No More Learning

I believe I may assert that they were really in possession of deep
and growing happiness.

It ended. Well, we _must_ be for ourselves in the long run; the mild and
generous are only more justly selfish than the domineering; and it ended
when circumstances caused each to feel that the one's interest was not
the chief consideration in the other's thoughts. On a mellow evening in
September, I was coming from the garden with a heavy basket of apples
which I had been gathering. It had got dusk, and the moon looked over
the high wall of the court, causing undefined shadows to lurk in the
corners of the numerous projecting portions of the building. I set my
burden on the house-steps by the kitchen-door, and lingered to rest, and
drew in a few more breaths of the soft, sweet air; my eyes were on the
moon, and my back to the entrance, when I heard a voice behind me
say,--'Nelly, is that you? '

It was a deep voice, and foreign in tone; yet there was something in the
manner of pronouncing my name which made it sound familiar. I turned
about to discover who spoke, fearfully; for the doors were shut, and I
had seen nobody on approaching the steps. Something stirred in the
porch; and, moving nearer, I distinguished a tall man dressed in dark
clothes, with dark face and hair. He leant against the side, and held
his fingers on the latch as if intending to open for himself. 'Who can
it be? ' I thought. 'Mr. Earnshaw? Oh, no! The voice has no resemblance
to his. '

'I have waited here an hour,' he resumed, while I continued staring; 'and
the whole of that time all round has been as still as death. I dared not
enter. You do not know me? Look, I'm not a stranger! '

A ray fell on his features; the cheeks were sallow, and half covered with
black whiskers; the brows lowering, the eyes deep-set and singular. I
remembered 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 really
you? Is it? '

'Yes, Heathcliff,' he replied, glancing from me up to the windows, which
reflected 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 be
so disturbed. Is she here? Speak! I want to have one word with
her--your mistress. Go, and say some person from Gimmerton desires to
see her. '

'How will she take it? ' I exclaimed. 'What will she do? The surprise
bewilders 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 a
soldier? '

'Go and carry my message,' he interrupted, impatiently. 'I'm in hell
till you do! '

He lifted the latch, and I entered; but when I got to the parlour where
Mr. and Mrs. Linton were, I could not persuade myself to proceed. At
length I resolved on making an excuse to ask if they would have the
candles 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, the
valley 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, the
sough that runs from the marshes joins a beck which follows the bend of
the glen). Wuthering Heights rose above this silvery vapour; but our old
house was invisible; it rather dips down on the other side. Both the
room and its occupants, and the scene they gazed on, looked wondrously
peaceful. I shrank reluctantly from performing my errand; and was
actually going away leaving it unsaid, after having put my question about
the 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 be
back again directly. '

She quitted the apartment; Mr. Edgar inquired, carelessly, who it was.

'Some one mistress does not expect,' I replied. 'That Heathcliff--you
recollect him, sir--who used to live at Mr. Earnshaw's. '

'What! the gipsy--the ploughboy? ' he cried. 'Why did you not say so to
Catherine? '

'Hush! you must not call him by those names, master,' I said. 'She'd be
sadly grieved to hear you. She was nearly heartbroken when he ran off. I
guess his return will make a jubilee to her. '

Mr. Linton walked to a window on the other side of the room that
overlooked the court. He unfastened it, and leant out. I suppose they
were below, for he exclaimed quickly: 'Don't stand there, love! Bring
the person in, if it be anyone particular. ' Ere long, I heard the click
of the latch, and Catherine flew up-stairs, breathless and wild; too
excited to show gladness: indeed, by her face, you would rather have
surmised 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 her
embrace to a squeeze.

'Well, well,' cried her husband, crossly, 'don't strangle me for that! He
never struck me as such a marvellous treasure. There is no need to be
frantic! '

'I know you didn't like him,' she answered, repressing a little the
intensity 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 for
him. Mrs. Linton eyed him with a droll expression--half angry, half
laughing at his fastidiousness.

