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Rh "What can you mean, by talking in this way to me!" thundered Heathcliff with savage vehemence. "How — how dare you, under my roof — God! he's mad to speak so!" and he struck his forehead with rage.

I did not know whether to resent this language, or pursue my explanation; but he seemed so powerfully affected that I took pity, and proceeded with my dreams; affirming I had never heard the appellation of "Catherine Linton" before, but reading it often over produced an impression which personified itself when I had no longer my imagination under control.

Heathcliff gradually fell back into the shelter of the bed, as I spoke, finally sitting down almost concealed behind it. I guessed, however, by his irregular and intercepted breathing, that he struggled to vanquish an access of violent emotion.

Not liking to show him that I heard the conflict, I continued my toilet rather noisily, looked at my watch, and soliloquized on the length of the night:

"Not three o'clock, yet! I could have taken oath it had been six — time stagnates here — we must surely have retired to rest at eight!"

"Always at nine in winter, and always rise at four," said my host, suppressing a groan, and, as I fancied, by the motion of his shadow's arm, dashing a tear from his eyes.

"Mr. Lockwood," he added, "you may go into my room; you'll only be in the way, coming down stairs so early: and your childish outcry has sent sleep to the devil for me."

"And for me too," I replied. "I'll walk in the yard till daylight, and then I'll be off; and you need not dread a repetition of my intrusion. I am now quite cured of seeking pleasure in society, be it country or town. A sensible man ought to find sufficient company in himself."

"Delightful company!" muttered Heathcliff. "Take the candle, and go where you please — I shall join you directly. Keep out of the yard though — the dogs are unchained; and the house — Juno mounts sentinel there — and — nay, you can only ramble about the steps and passages — but away with you — I'll come in two minutes."

I obeyed, so far as to quit the chamber; when, ignorant where the narrow lobbies led, I steed still, and was witness, involuntarily, to a piece of superstition on the part of my landlord, which belied, oddly his apparent sense.

He got upon the bed, and wrenched open the lattice,