Thatseemedrathertoofavourableanarrangementtobehopedfor:andyetIdidhope，andbegantocheerupundertheprospectofretainingmyhomeandmyemployment，and，aboveall，mybelovedyoungmistress；whenaservant——oneofthediscardedones，notyetdeparted——rushedhastilyin，andsaid`thatdevilHeathcliff\'wascomingthroughthecourt:shouldhefastenthedoorinhisface？
Ifwehadbeenmadenoughtoorderthatproceeding，wehadnottime。Hemadenoceremonyofknockingorannouncinghisname:hewasmaster，andavailedhimselfofthemaster\'sprivilegetowalkstraightin，withoutsayingaword。Thesoundofourinformant\'svoicedirectedhimtothelibrary:
heentered，andmotioninghimout，shutthedoor。
Itwasthesameroomintowhichhehadbeenushered，asaguest，eighteenyearsbefore:thesamemoonshonethroughthewindow；andthesameautumnlandscapelayoutside。Wehadnotyetlightedacandle，butalltheapartmentwasvisible，eventotheportraitsonthewall:thesplendidheadofMrsLinton，andthegracefuloneofherhusband。Heathcliffadvancedtothehearth。Timehadlittlealteredhispersoneither。Therewasthesameman:hisdarkfacerathersallowerandmorecomposed，hisframeastoneortwoheavier，perhaps，andnootherdifference。Catherinehadrisen，withanimpulsetodashout，whenshesawhim。
`Stop!\'hesaid，arrestingherbythearm。`Nomorerunningsaway!
Wherewouldyougo？I\'mcometofetchyouhome；andIhopeyou\'llbeadutifuldaughter，andnotencouragemysontofurtherdisobedience。IwasembarrassedhowtopunishhimwhenIdiscoveredhispartinthebusiness:
he\'ssuchacobweb，apinchwouldannihilatehim；butyou\'llseebyhislookthathehasreceivedhisdue!Ibroughthimdownoneevening，thedaybeforeyesterday，andjustsethiminachair，andnevertouchedhimafterwards。IsentHaretonout，andwehadtheroomtoourselves。Intwohours，IcalledJosephtocarryhimupagain；andsincethenmypresenceisaspotentonhisnervesasaghost；andIfancyheseesmeoften，thoughIamnotnear。Haretonsayshewakesandshrieksinthenightbythehourtogether，andcallsyoutoprotecthimfromme；and，whetheryoulikeyourpreciousmateornot，youmustcome:he\'syourconcernnow；Iyieldallmyinterestinhimtoyou。
`WhynotletCatherinecontinuehere？\'Ipleaded，`andsendMasterLintontoher。Asyouhatethemboth，you\'dnotmissthem:theycanonlybeadailyplaguetoyourunnaturalheart。
`I\'mseekingatenantfortheGrange，\'heanswered；`andIwantmychildrenaboutme，tobesure。Besides，thatlassowesmeherservicesforherbread。I\'mnotgoingtonurtureherinluxuryandidlenessafterLintonhasgone。Makehasteandgetready，now；anddon\'tobligemetocompelyou。\'
`Ishall，\'saidCatherine。`LintonisallIhavetoloveintheworld，andthoughyouhavedonewhatyoucouldtomakehimhatefultome，andmetohim，youcannotmakeushateeachother。AndIdefyyoutohurthimwhenIamby，andIdefyyoutofrightenme!\'
Youareaboastfulchampion，\'repliedHeathcliff；`butIdon\'tlikeyouwellenoughtohurthim:youshallgetthefullbenefitofthetorment，aslongasitlasts。ItisnotIwhowillmakehimhatefultoyou——itishisownsweetspirit。He\'sasbitterasgallatyourdesertionanditsconsequences:don\'texpectthanksforthisnobledevotion。IheardhimdrawapleasantpicturetoZillahofwhathewoulddoifhewereasstrongasI:theinclinationisthere，andhisveryweaknesswillsharpenhiswitstofindasubstituteforstrength。\'
`Iknowhehasabadnature，\'saidCatherine:`he\'syourson。
ButI\'mgladI\'veabetter，toforgiveit；andIknowhelovesme，andforthatreasonIlovehim。MrHeathcliff，youhavenobodytoloveyou；and，howevermiserableyoumakeus，weshallstillhavetherevengeofthinkingthatyourcrueltyarisesfromyourgreatermisery。Youaremiserable，areyounot？Lonely，likethedevil，andenviouslikehim？Nobodylovesyou——nobodywillcryforyouwhenyoudie!Iwouldn\'tbeyou!\'
Catherinespokewithakindofdrearytriumph:sheseemedtohavemadeuphermindtoenterintothespiritofherfuturefamily，anddrawpleasurefromthegriefsofherenemies。
`Youshallbesorrytobeyourselfpresently\'，saidherfather-in-law，`ifyoustandthereanotherminute。Begone，witch，andgetyourthings!\'
Shescornfullywithdrew。Inherabsence，IbegantobegforZillah\'splaceattheHeights，offeringtoresignminetoher；buthewouldsufferitonnoaccount。Hebidmebesilent；andthen，forthefirsttime，allowedhimselfaglanceroundtheroomandalookatthepictures。HavingstudiedMrsLinton，hesaid:
`Ishallhavethathome。NotbecauseIneedit，but——\'Heturnedabruptlytothefire，andcontinued，withwhat，forlackofabetterword，Imustcallasmile——`I\'IltellyouwhatIdidyesterday!Igotthesexton，whowasdiggingLinton\'sgrave，toremovetheearthoffhercoffin-lid，andIopenedit。Ithought，once，Iwouldhavestayedthere:whenIsawherfaceagain——it。ishersyet!——hehad~hardworktostirme；buthesaiditwouldchangeiftheairblewonit，andsoIstruckonesideofthecoffinloose，andcovereditup:notLinton\'sside，damnhim!Iwishhe\'dbeensolderedinlead。AndIbribedthesextontopullitawaywhenI\'mlaidthere，andslidemineouttoo；I\'llhaveitmadeso:andthen，bythetimeLintongetstoushe\'llnotknowwhichiswhich!\'
