| 1 |
SEVEN days glided away, every one marking its course by
the henceforth rapid alteration of Edgar Linton's state.
The havoc that months had previously wrought, was now emulated by
the inroads of hours.
| 2 |
Catherine, we would fain have deluded, yet, but her own quick
spirit refused to delude her.
It divined, in secret, and brooded on the dreadful probability,
gradually ripening into certainty.
| | 3 |
She had not the heart to mention her ride, when Thursday came
round; I mentioned it for her; and obtained permission to order her
out of doors; for the library, where her father stopped a short
time daily -- the brief period he could bear to sit up, and his
chamber had become her whole world.
She grudged each moment that did not find her bending over his
pillow, or seated by his side.
Her countenance grew wan with watching and sorrow, and my master
gladly dismissed her to what he flattered himself would be a happy
change of scene and society, drawing comfort from the hope that she
would not now be left entirely alone after his death.
| | 4 |
He had a fixed idea, I guessed by several observations he let fall,
that as his nephew resembled him in person, he would resemble him
in mind; for Linton's letters bore few, or no indications of his
defective character.
And I through pardonable weakness refrained from correcting the
error; asking myself what good there would be in disturbing his
last moments with information that he had neither power nor
opportunity to turn to account.
| | 5 |
We deferred our excursion till the afternoon; a golden afternoon of
August -- every breath from the hills so full of
might revive.
| | 6 |
Catherine's face was just like the landscape -- shadows and
sunshine flitting over it, in rapid succession; but the shadows
rested longer and the sunshine was more transient, and her poor
little heart reproached itself for even that passing forgetfulness
of its cares.
| | 7 |
We discerned Linton watching at the same spot he had selected
before.
My young mistress alighted, and told me that as she was resolved to
stay a very little while, I had better hold the pony and remain on
horseback; but I dissented, I wouldn't risk losing sight of the
charge committed to me a minute; so we climbed the slope of heath,
together.
| | 8 |
Master Heathcliff received us with greater animation on this
occasion; not the animation of high spirits though, nor yet of joy;
it looked more like fear.
| | 9 |
"It is late!" he said, speaking short, and with difficulty.
"Is not your father very ill?
I thought you wouldn't come."
| | 10 |
"Why won't you be candid?" cried Catherine, swallowing
her greeting.
"Why cannot you say at once, you don't want me?
It is strange Linton, that for the second time, you have brought me
here on purpose, apparently, to distress us both, and for no reason
besides!"
| | 11 |
Linton shivered, and glanced at her, half supplicating, half
ashamed, but his cousin's patience was not sufficient to endure
this enigmatical behaviour.
| | 12 |
"My father is very ill," she said, "and why am I called
from his bedside -- why didn't you send to absolve me from my
promise, when you wished I wouldn't keep it?
Come!
I desire an explanation -- playing and trifling are completely
banished out of my mind: and I can't dance attendance on your
affectations, now!"
| | 13 |
"My affectations!" he murmured, "what are they?
For Heaven's sake Catherine, don't look so angry!
cowardly wretch -- I can't be scorned enough! but I'm too mean for
your anger -- hate my father, and spare me, for contempt!"
| | 14 |
"Nonsense!" cried Catherine in a passion.
"Foolish, silly boy!
And there! he trembles, as if I were really going to touch him!
You needn't bespeak contempt, Linton; anybody will have it
spontaneously, at your service.
Get off!
I shall return home -- it is folly dragging you from the
hearthstone, and pretending -- what do we pretend?
Let go my frock -- if I pitied you for crying, and looking so very
frightened, you should spurn such pity!
Ellen, tell him how disgraceful this conduct is.
Rise, and don't degrade yourself into an abject reptile --
don't."
| | 15 |
With streaming face and an expression of agony, Linton had thrown
his nerveless frame along the ground; he seemed convulsed with
exquisite terror.
| | 16 |
"Oh!" he sobbed, "I cannot bear it!
Catherine, Catherine, I'm a traitor too, and I dare not tell you!
But leave me and I shall be killed!
Dear Catherine, my life is in your hands; and you have
said you loved me -- and if you did, it wouldn't harm you.
