English
SOMETIMES,whilemeditatingonthesethingsinsolitude,I’vegotupinasuddenterror,andputonmybonnettogoseehowallwasatthefarm.
I’vepersuadedmyconsciencethatitwasadutytowarnhimhowpeopletalkedregardinghisways;andthenI’verecollectedhisconfirmedbadhabits,and,hopelessofbenefitinghim,haveflinchedfromre-enteringthedismalhouse,doubtingifIcouldbeartobetakenatmyword.
OnetimeIpassedtheoldgate,goingoutofmyway,onajourneytoGimmerton.
Itwasabouttheperiodthatmynarrativehasreached:abrightfrostyafternoon;thegroundbare,andtheroadhardanddry.
Icametoastonewherethehighwaybranchesoffontothemooratyourlefthand;aroughsand-pillar,withthelettersWH.cutonitsnorthside,ontheeast,G.,andonthesouth-west,T.G.
ItservesasaguideposttotheGrange,theHeights,andvillage.
Thesunshoneyellowonitsgreyhead,remindingmeofsummer;andIcannotsaywhy,butallatonce,agushofchild’ssensationsflowedintomyheart.
HindleyandIhelditafavouritespottwentyyearsbefore.
Igazedlongattheweather-wornblock,and,stoopingdown,perceivedaholenearthebottomstillfullofsnail-shellsandpebbles,whichwewerefondofstoringtherewithmoreperishablethings;and,asfreshasreality,itappearedthatIbeheldmyearlyplaymateseatedonthewitheredturf:hisdark,squareheadbentforward,andhislittlehandscoopingouttheearthwithapieceofslate.“PoorHindley!”
Iexclaimedinvoluntarily.
Istarted:mybodilyeyewascheatedintoamomentarybeliefthatthechildlifteditsfaceandstaredstraightintomine!
Itvanishedinatwinkling;butimmediatelyIfeltanirresistibleyearningtobeattheHeights.
Superstitionurgedmetocomplywiththisimpulse:supposingheshouldbedead!Ithought—orshoulddiesoon!—supposingitwereasignofdeath!
ThenearerIgottothehousethemoreagitatedIgrew;andoncatchingsightofitItrembledineverylimb.
Theapparitionhadoutstrippedme:itstoodlookingthroughthegate.
Thatwasmyfirstideaonobservinganelf-locked,brown-eyedboysettinghisruddycountenanceagainstthebars.
FurtherreflectionsuggestedthismustbeHareton,myHareton,notalteredgreatlysinceIlefthim,tenmonthssince.
“Godblessthee,darling!”Icried,forgettinginstantaneouslymyfoolishfears.“Hareton,it’sNelly!Nelly,thynurse.”
Heretreatedoutofarm’slength,andpickedupalargeflint.
“Iamcometoseethyfather,Hareton,”IaddedguessingfromtheactionthatNelly,ifshelivedinhismemoryatall,wasnotrecognizedasonewithme.
Heraisedhismissiletohurlit;Icommencedasoothingspeech,butcouldnotstayhishand:thestonestruckmybonnet;andthenensued,fromthestammeringlipsofthelittlefellow,astringofcurses,which,whetherhecomprehendedthemornot,weredeliveredwithpractisedemphasis,anddistortedhisbabyfeaturesintoashockingexpressionofmalignity.
Youmaybecertainthisgrievedmorethanangeredme.
Fittocry,Itookanorangefrommypocket,andofferedittopropitiatehim.
Hehesitated,andthensnatcheditfrommyhold;asifhefanciedIonlyintendedtotemptanddisappointhim.
Ishowedhimanother,keepingitoutofhisreach.
“Whohastaughtyouthosefinewords,mybairn?”Ienquired.“Thecurate?”
“Damnthecurate,andthee!Giemethat,”hereplied.
“Telluswhereyougotyourlessons,andyoushallhaveit,”saidI.“Who’syourmaster?”
“Devildaddy,”washisanswer.
“Andwhatdoyoulearnfromdaddy?”Icontinued.
Hejumpedatthefruit;Iraisedithigher.“Whatdoesheteachyou?”Iasked.
“Naught,”saidhe,“buttokeepoutofhisgait.Daddycannotbideme,becauseIswearathim.”
