MrEarnshawinvitedhim!andhecalledonMrEarnshaw!
Iponderedthissentencepainfully，afterhewasgone。Isheturningoutabitofahypocrite，andcomingintothecountrytoworkmischiefunderacloak？Imused:Ihadapresentimentinthebottomofmyheartthathehadbetterhaveremainedaway。
Aboutthemiddleofthenight，IwaswakenedfrommyfirstnapbyMrsLintonglidingintomychamber，takingaseatonmybedside，andpullingmebythehairtorouseme。
`Icannotrest，Ellen，\'shesaid，bywayofapology。`AndIwantsomelivingcreaturetokeepmecompanyinmyhappiness!Edgarissulky，becauseI\'mgladofathingthatdoesnotinteresthim:herefusestoopenhismouth，excepttoutterpettish，sillyspeeches；andheaffirmedIwascruelandselfishforwishingtotalkwhenhewassosickandsleepy。Healwayscontrivestobesickattheleastcross!IgaveafewsentencesofcommendationtoHeathcliff，andhe，eitherforaheadacheorapangofenvy，begantocry:soIgotupandlefthim。\'
`WhatuseisitpraisingHeathclifftohim？\'Ianswered。`Asladstheyhadanaversiontoeachother，andHeathcliffwouldhatejustasmuchtohearhimpraised:it\'shumannature。LetMrLintonaloneabouthim，unlessyouwouldlikeanopenquarrelbetweenthem。\'
`Butdoesitnotshowgreatweakness？\'pursuedshe。`I\'mnotenvious:
IneverfeelhurtatthebrightnessofIsabella\'syellowhairandthewhitenessofherskin，atherdaintyelegance，andthefondnessallthefamilyexhibitforher。Evenyou，Nelly，ifwehaveadisputesometimes，youbackIsabellaatonce；andIyieldlikeafoolishmother:Icallheradarling，andflatterherintoagoodtemper。Itpleasesherbrothertoseeuscordial，andthatpleasesme。Buttheyareverymuchalike:theyarespoiledchildren，andfancytheworldwasmadefortheiraccommodation；andthoughIhumourboth，Ithinkasmartchastisementmightimprovethem，allthesame。\'
`You\'remistaken，MrsLinton，\'saidI。`Theyhumouryou:Iknowwhattherewouldbetodoiftheydidnot。Youcanwellaffordtoindulgetheirpassingwhimsaslongastheirbusinessistoanticipateallyourdesires。Youmay，however，fallout，atlast，oversomethingofequalconsequencetobothsides；andthenthoseyoutermweakareverycapableofbeingasobstinateasyou。\'
`Andthenweshallfighttothedeath，shan\'twe，Nelly？\'shereturned，laughing。`No!Itellyou，IhavesuchfaithinLinton\'slove，thatIbelieveImightkillhim，andhewouldn\'twishtoretaliate。\'
Iadvisedhertovaluehimthemoreforhisaffection。
`Ido，\'sheanswered，`butheneedn\'tresorttowhiningfortrifles。
Itischildish；and，insteadofmeltingintotearsbecauseIsaidthatHeathcliffwasnowworthyofanyone\'sregard，anditwouldhonourthefirstgentlemaninthecountrytobehisfriend，heoughttohavesaiditforme，andbeendelightedfromsympathy。Hemustgetaccustomedtohim，andhemayaswelllikehim:consideringhowHeathcliffhasreasontoobjecttohim，I\'msurehebehavedexcellently!\'
`WhatdoyouthinkofhisgoingtoWutheringHeights？\'Iinquired。
`Heisreformedineveryrespect，apparently:quiteaChristian:offeringtherighthandoffellowshiptohisenemiesallaround!\'
`Heexplainedit，\'shereplied。`Iwonderedasmuchasyou。Hesaidhecalledtogatherinformationconcerningmefromyou，supposingyouresidedtherestill；andJosephtoldHindley，whocameoutandfelltoquestioninghimofwhathehadbeendoing，andhowhehadbeenliving；
andfinally，desiredhimtowalkin。Thereweresomepersonssittingatcards；Heathcliffjoinedthem；mybrotherlostsomemoneytohim，and，findinghimplentifullysupplied，herequestedthathewouldcomeagainintheevening:towhichheconsented。Hindleyistoorecklesstoselecthisacquaintanceprudently:hedoesn\'ttroublehimselftoreflectonthecauseshemighthaveformistrustingonewhomhehasbaselyinjured。ButHeathcliffaffirmshisprincipalreasonforresumingaconnectionwithhisancientpersecutorisawishtoinstallhimselfinquartersatwalkingdistancefromtheGrange，andanattachmenttothehousewherewelivedtogether；andlikewiseahopethatIshallhavemoreopportunitiesofseeinghimtherethanIcouldhaveifhesettledinGimmerton。HemeanstoofferliberalpaymentforpermissiontolodgeattheHeights；anddoubtlessmybrother\'scovetousnesswillprompthimtoaccepttheterms:hewasalwaysgreedy；thoughwhathegraspswithonehandheflingsawaywiththeother。\'
`It\'saniceplaceforayoungmantofixhisdwellingin!\'saidI。`Haveyounofearoftheconsequences，`MrsLinton？\'
`Noneformyfriend，\'shereplied:`hisstrongheadwillkeephimfromdanger；alittleforHindley:buthecan\'tbemademorallyworsethanheis；andIstandbetweenhimandbodilyharm。TheeventofthiseveninghasreconciledmetoGodandhumanity!IhadriseninangryrebellionagainstProvidence。Oh，I\'veenduredvery，verybittermisery，Nelly!Ifthatcreatureknewhowbitter，he\'dbeashamedtoclouditsremovalwithidlepetulance。Itwaskindnessforhimwhichinducedmetobearitalone:
hadIexpressedtheagonyIfrequentlyfelt，hewouldhavebeentaughttolongforitsalleviationasardentlyasl。However，it\'sover，andI\'lltakenorevengeonhisfolly；Icanaffordtosufferanythinghereafter!
