FOR two months the fugitives remained absent; in those two months,Mrs. Linton encountered and conquered the worst shock of what wasdenominated a brain fever. No mother could have nursed an onlychild more devotedly than Edgar tended her. Day and night he waswatching, and patiently enduring all the annoyances that irritablenerves and a shaken reason could inflict; and, though Kennethremarked that what he saved from the grave would only recompensehis care by forming the source of constant future anxiety - infact, that his health and strength were being sacrificed topreserve a mere ruin of humanity - he knew no limits in gratitudeand joy when Catherine's life was declared out of danger; and hourafter hour he would sit beside her, tracing the gradual return tobodily health, and flattering his too sanguine hopes with theillusion that her mind would settle back to its right balance also,and she would soon be entirely her former self.

The first time she left her chamber was at the commencement of thefollowing March. Mr. Linton had put on her pillow, in the morning,a handful of golden crocuses; her eye, long stranger to any gleamof pleasure, caught them in waking, and shone delighted as shegathered them eagerly together.

'These are the earliest flowers at the Heights,' she exclaimed.'They remind me of soft thaw winds, and warm sunshine, and nearlymelted snow. Edgar, is there not a south wind, and is not the snowalmost gone?'

'The snow is quite gone down here, darling,' replied her husband;'and I only see two white spots on the whole range of moors: thesky is blue, and the larks are singing, and the becks and brooksare all brim full. Catherine, last spring at this time, I waslonging to have you under this roof; now, I wish you were a mile ortwo up those hills: the air blows so sweetly, I feel that it wouldcure you.'

'I shall never be there but once more,' said the invalid; 'and thenyou'll leave me, and I shall remain for ever. Next spring you'lllong again to have me under this roof, and you'll look back andthink you were happy to-day.'

Linton lavished on her the kindest caresses, and tried to cheer herby the fondest words; but, vaguely regarding the flowers, she letthe tears collect on her lashes and stream down her cheeksunheeding. We knew she was really better, and, therefore, decidedthat long confinement to a single place produced much of thisdespondency, and it might be partially removed by a change ofscene. The master told me to light a fire in the many-weeks'deserted parlour, and to set an easy-chair in the sunshine by thewindow; and then he brought her down, and she sat a long whileenjoying the genial heat, and, as we expected, revived by theobjects round her: which, though familiar, were free from thedreary associations investing her hated sick chamber. By eveningshe seemed greatly exhausted; yet no arguments could persuade herto return to that apartment, and I had to arrange the parlour sofafor her bed, till another room could be prepared. To obviate thefatigue of mounting and descending the stairs, we fitted up this,where you lie at present - on the same floor with the parlour; andshe was soon strong enough to move from one to the other, leaningon Edgar's arm. Ah, I thought myself, she might recover, so waitedon as she was. And there was double cause to desire it, for on herexistence depended that of another: we cherished the hope that ina little while Mr. Linton's heart would be gladdened, and his landssecured from a stranger's gripe, by the birth of an heir.

I should mention that Isabella sent to her brother, some six weeksfrom her departure, a short note, announcing her marriage withHeathcliff. It appeared dry and cold; but at the bottom was dottedin with pencil an obscure apology, and an entreaty for kindremembrance and reconciliation, if her proceeding had offended him:asserting that she could not help it then, and being done, she hadnow no power to repeal it. Linton did not reply to this, Ibelieve; and, in a fortnight more, I got a long letter, which Iconsidered odd, coming from the pen of a bride just out of thehoneymoon. I'll read it: for I keep it yet. Any relic of thedead is precious, if they were valued living.

DEAR ELLEN, it begins, - I came last night to Wuthering Heights,and heard, for the first time, that Catherine has been, and is yet,very ill. I must not write to her, I suppose, and my brother iseither too angry or too distressed to answer what I sent him.Still, I must write to somebody, and the only choice left me isyou.

Inform Edgar that I'd give the world to see his face again - thatmy heart returned to Thrushcross Grange in twenty-four hours afterI left it, and is there at this moment, full of warm feelings forhim, and Catherine! I CAN'T FOLLOW IT THOUGH - (these words areunderlined) - they need not expect me, and they may draw whatconclusions they please; taking care, however, to lay nothing atthe door of my weak will or deficient affection.

