English
THETWELVEyears,continuedMrs.Dean,followingthatdismalperiod,werethehappiestofmylife:mygreatesttroublesintheirpassagerosefromourlittlelady’striflingillnesses,whichshehadtoexperienceincommonwithallchildren,richandpoor.
Fortherest,afterthefirstsixmonths,shegrewlikealarchandcouldwalkandtalktoo,inherownway,beforetheheathblossomedasecondtimeoverMrs.Linton’sdust.
Shewasthemostwinningthingthateverbroughtsunshineintoadesolatehouse:arealbeautyinface,withtheEarnshaw’shandsomedarkeyes,buttheLintons’fairskinandsmallfeatures,andyellowcurlinghair.
Herspiritwashigh,thoughnotrough,andqualifiedbyaheartsensitiveandlivelytoexcessinitsaffections.
Thatcapacityforintenseattachmentsremindedmeofhermother:stillshedidnotresembleher;forshecouldbesoftandmildasadove,andshehadagentlevoiceandpensiveexpression:herangerwasneverfurious;herloveneverfierce:itwasdeepandtender.
However,itmustbeacknowledged,shehadfaultstofoilhergifts.
Apropensitytobesaucywasone;andaperversewill,thatindulgedchildreninvariablyacquire,whethertheybegood-temperedorcross.
Ifaservantchancedtovexher,itwasalways—“Ishalltellpapa!”
Andifhereprovedher,evenbyalook,youwouldhavethoughtitaheartbreakingbusiness:Idon’tbelieveheeverdidspeakaharshwordtoher.
Hetookhereducationentirelyonhimself,andmadeitanamusement.
Fortunately,curiosityandaquickintellectmadeheranaptscholar:shelearnedrapidlyandeagerly,anddidhonourtohisteaching.
Tillshereachedtheageofthirteen,shehadnotoncebeenbeyondtherangeoftheparkbyherself.
Mr.Lintonwouldtakeherwithhimamileorsooutside,onrareoccasions;buthetrustedhertonooneelse.
Gimmertonwasanunsubstantialnameinherears;thechapel,theonlybuildingshehadapproachedorentered,exceptherownhome.
WutheringHeightsandMr.Heathcliffdidnotexistforher:shewasaperfectrecluse;and,apparently,perfectlycontented.
Sometimes,indeed,whilesurveyingthecountryfromhernurserywindow,shewouldobserve:
“Ellen,howlongwillitbebeforeIcanwalktothetopofthosehills?Iwonderwhatliesontheotherside—isitthesea?”
“No,MissCathy,”Iwouldanswer;“itishillsagain,justlikethese.”
“Andwhatarethosegoldenrockslikewhenyoustandunderthem?”sheonceasked.
TheabruptdescentofPenistonCragsparticularlyattractedhernotice;especiallywhenthesettingsunshoneonitandthetopmostheights,andthewholeextentoflandscapebesideslayinshadow.
Iexplainedthattheywerebaremassesofstone,withhardlyenoughearthintheircleftstonourishastuntedtree.
“Andwhyaretheybrightsolongafteritiseveninghere?”shepursued.
“Becausetheyareagreatdealhigherupthanweare,”repliedI;“youcouldnotclimbthem,theyaretoohighandsteep.
Inwinterthefrostisalwaystherebeforeitcomestous;anddeepintosummerIhavefoundsnowunderthatblackhollowonthenorth-eastside!”
“Oh,youhavebeenonthem!”shecriedgleefully.“ThenIcango,too,whenIamawoman.Haspapabeen,Ellen?”
“Papawouldtellyou,miss,”Iansweredhastily,“thattheyarenotworththetroubleofvisiting.
Themoors,whereyouramblewithhim,aremuchnicer;andThrushcrossParkisthefinestplaceintheworld.”
“ButIknowthepark,andIdon’tknowthose,”shemurmuredtoherself.“AndIshoulddelighttolookroundmefromthebrowofthattallestpoint:mylittleponyMinnyshalltakemesometime.”
OneofthemaidsmentioningtheFairyCave,quiteturnedherheadwithadesiretofulfilthisproject:sheteasedMr.Lintonaboutit;andhepromisedsheshouldhavethejourneywhenshegotolder.
ButMissCatherinemeasuredheragebymonths,and,“Now,amIoldenoughtogotoPenistonCrags?”wastheconstantquestioninhermouth.