Shouldthemeanestthingaliveslapmeonthecheek，I\'dnotonlyturntheother，but，I\'daskpardonforprovokingit；and，asaproof，I\'llgomakemypeacewithEdgarinstantly。Goodnight!I\'manangel!\'
Inthisself-complacentconvictionshedeparted；andthesuccessofherfulfilledresolutionwasobviousonthemorrow:MrLintonhadnotonlyabjuredhispeevishnessthoughhisspiritsseemedstillsubduedbyCatherine\'sexuberanceofvivacity，butheventurednoobjectiontohertakingIsabellawithhertoWutheringHeightsintheafternoon；andsherewardedhimwithsuchasummerofsweetnessandaffectioninreturn，asmadethehouseaparadiseforseveraldays；bothmasterandservantsprofitingfromtheperpetualsunshine。
Heathcliff——MrHeathcliffIshouldsayinfuture——usedthelibertyofvisitingatThrushcrossGrangecautiously，atfirst:heseemedestimatinghowfaritsownerwouldbearhisintrusion。Catherine，also，deemeditjudicioustomoderateherexpressionsofpleasureinreceivinghim；andhegraduallyestablishedhisrighttobeexpected。Heretainedagreatdealofthereserveforwhichhisboyhoodwasremarkable；andthatservedtorepressallstartlingdemonstrationsoffeeling。Mymaster\'suneasinessexperiencedalull，andfurthercircumstancesdiverteditintoanotherchannelforaspace。
HisnewsourceoftroublesprangfromthenotanticipatedmisfortuneofIsabellaLintonevincingasuddenandirresistibleattractiontowardsthetoleratedguest。Shewasatthattimeacharmingyoungladyofeighteen；
infantileinmanners，thoughpossessedofkeenwit，keenfeelings，andakeentemper，too，ifirritated。Herbrother，wholovedhertenderly，wasappalledatthisfantasticpreference。Leavingasidethedegradationofanalliancewithanamelessman，andthepossiblefactthathisproperty，indefaultofheirsmale，mightpassintosuchaone\'spower，hehadsensetocomprehendHeathcliff\'sdisposition:toknowthat，thoughhisexteriorwasaltered，hismindwasunchangeableandunchanged。Andhedreadedthatmind:itrevoltedhim:heshrankforebodinglyfromtheideaofcommittingIsabellatohiskeeping。Hewouldhaverecoiledstillmorehadhebeenawarethatherattachmentroseunsolicited，andwasbestowedwhereitawakenednoreciprocationofsentiment；fortheminutehediscovereditsexistence，helaidtheblameonHeathcliff\'sdeliberatedesigning。
Wehadallremarked，duringsometime，thatMissLintonfrettedandpinedoversomething。Shegrewcrossandwearisome；snappingatandteasingCatherinecontinually，attheimminentriskofexhaustingherlimitedpatience。Weexcusedher，toacertainextent，onthepleaofill-health:
shewasdwindlingandfadingbeforeoureyes。Butoneday，whenshehadbeenpeculiarlywayward，rejectingherbreakfast，complainingthattheservantsdidnotdowhatshetoldthem；thatthemistresswouldallowhertobenothinginthehouse，andEdgarneglectedher；thatshehadcaughtacoldwiththedoorsbeingleftopen，andwelettheparlourfiregooutonpurposetovexher，withahundredyetmorefrivolousaccusations，MrsLintonperemptorilyinsistedthatsheshouldgettobed；and，havingscoldedherheartily，threatenedtosendforthedoctor。MentionofKennethcausedhertoexclaim，instantly，thatherhealthwasperfect，anditwasonlyCatherine\'sharshnesswhichmadeherunhappy。
`HowcanyousayIamharsh，younaughtyfondling？\'criedthemistress，amazedattheunreasonableassertion。`Youaresurelylosingyourreason。WhenhaveIbeenharsh，tellme？\'
`Yesterday，\'sobbedIsabella，`andnow!\'
`Yesterday!\'saidhersister-in-law。`Onwhatoccasion？\'
`Inourwalkalongthemoor:youtoldmetoramblewhereIpleased，whileyousaunteredonwithMrHeathcliff!\'
`Andthat\'syournotionofharshness？\'saidCatherine，laughing。
`Itwasnohintthatyourcompanywassuperfluous:wedidn\'tcarewhetheryoukeptwithusornot；ImerelythoughtHeathcliffstalkwouldhavenothingentertainingforyourears。
`Ohno，\'wepttheyounglady；`youwishedmeaway，becauseyouknewIlikedtobethere!\'
`Isshesane？\'askedMrsLinton，appealingtome。`I\'llrepeatourconversation，wordforword，Isabella；andyoupointoutanycharmitcouldhavehadforyou。\'
`Idon\'tmindtheconversation，\'sheanswered:`Iwantedtobewith——\'
`Well!\'saidCatherine，perceivingherhesitatetocompletethesentence。
`Withhim:andIwon\'tbealwayssentoff!\'shecontinued，kindlingup。`Youareadoginthemanger，Cathy，anddesirenoonetobelovedbutyourself!\'
`Youareanimpertinentlittlemonkey!\'exclaimedMrsLinton，insurprise。`ButI\'llnotbelievethisidiocy!ItisimpossiblethatyoucancovettheadmirationofHeathcliff——thatyouconsiderhimanagreeableperson!IhopeIhavemisunderstoodyou，Isabella？\'
`No，youhavenot，\'saidtheinfatuatedgirl。`IlovehimmorethaneveryoulovedEdgar；andhemightloveme，ifyouwouldlethim!\'
`Iwouldn\'tbeyouforakingdom，then!\'Catherinedeclaredemphatically:
andsheseemedtospeaksincerely。`Nelly，helpmetoconvinceherofhermadness。TellherwhatHeathcliffis:anunreclaimedcreature，withoutrefinement，withoutcultivation:anaridwildernessoffurzeandwhinstone。
