English
WEHADsadworkwithlittleCathythatday;sheroseinhighglee,eagertojoinhercousin,andsuchpassionatetearsandlamentationsfollowedthenewsofhisdeparture,thatEdgarhimselfwasobligedtosootheher,byaffirmingheshouldcomebacksoon:headded,however,“ifIcangethim”;andtherewerenohopesofthat.
Thispromisepoorlypacifiedher:buttimewasmorepotent;andthoughstillatintervalssheenquiredofherfatherwhenLintonwouldreturn,beforeshedidseehimagainhisfeatureshadwaxedsodiminhermemorythatshedidnotrecognizehim.
WhenIchancedtoencounterthehousekeeperofWutheringHeightsinpayingbusiness-visitstoGimmerton,Iusedtoaskhowtheyoungmastergoton;forhelivedalmostassecludedasCatherineherself,andwasnevertobeseen.
Icouldgatherfromherthathecontinuedinweakhealth,andwasatiresomeinmate.
ShesaidMr.Heathcliffseemedtodislikehimeverlongerandworse,thoughhetooksometroubletoconcealit:hehadanantipathytothesoundofhisvoice,andcouldnotdoatallwithhissittinginthesameroomwithhimmanyminutestogether.
Thereseldompassedmuchtalkbetweenthem:Lintonlearnthislessonsandspenthiseveningsinasmallapartmenttheycalledtheparlour:orelselayinbedallday:forhewasconstantlygettingcoughs,andcolds,andaches,andpainsofsomesort.
“AndIneverknewsuchafaint-heartedcreature,”addedthewoman;“noronesocarefulofhisseln.
Hewillgoon,ifIleavethewindowopenabitlateintheevening.Oh!it’skilling!abreathofnightair!
Andhemusthaveafireinthemiddleofsummer;andJoseph’sbaccapipeispoison;andhemustalwayshavesweetsanddainties,andalwaysmilk,milkforever—heedingnaughthowtherestofusarepinchedinwinter;andtherehe’llsit,wrappedinhisfurredcloakinhischairbythefire,withsometoastandwaterorothersloponthehobtosipat;andifHareton,forpity,comestoamusehim—Haretonisnotbad-natured,thoughhe’srough—they’resuretopart,oneswearingandtheothercrying.
IbelievethemasterwouldrelishEarnshaw’sthrashinghimtoamummy,ifhewerenothisson;andI’mcertainhewouldbefittoturnhimoutofdoors,ifheknewhalfthenursinghegiveshisseln.
Butthen,hewon’tgointodangeroftemptation:heneverenterstheparlour,andshouldLintonshowthosewaysinthehousewhereheis,hesendshimupstairsdirectly.”
Idivined,fromthisaccount,thatutterlackofsympathyhadrenderedyoungHeathcliffselfishanddisagreeable,ifhewerenotsooriginally;andmyinterestinhim,consequently,decayed:thoughstillIwasmovedwithasenseofgriefathislot,andawishthathehadbeenleftwithus.
Mr.Edgarencouragedmetogaininformation:hethoughtagreatdealabouthim,Ifancy,andwouldhaverunsomerisktoseehim;andhetoldmeoncetoaskthehousekeeperwhetherheevercameintothevillage?
Shesaidhehadonlybeentwice,onhorseback,accompanyinghisfather,andbothtimeshepretendedtobequiteknockedupforthreeorfourdaysafterwards.
Thehousekeeperleft,ifIrecollectrightly,twoyearsafterhecame;andanother,whomIdidnotknow,washersuccessor:shelivestherestill.
TimeworeonattheGrangeinitsformerpleasantway,tillMissCathyreachedsixteen.
Ontheanniversaryofherbirthwenevermanifestedanysignsofrejoicing,becauseitwasalsotheanniversaryofmylatemistress’sdeath.
Herfatherinvariablyspentthatdayaloneinthelibrary;andwalked,atdusk,asfarasGimmertonkirkyard,wherehewouldfrequentlyprolonghisstaybeyondmidnight.
ThereforeCatherinewasthrownonherownresourcesforamusement.
This20thofMarchwasabeautifulspringday,andwhenherfatherhadretired,myyoungladycamedowndressedforgoingout,andsaidsheaskedtohavearambleontheedgeofthemoorwithme:Mr.Lintonhadgivenherleave,ifwewentonlyashortdistanceandwerebackwithinthehour.
“Somakehaste,Ellen!”shecried.“IknowwhereIwishtogo;whereacolonyofmoorgamearesettled:Iwanttoseewhethertheyhavemadetheirnestsyet.”
“Thatmustbeagooddistanceup,”Ianswered;“theydon’tbreedontheedgeofthemoor.”
“No,it’snot,”shesaid.“I’vegoneverynearwithpapa.”
Iputonmybonnetandsalliedout,thinkingnothingmoreofthematter.
