Wuthering Heights

CHAPTER XI

Sometimes, while meditating on these things in solitude, I've got up in asudden 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 peopletalked regarding his ways; and then I've recollected his confirmed badhabits, and, hopeless of benefiting him, have flinched from re-enteringthe 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 toGimmerton. It was about the period that my narrative has reached: abright frosty afternoon; the ground bare, and the road hard and dry. Icame to a stone where the highway branches off on to the moor at yourleft hand; a rough sand-pillar, with the letters W. H. cut on its northside, on the east, G., and on the south-west, T. G. It serves as aguide-post to the Grange, the Heights, and village. The sun shone yellowon its grey head, reminding me of summer; and I cannot say why, but allat once a gush of child's sensations flowed into my heart. Hindley and Iheld it a favourite spot twenty years before. I gazed long at theweather-worn block; and, stooping down, perceived a hole near the bottomstill full of snail-shells and pebbles, which we were fond of storingthere with more perishable things; and, as fresh as reality, it appearedthat I beheld my early playmate seated on the withered turf: his dark,square head bent forward, and his little hand scooping out the earthwith a piece of slate. 'Poor Hindley!' I exclaimed, involuntarily. Istarted: my bodily eye was cheated into a momentary belief that thechild lifted its face and stared straight into mine! It vanished in atwinkling; but immediately I felt an irresistible yearning to be at theHeights. Superstition urged me to comply with this impulse: supposing heshould be dead! I thought--or should die soon!--supposing it were a signof death! The nearer I got to the house the more agitated I grew; and oncatching sight of it I trembled in every limb. The apparition hadoutstripped me: it stood looking through the gate. That was my firstidea on observing an elf-locked, brown-eyed boy setting his ruddycountenance against the bars. Further reflection suggested this must beHareton, _my_ Hareton, not altered greatly since I left him, ten monthssince.

'God bless thee, darling!' I cried, forgetting instantaneously myfoolish fears. 'Hareton, it's Nelly! Nelly, thy nurse.'

He retreated out of arm's length, and picked up a large flint.

'I am come to see thy father, Hareton,' I added, guessing from theaction that Nelly, if she lived in his memory at all, was not recognisedas one with me.

He raised his missile to hurl it; I commenced a soothing speech, butcould not stay his hand: the stone struck my bonnet; and then ensued,from the stammering lips of the little fellow, a string of curses, which,whether he comprehended them or not, were delivered with practisedemphasis, and distorted his baby features into a shocking expression ofmalignity. You may be certain this grieved more than angered me. Fit tocry, I took an orange from my pocket, and offered it to propitiate him.He hesitated, and then snatched it from my hold; as if he fancied I onlyintended to tempt and disappoint him. I showed another, keeping it outof his reach.

'Who has taught you those fine words, my bairn?' I inquired. 'Thecurate?'

'Damn the curate, and thee! Gie me that,' he replied.

'Tell us where you got your lessons, and you shall have it,' said I.'Who's your master?'

'Devil daddy,' was his answer.

'And what do you learn from daddy?' I continued.

He jumped at the fruit; I raised it higher. 'What does he teach you?' Iasked.

'Naught,' said he, 'but to keep out of his gait. Daddy cannot bide me,because I swear at him.'

'Ah! and the devil teaches you to swear at daddy?' I observed.

'Ay--nay,' he drawled.

'Who, then?'

'Heathcliff.'

'I asked if he liked Mr. Heathcliff.'

'Ay!' he answered again.

Desiring to have his reasons for liking him, I could only gather thesentences--'I known't: he pays dad back what he gies to me--he cursesdaddy for cursing me. He says I mun do as I will.'

'And the curate does not teach you to read and write, then?' I pursued.

'No, I was told the curate should have his--teeth dashed down his--throat,if he stepped over the threshold--Heathcliff had promised that!'