'No,' she added, after a while; 'I cannot sit in the kitchen. Set two
tables here, Ellen: one for your master and Miss Isabella, being gentry;
the other for Heathcliff and myself, being of the lower orders. Will
that 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 joy
is 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 to
be glad, without being absurd. The whole household need not witness the
sight of your welcoming a runaway servant as a brother. '

I descended, and found Heathcliff waiting under the porch, evidently
anticipating an invitation to enter. He followed my guidance without
waste of words, and I ushered him into the presence of the master and
mistress, whose flushed cheeks betrayed signs of warm talking. But the
lady'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 then
she 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 and
youth-like. His upright carriage suggested the idea of his having been
in the army. His countenance was much older in expression and decision
of feature than Mr. Linton's; it looked intelligent, and retained no
marks of former degradation. A half-civilised ferocity lurked yet in the
depressed brows and eyes full of black fire, but it was subdued; and his
manner was even dignified: quite divested of roughness, though stern for
grace. My master's surprise equalled or exceeded mine: he remained for a
minute at a loss how to address the ploughboy, as he had called him.
Heathcliff dropped his slight hand, and stood looking at him coolly till
he 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 am
gratified when anything occurs to please her. '

'And I also,' answered Heathcliff, 'especially if it be anything in which
I 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 if
she feared he would vanish were she to remove it. He did not raise his
to 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 that
reached 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 to
believe that I have seen, and touched, and spoken to you once more. And
yet, cruel Heathcliff! you don't deserve this welcome. To be absent and
silent for three years, and never to think of me! '

'A little more than you have thought of me,' he murmured. 'I heard of
your marriage, Cathy, not long since; and, while waiting in the yard
below, I meditated this plan--just to have one glimpse of your face, a
stare of surprise, perhaps, and pretended pleasure; afterwards settle my
score with Hindley; and then prevent the law by doing execution on
myself. Your welcome has put these ideas out of my mind; but beware of
meeting me with another aspect next time! Nay, you'll not drive me off
again. 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 you
must 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 due
measure of politeness. 'Mr. Heathcliff will have a long walk, wherever
he may lodge to-night; and I'm thirsty. '

She took her post before the urn; and Miss Isabella came, summoned by the
bell; then, having handed their chairs forward, I left the room. The
meal hardly endured ten minutes. Catherine's cup was never filled: she
could neither eat nor drink. Edgar had made a slop in his saucer, and
scarcely swallowed a mouthful. Their guest did not protract his stay
that evening above an hour longer. I asked, as he departed, if he went
to Gimmerton?

'No, to Wuthering Heights,' he answered: 'Mr. Earnshaw invited me, when I
called this morning. '

Mr. Earnshaw invited _him_! and _he_ called on Mr. Earnshaw! I pondered
this sentence painfully, after he was gone. Is he turning out a bit of a
hypocrite, and coming into the country to work mischief under a cloak? I
mused: I had a presentiment in the bottom of my heart that he had better
have 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 pulling
me by the hair to rouse me.

'I cannot rest, Ellen,' she said, by way of apology. 'And I want some
living 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 to
open his mouth, except to utter pettish, silly speeches; and he affirmed
I was cruel and selfish for wishing to talk when he was so sick and
sleepy. He always contrives to be sick at the least cross! I gave a few
sentences of commendation to Heathcliff, and he, either for a headache or
a 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 they
had an aversion to each other, and Heathcliff would hate just as much to
hear 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: I
never feel hurt at the brightness of Isabella's yellow hair and the
whiteness of her skin, at her dainty elegance, and the fondness all the
family 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 her
a darling, and flatter her into a good temper. It pleases her brother to
see us cordial, and that pleases me. But they are very much alike: they
are spoiled children, and fancy the world was made for their
accommodation; and though I humour both, I think a smart chastisement
might improve them all the same. '

'You're mistaken, Mrs. Linton,' said I. 'They humour you: I know what
there would be to do if they did not. You can well afford to indulge
their passing whims as long as their business is to anticipate all your
desires. You may, however, fall out, at last, over something of equal
consequence to both sides; and then those you term weak are very capable
of 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 I
believe 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. It
is childish and, instead of melting into tears because I said that
Heathcliff was now worthy of anyone's regard, and it would honour the
first gentleman in the country to be his friend, he ought to have said it
for me, and been delighted from sympathy. He must get accustomed to him,
and he may as well like him: considering how Heathcliff has reason to
object to him, I'm sure he behaved excellently! '

'What do you think of his going to Wuthering Heights? ' I inquired. 'He
is reformed in every respect, apparently: quite a Christian: offering the
right hand of fellowship to his enemies all around! '

