Wuthering Heights — CHAPTER XXI

Nelly recounts Cathy’s grief when Linton is taken by Heathcliff, and reports from Wuthering Heights that Linton remains frail and disliked by his father. Years pass; on Cathy’s sixteenth birthday she tricks Nelly into a longer ramble, strays onto Heathcliff’s land, and is confronted by Heathcliff and Hareton.

Heathcliff invites Cathy and Nelly into Wuthering Heights, revealing Linton. Cathy joyfully recognizes her cousin, while Heathcliff, feigning warmth, urges secrecy from Edgar. He privately admits to Nelly his aim: to make Cathy and Linton marry to secure inheritance.

Heathcliff tries to throw Cathy together with Hareton, then with Linton. Cathy mocks Hareton’s ignorance, encouraged by Linton’s spite, while Heathcliff watches with contempt for his son and perverse pride in Hareton’s degradation. Cathy refuses to leave until afternoon, returning home undiscovered that day.

Next morning Cathy tells Edgar everything. Edgar explains Heathcliff’s cruelty and warns her to avoid the Heights. Outwardly compliant, Cathy secretly pities Linton and seeks to continue the acquaintance.

Despite Nelly’s ban, Cathy sends a note and begins a steady exchange of letters and books with Linton via a village boy. Suspecting, Nelly opens Cathy’s drawer, finds a packet of love-letters, and intercepts another delivery. Confronting Cathy, Nelly forces her to promise to cease all contact and burns the correspondence, then informs Linton to send no more notes.