Hepointedintothesecondgarret，onlydifferingfromthefirstinbeingmorenakedaboutthewalls，andhavingalarge，low，curtainlessbed，withanindigo-colouredquiltatoneend。
　　`WhatdoIwantwithyours？'Iretorted。`IsupposeMrHeathcliffdoesnotlodgeatthetopofthehouse，doeshe？'
　　`Oh!it'sMaisterHathecliff'syah'rewenting!'criedhe，asifmakinganewdiscovery。`Couldn'tyeuhsaidsoa，atonst？unthen，Awmuduhtelledye，bahtallthiswark，utthat'sjustoneyahcannutsea——healIaskeepsitlocked，unnob'dyivermellson'tbuthisseln。'
　　`You'veanicehouse，Joseph，'Icouldnotrefrainfromobserving，`andpleasantinmates；andIthinktheconcentratedessenceofallthemadnessintheworldtookupitsabodeinmybrainthedayIlinkedmyfatewiththeirs!However，thatisnottothepresentpurpose——thereareotherrooms。Forheaven'ssakebequick，andletmesettlesomewhere!'
　　Hemadenoreplytothisadjuration；onlyploddingdoggedlydownthewoodensteps，andhaltingbeforeanapartmentwhich，fromthathaltandthesuperiorqualityofitsfurniture，Iconjecturedtobethebestone。Therewasacarpet:agoodone，butthepatternwasobliteratedbydust；afireplacehungwithcutpaper，droppingtopieces；ahandsomeoakbedsteadwithamplecrimsoncurtainsofratherexpensivematerialandmodernmake；buttheyhadevidentlyexperiencedroughusage:thevalanceshunginfestoons，wrenchedfromtheirrings，andtheironrodsupportingthemwasbentinanarcononeside，causingthedraperytotrailuponthefloor。
　　Thechairswerealsodamaged，manyofthemseverely；anddeepindentationsdeformedthepanelsofthewalls。Iwasendeavouringtogatherresolutionforenteringandtakingpossession，whenmyfoolofaguideannounced，`Thishereist'maister's。'Mysupperbythistimewascold，myappetitegone，andmypatienceexhausted。Iinsistedonbeingprovidedinstantlywithaplaceofrefuge，andmeansofrepose。
　　`Whearthedivil？'beganthereligiouselder。`TheLordblessus!TheLordforgieus!Whearthehellwoldyegang？yemarred，wearisomenowt!YahseenallbudHareton'sbitufacham'er。They'snotanotherhoiletuhligdahnini'th'hahse!'
　　Iwassovexed，Iflungmytrayanditscontentsontheground；
　　andthenseatedmyselfatthestairs-head，hidmyfaceinmyhands，andcried。
　　`Ech!ech!'exclaimedJoseph。`Weeldone，MissCathy!weeldone，MissCathy!Hahsiver，t'maistersaIljusttum'leo'erthembrockenpots；
　　un'thenwe'shearsummut；we'shearhahit'stuhbe。Gooid-for-nowtmadling!
　　yahdesarvepiningfroothistoChurstmas，flingingt'preciousgiftsuhGodunderfooiti'yerflaysomerages!BudAw'mmista'enifyahshewyersperritlang。WillHathecliffbidesichbonnyways，thinkye？Awnobbutwishhemuhcotchyei'thatplisky。Awnobbutwishhemay。'
　　Andsohewentonscoldingtohisdenbeneath，takingthecandlewithhim；andIremainedinthedark。Theperiodofreflectionsucceedingthissillyaction，compelledmetoadmitthenecessityofsmotheringmyprideandchokingmywrath，andbestirringmyselftoremoveitseffects。
　　AnunexpectedaidpresentlyappearedintheshapeofThrottler，whomI
　　nowrecognizedasasonofouroldSkulker:ithadspentitswhelphoodattheGrange，andwasgivenbymyfathertoMrHindley。Ifancyitknewme:itpusheditsnoseagainstminebywayofsalute，andthenhastenedtodevourtheporridge；whileIgropedfromsteptostep，collectingtheshatteredearthenware，anddryingthespattersofmilkfromthebanisterwithmypockethandkerchief。OurlabourswerescarcelyoverwhenIheardEarnshaw'streadinthepassage；myassistanttuckedinhistail，andpressedtothewall；Istoleintothenearestdoorway。Thedog'sendeavourtoavoidhimwasunsuccessful；asIguessedbyascutterdownstairs，andaprolonged，piteousyelping。Ihadbetterluck!hepassedon，enteredhischamber，andshutthedoor。DirectlyafterJosephcameupwithHareton，toputhimtobed。IhadfoundshelterinHareton'sroom，andtheoldman，onseeingme，said:
　　`They'srahmforboathyeunyerpride，now，Isudthink，i'thehahse。It'sempty；yemayhevitalltoyerseln，unHimasallasmaksathird，i'suchillcompany!'
　　GladlydidItakeadvantageofthisintimation；andtheminuteIflungmyselfintoachair，bythefire，Inodded，andslept。Myslumberwasdeepandsweet，thoughoverfartoosoon。MrHeathcliffawokeme；hehadjustcomein，anddemanded，inhislovingmanner，whatIwasdoingthere？Itoldhimthecauseofmystayingupsolate——thathehadthekeyofourroominhispocket。Theadjectiveourgavemortaloffence。
　　Hesworeitwasnot，norevershouldbe，mine；andhe'd——ButI'llnotrepeathislanguage，nordescribehishabitualconduct:heisingeniousandunrestinginseekingtogainmyabhorrence!Isometimeswonderathimwithanintensitythatdeadensmyfear:yet，Iassureyou，atigeroravenomousserpentcouldnotrouseterrorinmeequaltothatwhichhewakens。HetoldmeofCatherine'sillness，andaccusedmybrotherofcausingit；promisingthatIshouldbeEdgar'sproxyinsuffering，tillhecouldgetholdofhim。
　　Idohatehim——Iamwretched——Ihavebeenafool!BewareofutteringonebreathofthistoanyoneattheGrange。Ishallexpectyoueveryday——don'tdisappointme!
