`Youshallnotmeddlewithhim!'Icontinued。`Hehatesyou——theyallhateyou——that'sthetruth!Ahappyfamilyyouhave:andaprettystateyou'recometo!'
　　`Ishallcometoaprettier，yet，Nelly，'laughedthemisguidedman，recoveringhishardness。`Atpresent，conveyyourselfandhimaway。
　　And，harkyou，Heathcliff!clearyoutoo，quitefrommyreachandhearing。
　　Iwouldn'tmurderyoutonight；unless，perhaps，Isetthehouseonfire:
　　butthat'sasmyfancygoes。
　　Whilesayingthishetookapintbottleofbrandyfromthedresser，andpouredsomeintoatumbler。
　　`Nay，don't!'Ientreated。`MrHindley，dotakewarning。Havemercyonthisunfortunateboy，ifyoucarenothingforyourself!'
　　`AnyonewilldobetterforhimthanIshall，'heanswered。
　　`Havemercyonyourownsoul!'Isaid，endeavouringtosnatchtheglassfromhishand。
　　`NotI!Onthecontrary，IshallhavegreatpleasureinsendingittoperditiontopunishitsMaker，'exclaimedtheblasphemer。`Here'stoitsheartydamnation!'
　　Hedrankthespiritsandimpatientlybadeusgo；terminatinghiscommandwithasequelofhorridimprecations，toobadtorepeatorremember。
　　`It'sapityhecannotkillhimselfwithdrink，'observedHeathcliff，mutteringanechoofcursesbackwhenthedoorwasshut。`He'sdoinghisveryutmost；buthisconstitutiondefieshim。MrKennethsayshewouldwagerhismare，thathe'lloutliveanymanonthissideGimmerton，andgotothegraveahoarysinner；unlesssomehappychanceoutofthecommoncoursebefallhim。'
　　Iwentintothekitchen，andsatdowntolullmylittlelambtosleep。Heathcliff，asIthought，walkedthroughtothebarn。Itturnedoutafterwardsthatheonlygotasfarastheothersidethesettle，whenheflunghimselfonabenchbythewall，removedfromthefire，andremainedsilent。
　　IwasrockingHaretononmyknee，andhummingasongthatbegan:
　　Itwasfarinthenight，andthebairniesgrat，Themitherbeneaththemoolsheardthat——whenMissCathy，whohadlistenedtothehubbubfromherroom，putherheadin，andwhispered:
　　`Areyoualone，Nelly？'
　　`Yes，miss，'Ireplied。
　　Sheenteredandapproachedthehearth。I，supposingshewasgoingtosaysomething，lookedup。Theexpressionofherfaceseemeddisturbedandanxious。Herlipswerehalfasunder，asifshemeanttospeak，andshedrewabreath；butitescapedinasighinsteadofasentence。Iresumedmysong；nothavingforgottenherrecentbehaviour。
　　`Where'sHeathcliff？'shesaid，interruptingme。
　　`Abouthisworkinthestable，'wasmyanswer。
　　Hedidnotcontradictme；perhapshehadfallenintoadoze。Therefollowedanotherlongpause，duringwhichIperceivedadroportwotricklefromCatherine'scheektotheflags。Isshesorryforhershamefulconduct？
　　Iaskedmyself。Thatwillbeanovelty:butshemaycometothepointasshewill——Ishan'thelpher!No，shefeltsmalltroubleregardinganysubject，saveherownconcerns。
　　`Oh，dear!'shecriedatlast。`I'mveryunhappy!'
　　`Apity，'observedI。`You'rehardtoplease:somanyfriendsandsofewcares，andcan'tmakeyourselfcontent!'
　　`Nelly，willyoukeepasecretforme？'shepursued，kneelingdownbyme，andliftingherwinsomeeyestomyfacewiththatsortoflookwhichturnsoffbadtemper，evenwhenonehasalltherightintheworldtoindulgeit。
　　`Isitworthkeeping？'Iinquired，lesssulkily。
　　`Yes，anditworriesme，andImustletitout!IwanttoknowwhatIshoulddo。Today，EdgarLintonhasaskedmetomarryhim，andI'vegivenhimananswer。Now，beforeItellyouwhetheritwasaconsentordenial，youtellmewhichitoughttohavebeen。'
　　`Really，MissCatherine，howcanIknow？'Ireplied。`Tobesure，consideringtheexhibitionyouperformedinhispresencethisafternoon，Imightsayitwouldbewisetorefusehim:sinceheaskedyouafterthat，hemusteitherbehopelesslystupidoraventuresomefool。'
　　`Ifyoutalkso，Iwon'ttellyouanymore，'shereturnedpeevishly，risingtoherfeet。`Iacceptedhim，Nelly。Bequick，andsaywhetherI
　　waswrong!'
　　`Youacceptedhim!thenwhatgoodisitdiscussingthematter？
　　Youhavepledgedyourword，andcannotretract。'
　　`But，saywhetherIshouldhavedoneso——do!'sheexclaimedinanirritatedtone；chafingherhandstogether，andfrowning。
　　`Therearemanythingstobeconsideredbeforethatquestioncanbeansweredproperly，'Isaidsententiously。`Firstandfore-most，doyouloveMrEdgar？'
　　`Whocanhelpit？OfcourseIdo，'sheanswered。
　　ThenIputherthroughthefollowingcatechism:foragirloftwenty-twoitwasnotinjudicious。
　　`Whydoyoulovehim，MissCathy？'
　　`Nonsense，Ido——that'ssufficient。'
　　`Bynomeans；youmustsaywhy？'
　　`Well，becauseheishandsome，andpleasanttobewith。'
　　`Bad!'wasmycommentary。
　　`Andbecauseheisyoungandcheerful。'
　　`Bad，still。'
　　`Andbecausehelovesme。'
　　`Indifferent，comingthere。'
　　`Andhewillberich，andIshallliketobethegreatestwomanoftheneighbourhood，andIshallbeproudofhavingsuchahusband。'
　　`Worstofall。Andnow，sayhowyoulovehim？'
　　`Aseverybodyloves——You'resilly，Nelly。'
　　`Notatall——Answer。'
　　`Ilovethegroundunderhisfeet，andtheairoverhishead，andeverythinghetouches，andeverywordhesays。Iloveallhislooks，andallhisactions，andhimentirelyandaltogether。Therenow!'
