In Chapter 27, why do the readers feel less sympathy for Linton than we did when we first met him?

Linton's health is weak at best and he is terrified of his father because Heathcliff hates him and hates that his mother was Isabella who was not Heathcliff's true love.  He is unable to stand up to his father and he is forced to marry Catherine just as she is forced to marry Hinton.  I believe we feel more sympathy for Linton, not less, because he has a father who does not love him, a cousin who will ultimately be his wife, and a life that will end not long after the marriage.