English
THATFRIDAYmadethelastofourfinedaysforamonth.
Intheevening,theweatherbroke:thewindshiftedfromsouthtonorth-east,andbroughtrainfirst,andthensleetandsnow.
Onthemorrowonecouldhardlyimaginethattherehadbeenthreeweeksofsummer:theprimrosesandcrocuseswerehiddenunderwintrydrifts;thelarksweresilent,theyoungleavesoftheearlytreessmittenandblackened.
Anddreary,andchill,anddismal,thatmorrowdidcreepover!
Mymasterkepthisroom;Itookpossessionofthelonelyparlour,convertingitintoanursery:andthereIwas,sittingwiththemoaningdollofachildlaidonmyknee;rockingittoandfro,andwatching,meanwhile,thestilldrivingflakesbuilduptheuncurtainedwindow,whenthedooropened,andsomepersonentered,outofbreathandlaughing!
Myangerwasgreaterthanmyastonishmentforaminute.
Isupposeditoneofthemaids,andIcried—“Havedone!Howdareyoushowyourgiddinesshere?
WhatwouldMr.Lintonsayifheheardyou?”
“Excuseme!”answeredafamiliarvoice;“butIknowEdgarisinbed,andIcannotstopmyself.”
Withthatthespeakercameforwardtothefire,pantingandholdingherhandtoherside.
“IhaverunthewholewayfromWutheringHeights!”
shecontinued,afterapause;“exceptwhereI’veflown.
Icouldn’tcountthenumberoffallsI’vehad.Oh,I’machingallover!Don’tbealarmed!
ThereshallbeanexplanationassoonasIcangiveit;onlyjusthavethegoodnesstostepoutandorderthecarriagetotakemeontoGimmerton,andtellaservanttoseekupafewclothesinmywardrobe.”
TheintruderwasMrs.Heathcliff.Shecertainlyseemedinnolaughingpredicament;herhairstreamedonhershoulders,drippingwithsnowandwater;shewasdressedinthegirlishdressshecommonlywore,befittingheragemorethanherposition:alowfrockwithshortsleeves,andnothingoneitherheadorneck.
Thefrockwasoflightsilk,andclungtoherwithwet,andherfeetwereprotectedmerelybythinslippers;addtothisadeepcutunderoneear,whichonlythecoldpreventedfrombleedingprofusely,awhitefacescratchedandbruised,andaframehardlyabletosupportitself,throughfatigue;andyoumayfancymyfirstfrightwasnotmuchallayedwhenIhadhadleisuretoexamineher.
“Mydearyounglady,”Iexclaimed,“I’llstirnowhere,andhearnothing,tillyouhaveremovedeveryarticleofyourclothes,andputondrythings;andcertainlyyoushallnotgotoGimmertontonight,soitisneedlesstoorderthecarriage.”
“Certainly,Ishall,”shesaid;“walkingorriding:yetI’venoobjectiontodressmyselfdecently.And—ah,seehowitflowsdownmynecknow!Thefiredoesmakeitsmart.”
Sheinsistedonmyfulfillingherdirections,beforeshewouldletmetouchher;andnottillafterthecoachmanhadbeeninstructedtogetready,andamaidsettopackupsomenecessaryattire,didIobtainherconsentforbindingthewoundandhelpingtochangehergarments.
“Now,Ellen,”shesaid,whenmytaskwasfinishedandshewasseatedinaneasychaironthehearth,withacupofteabeforeher,“yousitdownoppositeme,andputpoorCatherine’sbabyaway:Idon’tliketoseeit!
Youmustn’tthinkIcarelittleforCatherine,becauseIbehavedsofoolishlyonentering:I’vecried,too,bitterly—yes,morethananyoneelsehasreasontocry.
Wepartedunreconciled,youremember,andIshan’tforgivemyself.
But,forallthat,Iwasnotgoingtosympathisewithhim—thebrutebeast!Oh,givemethepoker!
ThisisthelastthingofhisIhaveaboutme”:sheslippedthegoldringfromherthirdfinger,andthrewitonthefloor.“I’llsmashit!”
shecontinued,strikingitwithchildishspite,“andthenI’llburnit!”
andshetookanddroppedthemisusedarticleamongthecoals.“There!
heshallbuyanother,ifhegetsmebackagain.
He’dbecapableofcomingtoseekme,toteaseEdgar.
Idarenotstay,lestthatnotionshouldpossesshiswickedhead!
Andbesides,Edgarhasnotbeenkind,hashe?
AndIwon’tcomesuingforhisassistance;norwillIbringhimintomoretrouble.
Necessitycompelledmetoseekshelterhere;though,ifIhadnotlearnedhewasoutoftheway,I’dhavehaltedatthekitchen,washedmyface,warmedmyself,gotyoutobringwhatIwanted,anddepartedagaintoanywhereoutofthereachofmyaccursed—ofthatincarnategoblin!Ah!hewasinsuchafury!Ifhehadcaughtme!
It’sapityEarnshawisnothismatchinstrength:Iwouldn’thaveruntillI’dseenhimallbutdemolished,hadHindleybeenabletodoit!”
“Welldon’ttalksofastmiss!”Iinterrupted;“you’lldisorderthehandkerchiefIhavetiedroundyourface,andmakethecutbleedagain.
