English
HEENTERED,vociferatingoathsdreadfultohear;andcaughtmeintheactofstowinghissonawayinthekitchencupboard.
Haretonwasimpressedwithawholesometerrorofencounteringeitherhiswildbeast’sfondnessorhismadman’srage;forinoneheranachanceofbeingsqueezedandkissedtodeath,andintheotherofbeingflungintothefire,ordashedagainstthewall;andthepoorthingremainedperfectlyquietwhereverIchosetoputhim.
“There,I’vefounditoutatlast!”criedHindley,pullingmebackbytheskinofmyneck,likeadog.
“Byheavenandhell,you’veswornbetweenyoutomurderthatchild!
Iknowhowitis,now,thatheisalwaysoutofmyway.
But,withthehelpofSatan,Ishallmakeyouswallowthecarving-knife,Nelly.
Youneedn’tlaugh;forI’vejustcrammedKenneth,head-downmost,intheBlackhorsemarsh;andtwoisthesameasone—andIwanttokillsomeofyou:IshallhavenoresttillIdo!”
“ButIdon’tlikethecarving-knife,Mr.Hindley,”Ianswered:“ithasbeencuttingredherrings.I’dratherbeshot,ifyouplease.”
“You’dratherbedamned!”hesaid;“andsoyoushall.NolawinEnglandcanhinderamanfromkeepinghishousedecent,andmine’sabominable!openyourmouth.”
Heheldtheknifeinhishand,andpusheditspointbetweenmyteeth:but,formypart,Iwasnevermuchafraidofhisvagaries.
Ispatout,andaffirmedittasteddetestably—Iwouldnottakeitonanyaccount.
“Oh!”saidhe,releasingme,“IseethathideouslittlevillainisnotHareton:Ibegyourpardon,Nell.
Ifitbe,hedeservesflayingalivefornotrunningtowelcomeme,andforscreamingasifIwereagoblin.Unnaturalcub,comehither!
I’llteachtheetoimposeonagood-hearted,deludedfather.
Now,don’tyouthinktheladwouldbehandsomercropped?
Itmakesadogfiercer,andIlovesomethingfierce—getmeascissors—somethingfierceandtrim!
Besides,it’sinfernalaffectation—devilishconceititis,tocherishourears—we’reassesenoughwithoutthem.Hush,child,hush!Wellthen,itismydarling!
wisht,drythyeyes—there’sajoy;kissme.What!itwon’t?Kissme,Hareton!Damnthee,kissme!
ByGod,asifIwouldrearsuchamonster!
AssureasI’mliving,I’llbreakthebrat’sneck.”
PoorHaretonwassquallingandkickinginhisfather’sarmswithallhismight,andredoubledhisyellswhenhecarriedhimupstairsandliftedhimoverthebanister.
Icriedoutthathewouldfrightenthechildintofits,andrantorescuehim.
AsIreachedthem,Hindleyleantforwardontherailstolistentoanoisebelow;almostforgettingwhathehadinhishands.“Whoisthat?”
heasked,hearingsomeoneapproachingthestair’sfoot.
Ileantforwardalso,forthepurposeofsigningtoHeathcliff,whosestepIrecognized,nottocomefurther;and,attheinstantwhenmyeyequittedHareton,hegaveasuddenspring,deliveredhimselffromthecarelessgraspthatheldhim,andfell.
Therewasscarcelytimetoexperienceathrillofhorrorbeforewesawthatthelittlewretchwassafe.
Heathcliffarrivedunderneathjustatthecriticalmoment;byanaturalimpulse,hearrestedhisdescent,andsettinghimonhisfeet,lookeduptodiscovertheauthoroftheaccident.
Amiserwhohaspartedwithaluckylotteryticketforfiveshillings,andfindsnextdayhehaslostinthebargainfivethousandpounds,couldnotshowablankercountenancethanhedidonbeholdingthefigureofMr.Earnshawabove.
Itexpressed,plainerthanwordscoulddo,theintenseanguishathavingmadehimselftheinstrumentofthwartinghisownrevenge.
Haditbeendark,Idaresay,hewouldhavetriedtoremedythemistakebysmashingHareton’sskullonthesteps;butwewitnessedhissalvation;andIwaspresentlybelowwithmypreciouschargepressedtomyheart.
Hindleydescendedmoreleisurely,soberedandabashed.
“Itisyourfault,Ellen,”hesaid;“youshouldhavekepthimoutofsight:youshouldhavetakenhimfromme!Isheinjuredanywhere?”
“Injured!”Icriedangrily;“ifhe’snotkilled,he’llbeanidiot!Oh!
Iwonderhismotherdoesnotrisefromhergravetoseehowyouusehim.