　　ISABELLA。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]
　　WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter14AssoonasIhadperusedthisepistle，Iwenttothemaster，andinformedhimthathissisterhadarrivedattheHeights，andsentmealetterexpressinghersorrowforMrsLinton'ssituation，andherardentdesiretoseehim；
　　withawishthathewouldtransmittoher，asearlyaspossible，sometokenofforgivenessbyme。
　　`Forgiveness!'saidLinton。`Ihavenothingtoforgiveher，Ellen。
　　YoumaycallatWutheringHeightsthisafternoon，ifyoulike，andsaythatIamnotangry，butI'msorrytohavelosther；especiallyasIcanneverthinkshe'llbehappy。Itisoutofthequestionmygoingtoseeher，however:weareeternallydivided；andshouldshereallywishtoobligeme，letherpersuadethevillainshehasmarriedtoleavethecountry。'
　　`Andyouwon'twriteheralittlenote，sir？'Iaskedimploringly。
　　`No，'heanswered。`Itisneedless。MycommunicationwithHeathcliff'sfamilyshallbeassparingashiswithmine。Itshallnotexist!'
　　MrEdgar'scoldnessdepressedmeexceedingly；andallthewayfromtheGrangeIpuzzledmybrainshowtoputmoreheartintowhathesaid，whenIrepeatedit；andhowtosoftenhisrefusalofevenafewlinestoconsoleIsabella。Idaresayshehadbeenonthewatchformesincemorning:Isawherlookingthroughthelattice，asIcameupthegardencauseway，andInoddedtoher；butshedrewback，asifafraidofbeingobserved。Ienteredwithoutknocking。Thereneverwassuchadreary，dismalsceneastheformerlycheerfulhousepresented!Imustconfess，thatifIhadbeenintheyounglady'splace，Iwould，atleast，havesweptthehearth，andwipedthetableswithaduster。Butshealreadypartookofthepervadingspiritofneglectwhichencompassedher。Herprettyfacewaswanandlistless；herhairuncurled:somelockshanginglanklydown，andsomecarelesslytwistedroundherhead。Probablyshehadnottouchedherdresssinceyesterevening。Hindleywasnotthere。MrHeathcliffsatatatable，turningoversomepapersinhispocket-book；butherosewhenIappeared，askedmehowIdid，quitefriendly，andofferedmeachair。
　　Hewastheonlythingtherethatseemeddecent:andIthoughtheneverlookedbetter。Somuchhadcircumstancesalteredtheirpositions，thathewouldcertainlyhavestruckastrangerasabornandbredgentleman；
　　andhiswifeasathoroughlittleslattern!Shecameforwardeagerlytogreetme；andheldoutonehandtotaketheexpectedletter。Ishookmyhead。Shewouldn'tunderstandthehint，butfollowedmetoasideboard，whereIwenttolaymybonnet，andimportunedmeinawhispertogiveherdirectlywhatIhadbrought。Heathcliffguessedthemeaningofhermanoeuvres，andsaid:
　　`IfyouhavegotanythingforIsabellaasnodoubtyouhave，Nelly，giveittoher。Youneedn'tmakeasecretofit!wehavenosecretsbetweenus。'
　　`Oh，Ihavenothing，'Ireplied，thinkingitbesttospeakthetruthatonce。`Mymasterbidmetellhissisterthatshemustnotexpecteitheraletteroravisitfromhimatpresent。Hesendshislove，ma'am，andhiswishesforyourhappiness，andhispardonforthegriefyouhaveoccasioned；buthethinksthatafterthistime，hishouseholdandthehouseholdhereshoulddropintercommunication，asnothinggoodcouldcomeofkeepingitup。'
　　MrsHeathcliff'slipquiveredslightly，andshereturnedtoherseatinthewindow。Herhusbandtookhisstandonthehearthstone，nearme，andbegantoputquestionsconcerningCatherine。ItoldhimasmuchasIthoughtproperofherillness，andheextortedfromme，bycross-examination，mostofthefactsconnectedwithitsorigin。Iblamedher，asshedeserved，forbringingitallonherself；andendedbyhopingthathewouldfollowMrLinton'sexampleandavoidfutureinterferencewithhisfamily，forgoodorevil。
　　`MrsLintonisnowjustrecovering，'Isaid；`she'llneverbelikeshewas，butherlifeisspared；andifyoureallyhavearegardforher，you'llshuncrossingherwayagain:nay，you'llmoveoutofthiscountryentirely；andthatyoumaynotregretit，I'llinformyouCatherineLintonisasdifferentnowfromyouroldfriendCatherineEarnshaw，asthatyoungladyisdifferentfromme。Herappearanceischangedgreatly，hercharactermuchmoreso；andthepersonwhoiscompelled，ofnecessity，tobehercompanion，willonlysustainhisaffectionhereafterbytheremembranceofwhatsheoncewas，bycommonhumanity，andasenseofduty!'
　　`Thatisquitepossible，'remarkedHeathcliff，forcinghimselftoseemcalm:`quitepossiblethatyourmastershouldhavenothingbutcommonhumanityandasenseofdutytofallbackupon。ButdoyouimaginethatIshallleaveCatherinetohisdutyandhumanity？andcanyoucomparemyfeelingsrespectingCatherinetohis？Beforeyouleavethishouse，Imustexactapromisefromyou，thatyou'llgetmeaninterviewwithher:consentorrefuse，Iwillseeher!Whatdoyousay？'
　　`Isay，MrHeathcliff，'Ireplied，`youmustnot:younevershall，throughmymeans。Anotherencounterbetweenyouandthemasterwouldkillheraltogether。'
　　`Withyouraid，thatmaybeavoided，'hecontinued；`andshouldtherebedangerofsuchanevent——shouldhebethecauseofaddingasingletroublemoretoherexistence——why，IthinkIshallbejustifiedingoingtoextremes!IwishyouhadsincerityenoughtotellmewhetherCatherinewouldsuffergreatlyfromhisloss:thefearthatshewouldrestrainsme。
　　Andthereyouseethedistinctionsbetweenourfeelings:hadhebeeninmyplace，andIinhis，thoughIhatedhimwithahatredthatturnedmylifetogall，Ineverwouldhaveraisedahandagainsthim。Youmaylookincredulous，ifyouplease!Ineverwouldhavebanishedhimfromhersocietyaslongasshedesiredhis。Themomentherregardceased，Iwouldhavetornhisheartout，anddrunkhisblood!But，tillthen——ifyoudon'tbelieveme，youdon'tknowme——tillthen，IwouldhavediedbyinchesbeforeI
　　touchedasinglehairofhishead!'