“Ah!andthedevilteachesyoutoswearatdaddy?”Iobserved.
“Ah—nay,”hedrawled.
“Whothen?”
“Heathcliff.”
IaskedifhelikedMr.Heathcliff.
“Ay!”heansweredagain.
Desiringtohavehisreasonsforlikinghim,Icouldonlygatherthesentences—“Iknown’t:hepaysdadbackwhathegiestome—hecursesdaddyforcursingme.HesaysImundoasIwill.”
“Andthecuratedoesnotteachyoutoreadandwritethen?”Ipursued.
“No,Iwastoldthecurateshouldhavehis—teethdasheddownhis—throat,ifhesteppedoverthethreshold—Heathcliffhadpromisedthat!”
Iputtheorangeinhishand,andbadehimtellhisfatherthatawomancalledNellyDeanwaswaitingtospeakwithhim,bythegardengate.
Hewentupthewalk,andenteredthehouse;but,insteadofHindley,Heathcliffappearedonthedoorstones;andIturneddirectlyandrandowntheroadashardaseverIcouldrace,makingnohalttillIgainedtheguide-post,andfeelingasscaredasifIhadraisedagoblin.
ThisisnotmuchconnectedwithMissIsabella’saffair:exceptthatiturgedmetoresolvefurtheronmountingvigilantguard,anddoingmyutmosttocheckthespreadofsuchbadinfluenceattheGrange:eventhoughIshouldwakeadomesticstorm,bythwartingMrs.Linton’spleasure.
ThenexttimeHeathcliffcame,myyoungladychancedtobefeedingsomepigeonsinthecourt.
Shehadneverspokenawordtohersister-in-lawforthreedays;butshehadlikewisedroppedherfretfulcomplaining,andwefounditagreatcomfort.
HeathcliffhadnotthehabitofbestowingasingleunnecessarycivilityonMissLinton,Iknew.
Now,assoonashebeheldher,hisfirstprecautionwastotakeasweepingsurveyofthehouse-front.
Iwasstandingbythekitchenwindow,butIdrewoutofsight.
Hethensteppedacrossthepavementtoher,andsaidsomething:sheseemedembarrassed,anddesirousofgettingaway;topreventit,helaidhishandonherarm.
Sheavertedherface:heapparentlyputsomequestionwhichshehadnomindtoanswer.
Therewasanotherrapidglanceatthehouse,andsupposinghimselfunseen,thescoundrelhadtheimpudencetoembraceher.
“Judas!traitor!”Iejaculated.“Youareahypocrite,too,areyou?Adeliberatedeceiver.”
“Whois,Nelly?”saidCatherine’svoiceatmyelbow:Ihadbeenoverintentonwatchingthepairoutsidetomarkherentrance.
“Yourworthlessfriend!”Iansweredwarmly:“thesneakingrascalyonder.
Ah,hehascaughtaglimpseofus—heiscomingin!
IwonderwillhehavethehearttofindaplausibleexcuseformakinglovetoMiss,whenhetoldyouhehatedher?”
Mrs.LintonsawIsabellatearherselffree,andrunintothegarden;andaminuteafter,Heathcliffopenedthedoor.
Icouldn’twithholdgivingsomeloosetomyindignation;butCatherineangrilyinsistedonsilence,andthreatenedtoordermeoutofthekitchen,ifIdaredtobesopresumptuousastoputinmyinsolenttongue.
“Tohearyou,peoplemightthinkyouwerethemistress!”shecried.
“Youwantsettingdowninyourrightplace!
Heathcliff,whatareyouabout,raisingthisstir?IsaidyoumustletIsabellaalone!
—Ibegyouwill,unlessyouaretiredofbeingreceivedhere,andwishLintontodrawtheboltsagainstyou!”
“Godforbidthatheshouldtry!”answeredtheblackvillian.Idetestedhimjustthen.“Godkeephimmeekandpatient!EverydayIgrowmadderaftersendinghimtoheaven!”
“Hush!”saidCatherine,shuttingtheinnerdoor.“Don’tvexme.Whyhaveyoudisregardedmyrequest?Didshecomeacrossyouonpurpose?”
“Whatisittoyou?”hegrowled.“Ihavearighttokissher,ifshechooses;andyouhavenorighttoobject.Iamnotyourhusband;youneedn’tbejealousofme!”
