Chapter 16 Summary

The Catherine that Mr. Lockwood knows is born that night. Catherine Linton dies two hours afterward. Baby Catherine is born unwanted, Edgar is grieving the loss of his wife and the little baby girl is not considered an heir. The next morning Nelly finds Heathcliff waiting out in the garden. She only confirms his statement that Catherine is dead. He asks how she died and is answered that it was quietly. Heathcliff voices his hope that Catherine haunts him, because he cannot live without her, she is his life, his soul. He violently bangs his head against a tree.

Catherine's body is laid out in the parlor until her funeral. Edgar stands watch over her body, hardly sleeping. When he finally seeks rest, Nelly opens the window so that Heathcliff, who has also been standing guard outside, can say one last goodbye to...