Drinkyourtea,andtakebreath,andgiveoverlaughing:laughterissadlyoutofplaceunderthisroof,andinyourcondition!”
“Anundeniabletruth,”shereplied.“Listentothatchild!Itmaintainsaconstantwail—senditoutofmyhearingforanhour;Ishan’tstayanylonger.”
Irangthebell,andcommittedittoaservant’scare;andthenIenquiredwhathadurgedhertoescapefromWutheringHeightsinsuchanunlikelyplight,andwhereshemeanttogo,assherefusedremainingwithus.
“Iought,andIwishtoremain,”answeredshe,“tocheerEdgarandtakecareofthebaby,fortwothings,andbecausetheGrangeismyrighthome.ButItellyouhewouldn’tletme!
Doyouthinkhecouldbeartoseemegrowfatandmerry—couldbeartothinkthatweweretranquil,andnotresolveonpoisoningourcomfort?
Now,Ihavethesatisfactionofbeingsurethathedetestsme,tothepointofitsannoyinghimseriouslytohavemewithinearshotoreye-sight:Inotice,whenIenterhispresence,themusclesofhiscountenanceareinvoluntarilydistortedintoanexpressionofhatred;partlyarisingfromhisknowledgeofthegoodcausesIhavetofeelthatsentimentforhim,andpartlyfromoriginalaversion.
ItisstrongenoughtomakemefeelprettycertainthathewouldnotchasemeoverEngland,supposingIcontrivedaclearescape;andthereforeImustgetquiteaway.
I’verecoveredfrommyfirstdesiretobekilledbyhim:I’dratherhe’dkillhimself!
Hehasextinguishedmyloveeffectually,andsoI’matmyease.
IcanrecollectyethowIlovedhim;andcandimlyimaginethatIcouldstillbelovinghim,if—no,no!
Evenifhehaddotedonme,thedevilishnaturewouldhaverevealeditsexistencesomehow.
Catherinehadanawfullypervertedtastetoesteemhimsodearly,knowinghimsowell,Monster!
wouldthathecouldbeblottedoutofcreation,andoutofmymemory!”
“Hush,hush!He’sahumanbeing,”Isaid.“Bemorecharitable:thereareworsementhanheisyet!”
“He’snotahumanbeing,”sheretorted;“andhehasnoclaimonmycharity.
Igavehimmyheart,andhetookandpinchedittodeath,andflungitbacktome.
Peoplefeelwiththeirhearts,Ellen:andsincehehasdestroyedmine,Ihavenotpowertofeelforhim:andIwouldnot,thoughhegroanedfromthistohisdyingday,andwepttearsofbloodforCatherine.No,indeed,indeed,Iwouldn’t.”
AndhereIsabellabegantocry;but,immediatelydashingthewaterfromherlashes,sherecommenced.
“Youasked,whathasdrivenmetoflightatlast?
Iwascompelledtoattemptit,becauseIhadsucceededinrousinghisrageapitchabovehismalignity.
Pullingoutthenerveswithred-hotpincersrequiresmorecoolnessthanknockingonthehead.
Hewasworkeduptoforgetthefiendishprudenceheboastedof,andproceededtomurderousviolence.
Iexperiencedpleasureinbeingabletoexasperatehim;thesenseofpleasurewokemyinstinctofself-preservation,soIfairlybrokefree;andifeverIcomeintohishandsagainheiswelcometoasignalrevenge.
“Yesterday,youknow,Mr.Earnshawshouldhavebeenatthefuneral.
Hekepthimselfsoberforthepurpose—tolerablysober;notgoingtobedmadatsixo’clockandgettingupdrunkattwelve.
Consequentlyherose,insuicidallowspirits,asfitforthechurchasforadance;andinstead,hesatdownbythefireandswallowedginorbrandybytumblerfuls.
“Heathcliff—Ishuddertonamehim!hasbeenastrangerinthehousefromlastSundaytillto-day.
Whethertheangelshavefedhim,orhiskinbeneath,Icannottell;buthehasnoteatenamealwithusfornearlyaweek.
Hehasjustcomehomeatdawn,andgoneupstairstohischamber;lockinghimselfin—asifanybodydreamtofcovetinghiscompany!
Therehehascontinued,prayinglikeaMethodist:onlythedeityheimploredissenselessdustandashes;andGod,whenaddressed,wascuriouslyconfoundedwithhisownblackfather!
Afterconcludingthepreciousorisons—andtheylastedgenerallytillhegrewhoarseandhisvoicewasstrangledinhisthroat—hewouldbeoffagain;alwaysstraightdowntotheGrange!
IwonderEdgardidnotsendforaconstable,andgivehimintocustody!
Forme,grievedasIwasaboutCatherine,itwasimpossibletoavoidregardingthisseasonofdeliverancefromdegradingoppressionasaholiday.
“IrecoveredspiritssufficienttohearJoseph’seternallectureswithoutweeping,andtomoveupanddownthehouselesswiththefootofafrightenedthiefthanformerly.
Youwouldn’tthinkthatIshouldcryatanythingJosephcouldsay;butheandHaretonaredetestablecompanions.
I’drathersitwithHindley,andhearhisawfultalk,thanwitht’littlemaisterandhisstaunchsupporter,thatodiousoldman!
