Wuthering Heights: A Tale of Tragedy (Volume II)
Hello everybody, and welcome back 👋 Now, if you may recall, Volume I of Wuthering Heights ended with Catherine falling extremely ill, and Heathcliff trying to convince Nelly Dean, their housekeeper, to allow himself to see her. She agrees to deliver Catherine a letter from him... and thus, here we are...
If you would like a recap of the entire first half of the book, please check it out here!
https://ecency.com/hive-180164/@borderline.babe/wuthering-heights-a-tale-of
Just a word of warning: this is going to be an extremely long post! Over 6,200 words, all done while still trying to care for two babies under 2-years-old. It was extremely exhausting, but very well worth it! So, if you are in the mood for a lengthy journey, please, get comfortable and settle in!
It is not until nearly four days after her conversation with Heathcliff, when the rest of the household has departed for Sunday mass, that Mrs. Dean is finally able to deliver his letter to Catherine.
However, before she even has the chance to read it, Heathcliff takes it upon himself to simply enter the manor! It creates quite a shock, and Catherine immediately collapses into his arms. Mrs. Dean cannot help but remark:
"The same conviction had stricken him as me, from the instant he beheld her, that there was no prospect of ultimate recovery there--she was fated, sure to die."
Finally, Heathcliff asks Catherine the most important question, probably of their entire lives... It is probably the most depressing scene in the novel. Their entire lives, Heathcliff and Catherine were unable to address the love they had for one another, either because society, or themselves, would not allow it. Catherine married a man she did not truly love in an attempt to save the man she did love, and now it is all for nothing. She is going to die and she is going to leave Heathcliff, having never lived or loved the way they had wanted to... And they are both finally realizing this truth... 
Eventually, Mrs. Dean must intrude on the couple's reunion, for the household will soon return from church. Heathcliff tells Catherine he must leave for the time being, but she cries out to him:
"Heathcliff, I shall die! I shall die!
And so he stays. 
(All images have been created using an AI generator on NightCafe)
The two collapse into one another's arms again, as Edgar Linton begins to ascend the stairs. Nelly remarks:
"In the midst of my agitation, I was sincerely glad to observe that Catherine's arms had fallen relaxed, and her head hung down. She's fainted, or dead."
However, they are eventually able to revive Catherine again.
"With great difficulty, and after resorting to many means, we managed to restore her to sensation; but she was all bewildered; she sighed, and moaned, and knew nobody."
In the end, Heathcliff departs from the Grange, but insists on staying nearby, in the garden...
"About twelve o'clock that night, was born the Catherine you saw at Wuthering Heights, a puny seven months' child; and two hours after the mother died, having never recovered sufficient consciousness to miss Heathcliff, or know Edgar."
Again, my heart breaks during this scene... A man whom Catherine spent her entire life pining after, and a man who spent her entire life pining after her. In the end, Catherine cannot even recognize anyone; she dies alone. Again, it is all for nothing... Now there is a daughter that must suffer for Catherine's mistakes.
What's more, Edgar Linton has now been left without an heir, as he does not have a son. This can cause issues to arise in terms of who his property will be passed onto.
Mrs. Dean eventually goes out into the garden to give Heathcliff the news of Catherine's passing:
"She drew a sigh, and stretched herself, like a child reviving, and sinking again to sleep; and five minutes after I felt one little pulse at her heart, and nothing more!"
Heathcliff is devastated by the news, and during his soliloquy, he cries out one of my absolute favorite lines in all of literature:
"You said I killed you--haunt me then!"
Broken by Catherine's passing, Heathcliff goes on to dash his head against a knotted tree trunk, causing himself to bleed. He then orders Nelly to leave him alone.
A few days after Catherine's funeral, a woman enters the manor; it is Isabella Linton, Edgar's sister.
It would seem that she has managed to escape Heathcliff's clutches:
"She slipped the gold ring from her third finger, and threw it on the floor. 'I'll smash it! And then I'll burn it!' and she took and dropped the misused article among the coals."