You'll not go, then? kind, sweet, good Catherine!
And perhaps you will consent -- and he'll let me die with
you!"
| | 17 |
My young lady, on witnessing his intense anguish, stooped to raise
him.
The old feeling of indulgent tenderness overcame her vexation, and
she grew thoroughly moved and alarmed.
| | 18 |
"Consent to what?" she asked.
"To stay?
Tell me the meaning of this strange talk, and I will.
You contradict your own words, and distract me!
Be calm and frank, and confess at once, all that weighs on your
heart.
You wouldn't injure me, Linton, would you?
You wouldn't let any enemy hurt me, if you could prevent it?
cowardly betrayer of your best friend."
| | 19 |
"But my father threatened me," gasped the boy, clasping his
attenuated fingers, "and I dread him -- I dread him!
I dare not tell!"
| | 20 |
"Oh well!" said Catherine, with scornful compassion, "keep your
secret, I'm no coward -- save yourself, I'm not afraid!"
| | 21 |
Her magnanimity provoked his tears; he wept wildly, kissing her
supporting hands, and yet could not summon courage to speak out.
| | 22 |
I was cogitating what the mystery might be, and determined
Catherine should never suffer to benefit him or anyone else, by my
good will.
When hearing a rustle among the ling, I looked up, and saw Mr
Heathcliff almost close upon us, descending the Heights.
He didn't cast a glance towards my companions, though they were
sufficiently near for Linton's sobs to be audible; but hailing me
in the almost hearty tone he assumed to none besides, and the
sincerity of which, I couldn't avoid doubting, he said.
| | 23 |
"It is something to see you so near to my house, Nelly!
How are you at the Grange?
Let us hear!
The rumour goes," he added in a lower tone, "that Edgar Linton is
on his death-bed -- perhaps they exaggerate his illness?"
| | 24 |
"No; my master is dying," I replied, "it is true enough.
A sad thing it will be for us all, but a blessing for him!"
| | 25 |
"How long will he last, do you think?" he asked.
| | 26 |
"I don't know," I said.
| | 27 |
"Because," he continued, looking at the two young people, who were
fixed under his eye -- Linton appeared as if he could not venture
to stir, or raise his head, and Catherine could not move, on his
account -- "Because that lad yonder, seems determined to beat me --
him -- Hallo!
Has the whelp been playing that game long?
I did give him some lessons about snivelling.
Is he pretty lively with Miss Linton generally?"
| | 28 |
"Lively? no -- he has shown the greatest distress;" I answered.
"To see him, I should say, that instead of rambling with his
sweetheart on the hills, he ought to be in bed, under the hands of
a doctor."
| | 29 |
"He shall be, in a day or two," muttered Heathcliff.
"But first -- get up, Linton!
Get up!" he shouted.
"Don't grovel on the ground there -- up this moment!"
| | 30 |
Linton had sunk prostrate again in another paroxysm of helpless
fear, caused by his father's glance towards him, I suppose, there
was nothing else to produce such humiliation.
He made several efforts to obey, but his little strength was
annihilated, for the time, and he fell back again with a moan.
| | 31 |
Mr Heathcliff advanced, and lifted him to lean against a ridge of
turf.
| | 32 |
"Now," said he with curbed ferocity, "I'm getting angry -- and if
you don't command that paltry spirit of yours -- Damn
you!
Get up, directly!"
| | 33 |
"I will, father!" he panted.
"Only, let me alone, or I shall faint!
I've done as you wished -- I'm sure.
Catherine will tell you that I -- that I -- have been cheerful.
Ah! keep by me Catherine; give me your hand."
| | 34 |
"Take mine," said his father, "stand on your feet!
There now -- she'll lend you her arm... that's right, look at
her.
You would imagine I was the devil himself, Miss Linton, to excite
such horror.
Be so kind as to walk home with him, will you?
He shudders, if I touch him."
| | 35 |
"Linton, dear!" whispered Catherine, "I can't go to Wuthering
Heights... papa has forbidden me...
| | 36 |
"I can never re-enter that house," he answered.
