by Emily Brontë
CHAPTER X
A charming introduction to a hermit's life! Four weeks' torture,tossing, and sickness! Oh, these bleak winds and bitter northern skies,and impassable roads, and dilatory country surgeons! And oh, this dearthof the human physiognomy! and, worse than all, the terrible intimation ofKenneth that I need not expect to be out of doors till spring!
Mr. Heathcliff has just honoured me with a call. About seven days ago hesent me a brace of grouse--the last of the season. Scoundrel! He is notaltogether guiltless in this illness of mine; and that I had a great mindto tell him. But, alas! how could I offend a man who was charitableenough to sit at my bedside a good hour, and talk on some other subjectthan pills and draughts, blisters and leeches? This is quite an easyinterval. I am too weak to read; yet I feel as if I could enjoysomething interesting. Why not have up Mrs. Dean to finish her tale? Ican recollect its chief incidents, as far as she had gone. Yes: Iremember her hero had run off, and never been heard of for three years;and the heroine was married. I'll ring: she'll be delighted to find mecapable of talking cheerfully. Mrs. Dean came.
'It wants twenty minutes, sir, to taking the medicine,' she commenced.
'Away, away with it!' I replied; 'I desire to have--'
'The doctor says you must drop the powders.'
'With all my heart! Don't interrupt me. Come and take your seat here.Keep your fingers from that bitter phalanx of vials. Draw your knittingout of your pocket--that will do--now continue the history of Mr.Heathcliff, from where you left off, to the present day. Did he finishhis education on the Continent, and come back a gentleman? or did he geta sizar's place at college, or escape to America, and earn honours bydrawing blood from his foster-country? or make a fortune more promptly onthe English highways?'
'He may have done a little in all these vocations, Mr. Lockwood; but Icouldn't give my word for any. I stated before that I didn't know how hegained his money; neither am I aware of the means he took to raise hismind from the savage ignorance into which it was sunk: but, with yourleave, I'll proceed in my own fashion, if you think it will amuse and notweary you. Are you feeling better this morning?'
'Much.'
'That's good news.'
* * * * *
I got Miss Catherine and myself to Thrushcross Grange; and, to myagreeable disappointment, she behaved infinitely better than I dared toexpect. She seemed almost over-fond of Mr. Linton; and even to hissister she showed plenty of affection. They were both very attentive toher comfort, certainly. It was not the thorn bending to thehoneysuckles, but the honeysuckles embracing the thorn. There were nomutual concessions: one stood erect, and the others yielded: and who canbe ill-natured and bad-tempered when they encounter neither oppositionnor indifference? I observed that Mr. Edgar had a deep-rooted fear ofruffling her humour. He concealed it from her; but if ever he heard meanswer sharply, or saw any other servant grow cloudy at some imperiousorder of hers, he would show his trouble by a frown of displeasure thatnever darkened on his own account. He many a time spoke sternly to meabout my pertness; and averred that the stab of a knife could not inflicta worse pang than he suffered at seeing his lady vexed. Not to grieve akind master, I learned to be less touchy; and, for the space of half ayear, the gunpowder lay as harmless as sand, because no fire came near toexplode it. Catherine had seasons of gloom and silence now and then:they were respected with sympathising silence by her husband, whoascribed them to an alteration in her constitution, produced by herperilous illness; as she was never subject to depression of spiritsbefore. The return of sunshine was welcomed by answering sunshine fromhim. I believe I may assert that they were really in possession of deepand growing happiness.
It ended. Well, we _must_ be for ourselves in the long run; the mild andgenerous are only more justly selfish than the domineering; and it endedwhen circumstances caused each to feel that the one's interest was notthe chief consideration in the other's thoughts. On a mellow evening inSeptember, I was coming from the garden with a heavy basket of appleswhich I had been gathering. It had got dusk, and the moon looked overthe high wall of the court, causing undefined shadows to lurk in thecorners of the numerous projecting portions of the building. I set myburden on the house-steps by the kitchen-door, and lingered to rest, anddrew in a few more breaths of the soft, sweet air; my eyes were on themoon, and my back to the entrance, when I heard a voice behind mesay,--'Nelly, is that you?'