It would also seem that Isabella would love nothing more than to stay at Thrushcross Grange, with her brother and family:
"To cheer Edgar and take care of the baby, for two things, and because the Grange is my right home--but I tell you, Heathcliff wouldn't let me!" 
So now the reader has learned that Hindley was unable to attend Catherine--his sister's--funeral because of his alcoholism and deteriorating health. Not only that, but Heathcliff does not appear to be doing any better, for he has been starving himself and wandering off to Thrushcross Grange.
Isabella also informs Mrs. Dean of yet another concerning conversation that she had with Hindley:
"'You and I have each a great debt to settle with the man out yonder!' ... 'But treachery, and violence, are spears pointed at both ends--they wound those who resort to them, worse than their enemies,' I told him."
On the night of Catherine's passing, Heathcliff returned to Wuthering Heights, desperate and deranged. Isabella and Master Hindley attempted to lock Heathcliff out of the manor, and Isabella warned him of Hindley's plan:
"Mr. Earnshaw has a mind to shoot you, if you persist in endeavoring to enter. ... Mr. Hindley stands sentinel with a knife, and a loaded pistol."
However, Heathcliff soon succeeded in opening the door, and an altercation ensued: 
Hindley was injured, but alive...
Later that evening, at the dinner table, Isabella continued to torment Heathcliff:
"Everyone knows your sister would have been living now, had it not been for Mr. Heathcliff. ... His attention was roused, I saw, for his eyes rained down tears among the ashes, and he drew his breath in suffocating sighs. ... Hindley has exactly her eyes, if you had not tried to gouge them out, and made them black and red--"
The taunting quickly ceased after Heathcliff flung a knife at Isabella's head that went sailing past her ear.
"The last glimpse I caught of him was a furious rush, on his part, checked by the embrace of Hindley; and both fell locked together on the hearth."
After her visit with Mrs. Dean, Isabella departs for her new abode, away from Heathcliff, in London. We also discover that, during her time there, Isabella gives birth to a son... 
Unfortunately, Isabella passes away when Linton reaches the age of 12. Heathcliff eventually discovers the existence of his child, and vows to have him returned...
Nelly Dean also takes the time to lament on the differences between Edgar Linton and Hindley Earnshaw. How, despite being so similar, the two had such drastic endings. 
She eventually accepts that it is because one (Edgar) took comfort in God, and the other (Hindley) abandoned Him. Of course, if you would like my own opinion on the matter, it is because one (Edgar) had a father who loved and encouraged him, while the other (Hindley) had a father who preferred an ungrateful orphan to he.
Tragedy continues to unfold, for soon Hindley Earnshaw passes away as well:
"The end of Earnshaw was what might have been expected: it followed fast on his sister's, there was scarcely six months between them."
He died at the age of only 27, most likely due to alcoholism...
Hindley also "died in debt, and the sole chance for the natural heir--Hareton--is to allow him an opportunity of creating some interest in the creditor's heart (in which case, this is Heathcliff)."
Young Hareton now belongs to Heathcliff...
Despite this, Mrs. Dean argues that Hareton should go with her, to the Linton manor at Thrushcross Grange. Heathcliff agrees, but once more, vows to get him back as well...
We learn that, in the end, Heathcliff did take his slow revenge upon Hindley. Not only is Hindley's sole son now Heathcliff's, but so is all of his land.
"The guest was now the master of Wuthering Heights: he held firm possession that Earnshaw had mortgaged every yard of land he owned for cash to supply his mania for gaming: and he, Heathcliff, was the mortgagee."
Shortly afterwards, Hareton does return to Wuthering Heights.
"In that manner, Hareton was reduced to a state of complete dependence on his father's inveterate enemy; and lives in his own house as a servant deprived of wages, and quite unable to right himself, because of his friendliness, and his ignorance that he had been wronged."
"The twelve years following that dismal period, were the happiest of my life."