You’reworsethanaheathen—treatingyourownfleshandbloodinthatmanner!”
Heattemptedtotouchthechild,who,onfindinghimselfwithme,sobbedoffhisterrordirectly.
Atthefirstfingerhisfatherlaidonhim,however,heshriekedagainlouderthanbefore,andstruggledasifhewouldgointoconvulsions.
“Youshallnotmeddlewithhim!”Icontinued.“Hehatesyou—theyallhateyou—that’sthetruth!Ahappyfamilyyouhave:andaprettystateyou’vecometo!”
“Ishallcometoaprettier,yet,Nelly,”laughedthemisguidedman,recoveringhishardness.
“Atpresent,conveyyourselfandhimaway.And,harkyou,Heathcliff!
clearyoutoo,quitefrommyreachandhearing.
Iwouldn’tmurderyouto-night;unless,perhaps,Isetthehouseonfire:butthat’sasmyfancygoes.”
Whilesayingthishetookapintbottleofbrandyfromthedresser,andpouredsomeintoatumbler.
“Nay,don’t!”Ientreated.“Mr.Hindley,dotakewarning.Havemercyonthisunfortunateboy,ifyoucarenothingforyourself!”
“AnyonewilldobetterforhimthanIshall,”heanswered.
“Havemercyonyourownsoul!”Isaid,endeavouringtosnatchtheglassfromhishand.
“NotI!Onthecontrary,IshallhavegreatpleasureinsendingittoperditiontopunishitsMaker,”exclaimedtheblasphemer.“Here’stoitsheartydamnation!”
Hedrankthespiritsandimpatientlybadeusgo;terminatinghiscommandwithasequelofhorridimprecations,toobadtorepeatorremember.
“It’sapityhecannotkillhimselfwithdrink,”observedHeathcliff,mutteringanechoofcursesbackwhenthedoorwasshut.
“He’sdoinghisveryutmost;buthisconstitutiondefieshim.
Mr.Kennethsayshewouldwagerhismare,thathe’lloutliveanymanonthissideGimmerton,andgotothegraveahoarysinner;unlesssomehappychanceoutofthecommoncoursebefallhim.”
Iwentintothekitchen,andsatdowntolullmylittlelambtosleep.
Heathcliff,asIthought,walkedthroughtothebarn.
Itturnedoutafterwardsthatheonlygotasfarastheothersidethesettle,whenheflunghimselfonabenchbythewall,removedfromthefire,andremainedsilent.
IwasrockingHaretononmyknee,andhummingasongthatbegan:
Itwasfarinthenight,andthebairniesgrat,
Themitherbeneaththemoolsheardthat-
whenMissCathy,whohadlistenedtothehubbubfromherroom,puther
headin,andwhispered:“Areyoualone,Nelly?”
“Yes,miss,”Ireplied.
Sheenteredandapproachedthehearth.I,supposingshewasgoingtosaysomething,lookedup.
Theexpressionofherfaceseemeddisturbedandanxious.
Herlipswerehalfasunder,asifshemeanttospeak,andshedrewabreath;butitescapedinasighinsteadofasentence.
Iresumedmysong;nothavingforgottenherrecentbehaviour.
“Where’sHeathcliff?”shesaid,interruptingme.
“Abouthisworkinthestable,”wasmyanswer.
Hedidnotcontradictme;perhapshehadfallenintoadoze.
Therefollowedanotherlongpause,duringwhichIperceivedadroportwotricklefromCatherine’scheektotheflags.Isshesorryforhershamefulconduct?Iaskedmyself.
Thatwillbeanovelty:butshemaycometothepointasshewill—Ishan’thelpher!
No,shefeltsmalltroubleregardinganysubject,saveherownconcerns.
“Oh,dear!”shecriedatlast.“I’mveryunhappy!”
“Apity,”observedI.“You’rehardtoplease:somanyfriendsandsofewcares,andcan’tmakeyourselfcontent!”
“Nelly,willyoukeepasecretforme?”shepursued,kneelingdownbyme,andliftingherwinsomeeyestomyfacewiththatsortoflookwhichturnsoffbadtemper,evenwhenonehasalltherightintheworldtoindulgeit.
“Isitworthkeeping?”Ienquired.
“Yes,anditworriesme,andImustletitout!IwanttoknowwhatIshoulddo.
To-day,EdgarLintonhasaskedmetomarryhim,andI’vegivenhimananswer.
Now,beforeItellyouwhetheritwasaconsentordenial,youtellmewhichitoughttohavebeen.”
“Really,MissCatherine,howcanIknow?”Ireplied.
