第37章

`He explained it,' she replied.`I wondered as much as you.He said he called to gather information concerning me from you, supposing you resided there still; and Joseph told Hindley, who came out and fell to questioning him of what he had been doing, and how he had been living;and finally, desired him to walk in.There were some persons sitting at cards; Heathcliff joined them; my brother lost some money to him, and, finding him plentifully supplied, he requested that he would come again in the evening: to which he consented.Hindley is too reckless to select his acquaintance prudently: he doesn't trouble himself to reflect on the causes he might have for mistrusting one whom he has basely injured.But Heathcliff affirms his principal reason for resuming a connection with his ancient persecutor is a wish to install himself in quarters at walking distance from the Grange, and an attachment to the house where we lived together; and likewise a hope that I shall have more opportunities of seeing him there than I could have if he settled in Gimmerton.He means to offer liberal payment for permission to lodge at the Heights; and doubtless my brother's covetousness will prompt him to accept the terms: he was always greedy; though what he grasps with one hand he flings away with the other.'

`It's a nice place for a young man to fix his dwelling in!' said I.`Have you no fear of the consequences, `Mrs Linton?'

`None for my friend,' she replied: `his strong head will keep him from danger; a little for Hindley: but he can't be made morally worse than he is; and I stand between him and bodily harm.The event of this evening has reconciled me to God and humanity! I had risen in angry rebellion against Providence.Oh, I've endured very, very bitter misery, Nelly! If that creature knew how bitter, he'd be ashamed to cloud its removal with idle petulance.It was kindness for him which induced me to bear it alone:

had I expressed the agony I frequently felt, he would have been taught to long for its alleviation as ardently as l.However, it's over, and I'll take no revenge on his folly; I can afford to suffer anything hereafter!

Should the meanest thing alive slap me on the cheek, I'd not only turn the other, but, I'd ask pardon for provoking it; and, as a proof, I'll go make my peace with Edgar instantly.Good night! I'm an angel!'

In this self-complacent conviction she departed; and the success of her fulfilled resolution was obvious on the morrow: Mr Linton had not only abjured his peevishness (though his spirits seemed still subdued by Catherine's exuberance of vivacity), but he ventured no objection to her taking Isabella with her to Wuthering Heights in the afternoon; and she rewarded him with such a summer of sweetness and affection in return, as made the house a paradise for several days; both master and servants profiting from the perpetual sunshine.

Heathcliff--Mr Heathcliff I should say in future--used the liberty of visiting at Thrushcross Grange cautiously, at first: he seemed estimating how far its owner would bear his intrusion.Catherine, also, deemed it judicious to moderate her expressions of pleasure in receiving him; and he gradually established his right to be expected.He retained a great deal of the reserve for which his boyhood was remarkable; and that served to repress all startling demonstrations of feeling.My master's uneasiness experienced a lull, and further circumstances diverted it into another channel for a space.

His new source of trouble sprang from the not anticipated misfortune of Isabella Linton evincing a sudden and irresistible attraction towards the tolerated guest.She was at that time a charming young lady of eighteen;infantile in manners, though possessed of keen wit, keen feelings, and a keen temper, too, if irritated.Her brother, who loved her tenderly, was appalled at this fantastic preference.Leaving aside the degradation of an alliance with a nameless man, and the possible fact that his property, in default of heirs male, might pass into such a one's power, he had sense to comprehend Heathcliff's disposition: to know that, though his exterior was altered, his mind was unchangeable and unchanged.And he dreaded that mind: it revolted him: he shrank forebodingly from the idea of committing Isabella to his keeping.He would have recoiled still more had he been aware that her attachment rose unsolicited, and was bestowed where it awakened no reciprocation of sentiment; for the minute he discovered its existence, he laid the blame on Heathcliff's deliberate designing.

We had all remarked, during some time, that Miss Linton fretted and pined over something.She grew cross and wearisome; snapping at and teasing Catherine continually, at the imminent risk of exhausting her limited patience.We excused her, to a certain extent, on the plea of ill-health:

she was dwindling and fading before our eyes.But one day, when she had been peculiarly wayward, rejecting her breakfast, complaining that the servants did not do what she told them; that the mistress would allow her to be nothing in the house, and Edgar neglected her; that she had caught a cold with the doors being left open, and we let the parlour fire go out on purpose to vex her, with a hundred yet more frivolous accusations, Mrs Linton peremptorily insisted that she should get to bed; and, having scolded her heartily, threatened to send for the doctor.Mention of Kenneth caused her to exclaim, instantly, that her health was perfect, and it was only Catherine's harshness which made her unhappy.

`How can you say I am harsh, you naughty fondling?' cried the mistress, amazed at the unreasonable assertion.`You are surely losing your reason.When have I been harsh, tell me?'

`Yesterday,' sobbed Isabella, `and now!'

`Yesterday!' said her sister-in-law.`On what occasion?'

`In our walk along the moor: you told me to ramble where I pleased, while you sauntered on with Mr Heathcliff!'