I put the orange in his hand, and bade him tell his father that a womancalled Nelly Dean was waiting to speak with him, by the garden gate. Hewent up the walk, and entered the house; but, instead of Hindley,Heathcliff appeared on the door-stones; and I turned directly and randown the road as hard as ever I could race, making no halt till I gainedthe guide-post, and feeling as scared as if I had raised a goblin. Thisis not much connected with Miss Isabella's affair: except that it urgedme to resolve further on mounting vigilant guard, and doing my utmost tocheck the spread of such bad influence at the Grange: even though Ishould wake a domestic storm, by thwarting Mrs. Linton's pleasure.

The next time Heathcliff came my young lady chanced to be feeding somepigeons in the court. She had never spoken a word to her sister-in-lawfor three days; but she had likewise dropped her fretful complaining, andwe found it a great comfort. Heathcliff had not the habit of bestowing asingle unnecessary civility on Miss Linton, I knew. Now, as soon as hebeheld her, his first precaution was to take a sweeping survey of thehouse-front. I was standing by the kitchen-window, but I drew out ofsight. He then stepped across the pavement to her, and said something:she seemed embarrassed, and desirous of getting away; to prevent it, helaid his hand on her arm. She averted her face: he apparently put somequestion which she had no mind to answer. There was another rapid glanceat the house, and supposing himself unseen, the scoundrel had theimpudence to embrace her.

'Judas! Traitor!' I ejaculated. 'You are a hypocrite, too, are you? Adeliberate deceiver.'

'Who is, Nelly?' said Catherine's voice at my elbow: I had beenover-intent on watching the pair outside to mark her entrance.

'Your worthless friend!' I answered, warmly: 'the sneaking rascal yonder.Ah, he has caught a glimpse of us--he is coming in! I wonder will hehave the heart to find a plausible excuse for making love to Miss, whenhe told you he hated her?'

Mrs. Linton saw Isabella tear herself free, and run into the garden; anda minute after, Heathcliff opened the door. I couldn't withhold givingsome loose to my indignation; but Catherine angrily insisted on silence,and threatened to order me out of the kitchen, if I dared to be sopresumptuous as to put in my insolent tongue.

'To hear you, people might think you were the mistress!' she cried. 'Youwant setting down in your right place! Heathcliff, what are you about,raising this stir? I said you must let Isabella alone!--I beg you will,unless you are tired of being received here, and wish Linton to draw thebolts against you!'

'God forbid that he should try!' answered the black villain. I detestedhim just then. 'God keep him meek and patient! Every day I grow madderafter sending him to heaven!'

'Hush!' said Catherine, shutting the inner door! 'Don't vex me. Whyhave you disregarded my request? Did she come across you on purpose?'

'What is it to you?' he growled. 'I have a right to kiss her, if shechooses; and you have no right to object. I am not _your_ husband: _you_needn't be jealous of me!'

'I'm not jealous of you,' replied the mistress; 'I'm jealous for you.Clear your face: you sha'n't scowl at me! If you like Isabella, youshall marry her. But do you like her? Tell the truth, Heathcliff!There, you won't answer. I'm certain you don't.'

'And would Mr. Linton approve of his sister marrying that man?' Iinquired.

'Mr. Linton should approve,' returned my lady, decisively.

'He might spare himself the trouble,' said Heathcliff: 'I could do aswell without his approbation. And as to you, Catherine, I have a mind tospeak a few words now, while we are at it. I want you to be aware that I_know_ you have treated me infernally--infernally! Do you hear? And ifyou flatter yourself that I don't perceive it, you are a fool; and ifyou think I can be consoled by sweet words, you are an idiot: and if youfancy I'll suffer unrevenged, I'll convince you of the contrary, in avery little while! Meantime, thank you for telling me yoursister-in-law's secret: I swear I'll make the most of it. And stand youaside!'

'What new phase of his character is this?' exclaimed Mrs. Linton, inamazement. 'I've treated you infernally--and you'll take your revenge!How will you take it, ungrateful brute? How have I treated youinfernally?'

