m Mrs. dreadfully wayward sir I called out as bad as any marred child you'd better be riding home or else she will be sick he looked through the window he possessed the power to depart as much as a cat possesses the power to leave a mouse half killed or a bird half eaten ah! I thought there will be no saving him he's doomed and flies to his fate and so it was he turned abruptly hastened into the house again shut the door behind him and when I went in the while after to inform them that Anshar had come home rabid drunk ready to pull the whole place about our ears his ordinary frame of mind in that condition I saw the quarrel had merely affected a closer intimacy had broken the outworks of youthful timidity and enabled them to forsake the disguise of friendship and confess themselves lovers intelligence of Mr. Hindley's arrival drove Linton speedily to his horse and Catherine to her chamber I went to hide little heriton and to take the shot at of the master's fouling piece which he was fond of playing with in his remaining excitement to the hazard of the lives of any who provoked or even attracted his notice too much and I had hit upon the plan of removing it that he might do less mischief if he did go to the length of firing the gun End of Chapter 8 Chapter 9 of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte this LibriVox recording is in the public domain he entered, vociferating Oath's dreadful to hear and caught me by the act of stowing his son away in the kitchen cupboard Heriton was impressed with the wholesome terror of encountering either his wild beast fondness or his madman's rage for in one he ran a chance of being squeezed and kissed to death and in the other of being flung into the fire or dashed against the wall and the poor thing remained perfectly quiet wherever I chose to put him There!   Someone approaching on the stairs foot I lent forward also for the purpose of signing to Heathcliff whose step I recognized not to come further and at the instant when my eye quitted Herotin he gave a sudden spring delivering himself from the careless grasp that held him and fell There was scarcely time to experience a thrill of horror before we saw that the little wretch was safe Heathcliff arrived underneath just at the critical moment by a natural impulse he arrested his descent letting him on his feet looked up to discover the author of the accident a miser who had parted with a lucky lottery ticket for five shillings and finds next day he has lost in the bag in five thousand pounds could not show a blanker countenance than he did on beholding the figure of Mr. Earnshaw above It expressed, plainer than words could do the intense anguish at having made himself the instrument of thwarting his own revenge Had it been dark I dare say the mistake by smashing Herotin's skull on the steps but we witnessed his salvation and I was presently below with my precious charge pressed to my heart Hindley descended more leisurely sobered and abashed It's your fault, Elin You should have kept him out of sight You should have taken him from me Is he injured anywhere?  Yes, Miss, I replied She entered and approached the hearth I, supposing she was going to say something looked up the expression of her face seemed disturbed and anxious her lips were have asunder as if she meant to speak and she drew a breath but it escaped in a sigh instead of a sentence I resumed my song not having forgotten her recent behaviour Where's Heathcliff? she said, interrupting me about his work in the stable was my answer he did not contradict me perhaps he had fallen into a dose there followed another long pause during which I perceived a drop or two trickle from Catherine's cheek to the flags Is she sorry for her shameful conduct? I asked myself that will be a novelty but she may come to the point as she will, I shan't help her No, she felt small trouble regarding any subject save her own concerns Oh dear She cried at last I'm very unhappy A pity, observed I You're hard to please so many friends and so few cares and can't make yourself content Nelly, will you keep a secret for me? She pursued kneeling down by me and lifting her winsome eyes to my face with that sort of look which turns off bad temper even when one has all the right in the world to indulge it Is it worth caping? I inquired less sulkily Yes, and it worries me and I must let it out I want to know what I should do Today, Edgar Linton has asked me to marry him and I've given him an answer Now, before I tell you whether it was a consent or denial, you tell me which it ought to have been Really, Miss Catherine, how can I know? I replied, to be sure considering the exhibition you performed in his presence this afternoon I might say it would be wise to refuse him since he asked you after that he must either be hopelessly stupid or a venturesome fool If you talk so, I won't tell you any more She returned peevishly rising to her feet I accepted him, Nelly be quick and say whether I was wrong You accepted him then what good is it discussing the matter you have pledged your word and cannot retract But say whether I should have done so do She exclaimed in an irritated tone chafing her hands together and frowning There are many things to be considered before that question can be answered properly I said sententiously First and foremost do you love Mr Edgar I can help it, of course I do She answered Then I put her through the following catechism for a girl of twenty-two it was not injudicious Why do you love him Miss Cathy Nonsense, I do that's sufficient By no means, you must say why Well, because he is handsome and pleasant to be with Bad, was my commentary and because he is young and cheerful Bad still and because he loves me Indifferent, coming there and he will be rich and I shall like to be the greatest woman of the neighbourhood and I shall be proud of having such a husband Worst of all and now say how you love him As everybody loves you're stilly Nelly Not at all, answer I love the ground under his feet and the air over his head and everything he touches and every word he says I love all his looks and all his actions and him entirely and all together there now And why? Nay, you are making a jest of it it is exceedingly ill-natured it's no jest to me said the young lady scowling and turning her face to the fire I'm very far from jesting Miss Catherine I replied You love Mr Edgar because he is handsome and young and cheerful and rich the last however goes for nothing you would love him without that probably and with it you wouldn't unless he possessed the four former attractions No, to be sure not I should only pity him hate him perhaps, if you were ugly and a clown But there are several other handsome rich young men in the world, handsomer possibly and richer than he is What should hinder you from loving them? If there be any way, I've seen none like Edgar You may see some and he won't always be handsome and young and may not always be rich He is now and I have only to do with the present I wish you would speak rationally Well, that settles it if you have only to do with the present marry Mr Linton I don't want your permission for that I shall marry him and yet you have not told me whether I am right Perfectly right If people be right to marry only for the present and now let us hear what you are unhappy about Your brother will be pleased The old lady and gentleman will not object, I think You will escape from a disorderly comfortless home into a wealthy respectable one and you love Edgar and Edgar loves you All seems smooth and easy Where is the obstacle? Here and here replied Catherine striking one hand on her forehead and the other on her breast In whichever place the soul lives in my soul and in my heart I'm convinced I'm wrong That's very strange I cannot make it out It's my secret but if you will not mock at me I'll explain it I can't do it distinctly but I'll give you a feeling of how I feel She seated herself by me again her countenance, crusader and graver and her clasped hands trembled Do you never dream queer dreams? She said suddenly after some minutes' reflection Yes, now and then I answered And so do I I've dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me ever after and changed my ideas They've gone through and through me like wine through water and altered the colour of my mind and this is one I'm going to tell it Oh, don't, Miss Catherine I cried We're dismal enough without conjuring up ghost envisions to perplex us Come, come, be merry and like yourself Look at the little heriton He's dreaming nothing dreary How sweetly he smiles in his sleep Yes, and how sweetly his father curses in his solitude You remember him, I dare say when he was just such another as that chubby thing nearly as young and innocent However, Nelly, I shall oblige you to listen It's not long and I've no power to be merry tonight I won't hear it, I won't hear it I repeated hastily I was superstitious about dreams then and am still and Catherine had an unusual gloom in her aspect that made me dread something from which I might shape a prophecy and foresee a fearful catastrophe She was vexed, but she did not proceed apparently taking up another subject she recommenced in a short time If I were in heaven, Nelly I should be extremely miserable Because you are not fit to go there I answered All sinners would be miserable in heaven But it is not for that I dreamt once that I was there I tell you I won't talk into your dreams Miss Catherine, I'll go to bed I interrupted again She laughed and held me down for I made a motion to leave my chair This is nothing cried she I was only going to say that heaven did not seem to be my home and I broke my heart with weeping to come back to earth and the angels were so angry that they flung me out into the middle of the heath on the top of Wuthering Heights where I woke sobbing for joy that were due to explain my secret as well as the other I've no more business to marry Edgar Linton than I have to be in heaven and if the wicked man in there had not brought Heathcliff so low it would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now so he shall never know how I love him and that not because he's handsome Nellie but because he's more myself than I am Whatever our souls are made of his and mine are the same and Linton's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning or frost from fire ere this speech ended I became sensible of Heathcliff's presence having noticed a slight movement I turned my head and then rise from the bench and steal out noiselessly he had listened till he heard Catherine say it would degrade her to marry him and then he stayed to hear no further my companions sitting on the ground was prevented by the back of the settle from remarking on his presence or departure but I started and bade her hush Why? she asked gazing nervously round Joseph is here I answered catching opportunely the role of his cartwheels up the road I'm not sure whether he would not at the door this moment Oh! he couldn't overhear me at the door said she give me hair-tin while you get the supper and when it is ready ask me to sup with you I want to cheat my uncomfortable conscience and be convinced that Heathcliff has no notion of these things he has not has he? he does not know what being in love is I say no reason that he should not know as well as you I returned and if you are his choice the unfortunate creature that ever was born as soon as you become Mrs. Linton he loses friend and love and all have you considered how you'll bear the separation and how he'll bear to be quite deserted in the world because Miss Catherine he quite deserted we separated she exclaimed with an accent of indignation who is to separate us pray they'll meet the fate of Milo not as long as I live, Ellen for no mortal creature every Linton on the face of the earth might melt into nothing before I could consent to forsake Heathcliff oh that's not what I intend that's not what I mean I shouldn't be Mrs. Linton were such a price demanded he'll be as much to me as he has been all his lifetime Edgar must shake off his antipathy and tolerate him at least he will when he learns my true feelings towards him Nelly I see now you think me a selfish wretch but did it never strike you that if Heathcliff and I married we should be beggars whereas if I marry Linton I can aid Heathcliff to rise and place him out of my brother's power with your husband's money Miss Catherine I asked you'll find him not so pliable as you calculate upon and though I'm hardly a judge I think that's the worst motive you've given yet for being the wife of young Linton it is not retorted she it is the best satisfaction of my whims and for Edgar's sake too to satisfy him this is for the sake of one who comprehends in his person my feelings to Edgar and myself I cannot express it but surely you and everybody have a notion that there is or should be an existence of yours beyond you what were the use of my creation if I were entirely contained here my great miseries in this world have been Heathcliff's miseries and I watched and felt each from the beginning my great thought in living is himself if all else perished and he remained I should still continue to be and if all else remained and he were annihilated the universe would turn to a mighty stranger I should not seem a part of it my love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods time will change it I'm well aware as winter changes the trees my love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath a source of little visible delight but necessary Nelly, I am Heathcliff he's always, always in my mind not as a pleasure any more than I am always a pleasure to myself but as my own being so don't talk of our separation again it is impracticable and she paused and hid her face in the folds of my gown but I jerked it forcibly away I was out of patience with her fully if I can make any sense of your nonsense, miss, I said it only goes to convince me that you are ignorant of the duties you undertake in marrying or else that you are wicked, unprincipled girl but trouble me with no more secrets I'll not promise to keep them you'll keep that she asked eagerly no, I'll not promise I repeated she was about to insist when the entrance of Joseph finished our conversation and Catherine removed her seat to a corner and nurse Territon while I made the supper after it was cooked my fellow servant and I began to quarrel who should carry some to Mr. Hindley and we didn't settle it till all was nearly cold then we came to the agreement that we would let him ask if he wanted any for we feared particularly to go into his presence when he had been some time alone and how isn't that note come in for what the field be this time what is he about good, I'll see it she demanded the old man looking round for Heathcliff I'll call him, I replied he's in the barn I've no doubt I went and called but got no answer on returning I whispered to Catherine that he had heard a good part of what she had said I was sure and told how I saw him quit the kitchen just as she complained of her brother's conduct regarding him she jumped up in a fine fright flung Heriton onto the settle and ran to seek for her friend herself not taking leisure to consider why she was so flurried or how her talk would have affected him she was absent such a while that Joseph proposed we should wait no longer he cunningly conjectured they were staying away in order to avoid hearing his protracted blessing they were he'll ignore for any foul manners he affirmed and on their behalf he added that night a special prayer to the unusual quarter of an hour supplication before meet and would have tacked another to the end of the grace had not his young mistress broken in upon him with a hurried command that he must run down the road and wherever Heathcliff