10 Cont. Wuthering Heights - Abridged By Stephanie Poppins

Hello.

Welcome to Sleep Stories with Steph,

Your go-to romantic podcast that guarantees you a calm and entertaining transition into a great night's sleep.

Come with me as we immerse ourselves in a romantic journey to a time long since forgotten.

Emily Bronte was born in Yorkshire in 1818 and along with her brother and sisters Anne and Charlotte wrote from childhood onwards.

Wuthering Heights is the story she is best remembered for.

But before we begin let's take a moment to focus on where we are now.

Take a deep breath in through your nose and let it out with a long sigh.

That's it.

Now close your eyes and feel yourself sink deeper into the support beneath you.

It is time to relax and fully let go.

There is nothing you need to be doing now and nowhere you need to go.

Happy listening.

Chapter 10 continued.

What do you think of Heathless going to Wuthering Heights?

Nellie asked Cathy,

Continuing as she did to relate the tale to me.

He's reformed in every respect apparently.

Quite a Christian,

Offering the right hand of fellowship to his enemies all around.

He explained it,

Cathy replied.

I wondered as much as you Nellie.

He said he called to gather information concerning me from you,

Supposing you resided there still and Joseph told Hindley you came out and fell to questioning him of what he'd been doing and how he'd been living and finally he desired him to walk in.

There were some persons sitting at cards there.

Heathcliff joined them.

My brother lost some money to him and finding him plentifully supplied he requested he come again in the evening to which he consented.

Hindley is far too reckless to select his acquaintance properly but Heathcliff affirms his principal reason for resuming a connection with his ancient persecutor is a wish to install him in quarters at walking distance from the Grange,

An attachment to the house where we live together.

It's a nice place for a young man to fix his dwelling in,

I exclaimed.

Have you no fear of the consequences Mrs Linton?

None for my friend,

Cathy replied.

His strong head will keep him from danger.

I have a little for Hindley but he can't be made morally worse than he is and I stand between him and his bodily harm.

I've endured very bitter misery Nelly.

If that creature knew how better he'd be ashamed to cloud its removal with idle petulance.

It was kindness for him which rinduced me to bear it alone.

Had I expressed the agony I frequently felt he would have been taught too long for its alleviation as ardently as I.

However it's over and I'll take no revenge on Heathcliff's folly.

I can afford to suffer anything hereafter.

Should the meanest thing alive slap me on the cheek I'd not only turn the other but I'd ask pardon for provoking it.

Now I must go and make my peace with Edgar instantly.

Good night I'm an angel.

In this self-complacent conviction Cathy departed and the success of her fulfilled resolution was obvious on the morrow said Nelly.

Mr Linton had not only abjured his peevishness but he ventured no objection in her taking Isabella with her to Wuthering Heights in the afternoon and she rewarded him with such a summer of sweetness and affection in return as made the house a paradise for several days.

Both master and servants profited from the perpetual sunshine.

Heathcliff meanwhile used the liberty of visiting at Thrushcross Grange cautiously at first estimating how far Mr Edgar would bear his intrusion.

Catherine also deemed it judicious to moderate her expressions of pleasure in receiving him and he gradually established his right to be expected.

He retained a great deal of the reserve for which his boyhood was remarkable and that served to repress all startling demonstrations of feeling.

Mr Linton's uneasiness experienced a lull and further circumstances diverted it into another channel for a space.

His new source of trouble sprang from the not anticipated misfortune of Isabella Linton convincing a sudden and irresistible attraction towards Heathcliff.

She was at that time a charming young lady of 18 infantile in manners though possessed of keen wit keen feelings and a keen temper too if irritated.

Her brother Edgar who loved her tenderly was appalled at this fantastic preference.

Leaving aside the degradation of an alliance with a nameless man and the possible fact that his property in default of heirs male might pass into one's power he had sense to comprehend Heathcliff's disposition to know that though his exterior was altered his mind was unchangeable and unchanged.

He dreaded that mind it revolted him and he shrank forebodingly from the idea of committing Isabella to its keeping.

He would have recoiled still more had he been aware that her attachment rose unsolicited and was bestowed where it awakened no reciprocation of sentiment.

