Wuthering Heights

After three weeks, Nelly learns that Cathy has been visiting Wuthering Heights during her illness. Cathy tells Nelly all about her visits, during which she and Linton talked cheerfully, until one visit when they argued about their preferred way to spend a day outdoors. She describes an encounter with Hareton in which he tried to impress her with his writing abilities. When she describes how she laughed at Hareton for being uneducated, Nelly scolds her. Cathy continues to explain that Hareton, in his anger, abused Linton, causing him to cough badly and distressing Cathy, who sobbed. When Linton recovered, Cathy tried to explain to him that it had been her fault Hareton became angry, but Linton was sullen, believing her to be a liar. Cathy suggested that she never come again, which inspired Linton to speak sensibly, so they talked as friends again. 

Cathy attempts to persuade Nelly to allow her to go to Wuthering Heights. Because her visits make Linton happy, he doesn’t provoke the anger of his father: “I can’t be prevented from going to Wuthering Heights except by inflicting misery on two people; whereas, if you’ll only not tell papa, my going need disturb the tranquility of none” (185). Nelly tells Edgar, and once again, Cathy is forbidden to go to Wuthering Heights ever again, but Edgar agrees to write to Linton to invite him to the Grange whenever he likes.

Nelly explains to Lockwood that all of these events happened about a year ago. They discuss Cathy, whose obedience to her father reflects the fact that “[h]er affection for him [is] still the chief sentiment in her heart” (186). 

Nelly continues with her story, describing Edgar asking about Linton and his frail health while reflecting on his own impending death. He worries about Linton and Cathy marrying, especially as he knows he will die soon. On Cathy’s 17th birthday, Edgar decides not to go to his wife’s grave, and instead, he writes to Linton, begging him to come to Thrushcross Grange. Linton responds by explaining he has been forbidden to do so by Heathcliff and his own health is poor, so they correspond by letter.

Edgar allows Cathy to go to Wuthering Heights to see Linton, accompanied by Nelly. Linton seems weak and unhealthy. He tries to minimize their concern, but he clearly struggles to talk, and Nelly notices a new sort of weakness and apathy in Linton. He complains of Heathcliff’s harshness just as he seems to fall asleep, and Cathy, who was previously eager to see Linton, suggests to Nelly that they go home. As Heathcliff arrives at Wuthering Heights, Cathy and Nelly leave and tell Edgar as little as possible of their visit.

Edgar’s health deteriorates, to Cathy’s distress. Edgar takes comfort from the belief that she and Linton will marry. Meanwhile, Linton is acting oddly toward Cathy when she goes to see him. They visit outdoors, but he finally reveals that if they don’t marry, he will die: “But leave me and I shall be killed!” (194). Linton won’t explain what he means by these mysterious words, especially as Heathcliff appears on horseback as Linton speaks. Heathcliff agrees to call a doctor, but Linton begs Cathy to stay. Heathcliff locks the door once Cathy and Nelly are inside Wuthering Heights, and in a rage, she bites Heathcliff’s hand holding the key. With his free hand, Heathcliff slaps her several times. This scene of violence somehow calms Linton, who explains that Heathcliff wants them to marry: “And he knows your papa wouldn’t let us marry now; and he’s afraid of my dying” (197). He explains that if Cathy stays the night, they will marry the next morning. Then Linton can go with her to the Grange the next day. Cathy exclaims that she loves her father more than Linton. She promises Heathcliff she will marry Linton if he lets her go home, begging him to send Nelly to let her father know she is safe. However, he forces Cathy to stay the night, and Nelly stays as well, remaining for five nights and four days and seeing only Hareton.