had rambled find and make him re-enter directly I want to speak to him and I must before I go upstairs she said and the gate is open he is somewhere out of hearing for he will not reply though I shouted at the top of the fold as loud as I could Joseph objected at first she was too much in earnest however to suffer contradiction and at last he placed his hat on his head and walked grumbling forth meantime Catherine paced up and down the floor exclaiming I wonder where he is I wonder where he can be what did I say Nellie I've forgotten was he vexed at my bad humour this afternoon dear tell me what I've said to grieve him I do wish he'd come I do wish he would what a noise for nothing I cried though rather uneasy myself the trifle scares you it's surely no great cause of alarm that Heathcliff should take a moonlight saunter on the moors or even lie too sulky to speak to us in a hay loft I'll engage his lurking there see if I don't ferret him out I departed to renew my search its result was disappointment and Joseph's quest ended the same you're not yet swore and wore observed he on re-entering he's left the gate at full swing and Mrs. Pony is trodden down two rigs of corn and blotted through right over into the meadow handsome diver to Maestro played the devil to myrrh and he'll do well he's patience at sail with its careless, awful craters patience at sail he hears but you'll not be so Alice yes see all on ye ye are wanted to drive him out of his head for note have you found Heathcliff you arse? interrupted Catherine have you been looking for him as I ordered? arse would more likely look for the horse it'd be to more sense but I can look for no other horse nor a man underneath like this as black as the chimney and Heathcliff's known to chap to Comet Ma whistle happen he'll be less heard of hearing we ye it was a very dark evening for summer the clouds appeared inclined to thunder and I said we had better all sit down the approaching rain would be certain to bring him home without further trouble however Catherine would not be persuaded into tranquility 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 Herotin or any child at a good passionate fit of crying about midnight while we still set up the storm came rattling over the heights in a 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 bow 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 patriarch's knower and lot and as in former times spare the righteous though he smote the ungodly I felt some sentiment that it must be a judgement on us also the Jonah in my mind was Mr. Earnshaw and I shook the handle of his den that I might ascertain if he were yet living he replied audibly enough in a fashion which made my companion vociferate more clamorously than before that a wide distinction might be drawn between saints like himself and sinners like his master but the opera passed away in twenty minutes leaving us all unharmed excepting Kathy who got thoroughly drenched for her obstinacy and refusing to take shelter and standing bonnetless and shoreless to catch as much water as she could with her hair in clothes and then laid down on the settle all soaked as she was turning her face to the back and putting her hands before it well miss I exclaimed touching her shoulder you're not bent on getting your death are you do you know what a clock it is half past twelve come come to bed there's no use waiting any longer on that foolish boy he'll be gone to Gimiton and he'll stay there now he guesses we shouldn't wait for him till this late hour at least he guesses that only Mr. Hindley would be up and he'd rather avoid having the door opened by the master nay nay he's known at Gimiton said Joseph he's never wonder but he's at the bottom of a bog hill this visitation warrant finned out and I would have you to look out miss you are moving to next thank even for all all works together for good to them as he's chosen from the rubage you know what the script it says and he began quoting several texts referring us to chapters and verses where we might find them I having vainly begged the willful girl to rise and remove her wet things left him preaching and her shivering and betook myself to bed with little Heriton who slept as fast as if everyone had been sleeping around him I heard Joseph read on a while afterwards then I distinguished his slow step on the ladder and then I dropped to sleep coming down somewhat later than usual I saw by the sunbeams piercing the chinks of the shutters Miss Catherine still seated near the fireplace the house door was ajar too light entered from its unclosed windows Hindley had come out and stood on the kitchen half haggard and drowsy what else you Kathy he was saying when I entered you look as Dismas a drowned welp why you so dapp and pale child I've been wet she answered reluctantly and I'm cold that's all oh she is naughty I cried perceiving the master to be tolerably sober she got steeped in the shower of yesterday evening and there she has sat the night through and I couldn't prevail on her to stir Mr. Urn shall stare at us in surprise the night through he repeated I kept her up not fear of thunder surely that was over hours since neither of us wished to mention Heathcliff's absence as long as we could conceal it so I replied I didn't know how she took it into her head to sit up and she said nothing the morning was fresh and cool I threw back the lattice and presently the room filled with sweet scents from the garden but Catherine called peevishly to me Ellen shut the window I'm starving and her teeth chattered as she shrank closer to the almost extinguished embers she's ill said Hindley taking her wrist I suppose that's the reason she would not go to bed damn it I don't want to be troubled more sickness here what took you into the rain running after the lads as usual croaked to Joseph catching an opportunity from our hesitation to thrust in his evil tongue if I were your master I'd just slam the boards in their faces all on him gentle and simple never a day would you're off beyond Carl Linton comes sneaking hither and Miss Nilly shows a fine lass shows it's watching for you to kitchen and as you're in at one door he's out at tither and then where Grand Lady goes a courting of her side it's Bonnie behavior lurking among the fields after twelve at the night with the foul police and devil of a gypsy Heathcliff they think I'm blind but I'm no note of the sight I see young Linton board coming and going and I see ya directing his discourse to me you're good for note slightly witch nip up and board into the house to minute you're heard the master's horse fit clutter up the road silence eavesdropper cried Catherine none of your insolence before me Edgar Linton came yesterday by chance Hinley and it was I who told him to be off because I knew you would not like to have met him as you were you lie Kathy no doubt answered her brother and you are confounded simpleton but never mind Linton at present tell me were you not with Heathcliff last night speak the truth now you need not be afraid of harming him though I hate him as much as ever he did me a good turn a short time since that will make my conscience tender of breaking his neck to prevent it I shall send him about his business this very morning and after he's gone I'd advise you all to look sharp I shall only have the more humour for you I never saw Heathcliff last night answered Catherine beginning to sob bitterly and if you do turn him out of doors I'll go with him but perhaps you'll never have an opportunity perhaps he's gone here she burst into uncontrollable grief and the remainder of her words were inarticulate Hinley lavished on her a torrent of scornful abuse and bade her get to a room immediately or she shouldn't cry for nothing I obliged her to obey and I shall never forget what a scene she acted when we reached her chamber it terrified me I thought she was going mad and I begged Joseph to run for the doctor it proved to the commencement of delirium Mr. Kenneth, as soon as he saw her pronounced her dangerously ill she had a fever he bled her and he told me to let her live on way and water grew and take care she did not throw herself downstairs or out of the window and then he left for he had enough to do in the parish where two or three miles was the ordinary distance between cottage and cottage though I cannot say I made a gentle nurse and Joseph and the master were no better and though our patient was as wearisome and headstrong as a patient could be she weathered it through old Mrs. Linton paid us several visits to be sure and set things to rights and scolded and ordered us all and when Catherine was convalescent she insisted on conveying her to Thrushcross Grange for which deliverance we were very grateful but the poor Dame had reason to repent her kindness she and her husband both took the fever and died within a few days of each other our young lady returned to us socier and more passionate and hotier than ever Heathcliff had never been heard of since the evening of the thunderstorm and one day I had the misfortune when she had provoked me exceedingly to lay the blame of his disappearance on her where indeed it belonged as she well knew from that period for several months she ceased to hold any communication with me save in the relation of a mere servant Joseph fell under a ban also he would speak his mind and lecture her all the same as if she were a little girl and she esteemed herself a woman and our mistress and thought that her recent illness gave her a claim to be treated with consideration then the doctor had said that she would not bear crossing much she ought to have her own way and it was nothing less than murder in her eyes for anyone to presume to stand up and contradict her for Mr. Unshaw and his companions she kept aloof and tutored by Kenneth and serious threats of a fit that often attended her rages her brother allowed her whatever she pleased to demand and generally avoided aggravating her fiery temper he was rather too indulgent in humoring her caprices not from affection but from pride he wished earnestly to see her bring honor to the family by an alliance with the Lintons and as long as she let him alone she might trample on us like slaves for ought he cared Edgar Linton as multitudes have been before and will be after him was infatuated and believed himself the happiest man alive on the day he led her to Gimiton Chapel three years subsequent to his father's death much against my inclination I was persuaded to leave Wuthering Heights and accompany her here Little Herotin was nearly five years old and I had just begun to teach him his letters we made a sad parting but Catherine's tears were more powerful than ours when I refused to go and when she found her entreaties did not move me she went lamenting to her husband and brother the former offered me munificent wages the latter ordered me to pick up he wanted no woman in the house he said now that there was no mistress and as to Herotin the curate should take him in hand by and by and so I had but one choice left to do as I was ordered I told the master he got rid of all decent people only to run to ruin a little faster I kissed Herotin said goodbye to her in a stranger and it's very queer to think it but I've no doubt he has completely forgotten all about Ellen Dean and that he was ever more than all the world to her and she to him at this point of the housekeeper's story she chanced to glance towards the timepiece over the chimney and was in amazement on seeing the minute hand measure half past one she would not hear of staying a second longer in truth I felt rather disposed to defer the sequel of her narrative myself and now that she has vanished to her rest and I have meditated for another hour or two I shall some courage to go also in spite of aching laziness of head and limbs End of Chapter 9 Chapter 10 of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte this LibriVox recording is in the public domain a charming introduction to a hermit's life four weeks torture tossing and sickness oh these bleak winds and bitter northern skies and impassable roads and dilatory country surgeons and oh this dearth of the human physiognomy and worse than all the terrible intimation of Kenneth that I need not expect to be out of doors till spring Mr Heathcliff has just honoured me with a call about seven days ago he sent me a brace of grouse the last of the season scoundrel and that I had a great mind to tell him but alas how could I offend a man who was charitable enough to sit at my bedside a good hour and talk on some subject other than pills and draughts blisters and niches this is quite an easy interval I am too weak to read yet I feel as if I could enjoy something interesting why not have up Mrs Dean to finish her tale I can recollect its chief incidents as far as she had gone yes I remember her hero had run off and never been heard off for three years and the heroine was married I'll ring, she'll be delighted to find me capable of talking cheerfully Mrs Dean came it was twenty minutes sir to taking the medicine she commenced away away with it I replied I desire to have the doctor says you must drop the powders with all my heart don't interrupt me come and take your seat here keep your finger from that bitter phalanx of vials in your pocket now continue the history of Mr Heathcliff from where you left off to the present day did he finish his education on the continent and come back a gentleman or did he get a sizes place at college or escaped to America and earn honours by drawing blood from his foster country or make a fortune more promptly on the English highways he may have done a little in all these vocations Mr Lockwood but I couldn't give my word for any I stated before that I didn't know how he gained his money neither am I aware of the means he took to raise his mind from the savage ignorance into which it was sunk but with your leave I'll proceed in my own fashion if you think it will amuse and not weary you are you feeling better this morning much that's good news I got Miss Catherine and myself to thrush cross range and to my agreeable disappointment she behaved infinitely better than I dared to expect she seemed almost over fond of Mr Linton and even to his sister she showed plenty of affection they were both very attentive to her comfort certainly it was not the thorn bending to the honeysuckles but the honeysuckles embracing the thorn there were no mutual concessions one stood erect the others yielded and who can be ill-natured and bad-tempered when they encounter neither opposition nor indifference I observed that Mr Edgar had a deep-rooted fear of ruffling her humour he concealed it from her to answer sharply or saw any other servant grow cloudy at some imperious order of hers he would show his trouble by a frown of displeasure that never darkened on his own account he many a time spoke sternly to me about my pertness and avert that the stab of a knife could not inflict a worse peng than he suffered at seeing his lady vexed not to grieve a kind master I learned to be less touchy and for the space of half a year the gunpowder lay as harmless as sand because no fire came near to explode it Catherine had seasons of gloom and silence now and then they were respected with sympathising silence by her husband who ascribed them to an alteration in her constitution produced by her perilous illness as she was never subject to depression of spirits before the return of sunshine was welcomed by answering sunshine from him I believe I may assert that they were really in possession of deep and growing happiness it ended well, we must be for ourselves in the long run the mild and generous are only more justly selfish than the domineering and it ended when circumstances caused each to feel that the one's interest was not the chief