| 1 |
SOMETIMES, while meditating on these things in
solitude, I've got up in a sudden terror, and put on my bonnet to
go see how all was at the farm; I've persuaded my conscience that
it was a duty to warn him how people talked regarding his ways; and
then I've recollected his confirmed bad habits, and, hopeless of
benefiting him, have flinched from re-entering the dismal house,
doubting if I could bear to be taken at my word.
| 2 |
One time, I passed the old gate, going out of my way, on a journey
to Gimmerton.
It was about the period that my narrative has reached -- a bright,
frosty afternoon; the ground bare, and the road hard and dry.
| | 3 |
I came to a stone where the highway branches off on to the moor at
your left hand; a rough sand-pillar, with the letters W. H. cut on
its north side, on the east, G., and on the south-west, T. G.
It serves as a guide-post to the Grange, the Heights, and village.
The sun shone yellow on its grey head, reminding me of summer; and
I cannot say why, but all at once, a gush of child's sensations
flowed into my heart.
Hindley and I held it a favourite spot twenty years before.
| | 4 |
I gazed long at the weather-worn block; and, stooping down,
perceived a hole near the bottom still full of snail-shells and
pebbles which we were fond of storing there with more perishable
things -- and, as fresh as reality, it appeared that I beheld my
early playmate seated on the withered turf; his dark, square head
bent forward, and his little hand scooping out the earth with a
piece of slate.
| | 5 |
"Poor Hindley!" I exclaimed, involuntarily.
| | 6 |
I started -- my bodily eye was cheated into a momentary belief that
the child lifted its face and stared straight into
It vanished in a twinkling; but, immediately, I felt an
irresistible yearning to be at the Heights.
Superstition urged me to comply with this impulse -- "supposing he
should be dead!" I thought -- "or should die soon! -- supposing it
were a sign of death!"
| | 7 |
The nearer I got to the house the more agitated I grew: and on
catching sight of it, I trembled every limb.
The apparition had outstripped me; it stood looking through the
gate.
That was my first idea on observing an elf-locked, brown-eyed boy
setting his ruddy countenance against the bars.
Further reflection suggested this must be Hareton, my
Hareton, not altered greatly since I Ieft him, ten months since.
| | 8 |
"God bless thee, darling!" I cried, forgetting instantaneously my
foolish fears.
"Hareton, it's Nelly -- Nelly, thy nurse."
| | 9 |
He retreated out of arm's length, and picked up a large flint.
| | 10 |
"I am come to see thy father, Hareton," I added, guessing from the
action that Nelly, if she lived in his memory at all, was not
recognized as one with me.
| | 11 |
He raised his missile to hurl it; I commenced a soothing speech,
but could not stay his hand.
The stone struck my bonnet, and then ensued, from the stammering
lips of the little fellow, a string of curses which, whether he
comprehended them or not, were delivered with practised emphasis,
and distorted his baby features into a shocking expression of
malignity.
| | 12 |
You may be certain this grieved, more than angered me.
Fit to cry, I took an orange from my pocket, and offered it to
propitiate him.
| | 13 |
He hesitated, and then snatched it from my hold, as if he fancied I
| | 14 |
I showed another keeping it out of his reach.
| | 15 |
"Who has taught you those fine words, my barn?" I inquired.
"The curate?"
| | 16 |
"Damn the curate, and thee!
Gie me that," he replied.
| | 17 |
"Tell us where you got your lessons, and you shall have it," said
I.
"Who's your master?"
| | 18 |
"Devil daddy," was his answer.
| | 19 |
"And what do you learn from Daddy?" I continued.
| | 20 |
He jumped at the fruit; I raised it higher.
"What does he teach you?" I asked.
| | 21 |
"Naught," said he, "but to keep out of his gait -- Daddy cannot
bide me, because I swear at him."
| | 22 |
"Ah! and the devil teaches you to swear at daddy?" I observed.
| | 23 |
"Aye -- nay," he drawled.
| | 24 |
"Who then?"
| | 25 |
"Heathcliff."
| | 26 |
I asked if he liked Mr Heathcliff.
| | 27 |
"Aye!" he answered again.
| | 28 |
Desiring to have his reasons for liking him, I could only gather
the sentences.
