Wuthering Heights & Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Brontë & Emily Brontë
Contents
Wuthering Heights — CHAPTER XIX
Overview
Edgar returns with the frail Linton after Isabella’s death, delighting Catherine but revealing the boy’s weakness and fretfulness. Nelly fears Heathcliff will reclaim him. Joseph arrives to demand Linton for his master; Edgar refuses for the night but concedes Linton must go to Wuthering Heights tomorrow, setting an inevitable confrontation.
Summary
A mourning-edged letter announces Isabella’s death and Edgar Linton’s imminent return with her son. Catherine, thrilled to meet her “real” cousin, prepares eagerly and waits at the gate. When the carriage arrives, Catherine and Edgar embrace, while the exhausted Linton sleeps within, pale and delicate.
Edgar warns Catherine that Linton is weak and grieving. Introduced, Linton shrinks from Catherine’s greeting and asks to go to bed. In the library, his fretfulness continues until Catherine gently pampers him, coaxing a faint smile. Edgar hopes companionship with Catherine will revive the boy.
Nelly privately doubts they can keep Linton from Wuthering Heights. Her fears are confirmed when Joseph appears, sent by Heathcliff to fetch “his lad.” Edgar, recalling Isabella’s wish that Linton remain under his care, refuses to rouse the child and asserts the boy’s fragile health.
Joseph insists Isabella’s wishes mean nothing to Heathcliff. Edgar stands firm for the night, ordering Joseph away and declaring Linton shall go to Wuthering Heights tomorrow. Joseph departs with the threat that Heathcliff will come himself, leaving Edgar sorrowful and resigned to the unavoidable surrender.
Who Appears
- Edgar LintonReturns with his nephew after Isabella’s death; tender with Cathy; resolves to send Linton to Wuthering Heights tomorrow despite sorrow.
- Catherine (Cathy) LintonOverjoyed to see her father and meet cousin Linton; tends the sickly boy with affection and excitement.
- Linton HeathcliffPale, peevish, and frail; arrives at the Grange after his mother’s death; briefly comforted by Catherine’s attentions.
- Ellen (Nelly) DeanNarrates events; manages the household; doubts they can keep Linton from Heathcliff.
- JosephHeathcliff’s servant; arrives to claim Linton for his master; rebuffed for the night but vows Heathcliff will come.