Wuthering Heights

His eyes wide, and wet, at last, flashed fiercely on her; his breast heaved convulsively. An instant they held asunder; and then how they met I hardly saw, but Catherine made a spring, and he caught her, and they were locked in an embrace from which I thought my mistress would never be released alive. In fact, to my eyes, she seemed directly insensible. He flung himself into the nearest seat, and on my approaching hurriedly to ascertain if she had fainted, he gnashed at me, and foamed like a mad dog, and gathered her to him with greedy jealousy. I did not feel as if I were in the company of a creature of my own species; it appeared that he would not understand, though I spoke to him; so, I stood off, and held my tongue, in great perplexity.
    A movement of Catherine's relieved me a little presently: she put up her hand to clasp his neck, and bring her cheek to his, as he held her: while he, in return, covering her with frantic caresses, said wildly –
    »You teach me now how cruel you've been – cruel and false.
Why
did you despise me?
Why
did you betray your own heart, Cathy? I have not one word of comfort – you deserve this. You have killed yourself. Yes, you may kiss me, and cry; and wring out my kisses and tears. They'll blight you – they'll damn you. You loved me – then what
right
had you to leave me? What right – answer me – for the poor fancy you felt for Linton? Because misery, and degradation, and death, and nothing that God or satan could inflict would have parted us,
you,
of your own will, did it. I have not broken your heart –
you
have broken it – and in breaking it, you have broken mine. So much the worse for me, that I am strong. Do I want to live? What kind of living will it be when you – oh God! would
you
like to live with your soul in the grave?«
    »Let me alone. Let me alone,« sobbed Catherine. »If I've done wrong, I'm dying for it. It is enough! You left me too; but I won't upbraid you! I forgive you. Forgive me!«
    »It is hard to forgive, and to look at those eyes, and feel those wasted hands,« he answered. »Kiss me again; and don't let me see your eyes! I forgive what you have done to me. I love
my
murderer – but
yours!
How can I?«
    They were silent – their faces hid against each other, and washed by each other's tears. At least, I suppose the weeping was on both sides; as it seemed Heathcliff
could
weep on a great occasion like this.
    I grew very uncomfortable, meanwhile; for the afternoon wore fast away, the man whom I had sent off returned from his errand, and I could distinguish, by the shine of the westering sun up the valley, a concourse thickening outside Gimmerton chapel porch.
    »Service is over,« I announced. »My master will be here in half-an-hour.«
    Heathcliff groaned a curse, and strained Catherine closer – she never moved.
    Ere long I perceived a group of the servants passing up the road towards the kitchen wing. Mr. Linton was not far behind; he opened the gate himself, and sauntered slowly up, probably enjoying the lovely afternoon that breathed as soft as summer.
    »Now he is here,« I exclaimed. »For Heaven's sake, hurry down! You'll not meet any one on the front stairs. Do be quick; and stay among the trees till he is fairly in.«
    »I must go, Cathy,« said Heathcliff, seeking to extricate himself from his companion's arms. »But, if I live, I'll see you again before you are asleep. I won't stray five yards from your window.«
    »You must not go!« she answered, holding him as firmly as her strength allowed. »You shall not, I tell you.«
    »For one hour,« he pleaded earnestly.
    »Not for one minute,« she replied.
    »I
must –
Linton will be up immediately,« persisted the alarmed intruder.
    He would have risen, and unfixed her fingers by the act – she clung fast gasping; there was mad resolution in her face.
    »No!« she shrieked. »Oh, don't, don't go. It is the last time! Edgar will not hurt us. Heathcliff, I shall die! I shall die!«
    »Damn the fool! There he is,« cried Heathcliff, sinking back into his seat. »Hush, my darling! Hush, hush, Catherine! I'll stay. If he shot me so, I'd expire with a blessing on my lips.«
    And there they were fast again. I heard my master mounting the stairs – the cold sweat ran from my forehead; I was horrified.
    »Are you going to listen to her ravings?« I said, passionately. »She does not know what she says. Will you ruin her, because she has not wit to help herself? Get up! You could be free