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1、chapter 1 1801,i have just returned from a visit to my landlord-the solitary neighbour that i shall be troubled with. this is certainly a beautiful country! in all england, i do not believe that i could have fixed on a situation so completely removed from the stir of society. a perfect misanthropist
2、s heaven: and mr heathcliff and i are such a suitable pair to divide the desolation between us. a capital fellow! he little imagined how my heart warmed towards him when i beheld his black eyes withdraw so suspiciously under their brows, as i rode up, and when his fingers sheltered themselves, with
3、a jealous resolution, still farther in his waistcoat, as i announced my name. mr heathcliff! i said. a nod was the answer. mr lockwood, your new tenant, sir. i do myself the honour of calling as soon as possible after my arrival, to express the hope that i have not inconvenienced you by my persevera
4、nce in soliciting the occupation of thrushcross grange: i heard yesterday you had had some thoughts- thrushcross grange is my own, sir, he interrupted, wincing. i should not allow anyone to inconvenience me, if i could hinder it-walk in! the walk in was uttered with closed teeth, and expressed the s
5、entiment, go to the deuce: even the gate over which he leant manifested no sympathizing movement to the words; and i think that circumstance determined me to accept the invitation: i felt interested in a man who seemed more exaggeratedly reserved than myself. when he saw my horses breast fairly push
6、ing the barrier, he did put out his hand to unchain it, and then sullenly preceded me up the causeway, calling, as we entered the court: joseph, take mr lockwoods horse; and bring up some wine. here we have the whole establishment of domestics, i suppose, was the reflection suggested by this compoun
7、d order. no wonder the grass grows up between the flags, and cattle are the only hedge-cutters. joseph was an elderly, nay, an old man: very old, perhaps, though hale and sinewy. the lord help us! he soliloquized in an undertone of peevish displeasure, while relieving me of my horse: looking, meanti
8、me, in my face so sourly that i charitably conjectured he must have need of divine aid to digest his dinner, and his pious ejaculation had no reference to my unexpected advent. wuthering heights is the name of mr heathcliffs dwelling. wuthering being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive o
9、f the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy weather. pure, bracing ventilation they must have up there at all times, indeed; one may guess the power of the north wind blowing over the edge, by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at the end of the house; and by a range of
10、 gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun. happily, the architect had foresight to build it strong: the narrow windows are deeply set in the wall, and the corners defended with large jutting stones. before passing the threshold, i paused to admire a quantity of
11、grotesque carving lavished over the front, and especially about the principal door; above which, among a wilderness of crumbling griffins and shameless little boys, i detected the date 1500, and the name hareton earnshaw. i would have made a few comments, and requested a short history of the place f
12、rom the surly owner; but his attitude at the door appeared to demand my speedy entrance, or complete departure, and i had no desire to aggravate his impatience previous to inspecting the penetralium. one step brought us into the family sitting-room, without any introductory lobby or passage: they ca
13、ll it here the house preeminently. it includes kitchen and parlour, generally; but i believe at wuthering heights the kitchen is forced to retreat altogether into another quarter: at least i distinguished a chatter of tongues, and a clatter of culinary utensils, deep within; and i observed no signs
14、of roasting, boiling, or baking, about the huge fireplace; nor any glitter of copper saucepans and tin cullenders on the walls. one end, indeed, reflected splendidly both light and heat from ranks of immense pewter dishes, interspersed with silver jugs and tankards, towering row after row, on a vast
15、 oak dresser, to the very roof. the latter had never been underdrawn: its entire anatomy lay bare to an inquiring eye, except where a frame of wood laden with oatcakes and clusters of legs of beef, mutton, and ham, concealed it. above the chimney were sundry villainous ; old guns, and a couple of ho
16、rse-pistols: and, by way of ornament, three gaudily painted canisters disposed along its ledge. the floor was of smooth, white stone; the chairs, high-backed, primitive structures, painted green: one or two heavy black ones lurking in the shade. in an arch under the dresser, reposed a huge, liver-co
17、loured bitch pointer, surrounded by a swarm of squealing puppies; and other dogs haunted other recesses. the apartment and furniture would have been nothing extraordinary as belonging to a homely, northern farmer, with a stubborn countenance, and stalwart limbs set out to advantage in knee breeches
18、and gaiters. such an individual seated in his armchair, his mug of ale frothing on the round table before him, is to be seen in any circuit of five or six miles among these hills, if you go at the right time after dinner. but mr heathcliff forms a singular contrast to his abode and style of living.