'He explained it,' she replied. 'I wonder as much as you. He said he
called to gather information concerning me from you, supposing you
resided there still; and Joseph told Hindley, who came out and fell to
questioning 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 at
cards; Heathcliff joined them; my brother lost some money to him, and,
finding him plentifully supplied, he requested that he would come again
in the evening: to which he consented. Hindley is too reckless to select
his acquaintance prudently: he doesn't trouble himself to reflect on the
causes he might have for mistrusting one whom he has basely injured. But
Heathcliff affirms his principal reason for resuming a connection with
his ancient persecutor is a wish to install himself in quarters at walking
distance from the Grange, and an attachment to the house where we lived
together; and likewise a hope that I shall have more opportunities of
seeing him there than I could have if he settled in Gimmerton.
He means
to offer liberal payment for permission to lodge at the Heights; and
doubtless my brother's covetousness will prompt him to accept the terms:
he was always greedy; though what he grasps with one hand he flings away
with the other. '

'It's a nice place for a young man to fix his dwelling in! ' said I. 'Have
you no fear of the consequences, Mrs. Linton? '

'None for my friend,' she replied: 'his strong head will keep him from
danger; a little for Hindley: but he can't be made morally worse than he
is; and I stand between him and bodily harm. The event of this evening
has reconciled me to God and humanity! I had risen in angry rebellion
against Providence. Oh, I've endured very, very bitter misery, Nelly! If
that creature knew how bitter, he'd be ashamed to cloud its removal with
idle petulance. It was kindness for him which induced me to bear it
alone: had I expressed the agony I frequently felt, he would have been
taught 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 anything
hereafter! Should the meanest thing alive slap me on the cheek, I'd not
only turn the other, but I'd ask pardon for provoking it; and, as a
proof, I'll go make my peace with Edgar instantly. Good-night! I'm an
angel! '

In this self-complacent conviction she departed; and the success of her
fulfilled resolution was obvious on the morrow: Mr. Linton had not only
abjured his peevishness (though his spirits seemed still subdued by
Catherine's exuberance of vivacity), but he ventured no objection to her
taking Isabella with her to Wuthering Heights in the afternoon; and she
rewarded him with such a summer of sweetness and affection in return as
made the house a paradise for several days; both master and servants
profiting from the perpetual sunshine.

Heathcliff--Mr. Heathcliff I should say in future--used the liberty of
visiting at Thrushcross Grange cautiously, at first: he seemed estimating
how far its owner would bear his intrusion. Catherine, also, deemed it
judicious to moderate her expressions of pleasure in receiving him; and
he gradually established his right to be expected. He retained a great
deal of the reserve for which his boyhood was remarkable; and that served
to repress all startling demonstrations of feeling. My master's
uneasiness experienced a lull, and further circumstances diverted it into
another channel for a space.

His new source of trouble sprang from the not anticipated misfortune of
Isabella Linton evincing a sudden and irresistible attraction towards the
tolerated guest. She was at that time a charming young lady of eighteen;
infantile in manners, though possessed of keen wit, keen feelings, and a
keen temper, too, if irritated. Her brother, who loved her tenderly, was
appalled at this fantastic preference. Leaving aside the degradation of
an 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 had
sense to comprehend Heathcliff's disposition: to know that, though his
exterior was altered, his mind was unchangeable and unchanged. And he
dreaded that mind: it revolted him: he shrank forebodingly from the idea
of committing Isabella to its keeping. He would have recoiled still more
had he been aware that her attachment rose unsolicited, and was bestowed
where it awakened no reciprocation of sentiment; for the minute he
discovered its existence he laid the blame on Heathcliff's deliberate
designing.

We had all remarked, during some time, that Miss Linton fretted and pined
over something. She grew cross and wearisome; snapping at and teasing
Catherine continually, at the imminent risk of exhausting her limited
patience. We excused her, to a certain extent, on the plea of
ill-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 the
mistress would allow her to be nothing in the house, and Edgar neglected
her; that she had caught a cold with the doors being left open, and we
let the parlour fire go out on purpose to vex her, with a hundred yet
more frivolous accusations, Mrs. Linton peremptorily insisted that she
should get to bed; and, having scolded her heartily, threatened to send
for the doctor. Mention of Kenneth caused her to exclaim, instantly,
that her health was perfect, and it was only Catherine's harshness which
made her unhappy.