“Tobesure,consideringtheexhibitionyouperformedinhispresencethisafternoon,Imightsayitwouldbewisetorefusehim:sinceheaskedyouafterthat,hemusteitherbehopelesslystupidoraventuresomefool.”
“Ifyoutalkso,Iwon’ttellyouanymore,”shereturned,peevishly,risingtoherfeet.“Iacceptedhim,Nelly.Bequick,andsaywhetherIwaswrong!”
“Youacceptedhim!thenwhatgoodisitdiscussingthematter?Youhavepledgedyourword,andcannotretract.”
“But,saywhetherIshouldhavedoneso—do!”sheexclaimedinanirritatedtone;chafingherhandstogether,andfrowning.
“Therearemanythingstobeconsideredbeforethatquestioncanbeansweredproperly,”Isaidsententiously.“Firstandforemost,doyouloveMr.Edgar?”
“Whocanhelpit?OfcourseIdo,”sheanswered.
ThenIputherthroughthefollowingcatechism:foragirloftwenty-twoitwasnotinjudicious.
“Whydoyoulovehim,MissCathy?”
“Nonsense,Ido—that’ssufficient.”
“Bynomeans;youmustsaywhy?”
“Well,becauseheishandsome,andpleasanttobewith.”
“Bad!”wasmycommentary.
“Becauseheisyoungandcheerful.”
“Badstill.”
“Andbecausehelovesme.”
“Indifferent,comingthere.”
“Andhewillberich,andIshallliketobethegreatestwomanoftheneighbourhood,andIshallbeproudofhavingsuchahusband.”
“Worstofall.Andnow,sayhowyoulovehim?”
“Asanybodyloves—You’resilly,Nelly.”
“Notatall—Answer.”
“Ilovethegroundunderhisfeet,andtheairoverhishead,andeverythinghetouches,andeverywordhesays.Iloveallhislooks,andallhisactions,andhimentirelyandaltogether.Therenow!”
“Andwhy?”
“Nay;youaremakingajestofit;itisexceedinglyill-natured!It’snojesttome!”saidtheyounglady,scowling,andturningherfacetothefire.
“I’mveryfarfromjesting,MissCatherine,”Ireplied.
“YouloveMr.Edgarbecauseheishandsome,andyoung,andcheerful,andrich,andlovesyou.
Thelast,however,goesfornothing:youwouldlovehimwithoutthat,probably;andwithityouwouldn’t,unlesshepossessedthefourformerattractions.”
“No,tobesurenot:Ishouldonlypityhim—hatehim,perhaps,ifhewereugly,andaclown.”
“Butthereareseveralotherhandsome,richyoungmenintheworld:handsomer,possibly,andricherthanheis.Whatshouldhinderyoufromlovingthem?”
“Iftherebeany,theyareoutofmyway!I’veseennonelikeEdgar.”
“Youmayseesome;andhewon’talwayshehandsome,andyoung,andmaynotalwaysberich.”
“Heisnow;andIhaveonlytodowiththepresent.Iwishyouwouldspeakrationally.”
“Well,thatsettlesit:ifyouhaveonlytodowiththepresent,marryMr.Linton.”
“Idon’twantyourpermissionforthat—Ishallmarryhim:andyetyouhavenottoldmewhetherI’mright.”
“Perfectlyright;ifpeopleberighttomarryonlyforthepresent.
Andnow,letushearwhatyouareunhappyabout.
Yourbrotherwillbepleased;theoldladyandgentlemanwillnotobject,Ithink;youwillescapefromadisorderly,comfortlesshomeintoawealthy,respectableone;andyouloveEdgar,andEdgarlovesyou.
Allseemssmoothandeasy:whereistheobstacle?”
“Here!andhere!”repliedCatherine,strikingonehandonherforehead,andtheotheronherbreast:“inwhicheverplacethesoullives.Inmysoulandinmyheart,I’mconvincedI’mwrong!”
“That’sverystrange!Icannotmakeitout.”
“It’smysecret.Butifyouwillnotmockatme,I’llexplainit:Ican’tdoitdistinctly:butI’llgiveyouafeelingofhowIfeel.”
Sheseatedherselfbymeagain:hercountenancegrewsadderandgraver,andherclaspedhandstrembled.
“Nelly,doyouneverdreamqueerdreams?”shesaidsuddenly,aftersomeminutes’reflection.
“Yes,nowandthen,”Ianswered.
“AndsodoI.I’vedreamtinmylifedreamsthathavestayedwithmeeverafter,andchangedmyideas:they’vegonethroughandthroughme,likewinethroughwater,andalteredthecolourofmymind.
Andthisisone;I’mgoingtotellit—buttakecarenottosmileatanypartofit.”