Sheboundedbeforeme,andreturnedtomyside,andwasoffagainlikeayounggreyhound;and,atfirst,Ifoundplentyofentertainmentinlisteningtothelarkssingingfarandnear,andenjoyingthesweet,warmsunshine;andwatchingher,mypet,andmydelight,withhergoldenringletsflyingloosebehindandherbrightcheek,assoftandpureinitsbloomasawildrose,andhereyesradiantwithcloudlesspleasure.
Shewasahappycreature,andanangel,inthosedays.It’sapityshecouldnotbecontent.
“Well,”saidI,“whereareyourmoor-game,MissCathy?Weshouldbeatthem:theGrangepark-fenceisagreatwayoffnow.”
“Ohalittlefurther—onlyalittlefurther,Ellen,”washeranswercontinually.“Climbtothathillock,passthatbankandbythetimeyoureachtheothersideIshallhaveraisedthebirds.”
Butthereweresomanyhillocksandbankstoclimbandpass,that,atlength,Ibegantobeweary,andtoldherwemusthalt,andretraceoursteps,Ishoutedtoherasshehadoutstrippedmealongway;sheeitherdidnothearordidnotregardforshestillsprangon,andIwascompelledtofollow.
Finally,shedivedintoahollow;andbeforeIcameinsightofheragain,shewastwomilesnearerWutheringHeightsthanherownhome;andIbeheldacoupleofpersonsarresther,oneofwhomIfeltconvincedwasMr.Heathcliffhimself.
Cathyhadbeencaughtintheactofplundering,oratleast,huntingoutthenestsofthegrouse.TheHeightswereHeathcliff’sland,andhewasreprovingthepoacher.
“I’veneithertakenanynorfoundany,”shesaid,asItoiledtothem,expandingherhandsincorroborationofthestatement.
“Ididn’tmeantotakethem;butpapatoldmetherewerequantitiesuphere,andIwishedtoseetheeggs.”
Heathcliffglancedatmewithanill-meaningsmile,expressinghisacquaintancewiththeparty,and,consequently,hismalevolencetowardsit,anddemandedwho“papa”was.
“Mr.LintonofThrushcrossGrange,”shereplied.“Ithoughtyoudidnotknowme,oryouwouldn’thavespokeninthatway.”
“Yousupposepapaishighlyesteemedandrespectedthen?”hesaidsarcastically.
“Andwhatareyou?”enquiredCatherine,gazingcuriouslyonthespeaker.“ThatmanI’veseenbefore.Isheyourson?”
ShepointedtoHareton,theotherindividual,whohadgainednothingbutincreasedbulkandstrengthbytheadditionoftwoyearstohisage:heseemedasawkwardandroughasever.
“MissCathy,”Iinterrupted,“itwillbethreehoursinsteadofonethatweareout,presently.Wereallymustgoback.”
“No,thatmanisnotmyson,”answeredHeathcliff,pushingmeaside.
“ButIhaveone,andyouhaveseenhimbeforetoo;and,thoughyournurseisinahurry,Ithinkbothyouandshewouldbethebetterforalittlerest.
Willyoujustturnthisnabofheath,andwalkintomyhouse?
You’llgethomeearlierfortheease;andyoushallreceiveakindwelcome.”
IwhisperedtoCatherinethatshemusn’t,onmyaccount,accedetotheproposal:itwasentirelyoutofthequestion.“Why?”sheasked,aloud.
“I’mtiredofrunning,andthegroundisdewy:Ican’tsithere.Letusgo,Ellen.Besides,hesaysIhaveseenhisson.
He’smistaken,Ithink;butIguesswherehelives:atthefarmhouseIvisitedincomingfromPenistonCrags.Don’tyou?”
“Ido.Come,Nelly,holdyourtongue—itwillbeatreatforhertolookinonus.Hareton,getforwardswiththelass.Youshallwalkwithme,Nelly.”
“No,she’snotgoingtoanysuchplace,”Icried,strugglingtoreleasemyarm,whichhehadseized:butshewasalmostatthedoor-stonesalready,scamperingroundthebrowatfullspeed.
Herappointedcompaniondidnotpretendtoescorther:heshiedoffbytheroad-sideandvanished.
“Mr.Heathcliff,it’sverywrong,”Icontinued:“youknowyoumeannogood.Andthereshe’llseeLinton,andallwillbetoldassoonaseverwereturn;andIshallhavetheblame.”
“IwanthertoseeLinton,”heanswered;“he’slookingbetterthesefewdays:it’snotoftenhe’sfittobeseen.Andwe’llsoonpersuadehertokeepthevisitsecret:whereistheharmofit?”
“Theharmofitis,thatherfatherwouldhatemeifhefoundIsufferedhertoenteryourhouse;andIamconvincedyouhaveabaddesigninencouraginghertodoso,”Ireplied.
“Mydesignisashonestaspossible.I’llinformyouofitswholescope,”hesaid.