　　`Andyet，'Iinterrupted，`youhavenoscruplesincompletelyruiningallhopesofherperfectrestoration，bythrustingyourselfintoherremembrancenow，whenshehasnearlyforgottenyou，andinvolvingherinanewtumultofdiscordanddistress。'
　　`Yousupposeshehasnearlyforgottenme？'hesaid。`Oh，Nelly!
　　youknowshehasnot!YouknowaswellasIdo，thatforeverythoughtshespendsonLinton，shespendsathousandonme!Atamostmiserableperiodofmylife，Ihadanotionofthekind:ithauntedmeonmyreturntotheneighbourhoodlastsummer；butonlyherownassurancecouldmakemeadmitthehorribleideaagain。Andthen，Lintonwouldbenothing，norHindley，norallthedreamsthateverIdreamt。Twowordswouldcomprehendmyfuture——deathandhell:existence，afterlosingher，wouldbehell。YetIwasafooltofancyforamomentthatshevaluedEdgarLinton'sattachmentmorethanmine。Ifhelovedwithallthepowersofhispunybeing，hecouldn'tloveasmuchineightyyearsasIcouldinaday。AndCatherinehasaheartasdeepasIhave:theseacouldbeasreadilycontainedinthathorse-trough，asherwholeaffectionbemonopolizedbyhim!Tush!
　　Heisscarcelyadegreedearertoherthanherdog，orherhorse。Itisnotinhimtobelovedlikeme:howcansheloveinhimwhathehasnot？'
　　`CatherineandEdgarareasfondofeachotherasanytwopeoplecanbe，'criedIsabella，withsuddenvivacity。`Noonehasarighttotalkinthatmanner，andIwon'thearmybrotherdepreciatedinsilence!'
　　`Yourbrotheriswondrousfondofyoutoo，isn'the？'observedHeathcliffscornfully。`Heturnsyouadriftontheworldwithsurprisingalacrity。'
　　`HeisnotawareofwhatIsuffer，'shereplied。`Ididn'ttellhimthat。
　　`Youhavebeentellinghimsomething，then:youhavewritten，haveyou？'
　　`TosaythatIwasmarried，Ididwrite——yousawthenote。`Andnothingsince？'
　　`No。'
　　`Myyoungladyislookingsadlytheworseforherchangeofcondition，'
　　Iremarked。`Somebody'slovecomesshortinhercase，obviously:whose，Imayguess；but，perhaps，Ishouldn'tsay。'
　　`Ishouldguessitwasherown，'saidHeathcliff。`Shedegeneratesintoamereslut!Sheistiredoftryingtopleasemeuncommonlyearly。
　　You'dhardlycreditit，buttheverymorrowofourwedding，shewasweepingtogohome。However，she'llsuitthishousesomuchthebetterfornotbeingovernice，andI'lltakecareshedoesnotdisgracemebyramblingabroad。'
　　`Well，sir，'returnedI，`Ihopeyou'llconsiderthatMrsHeathcliffisaccustomedtobelookedafterandwaitedon；andthatshehasbeenbroughtuplikeanonlydaughter，whomeveryonewasreadytoserve。Youmustletherhaveamaidtokeepthingstidyabouther，andyoumusttreatherkindly。
　　WhateverbeyournotionofMrEdgar，youcannotdoubtthatshehasacapacityforstrongattachments，orshewouldn'thaveabandonedtheelegances，andcomforts，andfriendsofherformerhome，tofixcontentedly，insuchawildernessasthis，withyou。'
　　`Sheabandonedthemunderadelusion，'heanswered；`picturinginmeaheroofromance，andexpectingunlimitedindulgencesfrommychivalrousdevotion。Icanhardlyregardherinthelightofarationalcreature，soobstinatelyhasshepersistedinformingafabulousnotionofmycharacterandactingonthefalseimpressionsshecherished。But，atlast，Ithinkshebeginstoknowme:Idon'tperceivethesillysmilesandgrimacesthatprovokedmeatfirst；andthesenselessincapabilityofdiscerningthatIwasinearnestwhenIgavehermyopinionofherinfatuationandherself。
　　ItwasamarvellouseffortofperspicacitytodiscoverthatIdidnotloveher。Ibelieved，atonetime，nolessonscouldteachherthat!Andyetitispoorlylearnt；forthismorningsheannounced，asapieceofappallingintelligence，thatIhadactuallysucceededinmakingherhateme!ApositivelabourofHercules，Iassureyou!Ifitbeachieved，Ihavecausetoreturnthanks。CanItrustyourassertion，Isabella？Areyousureyouhateme？
　　IfIletyoualoneforhalfaday，won'tyoucomesighingandwheedlingtomeagain？IdaresayshewouldratherIhadseemedalltendernessbeforeyou:itwoundshervanitytohavethetruthexposed。ButIdon'tcarewhoknowsthatthepassionwaswhollyononeside；andInevertoldheralieaboutit。Shecannotaccusemeofshowingabitofdeceitfulsoftness。
　　Thefirstthingshesawmedo，oncomingoutoftheGrange，wastohangupherlittledog；andwhenshepleadedforit，thefirstwordsIutteredwereawishthatIhadthehangingofeverybeingbelongingtoher，exceptone:possiblyshetookthatexceptionforherself。Butnobrutalitydisgustedher:Isupposeshehasaninnateadmirationofit，ifonlyherpreciouspersonweresecurefrominjury!Now，wasitnotthedepthofabsurdity——ofgenuineidiocy，forthatpitiful，slavish，mean-mindedbrachtodreamthatIcouldloveher？Tellyourmaster，Nelly，thatInever，inallmylife，metwithsuchanabjectthingassheis。SheevendisgracesthenameofLinton；andI'vesometimesrelented，frompurelackofinvention，inmyexperimentsonwhatshecouldendure，andstillcreepshamefullycringingback!Buttellhim，also，tosethisfraternalandmagisterialheartatease:thatIkeepstrictlywithinthelimitsofthelaw。Ihaveavoided，uptothisperiod，givinghertheslightestrighttoclaimaseparation；
　　and，what'smore，she'dthanknobodyfordividingus。Ifshedesiredtogo，shemight:thenuisanceofherpresenceoutweighsthegratificationtobederivedfromtormentingher!'
