第71章

The summer shone in full prime; and she took such a taste for this solitary rambling that she often contrived to remain out from breakfast till tea; and then the evenings were spent in recounting her fanciful tales.

I did not fear her breaking bounds; because the gates were generally locked, and I thought she would scarcely venture forth alone, if they had stood wide open.Unluckily, my confidence proved misplaced.Catherine came to me, one morning, at eight o'clock, and said she was that day an Arabian merchant, going to cross the desert with his caravan; and I must give her plenty of provision for herself and beasts: a horse, and three camels, personated by a large hound and a couple of pointers.I got together good store of dainties, and slung them in a basket on one side of the saddle;and she sprang up as gay as a fairy, sheltered by her wide-brimmed hat and gauze veil from the July sun, and trotted off with a merry laugh, mocking my cautious counsel to avoid galloping, and come back early.The naughty thing never made her appearance at tea.One traveller, the hound, being an old dog and fond of its ease, returned; but neither Cathy, nor the pony, nor the two pointers were visible in any direction: I dispatched emissaries down this path, and that path, and at last went wandering in search of her myself.There was a labourer working at a fence round a plantation, on the borders of the grounds.I inquired of him if he had seen our young lady.

`I saw her at morn,' he replied; `she would have me to cut her a hazel switch, and then she leapt her Galloway over the hedge yonder, where it is lowest, and galloped out of sight.'

You may guess how I felt at hearing this news.It struck me directly she must have started for Penistone Crags.`What will become of her?' Iejaculated, pushing through a gap which the man was repairing, and making straight to the high road.I walked as if for a wager, mile after mile, till a turn brought me in view of the Heights; but no Catherine could Idetect far or near.The Crags lie about a mile and a half beyond Mr Heathcliff's place, and that is four from the Grange, so I began to fear night would fall ere I could reach them.`And what if she should have slipped in clambering among them?' I reflected, `and been killed, or broken some of her bones?'

My suspense was truly painful; and, at first, it gave me delightful relief to observe, in hurrying by the farmhouse, Charlie, the fiercest of the pointers, lying under a window, with swelled head and bleeding ear.I opened the wicket and ran to the door, knocking vehemently for admittance.A woman whom I knew, and who formerly lived at Gimmerton, answered: she had been servant there since the death of Mr Earnshaw.

`Ah,' said she, `you are come a seeking your little mistress!

don't be frightened.She's here safe: but I'm glad it isn't the master.'

`He is not at home then, is he?' I panted, quite breathless with quick walking and alarm.

`No, no,' she replied: `both he and Joseph are off, and I think they won't return this hour or more.Step in and rest you a bit.'

I entered, and beheld my stray lamb seated on the hearth, rocking herself in a little chair that had been her mother's when a child.Her hat was hung against the wall, and she seemed perfectly at home, laughing and chattering, in the best spirits imaginable, to Hareton--now a great, strong lad of eighteen--who stared at her with considerable curiosity and astonishment: comprehending precious little of the fluent succession of remarks and questions which her tongue never ceased pouring forth.

`Very well, miss!' I exclaimed, concealing my joy under an angry countenance.`This is your last ride, till papa comes back.I'll not trust you over the threshold again, you naughty, naughty girl!'

`Aha, Ellen!' she cried gaily, jumping up and running to my side.

`I shall have a pretty story to tell tonight: and so you've found me out.

Have you ever been here in your life before?'

`Put that hat on, and home at once,' said I.`I'm dreadfully grieved at you, Miss Cathy: you've done extremely wrong.It's no use pouting and crying: that won't repay the trouble I've had, scouring the country after you.To think how Mr Linton charged me to keep you in; and you stealing off so! it shows you are a, cunning little fox, and nobody will put faith in you any more.

`What have I done?' sobbed she, instantly checked.`Papa charged me nothing: he'll not scold me, Ellen--he's never cross, like you!'

`Come, come!' I repeated.`I'll tie the riband.Now, let us have no petulance.Oh, for shame! You thirteen years old, and such a baby!'

This exclamation was caused by her pushing the hat from her head, and retreating to the chimney out of my reach.

`Nay,' said the servant, `don't be hard on the bonny lass, Mrs Dean.We made her stop: she'd fain have ridden forwards, afeard you should be uneasy.But Hareton offered to go with her, and I thought he should:

it's a wild road over the hills.'

Hareton, during the discussion, stood with his hands in his pockets, too awkward to speak; though he looked as if he did not relish my intrusion.

`How long am I to wait?' I continued, disregarding the woman's interference.`It will be dark in ten minutes.Where is the pony, Miss Cathy? And where is Phoenix? I shall leave you, unless you be quick; so please yourself.'

`The pony is in the yard,' she replied, `and Phoenix is shut in there.He's bitten--and so is Charlie.I was going to tell you all about it; but you are in a bad temper, and don't deserve to hear.'

I picked up her hat, and approached to reinstate it; but perceiving that the people of the house took her part, she commenced capering round the room; and on my giving chase, ran like a mouse over and under and behind the furniture, rendering it ridiculous for me to pursue.Hareton and the woman laughed, and she joined them, and waxed more impertinent still; till I cried, in great irritation:

`Well, Miss Cathy, if you were aware whose house this is, you'd be glad enough to get out.

`It's your father's, isn't it?' said she, turning to Hareton.