“Thatthetwocousinsmayfallinlove,andgetmarried.
I’mactinggenerouslytoyourmaster:hisyoungchithasnoexpectations,andshouldshesecondmywishes,she’llbeprovidedforatonceasjointsuccessorwithLinton.”
“IfLintondied,”Ianswered,“andhislifeisquiteuncertain,Catherinewouldbetheheir.”
“No,shewouldnot,”hesaid.“Thereisnoclauseinthewilltosecureitso:hispropertywouldgotome;but,topreventdisputes,Idesiretheirunion,andamresolvedtobringitabout.”
“AndI’mresolvedsheshallneverapproachyourhousewithmeagain,”Ireturned,aswereachedthegate,whereMissCathywaitedourcoming.
Heathcliffbademebequiet;and,precedingusupthepath,hastenedtoopenthedoor.
Myyoungladygavehimseverallooks,asifshecouldnotexactlymakeuphermindwhattothinkofhim;butnowhesmiledwhenhemethereye,andsoftenedhisvoiceinaddressingher;andIwasfoolishenoughtoimaginethememoryofhermothermightdisarmhimfromdesiringherinjury.Lintonstoodonthehearth.
Hehadbeenoutwalkinginthefields,forhiscapwason,andhewascallingtoJosephtobringhimdryshoes.
Hehadgrowntallofhisage,stillwantingsomemonthsofsixteen.
Hisfeatureswereprettyyet,andhiseyeandcomplexionbrighterthanIrememberedthem,thoughwithmerelytemporarylustreborrowedfromthesalubriousairandgenialsun.
“Now,whoisthat?”askedMr.Heathcliff,turningtoCathy.“Canyoutell?”
“Yourson?”shesaid,havingdoubtfullysurveyed,firstoneandthentheother.
“Yes,yes,”answeredhe:“butisthistheonlytimeyouhavebeheldhim?Think!Ah!youhaveashortmemory.Linton,don’tyourecallyourcousin,thatyouusedtoteaseussowithwishingtosee?”
“What,Linton!”criedCathy,kindlingintojoyfulsurpriseatthename.“IsthatlittleLinton?He’stallerthanIam!AreyouLinton?”
Theyouthsteppedforward,andacknowledgedhimself:shekissedhimfervently,andtheygazedwithwonderatthechangetimehadwroughtintheappearanceofeach.
Catherinehadreachedherfullheight;herfigurewasbothplumpandslender,elasticassteel,andherwholeaspectsparklingwithhealthandspirits.
Linton’slooksandmovementswereverylanguid,andhisformextremelyslight;buttherewasagraceinhismannerthatmitigatedthesedefects,andrenderedhimnotunpleasing.
Afterexchangingnumerousmarksoffondnesswithhim,hiscousinwenttoMr.Heathcliff,wholingeredbythedoor,dividinghisattentionbetweentheobjectsinsideandthosethatlaywithout:pretending,thatis,toobservethelatter,andreallynotingtheformeralone.
“Andyouaremyuncle,then!”shecried,reachinguptosalutehim.
“IthoughtIlikedyou,thoughyouwerecrossatfirst.
Whydon’tyouvisitattheGrangewithLinton?
Tolivealltheseyearssuchcloseneighbours,andneverseeus,isodd:whathaveyoudonesofor?”
“Ivisiteditonceortwicetoooftenbeforeyouwereborn,”heanswered.“There—damnit!Ifyouhaveanykissestospare,givethemtoLinton:theyarethrownawayonme.”
“NaughtyEllen!”exclaimedCatherine,flyingtoattackmenextwithherlavishcaresses.“WickedEllen!totrytohindermefromentering.
ButI’lltakethiswalkeverymorninginfuture:mayI,uncle?andsometimesbringpapa.Won’tyoubegladtoseeus?”
“Ofcourse!”repliedtheuncle,withahardlysuppressedgrimace,resultingfromhisdeepaversiontoboththeproposedvisitors.
“Butstay,”hecontinued,turningtowardstheyounglady.
“NowIthinkofit,I’dbettertellyou.
Mr.Lintonhasaprejudiceagainstme:wequarrelledatonetimeofourlives,withunchristianferocity;and,ifyoumentioncomingheretohim,he’llputavetoonyourvisitsaltogether.
Therefore,youmustnotmentionit,unlessyoubecarelessofseeingyourcousinhereafter:youmaycome,ifyouwill,butyoumustnotmentionit.”
“Whydidyouquarrel?”askedCatherine,considerablycrestfallen.
“Hethoughtmetoopoortowedhissister,”answeredHeathcliff,“andwasgrievedthatIgother:hispridewashurt,andhe’llneverforgiveit.”
“That’swrong!”saidtheyounglady:“sometime,I’lltellhimso.ButLintonandIhavenoshareinyourquarrel.I’llnotcomehere,then;heshallcometotheGrange.”
