CHAPTER XXXI

rawlingtoneofabeginnerthenlaughed,andthrewitfromher.“Andlisten,”shecontinued,provokingly,commencingaverseofanoldballadinthesamefashion. Buthisself-lovewouldendurenofurthertorment:Iheard,andnotaltogetherdisapprovingly,amanualcheckgiventohersaucytongue.Thelittlewretchhaddoneherutmosttohurthercousin’ssensitivethoughuncultivatedfeelings,andaphysicalargumentwastheonlymodehehadofbalancingtheaccount,andrepayingitseffectsontheinflictor.Heafterwardsgatheredthebooksandhurledthemonthefire.Ireadinhiscountenancewhatanguishitwastoofferthatsacrificetospleen.Ifanciedthatastheyconsumed,herecalledthepleasuretheyhadalreadyimparted,andthetriumphandever-increasingpleasurehehadanticipatedfromthemandIfanciedIguessedtheincitementtohissecretstudiesalso.Hehadbeencontentwithdailylabourandroughanimalenjoyments,tillCatherinecrossedhispath.Shameatherscorn,andhopeofherapproval,werehisfirstprompterstohigherpursuitsandinsteadofguardinghimfromoneandwinninghimtotheother,hisendeavourstoraisehimselfhadproducedjustthecontraryresult. “Yes,that’sallthegoodthatsuchabruteasyoucangetfromthem!”criedCatherine,suckingherdamagedlip,andwatchingtheconflagrationwithindignanteyes. “You’dbetterholdyourtongue,now,”heansweredfiercely. Andhisagitationprecludedfurtherspeechheadvancedhastilytotheentrance,whereImadewayforhimtopass.Buterehehadcrossedthedoor-stones,Mr.Heathcliff,comingupthecauseway,encounteredhim,andlayingholdofhisshoulderasked,—“What’stodonow,mylad?” “Naught,naught,”hesaid,andbrokeawaytoenjoyhisgriefandangerinsolitude. Heathcliffgazedafterhim,andsighed. “ItwillbeoddifIthwartmyself,”hemuttered,unconsciousthatIwasbehindhim.“ButwhenIlookforhisfatherinhisface,Ifindhereverydaymore!Howthedevilishesolike?Icanhardlybeartoseehim.” Hebenthiseyestotheground,andwalkedmoodilyin.Therewasarestless,anxiousexpressioninhiscountenance,Ihadneverremarkedtherebeforeandhelookedsparerinperson.Hisdaughter-in-law,onperceivinghimthroughthewindow,immediatelyescapedtot