And he stared hard at the object of discourse, as one might do at a strange repulsive animal: a centipede from the Indies, for instance, which curiosity leads one to examine in spite of the aversion it raises. The poor thing couldn't bear that; she grew white and red in rapid succession, and, while tears beaded her lashes, bent the strength of her small fingers to loosen the firm clutch of Catherine; and perceiving that as fast as she raised one finger off her arm another closed down, and she could not remove the whole together, she began to make use of her nails; and their sharpness presently ornamented the detainer's with crescents of red.
"There's a tigress!" exclaimed Mrs. Linton, setting her free, and shaking her hand with pain. "Begone, for God's sake, and hide your vixen face! How foolish to reveal those talons to him. Can't you fancy the conclusions he'll draw? Look, Heathcliff! they are instruments that will do execution-you must beware of your eyes."

Heathcliff stared hard at Isabella, as one might do at a strange repulsive animal. The poor thing couldn't bear that; she grew white and then red, and, while tears beaded her lashes, bent the strength of her small fingers to loosen Catherine's clutch. When she could not remove the hand, she began to use her sharp nails.
'There's a tigress!' exclaimed Mrs. Linton, setting her free. 'Begone, for God's sake, and hide your vixen face! How foolish to reveal those talons to him!'