19、he is a dark-skinned gipsy in aspect, in dress and manners a gentleman: that is, as much a gentleman as many a country squire: rather slovenly, perhaps, yet not looking amiss with his negligence, because he has an erect and handsome figure; and rather morose. possibly, some people might suspect him
20、of a degree of under-bred pride; i have a sympathetic chord within that tells me it is nothing of the sort: i know, by instinct, his reserve springs from an aversion to showy displays of feeling-to manifestations of mutual kindliness. hell love and hate equally under cover, and esteem it a species o
21、f impertinence to be loved or hated again. no, im running on too fast: i bestow my own attributes over liberally on him. mr heathcliff may have entirely dissimilar reasons for keeping his hand out of the way when he meets a would-be acquaintance, to those which actuate me. let me hope my constitutio
22、n is almost peculiar: my dear mother used to say i should never have a comfortable home; and only last summer i proved myself perfectly unworthy of one. while enjoying a month of fine weather at the sea coast, i was thrown into the company of a most fascinating creature: a real goddess in my eyes, a
23、s long as she took no notice of me. i never told my love vocally; still, if looks have language, the merest idiot might have guessed i was over head and ears: she understood me at last, and looked a return-the sweetest of all imaginable looks. and what did i do? i confess it with shame-shrunk icily
24、into myself, like a snail; at every glance retired colder and further; till finally the poor innocent was led to doubt her own senses, and, overwhelmed with confusion at her supposed mistake, persuaded her mamma to decamp. by this curious turn of disposition i have gained the reputation of deliberat
25、e heartlessness; how undeserved, i alone can appreciate. i took a seat at the end of the hearthstone opposite that towards which my landlord advanced, and filled up an interval of silence by attempting to caress the canine mother, who had left her nursery, and was sneaking wolfishly to the back of m
26、y legs, her lip curled up, and her white teeth watering for a snatch. my caress provoked a long, guttural gnarl. youd better let the dog alone, growled mr heathcliff in unison, checking fiercer demonstrations with a punch of his foot. shes not accustomed to be spoiled-not kept for a pet. then, strid
27、ing to a side door, he shouted again, joseph! joseph mumbled indistinctly in the depths of the cellar, but gave no intimation of ascending; so his master dived down to him, leaving me vis-à-vis the ruffianly bitch and a pair of grim shaggy sheep-dogs, who shared with her a jealous guardianshi
28、p over all my movements. not anxious to come in contact with their fangs, i sat still; but, imagining they would scarcely understand tacit insults, i unfortunately indulged in winking and making faces at the trio, and some turn of my physiognomy so irritated madam, that she suddenly broke into a fur
29、y and leapt on my knees. i flung her back, and hastened to interpose the table between us. this proceeding roused the whole hive: half a dozen four-footed fiends, of various sizes and ages, issued from hidden dens to the common centre. i felt my heels and coat-laps peculiar subjects of assault; and
30、parrying off the larger combatants as effectually as i could with the poker, i was constrained to demand, aloud, assistance from some of the household in re-establishing peace. mr heathcliff and his man climbed the cellar steps with vexatious phlegm: i dont think they moved one second faster than us
31、ual, though the hearth was an absolute tempest of worrying and yelping. happily, an inhabitant of the kitchen made more dispatch: a lusty dame, with tucked-up gown, bare arms, and fire-flushed cheeks, rushed into the midst of us flourishing a frying-pan: and used that weapon, and her tongue, to such
32、 purpose, that the storm subsided magically, and she only remained, heaving like a sea after a high wind, when her master entered on the scene. what the devil is the matter? he asked, eyeing me in a manner that i could ill endure after this inhospitable treatment. what the devil, indeed! i muttered.
33、 the herd of possessed swine could have had no worse spirits in them than those animals of yours, sir. you might as well leave a stranger with a brood of tigers! they wont meddle with persons who touch nothing, he remarked, putting the bottle before me, and restoring the displaced table. the dogs do
34、 right to be vigilant. take a glass of wine? no, thank you. not bitten, are you? if i had been, i would have set my signet on the biter. heathcliffs countenance relaxed into a grin. come, come, he said, you are flurried, mr lockwood. here, take a little wine. guests are so exceedingly rare in this h
35、ouse that i and my dogs, i am willing to own, hardly know how to receive them. your health, sir!i bowed and returned the pledge; beginning to perceive that it would be foolish to sit sulking for the misbehaviour of a pack of curs: besides, i felt loath to yield the fellow further amusement at my exp
36、ense; since the humour took that turn. he-probably swayed by prudential consideration of the folly of offending a good tenant-relaxed a little in the laconic style of chipping off his pronouns and auxiliary verbs, and introduced what he supposed would be a subject of interest to me-a discourse on th
37、e advantages and disadvantages of my present place of retirement. i found him very intelligent on the topics we touched; and before i went home, i was encouraged so far as to volunteer another visit tomorrow. he evidently wished no repetition of my intrusion. i shall go, notwithstanding. it is aston
39、sekeeper, a matronly lady, taken as a fixture along with the house, could not, or would not, comprehend my request that i might be served at five), on mounting the stairs with this lazy intention, and stepping into the room, i saw a servant girl on her knees surrounded by brushes and coal-scuttles,
40、and raising an infernal dust as she extinguished the flames with heaps of cinders. this spectacle drove me back immediately; i took my hat, and, after a four-miles walk, arrived at heathcliffs garden gate just in time to escape the first feathery flakes of a snow shower. on that bleak hill top the e
41、arth was hard with a black frost, and the air made me shiver through every limb. being unable to remove the chain, i jumped over, and, running up the flagged causeway bordered with straggling gooseberry bushes, knocked vainly for admittance, till my knuckles tingled and the dogs howled. wretched inm
42、ates! i ejaculated mentally, you deserve perpetual isolation from your species for your churlish inhospitality. at least, i would not keep my doors barred in the day time. i dont care-i will get in! so resolved, i grasped the latch and shook it vehemently. vinegar-faced joseph projected his head fro
43、m a round window of the barn. whet are ye for? he shouted. t maisters dahn i t fowld. go rahnd by th end ut laith, if yah went tuh spake tull him. is there nobody inside to open the door? i hallooed, responsively. theys nobbut t missis; and shooll nut oppent an ye mak yer flaysome dins till neeght.
