`Icarenothingforhisanger，\'exclaimedCathy，imaginingshewouldbeitsobject。
`ButIdo，\'saidhercousin，shuddering。`Don\'tprovokehimagainstme，Catherine，forheisveryhard。\'
`Isheseveretoyou，MasterHeathcliff？\'Iinquired。`Hashegrownwearyofindulgence，andpassedfrompassivetoactivehatred？\'
Lintonlookedatme，butdidnotanswer；and，afterkeepingherseatbyhissideanothertenminutes，duringwhichhisheadfelldrowsilyonhisbreast，andheutterednothingexceptsuppressedmoansofexhaustionorpain，Cathybegantoseeksolaceinlookingforbilberries，andsharingtheproduceofherresearcheswithme:shedidnotofferthemtohim，forshesawfurthernoticewouldonlywearyandannoy。
`Isithalfanhournow，Ellen？\'shewhisperedinmyear，atlast。
`Ican\'ttellwhyweshouldstay。He\'sasleep，andpapawillbewantingusback。\'
`Well，wemustnotleavehimasleep，\'Ianswered；`waittillhewakes，andbepatient。Youweremightyeagertosetoff，butyourlongingtoseepoorLintonhassoonevaporated!\'
`Whydidhewishtoseeme？\'returnedCatherine。`Inhiscrossesthumours，formerly，IlikedhimbetterthanIdoinhispresentcuriousmood。It\'sjustasifitwereataskhewascompelledtoperform——thisinterview——forfearhisfathershouldscoldhim。ButI\'mhardlygoingtocometogiveMrHeathcliffpleasure；whateverreasonhemayhavefororderingLintontoundergothispenance。And，thoughI\'mgladhe\'sbetterinhealth，I\'msorryhe\'ssomuchlesspleasant，andsomuchlessaffectionatetome。\'
`Youthinkheisbetterinhealththen？\'Isaid。
`Yes，\'sheanswered；`becausehealwaysmadesuchagreatdealofhissufferings，youknow。Heisnottolerablywell，ashetoldmetotellpapa；buthe\'sbetter，verylikely。\'
`Thereyoudifferwithme，MissCathy，\'Iremarked；`Ishouldconjecturehimtobefarworse。\'
Lintonherestartedfromhisslumberinbewilderedterror，andaskedifanyonehadcalledhisname。
`No，\'saidCatherine；`unlessindreams。Icannotconceivehowyoumanagetodozeoutofdoors，inthemorning。\'
`IthoughtIheardmyfather，\'hegasped，glancinguptothefrowningnababoveus。`Youaresurenobodyspoke？\'
`Quitesure，\'repliedhiscousin。`OnlyEllenandIweredisputingconcerningyourhealth。Areyoutrulystronger，Linton，thanwhenweseparatedinwinter？IfyoubeI\'mcertainonethingisnotstronger——yourregardforme:speak，——areyou？\'
ThetearsgushedfromLinton\'seyesasheanswered，`Yes，yes，Iam!\'And，stillunderthespelloftheimaginaryvoice，hisgazewanderedupanddowntodetectitsowner。Cathyrose。`Fortodaywemustpart，\'
shesaid。`AndIwon\'tconcealthatIhavebeensadlydisappointedwithourmeeting；thoughI\'llmentionittonobodybutyou:notthatIstandinaweofMrHeathcliff。\'
`Hush，\'murmuredLinton:`forGod\'ssake，hush!He\'scoming。\'
AndheclungtoCatherine\'sarm，strivingtodetainher；butatthatannouncementshehastilydisengagedherself，andwhistledtoMinny，whoobeyedherlikeadog。
`I\'llbeherenextThursday，\'shecried，springingtothesaddle。
`Goodbye。Quick，Ellen!\'
Andsowelefthim，scarcelyconsciousofourdeparture，soabsorbedwasheinanticipatinghisfather\'sapproach。
Beforewereachedhome，Catherine\'sdispleasuresoftenedintoaperplexedsensationofpityandregret，largelyblendedwithvague，uneasydoubtsaboutLinton\'sactualcircumstances，physicalandsocial；inwhichIpartook，thoughIcounselledhernottosaymuch；forasecondjourneywouldmakeusbetterjudges。Mymasterrequestedanaccountofourongoings。
Hisnephew\'sofferingofthankswasdulydelivered，MissCathygentlytouchingontherest:Ialsothrewlittlelightonhisinquiries，forIhardlyknewwhattohide，andwhattoreveal。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter27Sevendaysglidedaway，everyonemarkingitscoursebythehenceforthrapidalterationofEdgarLinton\'sstate。Thehavocthatmonthshadpreviouslywroughtwasnowemulatedbytheinroadsofhours。Catherine，wewouldfainhavedeludedyet:butherownquickspiritrefusedtodeludeher:itdivinedinsecret，andbroodedonthedreadfulprobability，graduallyripeningintocertainty。Shehadnotthehearttomentionherride，whenThursdaycameround；Imentioneditforher，andobtainedpermissiontoorderheroutofdoors:forthelibrary，whereherfatherstoppedashorttimedaily——thebriefperiodhecouldbeartositup——andhischamber，hadbecomeherwholeworld。Shegrudgedeachmomentthatdidnotfindherbendingoverhispillow，orseatedbyhisside:Hercountenancegrewwanwithwatchingandsorrow，andmymastergladlydismissedhertowhatheflatteredhimselfwouldbeahappychangeofsceneandsociety；drawingcomfortfromthehopethatshewouldnotnowbeleftentirelyaloneafterhisdeath。
Hehadafixedidea，Iguessedbyseveralobservationsheletfall，that，ashisnephewresembledhiminperson，hewouldresemblehiminmind；forLinton\'slettersborefewornoindicationsofhisdefectivecharacter。AndI，throughpardonableweakness，refrainedfromcorrectingtheerror；askingmyselfwhatgoodtherewouldbeindisturbinghislastmomentswithinformationthathehadneitherpowernoropportunitytoturntoaccount。