As young Catherine grows, Mrs. Dean cannot help but remark the striking resemblance that she bears to her late mother. Yet, despite being so similar in looks, Mrs. Dean notes that their personalities are anything but! 
Catherine is now 13, and for her entire life, she has never known that Wuthering Heights, and therefore Heathcliff, exist. And remember, Mrs. Dean already foreshadowed that Isabella passed when her own son reached the age of 12. Here, young Linton Heathcliff begins to make his appearance...
"Isabella wished to bid her brother adieu, and deliver Linton safely into his hands. ... My master hesitated not a moment in complying with her request."
Thus, Master Linton leaves for London for nearly 3 weeks.
One day, while her father is still away, Catherine ventures outside to play. Tea time approaches, yet there is still no sign of her. Mrs. Dean goes out to search for Catherine, until she comes upon a servant from Wuthering Heights, who tells Nelly that Catherine is at the Heights!
"I entered, and beheld my stray lamb, seated on the hearth, rocking herself in a little chair that had been her mother's, when a child. She seemed perfectly at home, laughing and chattering, in the best spirits imaginable, to Hareton, now a great strong lad of eighteen, who stared at her with considerable curiosity and astonishment." 
Here, is perhaps, one of the more beautiful parts of the story. The reader can picture such a cozy atmosphere in that room: a fire quietly cracking, while Catherine's soft voice floats through the air, and Hareton simply staring at her in amazement. Remember: this is the first time the two will meet!
Unfortunately, due to Hareton's off-putting appearance (remember: he has been treated as a servant his entire life), Catherine mistakes him for a servant, rather than her cousin. Hareton takes great offense to her comment, and even after Nelly Dean tells Catherine of their relationship, she refuses to believe he is her cousin! 
It is apparent that Hareton could be quite a fine gentleman, only Heathcliff would never allow it. He is intent on making Hareton as dull as possible.
Catherine eventually makes her departure. While she is leaving, Hareton follows, along with a couple of dogs who attack Catherine's dress! She asks Hareton for his assistance getting back to Thrushcross Grange, and he obliges. Once they are back home, Nelly makes Catherine promise that she will not mention their visit to her father; she agrees.
"A letter announced the day of my master's return.
"Isabella was dead; and he wrote to bid me get mourning for his daughter, and arrange a room, and other accommodations, for his youthful nephew."
Linton Heathcliff is finally going to arrive at the manor!
Upon his arrival, Mrs. Dean remarks that he is
"a pale, delicate, effeminate boy, who might have been taken for my master's younger brother, so strong was the resemblance, but there was a sickly peevishness (an angry, disagreeable mood) in his aspect, that Edgar Linton never had."
Obviously we can see that Linton has Heathcliff's genes, as is apparent by his "sickly, peevish" mood. 
Everyone seems to be quite pleased with Linton and cannot wait to become better acquainted with him! But before anyone can do so, Joseph (one of Heathcliff's servants) arrives at the manor to tell them Linton must be returned to Heathcliff.
"Edgar Linton was silent a minute; an expression of exceeding sorrow overcast his features... But, recalling Isabella's hopes and fears, and anxious wishes for her son, he grieved bitterly at the prospect of yielding him up, and searched in his heart how it might be avoided. No plan offered itself."
Reluctantly, Master Linton tells Joseph that Linton will go to Wuthering Heights in the morning...
The next day, Edgar prepares Linton for his journey to the Heights.
Edgar's relationship with Heathcliff is so tainted, that he refuses to let Catherine associate with her cousin after this. Instead, he tells Nelly:
**"as we shall now have no influence over his destiny, good or bad, you must say nothing of where he is gone to my daughter; she cannot associate with him hereafter."
When Edgar mentions Heathcliff to Linton, he is surprised to learn that he even has a father! It would seem that Isabella kept his existence a secret. Again, Edgar tells Linton a white lie, as opposed to the truth about Heathcliff's character:
"Your mother, perhaps, thought you would want to be with him, if she mentioned him often to you."