`Youwereverywicked，MrHeathcliff!\'Iexclaimed，`wereyounotashamedtodisturbthedead？\'
`Idisturbednobody，Nelly，\'hereplied；`andIgavesomeeasetomyself。Ishallbeagreatdealmorecomfortablenow；andyou\'llhaveabetterchanceofkeepingmeunderground，whenIgetthere。Disturbedher？No!shehasdisturbedme，nightandday，througheighteenyears——incessantly——remorselessly——tillyesternight；andyesternightIwastranquil。IdreamtIwassleepingthelastsleepbythatsleeper，withmyheartstoppedandmycheekfrozenagainsthers。\'
`Andifshehadbeendissolvedintoearth，orworse，whatwouldyouhavedreamtofthen？\'Isaid。
`Ofdissolvingwithher，andbeingmorehappystill!\'heanswered。
`DoyousupposeIdreadanychangeofthatsort？Iexpectedsuchatransformationonraisingthelid:butI\'mbetterpleasedthatitshouldnotcommencetillIshareit。Besides，unlessIhadreceivedadistinctimpressionofherpassionlessfeatures，thatstrangefeelingwouldhardlyhavebeenremoved。
Itbeganoddly。YouknowIwaswildaftershedied；andeternally，fromdawntodawn，prayinghertoreturntomeherspirit!Ihaveastrongfaithinghosts:Ihaveaconvictionthattheycan，anddo，existamongus!Thedayshewasburiedtherecameafallofsnow。IntheeveningIwenttothechurchyard。Itblewbleakaswinter——allroundwassolitary。Ididn\'tfearthatherfoolofahusbandwouldwanderupthedensolate；andnooneelsehadbusinesstobringthemthere。Beingalone，andconscioustwoyardsoflooseearthwasthesolebarrierbetweenus，Isaidtomyself——\"I\'llhaveherinmyarmsagain!Ifshebecold，I\'llthinkitisthisnorthwindthatchillsme；andifshebemotionless，itissleep。\"Igotaspadefromthetoolhouse，andbegantodelvewithallmymight——itscrapedthecoffin；Ifelltoworkwithmyhands；thewoodcommencedcrackingaboutthescrews；Iwasonthepointofattainingmyobject，whenitseemedthatIheardasighfromsomeoneabove，closeattheedgeofthegrave，andbendingdown。\"IfIcanonlygetthisoff，\"Imuttered，\"Iwishtheymayshovelintheearthoverusboth!\"andIwrenchedatitmoredesperatelystill。Therewasanothersigh，closeatmyear。Iappearedtofeelthewarmbreathofitdisplacingthesleet-ladenwind。Iknewnolivingthinginfleshandbloodwasby；but，ascertainlyasyouperceivetheapproachtosomesubstantialbodyinthedark，thoughitcannotbediscerned，socertainlyIfeltthatCathywasthere:notunderme，butontheearth。
Asuddensenseofreliefflowedfrommyheartthrougheverylimb。Irelinquishedmylabourofagony，andturnedconsoledatonce:unspeakablyconsoled。
Herpresencewaswithme:itremainedwhileIrefilledthegrave，andledmehome。Youmaylaugh，ifyouwill；butIwassureIshouldseeherthere。
Iwassureshewaswithme，andIcouldnothelptalkingtoher。HavingreachedtheHeights，Irushedeagerlytothedoor。Itwasfastened；and，Iremember，thataccursedEarnshawandmywifeopposedmyentrance。Irememberstoppingtokickthebreathoutofhim，andthenhurryingupstairs，tomyroomandhers。Ilookedroundimpatiently——Ifeltherbyme——Icouldalmostseeher，andyetIcouldnot!Ioughttohavesweatbloodthen，fromtheanguishofmyyearning——fromthefervourofmysupplicationstohavebutoneglimpse!Ihadnotone。Sheshowedherself，assheoftenwasinlife，adeviltome!And，sincethen，sometimesmoreandsometimesless，I\'vebeenthesportofthatintolerabletorture!Infernal!keepingmynervesatsuchastretch，that，iftheyhadnotresembledcatgut，theywouldlongagohaverelaxedtothefeeblenessofLinton\'s。WhenIsatinthehousewithHareton，itseemedthatongoingout，Ishouldmeether；
whenIwalkedonthemoorsIshouldmeethercomingin。WhenIwentfromhome，Ihastenedtoreturn:shemustbesomewhereattheHeights，Iwascertain!AndwhenIsleptinherchamber——Iwasbeatenoutofthat。
Icouldn\'tliethere；forthemomentIclosedmyeyes，shewaseitheroutsidethewindow，orslidingbackthepanels，orenteringtheroom，orevenrestingherdarlingheadonthesamepillowasshedidwhenachild；andImustopenmylidstosee。AndsoIopenedandclosedthemahundredtimesanight——tobealwaysdisappointed!Itrackedme!I\'veoftengroanedaloud，tillthatoldrascalJosephnodoubtbelievedthatmyconsciencewasplayingthefiendinsideofme。Now，sinceI\'veseenher，I\'mpacified——alittle。
It~sastrangewayofkilling!notbyinches，butbyfractionsandhairbreadths，tobeguilemewiththespectreofahope，througheighteenyears!\'
MrHeathcliffpausedandwipedhisforehead；hishairclungtoit，wetwithperspiration；hiseyeswerefixedontheredembersofthefire，thebrowsnotcontracted，butraisednextthetemples；diminishingthegrimaspectofhiscountenance，butimpartingapeculiarlookoftrouble，andapainfulappearanceofmentaltensiontowardsoneabsorbingsubject。