"I am not to re-enter it without you!"
| | 37 |
"Stop... " cried his father.
"We'll respect Catherine's filial scruples.
Nelly, take him in, and I'll follow your advice concerning the
doctor, without delay."
| | 38 |
"You'll do well," replied I, "but I must remain with my mistress.
To mind your son is not my business."
| | 39 |
"You are very stiff!" said Heathcliff, "I know that -- but you'll
force me to pinch the baby, and make it scream, before it moves
your charity.
Come then, my hero.
Are you willing to return, escorted by me?"
| | 40 |
He approached once more, and made as if he would seize the fragile
being; but shrinking back, Linton clung to his cousin, and implored
her to accompany him with a frantic importunity that admitted no
denial.
| | 41 |
However I disapproved, I couldn't hinder her; indeed how could she
have refused him herself?
What was filling him with dread, we had no means of discerning, but
there he was, powerless under its gripe, and any addition seemed
capable of shocking him into idiocy.
| | 42 |
We reached the threshold; Catherine walked in; and I stood waiting
till she had conducted the invalid to a chair, expecting her out,
immediately; when Mr Heathcliff pushing me forward, exclaimed --
| | 43 |
"My house is not stricken with the plague, Nelly; and I have a mind
to be hospitable to-day; sit down, and allow me to shut the door."
| | 44 |
He shut and locked it also, I started.
| | 45 |
"You shall have tea, before you go home," he added.
"I am by myself.
Hareton is gone with some cattle to the Lees -- and Zillah and
Joseph are off on a journey of pleasure.
And, though I'm used to being alone, I'd rather have some
interesting company, if I can get it.
Miss Linton, take your seat by him.
I give you what I have; the present is hardly worth
It is Linton, I mean.
How she does stare!
It's odd what a savage feeling I have to anything that seems afraid
of me!
Had I been born where laws are less strict, and tastes less dainty,
I should treat myself to a slow vivifisection of those two, as an
evening's amusement."
| | 46 |
He drew in his breath, struck the table, and swore to himself.
| | 47 |
"By hell!
I hate them."
| | 48 |
"I'm not afraid of you!" exclaimed Catherine, who could not hear
the latter part of his speech.
| | 49 |
She stepped close up; her black eyes flashing with passion and
resolution.
| | 50 |
"Give me that key -- I will have it!" she said.
"I wouldn't eat or drink here, if I were starving."
| | 51 |
Heathcliff had the key in his hand that remained on the table.
He looked up, seized with a sort of surprise at her boldness, or,
possibly, reminded by her voice and glance, of the person from whom
she inherited it.
| | 52 |
She snatched at the instrument, and half succeeded in getting it
out of his loosened fingers; but her action recalled him to the
present; he recovered it speedily.
| | 53 |
"Now, Catherine Linton," he said, "stand off, or I shall knock you
down; and that will make Mrs Dean mad."
| | 54 |
Regardless of this warning, she captured his closed hand, and its
contents again.
| | 55 |
"We will go!" she repeated, exerting her utmost efforts
to cause the iron muscles to relax; and finding that her nails made
no impression, she applied her teeth pretty sharply.
| | 56 |
Heathcliff glanced at me a glance that kept me from interfering a
moment.
Catherine was too intent on his fingers to notice his face.
He opened them, suddenly, and resigned the object of dispute; but,
ere she had well secured it, he seized her with the liberated hand,
other, a shower of terrific slaps on both sides of the head, each
sufficient to have fulfilled his threat, had she been able to fall.
| | 57 |
At this diabolical violence, I rushed on him furiously.
| | 58 |
"You villain!" I began to cry, "you villain!"
| | 59 |
A touch on the chest silenced me; I am stout, and soon put out of
breath; and, what with that and the rage, I staggered dizzily back,
and felt ready to suffocate, or to burst a blood-vessel.
| | 60 |
The scene was over in two minutes; Catherine, released, put her two
hands to her temples, and looked just as if she were not sure
whether her ears were off or on.
She trembled like a reed, poor thing, and leant against the table
perfectly bewildered.
| | 61 |
"I know how to chastise children, you see," said the scoundrel,
grimly, as he stooped to repossess himself of the key, which had
dropped to the floor.
