Wuthering Heights
(Emily Brontë)

Chapter 1

The narrator, Mr. Lockwood is writing in his diary about the first time he met Mr. Heathcliff. It is 1801, and Mr. Lockwood has just moved to Thrushcross Grange, a manor in the countryside of England. His landlord, Mr. Heathcliff resides at Wuthering Heights. The establishment earned its name because of the continual stormy weather it endures.

Mr. Lockwood arrives on horseback and is greeted suspiciously by Mr. Heathcliff. After a short conversation, Mr. Heathcliff disregards all small talk and pleasantries and invites Mr. Lockwood in through clenched teeth. Even though Heathcliff's behavior is obviously not friendly, Mr. Lockwood presents in his diary compliments for the man and his manners.

Mr. Heathcliff orders his elderly servant, Joseph, to take Lockwood's horse and fetch some wine from the cellar. Heathcliff and Lockwood venture into the house, Lockwood noticing details and the general disrepair. There is old furniture inside and overgrown grass inside, yet Mr. Lockwood still presents Heathcliff as an exemplary landlord.

He regresses to tell a short story about what happened to him the past summer, when he resided on the coast. He met a woman, whom he was enamored with, but when she returned his feelings became cold, thereby earning a heartless reputation.

In the dining area, Mr. Lockwood tries to pet a female dog by the table, but she growls at him. Mr. Heathcliff leaves, going down to the cellar, and more dogs emerge to terrify Lockwood. When Heathcliff returns the dogs calm down, and Heathcliff grins and offers wine. Mr. Lockwood decides to visit again the next day, even though it is clear Heathcliff does not want another intrusion.

Chapter 2

The next day, Lockwood makes the four-mile walk from Thrushcross Grange to Wuthering Heights. When he arrives, it is beginning to snow, but instead of turning back he knocks on the door to be let in. After knocking for several minutes, the old servant, Joseph, sticks his head out and says he won't open the door because Mr. Heathcliff is not there. Mr. Lockwood is eventually led around back by a youth carrying a pitchfork.

Inside, a beautiful girl sits by the fireplace and is referred to as the "missus". Mr. Lockwood assumes that she is Mr. Heathcliff's wife, and attempts to make small talk. After failing miserably, he waits for Heathcliff to get in. The landlord eventually arrives and savagely tells the young woman to make tea. Mr. Lockwood finally admits that Mr. Heathcliff is not a "capital fellow".

Heathcliff, the "missus", the youth from the yard and Mr. Lockwood all sit down to dinner. Heathcliff reveals that the young woman is his daughter-in-law, not his wife. Lockwood assumes that the young man must be Heathcliff's son, but is mistaken again. Heathcliff's son is dead, and the young man's name is Hareton Earnshaw. They eat the rest of the meal in silence. Although none of the members of the house seem to get along, they are somehow tied to one another.

After dinner Lockwood requests a guide, since the snow is falling fast and it is dark. When they won't provide on for him, he takes a lantern, saying he will bring it back the next day. Joseph sicks the dogs on Lockwood, thinking he is stealing it, and Lockwood becomes so enraged he gets a nosebleed. He is taken inside by Zillah, the maidservant, and given a room.

Chapter 3

Zillah leads Lockwood to a room which she says Heathcliff does not allow anyone to use. Inside, Lockwood finds a bed and the names Catherine Earnshaw, Catherine Heathcliff and Catherine Linton written over and over. He also finds old books with diary-like entries from Catherine Earnshaw.

In the diaries, Catherine and Heathcliff are young playmates and the house is ruled over by Catherine's older brother, Hindley. Hindley hates Heathcliff and treats the children badly.

In the middle of reading, Lockwood falls asleep and is plagued by nightmares. He wakes to the sound of a tree scraping against the window, but when he tries to reach for the branch to silence it, he grabs an icy hand instead. The owner of the hand, Catherine Linton, wants in, but Lockwood tricks and injures the ghost until it leaves. It is not clear whether Lockwood is awake or asleep. In either case, he screams, and a highly agitated Heathcliff comes to see what the matter is. Lockwood tells him that the room is haunted, and watches as Heathcliff passionately begs Catherine to return.

In the morning, Heathcliff treats his daughter-in-law unkindly, and accompanies Lockwood to his manor. Lockwood arrives home soaked with the winter snows and retreats to his study to be alone.

Chapter 4

The next day, Lockwood becomes curious enough about the strange family to ask the housekeeper, Nelly Dean, about their history. Nelly has been a servant at the estate for 18 years and tells Mr. Lockwood her story over supper. She tries to clarify the relationships of the three tangled families, revealing that Hareton (the mysterious youth) is the son of Hindley Earnshaw and that the beautiful young woman the daughter of Catherine. Thus, she is the last of the Lintons, and Hareton the last of the Earnshaws. The tangled family relations make Mr. Lockwood curious, and he asks for more information. Nelly Dean begins her story.

She grew up alongside Hareton and Catherine Earnshaw, the children of the master at the time, Mr. Earnshaw. One day, Mr. Earnshaw went to town, and came back with a homeless gipsy child, who he named Heathcliff. Mrs. Earnshaw hated the boy, as did Hindley. Catherine, however, becomes quite attached to him. Because of his quiet nature, Heathcliff eventually became Mr. Earnshaw's favorite, thereby causing Hindley to hate him even more. Even though Heathcliff was normally quiet and unassuming, he always got what he wanted from the members of the household.

Chapter 5

As time passed, Mr. Earnshaw became ill. In his sickness, he was even more protective of Heathcliff and the complaints against the boy, going so far as to send Hindley off to college for causing so much trouble. Mrs. Dean reveals that this partiality only served to bring out the worst in Heathcliff's personality as it fed his pride.

