第5章

类别:其他 作者:Emily Bronte字数:18406更新时间:18/12/14 16:56:42
MrEarnshawinvitedhim!andhecalledonMrEarnshaw! Iponderedthissentencepainfully,afterhewasgone。Isheturningoutabitofahypocrite,andcomingintothecountrytoworkmischiefunderacloak?Imused:Ihadapresentimentinthebottomofmyheartthathehadbetterhaveremainedaway。 Aboutthemiddleofthenight,IwaswakenedfrommyfirstnapbyMrsLintonglidingintomychamber,takingaseatonmybedside,andpullingmebythehairtorouseme。 `Icannotrest,Ellen,\'shesaid,bywayofapology。`AndIwantsomelivingcreaturetokeepmecompanyinmyhappiness!Edgarissulky,becauseI\'mgladofathingthatdoesnotinteresthim:herefusestoopenhismouth,excepttoutterpettish,sillyspeeches;andheaffirmedIwascruelandselfishforwishingtotalkwhenhewassosickandsleepy。Healwayscontrivestobesickattheleastcross!IgaveafewsentencesofcommendationtoHeathcliff,andhe,eitherforaheadacheorapangofenvy,begantocry:soIgotupandlefthim。\' `WhatuseisitpraisingHeathclifftohim?\'Ianswered。`Asladstheyhadanaversiontoeachother,andHeathcliffwouldhatejustasmuchtohearhimpraised:it\'shumannature。LetMrLintonaloneabouthim,unlessyouwouldlikeanopenquarrelbetweenthem。\' `Butdoesitnotshowgreatweakness?\'pursuedshe。`I\'mnotenvious: IneverfeelhurtatthebrightnessofIsabella\'syellowhairandthewhitenessofherskin,atherdaintyelegance,andthefondnessallthefamilyexhibitforher。Evenyou,Nelly,ifwehaveadisputesometimes,youbackIsabellaatonce;andIyieldlikeafoolishmother:Icallheradarling,andflatterherintoagoodtemper。Itpleasesherbrothertoseeuscordial,andthatpleasesme。Buttheyareverymuchalike:theyarespoiledchildren,andfancytheworldwasmadefortheiraccommodation;andthoughIhumourboth,Ithinkasmartchastisementmightimprovethem,allthesame。\' `You\'remistaken,MrsLinton,\'saidI。`Theyhumouryou:Iknowwhattherewouldbetodoiftheydidnot。Youcanwellaffordtoindulgetheirpassingwhimsaslongastheirbusinessistoanticipateallyourdesires。Youmay,however,fallout,atlast,oversomethingofequalconsequencetobothsides;andthenthoseyoutermweakareverycapableofbeingasobstinateasyou。\' `Andthenweshallfighttothedeath,shan\'twe,Nelly?\'shereturned,laughing。`No!Itellyou,IhavesuchfaithinLinton\'slove,thatIbelieveImightkillhim,andhewouldn\'twishtoretaliate。\' Iadvisedhertovaluehimthemoreforhisaffection。 `Ido,\'sheanswered,`butheneedn\'tresorttowhiningfortrifles。 Itischildish;and,insteadofmeltingintotearsbecauseIsaidthatHeathcliffwasnowworthyofanyone\'sregard,anditwouldhonourthefirstgentlemaninthecountrytobehisfriend,heoughttohavesaiditforme,andbeendelightedfromsympathy。Hemustgetaccustomedtohim,andhemayaswelllikehim:consideringhowHeathcliffhasreasontoobjecttohim,I\'msurehebehavedexcellently!\' `WhatdoyouthinkofhisgoingtoWutheringHeights?\'Iinquired。 `Heisreformedineveryrespect,apparently:quiteaChristian:offeringtherighthandoffellowshiptohisenemiesallaround!\' `Heexplainedit,\'shereplied。`Iwonderedasmuchasyou。Hesaidhecalledtogatherinformationconcerningmefromyou,supposingyouresidedtherestill;andJosephtoldHindley,whocameoutandfelltoquestioninghimofwhathehadbeendoing,andhowhehadbeenliving; andfinally,desiredhimtowalkin。Thereweresomepersonssittingatcards;Heathcliffjoinedthem;mybrotherlostsomemoneytohim,and,findinghimplentifullysupplied,herequestedthathewouldcomeagainintheevening:towhichheconsented。Hindleyistoorecklesstoselecthisacquaintanceprudently:hedoesn\'ttroublehimselftoreflectonthecauseshemighthaveformistrustingonewhomhehasbaselyinjured。ButHeathcliffaffirmshisprincipalreasonforresumingaconnectionwithhisancientpersecutorisawishtoinstallhimselfinquartersatwalkingdistancefromtheGrange,andanattachmenttothehousewherewelivedtogether;andlikewiseahopethatIshallhavemoreopportunitiesofseeinghimtherethanIcouldhaveifhesettledinGimmerton。HemeanstoofferliberalpaymentforpermissiontolodgeattheHeights;anddoubtlessmybrother\'scovetousnesswillprompthimtoaccepttheterms:hewasalwaysgreedy;thoughwhathegraspswithonehandheflingsawaywiththeother。\' `It\'saniceplaceforayoungmantofixhisdwellingin!\'saidI。`Haveyounofearoftheconsequences,`MrsLinton?\' `Noneformyfriend,\'shereplied:`hisstrongheadwillkeephimfromdanger;alittleforHindley:buthecan\'tbemademorallyworsethanheis;andIstandbetweenhimandbodilyharm。TheeventofthiseveninghasreconciledmetoGodandhumanity!IhadriseninangryrebellionagainstProvidence。Oh,I\'veenduredvery,verybittermisery,Nelly!Ifthatcreatureknewhowbitter,he\'dbeashamedtoclouditsremovalwithidlepetulance。Itwaskindnessforhimwhichinducedmetobearitalone: hadIexpressedtheagonyIfrequentlyfelt,hewouldhavebeentaughttolongforitsalleviationasardentlyasl。However,it\'sover,andI\'lltakenorevengeonhisfolly;Icanaffordtosufferanythinghereafter! Shouldthemeanestthingaliveslapmeonthecheek,I\'dnotonlyturntheother,but,I\'daskpardonforprovokingit;and,asaproof,I\'llgomakemypeacewithEdgarinstantly。