`Andthenyouwouldlikemeaswellasyourfather？'observedhe，morecheerfully。`Butpapasaysyouwouldlovemebetterthanhimandalltheworld，ifyouweremywife；soI'dratheryouwerethat。'
　　`No，Ishouldneverloveanybodybetterthanpapa，'shereturnedgravely。`Andpeoplehatetheirwives，sometimes；butnottheirsistersandbrothers:andifyouwerethelatteryouwouldlivewithus，andpapawouldbeasfondofyouasheisofme。'
　　Lintondeniedthatpeopleeverhatedtheirwives；butCathyaffirmedtheydid，and，inherwisdom，instancedhisownfather'saversiontoheraunt。Iendeavouredtostopherthoughtlesstongue。Icouldn'tsucceedtilleverythingsheknewwasout。MasterHeathcliff，muchirritated，assertedherrelationwasfalse。
　　`Papatoldme；andpapadoesnottellfalsehoods，'sheansweredpertly。
　　`Nypapascornsyours!'criedLinton。`Hecallshimasneakingfool!'
　　`Yoursisawickedman，'retortedCatherine，`andyouareverynaughtytodaretorepeatwhathesays。HemustbewickedtohavemadeAuntIsabellaleavehimasshedid!'
　　`Shedidn'tleavehim，'saidtheboy；`youshan'tcontradictme!'
　　`Shedid!'criedmyyounglady。
　　`Well，I'lltellyousomething!'saidLinton。`Yourmotherhatedyourfather:nowthen。'
　　`Oh!'exclaimedCatherine，tooenragedtocontinue。`Andshelovedmine!'addedhe。
　　`Youlittleliar!Ihateyounow，'shepanted，andherfacegrewredwithpassion。
　　`Shedid!shedid!'sangLinton，sinkingintotherecessofhischair，andleaningbackhisheadtoenjoytheagitationoftheotherdisputant，whostoodbehind。
　　`Hush，MasterHeathcliff!'Isaid；`that'syourfather'stale，too，Isuppose。'
　　`Itisn't:youholdyourtongue!'heanswered。`Shedid，shedid，Catherine!shedid，shedid!'
　　Cathy，besideherself，gavethechairaviolentpush，andcausedhimtofallagainstonearm。Hewasimmediatelyseizedbyasuffocatingcoughthatsoonendedhistriumph。Itlastedsolongthatitfrightenedevenme。Astohiscousin，shewept，withallhermight；aghastatthemischiefshehaddone:thoughshesaidnothing。Iheldhimtillthefitexhausteditself。Thenhethrustmeaway，andleanthisheaddownsilently。
　　Catherinequelledherlamentationsalso，tookaseatopposite，andlookedsolemnlyintothefire。
　　`Howdoyoufeelnow，MasterHeathcliff？'Iinquired，afterwaitingtenminutes。
　　`IwishshefeltasIdo，'hereplied:`spiteful，cruelthing!Haretonnevertouchesme:heneverstruckmeinhislife。AndI
　　wasbettertoday:andthere——`hisvoicediedinawhimper。
　　`Ididn'tstrikeyou!'mutteredCathy，chewingherliptopreventanotherburstofemotion。
　　Hesighedandmoanedlikeoneundergreatsuffering，andkeptitupforaquarterofanhour；onpurposetodistresshiscousinapparently，forwheneverhecaughtastifledsobfromherheputrenewedpainandpathosintotheinflectionsofhisvoice。
　　`I'msorryIhurtyou，Linton，'shesaidatlength，rackedbeyondendurance。`ButIcouldn'thavebeenhurtbythatlittlepush，andIhadnoideathatyoucould，either:you'renotmuch，areyou，Linton？
　　Don'tletmegohomethinkingI'vedoneyouharm。Answer!speaktome。'
　　`Ican'tspeaktoyou，'hemurmured；`you'vehurtmeso，thatIshalllieawakeallnightchokingwiththiscough。Ifyouhadityou'dknowwhatitwas；butyou'llbecomfortablyasleepwhileI'minagony，andnobodynearme。Iwonderhowyouwouldliketopassthosefearfulnights!'Andhebegantowailaloud，forverypityofhimself。
　　`Sinceyouareinthehabitofpassingdreadfulnights，'Isaid，`itwon'tbemisswhospoilsyourease:you'dbethesamehadshenevercome。However，sheshallnotdisturbyouagain；andperhapsyou'llgetquieterwhenweleaveyou。
　　`MustIgo？'askedCatherinedolefully，bendingoverhim。`Doyouwantmetogo，Linton？'
　　`Youcan'talterwhatyou'vedone，'herepliedpettishly，shrinkingfromher，`unlessyoualteritfortheworsebyteasingmeintoafever。'
　　`Well，then，Imustgo？'sherepeated。
　　`Letmealone，atleast，'saidhe；`Ican'tbearyourtalking。'
　　Shelingered，andresistedmypersuasionstodepartureatiresomewhile；butasheneitherlookedupnorspoke，shefinallymadeamovementtothedoorandIfollowed。Wewererecalledbyascream。Lintonhadslidfromhisseatontothehearthstone，andlaywrithinginthemereperversenessofanindulgedplagueofachild，determinedtobeasgrievousandharassingasitcan。Ithoroughlygaugedhisdispositionfromhisbehaviour，andsawatonceitwouldbefollytoattempthumouringhim。Notsomycompanion:
　　sheranbackinterror，kneltdown，andcried，andsoothed，andentreated，tillhegrewquietfromlackofbreath:bynomeansfromcompunctionatdistressingher。
　　`Ishalllifthimonthesettle，'Isaid，`andhemayrollaboutashepleases:wecan'tstoptowatchhim。Ihopeyouaresatisfied，MissCathy，thatyouarenotthepersontobenefithim；andthathisconditionofhealthisnotoccasionedbyattachmenttoyou。Now，then，thereheis!Comeaway:assoonasheknowsthereisnobodybytocareforhisnonsense，he'llbegladtoliestill。'
　　Sheplacedacushionunderhishead，andofferedhimsomewater；
　　herejectedthelatter，andtosseduneasilyontheformer，asifitwereastoneorablockofwood。Shetriedtoputitmorecomfortably。
　　`Ican'tdowiththat，'hesaid；`it'snothighenough。'
　　Catherinebroughtanothertolayaboveit。
　　`That'stoohigh，'murmuredtheprovokingthing。
　　`HowmustIarrangeit，then？'sheaskeddespairingly。
　　Hetwinedhimselfuptoher，asshehalfkneltbythesettle，andconvertedhershoulderintoasupport。