As Mr. Earnshaw became more ill, Joseph, a self-righteous, religious fanatic, gained more and more power over the master. Catherine was constantly mischievous, and didn't seem to understand how ill her father actually was.

Mrs. Dean reveals a little bit more about Catherine's personality. According to her, Catherine was never happy unless she was being scolded, but she didn't have ill-intent behind her actions, and could be sweet. She was inseparable from Heathcliff, and the worst punishment they could think for her was to keep her away from him.

Mr. Earnshaw died one night in his chair. Joseph was reading the bible aloud, and Mr. Earnshaw was stroking Catherine's hair. It was rare for her to be so still. She sings him to sleep, and when they get up to go to bed he doesn't wake. Everyone begins crying, and Joseph tells Mrs. Dean to fetch the priest. Later, upstairs, she overhears Catherine and Heathcliff consoling each other with talk of heaven.

Chapter 6

The family holds a funeral for the late Mr. Earnshaw, and Hindley Earnshaw attends along with his new wife. With his father gone, Hindley is now, officially, Mr. Earnshaw, and head of Wuthering Heights. He takes out his long-harbored hatred of Heathcliff out on him using his new status as master, and prevents Heathcliff from going to school.

Catherine and Heathcliff spend their days out on the moors playing together, and no matter how they are punished, always recover in each other's presence. One night, they don't come back from the fields and Hindley orders all the doors barred to teach them a lesson. Later that night, Nelly notices Heathcliff walking back alone and rushes out to see what happened.

Heathcliff tells her that he and Catherine went out to Thrushcross Grange to spy on the Linton children, who are spoiled brats, but were found out. When they tried to run away, the family guard dog bit Catherine's ankle, and she was taken inside to be tended. While the family treated Catherine with utmost care, they rebuked Heathcliff because of his rough looks, and refused to allow him to stay.

The next day, Mr. Linton makes a visit to Hindley, and Hindley is so enraged he forbids Heathcliff to speak to Catherine again.

Chapter 7

Catherine remains at Thrushcross for five weeks, during which Mrs. Linton teaches her manners and social graces, transforming her into a proper lady. When Catherine comes back to Wuthering Heights, her entire demeanor is changed. She is wearing a beautiful dress and moves delicately. After greeting her immediate family, she asks where Heathcliff is, and Hindley permits him to greet Catherine "like the other servants".

Where Catherine has cleaned up and is dressed in nicer clothes, Heathcliff has gotten dirtier than ever. When Catherine comments on this, Heathcliff gets offended and runs off.

The next day, Hindley invites the Lintons over for Christmas dinner. They agree to come only if Heathcliff isn't going to be there. Nelly, however, feeling sorry for Heathcliff, tries to get him in better spirits by cleaning him up and telling him that he's handsome. When Hindley sees Heathcliff, he immediately banishes him, and Edgar makes a rude remark about his hair, which sends Heathcliff into a rage.

At dinner, Catherine tries to pretend like the incident didn't affect her, but it becomes obvious to Nelly that it did. When the carolers come, Catherine sneaks upstairs and returns to the kitchens with Heathcliff, begging Nelly to give him some food despite Hindley's wishes. After Catherine is gone, Heathcliff remarks that he is planning revenge on Hindley.

At this point, Mrs. Dean tells Mr. Lockwood that it is late and he ought to be getting to bed. Mr. Lockwood urges her to continue her story, and she sits back down.

Chapter 8

Nelly skips ahead a few months to the following summer of 1778, 23 years ago. That June, Frances (Mrs. Earnshaw) gave birth to Hareton. The birth caused her consumption to grow worse, and she perished shortly after. Hindley, devastated, gave the infant to Nelly to raise and entered in to a steady decline. His behavior became so tyrannical that only Nelly and Joseph stayed on at the household.

By this time, Catherine is fifteen, and Heathcliff sixteen. Catherine has remained friends with the Lintons and adopts a dual personality. While around her new friends, she puts up a front of good manners, but when alone goes back to her mischievous and sometimes cruel ways. Heathcliff, still working the fields, has given up study for food and become purposefully uncouth. He and Catherine still spend time together, but their attention is now divided by Edgar Linton, who sometimes visits Wuthering Heights to see Catherine.

One day when Mr. Earnshaw is out drinking, Catherine invites Edgar over. Heathcliff, not realizing this, decides to quit work for the day to spend time with Catherine. After trying in vain to get him to leave, she calls Heathcliff dull and uninteresting. At this point, Edgar arrives and Heathcliff leaves.

Nelly, who has been ordered to act as a chaperone, won't leave the two alone. Catherine pinches her and then slaps her, before turning her violent attentions on little Hareton, who has begun to cry. Edgar is repulsed by Catherine's behavior, and when he tries to calm her she punches him. Angry, he is about to leave when Catherine begins crying. Nelly admits that the boy was doomed from the exact moment he stayed to comfort her. After their quarrel, Nelly surmises that they have confessed their love for one another.

Mr. Earnshaw gets home early, in a drunken rage, and Mr. Linton hurriedly rushes out of the house. Nelly takes the bullets out of Mr. Earnshaw's gun and tries to hide Hareton when Hindley walks in.

Chapter 9

Mr. Earnshaw drunkenly grabs Hareton, and accidentally drops him off the balcony. Heathcliff, walking by, instinctively catches the boy but regrets it when he sees who dropped him. Hindley pours another drink, despite Nelly's anger.

After the commotion, Nelly retires to the kitchen with Hareton. Catherine comes in and asks Nelly if she can keep a secret. She reveals that she has agreed to marry Edgar Linton, even though her soul knows it is the wrong choice. Edgar is young, handsome and rich, and will provide social status for Catherine. She says she cannot marry Heathcliff because Hindley has disgraced him. At this point, Nelly notices Heathcliff exit the room. He had been listening without the knowledge of the two women.

