Ihavejustreturnedfromavisittomylandlord——thesolitaryneighbourthatIshallbetroubledwith。Thisiscertainlyabeautifulcountry!InallEngland,IdonotbelievethatIcouldhavefixedonasituationsocompletelyremovedfromthestirofsociety。Aperfectmisanthropist\'sheaven:andMrHeathcliffandIaresuchasuitablepairtodividethedesolationbetweenus。Acapitalfellow!HelittleimaginedhowmyheartwarmedtowardshimwhenIbeheldhisblackeyeswithdrawsosuspiciouslyundertheirbrows,asIrodeup,andwhenhisfingersshelteredthemselves,withajealousresolution,stillfartherinhiswaistcoat,asIannouncedmyname。
`MrHeathcliff!\'Isaid。
Anodwastheanswer。
`MrLockwood,yournewtenant,sir。Idomyselfthehonourofcallingassoonaspossibleaftermyarrival,toexpressthehopethatIhavenotinconveniencedyoubymyperseveranceinsolicitingtheoccupationofThrushcrossGrange:Iheardyesterdayyouhadhadsomethoughts——\'
`ThrushcrossGrangeismyown,sir,\'heinterrupted,wincing。
`Ishouldnotallowanyonetoinconvenienceme,ifIcouldhinderit——walkin!\'
The`walkin\'wasutteredwithclosedteeth,andexpressedthesentiment,`Gotothedeuce\':eventhegateoverwhichheleantmanifestednosympathizingmovementtothewords;andIthinkthatcircumstancedeterminedmetoaccepttheinvitation:Ifeltinterestedinamanwhoseemedmoreexaggeratedlyreservedthanmyself。
Whenhesawmyhorse\'sbreastfairlypushingthebarrier,hedidputouthishandtounchainit,andthensullenlyprecededmeupthecauseway,calling,asweenteredthecourt:`Joseph,takeMrLockwood\'shorse;andbringupsomewine。\'
`Herewehavethewholeestablishmentofdomestics,Isuppose,\'
wasthereflectionsuggestedbythiscompoundorder。
`Nowonderthegrassgrowsupbetweentheflags,andcattlearetheonlyhedge-cutters。
Josephwasanelderly,nay,anoldman:veryold,perhaps,thoughhaleandsinewy。`TheLordhelpus!\'hesoliloquizedinanundertoneofpeevishdispleasure,whilerelievingmeofmyhorse:looking,meantime,inmyfacesosourlythatIcharitablyconjecturedhemusthaveneedofdivineaidtodigesthisdinner,andhispiousejaculationhadnoreferencetomyunexpectedadvent。
WutheringHeightsisthenameofMrHeathcliff\'sdwelling。`Wuthering\'
beingasignificantprovincialadjective,descriptiveoftheatmospherictumulttowhichitsstationisexposedinstormyweather。Pure,bracingventilationtheymusthaveupthereatalltimes,indeed;onemayguessthepowerofthenorthwindblowingovertheedge,bytheexcessiveslantofafewstuntedfirsattheendofthehouse;andbyarangeofgauntthornsallstretchingtheirlimbsoneway,asifcravingalmsofthesun。
Happily,thearchitecthadforesighttobuilditstrong:thenarrowwindowsaredeeplysetinthewall,andthecornersdefendedwithlargejuttingstones。
Beforepassingthethreshold,Ipausedtoadmireaquantityofgrotesquecarvinglavishedoverthefront,andespeciallyabouttheprincipaldoor;abovewhich,amongawildernessofcrumblinggriffinsandshamelesslittleboys,Idetectedthedate`1500\',andthename`HaretonEarnshaw\'。
Iwouldhavemadeafewcomments,andrequestedashorthistoryoftheplacefromthesurlyowner;buthisattitudeatthedoorappearedtodemandmyspeedyentrance,orcompletedeparture,andIhadnodesiretoaggravatehisimpatienceprevioustoinspectingthepenetralium。
Onestepbroughtusintothefamilysitting-room,withoutanyintroductorylobbyorpassage:theycallithere`thehouse\'preeminently。
Itincludeskitchenandparlour,generally;butIbelieveatWutheringHeightsthekitchenisforcedtoretreataltogetherintoanotherquarter:
atleastIdistinguishedachatteroftongues,andaclatterofculinaryutensils,deepwithin;andIobservednosignsofroasting,boiling,orbaking,aboutthehugefireplace;noranyglitterofcoppersaucepansandtincullendersonthewalls。Oneend,indeed,reflectedsplendidlybothlightandheatfromranksofimmensepewterdishes,interspersedwithsilverjugsandtankards,toweringrowafterrow,onavastoakdresser,totheveryroof。Thelatterhadneverbeenunderdrawn:itsentireanatomylaybaretoaninquiringeye,exceptwhereaframeofwoodladenwithoatcakesandclustersoflegsofbeef,mutton,andham,concealedit。Abovethechimneyweresundryvillainous;oldguns,andacoupleofhorse-pistols:
and,bywayofornament,threegaudilypaintedcanistersdisposedalongitsledge。Thefloorwasofsmooth,whitestone;thechairs,high-backed,primitivestructures,paintedgreen:oneortwoheavyblackoneslurkingintheshade。Inanarchunderthedresser,reposedahuge,liver-colouredbitchpointer,surroundedbyaswarmofsquealingpuppies;andotherdogshauntedotherrecesses。
Theapartmentandfurniturewouldhavebeennothingextraordinaryasbelongingtoahomely,northernfarmer,withastubborncountenance,andstalwartlimbssetouttoadvantageinkneebreechesandgaiters。Suchanindividualseatedinhisarmchair,hismugofalefrothingontheroundtablebeforehim,istobeseeninanycircuitoffiveorsixmilesamongthesehills,ifyougoattherighttimeafterdinner。ButMrHeathcliffformsasingularcontrasttohisabodeandstyleofliving。Heisadark-skinnedgipsyinaspect,indressandmannersagentleman:thatis,asmuchagentlemanasmanyacountrysquire:ratherslovenly,perhaps,yetnotlookingamisswithhisnegligence,becausehehasanerectandhandsomefigure;andrathermorose。Possibly,somepeoplemightsuspecthimofadegreeofunder-bredpride;Ihaveasympatheticchordwithinthattellsmeitisnothingofthesort:Iknow,byinstinct,hisreservespringsfromanaversiontoshowydisplaysoffeeling——tomanifestationsofmutualkindliness。He\'llloveandhateequallyundercover,andesteemitaspeciesofimpertinencetobelovedorhatedagain。No,I\'mrunningontoofast:Ibestowmyownattributesoverliberallyonhim。MrHeathcliffmayhaveentirelydissimilarreasonsforkeepinghishandoutofthewaywhenhemeetsawould-beacquaintance,tothosewhichactuateme。Letmehopemyconstitutionisalmostpeculiar:
mydearmotherusedtosayIshouldneverhaveacomfortablehome;andonlylastsummerIprovedmyselfperfectlyunworthyofone。
Whileenjoyingamonthoffineweatherattheseacoast,Iwasthrownintothecompanyofamostfascinatingcreature:arealgoddessinmyeyes,aslongasshetooknonoticeofme。I`nevertoldmylove\'
vocally;still,iflookshavelanguage,themerestidiotmighthaveguessedIwasoverheadandears:sheunderstoodmeatlast,andlookedareturn——thesweetestofallimaginablelooks。AndwhatdidIdo?Iconfessitwithshame——shrunkicilyintomyself,likeasnail;ateveryglanceretiredcolderandfurther;tillfinallythepoorinnocentwasledtodoubtherownsenses,and,overwhelmedwithconfusionathersupposedmistake,persuadedhermammatodecamp。BythiscuriousturnofdispositionIhavegainedthereputationofdeliberateheartlessness;howundeserved,Ialonecanappreciate。
Itookaseatattheendofthehearthstoneoppositethattowardswhichmylandlordadvanced,andfilledupanintervalofsilencebyattemptingtocaressthecaninemother,whohadlefthernursery,andwassneakingwolfishlytothebackofmylegs,herlipcurledup,andherwhiteteethwateringforasnatch。
Mycaressprovokedalong,gutturalgnarl。
`You\'dbetterletthedogalone,\'growledMrHeathcliffinunison,checkingfiercerdemonstrationswithapunchofhisfoot。`She\'snotaccustomedtobespoiled——notkeptforapet。\'Then,stridingtoasidedoor,heshoutedagain,`Joseph!\'
Josephmumbledindistinctlyinthedepthsofthecellar,butgavenointimationofascending;sohismasterdiveddowntohim,leavingmevis-à;-vistheruffianlybitchandapairofgrimshaggysheep-dogs,whosharedwithherajealousguardianshipoverallmymovements。Notanxioustocomeincontactwiththeirfangs,Isatstill;but,imaginingtheywouldscarcelyunderstandtacitinsults,Iunfortunatelyindulgedinwinkingandmakingfacesatthetrio,andsometurnofmyphysiognomysoirritatedmadam,thatshesuddenlybrokeintoafuryandleaptonmyknees。Iflungherback,andhastenedtointerposethetablebetweenus。Thisproceedingrousedthewholehive:halfadozenfour-footedfiends,ofvarioussizesandages,issuedfromhiddendenstothecommoncentre。Ifeltmyheelsandcoat-lapspeculiarsubjectsofassault;andparryingoffthelargercombatantsaseffectuallyasIcouldwiththepoker,Iwasconstrainedtodemand,aloud,assistancefromsomeofthehouseholdinre-establishingpeace。
MrHeathcliffandhismanclimbedthecellarstepswithvexatiousphlegm:Idon\'tthinktheymovedonesecondfasterthanusual,thoughthehearthwasanabsolutetempestofworryingandyelping。Happily,aninhabitantofthekitchenmademoredispatch:alustydame,withtucked-upgown,barearms,andfire-flushedcheeks,rushedintothemidstofusflourishingafrying-pan:andusedthatweapon,andhertongue,tosuchpurpose,thatthestormsubsidedmagically,andsheonlyremained,heavinglikeaseaafterahighwind,whenhermasterenteredonthescene。
`Whatthedevilisthematter?\'heasked,eyeingmeinamannerthatIcouldillendureafterthisinhospitabletreatment。
`Whatthedevil,indeed!\'Imuttered。`Theherdofpossessedswinecouldhavehadnoworsespiritsinthemthanthoseanimalsofyours,sir。
Youmightaswellleaveastrangerwithabroodoftigers!\'
`Theywon\'tmeddlewithpersonswhotouchnothing,\'heremarked,puttingthebottlebeforeme,andrestoringthedisplacedtable。`Thedogsdorighttobevigilant。Takeaglassofwine?\'
`No,thankyou。\'
`Notbitten,areyou?\'
`IfIhadbeen,Iwouldhavesetmysignetonthebiter。\'
Heathcliff\'scountenancerelaxedintoagrin。
`Come,come,\'hesaid,`youareflurried,MrLockwood。Here,takealittlewine。GuestsaresoexceedinglyrareinthishousethatIandmydogs,Iamwillingtoown,hardlyknowhowtoreceivethem。Yourhealth,sir!\'
Ibowedandreturnedthepledge;beginningtoperceivethatitwouldbefoolishtositsulkingforthemisbehaviourofapackofcurs:
besides,Ifeltloathtoyieldthefellowfurtheramusementatmyexpense;
sincethehumourtookthatturn。He——probablyswayedbyprudentialconsiderationofthefollyofoffendingagoodtenant——relaxedalittleinthelaconicstyleofchippingoffhispronounsandauxiliaryverbs,andintroducedwhathesupposedwouldbeasubjectofinteresttome——adiscourseontheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofmypresentplaceofretirement。Ifoundhimveryintelligentonthetopicswetouched;andbeforeIwenthome,Iwasencouragedsofarastovolunteeranothervisittomorrow。Heevidentlywishednorepetitionofmyintrusion。Ishallgo,notwithstanding。ItisastonishinghowsociableIfeelmyselfcomparedwithhim。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter2Yesterdayafternoonsetinmistyandcold。Ihadhalfamindtospenditbymystudyfire,insteadofwadingthroughheathandmudtoWutheringHeights。Oncomingupfromdinner,howeverN。B。Idinebetweentwelveandoneo\'clock;thehousekeeper,amatronlylady,takenasafixturealongwiththehouse,couldnot,orwouldnot,comprehendmyrequestthatImightbeservedatfive,onmountingthestairswiththislazyintention,andsteppingintotheroom,Isawaservantgirlonherkneessurroundedbybrushesandcoal-scuttles,andraisinganinfernaldustassheextinguishedtheflameswithheapsofcinders。Thisspectacledrovemebackimmediately;