TheroadthitherwoundclosebyWutheringHeights.
Edgarhadnotthehearttopassit;soshereceivedasconstantlytheanswer,“Notyet,love:notyet.”
IsaidMrs.Heathclifflivedaboutadozenyearsafterquittingherhusband.
Herfamilywereofadelicateconstitution:sheandEdgarbothlackedtheruddyhealththatyouwillgenerallymeetintheseparts.
Whatherlastillnesswas,Iamnotcertain:Iconjecture,theydiedofthesamething,akindoffever,slowatitscommencement,butincurable,andrapidlyconsuminglifetowardstheclose.
Shewrotetoinformherbrotheroftheprobableconclusionofafourmonths’indispositionunderwhichshehadsuffered,andentreatedhimtocometoher,ifpossible;forshehadmuchtosettle,andshewishedtobidhimadieu,anddeliverLintonsafelyintohishands.
Herhopewas,thatLintonmightbeleftwithhim,ashehadbeenwithher:hisfather,shewouldfainconvinceherself,hadnodesiretoassumetheburdenofhismaintenanceoreducation.
Mymasterhesitatednotamomentincomplyingwithherrequest:reluctantashewastoleavehomeatordinarycalls,heflewtoanswerthis;commendingCatherinetomypeculiarvigilance,inhisabsence,withreiteratedordersthatshemustnotwanderoutofthepark,evenundermyescort:hedidnotcalculateonhergoingunaccompanied.
Hewasawaythreeweeks.Thefirstdayortwo,mychargesatinacornerofthelibrary,toosadforeitherreadingorplaying:inthatquietstateshecausedmelittletrouble;butitwassucceededbyanintervalofimpatientfretfulweariness;andbeingtoobusy,andtoooldthen,torunupanddownamusingher,IhitonamethodbywhichshemightentertainherselfIusedtosendheronhertravelsroundthegrounds—nowonfoot,andnowonapony;indulgingherwithapatientaudienceofallherrealandimaginaryadventures,whenshereturned.
Thesummershoneinfullprime;andshetooksuchatasteforthissolitaryramblingthatsheoftencontrivedtoremainoutfrombreakfasttilltea;andthentheeveningswerespentinrecountingherfancifultales.
Ididnotfearherbreakingbounds;becausethegatesweregenerallylocked,andIthoughtshewouldscarcelyventureforthalone,iftheyhadstoodwideopen.
Unluckily,myconfidenceprovedmisplaced.
Catherinecametome,onemorning,ateighto’clock,andsaidshewasthatdayanArabianmerchant,goingtocrosstheDesertwithhiscaravan;andImustgiveherplentyofprovisionforherselfandbeasts:ahorse,andthreecamels,personatedbyalargehoundandacoupleofpointers.
Igottogetheragoodstoreofdainties,andslungtheminabasketononesideofthesaddle;andshesprangupasgayasafairy,shelteredbyherwide-brimmedhatandgauzeveilfromtheJulysun,andtrottedoffwithamerrylaugh,mockingmycautiouscounseltoavoidgalloping,andcomebackearly.
Thenaughtythingnevermadeherappearanceattea.
Onetraveller,thehound,beinganolddogandfondofitsease,returned;butneitherCathy,northepony,northetwopointerswerevisibleinanydirection:Idespatchedemissariesdownthispath,andthatpath,andatlastwentwanderinginsearchofhermyself.
Therewasalabourerworkingatafenceroundaplantation,onthebordersofthegroundsIenquiredofhimifhehadseenouryounglady.
“Isawheratmorn,”hereplied;“shewouldhavemetocutherahazelswitch,andthensheleaptherGallowayoverthehedgeyonder,whereitislowest,andgallopedoutofsight.”
YoumayguesshowIfeltathearingthisnews.
ItstruckmedirectlyshemusthavestartedforPenistonCrags.“Whatwillbecomeofher?”
Iejaculated,pushingthroughagapwhichthemanwasrepairing,andmakingstraightforthehighroad.
Iwalkedasifforawager,mileaftermile,tillaturnbroughtmeinviewoftheHeights;butnoCatherinecouldIdetectfarornear.
TheCragslieaboutamileandahalfbeyondMr.Heathcliff’splace,andthatisfourfromtheGrange,soIbegantofearnightwouldfallereIcouldreachthem.
“Andwhatifsheshouldhaveslippedinclamberingamongthem?”
Ireflected,“andbeenkilled,orbrokensomeofherbones?”