Mrs. Dean escorts Linton to Wuthering Heights, whereupon Heathcliff greets him with great delight! He is pleased to finally have his son, although he notes that Linton's resemblance is closer to Isabella than his.
In the end, despite Linton's protests to return to Thrushcross Grange with her, Mrs. Dean leaves without him, leaving him at the mercy of Heathcliff... 
Upon hearing of his departure, Catherine makes her father promise to bring Linton back; however, as time passes, she eventually forgets about him...
Mrs. Dean encounters another servant of the Heights and inquires about Linton's state... 
Catherine has now reached 16 years of age.
"On the anniversary of Catherine's birth we never manifested any signs of removing, because it was, also, the anniversary of my late mistress' death."
One day, the two ladies--Catherine and Nelly--leave the manor in order to visit some bird nests. They end up going farther than intended, onto the land of the Heights, and Heathcliff approaches them: 
Despite Nelly's objections, Catherine follows the two of them to Wuthering Heights. Along the way, Heathcliff reveals to Nelly his secret mission...
"I want Catherine to see Linton. ... That the two cousins may fall in love, and get married."
The party make it back to the Heights, where they immediately encounter Linton. Catherine is excited to learn that it is, in fact, her long lost cousin, but moreso, she is thrilled to learn that she has an uncle (Heathcliff). She asks why he never visits, but again, the true nature of the situation is never revealed to Catherine. Although it is revealed that Linton's health is not nearly as well as it appears...
Heathcliff once again stands aside with Mrs. Dean to speak with her:
"Miss. Catherine will discover Linton's value (that he is in poor health), and send him to the devil. Now, if it had been Hareton--do you know that, twenty times a day, I possess Hareton, with all his degradation (misery)? But I think he's safe from her love. I'll pit Hareton against that paltry creature, unless it bestir (gets active) itself briskly. We calculate Linton will scarcely last till he is eighteen."
Yet again, Heathcliff goes on about the two cousins:
"Mine has nothing valuable about him; yet I shall have the merit of making Linton go as far as such poor stuff can go. Hindley's had first-rate qualities, and they are lost. ... And the best of it is, Hareton is damnably fond of me!"
His diabolical nature comes to light again, for he views his own son with such little regard, yet still plans on using Linton to his advantage. Hareton was obviously the "better man" of the two, but Heathcliff refuses to let his talents play through. 
This becomes even more apparent when Catherine notes that Hareton "does not know his letters." Linton uses the opportunity to belittle his cousin. Enraged and embarrassed, Hareton storms off, leaving the two alone.
Catherine and Mrs. Dean depart for home, where news of the secret visits eventually come out to Master Linton. He finally explains why he had forbid Catherine from seeing her cousin.
"It was not because I disliked Mr. Heathcliff; but because he dislikes me; and is a most diabolical man, delighting to wrong and ruin those he hates. ... I knew he would detest you, on my account."
However, his daughter does not believe him; Catherine feels that he is to blame for the bitter relationship. Granted, the destruction Heathcliff has caused thus far has left Edgar a broken man...
"He still felt the same horror, and detestation of his ancient enemy that had occupied his heart ever since Mrs. Linton's death. 'She might have been living yet, if it had not been for him!' and in his eyes, Heathcliff seemed a murderer."
Later that same evening, Catherine cries to Nelly about how upset she is over the situation, and that maybe Catherine could write a letter to Linton... 
Despite her promise, Catherine goes against Mrs. Dean's wishes, and secretly has the milk boy deliver her letters to Linton. Time passes, and Nelly eventually stumbles upon Catherine's secret stash that she has kept hidden away in a drawer.
"I was still surprised to discover that they were a mass of correspondence (letters), daily almost, from Linton Heathcliff." 
When Catherine finds that Nelly has discovered her letters--when she finds her drawer empty--she begs Nelly not to tell her father. In fact, Catherine "didn't once think of loving Linton till--" This sets Nelly on her mission once again, until she tries to compromise with Catherine: Nelly will not tell her father if Catherine agrees not to send anymore letters. 