　　`MrHeathcliff，'saidI，`thisisthetalkofamadman，andyourwife，mostlikely，isconvincedyouaremad；and，forthatreason，shehasbornewithyouhitherto:butnowthatyousayshemaygo，she'lldoubtlessavailherselfofthepermission。Youarenotsobewitched，ma'am，areyou，astoremainwithhimofyourownaccord？'
　　`Takecare，Ellen!'answeredIsabella，hereyessparklingirefully；
　　therewasnomisdoubtingbytheirexpressionthefullsuccessofherpartner'sendeavourstomakehimselfdetested。`Don'tputfaithinasinglewordhespeaks。He'salyingfiend!amonster，andnotahumanbeing!I'vebeentoldImightleavehimbefore；andI'vemadetheattempt，butIdarenotrepeatit!Only，Ellen，promiseyou'llnotmentionasyllableofhisinfamousconversationtomybrotherorCatherine。Whateverhemaypretend，hewishestoprovokeEdgartodesperation:hesayshehasmarriedmeonpurposetoobtainpoweroverhim；andheshan'tobtainit——I'lldiefirst!Ijusthope，Ipray，thathemayforgethisdiabolicalprudenceandkillme!ThesinglepleasureIcanimagineistodieorseehimdead!'
　　`There——thatwilldoforthepresent!'saidHeathcliff。`Ifyouarecalleduponinacourtoflaw，you'llrememberherlanguage，Nelly!
　　Andtakeagoodlookatthatcountenance:she'snearthepointwhichwouldsuitme。No；you'renotfittobeyourownguardian，Isabella，now；andI，beingyourlegalprotector，mustdetainyouinmycustody，howeverdistastefultheobligationmaybe。Goupstairs；IhavesomethingtosaytoEllenDeaninprivate。That'snottheway:upstairs，Itellyou!Why，thisistheroadupstairs，child!'
　　Heseized，andthrustherfromtheroom:andreturnedmuttering:
　　`Ihavenopity!Ihavenopity!Themorethewormswrithe，themoreIyearntocrushouttheirentrails!Itisamoralteething；andI
　　grindwithgreaterenergy，inproportiontotheincreaseofpain。'
　　`Doyouunderstandwhatthewordpitymeans？'Isaid，hasteningtoresumemybonnet。`Didyoueverfeelatouchofitinyourlife？'
　　`Putthatdown!'heinterrupted，perceivingmyintentiontodepart。
　　`Youarenotgoingyet。Comeherenow，Nelly:ImusteitherpersuadeorcompelyoutoaidmeinfulfillingmydeterminationtoseeCatherine，andthatwithoutdelay。IswearthatImeditatenoharm:Idon'tdesiretocauseanydisturbance，ortoexasperateorinsultMrLinton；Ionlywishtohearfromherselfhowsheis，andwhyshehasbeenill；andtoaskifanythingthatIcoulddowouldbeofusetoher。Lastnight，IwasintheGrangegardensixhours，andI'llreturntheretonight；andeverynightI'llhaunttheplace，andeveryday，tillIfindanopportunityofentering。
　　IfEdgarLintonmeetsme，Ishallnothesitatetoknockhimdown，andgivehimenoughtoinsurehisquiescencewhileIstay。Ifhisservantsopposeme，Ishallthreatenthemoffwiththesepistols。Butwouldn'titbebettertopreventmycomingincontactwiththem，ortheirmaster？Andyoucoulddoitsoeasily。I'dwarnyouwhenIcame，andthenyoumightletmeinunobserved，assoonasshewasalone，andwatchtillIdeparted，yourconsciencequitecalm:youwouldbehinderingmischief。'
　　Iprotestedagainstplayingthattreacherouspartinmyemployer'shouse:and，besides，IurgedthecrueltyandselfishnessofhisdestroyingMrsLinton'stranquillityforhissatisfaction。`Thecommonestoccurrencestartlesherpainfully，'Isaid。`She'sallnerves，andshecouldn'tbearthesurprise，I'mpositive。Don'tpersist，sir!orelse，Ishallbeobligedtoinformmymasterofyourdesigns；andhe'lltakemeasurestosecurehishouseanditsinmatesfromanysuchunwarrantableintrusions!'
　　`Inthatcase，I'lltakemeasurestosecureyou，woman!'exclaimedHeathcliff；`youshallnotleaveWutheringHeightstilltomorrowmorning。
　　ItisafoolishstorytoassertthatCatherinecouldnotbeartoseeme；
　　andastosurprisingher，Idon'tdesireit:youmustprepareheraskherifImaycome。Yousayshenevermentionsmyname，andthatIamnevermentionedtoher。TowhomshouldshementionmeifIamaforbiddentopicinthehouse？Shethinksyouareallspiesforherhusband。Oh，I'venodoubtshe'sinhellamongyou!Iguessbyhersilence，asmuchasanything，whatshefeels。Yousaysheisoftenrestless，andanxious-looking；isthataproofoftranquillity？Youtalkofhermindbeingunsettled。Howthedevilcoulditbeotherwiseinherfrightfulisolation？Andthatinsipid，paltrycreatureattendingherfromdutyandhumanity!Frompityandcharity!Hemightaswellplantanoakinaflowerpot，andexpectittothrive，asimaginehecanrestorehertovigourinthesoilofhisshallowcares!Letussettleitatonce:willyoustayhere，andamItofightmywaytoCatherineoverLintonandhisfootmen？Orwillyoubemyfriendasyouhavebeenhitherto，anddowhatIrequest？Decide!
　　causethereisnoreasonformylingeringanotherminute，ifyoupersistinyourstubbornill-nature!'
　　Well，MrLockwood，Iarguedandcomplained，andflatlyrefusedhimfiftytimes；butinthelongrunheforcedmetoanagreement。Iengagedtocarryaletterfromhimtomymistress；andshouldsheconsent，IpromisedtolethimhaveintelligenceofLinton'snextabsencefromhome，whenhemightcome，andgetinashewasable:Iwouldn'tbethere，andmyfellow-servantsshouldbeequallyoutoftheway。Wasitrightorwrong？Ifearitwaswrong，thoughexpedient。IthoughtIpreventedanotherexplosionbymycompliance；andIthought，too，itmightcreateafavourablecrisisinCatherine'smentalillness:andthenIrememberedMrEdgar'ssternrebukeofmycarryingtales；andItriedtosmoothawayalldisquietudeonthesubject，byaffirming，withfrequentiteration，thatthatbetrayaloftrust，ifitmeritedsoharshanappellation，shouldbethelast。Notwithstanding，myjourneyhomewardwassadderthanmyjourneythither；andmanymisgivingsIhad，ereIcouldprevailonmyselftoputthemissiveintoMrsLinton'shand。
　　ButhereisKenneth；I'llgodown，andtellhimhowmuchbetteryouare。Myhistoryisdree，aswesay，andwillservetowhileawayanothermorning。
　　Dree，anddreary!Ireflectedasthegoodwomandescendedtoreceivethedoctor；andnotexactlyofthekindwhichIshouldhavechosentoamuseme。Butnevermind!I'llextractwholesomemedicinesfromMrsDean'sbitterherbs；andfirstly，letmebewarethefascinationthatlurksinCatherineHeathcliff'sbrillianteyes。IshouldbeinacurioustakingifIsurrenderedmyhearttothatyoungperson，andthedaughterturnedoutasecondeditionofthemother!