“I’mnotjealousofyou,”repliedthemistress,“I’mjealousforyou.
Clearyourface:youshan’tscowlatme!
IfyoulikeIsabella,youshallmarryher.Butdoyoulikeher?Tellthetruth,Heathcliff!There,youwon’tanswer.I’mcertainyoudon’t!”
“AndwouldMr.Lintonapproveofhissistermarryingthatman?”Ienquired.
“Mr.Lintonshouldapprove,”returnedmylady,decisively.
“Hemightsparehimselfthetrouble,”saidHeathcliff“Icoulddoaswellwithouthisapprobation.
Andastoyou,Catherine,Ihaveamindtospeakafewwordsnow,whileweareatit.
IwantyoutobeawarethatIknowyouhavetreatedmeinfernally—infernally!Doyouhear?
AndifyouflatteryourselfthatIdon’tperceiveit,youareafool;andifyouthinkIcanbeconsoledbysweetwords,youareanidiot;andifyoufancyI’llsufferunrevenged,I’llconvinceyouofthecontrary,inaverylittlewhile!
Meantime,thankyoufortellingmeyoursister-in-law’ssecret:IswearI’llmakethemostofit.Andstandyouaside!”
“Whatnewphaseofhischaracteristhis?”exclaimedMrs.Linton,inamazement.
“I’vetreatedyouinfernally—andyou’lltakeyourrevenge!Howwillyoutakeit,ungratefulbrute?HowhaveItreatedyouinfernally?”
“Iseeknorevengeonyou,”repliedHeathclifflessvehemently.“That’snottheplan.
Thetyrantgrindsdownhisslavesandtheydon’tturnagainsthim;theycrushthosebeneaththem.
Youarewelcometotorturemetodeathforyouramusement,onlyallowmetoamusemyselfalittleinthesamestyle,andrefrainfrominsultasmuchasyouareable.
Havinglevelledmypalace,don’terectahovelandcomplacentlyadmireyourowncharityingivingmethatforahome.
IfIimaginedyoureallywishedmetomarryIsabel,I’dcutmythroat!”
“Oh,theevilisthatIamnotjealous,isit?”criedCatherine.
“Well,Iwon’trepeatmyofferofawife:itisasbadasofferingSatanalostsoul.
Yourblisslies,likehis,ininflictingmisery.Youproveit.
Edgarisrestoredfromtheill-temperhegavewaytoatyourcoming;Ibegintobesecureandtranquil;andyou,restlesstoknowusatpeace,appearresolvedonexcitingaquarrel.
QuarrelwithEdgar,ifyouplease,Heathcliff,anddeceivehissister:you’llhitonexactlythemostefficientmethodofrevengingyourselfonme.”
Theconversationceased.Mrs.Lintonsatdownbythefire,flushedandgloomy.
Thespiritwhichservedherwasgrowingintractable:shecouldneitherlaynorcontrolit.
Hestoodonthehearthwithfoldedarms,broodingonhisevilthoughts;andinthispositionIleftthemtoseekthemaster,whowaswonderingwhatkeptCatherinebelowsolong.
“Ellen,”saidhe,whenIentered,“haveyouseenyourmistress?”
“Yes;she’sinthekitchen,sir,”Ianswered.
“She’ssadlyputoutbyMr.Heathcliff’sbehaviour:and,indeed,Idothinkit’stimetoarrangehisvisitsonanotherfooting.
There’sharminbeingtoosoft,andnowit’scometothis.”
Irelatedthesceneinthecourt,and,asnearasIdared,thewholesubsequentdispute.
IfancieditcouldnotbeveryprejudicialtoMrs.Linton;unlessshemadeitsoafterwards,byassumingthedefensiveforherguest.
EdgarLintonhaddifficultyinhearingmetotheclose.
Hisfirstwordsrevealedthathedidnotclearhiswifeofblame.
“Thisisunsufferable!”heexclaimed.
“Itisdisgracefulthatsheshouldownhimforafriend,andforcehiscompanyonme!Callmetwomenoutofthehall,Ellen.
Catherineshalllingernolongertoarguewiththelowruffian—Ihavehumouredherenough.”
Hedescended,andbiddingtheservantswaitinthepassage,went,followedbyme,tothekitchen.
