read I sighed, for it seemed as if all joy had vanished from the world, never to be restored.

‘The doleful silence was broken at length by the sound of the kitchen latch: Heathcliff had returned from his watch earlier than usual; owing, I suppose, to the sudden storm. That entrance was fastened, and we heard him coming round to get in by the other. I rose with an irrepressible expression of what I felt on my lips, which induced my companion, who had been staring towards the door, to turn and look at me.

‘“I’ll keep him out five minutes,” he exclaimed. “You won’t object?”

‘“No, you may keep him out the whole night for me,” I answered. “Do! put the key in the look, and draw the bolts.”