It was a deep voice, and foreign in tone; yet there was something in themanner of pronouncing my name which made it sound familiar. I turnedabout to discover who spoke, fearfully; for the doors were shut, and Ihad seen nobody on approaching the steps. Something stirred in theporch; and, moving nearer, I distinguished a tall man dressed in darkclothes, with dark face and hair. He leant against the side, and heldhis fingers on the latch as if intending to open for himself. 'Who canit be?' I thought. 'Mr. Earnshaw? Oh, no! The voice has no resemblanceto his.'
'I have waited here an hour,' he resumed, while I continued staring; 'andthe whole of that time all round has been as still as death. I dared notenter. You do not know me? Look, I'm not a stranger!'
A ray fell on his features; the cheeks were sallow, and half covered withblack whiskers; the brows lowering, the eyes deep-set and singular. Iremembered the eyes.
'What!' I cried, uncertain whether to regard him as a worldly visitor,and I raised my hands in amazement. 'What! you come back? Is it reallyyou? Is it?'
'Yes, Heathcliff,' he replied, glancing from me up to the windows, whichreflected a score of glittering moons, but showed no lights from within.'Are they at home? where is she? Nelly, you are not glad! you needn't beso disturbed. Is she here? Speak! I want to have one word withher--your mistress. Go, and say some person from Gimmerton desires tosee her.'
'How will she take it?' I exclaimed. 'What will she do? The surprisebewilders me--it will put her out of her head! And you _are_ Heathcliff!But altered! Nay, there's no comprehending it. Have you been for asoldier?'
'Go and carry my message,' he interrupted, impatiently. 'I'm in helltill you do!'
He lifted the latch, and I entered; but when I got to the parlour whereMr. and Mrs. Linton were, I could not persuade myself to proceed. Atlength I resolved on making an excuse to ask if they would have thecandles lighted, and I opened the door.
They sat together in a window whose lattice lay back against the wall,and displayed, beyond the garden trees, and the wild green park, thevalley of Gimmerton, with a long line of mist winding nearly to its top(for very soon after you pass the chapel, as you may have noticed, thesough that runs from the marshes joins a beck which follows the bend ofthe glen). Wuthering Heights rose above this silvery vapour; but our oldhouse was invisible; it rather dips down on the other side. Both theroom and its occupants, and the scene they gazed on, looked wondrouslypeaceful. I shrank reluctantly from performing my errand; and wasactually going away leaving it unsaid, after having put my question aboutthe candles, when a sense of my folly compelled me to return, and mutter,'A person from Gimmerton wishes to see you ma'am.'
'What does he want?' asked Mrs. Linton.
'I did not question him,' I answered.
'Well, close the curtains, Nelly,' she said; 'and bring up tea. I'll beback again directly.'
She quitted the apartment; Mr. Edgar inquired, carelessly, who it was.
'Some one mistress does not expect,' I replied. 'That Heathcliff--yourecollect him, sir--who used to live at Mr. Earnshaw's.'
'What! the gipsy--the ploughboy?' he cried. 'Why did you not say so toCatherine?'
'Hush! you must not call him by those names, master,' I said. 'She'd besadly grieved to hear you. She was nearly heartbroken when he ran off. Iguess his return will make a jubilee to her.'
Mr. Linton walked to a window on the other side of the room thatoverlooked the court. He unfastened it, and leant out. I suppose theywere below, for he exclaimed quickly: 'Don't stand there, love! Bringthe person in, if it be a
nyone particular.' Ere long, I heard the clickof the latch, and Catherine flew up-stairs, breathless and wild; tooexcited to show gladness: indeed, by her face, you would rather havesurmised an awful calamity.
'Oh, Edgar, Edgar!' she panted, flinging her arms round his neck. 'Oh,Edgar darling! Heathcliff's come back--he is!' And she tightened herembrace to a squeeze.