　　`Andwhy？'
　　`Nay；youaremakingajestofit；itisexceedinglyill-natured!It'snojesttome!'saidtheyounglady，scowling，andturningherfacetothefire。
　　`I'mveryfarfromjesting，MissCatherine，'Ireplied。`YouloveMrEdgarbecauseheishandsome，andyoung，andcheerful，andrich，andlovesyou。Thelast，however，goesfornothing:youwouldlovehimwithoutthat，probably；andwithityouwouldn't，unlesshepossessedthefourformerattractions。'
　　`No，tobesurenot:Ishouldonlypityhim——hatehim，perhaps，ifhewereugly，andaclown。'
　　`Butthereareseveralotherhandsome，richyoungmenintheworld:
　　handsomer，possibly，andricherthanheis。Whatshouldhinderyoufromlovingthem？'
　　`Iftherebeany，theyareoutofmyway!I'veseennonelikeEdgar。'
　　`Youmayseesome；andhewon'talwaysbehandsome，andyoung，andmaynotalwaysberich。'
　　`Heisnow；andIhaveonlytodowiththepresent。Iwishyouwouldspeakrationally。'
　　`Well，thatsettlesit:ifyouhaveonlytodowiththepresent，marryMrLinton。'
　　`Idon'twantyourpermissionforthat——Ishallmarryhim:
　　andyetyouhavenottoldmewhetherI'mright。'
　　`Perfectlyright；ifpeopleberighttomarryonlyforthepresent。
　　Andnow，letushearwhatyouareunhappyabout。Yourbrotherwillbepleased；
　　theoldladyandgentlemanwillnotobject，Ithink；youwillescapefromadisorderly，comfortlesshomeintoawealthy，respectableone；andyouloveEdgar，andEdgarlovesyou。Allseemssmoothandeasy:whereistheobstacle？'
　　`Here!andhere!'repliedCatherine，strikingonehandonherforehead，andtheotheronherbreast:`inwhicheverplacethesoullives。Inmysoulandinmyheart，I'mconvincedI'mwrong!'
　　`That'sverystrange!Icannotmakeitout。'
　　`It'smysecret。Butifyouwillnotmockatme，I'llexplainit:Ican'tdoitdistinctly:butI'llgiveyouafeelingofhowIfeel。'
　　Sheseatedherselfbymeagain:hercountenancegrewsadderandgraver，andherclaspedhandstrembled。
　　`Nelly，doyouneverdreamqueerdreams？'shesaid，suddenly，aftersomeminutes'reflection。
　　`Yes，nowandthen，'Ianswered。
　　`AndsodoI。I'vedreamtinmylifedreamsthathavestayedwithmeeverafter，andchangedmyideas:they'vegonethroughandthroughme，likewinethroughwater，andalteredthecolourofmymind。Andthisisone；I'mgoingtotellit——buttakecarenottosmileatanypartofit。'
　　`Oh!don't，MissCatherine!'Icried。`We'redismalenoughwithoutconjuringupghostsandvisionstoperplexus。Come，come，bemerryandlikeyourself!LookatlittleHareton!he'sdreamingnothingdreary。Howsweetlyhesmilesinhissleep!'
　　`Yes；andhowsweetlyhisfathercursesinhissolitude!Yourememberhim，Idaresay，whenhewasjustsuchanotherasthatchubbything:nearlyasyoungandinnocent。However，Nelly，Ishallobligeyoutolisten:it'snotlong；andI'venopowertobemerrytonight。'
　　`Iwon'thearit，Iwon'thearit!'Irepeatedhastily。
　　Iwassuperstitiousaboutdreamsthen，andamstill；andCatherinehadanunusualgloominheraspect，thatmademedreadsomethingfromwhichImightshapeaprophecy，andforeseeafearfulcatastrophe。Shewasvexed，butshedidnotproceed。Apparentlytakingupanothersubject，sherecommencedinashorttime。
　　`IfIwereinheaven，Nelly，Ishouldbeextremelymiserable。'
　　`Becauseyouarenotfittogothere，'，Ianswered。`Allsinnerswouldbemiserableinheaven。'
　　`Butitisnotforthat。IdreamtoncethatIwasthere。'
　　`ItellyouIwon'thearkentoyourdreams，MissCatherine!I'llgotobed，'Iinterruptedagain。
　　Shelaughed，andheldmedown；forImadeamotiontoleavemychair。
　　`Thisisnothing，'criedshe:`Iwasonlygoingtosaythatheavendidnotseemtobemyhome；andIbrokemyheartwithweepingtocomebacktoearth；andtheangelsweresoangrythattheyflungmeoutintothemiddleoftheheathonthetopofWutheringHeights；whereIwokesobbingforjoy。Thatwilldotoexplainmysecret，aswellastheother。I'venomorebusinesstomarryEdgarLintonthanIhavetobeinheaven；andifthewickedmanintherehadnotbroughtHeathcliffsolow，Ishouldn'thavethoughtofit。ItwoulddegrademetomarryHeathcliffnow；soheshallneverknowhowIlovehim:andthat，notbecausehe'shandsome，Nelly，butbecausehe'smoremyselfthanIam。Whateveroursoulsaremadeof，hisandminearethesame；andLinton'sisasdifferentasamoonbeamfromlightning，orfrostfromfire。'
　　Erethisspeechended，IbecamesensibleofHeathcliff'spresence。
　　Havingnoticedaslightmovement，Iturnedmyhead，andsawhimrisefromthebench，andstealoutnoiselessly。HehadlistenedtillheheardCatherinesayitwoulddegradehertomarryhim，andthenhestayedtohearnofurther。
　　Mycompanion，sittingontheground，waspreventedbythebackofthesettlefromremarkinghispresenceordeparture；butIstarted，andbadeherhush!
