Wuthering Heights Emily BrontĂ« (best free novels txt) đ
- Author: Emily Brontë
Book online «Wuthering Heights Emily BrontĂ« (best free novels txt) đ». Author Emily BrontĂ«
âCome in,â said I, taking Cathy by the arm and half forcing her to re-enter; for she lingered, viewing with troubled eyes the features of the speaker, too stern to express his inward deceit.
He pushed his horse close, and, bending down, observedâ ââMiss Catherine, Iâll own to you that I have little patience with Linton; and Hareton and Joseph have less. Iâll own that heâs with a harsh set. He pines for kindness, as well as love; and a kind word from you would be his best medicine. Donât mind Mrs. Deanâs cruel cautions; but be generous, and contrive to see him. He dreams of you day and night, and cannot be persuaded that you donât hate him, since you neither write nor call.â
I closed the door, and rolled a stone to assist the loosened lock in holding it; and spreading my umbrella, I drew my charge underneath: for the rain began to drive through the moaning branches of the trees, and warned us to avoid delay. Our hurry prevented any comment on the encounter with Heathcliff, as we stretched towards home; but I divined instinctively that Catherineâs heart was clouded now in double darkness. Her features were so sad, they did not seem hers: she evidently regarded what she had heard as every syllable true.
The master had retired to rest before we came in. Cathy stole to his room to inquire how he was; he had fallen asleep. She returned, and asked me to sit with her in the library. We took our tea together; and afterwards she lay down on the rug, and told me not to talk, for she was weary. I got a book, and pretended to read. As soon as she supposed me absorbed in my occupation, she recommenced her silent weeping: it appeared, at present, her favourite diversion. I suffered her to enjoy it a while; then I expostulated: deriding and ridiculing all Mr. Heathcliffâs assertions about his son, as if I were certain she would coincide. Alas! I hadnât skill to counteract the effect his account had produced: it was just what he intended.
âYou may be right, Ellen,â she answered; âbut I shall never feel at ease till I know. And I must tell Linton it is not my fault that I donât write, and convince him that I shall not change.â
What use were anger and protestations against her silly credulity? We parted that nightâ âhostile; but next day beheld me on the road to Wuthering Heights, by the side of my wilful young mistressâs pony. I couldnât bear to witness her sorrow: to see her pale, dejected countenance, and heavy eyes: and I yielded, in the faint hope that Linton himself might prove, by his reception of us, how little of the tale was founded on fact.
XXIIIThe rainy night had ushered in a misty morningâ âhalf frost, half drizzleâ âand temporary brooks crossed our pathâ âgurgling from the uplands. My feet were thoroughly wetted; I was cross and low; exactly the humour suited for making the most of these disagreeable things. We entered the farmhouse by the kitchen way, to ascertain whether Mr. Heathcliff were really absent: because I put slight faith in his own affirmation.
Joseph seemed sitting in a sort of elysium alone, beside a roaring fire; a quart of ale on the table near him, bristling with large pieces of toasted oatcake; and his black, short pipe in his mouth. Catherine ran to the hearth to warm herself. I asked if the master was in? My question remained so long unanswered, that I thought the old man had grown deaf, and repeated it louder.
âNaâ âay!â he snarled, or rather screamed through his nose. âNaâ âay! yah muh goa back whear yah coom frough.â
âJoseph!â cried a peevish voice, simultaneously with me, from the inner room. âHow often am I to call you? There are only a few red ashes now. Joseph! come this moment.â
Vigorous puffs, and a resolute stare into the grate, declared he had no ear for this appeal. The housekeeper and Hareton were invisible; one gone on an errand, and the other at his work, probably. We knew Lintonâs tones, and entered.
âOh, I hope youâll die in a garret, starved to death!â said the boy, mistaking our approach for that of his negligent attendant.
He stopped on observing his error: his cousin flew to him.
âIs that you, Miss Linton?â he said, raising his head from the arm of the great chair, in which he reclined. âNoâ âdonât kiss me: it takes my breath. Dear me! Papa said you would call,â continued he, after recovering a little from Catherineâs embrace; while she stood by looking very contrite. âWill you shut the door, if you please? you left it open; and thoseâ âthose detestable creatures wonât bring coals to the fire. Itâs so cold!â
I stirred up the cinders, and fetched a scuttleful myself. The invalid complained of being covered with ashes; but he had a tiresome cough, and looked feverish and ill, so I did not rebuke his temper.
âWell, Linton,â murmured Catherine, when his corrugated brow relaxed, âare you glad to see me? Can I do you any good?â
âWhy didnât you come before?â he asked. âYou should have come, instead of writing. It tired me dreadfully writing those long letters. Iâd far rather have talked to you. Now, I can neither bear to talk, nor anything else. I wonder where Zillah is! Will youâ (looking at me) âstep into the kitchen and see?â
I had received no thanks for my other service; and being unwilling to run to and fro at his behest, I repliedâ ââNobody is out there but Joseph.â
âI want to drink,â he exclaimed fretfully, turning away. âZillah is constantly gadding off to Gimmerton since papa went: itâs miserable! And Iâm obliged to come down hereâ âthey resolved never to hear me upstairs.â
âIs your father attentive to you, Master Heathcliff?â I asked, perceiving Catherine to be checked in her friendly advances.
âAttentive?
Comments (0)