“Oh!don’t,MissCatherine!”Icried.
“We’redismalenoughwithoutconjuringupghostsandvisionstoperplexus.Come,come,bemerryandlikeyourself!
LookatlittleHareton—he’sdreamingnothingdreary.Howsweetlyhesmilesinhissleep!”
“Yes;andhowsweetlyhisfathercursesinhissolitude!
Yourememberhim,Idaresay,whenhewasjustsuchanotherasthatchubbything:nearlyasyoungandinnocent.
However,Nelly,Ishallobligeyoutolisten:it’snotlong;andI’venopowertobemerryto-night.”
“Iwon’thearit,Iwon’thearit!”Irepeatedhastily.
Iwassuperstitiousaboutdreamsthen,andamstill;andCatherinehadanunusualgloominheraspect,thatmademedreadsomethingfromwhichImightshapeaprophecy,andforeseeafearfulcatastrophe.Shewasvexed,butshedidnotproceed.
Apparentlytakingupanothersubject,sherecommencedinashorttime.
“IfIwereinheaven,Nelly,Ishouldbeextremelymiserable.”
“Becauseyouarenotfittogothere,”Ianswered.“Allsinnerswouldbemiserableinheaven.”
“Butitisnotforthat.IdreamtoncethatIwasthere.”
“ItellyouIwon’thearkentoyourdreams,MissCatherine!I’llgotobed,”Iinterruptedagain.
Shelaughed,andheldmedown;forImadeamotiontoleavemychair.
“Thisisnothing,”criedshe.“Iwasonlygoingtosaythatheavendidnotseemtobemyhome;andIbrokemyheartwithweepingtocomebacktoearth;andtheangelsweresoangrythattheyflungmeoutintothemiddleoftheheathonthetopofWutheringHeights;whereIwokesobbingforjoy.
Thatwilldotoexplainmysecret,aswellastheother.
I’venomorebusinesstomarryEdgarLintonthanIhavetobeinheaven;andifthewickedmanintherehadnotbroughtHeathcliffsolow,Ishouldn’thavethoughtofit.
ItwoulddegrademetomarryHeathcliffnow;soheshallneverknowhowIlovehim:andthat,notbecausehe’shandsome,Nelly,butbecausehe’smoremyselfthanIam.
Whateveroursoulsaremadeof,hisandminearethesame;andLinton’sisasdifferentasamoonbeamfromlightning,orfrostfromfire.”
Erethisspeechended,IbecamesensibletoHeathcliff’spresence.
Havingnoticedaslightmovement,Iturnedmyhead,andsawhimrisefromthebench,andstealoutnoiselessly.
HehadlistenedtillheheardCatherinesayitwoulddegradehertomarryhim,andthenhestayedtohearnofurther.
Mycompanion,sittingontheground,waspreventedbythebackofthesettlefromremarkinghispresenceordeparture;butIstarted,andbadeherhush!
“Why?”sheasked,gazingnervouslyround.
“Josephishere,”Ianswered,catchingopportunelytherollofhiscart-wheelsuptheroad;“andHeathcliffwillcomeinwithhim.I’mnotsurewhetherhewerenotatthedoorthismoment.”
“Oh,hecouldn’toverhearmeatthedoor!”saidshe.
“GivemeHareton,whileyougetthesupper,andwhenitisreadyaskmetosupwithyou.
Iwanttocheatmyuncomfortableconscience,andbeconvincedthatHeathcliffhasnonotionofthesethings.Hehasnot,hashe?
Hedoesnotknowwhatbeinginloveis?”
“Iseenoreasonthatheshouldnotknow,aswellasyou,”Ireturned;“andifyouarehischoice,hewillbethemostunfortunatecreaturethateverwasborn!
AssoonasyoubecomeMrs.Linton,helosesfriend,andlove,andall!
Haveyouconsideredhowyou’llbeartheseparation,andhowhe’llbeartobequitedesertedintheworld?Because,MissCatherine-”
“Hequitedeserted!weseparated!”
sheexclaimedwithanaccentofindignation.“Whoistoseparateus,pray?They’llmeetthefateofMilo!
NotaslongasIlive,Ellen:fornomortalcreature.
EveryLintononthefaceoftheearthmightmeltintonothing,beforeIcouldconsenttoforsakeHeathcliff.
Oh,that’snotwhatIintend—that’snotwhatImean!
Ishouldn’tbeMrs.Lintonweresuchapricedemanded!
He’llbeasmuchtomeashehadbeenallhislifetime.
Edgarmustshakeoffhisantipathy,andtoleratehim,atleast.
Hewill,whenhelearnsmytruefeelingstowardshim.
