Грозовой перевал / Wuthering Heights

In the absence of clear proofs of his condition, I deemed it best to abstain from noticing his curious conduct; and, five minutes afterwards, the entrance of Heathcliff relieved me, in some measure, from my uncomfortable state.

�You see, sir, I am come, according to promise!’ I exclaimed, assuming the cheerful; �and I fear I shall be weather-bound for half an hour, if you can afford me shelter during that space.’

�Half an hour?’ he said, shaking the white flakes from his clothes; �I wonder you should select the thick of a snowstorm to ramble about in.

Do you know that you run a risk of being lost in the marshes? People familiar with these moors often miss their road on such evenings; and I can tell you there is no chance of a change at present.’

�Perhaps I can get a guide among your lads, and he might stay at the Grange till morning could you spare me one?’

�No, I could not.’

�Oh, indeed! Well, then, I must trust to my own sagacity.’

�Umph!’

�Are you going to mak’ the tea?’ demanded he of the shabby coat, shifting his ferocious gaze from me to the young lady.

�Is HE to have any?’ she asked, appealing to Heathcliff.

�Get it ready, will you?’ was the answer, uttered so savagely that I started. The tone in which the words were said revealed a genuine bad nature. I no longer felt inclined to call Heathcliff a capital fellow. When the preparations were finished, he invited me with �Now, sir, bring forward your chair.’ And we all, including the rustic youth, drew round the table: an austere silence prevailing while we discussed our meal.

I thought, if I had caused the cloud, it was my duty to make an effort to dispel it. They could not every day sit so grim and taciturn; and it was impossible, however ill-tempered they might be, that the universal scowl they wore was their every-day countenance.

�It is strange,’ I began, in the interval of swallowing one cup of tea and receiving another �it is strange how custom can mould our tastes and ideas: many could not imagine the existence of happiness in a life of such complete exile from the world as you spend, Mr.

Heathcliff; yet, I’ll venture to say, that, surrounded by your family, and with your amiable lady as the presiding genius over your home and heart —’

�My amiable lady!’ he interrupted, with an almost diabolical sneer on his face. �Where is she my amiable lady?’

�Mrs. Heathcliff, your wife, I mean.