Nell gathers intelligence from Zillah about Catherine’s condition at the Heights.

Catherine is sure that Linton is dying but Heathcliff refuses to call for a doctor. By and by he dies and none cry. Of course, he has willed everything to his father—probably by force—and Heathcliff is now checkmate.

Catherine would avoid everybody if possible: “Mr. Hareton, and the whole set of you, will be good enough to understand that I reject any pretense at kindness you have the hypocrisy to offer! I despise you and you have nothing to say to any of you! When I would have given my life for one kind word, even to see one of your faces, you all kept off. But I won’t complain to you! I’m driven down here by the cold, not either to abuse you, or to enjoy your society.” (235)

Zillah observes, “she’ll snap at the master himself, and as good as dares him to thrash her; and the more hurt she gets, the more venomous she grows” (236)

Thus ended Miss Dean’s story.