Itsoccupantshadrecommendedtheirangrydiscussion:Mrs.Linton,atleast,wasscoldingwithrenewedvigour;Heathcliffhadmovedtothewindow,andhunghishead,somewhatcowedbyherviolentratingapparently.
Hesawthemasterfirst,andmadeahastymotionthatsheshouldbesilent;whichsheobeyed,abruptly,ondiscoveringthereasonofhisintimation.
“Howisthis?”saidLinton,addressingher;“whatnotionofproprietymustyouhavetoremainhere,afterthelanguagewhichhasbeenheldtoyoubythatblackguard?
Isuppose,becauseitishisordinarytalk,youthinknothingofit;youarehabituatedtohisbaseness,and,perhaps,imagineIcangetusedtoittoo!”
“Haveyoubeenlisteningatthedoor,Edgar?”
askedthemistress,inatoneparticularlycalculatedtoprovokeherhusband,implyingbothcarelessnessandcontemptofhisirritation.
Heathcliff,whohadraisedhiseyesattheformerspeech,gaveasneeringlaughatthelatter;onpurpose,itseemed,todrawMr.Linton’sattentiontohim.
Hesucceeded;butEdgardidnotmeantoentertainhimwithanyhighflightsofpassion.
“Ihavebeensofarforbearingwithyou,sir,”hesaidquietly;“notthatIwasignorantofyourmiserable,degradedcharacter,butIfeltyouwereonlypartlyresponsibleforthat;andCatherinewishingtokeepupyouracquaintance,Iacquiesced—foolishly.
Yourpresenceisamoralpoisonthatwouldcontaminatethemostvirtuous:forthatcause,andtopreventworseconsequences,Ishalldenyyouhereafteradmissionintothishouse,andgivenoticenowthatIrequireyourinstantdeparture.
Threeminutes’delaywillrenderitinvoluntaryandignominious.”
Heathcliffmeasuredtheheightandbreadthofthespeakerwithaneyefullofderision.
“Cathy,thislambofyoursthreatenslikeabull!”hesaid.“Itisindangerofsplittingitsskullagainstmyknuckles.ByGod!Mr.Linton,I’mmortallysorrythatyouarenotworthknockingdown!”
Mymasterglancedtowardsthepassage,andsignedmetofetchthemen:hehadnointentionofhazardingapersonalencounter.
Iobeyedthehint;butMrs.Linton,suspectingsomething,followed;andwhenIattemptedtocallthem,shepulledmeback,slammedthedoorto,andlockedit.
“Fairmeans!”shesaid,inanswertoherhusband’slookofangrysurprise.
“Ifyouhavenotcouragetoattackhim,makeanapology,orallowyourselftobebeaten.
Itwillcorrectyouoffeigningmorevalourthanyoupossess.
No,I’llswallowthekeybeforeyoushallgetit!
I’mdelightfullyrewardedformykindnesstoeach!
Afterconstantindulgenceofone’sweaknature,andtheother’sbadone,Iearnforthankstwosamplesofblindingratitude,stupidtoabsurdity!
Edgar,Iwasdefendingyouandyours;andIwishHeathcliffmayflogyousick,fordaringtothinkanevilthoughtofme!”
Itdidnotneedthemediumofafloggingtoproducethateffectonthemaster.
HetriedtowrestthekeyfromCatherine’sgrasp,andforsafetysheflungitintothehottestpartofthefire;whereuponMr.Edgarwastakenwithanervoustrembling,andhiscountenancegrewdeadlypale.
Forhislifehecouldnotavertthatexcessofemotion,mingledanguishandhumiliationovercamehimcompletely.
Heleantonthebackofachair,andcoveredhisface.
“Oh,heavens!Inolddays,thiswouldwinyouknighthwood!”exclaimedMrs.Linton.“Wearevanquished!wearevanquished!
Heathcliffwouldassoonliftafingeratyouasakingwouldmarchhisarmyagainstacolonyofmice.Cheerup!youshan’tbehurt!
Yourtypeisnotalamb,it’sasucklingleveret.”
“Iwishyoujoyofthemilk-bloodedcoward,Cathy!”saidherfriend.“Icomplimentyouonyourtaste.
Andthatistheslavering,shiveringthingyoupreferredtome!
