Грозовий перевал

           ‘Theyhaveleftthebull-dogloose,andheholdsme!’Thedevilhadseizedherankle,Nelly:Iheardhisabominablesnorting.Shedidnotyellout—no!shewouldhavescornedtodoit,ifshehadbeenspittedonthehornsofamadcow.Idid,though!IvociferatedcursesenoughtoannihilateanyfiendinChristendom;andIgotastoneandthrustitbetweenhisjaws,andtriedwithallmymighttocramitdownhisthroat.Abeastofaservantcameupwithalantern,atlast,shouting—‘Keepfast,Skulker,keepfast!’Hechangedhisnote,however,whenhesawSkulker’sgame.Thedogwasthrottledoff;hishuge,purpletonguehanginghalfafootoutofhismouth,andhispendentlipsstreamingwithbloodyslaver.ThemantookCathyup:shewassick:notfromfear,I’mcertain,butfrompain.Hecarriedherin;Ifollowed,grumblingexecrationsandvengeance.‘Whatprey,Robert?’hallooedLintonfromtheentrance.‘Skulkerhascaughtalittlegirl,sir,’hereplied;‘andthere’saladhere,‘headded,makingaclutchatme,‘wholooksanout-and-outer!Verylike,therobberswereputtingthemthroughthewindowtoopenthedoorstothegangafterallwereasleep,thattheymightmurderusattheirease.Holdyourtongue,youfoul-mouthedthief,you!youshallgotothegallowsforthis.Mr.Linton,sir,don’tlaybyyourgun.’‘No,no,Robert,’saidtheoldfool.‘Therascalsknewthatyesterdaywasmyrentday:theythoughttohavemecleverly.Comein;I’llfurnishthemareception.There,John,fastenthechain.