Heonlyhalfaddressedme，andImaintainedsilence。Ididn\'tliketohearhimtalk!Afterashortperiodheresumedhismeditationonthepicture，tookitdownandleantitagainstthesofatocontemplateitatbetteradvantage；andwhilesooccupiedCatherineentered，announcingthatshewasready，whenherponyshouldbesaddled。
`Sendthatovertomorrow，\'saidHeathclifftome；thenturningtoher，headded——`Youmaydowithoutyourpony:itisafineevening，andyou\'llneednoponiesatWutheringHeights；forwhatjourneysyoutake，yourownfeetwillserveyou。Comealong。\'
`Goodbye，Ellen!\'whisperedmydearlittlemistress。Asshekissedme，herlipsfeltlikeice。`Comeandseeme，Ellen；don\'tforget。\'
`Takecareyoudonosuchthing，MrsDean!\'saidhernewfather。
`WhenIwishtospeaktoyouI\'llcomehere。Iwantnoneofyourpryingatmyhouse!\'
Hesignedhertoprecedehim；andcastingbackalookthatcutmyheart，sheobeyed。Iwatchedthemfromthewindow，walkdownthegarden。
HeathclifffixedCatherine\'sarmunderhis:thoughshedisputedtheactatfirstevidently；andwithrapidstrideshehurriedherintothealley，whosetreesconcealedthem。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter30IhavepaidavisittotheHeights，butIhavenotseenhersincesheleft:
JosephheldthedoorinhishandwhenIcalledtoaskafterher，andwouldn\'tletmepass。HesaidMrsLintonwas`thrang\'，andthemasterwasnotin。
Zillahhastoldmesomethingofthewaytheygoon，otherwiseIshouldhardlyknowwhowasdeadandwholiving。ShethinksCatherinehaughty，anddoesnotlikeher，Icanguessbyhertalk。Myyoungladyaskedsomeaidofherwhenshefirstcame；butMrHeathclifftoldhertofollowherownbusiness，andlethisdaughter-in-lawlookafterherself；andZillahwillinglyacquiesced，beinganarrow-minded，selfishwoman。Catherineevincedachild\'sannoyanceatthisneglect；repaiditwithcontempt，andthusenlistedmyinformantamongherenemies，assecurelyasifshehaddonehersomegreatwrong。IhadalongtalkwithZillahaboutsixweeksago，alittlebeforeyoucame，onedaywhenweforegatheredonthemoor；andthisiswhatshetoldme。
`ThefirstthingMrsLintondid\'，shesaid，`onherarrivalattheHeights，wastorunupstairs，withoutevenwishinggoodeveningtomeandJoseph；sheshutherselfintoLinton\'sroom，andremainedtillmorning。
Then，whilethemasterandEarnshawwereatbreakfast，sheenteredthehouse，andaskedallinaquiverifthedoctormightbesentfor？hercousinwasveryill。
`\"Weknowthat!\"answeredHeathcliff；\"buthislifeisnotworthafarthing，andIwon\'tspendafarthingonhim。\"
`\"ButIcannottellhowtodo，\"shesaid；\"andifnobodywillhelpme，he\'lldie!\"
`\"Walkoutoftheroom，\"criedthemaster，\"andletmeneverhearawordmoreabouthim!Noneherecarewhatbecomesofhim；ifyoudo，actthenurse；ifyoudonot，lockhimupandleavehim。\"
`Thenshebegantobotherme，andIsaidI\'dhadenoughplaguewiththetiresomething；weeachhadourtasks，andherswastowaitonLinton，MrHeathcliffbidmeleavethatlabourtoher。
`Howtheymanagedtogether，Ican\'ttell。Ifancyhefrettedagreatdeal，andmoanedhisselnnightandday；andshehadpreciouslittlerest:onecouldguessbyherwhitefaceandheavyeyes。Shesometimescameintothekitchenallwilderedlike，andlookedasifshewouldfainbegassistance；butIwasnotgoingtodisobeythemaster:Ineverdaredisobeyhim，MrsDean；and，thoughIthoughtitwrongthatKennethshouldnotbesentfor，itwasnoconcernofmineeithertoadviseorcomplain，andI
alwaysrefusedtomeddle。Onceortwice，afterwehadgonetobed，I\'vehappenedtoopenmydooragainandseenhersittingcryingonthestairs\'
top；andthenI\'veshutmyselfinquick，forfearofbeingmovedtointerfere。
Ididpityherthen，I\'msure:stillIdidn\'twishtolosemyplace，youknow。
`Atlast，onenightshecameboldlyintomychamber，andfrightenedmeoutofmywits，bysaying:
`\"TellMrHeathcliffthathissonisdying——I\'msureheis，thistime。Getup，instantly，andtellhim。\"
`Havingutteredthisspeech，shevanishedagain。Ilayaquarterofanhourlisteningandtrembling。Nothingstirred——thehousewasquiet。
`She\'smistaken，Isaidtomyself。He\'sgotoverit。Ineedn\'tdisturbthem；andIbegantodoze。Butmysleepwasmarredasecondtimebyasharpringingofthebell——theonlybellwehave，putuponpurposeforLinton；andthemastercalledtometoseewhatwasthematter，andinformthemthathewouldn\'thavethatnoiserepeated。
`IdeliveredCatherine\'smessage。Hecursedtohimself，andinafewminutescameoutwithalightedcandle，andproceededtotheirroom。
Ifollowed。MrsHeathcliffwasseatedbythebedside，withherhandsfoldedonherknees。Herfather-in-lawwentup，heldthelighttoLinton\'sface，lookedathim，andtouchedhim；afterwardsheturnedtoher。
`\"Now——Catherine，\"hesaid，\"howdoyoufeel？\"`Shewasdumb。
`\"Howdoyoufeel，Catherine？\"herepeated。
`\"He\'ssafe，andI\'mfree，\"sheanswered:\"Ishouldfeelwell——but\"，shecontinued，withabitternessshecouldn\'tconceal，\"youhaveleftmesolongtostruggleagainstdeathalone，thatIfeelandseeonlydeath!