　　`Why？'sheasked，gazingnervouslyround。
　　`Josephishere，'Ianswered，catchingopportunelytherollofhiscart-wheelsuptheroad；`andHeathcliffwillcomeinwithhim。I'mnotsurewhetherhewerenotatthedoorthismoment。'
　　`Oh，hecouldn'toverhearmeatthedoor!'saidshe。`GivemeHareton，whileyougetthesupper，andwhenitisreadyaskmetosupwithyou。Iwanttocheatmyuncomfortableconscience，andbeconvincedthatHeathcliffhasnonotionofthesethings。Hehasnot，hashe？Hedoesnotknowwhatbeinginloveis？'
　　`Iseenoreasonthatheshouldnotknow，aswellasyou，'Ireturned；
　　`andifyouarehischoice，hewillbethemostunfortunatecreaturethateverwasborn!AssoonasyoubecomeMrsLinton，helosesfriend，andlove，andall!Haveyouconsideredhowyou'llbeartheseparation，andhowhe'llbedesertedintheworld？Because，MissCatherine——'
　　`Hequitedeserted!weseparated!'sheexclaimed，withanaccentofindignation。`Whoistoseparateus，pray？They'llmeetthefateofMilo!NotaslongasIlive，Ellen:fornomortalcreature。EveryLintononthefaceoftheearthmightmeltintonothing，beforeIcouldconsenttoforsakeHeathcliff。Oh，that'snotwhatIintend——that'snotwhatI
　　mean!Ishouldn'tbeMrsLintonweresuchapricedemanded!He'llbeasmuchtomeashehasbeenallhislifetime。Edgarmustshakeoffhisantipathy，andtoleratehim，atleast。Hewill，whenhelearnsmytruefeelingstowardshim。Nelly，Iseenow，youthinkmeaselfishwretch；butdiditneverstrikeyouthatifHeathcliffandImarried，weshouldbebeggars？whereas，ifImarryLinton，IcanaidHeathclifftorise，andplacehimoutofmybrother'spower。'
　　`Withyourhusband'smoney，MissCatherine？'Iasked。`You'llfindhimnotsopliableasyoucalculateupon:and，thoughI'mhardlyajudge，Ithinkthat'stheworstmotiveyou'vegivenyetforbeingthewifeofyoungLinton。'
　　`Itisnot，'retortedshe；`itisthebest!Theotherswerethesatisfactionofmywhims:andforEdgar'ssake，too，tosatisfyhim。ThisisforthesakeofonewhocomprehendsinhispersonmyfeelingstoEdgarandmyself。Icannotexpressit；butsurelyyouandeverybodyhaveanotionthatthereisorshouldbeanexistenceofyoursbeyondyou。Whatweretheuseofmycreation，ifIwereentirelycontainedhere？MygreatmiseriesinthisworldhavebeenHeathcliff'smiseries，andIwatchedandfelteachfromthebeginning:mygreatthoughtinlivingishimself。Ifallelseperished，andheremained，Ishouldstillcontinuetobe；andifallelseremained，andhewereannihilated，theuniversewouldturntoamightystranger:Ishouldnotseemapartofit。MyloveforLintonislikethefoliageinthewoods:timewillchangeit，I'mwellaware，aswinterchangesthetrees。MyloveforHeathcliffresemblestheeternalrocksbeneath:
　　asourceoflittlevisibledelight，butnecessary。Nelly，IamHeathcliff!
　　He'salways，alwaysinmymind:notasapleasure，anymorethanIamalwaysapleasuretomyself，butasmyownbeing。Sodon'ttalkofourseparationagain:itisimpracticable；and——'
　　Shepaused，andhidherfaceinthefoldsofmygown；butIjerkeditforciblyaway。Iwasoutofpatiencewithherfolly!
　　`IfIcanmakeanysenseofyournonsense，miss，'Isaid，`itonlygoestoconvincemethatyouareignorantofthedutiesyouundertakeinmarrying；orelsethatyouareawicked，unprincipledgirl。Buttroublemewithnomoresecrets:I'llnotpromisetokeepthem。'
　　`You'llkeepthat？'sheaskedeagerly。
　　`No，I'llnotpromise，'Irepeated。
　　Shewasabouttoinsist，whentheentranceofJosephfinishedourconversation；andCatherineremovedherseattoacorner，andnursedHareton，whileImadethesupper。Afteritwascooked，myfellow-servantandIbegantoquarrelwhoshouldcarrysometoMrHindley；andwedidn'tsettleittillallwasnearlycold。Thenwecametotheagreementthatwewouldlethimask，ifhewantedany；forwefearedparticularlytogointohispresencewhenhehadbeensometimealone。
　　`Undhahisn'tthatnowtcomedinfroughth'field，bethistime？
　　Whatisheabaht？girteedleseeght!'demandedtheoldman，lookingroundforHeathcliff。
　　`I'llcallhim，'Ireplied。`He'sinthebarn，I'venodoubt。'
　　Iwentandcalled，butgotnoanswer。Onreturning，IwhisperedtoCatherinethathehadheardagoodpartofwhatshesaid，Iwassure；
　　andtoldhowIsawhimquitthekitchenjustasshecomplainedofherbrother'sconductregardinghim。Shejumpedupinafinefright，flungHaretonontothesettle，andrantoseekforherfriendherself；nottakingleisuretoconsiderwhyshewassoflurried，orhowhertalkwouldhaveaffectedhim。ShewasabsentsuchawhilethatJosephproposedweshouldwaitnolonger。Hecunninglyconjecturedtheywerestayingawayinordertoavoidhearinghisprotractedblessing。Theywere`illeneughforonyfahlmanners'，heaffirmed。Andontheirbehalfheaddedthatnightaspecialprayertotheusualquarterofanhour'ssupplicationbeforemeat，andwouldhavetackedanothertotheendofthegrace，hadnothisyoungmistressbrokeninuponhimwithahurriedcommandthathemustrundowntheroad，andwhereverHeathcliffhadrambled，findandmakehimre-enterdirectly!
