After Linton is taken from Thrushcross Grange to Wuthering Heights, young Cathy grieves, but time dulls her memory of him. Ellen occasionally hears from the Heights housekeeper that Linton remains sickly, demanding, and secluded, and that Heathcliff increasingly dislikes his own son while tolerating him only for practical reasons.

Years pass until Cathy's sixteenth birthday, which is also the anniversary of her mother's death. While Edgar withdraws in grief, Cathy persuades Ellen to walk with her on the moors to look for grouse nests. Cathy wanders far beyond the permitted distance and is confronted on Heathcliff's land by Heathcliff and Hareton.

Heathcliff recognizes Cathy and maneuvers her into visiting Wuthering Heights despite Ellen's objections. He privately tells Ellen that he wants Cathy and Linton to fall in love and marry, because the union would help secure his control over Thrushcross Grange. At the house, Cathy joyfully recognizes Linton, kisses Heathcliff as her uncle, and is charmed by the reunion, though Heathcliff warns her to keep the visit secret from Edgar.

Heathcliff also exposes Hareton to Cathy, partly to test and humiliate him. Cathy and Linton mock Hareton's illiteracy and rough speech, while Hareton grows angry and ashamed. Heathcliff admits to Ellen that he takes pleasure in having degraded Hareton below the condition in which Hindley once left him, especially because Hareton remains devoted to Heathcliff.

When Cathy later tells Edgar about the visit, Edgar explains Heathcliff's cruelty to Isabella and his seizure of Wuthering Heights, hoping Cathy will understand why contact with that household is dangerous. Cathy is shocked but still pities Linton, and after Ellen forbids even a note, Cathy secretly begins a regular correspondence with him through a village messenger.

Ellen eventually discovers Cathy's hidden drawer full of Linton's love letters and intercepts one of Cathy's own notes. Ellen confronts Cathy, threatens to tell Edgar, and forces Cathy to promise the correspondence will stop. Ellen burns the letters despite Cathy's distress and sends Linton a message saying Miss Linton will receive no more notes.