“Itwillbetoofarforme,”murmuredhercousin:“towalkfourmileswouldkillme.No,comehere,MissCatherine,nowandthen:noteverymorning,butonceortwiceaweek.”
Thefatherlaunchedtowardshissonaglanceofbittercontempt.
“Iamafraid,Nelly,Ishalllosemylabour,”hemutteredtome.
“MissCatherine,astheninnycallsher,willdiscoverhisvalue,andsendhimtothedevil.NowifithadbeenHareton!
—Doyouknowthat,twentytimesaday,IcovetHareton,withallhisdegradation?
I’dhavelovedtheladhadhebeensomeoneelse.ButIthinkhe’ssafefromherlove.
I’llpithimagainstthatpaltrycreature,unlessitbestiritselfbriskly.
Wecalculateitwillscarcelylasttillitiseighteen.Oh,confoundthevapidthing!
He’sabsorbedindryinghisfeet,andneverlooksather—Linton!”
“Yes,father,”answeredtheboy.
“Haveyounothingtoshowyourcousinanywhereabout?notevenarabbitoraweasel’snest?Takeherintothegarden,beforeyouchangeyourshoes;andintothestabletoseeyourhorse.”
“Wouldn’tyourathersithere?”askedLinton,addressingCathyinatonewhichexpressedreluctancetomoveagain.
“Idon’tknow,”shereplied,castingalonginglooktothedoor,andevidentlyeagertobeactive.
Hekepthisseat,andshrankclosertothefire.
Heathcliffrose,andwentintothekitchen,andfromthencetotheyard,callingoutforHareton.
Haretonresponded,andpresently,thetwore-entered.
Theyoungmanhadbeenwashinghimselfaswasvisiblebytheglowonhischeeksandhiswettedhair.
“Oh,I’llaskyou,uncle,”criedMissCathy,recollectingthehousekeeper’sassertion.“Thatisnotmycousin,ishe?”
“Yes,”hereplied,“yourmother’snephew.Don’tyoulikehim?”
Catherinelookedqueer.
“Ishenotahandsomelad?”hecontinued.
Theuncivillittlethingstoodontiptoe,andwhisperedasentenceinHeathcliff’sear.
Helaughed;Haretondarkened:Iperceivedhewasverysensitivetosuspectedslights,andhadobviouslyadimnotionofhisinferiority.
Buthismasterorguardianchasedthefrownbyexclaiming:
“You’llbethefavouriteamongus,Hareton!Shesaysyouarea—Whatwasit?Well,somethingveryflattering.Here!yougowithherroundthefarm.Andbehavelikeagentleman,mind!
Don’tuseanybadwords;anddon’tstarewhentheyoungladyisnotlookingatyou,andbereadytohideyourfacewhensheis;and,whenyouspeak,sayyourwordsslowlyandkeepyourhandsoutofyourpockets.
Beoff,andentertainherasnicelyasyoucan.”
Hewatchedthecouplewalkingpastthewindow.
Earnshawhadhiscountenancecompletelyavertedfromhiscompanion.
Heseemedstudyingthefamiliarlandscapewithastranger’sandanartist’sinterest.
Catherinetookaslylookathim,expressingsmalladmiration.
Shethenturnedherattentiontoseekingoutobjectsofamusementforherself,andtrippedmerrilyon,liltingatunetosupplythelackofconversation.
“I’vetiedhistongue,”observedHeathcliff.
“He’llnotventureasinglesyllable,allthetime!
Nelly,yourecollectmeathisage—nay,someyearsyounger.
DidIeverlooksostupid,so‘gaumless,’asJosephcallsit?”
“Worse,”Ireplied,“becausemoresullenwithit.”
“I’veapleasureinhim,”hecontinued,reflectingaloud.“Hehassatisfiedmyexpectations.
IfhewereabornfoolIshouldnotenjoyithalfsomuch.
Buthe’snofool;andIcansympathisewithallhisfeelings,havingfeltthemmyself.
Iknowwhathesuffersnow,forinstance,exactly:itismerelyabeginningofwhatheshallsuffer,though.
Andhe’llneverbeabletoemergefromhisbathosofcoarsenessandignorance.
I’vegothimfasterthanhisscoundrelofafathersecuredme,andlower;forhetakesprideinhisbrutishness.
I’vetaughthimtoscorneverythingextra-animalassillyandweak.
Don’tyouthinkHindleywouldbeproudofhisson,ifhecouldseehim?almostasproudasIamofmine.
Butthere’sthisdifference;oneisgoldputtotheuseofpaving-stones,andtheotheristinpolishedtoapeaserviceofsilver.
Minehasnothingvaluableaboutit;yetIshallhavethemeritofmakingitgoasfarassuchpoorstuffcango.
Hishadfirst-ratequalities,andtheyarelost:renderedworsethanunavailing.
Ihavenothingtoregret;HewouldhavemorethananybutIareawareof.
Andthebestofitis,Haretonisdamnablyfondofme!