　　`Iwanttospeaktohim，andImust，beforeIgoupstairs，'
　　shesaid。`Andthegateisopen:heissomewhereoutofhearing；forhewouldnotreply，thoughIshoutedatthetopofthefoldasloudasIcould。'
　　Josephobjectedatfirst；shewastoomuchinearnest，however，tosuffercontradiction；andatlastheplacedhishatonhishead，andwalkedgrumblingforth。Meantime，Catherinepacedupanddownthefloor，exclaiming:
　　`Iwonderwhereheis——Iwonderwherehecanbe？WhatdidIsay，Nelly？I'veforgotten。Washevexedatmybadhumourthisafternoon？
　　Dear!tellmewhatI'vesaidtogrievehim？Idowishhe'dcome。Idowishhewould!'
　　`Whatanoisefornothing!'Icried，thoughratheruneasymyself。
　　`Whatatriflescaresyou!It'ssurelynogreatcauseofalarmthatHeathcliffshouldtakeamoonlightsaunteronthemoors，orevenlietoosulkytospeaktousinthehay-loft。I'llengagehe'slurkingthere。SeeifIdon'tferrethimout!'
　　Idepartedtorenewmysearch；itsresultwasdisappointment，andJoseph'squestendedinthesame。
　　`Yonladsgetswarunwar!'observedheonre-entering。`He'sleftth'yateutt'fullswing，andMiss'sponyhastroddendahntworigsuhcorn，unplotteredthrough，raighto'erintuht'meadow!Hahsomdiver，t'maister'ullplayt'deviltomorn，andhe'lldoweel。He'spatienceitsselnwi'sichcareless，offaldcraters——patienceitsselnheis!Budhe'llnutbesoaallus——yah'ssee，allonye!Yahmum'ntdrivehimahtufhisheeadfornowt!'
　　`HaveyoufoundHeathcliff，youass？'interruptedCatherine。`Haveyoubeenlookingforhim，asIordered？'
　　`Awsudmorelikkerlookforth'horse，'hereplied。`It'udbetuhmoresense。Bud，Awcanlookfornortherhorsenurmanufaneeghtloikethis——asblackast'chimbley!undHathecliff'snoant'chaptocoomatmawwhistle——happenhe'llbelessharduhhearingwi'ye!'
　　Itwasaverydarkeveningforsummer:thecloudsappearedinclinedtothunder，andIsaidwehadbetterallsitdown；theapproachingrainwouldbecertaintobringhimhomewithoutfurthertrouble。However，Catherinewouldnotbepersuadedintotranquillity。Shekeptwanderingtoandfro，fromthegatetothedoor，inastateofagitationwhichpermittednorepose；andatlengthtookupapermanentsituationononesideofthewall，neartheroad:where，heedlessofmyexpostulationsandthegrowlingthunder，andthegreatdropsthatbegantoplasharoundher，sheremained，callingatintervals，andthenlistening，andthencryingoutright。ShebeatHareton，oranychild，atagoodpassionatefitofcrying。
　　Aboutmidnight，whilewestillsatup，thestormcamerattlingovertheHeightsinfullfury。Therewasaviolentwind，aswellasthunder，andeitheroneortheothersplitatreeoffatthecornerofthebuilding:
　　ahugeboughfellacrosstheroof，andknockeddownaportionoftheeastchimney-stack，sendingaclatterofstonesandsootintothekitchenfire。
　　Wethoughtabolthadfalleninthemiddleofus；andJosephswungontohiskneesbeseechingtheLordtorememberthepatriarchsNoahandLot，and，asinformertimes，sparetherighteous，thoughHesmotetheungodly。
　　Ifeltsomesentimentthatitmustbeajudgmentonusalso。TheJonah，inmymind，wasMrEarnshaw；andIshookthehandleofhisdenthatImightascertainifhewereyetliving。Herepliedaudiblyenough，inafashionwhichmademycompanionvociferate，moreclamorouslythanbefore，thatawidedistinctionmightbedrawnbetweensaintslikehimselfandsinnerslikehismaster。Buttheuproarpassedawayintwentyminutes，leavingusallunharmed；exceptingCathy，whogotthoroughlydrenchedforherobstinacyinrefusingtotakeshelter，andstandingbonnetlessandshawl-lesstocatchasmuchwaterasshecouldwithherhairandclothes。Shecameinandlaydownonthesettle，allsoakedasshewas，turningherfacetotheback，andputtingherhandsbeforeit。
　　`Well，miss!'Iexclaimed，touchinghershoulder；`youarenotbentongettingyourdeath，areyou？Doyouknowwhato'clockitis？Halfpasttwelve。Come，cometobed!there'snousewaitinglongeronthatfoolishboy:he'llbegonetoGimmetton，andhe'llstaytherenow。Heguessesweshouldn'twaitforhimtillthislatehour:atleast，heguessesthatonlyMrHindleywouldbeup；andhe'dratheravoidhavingthedooropenedbythemaster。
　　`Nay，nay，he'snoanatGimmerton，'saidJoseph。`Aw'sniverwonder，budhe'satt'bothomufabog-hoile。Thisvisitationworn'tfornowt，andIwodhevyetolookout，miss——yahmuhbet'next。ThankHivenforall!Allwarkstogitherforgooidtothemasischozzen，andpikedoutfro'th'rubbidge!Yahknawwhett'Scriptureses。'Andhebeganquotingseveraltexts，referringustothechaptersandverseswherewemightfindthem。
　　I，havingvainlybeggedthewilfulgirltoriseandremoveherwetthings，lefthimpreachingandhershivering，andbetookmyselftobedwithlittleHareton，whosleptasfastasifeveryonehadbeensleepingroundhim。IheardJosephreadonawhileafterwards；thenIdistinguishedhisslowstepontheladder，andthenIdroppedasleep。
　　Comingdownsomewhatlaterthanusual，Isaw，bythesunbeamspiercingthechinksoftheshutters，MissCatherinestillseatednearthefireplace。Thehousedoorwasajar，too；lightenteredfromitsunclosedwindows；Hindleyhadcomeout，andstoodonthekitchenhearth，haggardanddrowsy。
　　`Whatailsyou，Cathy？'hewassayingwhenIentered:`youlookasdismalasadrownedwhelp。Whyareyousodampandpale，child？'
　　`I'vebeenwet，'sheansweredreluctantly'`andI'mcold，that'sall。'
　　`Oh，sheisnaughty!'Icried，perceivingthemastertobetolerablysober。`Shegotsteepedintheshowerofyesterdayevening，andthereshehassatthenightthrough，andIcouldn'tprevailonhertostir。'
　　MrEarnshawstaredatusinsurprise。`Thenightthrough，'herepeated。`Whatkeptherup？notfearofthethunder，surely？Thatwasoverhourssince。'
　　NeitherofuswishedtomentionHeathcliff'sabsence，aslongaswecouldconcealit；soIreplied，Ididn'tknowhowshetookitintoherheadtositup；andshesaidnothing。Themorningwasfreshandcool；
　　Ithrewbackthelattice，andpresentlytheroomfilledwithsweetscentsfromthegarden；butCatherinecalledpeevishlytome，`Ellen，shutthewindow。I'mstarving!'Andherteethchatteredassheshrunkclosertothealmostextinguishedembers。
　　`She'sill，'saidHindley，takingherwrist；`Isupposethat'sthereasonshewouldnotgotobed。Damnit!Idon'twanttobetroubledwithmoresicknesshere。Whattookyouintotherain!'
