Page 348 - WUTHERING HEIGHTS

Wuthering Heights

’I visited it once or twice too often before you were
born,’ he answered. ‘There - damn it! If you have any
kisses to spare, give them to Linton: they are thrown away
on me.’

’Naughty Ellen!’ exclaimed Catherine, flying to attack
me next with her lavish caresses. ‘Wicked Ellen! to try to
hinder me from entering. But I’ll take this walk every
morning in future: may I, uncle? and sometimes bring
papa. Won’t you be glad to see us?’
’Of course,’ replied the uncle, with a hardly suppressed
grimace, resulting from his deep aversion to both the
proposed visitors. ‘But stay,’ he continued, turning
towards the young lady. ‘Now I think of it, I’d better tell
you. Mr. Linton has a prejudice against me: we quarrelled
at one time of our lives, with unchristian ferocity; and, if
you mention coming here to him, he’ll put a veto on your
visits altogether. Therefore, you must not mention it,
unless you be careless of seeing your cousin hereafter: you
may come, if you will, but you must not mention it.’
’Why did you quarrel?’ asked Catherine, considerably
crestfallen.
’He thought me too poor to wed his sister,’ answered
Heathcliff, ‘and was grieved that I got her: his pride was
hurt, and he’ll never forgive it.’

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