Wuthering Heights — Chapter 29 | Full Audiobook

0:00 Chapter 29 The evening following the funeral, my young lady and I found ourselves in the library, lost in sombre reflection, one of us in despair over our recent loss and daring to speculate about the bleak future ahead. We had just come to the conclusion that the best possible outcome for Catherine would be to remain at the Grange, at least for as long as Linton lived. Ideally, Linton would join her there and I would stay on his housekeeper. This seemed an overly optimistic scenario, yet I clung to the hope, feeling a lift in spirits at the thought of keeping my home, my job and most importantly, my cherished young mistress.

0:52 Juice, Then a servant, one of those dismissed but not yet gone, burst in breathless, announcing that that devil Heathcliff was approaching through the courtyard. Should he lock the door against him? Had we been reckless enough to give such an order? There was no time to act on it. Heathcliff dispensed with the formalities of knocking or announcing himself. He was the master, and he exercised his right to enter unannounced. Guided by the sound of the servant's voice, he made his way to the library, entered, and with a gesture, dismissed the servant and closed the door behind him.

1:42 It was the same room where he had first been received as a guest 18 years ago. The same moonlight streamed through the window and the same autumn landscape stretched outside. We hadn't yet lit a candle, but the room was fully visible, even the portraits on the walls, the striking visage of Missus Linton and the elegant likeness of her husband. Heathcliff moved towards the hearth. Time had scarcely changed him. He was still the same man, his dark face a bit more sallow, perhaps more composed, his frame slightly heavier but otherwise unchanged.

2:27 Catherine had leapt up, ready to flee the moment she saw him. Stop. He commanded, grabbing her arm. No more running away. Where would you go? I've come to take you home, and I expect you to be a dutiful daughter, not to lead my son into further rebellion. I was at a loss on how to punish him when I found out his role in this. He's so fragile a mere touch might destroy him, but you'll see from his appearance that he's been dealt with. I brought him down the day before yesterday, sat him in a chair and never laid a hand on him.

3:09 After that I sent Hareton out and we had the room to ourselves. After two hours I called Joseph to carry him back upstairs. Since then, my presence haunts him like a ghost. I suspect he sees me often, even when I'm not there. Hareton says he wakes up screaming at night, calling for you to protect him from me. And whether you care for your dear husband or not, you must come. He's your responsibility now. I relinquish all interest in him to you. Why not let Catherine stay here? I suggested and send Master Linton to her.

3:55 Since you despise them both. You wouldn't miss them. They can only be a constant torment to your unnatural heart. I'm looking for a tenant for the Grange, he replied. And I want my children around me, naturally. Besides, that girl owes me her work for her keep. I'm not about to pamper her with comfort and laziness once Linton is gone. Hurry up and get ready now. Don't make me force you. I will, Catherine replied. Linton is all I have to love in this world, and even though you've tried your best to make us despise each other, you can't succeed.

4:42 I dare you to harm him while I'm around, and I dare you to try and scare me. You're quite the bold defender, Heathcliff retorted. But I don't care enough about you to harm him. You'll endure the torment as long as it lasts. It's not me who will turn him against you, It's his own lovely nature. He's as bitter as poison over your leaving and it's aftermath. Don't expect gratitude for this noble loyalty. I overheard him telling Zilla what he'd do if he were as strong as I am. He has the will at his very frailty will sharpen his mind to find a substitute for strength.

5:29 I know he has a bad nature, Catherine said. He's your son, but I'm glad I have a better one to forgive it. And I know he loves me and that's why I love him. Mr. Heathcliff, you have no one to love you, and no matter how much you make us suffer, will always have the satisfaction of knowing your cruelty stems from your own deeper misery. You are miserable, aren't you? Lonely like the devil, and just as envious. No one loves you. No one will mourn you when you're gone. I wouldn't want to be you. Catherine spoke with a kind of bleak triumph, as if she had resolved to embrace the ethos of a future family and find joy in the sorrows of her foes.

6:28 You'll regret being yourself soon enough, her father-in-law retorted. If you stand there another moment, be gone which and gather your things. She withdrew with disdain. In her absence, I began to plead for Zilla's position at the Heights, offering to give up mine for her, but he refused outreach. He ordered me to be silent and for the first time allowed himself a glance around the room, taking in the pictures. After studying Missus Linton's portrait, he declared I shall have that home, not because I need it.

7:08 But he abruptly turned to the fire, continuing with what, for lack of a better term, I must call a smile. I'll tell you what I did yesterday. I got the Sexton who was digging Linton's grave to clear the earth from her coffin lid, and I opened it. I thought for a moment I might stay there when I saw her face again. It is still hers. He had to work hard to move me, but he said it would change if the air touched it. So I loosened one side of the coffin and covered it up, not Linton's side. Dumb him.