consideration in the other's thoughts on a mellow evening in September I was coming from the garden with a heavy basket of apples which I had been gathering it had got dusk and the moon looked over the high wall of the court causing undefined shadows to lurk in the corners of the numerous projecting portions of the building I sat my burden on the house steps by the kitchen door and lingered to rest and drew in a few more breaths of the soft sweet air my eyes were on the moon and my back to the entrance when I heard a voice behind me say Nellie, is that you? it was a deep voice and foreign in tone yet there was something in the manner of producing my name which made it sound familiar I turned about to discover who spoke fearfully for the doors were shot and I had seen nobody unapproaching the steps something stirred in the porch and moving nearer I distinguished a tall man dressed in dark clothes with dark face and hair he leaned against the side and held his fingers on the latch as if intending to open for himself who can it be? I thought Mr. Earnshaw, oh no the voice has no resemblance to his I have waited here an hour he resumed well I continued staring and the whole of that time all round has been as still as death I dared not enter you do not know me? look I'm not a stranger a ray fell on his features the cheeks were shallow and half covered with black whiskers the brows lowering the eyes deep set and singular I remembered the eyes what? I cried uncertain whether to regard him as a worldly visitor I raised my hands in amazement what? you come back is it really you? is it? yes, Heathcliff he replied, glancing from me up to the windows which reflected a score of glittering moons but showed no lights from within are they at home? where is she? Nellie, you are not glad you needn't be so disturbed is she here? speak I want to have one word with her, your mistress go and save some person from Lenten desires to see her how will she take it? I exclaimed what will she do? the surprise bewilders me it will put her out of her head and you are Heathcliff, but altered nay, there's no comprehending it have you been for a soldier? go and carry my message he interrupted impatiently I'm in hell till you do he lifted the latch and I entered but when I got to the parlor where Mr. and Mrs. Lenten were I made myself to proceed at length I resolved on making an excuse to ask if they would have the candles lighted and I opened the door they sat together in a window whose lattice lay back against the wall and displayed beyond the garden trees and the wild green park the valley of Gimiton with a long line of mist winding nearly to its top for very soon after you pass the chapel as you may have noticed the sow that runs from the marshes joins a beck which follows the bend to the glen watering heights rose above the silvery vapor but our old house was invisible it rather dips down on the other side both the room and its occupants and the scene they gazed on looked wondrously peaceful I shrank reluctantly from performing my errand and was actually going away leaving it unsaid after having put my question about the candles when a sense of my folly compelled me to return and mutter a person from Gimiton wishes to see you, ma'am what does he want? asked Mrs. Lenten I did not question him, I answered well, close the curtains Nelly she said and bring up tea, I'll be back again directly she quitted the apartment Mr. Edgar inquired carelessly who it was someone Mistress does not expect I replied that Heathcliff, you recollect him sir who used to live at Mr. Unshall's what? the gypsy the playboy he cried Catherine hush, you must not call him by those names muster, I said she'd be sadly grieved to hear you she was nearly hot broken when he ran off I guess his return will make a jubilee to her Mr. Lenten walked to a window on the other side of the room that overlooked the court he unfastened it and lent out I suppose they were below for he exclaimed quickly don't stand there love bring the person in if it be anyone particular I heard the click of the latch and Catherine flew upstairs breathless and wild too excited to show gladness indeed by her face you would rather have surmised an awful calamity oh Edgar, Edgar she panted flinging her arms round his neck oh Edgar darling Heathcliff's come back, he is and she tightened her embrace to a squeeze well, well cried her husband crossly don't strangle me for that he is such a marvellous treasure there's no need to be frantic I know you didn't like him she answered repressing a little intensity of her delight yet for my sake you must be friends now shall I tell him to come up here he said into the parlour where else she asked he looked vexed and suggested the kitchen as a more suitable place for him Mrs. Lenten eyed him with a droll expression huff angry, huff laughing at his fastidiousness no she added after a while I cannot sit in the kitchen set two tables here Ellen one for your master and Mrs. Isabella being gentry the other for Heathcliff and myself being of the lower orders will that please you dear or must I have a fire lighted elsewhere if so give directions I'll run down and secure my guest I'm afraid the joy is too great to be real she was about to dart off again but Edgar arrested her you bid him step up he said addressing me and Catherine try to be glad without being absurd the whole household need not witness the sight of your welcoming a runaway servant as a brother I descended and found Heathcliff waiting under the porch evidently anticipating an invitation to enter he followed my guidance without waste of words and I ushered him into the presence of the master and mistress crushed cheeks betrayed signs of warm talking but the ladies glowed with another feeling when her friend appeared at the door she sprang forward took both his hands and led him to Linton and then she seized Linton's reluctant fingers and crushed them into his now fully revealed by the fire and candlelight I was amazed more than ever to behold the transformation of Heathcliff he had grown at all athletic well-formed man beside whom my master seemed quite slender and youthlike his upright carriage suggested the idea of his having been in the army his countenance was much older and expression and decision of feature than Mr. Linton's it looked intelligent and retained no marks of former degradation a half civilized ferocity looked yet in the depressed brows and eyes full of black fire but it was subdued and his manner was even dignified quite divested of roughness though stern for grace my master's surprise equaled or exceeded mine he remained for a minute at a loss to address the plow boy as he had called him Heathcliff dropped his slight hand and stood looking at him coolly till he chose to speak sit down sir he said at length Mrs. Linton, recording old times would have me give you a cordial reception and of course I am gratified when anything occurs to please her and I also answered Heathcliff especially if it be anything in which I have a part I shall stay an hour or two willingly he took a seat opposite Catherine who kept her gaze fixed on him as if she feared he would vanish were she to remove it he did not wish to raise his to her often a quick glance now and then sufficed but it flashed back each time more confidently the undisguised delight he drank from hers they were too much absorbed in their mutual joy to suffer embarrassment not so Mr. Edgar he grew pale with pure annoyance a feeling that reached its climax when his lady rose and stepping across the rug seized Heathcliff's hands again and laughed like one beside herself I shall think it a dream to-morrow she cried I shall not be able to believe that I have seen and touched and spoken to you once more and yet cruel Heathcliff you don't deserve this welcome to be absent and silent for three years and never to think of me a little more than you have thought of me he murmured I heard of your marriage Cathy not long since and while waiting in the yard below I meditated this plan just to have one glimpse of your face a stare of surprise perhaps and pretended pleasure afterwards settle my score with Hindley and then prevent the law by doing execution on myself your welcome has put these ideas out of my mind but beware of meeting me with another aspect next time now you'll not drive me off again you were really sorry for me were you well there was cause I fought through a bitter life since I last heard your voice and you must forgive me for I struggled only for you Catherine, unless we are to have cold tea please come to the table interrupted Linton striving to preserve his ordinary tone and a due measure of politeness Mr Heathcliff will have a long walk wherever he may lodge tonight and I'm thirsty she took a post before the urn and Miss Isabella came by the bell then having handed the chairs forward I left the room the meal hardly endured ten minutes Catherine's cup was never filled she could neither eat nor drink Edgar had made a slop in his saucer and scarcely swallowed a mouthful their guest did not protract his stay that evening above an hour longer I asked as he departed if he went to Gimiton no to weathering heights he answered Mr Earnshaw invited me when I called this morning Mr Earnshaw invited him and he called on Mr Earnshaw I pondered this sentence painfully after he was gone is he turning out a bit of a hypocrite and coming to the country to work mischief under a cloak I'm used I had a pre-sentiment in the bottom of my heart that he had better have remained away about the middle of the night I was awakened from my first nap by Mrs Linton gliding into my chamber taking a seat on my bedside and pulling me by the hair to rouse me I cannot rest Ellen she said by way of apology and I want some living creature to keep me company in my happiness Edgar's sulky because I'm glad of a thing that does not interest him he refuses to open his mouth except to utter pettish silly speeches and he affirmed I was cruel and selfish for wishing to talk when he was so sick and sleepy he always contrives to be sick at the least cross I gave a few sentences of commendation to Heathcliff but he, either for a headache or a pang of envy, began to cry so I got up and left him what use is it praising Heathcliff to him, I answered as lads they had an aversion to each other and Heathcliff would hate just as much to hear him praised it's human nature let Mr Linton alone about him unless you would like an open quarrel between them but does it not show great weakness pursued she I'm not envious I never feel hurt by the brightness of Isabella's yellow hair and the whiteness of her skin at her dainty elegance and the fondness all the family exhibit for her even you Nelly, if we have a dispute sometimes you back Isabella at once and I yield like a foolish mother I call her a darling and flatter her into a good temper it pleases her brother to see a scourgell and that pleases me but they are very much alike they are spoiled children and fancy the world was made for their accommodation and though I humour both I think a smart chastisement might improve them all the same you're mistaken Mrs Linton said I they humour you I know what there would be to do if they did not you can well afford to indulge their passing whims as long as their business is to anticipate all your desires you may however fall out at last over something of equal consequence to both sides and then those you term weak are very capable of being as obstinate as you and then we shall fight to the death, shan't we Nelly? she returned and laughing no, I tell you I have such faith in Linton's love that I believe I might kill him and he wouldn't wish to retaliate I advised her to value him the more for his affection I do she answered but he needn't resort to whining for trifles it is childish and instead of melting into tears he was now worthy of anyone's regard and it would honour the first gentleman in the country to be his friend he ought to have said it for me in being delighted from sympathy he must get accustomed to him and he may as well like him considering how Heathcliff has reason to object to him I'm sure he behaved excellently what do you think of his going to Wuthering Heights I inquired he is reformed in every respect apparently quite a Christian offering the right hand of fellowship to his enemies all around he explained it she replied I wonder as much as you he said he called to gather information concerning me from you supposing you resided there still and Joseph told Hindley who came out and fell to questioning him of what he had been doing and how he had been living and finally desired him to walk in there were some persons sitting at cards Heathcliff joined them my brother lost some money to him and finding him plentifully supplied in the evening to which he consented Hindley is too reckless to select his acquaintance prudently he doesn't trouble himself to reflect on the causes he might have for mistrusting one whom he has basely injured but Heathcliff affirms his principal reason for resuming a connection with his ancient persecutor is a wish to install himself in quarters at walking distance from the Grange and an attachment to the house where we live together and likewise a hope that I shall have more opportunities of seeing him there than I could have if he settled in Guimerton he means to offer liberal payment for permission to large at the heights and doubtless my brother's covetousness will prompt him to accept the terms he was always greedy though what he grasps with one hand he flings away with the other it's a nice place for a young man to fix his dwelling in, said I have you no fear of the consequences, Mrs. Linton? none for my friend she replied his strong head will keep him from danger a little for Hindley but he can't be made morally worse than he is and I stand between him and bodily harm the event of this evening has reconciled me to God and humanity I had risen in angry rebellion against Providence oh, I've endured very, very bitter misery Nellie if that creature knew how bitter he'd be ashamed to cloud its removal with idle petulance it was kindness for him which induced me to be alone had I expressed the agony I frequently felt he would have been taught to long for its alleviation as ardently as I however, it's over and I'll take no revenge on his folly I can afford to suffer anything hereafter should the meanest thing alive slap me on the cheek I'd not only turn the other but I'd ask pardon for provoking it and, as a proof I'll go make my peace with Edgar instantly good night, I'm an angel in this self-complacent conviction she departed and the success of her fulfilled resolution was obvious on the morrow Mr. Linton had not only abjured his peevishness though his spirit seemed still subdued by Catherine's exuberance of evacity but he ventured no objection to her taking Isabella with her to Wuthering Heights in the afternoon and she rewarded him with such a summer of sweetness and affection in return as made the house a paradise for several days both master and servants profiting from the perpetual sunshine Heathcliff Mr. Heathcliff I should say in future used the liberty of visiting at Thrushcross Grange cautiously at first he seemed estimating how far its owner would bear his intrusion Catherine also deemed it judicious to moderate her expressions of pleasure in receiving him and he gradually established his right to be expected he retained a great deal at the reserve for which his boyhood was remarkable and that served to repress all startling demonstrations of feeling my master's uneasiness experienced a lull and further circumstances diverted it into another channel for a space his new source of trouble sprang from the not anticipated misfortune of Isabella Linton evincing a sudden and irresistible attraction