Грозовой перевал / Wuthering Heights

«Come in,» she said cheerfully, «and let me congratulate you, Heathcliff. At last I’ve found someone who loves you more than I do. My poor sister-in-law is breaking her heart over you. You could become Edgar’s brother! No, no, Isabella, you shan’t run off,» she continued, grasping the arm of the girl, who was trying to escape. «We were fighting like cats over you, Heathcliff, and Isabella told me that I must give you up, so she can make you hers forever!»

«Catherine,» said Isabella, struggling to be free[50], «I’d thank you to stick to the truth! Mr. Heathcliff, please be kind enough to ask your friend to let me go.»

Heathcliff did nothing to rescue Isabella, who was forced to free herself by using her nails.

«Well, there’s a tigress!» exclaimed Cathy, setting her free, and shaking her hand with pain. «Now, run away Isabella and hide your vixen’s face. How foolish of you to show those claws to him! Watch out Heathcliff, you must be careful of your eyes!»

«I’d wrench the nails off her fingers, if she ever used them on me,» Heathcliff muttered brutally, when the door had closed behind Isabella. «But what are you doing teasing her like that, Cathy? You weren’t speaking the truth were you?»

«I assure you I was,» she replied. «She’s been pining for you for weeks, and was raving about you yesterday. But take no more notice – I like her too much to let you devour her.»

«And I like her too little to do it,» replied Heathcliff. He was silent for a while, and then another thought struck him, «I believe that Isabella will inherit all her brother’s wealth?» he asked slyly.

«You’re much too interested in grasping other people’s money,» said Catherine angrily. «But let’s forget all about it now.»

Neither of them spoke about Isabella again, but I was sure that Heathcliff had not forgotten her. Several times, during the rest of the day, I noticed him smiling secretly to himself, and I decided that I would have to watch him very carefully. I was worried for Mr. Edgar, who was a kind and trusting man, and I longed to find a way to send Heathcliff away. His visits were a constant nightmare to me and, I suspected, to my master too. And as for his games up at the Heights – I dreaded to think where they would end. It seemed to me that we were like stray sheep[51], lost and alone, while a savage beast prowled around us, just waiting for the moment when he would spring.

Quarrels at the Grange

The next time Heathcliff came to Thrushcross Grange, Miss Isabella was in the garden, feeding the pigeons. She hadn’t said a word to Cathy for days, but at least she’d stopped her complaining, which was a comfort to us all.

Usually, Heathcliff completely ignored Isabella. But this time he checked all the windows to see if anyone was watching, and then walked quickly over to her. I was standing by the kitchen window and saw it all. At first, Isabella seemed intent on getting away, but then I saw Heathcliff lay a hand on her arm. He asked her a question, and when she refused to answer, the scoundrel dared to take her in his arms!

«So now you’re a cheat and a hypocrite as well!» I couldn’t help saying out loud.

«Who is, Nelly?» said Cathy behind me – I hadn’t noticed that she had come in.

«Your worthless friend!» I answered angrily. «What does he think he’s doing with Miss Isabella?»

Cathy went out to meet Heathcliff, her eyes blazing.

«Why are you causing all this trouble?» she raged. «I thought you had promised to leave Isabella alone. You’d better stop now or Edgar will lock you out of the house!»

«Just let him try!» growled Heathcliff. «I’m losing patience with him. Every day, I grow more desperate to see him gone!»

«For heavens’ sake[52] be quiet, or Edgar will hear you,» said Cathy, closing the kitchen door. «Now why did you disobey me? Did Isabella fling herself at you?»

«What does it matter to you? She has every right to kiss me, and you have no right to object – I’m not your husband, so you needn’t be jealous of me!»

«I’m not jealous of you,» replied Cathy, crossly. «You’re welcome to marry Isabella if you really like her. But tell me the truth, Heathcliff, do you really like her? I can’t believe that you do.»

«Who cares whether I like her or not?[53]» replied Heathcliff coldly. «This has nothing to do with liking. And thank you for telling me Isabella’s secret. I swear I’ll make good use of it.»

It was just as I feared – Heathcliff was going to trap Miss Isabella! I decided I had heard quite enough, and I hurried away to find my master.

«Nelly,» Mr. Edgar said as I entered the room, «have you seen your mistress?»

«Yes, sir, she’s in the kitchen, very upset by Mr. Heathcliff. And if you don’t mind me saying so, sir, I think it’s time to put an end to his visits.»

Then I described what I’d seen in the garden, and the quarrel that followed, as much as I dared.