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TO obviate the danger of this threat being fulfilled, Mr. Lintoncommissioned me to take the boy home early, on Catherine's pony;and, said he - 'As we shall now have no influence over his destiny,good or bad, you must say nothing of where he is gone to mydaughter: she cannot associate with him hereafter, and it isbetter for her to remain in ignorance of his proximity; lest sheshould be restless, and anxious to visit the Heights. Merely tellher his father sent for him suddenly, and he has been obliged toleave us.'

Linton was very reluctant to be roused from his bed at fiveo'clock, and astonished to be informed that he must prepare forfurther travelling; but I softened off the matter by stating thathe was going to spend some time with his father, Mr. Heathcliff,who wished to see him so much, he did not like to defer thepleasure till he should recover from his late journey.

'My father!' he cried, in strange perplexity. 'Mamma never told meI had a father. Where does he live? I'd rather stay with uncle.'

'He lives a little distance from the Grange,' I replied; 'justbeyond those hills: not so far, but you may walk over here whenyou get hearty. And you should be glad to go home, and to see him.You must try to love him, as you did your mother, and then he willlove you.'

'But why have I not heard of him before?' asked Linton. 'Whydidn't mamma and he live together, as other people do?'

'He had business to keep him in the north,' I answered, 'and yourmother's health required her to reside in the south.'

'And why didn't mamma speak to me about him?' persevered the child.'She often talked of uncle, and I learnt to love him long ago. Howam I to love papa? I don't know him.'

'Oh, all children love their parents,' I said. 'Your mother,perhaps, thought you would want to be with him if she mentioned himoften to you. Let us make haste. An early ride on such abeautiful morning is much preferable to an hour's more sleep.'

'Is SHE to go with us,' he demanded, 'the little girl I sawyesterday?'

'Not now,' replied I.

'Is uncle?' he continued.

'No, I shall be your companion there,' I said.

Linton sank back on his pillow and fell into a brown study.

'I won't go without uncle,' he cried at length: 'I can't tellwhere you mean to take me.'

I attempted to persuade him of the naughtiness of showingreluctance to meet his father; still he obstinately resisted anyprogress towards dressing, and I had to call for my master'sassistance in coaxing him out of bed. The poor thing was finallygot off, with several delusive assurances that his absence shouldbe short: that Mr. Edgar and Cathy would visit him, and otherpromises, equally ill-founded, which I invented and reiterated atintervals throughout the way. The pure heather-scented air, thebright sunshine, and the gentle canter of Minny, relieved hisdespondency after a while. He began to put questions concerninghis new home, and its inhabitants, with greater interest andliveliness.

'Is Wuthering Heights as pleasant a place as Thrushcross Grange?'he inquired, turning to take a last glance into the valley, whencea light mist mounted and formed a fleecy cloud on the skirts of theblue.

'It is not so buried in trees,' I replied, 'and it is not quite solarge, but you can see the country beautifully all round; and theair is healthier for you - fresher and drier. You will, perhaps,think the building old and dark at first; though it is arespectable house: the next best in the neighbourhood. And youwill have such nice rambles on the moors. Hareton Earnshaw - thatis, Miss Cathy's other cousin, and so yours in a manner - will showyou all the sweetest spots; and you can bring a book in fineweather, and make a green hollow your study; and, now and then,your uncle may join you in a walk: he does, frequently, walk outon the hills.'

'And what is my father like?' he asked. 'Is he as young andhandsome as uncle?'

'He's as young,' said I; 'but he has black hair and eyes, and lookssterner; and he is taller and bigger altogether. He'll not seem toyou so gentle and kind at first, perhaps, because it is not hisway: still, mind you, be frank and cordial with him; and naturallyhe'll be fonder of you than any uncle, for you are his own.'

'Black hair and eyes!' mused Linton. 'I can't fancy him. Then Iam not like him, am I?'

'Not much,' I answered: not a morsel, I thought, surveying withregret the white complexion and slim frame of my companion, and hislarge languid eyes - his mother's eyes, save that, unless a morbidtouchiness kindled them a moment, they had not a vestige of hersparkling spirit.

'How strange that he should never come to see mamma and me!' hemurmured. 'Has he ever seen me? If he has, I must have been ababy. I remember not a single thing about him!'

'Why, Master Linton,' said I, 'three hundred miles is a greatdistance; and ten years seem very different in length to a grown-upperson compared with what they do to you. It is probable Mr.Heathcliff proposed going from summer to summer, but never found aconvenient opportunity; and now it is too late. Don't trouble himwith questions on the subject: it will disturb him, for no good.'

The boy was fully occupied with his own cogitations for theremainder of the ride, till we halted before the farmhouse garden-gate. I watched to catch his impressions in his countenance. Hesurveyed the carved front and low-browed lattices, the stragglinggooseberry-bushes and crooked firs, with solemn intentness, andthen shook his head: his private feelings entirely disapproved ofthe exterior of his new abode. But he had sense to postponecomplaining: there might be compensation within. Before hedismounted, I went and opened the door. It was half-past six; thefamily had just finished breakfast: the servant was clearing andwiping down the table. Joseph stood by his master's chair tellingsome tale concerning a lame horse; and Hareton was preparing forthe hayfield.

'Hallo, Nelly!' said Mr. Heathcliff, when he saw me. 'I feared Ishould have to come down and fetch my property myself. You'vebrought it, have you? Let us see what we can make of it.'