"I known't -- he pays Dad back what he gives to me -- he curses
Daddy for cursing me -- He says I mun do as I will."
| | 29 |
"And the curate does not teach you to read and write, then?" I
pursued.
| | 30 |
"No, I was told the curate should have his -- -- teeth dashed down
his -- -- throat, if he stepped over the threshold -- Heathcliff,
had promised that!"
| | 31 |
I put the orange in his hand; and bade him tell his father that a
woman called Nelly Dean, was waiting to speak with him, by the
garden gate.
| | 32 |
He went up the walk, and entered the house; but instead of Hindley,
directly and ran down the road as hard as ever I could race, making
no halt till I gained the guide post, and feeling as scared as if I
had raised a goblin.
| | 33 |
This is not much connected with Miss Isabella's affair; except that
it urged me to resolve further, on mounting vigilant guard, and
doing my utmost to check the spread of such bad influence at the
Grange, even though I should wake a domestic storm, by thwarting
Mrs Linton's pleasure.
| | 34 |
The next time Heathcliff came, my young lady chanced to be feeding
some pigeons in the court.
She had never spoken a word to her sister-in-law, for three days;
but, she had likewise dropped her fretful complaining, and we found
it a great comfort.
| | 35 |
Heathcliff had not the habit of bestowing a single unnecessary
civility on Miss Linton, I knew.
Now, as soon as he beheld her, his first precaution was to take a
sweeping survey of the house-front.
I was standing by the kitchen window, but I drew out of sight.
He then stepped across the pavement to her, and said something: she
seemed embarrassed, and desirous of getting away; to prevent it, he
laid his hand on her arm: she averted her face; he apparently put
some question which she had no mind to answer.
There was another rapid glance at the house, and supposing himself
unseen, the scoundrel had the impudence to embrace her.
| | 36 |
"Judas!
Traitor!" I ejaculated, "you are a hypocrite, too, are you? a
deliberate deceiver."
| | 37 |
"Who is, Nelly?" said Catherine's voice at my elbow -- I had been
over-intent on watching the pair outside to mark her entrance.
| | 38 |
"Your worthless friend!" I answered, warmly, "the sneaking rascal
yonder -- Ah, he has caught a glimpse of us -- he is coming in!
excuse, for making love to Miss, when he told you he hated her?"
| | 39 |
Mrs Linton saw Isabella tear herself free, and run into the garden;
and a minute after, Heathcliff opened the door.
| | 40 |
I couldn't withhold giving some loose to my indignation; but
Catherine angrily insisted on silence, and threatened to order me
out of the kitchen, if I dared to be so presumptuous as to put in
my insolent tongue.
| | 41 |
"To hear you, people might think you were the mistress!"
she cried.
"You want setting down in your right place!
Heathcliff, what are you about, raising this stir?
I said you must let Isabella alone! -- I beg you will, unless you
are tired of being received here, and wish Linton to draw the bolts
against you!"
| | 42 |
"God forbid that he should try!" answered the black villain -- I
detested him just then.
"God keep him meek and patient!
Every day I grow madder after sending him to heaven!"
| | 43 |
"Hush!" said Catherine shutting the inner door!
"Don't vex me.
Why have you disregarded my request?
Did she come across you on purpose?"
| | 44 |
"What is it to you?" he growled, "I have a right to kiss her, if
she chooses, and you have no right to object -- I'm not your
husband, you needn't be jealous of me!"
| | 45 |
"I'm not jealous of you;" replied the mistress, "I'm jealous for
you.
Clear your face, you shan't scowl at me!
If you like Isabella, you shall marry her.
But, do you like her, tell the truth, Heathcliff?
There, you won't answer.
I'm certain you don't!"
| | 46 |
"And would Mr Linton approve of his sister marrying that man?" I
inquired.
| | 47 |
"Mr Linton should approve," returned my lady decisively.
| | 48 |
"He might spare himself the trouble," said Heathcliff, "I could do
as well without his approbation -- And, as to you, Catherine, I
have a mind to speak a few words, now, while we are at it -- I want
you to be aware that I know you have treated me
infernally -- infernally!
Do you hear?
And, if you flatter yourself that I don't perceive it you are a
fool -- and if you think I can be consoled by sweet words you are
an idiot -- and if you fancy I'll suffer unrevenged, I'll convince
you of the contrary, in a very little while!
Meantime, thank you for telling me your sister-in-law's secret -- I
swear I'll make the most of it, and stand you aside!"
| | 49 |
"What new phase of his character is this?" exclaimed Mrs Linton, in
amazement.
"I've treated you infernally -- and you'll take your revenge!
How will you take it, ungrateful brute?