"Go to Linton now, as I told you; and cry at your ease!
I shall be your father to-morrow -- all the father you'll have in a
few days -- and you shall have plenty of that -- you can bear
plenty -- you're no weakling -- you shall have a daily taste, if I
catch such a devil of a temper in your eyes again!"
| | 62 |
Cathy ran to me instead of Linton, and knelt down, and put her
burning cheek on my lap, weeping aloud.
Her cousin had shrunk into a corner of the settle, as quiet as a
mouse, congratulating himself, I dare say, that the correction had
lighted on another than him.
| | 63 |
Mr Heathcliff, perceiving us all confounded, rose, and
expeditiously made the tea himself.
The cups and saucers were laid ready.
He poured it out, and handed me a cup.
| | 64 |
"Wash away your spleen," he said.
"And help your own naughty pet and mine.
It is not poisoned, though I prepared it.
I'm going out to seek your horses."
| | 65 |
Our first thought, on his departure, was to force an exit
We tried the kitchen door, but that was fastened outside; we looked
at the windows -- they were too narrow for even Cathy's little
figure.
| | 66 |
"Master Linton," I cried, seeing we were regularly imprisoned.
"You know what your diabolical father is after, and you shall tell
us, or I'll box your ears, as he has done your cousin's."
| | 67 |
"Yes, Linton; you must tell," said Catherine.
"It was for your sake I came; and it will be wickedly ungrateful if
you refuse."
| | 68 |
"Give me some tea, I'm thirsty, and then I'll tell you," he
answered.
"Mrs Dean, go away.
I don't like you standing over me.
Now, Catherine, you are letting your tears fall into my cup!
I won't drink that.
Give me another."
| | 69 |
Catherine pushed another to him, and wiped her face.
I felt disgusted at the little wretch's composure, since he was no
longer in terror for himself.
The anguish he had exhibited on the moor subsided as soon as ever
he entered Wuthering Heights; so, I guessed he had been menaced
with an awful visitation of wrath, if he failed in decoying us
there; and, that accomplished, he had no further immediate fears.
| | 70 |
"Papa wants us to be married," he continued, after sipping some of
the liquid.
"And he knows your papa wouldn't let us marry now; and he's afraid
of my dying, if we wait; so we are to be married in the morning,
and you are to stay here all night; and, if you do as he wishes,
you shall return home next day, and take me with you."
| | 71 |
"Take you with her, pitiful changeling?" I exclaimed.
"You marry?
Why, the man is mad, or he thinks us fools, every one.
And, do you imagine that beautiful young lady, that healthy, hearty
girl, will tie herself to a little perishing monkey like you?
Are you cherishing the notion that anybody, let alone
You want whipping for bringing us in here at all, with your
dastardly, puling tricks; and -- don't look so silly now!
I've a very good mind to shake you severely, for your contemptible
treachery, and your imbecile conceit."
| | 72 |
I did give him a slight shaking, but it brought on the cough, and
he took to his ordinary resource of moaning and weeping, and
Catherine rebuked me.
| | 73 |
"Stay all night?
No!" she said, looking slowly round.
"Ellen, I'll burn that door down, but I'll get out."
| | 74 |
And she would have commenced the execution of her threat directly,
but Linton was up in alarm, for his dear self, again.
He clasped her in his two feeble arms, sobbing --
| | 75 |
"Won't you have me, and save me -- not let me come to the Grange?
Oh! darling Catherine! you mustn't go, and leave me, after all.
You must obey my father -- you must!"
| | 76 |
"I must obey my own," she replied, "and relieve him from this cruel
suspense.
The whole night!
What would he think? he'll be distressed already.
I'll either break or burn a way out of the house.
Be quiet!
You're in no danger -- but, if you hinder me -- Linton, I love papa
better than you!"
| | 77 |
The mortal terror he felt of Mr Heathcliff's anger, restored to the
boy his coward's eloquence.