He got up and strode to the door: Hareton and Joseph followed ingaping curiosity. Poor Linton ran a frightened eye over the facesof the three.

'Sure-ly,' said Joseph after a grave inspection, 'he's swopped wi'ye, Maister, an' yon's his lass!'

Heathcliff, having stared his son into an ague of confusion,uttered a scornful laugh.

'God! what a beauty! what a lovely, charming thing!' he exclaimed.'Hav'n't they reared it on snails and sour milk, Nelly? Oh, damnmy soul! but that's worse than I expected - and the devil knows Iwas not sanguine!'

I bid the trembling and bewildered child get down, and enter. Hedid not thoroughly comprehend the meaning of his father's speech,or whether it were intended for him: indeed, he was not yetcertain that the grim, sneering stranger was his father. But heclung to me with growing trepidation; and on Mr. Heathcliff'staking a seat and bidding him 'come hither' he hid his face on myshoulder and wept.

'Tut, tut!' said Heathcliff, stretching out a hand and dragging himroughly between his knees, and then holding up his head by thechin. 'None of that nonsense! We're not going to hurt thee,Linton - isn't that thy name? Thou art thy mother's child,entirely! Where is my share in thee, puling chicken?'

He took off the boy's cap and pushed back his thick flaxen curls,felt his slender arms and his small fingers; during whichexamination Linton ceased crying, and lifted his great blue eyes toinspect the inspector.

'Do you know me?' asked Heathcliff, having satisfied himself thatthe limbs were all equally frail and feeble.

'No,' said Linton, with a gaze of vacant fear.

'You've heard of me, I daresay?'

'No,' he replied again.

'No! What a shame of your mother, never to waken your filialregard for me! You are my son, then, I'll tell you; and yourmother was a wicked slut to leave you in ignorance of the sort offather you possessed. Now, don't wince, and colour up! Though itis something to see you have not white blood. Be a good lad; andI'll do for you. Nelly, if you be tired you may sit down; if not,get home again. I guess you'll report what you hear and see to thecipher at the Grange; and this thing won't be settled while youlinger about it.'

'Well,' replied I, 'I hope you'll be kind to the boy, Mr.Heathcliff, or you'll not keep him long; and he's all you have akinin the wide world, that you will ever know - remember.'

'I'll be very kind to him, you needn't fear,' he said, laughing.'Only nobody else must be kind to him: I'm jealous of monopolisinghis affection. And, to begin my kindness, Joseph, bring the ladsome breakfast. Hareton, you infernal calf, begone to your work.Yes, Nell,' he added, when they had departed, 'my son isprospective owner of your place, and I should not wish him to dietill I was certain of being his successor. Besides, he's MINE, andI want the triumph of seeing MY descendant fairly lord of theirestates; my child hiring their children to till their fathers'lands for wages. That is the sole consideration which can make meendure the whelp: I despise him for himself, and hate him for thememories he revives! But that consideration is sufficient: he'sas safe with me, and shall be tended as carefully as your mastertends his own. I have a room up-stairs, furnished for him inhandsome style; I've engaged a tutor, also, to come three times aweek, from twenty miles' distance, to teach him what he pleases tolearn. I've ordered Hareton to obey him: and in fact I'vearranged everything with a view to preserve the superior and thegentleman in him, above his associates. I do regret, however, thathe so little deserves the trouble: if I wished any blessing in theworld, it was to find him a worthy object of pride; and I'mbitterly disappointed with the whey-faced, whining wretch!'

While he was speaking, Joseph returned bearing a basin of milk-porridge, and placed it before Linton: who stirred round thehomely mess with a look of aversion, and affirmed he could not eatit. I saw the old man-servant shared largely in his master's scornof the child; though he was compelled to retain the sentiment inhis heart, because Heathcliff plainly meant his underlings to holdhim in honour.

'Cannot ate it?' repeated he, peering in Linton's face, andsubduing his voice to a whisper, for fear of being overheard. 'ButMaister Hareton nivir ate naught else, when he wer a little 'un;and what wer gooid enough for him's gooid enough for ye, I'srayther think!'

'I SHA'N'T eat it!' answered Linton, snappishly. 'Take it away.'

Joseph snatched up the food indignantly, and brought it to us.

'Is there aught ails th' victuals?' he asked, thrusting the trayunder Heathcliff's nose.

'What should ail them?' he said.

'Wah!' answered Joseph, 'yon dainty chap says he cannut ate 'em.But I guess it's raight! His mother wer just soa - we wer a'mosttoo mucky to sow t' corn for makking her breead.'

'Don't mention his mother to me,' said the master, angrily. 'Gethim something that he can eat, that's all. What is his usual food,Nelly?'

I suggested boiled milk or tea; and the housekeeper receivedinstructions to prepare some. Come, I reflected, his father'sselfishness may contribute to his comfort. He perceives hisdelicate constitution, and the necessity of treating him tolerably.I'll console Mr. Edgar by acquainting him with the turnHeathcliff's humour has taken. Having no excuse for lingeringlonger, I slipped out, while Linton was engaged in timidlyrebuffing the advances of a friendly sheep-dog. But he was toomuch on the alert to be cheated: as I closed the door, I heard acry, and a frantic repetition of the words -

'Don't leave me! I'll not stay here! I'll not stay here!'

Then the latch was raised and fell: they did not suffer him tocome forth. I mounted Minny, and urged her to a trot; and so mybrief guardianship ended.