You’llownthatI’veoutmatchedHindleythere.
Ifthedeadvillaincouldrisefromhisgravetoabusemeforhisoffspring’swrongs,Ishouldhavethefunofseeingthesaidoffspringfighthimbackagain,indignantthatheshoulddaretorailattheonefriendhehasintheworld!”
Heathcliffchuckledafiendishlaughattheidea.
Imadenoreply,becauseIsawthatheexpectednone.
Meantime,ouryoungcompanion,whosattooremovedfromustohearwhatwassaid,begantoevincesymptomsofuneasiness,probablyrepentingthathehaddeniedhimselfthetreatofCatherine’ssocietyforfearofalittlefatigue.
Hisfatherremarkedtherestlessglanceswanderingtothewindow,andthehandirresolutelyextendedtowardshiscap.
“Getup,youidleboy!”heexclaimed,withassumedheartiness.“Awayafterthem!theyarejustatthecornerbythestandofhives.”
Lintongatheredhisenergies,andleftthehearth.
Thelatticewasopen,and,ashesteppedout,IheardCathyinquiringofherunsociableattendant,whatwasthatinscriptionoverthedoor?
Haretonstaredup,andscratchedhisheadlikeatrueclown.
“It’ssomedamnablewriting,”heanswered.“Icannotreadit.”
“Can’treadit?”criedCatherine;“Icanreadit:it’sEnglish.ButIwanttoknowwhyitisthere.”
Lintongiggled:thefirstappearanceofmirthhehadexhibited.
“Hedoesnotknowhisletters,”hesaidtohiscousin.“Couldyoubelieveintheexistenceofsuchacolossaldunce?”
“Isheallasheshouldbe?”askedMissCathyseriously;“orishesimple:notright?
I’vequestionedhimtwicenow,andeachtimehelookedsostupidIthinkhedoesnotunderstandme.Icanhardlyunderstandhim,I’msure!”
Lintonrepeatedhislaugh,andglancedatHaretontauntingly;whocertainlydidnotseemquiteclearofcomprehensionatthatmoment.
“There’snothingthematterbutlaziness;isthere,Earnshaw?”hesaid.“Mycousinfanciesyouareanidiot.
Thereyouexperiencetheconsequencesofscorning‘book-larning,’asyouwouldsay.
Haveyounoticed,Catherine,hisfrightfulYorkshirepronunciation?”
“Why,wherethedevilistheuseon’t?”growledHareton,morereadyinansweringhisdailycompanion.
Hewasabouttoenlargefurther,butthetwoyoungstersbrokeintoanoisyfitofmerriment;mygiddymissbeingdelightedtodiscoverthatshemightturnhisstrangetalktomatterofamusement.
“Whereistheuseofthedevilinthatsentence?”titteredLinton.“papatoldyounottosayanybadwords,andyoucan’topenyourmouthwithoutone.Dotrytobehavelikeagentleman,nowdo!”
“Ifyouweren’tmorealassthanalad,I’dfelltheethisminute,Iwould;pitifullathofacrater!”
retortedtheangryboor,retreating,whilehisfaceburntwithmingledrageandmortification;forhewasconsciousofbeinginsulted,andembarrassedhowtoresentit.
Mr.Heathcliffhavingoverheardtheconversation,aswellasI,smiledwhenhesawhimgo;butimmediatelyafterwardscastalookofsingularaversionontheflippantpair,whoremainedchatteringinthedoorway:theboyfindinganimationenoughwhilediscussingHareton’sfaultsanddeficiencies,andrelatinganecdotesofhisgoings-on;andthegirlrelishinghispertandspitefulsayings,withoutconsideringtheill-naturetheyevinced.
Ibegantodislike,morethantocompassionateLinton,andtoexcusehisfather,insomemeasure,forholdinghimcheap.
Westayedtillafternoon:IcouldnottearMissCathyawaysooner;buthappilymymasterhadnotquittedhisapartment,andremainedignorantofourprolongedabsence.
Aswewalkedhome,Iwouldfainhaveenlightenedmychargeonthecharactersofthepeoplewehadquitted;butshegotitintoherheadthatIwasprejudicedagainstthem.
“Aha!”shecried,“youtakepapa’sside,Ellen:youarepartial,Iknow;orelseyouwouldn’thavecheatedmesomanyyearsintothenotionthatLintonlivedalongwayfromhere.
I’mreallyextremelyangry;onlyI’msopleasedIcan’tshowit!
Butyoumustholdyourtongueaboutmyuncle:he’smyuncle,remember;andI’llscoldpapaforquarrellingwithhim.”
Andsosheranon,tillIrelinquishedtheendeavourtoconvinceherofhermistake.
Shedidnotmentionthevisitthatnight,becauseshedidnotseeMr.Linton.
Nextdayitallcameout,sadlytomychagrin;andstillIwasnotaltogethersorry:Ithoughttheburdenofdirectingandwarningwouldbemoreefficientlybornebyhimthanme.
