HE entered, vociferating oaths dreadful to hear; and caught me inthe act of stowing his son sway in the kitchen cupboard. Haretonwas impressed with a wholesome terror of encountering either hiswild beast's fondness or his madman's rage; for in one he ran achance of being squeezed and kissed to death, and in the other ofbeing flung into the fire, or dashed against the wall; and the poorthing remained perfectly quiet wherever I chose to put him.

'There, I've found it out at last!' cried Hindley, pulling me backby the skin of my neck, like a dog. 'By heaven and hell, you'vesworn between you to murder that child! I know how it is, now,that he is always out of my way. But, with the help of Satan, Ishall make you swallow the carving-knife, Nelly! You needn'tlaugh; for I've just crammed Kenneth, head-downmost, in the Black-horse marsh; and two is the same as one - and I want to kill someof you: I shall have no rest till I do!'

'But I don't like the carving-knife, Mr. Hindley,' I answered; 'ithas been cutting red herrings. I'd rather be shot, if you please.'

'You'd rather be damned!' he said; 'and so you shall. No law inEngland can hinder a man from keeping his house decent, and mine'sabominable! Open your mouth.' He held the knife in his hand, andpushed its point between my teeth: but, for my part, I was nevermuch afraid of his vagaries. I spat out, and affirmed it tasteddetestably - I would not take it on any account.

'Oh!' said he, releasing me, 'I see that hideous little villain isnot Hareton: I beg your pardon, Nell. If it be, he deservesflaying alive for not running to welcome me, and for screaming asif I were a goblin. Unnatural cub, come hither! I'll teach theeto impose on a good-hearted, deluded father. Now, don't you thinkthe lad would be handsomer cropped? It makes a dog fiercer, and Ilove something fierce - get me a scissors - something fierce andtrim! Besides, it's infernal affectation - devilish conceit it is,to cherish our ears - we're asses enough without them. Hush,child, hush! Well then, it is my darling! wisht, dry thy eyes -there's a joy; kiss me. What! it won't? Kiss me, Hareton! Damnthee, kiss me! By God, as if I would rear such a monster! As sureas I'm living, I'll break the brat's neck.'

Poor Hareton was squalling and kicking in his father's arms withall his might, and redoubled his yells when he carried him up-stairs and lifted him over the banister. I cried out that he wouldfrighten the child into fits, and ran to rescue him. As I reachedthem, Hindley leant forward on the rails to listen to a noisebelow; almost forgetting what he had in his hands. 'Who is that?'he asked, hearing some one approaching the stairs'-foot. I leantforward also, for the purpose of signing to Heathcliff, whose stepI recognised, not to come further; and, at the instant when my eyequitted Hareton, he gave a sudden spring, delivered himself fromthe careless grasp that held him, and fell.

There was scarcely time to experience a thrill of horror before wesaw that the little wretch was safe. Heathcliff arrived underneathjust at the critical moment; by a natural impulse he arrested hisdescent, and setting him on his feet, looked up to discover theauthor of the accident. A miser who has parted with a luckylottery ticket for five shillings, and finds next day he has lostin the bargain five thousand pounds, could not show a blankercountenance than he did on beholding the figure of Mr. Earnshawabove. It expressed, plainer than words could do, the intensestanguish at having made himself the instrument of thwarting his ownrevenge. Had it been dark, I daresay he would have tried to remedythe mistake by smashing Hareton's skull on the steps; but, wewitnessed his salvation; and I was presently below with my preciouscharge pressed to my heart. Hindley descended more leisurely,sobered and abashed.

'It is your fault, Ellen,' he said; 'you should have kept him outof sight: you should have taken him from me! Is he injuredanywhere?'

'Injured!' I cried angrily; 'if he is not killed, he'll be anidiot! Oh! I wonder his mother does not rise from her grave tosee how you use him. You're worse than a heathen - treating yourown flesh and blood in that manner!' He attempted to touch thechild, who, on finding himself with me, sobbed off his terrordirectly. At the first finger his father laid on him, however, heshrieked again louder than before, and struggled as if he would gointo convulsions.

'You shall not meddle with him!' I continued. 'He hates you - theyall hate you - that's the truth! A happy family you have; and apretty state you're come to!'