　　`No，thatwon'tdo，'Isaid。`You'llbecontentwiththecushion，MasterHeathcliff。Misshaswastedtoomuchtimeonyoualready:wecannotremainfiveminuteslonger。'
　　`Yes，yes，wecan!'repliedCathy。`He'sgoodandpatientnow。
　　He'sbeginningtothinkIshallhavefargreatermiserythanhewilltonight，ifIbelieveheistheworseformyvisit；andthenIdarenotcomeagain。
　　Tellthetruthaboutit，Linton；forImustn'tcome，ifIhavehurtyou。'
　　`Youmustcome，tocureme，'heanswered。`Yououghttocome，becauseyouhavehurtme:youknowyouhaveextremely!IwasnotasillwhenyouenteredasIamatpresent——wasI？'
　　`Butyou'vemadeyourselfillbycryingandbeinginapassion。'
　　`Ididn'tdoitatall，'saidhiscousin。`However，we'llbefriendsnow。Andyouwantme:youwouldwishtoseemesometimes，really？'
　　`ItoldyouIdid，'herepliedimpatiently。`Sitonthesettleandletmeleanonyourknee。That'sasmammausedtodo，wholeafternoonstogether。Sitquitestillanddon'ttalk:butyoumaysingasong，ifyoucansing；oryoumaysayanicelonginterestingballad——oneofthoseyoupromisedtoteachme:orastory。I'dratherhaveaballad，though:begin。'
　　Catherinerepeatedthelongestshecouldremember。Theemploymentpleasedbothmightily。Lintonwouldhaveanother；andafterthatanother，notwithstandingmystrenuousobjections；andsotheywentonuntiltheclockstrucktwelve，andweheardHaretoninthecourt，returningforhisdinner。
　　`Andtomorrow，Catherine，willyoubeheretomorrow？'askedyoungHeathcliff，holdingherfrockassherosereluctantly。
　　`No，'Ianswered，`nornextdayneither。'She，however，gaveadifferentresponseevidently，forhisforeheadclearedasshestoopedandwhisperedinhisear。
　　`Youwon'tgotomorrow，recollect，miss!'Icommenced，whenwewereoutofthehouse。`Youarenotdreamingofit，areyou？'
　　`Oh，I'lltakegoodcare，'Icontinued:`I'llhavethatlockmended，andyoucanescapebynowayelse。'
　　`Icangetoverthewall，'shesaid，laughing。`TheGrangeisnotaprison，Ellen，andyouarenotmyjailer。Andbesides，I'malmostseventeen:I'mawoman。AndI'mcertainLintonwouldrecoverquicklyifhehadmetolookafterhim。I'molderthanheis，youknow，andwiser:
　　lesschildish，amInot？Andhe'llsoondoasIdirecthim，withsomeslightcoaxing。He'saprettylittledarlingwhenhe'sgood。I'dmakesuchapetofhim，ifheweremine。Weshouldneverquarrel，shouldwe，afterwewereusedtoeachother？Don'tyoulikehim，Ellen？'
　　`Likehim？'Iexclaimed。`Theworst-temperedbitofasicklyslipthateverstruggledintoitsteens。Happily，asMrHeathcliffconjectured，he'llnotwintwenty。Idoubtwhetherhe'llseespring，indeed。Andsmalllosstohisfamilywheneverhedropsoff。Andluckyitisforusthathisfathertookhim:thekinderhewastreated，themoretediousandselfishhe'dbe。I'mgladyouhavenochanceofhavinghimforahusband，MissCatherine。'
　　Mycompanionwaxedseriousathearingthisspeech。Tospeakofhisdeathsoregardlessly，woundedherfeelings。
　　`He'syoungerthanI，'sheanswered，afteraprotractedpauseofmeditation，`andheoughttolivethelongest:hewill——hemustliveaslongasIdo。He'sasstrongnowaswhenhefirstcameintothenorth；
　　I'mpositiveofthat。It'sonlyacoldthatailshim，thesameaspapahas。Yousaypapawillgetbetter，andwhyshouldn'the？'
　　`Well，well，'Icried，`afterall，weneedn'ttroubleourselves；
　　forlisten，miss，andmind，I'llkeepmyword，——ifyouattemptgoingtoWutheringHeightsagain，withorwithoutme，IshallinformMrLinton，and，unlessheallowit，theintimacywithyourcousinmustnotberevived。'
　　`Ithasbeenrevived，'mutteredCathysulkily。`Mustnotbecontinued，then，'Isaid。
　　`We'llsee，'washerreply，andshesetoffatagallop，leavingmetotoilintherear。
　　Webothreachedhomebeforeourdinnertime；mymastersupposedwehadbeenwanderingthroughthepark，andthereforehedemandednoexplanationofourabsence。AssoonasIentered，Ihastenedtochangemysoakedshoesandstockings；butsittingsuchawhileattheHeightshaddonethemischief。
　　OnthesucceedingmorningIwaslaidup，andduringthreeweeksIremainedincapacitatedforattendingtomyduties:acalamityneverexperiencedpriortothatperiod，andnever，Iamthankfultosay，since。
　　Mylittlemistressbehavedlikeanangel，incomingtowaitonme，andcheermysolitude:theconfinementbroughtmeexceedinglylow。
　　Itiswearisome，toastirringactivebody:butfewhaveslighterreasonsforcomplaintthanIhad。ThemomentCatherineleftMrLinton'sroom，sheappearedatmybedside。Herdaywasdividedbetweenus；noamusementusurpedaminute:sheneglectedhermeals，herstudies，andherplay；andshewasthefondestnursethateverwatched。Shemusthavehadawarmheart，whenshelovedherfatherso，togivesomuchtome。Isaidherdaysweredividedbetweenus；butthemasterretiredearly，andIgenerallyneedednothingaftersixo'clock；thustheeveningwasherown。Poorthing!Ineverconsideredwhatshedidwithherselfaftertea。Andthoughfrequently，whenshelookedintobidmegoodnight，Iremarkedafreshcolourinhercheeksandapinknessoverherslenderfingers；insteadoffancyingthehueborrowedfromacoldrideacrossthemoors，Ilaidittothechargeofahotfireinthelibrary。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter24Atthecloseofthreeweeks，Iwasabletoquitmychamber，andmoveaboutthehouse。Andonthefirstoccasionofmysittingupintheevening，I