Ifeellikedeath!\"
`Andshelookedlikeit，too!Igaveheralittlewine。HaretonandJoseph，whohadbeenwakenedbytheringingandthesoundoffeet，andheardourtalkfromoutside，nowentered。Josephwasfain，Ibelieve，ofthelad\'sremoval；Haretonseemedathoughtbothered:thoughhewasmoretakenupwithstaringatCatherinethanthinkingofLinton。Butthemasterbidhimgetofftobedagain:wedidn\'twanthishelp。HeafterwardsmadeJosephremovethebodytohischamber，andtoldmetoreturntomine，andMrsHeathcliffremainedbyherself。
`Inthemorning，hesentmetotellhershemustcomedowntobreakfast:shehadundressed，andappearedgoingtosleep，andsaidshewasill；atwhichIhardlywondered。IinformedMrHeathcliff，andhereplied:
`\"Well，letherbetillafterthefuneral；andgoupnowandthentogetherwhatisneedful；and，assoonassheseemsbetter，tellme。\"\'
Cathystayedupstairsafortnight，accordingtoZillah；whovisitedhertwiceaday，andwouldhavebeenrathermorefriendly，butherattemptsatincreasingkindnesswereproudlyandpromptlyrepelled。
Heathcliffwentuponce，toshowherLinton\'swill。Hehadbequeathedthewholeofhis，andwhathadbeenher，movablepropertytohisfather:
thepoorcreaturewasthreatened，orcoaxed，intothatactduringherweek\'sabsence，whenhisuncledied。Thelands，beingaminor，hecouldnotmeddlewith。However，MrHeathcliffhasclaimedandkepttheminhiswife\'srightandhisalso:Isupposelegally:atanyrate，Catherine，destituteofcashandfriends，cannotdisturbhispossession。
`Nobody\'，saidZillah，`everapproachedherdoor，exceptthatonce，butI；andnobodyaskedanythingabouther。ThefirstoccasionofhercomingdownintothehousewasonaSundayafternoon。Shehadcriedout，whenIcarriedupherdinner，thatshecouldn\'tbearanylongerbeinginthecold:andItoldherthemasterwasgoingtoThrushcrossGrange，andEarnshawandIneedn\'thinderherfromdescending；so，assoonassheheardHeathcliff\'shorsetrotoff，shemadeherappearancedonnedinblack，andheryellowcurlscombedbackbehindherearsasplainasaQuaker:
shecouldn\'tcombthemout。
`JosephandIgenerallygotochapelonSundays\'；thekirk，youknow，hasnoministernow，explainedMrsDean；andtheycalltheMethodists\'
orBaptists\'placeIcan\'tsaywhichitis，atGimmerton，achapel。`Josephhadgone，\'shecontinued，`butIthoughtpropertobideathome。Youngfolksarealwaysthebetterforanelder\'soverlooking；andHareton，withallhisbashfulness，isn\'tamodelofnicebehaviour。Ilethimknowthathiscousinwouldverylikelysitwithus，andshehadbeenalwaysusedtoseetheSabbathrespected；sohehadasgoodleavehisgunsandbitsofindoorworkalone，whileshestayed。Hecolouredupatthenews，andcasthiseyesoverhishandsandclothes。Thetrain-oilandgunpowderwereshovedoutofsightinaminute。Isawhemeanttogiveherhiscompany；
andIguessed，byhisway，hewantedtobepresentable；so，laughing，asIdurstnotlaughwhenthemasterisby，Iofferedtohelphim，ifhewould，andjokedathisconfusion。Hegrewsullen，andbegantoswear。
`Now，MrsDean，\'Zillahwenton，seeingmenotpleasedbyhermanner，`youhappenthinkyouryoungladytoofineforMrHareton；andhappenyou\'reright:butIownIshouldlovewelltobringherprideapeglower。Andwhatwillallherlearningandherdaintinessdoforher，now？She\'saspoorasyouorI:poorerI\'llbebound:you\'resaving，andI\'mdoingmylittleallthatroad。\'？HaretonallowedZillahtogivehimheraid；andsheflatteredhimintoagoodhumour:so，whenCatherinecame，halfforgettingherformerinsults，hetriedtomakehimselfagreeable，bythehousekeeper\'saccount。
`Missiswalkedin\'，shesaid，`aschillasanicicle，andashighasaprincess。Igotupandofferedhermyseatinthearmchair。No，sheturneduphernoseatmycivility。Earnshawrose，too，andbidhercometothesettle，andsitclosebythefire:hewassureshewasstarved。
`\"I\'vebeenstarvedamonthandmore，\"sheanswered，restingonthewordasscornfulasshecould。
`Andshegotachairforherself，andplaceditatadistancefrombothofus。Havingsattillshewaswarm，shebegantolookround，anddiscoveredanumberofbooksinthedresser；shewasinstantlyuponherfeetagain，stretchingtoreachthem:buttheyweretoohighup。Hercousin，afterwatchingherendeavoursawhile，atlastsummonedcouragetohelpher；sheheldherfrock，andhefilleditwiththefirstthatcametohand。
`Thatwasagreatadvanceforthelad。Shedidn\'tthankhim；still，hefeltgratifiedthatshehadacceptedhisassistance，andventuredtostandbehindassheexaminedthem，andeventostoopandpointoutwhatstruckhisfancyincertainoldpictureswhichtheycontained；norwashedauntedbythesaucystyleinwhichshejerkedthepagefromhisfinger:
hecontentedhimselfwithgoingabitfartherback，andlookingatherinsteadofthebook。Shecontinuedreading，orseekingforsomethingtoread。Hisattentionbecame，bydegrees，quitecentredinthestudyofherthick，silkycurls:herfacehecouldn\'tsee，andshecouldn\'tseehim。