Nelly,Iseenow,youthinkmeaselfishwretch;butdiditneverstrikeyouthatifHeathcliffandImarried,weshouldbebeggars?
whereas,ifImarryLinton,IcanaidHeathclifftorise,andplacehimoutofmybrother’spower.”
“Withyourhusband’smoney,MissCatherine?”Iasked.
“You’llfindhimnotsopliableasyoucalculateupon:and,thoughI’mhardlyajudge,Ithinkthat’stheworstmotiveyou’vegivenyetforbeingthewifeofyoungLinton.”
“Itisnot,”retortedshe;“itisthebest!
Theotherswerethesatisfactionofmywhims:andforEdgar’ssake,too,tosatisfyhim.
ThisisforthesakeofonewhocomprehendsinhispersonmyfeelingstoEdgarandmyself.
Icannotexpressit;butsurelyyouandeverybodyhaveanotionthatthereisorshouldbeanexistenceofyoursbeyondyou.
Whatweretheuseofmycreation,ifIwereentirelycontainedhere?
MygreatmiseriesinthisworldhavebeenHeathcliff’smiseries,andIwatchedandfelteachfromthebeginning:mygreatthoughtinlivingishimself.
Ifallelseperished,andheremained,Ishouldstillcontinuetobe;andifallelseremained,andhewereannihilated,theuniversewouldturntoamightystranger:Ishouldnotseemapartofit.
MyloveforLintonislikethefoliageinthewoods:timewillchangeit,I’mwellaware,aswinterchangesthetrees.
MyloveforHeathcliffresemblestheeternalrocksbeneath:asourceoflittlevisibledelight,butnecessary.Nelly,IamHeathcliff!
He’salways,alwaysinmymind:notasapleasure,anymorethanIamalwaysapleasuretomyself,butasmyownbeing.
Sodon’ttalkofourseparationagain:itisimpracticable;and-”
Shepaused,andhidherfaceinthefoldsofmygown;butIjerkeditforciblyaway.Iwasoutofpatiencewithherfolly!
“IfIcanmakeanysenseofyournonsense,miss,”Isaid,“itonlygoestoconvincemethatyouareignorantofthedutiesyouundertakeinmarrying;orelsethatyouareawicked,unprincipledgirl.
Buttroublemewithnomoresecrets:I’llnotpromisetokeepthem.”
“You’llkeepthat?”sheaskedeagerly.
“No,I’llnotpromise,”Irepeated.
Shewasabouttoinsist,whentheentranceofJosephfinishedourconversation;andCatherineremovedherseattoacorner,andnursedHareton,whileImadethesupper.
Afteritwascooked,myfellowservantandIbegantoquarrelwhoshouldcarrysometoMr.Hindley;andwedidn’tsettleittillallwasnearlycold.
Thenwecametotheagreementthatwewouldlethimask,ifhewantedany;forwefearedparticularlytogointohispresencewhenhehadbeensometimealone.
“Andhowisn’tthatnowtcomedinfro’th’field,bethistime?Whatisheabout?girtidleseegh!”demandedtheoldman,lookingroundforHeathcliff.
“I’llcallhim,”Ireplied.“He’sinthebarn,I’venodoubt.”
Iwentandcalled,butgotnoanswer.Onreturning,IwhisperedtoCatherinethathehadheardagoodpartofwhatshesaid,Iwassure;andtoldhowIsawhimquitthekitchenjustasshecomplainedofherbrother’sconductregardinghim.
Shejumpedupinafinefright,flungHaretonontothesettle,andrantoseekforherfriendherself;nottakingleisuretoconsiderwhyshewassoflurried,orhowhertalkwouldhaveaffectedhim.
ShewasabsentsuchawhilethatJosephproposedweshouldwaitnolonger.
Hecunninglyconjecturedtheywerestayingawayinordertoavoidhearinghisprotractedblessing.
Theywere“illeneughforonyfahlmanners,”heaffirmed.
Andontheirbehalfheaddedthatnightaspecialprayertotheusualquarterofanhour’ssupplicationbeforemeat,andwouldhavetackedanothertotheendofthegrace,hadnothisyoungmistressbrokeninuponhimwithahurriedcommandthathemustrundowntheroad,andwhereverHeathcliffhadrambled,findandmakehimre-enterdirectly!
“Iwanttospeaktohim,andImust,beforeIgoupstairs,”shesaid.
“Andthegateisopen:heissomewhereoutofhearing;forhewouldnotreply,thoughIshoutedatthetopofthefoldasloudasIcould.”
Josephobjectedatfirst;shewastoomuchinearnest,however,tosuffercontradiction;andatlastheplacedhishatonhishead,andwalkedgrumblingforth.