　　askedCatherinetoreadtome，becausemyeyeswereweak。Wewereinthelibrary，themasterhavinggonetobed:sheconsented，ratherunwillingly，Ifancied；andimaginingmysortofbooksdidnotsuither，Ibidherplaceherselfinthechoiceofwhatsheperused。Sheselectedoneofherownfavourites，andgotforwardsteadilyaboutanhour；thencamefrequentquestions。
　　`Ellen，arenotyoutired？Hadn'tyoubetterliedownnow？You'llbesick，keepingupsolong，Ellen。'
　　`No，no，dear，I'mnottired，'Ireturnedcontinually。
　　Perceivingmeimmovable，sheessayedanothermethodofshowingherdisrelishforheroccupation。Itchangedtoyawning，andstretching，and:
　　`Ellen，I'mtired。'
　　`Giveoverthenandtalk，'Ianswered。
　　Thatwasworse:shefrettedandsighed，andlikedatherwatchtilleight，andfinallywenttoherroom，completelyoverdonewithsleep；
　　judgingbyherpeevish，heavylook，andtheconstantrubbingsheinflictedonhereyes。Thefollowingnightsheseemedmoreimpatientstill；andonthethirdfromrecoveringmycompany，shecomplainedofaheadache，andleftme。Ithoughtherconductodd；andhavingremainedalonealongwhile，Iresolvedongoingandinquiringwhethershewerebetter，andaskinghertocomeandlieonthesofa，insteadofupstairsinthedark。NoCatherinecouldIdiscoverupstairs，andnonebelow。Theservantsaffirmedtheyhadnotseenher。IlistenedatMrEdgar'sdoor；allwassilence。Ireturnedtoherapartment，extinguishedmycandle，andseatedmyselfinthewindow。
　　Themoonshonebright；asprinklingofsnowcoveredtheground，andIreflectedthatshemight，possibly，havetakenitintoherheadtowalkaboutthegarden，forrefreshment。Ididdetectafigurecreepingalongtheinnerfenceofthepark；butitwasnotmyyoungmistress:onitsemergingintothelight，Irecognizedoneofthegrooms。Hestoodaconsiderableperiod，viewingthecarriage-roadthroughthegrounds；thenstartedoffatabriskpace，asifhehaddetectedsomething，andreappearedpresently，leadingmiss'spony；andthereshewas，justdismounted，andwalkingbyitsside。Themantookhischargestealthilyacrossthegrasstowardsthestable。Cathyenteredbythecasementwindowofthedrawing-room，andglidednoiselesslyuptowhereIawaitedher。Sheputthedoorgentlyto，slippedoffhersnowyshoes，untiedherhat，andwasproceeding，unconsciousofmyespionage，tolayasidehermantle，whenIsuddenlyroseandrevealedmyself。Thesurprisepetrifiedheraninstant:sheutteredaninarticulateexclamation，andstoodfixed。
　　`MydearMissCatherine，'Ibegan，toovividlyimpressedbyherrecentkindnesstobreakintoascold，`wherehaveyoubeenridingoutatthishour？Andwhyshouldyoutrytodeceiveme，bytellingatale？
　　Wherehaveyoubeen？Speak。'
　　`Tothebottomofthepark，'shestammered。`Ididn'ttellatale。'
　　`Andnowhereelse？'Idemanded。
　　`No，'wasthemutteredreply。
　　`Oh，Catherine!'Icriedsorrowfully。`Youknowyouhavebeendoingwrong，oryouwouldn'tbedriventoutteringanuntruthtome。Thatdoesgrieveme。I'dratherbethreemonthsill，thanhearyouframeadeliberatelie。'
　　Shesprangforward，andburstingintotears，threwherarmsroundmyneck。
　　`Well，Ellen，I'msoafraidofyoubeingangry，'shesaid。`Promisenottobeangry，andyoushallknowtheverytruth:Ihatetohideit。'
　　Wesatdowninthewindow-seat；IassuredherIwouldnotscold，whateverhersecretmightbe，andIguesseditofcourse；soshecommenced:
　　`I'vebeentoWutheringHeights，Ellen，andI'venevermissedgoingadaysinceyoufellill；exceptthricebefore，andtwiceafteryouleftyourroom。IgaveMichaelbooksandpicturestoprepareMinnyeveryevening，andtoputherbackinthestable:youmustn'tscoldhimeither，mind。IwasattheHeightsbyhalf-pastsix，andgenerallystayedtillhalfpasteight，andthengallopedhome。ItwasnottoamusemyselfthatIwent:Iwasoftenwretchedallthetime。NowandthenIwashappy；
　　onceinaweekperhaps。Atfirst，IexpectedtherewouldbesadworkpersuadingyoutoletmekeepmywordtoLinton:forIhadengagedtocallagainnextday，whenwequittedhim；but，asyoustayedupstairsonthemorrow，I
　　escapedthattrouble；andwhileMichaelwasrefasteningthelockoftheparkdoorintheafternoon，Igotpossessionofthekey，andtoldhimhowmycousinwishedmetovisithim，becausehewassick，andcouldn'tcometotheGrange；andhowpapawouldobjecttomygoing:andthenInegotiatedwithhimaboutthepony。Heisfondofreading，andhethinksofleavingsoontogetmarried；soheoffered，ifIwouldlendhimbooksoutofthelibrary，todowhatIwished:butIpreferredgivinghimmyown，andthatsatisfiedhimbetter。
　　`Onmysecondvisit，Lintonseemedinlivelyspirits；andZillahthatistheirhousekeepermadeusacleanroomandagoodfire，andtoldusthat，asJosephwasoutataprayermeetingandHaretonEarnshawwasoffwithhisdogs——robbingourwoodsofpheasants，asIheardafterwards——wemightdowhatweliked。Shebroughtmesomewarmwineandgingerbread，andappearedexceedinglygood-natured；andLintonsatinthearmchair，andIinthelittlerocking-chaironthehearthstone，andwelaughedandtalkedsomerrily，andfoundsomuchtosay:weplannedwherewewouldgo，andwhatwewoulddoinsummer。Ineedn'trepeatthat，becauseyouwouldcallitsilly。