WhenHeathcliffisinI’moftenobligedtoseekthekitchenwiththeirsocietyorstarveamongthedampuninhabitedchambers;whenheisnot,aswasthecasethisweek,Iestablishatableandchairatonecornerofthehousefire,andnevermindhowMr.Earnshawmayoccupyhimself;andhedoesnotinterferewithmyarrangements.
Heisquieternowthanheusedtobe,ifnooneprovokeshim:moresullenanddepressed,andlessfurious.
Josephaffirmshe’ssurehe’sanalteredman:thattheLordhastouchedhisheart,andheissaved‘soasbyfire.’
I’mpuzzledtodetectsignsofthefavorablechange:butitisnotmybusiness.
“Yester-eveningIsatinmynookreadingsomeoldbookstilllateontowardstwelve.
Itseemedsodismaltogoupstairs,withthewildsnowblowingoutside,andmythoughtscontinuallyrevertingtothekirkyardandthenew-madegrave!
Idaredhardlyliftmyeyesfromthepagebeforeme,thatmelancholyscenesoinstantlyusurpeditsplace.
Hindleysatopposite,hisheadleantonhishand;perhapsmeditatingonthesamesubject.
Hehadceaseddrinkingatapointbelowirrationality,andhadneitherstirrednorspokenduringtwoorthreehours.
Therewasnosoundthroughthehousebutthemoaningwind,whichshookthewindowseverynowandthen,thefaintcracklingofthecoals,andtheclickofmysnuffersasIremovedatintervalsthelongwickofthecandle.
HaretonandJosephwereprobablyfastasleepinbed.
Itwasvery,verysad:andwhileIreadIsighed,foritseemedasifalljoyhadvanishedfromtheworld,nevertoberestored.
“Thedolefulsilencewasbrokenatlengthbythesoundofthekitchenlatch:Heathcliffhadreturnedfromhiswatchearlierthanusual;owing,Isuppose,tothesuddenstorm.
Thatentrancewasfastened,andweheardhimcomingroundtogetinbytheother.
IrosewithanirrepressibleexpressionofwhatIfeltonmylips,whichinducedmycompanion,whohadbeenstaringtowardsthedoor,toturnandlookatme.
“’I’llkeephimoutfiveminutes,’heexclaimed.‘Youwon’tobject?’
“’No,youmaykeephimoutthewholenightforme,’Ianswered.‘Do!putthekeyinthelock,anddrawthebolts.’
“Earnshawaccomplishedthiserehisguestreachedthefront;hethencameandbroughthischairtotheothersideofmytable,leaningoverit,andsearchinginmyeyesforasympathywiththeburninghatethatgleamedfromhis:ashebothlookedandfeltlikeanassassin,hecouldn’texactlyfindthat;buthediscoveredenoughtoencouragehimtospeak.
“’YouandI,’hesaid,‘haveeachagreatdebttosettlewiththemanoutyonder!
Ifwewereneitherofuscowards,wemightcombinetodischargeit.Areyouassoftasyourbrother?
Areyouwillingtoenduretothelast,andnotonceattemptarepayment?’
“’I’mwearyofenduringnow,’Ireplied;‘andI’dbegladofaretaliationthatwouldn’trecoilonmyself;buttreacheryandviolencearespearspointedatbothends:theywoundthosewhoresorttothemworsethantheirenemies.’
“’Treacheryandviolenceareajustreturnfortreacheryandviolence!’criedHindley.
‘Mrs.Heathcliff,I’llaskyoutodonothing;butsitstillandbedumb.Tellmenow,canyou?
I’msureyouwouldhaveasmuchpleasureasIinwitnessingtheconclusionofthefiend’sexistence:he’llbeyourdeathunlessyouoverreachhim;andhe’llbemyruin.Damnthehellishvillain!
Heknocksatthedoorasifheweremasterherealready!
Promisetoholdyourtongue,andbeforethatclockstrikes—itwantsthreeminutesofone—you’reafreewoman!’
“HetooktheimplementswhichIdescribedtoyouinmyletterfromhisbreast,andwouldhaveturneddownthecandle.
Isnatcheditaway,however,andseizedhisarm.‘I’llnotholdmytongue!’Isaid;‘youmustn’ttouchhim.
Letthedoorremainshut,andbequiet!’
“’No!I’veformedmyresolution,andbyGodI’llexecuteit!’criedthedesperatebeing.
‘I’lldoyouakindnessinspiteofyourself,andHaretonjustice!
Andyouneedn’ttroubleyourheadtoscreenme;Catherineisgone.
Nobodyalivewouldregretmeorbeashamed,thoughIcutmythroatthisminute—andit’stimetomakeanend!’
“Imightaswellhavestruggledwithabear,orreasonedwithalunatic.Theonlyresourceleftmewastoruntoalatticeandwarnhisintendedvictimofthefatewhichawaitedhim.
“’You’dbetterseeksheltersomewhereelseto-night!’Iexclaimedinratheratriumphanttone.“Mr.Earnshawhasamindtoshootyou,ifyoupersistinendeavouringtoenter.’
“’You’dbetteropenthedoor,you-’heanswered,addressingmebysomeeleganttermthatIdon’tcaretorepeat.