Itookmyhat,and,afterafour-miles\'walk,arrivedatHeathcliff\'sgardengatejustintimetoescapethefirstfeatheryflakesofasnowshower。
Onthatbleakhilltoptheearthwashardwithablackfrost,andtheairmademeshiverthrougheverylimb。Beingunabletoremovethechain,Ijumpedover,and,runninguptheflaggedcausewayborderedwithstragglinggooseberrybushes,knockedvainlyforadmittance,tillmyknucklestingledandthedogshowled。
`Wretchedinmates!\'Iejaculatedmentally,`youdeserveperpetualisolationfromyourspeciesforyourchurlishinhospitality。Atleast,Iwouldnotkeepmydoorsbarredinthedaytime。Idon\'tcare——Iwillgetin!\'Soresolved,Igraspedthelatchandshookitvehemently。Vinegar-facedJosephprojectedhisheadfromaroundwindowofthebarn。
`Whetareyefor?\'heshouted。`T\'maister\'sdahni\'t\'fowld。
Gorahndbyth\'endut\'laith,ifyahwenttuhspaketullhim。\'
`Istherenobodyinsidetoopenthedoor?\'Ihallooed,responsively。
`They\'snobbutt\'missis;andshoo\'llnutoppen\'tanyemakyerflaysomedinstillneeght。\'
`Why?CannotyoutellherwhoIam,eh,Joseph?\'
`Nor-neme!Aw\'llhaenoahendwi\'t,\'mutteredthehead,vanishing。
Thesnowbegantodrivethickly。Iseizedthehandletoessayanothertrial;whenayoungmanwithoutcoat,andshoulderingapitchfork,appearedintheyardbehind。Hehailedmetofollowhim,and,aftermarchingthroughawash-house,andapavedareacontainingacoalshed,pump,andpigeoncot,weatlengtharrivedinthehuge,warm,cheerfulapartment,whereIwasformerlyreceived。Itgloweddelightfullyintheradianceofanimmensefire,compoundedofcoal,peat,andwood;andnearthetable,laidforaplentifuleveningmeal,Iwaspleasedtoobservethe`missis\',anindividualwhoseexistenceIhadneverpreviouslysuspected。Ibowedandwaited,thinkingshewouldbidmetakeaseat。Shelookedatme,leaningbackinherchair,andremainedmotionlessandmute。
`Roughweather!\'Iremarked。`I\'mafraid,MrsHeathcliff,thedoormustbeartheconsequenceofyourservants\'leisureattendance:I
hadhardworktomakethemhearme。\'
Sheneveropenedhermouth。Istared——shestaredalso:atanyrate,shekepthereyesonmeinacool,regardlessmanner,exceedinglyembarrassinganddisagreeable。
`Sitdown,\'saidtheyoungmangruffly。`He\'llbeinsoon。\'
Iobeyed;andhemmed,andcalledthevillainJuno,whodeigned,atthissecondinterview,tomovetheextremetipofhertail,intokenofowningmyacquaintance。
`Abeautifulanimal!\'Icommencedagain。`Doyouintendpartingwiththelittleones,madam?\'
`Theyarenotmine,\'saidtheamiablehostess,morerepellinglythanHeathcliffhimselfcouldhavereplied。
`Ah,yourfavouritesareamongthese?\'Icontinued,turningtoanobscurecushionfullofsomethinglikecats。
`Astrangechoiceoffavourites!\'sheobservedscornfully。
Unluckily,itwasaheapofdeadrabbits。Ihemmedoncemore,anddrewclosertothehearth,repeatingmycommentonthewildnessoftheevening。
`Youshouldnothavecomeout,\'shesaid,risingandreachingfromthechimney-piecetwoofthepaintedcanisters。
Herpositionbeforewasshelteredfromthelight;now,Ihadadistinctviewofherwholefigureandcountenance。Shewasslender,andapparentlyscarcelypastgirlhood:anadmirableform,andthemostexquisitelittlefacethatIhaveeverhadthepleasureofbeholding;smallfeatures,veryfair;flaxenringlets,orrathergolden,hanginglooseonherdelicateneck;andeyes,hadtheybeenagreeableinexpression,theywouldhavebeenirresistible:fortunatelyformysusceptibleheart,theonlysentimenttheyevincedhoveredbetweenscorn,andakindofdesperation,singularlyunnaturaltobedetectedthere。Thecanisterswerealmostoutofherreach;
Imadeamotiontoaidher;sheturneduponmeasamisermightturnifanyoneattemptedtoassisthimincountinghisgold。
`Idon\'twantyourhelp,\'shesnapped;`Icangetthemformyself。\'
`Ibegyourpardon!\'Ihastenedtoreply。
`Wereyouaskedtotea?\'shedemanded,tyinganapronoverherneatblackfrock,andstandingwithaspoonfuloftheleafpoisedoverthepot。
`Ishallbegladtohaveacup,\'Ianswered。
`Wereyouasked?\'sherepeated。
`No,\'Isaid,halfsmiling。`Youaretheproperpersontoaskme。\'
Sheflungtheteaback,spoonandall,andresumedherchairinapet;herforeheadcorrugated,andherredunderlippushedout,likeachild\'sreadytocry。
Meanwhile,theyoungmanhadslungontohispersonadecidedlyshabbyuppergarment,and,erectinghimselfbeforetheblaze,lookeddownonmefromthecornerofhiseyes,foralltheworldasifthereweresomemortalfeudunavengedbetweenus。Ibegantodoubtwhetherhewereaservantornot:hisdressandspeechwerebothrude,entirelydevoidofthesuperiorityobservableinMrandMrsHeathcliff;histhickbrowncurlswereroughanduncultivated,hiswhiskersencroachedbearishlyoverhischeeks,andhishandswereembrownedlikethoseofacommonlabourer:stillhisbearingwasfree,almosthaughty,andheshowednoneofadomestic\'sassiduityinattendingontheladyofthehouse。Intheabsenceofclearproofsofhiscondition,Ideemeditbesttoabstainfromnoticinghiscuriousconduct;
and,fiveminutesafterwards,theentranceofHeathcliffrelievedme,insomemeasure,frommyuncomfortablestate。
`Yousee,sir,Iamcome,accordingtopromise!\'Iexclaimed,assumingthecheerful;`andIfearIshallbeweatherboundforhalfanhour,ifyoucanaffordmeshelterduringthatspace。\'
`Halfanhour?\'hesaid,shakingthewhiteflakesfromhisclothes;
`Iwonderyoushouldselectthethickofasnowstormtorambleaboutin。