'Well, well,' cried her husband, crossly, 'don't strangle me for that! Henever struck me as such a marvellous treasure. There is no need to befrantic!'
'I know you didn't like him,' she answered, repressing a little theintensity of her delight. 'Yet, for my sake, you must be friends now.Shall I tell him to come up?'
'Here,' he said, 'into the parlour?'
'Where else?' she asked.
He looked vexed, and suggested the kitchen as a more suitable place forhim. Mrs. Linton eyed him with a droll expression--half angry, halflaughing at his fastidiousness.
'No,' she added, after a while; 'I cannot sit in the kitchen. Set twotables here, Ellen: one for your master and Miss Isabella, being gentry;the other for Heathcliff and myself, being of the lower orders. Willthat please you, dear? Or must I have a fire lighted elsewhere? If so,give directions. I'll run down and secure my guest. I'm afraid the joyis too great to be real!'
She was about to dart off again; but Edgar arrested her.
'_You_ bid him step up,' he said, addressing me; 'and, Catherine, try tobe glad, without being absurd. The whole household need not witness thesight of your welcoming a runaway servant as a brother.'
I descended, and found Heathcliff waiting under the porch, evidentlyanticipating an invitation to enter. He followed my guidance withoutwaste of words, and I ushered him into the presence of the master andmistress, whose flushed cheeks betrayed signs of warm talking. But thelady's glowed with another feeling when her friend appeared at the door:she sprang forward, took both his hands, and led him to Linton; and thenshe seized Linton's reluctant fingers and crushed them into his. Now,fully revealed by the fire and candlelight, I was amazed, more than ever,to behold the transformation of Heathcliff. He had grown a tall,athletic, well-formed man; beside whom my master seemed quite slender andyouth-like. His upright carriage suggested the idea of his having beenin the army. His countenance was much older in expression and decisionof feature than Mr. Linton's; it looked intelligent, and retained nomarks of former degradation. A half-civilised ferocity lurked yet in thedepressed brows and eyes full of black fire, but it was subdued; and hismanner was even dignified: quite divested of roughness, though stern forgrace. My master's surprise equalled or exceeded mine: he remained for aminute at a loss how to address the ploughboy, as he had called him.Heathcliff dropped his slight hand, and stood looking at him coolly tillhe chose to speak.
'Sit down, sir,' he said, at length. 'Mrs. Linton, recalling old times,would have me give you a cordial reception; and, of course, I amgratified when anything occurs to please her.'
'And I also,' answered Heathcliff, 'especially if it be anything in whichI have a part. I shall stay an hour or two willingly.'
He took a seat opposite Catherine, who kept her gaze fixed on him as ifshe feared he would vanish were she to remove it. He did not raise histo her often: a quick glance now and then sufficed; but it flashed back,each time more confidently, the undisguised delight he drank from hers.They were too much absorbed in their mutual joy to suffer embarrassment.Not so Mr. Edgar: he grew pale with pure annoyance: a feeling thatreached its climax when his lady rose, and stepping across the rug,seized Heathcliff's hands again, and laughed like one beside herself.
'I shall think it a dream to-morrow!' she cried. 'I shall not be able tobelieve that I have seen, and touched, and spoken to you once more. Andyet, cruel Heathcliff! you don't deserve this welcome. To be absent andsilent for three years, and never to think of me!'
'A little more than you have thought of me,' he murmured. 'I heard ofyour marriage, Cathy, not long since; and, while waiting in the yardbelow, I meditated this plan--just to have one glimpse of your face, astare of surprise, perhaps, and pretended pleasure; afterwards settle myscore with Hindley; and then prevent the law by doing execution onmyself. Your welcome has put these ideas out of my mind; but beware ofmeeting me with another aspect next time! Nay, you'll not drive me offagain. You were really sorry for me, were you? Well, there was cause.I've fought through a bitter life since I last heard your voice; and youmust forgive me, for I struggled only for you!'
'Catherine, unless we are to have cold tea, please to come to the table,'interrupted Linton, striving to preserve his ordinary tone, and a duemeasure of politeness. 'Mr. Heathcliff will have a long walk, whereverhe may lodge to-night; and I'm thirsty.'