I\'dassoonputthatlittlecanaryintotheparkonawinter\'sday，asrecommendyoutobestowyourheartonhim!Itisdeplorableignoranceofhischaracter，child，andnothingelse，whichmakesthatdreamenteryourhead。Pray，don\'timaginethatheconcealsdepthsofbenevolenceandaffectionbeneathasternexterior!He\'snotaroughdiamond——apearl-containingoysterofarustic:he\'safierce，pitiless，wolfishman。Ineversaytohim，\"Letthisorthatenemyalone，becauseitwouldbeungenerousorcrueltoharmthem\"；Isay，\"Letthemalone，becauseIshouldhatethemtobewronged\":andhe\'dcrushyoulikeasparrow\'segg，Isabella，ifhefoundyouatroublesomecharge。Iknowhecouldn\'tloveaLinton；andyethe\'dbequitecapableofmarryingyourfortuneandexpectations!avariceisgrowingwithhimabesettingsin。There\'smypicture:andI\'mhisfriend——somuchso，thathadhethoughtseriouslytocatchyou，Ishould，perhaps，haveheldmytongue，andletyoufallintohistrap。\'
MissLintonregardedhersister-in-lawwithindignation。
`Forshame!forshame!\'sherepeatedangrily，`youareworsethantwentyfoes，youpoisonousfriend!\'
`Ah!youwon\'tbelieveme，then？\'saidCatherine。`YouthinkI
speakfromwickedselfishness？\'
`I\'mcertainyoudo，\'retortedIsabella；`andIshudderatyou!\'
`Good!\'criedtheother。`Tryforyourself，ifthatbeyourspirit:
Ihavedone，andyieldtheargumenttoyoursaucyinsolence。\'
`AndImustsufferforheregotism!\'shesobbed，asMrsLintonlefttheroom。`All，allisagainstme；shehasblightedmysingleconsolation。
Butsheutteredfalsehoods，didn\'tshe？MrHeathcliffisnotafiend:hehasanhonourablesoul，andatrueone，orhowcouldherememberher？\'
`Banishhimfromyourthoughts，miss，\'Isaid。`He\'sabirdofbadomen:nomateforyou。MrsLintonspokestrongly，andyetIcan\'tcontradicther。SheisbetteracquaintedwithhisheartthanI，oranyonebesides；
andshewouldneverrepresenthimasworsethanheis。Honestpeopledon\'thidetheirdeeds。Howhashebeenliving？howhashegotrich？whyishestayingatWutheringHeights，thehouseofamanwhomheabhors？TheysayMrEarnshawisworseandworsesincehecame。Theysitupallnighttogethercontinually，andHindleyhasbeenborrowingmoneyonhisland，anddoesnothingbutplayanddrink:Iheardonlyaweekago——itwasJosephwhotoldme——ImethimatGimmerton:\"Nelly，\"hesaid，\"we\'shaeacrahnr\'s`questenah，atahrfolks。Oneon`em\'sa\'mostgettenhisfingercutoffwi\'haudingt\'otherfroo\'stickinghisselnloikeacawlf。That\'smaister，yahknaw，`ut\'ssoaupuhgoingtuht\'grand`sizes。He\'snoanfearduht\'benchuhjudges，northerPaul，nurPeter，nurJohn，nurMatthew，nornoanon`em，nuthe!Hefairlikes——helangstosethisbrazenedfaceagean`em!AndyonbonnyladHeathcliff，yahmind，he\'sarare`un!Hecangirnalaughasweel\'sonybodyataraightdivil\'sjest。Doesheniversaynowtofhisfinelivingamangus，whenhegoastuht\'Grange？Thisist\'wayon\'t:——upatsundahn；dice，brandy，cloisedshutters，undcan\'le-lughttillnextdayatnooin:then，tfooilgangsbanningunravingtohischam\'er，makkingdacentfowksdigthurfingersi\'thurlugsfurvarryshaume；un\'
theknave，wahhecarncahnthisbrass，un\'ate，un\'sleep，un\'offtohisneighbour\'stuhgossipwi\'t\'wife。I\'course，hetellsDameCatherinehahhorfather\'sgooldrunsintuhhispocket，andherfather\'ssongallopsdahnt\'Broadroad，whilehefleesaforetooppent\'pikes？\"Now，MissLinton，Josephisanoldrascal，butnoliar；and，ifhisaccountofHeathcliff\'sconductbetrue，youwouldneverthinkofdesiringsuchahusband，wouldyou？\'
`Youareleaguedwiththerest，Ellen!\'shereplied。`I\'llnotlistentoyourslanders。Whatmalevolenceyoumusthavetowishtoconvincemethatthereisnohappinessintheworld!\'
Whethershewouldhavegotoverthisfancyiflefttoherselforperseveredinnursingitperpetually，Icannotsay:shehadlittletimetoreflect。Thedayafter，therewasajustice-meetingatthenexttown；
mymasterwasobligedtoattend；andMrHeathcliff，awareofhisabsence，calledratherearlierthanusual。CatherineandIsabellaweresittinginthelibrary，onhostileterms，butsilent。Thelatteralarmedatherrecentindiscretion，andthedisclosureshehadmadeofhersecretfeelingsinatransientfitofpassion；theformer，onmatureconsideration，reallyoffendedwithhercompanion；and，ifshelaughedagainatherpertness，inclinedtomakeitnolaughingmattertoher。ShedidlaughasshesawHeathcliffpassthewindow。Iwassweepingthehearth，andInoticedamischievoussmileonherlips。Isabella，absorbedinhermeditations，orabook，remainedtillthedooropened；anditwastoolatetoattemptanescape，whichshewouldgladlyhavedonehaditbeenpracticable。
`Comein，that\'sright!\'exclaimedthemistressgaily，pullingachairtothefire。`Herearetwopeoplesadlyinneedofathirdtothawtheicebetweenthem；andyouaretheveryoneweshouldbothofuschoose。
Heathcliff，I\'mproudtoshowyou，atlast，somebodythatdotesonyoumorethanmyself。Iexpectyoutofeelflattered。Nay，it\'snotNelly；
don\'tlookather!Mypoorlittlesister-in-lawisbreakingherheartbymerecontemplationofyourphysicalandmoralbeauty。ItliesinyourownpowertobeEdgar\'sbrother!No，no，Isabella，youshan\'trunoff，\'shecontinued，arresting，withfeignedplayfulness，theconfoundedgirl，whohadrisenindignantly。`Wewerequarrellinglikecatsaboutyou，Heathcliff；