From the minute he discovered his existence he laid the blame on Heathcliff's deliberate designing.

We'd all remarked during some time that Miss Linton fretted and pined over something.

She grew cross and wearisome snapping and teasing at Catherine continually at the imminent risk of exhausting her limiting patience.

We excused her to a certain extent on the plea of ill health.

She was dwindling and failing before our eyes but one day when she'd been peculiarly wayward rejecting her breakfast and complaining the servants didn't do what she told them.

Cathy peremptorily insisted she should get to bed and having scolded her heartily threatened to send for the doctor.

Mention of Kenneth caused her to exclaim instantly her health was perfect and it was only Catherine's harshness which made her unhappy.

How can you say I'm harsh you naughty fondling cried Cathy amazed at the unreasonable assertion.

You're surely losing your sense.

Where have I been harsh tell me.

Yesterday sobbed Isabella and now.

Yesterday cried Cathy on what occasion?

In our walk along the wall you told me to ramble where I pleased while you sauntered on with Mr.

Heathcliff.

And that's your notion of harshness said Catherine laughing.

It was no hint your company was superfluous.

We didn't care whether you kept with us or not.

I merely thought Heathcliff's talk would have nothing entertaining for your ears.

Oh no wept the young lady in return.

You wish me away because you knew I'd like to be there.

Is she sane asked Cathy appealing to me.

I'll repeat our conversation word for word Isabella said Cathy and you point out any charm it could have had for you.

I don't mind the conversation she answered.

I just wanted to be with.

Well said Catherine perceiving her hesitate to complete the sentence.

I just wanted to be with Heathcliff said Isabella and I won't always be sent off.

You're a dog in the manger Cathy and desire no one to be loved but yourself.

You are an impertinent little monkey exclaimed Cathy in surprise.

But I'll not believe this idiocy.

It is impossible you can cover the admiration of Heathcliff that you consider him an agreeable person.

I hope I have misunderstood you Isabella.

No you have not said the infuriated girl.

I love him more than you ever loved Edgar and Heathcliff might love me if you let him.

I wouldn't be you for a kingdom then Catherine declared emphatically.

Nelly help me to convince her of her madness.

Tell her what Heathcliff is an unreclaimed creature without refinement without cultivation an arid wilderness of furs and windstone.

I'd say soon put that little canary into the park on a winter's day as recommend you to bestow your heart on him.

It's deplorable ignorance of his character child and nothing else which makes that dream enter your head.

Pray don't imagine he conceals depths of benevolence and affection beneath a stern exterior.

He's not a rough diamond a pearl containing oyster of a rustic.

He's a fierce pitiless wolfish man.

I never say to him let this or that enemy alone because it would be ungenerous or cruel to harm them.

Instead I say let them alone because I should hate them to be wronged.

He'd crush you like a sparrow's egg Isabella if he found you a troublesome charge.

I know he couldn't love a linton and yet he'd be quite capable of marrying your fortune and expectations.

Avarice is growing with him a besetted sin and that's my picture and I'm his friend so much so that had he thought seriously to catch you said Cathy.

I should perhaps have held my tongue and let you fall into his trap.

At this Miss Linton regarded her sister-in-law with indignation.

For shame for shame she repeated angrily.

Cathy you are worse than 20 foes you poisonous friend.

Ah you won't believe me then said Catherine.

You think I speak from wicked selfishness?

I'm certain you do retorted Isabella and I shudder at you.

Good cried Cathy.

Try for yourself if that be your spirit.

I have done and yield the argument to your saucy insolence and I must suffer for her egotism sobbed Isabella as Mrs Linton left the room.

Banish him from your thoughts miss I said to her.

He's a bird of bad omen.

He's no mate for you Isabella.

Mrs Linton spoke strongly and yet I can't contradict her.

She's better acquainted with his heart than I or anyone besides.

She never would represent him as worse than he is.

Honest people Honest people don't hide their deeds.

How's he been living?

How has he got rich?

And why is he staying at Wuthering Heights the house of a man that he abhors?

They say Mr Earnshaw is worse and worse since he came.

They sit up all night together continually and Hindley's been borrowing money on his land and does nothing but play and drink.