She took her post before the urn; and Miss Isabella came, summoned by thebell; then, having handed their chairs forward, I left the room. Themeal hardly endured ten minutes. Catherine's cup was never filled: shecould neither eat nor drink. Edgar had made a slop in his saucer, andscarcely swallowed a mouthful. Their guest did not protract his staythat evening above an hour longer. I asked, as he departed, if he wentto Gimmerton?
'No, to Wuthering Heights,' he answered: 'Mr. Earnshaw invited me, when Icalled this morning.'
Mr. Earnshaw invited _him_! and _he_ called on Mr. Earnshaw! I ponderedthis sentence painfully, after he was gone. Is he turning out a bit of ahypocrite, and coming into the country to work mischief under a cloak? Imused: I had a presentiment in the bottom of my heart that he had betterhave remained away.
About the middle of the night, I was wakened from my first nap by Mrs.Linton gliding into my chamber, taking a seat on my bedside, and pullingme by the hair to rouse me.
'I cannot rest, Ellen,' she said, by way of apology. 'And I want someliving creature to keep me company in my happiness! Edgar is sulky,because I'm glad of a thing that does not interest him: he refuses toopen his mouth, except to utter pettish, silly speeches; and he affirmedI was cruel and selfish for wishing to talk when he was so sick andsleepy. He always contrives to be sick at the least cross! I gave a fewsentences of commendation to Heathcliff, and he, either for a headache ora pang of envy, began to cry: so I got up and left him.'
'What use is it praising Heathcliff to him?' I answered. 'As lads theyhad an aversion to each other, and Heathcliff would hate just as much tohear him praised: it's human nature. Let Mr. Linton alone about him,unless you would like an open quarrel between them.'
'But does it not show great weakness?' pursued she. 'I'm not envious: Inever feel hurt at the brightness of Isabella's yellow hair and thewhiteness of her skin, at her dainty elegance, and the fondness all thefamily exhibit for her. Even you, Nelly, if we have a dispute sometimes,you back Isabella at once; and I yield like a foolish mother: I call hera darling, and flatter her into a good temper. It pleases her brother tosee us cordial, and that pleases me. But they are very much alike: theyare spoiled children, and fancy the world was made for theiraccommodation; and though I humour both, I think a smart chastisementmight improve them all the same.'
'You're mistaken, Mrs. Linton,' said I. 'They humour you: I know whatthere would be to do if they did not. You can well afford to indulgetheir passing whims as long as their business is to anticipate all yourdesires. You may, however, fall out, at last, over something of equalconsequence to both sides; and then those you term weak are very capableof being as obstinate as you.'
'And then we shall fight to the death, sha'n't we, Nelly?' she returned,laughing. 'No! I tell you, I have such faith in Linton's love, that Ibelieve I might kill him, and he wouldn't wish to retaliate.'
I advised her to value him the more for his affection.
'I do,' she answered, 'but he needn't resort to whining for trifles. Itis childish and, instead of melting into tears because I said thatHeathcliff was now worthy of anyone's regard, and it would honour thefirst gentleman in the country to be his friend, he ought to have said itfor me, and been delighted from sympathy. He must get accustomed to him,an
d he may as well like him: considering how Heathcliff has reason toobject to him, I'm sure he behaved excellently!'
'What do you think of his going to Wuthering Heights?' I inquired. 'Heis reformed in every respect, apparently: quite a Christian: offering theright hand of fellowship to his enemies all around!'