Mysuspensewastrulypainful;and,atfirst,itgavemedelightfulrelieftoobserve,inhurryingbythefarmhouse,Charlie,thefiercestofthepointers,lyingunderawindow,withswelledheadandbleedingear.
Iopenedthewicketandrantothedoor,knockingvehementlyforadmittance.
AwomanwhomIknew,andwhoformerlylivedatGimmerton,answered:shehadbeenservanttheresincethedeathofMr.Earnshaw.
“Ah,”saidshe,“youarecomeaseekingyourlittlemistress!don’tbefrightened.She’sheresafe:butI’mgladitisn’tthemaster.”
“Heisnotathomethen,ishe?”Ipanted,quitebreathlesswithquickwalkingandalarm.
“No,no,”shereplied:“bothheandJosephareoff,andIthinktheywon’treturnthishourormore.Stepinandrestyouabit.”
Ientered,andbeheldmystraylambseatedonthehearth,rockingherselfinalittlechairthathadbeenhermother’swhenachild.
Herhatwashungagainstthewall,andsheseemedperfectlyathome,laughingandchattering,inthebestspiritsimaginable,toHareton—nowagreat,strongladofeighteen—whostaredatherwithconsiderablecuriosityandastonishment:comprehendingpreciouslittleofthefluentsuccessionofremarksandquestionswhichhertongueneverceasedpouringforth.
“Verywell,miss!”Iexclaimed,concealingmyjoyunderanangrycountenance.“Thisisyourlastride,tillpapacomesback.I’llnottrustyouoverthethresholdagain,younaughty,naughtygirl!”
“Aha,Ellen!”shecriedgaily,jumpingupandrunningtomyside.“Ishallhaveaprettystorytotellto-night:andsoyou’vefoundmeout.Haveyoueverbeenhereinyourlifebefore?”
“Putthathaton,andhomeatonce,”saidI.“I’mdreadfullygrievedatyou,MissCathy:you’vedoneextremelywrong.
It’snousepoutingandcrying:thatwon’trepaythetroubleI’vehad,scouringthecountryafteryou.
TothinkhowMr.Lintonchargedmetokeepyouin;andyoustealingoffso!
itshowsyouareacunninglittlefox,andnobodywillputfaithinyouanymore.”
“WhathaveIdone?”sobbedshe,instantlychecked.“Papachargedmenothing:he’llnotscoldme,Ellen—he’snevercross,likeyou!”
“Come,come!”Irepeated.“I’lltietheriband.Now,letushavenopetulance.Oh,forshame!Youthirteenyearsold,andsuchababy!”
Thisexclamationwascausedbyherpushingthehatfromherhead,andretreatingtothechimneyoutofmyreach.
“Nay,”saidtheservant,“don’tbehardonthebonnylass,Mrs.Dean.
Wemadeherstop:she’dfainhaveriddenforwards,afeardyoushouldbeuneasy.
Haretonofferedtogowithher,andIthoughtheshould:it’sawildroadoverthehills.”
Hareton,duringthediscussion,stoodwithhishandsinhispockets,tooawkwardtospeak;thoughhelookedasifhedidnotrelishmyintrusion.
“HowlongamItowait?”Icontinued,disregardingthewoman’sinterference.“Itwillbedarkintenminutes.Whereisthepony,MissCathy?AndwhereisPhoenix?
Ishallleaveyou,unlessyoubequick;sopleaseyourself.”
“Theponyisintheyard,”shereplied,“andPhoenixisshutinthere.He’sbitten—andsoisCharlie.Iwasgoingtotellyouallaboutit;butyouareinabadtemper,anddon’tdeservetohear.”
Ipickedupherhat,andapproachedtoreinstateit;butperceivingthatthepeopleofthehousetookherpart,shecommencedcaperingroundtheroom;andonmygivingchase,ranlikeamouseoverandunderandbehindthefurniture,renderingitridiculousformetopursue.
Haretonandthewomanlaughed,andshejoinedthem,andwaxedmoreimpertinentstill;tillIcried,ingreatirritation:
“Well,MissCathy,ifyouwereawarewhosehousethisis,you’dbegladenoughtogetout.”
“It’syourfather’s,isn’tit?”saidshe,turningtoHareton.
“Nay,”hereplied,lookingdown,andblushingbashfully.Hecouldnotstandasteadygazefromhereyes,thoughtheywerejusthisown.