Goodnight!I\'manangel!\' Inthisself-complacentconvictionshedeparted;andthesuccessofherfulfilledresolutionwasobviousonthemorrow:MrLintonhadnotonlyabjuredhispeevishness(thoughhisspiritsseemedstillsubduedbyCatherine\'sexuberanceofvivacity),butheventurednoobjectiontohertakingIsabellawithhertoWutheringHeightsintheafternoon;andsherewardedhimwithsuchasummerofsweetnessandaffectioninreturn,asmadethehouseaparadiseforseveraldays;bothmasterandservantsprofitingfromtheperpetualsunshine。 Heathcliff——MrHeathcliffIshouldsayinfuture——usedthelibertyofvisitingatThrushcrossGrangecautiously,atfirst:heseemedestimatinghowfaritsownerwouldbearhisintrusion。Catherine,also,deemeditjudicioustomoderateherexpressionsofpleasureinreceivinghim;andhegraduallyestablishedhisrighttobeexpected。Heretainedagreatdealofthereserveforwhichhisboyhoodwasremarkable;andthatservedtorepressallstartlingdemonstrationsoffeeling。Mymaster\'suneasinessexperiencedalull,andfurthercircumstancesdiverteditintoanotherchannelforaspace。 HisnewsourceoftroublesprangfromthenotanticipatedmisfortuneofIsabellaLintonevincingasuddenandirresistibleattractiontowardsthetoleratedguest。Shewasatthattimeacharmingyoungladyofeighteen; infantileinmanners,thoughpossessedofkeenwit,keenfeelings,andakeentemper,too,ifirritated。Herbrother,wholovedhertenderly,wasappalledatthisfantasticpreference。Leavingasidethedegradationofanalliancewithanamelessman,andthepossiblefactthathisproperty,indefaultofheirsmale,mightpassintosuchaone\'spower,hehadsensetocomprehendHeathcliff\'sdisposition:toknowthat,thoughhisexteriorwasaltered,hismindwasunchangeableandunchanged。Andhedreadedthatmind:itrevoltedhim:heshrankforebodinglyfromtheideaofcommittingIsabellatohiskeeping。Hewouldhaverecoiledstillmorehadhebeenawarethatherattachmentroseunsolicited,andwasbestowedwhereitawakenednoreciprocationofsentiment;fortheminutehediscovereditsexistence,helaidtheblameonHeathcliff\'sdeliberatedesigning。 Wehadallremarked,duringsometime,thatMissLintonfrettedandpinedoversomething。Shegrewcrossandwearisome;snappingatandteasingCatherinecontinually,attheimminentriskofexhaustingherlimitedpatience。Weexcusedher,toacertainextent,onthepleaofill-health: shewasdwindlingandfadingbeforeoureyes。Butoneday,whenshehadbeenpeculiarlywayward,rejectingherbreakfast,complainingthattheservantsdidnotdowhatshetoldthem;thatthemistresswouldallowhertobenothinginthehouse,andEdgarneglectedher;thatshehadcaughtacoldwiththedoorsbeingleftopen,andwelettheparlourfiregooutonpurposetovexher,withahundredyetmorefrivolousaccusations,MrsLintonperemptorilyinsistedthatsheshouldgettobed;and,havingscoldedherheartily,threatenedtosendforthedoctor。MentionofKennethcausedhertoexclaim,instantly,thatherhealthwasperfect,anditwasonlyCatherine\'sharshnesswhichmadeherunhappy。 `HowcanyousayIamharsh,younaughtyfondling?\'criedthemistress,amazedattheunreasonableassertion。`Youaresurelylosingyourreason。WhenhaveIbeenharsh,tellme?\' `Yesterday,\'sobbedIsabella,`andnow!\' `Yesterday!\'saidhersister-in-law。`Onwhatoccasion?\' `Inourwalkalongthemoor:youtoldmetoramblewhereIpleased,whileyousaunteredonwithMrHeathcliff!\' `Andthat\'syournotionofharshness?\'saidCatherine,laughing。 `Itwasnohintthatyourcompanywassuperfluous:wedidn\'tcarewhetheryoukeptwithusornot;ImerelythoughtHeathcliffstalkwouldhavenothingentertainingforyourears。 `Ohno,\'wepttheyounglady;`youwishedmeaway,becauseyouknewIlikedtobethere!\' `Isshesane?\'askedMrsLinton,appealingtome。`I\'llrepeatourconversation,wordforword,Isabella;andyoupointoutanycharmitcouldhavehadforyou。\' `Idon\'tmindtheconversation,\'sheanswered:`Iwantedtobewith——\' `Well!\'saidCatherine,perceivingherhesitatetocompletethesentence。 `Withhim:andIwon\'tbealwayssentoff!\'shecontinued,kindlingup。`Youareadoginthemanger,Cathy,anddesirenoonetobelovedbutyourself!\' `Youareanimpertinentlittlemonkey!\'exclaimedMrsLinton,insurprise。`ButI\'llnotbelievethisidiocy!ItisimpossiblethatyoucancovettheadmirationofHeathcliff——thatyouconsiderhimanagreeableperson!IhopeIhavemisunderstoodyou,Isabella?\' `No,youhavenot,\'saidtheinfatuatedgirl。`IlovehimmorethaneveryoulovedEdgar;andhemightloveme,ifyouwouldlethim!\' `Iwouldn\'tbeyouforakingdom,then!\'Catherinedeclaredemphatically: andsheseemedtospeaksincerely。`Nelly,helpmetoconvinceherofhermadness。TellherwhatHeathcliffis:anunreclaimedcreature,withoutrefinement,withoutcultivation:anaridwildernessoffurzeandwhinstone。 I\'dassoonputthatlittlecanaryintotheparkonawinter\'sday,asrecommendyoutobestowyourheartonhim!Itisdeplorableignoranceofhischaracter,child,andnothingelse,whichmakesthatdreamenteryourhead。