CHAPTER XVI

alongtimeinthatposition,forIsawapairofouselspassingandrepassingscarcelythreefeetfromhim,busyinbuildingtheirnest,andregardinghisproximitynomorethanthatofapieceoftimber.Theyflewoffatmyapproach,andheraisedhiseyesandspoke:—“She’sdead!”hesaid“I’venotwaitedforyoutolearnthat.Putyourhandkerchiefaway—don’tsnivelbeforeme.Damnyouall!shewantsnoneofyourtears!” Iwasweepingasmuchforhimasher:wedosometimespitycreaturesthathavenoneofthefeelingeitherforthemselvesorothers.WhenIfirstlookedintohisface,Iperceivedthathehadgotintelligenceofthecatastropheandafoolishnotionstruckmethathisheartwasquelledandheprayed,becausehislipsmovedandhisgazewasbentontheground. “Yes,she’sdead!”Ianswered,checkingmysobsanddryingmycheeks.“Gonetoheaven,Ihopewherewemay,everyone,joinher,ifwetakeduewarningandleaveourevilwaystofollowgood!” “Didshetakeduewarning,then?”askedHeathcliff,attemptingasneer.“Didshedielikeasaint?Come,givemeatruehistoryoftheevent.Howdid—?” Heendeavouredtopronouncethename,butcouldnotmanageitandcompressinghismouthheheldasilentcombatwithhisinwardagony,defying,meanwhile,mysympathywithanunflinching,ferociousstare.“Howdidshedie?”heresumed,atlast—fain,notwithstandinghishardihood,tohaveasupportbehindhimfor,afterthestruggle,hetrembled,inspiteofhimself,tohisveryfinger-ends. “Poorwretch!”Ithought“youhaveaheartandnervesthesameasyourbrothermen!Whyshouldyoubeanxioustoconcealthem?YourpridecannotblindGod!Youtempthimtowringthem,tillheforcesacryofhumiliation.” “Quietlyasalamb!”Ianswered,aloud.“Shedrewasigh,andstretchedherself,likeachildreviving,andsinkingagaintosleepandfiveminutesafterIfeltonelittlepulseatherhear