　　`Onetime，however，wewerenearquarrelling。HesaidthepleasantestmannerofspendingahotJulydaywaslyingfrommorningtilleveningonabankofheathinthemiddleofthemoors，withthebeeshummingdreamilyaboutamongthebloom，andthelarkssinginghighupoverhead，andtheblueskyandbrightsunshiningsteadilyandcloudlessly。Thatwashismostperfectideaofheaven'shappiness:minewasrockinginarustlinggreentree，withawestwindblowing，andbrightwhitecloudsflittingrapidlyabove；andnotonlylarks，butthrostles，andblackbirds，andlinnets，andcuckoospouringoutmusiconeveryside，andthemoorsseenatadistance，brokenintocoolduskydells；butclosebygreatswellsoflonggrassundulatinginwavestothebreeze；andwoodsandsoundingwater，andthewholeworldawakeandwildwithjoy。Hewantedalltolieinanecstasyofpeace；I
　　wantedalltosparkleanddanceinagloriousjubilee。Isaidhisheavenwouldbeonlyhalfalive；andhesaidminewouldbedrunk:IsaidIshouldfallasleepinhis；andhesaidhecouldnotbreatheinmine，andbegantogrowverysnappish。Atlast，weagreedtotryboth，assoonastherightweathercame；andthenwekissedeachotherandwerefriends。
　　`Aftersittingstillanhour，Ilookedatthegreatroomwithitssmoothuncarpetedfloor，andthoughthowniceitwouldbetoplayin，ifweremovedthetable；andIaskedLintontocallZillahintohelpus，andwe'dhaveagameatblind-man'sbuff；sheshouldtrytocatchus:youusedto，youknow，Ellen。Hewouldn't:therewasnopleasureinit，hesaid；butheconsentedtoplayatballwithme。Wefoundtwoinacupboard，amongaheapofoldtoys，tops，andhoops，andbattledores，andshuttlecocks。
　　OnewasmarkedC。，andtheotherH。；IwishedtohavetheC。，becausethatstoodforCatherine，andtheH。mightbeforHeathcliff，hisname；butthebrancameoutofH。，andLintondidn'tlikeit。Ibeathimconstantly，andhegotcrossagain，andcoughed，andreturnedtohischair。Thatnight，though，heeasilyrecoveredhisgoodhumour:hewascharmedwithtwoorthreeprettysongs——yoursongs，Ellen；andwhenIwasobligedtogo，hebeggedandentreatedmetocomethefollowingevening；andIpromised。
　　MinnyandIwentflyinghomeaslightasair；andIdreamtofWutheringHeightsandmysweet，darlingcousin，tillmorning。
　　`OnthemorrowIwassad；partlybecauseyouwerepoorly，andpartlythatIwishedmyfatherknew，andapprovedofmyexcursions:butitwasbeautifulmoonlightaftertea；and，asIrodeon，thegloomcleared。
　　Ishallhaveanotherhappyevening，Ithoughttomyself:andwhatdelightsmemore，myprettyLintonwill。Itrotteduptheirgarden，andwasturningroundtotheback，whenthatfellowEarnshawmetme，tookmybridle，andbidmegoinbythefrontentrance。HepattedMinny'sneck，andsaidshewasabonnybeast，andappearedasifhewantedmetospeaktohim。Ionlytoldhimtoleavemyhorsealone，orelseitwouldkickhim。Heansweredinhisvulgaraccent，``Itwouldn'tdomuchhurtifitdid"；andsurveyeditslegswithasmile。Iwashalfinclinedtomakeittry；however，hemovedofftoopenthedoor，and，asheraisedthelatch，helookeduptotheinscriptionabove，andsaid，withastupidmixtureofawkwardnessandelation:
　　```MissCatherine!Icanreadyon，nah。''
　　```Wonderful，''Iexclaimed。``Prayletushearyou——youaregrownclever!''
　　`Hespelt，anddrawledoverbysyllables，thename——"HaretonEarnshaw"。
　　```Andthefigures？''Icriedencouragingly，perceivingthathecametoadeadhalt。
　　```Icannottellthemyet，''heanswered。
　　``Oh，youdunce!''Isaid，laughingheartilyathisfailure。
　　`Thefoolstared，withagrinhoveringabouthislips，andascowlgatheringoverhiseyes，asifuncertainwhetherhemightnotjoininmymirth:whetheritwerenotpleasantfamiliarity，orwhatitreallywas，contempt。Isettledhisdoubts，bysuddenlyretrievingmygravityanddesiringhimtowalkaway，forIcametoseeLinton，nothim。Hereddened——Isawthatbythemoonlight——droppedhishandfromthelatch，andskulkedoff，apictureofmortifiedvanity。HeimaginedhimselftobeasaccomplishedasLinton，Isuppose，becausehecouldspellhisownname；andwasmarvellouslydiscomfitedthatIdidn'tthinkthesame。'
　　`Stop，MissCatherine，dear!'Iinterrupted。`Ishallnotscold，butIdon'tlikeyourconductthere。IfyouhadrememberedthatHaretonwasyourcousinasmuchasMasterHeathcliff，youwouldhavefelthowimproperitwastobehaveinthatway。Atleast，itwaspraiseworthyambitionforhimtodesiretobeasaccomplishedasLinton；andprobablyhedidnotlearnmerelytoshowoff:youhadmadehimashamedofhisignorancebefore，Ihavenodoubt；andhewishedtoremedyitandpleaseyou。Tosneerathisimperfectattemptwasverybadbreeding。Hadyoubeenbroughtupinhiscircumstances，wouldyoubelessrude？Hewasasquickandasintelligentachildaseveryouwere；andI'mhurtthatheshouldbedespisednow，becausethatbaseHeathcliffhastreatedhimsounjustly。'
　　`Well，Ellen，youwon'tcryaboutit，willyou？'sheexclaimed，surprisedatmyearnestness。`Butwait，andyoushallhearifheconnedhisABCtopleaseme；andifitwereworthwhilebeingciviltothebrute。
　　Ientered；Lintonwaslyingonthesettle，andhalfgotuptowelcomeme。
　　```I'milltonight，Catherine，love，''hesaid；``andyoumusthaveallthetalk，andletmelisten。Come，andsitbyme。Iwassureyouwouldn'tbreakyourword，andI'llmakeyoupromiseagain，beforeyougo。''
　　`IknewnowthatImustn'tteasehim，ashe`wasill；andIspokesoftlyandputnoquestions，andavoidedirritatinghiminanyway。Ihadbroughtsomeofmynicestbooksforhim；heaskedmetoreadalittleofone，andIwasabouttocomply，whenEarnshawburstthedooropen:havinggatheredvenomwithreflection。Headvanceddirecttous，seizedLintonbythearm，andswunghimofftheseat。
　　``Gettothyownroom!''hesaid，inavoicealmostinarticulatewithpassion；andhisfacelookedswelledandfurious。``Takeherthereifshecomestoseethee:thoushalln'tkeepmeoutofthis。Begonewi'
　　yeboth!''