The remainder of the letter is for yourself alone. I want to askyou two questions: the first is, - How did you contrive topreserve the common sympathies of human nature when you residedhere? I cannot recognise any sentiment which those around sharewith me.

The second question I have great interest in; it is this - Is Mr.Heathcliff a man? If so, is he mad? And if not, is he a devil? Isha'n't tell my reasons for making this inquiry; but I beseech youto explain, if you can, what I have married: that is, when youcall to see me; and you must call, Ellen, very soon. Don't write,but come, and bring me something from Edgar.

Now, you shall hear how I have been received in my new home, as Iam led to imagine the Heights will be. It is to amuse myself thatI dwell on such subjects as the lack of external comforts: theynever occupy my thoughts, except at the moment when I miss them. Ishould laugh and dance for joy, if I found their absence was thetotal of my miseries, and the rest was an unnatural dream!

The sun set behind the Grange as we turned on to the moors; bythat, I judged it to be six o'clock; and my companion halted halfan hour, to inspect the park, and the gardens, and, probably, theplace itself, as well as he could; so it was dark when wedismounted in the paved yard of the farm-house, and your oldfellow-servant, Joseph, issued out to receive us by the light of adip candle. He did it with a courtesy that redounded to hiscredit. His first act was to elevate his torch to a level with myface, squint malignantly, project his under-lip, and turn away.Then he took the two horses, and led them into the stables;reappearing for the purpose of locking the outer gate, as if welived in an ancient castle.

Heathcliff stayed to speak to him, and I entered the kitchen - adingy, untidy hole; I daresay you would not know it, it is sochanged since it was in your charge. By the fire stood a ruffianlychild, strong in limb and dirty in garb, with a look of Catherinein his eyes and about his mouth.

'This is Edgar's legal nephew,' I reflected - 'mine in a manner; Imust shake hands, and - yes - I must kiss him. It is right toestablish a good understanding at the beginning.'

I approached, and, attempting to take his chubby fist, said - 'Howdo you do, my dear?'

He replied in a jargon I did not comprehend.

'Shall you and I be friends, Hareton?' was my next essay atconversation.

An oath, and a threat to set Throttler on me if I did not 'frameoff' rewarded my perseverance.

'Hey, Throttler, lad!' whispered the little wretch, rousing a half-bred bull-dog from its lair in a corner. 'Now, wilt thou beganging?' he asked authoritatively.

Love for my life urged a compliance; I stepped over the thresholdto wait till the others should enter. Mr. Heathcliff was nowherevisible; and Joseph, whom I followed to the stables, and requestedto accompany me in, after staring and muttering to himself, screwedup his nose and replied - 'Mim! mim! mim! Did iver Christian bodyhear aught like it? Mincing un' munching! How can I tell whet yesay?'

'I say, I wish you to come with me into the house!' I cried,thinking him deaf, yet highly disgusted at his rudeness.

'None o' me! I getten summut else to do,' he answered, andcontinued his work; moving his lantern jaws meanwhile, andsurveying my dress and countenance (the former a great deal toofine, but the latter, I'm sure, as sad as he could desire) withsovereign contempt.

I walked round the yard, and through a wicket, to another door, atwhich I took the liberty of knocking, in hopes some more civilservant might show himself. After a short suspense, it was openedby a tall, gaunt man, without neckerchief, and otherwise extremelyslovenly; his features were lost in masses of shaggy hair that hungon his shoulders; and HIS eyes, too, were like a ghostlyCatherine's with all their beauty annihilated.

'What's your business here?' he demanded, grimly. 'Who are you?'

'My name was Isabella Linton,' I replied. 'You've seen me before,sir. I'm lately married to Mr. Heathcliff, and he has brought mehere - I suppose, by your permission.'

'Is he come back, then?' asked the hermit, glaring like a hungrywolf.

'Yes - we came just now,' I said; 'but he left me by the kitchendoor; and when I would have gone in, your little boy playedsentinel over the place, and frightened me off by the help of abull-dog.'

'It's well the hellish villain has kept his word!' growled myfuture host, searching the darkness beyond me in expectation ofdiscovering Heathcliff; and then he indulged in a soliloquy ofexecrations, and threats of what he would have done had the 'fiend'deceived him.

