Wuthering Heights Emily BrontĂ« (best free novels txt) đ
- Author: Emily Brontë
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Heathcliff went to the back of her chair, and leant over, but not so far as to let her see his face, which was livid with emotion. She bent round to look at him; he would not permit it: turning abruptly, he walked to the fireplace, where he stood, silent, with his back towards us. Mrs. Lintonâs glance followed him suspiciously: every movement woke a new sentiment in her. After a pause and a prolonged gaze, she resumed; addressing me in accents of indignant disappointment:â â
âOh, you see, Nelly, he would not relent a moment to keep me out of the grave. That is how Iâm loved! Well, never mind. That is not my Heathcliff. I shall love mine yet; and take him with me: heâs in my soul. And,â added she musingly, âthe thing that irks me most is this shattered prison, after all. Iâm tired of being enclosed here. Iâm wearying to escape into that glorious world, and to be always there: not seeing it dimly through tears, and yearning for it through the walls of an aching heart: but really with it, and in it. Nelly, you think you are better and more fortunate than I; in full health and strength: you are sorry for meâ âvery soon that will be altered. I shall be sorry for you. I shall be incomparably beyond and above you all. I wonder he wonât be near me!â She went on to herself. âI thought he wished it. Heathcliff, dear! you should not be sullen now. Do come to me, Heathcliff.â
In her eagerness she rose and supported herself on the arm of the chair. At that earnest appeal he turned to her, looking absolutely desperate. His eyes, wide and wet, at last flashed fiercely on her; his breast heaved convulsively. An instant they held asunder, and then how they met I hardly saw, but Catherine made a spring, and he caught her, and they were locked in an embrace from which I thought my mistress would never be released alive: in fact, to my eyes, she seemed directly insensible. He flung himself into the nearest seat, and on my approaching hurriedly to ascertain if she had fainted, he gnashed at me, and foamed like a mad dog, and gathered her to him with greedy jealousy. I did not feel as if I were in the company of a creature of my own species: it appeared that he would not understand, though I spoke to him; so I stood off, and held my tongue, in great perplexity.
A movement of Catherineâs relieved me a little presently: she put up her hand to clasp his neck, and bring her cheek to his as he held her; while he, in return, covering her with frantic caresses, said wildlyâ â
âYou teach me now how cruel youâve beenâ âcruel and false. Why did you despise me? Why did you betray your own heart, Cathy? I have not one word of comfort. You deserve this. You have killed yourself. Yes, you may kiss me, and cry; and wring out my kisses and tears: theyâll blight youâ âtheyâll damn you. You loved meâ âthen what right had you to leave me? What rightâ âanswer meâ âfor the poor fancy you felt for Linton? Because misery and degradation, and death, and nothing that God or Satan could inflict would have parted us, you, of your own will, did it. I have not broken your heartâ âyou have broken it; and in breaking it, you have broken mine. So much the worse for me that I am strong. Do I want to live? What kind of living will it be when youâ âoh, God! would you like to live with your soul in the grave?â
âLet me alone. Let me alone,â sobbed Catherine. âIf Iâve done wrong, Iâm dying for it. It is enough! You left me too: but I wonât upbraid you! I forgive you. Forgive me!â
âIt is hard to forgive, and to look at those eyes, and feel those wasted hands,â he answered. âKiss me again; and donât let me see your eyes! I forgive what you have done to me. I love my murdererâ âbut yours! How can I?â
They were silentâ âtheir faces hid against each other, and washed by each otherâs tears. At least, I suppose the weeping was on both sides; as it seemed Heathcliff could weep on a great occasion like this.
I grew very uncomfortable, meanwhile; for the afternoon wore fast away, the man whom I had sent off returned from his errand, and I could distinguish, by the shine of the western sun up the valley, a concourse thickening outside Gimmerton chapel porch.
âService is over,â I announced. âMy master will be here in half an hour.â
Heathcliff groaned a curse, and strained Catherine closer: she never moved.
Ere long I perceived a group of the servants passing up the road towards the kitchen wing. Mr. Linton was not far behind; he opened the gate himself and sauntered slowly up, probably enjoying the lovely afternoon that breathed as soft as summer.
âNow he is here,â I exclaimed. âFor heavenâs sake, hurry down! Youâll not meet anyone on the front stairs. Do be quick; and stay among the trees till he is fairly in.â
âI must go, Cathy,â said Heathcliff, seeking to extricate himself from his companionâs arms. âBut if I live, Iâll see you again before you are asleep. I wonât stray five yards from your window.â
âYou must not go!â she answered, holding him as firmly as her strength allowed. âYou shall not, I tell you.â
âFor one hour,â he pleaded earnestly.
âNot for one minute,â she replied.
âI mustâ âLinton will be up immediately,â persisted the alarmed intruder.
He would have risen, and unfixed her fingers by the actâ âshe clung fast, gasping: there was mad resolution in her face.
âNo!â she shrieked. âOh, donât, donât go. It is the last time! Edgar will not hurt us. Heathcliff, I shall die! I shall die!â
âDamn the fool! There he is,â cried Heathcliff, sinking back into his seat. âHush, my darling! Hush,
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