Грозовой перевал
Chapter 18
Fortunately,curiosityandaquickintellectmadeheranaptscholar:shelearnedrapidlyandeagerly,anddidhonourtohisteaching.
Tillshereachedtheageofthirteen,shehadnotoncebeenbeyondtherangeoftheparkbyherself.Mr.Lintonwouldtakeherwithhimamileorsooutside,onrareoccasions;buthetrustedhertonooneelse.Gimmertonwasanunsubstantialnameinherears;thechapel,theonlybuildingshehadapproachedorentered,exceptherownhome.WutheringHeightsandMr.Heathcliffdidnotexistforher:shewasaperfectrecluse;and,apparently,perfectlycontented.Sometimes,indeed,whilesurveyingthecountryfromhernurserywindow,shewouldobserve:
"Ellen,howlongwillitbebeforeIcanwalktothetopofthosehills?Iwonderwhatliesontheotherside—isitthesea?"
"No,MissCathy,"Iwouldanswer;"itishillsagain,justlikethese."
"Andwhatarethosegoldenrockslikewhenyoustandunderthem?"sheonceasked.
TheabruptdescentofPenistonCragsparticularlyattractedhernotice;especiallywhenthesettingsunshoneonitandthetopmostheights,andthewholeextentoflandscapebesideslayinshadow.Iexplainedthattheywerebaremassesofstone,withhardlyenoughearthintheircleftstonourishastuntedtree.
"Andwhyaretheybrightsolongafteritiseveninghere?"shepursued.
"Becausetheyareagreatdealhigherupthanweare,"repliedI;"youcouldnotclimbthem,theyaretoohighandsteep.