towards the tolerated guest she was at that time a charming young lady of 18 infantile in manners though possessed of keen wit keen feelings and a keen temper too if irritated her brother who loved her tenderly was appalled at this fantastic preference leaving aside the degradation of an alliance with a nameless man and the possible fact that his property in default of air's mail might pass into such a once power he had sensed to comprehend Heathcliff's disposition to know that though his exterior was altered his mind was unchangeable and unchanged and he dreaded that mind it revolted him he shrank forebodingly from the idea of committing Isabella to its keeping he would have recoiled still more had he been aware that her attachment rose unsolicited and was bestowed where it awakened no reciprocation of sentiment for the minute he discovered its existence he laid the blame on Heathcliff's deliberate designing we had all remarked during some time that Miss Linton fretted and pined over something she grew cross and wiry some snapping at and teasing Catherine continually at the imminent risk of exhausting her limited patience we excused her to a certain extent on the plea of ill health she was dwindling and fading before her eyes but one day when she had been peculiarly wayward rejecting her breakfast complaining that the servants did not do what she told them that the mistress would allow her to be nothing in the house and Edgar neglected her that she had caught a cold with the doors being left open and we let the parlifier go out on purpose to vex her with a hundred yet more frivolous Mrs. Linton preemptively insisted that she should get to bed and having scolded her heartily threatened to send for the doctor mention of Kenneth caused her to exclaim instantly that her health was perfect and it was only Catherine's harshness which made her unhappy How can you say I am harsh you nutty fondling cried the mistress amazed at the unreasonable assertion you are surely losing your reason when have I been harsh tell me yesterday and now yesterday and what occasion in our walk along the moor you told me to ramble where I pleased while you sauntered on with Mr. Heathcliff and that's your notion of harshness said Catherine laughing it was no hint that your company was superfluous we didn't care whether you kept with us or not I merely thought Heathcliff's talk would have nothing entertaining for your ears oh no you swept the young lady you wished me away because you knew I liked to be there is she sane asked Mrs. Linton appealing to me I'll repeat our conversation word for word Isabella and you point out any charm it could have had for you I don't mind the conversation she answered I wanted to be with well said Catherine, perceiving her hesitate to complete the sentence with him she always sent off she continued, kindling up you are a dog in the manger Cathy and desire no one to be loved but yourself you are an impertinent little monkey exclaimed Mrs. Linton in surprise but I'll not believe this idiocy it is impossible that you can covet the admiration of Heathcliff that you consider him an agreeable person I hope I have misunderstood you Isabella no you have not said the infatuated girl I love him more than ever you loved Edgar and he might love me if you would let him I wouldn't be you for a kingdom then Catherine declared emphatically and she seemed to speak sincerely Nelly, help me to convince her of her madness tell her what Heathcliff is an unreclaimed creature without refinement without cultivation an arid wilderness of furs and windstone I'd assume put that little canary into the park on a winter's day as recommend you to bestow your heart on him it is deplorable ignorance of his character child and nothing else which makes that dream enter your head pray don't imagine that he conceals depths of benevolence and affection beneath a stern exterior he's not a rough diamond a pearl containing oyster of a rustic he's a fierce pitiless wolfish man I never say to him let this or that enemy alone because it would be ungenerous or cruel to harm them I say let them alone because I should hate them to be wronged and he'd crush you like a sparrow's egg Isabella if he found you a troublesome charge I know he couldn't love a linton and yet he'd be quite capable of marrying your fortune and expectations avarice is growing with him a besetting sin there's my picture and I'm his friend so much so that had he thought seriously to catch you I should perhaps have held my tongue and let you fall into his trap Mrs. Linton regarded her sister-in-law with indignation for shame for shame she repeated angrily you are worse than twenty foes you poisonous friend ah you won't believe me then said Catherine you think I speak from wicked selfishness I'm certain you do retorted Isabella and I shudder at you good try for yourself if that be your spirit I have done and yield the argument to your saucy insolence and I must suffer for her egotism she solved as Mrs. Linton left the room all all is against me she has blighted my single consolation but she uttered falsehoods didn't she Mr. Heathcliff is not a fiend he has an honourable soul and a true one or how could he remember her banish him from your thoughts miss I said he's a bird of bad omen no mate for you Mrs. Linton spoke strongly and yet I can't contradict her she is better acquainted with his heart than I or anyone besides and she never would represent him as worse than he is honest people don't hide their deeds how has he been living how has he got rich why is he staying at Wuthering Heights the house of a man whom he abhors they say Mr. Earnshaw is worse and worse since he came and Henry has been borrowing money on his land and does nothing but play and drink I heard only a week ago it was Joseph who told me I met him at Gimmeton Nellie he said we he's a crown of question now at our folks one of them sir are getting his finger cut off with hoarding to other for sticking his hand like a kerl that's Maester you know that's so a upper going to the grand sizes he's known fear to the bench the judges nor to the Paul nor Peter nor John nor Matthew not he he fair likes he longs to set his breeze and face again and young Bonnie Lard he's Cliff your mind he's a rare one he can go and laugh as well as anybody the right devil's gist does he never see no to his final living among us when he goes to the Grange this is the way aren't upwards and down dice, brandy cloyish shutters and candlelight to next day at noon then to foiled gangs banning and raving to his chamber making decent folks dig to fingers in their lugs for very shame on the nave where he can paint his brass and eat and sleep and off to his neighbors to gossip with the wife he tells to him Catherine how a father's good runes into his pocket and a father soon gallops down to broad road while he flees a four to open to pikes now Miss Linton Joseph is an old rascal but no liar and if his account of Heathcliff's conduct be true you would never think of desiring such a husband would you? you are lead with the rest Ellen she replied I'll not listen to your slanders what malevolence you must have I wish to convince me that there is no happiness in the world whether she would have got over this fancy if left to herself or persevered in nursing it perpetually I cannot say she had little time to reflect the day after there was a justice meeting at the next town my master was obliged to attend and Mr. Heathcliff aware of his absence called rather earlier than usual Catherine and Isabella were sitting in the library on hostile terms but silent the latter alarmed at her recent indiscretion and the disclosure she had made of her secret feelings in a transient fit of passion the former, on mature consideration really offended with her companion and if she laughed again at her pertness inclined to make it no laughing matter to her she did laugh as she saw Heathcliff pass the window I was sweeping the hearth and I noticed a mischievous smile on her lips Isabella absorbed in her meditations or a book remained till the door opened and it was too late to attempt an escape which she would gladly have done had it been practicable come in, that's right exclaimed the mistress gaily pulling a chair to the fire here are two people sadly in need of a third to thaw the ice between them and you are the very one we should both of us choose Heathcliff, I'm proud to show you at last somebody that dotes on you more than myself I expect you to feel flattered nay, it's not Nellie, don't look at her my poor little sister-in-law is breaking her heart by mere contemplation of your physical and moral beauty it lies in your own power to be Edgar's brother no no Isabella, you shan't run off she continued arresting with faint playfulness the confounded girl who had risen indignantly we were quarreling like cats about you Heathcliff and I was fairly beaten in protestations of devotion and admiration and moreover I was informed that if I would but have the manners to stand aside my rival, as she will have herself to be would shoot a shaft into your soul that would fix you for ever and send my image into eternal oblivion Catherine, said Isabella, calling up her dignity and a staining to struggle from the tight grasp that held her I thank you to adhere to the truth and not slander me even in joke Mr. Heathcliff, be kind enough to bid this friend of yours release me she forgets that you and I are not intimate acquaintances and what amuses her is painful to me beyond expression as the guest answered nothing but took his seat and looked thoroughly indifferent what sentiments she cherished concerning him she turned and whispered an earnest appeal for liberty to her tormentor by no means cried Mrs. Linton in answer I won't be named a dog in the manger again you shall stay now then, Heathcliff why don't you event satisfaction at my pleasant news Isabella swears that the love Edgar has for me is nothing to that she entertains for you I'm sure she made some speech of the kind did she not, Ellen? and she has fasted ever since the day before yesterday's walk from sorrow and rage that I dispatched her out of your society under the idea of its being unacceptable I think you'd be lie her said Heathcliff, twisting his chair to face them she wishes to be out of my society now at any rate and he stared hard at the object of discourse as one might do at a strange repulsive animal a centipede from the Indies, for instance which curiosity leads one to examine in spite of the aversion it raises the poor thing couldn't bear that she grew white and red in rapid succession and while the tears bead at her lashes bent the strength of her small fingers to loosen the firm clutch of Catherine and perceiving that as fast as she raised one finger off her arm another closed down and she could not remove the whole together she began to make use of her nails the sharpness presently ornamented the detainers with crescents of red there's a Tigris exclaimed Mrs. Linton setting her free and shaking her hand with pain be gone for God's sake and hide your vixen face how foolish to reveal those talents to him can't you fancy the conclusions he'll draw look, Heathcliff, there are instruments that will do execution you must beware of your eyes I'd rinse them off her fingers if they ever menaced me he answered brutally when the door had closed after her but what did you mean by teasing the creature in that manner, Cathy? you were not speaking the truth, were you? I assure you I was she returned she has been dying for your sake several weeks and raving about you this morning and pouring forth a deluge of abuse because I represented your failings in a plain light for the purpose of mitigating her adoration but don't notice it further I wish to punish her sauciness, that's all I like her too well, my dear Heathcliff to let you absolutely seize and devour her up and I like her too ill to attempt it said he except in a very ghoulish fashion you'd hear of odd things if I lived alone with that mockish waxen face the most ordinary would be painting on its white the colours of the rainbow and turning the blue eyes black every day or two they detestably resemble Lintons delectably observed, Catherine they are Dove's eyes angels she's her brother's heir, is she not? he asked after a brief silence I should be sorry to think so returned his companion half a dozen nephews shall erase her title, please, heaven abstract your mind from the subject at present you are too prone to covet your neighbour's goods remember this neighbour's goods are mine if they were mine they would be none the less that said Heathcliff but though Isabella Linton may be silly she is scarcely mad and in short we'll dismiss the matter as you advise from their tongues they did dismiss it and Catherine probably from her thoughts the other I felt certain recalled it often in the course of the evening I saw him smile to himself grin rather and lapse into ominous musing whenever Mrs. Linton had occasion to be absent from the apartment I determined to watch his movements my heart invariably cleaved to the masters in reference to Catherine's side with reason I imagined for he was kind and trustful and honourable and she she could not be called opposite yet she seemed to allow herself such wide latitude that I had little faith in her principles and still less sympathy for her feelings I wanted something to happen which might have the effect of freeing both Wuthering Heights and the Grange of Mr. Heathcliff quietly leaving us as we had been prior to his advent his visits were a continual nightmare to me and I suspected to my master also his abode at the Heights was an oppression past explaining I felt that God had forsaken the stray sheep there to its own wicked wanderings and an evil beast prowled between it and the fold waiting his time to spring and destroy End of Chapter 10 Chapter 11 of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte This LibriVox recording is in the public domain sometimes while meditating on these things in solitude I've got up in a sudden terror and put on my bonnet to go see how all was at the farm I persuaded my conscience that it was a duty to warn him how people talked regarding his ways and then I've recollected his confirmed bad habits and hopeless of benefitting him have flinched from re-entering the dismal house doubting if I could bear to be taken at my word one time I passed the old gate going out of my way on a journey to Gimiton it was about the period that my narrative has reached a bright frosty afternoon the ground to bear and the road hard and dry I came to a stone where the highway branches off onto the moor at your left hand a rough sandpillar with the letters W H cut on its north side on the east G and on the south west T G it serves as a guidepost to the Grange, the Heights and the village the sun shone yellow on its grey head reminding me of summer and I cannot say why but all at once a gush of child sensations flowed into my heart Hindley and I held it to favourite spot twenty years before I gazed long at the weather-worn block and, stooping down, perceived a hole near the bottom still full of snail-shells and pebbles which we were fond of storing there with more perishable things and, as fresh as reality, it appeared that I beheld my early playmate seated on the withered turf his dark square head bent forward and his little hand scooping out the earth with a piece of slate poor Hindley, I exclaimed involuntarily I started, my bodily eye was cheated into a momentary belief that the child lifted its face and stared straight into mine it vanished in a twinkling but immediately I felt an irresistible yearning to be at the Heights superstition urged me to comply with this impulse supposing he should be dead I thought, or should die soon supposing it