　　`Runningaftert'lads，asusuald!'croakedJoseph，catchinganopportunity，fromourhesitation，tothrustinhiseviltongue。`IfIwaryah，maister，I'djustslamt'boardsi'theirfacesallon'em，gentleandsimple!Neveradayutyah'reoff，butyoncato'Lintoncomessneakinghither；andMissNelly，shoo'safinelass!shoositswatchingforyei'
　　t'kitchen；andasyah'reinatonedoor，he'soutatt'other；and，then，wergrandladygoesacoortingofherside!It'sbonnybehaviour，lurkingamangt'fields，aftertwelveo't'night，wi'thatfahl，flaysomedivilofagipsy，Heathcliff!TheythinkI'mblind；butI'mnoan:nowtutt'soart!——IseedyoungLintonboathcomingandgoing，andIseedyah'
　　directinghisdiscoursetome，`yahgooidfurnowt，slattenlywitch!
　　nipupandboltintoth'house，t'minuteyahheardt'maister'shorsefitclatterupt'road。'
　　`Silence，eavesdropper!'criedCatherine；`noneofyourinsolencebeforeme!EdgarLintoncameyesterdaybychance，Hindley；anditwasIwhotoldhimtobeoff:becauseIknewyouwouldnotliketohavemethimasyouwere。
　　`Youlie，Cathy，nodoubt，'answeredherbrother，`andyouareaconfoundedsimpleton!ButnevermindLintonatpresent:tellme，wereyounotwithHeathclifflastnight？Speakthetruth，now。Youneednotbeafraidofharminghim:thoughIhatehimasmuchasever，hedidmeagoodturnashorttimesince，thatwillmakemyconsciencetenderofbreakinghisneck。Topreventit，Ishallsendhimabouthisbusiness，thisverymorning；andafterhe'sgone，I'dadviseyoualltolooksharp:
　　Ishallonlyhavethemorehumourforyou。
　　`IneversawHeathclifflastnight，'answeredCatherine，beginningtosobbitterly:`andifyoudoturnhimoutofdoors，I'llgowithhim。
　　But，perhaps，you'llneverhaveanopportunity:perhapshe'sgone。'Heresheburstintouncontrollablegrief，andtheremainderofherwordswereinarticulate。
　　Hindleylavishedonheratorrentofscornfulabuse，andbadehergettoherroomimmediately，orsheshouldn'tcryfornothing!Iobligedhertoobey；andIshallneverforgetwhatascenesheactedwhenwereachedherchamber:itterrifiedme。Ithoughtshewasgoingmad，andIbeggedJosephtorunforthedoctor。Itprovedthecommencementofdelirium:MrKenneth，assoonashesawher，pronouncedherdangerouslyill；shehadafever。Hebledher，andhetoldmetoletherliveonwheyandwatergruel，andtakecareshedidnotthrowherselfdownstairsoroutofthewindow；andthenheleft:forhehadenoughtodointheparish，wheretwoorthreemileswastheordinarydistancebetweencottageandcottage。
　　ThoughIcannotsayImadeagentlenurse，andJosephandthemasterwerenobetter；andthoughourpatientwasaswearisomeandheadstrongasapatientcouldbe，sheweathereditthrough。OldMrsLintonpaidusseveralvisits，tobesure，andsetthingstorights，andscoldedandorderedusall；andwhenCatherinewasconvalescent，sheinsistedonconveyinghertoThrushcrossGrange:forwhichdeliverancewewereverygrateful。
　　Butthepoordamehadreasontorepentofherkindness:sheandherhusbandbothtookthefever，anddiedwithinafewdaysofeachother。
　　Ouryoungladyreturnedtous，saucierandmorepassionate，andhaughtierthanever。Heathcliffhadneverbeenheardofsincetheeveningofthethunder-storm；andonedayIhadthemisfortune，whenshehadprovokedmeexceedingly，tolaytheblameofhisdisappearanceonher:whereindeeditbelonged，asshewellknew。Fromthatperiod，forseveralmonths，sheceasedtoholdanycommunicationwithme，saveintherelationofamereservant。Josephfellunderabanalso:hewouldspeakhismind，andlectureherallthesameasifshewerealittlegirl；andsheesteemedherselfawoman，andourmistress，andthoughtthatherrecentillnessgaveheraclaimtobetreatedwithconsideration。Thenthedoctorhadsaidthatshewouldnotbearcrossingmuch；sheoughttohaveherownway；
　　anditwasnothinglessthanmurderinhereyesforanyonetopresumetostandupandcontradicther。FromMrEarnshawandhiscompanionsshekeptaloof；andtutoredbyKenneth，andseriousthreatsofafitthatoftenattendedherrages，herbrotherallowedherwhatevershepleasedtodemand，andgenerallyavoidedaggravatingherfierytemper。Hewasrathertooindulgentinhumouringhercaprices；notfromaffection，butfrompride:
　　hewishedearnestlytoseeherbringhonourtothefamilybyanalliancewiththeLintons，andaslongasshelet。himaloneshemighttrampleuslikeslaves，foraughthecared!EdgarLinton，asmultitudeshavebeenbeforeandwillbeafterhim，wasinfatuated；andbelievedhimselfth，ehappiestmanaliveonthedayheledhertoGimmertonChapel，threeyearssubsequenttohisfather'sdeath。