Wedeferredourexcursiontilltheafternoon；agoldenafternoonofAugust:everybreathfromthehillssofulloflife，thatitseemedwhoeverrespiredit，thoughdying，mightrevive。Catherine\'sfacewasjustlikethelandscape——shadowsandsunshineflittingoveritinrapidsuccession；
buttheshadowsrestedlonger，andthesunshinewasmoretransient；andherpoorlittleheartreproacheditselfforeventhatpassingforgetfulnessofitscares。
WediscernedLintonwatchingatthesamespothehadselectedbefore。Myyoungmistressalighted，andtoldmethat，asshewasresolvedtostayaverylittlewhile，Ihadbetterholdtheponyandremainonhorseback；
butIdissented:Iwouldn\'trisklosingsightofthechargecommittedtomeaminute；soweclimbedtheslopeofheathtogether。MasterHeathcliffreceiveduswithgreateranimationonthisoccasion:nottheanimationofhighspiritsthough，noryetofjoy；itlookedmorelikefear。
`Itislate!\'hesaid，speakingshortandwithdifficulty。`Isnotyourfatherveryill？Ithoughtyouwouldn\'tcome。\'
`Whywon\'tyoubecandid？\'criedCatherine，swallowinghergreeting。`Whycannotyousayatonceyoudon\'twantme？Itisstrange，Linton，thatforthesecondtimeyouhavebroughtmehereonpurpose，apparently，todistressusboth，andfornoreasonbesides!\'
Lintonshivered，andglancedather，halfsupplicating，halfashamed；
buthiscousin\'spatiencewasnotsufficienttoendurethisenigmaticalbehaviour。
`Myfatherisveryill，\'shesaid；`andwhyamIcalledfromhisbedside？Whydidn\'tyousendtoabsolvemefrommypromise，when\'\'youwishedIwouldn\'tkeepit？Come!Idesireanexplanation:playingandtriflingarecompletelybanishedoutofmymind；andIcan\'tdanceattendanceonyouraffectationsnow!\'
`Myaffectations!\'hemurmured；`whatarethey？ForHeaven\'ssake，Catherine，don\'tlooksoangry!Despisemeasmuchasyouplease；Iamaworthless，cowardlywretch:Ican\'tbescornedenough；butI\'mtoomeanforyouranger。Hatemyfather，andsparemeforcontempt。\'
`Nonsense!\'criedCatherine，inapassion。`Foolish，sillyboy!
Andthere!hetrembles，asifIwerereallygoingtotouchhim!Youneedn\'tbespeakcontempt，Linton:anybodywillhaveitspontaneouslyatyourservice。
Getoff!Ishallreturnhome:itisfollydraggingyoufromthehearthstone，andpretending——whatdowepretend？Letgomyfrock!IfIpitiedyouforcryingandlookingsoveryfrightened，youshouldspurnsuchpity。Ellen，tellhimhowdisgracefulthisconductis。Rise，anddon\'tdegradeyourselfintoanabjectreptile——don\'t!\'
Withstreamingfaceandanexpressionofagony，Lintonhadthrownhisnervelessframealongtheground:heseemedconvulsedwithexquisiteterror。
`Oh!\'hesobbed，`Icannotbearit!Catherine，Catherine，I\'matraitor，too，andIdarenottellyou!Butleaveme，andIshallbekilled!DearCatherine，mylifeisinyourhands:andyouhavesaidyoulovedme，andifyoudid，itwouldn\'tharmyou。You\'llnotgo，then？kind，sweet，goodCatherine!Andperhapsyouwillconsent——andhe\'llletmediewithyou!\'
Myyounglady，onwitnessinghisintenseanguish，stoopedtoraisehim。Theoldfeelingofindulgenttendernessovercamehervexation，andshegrewthoroughlymovedandalarmed。
`Consenttowhat？\'sheasked。`Tostay？Tellmethemeaningofthisstrangetalk，andIwill。Youcontradictyourownwords，anddistractme!Becalmandfrank，andconfessatonceallthatweighsonyourheart。
Youwouldn\'tinjureme，Linton，wouldyou？Youwouldn\'tletanyenemyhurtme，ifyoucouldpreventit？I\'llbelieveyouareacowardforyourself，butnotacowardlybetrayerofyourbestfriend。\'
`Butmyfatherthreatenedme，\'gaspedtheboy，claspinghisattenuatedfingers，`andIdreadhim——Idreadhim!Idarenottell!\'
`Oh，well!\'saidCatherine，withscornfulcompassion，`keepyoursecret:I\'mnocoward。Saveyourself；I\'mnotafraid!\'
Hermagnanimityprovokedhistears:heweptwildly，kissinghersupportinghands，andyetcouldnotsummoncouragetospeakout。Iwascogitatingwhatthemysterymightbe，anddeterminedCatherineshouldneversuffer，tobenefithimoranyoneelse，bymygoodwill；whenhearingarustleamongtheling，IlookedupandsawMrHeathcliffalmostcloseuponus，descendingtheHeights。Hedidn\'tcastaglancetowardsmycompanions，thoughtheyweresufficientlynearforLinton\'ssobstobeaudible；buthailingmeinthealmostheartytoneheassumedtononebesides，andthesincerityofwhichIcouldn\'tavoiddoubting，hesaid:
`Itissomethingtoseeyousonear\"tomyhouse，Nelly。HowareyouattheGrange？Letushear。Therumourgoes\'，headdedinalowertone，`thatEdgarLintonisonhisdeathbed:perhapstheyexaggeratehisillness!\'
`No；mymasterisdying，\'Ireplied:`itistrueenough。Asadthingitwillbeforusall，butablessingforhim!\'
`Howlongwillhelast，doyouthink？\'heasked。
`Idon\'tknow，\'Isaid。