Doyouknowthatyourunariskofbeinglostinthemarshes?Peoplefamiliarwiththesemoorsoftenmisstheirroadonsuchevenings;andIcantellyouthereisnochanceofachangeatpresent。\'
`PerhapsIcangetaguideamongyourlads,andhemightstayattheGrangetillmorning——couldyousparemeone?\'
`No,Icouldnot。\'
`Oh,indeed!Well,then,Imusttrusttomyownsagacity。\'
`Umph!\'
`Areyougoingtomakth\'tea?\'demandedheoftheshabbycoat,shiftinghisferociousgazefrommetotheyounglady。
`Ishetohaveany?\'sheasked,appealingtoHeathcliff。
`Getitready,willyou?\'wastheanswer,utteredsosavagelythatIstarted。Thetoneinwhichthewordsweresaidrevealedagenuinebadnature。InolongerfeltinclinedtocallHeathcliffacapitalfellow。
Whenthepreparationswerefinished,heinvitedmewith——`Now,sir,bringforwardyourchair。\'Andweall,includingtherusticyouth,drewroundthetable:anausteresilenceprevailingwhilewediscussedourmeal。
Ithought,ifIhadcausedthecloud,itwasmydutytomakeanefforttodispelit。Theycouldnoteverydaysitsogrimandtaciturn;
anditwasimpossible,howeverill-temperedtheymightbe,thattheuniversalscowltheyworewastheireverydaycountenance。
`Itisstrange,\'Ibegan,intheintervalofswallowingonecupofteaandreceivinganother——`itisstrangehowcustomcanmouldourtastesandideas:manycouldnotimaginetheexistenceofhappinessinalifeofsuchcompleteexilefromtheworldasyouspend,MrHeathcliff;yetI\'llventuretosay,that,surroundedbyyourfamily,andwithyouramiableladyasthepresidinggeniusoveryourhomeandheart——\'
`Myamiablelady!\'heinterrupted,withanalmostdiabolicalsneeronhisface。`Whereisshe——myamiablelady?\'
`MrsHeathcliff,yourwife,Imean。\'
`Well,yes——Oh,youwouldintimatethatherspirithastakenthepostofministeringangel,andguardsthefortunesofWutheringHeightsevenwhenherbodyisgone。Isthatit?\'
Perceivingmyselfinablunder,Iattemptedtocorrectit。Imighthaveseentherewastoogreatadisparitybetweentheagesofthepartiestomakeitlikelythattheyweremanandwife。Onewasaboutforty:aperiodofmentalvigouratwhichmenseldomcherishthedelusionofbeingmarriedforlovebygirls:thatdreamisreservedforthesolaceofourdecliningyears。Theotherdidnotlookseventeen。
Thenitflasheduponme——`Theclownatmyelbow,whoisdrinkinghisteaoutofabasinandeatinghisbreadwithunwashedhands,maybeherhusband:Heathcliff,junior,ofcourse。Hereistheconsequenceofbeingburiedalive:shehasthrownherselfawayuponthatboorfromsheerignorancethatbetterindividualsexisted!Asadpity——ImustbewarehowIcausehertoregretherchoice。\'Thelastreflectionmayseemconceited;
itwasnot。Myneighbourstruckmeasborderingonrepulsive;Iknew,throughexperience,thatIwastolerablyattractive。
`MrsHeathcliffismydaughter-in-law,\'saidHeathcliff,corroboratingmysurmise。Heturned,ashespoke,apeculiarlookinherdirection:alookofhatred;unlesshehasamostperversesetoffacialmusclesthatwillnot,likethoseofotherpeople,interpretthelanguageofhissoul。
`Ah,certainly——Iseenow:youarethefavouredpossessorofthebeneficentfairy,\'Iremarked,turningtomyneighbour。
Thiswasworsethanbefore:theyouthgrewcrimson,andclenchedhisfist,witheveryappearanceofameditatedassault。Butheseemedtorecollecthimselfpresently,andsmotheredthestorminabrutalcurse,mutteredonmybehalf:which,however,Itookcarenottonotice。
`Unhappyinyourconjectures,sir,\'observedmyhost;`weneitherofushavetheprivilegeofowningyourgoodfairy;hermateisdead。I
saidshewasmydaughter-in-law,therefore,shemusthavemarriedmyson。\'
`Andthisyoungmanis——\'
`Notmyson,assuredly。\'
Heathcliffsmiledagain,asifitwererathertooboldajesttoattributethepaternityofthatbeartohim。
`MynameisHaretonEarnshaw,\'growledtheother;`andI\'dcounselyoutorespectit!\'
`I\'veshownnodisrespect,\'wasmyreply,laughinginternallyatthedignitywithwhichheannouncedhimself。
HefixedhiseyeonmelongerthanIcaredtoreturnthestare,forfearImightbetemptedeithertoboxhisearsorrendermyhilarityaudible。
Ibegantofeelunmistakablyoutofplaceinthatpleasantfamilycircle。
Thedismalspiritualatmosphereovercame,andmorethanneutralized,theglowingphysicalcomfortsroundme;andIresolvedtobecautioushowI
venturedunderthoseraftersathirdtime。
Thebusinessofeatingbeingconcluded,andnooneutteringawordofsociableconversation,Iapproachedawindowtoexaminetheweather。
AsorrowfulsightIsaw:darknightcomingdownprematurely,andskyandhillsmingledinonebitterwhirlofwindandsuffocatingsnow。
`Idon\'tthinkitpossibleformetogethomenowwithoutaguide,\'
Icouldnothelpexclaiming。`Theroadswillbeburiedalready;and,iftheywerebare,Icouldscarcelydistinguishafootinadvance。
`Hareton,drivethosedozensheepintothebarnporch。They\'llbecoveredifleftinthefoldallnight:andputaplankbeforethem,\'
saidHeathcliff。
`HowmustIdo?\'Icontinued,withrisingirritation。
Therewasnoreplytomyquestion;andonlookingroundIsawonlyJosephbringinginapailofporridgeforthedogs,andMrsHeathcliffleaningoverthefire,divertingherselfwithburningabundleofmatcheswhichhadfallenfromthechimney-pieceassherestoredtheteacanistertoitsplace。Theformer,whenhehaddepositedhisburden,tookacriticalsurveyoftheroom,andincrackedtones,gratedout:
`Awwoonderhaghyahcanfaishiontuhstandtheari\'idlenessunwar,whenallon\'em\'sgoanaght!Budyah\'reanowt,andit\'snoausetalking——yah\'llnivermenduhyerillways,budgoaraighttuht\'divil,likeyermotheraforeye!\'
