Nelly reports that she tried to visit Wuthering Heights after Cathy was taken there, but Joseph refused her entry. Nelly’s only knowledge of Cathy’s condition comes from Zillah, who dislikes Cathy and describes how Cathy’s pride and distress turned the household further against her.

Zillah recounts that Cathy immediately shut herself in Linton’s room on arriving at the Heights. When Cathy begged for a doctor because Linton was gravely ill, Heathcliff refused to spend money on him and ordered Cathy to nurse him alone. Zillah also refused to help, fearing Heathcliff and resenting the duty, though Zillah sometimes saw Cathy exhausted and crying.

One night Cathy warned Zillah that Linton was dying. After Linton’s bell rang, Heathcliff went to the room and found his son dead. Cathy answered Heathcliff’s question about how she felt by saying Linton was safe and she was free, but that being abandoned with death had made her feel like death herself. Heathcliff ordered Joseph to remove the body and left Cathy alone; afterward Cathy stayed upstairs for two weeks.

Heathcliff later showed Cathy Linton’s will, revealing that Linton had left his movable property, including what had been Cathy’s, to Heathcliff. Though Linton could not legally dispose of the lands as a minor, Heathcliff has claimed and kept them through his wife’s right and his own, leaving Cathy without money or friends to contest him.

When Cathy finally came downstairs during Heathcliff’s absence, Zillah and Hareton were present. Hareton tried to make himself agreeable, helped Cathy reach some books, and timidly attempted closeness, but Cathy recoiled when he touched her hair and insulted him. When Hareton asked Zillah to request that Cathy read aloud, Cathy rejected all kindness from the household, accusing them of abandoning her when she needed help. Hareton angrily returned to his rough habits, and Cathy retreated, though cold later forced her to spend more time among them in continuing hostility.

Nelly says the account made her consider leaving her position and taking Cathy to live with her, but Nelly knows Heathcliff would never permit it. Mrs. Dean’s story ends, and Lockwood, now recovering, decides to ride to Wuthering Heights to tell Heathcliff he will spend the next six months in London and does not wish to pass another winter at the Grange.