How have I treated you infernally?"
| | 50 |
"I seek no revenge on you," replied Heathcliff, less vehemently.
"That's not the plan -- The tyrant grinds down his slaves and they
don't turn against him, they crush those beneath them -- You are
welcome to torture me to death for your amusement, only, allow me
to amuse myself a little in the same style -- And refrain from
insult, as much as you are able.
Having levelled my palace, don't erect a hovel and complacently
admire your own charity in giving me that for a home.
lf I imagined you really wished me to marry Isabella, I'd cut my
throat!"
| | 51 |
"Oh, the evil is that I am not jealous, is it?" cried
Catherine.
"Well, I won't repeat my offer of a wife -- It is as bad as
offering Satan a lost soul -- Your bliss lies, like his, in
inflicting misery -- You prove it -- Edgar is restored from the
ill-temper he gave way to at your coming; I begin to be secure and,
tranquil; and you, restless to know us at peace, appear resolved on
exciting a quarrel -- quarrel with Edgar if you please, Heathcliff,
and deceive his sister; you'll hit on exactly the most efficient
| | 52 |
The conversation ceased -- Mrs Linton sat down by the fire, flushed
and gloomy.
The spirit which served her was growing intractable: she could
neither lay nor control it.
He stood on the hearth, with folded arms brooding on his evil
thoughts; and in this position I left them, to seek the master who
was wondering what kept Catherine below so long.
| | 53 |
"Ellen," said he, when I entered, "have you seen your mistress?"
| | 54 |
"Yes, she is in the kitchen, sir," I answered.
"She's sadly put out by Mr Heathcliff's behaviour: and, indeed, I
do think it's time to arrange his visits on another footing.
There's harm in being too soft, and now it's come to this -- ."
And I related the scene in the court, and, as near as I dared, the
whole subsequent dispute.
I fancied it could not be very prejudicial to Mrs Linton, unless
she made it so, afterwards, by assuming the defensive for her
guest.
| | 55 |
Edgar Linton had difficulty in hearing me to the close -- His first
words revealed that he did not clear his wife of blame.
| | 56 |
"This is insufferable!" he exclaimed.
"It is disgraceful that she should own him for a friend, and force
his company on me!
Call me two men out of the hall, Ellen -- Catherine shall linger no
longer to argue with the low ruffian -- I have humoured her
enough."
| | 57 |
He descended, and bidding the servants wait in the passage, went,
followed by me, to the kitchen.
Its occupants had recommenced their angry discussion; Mrs Linton,
at least, was scolding with renewed vigour; Heathcliff had moved to
the window, and hung his head somewhat cowed by her violent rating
apparently.
| | 58 |
He saw the master first, and made a hasty motion that she should be
silent; which she obeyed, abruptly, on discovering the reason of
| | 59 |
"How is this?" said Linton, addressing her; "what notion of
propriety must you have to remain here, after the language which
has been held to you by that blackguard?
I suppose, because it is his ordinary talk, you think nothing of it
-- you are habituated to his baseness, and, perhaps, imagine I can
get used to it too!"
| | 60 |
"Have you been listening at the door, Edgar?" asked the mistress,
in a tone particularly calculated to provoke her husband, implying
both carelessness and contempt of his irritation.
| | 61 |
Heathcliff, who had raised his eyes at the former speech, gave a
sneering laugh at the latter, on purpose, it seemed, to draw Mr
Linton's attention to him.
| | 62 |
He succeeded; but Edgar did not mean to entertain him with any high
flights of passion.
| | 63 |
"I have been so far forbearing with you, sir," he said, quietly;
"not that I was ignorant of your miserable, degraded character,
but, I felt you were only partly responsible for that; and
Catherine wishing to keep up your acquaintance, I acquiesced --
foolishly.
Your presence is a moral poison that would contaminate the most
virtuous -- for that cause, and to prevent worse consequences, I
shall deny you, hereafter, admission into this house, and give
notice, now, that I require your instant departure.
Three minutes' delay will render it involuntary and ignominious."
| | 64 |
Heathcliff measured the height and breadth of the speaker with an
eye full of derision.
| | 65 |
"Cathy, this lamb of yours threatens like a bull!" he said.
"It is in danger of splitting its skull against my knuckles.
By God, Mr Linton, I'm mortally sorry that you are not worth
knocking down!"
| | 66 |
My master glanced towards the passage, and signed me to fetch the
encounter.
