## Characters
**Mr. Edgar Linton** - Master of Thrushcross Grange, Catherine's father
- Present in scene
- Returns from journey after Isabella's death
- Shows grief at prospect of losing Linton to Heathcliff
- Described as calm and patient with the sickly child
- Decides Linton will go to Wuthering Heights tomorrow
**Catherine (Cathy) Linton** - Edgar's daughter, approximately 13-14 years old
- Present in scene
- Wearing new black mourning dress for aunt Isabella's death
- Shows no definite sorrow for Isabella's death
- Extremely excited to meet her cousin Linton
- Six months older than Linton
- Has lighter hair than Linton's "flaxen" locks
- Possesses a lock of Linton's hair in a glass box, sent by Isabella
- Attempts to comfort and befriend Linton
**Linton Heathcliff** - Son of Isabella and Heathcliff, Catherine's cousin
- Present in scene, arriving at Thrushcross Grange
- Six months younger than Catherine (approximately 13 years old)
- Physical description: pale, delicate, effeminate boy who resembles Edgar Linton but with "sickly peevishness"
- Has flaxen hair lighter and finer than Catherine's
- Sickly and weak from journey
- Cries easily, cannot sit on chair, needs to lie on sofa
- Lost his mother Isabella recently
- Will be taken to Wuthering Heights tomorrow
**Ellen Dean (Nelly)** - Narrator, housekeeper at Thrushcross Grange
- Present in scene
- Observes and cares for the children
- Worries about Linton's future at Wuthering Heights
- Has "sore misgivings" about keeping Linton safe
**Joseph** - Heathcliff's servant
- Present in scene, arrives from Wuthering Heights
- Described wearing Sunday garments with "sanctimonious and sourest face"
- Speaks in Yorkshire dialect
- Comes to collect Linton for Heathcliff
- Threatens that Heathcliff will come himself tomorrow if refused
**Isabella Linton** - Recently deceased, mentioned throughout
- Heathcliff's late wife, Edgar's sister, Linton's mother
- Sent Edgar a lock of Linton's hair before her death
- Had "hopes and fears, and anxious wishes for her son"
- Wanted Linton to remain under Edgar's guardianship
**Heathcliff** - Mentioned, Linton's father
- Claims his son through Joseph
- Will come personally tomorrow if Linton isn't surrendered
## Timeline & Events
**Evening of expected arrival**: Catherine has been preparing since early morning. She and Ellen walk through the grounds to meet the travelers.
**Upon arrival**: Edgar and Catherine have an emotional reunion. Linton is found asleep in the carriage, wrapped in fur-lined cloak.
**At the house**: All three go to the library for tea. Linton cannot sit in chair, moves to sofa. Catherine attempts to comfort him with stroking, kissing, and offering tea.
**After tea**: Ellen takes children upstairs, ensures Linton is asleep before leaving him.
**That same evening**: While Ellen prepares bedroom candle for Edgar, Joseph arrives demanding Linton for Heathcliff.
**Confrontation in library**: Joseph insists on taking Linton immediately. Edgar refuses, stating Linton will come tomorrow. Joseph leaves with threat that Heathcliff will come personally.
## Key Facts
- Isabella is dead (announced in black-edged letter)
- The house has a library where tea was served
- Catherine has been given mourning clothes (new black frock)
- Linton's hair sample is preserved in "a little glass box"
- The journey has fatigued Linton significantly
- There are servants at Thrushcross Grange including a maid in the kitchen
- Joseph carries a walking stick and wears Sunday garments for the visit
- The grounds include "swells and hollows of mossy turf" and "a clump of birches at the turn"
## Ages, Dates & Arithmetic
- **Catherine**: Six months older than Linton
- **Linton**: Six months younger than Catherine (approximately 13 years old based on previous chapters)
- **Isabella's death**: Recent, "a very short time since"
- **Timeline reference**: Evening arrival after a long journey
## Unexplained Changes
- Isabella's death occurs between chapters (last seen alive in previous appearances)
- Linton appears much more sickly and frail than might be expected
- No explanation given for the specific timing of Isabella's death
## Plot Developments
**New threads introduced**:
- Linton's immediate claim by Heathcliff through Joseph
- Question of Linton's survival at Wuthering Heights given his frail condition
**Existing threads advanced**:
- Catherine finally meets her cousin Linton
- The custody battle over Linton begins immediately upon his arrival
**Threads complicated**:
- Edgar's desire to honor Isabella's wishes conflicts with legal reality
- Linton's poor health makes his future at Wuthering Heights more concerning
**Immediate resolution**:
- Edgar delays surrender until tomorrow but accepts inevitable loss of Linton
## Foreshadowing & Setups
- Ellen's ominous thoughts: "how ever will that weakling live at Wuthering Heights? Between his father and Hareton, what playmates and instructors they'll be"
- Ellen's misgivings: "sore misgivings came over me that there was slight hope of that [keeping Linton]"
- Joseph's threat: "To-morn, he's come hisseln, and thrust _him_ out, if ye darr!" - sets up Heathcliff's personal involvement
- The contrast between Linton's resemblance to Edgar but with "sickly peevishness" suggests future character conflicts
- Edgar's observation that "by wishing for strength he'll gain it" ironically contrasts with the reality of Linton's frailty
The chapter establishes the tragic irony of the reunion - Catherine's joy at meeting her cousin is immediately overshadowed by the certainty that he will be taken to Wuthering Heights, where his gentle nature and poor health will likely be exploited or destroyed.