And，perhaps，notquiteawaketowhathedid，butattractedlikeachildtoacandle，atlastheproceededfromstaringtotouching；heputouthishandandstrokedonecurl，asgentlyasifitwereabird。Hemighthavestuckaknifeintoherneck，shestartedroundinsuchataking。
`\"Getaway，thismoment!Howdareyoutouchme？Whyareyoustoppingthere？\"shecried，inatoneofdisgust。\"Ican\'tendureyou!I\'llgoupstairsagain，ifyoucomenearme。\"
`MrHaretonrecoiled，lookingasfoolishashecoulddo:hesatdowninthesettleveryquiet，andshecontinuedturningoverhervolumesanotherhalf-hour；finally，Earnshawcrossedover，andwhisperedtome:
`\"Willyouaskhertoreadtous，Zillah？I\'mstalledofdoingnaught；andIdolike——Icouldliketohearher!DunnotsayIwantedit，butaskofyourseln。\"
`\"MrHaretonwishesyouwouldreadtous，ma\'am，\"Isaidimmediately。
\"He\'dtakeitverykind——he\'dbemuchobliged。\"
`Shefrowned；andlookingup，answered:
`\"MrHareton，andthewholesetofyou，willbegoodenoughtounderstandthatIrejectanypretenceatkindnessyouhavethehypocrisytooffer!Idespiseyou，andwillhavenothingtosaytoanyofyou!WhenIwouldhavegivenmylifeforonekindword，eventoseeoneofyourfaces，youallkeptoff。ButIwon\'tcomplaintoyou!I\'mdrivendownherebythecold；noteithertoamuseyouorenjoyyoursociety。\"
`\"WhatcouldIha\'done？\"beganEarnshaw。\"HowwasItoblame？\"
`\"Oh!youareanexception，\"answeredMrsHeathcliff。\"Inevermissedsuchaconcernasyou。\"
`\"ButIofferedmorethanonce，andasked，\"hesaid，kindlingupatherpertness，\"IaskedMrHeathclifftoletmewakeforyou宍\"Besilent!I\'llgooutofdoors，oranywhere，ratherthanhaveyourdisagreeablevoiceinmyear!\"saidmylady。
`Haretonmutteredshemightgotohell，forhim!andunslinginghisgun，restrainedhimselffromhisSundayoccupationsnolonger。Hetalkednow，freelyenough；andshepresentlysawfittoretreattohersolitude:
butthefrosthadsetin，and，inspiteofherpride，shewasforcedtocondescendtoourcompany，moreandmore。However，Itookcarethereshouldbenofurtherscorningatmygoodnature:eversince，I\'vebeenasstiffasherself；andshehasnoloverorlikeramongus:andshedoesnotdeserveone；for，letthemsaytheleastwordtoher，andshe\'llcurlbackwithoutrespectofanyone!She\'llsnapatthemasterhimself，andasgoodasdareshimtothrashher；andthemorehurtshegets，themorevenomousshegrows。\'
Atfirst，onhearingthisaccountfromZillah，Ideterminedtoleavemysituation，takeacottage，andgetCatherinetocomeandlivewithme:butMrHeathcliffwouldassoonpermitthatashewouldsetupHaretoninanindependenthouse；andIcanseenoremedy，atpresent，unlessshecouldmarryagain:andthatschemeitdoesnotcomewithinmyprovincetoarrange。
ThusendedMrsDean\'sstory。Notwithstandingthedoctor\'sprophecy，Iamrapidlyrecoveringstrength；andthoughitbeonlythesecondweekinJanuary，Iproposegettingoutonhorsebackinadayortwo，andridingovertoWutheringHeights，toinformmylandlordthatIshallspendthenextsixmonthsinLondon；and，ifhelikes，hemaylookoutforanothertenanttotaketheplaceafterOctober。Iwouldnotpassanotherwinterhereformuch。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter31Yesterdaywasbright，calm，andfrosty。IwenttotheHeightsasIproposed；
myhousekeeperentreatedmetobearalittlenotefromhertoheryounglady，andIdidnotrefuse，fortheworthywomanwasnotconsciousofanythingoddinherrequest。Thefrontdoorstoodopen，butthejealousgatewasfastened，asatmylastvisit；Iknocked，andinvokedEarnshawfromamongthegardenbeds；heunchainedit，andIentered。Thefellowisashandsomearusticasneedbeseen。Itookparticularnoticeofhimthistime；butthenhedoeshisbest，apparently，tomaketheleastofhisadvantages。
IaskedifMrHeathcliffwereathome？Heanswered，No；buthewouldbeinatdinnertime。Itwaseleveno\'clock，andIannouncedmyintentionofgoinginandwaitingforhim，atwhichheimmediatelyflungdownhistoolsandaccompaniedme，intheofficeofwatchdog，notasasubstituteforthehost。
Weenteredtogether；Catherinewasthere，makingherselfusefulinpreparingsomevegetablesfortheapproachingmeal；shelookedmoresulkyandlessspiritedthanwhenIhadseenherfirst。Shehardlyraisedhereyestonoticeme，andcontinuedheremploymentwiththesamedisregardtocommonformsofpolitenessasbefore；neverreturningmybowandgoodmorningbytheslightestacknowledgment。
`Shedoesnotseemsoamiable\'，Ithought，`asMrsDeanwouldpersuademetobelieve。She\'sabeauty，itistrue；butnotanangel。\'
Earnshawsurlilybidherremoveherthingstothekitchen。`Removethemyourself，\'shesaid，pushingthemfromherassoonasshehaddone；
andretiringtoastoolbythewindow，whereshebegantocarvefiguresofbirdsandbeastsoutoftheturnipparingsinherlap。Iapproachedher，pretendingtodesireaviewofthegarden；and，asIfancied，adroitlydroppedMrsDean\'snoteontoherknee，unnoticedbyHareton——butsheaskedaloud，`Whatisthat？\'andchuckeditoff。
`Aletterfromyouroldacquaintance，thehousekeeperattheGrange，\'