were a sign of death the nearer I got to the house the more agitated I grew and on catching sight of it I trembled in every limb the apparition had outstripped me it stood, looking through the gate that was my first idea on observing an elf-locked, brown-eyed boy setting his ruddy countenance against the bars further reflection suggested this must be heriton my heriton, not altered greatly since I left him ten months since God bless thee, darling I cried, forgetting instantaneously my foolish fears heriton, it's Nelly, Nelly, thy nurse he retreated out of arm's length and picked up a large flint I am come to see thy father, Heriton I added, guessing from the action that Nelly, if she lived in his memory at all was not recognized as one with me he raised his missile to hurl it I commenced a soothing speech but could not stay his hand the stone struck my bonnet and then ensued from the stammering lips of the little fellow a string of curses which, whether he comprehended them or not, were delivered with practised emphasis and distorted his baby features into a shocking expression of malignity you may be certain this grieved more than angered me fit to cry I took an orange from my pocket and offered it to propitiate him he hesitated and then snatched it from my hold if he fancied I only intended to tempt him and disappoint him I showed another, keeping it out of his reach who has taught you those fine words, my ban, I inquired, the curate dumb the curate and thee gimme that he replied, tell us where you got your lessons, and you shall have it said I who's your master devil daddy was his answer and what do you learn from daddy, I continued he jumped at the fruit, I raised it higher what does he teach you, I asked naught, said he but to keep out of his gait daddy cannot bide me because I swear at him ah, and the devil teaches you to swear at daddy, I observed I nay he drolled who then Heathcliff I asked if he liked Mr. Heathcliff I he answered again desiring to have his reasons for liking him, I could only gather the sentences ah, naught he pays dad back what he gives to me he curses daddy for cursing me he says I'm on do as I will and the curate does not teach you to read and write then, I pursued no, I was told the curate should have his teeth dashed down his throat if he stepped over the threshold, Heathcliff had promised that I put the orange in his hand and bade him tell his father that a woman called Nellie Dean was wanting to speak with him by the garden gate he went up the walk and entered the house but instead of Hindley Heathcliff appeared on the doorstones and I turned directly and ran down the road as hard as ever I could race making no halt till I gained the guidepost and feeling as scared as if I had raised a goblin this is not much connected with Mrs. Isabella's affair except that it urged me to resolve further on mounting vigilant guard and doing my utmost to check the spread of such bad influence at the Grange even though I should wake a domestic storm by thwarting Mrs. Linton's pleasure the next time Heathcliff came my young lady chanced to be feeding some pigeons in the court she had never spoken a word to her sister-in-law for three days but she likewise dropped her fret for complaining and we found it a great comfort Heathcliff had not the habit of bestowing a single unnecessary civility on Miss Linton, I knew now, as soon as he beheld her, his first precaution was to take a sweeping survey of the house front I was standing by the kitchen window, but I drew out of sight he then stepped across the pavement to her and said something she seemed embarrassed and desirous of getting away to prevent it he laid his hand on her arm she averted her face he apparently put some question which she had no mind to answer there was another rapid glance at the house and supposing himself unseen the scoundrel had the impudence to embrace her I ejaculated you are a hypocrite too are you? a deliberate deceiver who is Nellie? said Catherine's voice at my elbow I had been over intent on watching the pair outside to mark her entrance you're worthless friend I answered warmly the sneaking rascal yonder ah, he has caught a glimpse of us, he is coming in I wonder will he have the heart to find a plausible excuse for making love to Miss when he told you he hated her Mrs. Linton saw Isabella tear herself free and run into the garden and a minute after Heathcliff opened the door I couldn't withhold giving some loose to my own indignation but Catherine angrily insisted on silence and threatened to order me out of the kitchen if I dared to be so presumptuous as to put in my insolent tongue to hear you, people might think you were the mistress she cried you weren't setting down in your right place Heathcliff, what are you about raising this stir I said you must let Isabella alone I beg you will, unless you are tired of being received here and wish Linton to draw the bolts against you God forbid that he should try answered the black villain I detested him just then God keep him meek and patient every day I grow madder after sending him to heaven hush, said Catherine, shutting the inner door don't vex me why have you disregarded my request did she come across you on purpose what is it to you he growled I have a right to kiss her if she chooses and you have no right to object I am not your husband you needn't be jealous of me I'm not jealous of you replied the mistress I'm jealous for you clear your face you shan't scowl at me if you like Isabella you shall marry her but do you like her tell the truth Heathcliff there you won't answer I'm certain you don't and would Mr. Linton approve of his sister marrying that man I inquired Mr. Linton should approve returned my lady decisively he might spare himself the trouble said Heathcliff I could do as well without his approbation and as to you Catherine I have a mind to speak a few words now while we are at it I want you to be aware that I know you have treated me infernally infernally do you hear and if you flatter yourself that I don't perceive it you are a fool and if you think I can be consoled by sweet words you are an idiot if you fancy I'll suffer unrevenged I'll convince you of the contrary in a very little while meantime thank you for telling me your sister-in-law's secret I swear I'll make the most of it and stand you aside what new phase of his character is this exclaimed Mrs. Linton an amazement I've treated you infernally and you'll take your revenge how will you take it ungrateful brute how have I treated you infernally I seek no revenge on you reply, Heathcliff, less vehemently that's not the plan the tyrant grinds down his slaves and they don't turn against him they crush those beneath them you are welcome to torture me to death for your amusement only allow me to amuse myself a little in the same style and refrain from insult as much as you are able having leveled my palace don't erect a hovel and complacently admire your own charity in giving me that for a home if I imagined you really wished me to marry Isabel I'd cut my throat oh the evil is that I am not jealous is it cried Catherine well I won't repeat my offer of a wife it is as bad as offering Satan a lost soul your bliss lies like his in inflicting misery you prove it Edgar is restored from the ill temper he gave way to at your coming I begin to be secure and tranquil and you restless to know us at peace appear resolved on exciting a quarrel quarrel with Edgar if you please Heathcliff and deceive his sister you'll hit on exactly the most efficient method of revenging yourself on me the conversation ceased Mrs. Linton sat down by the fire flushed and gloomy the spirit which served her was growing intractable she could neither lay nor control it he stood on the hearth with folded arms brooding on his evil thoughts and in this position I left them to seek the master who was wondering what kept Catherine below so long Ellen said he when I entered have you seen your mistress yes she's in the kitchen sir I answered she's sadly put out by Mr. Heathcliff's behaviour and indeed I do think it's time to arrange his visits on another footing there's harm in being too soft and now it's come to this and I related the scene in the court and as near as I dared the whole subsequent dispute I fancied it could not be very prejudicial to Mrs. Linton unless she made so afterwards by assuming the defensive for her guest Edgar Linton had difficulty in hearing me to the close his first words revealed that he did not clear his wife of blame this is insufferable Hicks claimed it is disgraceful that she should own him for a friend and force his company on me call me two men out of the hall Ellen Catherine shall linger no longer to argue with the low ruffian I have humoured her enough he descended and bidding the servants wait in the passage he went followed by me to the kitchen its occupants had recommended their angry discussion Mrs. Linton at least was scolding with renewed vigor Heathcliff had moved to the window and hung his head somewhat cowed by her violent rating apparently he saw the master first and made a hasty motion that she should be silent which he obeyed abruptly on discovering the reason of his intimation how is this said Linton addressing her what notion of propriety must you have to remain here after the language which has been held to you by that brygar I suppose because it is his ordinary talk you think nothing of it you are habituated to his baseness and perhaps imagine that I can get used to it too have you been listening at the door Edgar asked the mistress in a tone particularly calculated to provoke her husband implying both carelessness and contempt for his irritation Heathcliff who had raised his eyes at the former speech gave a sneering laugh at the latter on purpose it seemed to draw Mr. Linton's attention to him he succeeded but Edgar did not mean to entertain him with any high flights of passion I have been so far for bearing with you sir he said quietly not that I was ignorant of your miserable degraded character but I felt you were only partly responsible for that and Catherine wishing to keep up your acquaintance I acquiesced foolishly your presence is a moral poison that would contaminate the most virtuous for that cause and to prevent worse consequences I shall deny you hereafter admission into this house and give notice now that I require your instant departure three minutes delay will render it involuntary and ignominious Heathcliff measured the height and breadth of the speaker with an eye full of derision Cathy this lamb of yours threatens like a ball he said it is in danger of splitting its skull against my knuckles by God Mr. Linton I am mortally sorry that you are not worth knocking down my master glanced towards the passage and signed me to fetch the men he had no intention of hazarding a personal encounter I obeyed the hint but Mrs. Linton suspecting something followed and when I attempted to call them she pulled me back slammed the door to and locked it fair means she said in answer to her husband's look of angry surprise if you have not courage to attack him make an apology or allow yourself to be beaten it will correct you of feigning more valor than you possess no I'll swallow the key before you shall get it I'm delightfully rewarded for my kindness to each after constant indulgence of one's weak nature and the other's bad one I earn for thanks two samples of blind ingratitude stupid to absurdity Edgar I was defending you and yours and I wish Heathcliff may flog you sick for daring to think an evil thought of me it did not need the medium of a flogging to produce that effect on the master he tried to rest the key from Catherine's grasp and for safety she flung it to the hottest part of the fire whereupon Mr. Edgar was taken with a nervous trembling and his countenance grew deadly pale for his life he could not avert that excess of emotion mingled anguish and humiliation overcame him completely he lent on the back of a chair and covered his face oh heavens! in old days this would win United exclaimed Mrs. Linton we are vanquished we are vanquished Heathcliff would assume lift a finger at you King would march his army against a colony of mice cheer up! you shan't be hurt your type is not a lamb it's a sucking leverette I wish you joy if the milk-blooded coward Kathy said her friend I compliment you on your taste and that is the slavering shivering thing you preferred to me I would not strike him with my fist but I'd kick him with my foot and experience considerable satisfaction is he weeping or is he going to faint for fear Mallow approached and gave the chair on which Linton rested a push he'd better have kept his distance my master quickly sprang erect and struck him full on the throat with a blow that would have leveled a slight amount it took his breath for a minute and while he choked Mr. Linton walked out by the back door into the yard and from thence to the front entrance there you've done with coming here cried Catherine get away now he'll return with a brace of pistols and half a dozen assistants if he did overhear us of course he'd never forgive you you played me an ill-turn Heathcliff but go make haste I'd rather see Edgar at bay than you do you suppose I'm going with that blow burning in my gullet he thundered I hell no I'll crush his ribs in like a rotten hazelnut before I cross the threshold if I don't floor him now I shall murder him sometime so as you value his existence let me get at him he is not coming I interposed framing a bit of a lie there's the coachman and the two gardeners surely not wait to be thrust into the road by them each has a bludgeon and master will very likely be watching from the parlor windows to see that they fulfill his orders the gardeners and the coachmen were there but Linton was with them they had already entered the court Heathcliff on the second thoughts resolved to avoid a struggle against three underlings he seized the poker, smashed the lock from the innador and made his escape as they tramped in Mrs. Linton who was very much excited bade me accompany her upstairs she did not know my share in contributing to the disturbance and I was anxious to keep her in ignorance I'm nearly distracted Nellie she exclaimed throwing herself on the sofa a thousand smith's hammers are beating in my head tell Isabella to shun me this uproar is owing to her and should she or anyone else aggravate my anger at present I shall get wild and Nellie say to Edgar if you see him again tonight that I'm in danger of being seriously ill I wish it may prove true he has startled and distressed me shockingly I want to frighten him besides he might come and begin a string of abuse or complainings I'm certain I should recriminate and God knows where we should end will you do so my good Nellie you are aware that I am in no way blamable in this matter what possessed him to turn listener Heathcliff's talk was outrageous after you left us but I could soon have diverted him from Isabella and the rest meant nothing now all is dashed wrong by the fools craving to hear evil of self that haunts some people like a demon had Edgar never gathered our conversation he would never have been the worse for it really when he opened on me in that unreasonable tone of displeasure after I had scolded Heathcliff till I was hoarse for him I did not care hardly what they did to each other especially as I felt that however the scene closed we should all be driven asunder for nobody knows how long if I cannot keep Heathcliff for my friend if Edgar will be mean and jealous I'll try to break their hearts by breaking my own that will be a prompt way of finishing all when I am pushed to extremity but it's a deed to be reserved for a forlorn hope I'd not take Linton by surprise with it to this point he has been discreet and dreading to