I repented having tried this second entrance, and was almostinclined to slip away before he finished cursing, but ere I couldexecute that intention, he ordered me in, and shut and re-fastenedthe door. There was a great fire, and that was all the light inthe huge apartment, whose floor had grown a uniform grey; and theonce brilliant pewter-dishes, which used to attract my gaze when Iwas a girl, partook of a similar obscurity, created by tarnish anddust. I inquired whether I might call the maid, and be conductedto a bedroom! Mr. Earnshaw vouchsafed no answer. He walked up anddown, with his hands in his pockets, apparently quite forgetting mypresence; and his abstraction was evidently so deep, and his wholeaspect so misanthropical, that I shrank from disturbing him again.

You'll not be surprised, Ellen, at my feeling particularlycheerless, seated in worse than solitude on that inhospitablehearth, and remembering that four miles distant lay my delightfulhome, containing the only people I loved on earth; and there mightas well be the Atlantic to part us, instead of those four miles: Icould not overpass them! I questioned with myself - where must Iturn for comfort? and - mind you don't tell Edgar, or Catherine -above every sorrow beside, this rose pre-eminent: despair atfinding nobody who could or would be my ally against Heathcliff! Ihad sought shelter at Wuthering Heights, almost gladly, because Iwas secured by that arrangement from living alone with him; but heknew the people we were coming amongst, and he did not fear theirintermeddling.

I sat and thought a doleful time: the clock struck eight, andnine, and still my companion paced to and fro, his head bent on hisbreast, and perfectly silent, unless a groan or a bitterejaculation forced itself out at intervals. I listened to detect awoman's voice in the house, and filled the interim with wildregrets and dismal anticipations, which, at last, spoke audibly inirrepressible sighing and weeping. I was not aware how openly Igrieved, till Earnshaw halted opposite, in his measured walk, andgave me a stare of newly-awakened surprise. Taking advantage ofhis recovered attention, I exclaimed - 'I'm tired with my journey,and I want to go to bed! Where is the maid-servant? Direct me toher, as she won't come to me!'

'We have none,' he answered; 'you must wait on yourself!'

'Where must I sleep, then?' I sobbed; I was beyond regarding self-respect, weighed down by fatigue and wretchedness.

'Joseph will show you Heathcliff's chamber,' said he; 'open thatdoor - he's in there.'

I was going to obey, but he suddenly arrested me, and added in thestrangest tone - 'Be so good as to turn your lock, and draw yourbolt - don't omit it!'

'Well!' I said. 'But why, Mr. Earnshaw?' I did not relish thenotion of deliberately fastening myself in with Heathcliff.

'Look here!' he replied, pulling from his waistcoat a curiously-constructed pistol, having a double-edged spring knife attached tothe barrel. 'That's a great tempter to a desperate man, is it not?I cannot resist going up with this every night, and trying hisdoor. If once I find it open he's done for; I do it invariably,even though the minute before I have been recalling a hundredreasons that should make me refrain: it is some devil that urgesme to thwart my own schemes by killing him. You fight against thatdevil for love as long as you may; when the time comes, not all theangels in heaven shall save him!'

I surveyed the weapon inquisitively. A hideous notion struck me:how powerful I should be possessing such an instrument! I took itfrom his hand, and touched the blade. He looked astonished at theexpression my face assumed during a brief second: it was nothorror, it was covetousness. He snatched the pistol back,jealously; shut the knife, and returned it to its concealment.

'I don't care if you tell him,' said he. 'Put him on his guard,and watch for him. You know the terms we are on, I see: hisdanger does not shock you.'

'What has Heathcliff done to you?' I asked. 'In what has hewronged you, to warrant this appalling hatred? Wouldn't it bewiser to bid him quit the house?'

'No!' thundered Earnshaw; 'should he offer to leave me, he's a deadman: persuade him to attempt it, and you are a murderess! Am I tolose ALL, without a chance of retrieval? Is Hareton to be abeggar? Oh, damnation! I WILL have it back; and I'll have HISgold too; and then his blood; and hell shall have his soul! Itwill be ten times blacker with that guest than ever it was before!'

