I see now you think me a selfish wretch. But if Heathcliff and I are married, we will be beggars. Whereas, if I marry Linton I can aid Heathcliff to rise, and place him out of my brother's power.'
'With your husband's money, Miss Catherine? I think that's the worst motive of yours.'
'It is not,' retorted she; 'it is the best!'
She paused, and hid her face in the folds of my gown; but I jerked it forcibly away. I was out of patience with her folly!
'If I can make any sense of your nonsense, Miss,' I said, 'it only goes to convince me that you are ignorant of the duties you undertake in marrying; or else that you are a wicked, unprincipled girl. But trouble me with no more secrets: I'll not promise to keep them.'
'You'll keep that?' she asked, eagerly.
'No, I'll not promise,' I repeated.
She was about to insist, when the entrance of Joseph finished our conversation. Catherine removed her seat to a corner, and nursed Hareton, while I made the supper.
In the evening she wanted to talk to Heathcliff, but he was not at home. Night fell, however, Catherine was not tranquil. She was wandering to and fro, from the gate to the door, in a state of agitation.
About midnight, while we still sat up, the storm came over the Heights in full fury. There was a violent wind, as well as thunder, and either one or the other split a tree off at the corner of the building. Heathcliff had disappeared since the evening. One day, I had the misfortune, when she had provoked me exceedingly, to lay the blame of his disappearance on her. From that period, for several months, she ceased to hold any communication with me. Joseph fell under a ban also. Catherine felt ill, she was pale, and cross, and sad. The doctor says that she won't bear much. Her brother, meanwhile, wished earnestly to see her bring honour to the family by an alliance with the Lintons! Edgar Linton was infatuated and believed himself the happiest man alive on the day he led her to Gimmerton Chapel, three years subsequent to his father's death.
Much against my inclination, I was persuaded to leave Wuthering Heights and accompany her here. Little Hareton was nearly five years old, and I had just begun to teach him his letters. We made a sad parting; but Catherine's tears were more powerful than ours.
Chapter X
Mr. Heathcliff has just honoured me with a call. About seven days ago he sent me a brace of grouse – the last of the season. Scoundrel! He is not altogether guiltless in this illness of mine; and I wanted to tell him about it. But, alas! How can I offend a man who was charitable enough to sit at my bedside and talk on some other subject than treatment? This is quite an easy interval. I am too weak to read; yet I feel as if I can enjoy something interesting. Why not let Mrs. Dean finish her tale? I'll ring: she'll be delighted to find me capable of talking cheerfully.
I got Miss Catherine and myself to Thrushcross Grange, she continued; and, to my agreeable disappointment, she behaved infinitely better than I dared to expect. She seemed almost over-fond of Mr. Linton. Even to his sister she showed plenty of affection. They were both very attentive to her comfort, certainly.
On one mellow evening in September, I was coming from the garden with a heavy basket of apples which I was gathering. I set my burden on the house-steps by the kitchen door, 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 which made it sound familiar. I turned around. I saw a man. 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. It was Heathcliff.
'Yes, it is me, Heathcliff,' he said, glancing from me up to the windows. '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?[9]' I exclaimed. 'What will she do? The surprise bewilders me – it will put her out of her head! And you are Heathcliff! But altered! I can't understand. Were you in the army?'
'Go and carry my message,' he interrupted, impatiently. 'I'm in hell till you do!'
That I did, and Miss Cathy went out to meet her visitor. Mr. Linton was shocked when I told him.
'Oh, Edgar, Edgar!' cried she, coming back into the room and flinging her arms round his neck. 'Oh, Edgar darling! Heathcliff's come back – he himself!' And she tightened her embrace. 'I know you didn't like him. Yet, for my sake, you must be friends now. Shall I tell him to come up?'
I descended and found Heathcliff. He was 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. Their 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. Then she seized Linton's reluctant fingers and crushed them into his.
Now I was amazed, more than ever, to behold the transformation of Heathcliff. He has become a tall, athletic, well-formed man. Beside him my master seemed quite slender and youth-like. A half-civilised ferocity lurked yet in the depressed brows and eyes full of black fire, but it was subdued. Heathcliff dropped his slight hand, and stood looking at him coolly till he chose to speak.
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