Catherine Earnshaw (Cathy) - Present in scene
Edgar Linton's daughter, Linton Heathcliff's cousin
Rides horseback (her horse is named Minny)
Shows grief, astonishment, and disappointment at Linton's condition
Attempts cheerfulness and tries to entertain Linton with "tales, and songs, and chatter"
Becomes frustrated with Linton's lack of engagement
Whistles to her horse "like a dog"
Initially eager to see Linton but becomes disillusioned
Ellen Dean (Nelly) - Present in scene, narrator
Accompanies Catherine on the ride
Observes Linton's deteriorated condition
Counsels Catherine about discretion in reporting to Edgar
Shares bilberries with Catherine
Notes she "hardly knew what to hide and what to reveal" when reporting to Edgar
Linton Heathcliff (Master Heathcliff, Master Linton) - Present in scene
Son of Heathcliff, Catherine's cousin
Physical description: "large blue eyes," very pale, thin, walks feebly
"Hollowness round them [his eyes] transforming to haggard wildness the languid expression they once possessed"
Lies on the heath awaiting them, has no horse
Trembles, pants, retains Catherine's hand for support
Claims he's tired from growing fast and feeling sick in mornings
Shows "listless apathy" and "self-absorbed moroseness of a confirmed invalid"
Fears his father's anger, begs Catherine not to provoke Heathcliff against him
Falls asleep during visit, startles awake thinking he heard his father
Tears gush from his eyes when asked about his regard for Catherine
Edgar Linton - Mentioned
Catherine's father ("papa")
"Reluctantly yielded his assent" to allow the visit
First injunction was to "keep on the Grange land"
Expects an account of their visit upon return
Heathcliff - Mentioned
Linton's father
Described by Linton as "very hard" and severe
Linton fears provoking his anger
Linton imagines hearing his voice and is terrified
Little herd-boy - Brief appearance
Messenger who tells them Master Linton is "just o' this side th' Heights"
Speaks in dialect
Season/Time: Summer past its prime, close sultry day without sunshine
Meeting arrangement: Fixed at the guide-stone by the cross-roads, but Linton sends message he's moved closer to the Heights
The visit: 1. Catherine and Ellen ride out for their "first ride to join her cousin" 2. They find Linton without a horse, lying on heath awaiting them 3. They dismount and leave horses to graze 4. Linton walks feebly, appears very ill 5. They sit together, Catherine attempts conversation about their previous agreement to spend time in each other's preferred places 6. Linton shows little interest, has difficulty sustaining conversation 7. Catherine proposes to leave, which agitates Linton - he begs her to stay another half-hour 8. Linton asks Catherine to tell Edgar he's in "tolerable health" and requests she return "next Thursday" 9. Linton falls asleep, Catherine gathers bilberries 10. Linton startles awake thinking he heard his father 11. Catherine announces departure, Linton clings to her arm but she disengages and mounts her horse 12. They leave Linton "scarcely conscious of our departure"
Return home: Edgar requests account of visit; Catherine and Ellen provide limited information
This is Catherine and Linton's first meeting since winter ("when we separated in winter")
The meeting was postponed ("long-postponed meeting")
Edgar's rule is to stay on Grange land
Linton has no horse for the meeting
Catherine's horse is named Minny
They are to meet again "next Thursday"
It's been "six months" since their last extended time together
Linton claims his sickness is due to "heavy weather and heat" and that he "walked about, before you came, a great deal for me"
Catherine notes Linton has "grown wiser than I, in these six months"
Reference to "when we separated in winter" - indicating roughly 6 months have passed
Linton claims he grows "so fast" which his papa says causes morning sickness
Linton Heathcliff's dramatic deterioration:
Physical: Much thinner, very pale, walks feebly, has hollowness around his eyes
Personality: Changed from "pettishness that might be caressed into fondness" to "listless apathy" and "self-absorbed moroseness of a confirmed invalid"
Previously had "peevish temper of a child which frets and teases on purpose to be soothed" - now repels consolation
Less affectionate to Catherine than before
Previously "made such a great deal of his sufferings" but now downplays them
New threads introduced:
Linton's mysterious and severe illness/decline
The question of what Heathcliff is doing to his son
Why Linton is so desperate for Catherine to continue visits despite his obvious discomfort
Existing threads advanced:
Catherine and Linton's relationship becomes strained
Heathcliff's influence over his son is revealed as fearsome
Threads complicated:
Catherine's sympathy for Linton is mixed with frustration and suspicion
The visits Edgar permitted may be more dangerous than intended
Linton's terror of his father and plea "Don't provoke him against me, Catherine, for he is very hard" suggests abuse
His desperate request for Catherine to return next Thursday despite their unsuccessful meeting hints at coercion
His statement "it were a task he was compelled to perform—this interview—for fear his father should scold him" suggests Heathcliff is orchestrating these meetings
Linton's imaginary hearing of his father's voice and his absorption "in anticipating his father's approach" builds ominous tension
Ellen's uncertainty about "what to hide and what to reveal" to Edgar suggests growing danger
The meeting location moving from the guide-stone toward the Heights shows gradual boundary violation