ButhewastootimidingivingsatisfactoryreasonsforhiswishthatsheshouldshunconnectionwiththehouseholdoftheHeights,andCatherinelikedgoodreasonsforeveryrestraintthatharassedherpettedwill.
“Papa!”sheexclaimed,afterthemorningssalutations,“guesswhomIsawyesterday,inmywalkonthemoors.Ah,papa,youstarted!you’venotdoneright,haveyou,now?
Isaw—ButlistenandyoushallhearhowIfoundyouout;andEllen,whoisinleaguewithyou,andyetpretendedtopitymeso,whenIkepthoping,andwasalwaysdisappointedaboutLinton’scomingback!”
Shegaveafaithfulaccountofherexcursionanditsconsequences;andmymaster,thoughhecastmorethanonereproachfullookatme,saidnothingtillshehadconcluded.
Thenhedrewhertohim,andaskedifsheknewwhyhehadconcealedLinton’snearneighbourhoodfromher.
Couldshethinkitwastodenyherapleasurethatshemightharmlesslyenjoy?
“ItwasbecauseyoudislikedMr.Heathcliff,”sheanswered.
“ThenyoubelieveIcaremoreformyownfeelingsthanyours,Cathy?”hesaid.
“No,itwasnotbecauseIdislikedMr.Heathcliff,butbecauseMr.Heathcliffdislikesme;andisamostdiabolicalman,delightingtowrongandruinthosehehates,iftheygivehimtheslightestopportunity.
Iknewthatyoucouldnotkeepupanacquaintancewithyourcousin,withoutbeingbroughtintocontactwithhim;andIknewhewoulddetestyouonmyaccount;soforyourowngood,andnothingelse,ItookprecautionsthatyoushouldnotseeLintonagain.
Imeanttoexplainthissometimeasyougrewolder,andI’msorryIdelayedit.”
“ButMr.Heathcliffwasquitecordial,papa,”observedCatherine,notatallconvinced;“andhedidn’tobjecttoourseeingeachother:hesaidImightcometohishousewhenIpleased;onlyImustnottellyou,becauseyouhadquarrelledwithhim,andwouldnotforgivehimformarryingAuntIsabella.Andyouwon’t.
Youaretheonetobeblamed:heiswillingtoletusbefriends,atleast;LintonandI,andyouarenot.”
Mymaster,perceivingthatshewouldnottakehiswordforheruncle-in-law’sevildisposition,gaveahastysketchofhisconducttoIsabella,andthemannerinwhichWutheringHeightsbecamehisproperty.
Hecouldnotbeartodiscourselonguponthetopic;forthoughhespokelittleofit,hestillfeltthesamehorroranddetestationofhisancientenemythathadoccupiedhishearteversinceMrs.Linton’sdeath.
“Shemighthavebeenlivingyet,ifithadnotbeenforhim!”
washisconstantbitterreflection;andinhiseyes,Heathcliffseemedamurderer.
MissCathy—conversantwithnobaddeedsexceptherownslightactsofdisobedience,injustice,andpassion,arisingfromhottemperandthoughtlessness,andrepentedofonthedaytheywerecommitted—wasamazedattheblacknessofspiritthatcouldbroodonandcoverrevengeforyears,anddeliberatelyprosecuteitsplanswithoutavisitationofremorse.
Sheappearedsodeeplyimpressedandshockedatthisnewviewofhumannature—excludedfromallherstudiesandallherideastillnow—thatMr.Edgardeemeditunnecessarytopursuethesubject.Hemerelyadded:
“Youwillknowhereafter,darling,whyIwishyoutoavoidhishouseandfamily;nowreturntoyouroldemploymentsandamusements,andthinknomoreaboutthem.”
Catherinekissedherfatherandsatdownquietlytoherlessonsforacoupleofhours,accordingtocustom;thensheaccompaniedhimintothegrounds,andthewholedaypassedasusual:butintheevening,whenshehadretiredtoherroom,andIwenttohelphertoundress,Ifoundhercrying,onherkneesbythebedside.
“Oh,fie,sillychild!”Iexclaimed.
“Ifyouhadanyrealgriefs,you’dbeashamedtowasteatearonthislittlecontrariety.
Youneverhadoneshadowofsubstantialsorrow,MissCatherine.
Suppose,foraminute,thatmasterandIweredead,andyouwerebyyourselfintheworld:howwouldyoufeelthen?
Comparethepresentoccasionwithsuchanafflictionasthat,andbethankfulforthefriendsyouhaveinsteadofcovetingmore.”
“I’mnotcryingformyself,Ellen,”sheanswered,“it’sforhim.Heexpectedtoseemeagainto-morrow,andtherehe’llbesodisappointed:andhe’llwaitforme,andIshan’tcome!”