I obeyed the hint; but Mrs Linton suspecting something, followed,
and when I attempted to call them, she pulled me back, slammed the
door to, and locked it.
| | 67 |
"Fair means!" she said, in answer to her husband's look of angry
surprise.
"If you have not courage to attack him, make an apology, or allow
yourself to be beaten.
It will correct you of feigning more valour than you possess.
No, I'll swallow the key before you shall get it!
I'm delightfully rewarded for my kindness to each!
After constant indulgence of one's weak nature, and the other's bad
one, I earn, for thanks, two samples of blind ingratitude, stupid
to absurdity!
Edgar, I was defending you, and yours; and I wish Heathcliff may
flog you sick, for daring to think an evil thought of me!"
| | 68 |
It did not need the medium of a flogging to produce that effect on
the master.
He tried to wrest the key from Catherine's grasp; and for safety
she flung it into the hottest part of the fire; whereupon Mr Edgar
was taken with a nervous trembling, and his countenance grew deadly
pale.
For his life he could not avert that access of emotion -- mingled
anguish and humiliation overcame him completely.
He leant on the back of a chair, and covered his face.
| | 69 |
"Oh! heavens!
In old days this would win you knighthood!" exclaimed Mrs Linton.
"We are vanquished! we are vanquished!
Heathcliff would as soon lift a finger at you as a king would march
his army against a colony of mice.
Cheer up, you shan't be hurt!
Your type is not a lamb, it's a sucking leveret."
| | 70 |
"I wish you joy of the milk-blooded coward, Cathy!" said her
friend.
"I compliment you on your taste: and that is the slavering,
shivering thing you preferred to me!
I would not strike him with my fist, but I'd kick him with my foot,
Is he weeping, or is he going to faint for fear?"
| | 71 |
The fellow approached and gave the chair on which Linton rested a
push.
He'd better have kept his distance: my master quickly sprang erect,
and struck him full on the throat a blow that would have levelled a
slighter man.
| | 72 |
It took his breath for a minute; and, while he choked, Mr Linton
walked out by the back door into the yard, and from thence, to the
front entrance.
| | 73 |
"There! you've done with coming here," cried Catherine.
"Get away, now -- he'll return with a brace of pistols, and half-a-
dozen assistants.
If he did overhear us, of course, he'd never forgive you.
You've played me an ill turn, Heathcliff!
But, go -- make haste!
I'd rather see Edgar at bay than you."
| | 74 |
"Do you suppose I'm going with that blow burning in my gullet?" he
thundered.
"By Hell, no!
I'll crush his ribs in like a rotten hazel-nut, before I cross the
threshold!
If I don't floor him now, I shall murder him some time, so, as you
value his existence, let me get at him!"
| | 75 |
"He is not coming," I interposed, framing a bit of a lie.
"There's the coachman, and the two gardeners; you'll surely not
wait to be thrust into the road by them!
Each has a bludgeon, and master will, very likely, be watching from
the parlour windows to see that they fulfil his orders."
| | 76 |
The gardeners and coachman were there; but Linton was
with them.
They had already entered the court -- Heathcliff, on second
thoughts resolved to avoid a struggle against the three underlings;
he seized the poker, smashed the lock from the inner door, and made
his escape as they tramped in.
| | 77 |
Mrs Linton, who was very much excited, bid me accompany her
upstairs.
disturbance, and I was anxious to keep her in ignorance.
| | 78 |
"I'm nearly distracted, Nelly!" she exclaimed, throwing herself on
the sofa.
"A thousand smiths' hammers are beating in my head!
Tell Isabella to shun me -- this uproar is owing to her; and should
she or any one else aggravate my anger at present, I shall get
wild.
And, Nelly, say to Edgar, if you see him again to-night, that I'm
in danger of being seriously ill -- I wish it may prove true.
He has startled and distressed me shockingly!
I want to frighten him.
Besides, he might come and begin a string of abuse, or
complainings; I'm certain I should recriminate, and God knows where
we should end!
Will you do so, my good Nelly?
You are aware that I am no way blameable in this matter.
What possessed him to turn listener?
Heathcliff's talk was outrageous, after you left us; but I could
soon have diverted him from Isabella, and the rest meant nothing.
Now, all is dashed wrong by the fool's-craving to hear evil of self
that haunts some people like a demon!
Had Edgar never gathered our conversation, he would never have been
the worse for it.