One evening, after walking with his daughter, Master Linton "caught a bad cold that, settling obstinately on his lungs, confined him indoors throughout the whole of the winter."
It would seem that the Linton family's poor health is imminent...
During early November, Catherine and Mrs. Dean take off on another walk, where Catherine breaks down. She tells Nelly that she believes her father's cold will be something worse, and she does not know what she will do without him. Nelly gives her some advice on the matter:
"Avoid giving him anxiety on any subject. You might kill him, if you were wild and reckless, and cherished a foolish, fanciful affection for the son of a person who would be glad to have him in his grave."
As they return home to Thrushcross Grange, Heathcliff suddenly appears on horseback, demanding to know why Catherine has stopped writing with Linton.
"I presume you grew weary of the amusement, and dropped it, didn't you? Well, you dropped Linton with it, into a Slough of Despond (a swamp of misery). ... He's dying for you--breaking his heart at your fickleness. ... He'll be under the sod before summer, unless you restore him!"
Catherine and Mrs. Dean return home. Nelly continues to warn Catherine, but she "shall never feel at ease till I know" about Linton.
The following morning, the two ladies set off for Wuthering Heights.
They find Linton, who seems to be in a detestable mood, but is present nonetheless. Catherine asks if he is happy to see her.
"But I have been vexed, because you wouldn't come. Papa called me a pitiful, shuffling, worthless thing; and said you despised me."
"Despise you? No! Next to papa, and Nelly, I love you better than anybody living."
Linton asks Catherine to stay, and she agrees. However, it doesn't appear to amount to much, for the two cousins begin to quarrel among themselves. Linton tells Catherine her mother hated her father (Edgar), and loved his (Heathcliff). 
After their argument, Catherine attempts to leave, but upon leaving the room, "we were recalled by a scream--Linton had slid from his seat on to the hearthstone. ... I saw at once it would be folly to attempt humoring him. Not so for Catherine, she ran back in terror, knelt down, and cried, and soothed."
Feeling awful, Catherine tells Linton she must leave because she has hurt him. However, Linton tells her she must return in order to cure him. Again, despite Mrs. Dean's disapproval, Catherine gives into his demands.
Nearly three weeks have passed now.
Mrs. Dean had suffered an illness and had been off her feet, but now that she has resumed her duties, she has caught Catherine, sneaking back from a visit to Linton. She claims that he has asked her to come to Wuthering Heights and read to him.
She also goes on to tell Mrs. Dean of a dream they each have. Linton's is to lay in the field, enjoying the warm summer day around him. Catherine's is to climb a tree, enjoying the nature and wildlife. 
Catherine encountered Hareton during her next visit to the Heights. She noted that he has become more distinguished:
"He imagined himself to be as accomplished as Linton, I suppose, because he could spell his own name; and was marvellously discomfited that I didn't think the same." 
She was about to begin reading to Linton, but before Catherine could do so, Hareton angrily burst into the room and told the two of them to leave. Although not apparent to Catherine, it would seem that Hareton was extremely offended that she did not acknowledge his accomplishments; so much so, that he did not even want to hear her read herself! Linton attempted to gain access back into the room, cursing and shrieking, until it left him exhausted.
Catherine began to leave, but was approached by Hareton again.
"Miss. Catherine, I'm ill grieved (feeling extreme sadness)," he began, "but it's rather too bad--"
Before he had the chance to finish, Catherine used her riding whip on him, then took off on her horse.
The next day, Catherine returned to the Heights, where Linton seemed to be in better health. However, "when he did open his mouth it was to utter the falsehood, that I had occasioned the uproar, and Hareton was not to blame!"
Rather than be falsely accused of something she did not do, Catherine informed Linton that she would not be visiting him any longer. But, clever and manipulative as he is, Linton appealed to Catherine's kinder side.