provoke me you must represent the peril of quitting that policy and remind him of my passionate temper surging when kindled on frenzy I wish you could dismiss that apathy out of that countenance and look rather more anxious about me the stolidity with which I received these instructions was no doubt rather exasperating for they were delivered in perfect sincerity but I believed a person who could plan the turning of her fits of passion to account beforehand might by exerting her will manage to control herself tolerably even while under their influence and I did not wish to frighten her husband as she said and multiply his annoyances for the purpose of serving her selfishness therefore I said nothing when I met the master coming towards the parlour but I took the liberty of turning back to listen whether they would resume their quarrel together he began to speak first remain where you are Catherine he said without any anger in his voice but with much sorrowful despondency I shall not stay I am neither come to wrangle nor to be reconciled but I wish just to learn whether after this evening's events you intend to continue your intimacy with oh for mercy's sake interrupted the mistress stamping her foot for mercy's sake let us hear no more of it now your cold blood cannot be worked into a fever your veins are full of ice water but mine are boiling and the sight of such chillness makes them dance to get rid of me answer my question persevered Mr. Linton you must answer it and that violence does not alarm me I have found that you can be as stoical as anyone when you please will you give up Heathcliff hereafter or will you give up me it is impossible for you to be my friend and his at the same time and I absolutely require to know which you choose I require to be let alone exclaimed Catherine furiously I demand it don't you see I can scarcely stand Edgar you you leave me she rang the bell till it broke with a twang I entered leisurely it was enough to try the temper of a saint such senseless wicked rages there she lay dashing her head against the arm of the sofa and grinding her teeth so that you might fancy she would crash them to splinters Mr. Linton stood looking at her in sudden compunction and fear he told me to fetch some water she had no breath for speaking I brought a glass full and as she would not drink I sprinkled it on her face in a few seconds she stretched herself out stiff and turned up her eyes at once blanched and livid assumed the aspect of death Linton looked terrified there is nothing in the world to the matter I whispered I did not want him to yield though I could not help being afraid in my heart she has blood on her lips he said shuddering never mind I answered tartly and I told him how she had resolved previous to his coming on exhibiting a fit of frenzy I unconsciously gave the account aloud and she heard me for she started up her hair flying over her shoulders her eyes flashing the muscles of her neck and arms standing up preternaturally I made up my mind for broken bones at least but she only glared about her for an instant and then rushed from the room the master directed me to follow I did to her chamber door she hindered me from going further by securing it against me as she never offered to descend to breakfast next morning I went to ask whether she would have some carried up no, she replied, peremptorily the same question was repeated at dinner and tea and again on the morrow after and received the same answer Mr. Linton on his part spent his time in the library and did not inquire concerning his wife's occupations Isabella and he had an hours interview during which he tried to elicit from her some sentiment of proper horror for Heathcliff's advances but he could make nothing of her evasive replies and was obliged to close the examination unsatisfactorily adding, however, a solemn warning that if she were so insane as to encourage that worthless suitor it would dissolve all bonds of relationship between herself and him End of Chapter 11 Chapter 12 of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte This LibriVox recording is in the public domain While Miss Linton moped about the park and garden always silent and almost always in tears and her brother shot himself up among books that he never opened worrying, I guessed, with a continual vague expectation that Catherine repenting her conduct would come out of her own cord to ask pardon and seek a reconciliation and she fasted pertinaciously under the idea probably that at every meal Edgar was ready to chalk for her absence and pride alone held him from running to cast himself at her feet I went about my household duties convinced that the Grange had but one sensible soul in all its walls and that lodged in my body I wasted no condolences on Miss nor any expostulations on my mistress nor did I pay much attention to the size of my master who yearned to hear his lady's name since he might not hear her voice I determined they should come about as they pleased for me and though it was a tiresomely slow process I began to rejoice at length in a faint dawn of its progress as I thought at first Mrs. Linton on the third day unboughed her door and having finished the water in her pitcher and decanter desired a renewed supply and a basin of gruel for she believed she was dying that I sat down as a speech meant for Edgar's ears I believed no such thing so I kept it to myself and brought her some tea and dried toast she ate and drank eagerly and sank back on her pillow again clenching her hands and groaning Oh, I will die! she exclaimed since no one cares anything about me I wish I had not taken that then a good while after I heard her murmur No, I'll not die he'd be glad he does not love me at all he would never miss me Did you want anything, Mum? I inquired, still preserving my external composure in spite of her ghastly countenance and strange exaggerated manner What is that apathetic being doing? she demanded, pushing the thick entangled locks from her wasted face Has he fallen into a lethargy, or is he dead? Neither, replied I If you mean Mr. Linton, he's tolerably well, I think though his studies occupy him rather more than they ought he is continually among his books, since he has no other society I should not have spoken so if I had known her true condition but I could not get rid of the notion that she acted a part of her disorder Among his books? she cried confounded and I dying, I on the brink of the grave my God, does he know how I'm altered? continued she, staring at her reflection in a mirror hanging against the opposite wall Is that Catherine Linton? he imagines me in a pet in play perhaps cannot you inform him that it is frightful earnest Nelly, if it be not too late, as soon as I learn how he feels I'll choose between these two, either to starve at once that would be no punishment unless he had a heart or to recover and leave the country are you speaking the truth about him now? take care, is he actually so utterly indifferent for my life? why, mum? I answered the master has no idea of your being deranged and of course he does not fear that you will let yourself die of hunger you think not? cannot you tell him I will? she returned persuade him, speak of your own mind, say you are certain I will no, you forget Mrs. Linton I suggested that you have eaten some food with a relish this evening and tomorrow you will perceive its good effects if I were only sure it would kill him she interrupted I'd kill myself directly these three awful nights I've never closed my lids and oh, I've been tormented I've been haunted Nelly but I begin to fancy you don't like me how strange, I thought, though everybody hated and despised each other they could not avoid loving me and they have all turned to enemies in a few hours they have a positive, the people here so dreary to meet death surrounded by their cold faces Isabella, terrified and repelled, afraid to enter the room it would be so dreadful to watch Catherine go and Edgar, standing solemnly by to see it over then offering prayers of thanks to God for restoring peace to his house and going back to his books what in the name of all that feels has he to do with books when I am dying? she could not bear the notion which I had put into her head of Mr. Linton's philosophical resignation tossing about she increased her feverish bewilderment to madness and tore the pillow with her teeth then raising herself up all burning desired that I would open the window we were in the middle of winter the wind blew strong from the northeast and I objected both the expressions flitting over her face and the changes of her moods began to alarm me terribly and brought to my recollection her former illness and the doctor's injunction that she should not be crossed a minute previously she was violent now supported on one arm and not noticing my refusal to obey her she seemed to find childish diversion in pulling the feathers from the rents she had just made and ranging them on the sheet according to their different species her mind had strayed to other associations that's a turkeys she murmured to herself and this is a wild ducks this is a pigeons ah! they put pigeons feathers in the pillows no wonder I couldn't die let me take care to throw it on the floor when I lie down and here is a moor cocks and this I should know it among a thousand it's a lapwings bunny bird wheeling over our heads in the middle of the moor it wanted to get to its nest but the clouds had touched the swells and it felt rain coming this feather was picked up from the heath the bird was not shot we saw its nest in the winter full of little skeletons Heathcliff set a trap over it and the old ones dared not come I made him promise he'd never shoot a lapwing after that and he didn't yes here are moor did he shoot my lapwings nearly are they red any of them let me look give over with that baby work I interrupted dragging the pillow away and turning the hose towards the mattress while she was removing its contents by hand-falls lie down and shut your eyes you're wondering there's a mess the down is flying about like snow I went here and there collecting it I see in you Nelly she continued dreamily an aged woman you have grey hair and bent shoulders this bed is the fairy cave under penstone crags and you are gathering elf bolts to hurt our heifers and I am standing while I am near that they are only locks of wool that's what she'll come to fifty years hence I know you are not so now I'm not wondering you're mistaken or else I should believe you really were that withered hag and I should think I was under penstone crags and I'm conscious it's night and there are two candles on the table making the black press shine like jet the black press where is that I asked you are talking in your sleep it's against the wall as it always is she replied it does appear odd I see a face in it there's no press in the room and never was said I resuming my seat and looping up the curtain that I might watch her don't you see that face she inquired gazing earnestly at the mirror and say what I could I was incapable of making her comprehend it to be her own so I rose and covered it with a shawl behind there still she pursued anxiously and it stirred who is it I hope it will not come out when you are gone oh Nelly the room is haunted I'm afraid of being alone I took her hand in mine and bid her be composed for a succession of shudders convulsed her frame and she would keep straining her gaze towards the glass there's nobody here I insisted it was yourself Miss Linton myself she gasped and the clock is striking twelve it's true then that's dreadful her fingers clutched the clothes and gathered them over her eyes I attempted to steal to the door with an intention of calling her husband but I was summoned back by a piercing shriek the shawl had dropped from the frame why what is the matter cried I who is coward now wake up pass the mirror Mrs. Linton and you see yourself in it and there am I too by your side trembling and bewildered she held me fast but the horror gradually passed from her countenance its paleness gave place to a glow of shame oh dear I thought I was at home she sighed I thought I was lying in my chamber at Wuthering Heights because I'm weak my brain got confused and I screamed unconsciously don't say anything but stay with me I dread sleeping my dreams appeal me a sound sleep would do you good mom I answered and I hope this suffering will prevent your trying starving again oh if I were but in my own bed in the old house she went on bitterly ringing her hands and that wind sounding in the furs by the lattice do let me feel it it comes straight down the moor do let me have one breath to pacify her I held the casement ajar a few seconds a cold blast rushed through I closed it and returned to my post she lay still now her face bathed in tears exhaustion of body had entirely subdued her spirit our fiery Catherine was no better than a wailing child how long is it since I shot myself in here she asked suddenly reviving it was Monday evening I replied and this is Thursday night or rather Friday morning at present what of the same week she exclaimed only that brief time long enough to live on nothing but cold water in ill temper observed I well it seems a weary number of hours she muttered doubtfully it must be more I remember being in the parlor after they had quarrelled in Edgar being cruelly provoking and me running into this room desperate as soon as ever I had barred the door utter blackness overwhelm me and I fell on the floor I couldn't explain to Edgar how certain I felt of having a fit or going raging mad if he persisted in teasing me I had no command of tongue or brain and he did not guess my agony perhaps it barely left me sense to try to escape from him in his voice before I recovered sufficiently to see and hear it began to be done and Nelly I'll tell you what I thought and what is kept recurring and recurring till I feared for my reason I thought as I lay there with my head against that table leg in my eyes dimly discerning the gray square of the window that I was enclosed in the oak-paneled bed at home in my heart ached with some great grief which just waking I could not recollect I pondered and worried myself to discover what it could be and most strangely the whole last seven years of my life grew a blank I did not recall that they had been at all I was a child my father was just buried and my misery arose from the separation that Hindley had ordered between me and Heathcliff I was laid alone for the first time and rousing from a dismal dose after a night of weeping I lifted my hand to push the panels aside it struck the tabletop I swept it along the carpet and then memory burst in my late anguish was swallowed in a paroxysm of despair I cannot say why I felt so wildly wretched it must have been temporary derangement for there are scarcely cars but supposing at twelve years old I had been wrenched from the heights in every early association in my all and all as Heathcliff was at that time and being converted at a stroke into Mrs. Linton the lady of Thrushcross Grange and the wife of a stranger in exile and outcast thenceforth from what had been my world you may fancy a glimpse of the abyss where I groveled shake your head as you will, Nellie you have helped to unsettle me you should have spoken to Edgar indeed you should and compelled him to leave me quiet oh, I'm burning I wish I were out of doors I wish I were a girl again half savage and hardy and free and laughing at injuries not maddening under them why am I so changed why does my blood rush into a hell of tumult at a few words I'm sure I should be myself for I once among the heather on those hills open the window again wide fasten it open quick, why don't you move because I won't give you your death of cold I answered you