Catherine goes on to say that she and Heathcliff share the same soul, and she will never love Edgar the way she loves Heathcliff. Nelly tells Catherine that Heathcliff overheard. They search everywhere and cannot find him. Catherine spends the night outside in the rain, looking for Heathcliff and comes down with a fever.

Near death, she is taken in by the Mr. and Mrs. Linton who catch the fever themselves and die. Catherine returns to Wuthering Heights haughtier than ever.

Three years later Catherine marries Edgar, and Nelly is forced to move to Thrushcross Grange with them, leaving little Hareton with Mr. Earnshaw and Joseph. At this point, Mrs. Dean notices the time and tells Mr. Lockwood that she will finish the story tomorrow. Mr. Lockwood stays awake thinking about the first part of the tale for a couple of hours, before retiring, as well.

Chapter 10

Mr. Lockwood becomes sick and spends four weeks bedridden. Mr. Heathcliff comes to call on him, and when he leaves Mr. Lockwood asks for Mrs. Dean to come in. He wants her to finish her story and asks her how Heathcliff came to acquire a fortune and both estates. Mrs. Dean answers that she doesn't know how he came about his fortune, but she will be happy to continue the story.

The move to Thrushcross Grange is more peaceful than Nelly expected. Edgar and Isabella do their best never to anger Catherine, and Catherine seems to be genuinely happy with Edgar. However, one night Heathcliff returns and is greeted with immense joy by Catherine, making Edgar jealous. Heathcliff reveals that he is staying at Wuthering Heights with Mr. E. Nelly thinks this is odd, but finds out that Mr. Earnshaw invited him when he found out Heathcliff had gained a sizable wealth. Heathcliff begins calling on Thrushcross Grange, and Catherine and Isabella visit Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff is much changed since he ran away, and has a handsome, dignified appearance with only a hint of his past savagery. Isabella begins falling for him.

One day, Isabella tells this to Catherine, and they get into an argument fighting over the man. In the middle of it, Heathcliff walks by, and Catherine purposefully tells Heathcliff of Isabella's affections. Embarrassed, Isabella leaves. While Catherine is satisfied with her result, Nelly notices that Heathcliff does nothing to dissuade Isabella's affections and decides to keep a close eye on him in case he's up to something.

Chapter 11

Wandering down the road, Nelly has the sudden urge to visit Hindley at Wuthering Heights. She feels anxious as if something is wrong. When she gets to the estate, she sees Hareton, who is older now. The boy does not remember her and throws stones at her and curses. Nelly is appalled at his actions and finds out Heathcliff has been teaching the boy these things. She asks Hareton to fetch Hindley, and he fetches Heathcliff instead. Nelly runs back to Thrushcross Grange.

The next day, Nelly sees Heathcliff embracing Isabella out in the yard. Catherine finds out, and she begins yelling at Heathcliff. Nelly tells Edgar everything that happened, and Edgar tries to stop the fighting, ordering Heathcliff to leave. Heathcliff refuses, intimidating the slighter Edgar with his tall frame. When Edgar signals for his men, Catherine locks them all in the room so as to settle it between them. Edgar ends up hitting Heathcliff in the throat and then retreating for his men. Heathcliff runs off, vowing more revenge.

That evening, Catherine talks to Nelly, telling her she plans to have a fit if Edgar comes to call about the incident. When he does, Catherine holds true to her promise until Nelly reveals her deceit. Catherine locks herself in her room and won't eat anything. Edgar talks to Isabella, telling her that if she ties herself in any way to Heathcliff that he will no longer consider her family.

Chapter 12

For three days, Edgar and Catherine exhibit stubbornness, each thinking the other will cave in first. Edgar stays in the library with his books, and Catherine locks herself in her room, refusing any food.

Finally, after three days, Catherine allows Nelly in, asking for food. She is weak-looking and deranged, talking to herself about the past and being scared of herself in the mirror. She doesn't believe she has only been in her room for three days, and professes to not remember most of what happened after her fit. She goes to the window and, opening it and leaning out, thinks she can see Wuthering Heights. She says if she dies her soul will roam the lands with Heathcliff. Fearing Catherine will catch cold, Nelly tries to get her to come inside.

About this time, Mr. Linton walks by and comes in to see what the commotion is about. He is horrified at Catherine's haggard appearance and blames Nelly for not telling him sooner that she was refusing food and water. He takes her in his arms, and she does not recognize him at first. When she does, she is brutally honest, saying she doesn't need him anymore. Nelly leaves them to sort things out and goes to fetch the doctor.

She finds Mr. Kenneth and tells him of Catherine's condition. He rushes to the house at once, along the way telling Nelly that he heard Isabella and Heathcliff were planning on eloping. Sure enough, when they get to the house Isabella is gone. Nelly, to keep chaos to a minimum, decides to keep this information hidden.

Catherine is in bed, still delirious, and the doctor thinks she will not make a full recovery. He does not think she will die, but that her intellect will be impaired. The next day a maid reveals Isabella's disappearance. After ordering Nelly to check, Edgar pronounces that Isabella has disowned him.

Chapter 13

Edgar nurses Catherine back to health for two months. While the doctor believes she will not make a full recovery, he pronounces her out of harm’s way. Edgar, however, is optimistic that Catherine will go back to the way she was before her illness. It also comes to light that Catherine is pregnant, and a male heir would prevent Isabella from inheriting Thrushcross Grange.

In March Catherine leaves her room for the first time and takes residence downstairs. While she seems to be getting better, she acts as if she is still close to death.