Iimagined,foramoment,thatthispieceofeloquencewasaddressedtome;and,sufficientlyenraged,steppedtowardstheagedrascalwithanintentionofkickinghimoutofthedoor。MrsHeathcliff,however,checkedmebyheranswer。
`Youscandalousoldhypocrite!\'shereplied。`Areyounotafraidofbeingcarriedawaybodily,wheneveryoumentionthedevil\'sname?I
warnyoutorefrainfromprovokingme,orI\'llaskyourabductionasaspecialfavour。Stop!lookhere,Joseph,\'shecontinued,takingalong,darkbookfromashelf;`I\'llshowyouhowfarI\'veprogressedintheBlackArt:Ishallsoonbecompetenttomakeaclearhouseofit。Theredcowdidn\'tdiebychance;andyourrheumatismcanhardlybereckonedamongprovidentialvisitations!\'
`Oh,wicked,wicked!\'gaspedtheelder;`maytheLorddeliverusfromevil!\'
`No,reprobate!youareacastaway——beoff,orI\'llhurtyouseriously!
I\'llhaveyouallmodelledinwaxandclay;andthefirstwhopassesthelimitsIfix,shall——I\'llnotsaywhatheshallbedoneto——but,you\'llsee!Go,I\'mlookingatyou!\'
Thelittlewitchputamockmalignityintoherbeautifuleyes,andJoseph,tremblingwithsincerehorror,hurriedoutprayingandejaculating`wicked\'ashewent。Ithoughtherconductmustbepromptedbyaspeciesofdrearyfun;and,nowthatwewerealone,Iendeavouredtointerestherinmydistress。
`MrsHeathcliff,\'Isaidearnestly,`youmustexcusemefortroublingyou。Ipresume,because,withthatface,I\'msureyoucannothelpbeinggood-hearted。DopointoutsomelandmarksbywhichImayknowmywayhome:
IhavenomoreideahowtogettherethanyouwouldhavehowtogettoLondon!\'
`Taketheroadyoucame,\'sheanswered,ensconcingherselfinachair,withacandle,andthelongbookopenbeforeher。`Itisbriefadvice,butassoundasIcangive。\'
`Then,ifyouhearofmebeingdiscovereddeadinabogorapitfullofsnow,yourconsciencewon\'twhisperthatitispartlyyourfault?\'
`Howso?Icannotescortyou。Theywouldn\'tletmegototheendofthegardenwall。\'
`You!Ishouldbesorrytoaskyoutocrossthethreshold,formyconvenience,onsuchanight,\'Icried。`Iwantyoutotellmemyway,nettoshowit;orelsetopersuadeMrHeathclifftogivemeaguide。\'
`Who?Thereishimself,Earnshaw,Zillah,Joseph,andI。Whichwouldyouhave?\'
`Aretherenoboysatthefarm?\'
`No,thoseareall。\'
`Then,itfollowsthatIamcompelledtostay。\'
`Thatyoumaysettlewithyourhost。Ihavenothingtodowithit。\'
`Ihopeitwillbealessontoyoutomakenomorerashjourneysonthesehills,\'criedHeathcliff\'ssternvoicefromthekitchenentrance。
`Astostayinghere,Idon\'tkeepaccommodationsforvisitors:youmustshareabedwithHaretonorJoseph,ifyoudo。\'
`Icansleeponachairinthisroom,\'Ireplied。
`No,no!Astrangerisastranger,beherichorpoor:itwillnotsuitmetopermitanyonetherangeoftheplacewhileIamoffguard!\'
saidtheunmannerlywretch。
Withthisinsult,mypatiencewasatanend。Iutteredanexpressionofdisgust,andpushedpasthimintotheyard,runningagainstEarnshawinmyhaste。ItwassodarkthatIcouldnotseethemeansofexit;and,asIwanderedround,Iheardanotherspecimenoftheircivilbehaviouramongsteachother。Atfirsttheyoungmanappearedabouttobefriendme。
`I\'llgowithhimasfarasthepark,\'hesaid。
`You\'llgowithhimtohell!\'exclaimedhismaster,orwhateverrelationhebore。`Andwhoistolookafterthehorses,eh?\'
Aman\'slifeisofmoreconsequencethanoneevening\'sneglectofthehorses:somebodymustgo,murmuredMrsHeathcliff,morekindlythanIexpected。
`Notatyourcommand!\'retortedHareton。`Ifyousetstoreonhim,you\'dbetterbequiet。\'
`ThenIhopehisghostwillhauntyou;andIhopeMrHeathcliffwillnevergetanothertenanttilltheGrangeisaruin!\'sheansweredsharply。
`Hearken,hearken,shoo\'scursingon\'em!\'mutteredJoseph,towardswhomIhadbeensteering。
Hesatwithinearshot,milkingthecowsbythelightofalantern,whichIseizedunceremoniously,and,callingoutthatIwouldsenditbackonthemorrow,rushedtothenearestpostern。
`Maister,maister,he\'sstealingt\'lantern!\'shoutedtheancient,pursuingmyretreat。`Hey,Gnasher!Hey,dog!Hey,Wolf,holldhim,holldhim!\'
Onopeningthelittledoor,twohairymonstersflewatmythroat,bearingmedownandextinguishingthelight;whileamingledguffawfromHeathcliffandHareton,putthecopestoneonmyrageandhumiliation。Fortunately,thebeastsseemedmorebentonstretchingtheirpawsandyawning,andflourishingtheirtails,thandevouringmealive;buttheywouldsuffernoresurrection,andIwasforcedtolietilltheirmalignantmasterpleasedtodeliverme:then,hatlessandtremblingwithwrath,Iorderedthemiscreantstoletmeout——ontheirperiltokeepmeoneminutelonger-withseveralincoherentthreatsofretaliationthat,intheirindefinitedepthofvirulency,smackedofKingLear。
Thevehemenceofmyagitationbroughtonacopiousbleedingatthenose,andstillHeathclifflaughed,andstillIscolded。Idon\'tknowwhatwouldhaveconcludedthescene,hadtherenotbeenonepersonathandrathermorerationalthanmyself,andmorebenevolentthanmyentertainer。
ThiswasZillah,thestouthousewife;whoatlengthissuedforthtoinquireintothenatureoftheuproar。Shethoughtthatsomeofthemhadbeenlayingviolenthandsonme;and,notdaringtoattackhermaster,sheturnedhervocalartilleryagainsttheyoungscoundrel。
`Well,MrEarnshaw,\'shecried,`Iwonderwhatyou\'llhaveagaitnext!Arewegoingtomurderfolkonourverydoorstones?Iseethishousewillneverdoforme——lookatt\'poorlad,he\'sfairchoking!Wisht,wisht!