7:48 I wish he'd been sealed in lead. And I bribed the Sexton to pull it away when I'm laid there and slide mine out too. I'll have it arranged that way, and by the time Linton joins us, he won't know which is which. You were truly wicked, Mr. Heathcliff. I exclaimed. Weren't you ashamed to disturb the dead? I disturbed one Nelly, he replied. I found some peace for myself. I'll be much more at ease now and you'll have a better chance of keeping me buried when my time comes. Disturbed her? No, she's been haunting me day and night for 18 relentless years.

8:35 Until last night. And last night I found calm. I dreamt I was lying in my final rest beside her, my heart stilled and my cheek cold against hers. And if she had turned to dust or worse, what would you have dreamt then? I asked. Of dissolving with her and being even happier? He answered. Do you think I fear such a change? I anticipated that transformation when I opened the lid, but I'm glad it hasn't begun until I can join her. Besides, without a clear impression of her serene face, that strange feeling wouldn't have lifted.

9:20 It started in a peculiar way, you know. I was frantic after she died endlessly from dawn to dawn, I prayed for her spirit to return to me. I have an unwavering belief in ghosts. I'm convinced they can and do exist among us. On the day she was laid to rest, snow began to fall. That evening I made my way to the churchyard. The wind was as biting as winter, and the place was utterly deserted. I wasn't worried that her foolish husband would venture up the Glen so late, and no one else had any reason to be there alone with only a couple of yards of loose earth separating us.

10:07 I told myself, I'll hold her in my arms again. If she's cold, I'll blame the north wind for chilling me. If she's still, it's only sleep. I fetched a spade from the tool shed and started digging with all my strength. The spade scraped against the coffin. I use my hands then and the wood began to crack around the screws. I was on the brink of reaching my goal when I thought I heard a sigh from someone above, right at the edge of the grave. Bending down. If I can just get this open. I muttered. I hope they bury us both together.

10:50 I pulled at it even more desperately. Another sigh came close to my ear. I felt the warm breath of it cutting through the sleet laden wind. I knew no living being was near, but as surely as you sense the presence of something solid in the dark, even if you can't see it, I felt Kathy was there, not beneath me, but on the earth. A sudden wave of relief searched for my heart through every limb. I let go of my torment and immediately felt an indescribable comfort. Her presence enveloped me, stayed with me as I refilled the grave and guided me home.

11:34 Laugh if you want, but I was convinced I would see her there. I was certain she was with me and I couldn't stop myself from speaking to her. Once I reached the heights, I rushed to the door with urgency. It was locked and I recall that cursed Urnshaw and my wife blocking my way. I remember pausing to knock the wind out of him before hurrying upstairs to our rooms. I'd looked around impatiently. I felt her near. I could almost see her, yet I could not. I should have sweated blood from the agony of my longing, from the intensity of my pleas for just one glimpse, but I had none.

12:22 She revealed herself, as she often did in life, as a tormentor to me. And since then, sometimes more, sometimes less, I've been tormented by that unbearable torture infernal. My nerves stretched so tight that if they weren't like cat gut, they would have long since weakened to Linton's frailty. Sitting in the house with Hareton, it seemed that stepping outside, I would encounter her. Walking on the Moors, I expected to meet her coming in whenever I left home. I hurried back. She had to be somewhere at the Heights, I was certain.

13:09 When I tried to sleep in her room, I couldn't bear it. The moment I shut my eyes, she was there, outside the window, sliding back the panels, entering the room, or even laying her beloved head on the pillow. Just like when she was a child. I had to open my eyes to see. So I opened and closed them 100 times each night. Always let down. It tormented me. I often groaned aloud. And that old scoundrel Joseph probably thought my conscience was torturing me. Now that I've seen her, I'm a bit calm. It was a strange kind of torment.

13:53 Not by inches, but by the tiniest fractions. Luring me with the ghost of hope for 18 years. Mr. Heathcliff paused, wiping his forehead. His hair clung to it, damp with sweat. His eyes were fixed on the glowing embers in the fireplace, his brows raised at the temples, softening his grim expression but giving him a look of deep trouble and intense focus on one consuming thought. He spoke only partly to me, and I stayed silent. I didn't want to hear him talk. After a brief pause, he returned to his contemplation of the picture, took it down and leaned it against the sofa for a better view.

14:42 While he was absorbed in this, Catherine came in, announcing she was ready once her pony was saddled. Send that over tomorrow. Heathcliff said to me. Then turning to her, he added. And you can do without your pony. It's a fine evening, and at Wuthering Heights you won't need ponies for the journeys you take. Your own feet will suffice. Come along. Goodbye Ellen, whispered. My dear little mistress. Her kiss was cold as ice. Please come visit me, Ellen. Don't forget. Make sure you do no such thing, Missus Dean, her new father interjected.

15:34 If I need to speak with you, I'll come here myself. I don't want you snooping around my house. He motioned for her to go ahead of him, and with a look that pierced my heart, she complied. From the window, I watched them walk down the garden path. Heathcliff took Catherine's arm, though she initially resisted, and with quick strides he led her into the alley where the trees hid them from view.