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]
　　WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter15Anotherweekover——andIamsomanydaysnearerhealth，andspring!Ihavenowheardallmyneighbour'shistory，atdifferentsittings，asthehousekeepercouldsparetimefrommoreimportantoccupations。I'llcontinueitinherownwords，onlyalittlecondensed。Sheis，onthewhole，averyfairnarrator，andIdon'tthinkIcouldimproveherstyle。
　　Intheevening，shesaid，theeveningofmyvisittotheHeights，Iknew，aswellasifIsawhim，thatMrHeathcliffwasabouttheplace；
　　andIshunnedgoingout，becauseIstillcarriedhisletterinmypocket，anddidn'twanttobethreatenedorteasedanymore。Ihadmadeupmymindnottogiveittillmymasterwentsomewhere，asIcouldnotguesshowitsreceiptwouldaffectCatherine。Theconsequencewas，thatitdidnotreachherbeforethelapseofthreedays。ThefourthwasSunday，andI
　　broughtitintoherroomafterthefamilyweregonetochurch。Therewasamanservantlefttokeepthehousewithme，andwegenerallymadeapracticeoflockingthedoorsduringthehoursofservice；butonthatoccasiontheweatherwassowarmandpleasantthatIsetthemwideopen，and，tofulfilmyengagement，asIknewwhowouldbecoming，Itoldmycompanionthatthemistresswishedverymuchforsomeoranges，andhemustrunovertothevillageandgetafew，tobepaidforonthemorrow。Hedeparted，andIwentupstairs。
　　MrsLintonsatinaloose，whitedress，withalightshawloverhershoulders，intherecessoftheopenwindow，asusual。Herthick，longhairhadbeenpartlyremovedatthebeginningofherillness，andnowsheworeitsimplycombedinitsnaturaltressesoverhertemplesandneck。
　　Herappearancewasaltered，asIhadtoldHeathcliff；butwhenshewascalm，thereseemedunearthlybeautyinthechange。Theflashofhereyeshadbeensucceededbyadreamyandmelancholysoftness；theynolongergavetheimpressionoflookingattheobjectsaroundher:theyappearedalwaystogazebeyond，andfarbeyond——youwouldhavesaidoutofthisworld。Thenthepalenessofherface——itshaggardaspecthavingvanishedassherecoveredflesh——andthepeculiarexpressionarisingfromhermentalstate，thoughpainfullysuggestiveoftheircauses，addedtothetouchinginterestwhichsheawakened；and——invariablytome，Iknow，andtoanypersonwhosawher，Ishouldthink——refutedmoretangibleproofsofconvalescence，andstampedherasonedoomedtodecay。
　　Abooklayspreadonthesillbeforeher，andthescarcelyperceptiblewindfluttereditsleavesatintervals。IbelieveLintonhadlaiditthere:
　　forsheneverendeavouredtodivertherselfwithreading，oroccupationofanykind，andhewouldspendmanyanhourintryingtoenticeherattentiontosomesubjectwhichhadformerlybeenheramusement。Shewasconsciousofhisaim，andinherbettermoodsenduredhiseffortsplacidly，onlyshowingtheiruselessnessbynowandthensuppressingaweariedsigh，andcheckinghimatlastwiththesaddestofsmilesandkisses。Atothertimes，shewouldturnpetulantlyaway，andhideherfaceinherhands，orevenpushhimoffangrily；andthenhetookcaretoletheralone，forhewascertainofdoingnogood。
　　Gimmertonchapelbellswerestillringing；andthefull，mellowflowofthebeckinthevalleycamesoothinglyontheear。Itwasasweetsubstitutefortheyetabsentmurmurofthesummerfoliage，whichdrownedthatmusicabouttheGrangewhenthetreeswereinleaf。AtWutheringHeightsitalwayssoundedonquietdaysfollowingagreatthaworaseasonofsteadyrain。AndofWutheringHeightsCatherinewasthinkingasshelistened:
　　thatis，ifshethoughtorlistenedatall；butshehadthevague，distantlookImentionedbefore，whichexpressednorecognitionofmaterialthingseitherbyearoreye。
　　`There'saletterforyou，MrsLinton，'Isaid，gentlyinsertingitinonehandthatrestedonherknee。`Youmustreaditimmediately，becauseitwantsananswer。ShallIbreaktheseal？'
　　`Yes，'sheanswered，withoutalteringthedirectionofhereyes。
　　Iopenedit——itwasveryshort。`Now'，Icontinued，`readit。'Shedrewawayherhand，andletitfall。Ireplaceditinherlap，andstoodwaitingtillitshouldpleasehertoglancedown；butthatmovementwassolongdelayedthatatlastIresumed:
　　`MustIreadit，ma'am？ItisfromMrHeathcliff。'
　　Therewasastartandatroubledgleamofrecollection，andastruggletoarrangeherideas。Sheliftedtheletter，andseemedtoperuseit；andwhenshecametothesignatureshesighed:yetstillIfoundshehadnotgathereditsimport，for，uponmydesiringtohearherreply，shemerelypointedtothename，andgazedatmewithmournfulandquestioningeagerness。
　　`Well，hewishestoseeyou，'saidI，guessingherneedofaninterpreter。`He'sinthegardenbythistime，andimpatienttoknowwhatanswerIshallbring。'
　　AsIspoke，Iobservedalargedoglyingonthesunnygrassbeneathraiseitsearsasifabouttobark，andthensmoothingthemback，announce，byawagofthetail，thatsomeoneapproachedwhomitdidnotconsiderastranger。MrsLintonbentforward，andlistenedbreathlessly。Theminuteafterasteptraversedthehall；theopenhousewastootemptingforHeathclifftoresistwalkingin:mostlikelyhesupposedthatIwasinclinedtoshirkmypromise，andsoresolvedtotrusttohisownaudacity。WithstrainingeagernessCatherinegazedtowardstheentranceofherchamber。Hedidnothittherightroomdirectly，shemotionedmetoadmithim，buthefounditoutereIcouldreachthedoor，andinastrideortwowasatherside，andhadhergraspedinhisarms。
　　Heneitherspokenorloosedhisholdforsomefiveminutes，duringwhichperiodhebestowedmorekissesthaneverhegaveinhislifebefore，Idaresay:butthenmymistresshadkissedhimfirst，andIplainlysawthathecouldhardlybear，fordownrightagony，tolookintoherface!