Pray,don\'timaginethatheconcealsdepthsofbenevolenceandaffectionbeneathasternexterior!He\'snotaroughdiamond——apearl-containingoysterofarustic:he\'safierce,pitiless,wolfishman。Ineversaytohim,\"Letthisorthatenemyalone,becauseitwouldbeungenerousorcrueltoharmthem\";Isay,\"Letthemalone,becauseIshouldhatethemtobewronged\":andhe\'dcrushyoulikeasparrow\'segg,Isabella,ifhefoundyouatroublesomecharge。Iknowhecouldn\'tloveaLinton;andyethe\'dbequitecapableofmarryingyourfortuneandexpectations!avariceisgrowingwithhimabesettingsin。There\'smypicture:andI\'mhisfriend——somuchso,thathadhethoughtseriouslytocatchyou,Ishould,perhaps,haveheldmytongue,andletyoufallintohistrap。\' MissLintonregardedhersister-in-lawwithindignation。 `Forshame!forshame!\'sherepeatedangrily,`youareworsethantwentyfoes,youpoisonousfriend!\' `Ah!youwon\'tbelieveme,then?\'saidCatherine。`YouthinkI speakfromwickedselfishness?\' `I\'mcertainyoudo,\'retortedIsabella;`andIshudderatyou!\' `Good!\'criedtheother。`Tryforyourself,ifthatbeyourspirit: Ihavedone,andyieldtheargumenttoyoursaucyinsolence。\' `AndImustsufferforheregotism!\'shesobbed,asMrsLintonlefttheroom。`All,allisagainstme;shehasblightedmysingleconsolation。 Butsheutteredfalsehoods,didn\'tshe?MrHeathcliffisnotafiend:hehasanhonourablesoul,andatrueone,orhowcouldherememberher?\' `Banishhimfromyourthoughts,miss,\'Isaid。`He\'sabirdofbadomen:nomateforyou。MrsLintonspokestrongly,andyetIcan\'tcontradicther。SheisbetteracquaintedwithhisheartthanI,oranyonebesides; andshewouldneverrepresenthimasworsethanheis。Honestpeopledon\'thidetheirdeeds。Howhashebeenliving?howhashegotrich?whyishestayingatWutheringHeights,thehouseofamanwhomheabhors?TheysayMrEarnshawisworseandworsesincehecame。Theysitupallnighttogethercontinually,andHindleyhasbeenborrowingmoneyonhisland,anddoesnothingbutplayanddrink:Iheardonlyaweekago——itwasJosephwhotoldme——ImethimatGimmerton:\"Nelly,\"hesaid,\"we\'shaeacrahnr\'s`questenah,atahrfolks。Oneon`em\'sa\'mostgettenhisfingercutoffwi\'haudingt\'otherfroo\'stickinghisselnloikeacawlf。That\'smaister,yahknaw,`ut\'ssoaupuhgoingtuht\'grand`sizes。He\'snoanfearduht\'benchuhjudges,northerPaul,nurPeter,nurJohn,nurMatthew,nornoanon`em,nuthe!Hefairlikes——helangstosethisbrazenedfaceagean`em!AndyonbonnyladHeathcliff,yahmind,he\'sarare`un!Hecangirnalaughasweel\'sonybodyataraightdivil\'sjest。Doesheniversaynowtofhisfinelivingamangus,whenhegoastuht\'Grange?Thisist\'wayon\'t:——upatsundahn;dice,brandy,cloisedshutters,undcan\'le-lughttillnextdayatnooin:then,tfooilgangsbanningunravingtohischam\'er,makkingdacentfowksdigthurfingersi\'thurlugsfurvarryshaume;un\' theknave,wahhecarncahnthisbrass,un\'ate,un\'sleep,un\'offtohisneighbour\'stuhgossipwi\'t\'wife。I\'course,hetellsDameCatherinehahhorfather\'sgooldrunsintuhhispocket,andherfather\'ssongallopsdahnt\'Broadroad,whilehefleesaforetooppent\'pikes?\"Now,MissLinton,Josephisanoldrascal,butnoliar;and,ifhisaccountofHeathcliff\'sconductbetrue,youwouldneverthinkofdesiringsuchahusband,wouldyou?\' `Youareleaguedwiththerest,Ellen!\'shereplied。`I\'llnotlistentoyourslanders。Whatmalevolenceyoumusthavetowishtoconvincemethatthereisnohappinessintheworld!\' Whethershewouldhavegotoverthisfancyiflefttoherselforperseveredinnursingitperpetually,Icannotsay:shehadlittletimetoreflect。Thedayafter,therewasajustice-meetingatthenexttown; mymasterwasobligedtoattend;andMrHeathcliff,awareofhisabsence,calledratherearlierthanusual。CatherineandIsabellaweresittinginthelibrary,onhostileterms,butsilent。Thelatteralarmedatherrecentindiscretion,andthedisclosureshehadmadeofhersecretfeelingsinatransientfitofpassion;theformer,onmatureconsideration,reallyoffendedwithhercompanion;and,ifshelaughedagainatherpertness,inclinedtomakeitnolaughingmattertoher。ShedidlaughasshesawHeathcliffpassthewindow。Iwassweepingthehearth,andInoticedamischievoussmileonherlips。Isabella,absorbedinhermeditations,orabook,remainedtillthedooropened;anditwastoolatetoattemptanescape,whichshewouldgladlyhavedonehaditbeenpracticable。 `Comein,that\'sright!\'exclaimedthemistressgaily,pullingachairtothefire。`Herearetwopeoplesadlyinneedofathirdtothawtheicebetweenthem;andyouaretheveryoneweshouldbothofuschoose。 Heathcliff,I\'mproudtoshowyou,atlast,somebodythatdotesonyoumorethanmyself。Iexpectyoutofeelflattered。Nay,it\'snotNelly; don\'tlookather!Mypoorlittlesister-in-lawisbreakingherheartbymerecontemplationofyourphysicalandmoralbeauty。ItliesinyourownpowertobeEdgar\'sbrother!No,no,Isabella,youshan\'trunoff,\'shecontinued,arresting,withfeignedplayfulness,theconfoundedgirl,whohadrisenindignantly。`Wewerequarrellinglikecatsaboutyou,Heathcliff; andIwasfairlybeateninprotestationsofdevotionandadmiration:and,moreover,IwasinformedthatifIwouldbuthavethemannerstostandaside,myrival,asshewillha\"eherselftobe,wouldshootashaftintoyoursoulthatwouldfixyouforever,andsendmyimageintoeternaloblivion!