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