　　Thesameconvictionhadstrickenhimasme，fromtheinstanthebeheldher，thattherewasnoprospectofultimaterecoverythere——shewasfated，suretodie。
　　`Oh，Cathy!Oh，mylife!howcanIbearit？'wasthefirstsentenceheuttered，inatonethatdidnotseektodisguisehisdespair。AndnowhestaredathersoearnestlythatIthoughttheveryintensityofhisgazewouldbringtearsintohiseyes；buttheyburnedwithanguish:theydidnotmelt。
　　`Whatnow？'saidCatherine，leaningback，andreturninghislookwithasuddenlycloudedbrow:herhumourwasamerevaneforconstantlyvaryingcaprices。`YouandEdgarhavebrokenmyheart，Heathcliff!Andyoubothcametobewailthedeedtome，asifyouwerethepeopletobepitied!Ishallnotpityyou，notI。Youhavekilledme——andthrivenonit，Ithink。Howstrongyouare!HowmanyyearsdoyoumeantoliveafterIamgone？'
　　Heathcliffhadkneltononekneetoembraceher；heattemptedtorise，butsheseizedhishair，andkepthimdown。
　　`IwishIcouldholdyou，'shecontinuedbitterly，`tillwewerebothdead!Ishouldn'tcarewhatyousuffered。Icarenothingforyoursufferings。Whyshouldn'tyousuffer？Ido!Willyouforgetme？WillyoubehappywhenIamintheearth？Willyousaytwentyyearshence，``That'sthegraveofCatherineEarnshaw。Ilovedherlongago，andwaswretchedtoloseher；butitispast。I'velovedmanyotherssince:mychildrenaredearertomethanshewas；andatdeath，IshallnotrejoicethatI
　　amgoingtoher:IshallbesorrythatImustleavethem!''Willyousayso，Heathcliff？'
　　`Don'ttorturemetillIamasmadasyourself，'criedhe，wrenchinghisheadfree，andgrindinghisteeth。
　　Thetwo，toacoolspectator，madeastrangeandfearfulpicture。
　　WellmightCatherinedeemthatheavenwouldbealandofexiletoher，unlesswithhermortalbodyshecastawayhermoralcharacteralso。Herpresentcountenancehadawildvindictivenessinitswhitecheek，andabloodlesslipandscintillatingeye；andsheretainedinherclosedfingersaportionofthelocksshehadbeengrasping。Astohercompanion，whileraisinghimselfwithonehand，hehadtakenherarmwiththeother；andsoinadequatewashisstockofgentlenesstotherequirementsofhercondition，thatonhislettinggoIsawfourdistinctimpressionsleftblueinthecolourlessskin。
　　`Areyoupossessedwithadevil，'hepursuedsavagely，`totalkinthatmannertomewhenyouaredying？Doyoureflectthatallthosewordswillbebrandedonmymemory，andeatingdeepereternallyafteryouhaveleftme？YouknowyoulietosayIhavekilledyou:and，Catherine，youknowthatIcouldassoonforgetyouasmyexistence!Isitnotsufficientforyourinfernalselfishness，thatwhileyouareatpeaceIshallwritheinthetormentsofhell？'
　　`Ishallnotbeatpeace，'moanedCatherine，recalledtoasenseofphysicalweaknessbytheviolent，unequalthrobbingofherheart，whichbeatvisiblyandaudiblyunderthisexcessofagitation。Shesaidnothingfurthertilltheparoxysmwasover；thenshecontinued，morekindly——
　　`I'mnotwishingyougreatertormentthanIhave，Heathcliff。
　　Ionlywishusnevertobeparted:andshouldawordofminedistressyouhereafter，thinkIfeelthesamedistressunderground，andformyownsake，forgiveme!Comehereandkneeldownagain!Youneverharmedmeinyourlife。Nay，ifyounurseanger，thatwillbeworsetorememberthanmyharshwords!Won'tyoucomehereagain？Do!'
　　Heathcliffwenttothebackofherchair，andleantover，butnotsofarastoletherseehisface，whichwaslividwithemotion。Shebentroundtolookathim；hewouldnotpermitit:turningabruptly，hewalkedtothefireplace，wherehestood，silent，withhisbacktowardsus。MrsLinton'sglancefollowedhimsuspiciously:everymovementwokeanewsentimentinher。Afterapauseandaprolongedgaze，sheresumed；
　　addressingmeinaccentsofindignantdisappointment——
　　`Oh，yousee，Nelly，hewouldnotrelentamomenttokeepmeoutofthegrave。ThatishowI'mloved!Well，nevermind。ThatisnotmyHeathcliff。Ishalllovemineyet；andtakehimwithme:he'sinmysoul。And'，addedshe，musingly，`thethingthatirksmemostinthisshatteredprison，afterall。I'mtired，tiredofbeingenclosedhere。
　　I'mwearyingtoescapeintothatgloriousworld，andtobealwaysthere:
　　notseeingitdimlythroughtears，andyearningforitthroughthewallsofanachingheart；butreallywithit，andinit。Nelly，youthinkyouarebetterandmorefortunatethanI；infullhealthandstrength:youaresorryforme——verysoonthatwillbealtered。Ishallbesorryforyou。Ishallbeincomparablybeyondandaboveyouall。Iwonderhewon'tbenearme!'Shewentontoherself。`Ithoughthewishedit。
　　Heathcliff，dear!youshouldnotbesullennow。Docometome，Heathcliff。'
　　Inhereagernesssheroseandsupportedherselfonthearmofthechair。Atthatearnestappealheturnedtoher，lookingabsolutelydesperate。Hiseyes，wideandwet，atlastflashedfiercelyonher；hisbreastheavedconvulsively。Aninstanttheyheldasunder，andthenhowtheymetIhardlysaw，butCatherinemadeaspring，andhecaughther，andtheywerelockedinanembracefromwhichIthoughtmymistresswouldneverbereleasedalive:infact，tomyeyes，sheseemeddirectlyinsensible。
　　Heflunghimselfintothenearestseat，andonmyapproachinghurriedlytoascertainifshehadfainted，hegnashedatme，andfoamedlikeamaddog，andgatheredhertohimwithgreedyjealousy。IdidnotfeelasifIwereinthecompanyofacreatureofmyownspecies:itappearedthathewouldnotunderstand，thoughIspoketohim；soIstoodoff，andheldmytongue，ingreatperplexity。
　　AmovementofCatherine'srelievedmealittlepresently:sheputupherhandtoclasphisneck，andbringhercheektohisasheheldher；whilehe，inreturn，coveringherwithfranticcaresses，saidwildly——
　　`Youteachmenowhowcruelyou'vebeen——cruelandfalse。Whydidyoudespiseme？Whydidyoubetrayyourownheart，Cathy？I
　　havenotonewordofcomfort。Youdeservethis。Youhavekilledyourself。
　　Yes，youmaykissme，andcry；andringoutmykissesandtears:they'llblightyou——they'lldamnyou。Youlovedme——thenwhatrighthadyoutoleaveme？Whatright——answerme——forthepoorfancyyoufeltforLinton？Becausemiseryanddegradation，anddeath，andnothingthatGodorSatancouldinflictwouldhavepartedus，you，ofyourownwill，didit。Ihavenotbrokenyourheart——youhavebrokenit；andinbreakingit，youhavebrokenmine。Somuchtheworseforme，thatIamstrong。DoIwanttolive？Whatkindoflivingwillitbewhenyou——oh，God!wouldyouliketolivewithyoursoulinthegrave？'
　　`Letmealone。letmealone，'sobbedCatherine。`IfIhavedonewrong，I'mdyingforit。Itisenough!Youleftmetoo:butIwon'tupbraidyou!Iforgiveyou。Forgiveme!'