You've acquainted me, Ellen, with your old master's habits. He isclearly on the verge of madness: he was so last night at least. Ishuddered to be near him, and thought on the servant's ill-bredmoroseness as comparatively agreeable. He now recommenced hismoody walk, and I raised the latch, and escaped into the kitchen.Joseph was bending over the fire, peering into a large pan thatswung above it; and a wooden bowl of oatmeal stood on the settleclose by. The contents of the pan began to boil, and he turned toplunge his hand into the bowl; I conjectured that this preparationwas probably for our supper, and, being hungry, I resolved itshould be eatable; so, crying out sharply, 'I'LL make theporridge!' I removed the vessel out of his reach, and proceeded totake off my hat and riding-habit. 'Mr. Earnshaw,' I continued,'directs me to wait on myself: I will. I'm not going to act thelady among you, for fear I should starve.'

'Gooid Lord!' he muttered, sitting down, and stroking his ribbedstockings from the knee to the ankle. 'If there's to be freshortherings - just when I getten used to two maisters, if I mun hev'a MISTRESS set o'er my heead, it's like time to be flitting. Iniver DID think to see t' day that I mud lave th' owld place - butI doubt it's nigh at hand!'

This lamentation drew no notice from me: I went briskly to work,sighing to remember a period when it would have been all merry fun;but compelled speedily to drive off the remembrance. It racked meto recall past happiness and the greater peril there was ofconjuring up its apparition, the quicker the thible ran round, andthe faster the handfuls of meal fell into the water. Joseph beheldmy style of cookery with growing indignation.

'Thear!' he ejaculated. 'Hareton, thou willn't sup thy porridgeto-neeght; they'll be naught but lumps as big as my neive. Thear,agean! I'd fling in bowl un' all, if I wer ye! There, pale t'guilp off, un' then ye'll hae done wi' 't. Bang, bang. It's amercy t' bothom isn't deaved out!'

It WAS rather a rough mess, I own, when poured into the basins;four had been provided, and a gallon pitcher of new milk wasbrought from the dairy, which Hareton seized and commenced drinkingand spilling from the expansive lip. I expostulated, and desiredthat he should have his in a mug; affirming that I could not tastethe liquid treated so dirtily. The old cynic chose to be vastlyoffended at this nicety; assuring me, repeatedly, that 'the barnwas every bit as good' as I, 'and every bit as wollsome,' andwondering how I could fashion to be so conceited. Meanwhile, theinfant ruffian continued sucking; and glowered up at me defyingly,as he slavered into the jug.

'I shall have my supper in another room,' I said. 'Have you noplace you call a parlour?'

'PARLOUR!' he echoed, sneeringly, 'PARLOUR! Nay, we've noaPARLOURS. If yah dunnut loike wer company, there's maister's; un'if yah dunnut loike maister, there's us.'

'Then I shall go up-stairs,' I answered; 'show me a chamber.'

I put my basin on a tray, and went myself to fetch some more milk.With great grumblings, the fellow rose, and preceded me in myascent: we mounted to the garrets; he opened a door, now and then,to look into the apartments we passed.

'Here's a rahm,' he said, at last, flinging back a cranky board onhinges. 'It's weel eneugh to ate a few porridge in. There's apack o' corn i' t' corner, thear, meeterly clane; if ye're fearedo' muckying yer grand silk cloes, spread yer hankerchir o' t' topon't.'

The 'rahm' was a kind of lumber-hole smelling strong of malt andgrain; various sacks of which articles were piled around, leaving awide, bare space in the middle.

'Why, man,' I exclaimed, facing him angrily, 'this is not a placeto sleep in. I wish to see my bed-room.'

'BED-RUME!' he repeated, in a tone of mockery. 'Yah's see all t'BED-RUMES thear is - yon's mine.'

He pointed into the second garret, only differing from the first inbeing more naked about the walls, and having a large, low,curtainless bed, with an indigo-coloured quilt, at one end.

'What do I want with yours?' I retorted. 'I suppose Mr. Heathcliffdoes not lodge at the top of the house, does he?'

'Oh! it's Maister HATHECLIFF'S ye're wanting?' cried he, as ifmaking a new discovery. 'Couldn't ye ha' said soa, at onst? un'then, I mud ha' telled ye, baht all this wark, that that's just oneye cannut see - he allas keeps it locked, un' nob'dy iver mellson't but hisseln.'

'You've a nice house, Joseph,' I could not refrain from observing,'and pleasant inmates; and I think the concentrated essence of allthe madness in the world took up its abode in my brain the day Ilinked my fate with theirs! However, that is not to the presentpurpose - there are other rooms. For heaven's sake be quick, andlet me settle somewhere!'

