Wuthering Heights — CHAPTER XXIX

That evening, after Edgar Linton’s funeral, Nelly Dean and Catherine Linton sit mourning at the Grange, hoping Cathy might remain there with Linton Heathcliff visiting. Their plan collapses when Heathcliff arrives unannounced, declaring himself master and ordering Catherine to return to Wuthering Heights.

Heathcliff claims Catherine now belongs with her husband and that Linton has been punished into terror. Catherine defies him, vowing to protect Linton and refusing to be frightened. Heathcliff insists she will endure the torment Linton’s own spite creates and demands she prepare to leave; he rejects Nelly’s plea to keep her position or to exchange places with Zillah.

While Catherine readies herself, Heathcliff studies the Linton portraits and, with a grim satisfaction, says he will have the house. He then confesses to Nelly that he had the sexton open Catherine Earnshaw’s coffin, loosened one side to be nearer her in death, and bribed the sexton to place him beside her indistinguishably when he dies.

Heathcliff explains that since Catherine’s death he has been haunted by her presence—consoled once at her grave but thereafter tormented by elusive visions in house and moor. Seeing her face again has briefly pacified him, though his fixation remains absolute.

Catherine returns, bids a cold-lipped farewell to Nelly, and asks her to visit. Heathcliff forbids Nelly from coming to Wuthering Heights, asserting full control. He forces Catherine to walk with him, stating she will have no need of ponies there, and hurries her away into the trees, consolidating his power over both houses.