Really, when he opened on me in that unreasonable tone of
displeasure, after I had scolded Heathcliff till I was hoarse for
him; I did not care, hardly, what they did to each other,
especially as I felt that, however the scene closed, we should all
be driven asunder for nobody knows how long!
Well, if I cannot keep Heathcliff for my friend -- if Edgar will be
mean and jealous, I'll try to break their hearts by breaking my
own.
That will be a prompt way of finishing all, when I am pushed to
extremity!
But it's a deed to be reserved for a forlorn hope -- I'd not take
Linton by surprise with it.
To this point he has been discreet in dreading to provoke me; you
must represent the peril of quitting that policy; and remind him of
frenzy -- I wish you could dismiss that apathy out of that
countenance, and look rather more anxious about me!"
| | 79 |
The stolidity with which I received these instructions was, no
doubt, rather exasperating; for they were delivered in perfect
sincerity, but I believed a person who could plan the turning of
her fits of passion to account, beforehand, might, by exerting her
will, manage to control herself tolerably even while under their
influence; and I did not wish to "frighten" her husband, as she
said, and multiply his annoyances for the purpose of serving her
selfishness.
Therefore I said nothing when I met the master coming towards the
parlour; but I took the liberty of turning back to listen whether
they would resume their quarrel together.
| | 80 |
He began to speak first.
| | 81 |
"Remain where you are, Catherine," he said, without any anger in
his voice, but with much sorrowful despondency.
"I shall not stay.
I am neither come to wrangle, nor be reconciled: but I wish just to
learn whether, after this evening's events, you intend to continue
your intimacy with -- -- "
| | 82 |
"Oh, for mercy's sake," interrupted the mistress, stamping her
foot, "for mercy's sake, let us hear no more of it now!
Your cold blood cannot be worked into a fever -- your veins are
full of ice-water -- but mine are boiling, and the sight of such
chillness makes them dance."
| | 83 |
"To get rid of me -- answer my question," persevered Mr Linton.
"You must answer it; and that violence does not alarm me.
I have found that you can be as stoical as any one, when you
please.
Will you give up Heathcliff hereafter, or will you give up me?
It is impossible for you to be my friend, and his
at the same time; and I absolutely require to know
which you choose."
| | 84 |
"I require to be let alone!" exclaimed Catherine, furiously.
"I demand it!
Don't you see I can scarcely stand?
| | 85 |
She rang the bell till it broke with a twang: I entered leisurely.
It was enough to try the temper of a saint, such senseless, wicked
rages!
There she lay dashing her head against the arm of the sofa, and
grinding her teeth, so that you might fancy she would crash them to
splinters!
| | 86 |
Mr Linton stood looking at her in sudden compunction and fear.
He told me to fetch some water.
She had no breath for speaking.
| | 87 |
I brought a glass full; and. as she would not drink, I sprinkled it
on her face.
In a few seconds she stretched herself out stiff, and turned up her
eyes, while her cheeks, at once blanched and livid, assumed the
aspect of death.
| | 88 |
Linton looked terrified.
| | 89 |
"There is nothing in the world the matter," I whispered.
I did not want him to yield, though I could not help being afraid
in my heart.
| | 90 |
"She has blood on her lips!" he said, shuddering.
| | 91 |
"Never mind!" I answered, tartly.
And I told him how she had resolved, previous to his coming, on
exhibiting a fit of frenzy.
| | 92 |
I incautiously gave the account aloud, and she heard me, for she
started up -- her hair flying over her shoulders, her eyes
flashing, the muscles of her neck and arms standing out
preternaturally.
I made up my mind for broken bones, at least; but she only glared
about for an instant, and then rushed from the room.
| | 93 |
The master directed me to follow; I did, to her chamber door; she
hindered me from going farther by securing it against me.
| | 94 |
As she never offered to descend to breakfast next morning, I went
to ask whether she would have some carried up.
| | 95 |
"No!" she replied, peremptorily.
| | 96 |
The same question was repeated at dinner, and tea; and again on the
morrow after, and received the same answer.
| | 97 |
Mr Linton, on his part, spent his time in the library, and
Isabella and he had had an hour's interview, during which he tried
to elicit from her some sentiment of proper horror for Heathcliff's
advances; but he could make nothing of her evasive replies, and was
obliged to close the examination, unsatisfactorily; adding,
however, a solemn warning, that if she were so insane as to
encourage that worthless suitor, it would dissolve all bonds of
relationship between herself and him.
| |
