第48章

Confused as Catherine was, her wits were alert at applying our conversation.

`Ah! Nelly has played traitor,' she exclaimed passionately.`Nelly is my hidden enemy.You witch! So you do seek elf-bolts to hurt us! Let me go, I'll make her rue! I'll make her howl a recantation!'

A maniac's fury kindled under her brows; she struggled desperately to disengage herself from Linton's arms.I felt no inclination to tarry the event; and, resolving to seek medical aid on my own responsibility, I quitted the chamber.

In passing the garden to reach the road, at a place where a bridle hook is driven into the wall, I saw something white moved irregularly, evidently by another agent than the wind.Notwithstanding my hurry, I stayed to examine it, lest ever after I should have the conviction impressed on my imagination that it was a creature of the other world.My surprise and perplexity were great to discover, by touch more than vision, Miss Isabella's springer, Fanny, suspended by a handkerchief, and nearly at its last gasp.

I quickly released the animal, and lifted it into the garden.I had seen it follow its mistress upstairs when she went to bed; and wondered much how it could have got out there, and what mischievous person had treated it so.While untying the knot round the hook, it seemed to me that I repeatedly caught the beat of horses' feet galloping at some distance; but there were such a number of things to occupy my reflections that I hardly gave the circumstance a thought: though it was a strange sound, in that place, at two o'clock in the morning.

Mr Kenneth was fortunately just issuing from his house to see a patient in the village as I came up the street; and my account of Catherine Linton's malady induced him to accompany me back immediately.He was a plain rough man; and he made no scruple to speak his doubts of her surviving this second attack; unless she were more submissive to his directions than she had shown herself before.

`Nelly Dean,' said he, `I can't help fancying there's an extra cause for this.What has there been to do at the Grange? We've odd reports up here.A stout, hearty lass like Catherine, does not fall ill for a trifle;and that sort of people should not either.It's hard work bringing them through fevers, and such things.How did it begin?'

`The master will inform you,' I answered; `but you are acquainted with the Earnshaws' violent dispositions, and Mrs Linton caps them all.

I may say this: it commenced in a quarrel.She was struck during a tempest of passion with a kind of fit.That's her account, at least; for she flew off in the height of it, and locked herself up.Afterwards, she refused to eat, and now she alternately raves and remains in a half-dream; knowing those about her, by having her mind filled with all sorts of strange ideas and illusions.'

`Mr Linton will be sorry?' observed Kenneth, interrogatively.

`Sorry? he'll break his heart should anything happen!' I replied.

`Don't alarm him more than necessary.

`Well, I told him to beware,' said my companion; `and he must bide the consequences of neglecting my warning! Hasn't he been thick with Mr Heathcliff, lately?'

`Heathcliff frequently visits at the Grange,' answered I, `though more on the strength of the mistress having known him when a boy, than because the master likes his company.At present, he's discharged from the trouble of calling; owing to some presumptuous aspirations after Miss Linton which he manifested.I hardly think he'll be taken in again.'

`And does Miss Linton turn a cold shoulder on him?' was the doctor's next question.

`I'm not in her confidence,' returned I, reluctant to continue the subject.

`No, she's a sly one,' he remarked, shaking his head.`She keeps her own counsel! But she's a real little fool.I have it from good authority, that, last night (and a pretty night it was!) she and Heathcliff were walking in the plantation at the back of your house, above two hours; and he pressed her not to go in again, but just mount his horse and away with him! My informant said she could only put him off by pledging her word of honour to be prepared on their first meeting after that: when it was to be, he didn't hear; but you urge Mr Linton to look sharp!'

This news filled me with fresh fears; I outstripped Kenneth, and ran most of the way back.The little dog was yelping in the garden yet.