andIwasfairlybeateninprotestationsofdevotionandadmiration:and，moreover，IwasinformedthatifIwouldbuthavethemannerstostandaside，myrival，asshewillha\"eherselftobe，wouldshootashaftintoyoursoulthatwouldfixyouforever，andsendmyimageintoeternaloblivion!\'
`Catherine!\'saidIsabella，callingupherdignity，anddisdainingtostrugglefromthetightgraspthatheldher。`I\'dthankyoutoadheretothetruthandnotslanderme，eveninjoke!MrHeathcliff，bekindenoughtobidthisfriendofyoursreleaseme:sheforgetsthatyouandIarenotintimateacquaintances；andwhatamusesherispainfultomebeyondexpression。\'
Astheguestanswerednothing，buttookhisseat，andlookedthoroughlyindifferentwhatsentimentsshecherishedconcerninghim，sheturnedandwhisperedanearnestappealforlibertytohertormentor。
`Bynomeans!\'criedMrsLintoninanswer。`Iwon\'tbenamedadoginthemangeragain。Youshallstay:nowthen!Heathcliff，whydon\'tyouevincesatisfactionatmypleasantnews？IsabellaswearsthattheloveEdgarhasformeisnothingtothatsheentertainsforyou。I\'msureshemadesomespeechofthekind；didshenot，Ellen？Andshehasfastedeversincethedaybeforeyesterday\'swalk，fromsorrowandragethatIdispatchedheroutofyoursocietyundertheideaofitsbeingunacceptable。
`Ithinkyoubelieher，\'saidHeathcliff，twistinghischairtofacethem。`Shewishestobeoutofmysocietynow，atanyrate!\'Andhestaredhardattheobjectofdiscourse，asonemightdoatastrangerepulsiveanimal:acentipedefromtheIndies，forinstance，whichcuriosityleadsonetoexamineinspiteoftheaversionitraises。Thepoorthingcouldn\'tbearthat:shegrewwhiteandredinrapidsuccession，and，whiletearsbeadedherlashes，bentthestrengthofhersmallfingerstoloosenthefirmclutchofCatherine；andperceivingthatasfastassheraisedonefingeroffherarmanothercloseddown，andshecouldnotremovethewholetogether，shebegantomakeuseofhernails；andtheirsharpnesspresentlyornamentedthedetainer\'swithcrescentsofred。
`There\'satigress!\'exclaimedMrsLinton，settingherfree，andshakingherhandwithpain。`Begone，forGod\'ssake，andhideyourvixenface!Howfoolishtorevealthosetalonstohim。Can\'tyoufancytheconclusionshe\'lldraw？Look，Heathcliff!theyareinstrumentsthatwilldoexecution——youmustbewareofyoureyes。
`I\'dwrenchthemoffherfingers，iftheyevermenacedme，\'heansweredbrutally，whenthedoorhadclosedafterher。`Butwhatdidyoumeanbyteasingthecreatureinthatmanner，Cathy？Youwerenotspeakingthetruth，wereyou？\'
`IassureyouIwas，\'shereturned。`Shehasbeenpiningforyoursakeseveralweeks；andravingaboutyouthismorning，andpouringforthadelugeofabuse，becauseIrepresentedyourfailingsinaplainlight，forthepurposeofmitigatingheradoration。Butdon\'tnoticeitfurther:
Iwishedtopunishhersauciness，that\'sall。Ilikehertoowell，mydearHeathcliff，toletyouabsolutelyseizeanddevourherup。\'
`AndIlikehertooilltoattemptit，\'saidhe，`exceptinaveryghoulishfashion。You\'dhearofoddthingsifIlivedalonewiththatmawkish，waxenface:themostordinarywouldbepaintingonitswhitethecoloursoftherainbow，andturningtheblueeyesblack，everydayortwo:
theydetestablyresembleLinton\'s。\'
`Delectably!\'observedCatherine。`Theyaredove\'seyes——angel\'s!\'
`She\'sherbrother\'sheir，isshenot？\'heasked，afterabriefsilence。
`Ishouldbesorrytothinkso，\'returnedhiscompanion。`Halfadozennephewsshallerasehertitle，pleaseHeaven!Abstractyourmindfromthesubjectatpresent:youaretoopronetocovetyourneighbour\'sgoods；rememberthisneighbour\'sgoodsaremine。\'
`Iftheyweremine，theywouldbenonethelessthat，\'
saidHeathcliff；`butthoughIsabellaLintonmaybesilly，sheisscarcelymad；and，inshort，we\'lldismissthematter，asyouadvise。\'
Fromtheirtonguestheydiddismissit；andCatherine，probably，fromherthoughts。Theother，Ifeltcertain，recalleditofteninthecourseoftheevening。Isawhimsmiletohimself——grinrather——andlapseintoominousmusingwheneverMrsLintonhadoccasiontobeabsentfromtheapartment。
Ideterminedtowatchhismovements。Myheartinvariablycleavedtothemaster\'s，inpreferencetoCatherine\'sside:withreasonIimagined，forhewaskind，andtrustful，andhonourable；andshe——shecouldnotbecalledtheopposite，yetsheseemedtoallowherselfsuchwidelatitude，thatIhadlittlefaithinherprinciples，andstilllesssympathyforherfeelings。IwantedsomethingtohappenwhichmighthavetheeffectoffreeingbothWutheringHeightsandtheGrangeofMrHeathcliff，quietly；
leavingusaswehadbeenpriortohisadvent。Hisvisitswereacontinualnightmaretome；and，Isuspected，tomymasteralso。HisabodeattheHeightswasanoppressionpastexplaining。IfeltthatGodhadforsakenthestraysheeptheretoitsownwickedwanderings，andanevilbeastprowledbetweenitandthefold，waitinghistimetospringanddestroy。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter11Sometimes，whilemeditatingonthesethingsinsolitude，I\'vegotupinasuddenterror，andputonmybonnettogoseehowallwasatthefarm。
I\'vepersuadedmyconsciencethatitwasadutytowarnhimhowpeopletalkedregardinghisways；andthenI\'verecollectedhisconfirmedbadhabits，and，hopelessofbenefitinghim，haveflinchedfromre-enteringthedismalhouse，doubtingifIcouldbeartobetakenatmyword。
