Wuthering Heights — CHAPTER XXVIII

On the fifth day of Nelly Dean’s confinement, Zillah enters, revealing village rumors that Nelly and Cathy were lost in the marsh and that Heathcliff confined Nelly “for her senses.” Nelly slips downstairs, finds Linton Heathcliff alone, and learns Cathy is locked upstairs and forbidden to leave.

Nelly rebukes Linton for ingratitude and elicits details: Heathcliff claims Cathy hates Linton for his money, has struck Cathy, and destroyed a locket containing portraits when Cathy resisted surrendering it. Linton admits cowardice, fear of Cathy’s distress, and that Heathcliff will prevent any rescue.

Nelly returns to Thrushcross Grange and comforts the dying Edgar Linton with news that Cathy lives and will come. Edgar revises his intentions, deciding to place Catherine’s fortune in trust to protect it from Heathcliff through Linton. Nelly sends for attorney Green and dispatches armed servants to demand Cathy’s release, but the lawyer delays and Heathcliff rebuffs the men, claiming Cathy is too ill.

Before dawn, Cathy arrives at the Grange, having escaped with Linton’s furtive help: he secretly unlocked the door, then hid by sleeping with Hareton; Cathy climbed from her late mother’s window via a fir tree. Cathy immediately sees Edgar; he dies blissfully, murmuring that he is going to Catherine Earnshaw and that Cathy will follow.

After the death, Mr. Green appears, revealing his allegiance to Heathcliff by dismissing the servants and attempting to direct the funeral away from Edgar’s wish to lie beside his wife. The will prevents this, and the funeral is hurried. Catherine—now Mrs. Linton Heathcliff—is allowed to remain at the Grange until her father’s burial. She reports that Linton suffered punishment for aiding her escape.