Wuthering Heights - Chapter 9
The_Next_Generation
Twelve years passed. Heathcliff now owned both Wuthering Heights and much of the land around it. Hindley had died of alcohol poisoning, and Heathcliff was the guardian of young Hareton, who was now eighteen years old.
Hareton had grown up without education. Heathcliff had refused to send him to school, and the boy could not read or write. But despite his lack of education, Hareton was handsome and strong, and he had a good heart. He worked hard on the farm and tried to please Heathcliff, though the older man treated him with contempt.
At Thrushcross Grange, Edgar and Mrs. Dean raised young Cathy. She was beautiful, with her mother's dark eyes and her father's gentle nature. She was intelligent, kind, and full of life. Edgar loved her deeply and tried to protect her from the darkness of Wuthering Heights.
Cathy knew nothing about her mother's past or about Heathcliff. Edgar had forbidden anyone to speak of them to her. She lived a happy, sheltered life, but she was curious about the old house on the hill and the people who lived there.
One day, Cathy wandered onto the moors and found her way to Wuthering Heights. She met Hareton, and they talked for a while. She was surprised to learn that he could not read and was fascinated by his rough, simple life.
Heathcliff saw Cathy and was struck by her resemblance to her mother. He began to visit Thrushcross Grange, pretending to be a neighbor, though Edgar hated him. He watched Cathy grow up, planning to use her for his revenge.
Edgar, meanwhile, was growing old and frail. He worried about what would happen to Cathy after his death. He knew that Heathcliff wanted control of Thrushcross Grange and would try to marry Cathy to his own son.
For Isabella had given birth to a son, named Linton, before she died. The boy was sickly and weak, but he was Heathcliff's heir. Heathcliff planned to make Cathy marry Linton, so that he could inherit Thrushcross Grange.