\' `Catherine!\'saidIsabella,callingupherdignity,anddisdainingtostrugglefromthetightgraspthatheldher。`I\'dthankyoutoadheretothetruthandnotslanderme,eveninjoke!MrHeathcliff,bekindenoughtobidthisfriendofyoursreleaseme:sheforgetsthatyouandIarenotintimateacquaintances;andwhatamusesherispainfultomebeyondexpression。\' Astheguestanswerednothing,buttookhisseat,andlookedthoroughlyindifferentwhatsentimentsshecherishedconcerninghim,sheturnedandwhisperedanearnestappealforlibertytohertormentor。 `Bynomeans!\'criedMrsLintoninanswer。`Iwon\'tbenamedadoginthemangeragain。Youshallstay:nowthen!Heathcliff,whydon\'tyouevincesatisfactionatmypleasantnews?IsabellaswearsthattheloveEdgarhasformeisnothingtothatsheentertainsforyou。I\'msureshemadesomespeechofthekind;didshenot,Ellen?Andshehasfastedeversincethedaybeforeyesterday\'swalk,fromsorrowandragethatIdispatchedheroutofyoursocietyundertheideaofitsbeingunacceptable。 `Ithinkyoubelieher,\'saidHeathcliff,twistinghischairtofacethem。`Shewishestobeoutofmysocietynow,atanyrate!\'Andhestaredhardattheobjectofdiscourse,asonemightdoatastrangerepulsiveanimal:acentipedefromtheIndies,forinstance,whichcuriosityleadsonetoexamineinspiteoftheaversionitraises。Thepoorthingcouldn\'tbearthat:shegrewwhiteandredinrapidsuccession,and,whiletearsbeadedherlashes,bentthestrengthofhersmallfingerstoloosenthefirmclutchofCatherine;andperceivingthatasfastassheraisedonefingeroffherarmanothercloseddown,andshecouldnotremovethewholetogether,shebegantomakeuseofhernails;andtheirsharpnesspresentlyornamentedthedetainer\'swithcrescentsofred。 `There\'satigress!\'exclaimedMrsLinton,settingherfree,andshakingherhandwithpain。`Begone,forGod\'ssake,andhideyourvixenface!Howfoolishtorevealthosetalonstohim。Can\'tyoufancytheconclusionshe\'lldraw?Look,Heathcliff!theyareinstrumentsthatwilldoexecution——youmustbewareofyoureyes。 `I\'dwrenchthemoffherfingers,iftheyevermenacedme,\'heansweredbrutally,whenthedoorhadclosedafterher。`Butwhatdidyoumeanbyteasingthecreatureinthatmanner,Cathy?Youwerenotspeakingthetruth,wereyou?\' `IassureyouIwas,\'shereturned。`Shehasbeenpiningforyoursakeseveralweeks;andravingaboutyouthismorning,andpouringforthadelugeofabuse,becauseIrepresentedyourfailingsinaplainlight,forthepurposeofmitigatingheradoration。Butdon\'tnoticeitfurther: Iwishedtopunishhersauciness,that\'sall。Ilikehertoowell,mydearHeathcliff,toletyouabsolutelyseizeanddevourherup。\' `AndIlikehertooilltoattemptit,\'saidhe,`exceptinaveryghoulishfashion。You\'dhearofoddthingsifIlivedalonewiththatmawkish,waxenface:themostordinarywouldbepaintingonitswhitethecoloursoftherainbow,andturningtheblueeyesblack,everydayortwo: theydetestablyresembleLinton\'s。\' `Delectably!\'observedCatherine。`Theyaredove\'seyes——angel\'s!\' `She\'sherbrother\'sheir,isshenot?\'heasked,afterabriefsilence。 `Ishouldbesorrytothinkso,\'returnedhiscompanion。`Halfadozennephewsshallerasehertitle,pleaseHeaven!Abstractyourmindfromthesubjectatpresent:youaretoopronetocovetyourneighbour\'sgoods;rememberthisneighbour\'sgoodsaremine。\' `Iftheyweremine,theywouldbenonethelessthat,\' saidHeathcliff;`butthoughIsabellaLintonmaybesilly,sheisscarcelymad;and,inshort,we\'lldismissthematter,asyouadvise。\' Fromtheirtonguestheydiddismissit;andCatherine,probably,fromherthoughts。Theother,Ifeltcertain,recalleditofteninthecourseoftheevening。Isawhimsmiletohimself——grinrather——andlapseintoominousmusingwheneverMrsLintonhadoccasiontobeabsentfromtheapartment。 Ideterminedtowatchhismovements。Myheartinvariablycleavedtothemaster\'s,inpreferencetoCatherine\'sside:withreasonIimagined,forhewaskind,andtrustful,andhonourable;andshe——shecouldnotbecalledtheopposite,yetsheseemedtoallowherselfsuchwidelatitude,thatIhadlittlefaithinherprinciples,andstilllesssympathyforherfeelings。IwantedsomethingtohappenwhichmighthavetheeffectoffreeingbothWutheringHeightsandtheGrangeofMrHeathcliff,quietly; leavingusaswehadbeenpriortohisadvent。Hisvisitswereacontinualnightmaretome;and,Isuspected,tomymasteralso。HisabodeattheHeightswasanoppressionpastexplaining。IfeltthatGodhadforsakenthestraysheeptheretoitsownwickedwanderings,andanevilbeastprowledbetweenitandthefold,waitinghistimetospringanddestroy。 [NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter11Sometimes,whilemeditatingonthesethingsinsolitude,I\'vegotupinasuddenterror,andputonmybonnettogoseehowallwasatthefarm。 I\'vepersuadedmyconsciencethatitwasadutytowarnhimhowpeopletalkedregardinghisways;andthenI\'verecollectedhisconfirmedbadhabits,and,hopelessofbenefitinghim,haveflinchedfromre-enteringthedismalhouse,doubtingifIcouldbeartobetakenatmyword。 