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.Come, then, my hero.Are you willing to return, escorted by me?He approached once more, and made as if he would seize the fragile being;but, shrinking back, Linton clung to his cousin, and implored her to accompanyhim, with a frantic importunity that admitted no denial.However I disapproved,I couldn t hinder her: indeed, how could she have refused him herself? What wasfilling him with dread we had no means of discerning; but there he was,powerless under its gripe, and any addition seemed capable of shocking him intoidiotcy.We reached the threshold; Catherine walked in, and I stood waiting tillshe had conducted the invalid to a chair, expecting her out immediately; whenMr.Heathcliff, pushing me forward, exclaimed  My house is not stricken withthe plague, Nelly; and I have a mind to be hospitable to-day: sit down, and allowme to shut the door.He shut and locked it also.I started. You shall have tea before you go home, he added. I am by myself.Haretonis gone with some cattle to the Lees, and Zillah and Joseph are off on a journey ofpleasure; and, though I m used to being alone, I d rather have some interestingcompany, if I can get it.Miss Linton, take your seat by him.I give you what Ihave: the present is hardly worth accepting; but I have nothing else to offer.It isLinton, I mean.How she does stare! It s odd what a savage feeling I have toanything that seems afraid of me! Had I been born where laws are less strict andtastes less dainty, I should treat myself to a slow vivisection of those two, as anevening s amusement.He drew in his breath, struck the table, and swore to himself,  By hell! I hatethem. I am not afraid of you! exclaimed Catherine, who could not hear the latterpart of his speech.She stepped close up; her black eyes flashing with passion andresolution. Give me that key: I will have it! she said. I wouldn t eat or drinkhere, if I were starving.Heathcliff had the key in his hand that remained on the table.He looked up,seized with a sort of surprise at her boldness; or, possibly, reminded, by her voiceand glance, of the person from whom she inherited it.She snatched at theinstrument, and half succeeded in getting it out of his loosened fingers: but heraction recalled him to the present; he recovered it speedily. Now, Catherine Linton, he said,  stand off, or I shall knock you down; and,that will make Mrs.Dean mad.Regardless of this warning, she captured his closed hand and its contentsagain. We will go! she repeated, exerting her utmost efforts to cause the ironmuscles to relax; and finding that her nails made no impression, she applied herteeth pretty sharply.Heathcliff glanced at me a glance that kept me frominterfering a moment.Catherine was too intent on his fingers to notice his face.He opened them suddenly, and resigned the object of dispute; but, ere she hadwell secured it, he seized her with the liberated hand, and, pulling her on hisknee, administered with the other a shower of terrific slaps on both sides of thehead, each sufficient to have fulfilled his threat, had she been able to fall.At this diabolical violence I rushed on him furiously. You villain! I began tocry,  you villain! A touch on the chest silenced me: I am stout, and soon put outof breath; and, what with that and the rage, I staggered dizzily back and felt readyto suffocate, or to burst a blood-vessel.The scene was over in two minutes;Catherine, released, put her two hands to her temples, and looked just as if shewere not sure whether her ears were off or on.She trembled like a reed, poorthing, and leant against the table perfectly bewildered. I know how to chastise children, you see, said the scoundrel, grimly, as hestooped to repossess himself of the key, which had dropped to the floor. Go toLinton now, as I told you; and cry at your ease! I shall be your father, to-morrow all the father you ll have in a few days and you shall have plenty ofthat.You can bear plenty; you re no weakling: you shall have a daily taste, if Icatch such a devil of a temper in your eyes again!Cathy ran to me instead of Linton, and knelt down and put her burning cheekon my lap, weeping aloud.Her cousin had shrunk into a corner of the settle, asquiet as a mouse, congratulating himself, I dare say, that the correction hadalighted on another than him.Mr.Heathcliff, perceiving us all confounded,rose, and expeditiously made the tea himself.The cups and saucers were laidready.He poured it out, and handed me a cup. Wash away your spleen, he said. And help your own naughty pet and mine.It is not poisoned, though I prepared it [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]