Ianswered；annoyedatherexposingmykinddeed，andfearfullestitshouldbeimaginedamissiveofmyown。Shewouldgladlyhavegathereditupatthisinformation，butHaretonbeather；heseizedandputitinhiswaistcoat，sayingMrHeathcliffshouldlookatitfirst。Thereat，Catherinesilentlyturnedherfacefromus，and，verystealthily，drewoutherpockethandkerchiefandappliedittohereyes；andhercousin，afterstrugglingawhiletokeepdownhissofterfeelings，pulledouttheletterandflungitonthefloorbesideher，asungraciouslyashecould。Catherinecaughtandperusediteagerly；thenshebutafewquestionstomeconcerningtheinmates，rationalandirrational，ofherformerhome；andgazingtowardsthehills，murmuredinsoliloquy:
`IshouldliketoberidingMinnydownthere!Ishouldliketobeclimbingupthere!Oh!I\'mtired——I\'mstalled，Hareton!\'Andsheleantherprettyheadbackagainstthesill，withhalfayawnandhalfasigh，andlapsedintoanaspectofabstractedsadness:neithercaringnorknowingwhetherweremarkedher。
`MrsHeathcliff，\'Isaid，aftersittingsometimemute，`youarenotawarethatIamanacquaintanceofyours？sointimatethatIthinkitstrangeyouwon\'tcomeandspeaktome。Myhousekeeperneverweariesoftalkingaboutandpraisingyou；andshe\'llbegreatlydisappointedifIreturnwithnonewsoforfromyou，exceptthatyoureceivedherletterandsaidnothing!\'
Sheappearedtowonderatthisspeech，andasked:
`DoesEllenlikeyou？\'
`Yes，verywell，\'Irepliedunhesitatingly。
`Youmusttellher，\'shecontinued，`thatIwouldanswerherletter，butlhavenomaterialsforwriting:notevenabookfromwhichImighttearaleaf。\'
`Nobooks!\'Iexclaimed。`Howdoyoucontrivetoliveherewithoutthem？iflmaytakethelibertytoinquire。Thoughprovidedwithalargelibrary，I\'mfrequentlyverydullattheGrange；takemybooksaway，andIshouldbedesperate!\'
`Iwasalwaysreading，whenIhadthem，\'saidCatherine；`andMrHeathcliffneverreads；sohetookitintohisheadtodestroymybooks。
Ihavenothadaglimpseofoneforweeks。Onlyonce，IsearchedthroughJoseph\'sstoreoftheology，tohisgreatirritation；andonce，Hareton，Icameuponasecretstockinyourroom——someLatinandGreek，andsometalesandpoetry:alloldfriends。Ibroughtthelasthere——andyougatheredthem，asamagpiegatherssilverspoons，forthemereloveofstealing!
Theyareofnousetoyou；orelseyouconcealedtheminthebadspiritthatasyoucannotenjoythemnobodyelseshall。PerhapsyourenvycounselledMrHeathclifftorobmeofmytreasures？ButI\'vemostofthemwrittenonmybrainandprintedinmyheart，andyoucannotdeprivemeofthose!\'
Earnshawblushedcrimsonwhenhiscousinmadethisrevelationofhisprivateliteraryaccumulations，andstammeredanindignantdenialofheraccusations。\'
`MrHaretonisdesirousofincreasinghisamountofknowledge，\'
Isaid，comingtohisrescue。`Heisnotenviousbutemulousofyourattainments。He\'llbeacleverscholarinafewyears。\'
`Andhewantsmetosinkintoadunce，meantime，\'answeredCatherine。`Yes，Ihearhimtryingtospellandreadtohimself，andprettyblundershemakes!IwishyouwouldrepeatChevyChaseasyoudidyesterday:
itwasextremelyfunny。Iheardyou；andIheardyouturningoverthedictionarytoseekoutthehardwords，andthencursingbecauseyoucouldn\'treadtheirexplanations!\'
Theyoungmanevidentlythoughtittoobadthatheshouldbelaughedatforhisignorance，andthenlaughedatfortryingtoremoveit。Ihadasimilarnotion；and，rememberingMrsDean\'sanecdoteofhisfirstattemptatenlighteningthedarknessinwhichhehadbeenreared，Iobserved:
`But，MrsHeathcliff，wehaveeachhadacommencement，andeachstumbledandtotteredonthethreshold；hadourteachersscornedinsteadofaidingus，weshouldstumbleandtotteryet。\'
`Oh!\'shereplied，`Idon\'twishtolimithisacquirements:still，hehasnorighttoappropriatewhatismine，andmakeitridiculoustomewithhisvilemistakesandmispronunciations!Thosebooks，bothproseandverse，wereconsecratedtomebyotherassociations；andIhatetohavethemdebasedandprofanedinhismouth!Besides，ofall，hehasselectedmyfavouritepiecesthatIlovethemosttorepeat，asifoutofdeliberatemalice。\'
Hareton\'schestheavedinsilenceaminute:helabouredunderaseveresenseofmortificationandwrath，whichitwasnoeasytasktosuppress。Irose，and，fromagentlemanlyideaofrelievinghisembarrassment，tookupmystationinthedoorway，surveyingtheexternalprospectasI
stood。Hefollowedmyexample，andlefttheroom；butpresentlyreappeared，bearinghalfadozenvolumesinhishands，whichhethrewintoCatherine\'slap，exclaiming:
`Takethem!Ineverwanttohear，orread，orthinkofthemagain!\'
`Iwon\'thavethemnow，\'sheanswered。`Ishallconnectthemwithyou，andhatethem。\'
Sheopenedonethathadobviouslybeenoftenturnedover，andreadaportioninthedrawlingtoneofabeginner；thenlaughed，andthrewitfromher。`Andlisten，\'shecontinuedprovokingly，commencingaverseofanoldballadinthesamefashion。