　　`Itishardtoforgive，andtolookatthoseeyes，andfeelthosewastedhands，'heanswered。`Kissmeagain；anddon'tletmeseeyoureyes!
　　Iforgivewhatyouhavedonetome。Ilovemymurderer——butyours!
　　HowcanI？'
　　Theyweresilent——theirfaceshidagainsteachother，andwashedbyeachother'stears。Atleast，Isupposetheweepingwasonbothsides；
　　asitseemedHeathcliffcouldweeponagreatoccasionlikethis。
　　Igrewveryuncomfortable，meanwhile；fortheafternoonworefastaway，themanwhomIhadsentoffreturnedfromhiserrand，andIcoulddistinguish，bytheshineofthewesteringsunupthevalley，aconcoursethickeningoutsideGimmertonchapelporch。
　　`Serviceisover，'Iannounced。`Mymasterwillbehereinhalfanhour。'
　　Heathcliffgroanedacurse，andstrainedCatherinecloser:shenevermoved。
　　ErelongIperceivedagroupoftheservantspassinguptheroadtowardsthekitchenwing。MrLintonwasnotfarbehind；heopenedthegatehimselfandsaunteredslowlyup，probablyenjoyingthelovelyafternoonthatbreathedassoftassummer。
　　`Nowheishere，'Iexclaimed。`ForHeaven'ssake，hurrydown!
　　You'llnotmeetanyoneonthefrontstairs。Dobequick；andstayamongthetreestillheisfairlyin。'
　　`Imustgo，Cathy，'saidHeathcliff，seekingtoextricatehimselffromhiscompanion'sarms。`ButifIlive，I'llseeyouagainbeforeyouareasleep。Iwon'tstrayfiveyardsfromyourwindow。'
　　`Youmustnotgo!'sheanswered，holdinghimasfirmlyasherstrengthallowed。`Youshallnot，Itellyou。'
　　`Foronehour，'hepleadedearnestly。
　　`Notforoneminute，'shereplied。
　　`Imust——Lintonwillbeupimmediately，'persistedthealarmedintruder。
　　Hewouldhaverisen，andunfixedherfingersbytheact——sheclungfast，gasping:therewasmadresolutioninherface。
　　`No!'sheshrieked。`Oh，don't，don'tgo。Itisthelasttime!
　　Edgarwillnothurtus。Heathcliff，Ishalldie!Ishalldie!'
　　`Damnthefool!Thereheis，'criedHeathcliff，sinkingbackintohisseat。`Hush，mydarling!Hush，hush，Catherine!I'llstay。Ifheshotmeso，I'dexpirewithablessingonmylips。'
　　Andtheretheywerefastagain。Iheardmymastermountingthestairs——thecoldsweatranfrommyforehead:Iwashorrified。
　　`Areyougoingtolistentoherravings？'Isaidpassionately。
　　`Shedoesnotknowwhatshesays。Willyouruinher，becauseshehasnotwittohelpherself？Getup!Youcouldbefreeinstantly。Thatisthemostdiabolicaldeedthateveryoudid。Wearealldonefor——master，mistress，andservant。
　　Iwrungmyhands，andcriedout；MrLintonhastenedhisstepatthenoise。Inthemidstofmyagitation，IwassincerelygladtoobservethatCatherine'sarmshadfallenrelaxed，andherheadhungdown。
　　`She'sfaintedordead，'Ithought:`somuchthebetter。Farbetterthatsheshouldbedead，thanlingeringaburdenandamisery-makertoallabouther。'
　　Edgarsprangtohisunbiddenguest，blanchedwithastonishmentandrage。Whathemeanttodo，Icannottell；however，theotherstoppedalldemonstrations，atonce，byplacingthelifelesslookingforminhisarms。
　　`Lookthere!'hesaid；`unlessyoubeafiend，helpherfirst——thenyoushallspeaktome!'
　　Hewalkedintotheparlour，andsatdown。MrLintonsummonedme，andwithgreatdifficulty，andafterresortingtomanymeans，wemanagedtorestorehertosensation；butshewasallbewildered；shesighed，andmoaned，andknewnobody。Edgar，inhisanxietyforher，forgotherhatedfriend。Ididnot。Iwent，attheearliestopportunity，andbesoughthimtodepart；affirmingthatCatherinewasbetter，andheshouldhearfrommeinthemorninghowshepassedthenight。
　　`Ishallnotrefusetogooutofdoors，'heanswered；`butIshallstayinthegarden:and，Nelly，mindyoukeepyourwordtomorrow。Ishallbeunderthoselarchtrees。Mind!orIpayanothervisit，whetherLintonbeinornot。
　　Hesentarapidglancethroughthehalf-opendoorofthechamber，and，ascertainingthatwhatIstatedwasapparentlytrue，deliveredthehouseofhislucklesspresence。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter16Abouttwelveo'clockthatnight，wasborntheCatherineyousawatWutheringHeights:apuny，sevenmonths'child；andtwohoursafterthemotherdied，havingneverrecoveredsufficientconsciousnesstomissHeathcliff，orknowEdgar。Thelatter'sdistractionathisbereavementisasubjecttoopainfultobedwelton；itsaftereffectsshowedhowdeepthesorrowsunk。
　　Agreataddition，inmyeyes，washisbeingleftwithoutanheir。Ibemoanedthat，asIgazedonthefeebleorphan；andImentallyabusedoldLintonforwhatwasonlynaturalpartialitythesecuringhisestatetohisowndaughter，insteadofhisson's。Anunwelcomedinfantitwas，poorthing!