`Because，\'hecontinued，lookingatthetwoyoungpeople，whowerefixedunderhiseye——Lintonappearedasifhecouldnotventuretostirorraisehishead，andCatherinecouldnotmove，onhisaccount——`becausethatladyonderseemsdeterminedtobeatme；andI\'dthankhisuncletobequick，andgobeforehim。Hallo!hasthewhelpbeenplayingthatgamelong？Ididgivehimsomelessonsaboutsnivelling。IsheprettylivelywithMissLintongenerally？\'
`Lively？no——hehasshownthegreatestdistress，\'Ianswered。
`Toseehim，Ishouldsay，thatinsteadoframblingwithhissweetheartonthehills，heoughttobeinbed，underthehandsofadoctor。\'
`Heshallbeinadayortwo，\'mutteredHeathcliff。`Butfirst——getup，Linton!Getup!\'heshouted。`Don\'tgrovelonthegroundthere:up，thismoment!\'
Lintonhadsunkprostrateagaininanotherparoxysmofhelplessfear，causedbyhisfather\'sglancetowardshim，Isuppose:therewasnothingelsetoproducesuchhumiliation。Hemadeseveraleffortstoobey，buthislittlestrengthwasannihilatedforthetime，andhefellbackagainwithamoan。MrHeathcliffadvanced，andliftedhimtoleanagainstaridgeofturf。
`Now，\'saidhe，withcurbedferocity，`I\'mgettingangry；andifyoudon\'tcommandthatpaltryspiritofyours——Damnyou!getupdirectly!\'
`Iwill，Father，\'hepanted。`Only，letmealone，orIshallfaint。
I\'vedoneasyouwished，I\'msure。CatherinewilltellyouthatI——thatI——havebeencheerful。Ah!keepbyme，Catherine:givemeyourhand。\'
`Takemine，\'saidhisfather；`standonyourfeet。Therenow——she\'lllendyouherarm:that\'sright，lookather。YouwouldimagineI
wasthedevilhimself，MissLinton，toexcitesuchhorror。Besokindastowalkhomewithhim，willyou？HeshuddersifItouchhim。\'
`Linton，dear!\'whisperedCatherine，`Ican\'tgotoWutheringHeights:papahasforbiddenme。He\'llnotharmyou:whyareyousoafraid？\'
`Icanneverre-enterthathouse，\'heanswered。`I\'mnottore-enteritwithoutyou!\'
`Stop!\'criedhisfather。`We\'llrespectCatherine\'sfilialscruples。
Nelly，takehimin，andI\'llfollowyouradviceconcerningthedoctor，withoutdelay。\'
`You\'lldowell，\'repliedI。`ButImustremainwithmymistress:
tomindyoursonisnotmybusiness。\'
`Youareverystiff，\'saidHeathcliff，`Iknowthat:butyou\'llforcemetopinchthebabyandmakeitscreambeforeitmovesyourcharity。
Come，then，myhero。Areyouwillingtoreturn，escortedbyme？\'
Heapproachedoncemore，andmadeasifhewouldseizethefragilebeing；but，shrinkingback，Lintonclungtohiscousin，andimploredhertoaccompanyhim，withafranticimportunitythatadmittednodenial。HoweverIdisapproved，Icouldn\'thinderher:indeed，howcouldshehaverefusedhimherself？Whatwasfillinghimwithdreadwehadnomeansofdiscerning:
buttherehewas，powerlessunderitsgrip，andanyadditionseemedcapableofshockinghimintoidiotcy。Wereachedthethreshold:Catherinewalkedin，andIstoodwaitingtillshehadconductedtheinvalidtoachair，expectingheroutimmediately；whenMrHeathcliff，pushingmeforward，exclaimed:
`Myhouseisnotstrickenwiththeplague，Nelly；andIhaveamindtobehospitabletoday:sitdown，andallowmetoshutthedoor。\'
Heshutandlockeditalso。Istarted。
`Youshallhaveteabeforeyougohome，\'headded。`Iambymyself。
HaretonisgonewithsomecattletotheLees，andZillahandJosephareoffonajourneyofpleasure；and，thoughI\'musedtobeingalone，I\'dratherhavesomeinterestingcompany，ifIcangetit。MissLinton，takeyourseatbyhim。IgiveyouwhatIhave:thepresentishardlyworthaccepting；butIhavenothingelsetooffer。ItisLinton，Imean。
Howshedoesstare!It\'soddwhatasavagefeelingIhavetoanythingthatseemsafraidofme!HadIbeenbornwherelawsarelessstrictandtasteslessdainty，Ishouldtreatmyself，toaslowvivisectionofthosetwo，asanevening\'samusement。
Hedrewinhisbreath，struckthetable，andsworetohimself，`Byhell!Ihatethem。\'
`I\'mnotafraidofyou!\'exclaimedCatherine，whocouldnothearthelatterpartofhisspeech。Shesteppedcloseup；herblackeyesflashingwithpassionandresolution。`Givemethatkey:Iwillhaveit!\'shesaid。
`Iwouldn\'teatordrinkhere，ifIwerestarving。\'
Heathcliffhadthekeyinhishandthatremainedonthetable。
Helookedup，seizedwithasortofsurpriseatherboldness；or，possibly，remindedbyhervoiceandglance，ofthepersonfromwhomsheinheritedit。Shesnatchedattheinstrument，andhalfsucceededingettingitoutofhisloosenedfingers:butheractionrecalledhimtothepresent；herecovereditspeedily。
`Now，CatherineLinton，\'hesaid，`standoff，orIshallknockyoudown；andthatwillmakeMrsDeanmad。\'
Regardlessofthiswarning，shecapturedhisclosedhandanditscontentsagain。`Wewillgo!\'sherepeated，exertingherutmosteffortstocausetheironmusclestorelax；andfindingthathernailsmadenoimpression，sheappliedherteethprettysharply。Heathcliffglancedatmeaglancethatkeptmefrominterferingamoment。Catherinewastoointentonhisfingerstonoticehisface。Heopenedthemsuddenly，andresignedtheobjectofdispute；but，ereshehadwellsecuredit，heseizedherwiththeliberatedhand，and，pullingheronhisknee，administeredwiththeotherashowerofterrificslapsonthesideofthehead，eachsufficienttohavefulfilledhisthreat，hadshebeenabletofall。
