Mr. Lockwood, a new tenant at Thrushcross Grange, uncovers the turbulent history of his neighbors, the Earnshaws and Lintons, through the housekeeper Nelly Dean. Her tale recounts the orphan Heathcliff’s degradation and his fierce bond with Catherine Earnshaw, a connection severed by her marriage to Edgar Linton. Heathcliff returns years later to exact a brutal revenge on the families, corrupting the next generation and claiming the estates. Only after his death does the cycle of violence break, allowing the young Catherine and Hareton to heal the wounds of the past.
He mocked Edgar’s letters advising him to be careful and kind to his jewel, stating Linton required all his care and kindness for himself. He said Linton could play the little tyrant and torture cats if their teeth were drawn. Nelly remarked that he was right, hoping Catherine would think twice. Heathcliff answered that Catherine must either accept Linton or remain a prisoner with Nelly until Edgar died, claiming he could detain them both concealed. Catherine declared she would not retract her word, offering to marry Linton within the hour if she could go to Thrushcross Grange afterwards. She appealed to Heathcliff, calling him cruel but not a fiend, asking him not to destroy her happiness from mere malice. She asked if he could bear to live if her father died thinking she had left him on purpose.
She ceased crying and knelt at his knee, refusing to get up or look away until he looked back. She insisted she did not hate him and was not angry that he struck her. She asked softly if he had never loved anybody in his life, begging him to look as she was so wretched he could not help but pity her. Heathcliff brutally repulsed her, telling her to keep her eft’s fingers off or he would kick her. He said he would rather be hugged by a snake, asking how she could dream of fawning on him when he detested her. He shrugged his shoulders as if his flesh crept, thrust back his chair, and threatened Nelly with silence when she began to abuse him.
It was growing dark when they heard voices at the garden-gate. Heathcliff hurried out, leaving them behind. He returned alone after a few minutes. Nelly observed she wished it had been Hareton, thinking he might take their part. Heathcliff overheard, revealing it was three servants sent to seek them from the Grange. He mocked that Catherine should have opened a lattice, but swore she was glad she hadn’t. At learning the chance they had missed, they both gave vent to their grief without control. Heathcliff allowed them to wail until nine o’clock, then bid them go upstairs to Zillah’s chamber. Nelly whispered Catherine to obey, hoping they would find a way out, but the window was narrow and the trap fastened. They were imprisoned as before. Neither lay down; Catherine watched anxiously for morning at the lattice, while Nelly sat in judgment on her own derelictions of duty.
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