'How can you say I am harsh, you naughty fondling? ' cried the mistress,
amazed at the unreasonable assertion. 'You are surely losing your
reason. 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, while
you sauntered on with Mr. Heathcliff! '

'And that's your notion of harshness? ' said Catherine, laughing. 'It was
no hint that your company was superfluous? We didn't care whether you
kept with us or not; I merely thought Heathcliff's talk would have
nothing entertaining for your ears. '

'Oh, no,' wept the young lady; 'you wished me away, because you knew I
liked to be there! '

'Is she sane? ' asked Mrs. Linton, appealing to me. 'I'll repeat our
conversation, word for word, Isabella; and you point out any charm it
could 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 but
yourself! '

'You are an impertinent little monkey! ' exclaimed Mrs. Linton, in
surprise. 'But I'll not believe this idiotcy! It is impossible that you
can covet the admiration of Heathcliff--that you consider him an
agreeable person! I hope I have misunderstood you, Isabella? '

'No, you have not,' said the infatuated girl. 'I love him more than ever
you 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 to
convince her of her madness. Tell her what Heathcliff is: an unreclaimed
creature, without refinement, without cultivation; an arid wilderness of
furze and whinstone. I'd as soon put that little canary into the park on
a winter's day, as recommend you to bestow your heart on him! It is
deplorable ignorance of his character, child, and nothing else, which
makes that dream enter your head. Pray, don't imagine that he conceals
depths of benevolence and affection beneath a stern exterior! He's not a
rough diamond--a pearl-containing oyster of a rustic: he's a fierce,
pitiless, wolfish man. I never say to him, "Let this or that enemy
alone, because it would be ungenerous or cruel to harm them;" I say, "Let
them alone, because _I_ should hate them to be wronged:" and he'd crush
you 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 of
marrying your fortune and expectations: avarice is growing with him a
besetting sin. There's my picture: and I'm his friend--so much so, that
had he thought seriously to catch you, I should, perhaps, have held my
tongue, 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 than
twenty foes, you poisonous friend! '

'Ah! you won't believe me, then? ' said Catherine. 'You think I speak
from 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: I
have done, and yield the argument to your saucy insolence. '--

'And I must suffer for her egotism! ' she sobbed, as Mrs. Linton left the
room. '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 contradict
her. 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 people
don't hide their deeds. How has he been living? how has he got rich? why
is 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 all
night together continually, and Hindley has been borrowing money on his
land, and does nothing but play and drink: I heard only a week ago--it
was Joseph who told me--I met him at Gimmerton: "Nelly," he said, "we's
hae a crowner's 'quest enow, at ahr folks'. One on 'em 's a'most getten
his finger cut off wi' hauding t' other fro' stickin' hisseln loike a
cawlf. 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 langs
to set his brazened face agean 'em! And yon bonny lad Heathcliff, yah
mind, he's a rare 'un. He can girn a laugh as well 's onybody at a
raight 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 dig
thur fingers i' thur lugs fur varry shame; un' the knave, why he can
caint his brass, un' ate, un' sleep, un' off to his neighbour's to gossip
wi' t' wife. I' course, he tells Dame Catherine how her fathur's goold
runs 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 an
old rascal, but no liar; and, if his account of Heathcliff's conduct be
true, you would never think of desiring such a husband, would you? '

'You are leagued with the rest, Ellen! ' she replied. 'I'll not listen to
your slanders. What malevolence you must have to wish to convince me
that there is no happiness in the world! '

Whether she would have got over this fancy if left to herself, or
persevered in nursing it perpetually, I cannot say: she had little time
to reflect. The day after, there was a justice-meeting at the next town;
my master was obliged to attend; and Mr. Heathcliff, aware of his
absence, called rather earlier than usual. Catherine and Isabella were
sitting in the library, on hostile terms, but silent: the latter alarmed
at her recent indiscretion, and the disclosure she had made of her secret
feelings in a transient fit of passion; the former, on mature
consideration, really offended with her companion; and, if she laughed
again at her pertness, inclined to make it no laughing matter to her. She
did laugh as she saw Heathcliff pass the window. I was sweeping the
hearth, 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 have
done had it been practicable.