won't give me a chance of life you mean she said, solemnly however, I'm not helpless yet I'll open it myself and sliding from the bed before I could hinder her she crossed the room walking very uncertainly threw it back and bent out careless of the frosty air that cut about her shoulders as cane as a knife I entreated and finally attempted to force her to retire but soon found her delirious strength much surpassed mine she was delirious I became convinced by her subsequent actions and ravings there was no moon and everything beneath lay in misty darkness not a sight gleamed from any house far or near all had been extinguished long ago and those at withering heights were never visible still, she asserted she caught their shining look, she cried eagerly that's my room with the candle in it and the tree swaying before it and the other candle is in Joseph's garret Joseph sits up late, doesn't he he's waiting till I come home that he may lock the gate well, he'll wait a while yet it's a rough journey and a sad heart to travel it and we must pass by Gimit and Kirk to go that journey we made its ghosts often together and dared each other to stand among the graves and asked them to come but Heathcliff, if I dare you now will you venture if you do, I'll keep you I'll not lie there by myself they may bury me twelve feet deep and throw the church down over me but I won't rest till you are with me I never will she paused and resumed with a strange smile he's considering he'd rather I'd come to him find a way then, not through that Kirk yard you are slow be content, you always followed me perceiving it vain to argue against her insanity I was planning how I could reach something to rap about her without quitting my hold of herself for I could not trust her alone by the gaping lettuce when to my consternation I heard the rattle of the door handle and Mr. Linton entered he had only then come from the library and in passing through the lobby had noticed our talking and been attracted by curiosity or fear to examine what it signified at that late hour oh sir I cried checking the exclamation risen to his lips at the sight which met him and the bleak atmosphere of the chamber my poor mistress is ill and she quite masters me I cannot manage her at all pray come and persuade her to go to bed forget your anger for she's hard to guide anyway but her own Catherine ill he said hastening to us shut the window Ellen Catherine why he was silent the haggardness of Mrs. Linton's appearance smote him speechless and he could only glance from her to me and horrified astonishment she's been fretting here I continued and eating scarcely anything and never complaining she would admit none of us till this evening and so we couldn't inform you of her state as we were not aware of it ourselves but it is nothing I felt I uttered my explanations awkwardly the master frowned it is nothing is it Ellen Dean he said sternly you shall account more clearly for keeping the ignorant of this and he took his wife in his arms and looked at her with anguish at first she gave him no glance of recognition he was invisible to her abstracted gaze the delirium was not fixed however having weaned her eyes from contemplating the outer darkness by degrees she centered her attention on him and discovered who it was that held her ah you are come are you Edgar Linton she said with angry animation you are one of those things that are ever found when least wanted and when you are wanted never I suppose we shall have plenty of lamentations now I see we shall but they can't keep me from my narrow home out yonder my resting place where I'm bound before spring is over there it is not among the Linton's mind under the chapel roof but in the open air with a headstone and you may please yourself whether you go to them or come to me Catherine what have you done commenced the muster am I nothing to you anymore do you love that wretch heath hush cried Mrs. Linton hush this moment you mention that name and I am the matter instantly by a spring from the window what you touch at present you may have but my soul will be on that hilltop before you lay hands on me again I don't want you Edgar I'm past wanting you return to your books I'm glad you possess a consolation for all you had in me is gone her mind wanders sir I interposed she has been talking nonsense the whole evening but let her have her quiet and proper attendance and she'll rally hereafter we must be cautious how we vex her I desire no further advice from you answered Mr. Linton you knew your mistress's nature and you encouraged me to harass her and not to give me one hint of how she's been these three days it was heartless months of sickness could not cause such a change I began to defend myself thinking it too bad to be blamed for another's wicked waywardness I knew Mrs. Linton's nature to be headstrong and domineering cried I but I didn't know that you wished to bust her have fierce temper I didn't know that to humour her I should wink at Mr. Heathcliff I performed the duty of a faithful servant in telling you and I have got a faithful servant's wages well it will teach me to be careful next time next time you may gather intelligence for yourself the next time you bring a tale to me you should quit my service Elindine he replied you'd rather hear nothing about it I suppose then Mr. Linton said I Heathcliff has your permission to come according to miss and to drop in at every opportunity your absence offers on purpose to poison the mistress against you confused as Catherine was her wits were alert at applying our conversation ah Nelly has played traitor she exclaimed passionately Nelly is my hidden enemy you witch so you do seek elf bolts to hurt us let me go and I'll make her rue I'll make her howl or recantation a maniac's fury kindled under her brows she struggled desperately to disengage herself from Linton's arms I felt no inclination to tarry the event and resolving to seek medical aid on my own responsibility I quitted the chamber in passing the garden to reach the road at a place where a bridal hook is driven into the wall I saw something white move regularly evidently by another agent than the wind notwithstanding my hurry I stayed to examine it lest ever after I should have the conviction impressed on my imagination that it was a creature of the other world my surprise and perplexity were great on discovering by touch more than vision miss Isabella's springer Fanny suspended by a handkerchief and nearly at its last gasp I quickly released the animal and lifted it into the garden I had seen it follow its mistress upstairs when she went to bed and wondered much how it could have got out there and what mischievous person had treated it so while untying the knot around the hook it seemed to me that I repeatedly caught the beat of horses feet galloping at some distance but there were such a number of things to occupy my reflections that I hardly gave the circumstance a thought though it was a strange sound in that place at two o'clock in the morning Mr. Kenneth was fortunately just issuing from his house to see a patient in the village as I came up the street and my account of Catherine Linton's malady induced him to accompany me back immediately he was a plain rough man and he made no scruple to speak his doubts of her surviving this second attack unless she were more submissive to his directions than she had shown herself before Melodyne said he I can't help fancying there's an extra cause for this what has there been to do at the Grange we've heard reports up here a stout hearty lass like Catherine does not fall ill for a triple and that sort of people should not either it's hard work bringing them through fevers and such things how did it begin the master will inform you I answered but you are acquainted with the urnshoes violent dispositions and Mrs. Linton caps them all I may say this it commenced in a quarrel she was struck during a tempest of passion with a kind of fit that's her account at least but she flew off in the height of it and locked herself up afterwards she refused to eat and now she alternately raves and remains in a huff dream knowing those about her but having her mind filled with all sorts of strange ideas and illusions Mr. Linton will be sorry observed Kenneth interrogatively sorry he'll break his heart should anything happen I replied don't alarm him more than necessary well I told him to beware said my companion and he must bide the consequences of neglecting me worn and hasn't he been intimate with Mr. Heathcliff lately? Heathcliff frequently visits at the Grange and so do I the more on the strength of the mistress having known him when he was a boy than because the master likes his company charged from the trouble of calling owing to some presumptuous aspirations after Miss Linton which he manifested I hardly think he'll be taken in again and does Miss Linton turn a cold shoulder on him? was the doctor's next question I'm not in her confidence returned I reluctant to continue the subject no she's a sly one he remarked shaking his head she keeps her own counsel but she's a real little fool I have it from good authority that last night and the pretty night it was she and Heathcliff were walking in the plantation at the back of your house about two hours and he pressed her not to go in again but just mount his horse and away with him my informant said she could only put him off by pledging her word of honor to be prepared on their first meeting after that when it was he didn't hear but you urge Mr. Linton to look sharp the news filled me with fresh fears I outstripped Kenneth and ran most of the way back the little dog was yelping in the garden yet I spared a minute to open the gate for it but instead of going to the house door it coursed up and down snuffing the grass and would have escaped to the road had I not seized it and conveyed it in with me on ascending to Isabella's room my suspicions were confirmed it was empty had I been a few hours sooner Mrs. Linton's illness might have arrested her rash step but what could be done now there was a bare possibility of overtaking them if pursued instantly I could not pursue them however and I dared not rouse the family and fill the place with confusion still less unfold the business to my master absorbed as he was in his present calamity and having no heart to spare for a second grief I saw nothing for it but to hold my tongue and suffer matters to take their course and Kenneth being arrived I went with a badly composed countenance to announce him Catherine lay in a troubled sleep her husband had succeeded in soothing the excess of frenzy he now hung over her pillow watching every shade and every change of her painfully expressive features the doctor on examining the case for himself spoke hopefully to him of its having a favourable termination if we could only preserve around her a perfect and constant tranquillity to me he signified the threatening danger was not so much death as permanent alienation of intellect I did not close my eyes that night nor did Mr. Linton indeed we never went to bed and the servants were all up long before the usual hour moving through the house with stealthy tread and exchanging whispers as they encountered each other in their vocations everyone was active but miss Isabella and they began to remark how sound she slept her brother too asked if she had risen and seemed impatient for her presence and hurt that she showed so little anxiety for her sister and more I trembled lest he should send me to call her but I was spared the pain of being the first proclaimment of her flight one of the maids a thoughtless girl who had been on an early errand to Gimiton came panting upstairs open mouth and dashed into the chamber crying oh dear dear what one we have next master master our young lady hold your noise cried I hastily enraged at her clamorous manner speak lower Mary what is the matter said Mr. Linton what eels your young lady she's gone she's gone your neathcliffs run off with her gasped the girl exclaimed Linton rising in agitation it cannot be how has the idea entered your head Ellen Dean go and see her it is incredible it cannot be as he spoke he took the servant to the door and then repeated his demand to know her reasons for such an assertion why met on the road a lad that fetches milk here she stammered and he asked whether we weren't in trouble at the Grange I thought he meant for Mrs. Sickness so I answered yes then to see there's somebody gone after him I guess scared I saw he knew not about it and he told her how a gentleman and lady had stopped to have a horse issue fast into the blacksmith's shop two miles out of Gimiton not very long after midnight and had the blacksmith's lass had got up to spy who they were she knew them both directly and she noticed the man heathcliff it was she felt certain nobody could mistake him besides put his sovereign in her father's hand for payment the lady had a cloak about her face but having desired a sip of water while she drank it fell back and she saw her very plain both bridles as they rode on and they set their faces from the village and went as fast as the rough roads would let them the lass said nothing to her father but she told it all over Gimiton this morning I ran and peeped for forms sick into Isabella's room confirming when I returned the servant's statement Mr. Linton had resumed his seat by the bed on my re-entrance he raised his eyes read the meaning of my blank aspect and dropped them without giving an order or uttering a word are we to try any measures for overtaking and bringing her back? I inquired, how should we do? she went of her own accord answered the master she had a right to go if she pleased trouble me no more about her hereafter she is only my sister in name not because I disown her but because she has disowned me and that was all he said on the subject he did not make a single inquiry further or mention her in any way and that was all he said on the subject further or mention her in any way except directing me to send what property she had in the house to her fresh home wherever it was when I knew it End of Chapter 12 Chapter 13 of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte This LibriVox recording is in the public domain for two months the fugitives remained absent in those two months Mrs. Linton encountered and conquered the first shock of what was denominated a brain fever no mother could have nursed an only child more devotedly than Edgar tended her day and night he was watching and patiently enduring all the annoyances that irritable nerves and a shaken reason could inflict and, though Kenneth remarked that what he saved from the grave would only recompense his care by forming the source of constant future anxiety in fact, that his health and strength were being sacrificed to preserve a citizen of humanity he knew no limits in gratitude and joy when Catherine's life was declared out of danger and hour after hour he would sit beside her tracing the gradual return to bodily health and flattering his two sanguine hopes with the illusion that her mind would settle back to its right balance also and she would soon be entirely her former self the first time she left her chamber was at the commencement of the following march Mr. Linton had put on her pillow in the morning a handful of golden crocuses her eye long stranger to any gleam of pleasure caught them in waking and shone delighted as she gathered their meagrely together these are the earliest flowers at the heights she exclaimed they remind me of soft, thaw winds and warm sunshine and nearly melted snow Edgar is there not a south wind and is not the snow almost gone the snow is quite gone down here darling replied her husband and I only see two white spots on the whole range of the moors the sky is blue the larks