The answer to this question can be found in Chapter Ten of
this excellent novel. Isabella, having confessed her feelings in a very petulant manner
to Catherine, then has to endure the shame and embarrassment of Catherine revealing them
openly to Heathcliff when he enters the house soon after to be shown in to a room with
both Catherine and Heathcliff in it. Note how Catherine greets
Heathcliff:
"Come in, that's right!" excalimed the mistress,
gaily, pulling a chair to the fire. "Here are two people sadly in need of a third to
thaw the ice between them; and you are the very one we should both of us choose.
Heathcliff, I'm proud to show you, at last, somebody that dotes on you more than myself.
I expect you to feel flattered... My poor little sister-in-law is breaking her heart by
mere contemplation of your physical and moral
beauty."
Thus it is that
Catherine is the one to tell Heathcliff of his ardent admirer. She does this of course
with the chief intention of showing Isabella how ridiculous the idea of her union with
Heathcliff would be, but actually she underestimates Heathcliff and his desire to gain
revenge.
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