Meantime,Catherinepacedupanddownthefloor,exclaiming:
“Iwonderwhereheis—Iwonderwherehecanbe?WhatdidIsay,Nelly?I’veforgotten.
Washevexedatmybadhumourthisafternoon?Dear!tellmewhatI’vesaidtogrievehim?Idowishhe’dcome.Idowishhewould!”
“Whatanoisefornothing!”Icried,thoughratheruneasymyself.“Whatatriflescaresyou!
It’ssurelynogreatcauseofalarmthatHeathcliffshouldtakeamoonlightsaunteronthemoors,orevenlietoosulkytospeaktousinthehay-loft.I’llengagehe’slurkingthere.SeeifIdon’tferrethimout!”
Idepartedtorenewmysearch;itsresultwasdisappointment,andJoseph’squestendedinthesame.
“Yonladgetswarunwar!”observedheonre-entering.
“He’sleftth’yateatt’fullswing,andMiss’sponyhastroddendahntworigso’corn,andplotteredthrough,raighto’erintot’meadow!
Hahsomdiver,t’maister‘ullplayt’devilto-morn,andhe’lldoweel.
He’spatienceitsselnwi’sichcareless,offaldcraters—patienceitsselnheis!
Budhe’llnotbesoaallus—yah’ssee,allonye!
Yahmumn’tdrivehimoutofhisheeadfornowt!”
“HaveyoufoundHeathcliff,youass?”interruptedCatherine.“Haveyoubeenlookingforhim,asIordered?”
“Isudmorelikkerlookforth’horse,”hereplied.“It‘udbetomoresense.
Bud,Icanlookfornortherhorsenurmanofaneeghtloikethis—asblackast’chimbley!
undHeathcliff’snoant’chaptocoomatmywhistle—happenhe’llbeleshardo’hearingwi’ye!”
Itwasaverydarkeveningforsummer:thecloudsappearedinclinedtothunder,andIsaidwehadbetterallsitdown;theapproachingrainwouldbecertaintobringhimhomewithoutfurthertrouble.
However,Catherinewouldnotbepersuadedintotranquillity.
Shekeptwanderingtoandfro,fromthegatetothedoor,inastateofagitationwhichpermittednorepose;andatlengthtookupapermanentsituationononesideofthewall,neartheroad:where,heedlessofmyexpostulationsandthegrowlingthunder,andthegreatdropsthatbegantosplasharoundher,sheremained,callingatintervals,andthenlistening,andthencryingoutright.
ShebeatHareton,oranychild,atagoodpassionatefitofcrying.
Aboutmidnight,whilewestillsatup,thestormcamerattlingovertheHeightsinfullfury.
Therewasaviolentwind,aswellasthunder,andeitheroneortheothersplitatreeoffatthecornerofthebuilding:ahugeboughfellacrosstheroof,andknockeddownaportionoftheeastchimney-stack,sendingaclatterofstonesandsootintothekitchenfire.
Wethoughtabolthadfalleninthemiddleofus;andJosephswungontohiskneesbeseechingtheLordtorememberthepatriarchsNoahandLot,and,asinformertimes,sparetherighteous,thoughHesmotetheungodly.
Ifeltsomesentimentthatitmustbeajudgmentonusalso.
TheJonah,inmymind,wasMr.Earnshaw;andIshookthehandleofhisdenthatImightascertainifhewereyetliving.
Herepliedaudiblyenough,inafashionwhichmademycompanionvociferate,moreclamorouslythanbefore,thatawidedistinctionmightbedrawnbetweensaintslikehimselfandsinnerslikehismaster.
Buttheuproarpassedawayintwentyminutes,leavingusallunharmed;exceptingCathy,whogotthoroughlydrenchedforherobstinacyinrefusingtotakeshelter,andstandingbonnetlessandshawllesstocatchasmuchwaterasshecouldwithherhairandclothes.
Shecameinandlaydownonthesettle,allsoakedasshewas,turningherfacetotheback,andputtingherhandsbeforeit.
“Well,miss!”Iexclaimed,touchinghershoulder;“youarenotbentongettingyourdeath,areyou?Doyouknowwhato’clockitis?Halfpasttwelve.Come,cometobed!
there’snousewaitinglongeronthatfoolishboy:he’llbegonetoGimmerton,andhe’llstaytherenow.
Heguessesweshouldn’twaitforhimthislatehour:atleast,heguessesthatonlyMr.Hindleywouldbeup;andhe’dratheravoidhavingthedooropenedbythemaster.”
“Nay,nay,he’snoanatGimmerton,”saidJoseph.
“I’sniverwonderbuthe’satt’bothomofabog-hoile.
