Wuthering Heights & Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Brontë & Emily Brontë
Contents
Wuthering Heights — CHAPTER XXVI
Overview
Catherine and Nelly’s first sanctioned meeting with Linton reveals his alarming weakness and anxiety under Heathcliff’s shadow. Linton begs them to report him “tolerable” and not provoke his father, exposing coercion. They leave unsettled and guarded with Edgar, setting up further visits and deepening concern over Heathcliff’s control.
Summary
On a sultry day, Catherine and Nelly ride to meet Linton at the cross-roads, but a herd-boy redirects them nearer to Wuthering Heights, against Edgar’s instruction. They find Linton without a horse, frail and listless, forcing them to dismount and sit with him on the heath.
Catherine tries to revive their old companionship, but Linton can scarcely converse. His former petulance has hardened into apathetic morbidity, and he seems to regard their visit as a duty rather than a pleasure. He begs Catherine to report to Edgar that he is “tolerable,” and not to give Heathcliff reason for anger, revealing his fear of his father.
As Linton dozes and moans, Catherine grows disappointed and proposes leaving. Linton, suddenly agitated, pleads for more time and anxiously imagines Heathcliff approaching. Disturbed by his terror and changed demeanor, Catherine departs with Nelly, promising to return the next Thursday.
Riding home, Catherine’s annoyance softens into pity and uneasy doubts about Linton’s health and situation under Heathcliff. Back at the Grange, she and Nelly give Edgar only a cautious account, withholding details they scarcely understand, and anticipating a second visit to judge better.
Who Appears
- Catherine (Cathy) LintonRides to meet Linton; disappointed by his apathy; perceives his fear of Heathcliff; departs uneasy but promises to return.
- Linton HeathcliffPhysically frail, withdrawn, and fearful; begs for favorable reports to Edgar and not to anger his father.
- Ellen (Nelly) DeanNarrator and chaperone; observes Linton’s decline and Cathy’s disappointment; withholds full details from Edgar.
- HeathcliffUnseen but ominous; Linton’s evident terror and requests reveal his coercive control.
- Edgar LintonAllows supervised meetings; later asks for an account; receives only cautious, limited information.
- Herd-boy messengerRedirects Cathy and Nelly nearer the Heights, prompting the off-limits meeting site.