Chapter 13

           Fortwomonthsthefugitivesremainedabsent;inthosetwomonths,Mrs.Lintonencounteredandconqueredtheworstshockofwhatwasdenominatedabrainfever.NomothercouldhavenursedanonlychildmoredevotedlythanEdgartendedher.Dayandnighthewaswatching,andpatientlyenduringalltheannoyancesthatirritablenervesandashakenreasoncouldinflict;and,thoughKennethremarkedthatwhathesavedfromthegravewouldonlyrecompensehiscarebyformingthesourceofconstantfutureanxiety—infact,thathishealthandstrengthwerebeingsacrificedtopreserveamereruinofhumanity—heknewnolimitsingratitudeandjoywhenCatherine’slifewasdeclaredoutofdanger;andhourafterhourhewouldsitbesideher,tracingthegradualreturntobodilyhealth,andflatteringhistoosanguinehopeswiththeillusionthathermindwouldsettlebacktoitsrightbalancealso,andshewouldsoonbeentirelyherformerself.

           ThefirsttimesheleftherchamberwasatthecommencementofthefollowingMarch.Mr.Lintonhadputonherpillow,inthemorning,ahandfulofgoldencrocuses;hereye,longstrangertoanygleamofpleasure,caughttheminwaking,andshonedelightedasshegatheredthemeagerlytogether.

           "ThesearetheearliestflowersattheHeights,"sheexclaimed."Theyremindmeofsoftthawwinds,andwarmsunshine,andnearlymeltedsnow.