'He explained it,' she replied. 'I wonder as much as you. He said hecalled to gather information concerning me from you, supposing youresided there still; and Joseph told Hindley, who came out and fell toquestioning him of what he had been doing, and how he had been living;and finally, desired him to walk in. There were some persons sitting atcards; Heathcliff joined them; my brother lost some money to him, and,finding him plentifully supplied, he requested that he would come againin the evening: to which he consented. Hindley is too reckless to selecthis acquaintance prudently: he doesn't trouble himself to reflect on thecauses he might have for mistrusting one whom he has basely injured. ButHeathcliff affirms his principal reason for resuming a connection withhis ancient persecutor is a wish to install himself in quarters at walkingdistance from the Grange, and an attachment to the house where we livedtogether; and likewise a hope that I shall have more opportunities ofseeing him there than I could have if he settled in Gimmerton. He meansto offer liberal payment for permission to lodge at the Heights; anddoubtless my brother's covetousness will prompt him to accept the terms:he was always greedy; though what he grasps with one hand he flings awaywith the other.'
'It's a nice place for a young man to fix his dwelling in!' said I. 'Haveyou no fear of the consequences, Mrs. Linton?'
'None for my friend,' she replied: 'his strong head will keep him fromdanger; a little for Hindley: but he can't be made morally worse than heis; and I stand between him and bodily harm. The event of this eveninghas reconciled me to God and humanity! I had risen in angry rebellionagainst Providence. Oh, I've endured very, very bitter misery, Nelly! Ifthat creature knew how bitter, he'd be ashamed to cloud its removal withidle petulance. It was kindness for him which induced me to bear italone: had I expressed the agony I frequently felt, he would have beentaught to long for its alleviation as ardently as I. However, it's over,and I'll take no revenge on his folly; I can afford to suffer anythinghereafter! Should the meanest thing alive slap me on the cheek, I'd notonly turn the other, but I'd ask pardon for provoking it; and, as aproof, I'll go make my peace with Edgar instantly. Good-night! I'm anangel!'
In this self-complacent conviction she departed; and the success of herfulfilled resolution was obvious on the morrow: Mr. Linton had not onlyabjured his peevishness (though his spirits seemed still subdued byCatherine's exuberance of vivacity), but he ventured no objection to hertaking Isabella with her to Wuthering Heights in the afternoon; and sherewarded him with such a summer of sweetness and affection in return asmade the house a paradise for several days; both master and servantsprofiting from the perpetual sunshine.
Heathcliff--Mr. Heathcliff I should say in future--used the liberty ofvisiting at Thrushcross Grange cautiously, at first: he seemed estimatinghow far its owner would bear his intrusion. Catherine, also, deemed itjudicious to moderate her expressions of pleasure in receiving him; andhe gradually established his right to be expected. He retained a greatdeal of the reserve for which his boyhood was remarkable; and that servedto repress all startling demonstrations of feeling. My master'suneasiness experienced a lull, and further circumstances diverted it intoanother channel for a space.
His new source of trouble sprang from the not anticipated misfortune ofIsabella Linton evincing a sudden and irresistible attraction towards thetolerated guest. She was at that time a charming young lady of eighteen;infantile in manners, though possessed of keen wit, keen feelings, and akeen temper, too, if irritated. Her brother, who loved her tenderly, wasappalled at this fantastic preference. Leaving aside the degradation ofan alliance with a nameless man, and the possible fact that his property,in default of heirs male, might pass into such a one's power, he hadsense to comprehend Heathcliff's disposition: to know that, though hisexterior was altered, his mind was unchangeable and unchanged. And hedreaded that mind: it revolted him: he shrank forebodingly from the ideaof committing Isabella to its keeping. He would have recoiled still morehad he been aware that her attachment rose unsolicited, and was bestowedwhere it awakened no reciprocation of sentiment; for the minute hediscovered its existence he laid the blame on Heathcliff's deliberatedesigning.
We had all remarked, during some time, that Miss Linton fretted and pinedover something. She grew cross and wearisome; snapping at and teasingCatherine continually, at the imminent risk of exhausting her limitedpatience. We excused her, to a certain extent, on the plea ofill-health: she was dwindling and fading before our eyes. But one day,when she had been peculiarly wayward, rejecting her breakfast,complaining that the servants did not do what she told them; that themistress would allow her to be nothing in the house, and Edgar neglectedher; that she had caught a cold with the doors being left open, and welet the parlour fire go out on purpose to vex her, with a hundred yetmore frivolous accusations, Mrs. Linton peremptorily insisted that sheshould get to bed; and, having scolded her heartily, threatened to sendfor the doctor. Mention of Kenneth caused her to exclaim, instantly,that her health was perfect, and it was only Catherine's harshness whichmade her unhappy.