'I shall come to a prettier, yet, Nelly,' laughed the misguidedman, recovering his hardness. 'At present, convey yourself and himaway. And hark you, Heathcliff! clear you too quite from my reachand hearing. I wouldn't murder you to-night; unless, perhaps, Iset the house on fire: but that's as my fancy goes.'

While saying this he took a pint bottle of brandy from the dresser,and poured some into a tumbler.

'Nay, don't!' I entreated. 'Mr. Hindley, do take warning. Havemercy on this unfortunate boy, if you care nothing for yourself!'

'Any one will do better for him than I shall,' he answered.

'Have mercy on your own soul!' I said, endeavouring to snatch theglass from his hand.

'Not I! On the contrary, I shall have great pleasure in sending itto perdition to punish its Maker,' exclaimed the blasphemer.'Here's to its hearty damnation!'

He drank the spirits and impatiently bade us go; terminating hiscommand with a sequel of horrid imprecations too bad to repeat orremember.

'It's a pity he cannot kill himself with drink,' observedHeathcliff, muttering an echo of curses back when the door wasshut. 'He's doing his very utmost; but his constitution defieshim. Mr. Kenneth says he would wager his mare that he'll outliveany man on this side Gimmerton, and go to the grave a hoary sinner;unless some happy chance out of the common course befall him.'

I went into the kitchen, and sat down to lull my little lamb tosleep. Heathcliff, as I thought, walked through to the barn. Itturned out afterwards that he only got as far as the other side thesettle, when he flung himself on a bench by the wall, removed fromthe fire and remained silent.

I was rocking Hareton on my knee, and humming a song that began, -

It was far in the night, and the bairnies grat,The mither beneath the mools heard that,

when Miss Cathy, who had listened to the hubbub from her room, puther head in, and whispered, - 'Are you alone, Nelly?'

'Yes, Miss,' I replied.

She entered and approached the hearth. I, supposing she was goingto say something, looked up. The expression of her face seemeddisturbed and anxious. Her lips were half asunder, as if she meantto speak, and she drew a breath; but it escaped in a sigh insteadof a sentence. I resumed my song; not having forgotten her recentbehaviour.

'Where's Heathcliff?' she said, interrupting me.

'About his work in the stable,' was my answer.

He did not contradict me; perhaps he had fallen into a doze. Therefollowed another long pause, during which I perceived a drop or twotrickle from Catherine's cheek to the flags. Is she sorry for hershameful conduct? - I asked myself. That will be a novelty: butshe may come to the point - as she will - I sha'n't help her! No,she felt small trouble regarding any subject, save her ownconcerns.

'Oh, dear!' she cried at last. 'I'm very unhappy!'

'A pity,' observed I. 'You're hard to please; so many friends andso few cares, and can't make yourself content!'

'Nelly, will you keep a secret for me?' she pursued, kneeling downby me, and lifting her winsome eyes to my face with that sort oflook which turns off bad temper, even when one has all the right inthe world to indulge it.

'Is it worth keeping?' I inquired, less sulkily.

'Yes, and it worries me, and I must let it out! I want to knowwhat I should do. To-day, Edgar Linton has asked me to marry him,and I've given him an answer. Now, before I tell you whether itwas a consent or denial, you tell me which it ought to have been.'

'Really, Miss Catherine, how can I know?' I replied. 'To be sure,considering the exhibition you performed in his presence thisafternoon, I might say it would be wise to refuse him: since heasked you after that, he must either be hopelessly stupid or aventuresome fool.'

'If you talk so, I won't tell you any more,' she returned,peevishly rising to her feet. 'I accepted him, Nelly. Be quick,and say whether I was wrong!'

'You accepted him! Then what good is it discussing the matter?You have pledged your word, and cannot retract.'

'But say whether I should have done so - do!' she exclaimed in anirritated tone; chafing her hands together, and frowning.

'There are many things to be considered before that question can beanswered properly,' I said, sententiously. 'First and foremost, doyou love Mr. Edgar?'

'Who can help it? Of course I do,' she answered.

Then I put her through the following catechism: for a girl oftwenty-two it was not injudicious.

'Why do you love him, Miss Cathy?'

'Nonsense, I do - that's sufficient.'

'By no means; you must say why?'

'Well, because he is handsome, and pleasant to be with.'