Thisvisitationworn’tfornowt,andIwodhevyetolookout,miss—yahmuhbet’next.ThankHivinforall!
Allwarkstogitherforgooidtothemasischozzen,andpikedoutfro’th’rubbidge!Yahknawwhett’Scriptureses.”
Andhebeganquotingseveraltexts,referringustochaptersandverseswherewemightfindthem.
I,havingvainlybeggedthewilfulgirltoriseandremoveherwetthings,lefthimpreachingandhershivering,andbetookmyselftobedwithlittleHareton,whosleptasfastasifeveryonehadbeensleepingroundhim.
IheardJosephreadonawhileafterwards;thenIdistinguishedhisslowstepontheladder,andthenIdroppedasleep.
Comingdownsomewhatlaterthanusual,Isaw,bythesunbeamspiercingthechinksoftheshutters,MissCatherinestillseatednearthefire-place.
Thehousedoorwasajar,too;lightenteredfromitsunclosedwindows;Hindleyhadcomeout,andstoodonthekitchenhearth,haggardanddrowsy.
“Whatailsyou,Cathy?”hewassayingwhenIentered:“youlookasdismalasadrownedwhelp.Whyareyousodampandpale,child?”
“I’vebeenwet,”sheansweredreluctantly,“andI’mcold,that’sall.”
“Oh,sheisnaughty!”Icried,perceivingthemastertobetolerablysober.
“Shegotsteepedintheshowerofyesterdayevening,andthereshehassatthenightthrough,andIcouldn’tprevailonhertostir.”
Mr.Earnshawstaredatusinsurprise.“Thenightthrough,”herepeated.“Whatkeptherup?notfearofthethunder,surely?Thatwasoverhourssince.”
NeitherofuswishedtomentionHeathcliff’sabsence,aslongaswecouldconcealit;soIreplied,Ididn’tknowhowshetookitintoherheadtositup;andshesaidnothing.
Themorningwasfreshandcool;Ithrewbackthelattice,andpresentlytheroomfilledwithsweetscentsfromthegarden;butCatherinecalledpeevishlytome,“Ellen,shutthewindow.I’mstarving!”
Andherteethchatteredassheshrunkclosertothealmostextinguishedembers.
“She’sill,”saidHindley,takingherwrist;“Isupposethat’sthereasonshewouldnotgotobed.Damnit!Idon’twanttobetroubledwithmoresicknesshere.Whattookyouintotherain!”
“Runningaftert’lads,asusuald!”croakedjoseph,catchinganopportunity,fromourhesitation,tothrustinhiseviltongue.
“IfIwaryah,maister,I’djustslamt’boardsi’theirfacesallon‘em,gentleandsimple!
Neveradayutyah’reoff,butyoncato’Lintoncomessneakinghither;andMissNelly,shoo’safinelass!
shoositswatchingforyei’t’kitchen;andasyah’reinatonedoor,he’soutatt’other;and,then,wergrandladygoesacoortingofherside!
It’sbonnybehaviour,lurkingamangt’fields,aftertwelveo’t’night,wi’thatfahl,flaysomedivilofagipsy,Heathcliff!
TheythinkI’mblind;butI’mnoan:nowtutt’soart—IseedyoungLintonboathcomingandgoing,andIseedyah”(directinghisdiscoursetome),“yahgooidfurnowt,slattenlywitch!
nipupandboltintoth’house,t’minuteyahheardt’maister’shorsefitclatterupt’road.”
“Silence,eavesdropper!”criedCatherine;“noneofyourinsolencebeforeme!
EdgarLintoncameyesterdaybychance,Hindley;anditwasIwhotoldhimtobeoffbecauseIknewyouwouldnotliketohavemethimasyouwere.”
“Youlie,Cathy,nodoubt,”answeredherbrother,“andyouareaconfoundedsimpleton!
ButnevermindLintonatpresent:tellme,wereyounotwithHeathclifflastnight?Speakthetruthnow.
Youneednotbeafraidofharminghim:thoughIhatehimasmuchasever,hedidmeagoodturnashorttimesince,thatwillmakemyconsciencetenderofbreakinghisneck.
Topreventit,Ishallsendhimabouthisbusiness,thisverymorning;andafterhe’sgone,I’dadviseyoualltolooksharp:Ishallonlyhavethemorehumourforyou.”
“IneversawHeathclifflastnight,”answeredCatherine,beginningtosobbitterly:“andifyoudoturnhimoutofdoors,I’llgowithhim.
But,perhapsyou’llneverhaveanopportunity:perhapshe’sgone.”
Heresheburstintouncontrollablegrief,andtheremainderofherwordswereinarticulate.
