About midnight
However , Catherine would not be persuaded into tranquillity . She kept wandering to and fro , from the gate to the door , in a state of agitation which permitted no repose ; and at length took up a permanent situation on one side of the wall , near the road : where , heedless of my expostulations and the growling thunder , and the great drops that began to plash around her , she remained , calling at intervals , and then listening , and then crying outright . She beat Hareton , or any child , at a good passionate fit of crying . About midnight , while we still sat up , the storm came rattling over the Heights in full fury . There was a violent wind , as well as thunder , and either one or the other split a tree off at the corner of the building : a huge bough fell across the roof , and knocked down a portion of the east chimney-stack , sending a clatter of stones and soot into the kitchen-fire . We thought a bolt had fallen in the middle of us ; and Joseph swung on to his knees , beseeching the Lord to remember the patriarchs Noah and Lot , and , as in former times , spare the righteous , though he smote the ungodly . I felt some sentiment that it must be a judgment on us also .