　　`Hesworeatus，andleftLintonnotimetoanswer，nearlythrowinghimintothekitchen；andheclenchedhisfistasIfollowed，seeminglylongingtoknockmedown。Iwasafraidforamoment，andIletonevolumefall；hekickeditafterme，andshutusout。Iheardamalignant，cracklylaughbythefire，andturning，beheldthatodiousJosephstandingrubbinghisbonyhands，andquivering。
　　``Awwersurehe'dsarveyeeht!He'sagrandlad!He'sgettent'raightsperritinhim!Heknaws——Aye，heknaws，asweelasAwdo，whosudbet'maisteryonder——Ech，ech，ech!Hemadyeskiftproperly!
　　Ech，ech，ech!''
　　``Wheremustwego？''Isaidtomycousin，disregardingtheoldwretch'smockery。
　　`Lintonwaswhiteandtrembling。Hewasnotprettythen，Ellen:
　　ohno!helookedfrightful；forhisthinfaceandlargeeyeswerewroughtintoanexpressionoffrantic，powerlessfury。Hegraspedthehandleofthedoor，andshookit:itwasfastenedinside。
　　``Ifyoudon'tletmeinI'llkillyou!——Ifyoudon'tletmein，I'llkillyou!''herathershriekedthansaid。``Devil!devil!——I'llkillyou——I'llkillyou!''
　　`Josephutteredhiscroakinglaughagain。
　　``Thear，that'st'father!''hecried。``That'sfather!We'vealIassummutuhorthersideinus。NiverheedHareton，lad——dunnutbe`feard——hecannotgetatthee!''
　　`ItookholdofLinton'shands，andtriedtopullhimaway；butheshriekedsoshockinglythatIdarednotproceed。Atlasthiscrieswerechokedbyadreadfulfitofcoughing；bloodgushedfromhismouth，andhefellontheground。Iranintotheyard，sickwithterror；andcalledforZillah，asloudasIcould。Shesoonheardme:shewasmilkingthecowsinashedbehindthebarn，`andhurryingfromherwork，sheinquiredwhattherewastodo？Ihadn'tbreathtoexplain；draggingherin，IlookedaboutforLinton。Earnshawhadcomeouttoexaminethemischiefhehadcaused，andhewasthenconveyingthepoorthingupstairs。ZillahandI
　　ascendedafterhim；buthestoppedmeatthetopofthesteps，andsaidIshouldn'tgoin:Imustgohome。IexclaimedthathehadkilledLinton，andIwouldenter。Josephlockedthedoor，anddeclaredIshoulddo``nosichstuff''，andaskedmewhetherIwere``bahntobeasmadashim''。Istoodcrying，tillthehousekeeperreappeared。Sheaffirmedhewouldbebetterinabit，buthecouldn'tdowiththatshriekinganddin；
　　andshetookme，andnearlycarriedmeintothehouse。
　　`Ellen，Iwasreadytotearmyhairoffmyhead!Isobbedandweptsothatmyeyeswerealmostblind；andtheruffianyouhavesuchsympathywithstoodopposite:presumingeverynowandthentobidme``wisht''，anddenyingthatitwashisfault；and，finally，frightenedbymyassertionsthatIwouldtellpapa，andthatheshouldbeputinprisonandhanged，hecommencedblubberinghimself，andhurriedouttohidehiscowardlyagitation。
　　Still，Iwasnotridofhim:whenatlengththeycompelledmetodepart，andIhadgotsomehundredyardsoffthepremises，hesuddenlyissuedfromtheshadowoftheroadside，andcheckedMinnyandtookholdofme。
　　``MissCatherine，I'millgrieved，''hebegan，``butit'sraythertoobad——''
　　`Igavehimacutwithmywhip，thinkingperhapshewouldmurderme。Heletgo，thunderingoneofhishorridcurses，andIgallopedhomemorethanhalfoutofmysenses。
　　`Ididn'tbidyougoodnightthatevening，andIdidn'tgotoWutheringHeightsthenext:Iwishedto，exceedingly；butIwasstrangelyexcited，anddreadedtohearthatLintonwasdead，sometimes；andsometimesshudderedatthethoughtofencounteringHareton。OnthethirddayItookcourage:atleast，Icouldn'tbearlongersuspense，andstoleoffoncemore。Iwentatfiveo'clock，andwalked；fancyingImightmanagetocreepintothehouse，anduptoLinton'sroom，unobserved。However，thedogsgavenoticeofmyapproach。Zillahreceivedme，andsaying，``theladwasmendingnicely''，showedmeintoasmall，tidy，carpetedapartment，where，tomyinexpressiblejoy，IbeheldLintonlaidonalittlesofa，readingoneofmybooks。Buthewouldneitherspeaktomenorlookatme，throughawholehour，Ellen:hehassuchanunhappytemper。Andwhatquiteconfoundedme，whenhedidopenhismouth，itwastoutterthefalsehoodthatIhadoccasionedtheuproar，andHaretonwasnottoblame!Unabletoreply，exceptpassionately，Igotupandwalkedfromtheroom。Hesentaftermeafaint``Catherine!''Hedidnotreckononbeingansweredso:butIwouldn'tturnback；andthemorrowwastheseconddayonwhichIstayedathome，nearlydeterminedtovisithimnomore。Butitwassomiserablegoingtobedandgettingup，andneverhearinganythingabouthim，thatmyresolutionmeltedintoairbeforeitwasproperlyformed。Ithadappearedwrongtotakethejourneyonce；nowitseemedwrongtorefrain。MichaelcametoaskifhemustsaddleMinny；Isaid``Yes''，andconsideredmyselfdoingadutyassheboremeoverthehills。Iwasforcedtopassthefrontwindowstogettothecourt:itwasnousetryingtoconcealmypresence。
　　``Youngmasterisinthehouse，''saidZillah，asshesawmemakingfortheparlour。Iwentin；Earnshawwastherealso，buthequittedtheroomdirectly。Lintonsatinthegreatarmchairhalfasleep；walkinguptothefire，Ibeganinaserioustone，partlymeaningittobetrue:
　　``Asyoudon'tlikeme，Linton，andasyouthinkIcomeonpurposetohurtyou，andpretendthatIdosoeverytime，thisisourlastmeeting:
