CHAPTER XIX

gintotheapartment,plantedhimselfatthefarsideofthetable,withhistwofistsclappedontheheadofhisstick,andbeganinanelevatedtone,asifanticipatingopposition— “Hathecliffhassentmeforhislad,andImunn’tgoaback’bouthim.” EdgarLintonwassilentaminuteanexpressionofexceedingsorrowovercasthisfeatures:hewouldhavepitiedthechildonhisownaccountbut,recallingIsabella’shopesandfears,andanxiouswishesforherson,andhercommendationsofhimtohiscare,hegrievedbitterlyattheprospectofyieldinghimup,andsearchedinhishearthowitmightbeavoided.Noplanoffereditself:theveryexhibitionofanydesiretokeephimwouldhaverenderedtheclaimantmoreperemptory:therewasnothingleftbuttoresignhim.However,hewasnotgoingtorousehimfromhissleep. “TellMr.Heathcliff,”heansweredcalmly,“thathissonshallcometoWutheringHeightsto-morrow.Heisinbed,andtootiredtogothedistancenow.YoumayalsotellhimthatthemotherofLintondesiredhimtoremainundermyguardianshipand,atpresent,hishealthisveryprecarious.” “Noa!”saidJoseph,givingathudwithhisproponthefloor,andassuminganauthoritativeair.“Noa!thatmeansnaught.Hathecliffmaksnoa’counto’t’mother,noryenortherbuthe’llhevhisladundImuntak’him—soanowyeknaw!” “Youshallnotto-night!”answeredLintondecisively.“Walkdownstairsatonce,andrepeattoyourmasterwhatIhavesaid.Ellen,showhimdown.Go—” And,aidingtheindignantelderwithaliftbythearm,heridtheroomofhimandclosedthedoor. “Varrahweell!”shoutedJoseph,asheslowlydrewoff.“To-morn,he’scomehisseln,andthrusthimout,ifyedarr!”