AtthisdiabolicalviolenceIrushedonhimfuriously。`Youvillain!\'
Ibegantocry，`youvillain!\'Atouchonthechestsilencedme:Iamstout，andsoonputoutofbreath；and，whatwiththatandtherage，Istaggereddizzilyback，andfeltreadytosuffocate，ortoburstabloodvessel。
Thescenewasoverintwominutes；Catherine，released，puthertwohandstohertemples，andlookedjustasifshewerenotsurewhetherherearswereofforon。Shetrembledlikeareed，poorthing，andleantagainstthetableperfectlybewildered。
`Iknowhowtochastisechildren，yousee，\'saidthescoundrelgrimly，ashestoopedtorepossesshimselfofthekey，whichhaddroppedtothefloor。`GotoLintonnow，asItoldyou；andcryatyourease!I
shallbeyourfather，tomorrow——allthefatheryou\'llhaveinafewdays——andyoushallhaveplentyofthat。Youcanbearplenty；you\'renoweakling:
youshallhaveadailytaste，ifIcatchsuchadevilofatemperinyoureyesagain!\'
CathyrantomeinsteadofLinton，andkneltdownandputherburningcheekonmylap，weepingaloud。Hercousinhadshrunkintoacornerofthesettle，asquietasamouse，congratulatinghimself，Idaresay，thatthecorrectionhadlightedonanotherthanhim。MrHeathcliff，perceivingusallconfounded，rose，andexpeditiouslymadetheteahimself。Thecupsandsaucerswerelaidready。Hepoureditout，andhandedmeacup。
`Washawayyourspleen，\'hesaid。`Andhelpyourownnaughtypetandmine。Itisnotpoisoned，thoughIpreparedit。I\'mgoingouttoseekyourhorses。\'
Ourfirstthought，onhisdeparture，wastoforceanexitsomewhere。
Wetriedthekitchendoor，butthatwasfastenedoutside:welookedatthewindows——theyweretoonarrowforevenCathy\'slittlefigure。
`Masterinto，\'Icried，seeingwewereregularlyimprisoned:`youknowwhatyourdiabolicalfatherisafter，andyoushalltellus，orI\'llboxyourears，ashehasdoneyourcousin\'s。\'
`Yes，Linton，youmusttell，\'saidCatherine。`ItwasforyoursakeIcame；anditwillbewickedlyungratefulifyourefuse。\'
`Givemesometea，I\'mthirsty，andthenI\'lltellyou，\'heanswered。
`MrsDean，goaway。Idon\'tlikeyoustandingoverme。Now，Catherine，youarelettingyourtearsfallintomycup。Iwon\'tdrinkthat。Givemeanother。\'
Catherinepushedanothertohim，andwipedherface。Ifeltdisgustedatthelittlewretch\'scomposure，sincehewasnolongerinterrorforhimself。TheanguishhehadexhibitedonthemoorsubsidedassoonaseverheenteredWutheringHeights；soIguessedhehadbeenmenacedwithanawfulvisitationofwrathifhefailedindecoyingusthere；and，thataccomplished，hehadnofurtherimmediatefears。
`Papawantsustobemarried，\'hecontinued，aftersippingsomeoftheliquid。`Andheknowsyourpapawouldn\'tletusmarrynow；andhe\'safraidofmydying，ifwewait；sowearetobemarriedinthemorning，andyouaretostayhereallnight；andifyoudoashewishes，youshallreturnhomenextday，andtakemewithyou。\'
`Takeyouwithher，pitifulchangeling？\'Iexclaimed。`Youmarry？
Why，themanismad；orhethinksusfools，everyone。Anddoyouimaginethatbeautifulyounglady，thathealthy，heartygirl，willtieherselftoalittleperishingmonkeylikeyou!Areyoucherishingthenotionthatanybody，letaloneMissCatherineLinton，wouldhaveyouforahusband？
Youwantwhippingforbringingusinhereatall，withyourdastardlypulingtricks；and——don\'tlooksosilly，now!I\'veaverygoodmindtoshakeyouseverely，foryourcontemptibletreachery，andyourimbecileconceit。\'
Ididgivehimaslightshaking；butitbroughtonthecough，andhetooktohisordinaryresourceofmoaningandweeping，andCatherinerebukedme。
`Stayallnight？No，\'shesaid，lookingslowlyround。`Ellen，I\'llburnthatdoordown，butI\'llgetout。\'
Andshewouldhavecommencedtheexecutionofherthreatdirectly，butLintonwasupinalarmforhisdearselfagain。Heclaspedherinhistwofeeblearms，sobbing:
`Won\'tyouhaveme，andsaveme？notletmecometotheGrange？
Oh!darlingCatherine!youmustn\'tgoandleaveme，afterall。Youmustobeymyfather——youmust!\'
`Imustobeymyown，\'shereplied，`andrelievehimfromthiscruelsuspense。Thewholenight!Whatwouldhethink？he\'llbedistressedalready。I\'lleitherbreakorburnawayoutofthehouse。Bequiet!You\'reinnodanger；butifyouhinderme——Linton，Ilovepapabetterthanyou!\'
ThemortalterrorhefeltofMrHeathcliff\'sanger，restoredtotheboyhiscoward\'seloquence。Catherinewasneardistraught:still，shepersistedthatshemustgohome，andtriedentreatyinherturn，persuadinghimtosubduehisselfishagony。Whiletheywerethusoccupied，ourgaolerre-entered。
`Yourbeastshavetrottedoff，\'hesaid，`and——now，Linton!snivellingagain？Whathasshebeendoingtoyou？Come，come——havedone，andgettobed。Inamonthortwo，mylad，you\'llbeabletopayherbackherpresenttyrannieswithavigoroushand。You\'repiningforpurelove，areyounot？
nothingelseintheworld:andsheshallhaveyou!There，tobed!Zillahwon\'tbeheretonight；youmustundressyourself。Hush!holdyournoise!