44、why? cannot you tell her who i am, eh, joseph? nor-ne me! awll hae noa hend wit, muttered the head, vanishing. the snow began to drive thickly. i seized the handle to essay another trial; when a young man without coat, and shouldering a pitchfork, appeared in the yard behind. he hailed me to follow
45、him, and, after marching through a wash-house, and a paved area containing a coal shed, pump, and pigeon cot, we at length arrived in the huge, warm, cheerful apartment, where i was formerly received. it glowed delightfully in the radiance of an immense fire, compounded of coal, peat, and wood; and
46、near the table, laid for a plentiful evening meal, i was pleased to observe the missis, an individual whose existence i had never previously suspected. i bowed and waited, thinking she would bid me take a seat. she looked at me, leaning back in her chair, and remained motionless and mute. rough weat
47、her! i remarked. im afraid, mrs heathcliff, the door must bear the consequence of your servants leisure attendance: i had hard work to make them hear me. she never opened her mouth. i stared-she stared also: at any rate, she kept her eyes on me in a cool, regardless manner, exceedingly embarrassing
48、and disagreeable. sit down, said the young man gruffly. hell be in soon. i obeyed; and hemmed, and called the villain juno, who deigned, at this second interview, to move the extreme tip of her tail, in token of owning my acquaintance. a beautiful animal! i commenced again. do you intend parting wit
49、h the little ones, madam? they are not mine, said the amiable hostess, more repellingly than heathcliff himself could have replied. ah, your favourites are among these? i continued, turning to an obscure cushion full of something like cats. a strange choice of favourites! she observed scornfully. un
50、luckily, it was a heap of dead rabbits. i hemmed once more, and drew closer to the hearth, repeating my comment on the wildness of the evening. you should not have come out, she said, rising and reaching from the chimney-piece two of the painted canisters. her position before was sheltered from the
51、light; now, i had a distinct view of her whole figure and countenance. she was slender, and apparently scarcely past girlhood: an admirable form, and the most exquisite little face that i have ever had the pleasure of beholding; small features, very fair; flaxen ringlets, or rather golden, hanging l
52、oose on her delicate neck; and eyes, had they been agreeable in expression, they would have been irresistible: fortunately for my susceptible heart, the only sentiment they evinced hovered between scorn, and a kind of desperation, singularly unnatural to be detected there. the canisters were almost
53、out of her reach; i made a motion to aid her; she turned upon me as a miser might turn if anyone attempted to assist him in counting his gold. i dont want your help, she snapped; i can get them for myself. i beg your pardon! i hastened to reply. were you asked to tea? she demanded, tying an apron ov
54、er her neat black frock, and standing with a spoonful of the leaf poised over the pot. i shall be glad to have a cup, i answered. were you asked? she repeated. no, i said, half smiling. you are the proper person to ask me. she flung the tea back, spoon and all, and resumed her chair in a pet; her fo
55、rehead corrugated, and her red under lip pushed out, like a childs ready to cry. meanwhile, the young man had slung on to his person a decidedly shabby upper garment, and, erecting himself before the blaze, looked down on me from the corner of his eyes, for all the world as if there were some mortal
56、 feud unavenged between us. i began to doubt whether he were a servant or not: his dress and speech were both rude, entirely devoid of the superiority observable in mr and mrs heathcliff; his thick brown curls were rough and uncultivated, his whiskers encroached bearishly over his cheeks, and his ha
57、nds were embrowned like those of a common labourer: still his bearing was free, almost haughty, and he showed none of a domestics assiduity in attending on the lady of the house. in the absence of clear proofs of his condition, i deemed it best to abstain from noticing his curious conduct; and, five
58、 minutes afterwards, the entrance of heathcliff relieved me, in some measure, from my uncomfortable state. you see, sir, i am come, according to promise! i exclaimed, assuming the cheerful; and i fear i shall be weatherbound for half an hour, if you can afford me shelter during that space. half an hour? he said, shaking the white flakes from his clothes; i wonder you should select the thick of a
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