I expected such a transformation on raising the lid but I’m better pleased that it should not commence till I share it.

He neither spoke nor loosed his hold for some five minutes, during which period he bestowed more kisses than ever he gave in his life before, I daresay: but then my mistress had kissed him first, and I plainly saw that he could hardly bear, for downright agony, to look into her face!

‘But I must remain with my mistress: to mind your son is not my business.’

The surprise bewilders me it will put her out of her head!

I CANNOT live without my life!

‘And at the end of it to be flighted to death!’ he said, opening his great-coat, which he held bundled up in his arms.

Mr. Heathcliff sat at a table, turning over some papers in his pocket-book; but he rose when I appeared, asked me how I did, quite friendly, and offered me a chair.

She quitted the apartment; Mr. Edgar inquired, carelessly, who it was.

‘They are going to the Grange, then?’ I said.

I had applied the last, and found that none would do; so, repeating my desire that she would remain there, I was about to hurry home as fast as I could, when an approaching sound arrested me.

Are you feeling better this morning?’

‘And you can get the key if you choose?’ I said.

‘To get rid of me, answer my question,’ persevered Mr. Linton.

I swear that I meditate no harm: I don’t desire to cause any disturbance, or to exasperate or insult Mr. Linton; I only wish to hear from herself how she is, and why she has been ill; and to ask if anything that I could do would be of use to her.

I can hardly regard her in the light of a rational creature, so obstinately has she persisted in forming a fabulous notion of my character and acting on the false impressions she cherished.

And HE called on Mr. Earnshaw!

‘Oh, wicked, wicked!’ gasped the elder; ‘may the Lord deliver us from evil!’

I had found shelter in Hareton’s room, and the old man, on seeing me, said, ‘They’s rahm for boath ye un’ yer pride, now, I sud think i’ the hahse.

Her hope was that Linton might be left with him, as he had been with her: his father, she would fain convince herself, had no desire to assume the burden of his maintenance or education.

Yes,’ I remarked, ‘you’ve seen a good many alterations, I suppose?’

There!

You never had one shadow of substantial sorrow, Miss Catherine.

‘I AM afraid now,’ she replied, ‘because, if I stay, papa will be miserable: and how can I endure making him miserable when he when he Mr. Heathcliff, let ME go home!

‘Unhappy in your conjectures, sir,’ observed my host; ‘we neither of us have the privilege of owning your good fairy; her mate is dead.

‘No,’ he answered.

‘But first get up, Linton!

I beg you will, unless you are tired of being received here, and wish Linton to draw the bolts against you!

Where is Miss Catherine?’ I cried hurriedly.

I remember stopping to kick the breath out of him, and then hurrying up-stairs, to my room and hers.

They say Mr. Earnshaw is worse and worse since he came.

I bowed and returned the pledge; beginning to perceive that it would be foolish to sit sulking for the misbehaviour of a pack of curs; besides, I felt loth to yield the fellow further amusement at my expense; since his humour took that turn.

He’ll not seem to you so gentle and kind at first, perhaps, because it is not his way: still, mind you, be frank and cordial with him; and naturally he’ll be fonder of you than any uncle, for you are his own.’

‘No; my master is dying,’ I replied: ‘it is true enough.

I heard a malignant, crackly laugh by the fire, and turning, beheld that odious Joseph standing rubbing his bony hands, and quivering.

I was going to obey, but he suddenly arrested me, and added in the strangest tone ‘Be so good as to turn your lock, and draw your bolt don’t omit it!’

Is not that his character?

There was a bare possibility of overtaking them if pursued instantly.

‘Do you understand what the word pity means?’ I said, hastening to resume my bonnet.

I thumped on the panels, and rattled the latch angrily and Catherine asked why I was still shut up?

Joseph!' cried a peevish voice, simultaneously with me, from the inner room.

People familiar with these moors often miss their road on such evenings; and I can tell you there is no chance of a change at present.’

Why have you disregarded my request?

To speak of his death so regardlessly wounded her feelings.

‘Mr. Linton will be sorry?’ observed Kenneth, interrogatively.

I desire an explanation: playing and trifling are completely banished out of my mind; and I can’t dance attendance on your affectations now!’

He perceives his delicate constitution, and the necessity of treating him tolerably.

I surveyed the weapon inquisitively.

I wish to see my bed-room.’

‘Perhaps I can get a guide among your lads, and he might stay at the Grange till morning could you spare me one?’

When we got to Wuthering Heights, there he stood at the front door; and, as I passed in, I asked, 'how was the baby?'