the drapery to trail upon the floor. The chairs were also damaged, many of them severely; and deep
indentations deformed the panels of the walls. I was endeavouring to gather resolution for entering and
taking possession, when my fool of a guide announced, `This here is t' maister's.' My supper by this time
was cold, my appetite gone, and my patience exhausted. I insisted on being provided instantly with a
place of refuge, and means of repose.
`Whear the divil?' began the religious elder. `The Lord bless us! The Lord forgie us! Whear the hell
wold ye gang? ye marred, wearisome nowt! Yah seen all bud Hareton's bit uf a cham'er. They's not
another hoile tuh lig dahn in i' th' hahse!'
I was so vexed, I flung my tray and its contents on the ground; and then seated myself at the stairs-
head, hid my face in my hands, and cried.
`Ech! ech!' exclaimed Joseph. `Weel done, Miss Cathy! weel done, Miss Cathy! Hahsiver, t' maister saIl
just tum'le o'er them brocken pots; un' then we's hear summut; we's hear hah it's tuh be. Gooid-for-nowt
madling! yah desarve pining froo this to Churstmas, flinging t' precious gifts uh God under fooit i' yer
flaysome rages! Bud Aw'm mista'en if yah shew yer sperrit lang. Will Hathecliff bide sich bonny ways,
think ye? Aw nobbut wish he muh cotch ye i' that plisky. Aw nobbut wish he may.'
And so he went on scolding to his den beneath, taking the candle with him; and I remained in the dark.
The period of reflection succeeding this silly action, compelled me to admit the necessity of smothering
my pride and choking my wrath, and bestirring myself to remove its effects. An unexpected aid presently
appeared in the shape of Throttler, whom I now recognized as a son of our old Skulker: it had spent its
whelphood at the Grange, and was given by my father to Mr Hindley. I fancy it knew me: it pushed its
nose against mine by way of salute, and then hastened to devour the porridge; while I groped from step
to step, collecting the shattered earthenware, and drying the spatters of milk from the banister with my
pocket handkerchief. Our labours were scarcely over when I heard Earnshaw's tread in the passage; my
assistant tucked in his tail, and pressed to the wall; I stole into the nearest doorway. The dog's endeavour
to avoid him was unsuccessful; as I guessed by a scutter downstairs, and a prolonged, piteous yelping. I
had better luck! he passed on, entered his chamber, and shut the door. Directly after Joseph came up
with Hareton, to put him to bed. 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. It's empty; ye may hev it all to yerseln,
un Him as allas maks a third, i' such ill company!'
Gladly did I take advantage of this intimation; and the minute I flung myself into a chair, by the fire, I
nodded, and slept. My slumber was deep and sweet, though over far too soon. Mr Heathcliff awoke
me; he had just come in, and demanded, in his loving manner, what I was doing there? I told him the
cause of my staying up so late--that he had the key of our room in his pocket. The adjective our gave
mortal offence. He swore it was not, nor ever should be, mine; and he'd--But I'll not repeat his language,
nor describe his habitual conduct: he is ingenious and unresting in seeking to gain my abhorrence! I
sometimes wonder at him with an intensity that deadens my fear: yet, I assure you, a tiger or a venomous
serpent could not rouse terror in me equal to that which he wakens. He told me of Catherine's illness,
and accused my brother of causing it; promising that I should be Edgar's proxy in suffering, till he could
get hold of him.
I do hate him--I am wretched--I have been a fool! Beware of uttering one breath of this to anyone at the
Grange. I shall expect you every day--don't disappoint me!
ISABELLA.