"I doubt whether I am not altogether as worthless as Papa calls me; then I feel so cross and bitter, I hate everybody! I am worthless, and bad in temper, and bad in spirit--and if you choose--you'll get rid of an annoyance. ... Though I couldn't, and cannot help showing my nature to you, I regret it, and repent it, and shall regret it till I die!"
Catherine asks Mrs. Dean to keep her visits secret from her father. 
In the end, Master Linton is made aware of Catherine's broken promises, not to go to Wuthering Heights. He tells her she cannot write or visit him anymore, but that Linton may visit the Grange, if he wishes.
Master Linton and Nelly Dean discuss Catherine and Linton's affair further.
During that winter, Edgar inquires whether Linton would be a good husband for his daughter; Nelly assures him, Linton would not. 
Edgar notes that, he would have no issue handing his daughter over to Linton, but not if he is only being used by Heathcliff (which he is...).
The Master begins writing to Linton, expressing a great desire to see him! However, Linton tells his uncle he is unable to visit, which are more than likely the words of Heathcliff. Linton begs his uncle to visit.
"Do, now and then, ride with her towards the Heights; and let us exchange a few words, in your presence! We have done nothing to deserve this separation; and you are not angry with me."
However, Master Linton's health continues to deteriorate as well, and he is unable to visit...
"Edgar had no idea that the latter was failing almost as fast as himself; nor had anyone. ... I could not picture a father treating a dying child as tyrannically and wickedly as I afterwards learned Heathcliff had treated Linton."
Summer arrives, and Catherine and Mrs. Dean embark on yet another journey to Thrushcross Grange.
They encounter young Linton, and Mrs. Dean immediately notes that he is looking much worse since the last time they saw him. As they sit in the sun, Catherine remarks:
"This is something like your paradise. You recollect the two days we agreed to spend, in the place and way, each thought pleasantest? ... Next week, if you can, we'll ride down to the Grange Park, and try mine." 
However, Linton's mind has deteriorated so much, that he can no longer recall that conversation... Although Linton's character is completely detestable (and will become even moreso in a little while), you cannot help but feel a bit of sadness for the situation. A sickly boy, abused, manipulated, and used by his father in order to fulfill his own motives.. A boy who probably enjoyed very little of his life at the Heights, and is now too sick to live out his one dream..
He goes on to instruct Catherine not to tell Heathcliff about his condition.
"And--and if you did meet my father, and he asked you about me, don't lead him to suppose that I've been extremely silent and stupid."
The two ladies take their leave, where upon Catherine asks Nelly if she truly does believe that Linton is in better health. Catherine claims he is, because he is no longer complaining about his suffering. Nelly disagrees; she believes Linton is much worse.
Master Linton's health is nearly comparable to his nephew's; he is gradually doing worse.
Yet, despite her father's diminishing health, she and Nelly depart for the Heights again, upon Linton's request. This time, he appears much more animated. However, when Catherine demands to know why she has been called to the Heights when her father is in such terrible condition, Linton begins to grovel. 
He reveals that, if he does not do as he is told, Heathcliff will punish him.
Speak of the devil--Heathcliff appears. He tells the three of them to enter his manor, where he shuts and locks the door... Catherine attempts to get the key from him, but he strikes her. Heathcliff's plan is to keep Catherine and Mrs. Dean locked away until Catherine and Linton have been married. He leaves them, and Linton reveals more of Heathcliff's plan:
"Papa wants us to be married. And he knows your papa wouldn't let us marry now; and he's afraid of my dying, if we wait." 
Catherine tries appealing to Heathcliff's kinder side, telling him that he does not need to force her to marry Linton; she will do so of her own accord. She only wishes to be back home with her illing father. 
Yet, despite her protests, Heathcliff will not budge. 
The next morning, Heathcliff returns for Catherine, but leaves Nelly locked in the room.
"Five nights and four days I remained, altogether, seeing nobody but Hareton, once every morning, and he was a model of a jailer--surly, and dumb, and deaf to every attempt at moving his sense of justice or compassion."