Six weeks after their elopement, Isabella sends a letter to Edgar, lamenting Catherine's illness and wishing for his forgiveness. When Edgar does not write her back, Isabella sends another, longer, letter to Nelly. She reveals that marrying Heathcliff was a gigantic mistake, and questions his humanity. After the marriage, the couple moved to Wuthering Heights and there Isabella is treated cruelly. The place is filthy, there is no proper food, and she does not even have a bed to sleep on. Joseph and Hareton harass her, and Heathcliff takes his anger of Edgar out on her. It becomes clear that Mr. Earnshaw is penniless, and Heathcliff has taken control of the household. Mr. Earnshaw has a pistol with a concealed blade that he plans on using to murder Heathcliff and gain his massive fortune. Isabella begs Nelly to visit her at Wuthering Heights as soon as she can manage.

Chapter 14

Nelly finishes reading the letter and goes to tell Edgar about its contents. She begs Edgar to send a token of love or forgiveness to his sister, but Edgar steadfastly refuses. That day, Nelly travels to Wuthering Heights alone and finds the estate utterly changed upon her arrival. Everything is filthy, and Heathcliff is the only member of the household who looks presentable.

Nelly, pitying Isabella on her poor appearance, tells her that Edgar refuses to forgive her. Isabella takes this news somewhat calmly, and then Heathcliff inquires about Catherine's illness. He wants to see Catherine and professes his love for her as well as his contempt for Edward. His passionate words frighten Nelly, who declares that another encounter between Heathcliff and Edward would kill Catherine outright. Heathcliff threatens to lock Nelly at Wuthering Heights and travel to the Grange himself if Nelly does not send a message to Catherine for him, and Nelly is forced to agree even though she feels as if she is betraying Edgar.

Interrupting her story in the present day, Mrs. Dean tells Mr. Lockwood that the doctor has arrived to check on him. Mr. Lockwood wonders if the young woman he met at Wuthering Heights, Catherine's daughter, takes after her mother in appearance and temperament.

Chapter 15

A week later, Mr. Lockwood is feeling much better. It is almost spring now, and over the course of the week Mrs. Dean has told him the rest of the story. He writes it in a condensed version in his journal.

After Nelly receives the letter, it is four days before she has the occasion to give it to Catherine. Mr. Linton is gone to church, and the servants are out of the house when Mrs. Nelly goes upstairs. She gives Catherine the letter, and she is too weak to hold it. When Nelly tells her it is from Heathcliff, she makes the effort to read it, but can't give an answer.

Heathcliff, who has been waiting out in the garden, decides to come in without waiting for an answer and goes straight to Catherine, embracing her. It becomes clear to him that she is near death and Heathcliff is extremely emotional. They have a passionate conversation in which Catherine blames Heathcliff and Edgar for breaking her heart while Heathcliff blames Catherine for marrying Edgar in the first place, when her soul obviously belonged to Heathcliff. Catherine wishes never to be parted from Heathcliff until she dies.

While they are embracing and crying Nelly sees Edgar coming back from the church service and urges Heathcliff to leave. Heathcliff tries to quit the embrace, but Catherine, in a fit of hysterics, begs him to stay. When Edgar comes in the room, he is enraged, but Catherine faints in Heathcliff's arms and he is too busy tending her to get angry at Heathcliff. Nelly finally convinces Heathcliff to leave, but he says he will stay in the gardens and will come to check on Catherine tomorrow.

Chapter 16

At midnight, baby Catherine is born at seven months. The mother never regains consciousness and dies, peacefully, two hours later. Edgar is sad because, not only has he lost his love, but he also lost the possibility of ever having an heir. Since Catherine was born a girl, the estate will pass to Isabella, and, if she ever has one, her son.

In the morning, Nelly goes outside to tell Heathcliff of Catherine's death. She finds him resting against the tree. When she approaches he opens his eyes and tells her that he already knows Catherine is dead. Nelly begins crying for both of them. Heathcliff asks Nelly how she died, and cannot say Catherine's name. When Nelly reveals she died peacefully, Heathcliff gets mad. He begs Catherine's ghost never to leave him, even if she drives him mad with haunting. Such a life would be better than living alone, since he cannot live with his "soul". After this speech, he begins howling like a savage beast and ramming his head against the tree. Nelly leaves him to his agony.

Catherine's coffin is set in the living room until her funeral, and Edgar constantly watches her body. Heathcliff waits until Edgar is gone, and visits Catherine's body. When Nelly comes back in, Heathcliff is gone but has tampered with the locket around Catherine's neck, replacing the lock of Edgar's hair with his own. Nelly merges to two locks and places them both in the locket.

Catherine is buried in the moors, where she spent her childhood roaming. Mrs. Dean says that later Mr. Linton was buried there beside her.

Chapter 17

After Catherine is buried, the weather turns cold. Edgar becomes a complete hermit, staying in his room all day, and Nelly spends her time in the nursery taking care of the baby.

Unexpectedly, Isabella rushes in one night while Edgar is asleep, laughing hysterically, her clothes filthy and a long cut on one side of her face. She wants a coach to be summoned to take her to the city and tells Nelly her tale while they wait.

After Catherine's funeral, Hindley decides to finally go through with his plan to murder Heathcliff with his pistol. He plans to shoot him upon entering, but Isabella warns Heathcliff of Hindley's intentions. Heathcliff turns Hindley's own weapon against him and beats him unconscious. Joseph is summoned to clean up the blood, and Isabella feels no pity for any of them.

Later, when Hindley is awake, they sit down for dinner. Isabella sees Heathcliff's grief and is glad. She tells Heathcliff it is his fault Catherine is dead, and proceeds to tell Hindley how Heathcliff beat him when he was already unconscious. The two men begin fighting again, and Isabella runs away during the commotion to Thrushcross Grange, where she now sits. She leaves and takes up residence outside of London. She keeps in contact with Nelly, and gives birth to a son named Linton.