“Nonsense,”saidI,“doyouimaginehehasthoughtasmuchofyouasyouhaveofhim?Hasn’theHaretonforacompanion?
Notoneinahundredwouldweepatlosingarelationtheyhadjustseentwice,fortwoafternoons.
Lintonwillconjecturehowitis,andtroublehimselfnofurtheraboutyou.”
“ButmayInotwriteanotetotellhimwhyIcannotcome?”sheasked,risingtoherfeet.
“AndjustsendthosebooksIpromisedtolendhim?
Hisbooksarenotasniceasmine,andhewantedtohavethemextremely,whenItoldhimhowinterestingtheywere.MayInot,Ellen?”
“No,indeed!no,indeed!”repliedI,withdecision.
“Thenhewouldwritetoyou,andthere’dneverbeanendofit.
No,MissCatherine,theacquaintancemustbedroppedentirely:sopapaexpects,andIshallseethatitisdone.”
“Buthowcanonelittlenote-”sherecommenced,puttingonanimploringcountenance.
“Silence!”Iinterrupted.“We’llnotbeginwithyourlittlenotes.Getintobed.”
Shethrewatmeaverynaughtylook,sonaughtythatIwouldnotkisshergood-nightatfirst:Icoveredherup,andshutherdoor,ingreatdispleasure;butrepentinghalfway,Ireturnedsoftly,andlo!
therewasmissstandingatthetablewithabitofblankpaperbeforeherandapencilinherhand,whichsheguiltilyslippedoutofsight,onmyentrance.
“You’llgetnobodytotakethat,Catherine,”Isaid,“ifyouwriteit;andatpresentIshallputoutyourcandle.
Isettheextinguisherontheflame,receivingasIdidsoaslaponmyhand,andapetulant“Crossthing!”
Ithenquittedheragain,andshedrewtheboltinoneofherworst,mostpeevishhumours.
Theletterwasfinishedandforwardedtoitsdestinationbyamilk-fetcherwhocamefromthevillage:butthatIdidn’tlearntillsometimeafterwards.
Weekspassedon,andCathyrecoveredhertemper;thoughshegrewwondrousfondofstealingofftocornersbyherself;andoften,ifIcamenearhersuddenlywhilereadingshewouldstartandbendoverthebook,evidentlydesiroustohideit;andIdetectededgesofloosepaperstickingoutbeyondtheleaves.
Shealsogotatrickofcomingdownearlyinthemorningandlingeringaboutthekitchen,asifshewereexpectingthearrivalofsomething:andshehadasmalldrawerinacabinetinthelibrary,whichshewouldtrifleoverforhours,andwhosekeyshetookspecialcaretoremovewhensheleftit.
Oneday,assheinspectedthisdrawer,Iobservedthattheplay-things,andtrinketswhichrecentlyformeditscontents,weretransmutedintobitsoffoldedpaper.
Mycuriosityandsuspicionswerearoused;Ideterminedtotakeapeepathermysterioustreasures;so,atnight,assoonassheandmymasterweresafeupstairs,Isearchedandreadilyfoundamongmyhouse-keysonethatwouldfitthelock.
Havingopened,Iemptiedthewholecontentsintomyapron,andtookthemwithmetoexamineatleisureinmyownchamber.
ThoughIcouldnotbutsuspect,Iwasstillsurprisedtodiscoverthattheywereamassofcorrespondence—dailyalmost,itmusthavebeenfromLintonHeathcliff:answerstodocumentsforwardedbyher.
Theearlierdatedwereembarrassedandshort;gradually,however,theyexpandedintocopiousloveletters,foolish,astheageofthewriterrenderednatural,yetwithtoucheshereandtherewhichIthoughtwereborrowedfromamoreexperiencedsource.
Someofthemstruckmeassingularlyoddcompoundsofardourandflatness;commencinginstrongfeeling,andconcludingintheaffected,wordystylethataschoolboymightusetoafancied,incorporealsweetheart.
WhethertheysatisfiedCathy,Idon’tknow;buttheyappearedveryworthlesstrashtome.
AfterturningoverasmanyasIthoughtproper,Itiedtheminahandkerchiefandsetthemaside,relockingthevacantdrawer.
Followingherhabit,myyoungladydescendedearly,andvisitedthekitchen:Iwatchedhergotothedoor,onthearrivalofacertainlittleboy;and,whilethedairymaidfilledhiscan,shetuckedsomethingintohisjacketpocket,andpluckedsomethingout.
Iwentroundbythegarden,andlaidwaitforthemessenger;whofoughtvalorouslytodefendhistrust,andwespiltthemilkbetweenus;butIsucceededinabstractingtheepistle;and,threateningseriousconsequencesifhedidnotlooksharphome,IremainedunderthewallandperusedMissCathy’saffectionatecomposition.
Itwasmoresimpleandmoreeloquentthanhercousin’s;veryprettyandverysilly.
Ishookmyheadandwentmeditatingintothehouse.
