‘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.
‘Aye—nay,’ he drawled.
‘Who then?’
‘Heathcliff.’
I asked if he liked Mr Heathcliff?
‘Aye!’ he answered again.
Desiring to have his reasons for liking him, I could only gather the sentences. ‘I known’t—he pays Dad back what he gies to me—he curses Daddy 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 woman called Nelly Dean was waiting to speak with him, by the garden gate.
He went up the walk, and entered the house; but, instead of Hindley, Heathcliff appeared on the door stones, and I turned directly and ran down the road as hard as ever I could race, making no halt till I gained the guide post, and feeling as scared as if I had raised a goblin.
This is not much connected with Miss Isabella’s affair; exceptthat it urged me to resolve further on mounting vigilant guard, and doing my utmost to check the spread of such bad influence at the Grange, even though I should wake a domestic storm, by thwarting Mrs Linton’s pleasure.
The next time Heathcliff came, my young lady chanced to be feeding some pigeons in the court. She had never spoken a word to her sister-in-law, for three days; but she had likewise dropped her fretful complaining, and we found it a great comfort.
Heathcliff had not the habit of bestowing a single unnecessary civility on Miss Linton, I knew. Now, as soon as he beheld her, his first precaution was to take a sweeping survey of the house-front. I was standing by the kitchen window, but I drew out of sight. He then stept across the pavement to her, and said something: she seemed embarrassed, and desirous of getting away; to prevent it, he laid his hand on her arm: she averted her face; he apparently put some question which she had no mind to answer. There was another rapid glance at the house, and supposing himself unseen, the scoundrel had the impudence to embrace her.
‘Judas! Traitor!’ I ejaculated. ‘You are a hypocrite too, are you? A deliberate deceiver.’
‘Who is, Nelly?’ said Catherine’s voice at my elbow—I had been over-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 he have the art to find a plausible excuse for making love to Miss, when he told you he hated her?’
Mrs Linton saw Isabella tear herself free, and run into the garden; and a minute after, Heathcliff opened the door.
I couldn’t withhold giving some loose to my indignation; but Catherine angrily insisted on silence, and threatened to order me out of the kitchen, if I dared be so presumptuous as to put in my insolent tongue.
‘To hear you, people might thinkyouwere the mistress!’ she cried. ‘You want setting down in your right place! Heathcliff, whatare 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 the bolts against you!’
‘God forbid that he should try!’ answered the black villain—I detested him just then. ‘God keep him meek and patient! Every day I grow madder after sending him to heaven!’
‘Hush!’ said Catherine, shutting the inner door. ‘Don’t vex me. Why have 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 she chooses, and you have no right to object—I’m notyourhusband,youneedn’t be jealous of me!’
‘I’m not jealous of you,’ replied the mistress, ‘I’m jealous for you. Clear your face, you shan’t scowl at me! If you like Isabella, you shall 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?’ I inquired.
‘Mr Linton should approve,’ returned my lady decisively.
‘He might spare himself the trouble,’ said Heathcliff, ‘I could do as well without his approbation—And, as to you, Catherine, I have a mind to speak a few words, now, while we are at it—I want you to be aware that Iknowyou have treated me infernally—infernally! Do you hear? And, if you flatter yourself that I don’t perceive it you are a fool—and if you think I can be consoled by sweet words you are an idiot—and if you fancy I’ll suffer unrevenged, I’ll convince you of the contrary, in a very little while! Meantime, thank you for telling me your sister-in-law’s secret—I swear I’ll make the most of it, and stand you aside!’
‘What new phase of his character is this?’ exclaimed Mrs Linton, in amazement. ‘I’ve treated you infernally—and you’ll take revenge! How will you take it, ungrateful brute? How have I treated you infernally?’
‘I seek no revenge on you,’ replied Heathcliff less vehemently. ‘That’s not the plan—The tyrant grinds down his slaves and theydon’t turn against him, they crush those beneath them—You are welcome to torture me to death for your amusement, only, allow me to amuse myself a little in the same style—And refrain from insult, as much as you are able. Having levelled my palace, don’t erect a hovel and complacently admire your own charity in giving me that for a home. If I imagined you really wished me to marry Isabella, I’d cut my throat!’