'Bad!' was my commentary.

'And because he is young and cheerful.'

'Bad, still.'

'And because he loves me.'

'Indifferent, coming there.'

'And he will be rich, and I shall like to be the greatest woman ofthe neighbourhood, and I shall be proud of having such a husband.'

'Worst of all. And now, say how you love him?'

'As everybody loves - You're silly, Nelly.'

'Not at all - Answer.'

'I love the ground under his feet, and the air over his head, andeverything he touches, and every word he says. I love all hislooks, and all his actions, and him entirely and altogether. Therenow!'

'And why?'

'Nay; you are making a jest of it: it is exceedingly ill-natured!It's no jest to me!' said the young lady, scowling, and turning herface to the fire.

'I'm very far from jesting, Miss Catherine,' I replied. 'You loveMr. Edgar because he is handsome, and young, and cheerful, andrich, and loves you. The last, however, goes for nothing: youwould love him without that, probably; and with it you wouldn't,unless he possessed the four former attractions.'

'No, to be sure not: I should only pity him - hate him, perhaps,if he were ugly, and a clown.'

'But there are several other handsome, rich young men in the world:handsomer, possibly, and richer than he is. What should hinder youfrom loving them?'

'If there be any, they are out of my way: I've seen none likeEdgar.'

'You may see some; and he won't always be handsome, and young, andmay not always be rich.'

'He is now; and I have only to do with the present. I wish youwould speak rationally.'

'Well, that settles it: if you have only to do with the present,marry Mr. Linton.'

'I don't want your permission for that - I SHALL marry him: andyet you have not told me whether I'm right.'

'Perfectly right; if people be right to marry only for the present.And now, let us hear what you are unhappy about. Your brother willbe pleased; the old lady and gentleman will not object, I think;you will escape from a disorderly, comfortless home into a wealthy,respectable one; and you love Edgar, and Edgar loves you. Allseems smooth and easy: where is the obstacle?'

'HERE! and HERE!' replied Catherine, striking one hand on herforehead, and the other on her breast: 'in whichever place thesoul lives. In my soul and in my heart, I'm convinced I'm wrong!'

'That's very strange! I cannot make it out.'

'It's my secret. But if you will not mock at me, I'll explain it:I can't do it distinctly; but I'll give you a feeling of how Ifeel.'

She seated herself by me again: her countenance grew sadder andgraver, and her clasped hands trembled.

'Nelly, do you never dream queer dreams?' she said, suddenly, aftersome minutes' reflection.

'Yes, now and then,' I answered.

'And so do I. I've dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed withme ever after, and changed my ideas: they've gone through andthrough me, like wine through water, and altered the colour of mymind. And this is one: I'm going to tell it - but take care notto smile at any part of it.'

'Oh! don't, Miss Catherine!' I cried. 'We're dismal enough withoutconjuring up ghosts and visions to perplex us. Come, come, bemerry and like yourself! Look at little Hareton! HE'S dreamingnothing dreary. How sweetly he smiles in his sleep!'

'Yes; and how sweetly his father curses in his solitude! Youremember him, I daresay, when he was just such another as thatchubby thing: nearly as young and innocent. However, Nelly, Ishall oblige you to listen: it's not long; and I've no power to bemerry to-night.'

'I won't hear it, I won't hear it!' I repeated, hastily.

I was superstitious about dreams then, and am still; and Catherinehad an unusual gloom in her aspect, that made me dread somethingfrom which I might shape a prophecy, and foresee a fearfulcatastrophe. She was vexed, but she did not proceed. Apparentlytaking up another subject, she recommenced in a short time.

'If I were in heaven, Nelly, I should be extremely miserable.'

'Because you are not fit to go there,' I answered. 'All sinnerswould be miserable in heaven.'

'But it is not for that. I dreamt once that I was there.'

'I tell you I won't hearken to your dreams, Miss Catherine! I'llgo to bed,' I interrupted again.

She laughed, and held me down; for I made a motion to leave mychair.