Onceinyourownroom，I\'llnotcomenearyou:youneedn\'tfear。Bychanceyou\'vemanagedtolerably。I\'lllooktotherest。\'
Hespokethesewords，holdingthedooropenforhissontopass；
andthelatterachievedhisexitexactlyasaspanielmight，whichsuspectedthepersonwhoattendedonitofdesigningaspitefulsqueeze。Thelockwasre-secured。Heathcliffapproachedthefire，wheremymistressandI
stoodsilent。Catherinelookedup，andinstinctivelyraisedherhandtohercheek:hisneighbourhoodrevivedapainfulsensation。Anybodyelsewouldhavebeenincapableofregardingthechildishactwithsternness，buthescowledonher，andmuttered:
`Oh!youarenotafraidofme？Yourcourageiswelldisguised:
youseemdamnablyafraid!\'
`Iamafraidnow，\'shereplied，`because，ifIstay，papawillbemiserable；andhowcanIenduremakinghimmiserable；——whenhe——whenhe——MrHeathcliff，letmegohome!IpromisetomarryLinton:papawouldlikemeto，andIlovehim——whyshouldyouwishtoforcemetodowhatI\'llwillinglydoofmyself？\'
`Lethimdaretoforceyou!\'Icried。`There\'slawintheland，thankGodthereis；thoughwebeinanout-of-the-wayplace。I\'dinformifheweremyownson:andit\'sfelonywithoutbenefitofclergy!\'
`Silence!\'saidtheruffian。`Tothedevilwithyourclamour!
Idon\'twantyoutospeak。MissLinton，Ishallenjoymyselfremarkablyinthinkingyourfatherwillbemiserable:Ishallnotsleepforsatisfaction。
Youcouldhavehitonnosurerwayoffixingyourresidenceundermyroofforthenexttwenty-fourhours，thaninformingmethatsuchaneventwouldfollow。AstoyourpromisetomarryLinton，I\'lltakecareyoushallkeepit；foryoushallnotquitthisplacetillitisfulfilled。\'
`SendEllen，then，toletpapaknowI\'msafe!\'exclaimedCatherine，weepingbitterly。`Ormarrymenow。Poorpapa!Ellen，he\'llthinkwe\'relost。Whatshallwedo？\'
`Nothe!He\'llthinkyouaretiredofwaitingonhim，andrunoffforalittleamusement，\'answeredHeathcliff。`Youcannotdenythatyouenteredmyhouseofyourownaccord，incontemptofhisinjunctionstothecontrary。Anditisquitenaturalthatyoushoulddesireamusementatyourage；aridthatyouwouldwearyofnursingasickman，andthatmanonlyyourfather。Catherine，hishappiestdayswereoverwhenyourdaysbegan。Hecursedyou，Idaresay，forcomingintotheworldI
did，atleast；anditwouldjustdoifhecursedyouashewentoutofit。I\'djoinhim。Idon\'tloveyou!HowshouldI？Weepaway。AsfarasIcansee，itwillbeyourchiefdiversionhereafter；unlessLintonmakeamendsforotherlosses:andyourprovidentparentappearstofancyhemay。Hislettersofadviceandconsolationentertainedmevastly。Inhislastherecommendedmyjeweltobecarefulofhis；andkindtoherwhenhegother。Carefulandkind——that\'spaternal。ButLintonrequireshiswholestockofcareandkindnessforhimself。Lintoncanplaythelittletyrantwell。He\'llundertaketotortureanynumberofcats，iftheirteethbedrawnandtheirclawspared。You\'llbeabletotellhisunclefinetalesofhiskindness，whenyougethomeagain，Iassureyou。\'
`You\'rerightthere!\'Isaid；`explainyourson\'scharacter。Showhisresemblancetoyourself；andthen，Ihope，MissCathywillthinktwicebeforeshetakesthecockatrice!\'
`Idon\'tmuchmindspeakingofhisamiablequalitiesnow，\'heanswered；`becauseshemusteitheraccepthimorremainaprisoner，andyoualongwithher，tillyourmasterdies。Icandetainyouboth，quiteconcealed，here。Ifyoudoubt，encouragehertoretractherword，andyou\'llhaveanopportunityofjudging!\'
`I\'llnotretractmyword，\'saidCatherine。`I\'llmarryhimwithinthishour，ifImaygotoThrushcrossGrangeafterwards。MrHeathcliff，you\'reacruelman，butyou\'renotafiend；andyouwon\'t，frommeremalice，destroyirrevocablyallmyhappiness。IfpapathoughtIhadlefthimonpurpose，andifhediedbeforeIreturned，couldIbeartolive？
I\'vegivenovercrying:butI\'mgoingtokneelhere，atyourknee；andI\'llnotgetup，andI\'llnottakemyeyesfromyourfacetillyoulookbackatme!No，don\'tturnaway!dolook!You\'llseenothingtoprovokeyou。Idon\'thateyou。I\'mnotangrythatyoustruckme。Haveyouneverlovedanybodyinallyourlife，uncle？never？Ah!youmustlookonce。I\'msowretched，youcan\'thelpbeingsorryandpityingme。\'
`Keepyoureft\'sfingersoff；andmove，orI\'llkickyou!\'criedHeathcliff，brutallyrepulsingher。`I\'dratherbehuggedbyasnake。Howthedevilcanyoudreamoffawningonme？Idetestyou!\'
Heshruggedhisshoulders:shookhimself，indeed，asifhisfleshcreptwithaversion；andthrustbackhischair；whileIgotup，andopenedmymouth，tocommenceadownrighttorrentofabuse。ButIwasrendereddumbinthemiddleofthefirstsentence，byathreatthatIshouldbeshownintoaroombymyselftheverynextsyllableIuttered。Itwasgrowingdark——weheardasoundofvoicesatthegardengate。Ourhosthurriedoutinstantly:hehadhiswitsabouthim；wehadnot。Therewasatalkoftwoorthreeminutes，andhereturnedalone。
`IthoughtithadbeenyourcousinHareton，\'IobservedtoCatherine。
`Iwishhewouldarrive!Whoknowsbuthemighttakeourpart？\'
`ItwasthreeservantssenttoseekyoufromtheGrange，\'saidHeathcliff，overhearingme。`Youshouldhaveopenedalatticeandcalledout:butIcouldswearthatchitisgladyoudidn\'t。She\'sgladtobeobligedtostay，I\'mcertain。\'
Atlearningthechancewehadmissed，webothgaveventtoourgriefwithoutcontrol；andheallowedustowailontillnineo\'clock。
Thenhebidusgoupstairs，throughthekitchen，toZillah\'schamber；andIwhisperedmycompaniontoobey:perhapswemightcontrivetogetthroughthewindowthere，orintoagarret，andoutbyitsskylight。Thewindow，however，wasnarrow，likethosebelow，andthegarrettrapwassafefromourattempts；forwewerefastenedinasbefore。Weneitherofuslaydown:
Catherinetookherstationbythelattice，andwatchedanxiouslyformorning；
adeepsighbeingtheonlyanswerIcouldobtaintomyfrequententreatiesthatshewouldtrytorest。Iseatedmyselfinachair，androckedtoandfro，passingharshjudgmentonmymanyderelictionsofduty；fromwhich，itstruckmethen，allthemisfortunesofallmyemployerssprang。Itwasnotthecase，inreality，Iamaware；butitwas，inmyimagination，thatdismalnight；andIthoughtHeathcliffhimselflessguiltythanI。
Atseveno\'clockhecame，andinquiredifMissLintonhadrisen。
Sherantothedoorimmediately，andanswered，`Yes。\'`Here，then，\'
hesaid，openingit，andpullingheroutIrosetofollow，butheturnedthelockagain。Idemandedmyrelease。
`Bepatient，\'hereplied；`I\'llsendupyourbreakfastinawhile。\'
Ithumpedonthepanels，andrattledthelatchangrily；andCatherineaskedwhyIwasstillshutup？Heanswered，Imusttrytoendureitanotherhour，andtheywentaway。Ienduredittwoorthreehours；atlength，I
heardafootstep:notHeathcliff\'s。
`I\'vebroughtyousomethingtoeat，\'saidavoice；`oppentdoor!\'
Complyingeagerly，IbeheldHareton，ladenwithfoodenoughtolastmeallday。
`Takit，\'headded，thrustingthetrayintomyhand。
`Stayoneminute，\'Ibegan。
`Nay，\'criedhe，andretired，regardlessofanyprayersIcouldpourforthtodetainhim。
AndthereIremainedenclosedthewholeday，andthewholeofthenextnight；andanother，andanother。FivenightsandfourdaysIremained，altogether，seeingnobodybutHareton，onceeverymorning；andhewasamodelofajailer:surly，anddumb，anddeaftoeveryattemptatmovinghissenseofjusticeorcompassion。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter28Onthefifthmorning，orratherafternoon，adifferentstepapproached——lighterandshorter；and，thistime，thepersonenteredtheroom。ItwasZillah；
donnedinherscarletshawl，withablacksilkbonnetonherhead，andawillowbasketswungtoherarm。
`Eh，dear!MrsDean!\'sheexclaimed。`Well!thereisatalkaboutyouatGimmerton。IneverthoughtbutyouweresunkintheBlackhorsemarsh，andmissywithyou，tillmastertoldmeyou\'dbeenfound，andhe\'dlodgedyouhere!What!andyoumusthavegotonanisland，sure？Andhowlongwereyouinthehole？Didmastersaveyou，MrsDean？Butyou\'renotsothin——you\'venotbeensopoorly，haveyou？\'
`Yourmasterisatruescoundrel!\'Ireplied。`Butheshallanswerforit。Heneedn\'thaveraisedthattale:itshallallbelaidbare!\'
`Whatdoyoumean？\'askedzillah。`It\'snothistale:theytellthatinthevillage——aboutyourbeinglostinthemarsh:andIcallstoEarnshaw，whenIcomein——\"Eh，they\'squeerthings，MrHareton，happenedsinceIwentoff。It\'sasadpityofthatlikelyyounglass，andcantNellyDean。\'\'Hestared。Ithoughthehadnotheardaught，soItoldhimtherumour。Themasterlistened，andhejustsmiledtohimself，andsaid，``Iftheyhavebeeninthemarsh，theyareoutnow，Zillah。NellyDeanislodged，atthisminute，inyourroom。Youcantellhertoflit，whenyougoup；
hereisthekey。Thebogwatergotintoherhead，andshewouldhaverunhomequiteflighty；butIfixedhertillshecameroundtohersenses。
YoucanbidhergototheGrangeatonce，ifshebeable，andcarryamessagefromme，thatheryoungladywillfollowintimetoattendthesquire\'sfuneral。\"\'
`MrEdgarisnotdead？\'Igasped。`Oh!Zillah，Zillah!\'
`No，no；sityoudown，mygoodmistress，\'shereplied，`you\'rerightsicklyyet。He\'snotdead:DoctorKenneththinkshemaylastanotherday。Imethimontheroadandasked。\'
Insteadofsittingdown，Isnatchedmyoutdoorthings，andhastenedbelow，forthewaywasfree。Onenteringthehouse，IlookedaboutforsomeonetogiveinformationofCatherine。Theplacewasfilledwithsunshine，andthedoorstoodwideopen；butnobodyseemedathand。AsIhesitatedwhethertogooffatonce，orreturnandseekmymistress，aslightcoughdrewmyattentiontothehearth。Lintonlayonthesettle，soletenant，suckingastickofsugar-candy，andpursuingmymovementswithapatheticeyes。`WhereisMissCatherine？\'Idemandedsternly，supposingIcouldfrightenhimintogivingintelligence，bycatchinghimthus，alone。Hesuckedonlikeaninnocent。
`Isshegone？\'Isaid。
`No，\'hereplied；`she\'supstairs:she\'snottogo；wewon\'tlether。\'
`Youwon\'tlether，littleidiot!\'Iexclaimed。`Directmetoherroomimmediately，orI\'llmakeyousingoutsharply。\'
`Papawouldmakeyousingout，ifyouattemptedtogetthere，\'
heanswered。`HesaysI\'mnottobesoftwithCatherine:she\'smywife，andit\'sshamefulthatsheshouldwishtoleaveme。Hesays，shehatesmeandwantsmetodie，thatshemayhavemymoney；butsheshan\'thaveit:andsheshan\'tgohome!Shenevershall!——shemaycry，andbesickasmuchasshepleases!\'
Heresumedhisformeroccupation，closinghislids，asifhemeanttodropasleep。
`MasterHeathcliff，\'Iresumed，`haveyouforgottenallCatherine\'skindnesstoyoulastwinter，whenyouaffirmedyoulovedher，andwhenshebroughtyoubooksandsungyousongs，andcamemanyatimethroughwindandsnowtoseeyou？Shewepttomissoneevening，becauseyouwouldbedisappointed；andyoufeltthenthatshewasahundredtimestoogoodtoyou:andnowyoubelievetheliesyourfathertells，thoughyouknowhedetestsyouboth。Andyoujoinhimagainsther。That\'sfinegratitude，isitnot？\'
ThecornerofLinton\'smouthfell，andhetookthesugar-candyfromhislips。
`DidshecometoWutheringHeights，becauseshehatedyou？\'I
continued。`Thinkforyourself!Astoyourmoney，shedoesnotevenknowthatyouwillhaveany。Andyousayshe\'ssick；andyet，youleaveheralone，upthereinastrangehouse!Youwhohavefeltwhatitistobesoneglected!Youcouldpityyourownsufferings；andshepitiedthemtoo；