'How can you say I am harsh, you naughty fondling?' cried the mistress,amazed at the unreasonable assertion. 'You are surely losing yourreason. When have I been harsh, tell me?'
'Yesterday,' sobbed Isabella, 'and now!'
'Yesterday!' said her sister-in-law. 'On what occasion?'
'In our walk along the moor: you told me to ramble where I pleased, whileyou sauntered on with Mr. Heathcliff!'
'And that's your notion of harshness?' said Catherine, laughing. 'It wasno hint that your company was superfluous? We didn't care whether youkept with us or not; I merely thought Heathcliff's talk would havenothing entertaining for your ears.'
'Oh, no,' wept the young lady; 'you wished me away, because you knew Iliked to be there!'
'Is she sane?' asked Mrs. Linton, appealing to me. 'I'll repeat ourconversation, word for word, Isabella; and you point out any charm itcould have had for you.'
'I don't mind the conversation,' she answered: 'I wanted to be with--'
'Well?' said Catherine, perceiving her hesitate to complete the sentence.
'With him: and I won't be always sent off!' she continued, kindling up.'You are a dog in the manger, Cathy, and desire no one to be loved butyourself!'
'You are an impertinent little monkey!' exclaimed Mrs. Linton, insurprise. 'But I'll not believe this idiotcy! It is impossible that youcan covet the admiration of Heathcliff--that you consider him anagreeable person! I hope I have misunderstood you, Isabella?'
'No, you have not,' said the infatuated girl. 'I love him more than everyou loved Edgar, and he might love me, if you would let him!'
'I wouldn't be you for a kingdom, then!' Catherine declared,emphatically: and she seemed to speak sincerely. 'Nelly, help me toconvince her of her madness. Tell her what Heathcliff is: an unreclaimedcreature, without refinement, without cultivation; an arid wilderness offurze and whinstone. I'd as soon put that little canary into the park ona winter's day, as recommend you to bestow your heart on him! It isdeplorable ignorance of his character, child, and nothing else, whichmakes that dream enter your head. Pray, don't imagine that he concealsdepths of benevolence and affection beneath a stern exterior! He's not arough diamond--a pearl-containing oyster of a rustic: he's a fierce,pitiless, wolfish man. I never say to him, "Let this or that enemyalone, because it would be ungenerous or cruel to harm them;" I say, "Letthem alone, because _I_ should hate them to be wronged:" and he'd crushyou like a sparrow's egg, Isabella, if he found you a troublesome charge.I know he couldn't love a Linton; and yet he'd be quite capable ofmarrying your fortune and expectations: avarice is growing with him abesetting sin. There's my picture: and I'm his friend--s
o much so, thathad he thought seriously to catch you, I should, perhaps, have held mytongue, and let you fall into his trap.'
Miss Linton regarded her sister-in-law with indignation.
'For shame! for shame!' she repeated, angrily. 'You are worse thantwenty foes, you poisonous friend!'
'Ah! you won't believe me, then?' said Catherine. 'You think I speakfrom wicked selfishness?'
'I'm certain you do,' retorted Isabella; 'and I shudder at you!'
'Good!' cried the other. 'Try for yourself, if that be your spirit: Ihave done, and yield the argument to your saucy insolence.'--
'And I must suffer for her egotism!' she sobbed, as Mrs. Linton left theroom. 'All, all is against me: she has blighted my single consolation.But she uttered falsehoods, didn't she? Mr. Heathcliff is not a fiend:he has an honourable soul, and a true one, or how could he remember her?'