On the fifth day, Nelly is discovered by a housekeeper of the Heights, who recounts the lie that Heathcliff told of Nelly's disappearance:
"I never thought, but you were sunk in the Blackhorse marsh, till master told me you'd been found, and he'd lodged you here!"
"Your master is a true scoundrel! He needn't have raised that tale--it shall all be laid bare!"
Nelly also learns that Master Linton is still alive, and with that, she immediately leaves her prison.
Upon entering the rest of the manor, she discovers Linton, sitting in a room. She asks where Catherine is.
"Papa says I'm not to be soft with Catherine--she's my wife, and it's shameful that she should wish to leave me!"
So it would seem the two have already been wed, and Heathcliff continues to plant lies in Linton's head.
Mrs. Dean asks Linton to remember Catherine's kindness.
"Did she come to Wuthering Heights, because she hated you? You , who have felt what it is to be so neglected! You could pity your own sufferings, and she pitied them, too, but you won't pity hers! ... You're a heartless, selfish boy!"
Linton also reveals an altercation that occurred between Catherine and his father: 
It truly is despicable, to see what a disgusting man Linton has devolved into. Granted, he did suffer abuse at the hands of Heathcliff if he did not obey, but again, just the pity one feels for the entire situation. Linton believes he has been useful, yet in the end, he will still simply be tossed away by his father.
Rather than argue with him further, Nelly takes off for the Linton manor, to arrange a rescue for Catherine. She discovers Edgar, "an image of sadness, and resignation, waiting his death. ... He thought of Catherine, for he murmured her name." 
Nelly assures him Catherine will be returning. In the meantime, she informs him of Heathcliff's ulterior motive in marrying the cousins.
"He divined that one of his enemy's purposes was to secure the personnel property, as well as the estate, to his son, or rather himself."
Because of this, Master Linton updates his will. His fortune will now be given to his trustees, as opposed to Catherine. This way, Heathcliff cannot get it.
Miraculously, Catherine manages to escape from Wuthering Heights! She arrives just in time to be with her father, before his passing...
"He died blissfully, it was so entirely without a struggle. 'I am going to her, and you darling child shall come to us."
After her father's funeral, Catherine is forced to return to the Heights. However, Linton must have a change of heart, for he actually assists Catherine in escaping!
"Her accomplice suffered for his share in the escape, notwithstanding his timid contrivances."
After Edgar's funeral, the Linton household think it best that Catherine stay home as opposed to Wuthering Heights.
Heathcliff soon arrives at their manor, once again demanding that Catherine return home with him. He informs her that he was "embarrassed how to punish Linton, when I discovered his part in helping you escape, but, you'll see by his look that he has received his due!"
Catherine and Heathcliff exchange some heated words before Catherine eventually agrees to return with him to the Heights. 
After she leaves to collect her belongings, and Heathcliff and Nelly are alone, he confides to her that he has been engaging in some disturbing behaviors. Heathcliff has become possessed with the thought of Catherine (senior), so much so that he disturbed her grave and has now been haunted by her ghost! 
It is now that the reader will begin to encounter an even darker version of Heathcliff...
Catherine returns to the two of them, and she and Heathcliff leave for Wuthering Heights.. 
Catherine's experience as a wife is a depressing one--but a short one.
The next day after leaving Thrushcross Grange, Catherine encounters Heathcliff and Hareton, "and asked all in a quiver if the doctor might be sent for? her cousin was very ill."
Her father-in-law's deplorable nature comes through quite evidently as he yells back,
"His life is not worth a farthing (coin), and I won't spend a farthing on him!"
Thus Catherine is left entirely alone, to care for her dying husband, a cousin whom she once tried to love. Again, everything has been for nothing...
After his son's passing, "Heathcliff went up at once, to show Catherine Linton's will. He had bequeathed the whole of his, and what had been her property to his father. The poor creature was threatened, or coaxed into that act, when his uncle died."
Time passes. Catherine eventually begins to gain some of her spirits back, and starts venturing around her new home. She becomes better acquainted with Hareton as well. Upon noticing some books one day, he assists Catherine in getting them down from the shelf, and afterwards asks if she would read to him. Catherine immediately declines the offer.