youmun\'n\'tgoonso。Comein,andI\'llcurethat;therenow,holdyestill。\'
Withthesewordsshesuddenlysplashedapintoficywaterdownmyneck,andpulledmeintothekitchen。MrHeathclifffollowed,hisaccidentalmerrimentexpiringquicklyinhishabitualmoroseness。
Iwassickexceedingly,anddizzyandfaint;andthuscompelledperforcetoacceptlodgingsunderhisroof。HetoldZillahtogivemeaglassofbrandy,andthenpassedontotheinnerroom;whileshecondoledwithmeonmysorrypredicament,andhavingobeyedhisorders,wherebyIwassomewhatrevived,usheredmetobed。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter3Whileleadingthewayupstairs,sherecommendedthatIshouldhidethecandle,andnotmakeanoise;forhermasterhadanoddnotionaboutthechambershewouldputmein,andneverletanybodylodgetherewillingly。
Iaskedthereason。Shedidnotknow,sheanswered:shehadonlylivedthereayearortwo;andtheyhadsomanyqueergoingson,shecouldnotbegintobecurious。
Toostupefiedtobecuriousmyself,Ifastenedmydoorandglancedroundforthebed。Thewholefurnitureconsistedofachair,aclothes-press,andalargeoakcase,withsquarescutoutnearthetopresemblingcoachwindows。HavingapproachedthisstructureIlookedinside,andperceivedittobeasingularsortofold-fashionedcouch,veryconvenientlydesignedtoobviatethenecessityforeverymemberofthefamilyhavingaroomtohimself。Infactitformedalittlecloset,andtheledgeofawindow,whichitenclosed,servedasatable。Islidbackthepanelledsides,gotinwithmylight,pulledthemtogetheragain,andfeltsecureagainstthevigilanceofHeathcliff,andeveryoneelse。
Theledge,whereIplacedmycandle,hadafewmildewedbookspiledupinonecorner;anditwascoveredwithwritingscratchedonthepaint。Thiswriting,however,wasnothingbutanamerepeatedinallkindsofcharacters,largeandsmall——CatherineEarnshaw,hereandtherevariedtoCatherineHeathcliff,andagaintoCatherineLinton。
InvapidlistlessnessIleantmyheadagainstthewindow,andcontinuedspellingoverCatherineEarnshaw——Heathcliff——Linton,tillmyeyesclosed;buttheyhadnotrestedfiveminuteswhenaglareofwhitelettersstartedfromthedarkasvividasspectres——theairswarmedwithCatherines;androusingmyselftodispeltheobtrusivename,Idiscoveredmycandlewickrecliningononeoftheantiquevolumes,andperfumingtheplacewithanodourofroastedcalfskin。Isnuffeditoff,and,veryillateaseundertheinfluenceofcoldandlingeringnausea,satupandspreadopentheinjuredtomeonmyknee。ItwasaTestament,inleantype,andsmellingdreadfullymusty:afly-leafboretheinscription——`CatherineEarnshaw,herbook\',andadatesomequarterofacenturyback。Ishutit,andtookupanother,andanother,tillIhadexaminedall。Catherine\'slibrarywasselect,anditsstateofdilapidationprovedittohavebeenwellused;thoughnotaltogetherforalegitimatepurpose:scarcelyonechapterhadescapedapen-and-inkcommentary——atleast,theappearanceofone——coveringeverymorselofblankthattheprinterhadleft。Someweredetachedsentences;otherpartstooktheformofaregulardiary,scrawledinanunformedchildishhand。Atthetopofanextrapagequiteatreasure,probably,whenfirstlightedonIwasgreatlyamusedtobeholdanexcellentcaricatureofmyfriendJoseph,——rudely,yetpowerfullysketched。
AnimmediateinterestkindledwithinmefortheunknownCatherine,andIbeganforthwithtodecipherherfadedhieroglyphics。
`AnawfulSunday!\'commencedtheparagraphbeneath。`Iwishmyfatherwerebackagain。HindleyisadetestablesubstitutehisconducttoHeathcliffisatrocious——H。andIaregoingtorebel——wetookourinitiatorystepthisevening。
`Alldayhadbeenfloodingwithrain;wecouldnotgotochurch,soJosephmustneedsgetupacongregationinthegarret;and,whileHindleyandhiswifebaskeddownstairsbeforeacomfortablefire——doinganythingbutreadingtheirBibles,I\'llanswerforit——Heathcliff,myself,andtheunhappyplough-boy,werecommandedtotakeourprayerbooks,andmount:
wewererangedinarow,onasackofcorn,groaningandshivering,andhopingthatJosephwouldshivertoo,sothathemightgiveusashorthomilyforhisownsake。Avainidea!Theservicelastedpreciselythreehours;
andyetmybrotherhadthefacetoexclaim,whenhesawusdescending,\"What,donealready?\"OnSundayeveningsweusedtobepermittedtoplay,ifwedidnotmakemuchnoise;nowameretitterissufficienttosendusintocomers!