“’Ishallnotmeddleinthematter,’Iretortedagain.‘Comeinandgetshot,ifyouplease!I’vedonemyduty.’
“WiththatIshutthewindowandreturnedtomyplacebythefire;havingtoosmallastockofhypocrisyatmycommandtopretendanyanxietyforthedangerthatmenacedhim.
Earnshawsworepassionatelyatme:affirmingthatIlovedthevillainyet;andcallingmeallsortsofnamesforthebasespiritIevinced.
AndI,inmysecretheart(andconscienceneverreproachedme),thoughtwhatablessingitwouldbeforhimshouldHeathcliffputhimoutofmisery;andwhatablessingformeshouldhesendHeathclifftohisrightabode!
AsIsatnursingthesereflections,thecasementbehindmewasbangedontothefloorbyablowfromthelatterindividual,andhisblackcountenancelookedblightinglythrough.
Thestanchionsstoodtooclosetosufferhisshoulderstofollow,andIsmiled,exultinginmyfanciedsecurity.
Hishairandclotheswerewhitenedwithsnow,andhissharpcannibalteeth,revealedbycoldandwrath,gleamedthroughthedark.
“’Isabella,letmein,orI’llmakeyourepent!’he‘grined,’asJosephcallsit.
“’Icannotcommitmurder,’Ireplied.‘Mr.Hindleystandssentinelwithaknifeandloadedpistol.’
“’Letmeinbythekitchendoor,’hesaid.
“’Hindleywillbetherebeforeyou,’Ianswered:‘andthat’sapoorloveofyoursthatcannotbearashowerofsnow!
Wewereleftatpeaceonourbedsaslongasthesummermoonshone,butthemomentablastofwinterreturns,youmustrunforshelter!
Heathcliff,ifIwereyou,I’dgostretchmyselfoverhergraveanddielikeafaithfuldog.
Theworldissurelynotworthlivinginnow,isit?
YouhaddistinctlyimpressedonmetheideathatCatherinewasthewholejoyofyourlife:Ican’timaginehowyouthinkofsurvivingherloss.’
“’He’sthere,ishe?’exclaimedmycompanion,rushingtothegap.‘IfIcangetmyarmoutIcanhithim!’
“I’mafraid,Ellen,you’llsetmedownasreallywicked;butyoudon’tknowall,sodon’tjudge.
Iwouldn’thaveaidedorabettedanattemptonevenhislifeforanything.
Wishthatheweredead,Imust;andthereforeIwasfearfullydisappointed,andunnervedbyterrorfortheconsequencesofmytauntingspeech,whenheflunghimselfonEarnshaw’sweaponandwrencheditfromhisgrasp.
“’Thechargeexploded,andtheknife,inspringingback,closedintoitsowner’swrist.
Heathcliffpulleditawaybymainforce,slittingupthefleshasitpassedon,andthrustitdrippingintohispocket.
Hethentookastone,struckdownthedivisionbetweentwowindows,andsprangin.
Hisadversaryhadfallensenselesswithexcessivepainandtheflowofbloodthatgushedfromanarteryoralargevein.
Theruffiankickedandtrampledonhim,anddashedhisheadrepeatedlyagainsttheflags,holdingmewithonehand,meantime,topreventmesummoningJoseph.
Heexertedpreterhumanself-denialinabstainingfromfinishinghimcompletely;butgettingoutofbreathhefinallydesisted,anddraggedtheapparentlyinanimatebodyontothesettle.
TherehetoreoffthesleeveofEarnshaw’scoat,andboundupthewoundwithbrutalroughness;spittingandcursingduringtheoperationasenergeticallyashehadkickedbefore.
Beingatliberty,Ilostnotimeinseekingtheoldservant;who,havinggatheredbydegreesthepurportofmyhastytale,hurriedbelow,gasping,ashedescendedthestepstwoatonce.
“’Whatisthertodo,now?whatitthertodo,now?’
“’There’sthistodo,’thunderedHeathcliff,‘thatyourmaster’smad;andshouldhelastanothermonth,I’llhavehimtoanasylum.
Andhowthedevildidyoucometofastenmeout,youtoothlesshound?
Don’tstandmutteringandmumblingthere.Come,I’mnotgoingtonursehim.
Washthatstuffaway;andmindthesparksofyourcandle—itismorethanhalfbrandy!’
‘Andso,ye’vebeenmurtheringonhim?’exclaimedJoseph,liftinghishandsandeyesinhorror.‘IfiverIseedaseeghtloikethis!MaytheLord-’
“Heathcliffgavehimapushontohiskneesinthemiddleoftheblood,andflungatoweltohim;butinsteadofproceedingtodryitup,hejoinedhishandsandbeganaprayer,whichexcitedmylaughterfromitsoddphraseology.
Iwasintheconditonofmindtobeshockedatnothing:infact,Iwasasrecklessassomemalefactorsshowthemselvesatthefootofthegallows.
“’Oh,Iforgotyou,’saidthetyrant.‘Youshalldothat.Downwithyou.Andyouconspirewithhimagainstme.doyou,viper?There,thatisworkfitforyou!’
“Heshookmetillmyteethrattled,andpitchedmebesideJosephwhosteadilyconcludedhissupplicationsandthenrose,vowinghewouldsetofffortheGrangedirectly.