'I seek no revenge on you,' replied Heathcliff, less vehemently. 'That'snot the plan. The tyrant grinds down his slaves and they don't turnagainst him; they crush those beneath them. You are welcome to tortureme to death for your amusement, only allow me to amuse myself a little inthe same style, and refrain from insult as much as you are able. Havinglevelled my palace, don't erect a hovel and complacently admire your owncharity in giving me that for a home. If I imagined you really wished meto marry Isabel, I'd cut my throat!'

'Oh, the evil is that I am _not_ jealous, is it?' cried Catherine. 'Well,I won't repeat my offer of a wife: it is as bad as offering Satan a lostsoul. Your bliss lies, like his, in inflicting misery. You prove it.Edgar is restored from the ill-temper he gave way to at your coming; Ibegin to be secure and tranquil; and you, restless to know us at peace,appear resolved on exciting a quarrel. Quarrel with Edgar, if youplease, Heathcliff, and deceive his sister: you'll hit on exactly themost efficient method of revenging yourself on me.'

The conversation ceased. Mrs. Linton sat down by the fire, flushed andgloomy. The spirit which served her was growing intractable: she couldneither lay nor control it. He stood on the hearth with folded arms,brooding on his evil thoughts; and in this position I left them to seekthe master, who was wondering what kept Catherine below so long.

'Ellen,' said he, when I entered, 'have you seen your mistress?'

'Yes; she's in the kitchen, sir,' I answered. 'She's sadly put out byMr. Heathcliff's behaviour: and, indeed, I do think it's time to arrangehis visits on another footing. There's harm in being too soft, and nowit's come to this--.' And I related the scene in the court, and, as nearas I dared, the whole subsequent dispute. I fancied it could not be veryprejudicial to Mrs. Linton; unless she made it so afterwards, by assumingthe defensive for her guest. Edgar Linton had difficulty in hearing meto the close. His first words revealed that he did not clear his wife ofblame.

'This is insufferable!' he exclaimed. 'It is disgraceful that she shouldown him for a friend, and force his company on me! Call me two men outof the hall, Ellen. Catherine shall linger no longer to argue with thelow ruffian--I have humoured her enough.'

He descended, and bidding the servants wait in the passage, went,followed by me, to the kitchen. Its occupants had recommenced theirangry discussion: Mrs. Linton, at least, was scolding with renewedvigour; Heathcliff had moved to the window, and hung his head, somewhatcowed by her violent rating apparently. He saw the master first, andmade a hasty motion that she should be silent; which she obeyed,abruptly, on discovering the reason of his intimation.

'How is this?' said Linton, addressing her; 'what notion of proprietymust you have to remain here, after the language which has been held toyou by that blackguard? I suppose, because it is his ordinary talk youthink nothing of it: you are habituated to his baseness, and, perhaps,imagine I can get used to it too!'

'Have you been listening at the door, Edgar?' asked the mistress, in atone particularly calculated to provoke her husband, implying bothcarelessness and contempt of his irritation. Heathcliff, who had raisedhis eyes at the former speech, gave a sneering laugh at the latter; onpurpose, it seemed, to draw Mr. Linton's attention to him. He succeeded;but Edgar did not mean to entertain him with any high flights of passion.

'I've been so far forbearing with you, sir,' he said quietly; 'not that Iwas ignorant of your miserable, degraded character, but I felt you wereonly partly responsible for that; and Catherine wishing to keep up youracquaintance, I acquiesced--foolishly. Your presence is a moral poisonthat would contaminate the most virtuous: for that cause, and to preventworse consequences, I shall deny you hereafter admission into this house,and give notice now that I require your instant departure. Threeminutes' delay will render it involuntary and ignominious.'

Heathcliff measured the height and breadth of the speaker with an eyefull of derision.

'Cathy, this lamb of yours threatens like a bull!' he said. 'It is indanger of splitting its skull against my knuckles. By God! Mr. Linton,I'm mortally sorry that you are not worth knocking down!'

My master glanced towards the passage, and signed me to fetch the men: hehad no intention of hazarding a personal encounter. I obeyed the hint;but Mrs. Linton, suspecting something, followed; and when I attempted tocall them, she pulled me back, slammed the door to, and locked it.