“Whosethen—yourmaster’s?”sheasked.
Hecoloureddeeper,withadifferentfeeling,mutteredanoath,andturnedaway.
“Whoishismaster?”continuedthetiresomegirl,appealingtome.
“Hetalkedabout‘ourhouse’and‘ourfolk.’Ithoughthehadbeentheowner’sson.
Andheneversaid,Miss;heshouldhavedone,shouldn’the,ifhe’saservant?”
Haretongrewblackasathundercloud,atthischildishspeech.Isilentlyshookmyquestioner,andatlastsucceededinequippingherfordeparture.
“Now,getmyhorse,”shesaid,addressingherunknownkinsmanasshewouldoneofthestable-boysattheGrange.“Andyoumaycomewithme.
Iwanttoseewherethegoblin-hunterrisesinthemarsh,andtohearaboutthefairishes,asyoucallthem:butmakehaste!What’sthematter?Getmyhorse,Isay.”
“I’llseetheedamnedbeforeIbethyservant!”growledthelad.
“You’llseemewhat?”askedCatherineinsurprise.
“Damned—thousaucywitch!”hereplied.
“There,MissCathy!youseeyouhavegotintoprettycompany,”Iinterposed.“Nicewordstobeusedtoayounglady!praydon’tbegintodisputewithhim.
Come,letusseekforMinnyourselves,andbegone.”
“But,Ellen,”criedshe,staring,fixedinastonishment,“howdarehespeaksotome?Mustn’thebemadetodoasIaskhim?Youwickedcreature,Ishalltellpapawhatyousaid.—Now,then!”
Haretondidnotappeartofeelthisthreat;sothetearssprangintohereyeswithindignation.“Youbringthepony,”sheexclaimed,turningtothewoman,“andletmydogfreethismoment!”
“Softly,miss,”answeredsheaddressed:“you’lllosenothingbybeingcivil.ThoughMr.Hareton,there,benotthemaster’sson,he’syourcousin;andIwasneverhiredtoserveyou.”
“Hemycousin!”criedCathy,withascornfullaugh.
“Yes,indeed,”respondedherreprover.
“Oh,Ellen!don’tletthemsaysuchthings,”shepursued,ingreattrouble.
“PapaisgonetofetchmycousinfromLondon:mycousinisagentleman’sson.
Thatmy”—shestopped,andweptoutright;upsetatthebarementionofrelationshipwithsuchaclown.
“Hush,hush!”Iwhispered,“peoplecanhavemanycousins,andofallsorts,MissCathy,withoutbeinganytheworseforit;onlytheyneedn’tkeeptheircompany,iftheybedisagreeableandbad.”
“He’snot—he’snotmycousin,Ellen!”shewenton,gatheringfreshgrieffromreflection,andflingingherselfintomyarmsforrefugefromtheidea.
Iwasmuchvexedatherandtheservantfortheirmutualrevelations;havingnodoubtofLinton’sapproachingarrival,communicatedbytheformer,beingreportedtoMr.Heathcliff;andfeelingasconfidentthatCatherine’sfirstthoughtonherfather’sreturn,wouldbetoseekanexplanationofthelatter’sassertionconcerningherrude-bredkindred.
Hareton,recoveringfromhisdisgustatbeingtakenforaservant,seemedmovedbyherdistress;and,havingfetchedtheponyroundtothedoor,hetook,topropitiateher,afinecrooked-leggedterrier-whelpfromthekennel,andputtingitintoherhandbidherwisht!forhemeantnought.
Pausinginherlamentations,shesurveyedhimwithaglanceofaweandhorror,thenburstforthanew.
Icouldscarcelyrefrainfromsmilingatthisantipathytothepoorfellow;whowasawell-made,athleticyouth,good-lookinginfeatures,andstoutandhealthy,butattiredingarmentsbefittinghisdailyoccupationsofworkingonthefarm,andloungingamongthemoorsafterrabbitsandgame.
Still,IthoughtIcoulddetectinhisphysiognomyamindowningbetterqualitiesthanhisfathereverpossessed.
Goodthingslostamidawildernessofweeds,tobesure,whoseranknessfarovertoppedtheirneglectedgrowth;yet,notwithstanding,evidenceofawealthysoil,thatmightyieldluxuriantcropsunderotherandfavourablecircumstances.