Catherine was near distraught -- still, she persisted that she must
go home, and tried entreaty, in her turn, persuading him to subdue
his selfish agony.
| | 78 |
While they were thus occupied, our jailer re-entered.
| | 79 |
"Your beasts have trotted off;" he said, "and -- Now, Linton!
snivelling again?
What has she been doing to you?
Come, come -- have done, and get to bed.
In a month or two, my lad, you'll be able to pay her back her
present tyrannies, with a vigorous hand -- you're pining for pure
love, are you not? nothing else in the world -- and she shall have
you!
There, to bed!
yourself.
Hush! hold your noise!
Once in your own room, I'll not come near you, you needn't fear.
By chance, you've managed tolerably.
I'll look to the rest."
| | 80 |
He spoke these words, holding the door open for his son to pass;
and the latter achieved his exit exactly as a spaniel might which
suspected the person who attended on it of designing a spiteful
squeeze.
| | 81 |
The lock was resecured.
Heathcliff approached the fire, where my mistress and I stood
silent.
Catherine looked up, and instinctively raised her hand to her cheek
-- his neighbourhood revived a painful sensation.
Anybody else would have been incapable of regarding the childish
act with sternness, but he scowled on her, and muttered --
| | 82 |
"Oh, you are not afraid of me?
Your courage is well disguised -- you seem damnably
afraid!"
| | 83 |
"I am afraid now," she replied; "because if I stay, papa
will be miserable; and how can I endure making him miserable --
when he -- when he -- Mr Heathcliff, let me go home!
I promise to marry Linton -- papa would like me to, and I love him
-- and why should you wish to force me to do what I'll willingly do
of myself?"
| | 84 |
"Let him dare to force you!" I cried.
"There's law in the land, thank God, there is! though we be
in an out-of-the-way place.
I'd inform, if he were my own son, and it's felony without benefit
of clergy!"
| | 85 |
"Silence!" said the ruffian.
"To the devil with your clamour!
I don't want you to speak.
Miss Linton, I shall enjoy myself remarkably in thinking your
father will be miserable; I shall not sleep for satisfaction.
You could have hit on no surer way of fixing your residence under
my roof, for the next twenty-four hours, than informing me that
such an event would follow.
As to your promise to marry Linton; I'll take care you shall keep
it, for you shall not quit the place till it is fulfilled."
| | 86 |
"Send Ellen then, to let papa know I'm safe!" exclaimed
"Or marry me now.
Poor papa!
Ellen, he'll think we're lost.
What shall we do?"
| | 87 |
"Not he!
He'll think you are tired of waiting on him, and run off, for a
little amusement," answered Heathcliff.
"You cannot deny that you entered my house of your own accord, in
contempt of his injunctions to the contrary.
And it is quite natural that you should desire amusement at your
age; and that you would weary of nursing a sick man, and that man,
only your father.
Catherine, his happiest days were over when your days began.
He cursed you, I dare say, for coming into the world, (I did, at
least).
And it would just do if he cursed you as he went out of
it.
I'd join him.
I don't love you!
How should I?
Weep away.
As far as I can see, it will be your chief diversion hereafter:
unless Linton make amends for other losses; and your provident
parent appears to fancy he may.
His letters of advice and consolation entertained me vastly.
In his last, he recommended my jewel to be careful of his; and kind
to her when he got her.
Careful and kind -- that's paternal!
But Linton requires his whole stock of care and kindness for
himself.
Linton can play the little tyrant well.
He'll undertake to torture any number of cats if their teeth be
drawn, and their claws pared.
You'll be able to tell his uncle fine tales of his kindness
, when you get home again, I assure you."
| | 88 |
"You're right there!" I said, "explain your son's character.
Show his resemblance to yourself; and then, I hope, Miss Cathy will
think twice, before she takes the cockatrice!"
| | 89 |
"I don't much mind speaking of his amiable qualities now," he
answered, "because she must either accept him, or remain a
prisoner, and you along with her, till your master dies.
I can detain you both, quite concealed, here.
If you doubt, encourage her to retract her word, and you'll have an
opportunity of judging!"
| | 90 |
"I'll not retract my word," said Catherine.
