第68章

On the day succeeding Isabella's unexpected visit, I had no opportunity of speaking to my master: he shunned conversation, and was fit for discussing nothing.When I could get him to listen, I saw it pleased him that his sister had left her husband; whom he abhorred with an intensity which the mildness of his nature would scarcely seem to allow.So deep and sensitive was his aversion, that he refrained from going anywhere where he was likely to see or hear of Heathcliff.Grief, and that together, transformed him into a complete hermit: he threw up his office of magistrate, ceased even to attend church, avoided the village on all occasions, and spent a life of entire seclusion within the limits of his park and grounds; only varied by solitary rambles on the moors, and visits to the grave of his wife, mostly at evening, or early morning before other wanderers were abroad.

But he was too good to be thoroughly unhappy long.He didn't pray for Catherine's soul to haunt him.Time brought resignation, and a melancholy sweeter than common joy.He recalled her memory with ardent, tender love, and hopeful aspiring to the better world; where he doubted not she was gone.

And he had earthly consolation and affections also.For a few days, I said, he seemed regardless of the puny successor to the departed:

the coldness melted as fast as snow in April, and ere the tiny thing could stammer a word or totter a step, it wielded a despot's sceptre in his heart.

It was named Catherine; but he never called it the name in full, as he had never called the first Catherine short; probably because Heathcliff had a habit of doing so.The little one was always Cathy; it formed to him a distinction from the mother, and yet a connection with her; and his attachment sprang from its relation to her, far more than from its being his own.

I used to draw a comparison between him and Hindley Earnshaw, and perplex myself to explain satisfactorily why their conduct was so opposite in similar circumstances.They had both been fond husbands, and were both attached to their children; and I could not see how they shouldn't both have taken the same road, for good or evil.But, I thought in my mind, Hindley, with apparently the stronger head, has shown himself sadly the worse and the weaker man.When his ship struck, the captain abandoned his post; and the crew, instead of trying to save her, rushed into riot and confusion, leaving no hope for their luckless vessel.Linton, on the contrary, displayed the true courage of a loyal and faithful soul: he trusted God;and God comforted him.One hoped, and the other despaired: they chose their own lots, and were righteously doomed to endure them.But you'll not want to hear my moralizing, Mr Lockwood: you'll judge as well as I can, all these things: at least, you'll think you will, and that's the same.The end of Earnshaw was what might have been expected; it followed fast on his sister's: there was scarcely six months between them.We, at the Grange, never got a very succinct account of his state preceding it; all that Idid learn, was on occasion of going to aid in the preparations for the funeral.Mr Kenneth came to announce the event to my master.

`Well, Nelly,' said he, riding into the yard one morning, too early not to alarm me with an instant presentiment of bad news, `it's yours and my turn to go into mourning at present.Who's given us the slip now, do you think?'

`Who?' I asked in a flurry.

`Why, guess!' he returned, dismounting, and slinging his bridle on a hook by the door.`And nip up the corner of your apron: I'm certain you'll need it.'

`Not Mr Heathcliff, surely?' I exclaimed.

`What! would you have tears for him?' said the doctor.`No, Heathcliff's a tough young fellow: he looks blooming today.I've just seen him.He's rapidly regaining flesh since he lost his better half.'

`Who is it then, Mr Kenneth?' I repeated impatiently.

`Hindley Earnshaw! Your old friend Hindley,' he replied, `and my wicked gossip: though he's been too wild for me this long while.There!

I said we should draw water.But cheer up.He died true to his character:

drunk as a lord.Poor lad! I'm sorry, too.One can't help missing an old companion: though he had the worst tricks with him that ever man imagined, and has done me many a rascally turn.He's barely twenty-seven, it seems;that's your own age: who would have thought you were born in one year?'