OnetimeIpassedtheoldgate,goingoutofmyway,onajourneytoGimmerton。Itwasabouttheperiodthatmynarrativehasreached:abrightfrostyafternoon;thegroundbare,andtheroadhardanddry。I cametoastonewherethehighwaybranchesoffontothemooratyourlefthand;aroughsandpillar,withthelettersW。H。cutonitsnorthside,ontheeast,G。,andonthesouth-west,T。G。Itservesasguide-posttotheGrange,theHeights,andvillage。Thesunshoneyellowonitsgreyhead,remindingmeofsummer;andIcannotsaywhy,butallatonce,agushofchild\'ssensationsflowedintomyheart。HindleyandIhelditafavouritespottwentyyearsbefore。Igazedlongattheweather-wornblock,and,stoopingdown,perceivedaholenearthebottomstillfullofsnail-shellsandpebbles,whichwewerefondofstoringtherewithmoreperishablethings;and,asfreshasreality,itappearedthatIbeheldmyearlyplaymateseatedonthewitheredturf:hisdark,squareheadbentforward,andhislittlehandscoopingouttheearthwithapieceofslate。 `PoorHindley!\'Iexclaimedinvoluntarily。Istarted:mybodilyeyewascheatedintoamomentarybeliefthatthechildlifteditsfaceandstaredstraightintomine!Itvanishedinatwinkling;butimmediatelyIfeltanirresistibleyearningtobeattheHeights。Superstitionurgedmetocomplywiththisimpulse:supposingheshouldbedead!Ithought——orshoulddiesoon!——supposingitwereasignofdeath!ThenearerIgottothehousethemoreagitatedIgrew;andoncatchingsightofitItrembledineverylimb。Theapparitionhadoutstrippedme:itstoodlookingthroughthegate。 Thatwasmyfirstideaonobservinganelf-locked,brown-eyedboysettinghisruddycountenanceagainstthebars。FurtherreflectionsuggestedthismustbeHareton,myHareton,notalteredgreatlysinceIlefthim,tenmonthssince。 `Godblessthee,darling!\'Icried,forgettinginstantaneouslymyfoolishfears。`Hareton,it\'sNelly!Nelly,thynurse。\' Heretreatedoutofarm\'slength,andpickedupalargeflint。 `Iamcometoseethyfather,Hareton,\'Iadded,guessingfromtheactionthatNelly,ifshelivedinhismemoryatall,wasnotrecognizedasonewithme。 Heraisedhismissiletohurlit;Icommencedasoothingspeech,butcouldnotstayhishand:thestonestruckmybonnet;andthenensued,fromthestammeringlipsofthelittlefellow,astringofcurses,which,whetherhecomprehendedthemornot,weredeliveredwithpractisedemphasis,anddistortedhisbabyfeaturesintoashockingexpressionofmalignity。 Youmaybecertainthisgrievedmorethanangeredme。Fittocry,Itookanorangefrommypocket,andofferedittopropitiatehim。Hehesitated,andthensnatcheditfrommyhold;asifhefanciedIonlyintendedtotemptanddisappointhim。Ishowedanother,keepingitoutofhisreach。 `Whohastaughtyouthosefinewords,mybairn?\'Iinquired。`Thecurate?\' `Damnthecurate,andthee!Giemethat,\'hereplied。 `Telluswhereyougotyourlessons,andyoushallhaveit,\'saidI。`Who\'syourmaster?\' `Devildaddy,\'washisanswer。 `Andwhatdoyoulearnfromdaddy?\'Icontinued。 Hejumpedatthefruit;Iraisedithigher。`Whatdoesheteachyou?\'Iasked。 `Naught,\'saidhe,`buttokeepoutofhisgait。Daddycannotbideme,becauseIswearathim。\' `Ah!andthedevilteachesyoutoswearatdaddy?\'Iobserved。 `Ah——nay,\'hedrawled。 `Whothen?\' `Heathcliff。\' IaskedifhelikedMrHeathcliff。 `Ay!\'heansweredagain。 Desiringtohavehisreasonsforlikinghim,Icouldonlygatherthesentences——`Iknown\'t:hepaysdadbackwhathegiestome——hecursesdaddyforcursingme。HesaysImundoasIwill。\' `Andthecuratedoesnotteachyoutoreadandwritethen?\'I pursued。 `No,Iwastoldthecurateshouldhavehis——teethdasheddownhisthroat,——ifhesteppedoverthethreshold——Heathcliffhadpromisedthat!\' Iputtheorangeinhishand,andbadehimtellhisfatherthatawomancalledNellyDeanwaswaitingtospeakwithhim,bythegardengate。Hewentupthewalk,andenteredthehouse;but,insteadofHindley,Heathcliffappearedonthedoorstones;andIturneddirectlyandrandowntheroadashardaseverIcouldrace,makingnohalttillIgainedtheguide-post,andfeelingasscaredasifIhadraisedagoblin。ThisisnotmuchconnectedwithMissIsabella\'saffair:exceptthatiturgedmetoresolvefurtheronmountingvigilantguard,anddoingmyutmosttocheckthespreadofsuchbadinfluenceattheGrange:eventhoughIshouldwakeadomesticstorm,bythwartingMrsLinton\'spleasure。 ThenexttimeHeathcliffcame,myyoungladychancedtobefeedingsomepigeonsinthecourt。Shehadneverspokenawordtohersister-in-lawforthreedays;butshehadlikewisedroppedherfretfulcomplaining,andwefounditagreatcomfort。HeathcliffhadnotthehabitofbestowingasingleunnecessarycivilityonMissLinton,Iknew。Now,assoonashebeheldher,hisfirstprecautionwastotakeasweepingsurveyofthehousefront。Iwasstandingbythekitchenwindow,butIdrewoutofsight。Hethensteppedacrossthepavementtoher,andsaidsomething:sheseemedembarrassed,anddesirousofgettingaway;topreventit,helaidhishandonherarm。Sheavertedherface:heapparentlyputsomequestionwhichshehadnomindtoanswer。Therewasanotherrapidglanceatthehouse,andsupposinghimselfunseen,thescoundrelhadtheimpudencetoembraceher。 `Judas!traitor!\'Iejaculated。`Youareahypocrite,too,areyou?Adeliberatedeceiver。