　　Muchagainstmyinclination，IwaspersuadedtoleaveWutheringHeightsandaccompanyherhere。LittleHaretonwasnearlyfiveyearsold，andIhadjustbeguntoteachhimhisletters。Wemadeasadparting；butCatherine'stearsweremorepowerfulthanours。WhenIrefusedtogo，andwhenshefoundherentreatiesdidnotmoveme，shewentlamentingtoherhusbandandbrother。Theformerofferedmemunificentwages；thelatterorderedmetopackup:hewantednowomeninthehouse，hesaid，nowthattherewasnomistress；andastoHareton，thecurateshouldtakehiminhand，byandby。AndsoIhadbutonechoiceleft:todoasIwasordered。
　　Itoldthemasterhegotridofalldecentpeopleonlytoruntoruinalittlefaster；IkissedHaretongoodbye；andsincethenhehasbeenastranger:
　　andit'sveryqueertothinkit，butI'venodoubthehascompletelyforgottenallaboutEllenDean，andthathewasevermorethanalltheworldtoher，andshetohim!
　　Atthispointofthehousekeeper'sstory，shechancedtoglancetowardsthetimepieceoverthechimney；andwasinamazementonseeingtheminutehandmeasurehalfpastone。Shewouldnothearofstayingasecondlonger:intruth，Ifeltratherdisposedtodeferthesequelofhernarrative，myself。Andnowthatsheisvanishedtoherrest，andI
　　havemeditatedforanotherhourortwo，Ishallsummoncouragetogo，also，inspiteofachinglazinessofheadandlimbs。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter10Acharmingintroductiontoahermit'slife!Fourweeks'torture，tossing，andsickness!Oh!thesebleakwindsandbitternorthernskies，andimpassableroads，anddilatorycountrysurgeons!And，oh，thisdearthofthehumanphysiognomy!and，worsethanall，theterribleintimationofKenneththatIneednotexpecttobeoutofdoorstillspring!
　　MrHeathcliffhasjusthonouredmewithacallsAboutsevendaysagohesentmeabraceofgrouse——thelastoftheseason。Scoundrel!Heisnotaltogetherguiltlessinthisillnessofmine；andthatIhadagreatmindtotellhim。But，alas!howcouldIoffendamanwhowascharitableenoughtositatmybedsideagoodhour，andtalkonsomeothersubjectthanpillsanddraughts，blistersandleeches？Thisisquiteaneasyinterval。
　　Iamtooweaktoread；yetIfeelasifIcouldenjoysomethinginteresting。
　　WhynothaveupMrsDeantofinishhertale？Icanrecollectitschiefincidentsasfarasshehadgone。Yes:Irememberherherohadrunoff，andneverbeenheardofforthreeyears；andtheheroinewasmarried。I'llring:she'llbedelightedtofindmecapableoftalkingcheerfully。MrsDeancame。
　　`Itwantstwentyminutes，sir，totakingthemedicine，'shecommenced。
　　`Away，awaywithit!'Ireplied；`Idesiretohave——'
　　`Thedoctorsaysyoumustdropthepowders。'
　　`Withallmyheart!Don'tinterruptme。Comeandtakeyourseathere。Keepyourfingersfromthatbitterphalanxofvials。Drawyourknittingoutofyourpocket——thatwilldo——nowcontinuethehistoryofMrHeathcliff，fromwhereyouleftoff，tothepresentday。DidhefinishhiseducationontheContinent，andcomebackagentleman？or。didhegetasizar'splaceatcollege，orescapetoAmerica，andearnhonoursbydrawingbloodfromhisfoster-country？ormakeafortunemorepromptlyontheEnglishhighways？'
　　`Hemayhavedonealittleinallthesevocations，MrLockwood；
　　butIcouldn'tgivemywordforany。IstatedbeforethatIdidn'tknowhowhegainedhismoney；neitheramIawareofthemeanshetooktoraisehismindfromthesavageignoranceintowhichitwassunk:but，withyourleave，I'llproceedinmyownfashion，ifyouthinkitwillamuseandnotwearyyou。Areyoufeelingbetterthismorning？'
　　`Much。'
　　`That'sgoodnews。IgotMissCatherineandmyselftoThrushcrossGrange；and，tomyagreeabledisappointment，shebehavedinfinitelybetterthanIdaredexpect。SheseemedalmostoverfondofMrLinton；andeventohissistersheshowedplentyofaffection。Theywerebothveryattentivetohercomfort，certainly。Itwasnotthethornbendingtothehoneysuckles，butthehoneysucklesembracingthethorn。Therewerenomutualconcessions；
　　onestooderect，andtheothersyielded:andwhocanbeill-naturedandbad-temperedwhentheyencounterneitheroppositionnorindifference？I
　　observedthatMrEdgarhadadeeprootedfearofrufflingherhumour。Heconcealeditfromher；butifeverheheardmeanswersharply，orsawanyotherservantgrowcloudyatsomeimperiousorderofhers，hewouldshowhistroublebyafrownofdispleasurethatneverdarkenedonhisownaccount。
　　Hemanyatimespokesternlytomeaboutmypertness；andaverredthatthestabofaknifecouldnotinflictaworsepangthanhesufferedatseeinghisladyvexed。Nottogrieveakindmaster，Ilearnedtobelesstouchy；and，forthespaceofhalfayear，thegunpowderlayasharmlessassand，becausenofirecameneartoexplodeit。Catherinehadseasonsofgloomandsilencenowandthen:theywererespectedwithsympathizingsilencebyherhusband，whoascribedthemtoanalterationinherconstitution，producedbyherperilousillness；asshewasneversubjecttodepressionofspiritsbefore。Thereturnofsunshinewaswelcomedbyansweringsunshinefromhim。IbelieveImayassertthattheywerereallyinpossessionofdeepandgrowinghappiness。