'This is nothing,' cried she: 'I was only going to say that heavendid not seem to be my home; and I broke my heart with weeping tocome back to earth; and the angels were so angry that they flung meout into the middle of the heath on the top of Wuthering Heights;where I woke sobbing for joy. That will do to explain my secret,as well as the other. I've no more business to marry Edgar Lintonthan I have to be in heaven; and if the wicked man in there had notbrought Heathcliff so low, I shouldn't have thought of it. Itwould degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never knowhow I love him: and that, not because he's handsome, Nelly, butbecause he's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are madeof, his and mine are the same; and Linton's is as different as amoonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire.'

Ere this speech ended I became sensible of Heathcliff's presence.Having noticed a slight movement, I turned my head, and saw himrise from the bench, and steal out noiselessly. He had listenedtill he heard Catherine say it would degrade her to marry him, andthen he stayed to hear no further. My companion, sitting on theground, was prevented by the back of the settle from remarking hispresence or departure; but I started, and bade her hush!

'Why?' she asked, gazing nervously round.

'Joseph is here,' I answered, catching opportunely the roll of hiscartwheels up the road; 'and Heathcliff will come in with him. I'mnot sure whether he were not at the door this moment.'

'Oh, he couldn't overhear me at the door!' said she. 'Give meHareton, while you get the supper, and when it is ready ask me tosup with you. I want to cheat my uncomfortable conscience, and beconvinced that Heathcliff has no notion of these things. He hasnot, has he? He does not know what being in love is!'

'I see no reason that he should not know, as well as you,' Ireturned; 'and if you are his choice, he'll be the most unfortunatecreature that ever was born! As soon as you become Mrs. Linton, heloses friend, and love, and all! Have you considered how you'llbear the separation, and how he'll bear to be quite deserted in theworld? Because, Miss Catherine - '

'He quite deserted! we separated!' she exclaimed, with an accent ofindignation. 'Who is to separate us, pray? They'll meet the fateof Milo! Not as long as I live, Ellen: for no mortal creature.Every Linton on the face of the earth might melt into nothingbefore I could consent to forsake Heathcliff. Oh, that's not whatI intend - that's not what I mean! I shouldn't be Mrs. Linton weresuch a price demanded! He'll be as much to me as he has been allhis lifetime. Edgar must shake off his antipathy, and toleratehim, at least. He will, when he learns my true feelings towardshim. Nelly, I see now you think me a selfish wretch; but did itnever strike you that if Heathcliff and I married, we should bebeggars? whereas, if I marry Linton I can aid Heathcliff to rise,and place him out of my brother's power.'

'With your husband's money, Miss Catherine?' I asked. 'You'll findhim not so pliable as you calculate upon: and, though I'm hardly ajudge, I think that's the worst motive you've given yet for beingthe wife of young Linton.'

'It is not,' retorted she; 'it is the best! The others were thesatisfaction of my whims: and for Edgar's sake, too, to satisfyhim. This is for the sake of one who comprehends in his person myfeelings to Edgar and myself. I cannot express it; but surely youand everybody have a notion that there is or should be an existenceof yours beyond you. What were the use of my creation, if I wereentirely contained here? My great miseries in this world have beenHeathcliff's miseries, and I watched and felt each from thebeginning: my great thought in living is himself. If all elseperished, and HE remained, I should still continue to be; and ifall else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turnto a mighty stranger: I should not seem a part of it. - My lovefor Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it,I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love forHeathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of littlevisible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I AM Heathcliff! He'salways, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I amalways a pleasure to myself, but as my own being. So don't talk ofour separation again: it is impracticable; and - '

She paused, and hid her face in the folds of my gown; but I jerkedit forcibly away. I was out of patience with her folly!

'If I can make any sense of your nonsense, Miss,' I said, 'it onlygoes to convince me that you are ignorant of the duties youundertake in marrying; or else that you are a wicked, unprincipledgirl. But trouble me with no more secrets: I'll not promise tokeep them.'

'You'll keep that?' she asked, eagerly.

'No, I'll not promise,' I repeated.

She was about to insist, when the entrance of Joseph finished ourconversation; and Catherine removed her seat to a corner, andnursed Hareton, while I made the supper. After it was cooked, myfellow-servant and I began to quarrel who should carry some to Mr.Hindley; and we didn't settle it till all was nearly cold. Then wecame to the agreement that we would let him ask, if he wanted any;for we feared particularly to go into his presence when he had beensome time alone.

'And how isn't that nowt comed in fro' th' field, be this time?What is he about? girt idle seeght!' demanded the old man, lookinground for Heathcliff.