OnetimeIpassedtheoldgate，goingoutofmyway，onajourneytoGimmerton。Itwasabouttheperiodthatmynarrativehasreached:abrightfrostyafternoon；thegroundbare，andtheroadhardanddry。I
cametoastonewherethehighwaybranchesoffontothemooratyourlefthand；aroughsandpillar，withthelettersW。H。cutonitsnorthside，ontheeast，G。，andonthesouth-west，T。G。Itservesasguide-posttotheGrange，theHeights，andvillage。Thesunshoneyellowonitsgreyhead，remindingmeofsummer；andIcannotsaywhy，butallatonce，agushofchild\'ssensationsflowedintomyheart。HindleyandIhelditafavouritespottwentyyearsbefore。Igazedlongattheweather-wornblock，and，stoopingdown，perceivedaholenearthebottomstillfullofsnail-shellsandpebbles，whichwewerefondofstoringtherewithmoreperishablethings；and，asfreshasreality，itappearedthatIbeheldmyearlyplaymateseatedonthewitheredturf:hisdark，squareheadbentforward，andhislittlehandscoopingouttheearthwithapieceofslate。
`PoorHindley!\'Iexclaimedinvoluntarily。Istarted:mybodilyeyewascheatedintoamomentarybeliefthatthechildlifteditsfaceandstaredstraightintomine!Itvanishedinatwinkling；butimmediatelyIfeltanirresistibleyearningtobeattheHeights。Superstitionurgedmetocomplywiththisimpulse:supposingheshouldbedead!Ithought——orshoulddiesoon!——supposingitwereasignofdeath!ThenearerIgottothehousethemoreagitatedIgrew；andoncatchingsightofitItrembledineverylimb。Theapparitionhadoutstrippedme:itstoodlookingthroughthegate。
Thatwasmyfirstideaonobservinganelf-locked，brown-eyedboysettinghisruddycountenanceagainstthebars。FurtherreflectionsuggestedthismustbeHareton，myHareton，notalteredgreatlysinceIlefthim，tenmonthssince。
`Godblessthee，darling!\'Icried，forgettinginstantaneouslymyfoolishfears。`Hareton，it\'sNelly!Nelly，thynurse。\'
Heretreatedoutofarm\'slength，andpickedupalargeflint。
`Iamcometoseethyfather，Hareton，\'Iadded，guessingfromtheactionthatNelly，ifshelivedinhismemoryatall，wasnotrecognizedasonewithme。
Heraisedhismissiletohurlit；Icommencedasoothingspeech，butcouldnotstayhishand:thestonestruckmybonnet；andthenensued，fromthestammeringlipsofthelittlefellow，astringofcurses，which，whetherhecomprehendedthemornot，weredeliveredwithpractisedemphasis，anddistortedhisbabyfeaturesintoashockingexpressionofmalignity。
Youmaybecertainthisgrievedmorethanangeredme。Fittocry，Itookanorangefrommypocket，andofferedittopropitiatehim。Hehesitated，andthensnatcheditfrommyhold；asifhefanciedIonlyintendedtotemptanddisappointhim。Ishowedanother，keepingitoutofhisreach。
`Whohastaughtyouthosefinewords，mybairn？\'Iinquired。`Thecurate？\'
`Damnthecurate，andthee!Giemethat，\'hereplied。
`Telluswhereyougotyourlessons，andyoushallhaveit，\'saidI。`Who\'syourmaster？\'
`Devildaddy，\'washisanswer。
`Andwhatdoyoulearnfromdaddy？\'Icontinued。
Hejumpedatthefruit；Iraisedithigher。`Whatdoesheteachyou？\'Iasked。
`Naught，\'saidhe，`buttokeepoutofhisgait。Daddycannotbideme，becauseIswearathim。\'
`Ah!andthedevilteachesyoutoswearatdaddy？\'Iobserved。
`Ah——nay，\'hedrawled。
`Whothen？\'
`Heathcliff。\'
IaskedifhelikedMrHeathcliff。
`Ay!\'heansweredagain。
Desiringtohavehisreasonsforlikinghim，Icouldonlygatherthesentences——`Iknown\'t:hepaysdadbackwhathegiestome——hecursesdaddyforcursingme。HesaysImundoasIwill。\'
`Andthecuratedoesnotteachyoutoreadandwritethen？\'I
pursued。
`No，Iwastoldthecurateshouldhavehis——teethdasheddownhisthroat，——ifhesteppedoverthethreshold——Heathcliffhadpromisedthat!\'
Iputtheorangeinhishand，andbadehimtellhisfatherthatawomancalledNellyDeanwaswaitingtospeakwithhim，bythegardengate。Hewentupthewalk，andenteredthehouse；but，insteadofHindley，Heathcliffappearedonthedoorstones；andIturneddirectlyandrandowntheroadashardaseverIcouldrace，makingnohalttillIgainedtheguide-post，andfeelingasscaredasifIhadraisedagoblin。ThisisnotmuchconnectedwithMissIsabella\'saffair:exceptthatiturgedmetoresolvefurtheronmountingvigilantguard，anddoingmyutmosttocheckthespreadofsuchbadinfluenceattheGrange:eventhoughIshouldwakeadomesticstorm，bythwartingMrsLinton\'spleasure。
ThenexttimeHeathcliffcame，myyoungladychancedtobefeedingsomepigeonsinthecourt。Shehadneverspokenawordtohersister-in-lawforthreedays；butshehadlikewisedroppedherfretfulcomplaining，andwefounditagreatcomfort。HeathcliffhadnotthehabitofbestowingasingleunnecessarycivilityonMissLinton，Iknew。Now，assoonashebeheldher，hisfirstprecautionwastotakeasweepingsurveyofthehousefront。Iwasstandingbythekitchenwindow，butIdrewoutofsight。Hethensteppedacrossthepavementtoher，andsaidsomething:sheseemedembarrassed，anddesirousofgettingaway；topreventit，helaidhishandonherarm。Sheavertedherface:heapparentlyputsomequestionwhichshehadnomindtoanswer。Therewasanotherrapidglanceatthehouse，andsupposinghimselfunseen，thescoundrelhadtheimpudencetoembraceher。
`Judas!traitor!\'Iejaculated。`Youareahypocrite，too，areyou？Adeliberatedeceiver。\'