　　Itended。Well，wemustbeforourselvesinthelongrun；
　　themildandgenerousareonlymorejustlyselfishthanthedomineering；
　　anditendedwhencircumstancescausedeachtofeelthattheonesinterestwasnotthechiefconsiderationintheother'sthoughts。OnamelloweveninginSeptember，IwascomingfromthegardenwithaheavybasketofappleswhichIhadbeengathering。Ithadgotdusk，andthemoonlookedoverthehighwallofthecourt，causingundefinedshadowstolurkinthecornersofthenumerousprojectingportionsofthebuilding。Isetmyburdenonthehousestepsbythekitchendoor，andlingeredtorest，anddrewinafewmorebreathsofthesoft，sweetair；myeyeswereonthemoon，andmybacktotheentrance，whenIheardavoicebehindmesay——
　　`Nelly，isthatyou？'
　　Itwasadeepvoice，andforeignintone；yettherewassomethinginthemannerofpronouncingmynamewhichmadeitsoundfamiliar。Iturnedabouttodiscoverwhospoke，fearfully；forthedoorswereshut，andI
　　hadseennobodyonapproachingthesteps。Somethingstirredintheporch；
　　and，movingnearer，Idistinguishedatallmandressedindarkclothes，withdarkfaceandhair。Heleantagainsttheside，andheldhisfingersonthelatchasifintendingtoopenforhimself。`Whocanitbe？'Ithought。
　　`MrEarnshaw？Oh，no!Thevoicehasnoresemblancetohis。'
　　`Ihavewaitedhereanhour，'heresumed，whileIcontinuedstaring；
　　`andthewholeofthattimeallroundhasbeenasstillasdeath。Idarednotenter。Youdonotknowme？Look，I'mnotastranger!'
　　Arayfellonhisfeatures；thecheeksweresallow，andhalfcoveredwithblackwhiskers；thebrowslowering，theeyesdeepsetandsingular。
　　Irememberedtheeyes。
　　`What!'Icried，uncertainwhethertoregardhimasaworldlyvisitor，andIraisedmyhandsinamazement。What!youcomeback？Isitreallyyou？Isit？'
　　`Yes，Heathcliff，'hereplied，glancingfrommeuptothewindows，whichreflectedascoreofglitteringmoons，butshowednolightsfromwithin。`Aretheyathome？whereisshe？Nelly，youarenotglad!youneedn'tbesodisturbed。Isshehere？Speak!Iwanttohaveonewordwithher——yourmistress。Go，andsaysomepersonfromGimmertondesirestoseeher。'
　　`Howwillshetakeit？'Iexclaimed。`Whatwillshedo？Thesurprisebewildersme——itwillputheroutofherhead!AndyouareHeathcliff!
　　Butaltered!Nay，there'snocomprehendingit。Haveyoubeenforasoldier？'
　　`Goandcarrymymessage，'heinterruptedimpatiently。`I'minhelltillyoudo!'
　　Heliftedthelatch，andIentered；butwhenIgottotheparlourwhereMrandMrsLintonwere，Icouldnotpersuademyselftoproceed。Atlength，Iresolvedonmakinganexcusetoaskiftheywouldhavethecandleslighted，andIopenedthedoor。
　　Theysattogetherinawindowwhoselatticelaybackagainstthewall，anddisplayed，beyondthegardentreesandthewildgreenpark，thevalleyofGimmerton，withalonglineofmistwindingnearlytoitstopforverysoonafteryoupassthechapel，asyoumayhavenoticed，thesoughthatrunsfromthemarshesjoinsabeckwhichfollowsthebendoftheglen。WutheringHeightsroseabovethissilveryvapour；butouroldhousewasinvisible；itratherdipsdownontheotherside。Boththeroomanditsoccupants，andthescenetheygazedon，lookedwondrouslypeaceful。
　　Ishrankreluctantlyfromperformingmyerrand；andwasactuallygoingawayleavingitunsaid，afterhavingputmyquestionaboutthecandles，whenasenseofmyfollycompelledmetoreturn，andmutter——`ApersonfromGimmertonwishestoseeyou，ma'am。'
　　`Whatdoeshewant？'askedMrsLinton。
　　`Ididnotquestionhim，'Ianswered。
　　`Well，closethecurtains，Nelly，'shesaid；`andbringuptea。
　　I'llbebackagaindirectly。'
　　Shequittedtheapartment；MrEdgarinquired，carelessly，whoitwas。
　　`Someonemistressdoesnotexpect，'Ireplied。`ThatHeathcliff——yourecollecthim，sir，——whousedtoliveatMrEarnshaw's。'
　　`What!thegipsy——theploughboy？'hecried。`WhydidyounotsaysotoCatherine？'
　　`Hush!youmustnotcallhimbythosenames，master，'Isaid。
　　`She'dbesadlygrievedtohearyou。Shewasnearlyheartbrokenwhenheranoff。Iguesshisreturnwillmakeajubileetoher。'
　　MrLintonwalkedtoawindowontheothersideoftheroomthatoverlookedthecourt。Heunfasteneditandleantout。Isupposetheywerebelow，forheexclaimedquickly——`Don'tstandthere，love!Bringthepersonin，ifitbeanyoneparticular。'ErelongIheardtheclickofthelatch，andCatherineflewupstairs，breathlessandwild；tooexcitedtoshowgladness:
　　indeed，byherface，youwouldratherhavesurmisedanawfulcalamity。
　　`Oh，Edgar，Edgar!'shepanted，flingingherarmsroundhisneck。
　　`OhEdgar，darling!Heathcliff'scomeback-heis!'Andshetightenedherembracetoasqueeze。
　　`Well，well，'criedherhusbandcrossly，`don'tstranglemeforthat!Heneverstruckmeassuchamarvelloustreasure。Thereisnoneedtobefrantic!'