'Fair means!' she said, in answer to her husband's look of angrysurprise. 'If you have not courage to attack him, make an apology, orallow yourself to be beaten. It will correct you of feigning more valourthan you possess. No, I'll swallow the key before you shall get it! I'mdelightfully rewarded for my kindness to each! After constant indulgenceof one's weak nature, and the other's bad one, I earn for thanks twosamples of blind ingratitude, stupid to absurdity! Edgar, I wasdefending you and yours; and I wish Heathcliff may flog you sick, fordaring to think an evil thought of me!'

It did not need the medium of a flogging to produce that effect on themaster. He tried to wrest the key from Catherine's grasp, and for safetyshe flung it into the hottest part of the fire; whereupon Mr. Edgar wastaken with a nervous trembling, and his countenance grew deadly pale. Forhis life he could not avert that excess of emotion: mingled anguish andhumiliation overcame him completely. He leant on the back of a chair,and covered his face.

'Oh, heavens! In old days this would win you knighthood!' exclaimed Mrs.Linton. 'We are vanquished! we are vanquished! Heathcliff would as soonlift a finger at you as the king would march his army against a colony ofmice. Cheer up! you sha'n't be hurt! Your type is not a lamb, it's asucking leveret.'

'I wish you joy of the milk-blooded coward, Cathy!' said her friend. 'Icompliment you on your taste. And that is the slavering, shivering thingyou preferred to me! I would not strike him with my fist, but I'd kickhim with my foot, and experience considerable satisfaction. Is heweeping, or is he going to faint for fear?'

The fellow approached and gave the chair on which Linton rested a push.He'd better have kept his distance: my master quickly sprang erect, andstruck him full on the throat a blow that would have levelled a slighterman. It took his breath for a minute; and while he choked, Mr. Lintonwalked out by the back door into the yard, and from thence to the frontentrance.

'There! you've done with coming here,' cried Catherine. 'Get away, now;he'll return with a brace of pistols and half-a-dozen assistants. If hedid overhear us, of course he'd never forgive you. You've played me anill turn, Heathcliff! But go--make haste! I'd rather see Edgar at baythan you.'

'Do you suppose I'm going with that blow burning in my gullet?' hethundered. 'By hell, no! I'll crush his ribs in like a rotten hazel-nutbefore I cross the threshold! If I don't floor him now, I shall murderhim some time; so, as you value his existence, let me get at him!'

'He is not coming,' I interposed, framing a bit of a lie. 'There's thecoachman and the two gardeners; you'll surely not wait to be thrust intothe road by them! Each has a bludgeon; and master will, very likely, bewatching from the parlour-windows to see that they fulfil his orders.'

The gardeners and coachman were there: but Linton was with them. Theyhad already entered the court. Heathcliff, on the second thoughts,resolved to avoid a struggle against three underlings: he seized thepoker, smashed the lock from the inner door, and made his escape as theytramped in.

Mrs. Linton, who was very much excited, bade me accompany her up-stairs.She did not know my share in contributing to the disturbance, and I wasanxious to keep her in ignorance.

'I'm nearly distracted, Nelly!' she exclaimed, throwing herself on thesofa. 'A thousand smiths' hammers are beating in my head! Tell Isabellato shun me; this uproar is owing to her; and should she or any one elseaggravate my anger at present, I shall get wild. And, Nelly, say toEdgar, if you see him again to-night, that I'm in danger of beingseriously ill. I wish it may prove true. He has startled and distressedme shockingly! I want to frighten him. Besides, he might come and begina string of abuse or complainings; I'm certain I should recriminate, andGod knows where we should end! Will you do so, my good Nelly? You areaware that I am no way blamable in this matter. What possessed him toturn listener? Heathcliff's talk was outrageous, after you left us; butI could soon have diverted him from Isabella, and the rest meant nothing.Now all is dashed wrong; by the fool's craving to hear evil of self, thathaunts some people like a demon! Had Edgar never gathered ourconversation, he would never have been the worse for it. Really, when heopened on me in that unreasonable tone of displeasure after I had scoldedHeathcliff till I was hoarse for him, I did not care hardly what they didto each other; especially as I felt that, however the scene closed, weshould all be driven asunder for nobody knows how long! Well, if Icannot keep Heathcliff for my friend--if Edgar will be mean and jealous,I'll try to break their hearts by breaking my own. That will be a promptway of finishing all, when I am pushed to extremity! But it's a deed tobe reserved for a forlorn hope; I'd not take Linton by surprise with it.To this point he has been discreet in dreading to provoke me; you mustrepresent the peril of quitting that policy, and remind him of mypassionate temper, verging, when kindled, on frenzy. I wish you coulddismiss that apathy out of that countenance, and look rather more anxiousabout me.'