　　Itmighthavewailedoutoflife，andnobodycaredamorsel，duringthosefirsthoursofexistence。Weredeemedtheneglectafterwards；butitsbeginningwasasfriendlessasitsendislikelytobe。
　　Nextmorning——brightandcheerfuloutofdoors——stolesoftenedinthroughtheblindsofthesilentroom，andsuffusedthecouchanditsoccupantwithamellow，tenderglow。EdgarLintonhadhisheadlaidonthepillow，andhiseyesshut。Hisyoungandfairfeatureswerealmostasdeathlikeasthoseoftheformbesidehim，andalmostasfixed:buthiswasthehushofexhaustedanguish，andhersofperfectpeace。Herbrowsmooth，herlidsclosed，herlipswearingtheexpressionofasmile；noangelinheavencouldbemorebeautifulthansheappeared。
　　AndIpartookoftheinfinitecalminwhichshelay:mymindwasneverinaholierframethanwhileIgazedonthatuntroubledimageofdivinerest。Iinstinctivelyechoedthewordsshehadutteredafewhoursbefore:
　　`Incomparablybeyondandaboveusall!Whetherstillonearthornowinheaven，herspiritisathomewithGod!'
　　Idon'tknowifitbeapeculiarityinme，butIamseldomotherwisethanhappywhilewatchinginthechamberofdeath，shouldnofrenziedordespairingmournersharethedutywithme。Iseeareposethatneitherearthnorhellcanbreak，andIfeelanassuranceoftheendlessandshadowlesshereafter——theEternitytheyhaveentered——wherelifeisboundlessinitsduration，andloveinitssympathy，andjoyinitsfulness。InoticedonthatoccasionhowmuchselfishnessthereiseveninalovelikeMrLinton's，whenhesoregrettedCatherine'sblessedrelease!Tobesure，onemighthavedoubted，afterthewaywardandimpatientexistenceshehadled，whethershemeritedahavenofpeaceatlast。Onemightdoubtinseasonsofcoldreflection；butnotthen，inthepresenceofhercorpse。Itasserteditsowntranquillity，whichseemedapledgeofequalquiettoitsformerinhabitant。
　　Doyoubelievesuchpeoplearehappyintheotherworld，sir？
　　I'dgiveagreatdealtoknow。
　　IdeclinedansweringMrsDean'squestion，whichstruckmeassomethingheterodox。Sheproceeded——
　　RetracingthecourseofCatherineLinton，Ifearwehavenorighttothinksheis；butwe'llleaveherwithherMaker。
　　Themasterlookedasleep，andIventuredsoonaftersunrisetoquittheroomandstealouttothepurerefreshingair。Theservantsthoughtmegonetoshakeoffthedrowsinessofmyprotractedwatch；inreality，mychiefmotivewasseeingMrHeathcliff。Ifhehadremainedamongthelarchesallnight，hewouldhaveheardnothingofthestirattheGrange；
　　unless，perhaps，hemightcatchthegallopofthemessengergoingtoGimmerton。
　　Ifhehadcomenearer，hewouldprobablybeaware，fromthelightsflittingtoandfro，andtheopeningandshuttingoftheouterdoors，thatallwasnotrightwithin。Iwished，yetfeared，tofindhim。Ifelttheterriblenewsmustbetold，andIlongedtogetitover；buthowtodoit，Ididnotknow。Hewasthere——atleastafewyardsfartherinthepark；
　　leantagainstanoldashtree，hishatoff，andhishairsoakedwiththedewthathadgatheredonthebuddedbranches，andfellpatteringroundhim。Hehadbeenstandingalongtimeinthatposition，forIsawapairofouselspassingandrepassingscarcelythreefeetfromhim，busyinbuildingtheirnest，andregardinghisproximitynomorethanthatofapieceoftimber。Theyflewoffatmyapproach，andheraisedhiseyesandspoke——
　　`She'sdead!'hesaid；`I'venotwaitedforyoutolearnthat。
　　Putyourhandkerchiefaway——don'tsnivelbeforeme。Damnyouall!shewantsnoneofyourtears!'
　　Iwasweepingasmuchforhimasher；wedosometimespitycreaturesthathavenoneofthefeelingeitherforthemselvesorothers；andwhenIfirstlookedintohisface，Iperceivedthathehadgotintelligenceofthecatastrophe；andafoolishnotionstruckmethathisheartwasquelledandheprayed，becausehislipsmovedandhisgazewasbentontheground。
　　`Yes，she'sdead!'Ianswered，checkingmysobsanddryingmycheeks。`Gonetoheaven，Ihope；wherewemay，everyone，joinher，ifwetakeduewarningandleaveourevilwaystofollowgood!'
　　`Didshetakeduewarning，then？'askedHeathcliff，attemptingasneer。`Didshedielikeasaint？Come，givemeatruehistoryoftheevent。Howdid——'
　　Heendeavouredtopronouncethename，butcouldnotmanageit；
　　andcompressinghismouthheheldasilentcombatwithhisinwardagony，defying，meanwhile，mysympathywithanunflinchingferociousstare。`Howdidshedie？'heresumedatlast——fain，notwithstandinghishardihood，tohaveasupportbehindhim；for，afterthestruggle，hetrembled，inspiteofhimself，tohisveryfinger-ends。
　　`Poorwretch!'Ithought；`youhaveaheartandnervesthesameasyourbrothermen!Whyshouldyoubeanxioustoconcealthem？YourpridecannotblindGod!YoutemptHimtowringthem，tillHeforcesacryofhumiliation。
　　`Quietlyasalamb!'Iansweredaloud。`Shedrewasigh，andstretchedherself，likeachildreviving，andsinkingagaintosleep；andfiveminutesafterIfeltonelittlepulseatherheart，andnothingmore!'