Mr.Lintonwasamagistrate,andthoughhehadfiftywivesdead,heshouldenquireintothis.
Hewassoobstinateinhisresolution,thatHeathcliffdeemeditexpedienttocompelfrommylipsarecapitulationofwhathadtakenplace;standingoverme,heavingwithmalevolence,asIreluctantlydeliveredtheaccountinanswertohisquestions.
ItrequiredagreatdealoflabourtosatisfytheoldmanthatHeathcliffwasnottheaggressor;especiallywithmyhardly-wrungreplies.
However,Mr.Earnshawsoonconvincedhimthathewasalivestill;Josephhastenedtoadministeradoseofspirits,andbytheirsuccourhismasterpresentlyregainedmotionandconsciousness.
Heathcliff,awarethathisopponentwasignorantofthetreatmentreceivedwhileinsensible,calledhimdeliriouslyintoxicated;andsaidheshouldnotnoticehisatrociousconductfurther,butadvisedhimtogettobed.
Tomyjoy,heleftus,aftergivingthisjudiciouscounsel,andHindleystretchedhimselfonthehearthstone.
Idepartedtomyownroom,marvellingthatIhadescapedsoeasily.
“Thismorning,whenIcamedown,abouthalf-an-hourbeforenoon,Mr.Earnshawwassittingbythefire,deadlysick;hisevilgenius,almostasgauntandghastly,leantagainstthechimney.
Neitherappearedinclinedtodine,and,havingwaitedtillallwascoldonthetable,Icommencedalone.
Nothinghinderedmefromeatingheartily,andIexperiencedacertainsenseofsatisfactionandsuperiority,as,atintervals,Icastalooktowardsmysilentcompanions,andfeltthecomfortofaquietconsciencewithinme.
AfterIhaddone,Iventuredontheunusuallibertyofdrawingnearthefire,goingroundEarnshaw’sseat,andkneelinginthecornerbesidehim.
“Heathcliffdidnotglancemyway,andIgazedup,andcontemplatedhisfeaturesalmostasconfidentlyasiftheyhadbeenturnedtostone.
Hisforehead,thatIoncethoughtsomanly,andthatInowthinksodiabolical,wasshadedwithaheavycloud;hisbasiliskeyeswerenearlyquenchedbysleeplessness,andweeping,perhaps,forthelasheswerewetthen;hislipsdevoidoftheirferocioussneer,weresealedinanexpressionofunspeakablesadness.
Haditbeenanother,Iwouldhavecoveredmyfaceinthepresenceofsuchgrief.
Inhiscase,Iwasgratified;and,ignobleasitseemstoinsultafallenenemy,Icouldn’tmissthischanceofstickinginadart:hisweaknesswastheonlytimewhenIcouldtastethedelightofpayingwrongforwrong.”
“Fie,fie,miss!”Iinterrupted.
“OnemightsupposeyouhadneveropenedaBibleinyourlife.
IfGodafflictyourenemies,surelythatoughttosufficeyou.
ItisbothmeanandpresumptuoustoaddyourtorturetoHis!”
“IngeneralI’llallowthatitwouldbe,Ellen,”shecontinued;“butwhatmiserylaidonHeathcliffcouldcontentme,unlessIhaveahandinit?
I’dratherhesufferedless,ifImightcausehissufferingsandhemightknowthatIwasthecause.Oh,Iowehimsomuch.
OnonlyoneconditioncanIhopetoforgivehim.
Itis,ifImaytakeaneyeforaneye,atoothforatooth;foreverywrenchofagonyreturnawrench:reducehimtomylevel.
Ashewasthefirsttoinjure,makehimthefirsttoimplorepardon;andthen—whythen,Ellen,Imightshowyousomegenerosity.
ButitisutterlyimpossibleIcaneverberevenged,andthereforeIcannotforgivehim.
Hindleywantedsomewater,andIhandedhimaglass,andaskedhimhowhewas.
“’NotasillasIwish,’hereplied.‘Butleavingoutmyarm,everyinchofmeisassoreasifIhadbeenfightingwithalegionofimps!’
“’Yes,nowonder,’wasmynextremark.‘Catherineusedtoboastthatshestoodbetweenyouandbodilyharm:shemeantthatcertainpersonswouldnothurtyouforfearofoffendingher.
It’swellpeopledon’treallyrisefromtheirgrave,or,lastnight,shemighthavewitnessedarepulsivescene!
Arenotyoubruisedandcutoveryourchestandshoulders?’
“’Ican’tsay,’heanswered:‘butwhatdoyoumean?DidhedaretostrikemewhenIwasdown?’
“’Hetrampledonandkickedyou,anddashedyouontheground,’Iwhispered.‘Andhismouthwateredtotearyouwithhisteeth;becausehe’sonlyhalfman:notsomuch,andtherestfiend.’
“Mr.Earnshawlookedup,likeme,tothecountenanceofourmutualfoe;who,absorbedinhisanguish,seemedinsensibletoanythingaroundhim:thelongerhestood,theplainerhisreflectionsrevealedtheirblacknessthroughhisfeatures.