'Come in, that's right! ' exclaimed the mistress, gaily, pulling a chair
to the fire. 'Here are two people sadly in need of a third to thaw the
ice 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 you
more 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 by
mere contemplation of your physical and moral beauty. It lies in your
own 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 and
admiration: and, moreover, I was informed that if I would but have the
manners to stand aside, my rival, as she will have herself to be, would
shoot a shaft into your soul that would fix you for ever, and send my
image into eternal oblivion! '

'Catherine! ' said Isabella, calling up her dignity, and disdaining to
struggle from the tight grasp that held her, 'I'd thank you to adhere to
the truth and not slander me, even in joke! Mr. Heathcliff, be kind
enough to bid this friend of yours release me: she forgets that you and I
are not intimate acquaintances; and what amuses her is painful to me
beyond expression. '

As the guest answered nothing, but took his seat, and looked thoroughly
indifferent what sentiments she cherished concerning him, she turned and
whispered an earnest appeal for liberty to her tormentor.

'By no means! ' cried Mrs. Linton in answer. 'I won't be named a dog in
the manger again. You _shall_ stay: now then! Heathcliff, why don't you
evince satisfaction at my pleasant news? Isabella swears that the love
Edgar has for me is nothing to that she entertains for you. I'm sure she
made some speech of the kind; did she not, Ellen? And she has fasted
ever since the day before yesterday's walk, from sorrow and rage that I
despatched her out of your society under the idea of its being
unacceptable. '

'I think you belie her,' said Heathcliff, twisting his chair to face
them. '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 a
strange 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 rapid
succession, and, while tears beaded her lashes, bent the strength of her
small fingers to loosen the firm clutch of Catherine; and perceiving that
as fast as she raised one finger off her arm another closed down, and she
could not remove the whole together, she began to make use of her nails;
and their sharpness presently ornamented the detainer's with crescents of
red.

'There's a tigress! ' exclaimed Mrs. Linton, setting her free, and shaking
her 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 the
conclusions he'll draw? Look, Heathcliff! they are instruments that will
do 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 by
teasing the creature in that manner, Cathy? You were not speaking the
truth, were you? '

'I assure you I was,' she returned. 'She has been dying for your sake
several weeks, and raving about you this morning, and pouring forth a
deluge of abuse, because I represented your failings in a plain light,
for the purpose of mitigating her adoration. But don't notice it
further: I wished to punish her sauciness, that's all. I like her too
well, 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 very
ghoulish fashion. You'd hear of odd things if I lived alone with that
mawkish, waxen face: the most ordinary would be painting on its white the
colours of the rainbow, and turning the blue eyes black, every day or
two: 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 dozen
nephews shall erase her title, please heaven! Abstract your mind from
the subject at present: you are too prone to covet your neighbour's
goods; remember _this_ neighbour's goods 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, in
short, we'll dismiss the matter, as you advise. '

From their tongues they did dismiss it; and Catherine, probably, from her
thoughts. The other, I felt certain, recalled it often in the course of
the evening. I saw him smile to himself--grin rather--and lapse into
ominous musing whenever Mrs. Linton had occasion to be absent from the
apartment.

I determined to watch his movements. My heart invariably cleaved to the
master's, in preference to Catherine's side: with reason I imagined, for
he was kind, and trustful, and honourable; and she--she could not be
called _opposite_, yet she seemed to allow herself such wide latitude,
that I had little faith in her principles, and still less sympathy for
her feelings. I wanted something to happen which might have the effect
of freeing both Wuthering Heights and the Grange of Mr. Heathcliff
quietly; leaving us as we had been prior to his advent. His visits were
a continual nightmare to me; and, I suspected, to my master also. His
abode at the Heights was an oppression past explaining. I felt that God
had forsaken the stray sheep there to its own wicked wanderings, and an
evil beast prowled between it and the fold, waiting his time to spring
and destroy.




CHAPTER XI


Sometimes, while meditating on these things in solitude, I've got up in a
sudden terror, and put on my bonnet to go see how all was at the farm.
I've persuaded my conscience that it was a duty to warn him how people
talked regarding his ways; and then I've recollected his confirmed bad
habits, and, hopeless of benefiting him, have flinched from re-entering
the dismal house, doubting if I could bear to be taken at my word.

One time I passed the old gate, going out of my way, on a journey to
Gimmerton. It was about the period that my narrative has reached: a
bright frosty afternoon; the ground bare, and the road hard and dry. I
came to a stone where the highway branches off on to the moor at your
left hand; a rough sand-pillar, with the letters W. H.