`Whois，Nelly？\'saidCatherine\'svoiceatmyelbow:Ihadbeenoverintentonwatchingthepairoutsidetomarkherentrance。
`Yourworthlessfriend!\'Iansweredwarmly:`thesneakingrascalyonder。Ah，hehascaughtaglimpseofus——heiscomingin!IwonderwillhehavethearttofindaplausibleexcuseformakinglovetoMiss，whenhetoldyouhehatedher？\'
MrsLintonsawIsabellatearherselffree，andrunintothegarden；
andaminuteafter，Heathcliffopenedthedoor。Icouldn\'twithholdgivingsomeloosetomyindignation；butCatherineangrilyinsistedonsilence，andthreatenedtoordermeoutofthekitchen，ifIdaredtobesopresumptuousastoputinmyinsolenttongue。
`Tohearyou，peoplemightthinkyouwerethemistress!\'shecried。
`Youwantsettingdowninyourrightplace!Heathcliff，whatareyouabout，raisingthisstir？IsaidyoumustletIsabellaalone!——Ibegyouwill，unlessyouaretiredofbeingreceivedhere，andwishLintontodrawtheboltsagainstyou!\'
`Godforbidthatheshouldtry!\'answeredtheblackvillain。I
detestedhimjustthen。`Godkeephimmeekandpatient!EverydayIgrowmadderaftersendinghimtoheaven!\'
`Hush!\'saidCatherine，shuttingtheinnerdoor。`Don\'tvexme。
Whyhaveyoudisregardedmyrequest？Didshecomeacrossyouonpurpose？\'
`Whatisittoyou？\'hegrowled。`I。havearighttokissher，ifshechooses；andyouhavenorighttoobject。I\'mnotyourhusband:youneedn\'tbejealousofme!\'
`I\'mnotjealousofyou，\'repliedthemistress，`I\'mjealousforyou。Clearyourface:youshan\'tscowlatme!IfyoulikeIsabella，youshallmarryher。Butdoyoulikeher？Tellthetruth，Heathcliff!There，youwon\'tanswer。I\'mcertainyoudon\'t!\'
`AndwouldMrLintonapproveofhissistermarryingthatman？\'
Iinquired。
`MrLintonshouldapprove，\'returnedmylady，decisively。
`Hemightsparehimselfthetrouble，\'saidHeathcliff:`Icoulddoaswellwithouthisapprobation。Andastoyou，Catherine，Ihaveamindtospeakafewwordsnow，whileweareatit。IwantyoutobeawarethatIknowyouhavetreatedmeinfernally——infernally!Doyouhear？
AndifyouflatteryourselfthatIdon\'tperceiveit，youareafool；andifyouthinkIcanbeconsoledbysweetwords，youareanidiot；andifyoufancyI\'llsufferunrevenged，I\'llconvinceyouofthecontrary，inaverylittlewhile!Meantime，thankyoufortellingmeyoursister-in-law\'ssecret:IswearI\'llmakethemostofit。Andstandyouaside!\'
`Whatnewphaseofhischaracteristhis？\'exclaimedMrsLinton，inamazement。`I\'vetreatedyouinfernally——andyou\'lltakeyourrevenge!
Howwillyoutakeit，ungratefulbrute？HowhaveItreatedyouinfernally？\'
`Iseeknorevengeonyou，\'repliedHeathclifflessvehemently。
`That\'snottheplan。Thetyrantgrindsdownhisslavesandtheydon\'tturnagainsthim；theycrushthosebeneaththem。Youarewelcometotorturemetodeathforyouramusement，onlyallowmetoamusemyselfalittleinthesamestyle，andrefrainfrominsultasmuchasyouareable。Havinglevelledmypalace，don\'terectahovelandcomplacentlyadmireyourowncharityingivingmethatforahome。IfIimaginedyoureallywishedmetomarryIsabel，I\'dcutmythroat!\'
`Oh，theevilisthatIamnotjealous，isit？\'criedCatherine。
`Well，Iwon\'trepeatmyofferofawife:itisasbadasofferingSatanalostsoul。Yourblisslies，likehis，ininflictingmisery。Youproveit。Edgarisrestoredfromtheill-temperhegavewaytoatyourcoming；
Ibegintobesecureandtranquil；andyou，restlesstoknowusatpeace，appearresolvedonexcitingaquarrel。QuarrelwithEdgar，ifyouplease，Heathcliff，anddeceivehissister:you\'llhitonexactlythemostefficientmethodofrevengingyourselfonme。\'
Theconversationceased。MrsLintonsatdownbythefire，flushedandgloomy。Thespiritwhichservedherwasgrowingintractable:shecouldneitherlaynorcontrolit。Hestoodonthehearthwithfoldedarms，broodingonhisevilthoughts；andinthispositionIleftthemtoseekthemaster，whowaswonderingwhatkeptCatherinebelowsolong。
`Ellen，\'saidhe，whenIentered，`haveyouseenyourmistress？\'
`Yes；she\'sinthekitchen，sir，\'Ianswered。`She\'ssadlyputoutbyMrHeathcliff\'sbehaviour:and，indeed，Idothinkit\'stimetoarrangehisvisitsonanotherfooting。There\'sharminbeingtoosoft，andnowit\'scometothis——`AndIrelatedthesceneinthecourt，and，asnearasIdared，thewholesubsequentdispute。IfancieditcouldnotbeveryprejudicialtoMrsLinton；unlessshemadeitsoafterwards，byassumingthedefensiveforherguest。EdgarLintonhaddifficultyinhearingmetotheclose。Hisfirstwordsrevealedthathedidnotclearhiswifeofblame。
`Thisisinsufferable!\'heexclaimed。`Itisdisgracefulthatsheshouldownhimforafriend，andforcehiscompanyonme!Callmetwomenoutofthehall，Ellen。Catherineshalllingernolongertoarguewiththelowruffian——Ihavehumouredherenough。\'
Hedescended，andbiddingtheservantswaitinthepassage，went，followedbyme，tothekitchen。Itsoccupantshadrecommencedtheirangrydiscussion:MrsLinton，atleast，wasscoldingwithrenewedvigour；Heathcliffhadmovedtothewindow，andhunghishead，somewhatcowedbyherviolentratingapparently。Hesawthemasterfirst，andmadeahastymotionthatsheshouldbesilent；whichsheobeyed，abruptly，ondiscoveringthereasonofhisintimation。