“’Oh,ifGodwouldbutgivemestrengthtostranglehiminmylastagony,I’dgotohellwithjoy,’groanedtheimpatientman,writhingtorise,andsinkingbackindespair,convincedofhisinadequacyforthestruggle.
“’Nay,it’senoughthathehasmurderedoneofyou,’Iobservedaloud.
‘AttheGrange,everyoneknowsyoursisterwouldhavebeenlivingnow,haditnotbeenforMr.Heathcliff.
Afterall,itispreferabletobehatedthanlovedbyhim.
WhenIrecollecthowhappywewere—howhappyCatherinewasbeforehecame—I’mfittocursetheday.’
“Mostlikely,Heathcliffnoticedmorethetruthofwhatwassaid,thanthespiritofthepersonwhosaidit.
Hisattentionwasroused,Isaw,forhiseyesraineddowntearsamongtheashes,andhedrewhisbreathinsuffocatingsighs.
Istaredfullathim,andlaughedscornfully.
Thecloudedwindowsofhellflashedamomenttowardsme;thefiendwhichusuallylookedout,however,wassodimmedanddrownedthatIdidnotfeartohazardanothersoundofderision.
“’Getup,andbegoneoutofmysight,’saidthemourner.
“Iguessedheutteredthosewords,atleast,thoughhisvoicewashardlyintelligible.
“’Ibegyourpardon,’Ireplied.‘ButIlovedCatherinetoo;andherbrotherrequiresattendance,which,forhersake,Ishallsupply.
Nowthatshe’sdead,IseeherinHindley:Hindleyhasexactlyhereyes,ifyouhadnottriedtogougethemout,andmadethemblackandred;andher-’
“’Getup,wretchedidiot,beforeIstampyoutodeath!’hecried,makingamovementthatcausedmetomakeonealso.
“’Butthen,’Icontinued,holdingmyselfreadytoflee;‘ifpoorCatherinehadtrustedyou,andassumedtheridiculous,contemptible,degradingtitleofMrs.Heathcliff,shewouldsoonhavepresentedasimilarpicture!
Shewouldn’thaveborneyourabominablebehaviourquietly:herdetestationanddisgustmusthavefoundvoice.’
“ThebackofthesettleandEarnshaw’spersoninterposedbetweenmeandhim:soinsteadofendeavouringtoreachme,hesnatchedadinnerknifefromthetableandflungitatmyhead.
Itstruckbeneathmyear,andstoppedthesentenceIwasuttering;but,pullingitout,Isprangtothedooranddeliveredanother;whichIhopewentalittledeeperthanhismissile.
ThelastglimpseIcaughtofhimwasafuriousrushonhispart,checkedbytheembraceofhishost;andbothfelllockedtogetheronthehearth.
InmyflightthroughthekitchenIbidJosephspeedtohismaster;IknockedoverHareton,whowashangingalitterofpuppiesfromachair-backinthedoorway;and,blestasasoulescapedfrompurgatory,Ibounded,leaped,andflewdownthesteeproad;then,quittingitswindings,shotdirectacrossthemoor,rollingoverbanks,andwadingthroughmarshes:precipitatingmyself,infact,towardsthebeaconlightoftheGrange.
AndfarratherwouldIbecondemnedtoaperpetualdwellingintheinfernalregions,than,evenforonenight,abidebeneaththeroofofWutheringHeightsagain.”
Isabellaceasedspeaking,andtookadrinkoftea;thensherose,andbiddingmeputonherbonnet,andagreatshawlIhadbrought,andturningadeafeartomyentreatiesforhertoremainanotherhour,shesteppedontoachair,kissedEdgar’sandCatherine’sportraits,bestowedasimilarsaluteonme,anddescendedtothecarriage,accompaniedbyFanny,whoyelpedwildwithjoyatrecoveringhermistress.
Shewasdrivenaway,nevertorevisitthisneighbourhood:butaregularcorrespondencewasestablishedbetweenherandmymasterwhenthingsweremoresettled.
Ibelievehernewabodewasinthesouth,nearLondon;thereshehadasonborn,afewmonthssubsequenttoherescape.
HewaschristenedLinton,and,fromthefirst,shereportedhimtobeanailing,peevishcreature.
Mr.Heathcliff,meetingmeonedayinthevillage,enquiredwhereshelived.Irefusedtotell.
Heremarkedthatitwasnotofanymoment,onlyshemustbewareofcomingtoherbrother:sheshouldnotbewithhim,ifhehadtokeepherhimself.
ThoughIwouldgivenoinformation,hediscovered,throughsomeoftheotherservants,bothherplaceofresidenceandtheexistenceofthechild.
Stillhedidn’tmolesther:forwhichforbearanceshemightthankhisaversion,Isuppose.
Heoftenaskedabouttheinfant,whenhesawme;andonhearingitsname,smiledgrimly,andobserved:
“Theywishmetohateittoo,dothey?”
“Idon’tthinktheywishyoutoknowanythingaboutit,”Ianswered.
“ButI’llhaveit,”hesaid,“whenIwantit.Theymayreckononthat!”
Fortunately,itsmotherdiedbeforethetimearrived;somethirteenyearsafterthedeceaseofCatherine,whenLintonwastwelve,oralittlemore.