`\"Youforgetyouhaveamasterhere,\"saysthetyrant。\"I\'lldemolishthefirstwhoputsmeoutoftemper!Iinsistonperfectsobrietyandsilence。
Oh,boy!wasthatyou?Frances,darling,pullhishairasyougoby:I
heardhimsnaphisfingers。\"Francespulledhishairheartily,andthenwentandseatedherselfonherhusband\'sknee;andtheretheywere,liketwobabies,kissingandtalkingnonsensebythehour——foolishpalaverthatweshouldbeashamedof。Wemadeourselvesassnugasourmeansallowedinthearchofthedresser。Ihadjustfastenedourpinaforestogether,andhungthemupforacurtain,whenincomesJosephonanerrandfromthestables。Hetearsdownmyhandiwork,boxesmyears,andcroaks——
`\"T\'maisternobbutjustburied,andSabbathnuto\'ered,undt\'
sahnduht\'gospelstilli\'yerlugs,andyahdarrbelaiking!Shameonye!sityedahn,illchilder!they\'sgoodbookseneughifye\'llread\'em!
sityedahn,andthinkuhyersowls!\"
`Sayingthis,hecompelledussotosquareourpositionsthatwemightreceivefromthefar-offfireadullraytoshowusthetextofthelumberthrustuponus。Icouldnotbeartheemployment。Itookmydingyvolumebythescroop,andhurleditintothedogkennel,vowingIhatedagoodbook。Heathcliffkickedhistothesameplace。Thentherewasahubbub!
`\"MaisterHindley!\"shoutedourchaplain。\"Maister,coomhither!
MissCathy\'sriventh\'backoff`Th\'HelmetuhSalvation,un\'Heathcliff\'spawsedhisfitintuht\'firstpartuh`T\'BrooadWaytoDestruction!\'It\'sfairflaysomeutyahlet\'emgoaonthisgait。Ech!th\'owdmanuduhlaced\'emproperly——buthe\'sgoan!\"
`Hindleyhurriedupfromhisparadiseonthehearth,andseizingoneofusbythecollar,andtheotherbythearm,hurledbothintothebackkitchen;where,Josephasseverated,\"owdNick\"wouldfetchusassureaswewereliving:and,socomforted,weeachsoughtaseparatenooktoawaithisadvent。Ireachedthisbook,andapotofinkfromashelf,andpushedthehousedoorajartogivemelight,andIhavegotthetimeonwithwritingfortwentyminutes;butmycompanionisimpatient,andproposesthatweshouldappropriatethedairywoman\'scloak,andhaveascamperonthemoors,underitsshelter。Apleasantsuggestion——andthen,ifthesurlyoldmancomein,hemaybelievehisprophecyverified——wecannotbedamper,orcolder,intherainthanwearehere。\'
***IsupposeCatherinefulfilledherproject,forthenextsentencetookupanothersubject:shewaxedlachrymose。
`HowlittledidIdreamthatHindleywouldevermakemecryso!\'
shewrote。`Myheadaches,tillIcannotkeepitonthepillow;andstillIcan\'tgiveover。PoorHeathcliff!Hindleycallshimavagabond,andwon\'tlethimsitwithus,noreatwithusanymore;and,hesays,heandImustnotplaytogether,andthreatenstoturnhimoutofthehouseifwebreakhisorders。Hehasbeenblamingourfatherhowdaredhe?fortreatingH。tooliberally;andswearshewillreducehimtohisrightplace——\'
***Ibegantonoddrowsilyoverthedimpage:myeyewanderedfrommanuscripttoprint,Isawaredornamentedtitle——`SeventyTimesSeven,andtheFirstoftheSeventy-First。APiousDiscoursedeliveredbytheReverendJabesBranderham,intheChapelofGimmerdenSough。\'AndwhileIwas,halfconsciously,worryingmybraintoguesswhatJabesBranderhamwouldmakeofhissubject,Isankbackinbed,andfellasleep。Alas,fortheeffectsofbadteaandbadtemper!whatelsecoulditbethatmademepasssuchaterriblenight?
