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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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199 “Service is over,” I announced. “My master will be here in half- an-hour.” Heathcliff groaned a curse, and strained Catherine closer: she never moved. Ere long I perceived a group of the servants passing up the road towards the kitchen wing. Mr. Linton was not far behind; he opened the gate himself and sauntered slowly up, probably enjoying the lovely afternoon that breathed as soft as summer. “Now he is here,” I exclaimed. “For heaven’s sake, hurry down! You’ll not meet any one on the front stairs. Do be quick; and stay among the trees till he is fairly in.” “I must go, Cathy,” said Heathcliff, seeking to extricate himself from his companion’s arms. “But, if I live, I’ll see you again before you are asleep. I won’t stray five yards from your window.” “You must not go!” she answered, holding him as firmly as her strength allowed. “You shall not, I tell you.” “For one hour,” he pleaded, earnestly. “Not for one minute,” she replied. “I must--Linton will be up immediately,” persisted the alarmed intruder. He would have risen, and unfixed her fingers by the act--she clung fast, gasping; there was mad resolution in her face. “No!” she shrieked. “Oh, don’t, don’t go. It is the last time! Edgar will not hurt us. Heathcliff, I shall die! I shall die!” “Damn the fool! There he is,” cried Heathcliff, sinking back into his seat. “Hush, my darling! Hush, hush, Catherine! I’ll stay. If he shot me so, I’d expire with a blessing on my lips.” And there they were fast again. I heard my master mounting the stairs--the cold sweat ran from my forehead: I was horrified. |
