Wuthering Heights From the story by Emily Bronte

«Well I wouldn’t be you for a kingdom then! Nelly, tell Isabella what Heathcliff really is – a creature of stone and wildness, a fierce, pitiless, wolfish man. I’d rather let my tame canary out onto the stormy moors than allow you to fall in love with him. I know he couldn’t love a Linton, but he’d marry you for your fortune and then crush you like a sparrow’s egg. Listen to my advice, Isabella. I know Heathcliff and I’m speaking as his friend. Don’t, whatever you do, fall into his trap.»

Isabella looked at Cathy with horror. «You’re a poisonous friend… you’re worse than twenty enemies.»

«Ah! You won’t believe me then? You think I’m speaking from wicked selfishness?»

«I’m certain you are,» flashed back Isabella, «and I shudder at you!»

«Good!» cried Cathy, leaving the room. «Try for yourself, if that’s what you want. I won’t argue with you any more.»

I was left to comfort Isabella, but I was determined that she should be warned.

«Don’t think about him any more, Miss Isabella,» I said. «Your sister-in-law knows Heathcliff better than anyone else, and she would never pretend that he’s worse than he is. Think about it carefully, Miss. Honest people don’t keep their actions hidden, but what do we know about where he’s been for these past three years? And what do you think he’s doing up at the Heights? Why is he staying in the house of a man he despises? They say that Mr. Hindley is worse and worse since he came…»

«No, Nelly!» she interrupted. «You’re as bad as Cathy and I won’t listen to you. Why do you want to convince me there’s no happiness in the world?»

Perhaps Isabella might have forgotten about Heathcliff if she’d been left to herself. But the next day, Edgar was out at a meeting all day, and Heathcliff arrived at the Grange very early. Cathy and Isabella were sitting in the library, and I noticed a smile cross Cathy’s face when she saw Heathcliff arrive.

«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!