Thedaybeingwet,shecouldnotdivertherselfwithramblingaboutthepark;so,attheconclusionofhermorningstudies,sheresortedtothesolaceofthedrawer.
Herfathersatreadingatthetable;andI,onpurpose,hadsoughtabitofworkinsomeunrippedfringesofthewindowcurtain,keepingmyeyesteadilyfixedonherproceedings.
Neverdidanybirdflyingbacktoaplunderednestwhichithadleftbrimfulofchirpingyoungones,expressmorecompletedespairinitsanguishedcriesandflutterings,thanshebyhersingle“Oh!”
andthechangethattransfiguredherlatehappycountenance.
Mr.Lintonlookedup.
“Whatisthematter,love?Haveyouhurtyourself?”hesaid.
Histoneandlookassuredherhehadnotbeenthediscovererofthehoard.
“No,papa!”shegasped.“Ellen!Ellen!comeupstairs—I’msick!”
Iobeyedhersummons,andaccompaniedherout.
“Oh,Ellen!youhavegotthem,”shecommencedimmediately,droppingonherknees,whenwewereenclosedalone.
“Oh,givethemtome,andI’llnever,neverdosoagain!Don’ttellpapa.Youhavenottoldpapa,Ellen?sayyouhavenot?
I’vebeenexceedinglynaughty,butIwon’tdoitanymore!”
Withagraveseverityinmymanner,Ibadeherstandup.
“So,”Iexclaimed,“MissCatherine,youaretolerablyfaron,itseems:youmaywellbeashamedofthem!
afinebundleoftrashyoustudyinyourleisurehours,tobesure:why,it’sgoodenoughtobeprinted!
Andwhatdoyousupposethemasterwillthink,whenIdisplayitbeforehim?
Ihaven’tshownityet,butyouneedn’timagineIshallkeepyourridiculoussecrets.Forshame!
andyoumusthaveledthewayinwritingsuchabsurdities:hewouldnothavethoughtofbeginning,I’mcertain.”
“Ididn’t!Ididn’t!”sobbedCathy,fittobreakherheart.“Ididn’toncethinkoflovinghimtill-”
“Loving!”criedI,asscornfullyasIcoulduttertheword.“Loving!Didanybodyeverhearthelike!
Imightjustaswelltalkoflovingthemillerwhocomesonceayeartobuyourcorn.Prettyloving,indeed!
andbothtimestogetheryouhaveseenLintonhardlyfourhoursinyourlife!Nowhereisthebabyishtrash.
I’mgoingwithittothelibrary;andwe’llseewhatyourfathersaystosuchloving.”
Shesprangatherpreciousepistles,butIheldthemabovemyhead;andthenshepouredoutfurtherfranticentreatiesthatIwouldburnthem—doanythingratherthanshowthem.
Andbeingreallyfullyasmuchinclinedtolaughasscold—forIesteemeditallgirlishvanity—Iatlengthrelentedinameasure,andasked:
“IfIconsenttoburnthem,willyoupromisefaithfullyneithertosendnorreceivealetteragain,norabook(forIperceiveyouhavesenthimbooks),norlocksofhair,norrings,norplaythings?”
“Wedon’tsendplaythings!”criedCatherine,herprideovercominghershame.
“Noranythingatall,then,mylady,”Isaid.“Unlessyouwill,hereIgo.”
“Ipromise,Ellen!”shecried,catchingmydress.“Oh,puttheminthefire,do,do!”
ButwhenIproceededtoopenaplacewiththepoker,thesacrificewastoopainfultobeborne.SheearnestlysupplicatedthatIwouldspareheroneortwo.
“Oneortwo,Ellen,tokeepforLinton’ssake!”
Iunknottedthehandkerchief,andcommenceddroppingtheminfromanangle,andtheflamecurledupthechimney.
“Iwillhaveone,youcruelwretch!”shescreamed,dartingherhandintothefire,anddrawingforthsomehalfconsumedfragments,attheexpenseofherfingers.
“Verywell—andIwillhavesometoexhibittopapa!”Ianswered,shakingbacktherestintothebundle,andturninganewtothedoor.
Sheemptiedherblackenedpiecesintotheflames,andmotionedmetofinishtheimmolation.
Itwasdone;Istirreduptheashes,andinterredthemunderashovelfulofcoals;andshemutely,andwithasenseofintenseinjury,retiredtoherprivateapartment.
Idescendedtotellmymasterthattheyounglady’squalmofsicknesswasalmostgone,butIjudgeditbestforhertoliedownawhile.
Shewouldn’tdine;butshereappearedattea,pale,andredabouttheeyes,andmarvellouslysubduedinoutwardaspect.
Nextmorning,Iansweredtheletterbyaslipofpaper,inscribed,“MasterHeathcliffisrequestedtosendnomorenotestoMissLinton,asshewillnotreceivethem.”
And,thenceforth,thelittleboycamewithvacantpockets.
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