Zillah - Heathcliff's housekeeper at Wuthering Heights. Appears in person wearing a scarlet shawl, black silk bonnet, and carrying a willow basket. Shows concern for Nelly and Catherine, believing the village rumor that they were lost in Blackhorse marsh. Relays information between characters.
Nelly Dean (Mrs. Dean) - The narrator, currently imprisoned at Wuthering Heights. Takes action to escape and return to Thrushcross Grange. Shows fierce loyalty to Catherine and Edgar Linton. Describes herself as "an elderly woman, and a servant."
Heathcliff - Master of Wuthering Heights, referred to as Catherine's "jailor." Not directly present but his actions dominate the chapter. Created the false story about Nelly and Catherine being lost in the marsh. Has violently struck Catherine, breaking her locket and crushing Edgar's portrait. Currently talking to Doctor Kenneth in the court.
Hareton Earnshaw - Mentioned by Zillah as being at Wuthering Heights when she returned. Not directly involved in events.
Linton Heathcliff - Sickly young man, now Catherine's husband through forced marriage. Present sucking sugar-candy, lying on the settle. Reveals he can't walk upstairs, shows selfishness and weakness. Claims ownership of all Catherine's possessions including her books, birds, and pony Minny. Describes Catherine's current imprisoned state and her distress.
Catherine Linton (now Catherine Heathcliff) - Edgar's daughter, forcibly married to Linton. Currently imprisoned upstairs at Wuthering Heights. Has been struck by Heathcliff, her cheek cut inside against her teeth. Described as pale, wild, and constantly crying. Successfully escapes at chapter's end and reunites with her dying father. Possessed a locket with portraits of her mother and Edgar as young people.
Edgar Linton - Catherine's father, dying at Thrushcross Grange. Age thirty-nine but looks ten years younger due to illness. Doctor Kenneth believes he may last another day. Dies peacefully at chapter's end after reuniting with Catherine, with his last words being "I am going to her; and you, darling child, shall come to us!"
Doctor Kenneth - Village doctor attending Edgar Linton. Met Zillah on the road and told her Edgar might last another day. Present talking with Heathcliff in the court.
Mr. Green - The lawyer/attorney. Delayed in coming to Thrushcross Grange, having been bribed by Heathcliff ("sold himself to Mr. Heathcliff"). Takes control after Edgar's death, giving servants notice to quit. Attempts to interfere with burial arrangements.
Fifth morning/afternoon - Zillah arrives at Wuthering Heights, tells Nelly about village rumors of her and Catherine being lost in Blackhorse marsh.
Same day - Nelly escapes to Thrushcross Grange, finds Edgar dying. Edgar alters his will to protect Catherine's inheritance through trustees. Sends men to rescue Catherine; they return saying she's too ill to leave.
3 o'clock (same night) - Nelly goes for water, hears knock at door. Catherine has escaped and arrived at the Grange.
Same night - Catherine reunites with Edgar. He dies peacefully, kissing her cheek.
Next day through noon - Catherine sits by Edgar's deathbed dry-eyed.
Dinner-time (day after Edgar's death) - Mr. Green the lawyer finally arrives, having been to Wuthering Heights first.
Following period - Funeral is "hurried over." Catherine remains at the Grange until Edgar's body is removed.
The village believes Nelly and Catherine were lost in "Blackhorse marsh"
Wuthering Heights has a court area where Heathcliff talks with visitors
Catherine's room at Wuthering Heights has a secret key that Linton can access when upstairs
Neither Hareton nor Zillah know the location of Catherine's room
Catherine owned books, birds, and a pony named Minny
Catherine had a gold locket case with two portraits: her mother on one side, Edgar on the other (from when they were young)
Heathcliff crushed Edgar's portrait with his foot after striking Catherine
Catherine escaped through her mother's former room window using a nearby fir-tree
Edgar's will specifies his burial location (beside his wife, not in the chapel with his family)
All servants except Nelly are given notice to quit after Edgar's death
Edgar Linton: Age thirty-nine at death, though appeared ten years younger due to illness
Timeline reference: Events span approximately 6 days (five days of imprisonment, plus the day of return and Edgar's death)
Catherine: Now married to Linton Heathcliff (forced marriage occurred during the imprisonment period)
Catherine's legal status: Now "Mrs. Linton Heathcliff"
Linton's physical condition: Cannot walk upstairs (previously could move around more freely)
New threads introduced:
Edgar's will alteration to protect Catherine's inheritance through trustees
Mr. Green's corruption by Heathcliff
Question of what will happen to Catherine now that she's widowed but married to Linton
Existing threads advanced:
Catherine's imprisonment resolved through her escape
Edgar's death - the anticipated event finally occurs
Heathcliff's control over the Grange begins through his corrupted lawyer
Threads resolved:
Catherine's captivity ends with her escape
Edgar's illness ends with peaceful death
Father-daughter reunion achieved before Edgar's death
Linton's statement that Catherine "never shall" leave him, despite his weakness, suggests future conflict
The inheritance protection through trustees sets up future legal battles with Heathcliff
Edgar's peaceful death contrasts with the violence at Wuthering Heights, suggesting different fates await characters
Linton's fear of Catherine ("I'm afraid of her") may foreshadow their future relationship
The emphasis on Edgar being buried beside his wife rather than with his family highlights the continuing importance of the Edgar-Catherine (elder) love story
Catherine's dry-eyed grief suggests either emotional exhaustion or that her real trials are yet to come