He made no reply to this adjuration; only plodding doggedly downthe wooden steps, and halting, before an apartment which, from thathalt and the superior quality of its furniture, I conjectured to bethe best one. There was a carpet - a good one, but the pattern wasobliterated by dust; a fireplace hung with cut-paper, dropping topieces; a handsome oak-bedstead with ample crimson curtains ofrather expensive material and modern make; but they had evidentlyexperienced rough usage: the vallances hung in festoons, wrenchedfrom their rings, and the iron rod supporting them was bent in anarc on one side, causing the drapery to trail upon the floor. Thechairs were also damaged, many of them severely; and deepindentations deformed the panels of the walls. I was endeavouringto gather resolution for entering and taking possession, when myfool of a guide announced, - 'This here is t' maister's.' Mysupper by this time was cold, my appetite gone, and my patienceexhausted. I insisted on being provided instantly with a place ofrefuge, and means of repose.

'Whear the divil?' began the religious elder. 'The Lord bless us!The Lord forgie us! Whear the HELL wdd ye gang? ye marred,wearisome nowt! Ye've seen all but Hareton's bit of a cham'er.There's not another hoile to lig down in i' th' hahse!'

I was so vexed, I flung my tray and its contents on the ground; andthen seated myself at the stairs'-head, hid my face in my hands,and cried.

'Ech! ech!' exclaimed Joseph. 'Weel done, Miss Cathy! weel done,Miss Cathy! Howsiver, t' maister sall just tum'le o'er thembrooken pots; un' then we's hear summut; we's hear how it's to be.Gooid-for-naught madling! ye desarve pining fro' this to Churstmas,flinging t' precious gifts o'God under fooit i' yer flaysome rages!But I'm mista'en if ye shew yer sperrit lang. Will Hathecliff bidesich bonny ways, think ye? I nobbut wish he may catch ye i' thatplisky. I nobbut wish he may.'

And so he went on scolding to his den beneath, taking the candlewith him; and I remained in the dark. The period of reflectionsucceeding this silly action compelled me to admit the necessity ofsmothering my pride and choking my wrath, and bestirring myself toremove its effects. An unexpected aid presently appeared in theshape of Throttler, whom I now recognised as a son of our oldSkulker: it had spent its whelphood at the Grange, and was givenby my father to Mr. Hindley. I fancy it knew me: it pushed itsnose against mine by way of salute, and then hastened to devour theporridge; while I groped from step to step, collecting theshattered earthenware, and drying the spatters of milk from thebanister with my pocket-handkerchief. Our labours were scarcelyover when I heard Earnshaw's tread in the passage; my assistanttucked in his tail, and pressed to the wall; I stole into thenearest doorway. The dog's endeavour to avoid him wasunsuccessful; as I guessed by a scutter down-stairs, and aprolonged, piteous yelping. I had better luck: he passed on,entered his chamber, and shut the door. Directly after Joseph cameup with Hareton, to put him to bed. I had found shelter inHareton's room, and the old man, on seeing me, said, - 'They's rahmfor boath ye un' yer pride, now, I sud think i' the hahse. It'sempty; ye may hev' it all to yerseln, un' Him as allus maks athird, i' sich ill company!'

Gladly did I take advantage of this intimation; and the minute Iflung myself into a chair, by the fire, I nodded, and slept. Myslumber was deep and sweet, though over far too soon. Mr.Heathcliff awoke me; he had just come in, and demanded, in hisloving manner, what I was doing there? I told him the cause of mystaying up so late - that he had the key of our room in his pocket.The adjective OUR gave mortal offence. He swore it was not, norever should be, mine; and he'd - but I'll not repeat his language,nor describe his habitual conduct: he is ingenious and unrestingin seeking to gain my abhorrence! I sometimes wonder at him withan intensity that deadens my fear: yet, I assure you, a tiger or avenomous serpent could not rouse terror in me equal to that whichhe wakens. He told me of Catherine's illness, and accused mybrother of causing it promising that I should be Edgar's proxy insuffering, till he could get hold of him.

I do hate him - I am wretched - I have been a fool! Beware ofuttering one breath of this to any one at the Grange. I shallexpect you every day - don't disappoint me! - ISABELLA.