\' `Whois,Nelly?\'saidCatherine\'svoiceatmyelbow:Ihadbeenoverintentonwatchingthepairoutsidetomarkherentrance。 `Yourworthlessfriend!\'Iansweredwarmly:`thesneakingrascalyonder。Ah,hehascaughtaglimpseofus——heiscomingin!IwonderwillhehavethearttofindaplausibleexcuseformakinglovetoMiss,whenhetoldyouhehatedher?\' MrsLintonsawIsabellatearherselffree,andrunintothegarden; andaminuteafter,Heathcliffopenedthedoor。Icouldn\'twithholdgivingsomeloosetomyindignation;butCatherineangrilyinsistedonsilence,andthreatenedtoordermeoutofthekitchen,ifIdaredtobesopresumptuousastoputinmyinsolenttongue。 `Tohearyou,peoplemightthinkyouwerethemistress!\'shecried。 `Youwantsettingdowninyourrightplace!Heathcliff,whatareyouabout,raisingthisstir?IsaidyoumustletIsabellaalone!——Ibegyouwill,unlessyouaretiredofbeingreceivedhere,andwishLintontodrawtheboltsagainstyou!\' `Godforbidthatheshouldtry!\'answeredtheblackvillain。I detestedhimjustthen。`Godkeephimmeekandpatient!EverydayIgrowmadderaftersendinghimtoheaven!\' `Hush!\'saidCatherine,shuttingtheinnerdoor。`Don\'tvexme。 Whyhaveyoudisregardedmyrequest?Didshecomeacrossyouonpurpose?\' `Whatisittoyou?\'hegrowled。`I。havearighttokissher,ifshechooses;andyouhavenorighttoobject。I\'mnotyourhusband:youneedn\'tbejealousofme!\' `I\'mnotjealousofyou,\'repliedthemistress,`I\'mjealousforyou。Clearyourface:youshan\'tscowlatme!IfyoulikeIsabella,youshallmarryher。Butdoyoulikeher?Tellthetruth,Heathcliff!There,youwon\'tanswer。I\'mcertainyoudon\'t!\' `AndwouldMrLintonapproveofhissistermarryingthatman?\' Iinquired。 `MrLintonshouldapprove,\'returnedmylady,decisively。 `Hemightsparehimselfthetrouble,\'saidHeathcliff:`Icoulddoaswellwithouthisapprobation。Andastoyou,Catherine,Ihaveamindtospeakafewwordsnow,whileweareatit。IwantyoutobeawarethatIknowyouhavetreatedmeinfernally——infernally!Doyouhear? AndifyouflatteryourselfthatIdon\'tperceiveit,youareafool;andifyouthinkIcanbeconsoledbysweetwords,youareanidiot;andifyoufancyI\'llsufferunrevenged,I\'llconvinceyouofthecontrary,inaverylittlewhile!Meantime,thankyoufortellingmeyoursister-in-law\'ssecret:IswearI\'llmakethemostofit。Andstandyouaside!\' `Whatnewphaseofhischaracteristhis?\'exclaimedMrsLinton,inamazement。`I\'vetreatedyouinfernally——andyou\'lltakeyourrevenge! Howwillyoutakeit,ungratefulbrute?HowhaveItreatedyouinfernally?\' `Iseeknorevengeonyou,\'repliedHeathclifflessvehemently。 `That\'snottheplan。Thetyrantgrindsdownhisslavesandtheydon\'tturnagainsthim;theycrushthosebeneaththem。Youarewelcometotorturemetodeathforyouramusement,onlyallowmetoamusemyselfalittleinthesamestyle,andrefrainfrominsultasmuchasyouareable。Havinglevelledmypalace,don\'terectahovelandcomplacentlyadmireyourowncharityingivingmethatforahome。IfIimaginedyoureallywishedmetomarryIsabel,I\'dcutmythroat!\' `Oh,theevilisthatIamnotjealous,isit?\'criedCatherine。 `Well,Iwon\'trepeatmyofferofawife:itisasbadasofferingSatanalostsoul。Yourblisslies,likehis,ininflictingmisery。Youproveit。Edgarisrestoredfromtheill-temperhegavewaytoatyourcoming; Ibegintobesecureandtranquil;andyou,restlesstoknowusatpeace,appearresolvedonexcitingaquarrel。QuarrelwithEdgar,ifyouplease,Heathcliff,anddeceivehissister:you\'llhitonexactlythemostefficientmethodofrevengingyourselfonme。\' Theconversationceased。MrsLintonsatdownbythefire,flushedandgloomy。Thespiritwhichservedherwasgrowingintractable:shecouldneitherlaynorcontrolit。Hestoodonthehearthwithfoldedarms,broodingonhisevilthoughts;andinthispositionIleftthemtoseekthemaster,whowaswonderingwhatkeptCatherinebelowsolong。 `Ellen,\'saidhe,whenIentered,`haveyouseenyourmistress?\' `Yes;she\'sinthekitchen,sir,\'Ianswered。`She\'ssadlyputoutbyMrHeathcliff\'sbehaviour:and,indeed,Idothinkit\'stimetoarrangehisvisitsonanotherfooting。There\'sharminbeingtoosoft,andnowit\'scometothis——`AndIrelatedthesceneinthecourt,and,asnearasIdared,thewholesubsequentdispute。IfancieditcouldnotbeveryprejudicialtoMrsLinton;unlessshemadeitsoafterwards,byassumingthedefensiveforherguest。EdgarLintonhaddifficultyinhearingmetotheclose。Hisfirstwordsrevealedthathedidnotclearhiswifeofblame。 `Thisisinsufferable!\'heexclaimed。`Itisdisgracefulthatsheshouldownhimforafriend,andforcehiscompanyonme!Callmetwomenoutofthehall,Ellen。Catherineshalllingernolongertoarguewiththelowruffian——Ihavehumouredherenough。\' Hedescended,andbiddingtheservantswaitinthepassage,went,followedbyme,tothekitchen。Itsoccupantshadrecommencedtheirangrydiscussion:MrsLinton,atleast,wasscoldingwithrenewedvigour;Heathcliffhadmovedtothewindow,andhunghishead,somewhatcowedbyherviolentratingapparently。Hesawthemasterfirst,andmadeahastymotionthatsheshouldbesilent;whichsheobeyed,abruptly,ondiscoveringthereasonofhisintimation。 `Howisthis?