"I despise you, and will have nothing to say to you! When I would have given my life for one kind word, you all kept off."
Hareton objects, claiming that he had tried persuading Heathcliff to allow him to converse with her, but each time Heathcliff refused.
Our story has now caught up with the present day.
Mrs. Dean rides over to Wuthering Heights, to pay her old mistress a visit. Mrs. Dean learns more about what has occurred between the two cousins.
"Mr. Heathcliff took it into his head to destroy my books. Once, Hareton, I came upon a secret stock in your room; all old friends--I brought them here. They are of no use to you. But, I've most of them printed in my heart, and you cannot deprive me of those!" Earnshaw blushed crimson."
Once again, Catherine fails to recognize the secret effort that Hareton has made to form a connection with her. Despite being unable to read, he has taught himself so that he may help Catherine feel a little less lonely.
"The little wretch had done her utmost to hurt her cousin's sensitive though uncultivated feelings. ... He afterwards gathered the books and hurled them on the fire. ... He had been content with daily labor, till Catherine crossed his path--shame at her scorn, and hope of her approval for his first prompters to higher pursuits. His endeavors to raise himself had produced just the contrary result." 
One day, Mr. Lockwood, the tenant, decides to visit Wuthering Heights himself.
Upon entering the manor, he discovers Catherine and Hareton, as teacher and pupil, while she teaches him to read. 
Again, probably one of my more preferred scenes in the novel. It would appear that the dark turbulent storm has finally passed, and the sun is beginning to shine. Catherine has finally given Hareton a chance, and as such, it would seem that the two lovebirds have never been happier!
Nelly recalls how the two cousins finally became closer. With time, Catherine became less hostile and began to let Hareton in more. She spent more of her time in the kitchen, reading aloud while Hareton quietly listened, until finally she decided to gift Hareton with his very own book. 
"Both their minds tending to the same point--one loving and desiring to esteem; and the other loving and desiring to be esteemed--they contrived in the end to reach it. ... I show envy no one on their wedding day--there won't be a happier woman in England!"
Hareton and Catherine's relationship has grown so much so, that he actually defended her from Heathcliff one day.
This was obviously something Heathcliff could not foresee coming, for he was extremely taken aback by Hareton's actions. It causes him to reflect and dwell on his life, how in the end, he does not possess anymore spite to carry out his plans, to ruin the Linton family. 
Heathcliff acknowledges that Hareton was the last driving force in completing his evil goals. However, now that Hareton adores Catherine, Heathcliff is at a loss for what to do.
Over the next few days, Heathcliff gradually descends into a state of madness. Nelly notes his unusual demeanor:
"It was unnatural--appearance of joy under his black brows; the same bloodless hue; and his teeth visible, now and then, in a kind of smile; his frame shivering, not as one shivers with chill, but as a tight stretched cord vibrates."
He spends the next few days spiraling out of control, and alternates between visiting Catherine's grave or pacing in his room at night, still haunted by her ghost. Along with refusing to sleep, he then refuses meals too. Until one morning, Mrs. Dean enters his chambers and encounters quite the sight. 
In the end, Master Heathcliff dies exactly the way Catherine predicted: miserable and alone, and she and Hareton are finally wed. The two characters that deserved it the most, finally get their happy ending! 
One can see why this novel has been branded a tragedy. If only Master Linton (senior) had loved Hindley and chastised Heathcliff when he misbehaved, instead of unintentionally creating tension between the two boys. If only Heathcliff and Catherine had properly addressed their real love for one another, as opposed to using others to achieve diabolical means. Because they didn't, the massive domino effect it caused passed down to their children, which inflicted unnecessary pain and misery for their entire lives. For goodness sake, after he was 12, young Linton's life was nothing but sickness and torture! However, Heathcliff's demise, and Hareton and Catherine's love, does help bring a somewhat happy ending to this otherwise depressing story.