 |
"Ah! you won't believe me, then?" said Catherine.
"You think I speak from wicked selfishness?"
| | 101 |
"I'm certain you do," retorted Isabella; "and I shudder at you!"
| | 102 |
"Good!" cried the other.
"Try for yourself, if that be your spiri; I have done, and yield
the argument to your saucy insolence."
| | 103 |
"And I must suffer for her egotism!" she sobbed, as Mrs Linton left
the room.
"All, all is against me; she has blighted my single consolation.
But she uttered falsehoods, didn't she?
Mr Heathcliff is not a fiend; he has an honourable soul, and a true
| | 104 |
"Banish him from your thoughts, miss," I said.
"He's a bird of bad omen; no mate for you.
Mrs Linton spoke strongly, and yet, I can't contradict her.
She is better acquainted with his heart than I, or any one besides;
and she never would represent him as worse than he is.
Honest people don't hide their deeds.
How has he been living? how has he got rich? why is he staying at
Wuthering Heights, the house of a man whom he abhors?
They say Mr Earnshaw is worse and worse since he came.
They sit up all night together continually: and Hindley has been
borrowing money on his land; and does nothing but play and drink, I
heard only a week ago; it was Joseph who told me -- I met him at
Gimmerton.
| | 105 |
" 'Nelly!' he said, "we's hae a Crahnr's 'quest enah, at ahr folks.
One on 'em's a'most getten his finger cut off wi' haudin t'other
froo' sticking hisseln loike a cawlf.
That's maister, yah knaw, 'ut's soa up uh going tuh t' grand
'sizes.
He's noan feard uh t' Bench uh judges, norther Paul, nur Peter, nur
John, nor Mathew, nor noan on 'em, nut he!
He fair like's he langs tuh set his brazened face agean 'em!
And yon bonny lad Heathcliff, yah mind, he's a rare 'un!
He can girn a laugh, as weel's onybody at a raight divil's jest.
Does he niver say nowt of his fine living amang us, when he goas
tuh t' Grange?
This is t' way on't -- up at sun-dahn; dice, brandy, cloised
shutters, und can'le lught till next day, at nooin; then, t' fooil
gangs banning un raving to his cham'er, makking dacent fowks dig
thur fingers i' thur lugs fur varry shaume; un' the' knave, wah he
carn cahnt his brass, un' ate, un' sleep, un' off tuh his
neighbour's tuh gossip wi' t' wife.
I' course, he tells Dame Catherine hah hor fathur's goold runs
intuh his pocket, and her fathur's son gallops dahn t' Broad road,
while he flees afore tuh oppen t' pikes!' Now, Miss Linton, Joseph
is an old rascal, but no liar; and, if his account of Heathcliff's
such a husband, would you?"
| | 106 |
"You are leagued with the rest, Ellen!" she replied.
"I'll not listen to your slanders.
What malevolence you must have to wish to convince me that there is
no happiness in the world!"
| | 107 |
Whether she would have got over this fancy if left to herself, or
persevered in nursing it perpetually, I cannot say: she had little
time to reflect.
The day after, there was a justice-meeting at the next town; my
master was obliged to attend; and Mr Heathcliff, aware of his
absence, called rather earlier than usual.
Catherine and Isabella were sitting in the library, on hostile
terms, but silent.
The latter alarmed at her recent indiscretion, and the disclosure
she had made of her secret feelings in a transient fit of passion;
the former, on mature consideration, really offended with her
companion; and, if she laughed again at her pertness, inclined to
make it no laughing matter to her.
| | 108 |
She did laugh as she saw Heathcliff pass the window.
I was sweeping the hearth, and I noticed a mischievous smile on her
lips.
Isabella, absorbed in her meditations, or a book, remained till the
door opened, and it was too late to attempt an escape, which she
would gladly have done had it been practicable.
| | 109 |
"Come in, that's right!" exclaimed the mistress, gaily, pulling a
chair to the fire.
"Here are two people sadly in need of a third to thaw the ice
between them; and you are the very one we should both of us choose.
Heathcliff, I'm proud to show you, at last, somebody that dotes on
you more than myself.
I expect you to feel flattered -- nay, it's not Nelly; don't look
at her!
My poor little sister-in-law is breaking her heart by mere
contemplation of your physical and moral beauty.
It lies in your own power to be Edgar's brother!
arresting, with feigned playfulness, the confounded girl who had
risen indignantly.
"We were quarrelling like cats about you, Heathcliff; and I was
fairly beaten in protestations of devotion and admiration; and,
moreover, I was informed that if I would but have the manners to
stand aside, my rival, as she will have herself to be, would shoot
a shaft into your soul that would fix you for ever, and send my
image into eternal oblivion!"
| | 110 |
"Catherine," said Isabella, calling up her dignity, and disdaining
"I'd thank you to adhere to the truth and not slander me, even in
joke!