'Banish him from your thoughts, Miss,' I said. 'He's a bird of bad omen:no mate for you. Mrs. Linton spoke strongly, and yet I can't contradicther. She is better acquainted with his heart than I, or any one besides;and she never would represent him as worse than he is. Honest peopledon't hide their deeds. How has he been living? how has he got rich? whyis he staying at Wuthering Heights, the house of a man whom he abhors?They say Mr. Earnshaw is worse and worse since he came. They sit up allnight together continually, and Hindley has been borrowing money on hisland, and does nothing but play and drink: I heard only a week ago--itwas Joseph who told me--I met him at Gimmerton: "Nelly," he said, "we'shae a crowner's 'quest enow, at ahr folks'. One on 'em 's a'most gettenhis finger cut off wi' hauding t' other fro' stickin' hisseln loike acawlf. That's maister, yeah knaw, 'at 's soa up o' going tuh t' grand'sizes. He's noan feared o' t' bench o' judges, norther Paul, nur Peter,nur John, nur Matthew, nor noan on 'em, not he! He fair likes--he langsto set his brazened face agean 'em! And yon bonny lad Heathcliff, yahmind, he's a rare 'un. He can girn a laugh as well 's onybody at araight divil's jest. Does he niver say nowt of his fine living amang us,when he goes to t' Grange? This is t' way on 't:--up at sun-down: dice,brandy, cloised shutters, und can'le-light till next day at noon: then,t'fooil gangs banning und raving to his cham'er, makking dacent fowks digthur fingers i' thur lugs fur varry shame; un' the knave, why he cancaint his brass, un' ate, un' sleep, un' off to his neighbour's to gossipwi' t' wife. I' course, he tells Dame Catherine how her fathur's gooldruns into his pocket, and her fathur's son gallops down t' broad road,while he flees afore to oppen t' pikes!" Now, Miss Linton, Joseph is anold rascal, but no liar; and, if his account of Heathcliff's conduct betrue, you would never think of desiring such a husband, would you?'
'You are leagued with the rest, Ellen!' she replied. 'I'll not listen toyour slanders. What malevolence you must have to wish to convince methat there is no happiness in the world!'
Whether she would have got over this fancy if left to herself, orpersevered in nursing it perpetually, I cannot say: she had little timeto reflect. The day after, there was a justice-meeting at the next town;my master was obliged to attend; and Mr. Heathcliff, aware of hisabsence, called rather earlier than usual. Catherine and Isabella weresitting in the library, on hostile terms, but silent: the latter alarmedat her recent indiscretion, and the disclosure she had made of her secretfeelings in a transient fit of passion; the former, on matureconsideration, really offended with her companion; and, if she laughedagain at her pertness, inclined to make it no laughing matter to her. Shedid laugh as she saw Heathcliff pass the window. I was sweeping thehearth, and I noticed a mischievous smile on her lips. Isabella,absorbed in her meditations, or a book, remained till the door opened;and it was too late to attempt an escape, which she would gladly havedone had it been practicable.
'Come in, that's right!' exclaimed the mistress, gaily, pulling a chairto the fire. 'Here are two people sadly in need of a third to thaw theice between them; and you are the very one we should both of us choose.Heathcliff, I'm proud to show you, at last, somebody that dotes on youmore than myself. I expect you to feel flattered. Nay, it's not Nelly;don't look at her! My poor little sister-in-law is breaking her heart bymere contemplation of your physical and moral beauty. It lies in yourown power to be Edgar's brother! No, no, Isabella, you sha'n't run off,'she continued, arresting, with feigned playfulness, the confounded girl,who had risen indignantly. 'We were quarrelling like cats about you,Heathcliff; and I was fairly beaten in protestations of devotion andadmiration: and, moreover, I was informed that if I would but have themanners to stand aside, my rival, as she will have herself to be, wouldshoot a shaft into your soul that would fix you for ever, and send myimage into eternal oblivion!'
'Catherine!' said Isabella, calling up her dignity, and disdaining tostruggle from the tight grasp that held her, 'I'd thank you to adhere tothe truth and not slander me, even in joke! Mr. Heathcliff, be kindenough to bid this friend of yours release me: she forgets that you and Iare not intimate acquaintances; and what amuses her is painful to mebeyond expression.'