'I'll call him,' I replied. 'He's in the barn, I've no doubt.'

I went and called, but got no answer. On returning, I whispered toCatherine that he had heard a good part of what she said, I wassure; and told how I saw him quit the kitchen just as shecomplained of her brother's conduct regarding him. She jumped upin a fine fright, flung Hareton on to the settle, and ran to seekfor her friend herself; not taking leisure to consider why she wasso flurried, or how her talk would have affected him. She wasabsent such a while that Joseph proposed we should wait no longer.He cunningly conjectured they were staying away in order to avoidhearing his protracted blessing. They were 'ill eneugh for onyfahl manners,' he affirmed. And on their behalf he added thatnight a special prayer to the usual quarter-of-an-hour'ssupplication before meat, and would have tacked another to the endof the grace, had not his young mistress broken in upon him with ahurried command that he must run down the road, and, whereverHeathcliff had rambled, find and make him re-enter directly!

'I want to speak to him, and I MUST, before I go upstairs,' shesaid. 'And the gate is open: he is somewhere out of hearing; forhe would not reply, though I shouted at the top of the fold as loudas I could.'

Joseph objected at first; she was too much in earnest, however, tosuffer contradiction; and at last he placed his hat on his head,and walked grumbling forth. Meantime, Catherine paced up and downthe floor, exclaiming - 'I wonder where he is - I wonder where hecan be! What did I say, Nelly? I've forgotten. Was he vexed atmy bad humour this afternoon? Dear! tell me what I've said togrieve him? I do wish he'd come. I do wish he would!'

'What a noise for nothing!' I cried, though rather uneasy myself.'What a trifle scares you! It's surely no great cause of alarmthat Heathcliff should take a moonlight saunter on the moors, oreven lie too sulky to speak to us in the hay-loft. I'll engagehe's lurking there. See if I don't ferret him out!'

I departed to renew my search; its result was disappointment, andJoseph's quest ended in the same.

'Yon lad gets war und war!' observed he on re-entering. 'He's leftth' gate at t' full swing, and Miss's pony has trodden dahn tworigs o' corn, and plottered through, raight o'er into t' meadow!Hahsomdiver, t' maister 'ull play t' devil to-morn, and he'll doweel. He's patience itsseln wi' sich careless, offald craters -patience itsseln he is! Bud he'll not be soa allus - yah's see,all on ye! Yah mun'n't drive him out of his heead for nowt!'

'Have you found Heathcliff, you ass?' interrupted Catherine. 'Haveyou been looking for him, as I ordered?'

'I sud more likker look for th' horse,' he replied. 'It 'ud be tomore sense. Bud I can look for norther horse nur man of a neeghtloike this - as black as t' chimbley! und Heathcliff's noan t' chapto coom at MY whistle - happen he'll be less hard o' hearing wi'YE!'

It WAS a very dark evening for summer: the clouds appearedinclined to thunder, and I said we had better all sit down; theapproaching rain would be certain to bring him home without furthertrouble. However, Catherine would hot be persuaded intotranquillity. She kept wandering to and fro, from the gate to thedoor, in a state of agitation which permitted no repose; and atlength took up a permanent situation on one side of the wall, nearthe road: where, heedless of my expostulations and the growlingthunder, and the great drops that began to plash around her, sheremained, calling at intervals, and then listening, and then cryingoutright. She beat Hareton, or any child, at a good passionate fitof crying.

About midnight, while we still sat up, the storm came rattling overthe Heights in full fury. There was a violent wind, as well asthunder, and either one or the other split a tree off at the cornerof the building: a huge bough fell across the roof, and knockeddown a portion of the east chimney-stack, sending a clatter ofstones and soot into the kitchen-fire. We thought a bolt hadfallen in the middle of us; and Joseph swung on to his knees,beseeching the Lord to remember the patriarchs Noah and Lot, and,as in former times, spare the righteous, though he smote theungodly. I felt some sentiment that it must be a judgment on usalso. The Jonah, in my mind, was Mr. Earnshaw; and I shook thehandle of his den that I might ascertain if he were yet living. Hereplied audibly enough, in a fashion which made my companionvociferate, more clamorously than before, that a wide distinctionmight be drawn between saints like himself and sinners like hismaster. But the uproar passed away in twenty minutes, leaving usall unharmed; excepting Cathy, who got thoroughly drenched for herobstinacy in refusing to take shelter, and standing bonnetless andshawl-less to catch as much water as she could with her hair andclothes. She came in and lay down on the settle, all soaked as shewas, turning her face to the back, and putting her hands before it.