　　letussaygoodbye；andtellMrHeathcliffthatyouhavenowishtoseeme，andthathemustn'tinventanymorefalsehoodsonthesubject。''
　　```Sitdownandtakeyourhatoff，Catherine，''heanswered。
　　``YouaresomuchhappierthanIam，yououghttobebetter。Papatalksenoughofmydefects，andshowsenoughscornofme，tomakeitnaturalIshoulddoubtmyself。IdoubtwhetherIamnotaltogetherasworthlessashecallsme，frequently；andthenIfeelsocrossandbitter，Ihateeverybody!Iamworthless，andbadintemper，andbadinspirit，almostalways；and，ifyouchoose，youmaysaygoodbye:you'llgetridofanannoyance。Only，Catherine，domethisjustice:believethatifI
　　mightbeassweet，andaskind，andasgoodasyouare，Iwouldbe；aswillingly，andmoreso，thanashappyandashealthy。AndbelievethatyourkindnesshasmademeloveyoudeeperthanifIdeservedyourlove:
　　andthoughIcouldn't，andcannothelpshowingmynaturetoyou，Iregretitandrepentit；andshallregretandrepentittillIdie!''
　　`Ifelthespokethetruth；andIfeltImustforgivehim:and，thoughheshouldquarrelthenextmoment，Imustforgivehimagain。Wewerereconciled；butwecried，bothofus，thewholetimeIstayed:notentirelyforsorrow；yetIwassorryLintonhadthatdistortednature。
　　He'llneverlethisfriendsbeatease，andhe'llneverbeateasehimself!
　　Ihavealwaysgonetohislittleparlour，sincethatnight；becausehisfatherreturnedthedayafter。
　　`Aboutthreetimes，Ithink，wehavebeenmerryandhopeful，aswewerethefirstevening；therestofmyvisitsweredrearyandtroubled:
　　nowwithhisselfishnessandspite，andnowwithhissufferings:butI'velearnedtoenduretheformerwithnearlyaslittleresentmentasthelatter。
　　MrHeathcliffpurposelyavoidsme:
　　Ihavehardlyseenhimatall。LastSunday，indeed，comingearlierthanusual，IheardhimabusingpoorLinton，cruelly，forhisconductofthenightbefore。Ican'ttellhowheknewofit，unlesshelistened。Lintonhadcertainlybehavedprovokingly:however，itwasthebusinessofnobodybutme，andIinterruptedMrHeathcliff'slecturebyenteringandtellinghimso。Heburstintoalaugh，andwentaway，sayinghewasgladItookthatviewofthematter。Sincethen，I'vetoldLintonhemustwhisperhisbitterthings。NowEllen，youhaveheardall；andIcan'tbepreventedfromgoingtoWutheringHeightsexceptbyinflictingmiseryontwopeople；
　　whereas，ifyou'llonlynottellpapa，mygoingneeddisturbthetranquillityofnone。You'llnottell，willyou？Itwillbeveryheartlessifyoudo。'
　　`I'llmakeupmymindonthatpointbytomorrow，MissCatherine，'
　　Ireplied。`Itrequiressomestudy；andsoI'llleaveyoutoyourrest，andgothinkitover。'
　　Ithoughtitoveraloud，inmymaster'spresence；walkingstraightfromherroomtohis，andrelatingthewholestory:withtheexceptionofherconversationswithhercousin，andanymentionofHareton。MrLintonwasalarmedanddistressed，morethanhewouldacknowledgetome。Inthemorning，Catherinelearntmybetrayalofherconfidence，andshelearntalsothathersecretvisitsweretoend。Invainsheweptandwrithedagainsttheinterdict，andimploredherfathertohavepityonLinton:allshegottocomfortherwasapromisethathewouldwriteandgivehimleavetocometotheGrangewhenhepleased；butexplainingthathemustnolongerexpecttoseeCatherineatWutheringHeights。Perhaps，hadhebeenawareofhisnephew'sdispositionandstateofhealth，hewouldhaveseenfittowithholdeventhatslightconsolation。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]
　　WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter25`Thesethingshappenedlastwinter，sir，'saidMrsDean；`hardlymorethanayearago。Lastwinter，Ididnotthink，atanothertwelvemonths'end，Ishouldbeamusingastrangertothefamilywithrelatingthem!Yet，whoknowshowlongyou'llbeastranger？You'retooyoungtorestalwayscontented，livingbyyourself；andIsomewayfancynoonecouldseeCatherineLintonandnotloveher。Yousmile；butwhydoyoulooksolivelyandinterested，whenItalkabouther？andwhyhaveyouaskedmetohangherpictureoveryourfireplace？andwhy——'
　　`Stop，mygoodfriend!'Icried。`ItmaybeverypossiblethatIshouldloveher；butwouldsheloveme？Idoubtittoomuchtoventuremytranquillitybyrunningintotemptation:andthenmyhomeisnothere。
　　I'mofthebusyworld，andtoitsarmsImustreturn。Goon。WasCatherineobedienttoherfather'scommands？'
　　`Shewas，'continuedthehousekeeper。`Heraffectionforhimwasstillthechiefsentimentinherheart；andhespokewithoutanger:hespokeinthedeeptendernessofoneabouttoleavehistreasureamidperilsandfoes，wherehisrememberedwordswouldbetheonlyaidthathecouldbequeathtoguideher。Hesaidtome，afewdaysafterwards:
　　`"Iwishmynephewwouldwrite，Ellen，orcall。Tellme，sincerely，whatyouthinkofhim:ishechangedforthebetter，oristhereaprospectofimprovement，ashegrowsaman？''
　　```He'sverydelicate，sir，''Ireplied；``andscarcelylikelytoreachmanhood；butthisIcansay，hedoesnotresemblehisfather；
　　andifMissCatherinehadthemisfortunetomarryhim，hewouldnotbebeyondhercontrol:unlessshewereextremelyandfoolishlyindulgent。