Buthisself-lovewouldendurenofurthertorment:Iheard，andnotaltogetherdisapprovingly，amanualcheckgiventohersaucytongue。
Thelittlewretchhaddoneherutmosttohurthercousinssensitivethoughuncultivatedfeelings，andaphysicalargumentwastheonlymodehehadofbalancingtheaccount，andrepayingitseffectsontheinflicter。Heafterwardsgatheredthebooksandhurledthemonthefire。Ireadinhiscountenancewhatanguishitwastoofferthatsacrificetospleen。Ifanciedthatastheyconsumed，herecalledthepleasuretheyhadalreadyimparted，andthetriumphandever-increasingpleasurehehadanticipatedfromthem；
andIfanciedIguessedtheincitementtohissecretstudiesalso。Hehadbeencontentwithdailylabourandroughanimalenjoyments，tillCatherinecrossedhispath。Shameatherscorn，andhopeofherapproval，werehisfirstprompterstohigherpursuits；and，insteadofguardinghimfromoneandwinninghimtotheother，hisendeavourstorisehimselfhadproducedjustthecontraryresult。
`Yes；that\'sallthegoodthatsuchabruteasyoucangetfromthem!\'criedCatherine，suckingherdamagedlip，andwatchingtheconflagrationwithindignanteyes。
`You\'dbetterholdyourtongue，now，\'heansweredfiercely。
Andhisagitationprecludingfurtherspeech，headvancedhastilytotheentrance，whereImadewayforhimtopass。Buterehehadcrossedthedoorstones，MrHeathcliff，comingupthecauseway，encounteredhim，andlayingholdofhisshoulder，asked:
\"What\'stodonow，mylad？\'
`Naught，naught，\'hesaid，andbrokeawaytoenjoyhisgriefandangerinsolitude。
Heathcliffgazedafterhim，andsighed。
`ItwillbeoddifIthwartmyself，\'hemuttered，unconsciousthatIwasbehindhim。`ButwhenIlookforhisfatherinhisface，Ifindhereverydaymore。Howthedevilishesolike？Icanhardlybeartoseehim。\'
Hebenthiseyestotheground，andwalkedmoodilyin。Therewasarestless，anxiousexpressioninhiscountenanceIhadneverremarkedtherebefore；andhelookedsparerinperson。Hisdaughter-in-law，onperceivinghimthroughthewindow，immediatelyescapedtothekitchen，sothatIremainedalone。
`I\'mgladtoseeyououtofdoorsagain，MrLockwood，\'hesaid，inreplytomygreeting；`fromselfishmotivespartly:Idon\'tthinkI
couldreadilysupplyyourlossinthisdesolation。I\'vewonderedmorethanoncewhatbroughtyouhere。
`Anidlewhim，Ifear，sir，\'wasmyanswer；`orelseanidlewhimisgoingtospiritmeaway。IshallsetoutforLondon，nextweek；andImustgiveyouwarningthatIfeelnodispositiontoretainThrushcrossGrangebeyondthetwelvemonthsIagreedtorentit。1believeIshallnotlivethereanymore。\'
`Oh，indeed；you\'retiredofbeingbanishedfromtheworld，areyou？\'hesaid。`Butifyoubecomingtopleadoffpayingforaplaceyouwon\'toccupy，yourjourneyisuseless:Ineverrelentinexactingmyduefromanyone。\'
`I\'mcomingtopleadoffnothingaboutit，\'Iexclaimed，considerablyirritated。`Shouldyouwishit，I\'llsettlewithyounow，\'andIdrewmynotebookfrommypocket。
`No，no，\'herepliedcoolly；`you\'llleavesufficientbehindtocoveryourdebts，ifyoufailtoreturn:I\'mnotinsuchahurry。Sitdownandtakeyourdinnerwithus；aguestthatissafefromrepeatinghisvisitcangenerallybemadewelcome。Catherine，bringthethingsin:whereareyou？\'
Catherinereappeared，bearingatrayofknivesandforks。
`YoumaygetyourdinnerwithJoseph，\'mutteredHeathcliffaside，`andremaininthekitchentillheisgone。\'
Sheobeyedhisdirectionsverypunctually:perhapsshehadnotemptationtotransgress。Livingamongclownsandmisanthropists，sheprobablycannotappreciateabetterclassofpeoplewhenshemeetsthem。
WithMrHeathcliff，grimandsaturnine，ontheonehand，andHareton，absolutelydumb，ontheother，Imadeasomewhatcheerlessmeal，andbidadieuearly。Iwouldhavedepartedbythebackway，togetalastglimpseofCatherineandannoyoldJoseph；butHaretonreceivedorderstoleadupmyhorse，andmyhosthimselfescortedmetothedoor，soIcouldnotfulfilmywish。
`Howdrearylifegetsoverinthathouse!\'lreflected，whileridingdowntheroad。`WhatarealizationofsomethingmoreromanticthanafairytaleitwouldhavebeenforMrsLintonHeathcliff，hadsheandIstruckupanattachment，ashergoodnursedesired，andmigratedtogetherintothestirringatmosphereofthetown!\'
[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter321802——
ThisSeptemberIwasinvitedtodevastatethemoorsofafriendinthenorth，andonmyjourneytohisabode，IunexpectedlycamewithinfifteenmilesofGimmerton。Theostlerataroadsidepublichousewasholdingapailofwatertorefreshmyhorses，whenacartofverygreenoats，newlyreaped，passedby，andheremarked:
`Yon\'sfroughGimmerton，nah!They\'reallasthreewickafterotherfolkwi\'therharvest。\'
`Gimmerton？`Irepeated——myresidenceinthatlocalityhadalreadygrowndimanddreamy。`Ah!Iknow。Howfarisitfromthis？\'
`Happenfourteenmileo\'erth\'hills；andaroughroad，\'heanswered。