The stolidity with which I received these instructions was, no doubt,rather exasperating: for they were delivered in perfect sincerity; but Ibelieved a person who could plan the turning of her fits of passion toaccount, beforehand, might, by exerting her will, manage to controlherself tolerably, even while under their influence; and I did not wishto 'frighten' her husband, as she said, and multiply his annoyances forthe purpose of serving her selfishness. Therefore I said nothing when Imet the master coming towards the parlour; but I took the liberty ofturning back to listen whether they would resume their quarrel together.He began to speak first.

'Remain where you are, Catherine,' he said; without any anger in hisvoice, but with much sorrowful despondency. 'I shall not stay. I amneither come to wrangle nor be reconciled; but I wish just to learnwhether, after this evening's events, you intend to continue yourintimacy with--'

'Oh, for mercy's sake,' interrupted the mistress, stamping her foot, 'formercy's sake, let us hear no more of it now! Your cold blood cannot beworked into a fever: your veins are full of ice-water; but mine areboiling, and the sight of such chillness makes them dance.'

'To get rid of me, answer my question,' persevered Mr. Linton. 'You mustanswer it; and that violence does not alarm me. I have found that youcan be as stoical as anyone, when you please. Will you give upHeathcliff hereafter, or will you give up me? It is impossible for youto be _my_ friend and _his_ at the same time; and I absolutely _require_to know which you choose.'

'I require to be let alone!' exclaimed Catherine, furiously. 'I demandit! Don't you see I can scarcely stand? Edgar, you--you leave me!'

She rang the bell till it broke with a twang; I entered leisurely. Itwas enough to try the temper of a saint, such senseless, wicked rages!There she lay dashing her head against the arm of the sofa, and grindingher teeth, so that you might fancy she would crash them to splinters! Mr.Linton stood looking at her in sudden compunction and fear. He told meto fetch some water. She had no breath for speaking. I brought a glassfull; and as she would not drink, I sprinkled it on her face. In a fewseconds she stretched herself out stiff, and turned up her eyes, whileher cheeks, at once blanched and livid, assumed the aspect of death.Linton looked terrified.

'There is nothing in the world the matter,' I whispered. I did not wanthim to yield, though I could not help being afraid in my heart.

'She has blood on her lips!' he said, shuddering.

'Never mind!' I answered, tartly. And I told him how she had resolved,previous to his coming, on exhibiting a fit of frenzy. I incautiouslygave the account aloud, and she heard me; for she started up--her hairflying over her shoulders, her eyes flashing, the muscles of her neckand arms standing out preternaturally. I made up my mind for brokenbones, at least; but she only glared about her for an instant, and thenrushed from the room. The master directed me to follow; I did, to herchamber-door: she hindered me from going further by securing it againstme.

As she never offered to descend to breakfast next morning, I went to askwhether she would have some carried up. 'No!' she replied, peremptorily.The same question was repeated at dinner and tea; and again on the morrowafter, and received the same answer. Mr. Linton, on his part, spent histime in the library, and did not inquire concerning his wife'soccupations. Isabella and he had had an hour's interview, during whichhe tried to elicit from her some sentiment of proper horror forHeathcliff's advances: but he could make nothing of her evasive replies,and was obliged to close the examination unsatisfactorily; adding,however, a solemn warning, that if she were so insane as to encouragethat worthless suitor, it would dissolve all bonds of relationshipbetween herself and him.