第39章

Whether she would have got over this fancy if left to herself or persevered in nursing it perpetually, I cannot say: she had little time to reflect.The day after, there was a justice-meeting at the next town;my master was obliged to attend; and Mr Heathcliff, aware of his absence, called rather earlier than usual.Catherine and Isabella were sitting in the library, on hostile terms, but silent.The latter alarmed at her recent indiscretion, and the disclosure she had made of her secret feelings in a transient fit of passion; the former, on mature consideration, really offended with her companion; and, if she laughed again at her pertness, inclined to make it no laughing matter to her.She did laugh as she saw Heathcliff pass the window.I was sweeping the hearth, and I noticed a mischievous smile on her lips.Isabella, absorbed in her meditations, or a book, remained till the door opened; and it was too late to attempt an escape, which she would gladly have done had it been practicable.

`Come in, that's right!' exclaimed the mistress gaily, pulling a chair to the fire.`Here are two people sadly in need of a third to thaw the ice between them; and you are the very one we should both of us choose.

Heathcliff, I'm proud to show you, at last, somebody that dotes on you more than myself.I expect you to feel flattered.Nay, it's not Nelly;don't look at her! My poor little sister-in-law is breaking her heart by mere contemplation of your physical and moral beauty.It lies in your own power to be Edgar's brother! No, no, Isabella, you shan't run off,' she continued, arresting, with feigned playfulness, the confounded girl, who had risen indignantly.`We were quarrelling like cats about you, Heathcliff;and I was fairly beaten in protestations of devotion and admiration: and, moreover, I was informed that if I would but have the manners to stand aside, my rival, as she will ha"e herself to be, would shoot a shaft into your soul that would fix you for ever, and send my image into eternal oblivion!'

`Catherine!' said Isabella, calling up her dignity, and disdaining to struggle from the tight grasp that held her.`I'd thank you to adhere to the truth and not slander me, even in joke! Mr Heathcliff, be kind enough to bid this friend of yours release me: she forgets that you and I are not intimate acquaintances; and what amuses her is painful to me beyond expression.'

As the guest answered nothing, but took his seat, and looked thoroughly indifferent what sentiments she cherished concerning him, she turned and whispered an earnest appeal for liberty to her tormentor.

`By no means!' cried Mrs Linton in answer.`I won't be named a dog in the manger again.You shall stay: now then! Heathcliff, why don't you evince satisfaction at my pleasant news? Isabella swears that the love Edgar has for me is nothing to that she entertains for you.I'm sure she made some speech of the kind; did she not, Ellen? And she has fasted ever since the day before yesterday's walk, from sorrow and rage that I dispatched her out of your society under the idea of its being unacceptable.