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。