'Well, Miss!' I exclaimed, touching her shoulder; 'you are not benton getting your death, are you? Do you know what o'clock it is?Half-past twelve. Come, come to bed! there's no use waiting anylonger on that foolish boy: he'll be gone to Gimmerton, and he'llstay there now. He guesses we shouldn't wait for him till thislate hour: at least, he guesses that only Mr. Hindley would be up;and he'd rather avoid having the door opened by the master.'

'Nay, nay, he's noan at Gimmerton,' said Joseph. 'I's niver wonderbut he's at t' bothom of a bog-hoile. This visitation worn't fornowt, and I wod hev' ye to look out, Miss - yah muh be t' next.Thank Hivin for all! All warks togither for gooid to them as ischozzen, and piked out fro' th' rubbidge! Yah knaw whet t'Scripture ses.' And he began quoting several texts, referring usto chapters and verses where we might find them.

I, having vainly begged the wilful girl to rise and remove her wetthings, left him preaching and her shivering, and betook myself tobed with little Hareton, who slept as fast as if everyone had beensleeping round him. I heard Joseph read on a while afterwards;then I distinguished his slow step on the ladder, and then Idropped asleep.

Coming down somewhat later than usual, I saw, by the sunbeamspiercing the chinks of the shutters, Miss Catherine still seatednear the fireplace. The house-door was ajar, too; light enteredfrom its unclosed windows; Hindley had come out, and stood on thekitchen hearth, haggard and drowsy.

'What ails you, Cathy?' he was saying when I entered: 'you look asdismal as a drowned whelp. Why are you so damp and pale, child?'

'I've been wet,' she answered reluctantly, 'and I'm cold, that'sall.'

'Oh, she is naughty!' I cried, perceiving the master to betolerably sober. 'She got steeped in the shower of yesterdayevening, and there she has sat the night through, and I couldn'tprevail on her to stir.'

Mr. Earnshaw stared at us in surprise. 'The night through,' herepeated. 'What kept her up? not fear of the thunder, surely?That was over hours since.'

Neither of us wished to mention Heathcliff's absence, as long as wecould conceal it; so I replied, I didn't know how she took it intoher head to sit up; and she said nothing. The morning was freshand cool; I threw back the lattice, and presently the room filledwith sweet scents from the garden; but Catherine called peevishlyto me, 'Ellen, shut the window. I'm starving!' And her teethchattered as she shrank closer to the almost extinguished embers.

'She's ill,' said Hindley, taking her wrist; 'I suppose that's thereason she would not go to bed. Damn it! I don't want to betroubled with more sickness here. What took you into the rain?'

'Running after t' lads, as usuald!' croaked Joseph, catching anopportunity from our hesitation to thrust in his evil tongue. 'IfI war yah, maister, I'd just slam t' boards i' their faces all on'em, gentle and simple! Never a day ut yah're off, but yon cat o'Linton comes sneaking hither; and Miss Nelly, shoo's a fine lass!shoo sits watching for ye i' t' kitchen; and as yah're in at onedoor, he's out at t'other; and, then, wer grand lady goes a-courting of her side! It's bonny behaviour, lurking amang t'fields, after twelve o' t' night, wi' that fahl, flaysome divil ofa gipsy, Heathcliff! They think I'M blind; but I'm noan: nowt utt' soart! - I seed young Linton boath coming and going, and I seedYAH' (directing his discourse to me), 'yah gooid fur nowt,slattenly witch! nip up and bolt into th' house, t' minute yahheard t' maister's horse-fit clatter up t' road.'

'Silence, eavesdropper!' cried Catherine; 'none of your insolencebefore me! Edgar Linton came yesterday by chance, Hindley; and itwas I who told him to be off: because I knew you would not like tohave met him as you were.'