`Howisthis？\'saidLinton，addressingher；`whatnotionofproprietymustyouhavetoremainhere，afterthelanguagewhichhasbeenheldtoyoubythatblackguard？Isuppose，becauseitishisordinarytalk，youthinknothingofit；youarehabituatedtohisbaseness，and，perhaps，imagineIcangetusedtoittoo!\'
`Haveyoubeenlisteningatthedoor，Edgar？\'askedthemistress，inatoneparticularlycalculatedtoprovokeherhusband，implyingbothcarelessnessandcontemptofhisirritation。Heathcliff，whohadraisedhiseyesattheformerspeech，gaveasneeringlaughatthelatter；onpurpose，itseemed，todrawMrLinton\'sattentiontohim。Hesucceeded；
butEdgardidnotmeantoentertainhimwithanyhighflightsofpassion。
`Ihavebeensofarforbearingwithyou，sir，\'hesaidquietly；
`notthatIwasignorantofyourmiserable，degradedcharacter，butIfeltyouwereonlypartlyresponsibleforthat；andCatherinewishingtokeepupyouracquaintance，Iacquiesced——foolishly。Yourpresenceisamoralpoisonthatwouldcontaminatethemostvirtuous:forthatcause，andtopreventworseconsequences，Ishalldenyyouhereafteradmissionintothishouse，andgivenoticenowthatIrequireyourinstantdeparture。Threeminutes\'delaywillrenderitinvoluntaryandignominious。\'
Heathcliffmeasuredtheheightandbreadthofthespeakerwithaneyefullofderision。
`Cathy，thislambofyoursthreatenslikeabull!\'hesaid。`Itisindangerofsplittingitsskullagainstmyknuckles。ByGod!MrLinton，I\'mmortallysorrythatyouarenotworthknockingdown!\'
Mymasterglancedtowardsthepassage，andsignedmetofetchthemen:hehadnointentionofhazardingapersonalencounter。Iobeyedthehint；butMrsLinton，suspectingsomething，followed；andwhenIattemptedtocallthem，shepulledmeback，slammedthedoorto，andlockedit。
`Fairmeans!\'shesaid，inanswertoherhusband\'slookofangrysurprise`Ifyouhavenotcouragetoattackhim，makeanapology，orallowyourselftobebeaten。Itwillcorrectyouoffeigningmorevalourthanyoupossess。No，I\'llswallowthekeybeforeyoushallgetit!I\'mdelightfullyrewardedformykindnesstoeach!Afterconstantindulgenceofone\'sweaknature，andtheother\'sbadone，Iearnforthankstwosamplesofblindingratitude，stupidtoabsurdity!Edgar，Iwasdefendingyouandyours；
andIwishHeathcliffmayflogyousick，fordaringtothinkanevilthoughtofme。!\'
Itdidnotneedthemediumofafloggingtoproducethateffectonthemaster。HetriedtowrestthekeyfromCatherine\'sgrasp，andforsafetysheflungitintothehottestpartofthefire；whereuponMrEdgarwastakenwithanervoustrembling，andhiscountenancegrewdeadlypale。
Forhislifehecouldnotavertthataccessofemotion；mingledanguishandhumiliationovercamehimcompletely。Heleantonthebackofachair，andcoveredhisface。
`Oh，heavens!Inolddays，thiswouldwinyouknighthood!\'exclaimedMrsLinton。`Wearevanquished!wearevanquished!Heathcliffwouldassoonliftafingeratyouasakingwouldmarchhisarmyagainstacolonyofmice。Cheerup!youshan\'tbehurt!Yourtypeisnotalamb，it\'sasuckingleveret。\'
`Iwishyoujoyofthemilk-bloodedcoward，Cathy!\'saidherfriend。
`Icomplimentyouonyourtaste。Andthatistheslavering，shiveringthingyoupreferredtome!Iwouldnotstrikehimwithmyfist，butI\'dkickhimwithmyfoot，andexperienceconsiderablesatisfaction。Isheweeping，orishegoingtofaintforfear？\'
ThefellowapproachedandgavethechaironwhichLintonrestedapush。He\'dbetterhavekepthisdistance；mymasterquicklysprangerect，andstruckhimfullonthethroatablowthatwouldhavelevelledaslighterman。Ittookhisbreathforaminute；andwhilehechoked，MrLintonwalkedoutbythebackdoorintotheyard，andfromthencetothefrontentrance。
`There!you\'vedonewithcominghere，\'criedCatherine。`Getaway，now；he\'llreturnwithabraceofpistols，andhalfadozenassistants。
Ifhedidoverhearus，ofcoursehe\'dneverforgiveyou。You\'veplayedhimanillturn，Heathcliff!Butgo——makehaste!I\'dratherseeEdgaratbaythanyou。\'
`DoyousupposeI\'mgoingwiththatblowburninginmygullet？\'
hethundered。`Byhell，no!I\'llcrushhisribsinlikearottenhazelnutbeforeIcrossthethreshold!IfIdon\'tfloorhimnow，Ishallmurderhimsometime；so，asyouvaluehisexistence，letmegetathim!\'
`He\'snotcoming，\'Iinterposed，framingabitofalie。`There\'sthecoachmanandthetwogardeners；you\'llsurelynotwaittobethrustintotheroadbythem!Eachhasabludgeon；andmasterwill，verylikely，bewatchingfromtheparlourwindows，toseethattheyfulfilhisorders。\'
Thegardenersandcoachmanwerethere；butLintonwaswiththem。Theyhadalreadyenteredthecourt。Heathcliff，onsecondthoughts，resolvedtoavoidastruggleagainstthethreeunderlings；heseizedthepoker，smashedthelockfromtheinnerdoor，andmadehisescapeastheytrampedin。
MrsLinton，whowasverymuchexcited，bademeaccompanyherupstairs。
Shedidnotknowmyshareincontributingtothedisturbance，andIwasanxioustokeepherinignorance。
`I\'mnearlydistracted，Nelly!\'sheexclaimed，throwingherselfonthesofa。`Athousandsmiths\'hammersarebeatinginmyhead!TellIsabellatoshunme；thisuproarisowingtoher；andshouldsheoranyoneelseaggravatemyangeratpresent，Ishallgetwild。And，Nelly，saytoEdgar，ifyouseehimagaintonight，thatI\'mindangerofbeingseriouslyill。
Iwishitmayprovetrue。Hehasstartledanddistressedmeshockingly!
