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
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.
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"
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
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
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:
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.