'You lie, Cathy, no doubt,' answered her brother, 'and you are aconfounded simpleton! But never mind Linton at present: tell me,were you not with Heathcliff last night? Speak the truth, now.You need not he afraid of harming him: though I hate him as muchas ever, he did me a good turn a short time since that will make myconscience tender of breaking his neck. To prevent it, I shallsend him about his business this very morning; and after he's gone,I'd advise you all to look sharp: I shall only have the morehumour for you.'

'I never saw Heathcliff last night,' answered Catherine, beginningto sob bitterly: 'and if you do turn him out of doors, I'll gowith him. But, perhaps, you'll never have an opportunity:perhaps, he's gone.' Here she burst into uncontrollable grief, andthe remainder of her words were inarticulate.

Hindley lavished on her a torrent of scornful abuse, and bade herget to her room immediately, or she shouldn't cry for nothing! Iobliged her to obey; and I shall never forget what a scene sheacted when we reached her chamber: it terrified me. I thought shewas going mad, and I begged Joseph to run for the doctor. Itproved the commencement of delirium: Mr. Kenneth, as soon as hesaw her, pronounced her dangerously ill; she had a fever. He bledher, and he told me to let her live on whey and water-gruel, andtake care she did not throw herself downstairs or out of thewindow; and then he left: for he had enough to do in the parish,where two or three miles was the ordinary distance between cottageand cottage.

Though I cannot say I made a gentle nurse, and Joseph and themaster were no better, and though our patient was as wearisome andheadstrong as a patient could be, she weathered it through. OldMrs. Linton paid us several visits, to be sure, and set things torights, and scolded and ordered us all; and when Catherine wasconvalescent, she insisted on conveying her to Thrushcross Grange:for which deliverance we were very grateful. But the poor dame hadreason to repent of her kindness: she and her husband both tookthe fever, and died within a few days of each other.

Our young lady returned to us saucier and more passionate, andhaughtier than ever. Heathcliff had never been heard of since theevening of the thunder-storm; and, one day, I had the misfortune,when she had provoked me exceedingly, to lay the blame of hisdisappearance on her: where indeed it belonged, as she well knew.From that period, for several months, she ceased to hold anycommunication with me, save in the relation of a mere servant.Joseph fell under a ban also: he would speak his mind, and lectureher all the same as if she were a little girl; and she esteemedherself a woman, and our mistress, and thought that her recentillness gave her a claim to be treated with consideration. Thenthe doctor had said that she would not bear crossing much; sheought to have her own way; and it was nothing less than murder inher eyes for any one to presume to stand up and contradict her.From Mr. Earnshaw and his companions she kept aloof; and tutored byKenneth, and serious threats of a fit that often attended herrages, her brother allowed her whatever she pleased to demand, andgenerally avoided aggravating her fiery temper. He was rather tooindulgent in humouring her caprices; not from affection, but frompride: he wished earnestly to see her bring honour to the familyby an alliance with the Lintons, and as long as she let him aloneshe might trample on us like slaves, for aught he cared! EdgarLinton, as multitudes have been before and will be after him, wasinfatuated: and believed himself the happiest man alive on the dayhe led her to Gimmerton Chapel, three years subsequent to hisfather's death.

Much against my inclination, I was persuaded to leave WutheringHeights and accompany her here, Little Hareton was nearly fiveyears old, and I had just begun to teach him his letters. We madea sad parting; but Catherine's tears were more powerful than ours.When I refused to go, and when she found her entreaties did notmove me, she went lamenting to her husband and brother. The formeroffered me munificent wages; the latter ordered me to pack up: hewanted no women in the house, he said, now that there was nomistress; and as to Hareton, the curate should take him in hand,by-and-by. And so I had but one choice left: to do as I wasordered. I told the master he got rid of all decent people only torun to ruin a little faster; I kissed Hareton, said good-by; andsince then he has been a stranger: and it's very queer to thinkit, but I've no doubt he has completely forgotten all about EllenDean, and that he was ever more than all the world to her and sheto him!

At this point of the housekeeper's story she chanced to glancetowards the time-piece over the chimney; and was in amazement onseeing the minute-hand measure half-past one. She would not hearof staying a second longer: in truth, I felt rather disposed todefer the sequel of her narrative myself. And now that she isvanished to her rest, and I have meditated for another hour or two,I shall summon courage to go also, in spite of aching laziness ofhead and limbs.