Mr Heathcliff, be kind enough to bid this friend of yours release
me -- she forgets that you and I are not intimate acquaintances,
and what amuses her is painful to me beyond expression."
| | 111 |
As the guest answered nothing, but took his seat, and looked
thoroughly indifferent what sentiments she cherished concerning
him, she turned, and whispered an earnest appeal for liberty to her
tormentor.
| | 112 |
"By no means!" cried Mrs Linton in answer.
"I won't be named a dog in the manger again.
You shall stay, now then!
Heathcliff, why don't you evince satisfaction at my pleasant news?
Isabella swears that the love Edgar has for me is nothing to that
she entertains for you.
I'm sure she made some speech of the kind, did she not, Ellen?
And she has fasted ever since the day before yesterday's walk, from
sorrow and rage that I despatched her out of your society, under
the idea of its being unacceptable."
| | 113 |
"I think you belie her," said Heathcliff, twisting his chair to
face them.
"She wishes to be out of my society now, at any rate!"
| | 114 |
And he stared hard at the object of discourse, as one might do at a
strange repulsive animal, a centipede from the Indies, for
instance, which curiosity leads one to examine in spite of the
| | 115 |
The poor thing couldn't bear that; she grew white and red in rapid
succession, and, while tears beaded her lashes, bent the strength
of her small fingers to loosen the firm clutch of Catherine, and
perceiving that, as fast as she raised one finger off her arm,
another closed down, and she could not remove the whole together,
she began to make use of her nails, and their sharpness presently
ornamented the detainer's with crescents of red.
| | 116 |
"There's a tigress!" exclaimed Mrs Linton, setting her free, and
shaking her hand with pain.
"Begone, for God's sake, and hide your vixen face!
How foolish to reveal those talons to him!
Can't you fancy the conclusions he'll draw?
Look, Heathcliff! they are instruments that will do execution --
you must beware of your eyes."
| | 117 |
"I'd wrench them off her fingers, if they ever menaced me," he
answered, brutally, when the door had closed after her.
"But, what did you mean by teasing the creature in that manner,
Cathy?
You were not speaking the truth, were you?"
| | 118 |
"I assure you I was," she returned.
"She has been pining for your sake several weeks; and raving about
you this morning, and pouring forth a deluge of abuse, because I
represented your failings in a plain light for the purpose of
mitigating her adoration.
But don't notice it further.
I wished to punish her sauciness, that's all -- I like her too
well, my dear Heathcliff, to let you absolutely seize and devour
her up."
| | 119 |
"And I like her too ill to attempt it," said he, "except in a very
ghoulish fashion.
You'd hear of odd things, if I lived alone with that mawkish, waxen
face; the most ordinary would be painting on its white the colours
of the rainbow, and turning the blue eyes, black, every day or two;
they detestably resemble Linton's."
| | 120 |
"Delectably," observed Catherine.
| | 121 |
"She's her brother's heir, is she not?" he asked, after a brief
silence.
| | 122 |
"I should be sorry to think so," returned his companion.
"Half-a-dozen nephews shall erase her title, please Heaven!
Abstract your mind from the subject, at present -- you are too
prone to covet your neighbour's goods: remember this
neighbour's goods are mine."
| | 123 |
"If they were mine, they would be none the less that,"
said Heathcliff, "but though Isabella Linton may be silly, she is
scarcely mad; and -- in short we'll dismiss the matter as you
advise."
| | 124 |
>From their tongues, they did dismiss it; and Catherine, probably,
from her thoughts.
The other, I felt certain, recalled it often in the course of the
evening; I saw him smile to himself -- grin rather -- and lapse
into ominous musing whenever Mrs Linton had occasion to be absent
from the apartment.
| | 125 |
I determined to watch his movements.
My heart invariably cleaved to the master's, in preference to
Catherine's side; with reason, I imagined, for he was kind, and
trustful, and honourable: and she -- she could not be called the
opposite, yet, she seemed to allow herself such wide
latitude, that I had little faith in her principles, and still less
sympathy for her feelings.
I wanted something to happen which might have the effect of freeing
both Wuthering Heights and the Grange of Mr Heathcliff, quietly,
leaving us as we had been prior to his advent.
His visits were a continual nightmare to me; and, I suspected, to
my master also.
His abode at the Heights was an oppression past explaining.
I felt that God had forsaken the stray sheep there to its own
wicked wanderings, and an evil beast prowled between it and the
fold, waiting his time to spring and destroy.
| |