The months pass, and although Edgar is a hermit, he is passing through the natural stages of grief and letting go. This is in contrast to Heathcliff, who begged Catherine's spirit to haunt him, ensuring that he never gets past her death. Edgar takes solace in his daughter, who he names Catherine, but calls Cathy for short.

Six months after Catherine passed away, Hindley drinks himself to death. When Nelly goes to Wuthering Heights to take care of the funeral arrangements, she is shocked to learn that Hindley mortgaged off the entire manor in order to satisfy his drinking and gambling addiction. Heathcliff holds the mortgage and now Hareton, as well. He raises Hareton as a common servant instead of the gentleman of the house, effectively robbing the boy of his rightful inheritance.

Chapter 18

Twelve years go by, and Cathy grows up in Thrushcross Grange. She has the physical features and personality quirks of both her parents. She is not as wild and spirited as Catherine was, but retains a curious and sometimes willful personality.

Because Edgar does not want anything to do with Heathcliff or Wuthering Heights, Cathy grows up without knowing about any of the surrounding area or its inhabitants. She becomes obsessed, however, with the fairy caves up at the Peniton crags, the road to which leads right by Wuthering Heights. Edgar keeps telling her she is not old enough to go because he does not wish to encounter Heathcliff or Hareton.

When Cathy is thirteen, Edgar receives news from Isabella that she is ill and dying. She wants him to take care of Linton instead of his father, Heathcliff. Edgar rushes to London and is gone several weeks.

To keep Cathy amused, Nelly allows her to play in the gardens unsupervised. One day, Cathy takes her pony and dogs and sneaks away, heading towards the crags. When Nelly realizes Cathy is missing, she rushes outside, eventually finding the girl inside the manor at Wuthering Heights. Cathy and Hareton seem to be getting along splendidly until it is revealed that Hareton is not the master of the house, or the master's son. Cathy immediately assumes him to be a servant, and orders him to fetch her horse so she can leave. Upset, Hareton curses her and a maid of Wuthering Heights tells Cathy that Hareton is her cousin. This is even worse news to Cathy, who, distraught, reveals that her cousin (Linton) is on his way to Thrushcross Grange. Nelly gets Cathy out of the house before she can do any more damage, and is sure that the maid will tell Heathcliff of this intelligence.

On their way back, Nelly hears the full story. On Cathy's way to the crags, she met Hareton and they spent the day together outside in good spirits. Nelly tells Cathy that Edgar will be mightily upset if he learns of everything that happened, and Cathy promises to keep it secret so that Nelly isn't fired from Thrushcross Grange.

Chapter 19

The day of Edgar's return with Cathy's "real" cousin Linton finally arrives. Cathy is too impatient to wait indoors and runs outside to wait for the carriage. She is excited to have a playmate, and the two children are scarcely six months apart. When the carriage arrives, however, Cathy is disappointed that Linton is a pale, weak young man who acts remarkably childish. She tries to treat him kindly, and Nelly swears she will make a pet rather than a playmate out of her new cousin. She and Edgar worry that they will not be able to keep the boy, and fear for his health if he is to live at Wuthering Heights.

That evening, after the children are asleep, Joseph comes calling, demanding the boy be taken to Wuthering Heights. Edgar can see no way out of this situation. Even though Isabella wished Linton to be placed under his care, Heathcliff is the boy's biological father. They agree to take Linton to Wuthering Heights the next day.

Chapter 20

Edgar tells Nelly to take Linton to Wuthering Heights early, lest Heathcliff himself come and claim the boy. He also wishes to keep Linton's location away from Cathy, so she does not try to find him.

At dawn, Nelly wakes Linton up and tells him that he is going to live with his father. The boy is confused, saying his mother never spoke of a father, and wondering why he never came to visit. Nelly tells the boy half-truths in order to avoid directly answering his questions. Still, Linton wants to stay with Edgar, whom his mother talked of often. Eventually Nelly gets the boy dressed, and they are on their way to Wuthering Heights.

Linton becomes more curious about his father and the place he is going to live. When he finds out that Heathcliff has black hair and eyes, Linton professes that he could never learn to be fond of such a man. When they get to the property, Linton is disappointed by its haggard appearance.

Inside, Heathcliff is dismissive of the boy and cruel, as well. He refers to Linton as "it" and his "property", making it clear that the only reason he will tolerate the boy is because of his inheritance - Thrushcross Grange. Heathcliff and Joseph are disbelieving of Linton's appearance, and Heathcliff examines the boy, finding no hint of himself in his appearance. The fact that Linton looks like Edgar infuriates Heathcliff and ensures that he will never love his son.

While they are talking, Nelly tries to sneak out quietly, but Linton shouts at her that he does not want to stay. She ignores his pleas and rides away in a hurry.

Chapter 21

The next day, Cathy is upset that Linton is gone. Edgar and Nelly eventually get her to calm down, and she soon forgets about her cousin. Whenever she can, Nelly gets information about Linton from the maid at Wuthering Heights. Linton is both weak and demanding, constantly ordering people around from his blankets. Heathcliff can hardly stand to be around the boy for more than a few minutes.

Mrs. Dean skips forward a few years to when Cathy is sixteen. Cathy and Nelly are out walking the moors, and Cathy runs ahead. Before Nelly can stop her, she is talking to Heathcliff and Hareton who are also walking about. Heathcliff tells Cathy his is her uncle and invites her to the Heights to have tea and meet his son. Cathy, not realizing his son is Linton, for they look nothing alike, agrees to go. Heathcliff reveals to Nelly that it is his plan for the two to marry, to ensure his hold on Thrushcross Grange.