Iwouldnotstrikehimwithmyfist,butI’dkickhimwithmyfoot,andexperienceconsiderablesatisfaction.
Isheweeping,orishegoingtofaintforfear?”
ThefellowapproachedandgavethechaironwhichLintonrestedapush.
He’dbetterhavekepthisdistance;mymasterquicklysprangerect,andstruckhimfullonthethroatablowthatwouldhavelevelledaslighterman.
Ittookhisbreathforaminute;andwhilehechoked,Mr.Lintonwalkedoutbythebackdoorintotheyard,andfromthencetothefrontentrance.
“There!you’vedonewithcominghere,”criedCatherine.
“Getaway,now;he’llreturnwithabraceofpistols,andhalf-a-dozenassistants.
Ifhedidoverhearus,ofcoursehe’dneverforgiveyou.
You’veplayedhimanillturn,Heathcliff!Butgo—makehaste!I’dratherseeEdgaratbaythanyou.”
“DoyousupposeI’mgoingwiththatblowburninginmygullet?”hethundered.“Byhell,no!
I’llcrushhisribsinlikearottenhazel-nutbeforeIcrossthethreshold!
IfIdon’tfloorhimnow,Ishallmurderhimsometime;so,asyouvaluehisexistence,letmegetathim!”
“He’snotcoming,”Iinterposed,framingabitofalie.
“There’sthecoachmanandthetwogardeners;you’llsurelynotwaittobethrustintotheroadbythem!
Eachhasabludgeon;andmasterwill,likely,bewatchingfromtheparlourwindows,toseethattheyfulfillhisorders.”
Thegardenersandcoachmanwerethere;butLintonwaswiththem.Theyhadalreadyenteredthecourt.
Heathcliff,onsecondthoughts,resolvedtoavoidastruggleagainstthethreeunderlings;heseizedthepoker,smashedthelockfromtheinnerdoor,andmadehisescapeastheytrampedin.
Mrs.Linton,wasverymuchexcited,bademeaccompanyherupstairs.Shedidnotknowmyshareincontributingtothedisturbance,andIwasanxioustokeepherinignorance.
“I’mnearlydistracted,Nelly!”sheexclaimed,throwingherselfonthesofa.
“Athousandsmiths’hammersarebeatinginmyhead!
TellIsabellatoshunme;thisuproarisowingtoher;andshouldsheoranyoneelseaggravatemyangeratpresent,Ishallgetwild.
And,Nelly,saytoEdgar,ifyouseehimagainto-night,thatI’mindangerofbeingseriouslyill.Iwishitmayprovetrue.
Hehasstartledanddistressedmeshockingly!Iwanttofrightenhim.
Besides,hemightcomeandbeginastringofabuseorcomplainings;I’mcertainIshouldrecriminate,andGodknowswhereweshouldend!Willyoudoso,mygoodNelly?
YouareawarethatIaminnowayblameableinthismatter.Whatpossessedhimtoturnlistener?
Heathcliff’stalkwasoutrageous,afteryouleftus;butIcouldsoonhavedivertedhimfromIsabella,andtherestmeantnothing.
Nowallisdashedwrong;bythefool’scravingtohearevilofself,thathauntssomepeoplelikeademon!
HadEdgarnevergatheredourconversation,hewouldneverhavebeentheworseforit.
Really,whenheopenedonmeinthatunreasonabletoneofdispleasureafterIhadscoldedHeathclifftillIwashoarseforhim,Ididnotcare,hardly,whattheydidtoeachother;especiallyasIfeltthat,howeverthesceneclosed,weshouldallbedrivenasunderfornobodyknowshowlong!
Well,ifIcannotkeepHeathcliffformyfriend—ifEdgarwillbemeanandjealous,I’lltrytobreaktheirheartsbybreakingmyown.
Thatwillbeapromptwayoffinishingall,whenIampushedtoextremity!
Butit’sadeedtobereservedforaforlornhope;I’dnottakeLintonbysurprisewithit.
Tothispointhehasbeendiscreetindreadingtoprovokeme;youmustrepresenttheperilofquittingthatpolicy,andremindhimofmypassionatetemper,verging,whenkindled,onfrenzy.
Iwishyoucoulddismissthatapathyoutofthatcountenance,andlookrathermoreanxiousaboutme.”