are singing and the becks and brooks are all brim full Catherine last spring at this time I was longing to have you under this roof now I wish you were a mile or two up those hills the air blows so sweetly I feel that it would cure you I shall never be there but once more said the invalid and then you'll leave me I shall remain forever next spring you'll long again to have me under this roof and you'll look back and think you were happy today Linton lavished on her the kindest caresses and tried to cheer her by the fondest words but, vaguely regarding the flowers she let the tears collect on her lashes and streamed down her cheeks unheeding we knew she was really better and therefore decided that long confinement to a single place produced much of this despondency and it might be partially removed by a change of scene the master told me to light a fire in the many weeks deserted parlor and to set an easy chair in the sunshine by the window and then he brought her down and she sat a long while enjoying the genial heat and, as we expected revived by the objects around her which, though familiar were free from the dreary associations investing her hated sick chamber by evening she seemed greatly exhausted yet no arguments could persuade her to return to that apartment and I had to arrange the parlor sofa for her bed till another room could be prepared to obviate the fatigue of mounting a descending stairs we fitted up this where you lie at present on the same floor with the parlor and she was soon strong enough to move from one to the other leaning on Edgar's arm ah, I thought myself she might recover, so waited on as she was double-cold to desire it for on her existence depended that of another we cherished the hope that in a little while Mr. Linton's heart would be gladdened and his land secured from a stranger's grip by the birth of an heir I should mention that Isabella sent to her brother some six weeks from her departure a short note announcing her marriage with Heathcliff it appeared dry and cold but at the bottom was dotted in with pencil an obscure apology and an entreaty for kind remembrance and reconciliation if her proceeding had offended him asserting that she could not help it then and being done she had now no power to repeal it Linton did not reply to this, I believe and in a fortnight more I got a long letter which I considered odd coming from the pen of a bride just out of the honeymoon I'll read it, for I keep it yet any relic of the dead is precious if they were valued living Dear Ellen I came last night to Wuthering Heights and heard for the first time that Catherine has been and is yet very ill I must not write to her, I suppose and my brother is either too angry or too distressed to answer what I sent him still I must write to somebody and the only choice left me is you inform Edgar that I'd give the world to see his face again that my heart returned to thrush-cross a strange and twenty-four hours after I left it and is there at this moment full of warm feelings for him and Catherine I can't follow it though these words are underlined they need not expect me and they may draw what conclusions they please taking care, however, to lay nothing at the door of my weak will or deficient affection the remainder of the letter is for yourself alone I want to ask you two questions the first is do you live to preserve the common sympathies of human nature when you resided here I cannot recognize any sentiment which those around share with me the second question I have great interest in it is this is Mr. Heathcliff a man if so is he mad and if not is he a devil I shan't tell my reasons for making this inquiry but I beseech you to explain if you can what I have married that is when you call to see me and you must call Ellen very soon don't write but come and bring me something from Edgar now you shall hear how I have been received in my new home as I am led to imagine the height will be it is to amuse myself that I dwell on such subjects as the lack of external comforts they never occupy my thoughts except at the moment when I miss them I should laugh and dance for joy if I found their absence was the total of my miseries and the rest was an unnatural dream the sun set behind the grange as we turned on to the moors by that I judged it to be six o'clock and my companion halted half an hour to inspect the park and the gardens and probably the place itself as well as he could so it was dark when we dismounted in the paved yard of the farmhouse and your old fellow servant Joseph issued out to receive us by the light of a dip candle he did it with a courtesy that redounded to his credit his first act was to elevate his torch to a level with my face squint malignantly project his underlip and turn away then he took the two horses and led them into the stables reappearing for the purpose of locking the outer gate as if we lived in an ancient castle Heathcliff stayed to speak to him and I entered the kitchen a dingy, untidy hole I dare say you would not know it it is so changed since it was in your charge by the fires stood a ruffianly child strong in limb and dirty in garb with a look of Catherine in his eyes and about his mouth this is Edgar's legal nephew I reflected mine in a manner I must shake hands and yes I must kiss him it is right to establish a good understanding at the beginning I approached and attempting to take his chubby fist said how do you do my dear he replied in a jargon I did not comprehend shall you and I be friends Herton was my next assay at conversation an oath an oath and a threat to set throttler on me if I did not frame off rewarded my perseverance hey, throttler lad whispered the little wretch rousing a half bread bulldog from its lair in a corner now, wilt thou be ganging he asked authoritatively love for my life urged a compliance I stepped over the threshold to wait till the others should enter Mr. Heathcliff was nowhere visible and Joseph whom I followed to the stables and requested to accompany me in after staring and muttering to himself screwed up his nose and replied meme meme did ever Christian buddy hear art like it mincing and munching how can I say what he say I say I wish you to come with me into the house I cried thinking him deaf yet highly disgusted at his rudeness none of me are you getting somebody else to do he answered and continued his work moving his lantern jaws meanwhile and surveying my dress and countenance the former a great deal too fine but the latter I'm sure as sad as he could desire with sovereign contempt I walked round the yard and threw a wicket to another door at which I took the liberty of knocking in hopes some more civil servant might show himself after a short suspense it was opened by a tall gaunt man without knacker chief and otherwise extremely slovenly his features were lost in masses of shaggy hair that hung on his shoulders and his eyes too were like a ghostly Catherine's with all their beauty annihilated what's your business here he demanded grimly who are you my name was Isabella Linton I replied you've seen me before sir I'm lately married to Mr. Heathcliff and he has brought me here I suppose by your permission as he come back then asked the hermit glaring like a hungry wolf yes we came just now I said but he left me by the kitchen door and when I would have gone in your little boy played sentinel over the place and frightened me off by the help of a bulldog it's well the hellish ability has kept his word growled my future host searching the darkness beyond me an expectation of discovering Heathcliff and then he indulged in a soliloquy of execrations and threats of what he would have done had the fiend deceived him I repented having tried this second entrance and was almost inclined to slip away before he finished cursing but ere I could execute that intention he ordered me in and shut and refascined the door there was a great fire and that was all the light in the huge apartment whose floor had grown a uniform grey and the once brilliant pewter dishes which used to attract my gaze when I was a girl partook of a similar obscurity created by tarnish and dust I inquired whether I might call the maid and be conducted to a bedroom Mr. Earnshaw vouchsafed no answer he walked up and down with his hands in his pockets apparently quite forgetting my presence and his abstraction was evidently so deep and his whole aspect so misanthropical that I shrank from disturbing him again you'll not be surprised Ellen at my feeling particularly cheerless seated in worse than solitude on that inhospitable hearth and remembering that four miles distant lay my delightful home containing the only people I loved on earth and there might as well be the Atlantic to part us instead of those four miles I could not overpass them I questioned with myself where must I turn for comfort and mind you don't tell Edgar or Catherine above every sorrow beside this rose preeminent despair at finding nobody who could or would be my ally against Heathcliff I had sought shelter at Wuthering Heights almost gladly because I was secured by that arrangement from living alone with him but he knew the people we were coming amongst and he did not fear their intermeddling I sat and thought a dull full time the clock struck eight and nine and still my companion paced two and fro his head bent on his breast and perfectly silent unless a groan or a bitter ejaculation forced itself out at intervals I listened to detect a woman's voice in the house and heard the interim with wild regrets and dismal anticipations which at last spoke audibly an irrepressible sighing and weeping I was not aware how openly I grieved till Earnshaw halted opposite in his measured walk and gave me a stare of newly awakened surprise taking advantage of his recovered attention I exclaimed I'm tired with my journey and I want to go to bed where is the maid servant direct me to her as she won't come to me we have none he answered you must wait on yourself where must I sleep then I sobbed I was beyond regarding self-respect weighed down by fatigue and wretchedness Joseph will show you Heathcliff's chamber said he open that door he's in there I was going to obey but he suddenly arrested me and added in the strangest tone be so good as to turn your lock and draw your bolt don't omit it well I said but why Mr. Earnshaw I did not relish the notion of deliberately fastening myself in with Heathcliff look here he replied pulling from his waistcoat a curiously constructed pistol having a double edged spring knife attached to the barrel that's a great tempo to a desperate man is it not I cannot resist going up with us every night and trying this door if once I find it open he's done for I'd do it invariably even though the minute before I have been recalling a hundred reasons that should make me refrain it is some devil that urges me to thwart my own schemes by killing him you fight against that devil for love as long as you may when the time comes not all the angels in heaven shall save him I surveyed the weapon inquisitively a hideous notion struck me how powerful I should be possessing such an instrument I took it from his hand and touched the blade he looked astonished at the expression my face assumed during a brief second it was not horror it was covetousness he snatched the pistol back jealously shut the knife and returned it to its concealment I don't care if you tell him said he put him on his guard and watch for him you know the terms we are on I see his danger does not shock you what has Heathcliff done to you I asked in what has he wronged you to warrant this appalling hatred wouldn't it be wiser to bid him quit the house no thundered urn sure should he offer to leave me he's a dead man persuade him to attempt it and you are a murderous am I to lose all without a chance of retrieval is hurting to be a beggar oh damnation I will have it back and I'll have his goal too and then his blood and hell shall have his soul it will be ten times blacker with that guest than ever it was before you've acquainted me Ellen with your old master's habits he is clearly on the verge of madness he was so last night at least I shuddered to be near him and thought on the servant's ill-bred morose-ness as comparatively agreeable he now recommends his moody walk and I raised the latch and escaped into the kitchen Joseph was bending over the fire peering into a large pan that swung above it and a wooden bowl of oatmeal stood on the settle close by the contents of the pan began to boil and he turned to plunge his hand into the bowl I conjectured that this preparation was probably for our supper and being hungry I resolved it should be eatable so crying out sharply I'll make the porridge I removed the vessel out of his reach and proceeded to take off my hat and riding habit Mr. Earnshaw, I continued directs me to wait on myself I will I'm not going to act the lady among you for fear I should starve good lord sitting down and stroking his ribbed stockings from the knee to the ankle if there's to be fresh authorings just when I get used to tourmeisters if I'm on heaven mistress there are my heed it'll like time to be flitting I never did think to see today when I would leave the old place but I doubt it's now at hand this lamentation drew no notice from me I went briskly to work sighing to remember a period when it would have been all merry fun but compelled speedily to drive off the remembrance it wracked me to recall past happiness and the great apparel there was of conjuring up its apparition the quicker the thimble ran round and the faster the handfuls of meal fell into the water Joseph beheld my style of cookery with growing indignation there he ejaculated Heraton, thou will ensook thy puddies to neat there'll be no blumps as big as my knave there again I'd fling in unbowl and all if I were ye there pale and gulp off and then you'll hay done with bang bang it's a mercy to both of us and deved out it was rather a rough mess I own when poured into the basins four had been provided and a gallon pitcher of new milk was brought from the dairy which Heraton seized and commenced drinking and spilling from the expanse of lip I expostulated and desired that he should have his in a mug affirming that I could not taste the liquid treated so dirtily the old cynic chose to be vastly offended at this nicety assuring me repeatedly that the baron was every bit as good as I and every bit as wholesome and wondering how I could fashion to be so conceited meanwhile the infant ruffian continued sucking and glowered up at me defyingly as he slathered into the jug I shall have my supper in another room I said have you no place you call a parlour parlour he echoed sneeringly parlour you know we know a parlours if you don't like where company there's maesters only if you don't like maester there's us then I shall go upstairs I answered show me a chamber I put my basin on a tray and went myself to fetch some more milk with great grumblings the fellow rose and proceeded me in my ascent we mounted to the garrots he opened a door now and then to look into the apartments we passed here's a ram he said at last flinging back a cranky board on hinges it's really nerve to eat a few porridge in there's a pack of corn in the corner there meatly clean fear of mucking a grand silk clothes spread your handkerchief over the tuppant the ram was a kind of lumber-hole smelling strong of mort and grain various sacks of which articles were piled around leaving a wide-bear space in the middle why man? I exclaimed facing him angrily this is not a place to sleep in I wish to see my bedroom bed room he repeated in a tone of mockery you'll see yours to bed rooms there is yours mine he pointed into the second garrot only differing from the first and being more naked about the walls and having a large, low curtain