Mr.Heathcliff,Ibelieve,hadnottreatedhimphysicallyill;thankstohisfearlessnature,whichofferednotemptationtothatcourseofoppression:hehadnoneofthetimidsusceptibilitythatwouldhavegivenzesttoill-treatment,inHeathcliff’sjudgment.
Heappearedtohavebenthismalevolenceonmakinghimabrute:hewasnevertaughttoreadorwrite;neverrebukedforanybadhabitwhichdidnotannoyhiskeeper;neverledasinglesteptowardsvirtue,orguardedbyasinglepreceptagainstvice.
AndfromwhatIheard,Josephcontributedmuchtohisdeterioration,byanarrow-mindedpartialitywhichpromptedhimtoflatterandpethim,asaboy,becausehewastheheadoftheoldfamily.
AndashehadbeeninthehabitofaccusingCatherineEarnshawandHeathcliff,whenchildren,ofputtingthemasterpasthispatience,andcompellinghimtoseeksolaceindrinkbywhathetermedtheir“offalldways,”soatpresenthelaidthewholeburdenofHareton’sfaultsontheshouldersoftheusurperofhisproperty.
Iftheladswore,hewouldn’tcorrecthim;norhoweverculpablyhebehaved.
ItgaveJosephsatisfaction,apparently,towatchhimgotheworstlengths:heallowedthattheladwasruined:thathissoulwasabandonedtoperdition;butthen,hereflectedthatHeathcliffmustanswerforit.
Hareton’sbloodwouldberequiredathishands;andtherelayimmenseconsolationinthatthought.
Josephhadinstilledintohimaprideofname,andofhislineage;hewould,hadhedared,havefosteredhatebetweenhimandthepresentowneroftheHeights:buthisdreadofthatowneramountedtosuperstition;andheconfinedhisfeelingsregardinghimtomutteredinnuendoesandprivatecomminations.
Idon’tpretendtobeintimatelyacquaintedwiththemodeoflivingcustomaryinthosedaysatWutheringHeights:Ionlyspeakfromhearsay;forIsawlittle.
ThevillagersaffirmedMr.Heathcliffwasnear,andacruelhardlandlordtohistenants;butthehouse,inside,hadregaineditsancientaspectofcomfortunderfemalemanagement,andthescenesofriotcommoninHindley’stimewerenotnowenactedwithinitswalls.
Themasterwastoogloomytoseekcompanionshipwithanypeople,goodorbad;andheisyet.
This,however,isnotmakingprogresswithmystory.
MissCathyrejectedthepeace-offeringoftheterrier,anddemandedherowndogs,CharlieandPhoenix.
Theycamelimping,andhangingtheirheads;andwesetoutforhome,sadlyoutofsorts,everyoneofus.
Icouldnotwringfrommylittleladyhowshehadspenttheday;exceptthat,asIsupposed,thegoalofherpilgrimagewasPenistonCrags;andshearrivedwithoutadventuretothegateofthefarmhouse,whenHaretonhappenedtoissueforth,attendedbysomecaninefollowers,whoattackedhertrain.
Theyhadasmartbattle,beforetheirownerscouldseparatethem:thatformedanintroduction.
CatherinetoldHaretonwhoshewas,andwhereshewasgoing;andaskedhimtoshowhertheway:finally,beguilinghimtoaccompanyher.
HeopenedthemysteriesoftheFairyCave,andtwentyotherqueerplaces.
But,beingindisgrace,Iwasnotfavouredwithadescriptionoftheinterestingobjectsshesaw.
Icouldgather,however,thatherguidehadbeenafavouritetillshehurthisfeelingsbyaddressinghimasaservant;andHeathcliff’shousekeeperhurthersbycallinghimhercousin.
Thenthelanguagehehadheldtoherrankledinherheart;shewhowasalways“love,”and“darling,”and“queen,”and“angel,”witheverybodyattheGrange,tobeinsultedsoshockinglybyastranger!
Shedidnotcomprehendit;andhardworkIhadtoobtainapromisethatshewouldnotlaythegrievancebeforeherfather.
IexplainedhowheobjectedtothewholehouseholdattheHeights,andhowsorryhewouldbetofindshehadbeenthere;butIinsistedmostonthefact,thatifsherevealedmynegligenceofhisorders,hewouldperhapsbesoangry,thatIshouldhavetoleave;andCathycouldn’tbearthatprospect:shepledgedherword,andkeptit,formysake.Afterall,shewasasweetlittlegirl.
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