　　`Iknowyoudidn'tlikehim，'sheanswered，repressingalittletheintensityofherdelight。`Yet，formysake，youmustbefriendsnow。
　　ShallItellhimtocomeup？'
　　`Here？'hesaid，`intotheparlour？'
　　`Whereelse？'sheasked。
　　Helookedvexed，andsuggestedthekitchenasamoresuitableplaceforhim。MrsLintoneyedhimwithadrollexpression——halfangry，halflaughingathisfastidiousness。
　　`No，'sheaddedafterawhile；`Icannotsitinthekitchen。Settwotableshere，Ellen:oneforyourmasterandMissIsabella，beinggentry；
　　theotherforHeathcliffandmyself，beingofthelowerorders。Willthatpleaseyou，dear？OrmustIhaveafirelightedelsewhere？Ifso，givedirections。I'llrundownandsecuremyguest。I'mafraidthejoyistoogreattobereal!'
　　Shewasabouttodartoffagain；butEdgararrestedher。
　　`Youbidhimstepup，'hesaid，addressingme!`and，Catherine，trytobeglad，withoutbeingabsurd!thewholehouseholdneednotwitnessthesightofyourwelcomingarunawayservantasabrother。'
　　IdescendedandfoundHeathcliffwaitingundertheporch，evidentlyanticipatinganinvitationtoenter。Hefollowedmyguidancewithoutwasteofwords，andIusheredhimintothepresenceofthemasterandmistress，whoseflushedcheeksbetrayedsignsofwarmtalking。Butthelady'sglowedwithanotherfeelingwhenherfriendappearedatthedoor:shesprangforward，tookbothhishands，andledhimtoLinton；andthensheseizedLinton'sreluctantfingersandcrushedthemintohis。Nowfullyrevealedbythefireandcandlelight，Iwasamazed，morethanever，tobeholdthetransformationofHeathcliff。Hehadgrownatall，athletic，well-formedman；besidewhom，mymasterseemedquiteslenderandyouth-like。Hisuprightcarriagesuggestedtheideaofhishavingbeeninthearmy。HiscountenancewasmucholderinexpressionanddecisionoffeaturethanMrLinton's；itlookedintelligent，andretainednomarksofformerdegradation。Ahalf-civilizedferocitylurkedyetinthedepressedbrowsandeyesfullofblackfire，butitwassubdued；andhismannerwasevendignified:quitedivestedofroughness，thoughtoosternforgrace。Mymaster'ssurpriseequalledorexceededmine:
　　heremainedforaminuteatalosshowtoaddresstheploughboy，ashehadcalledhim。Heathcliffdroppedhisslighthand，andstoodlookingathimcoollytillhechosetospeak。
　　`Sitdown，sir，'hesaid，atlength。`MrsLinton，recallingoldtimes，wouldhavemegiveyouacordialreception；and，ofcourse，Iamgratifiedwhenanythingoccurstopleaseher。'
　　`AndIalso，'answeredHeathcliff，`especiallyifitbeanythinginwhichIhaveapart。Ishallstayanhourortwowillingly。'
　　HetookaseatoppositeCatherine，whokepthergazefixedonhimasifshefearedhewouldvanishwereshetoremoveit。Hedidnotraisehistoheroften:aquickglancenowandthensufficed；butitflashedback，eachtimemoreconfidently，theundisguiseddelighthedrankfromhers。Theyweretoomuchabsorbedintheirmutualjoytosufferembarrassment。
　　NotsoMrEdgar:hegrewpalewithpureannoyance:afeelingthatreacheditsclimaxwhenhisladyrose，andsteppingacrosstherug，seizedHeathcliff'shandsagain，andlaughedlikeonebesideherself。
　　`Ishallthinkitadreamtomorrow!'shecried。`IshallnotbeabletobelievethatIhaveseen，andtouched，andspokentoyouoncemore。
　　Andyet，cruelHeathcliff!youdon'tdeservethiswelcome。Tobeabsentandsilentforthreeyears，andnevertothinkofme!'
　　`Alittlemorethanyouhavethoughtofme，'hemurmured。`Iheardofyourmarriage，Cathy，notlongsince；and，whilewaitingintheyardbelow，Imeditatedthisplan:——justtohaveoneglimpseofyourface，astareofsurprise，perhaps，andpretendedpleasure；afterwardssettlemyscorewithHindley；andthenpreventthelawbydoingexecutiononmyself。
　　Yourwelcomehasputtheseideasoutofmymind；butbewareofmeetingmewithanotheraspectnexttime!Nay，you'llnotdrivemeoffagain。Youwerereallysorryforme，wereyou？Well，therewascause。I'vefoughtthroughabitterlifesinceIlastheardyourvoice；andyoumustforgiveme，forIstruggledonlyforyou!'
　　`Catherine，unlesswearetohavecoldtea，pleasetocometothetable，'interruptedLinton，strivingtopreservehisordinarytone，andaduemeasureofpoliteness。`MrHeathcliffwillhavealongwalk，whereverhemaylodgetonight；andI'mthirsty。'
　　Shetookherpostbeforetheurn；andMissIsabellacame，summonedbythebell；then，havinghandedtheirchairsforward，Ilefttheroom。
　　Themealhardlyenduredtenminutes。Catherine'scupwasneverfilled:
　　shecouldneithereatnordrink。Edgarhadmadeaslopinhissaucer，andscarcelyswallowedamouthful。Theirguestdidnotprotracthisstaythateveningaboveanhourlonger。Iasked，ashedeparted，ifhewenttoGimmerton？
　　`No，toWutheringHeights，'heanswered:`MrEarnshawinvitedme，whenIcalledthismorning。'