AsuddenimpulseseizedmetovisitThrushcrossGrange。Itwasscarcelynoon，andIconceivedthatImightaswellpassthenightundermyownroofasinaninn。Besides，Icouldspareadayeasilytoarrangematterswithmylandlord，andthussavemyselfthetroubleofinvadingtheneighbourhoodagain。Havingrestedawhile，Idirectedmyservanttoinquirethewaytothevillage；and，withgreatfatiguetoourbeasts，wemanagedthedistanceinsomethreehours。
Ilefthimthere，andproceededdownthevalleyalone。Thegreychurchlookedgreyer，andthelonelychurchyardlonelier。Idistinguishedamoorsheepcroppingtheshortturfonthegraves。Itwassweet，warmweather——toowarmfortravelling；buttheheatdidnothindermefromenjoyingthedelightfulsceneryaboveandbelow:hadIseenitnearerAugust，I\'msureitwouldhavetemptedmetowasteamonthamongitssolitudes。Inwinternothingmoredreary，insummernothingmoredivine，thanthoseglensshutinbyhills，andthosebluff，boldswellsofheath。
IreachedtheGrangebeforesunset，andknockedforadmittance；
butthefamilyhadretreated\'intothebackpremises，Ijudged，byonethin，bluewreathcurlingfromthekitchenchimney，andtheydidnothear。
Irodeintothecourt。Undertheporch，agirlofnineortensatknitting，andanoldwomanreclinedonthehousesteps，smokingameditativepipe。
`IsMrsDeanwithin？\'Idemandedofthedame。
`MistressDean？Nay!\'sheanswered，`shoodoesn\'tbidehere:shoo\'supatth\'Heights。\'
`Areyouthehousekeeper，then？\'Icontinued。
`Ea，Awkeepth\'house，\'shereplied。
`Well，I\'mMrLockwood，themaster。Arethereanyroomstolodgemein，Iwonder？Iwishtostayhereallnight。\'
`T\'maister!\'shecriedinastonishment。`Whet，whoiverknewyahwurcoming？Yahsudha\'sendword。They\'snowtnortherdrynormensfulabahtt\'place:nowtthereisn\'t!\'
Shethrewdownherpipeandbustledin，thegirlfollowed，andIenteredtoo；soonperceivingthatherreportwastrue，and，moreover，thatIhadalmostupsetherwitsbymyunwelcomeapparition，Ibidherbecomposed。Iwouldgooutforawalk；and，meantime，shemusttrytoprepareacornerofasitting-roomformetosupin，andabedroomtosleepin。Nosweepinganddusting，onlygoodfireanddrysheetswerenecessary。
Sheseemedwillingtodoherbest；thoughshethrustthehearth-brushintothegratesinmistakeforthepoker，andmalappropriatedseveralotherarticlesofhercraft:butIretired，confidinginherenergyforaresting-placeagainstmyreturn。WutheringHeightswasthegoalofmyproposedexcursion。
Anafterthoughtbroughtmeback，whenIhadquittedthecourt。
`AllwellattheHeights？\'Iinquiredofthewoman。
`Eea，f\'rowtEeknaw，\'sheanswered，skurryingawaywithapanofhotcinders。
IwouldhaveaskedwhyMrsDeanhaddesertedtheGrange，butitwasimpossibletodelayheratsuchacrisis，soIturnedawayandmademyexit，ramblingleisurelyalongwiththeglowofasinkingsunbehind，andthemildgloryofarisingmooninfront——onefading，andtheotherbrightening——asIquittedthepark，andclimbedthestonyby-roadbranchingofftoMrHeathcliff\'sdwelling。BeforeIarrivedinsightofit，allthatremainedofdaywasabeamlessamberlightalongthewest:butIcouldseeeverypebbleonthepath，andeverybladeofgrass，bythatsplendidmoon。Ihadneithertoclimbthegatenortoknock——ityieldedtomyhand。
Thatisanimprovement，Ithought。AndInoticedanother，bytheaidofmynostrils；afragranceofstocksandwallflowerswaftedontheairfromamongstthehomelyfruittrees。
Bothdoorsandlatticeswereopen；andyet，asisusuallythecaseinacoaldistrict，afine，redfireilluminedthechimney:thecomfortwhichtheeyederivesfromitrenderstheextraheatendurable。ButthehouseofWutheringHeightsissolarge，thattheinmateshaveplentyofspaceforwithdrawingoutofitsinfluence；andaccordingly，whatinmatestherewerehadstationedthemselvesnotfarfromoneofthewindows。I
couldbothseethemandhearthemtalkbeforeIentered，andlookedandlistenedinconsequence；beingmovedtheretobyamingledsenseofcuriosityandenvy，thatgrewasIlingered。
`Con-trary!\'saidavoiceassweetasasilverbell——`Thatforthethirdtime，youdunce!I\'mnotgoingtotellyouagain。Recollect，orI\'llpullyourhair!\'
`Contrary，then，\'answeredanother，indeepbutsoftenedtones。
`Andnow，kissme，formindingsowell。\'
`No，readitoverfirstcorrectly，withoutasinglemistake。\'
Themalespeakerbegantoread:hewasayoungman，respectablydressedandseatedatatable，havingabookbeforehim。Hishandsomefeaturesglowedwithpleasure，andhiseyeskeptimpatientlywanderingfromthepagetoasmallwhitehandoverhisshoulder，whichrecalledhimbyasmartslaponthecheek，wheneveritsownerdetectedsuchsignsofinattention。
Itsownerstoodbehind；herlight，shiningringletsblending，atintervals，withhisbrownlocks，asshebenttosuperintendhisstudies；andherface——itwasluckyhecouldnotseeherface，orhewouldneverhavebeensosteady。
Icould:andIbitmylipinspite，athavingthrownawaythechanceI
mighthavehadofdoingsomethingbesidesstaringatitssmilingbeauty。
Thetaskwasdone，notfreefromfurtherblunders；butthepupilclaimedareward，andreceivedatleastfivekisses:which，