OnthedaysucceedingIsabella’sunexpectedvisit,Ihadnoopportunityofspeakingtomymaster:heshunnedconversation,andwasfitfordiscussingnothing.
WhenIcouldgethimtolisten,Isawitpleasedhimthathissisterhadleftherhusband;whomheabhorredwithanintensitywhichthemildnessofhisnaturewouldscarcelyseemtoallow.
Sodeepandsensitivewashisaversion,thatherefrainedfromgoinganywherewherehewaslikelytoseeorhearofHeathcliff.
Grief,andthattogether,transformedhimintoacompletehermit:hethrewuphisofficeofmagistrate,ceasedeventoattendchurch,avoidedthevillageonalloccasions,andspentalifeofentireseclusionwithinthelimitsofhisparkandgrounds;onlyvariedbysolitaryramblesonthemoors,andvisitstothegraveofhiswife,mostlyatevening,orearlymorningbeforeotherwandererswereabroad.
Buthewastoogoodtobethoroughlyunhappylong.
Hedidn’tprayforCatherine’ssoultohaunthim.
Timebroughtresignation,andamelancholysweeterthancommonjoy.
Herecalledhermemorywithardent,tenderlove,andhopefulaspiringtothebetterworld;wherehedoubtednotshewasgone.
Andhehadearthlyconsolationandaffectionsalso.
ForafewdaysIsaidheseemedregardlessofthepunysuccessortothedeparted:thecoldnessmeltedasfastassnowinApril,anderethetinythingcouldstammerawordortotterastepitwieldedadespot’ssceptreinhisheart.
ItwasnamedCatherine;buthenevercalleditthenameinfull,ashehadnevercalledthefirstCatherineshort;probablybecauseHeathcliffhadahabitofdoingso.
ThelittleonewasalwaysCathy;itformedtohimadistinctionfromthemother,andyetaconnectionwithher;andhisattachmentsprangfromitsrelationtoher,farmorethanfromitsbeinghisown.
IusedtodrawacomparisonbetweenhimandHindleyEarnshaw,andperplexmyselftoexplainsatisfactorilywhytheirconductwassooppositeinsimilarcircumstances.
Theyhadbothbeenfondhusbands,andwerebothattachedtotheirchildren;andIcouldnotseehowtheyshouldn’tbothhavetakenthesameroad,forgoodorevil.But,Ithoughtinmymind.
Hindley,withapparentlythestrongerhead,hasshownhimselfsadlytheworseandtheweakerman.
Whenhisshipstruck,thecaptainabandonedhispost;andthecrew,insteadoftryingtosaveher,rushedintoriotandconfusion,leavingnohopefortheirlucklessvessel.
Linton,onthecontrary,displayedthetruecourageofaloyalandfaithfulsoul:hetrustedGod;andGodcomfortedhim.
Onehoped,andtheotherdespaired:theychosetheirownlots,andwererighteouslydoomedtoendurethem.
Butyou’llnotwanttohearmymoralising,Mr.Lockwood:you’lljudgeaswellasIcan,allthesethings:atleast,you’llthinkyouwill,andthat’sthesame.
TheendofEarnshawwaswhatmighthavebeenexpected;itfollowedfastonhissister’s:therewasscarcelysixmonthsbetweenthem.
We,attheGrange,nevergotaverysuccinctaccountofhisstateprecedingit;allthatIdidlearn,wasonoccasionofgoingtoaidinthepreparationsforthefuneral.
Mr.Kennethcametoannouncetheeventtomymaster.
“Well,Nelly,”saidhe,ridingintotheyardonemorning,tooearlynottoalarmmewithaninstantpresentimentofbadnews,“it’syoursandmyturntogointomourningatpresent.
Who’sgivenustheslipnow,doyouthink?”
“Who?”Iaskedinaflurry.
“Why,guess!”hereturned,dismounting,andslinginghisbridleonahookbythedoor.“Andnipupthecornerofyourapron:I’mcertainyou’llneedit.”
“NotMr.Heathcliff,surely?”Iexclaimed.
“What!wouldyouhavetearsforhim?”saidthedoctor.“No,Heathcliff’satoughyoungfellow:helooksbloomingtoday.I’vejustseenhim.He’srapidlyregainingfleshsincehelosthisbetterhalf.”
“Whoisitthen,Mr.Kenneth?”Irepeatedimpatiently.
“HindleyEarnshaw!YouroldfriendHindley,”hereplied,“andmywickedgossip:thoughhe’sbeentoowildformethislongwhile.There!Isaidweshoulddrawwater.Butcheerup.
Hediedtruetohischaracter:drunkasalord.Poorlad!I’msorry,too.
Onecan’thelpmissinganoldcompanion:thoughhehadtheworsttrickswithhimthatevermanimagined,andhasdonememanyarascallyturn.
He’sbarelytwenty-seven,itseems;that’syourownage:whowouldhavethoughtyouwereborninoneyear?”
IconfessthisblowwasgreatertomethantheshockofMrs.Linton’sdeath:ancientassociationslingeredroundmyheart;Isatdownintheporchandweptasforabloodrelation,desiringMr.Kennethtogetanotherservanttointroducehimtothemaster.
Icouldnothindermyselffromponderingonthequestion—“Hadhehadfairplay?”