Hindleylavishedonheratorrentofscornfulabuse,andbadehergettoherroomimmediately,orsheshouldn’tcryfornothing!
Iobligedhertoobey;andIshallneverforgetwhatascenesheactedwhenwereachedherchamber:itterrifiedme.
Ithoughshewasgoingmad,andIbeggedjosephtorunforthedoctor.
Itprovedthecommencementofdelirium:Mr.Kenneth,assoonashesawher,pronouncedherdangerouslyill;shehadafever.
Hebledher,andhetoldmetoletherliveonwheyandwater-gruel,andtakecareshedidnotthrowherselfdownstairsoroutofthewindow;andthenheleft:forhehadenoughtodointheparish,wheretwoorthreemileswastheordinarydistancebetweencottageandcottage.
ThoughIcannotsayImadeagentlenurse,andJosephandthemasterwerenobetter;andthoughourpatientwasaswearisomeandheadstrongasapatientcouldbe,sheweathereditthrough.
OldMrs.Lintonpaidusseveralvisits,tobesure,andsetthingstorights,andscoldedandorderedusall;andwhenCatherinewasconvalescent,sheinsistedonconveyinghertoThushcrossGrange:forwhichdeliverancewewereverygrateful.
Butthepoordamehadreasontorepentofherkindness:sheandherhusbandbothtookthefever,anddiedwithinafewdaysofeachother.
Ouryoungladyreturnedtous,saucierandmorepassionate,andhaughtierthanever.
Heathcliffhadneverbeenheardofsincetheeveningofthethunder-storm;andonedayIhadthemisfortune,whenshehadprovokedmeexceedingly,tolaytheblameofhisdisappearanceonher:whereindeeditbelonged,asshewellknew.
Fromthatperiod,forseveralmonths,sheceasedtoholdanycommunicationwithme,saveintherelationofamereservant.
Josephfellunderabanalso:hewouldspeakhismind,andlectureherallthesameasifshewerealittlegirl;andsheesteemedherselfawoman,andourmistress,andthoughtthatherrecentillnessgaveheraclaimtobetreatedwithconsideration.
Thenthedoctorhadsaidthatshewouldnotbearcrossingmuch;sheoughttohaveherownway;anditwasnothinglessthanmurderinhereyesforanyonetopresumetostandupandcontradicther.
FromMr.Earnshawandhiscompanionsshekeptaloof;andtutoredbyKenneth,andseriousthreatsofafitthatoftenattendedherrages,herbrotherallowedherwhatevershepleasedtodemand,andgenerallyavoidedaggravatingherfierytemper.
Hewasrathertooindulgentinhumouringhercaprices;notfromaffection,butfrompride:hewishedearnestlytoseeherbringhonourtothefamilybyanalliancewiththeLintons,andaslongasshelethimaloneshemighttrampleonuslikeslaves,foraughthecared!
EdgarLinton,asmultitudeshavebeenbeforeandwillbeafterhim,wasinfatuated;andbelievedhimselfthehappiestmanaliveonthedayheledhertoGimmertonChapel,threeyearssubsequenttohisfather’sdeath.
Muchagainstmyinclination,IwaspersuadedtoleaveWutheringHeightsandaccompanyherhere.
LittleHaretonwasnearlyfiveyearsold,andIhadjustbeguntoteachhimhisletters.
Wemadeasadparting;butCatherine’stearsweremorepowerfulthanours.
WhenIrefusedtogo,andwhenshefoundherentreatiesdidnotmoveme,shewentlamentingtoherhusbandandbrother.
Theformerofferedmemunificentwages;thelatterorderedmetopackup:hewantednowomeninthehouse,hesaid,nowthattherewasnomistress;andastoHareton,thecurateshouldtakehiminhand,by-and-by.
AndsoIhadbutonechoiceleft:todoasIwasordered.
Itoldthemasterhegotridofalldecentpeopleonlytoruntoruinalittlefaster;IkissedHareton,saidgood-bye;andsincethenhehasbeenastranger:andit’sveryqueertothinkit,butI’venodoubthehascompletelyforgottenallaboutEllenDean,andthathewasevermorethanalltheworldtoher,andshetohim!
Atthispointofthehousekeeper’sstory,shechancedtoglancetowardsthetime-pieceoverthechimney;andwasinamazementonseeingtheminute-handmeasurehalf-pastone.
Shewouldnothearofstayingasecondlonger:intruth,Ifeltratherdisposedtodeferthesequelofhernarrative,myself.
Andnowthatsheisvanishedtoherrest,andIhavemeditatedforanotherhourortwo,Ishallsummoncouragetogo,also,inspiteofachinglazinessofheadandlimbs.
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