Wuthering Heights & Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Brontë & Emily Brontë
Contents
Wuthering Heights — CHAPTER XV
Overview
Nelly engineers a clandestine meeting that brings Heathcliff into Catherine’s sickroom. Their ferocious, grief-stricken reunion exposes irrevocable bonds and mutual blame. Edgar’s return forces a crisis; Catherine collapses, and Heathcliff yields her to Edgar before withdrawing outside, vowing to remain near and see her again.
Summary
Nelly Dean delays delivering Heathcliff’s letter to the ailing Catherine for three days, then arranges the house to be empty during Sunday service to fulfill her promise. Catherine, remote and wan, barely comprehends the note until Heathcliff, taking advantage of the open doors, enters her chamber.
The reunion erupts in raw accusation and longing. Catherine blames both Heathcliff and Edgar for breaking her heart; Heathcliff denies killing her and claims their mutual ruin. Their embrace swings between fury and pleading, with Catherine insisting on never parting and Heathcliff confessing torment and forgiveness.
As church ends and Edgar returns, Nelly urges Heathcliff to flee. Catherine clings to him, declaring it their last time. Edgar appears; Heathcliff places Catherine, faint and unresponsive, in Edgar’s arms, insisting he help her first, then withdraws to the parlour.
After difficult efforts, Catherine revives but remains confused. Nelly presses Heathcliff to go. He agrees to leave the house yet vows to wait in the garden beneath the larches and threatens to return if barred, departing only after confirming Catherine seems better.
Who Appears
- Catherine Earnshaw LintonGravely ill, oscillates between reproach and yearning, reunites with Heathcliff, then collapses as Edgar returns.
- HeathcliffInvades the Grange to see Catherine; fierce, despairing reunion; yields her to Edgar and vows to wait outside.
- Nelly DeanNarrator; delays the letter, arranges the meeting, manages the crisis, urges Heathcliff to leave.
- Edgar LintonReturns from church, finds Heathcliff with Catherine; receives his fainting wife and focuses on reviving her.
- ManservantSent to the village for oranges, unwittingly clearing the house for the secret meeting.