WhateverIdid,thatideawouldbotherme:itwassotiresomelypertinaciousthatIresolvedonrequestingleavetogotoWutheringHeights,andassistinthelastdutiestothedead.
Mr.Lintonwasextremelyreluctanttoconsent,butIpleadedeloquentlyforthefriendlessconditioninwhichhelay;andIsaidmyoldmasterandfoster-brotherhadaclaimonmyservicesasstrongashisown.
Besides,IremindedhimthatthechildHaretonwashiswife’snephew,and,intheabsenceofnearerkin,heoughttoactasitsguardian;andheoughttoandmustenquirehowthepropertywasleft,andlookovertheconcernsofhisbrother-in-law.
Hewasunfitforattendingtosuchmattersthen,buthebidmespeaktohislawyer;andatlengthpermittedmetogo.
HislawyerhadbeenEarnshaw’salso:Icalledatthevillage,andaskedhimtoaccompanyme.
Heshookhishead,andadvisedthatHeathcliffshouldbeletalone;affirming,ifthetruthwereknown,Haretonwouldbefoundlittleelsethanabeggar.
“Hisfatherdiedindebt,”hesaid;“thewholepropertyismortgaged,andthesolechanceforthenaturalheiristoallowhimanopportunityofcreatingsomeinterestinthecreditor’sheart,thathemaybeinclinedtodeallenientlytowardshim.”
WhenIreachedtheHeights,IexplainedthatIhadcometoseeeverythingcarriedondecently;andJoseph,whoappearedinsufficientdistress,expressedsatisfactionatmypresence.
Mr.HeathcliffsaidhedidnotperceivethatIwaswanted;butImightstayandorderthearrangementsforthefuneral,ifIchose.
“Correctly,”heremarked,“thatfool’sbodyshouldbeburiedatthecross-roads,withoutceremonyofanykind.
Ihappenedtoleavehimtenminutesyesterdayafternoon,andinthatintervalhefastenedthetwodoorsofthehouseagainstme,andhehasspentthenightindrinkinghimselftodeathdeliberately!
Webrokeinthismorning,forweheardhimsnortinglikeahorse;andtherehewas,laidoverthesettle;flayingandscalpingwouldnothavewakenedhim.
IsentforKenneth,andhecame;butnottillthebeasthadchangedintocarrion:hewasbothdeadandcold,andstark;andsoyou’llallowitwasuselessmakingmorestirabouthim!”
Theoldservantconfirmedthisstatement,butmuttered:
“I’draytherhe’dgoanhisselnfort’doctor!Isudha’taentento’t’maisterbetternorhim—andhewarn’tdeeadwhenIleft,naughto’t’soart!”
Iinsistedonthefuneralbeingrespectable.
Mr.HeathcliffsaidImighthavemyownwaytheretoo;only,hedesiredmetorememberthatthemoneyforthewholeaffaircameoutofhispocket.
Hemaintainedahard,carelessdeportment,indicativeofneitherjoynorsorrow;ifanything,itexpressedaflintygratificationatapieceofdifficultworksuccessfullyexecuted.
Iobservedonce,indeed,somethinglikeexultationinhisaspect:itwasjustwhenthepeoplewerebearingthecoffinfromthehouse.
Hehadthehypocrisytorepresentamourner:andprevioustofollowingHareton,heliftedtheunfortunatechildontothetableandmuttered,withpeculiargusto,“Now,mybonnylad,youaremine!
Andwe’llseeifonetreewon’tgrowascrookedasanother,withthesamewindtotwistit!”
Theunsuspectingthingwaspleasedatthisspeech:heplayedwithHeathcliff’swhiskers,andstrokedhischeek;butIdivineditsmeaning,andobservedtartly,“ThatboymustgobackwithmetoThrushcrossGrange,sir.
Thereisnothingintheworldlessyoursthanheis!”
“DoesLintonsayso?”hedemanded.
“Ofcourse—hehasorderedmetotakehim,”Ireplied.
“Well,”saidthescoundrel,”we’llnotarguethesubjectnow:butIhaveafancytotrymyhandatrearingayoungone;sointimatetoyourmasterthatImustsupplytheplaceofthiswithmyown,ifheattempttoremoveit.
Idon’tengagetoletHaretongoundisputed;butI’llbeprettysuretomaketheothercome!Remembertotellhim.”
Thishintwasenoughtobindmyhands.Irepeateditssubstanceonmyreturn;andEdgarLinton,littleinterestedatthecommencement,spokenomoreofinterfering.
I’mnotawarethathecouldhavedoneittoanypurpose,hadhebeeneversowilling.
TheguestwasnowthemasterofWutheringHeights:heheldfirmpossession,andprovedtotheattorney—who,inhisturn,provedittoMr.Linton—thatEarnshawhadmortgagedeveryyardoflandheowned,forcashtosupplyhismaniaforgaming;andhe,Heathcliff,wasthemortgagee.
InthatmannerHareton,whoshouldnowbethefirstgentlemanintheneighbourhood,wasreducedtoastateofcompletedependenceonhisfather’sinveterateenemy;andlivesinhisownhouseasaservant,deprivedoftheadvantageofwages:quiteunabletorighthimself,becauseofhisfriendlessness,andhisignorancethathehasbeenwronged.
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