Linton has grown tall and handsome, but is still whiney and, in general, unpleasant. With Linton too lazy to show Cathy around, the task falls to Hareton, whom Heathcliff is particularly fond of since their temperaments are more similar. Eventually Heathcliff forces Linton to join them, and he and Cathy make fun of Hareton's inability to read and simpleness.

That evening, Cathy tells her father everything that happened and is angry for concealing her family from her. Edgar explains as best he can what happened, and Cathy agrees not to go to Wuthering Heights. However, she and Linton begin exchanging love letters on a daily basis. Nelly finds out and threatens to tell Edgar unless Cathy promises to stop sending them. Cathy agrees reluctantly, and Nelly burns the letters in the fireplace.

Chapter 22

It is now autumn, and Cathy has been spending most of her time nursing Edgar, who is sick. She is not as cheerful as normal, and while walking out in the gardens one day Nelly asks her what is wrong. Cathy reveals she is frightened of Edgar and Nelly dying, leaving her alone in the worse. Nelly assures her that will not happen for some time and says the best thing she can do for her father's health is to act cheerful.

At this, Cathy's spirits brighten, and she begins climbing. She loses her hat over the hedge, and Nelly helps her up the side, not realizing that Cathy cannot get back on her own. They meet at the garden gate, and Nelly tries to open the door. While she is doing this, Heathcliff rides up. He begins talking to Cathy and tells her that Linton is near death since Cathy's letters stopped coming. Nelly urges Cathy not to believe Heathcliff, but Cathy is doubtful. Heathcliff continues on by saying he will be gone for a week and that Cathy needs to go see Linton at Wuthering Heights.

That night, Cathy resolves to go. Even if what Heathcliff says isn't true, she still has to know. So, the next morning, she and Nelly set out for Wuthering Heights.

Chapter 23

When they arrive at Wuthering Heights, Linton is curled up in blankets ordering everyone around. He is mad at Cathy for not coming sooner, then whines about having to write all those long letters. Although he antagonizes Cathy, she tries to make him comfortable. Soon he mentions marriage, and they get into an argument about whose parents loved whose, and whose hated whose. Cathy, getting angry, pushes Linton out of his chair. Linton enters into a fit and tells Cathy that he is worse now than when she arrived. When Cathy and Nelly try to leave, Linton throws a fit until he gets attention from Cathy again.

On the way back, Nelly tells Cathy not to visit Linton again, but Cathy replies that it is too late. She is seventeen now, and Nelly cannot tell her what to do. Because they walked back in the rain, Nelly came down with an awful cold and Cathy spends her days nursing both her sick father and Nelly. At nights, however, she rides to Wuthering Heights to visit Linton.

Chapter 24

A few weeks go by before Nelly is well enough to sit up in the evenings. As the hour gets later, Cathy's behavior becomes more and more agitated. Finally, complaining of a headache she goes upstairs. Later, when Nelly goes to check on her, she cannot find her anywhere. She spots Cathy riding in on horseback just after dark and confronts her.

Cathy is apologetic and tells Nelly everything. She says that she went to go visit Linton just after Nelly fell ill, and that they had a good time playing games. The next day when she goes back, Hareton shows her his attempts at learning how to read. Since he still cannot do numbers, Cathy laughs at him again. Enraged, Hareton later forces Linton and Cathy out of the room, causing Linton to go into a severe coughing fit. When Cathy is on her way out, Hareton tries to apologize, but she refuses to listen to him.

When Cathy goes back to Wuthering Heights a few days later, Linton blames her for the whole incident. She tells him she won't come back, and he apologizes, begging her to stay. Overall, Cathy has been happy a few times during her visits to Wuthering Heights, but mostly it was miserable. However, she feels as if she cannot leave Linton to die and begs Nelly to keep everything secret. Nelly tells her she will think about it, but immediately goes to Edgar and tells him everything.

Chapter 25

Mrs. Dean tells Mr. Lockwood that the events she is describing now happened last winter, a little over one year ago. She also hints that Mr. Lockwood may fall in love with Catherine, which he rebukes, saying that Thrushcross Grange is not his permanent home. Mrs. Dean continues the story.

Cathy obeyed her father's commands not to visit Wuthering Heights, although Edgar agreed that Linton could write or visit Thrushcross Grange himself. Edgar, in his failing health, is eager for Cathy's happiness and asks Nelly her opinion of Linton. Nelly tells him that the boy is frail but nothing like his father. Edgar eventually writes to Linton himself, urging him to come visit. After several correspondences, Linton and Cathy agree to meet out on the moors under the supervision of Nelly. Edgar doesn't realize, however, how near death Linton truly is.

Chapter 26

When it is summer, Linton and Cathy are permitted to meet on the moors under the supervision of Nelly. When Nelly and Cathy ride out to the appointed meeting place, they don't find Linton there. They keep riding towards Wuthering Heights and find him less than a half-mile away from the manor. He is much more sickly and frail looking than he was the past winter.

Nelly and Cathy worry about his appearance, but he assures them that he is fine. However, he seems to want nothing to do with Cathy and even falls asleep while she is talking. Towards the end of the visit, Linton is adamant that Cathy tell her father Linton was in good health, and also not to tell Heathcliff of Linton's apathy. Cathy begins to wonder if Heathcliff has done something to frighten the boy as he is nervous and constantly looking over his shoulder.

Cathy and Nelly leave, deciding to visit one more time before drawing any conclusions about Linton's situation.

Chapter 27

One week passes, and Edgar's health is failing rapidly. Cathy is afraid that if she leaves his side he will die when she is gone, but she reluctantly agrees to see Linton for a short while.