As the guest answered nothing, but took his seat, and looked thoroughlyindifferent what sentiments she cherished concerning him, she turned andwhispered an earnest appeal for liberty to her tormentor.
'By no means!' cried Mrs. Linton in answer. 'I won't be named a dog inthe manger again. You _shall_ stay: now then! Heathcliff, why don't youevince satisfaction at my pleasant news? Isabella swears that the loveEdgar has for me is nothing to that she entertains for you. I'm sure shemade some speech of the kind; did she not, Ellen? And she has fastedever since the day before yesterday's walk, from sorrow and rage that Idespatched her out of your society under the idea of its beingunacceptable.'
'I think you belie her,' said Heathcliff, twisting his chair to facethem. 'She wishes to be out of my society now, at any rate!'
And he stared hard at the object of discourse, as one might do at astrange repulsive animal: a centipede from the Indies, for instance,which curiosity leads one to examine in spite of the aversion it raises.The poor thing couldn't bear that; she grew white and red in rapidsuccession, and, while tears beaded her lashes, bent the strength of hersmall fingers to loosen the firm clutch of Catherine; and perceiving thatas fast as she raised one finger off her arm another closed down, and shecould not remove the whole together, she began to make use of her nails;and their sharpness presently ornamented the detainer's with crescents ofred.
'There's a tigress!' exclaimed Mrs. Linton, setting her free, and shakingher hand with pain. 'Begone, for God's sake, and hide your vixen face!How foolish to reveal those talons to him. Can't you fancy theconclusions he'll draw? Look, Heathcliff! they are instruments that willdo execution--you must beware of your eyes.'
'I'd wrench them off her fingers, if they ever menaced me,' he answered,brutally, when the door had closed after her. 'But what did you mean byteasing the creature in that manner, Cathy? You were not speaking thetruth, were you?'
'I assure you I was,' she returned. 'She has been dying for your sakeseveral weeks, and raving about you this morning, and pouring forth adeluge of abuse, because I represented your failings in a plain light,for the purpose of mitigating her adoration. But don't notice itfurther: I wished to punish her sauciness, that's all. I like her toowell, my dear Heathcliff, to let you absolutely seize and devour her up.'
'And I like her too ill to attempt it,' said he, 'except in a veryghoulish fashion. You'd hear of odd things if I lived alone with thatmawkish, waxen face: the most ordinary would be painting on its white thecolours of the rainbow, and turning the blue eyes black, every day ortwo: they detestably resemble Linton's.'
'Delectably!' observed Catherine. 'They are dove's eyes--angel's!'
'She's her brother's heir, is she not?' he asked, after a brief silence.
'I should be sorry to think so,' returned his companion. 'Half a dozennephews shall erase her title, please heaven! Abstract your mind fromthe subject at present: you are too prone to covet your neighbour'sgoods; remember _this_ neighbour's g
oods are mine.'
'If they were _mine_, they would be none the less that,' said Heathcliff;'but though Isabella Linton may be silly, she is scarcely mad; and, inshort, we'll dismiss the matter, as you advise.'
From their tongues they did dismiss it; and Catherine, probably, from herthoughts. The other, I felt certain, recalled it often in the course ofthe evening. I saw him smile to himself--grin rather--and lapse intoominous musing whenever Mrs. Linton had occasion to be absent from theapartment.
I determined to watch his movements. My heart invariably cleaved to themaster's, in preference to Catherine's side: with reason I imagined, forhe was kind, and trustful, and honourable; and she--she could not becalled _opposite_, yet she seemed to allow herself such wide latitude,that I had little faith in her principles, and still less sympathy forher feelings. I wanted something to happen which might have the effectof freeing both Wuthering Heights and the Grange of Mr. Heathcliffquietly; leaving us as we had been prior to his advent. His visits werea continual nightmare to me; and, I suspected, to my master also. Hisabode at the Heights was an oppression past explaining. I felt that Godhad forsaken the stray sheep there to its own wicked wanderings, and anevil beast prowled between it and the fold, waiting his time to springand destroy.