butyouwon\'tpityhers!Ishedtears，MasterHeathcliff，yousee——anelderlywoman，andaservantmerely——andyou，afterpretendingsuchaffection，andhavingreasontoworshipheralmost，storeeverytearyouhaveforyourself，andlietherequiteatease。Ah!you\'reaheartless，selfishboy!\'
`Ican\'tstaywithher，\'heansweredcrossly。`I\'llnotstaybymyself。ShecriessoIcan\'tbearit。Andshewon\'tgiveover，thoughI
sayI\'llcallmyfather。Ididcallhimonce，andhethreatenedtostrangleher，ifshewasnotquiet；butshebeganagaintheinstanthelefttheroom，moaningandgrievingallnightlong，thoughIscreamedforvexationthatIcouldn\'tsleep。\'
`IsMrHeathcliffout？\'Iinquired，perceivingthatthewretchedcreaturehadnopowertosympathizewithhiscousin\'smentaltortures。
`He\'sinthecourt，\'hereplied，`talkingtoDrKenneth；whosaysuncleisdying，truly，atlast。I\'mglad，forIshallbemasteroftheGrangeafterhim——andCatherinealwaysspokeofitasherhouse。
Itisn\'thers!It\'smine:papasayseverythingshehasismine。Allhernicebooksaremine；sheofferedtogivemethem，andherprettybirds，andherponyMinny，ifIwouldgetthekeyofourroom，andletherout；
butItoldhershehadnothingtogive，theywereall，allmine。Andthenshecried，andtookalittlepicturefromherneck，andsaidIshouldhavethat；twopicturesinagoldcase，ononesidehermother，andontheother，uncle，whentheywereyoung。Thatwasyesterday——Isaidtheyweremine，too；andtriedtogetthemfromher。Thespitefulthingwouldn\'tletme:shepushedmeoff，andhurtme。Ishriekedout——thatfrightensher——sheheardpapacoming，andshebrokethehingesanddividedthecase，andgavemehermother\'sportrait；theothersheattemptedtohide:butpapaaskedwhatwasthematter，andIexplainedit。HetooktheoneIhadaway，andorderedhertoresignherstome；sherefused，andhe——hestruckherdown，andwrencheditoffthechain，andcrusheditwithhisfoot。\'
`Andwereyoupleasedtoseeherstruck？\'Iasked:havingmydesignsinencouraginghistalk。
`Iwinked，\'heanswered:`Iwinktoseemyfatherstrikeadogorahorse，hedoesitsohard。YetIwasgladatfirst——shedeservedpunishingforpushingme:butwhenpapawasgone，shemademecometothewindowandshowedmehercheekcutontheinside，againstherteeth，andhermouthfillingwithblood；andthenshegatheredupthebitsofthepicture，andwentandsatdownwithherfacetothewall，andshehasneverspokentomesince:andIsometimesthinkshecan\'tspeakforpain。Idon\'tliketothinkso；butshe\'sanaughtythingforcryingcontinually；andshelookssopaleandwild，I\'mafraidofher。\'
`Andyoucangetthekeyifyouchoose？\'Isaid。
`Yes，whenI\'mupstairs，\'heanswered；`butIcan\'twalkupstairsnow。
`Inwhatapartmentisit？\'Iasked。
`Oh，\'hecried，`Ishan\'ttellyouwhereitis!Itisoursecret。
Nobody，neitherHaretonnorZillah，istoknow。There!you\'vetiredme——goaway，goaway!\'Andheturnedhisfaceontohisarm，andshuthiseyesagain。
IconsidereditbesttodepartwithoutseeingMrHeathcliff，andbringarescueformyyoungladyfromtheGrange。Onreachingit，theastonishmentofmyfellow-servantstoseeme，andtheirjoyalso，wasintense；andwhentheyheardthattheirlittlemistresswassafe，twoorthreewereabouttohurryupandshoutthenewsatMrEdgar\'sdoor:butIbespoketheannouncementofit，myself。HowchangedIfoundhim，eveninthosefewdays!Helayanimageofsadnessandresignationwaitinghisdeath。Veryyounghelooked；
thoughhisactualagewasthirty-nine，onewouldhavecalledhimtenyearsyounger，atleast。HethoughtofCatherine；forhemurmuredhername。I
touchedhishand，andspoke。
`Catherineiscoming，dearmaster!\'Iwhispered；`sheisaliveandwell；andwillbehere，Ihope，tonight。\'
Itrembledatthefirsteffectsofthisintelligence:hehalfroseup，lookedeagerlyroundtheapartment，andthensankbackinaswoon。
Assoonasherecovered，Irelatedourcompulsoryvisit，anddetentionattheHeights。IsaidHeathcliffforcedmetogoin:whichwasnotquitetrue。IutteredaslittleaspossibleagainstLinton；nordidIdescribeallhisfather\'sbrutalconduct——myintentionsbeingtoaddnobitterness，ifIcouldhelpit，tohisalreadyoverflowingcup。
Hedivinedthatoneofhisenemy\'spurposeswastosecurethepersonalproperty，aswellastheestate，tohisson:orratherhimself；
yetwhyhedidnotwaittillhisdeceasewasapuzzletomymaster，becauseignoranthownearlyheandhisnephewwouldquittheworldtogether。However，hefeltthathiswillhadbetterbealtered:insteadofleavingCatherine\'sfortuneatherowndisposal，hedeterminedtoputitinthehandsoftrusteesforheruseduringlife，andforherchildren，ifshehadany，afterher。
Bythatmeans，itcouldnotfalltoMrHeathcliffshouldLintondie。
Havingreceivedhisorders，Idispatchedamantofetchtheattorney，andfourmore，providedwithserviceableweapons，todemandmyyoungladyofherjailer。Bothpartiesweredelayedverylate。Thesingleservantreturnedfirst。HesaidMrGreen，thelawyer，wasoutwhenhearrivedathishouse，andhehadtowaittwohoursforhisre-entrance；andthenMrGreentoldhimhehadalittlebusinessinthevillagethatmustbedone；
buthewouldbeatThrushcrossGrangebeforemorning。Thefourmencamebackunaccompaniedalso。TheybroughtwordthatCatherinewasill:tooilltoquitherroom；andHeathcliffwouldnotsufferthemtoseeher。
Iscoldedthestupidfellowswellforlisteningtothattale，whichIwouldnotcarrytomymaster；resolvingtotakeawholebevyuptotheHeights，atdaylight，andstormitliterally，unlesstheprisonerwerequietlysurrenderedtous。Herfathershallseeher，Ivowed，andvowedagain，ifthatdevilbekilledonhisowndoorstonesintryingtopreventit!
