Wuthering Heights — CHAPTER VIII

On a June morning, Frances Earnshaw bears a son, Hareton, but the doctor privately warns that Frances is consumptive and will not live through winter. Hindley denies her illness, insisting she improves daily. While leaning on Hindley’s shoulder, Frances suffers a brief cough and dies suddenly, leaving Hareton in Nelly Dean’s care and Hindley shattered.

Hindley’s grief turns to blasphemy, tyranny, and dissipation, driving away decent company and corrupting the household’s tone. Heathcliff, embittered by Hindley’s degradation of him and the loss of learning and status, becomes morose and deliberately off-putting. Catherine, meanwhile, maintains cordial ties with the refined Lintons, winning Isabella’s admiration and Edgar’s heart, while acting unruly at home. Edgar visits rarely, wary of Hindley’s reputation.

One afternoon, with Hindley away, Catherine prepares for Edgar’s call. Heathcliff, seizing a holiday, resents the prospect of the Lintons’ visit and reveals he has tracked Catherine’s divided time. Irritated, Catherine belittles Heathcliff’s conversation. Edgar arrives, and Catherine, still unsettled, orders Nelly out and pinches her; Nelly protests, and Catherine slaps her.

As Hareton cries in sympathy with Nelly, Catherine shakes the child. Edgar intervenes and receives a stinging slap from Catherine. He prepares to leave, denouncing her falsehood and violence. Catherine breaks down in tears, declaring she will be miserable if he goes. Edgar hesitates outside, then returns, and the quarrel dissolves into a declaration of mutual love.

News that Hindley has returned home drunk sends Edgar away and Catherine to her room. Nelly hides Hareton and removes the shot from Hindley’s fowling-piece to limit harm during his drunken rage, underscoring the household’s growing danger and disorder.