　　However，master，you'llhaveplentyoftimetogetacquaintedwithhim，andseewhetherhewouldsuither:itwantsfouryearsandmoretohisbeingofage。'''
　　Edgarsighed；andwalkingtothewindow，lookedouttowardsGimmertonKirk。Itwasamistyafternoon，buttheFebruarysunshonedimly，andwecouldjustdistinguishthetwofirtreesintheyard，andthesparelyscatteredgravestones。
　　`I'veprayedoften'，hehalfsoliloquized，`fortheapproachofwhatiscoming；andnowIbegintoshrink，andfearit。IthoughtthememoryofthehourIcamedownthatglenabridegroomwouldbelesssweetthantheanticipationthatIwassoon，inafewmonths，or，possibly，weeks，tobecarriedup，andlaidinitslonelyhollow!Ellen，I'vebeenveryhappywithmylittleCathy:throughwinternightsandsummerdaysshewasalivinghopeatmyside。ButI'vebeenashappymusingbymyselfamongthosestones，underthatoldchurch:lying，throughthelongJuneevenings，onthegreenmoundofhermother'sgraveandwishing——yearningforthetimewhenImightliebeneathit。WhatcanIdoforCathy？HowmustIquither？I'dnotcareonemomentforLintonbeingHeathcliff'sson；norforhistakingherfromme，ifhecouldconsoleherformyloss。I'dnotcarethatHeathcliffgainedhisends，andtriumphedinrobbingmeofmylastblessing!ButshouldLintonbeunworthy——onlyafeebletooltohisfather——I
　　cannotabandonhertohim!And，hardthoughitbetocrushherbuoyantspirit，ImustpersevereinmakinghersadwhileIlive，andleavinghersolitarywhenIdie。Darling!I'dratherresignhertoGod，andlayherintheearthbeforeme。'
　　ResignhertoGod，asitis，sir，'Ianswered，`andifweshouldloseyou——whichmayHeforbid——underHisprovidence，I'llstandherfriendandcounsellortothelast。MissCatherineisagoodgirl:Idon'tfearthatshewillgowilfullywrong；andpeoplewhodotheirdutyarealwaysfinallyrewarded。'
　　Springadvanced；yetmymastergatherednorealstrength，thoughheresumedhiswalksinthegroundswithhisdaughter。Toherinexperiencednotions，thisitselfwasasignofconvalescence；andthenhischeekwasoftenflushed，andhiseyeswerebright:shefeltsureofhisrecovering。
　　Onherseventeenthbirthday，hedidnotvisitthechurchyard:itwasraining，andIobserved:
　　`You'llsurelynotgoouttonight，sir？'
　　Heanswered:
　　`No，I'lldeferitthisyearalittlelonger。'
　　HewroteagaintoLinton，expressinghisgreatdesiretoseehim；
　　and，hadtheinvalidbeenpresentable，I'venodoubthisfatherwouldhavepermittedhimtocome。Asitwas，beinginstructed，hereturnedananswer，intimatingthatMrHeathcliffobjectedtohiscallingattheGrange；buthisuncle'skindremembrancedelightedhim，andhehopedtomeethim，sometimes，inhisrambles，andpersonallytopetitionthathiscousinandhemightnotremainlongsoutterlydivided。
　　Thatpartofhisletterwassimple，andprobablyhisown。HeathcliffknewhecouldpleadeloquentlyenoughforCatherine'scompany，then。
　　`Idonotask'，hesaid，`thatshemayvisithere；but，amInevertoseeher，becausemyfatherforbidsmetogotoherhome，andyouforbidhertocometomine？Donowandthen，ridewithhertowardstheHeights；
　　andletusexchangeafewwords，inyourpresence!Wehavedonenothingtodeservethisseparation；andyouarenotangrywithme；youhavenoreasontodislikeme，youallow，yourself。Dearuncle!sendmeakindnotetomorrow，andleavetojoinyouanywhereyouplease，exceptatThrushcrossGrange。Ibelieveaninterviewwouldconvinceyouthatmyfather'scharacterisnotmine:heaffirmsIammoreyournephewthanhisson；andthoughIhavefaultswhichrendermeunworthyofCatherine，shehasexcusedthem，andforhersake，youshouldalso。Youinquireaftermyhealth——itisbetter；
　　butwhileIremaincutofffromallhope，anddoomedtosolitude，orthesocietyofthosewhoneverdidandneverwilllikeme，howcanIbecheerfulandwell？'
　　Edgar，thoughhefeltfortheboy，couldnotconsenttogranthisrequest；becausehecouldnotaccompanyCatherine。Hesaid，insummer，perhaps，theymightmeet:meantime，hewishedhimtocontinuewritingatintervals，andengagedtogivehimwhatadviceandcomforthewasablebyletter；beingwellawareofhishardpositioninhisfamily。Lintoncomplied；andhadhebeenunrestrained，wouldprobablyhavespoiledallbyfillinghisepistleswithcomplaintsandlamentations:buthisfatherkeptasharpwatchoverhim；and，ofcourse，insistedoneverylinethatmymastersentbeingshown；so，insteadofpenninghispeculiarpersonalsufferingsanddistresses，thethemesconstantlyuppermostinhisthoughts，heharpedonthecruelobligationofbeingheldasunderfromhisfriendandlove；andgentlyintimatedthatMrLintonmustallowaninterviewsoon，orheshouldfearhewaspurposelydeceivinghimwithemptypromises。