They find Linton in the same spot as before, and he appears, as before, to not want Catherine there. Cathy becomes angry and says she is going to leave, but Linton begs her to stay. He says Heathcliff will kill him unless she comes with him. Heathcliff walks towards them, and yells at Linton to get up off the ground. He intimidates Cathy into escorting Linton back to Wuthering Heights, even though it is against her father's wishes. Once inside, he locks the doors so they cannot get out.

Cathy, in an act of boldness, speaks up to Heathcliff, startling him with her similarities to Catherine. She goes for the key, and Heathcliff slaps her. Nelly tries to defend Cathy, but she is old and tires easily.

Heathcliff walks outside to tend their horses and leaves the two girls alone with Linton. Cathy begs Linton to tell her what is going on, and Linton reveals Heathcliff's plan to have them marry in the morning. Cathy does not object to marrying Linton, but she vows not to stay the night. When Heathcliff comes in, Cathy begs, not with hate or anger, but love. This disgusts Heathcliff, and he locks Cathy and Nelly up in one of the old bedrooms.

In the morning, Cathy is let out, but Nelly remains four more days. Hareton comes by every morning with food and water, but is deaf to her pleading for information or escape.

Chapter 28

On the fifth day of Nelly's imprisonment Zillah lets her out, revealing that everyone in town believes Cathy and Nelly to be lost in the marshes. Heathcliff spread the rumor that he saved them and gave them a place to recover. Not even bothering with his lies, Nelly rushes downstairs to find Cathy. Instead, she finds Linton, who says Cathy is hidden, and they will not let her go. Nelly reprimands him for being heartless when he reveals that Cathy cries all the time, and was beaten by Heathcliff. Linton is also glad that the two are married, because when Edgar dies everything Cathy owns will belong to him.

Nelly rushes back to Thrushcross Grange to find Edgar still alive, although much weaker. She tells him that Cathy is alive, and married. Edgar orders his lawyer to come and fix his will so that Heathcliff cannot have his fortune when Linton dies. He still does not know of Linton's ill health, and so takes this as a precaution. Nelly also sends four armed men to Wuthering Heights to retrieve Cathy, but they come back empty-handed.

Later that night there is a knock at the door, and Nelly, supposing it to be Edgar's lawyer, opens the door. Cathy rushes in instead and goes to her father's bedside. He dies peacefully in her arms that night.

The next day the lawyer arrives, and it becomes clear that Heathcliff has paid him off. He fires all the servants except for Nelly, and orders Edgar to be buried in the chapel by his family. Nelly, enraged, points out in his will that he wishes to be laid by Catherine on the moors.

Cathy is allowed to stay in the house until after the funeral, when she must go to Wuthering Heights to be with her husband. Nelly asks her how she escaped, and Cathy reveals that Linton let her out, finally giving in to her despair.

Chapter 29

After Edgar's funeral, Nelly and Cathy talk in the library. They hope Cathy will be allowed to stay at the Grange, and bring Linton there. While they are talking, Heathcliff walks in, and Nelly gets a sense of things being repeated. The physical setting of his entering is the same as 18 years ago, and his appearance is the same, as well.

Heathcliff tells Cathy that she is coming to live at Wuthering Heights. When Nelly pleads on her behalf, Heathcliff tells her he is seeking a tenant for Thrushcross Grange, and cannot have Cathy here living a life of luxury without earning her keep. Cathy, to spite Heathcliff, says she will go and affirms her love for Linton. She also tells Heathcliff that no one in the world loves him, sparking his anger. She goes to pack, and Nelly is left alone with him.

He talks, almost to himself, of Catherine's ghost, revealing that she has been constantly haunting him for the past 18 years. The night of her funeral he went to dig her up, and felt her presence leading him back to Wuthering Heights. The door was locked (by Mr. Earnshaw and Isabella), and after he kicked Mr. Earnshaw he ran upstairs to try and find her. Ever since he has always felt her at the Heights, especially in her room where Mr. Lockwood also was tormented by a ghost in his sleep.

Cathy comes in, ready to go. She asks Nelly to visit as often as possible, but Heathcliff forbids it. Nelly watches them leave through the window, and pities Cathy.

Chapter 30

Nelly hasn't seen Cathy since she left Thrushcross Grange. Zillah has been her informant, and Cathy's story continues through Zillah.

When Cathy arrived at Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff ordered the servants to be cold to her. Going upstairs, Cathy finds Linton to be seriously sick. Heathcliff refuses to call a doctor, saying the boy is going to die anyway. Cathy nurses Linton by herself, without the help of any of the other servants. Zillah pitied the girl but could not help her because of Heathcliff's orders. Finally, Linton dies with Cathy by his side. No one would come to his deathbed, even though she told them he was in the final stages of death. The body is removed, and Cathy spends her days and nights in the bedroom.

Eventually, winter sets in and Cathy comes downstairs to seek the warmth of the fire. She is cold to Hareton and Zillah, who try to be agreeable to her now that the master is no longer giving orders. Cathy allows Hareton to get some books down off the shelf for her, but becomes mad when Hareton touches her hair. Judging from his actions since they met, Hareton has always been attracted to her. Her coldness to the servants causes them to be distant as well, and Cathy provokes Heathcliff, who beats her, thus sparking more provocation. Because of her environment, Cathy has become haughty and venomous. Nelly wishes she could help the girl, but can see no other way than for her to marry out of her tragic situation.

With this, Nelly's story comes to a close. Mr. Lockwood decides to go to Wuthering Heights the next day and announce that he will be headed back to London as he no longer wishes to spend any more time in the country.

Chapter 31

Mr. Lockwood travels to Wuthering Heights, as he promised Mrs. Dean. Hareton lets him in the gate, and Mr. Lockwood judges him with new eyes. He can now see the lad's handsomeness that the boy tries to hide.