Whether Isabella would have got over this fancy if left to herself or persevered in nurturing it perpetually I cannot say.

She had little time to reflect but the day after there was a justice meeting at the next town and my master was obliged to attend while Mr Heathcliff aware of his absence Catherine and Isabella were sitting in the library on hostile terms but silent.

The latter alarmed at her recent indiscretion and the disclosure she made of her secret feelings in a fit of passion.

The former on mature consideration offended with her companion and if she laughed again at her pertinence she inclined to make it known.

And if she laughed again at her pertinence she inclined to make it no laughing matter to her.

But she did laugh as she saw Heathcliff past the window.

I was sweeping the hearth and I noticed a mischievous smile on her lips.

Isabella absorbed in her meditations or a book remained till the door opened and it was too late to attempt an escape which she would gladly have done had it been practicable.

Come in that's right exclaimed the mistress gaily putting a chair to the fire.

Here are two people sadly in need of a third to thaw the ice between them and you're the very one we should both of us choose.

Heathcliff I'm proud to show you at last somebody that dotes on you more than myself.

I expect you to feel flattered.

No it's not Nelly don't look at her.

My poor little sister-in-law is breaking her heart by mere contemplation of your physical and moral beauty.

It lies in your own power to be Edgar's brother.

No Isabella you shan't run off Cathy continued arresting with feigned playfulness the confounded girl who had written indignantly.

We were quarreling like cats about you Heathcliff she continued and I was fairly beaten in protestations of devotion and admiration moreover I was informed I would have but had the manners to stand aside and my rival as she would have herself to be would shoot a shaft into your soul that would fix you forever and send my image into internal oblivion.

Catherine said Isabella cooling up her dignity and disdaining to struggle from the tight grasp that held her.

I'd thank you to adhere to the truth and not slander me in joke Mr Heathcliff be kind enough to bid this friend of yours release me she forgets you and I are not intimate acquaintances and what amuses her is painful to me beyond expression.

Heathcliff answered nothing but he took his seat and looked thoroughly indifferent what sentiment she cherished concerning him.

She turned and whispered an earnest appeal for liberty to her tormentor.

By no means cried Cathy in an answer I won't be named a dog in the manger again you shall stay.

Now then Heathcliff why don't you invent satisfaction at my pleasant news Isabella swears the love Edgar has for me is nothing to that she entertains for you.

I'm sure she made some speech of the kind did she not Ellen and has she fasted every day since the day before yesterday's walk from sorrow and rage that I dispatched her out of your society until the idea of its being unacceptable I think you belie her said Heathcliff twisting his chair to face them she wishes to be out of my society now at any rate and he stared hard at the object of discourse as one might do with a strange repulsive animal continued Nellie a centipede from the indies for instance which curiosity leads one to examine in spite of the aversion it raises the poor thing couldn't bear the poor thing couldn't bear it she grew white and red in rapid succession and while tears beaded her lashes she bent the strength of her small fingers to loosen the firm clutch of Catherine and perceiving that as fast as she raised one finger off her arm another closed down and she could not remove the whole together she began to make use of her nails look Heathcliff cried Cathy these are instruments that will do execution you must beware of your eyes I'd wrench them off her fingers if they ever menaced me he answered brutally when the door had closed after her but what did you mean by teasing the creature in that manner Cathy you were not speaking the truth were you I assure you I was Cathy returned she's been dying for your sake several weeks and raving about you this morning and pouring forth a deluge of abuse because I represented your failings in a plain light for the purpose of mitigating her adoration but don't notice it further I wish to punish her sauciness that's all I like her too well my dear Heathcliff to let you absolutely seize and devour her up and I like her too ill to attempt it said he except in a very ghoulish fashion you'd hear of odd things if I lived alone with that mawkish waxen face the most ordinary would be painting on its white the colors of the rainbow and turning the blue eyes black every day or two they detestably resemble lintons delectably observed Catherine they are dove's eyes angels she's her brother's heir is she not he asked I should be sorry to think so returned Cathy half a dozen nephews shall erase her title abstract your mind from the subject of present Heathcliff you're too prone to covet your neighbor's goods remember that this neighbor's goods are mine