Happily，Iwassparedthejourneyandthetrouble。Ihadgonedownstairsatthreeo\'clocktofetchajugofwater；andwaspassingthroughthehallwithitinmyhand，whenasharpknockatthefrontdoormademejump。`Oh!itisGreen，\'Isaid，recollectingmyself——`onlyGreen，\'
andIwenton，intendingtosendsomebodyelsetoopenit；buttheknockwasrepeated:notloud，andstillimportunately。Iputthejugonthebanisterandhastenedtoadmithimmyself。Theharvestmoonshoneclearoutside。
Itwasnottheattorney。Myownsweetlittlemistresssprangonmyneck，sobbing:
`Ellen!Ellen!ispapaalive？\'
`Yes，\'Icried:`yes，myangel，heis。Godbethanked，youaresafewithusagain!\'
Shewantedtorun，breathlessasshewas，upstairstoMrLinton\'sroom；butIcompelledhertositdownonachair，andmadeherdrink，andwashedherpaleface，chafingitintoafaintcolourwithmyapron。ThenIsaidImustgofirst，andtellofherarrival；imploringhertosay，sheshouldbehappywithyoungHeathcliff。Shestared，butsooncomprehendingwhyIcounselledhertoutterthefalsehood，sheassuredmeshewouldnotcomplain。
Icouldn\'tabidetobepresentattheirmeeting。Istoodoutsidethechamberdooraquarterofanhour，andhardlyventurednearthebed，then。Allwascomposed，however:Catherine\'sdespairwasassilentasherfather\'sjoy。Shesupportedhimcalmly，inappearance；andhefixedonherfeatureshisraisedeyes，thatseemeddilatingwithecstasy。
Hediedblissfully，MrLockwood:hediedso。Kissinghercheek，hemurmured。
`Iamgoingtoher；andyou，darlingchild，shallcometous!\'
andneverstirredorspokeagain；butcontinuedthatrapt，radiantgaze，tillhispulseimperceptiblystoppedandhissouldeparted。Nonecouldhavenoticedtheexactminuteofhisdeath，itwassoentirelywithoutastruggle。
WhetherCatherinehadspenthertears，orwhetherthegriefweretooweightytoletthemflow，shesattheredry-eyedtillthesunrose:
shesattillnoon，andwouldstillhaveremainedbroodingoverthatdeathbed，butIinsistedonhercomingawayandtakingsomerepose。ItwaswellI
succeededinremovingher；foratdinnertimeappearedthelawyer，havingcalledatWutheringHeightstogethisinstructionshowtobehave。HehadsoldhimselftoMrHeathcliff，andthatwasthecauseofhisdelayinobeyingmymaster\'ssummons。Fortunately，nothoughtofworldlyaffairscrossedthelatter\'smind，todisturbhim，afterhisdaughter\'sarrival。
MrGreentookuponhimselftoordereverythingandeverybodyabouttheplace。Hegavealltheservants，butme，noticetoquit。HewouldhavecarriedhisdelegatedauthoritytothepointofinsistingthatEdgarLintonshouldnotbeburiedbesidehiswife，butinthechapel，withhisfamily。
Therewasthewill，however，tohinderthat，andmyloudprotestationsagainstanyinfringementofitsdirections。Thefuneralwashurriedover；
Catherine，MrsLintonHeathcliffnow，wassufferedtostayattheGrangetillherfather\'scorpsehadquittedit。
ShetoldmethatheranguishhadatlastspurredLintontoincurtheriskofliberatingher。SheheardthemenIsentdisputingatthedoor，andshegatheredthesenseofHeathcliff\'sanswer。Itdroveherdesperate。
Linton，whohadbeenconveyeduptothelittleparloursoonafterIleft，wasterrifiedintofetchingthekeybeforehisfatherre-ascended。Hehadthecunningtounlockandrelockthedoor，withoutshuttingit；andwhenheshouldhavegonetobed，hebeggedtosleepwithHareton，andhispetitionwasgrantedforonce。Catherinestoleoutbeforebreakofday。Shedarenottrythedoors，lestthedogsshouldraiseanalarm；shevisitedtheemptychambersandexaminedtheirwindows；and，luckily，lightingonhermother\'s，shegoteasilyoutofitslattice，andontotheground，bymeansofthefirtreecloseby。Heraccomplicesufferedforhisshareintheescape，notwithstandinghistimidcontrivances。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter29Theeveningafterthefuneral，myyoungladyandIwereseatedinthelibrary；
nowmusingmournfully——oneofusdespairingly——onourloss，nowventuringconjecturesastothegloomyfuture。
WehadjustagreedthebestdestinywhichcouldawaitCatherine，wouldbeapermissiontocontinueresidentattheGrange；atleast，duringLinton\'slife:hebeingallowedtojoinherthere，andItoremainashousekeeper。