Iwanttofrightenhim。Besides，hemightcomeandbeginastringofabuseorcomplainings；I\'mcertainIshouldrecriminate，andGodknowswhereweshouldend!Willyoudoso，mygoodNelly？YouareawarethatIaminnowayblamableinthismatter。Whatpossessedhimtoturnlistener？Heathcliff\'stalkwasoutrageous，afteryouleftus；butIcouldsoonhavedivertedhimfromIsabella，andtherestmeantnothing。Nowallisdashedwrongbythefool\'scravingtohearevilofself，thathauntssomepeoplelikeademon!HadEdgarnevergatheredourconversation，hewouldneverhavebeentheworseforit。Really，whenheopenedonmeinthatunreasonabletoneofdispleasureafterIhadscoldedHeathclifftillIwashoarseforhim，Ididnotcare，hardly，whattheydidtoeachother；especiallyasIfeltthat，howeverthesceneclosed，weshouldallbedrivenasunderfornobodyknowshowlong!Well，ifIcannotkeepHeathcliffformyfriend——ifEdgarwillbemeanandjealous，I\'lltrytobreaktheirheartsbybreakingmyown。Thatwillbeapromptwayoffinishingall，whenIampushedtoextremity!Butit\'sadeedtobereservedforaforlornhope；I\'dnottakeLintonbysurprisewithit。Tothispointhehasbeendiscreetindreadingtoprovokeme；youmustrepresenttheperilofquittingthatpolicy，andremindhimofmypassionatetemper，verging，whenkindled，onfrenzy。I
wishyoucoulddismissthatapathyoutofyourcountenance，andlookrathermoreanxiousaboutme。\'
ThestoliditywithwhichIreceivedtheseinstructionswas，nodoubt，ratherexasperating:fortheyweredeliveredinperfectsincerity；
butIbelievedapersonwhocouldplantheturningofherfitsofpassiontoaccount，beforehand，might，byexertingherwill，managetocontrolherselftolerably，evenwhileundertheirinfluence；andIdidnotwishto`frighten\'herhusband，asshesaid，andmultiplyhisannoyancesforthepurposeofservingherselfishness。ThereforeIsaidnothingwhenI
metthemastercomingtowardstheparlour；butItookthelibertyofturningbacktolistenwhethertheywouldresumetheirquarreltogether。Hebegantospeakfirst。
`Remainwhereyouare，Catherine，\'hesaid；withoutanyangerinhisvoice，butwithmuchsorrowfuldespondency。`Ishallnotstay。I
amneithercometowranglenorbereconciled；butIwishjusttolearnwhether，afterthisevening\'sevents，youintendtocontinueyourintimacywith——
`Oh，formercy\'ssake，\'interruptedthemistress，stampingherfoot，`formercy\'ssake，letushearnomoreofitnow!Yourcoldbloodcannotbeworkedintoafever:yourveinsarefullofice-water；butmineareboiling，andthesightofsuchchillnessmakesthemdance。\'
`Togetridofme，answermyquestion，\'perseveredMrLinton。
`Youmustanswerit；andthatviolencedoesnotalarmme。Ihavefoundthatyoucanbeasstoicalasanyone，whenyouplease。WillyougiveupHeathcliffhereafter，orwillyougiveupme？Itisimpossibleforyoutobemyfriendandhisatthesametime；andIabsolutelyrequiretoknowwhichyouchoose。\'
`Irequiretobeletalone!\'exclaimedCatherinefuriously。`I
demandit!Don\'tyouseeIcanscarcelystand？Edgar，you——youleaveme!\'
Sherangthebelltillitbrokewithatwang；Ienteredleisurely。
Itwasenoughtotrythetemperofasaint，suchsenseless，wickedrages!
Thereshelaydashingherheadagainstthearmofthesofa，andgrindingherteeth，sothatyoumightfancyshewouldcrashthemtosplinters!MrLintonstoodlookingatherinsuddencompunctionandfear。Hetoldmetofetchsomewater。Shehadnobreathforspeaking。Ibroughtaglassfull；andasshewouldnotdrink，Isprinkleditonherface。Inafewsecondsshestretchedherselfoutstiff，andturneduphereyes，whilehercheeks，atonceblanchedandlivid，assumedtheaspectofdeath。Lintonlookedterrified。
`Thereisnothingintheworldthematter，\'Iwhispered。Ididnotwanthimtoyield，thoughIcouldnothelpbeingafraidinmyheart。
`Shehasbloodonherlips!\'hesaid，shuddering。
`Nevermind!\'Iansweredtartly。AndItoldhimhowshehadresolved，previoustohiscoming，onexhibitingafitoffrenzy。Iincautiouslygavetheaccountaloud，andsheheardme；forshestartedup——herhairflyingoverhershoulders，hereyesflashing，themusclesofherneckandarmsstandingoutpreternaturally。Imadeupmymindforbrokenbones，atleast；
butsheonlyglaredaboutherforaninstant，andthenrushedfromtheroom。Themasterdirectedmetofollow；Idid，toherchamberdoor:shehinderedmefromgoingfartherbysecuringitagainstme。
Assheneverofferedtodescendtobreakfastnextmorning，Iwenttoaskwhethershewouldhavesomecarriedup。`No!\'sherepliedperemptorily。
Thesamequestionwasrepeatedatdinnerandtea；andagainonthemorrowafter，andreceivedthesameanswer。MrLinton，onhispart，spenthistimeinthelibrary，anddidnotinquireconcerninghiswife\'soccupations。
Isabellaandhehadhadanhour\'sinterview，duringwhichhetriedtoelicitfromhersomesentimentofproperhorrorforHeathcliff\'sadvances:buthecouldmakenothingofherevasivereplies，andwasobligedtoclosetheexaminationunsatisfactorily；adding，however，asolemnwarning，thatifsheweresoinsaneastoencouragethatworthlesssuitor，itwoulddissolveallbondsofrelationshipbetweenherselfandhim。
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