"I'll marry him, within this hour, if I may go to Thrushcross
Mr Heathcliff, you're a cruel man, but you're not a fiend; and you
won't, from mere malice, destroy, irrevocably, all my
happiness.
If papa thought I had left him, on purpose; and if he died before I
returned, could I bear to live?
I've given over crying; but I'm going to kneel here, at your knee;
and I'll not get up, and I'll not take my eyes from your face, till
you look back at me!
No, don't turn away! do look!
You'll see nothing to provoke you.
I don't hate you.
I'm not angry that you struck me.
Have you never loved anybody in all your life, uncle?
never?
Ah! you must look once -- I'm so wretched -- you can't help being
sorry and pitying me."
| | 91 |
"Keep your eft's fingers off; and move, or I'll kick you!" cried
Heathcliff, brutally repulsing her.
"I'd rather be hugged by a snake.
How the devil can you dream of fawning on me?
I detest you!"
| | 92 |
He shrugged his shoulders -- shook himself, indeed, as if his flesh
crept with aversion; and thrust back his chair: while I got up, and
opened my mouth, to commence a downright torrent of abuse; but I
was rendered dumb in the middle of the first sentence, by a threat
that I should be shown into a room by myself, the very next
syllable I uttered.
| | 93 |
It was growing dark -- we heard a sound of voices at the garden
gate.
Our host hurried out, instantly; he had his wits about
him; we had not.
There was a talk of two or three minutes, and he returned alone.
| | 94 |
"I thought it had been your cousin Hareton," I observed to
Catherine.
"I wish he would arrive!
Who knows but he might take our part?"
| | 95 |
"It was three servants sent to seek you from the Grange," said
Heathcliff, overhearing me.
"You should have opened a lattice, and called out; but I could
swear that chit is glad you didn't.
She's glad to be obliged to stay, I'm certain."
| | 96 |
At learning the chance we had missed, we both gave vent
till nine o'clock; then he bid us go up stairs, through the
kitchen, to Zillah's chamber; and I whispered my companion to obey;
perhaps, we might contrive to get through the window there, or into
a garret, and out by its skylight.
| | 97 |
The window, however, was narrow like those below, and the garret
trap was safe from our attempts; for we were fastened in as before.
| | 98 |
We neither of us lay down: Catherine took her station by the
lattice, and watched anxiously for morning -- a deep sigh being the
only answer I could obtain to my frequent entreaties that she would
try to rest.
| | 99 |
I seated myself in a chair, and rocked, to and fro, passing harsh
judgment on my many derelictions of duty; from which, it struck me
then, all the misfortunes of all my employers sprang.
It was not the case, in reality, I am aware; but it was, in my
imagination, that dismal night, and I thought Heathcliff himself
less guilty than I.
| | 100 |
At seven o'clock he came, and inquired if Miss Linton had risen.
| | 101 |
She ran to the door immediately, and answered --
| | 102 |
"Yes."
| | 103 |
"Here then," he said, opening it, and pulling her out.
| | 104 |
I rose to follow, but he turned the lock again.
I demanded my release.
| | 105 |
"Be patient," he replied; "I'll send up your breakfast in a while."
| | 106 |
I thumped on the panels, and rattled the latch angrily; and
Catherine asked why I was still shut up?
He answered, I must try to endure it another hour, and they went
away.
| | 107 |
I endured it two or three hours; at length, I heard a footstep, not
Heathcliff's.
| | 108 |
"I've brought you something to eat," said a voice; "oppen t' door!"
| | 109 |
Complying eagerly, I beheld Hareton, laden with food enough to last
me all day.
| | 110 |
"Tak it!" he added, thrusting the tray into my hand.
| | 111 |
"Stay one minute," I began.
| | 112 |
"Nay!" cried he, and retired, regardless of any prayers I could
pour forth to detain him.
| | 113 |
And there I remained enclosed, the whole day, and the whole of the
next night; and another, and another.
Five nights and four days I remained, altogether, seeing nobody but
Hareton, once every morning, and he was a model of a jailer --
surly, and dumb, and deaf to every attempt at moving his sense of
justice or compassion.
| | 114 |
| |