\'saidLinton,addressingher;`whatnotionofproprietymustyouhavetoremainhere,afterthelanguagewhichhasbeenheldtoyoubythatblackguard?Isuppose,becauseitishisordinarytalk,youthinknothingofit;youarehabituatedtohisbaseness,and,perhaps,imagineIcangetusedtoittoo!\' `Haveyoubeenlisteningatthedoor,Edgar?\'askedthemistress,inatoneparticularlycalculatedtoprovokeherhusband,implyingbothcarelessnessandcontemptofhisirritation。Heathcliff,whohadraisedhiseyesattheformerspeech,gaveasneeringlaughatthelatter;onpurpose,itseemed,todrawMrLinton\'sattentiontohim。Hesucceeded; butEdgardidnotmeantoentertainhimwithanyhighflightsofpassion。 `Ihavebeensofarforbearingwithyou,sir,\'hesaidquietly; `notthatIwasignorantofyourmiserable,degradedcharacter,butIfeltyouwereonlypartlyresponsibleforthat;andCatherinewishingtokeepupyouracquaintance,Iacquiesced——foolishly。Yourpresenceisamoralpoisonthatwouldcontaminatethemostvirtuous:forthatcause,andtopreventworseconsequences,Ishalldenyyouhereafteradmissionintothishouse,andgivenoticenowthatIrequireyourinstantdeparture。Threeminutes\'delaywillrenderitinvoluntaryandignominious。\' Heathcliffmeasuredtheheightandbreadthofthespeakerwithaneyefullofderision。 `Cathy,thislambofyoursthreatenslikeabull!\'hesaid。`Itisindangerofsplittingitsskullagainstmyknuckles。ByGod!MrLinton,I\'mmortallysorrythatyouarenotworthknockingdown!\' Mymasterglancedtowardsthepassage,andsignedmetofetchthemen:hehadnointentionofhazardingapersonalencounter。Iobeyedthehint;butMrsLinton,suspectingsomething,followed;andwhenIattemptedtocallthem,shepulledmeback,slammedthedoorto,andlockedit。 `Fairmeans!\'shesaid,inanswertoherhusband\'slookofangrysurprise`Ifyouhavenotcouragetoattackhim,makeanapology,orallowyourselftobebeaten。Itwillcorrectyouoffeigningmorevalourthanyoupossess。No,I\'llswallowthekeybeforeyoushallgetit!I\'mdelightfullyrewardedformykindnesstoeach!Afterconstantindulgenceofone\'sweaknature,andtheother\'sbadone,Iearnforthankstwosamplesofblindingratitude,stupidtoabsurdity!Edgar,Iwasdefendingyouandyours; andIwishHeathcliffmayflogyousick,fordaringtothinkanevilthoughtofme。!\' Itdidnotneedthemediumofafloggingtoproducethateffectonthemaster。HetriedtowrestthekeyfromCatherine\'sgrasp,andforsafetysheflungitintothehottestpartofthefire;whereuponMrEdgarwastakenwithanervoustrembling,andhiscountenancegrewdeadlypale。 Forhislifehecouldnotavertthataccessofemotion;mingledanguishandhumiliationovercamehimcompletely。Heleantonthebackofachair,andcoveredhisface。 `Oh,heavens!Inolddays,thiswouldwinyouknighthood!\'exclaimedMrsLinton。`Wearevanquished!wearevanquished!Heathcliffwouldassoonliftafingeratyouasakingwouldmarchhisarmyagainstacolonyofmice。Cheerup!youshan\'tbehurt!Yourtypeisnotalamb,it\'sasuckingleveret。\' `Iwishyoujoyofthemilk-bloodedcoward,Cathy!\'saidherfriend。 `Icomplimentyouonyourtaste。Andthatistheslavering,shiveringthingyoupreferredtome!Iwouldnotstrikehimwithmyfist,butI\'dkickhimwithmyfoot,andexperienceconsiderablesatisfaction。Isheweeping,orishegoingtofaintforfear?\' ThefellowapproachedandgavethechaironwhichLintonrestedapush。He\'dbetterhavekepthisdistance;mymasterquicklysprangerect,andstruckhimfullonthethroatablowthatwouldhavelevelledaslighterman。Ittookhisbreathforaminute;andwhilehechoked,MrLintonwalkedoutbythebackdoorintotheyard,andfromthencetothefrontentrance。 `There!you\'vedonewithcominghere,\'criedCatherine。`Getaway,now;he\'llreturnwithabraceofpistols,andhalfadozenassistants。 Ifhedidoverhearus,ofcoursehe\'dneverforgiveyou。You\'veplayedhimanillturn,Heathcliff!Butgo——makehaste!I\'dratherseeEdgaratbaythanyou。\' `DoyousupposeI\'mgoingwiththatblowburninginmygullet?\' hethundered。`Byhell,no!I\'llcrushhisribsinlikearottenhazelnutbeforeIcrossthethreshold!IfIdon\'tfloorhimnow,Ishallmurderhimsometime;so,asyouvaluehisexistence,letmegetathim!\' `He\'snotcoming,\'Iinterposed,framingabitofalie。`There\'sthecoachmanandthetwogardeners;you\'llsurelynotwaittobethrustintotheroadbythem!Eachhasabludgeon;andmasterwill,verylikely,bewatchingfromtheparlourwindows,toseethattheyfulfilhisorders。\' Thegardenersandcoachmanwerethere;butLintonwaswiththem。Theyhadalreadyenteredthecourt。Heathcliff,onsecondthoughts,resolvedtoavoidastruggleagainstthethreeunderlings;heseizedthepoker,smashedthelockfromtheinnerdoor,andmadehisescapeastheytrampedin。 MrsLinton,whowasverymuchexcited,bademeaccompanyherupstairs。 Shedidnotknowmyshareincontributingtothedisturbance,andIwasanxioustokeepherinignorance。 `I\'mnearlydistracted,Nelly!\'sheexclaimed,throwingherselfonthesofa。`Athousandsmiths\'hammersarebeatinginmyhead!TellIsabellatoshunme;thisuproarisowingtoher;andshouldsheoranyoneelseaggravatemyangeratpresent,Ishallgetwild。