　　Cathywasapowerfulallyathome；and，betweenthem，theyatlengthpersuadedmymastertoacquiesceintheirhavingarideorawalktogetheraboutonceaweek，undermyguardianship，andonthemoorsnearesttheGrange:forJunefoundhimstilldeclining；andthoughhehadsetasideyearlyaportionofhisincomeformyyounglady'sfortune，hehadanaturaldesirethatshemightretain——oratleastreturninashorttimeto——thehouseofherancestors；andheconsideredheronlyprospectofdoingthatwasbyaunionwithhisheir；hehadnoideathatthelatterwasfailingalmostasfastashimself；norhadanyone；Ibelieve:nodoctorvisitedtheHeights，andnoonesawMasterHeathclifftomakereportofhisconditionamongus。I，formypart，begantofancymyforebodingswerefalse，andthathemustbeactuallyrallying，whenhementionedridingandwalkingonthemoors，andseemedsoearnestinpursuinghisobject。IcouldnotpictureafathertreatingadyingchildastyrannicallyandwickedlyasIafterwardslearnedHeathcliffhadtreatedhim，tocompelthisapparenteagerness:hiseffortsredoublingthemoreimminentlyhisavariciousandunfeelingplanswerethreatenedwithdefeatbydeath。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]
　　WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter26Summerwasalreadypastitsprime，whenEdgarreluctantlyyieldedhisassenttotheirentreaties，andCatherineandIsetoutonourfirstridetojoinhercousin。Itwasaclose，sultryday:devoidofsunshine，butwithaskytoodappledandhazytothreatenrain；andourplaceofmeetinghadbeenfixedattheguide-stone，bythecrossroads。Onarrivingthere，however，alittleherd-boy，dispatchedasamessenger，toldusthat:
　　`MaisterLintonwerjustutthissideth'Heights:andhe'dbemitchobleegedtoustogangonabitfarther。'
　　`ThenMasterLintonhasforgotthefirstinjunctionofhisuncle，'
　　Iobserved:`hebiduskeepontheGrangeland，andhereweareoffatonce。'
　　`Well，we'llturnourhorses'headsround，whenwereachhim，'
　　answeredmycompanion，`ourexcursionshalllietowardshome。'
　　Butwhenwereachedhim，andthatwasscarcelyaquarterofamilefromhisowndoor，wefoundhehadnohorse；andwewereforcedtodismount，andleaveourstograze。Helayontheheath，awaitingourapproach，anddidnotrisetillwecamewithinafewyards。Thenhewalkedsofeebly，andlookedsopale，thatIimmediatelyexclaimed:
　　`Why，MasterHeathcliff，youarenotfitforenjoyingaramble，thismorning。Howillyoudolook!'
　　Catherinesurveyedhimwithgriefandastonishment；andchangedtheejaculationofjoyonherlips，tooneofalarm；andthecongratulationontheirlong-postponedmeeting，toananxiousinquiry，whetherhewereworsethanusual？
　　`No——better——better!'hepanted，trembling，andretainingherhandasifheneededitssupport，whilehislargeblueeyeswanderedtimidlyoverher；thehollownessroundthemtransformingtohaggardwildnessthelanguidexpressiontheyoncepossessed。
　　`Butyouhavebeenworse，'persistedhiscousin；`worsethanwhenIsawyoulast；youarethinner，and——
　　`I'mtired，'heinterruptedhurriedly。`Itistoohotforwalking，letusresthere。And，inthemorning，Ioftenfeelsick——papasaysIgrowsofast。'
　　Badlysatisfied，Cathysatdown，andhereclinedbesideher。
　　`Thisissomethinglikeyourparadise，'saidshe，makinganeffortatcheerfulness。`Yourecollectthetwodaysweagreedtospendintheplaceandwayeachthoughtpleasantest？Thisissurelyyours，onlythereareclouds:butthentheyaresosoftandmellow:itisnicerthansunshine。
　　Nextweek，ifyoucan，we'llridedowntotheGrangePark，andtrymine。'
　　Lintondidnotappeartorememberwhatshetalkedof；andhehadevidentlygreatdifficultyinsustaininganykindofconversation。Hislackofinterestinthesubjectsshestarted，andhisequalincapacitytocontributetoherentertainment，weresoobviousthatshecouldnotconcealherdisappointment。Anindefinitealterationhadcomeoverhiswholepersonandmanner。Thepettishnessthatmightbecaressedintofondness，hadyieldedtoalistlessapathy；therewaslessofthepeevishtemperofachildwhichfretsandteasesonpurposetobesoothed，andmoreoftheself-absorbedmorosenessofaconfirmedinvalid，repellingconsolation，andreadytoregardthegood-humouredmirthofothersasaninsult。Catherineperceived，aswellasIdid，thathehelditratherapunishment，thanagratification，toendureourcompany；andshemadenoscrupleofproposing，presently，todepart。Thatproposal，unexpectedly，rousedLintonfromhislethargy，andthrewhimintoastrangestateofagitation。HeglancedfearfullytowardstheHeights，beggingshewouldremainanotherhalf-houratleast。
　　`ButIthink'，saidCathy，`you'dbemorecomfortableathomethansittinghere；andIcannotamuseyoutoday，Isee，bymytales，andsongs，andchatter:youhavegrownwiserthanI，inthesesixmonths；youhavelittletasteformydiversionsnow:orelse，ifIcouldamuseyou，I'dwillinglystay。'
　　`Staytorestyourself，'hereplied。`AndCatherine，don'tthink，orsaythatI'mveryunwell:itistheheavyweatherandheatthatmakemedull；andIwalkedabout，beforeyoucame，agreatdealforme。
　　TelluncleI'mintolerablehealth，willyou？'
　　`I'lltellhimthatyousayso，Linton。Icouldn'taffirmthatyouare，'observedmyyounglady，wonderingathispertinaciousassertionofwhatwasevidentlyanuntruth。
　　`AndbehereagainnextThursday，'continuedhe，shunningherpuzzledgaze。`Andgivehimmythanksforpermittingyoutocome——mybestthanks，Catherine。And-and，ifyoudidmeetmyfather，andheaskedyouaboutme，don'tleadhimtosupposethatI'vebeenextremelysilentandstupid:don'tlooksadanddowncast，asyouaredoing——he'llbeangry。'