ThestoliditywithwhichIreceivedtheseinstructionswas,nodoubt,ratherexasperating:fortheyweredeliveredinperfectsincerity;butIbelievedapersonwhocouldplantheturningofherfitsofpassiontoaccount,beforehand,might,byexertingherwill,managetocontrolherselftolerably,evenwhileundertheirinfluence;andIdidnotwishto“frighten”herhusband,asshesaid,andmultiplyhisannoyancesforthepurposeofservingherselfishness.
Therefore,IsaidnothingwhenImetthemastercomingtowardstheparlour;butItookthelibertyofturningbacktolistenwhethertheywouldresumetheirquarreltogether.Hebegantospeakfirst.
“Remainwhereyouare,Catherine,”hesaid;withoutanyangerinhisvoice,butwithmuchsorrowfuldespondency.“Ishallnotstay.
Iamneithercometowranglenorbereconciled;butIwishjusttolearnwhether,afterthisevening’sevents,youintendtocontinueyourintimacywith-”
“Oh,formercy’ssake,”interruptedthemistress,stampingherfoot,“formercy’ssake,letushearnomoreofitnow!
Yourcoldbloodcannotbeworkedintoafever:yourveinsarefullofice-water;butmineareboiling,andthesightofsuchchillnessmakesthemdance.”
“Togetridofme,answermyquestion,”perseveredMr.Linton.
“Youmustanswerit;andthatviolencedoesnotalarmme.
Ihavefoundthatyoucanbeasstoicalasanyone,whenyouplease.
WillyougiveupHeathcliffhereafter,orwillyougiveupme?
Itisimpossibleforyoutobemyfriendandhisatthesametime;andIabsolutelyrequiretoknowwhichyouchoose.”
“Irequiretobeletalone!”exclaimedCatherinefuriously,“Idemandit!Don’tyouseeIcanscarcelystand?Edgar,you—youleaveme!”
Sherangthebelltillitbrokewithatwang;Ienteredleisurely.
Itwasenoughtotrythetemperofasaint,suchsenseless,wickedrages!
Thereshelaydashingherheadagainstthearmofthesofa,andgrindingherteeth,sothatyoumightfancyshewouldcrashthemtosplinters!
Mr.Lintonstoodlookingatherinsuddencompunctionandfear.Hetoldmetofetchsomewater.Shehadnobreathforspeaking.
Ibroughtaglassfull;andasshewouldnotdrink,Isprinkleditonherface.
Inafewsecondsshestretchedherselfoutstiff,andturneduphereyes,whilehercheeks,atonceblanchedandlivid,assumedtheaspectofdeath,Lintonlookedterrified.
“Thereisnothingintheworldthematter,”Iwhispered.Ididnotwanthimtoyield,thoughIcouldnothelpbeingafraidinmyheart.
“Shehasbloodonherlips!”hesaid,shuddering.
“Nevermind!”Iansweredtartly.
AndItoldhimhowshehadresolved,previoustohiscoming,onexhibitingafitoffrenzy,Iincautiouslygavetheaccountaloud.
andsheheardme;forshestartedup—herhairflyingoverhershoulders,hereyesflashing,themusclesofherneckandarmsstandingoutpreternaturally.
Imadeupmymindforbrokenbones,atleast;butsheonlyglaredaboutherforaninstant,andthenrushedfromtheroom.
Themasterdirectedmetofollow;Idid,toherchamberdoor:shehinderedmefromgoingfurtherbysecuringitagainstme.
Assheneverofferedtodescendtobreakfastnextmorning,Iwenttoaskwhethershewouldhavesomecarriedup.“No!”sherepliedperemptorily.
Thesamequestionwasrepeatedatdinnerandtea;andagainonthemorrowafter,andreceivedthesameanswer.
Mr.Linton,onhispart,spenthistimeinthelibrary,anddidnotenquireconcerninghiswife’soccupations.
Isabellaandhehadhadanhour’sinterview,duringwhichhetriedtoelicitfromhersomesentimentofproperhorrorforHeathcliff’sadvances:buthecouldmakenothingofherevasivereplies,andwasobligedtoclosetheexaminationunsatisfactorily;adding,however,asolemnwarning,thatifsheweresoinsaneastoencouragethatworthlesssuitor,itwoulddissolveallbondsofrelationshipbetweenherselfandhim.
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