And,Nelly,saytoEdgar,ifyouseehimagaintonight,thatI\'mindangerofbeingseriouslyill。 Iwishitmayprovetrue。Hehasstartledanddistressedmeshockingly! Iwanttofrightenhim。Besides,hemightcomeandbeginastringofabuseorcomplainings;I\'mcertainIshouldrecriminate,andGodknowswhereweshouldend!Willyoudoso,mygoodNelly?YouareawarethatIaminnowayblamableinthismatter。Whatpossessedhimtoturnlistener?Heathcliff\'stalkwasoutrageous,afteryouleftus;butIcouldsoonhavedivertedhimfromIsabella,andtherestmeantnothing。Nowallisdashedwrongbythefool\'scravingtohearevilofself,thathauntssomepeoplelikeademon!HadEdgarnevergatheredourconversation,hewouldneverhavebeentheworseforit。Really,whenheopenedonmeinthatunreasonabletoneofdispleasureafterIhadscoldedHeathclifftillIwashoarseforhim,Ididnotcare,hardly,whattheydidtoeachother;especiallyasIfeltthat,howeverthesceneclosed,weshouldallbedrivenasunderfornobodyknowshowlong!Well,ifIcannotkeepHeathcliffformyfriend——ifEdgarwillbemeanandjealous,I\'lltrytobreaktheirheartsbybreakingmyown。Thatwillbeapromptwayoffinishingall,whenIampushedtoextremity!Butit\'sadeedtobereservedforaforlornhope;I\'dnottakeLintonbysurprisewithit。Tothispointhehasbeendiscreetindreadingtoprovokeme;youmustrepresenttheperilofquittingthatpolicy,andremindhimofmypassionatetemper,verging,whenkindled,onfrenzy。I wishyoucoulddismissthatapathyoutofyourcountenance,andlookrathermoreanxiousaboutme。\' ThestoliditywithwhichIreceivedtheseinstructionswas,nodoubt,ratherexasperating:fortheyweredeliveredinperfectsincerity; butIbelievedapersonwhocouldplantheturningofherfitsofpassiontoaccount,beforehand,might,byexertingherwill,managetocontrolherselftolerably,evenwhileundertheirinfluence;andIdidnotwishto`frighten\'herhusband,asshesaid,andmultiplyhisannoyancesforthepurposeofservingherselfishness。ThereforeIsaidnothingwhenI metthemastercomingtowardstheparlour;butItookthelibertyofturningbacktolistenwhethertheywouldresumetheirquarreltogether。Hebegantospeakfirst。 `Remainwhereyouare,Catherine,\'hesaid;withoutanyangerinhisvoice,butwithmuchsorrowfuldespondency。`Ishallnotstay。I amneithercometowranglenorbereconciled;butIwishjusttolearnwhether,afterthisevening\'sevents,youintendtocontinueyourintimacywith—— `Oh,formercy\'ssake,\'interruptedthemistress,stampingherfoot,`formercy\'ssake,letushearnomoreofitnow!Yourcoldbloodcannotbeworkedintoafever:yourveinsarefullofice-water;butmineareboiling,andthesightofsuchchillnessmakesthemdance。\' `Togetridofme,answermyquestion,\'perseveredMrLinton。 `Youmustanswerit;andthatviolencedoesnotalarmme。Ihavefoundthatyoucanbeasstoicalasanyone,whenyouplease。WillyougiveupHeathcliffhereafter,orwillyougiveupme?Itisimpossibleforyoutobemyfriendandhisatthesametime;andIabsolutelyrequiretoknowwhichyouchoose。\' `Irequiretobeletalone!\'exclaimedCatherinefuriously。`I demandit!Don\'tyouseeIcanscarcelystand?Edgar,you——youleaveme!\' Sherangthebelltillitbrokewithatwang;Ienteredleisurely。 Itwasenoughtotrythetemperofasaint,suchsenseless,wickedrages! Thereshelaydashingherheadagainstthearmofthesofa,andgrindingherteeth,sothatyoumightfancyshewouldcrashthemtosplinters!MrLintonstoodlookingatherinsuddencompunctionandfear。Hetoldmetofetchsomewater。Shehadnobreathforspeaking。Ibroughtaglassfull;andasshewouldnotdrink,Isprinkleditonherface。Inafewsecondsshestretchedherselfoutstiff,andturneduphereyes,whilehercheeks,atonceblanchedandlivid,assumedtheaspectofdeath。Lintonlookedterrified。 `Thereisnothingintheworldthematter,\'Iwhispered。Ididnotwanthimtoyield,thoughIcouldnothelpbeingafraidinmyheart。 `Shehasbloodonherlips!\'hesaid,shuddering。 `Nevermind!\'Iansweredtartly。AndItoldhimhowshehadresolved,previoustohiscoming,onexhibitingafitoffrenzy。Iincautiouslygavetheaccountaloud,andsheheardme;forshestartedup——herhairflyingoverhershoulders,hereyesflashing,themusclesofherneckandarmsstandingoutpreternaturally。Imadeupmymindforbrokenbones,atleast; butsheonlyglaredaboutherforaninstant,andthenrushedfromtheroom。Themasterdirectedmetofollow;Idid,toherchamberdoor:shehinderedmefromgoingfartherbysecuringitagainstme。 Assheneverofferedtodescendtobreakfastnextmorning,Iwenttoaskwhethershewouldhavesomecarriedup。`No!\'sherepliedperemptorily。 Thesamequestionwasrepeatedatdinnerandtea;andagainonthemorrowafter,andreceivedthesameanswer。MrLinton,onhispart,spenthistimeinthelibrary,anddidnotinquireconcerninghiswife\'soccupations。 Isabellaandhehadhadanhour\'sinterview,duringwhichhetriedtoelicitfromhersomesentimentofproperhorrorforHeathcliff\'sadvances:buthecouldmakenothingofherevasivereplies,andwasobligedtoclosetheexaminationunsatisfactorily;adding,however,asolemnwarning,thatifsheweresoinsaneastoencouragethatworthlesssuitor,itwoulddissolveallbondsofrelationshipbetweenherselfandhim。 [NextChapter][TableofContents]