Idon\'trememberanotherthatIcanatallcomparewithitsinceIwascapableofsuffering。
Ibegantodream,almostbeforeIceasedtobesensibleofmylocality。Ithoughtitwasmorning;andIhadsetoutonmywayhome,withJosephforaguide。Thesnowlayyardsdeepinourroad;and,asweflounderedon,mycompanionweariedmewithconstantreproachesthatIhadnotbroughtapilgrim\'sstaff:tellingmethatIcouldnevergetintothehousewithoutone,andboastfullyflourishingaheavy-headedcudgel,whichIunderstoodtobesodenominated。ForamomentIconsidereditabsurdthatIshouldneedsuchaweapontogainadmittanceintomyownresidence。Thenanewideaflashedacrossme。Iwasnotgoingthere:wewerejourneyingtohearthefamousJabesBranderhampreachfromthetext——`SeventyTimesSeven\';
andeitherJoseph,thepreacher,orIhadcommittedthe`FirstoftheSeventy-First\',andweretobepubliclyexposedandexcommunicated。
Wecametothechapel。Ihavepasseditreallyinmywalks,twiceorthrice;itliesinahollow,betweentwohills;anelevatedhollow,nearaswamp,whosepeatymoistureissaidtoanswerallthepurposesofembalmingonthefewcorpsesdepositedthere。Theroofhasbeenkeptwholehitherto;butastheclergyman\'sstipendisonlytwentypoundsperannum,andahousewithtworooms,threateningspeedilytodetermineintoone,noclergymanwillundertakethedutiesofpastor:especiallyasitiscurrentlyreportedthathisflockwouldratherlethimstarvethanincreasethelivingbyonepennyfromtheirownpockets。However,inmydream,Jabeshadafullandattentivecongregation;andhepreached——goodGod!whatasermon\'。
dividedintofourhundredandninetyparts,eachfullyequaltoanordinaryaddressfromthepulpit,andeachdiscussingaseparatesin!Wherehesearchedforthem,Icannottell。Hehadhisprivatemannerofinterpretingthephrase,anditseemednecessarythebrothershouldsindifferentsinsoneveryoccasion。Theywereofthemostcuriouscharacter:oddtransgressionsthatIneverimaginedpreviously。
Oh,howwearyIgrew。HowIwrithed,andyawned,andnodded,andrevived!HowIpinchedandprickedmyself,andrubbedmyeyes,andstoodup,andsatdownagain,andnudgedJosephtoinformmeifhewouldeverhavedone。Iwascondemned10hearallout:finally,hereachedthe`FirstoftheSeventy-First\'。Atthatcrisis,asuddeninspirationdescendedonme;IwasmovedtoriseanddenounceJabesBranderhamasthesinnerofthesinthatnoChristianneedpardon。
`Sir,\'Iexclaimed,`sittingherewithinthesefourwalls,atonestretch,Ihaveenduredandforgiventhefourhundredandninetyheadsofyourdiscourse。SeventytimesseventimeshaveIpluckedupmyhatandbeenabouttodepart——seventytimesseventimeshaveyoupreposterouslyforcedmetoresumemyseat。Thefourhundredandninety-firstistoomuch。
Fellow-martyrs,haveathim!Draghimdown,andcrushhimtoatoms,thattheplacewhichknowshimmayknowhimnomore!\'
`ThouarttheMan!\'criesJabes,afterasolemnpause,leaningoverhiscushion。`Seventytimesseventimesdidstthougapinglycontortthyvisage——seventytimessevendidItakecounselwithmysoul——Lo,thisishumanweakness:thisalsomaybeabsolved!TheFirstoftheSeventy-Firstiscome。Brethren,executeuponhimthejudgmentwritten。SuchhonourhaveallHissaints!\'
Withthatconcludingword,thewholeassembly,exaltingtheirpilgrim\'sstaves,rushedroundmeinabody;andI,havingnoweapontoraiseinself-defence,commencedgrapplingwithJoseph,mynearestandmostferociousassailant,forhis。Intheconfluenceofthemultitude,severalclubscrossed;blows,aimedatme,fellonothersconces。Presentlythewholechapelresoundedwithrappingsandcounter-rappings:everyman\'shandwasagainsthisneighbour;andBranderham,unwillingtoremainidle,pouredforthhiszealinashowerofloudtapsontheboardsofthepulpit,whichrespondedsosmartlythat,atlast,tomyunspeakablerelief,theywokeme。Andwhatwasitthathadsuggestedthetremendoustumult?WhathadplayedJabes\'spartintherow?Merely,thebranchofafirtreethattouchedmylattice,astheblastwailedby,andrattleditsdryconesagainstthepanes!Ilisteneddoubtinglyaninstant;detectedthedisturber,thenturnedanddozed,anddreamtagain:ifpossible,stillmoredisagreeablythanbefore。
Thistime,IrememberedIwaslyingintheoakcloset,andIhearddistinctlythegustywind,andthedrivingofthesnow;Iheard,also,thefirboughrepeatitsteasingsound,andascribedittotherightcause:
butitannoyedmesomuch,thatIresolvedto——silenceit,ifpossible;
and,Ithought,Iroseandendeavouredtounhaspthecasement。Thehookwassolderedintothestaple:acircumstanceobservedbymewhenawake,butforgotten。`Imuststopit,nevertheless!\'Imuttered,knockingmyknucklesthroughtheglass,andstretchinganarmouttoseizetheimportunatebranch;insteadofwhich,myfingersclosedonthefingersofalittle,ice-coldhand!Theintensehorrorofnightmarecameoverme:Itriedtodrawbackmyarm,butthehandclungtoit,andamostmelancholyvoicesobbed,`Letmein——letmein!\'`Whoareyou?\'Iasked,struggling,meanwhile,todisengagemyself。`CatherineLinton,\'itreplied,shiveringlywhydidIthinkofLinton?IhadreadEarnshawtwentytimesforLinton;
`I\'mcomehome:I\'dlostmywayonthemoor!\'Asitspoke,Idiscerned,obscurely,achild\'sfacelookingthroughthewindow。Terrormademecruel;
and,findingituselesstoattemptshakingthecreatureoff,Ipulleditswristontothebrokenpane,andrubbedittoandfrotillthebloodrandownandsoakedthebedclothes:stillitwailed,`Letmein!\'andmaintaineditstenaciousgrip,almostmaddeningmewithfear。`HowcanI?\'Isaidatlength。`Letmego,ifyouwantmetoletyouin!\'Thefingersrelaxed,Isnatchedminethroughthehole,hurriedlypiledthebooksupinapyramidagainstit,andstoppedmyearstoexcludethelamentableprayer。Iseemedtokeepthemclosedaboveaquarterofanhour;yet,theinstantIlistenedagain,therewasthedolefulcrymoaningon!`Begone!\'
Ishouted,`I\'llneverletyouin,notifyoubegfortwentyyears。\'`Itistwentyyears,\'mournedthevoice:`twentyyears。I\'vebeenawaiffortwentyyears!\'Thereatbeganafeeblescratchingoutside,andthepileofbooksmovedasifthrustforward。Itriedtojumpup;butcouldnotstiralimb;andsoyelledaloud,inafrenzyoffright。Tomyconfusion,Idiscoveredtheyellwasnotideal:hastyfootstepsapproachedmychamberdoor;somebodypusheditopen,withavigoroushand,andalightglimmeredthroughthesquaresatthetopofthebed。Isatshudderingyet,andwipingtheperspirationfrommyforehead:theintruderappearedtohesitate,andmutteredtohimself。Atlast,hesaidinahalf-whisper,plainlynotexpectingananswer,`Isanyonehere?\'Iconsidereditbesttoconfessmypresence,forIknewHeathcliff\'saccents,andfearedhemightsearchfurther,ifIkeptquiet。Withthisintention,Iturnedandopenedthepanels。Ishallnotsoonforgettheeffectmyactionproduced。