Inside, Cathy is sitting by the fire. Lockwood tries to discreetly slip her a note from Mrs. Dean, but Cathy won't look at it until she knows what it is. When Hareton overhears the conversation, he snatches the note, saying that Mr. Heathcliff should look at it first. When Cathy begins to become tearful, however, he gives the note back to her.

After Cathy is done reading, Mr. Lockwood asks her to write a reply for the good nurse. Cathy, however, has no pen or paper, not even a book. Heathcliff burned them all in an attempt to make her miserable. She found some books in Hareton's room, as he is trying to learn to read and write. Hareton, abashed, defends himself and she makes fun of him for his poor attempts. In response, Hareton brings the books down and burns them in the fire.

Heathcliff comes in, wondering what all the commotion is about. He remarks that Hareton looks more and more like Catherine every day and that it is almost more than he could bear. He notices Mr. Lockwood, who reveals that he won't be renewing his lease at Thrushcross Grange. They sit down to a cheerless dinner, and Mr. Lockwood leaves.

On the ride back to the Grange, Mr. Lockwood thinks about what a dull country it is, and how much more romantic it would have been if Cathy had fallen in love with him and they had gone someplace else.

Chapter 32

Lockwood begins his diary again in 1802, six months after he left the Grange. He is riding to a friend's house when he passes close to the town of Gimmerton. Realizing that Thrushcross Grange and Wuthering Heights are not far off, he decides to visit Nelly.

When he comes to the Grange, there is a new maid in charge of the house. When he asks about Mrs. Dean, he is told that she works at Wuthering Heights now. Mr. Lockwood arrives at the Heights right around sunset, and, peeking inside, witnesses Cathy teaching Hareton how to read. They both seem infinitely happier than the last time he had visited.

Around back, Mr. Lockwood found Mrs. Dean in the kitchen. She happily greets him, and he asks what changes have happened in the household. Mrs. Dean gives him a summary of what has passed the last six months.

After Mr. Lockwood left the Grange, Heathcliff asks Nelly to come keep Cathy company. He did not give a reason, other than to get Cathy out of his way. Nelly gladly moves to the Heights but is shocked at Cathy's personality change. Cathy soon grows restless and begins to spend more time with Hareton. She is sorry that she made fun of his attempts to read, and tries to make peace. Hareton, however, is tired of being made the fool and won't accept her apology. Cathy gives Hareton a book and offers to teach him how to read.

Over the months, their friendship grew. Mrs. Dean vows to Lockwood that their union is inevitable and that it will make her the happiest person alive to see the two of them wed.

Chapter 33

The morning after Cathy and Hareton reconcile, they venture out in to the garden to plant flowers. Nelly warns them that Joseph will be upset that they messed with the grounds, and Hareton says he will return everything back to the way it was.

At dinner, Cathy sits next to Hareton instead of Nelly. Mrs. Dean warns her not to let the master see their newfound affection, yet Cathy does not heed her warning and causes her cousin to laugh. Startled, Heathcliff blames Cathy for laughing before Hareton admits it was him. At this point, Joseph comes in to complain about the garden. Heathcliff, bewildered and angry, demands to know what is going on.

Cathy boldy tells Heathcliff that Hareton and she are now friends, and that since he has robbed them both of their rightful land and fortunes that they should at least be allowed to plant a few flowers. Heathcliff, enraged, grabs Cathy to punish her. When she looks at him, however, he is stunned and puts her down, telling everyone to leave. It is not said, but assumed, that Cathy reminded him of his lost love.

Later, Hareton asks Cathy not to talk bad of Heathcliff, because he thinks of the man as a father. She agrees to this, and she and Hareton continue to be friends. During the next few weeks, Heathcliff is haunted by the two, who look so much like Catherine. One night he confides in Nelly, telling her that he doesn't have the heart to go through with his revenge and talks of change. When Nelly asks what sort of change, all Heathcliff reveals is that he sees Catherine everywhere, and it is almost impossible for him to continue on.

Chapter 34

Over the next few days, Heathcliff begins excluding everyone and refusing meals. One morning, Mrs. Dean finds Heathcliff gone without warning. He comes back to Wuthering Heights later that day in a strange excitement. Once again, he wishes to be left alone.

His behavior becomes more and more neurotic. He begins spending the night in Catherine's old room, as well as talking and moaning throughout the night. Often when Nelly sees him, she notes that his eyes seem to be following some invisible specter, and he often murmurs to himself. His behavior is so strange, Mrs. Dean questions his humanity and reminds herself that she saw the boy grow up with her own eyes. He talks about writing his will, and gives Nelly instructions to make sure he is buried by Catherine.

One morning, Mrs. Dean goes upstairs and knocks on Heathcliff's door. When he doesn't answer, she opens it and looks inside. Heathcliff is laying on the bed, eyes open, a hint of a grin on his features. She soon realizes he is dead and calls for a doctor. Dr. Kenneth can find no plausible cause of his death.

Heathcliff is buried by Catherine on the moors, on the other side of Edgar. Over the next few months, villagers begin seeing two ghosts out on the moors, one male, and one female. Nelly assumes these figures to be Heathcliff and Catherine.

With this, the story has ended. Mrs. Dean reveals that Hareton and Cathy are to be wed in January, and are moving to Thrushcross Grange. As Mrs. Dean finishes her story, Lockwood sees the couple walking in. Overcome with the urge to leave, he tells Nelly and Joseph goodbye, leaving them with handsome tips. On his ride out of the moors, Lockwood comes across the three tombstones and stops to examine them. He wonders how their ghosts could be wandering the moors, since they look so peaceful in the ground.