Therulers，andthewiseandlearnedmenofthecommunity，werelongerinacknowledgingtheinfluenceofHester’sgoodqualitiesthanthepeople。Theprejudiceswhichtheysharedincommonwiththelatterwerefortifiedinthemselvesbyanironframeworkofreasoning，thatmadeitafartougherlabourtoexpelthem。Daybyday，nevertheless，theirsourandrigidwrinkleswererelaxingintosomethingwhich，intheduecourseofyears，mightgrowtobeanexpressionofalmostbenevolence。Thusitwaswiththemenofrank，onwhomtheireminentpositionimposedtheguardianshipofthepublicmorals。Individualsinprivatelife，meanwhile，hadquiteforgivenHesterPrynneforherfrailty；nay，more，theyhadbeguntolookuponthescarletletterasthetoken，notofthatonesin，forwhichshehadbornesolonganddrearyapenance，butofhermanygooddeedssince。"Doyouseethatwomanwiththeembroideredbadge？"theywouldsaytostrangers。"ItisourHester—thetown’sownHester—
　　whoissokindtothepoor，sohelpfultothesick，socomfortabletotheafflicted！"Then，itistrue，thepropensityofhumannaturetotelltheveryworstofitself，whenembodiedinthepersonofanother，wouldconstrainthemtowhispertheblackscandalofbygoneyears。
　　Itwasnonethelessafact，however，that，intheeyesoftheverymenwhospokethus，thescarletletterhadtheeffectofthecrossonanun’sbosom。Itimpartedtothewearerakindofsacredness，whichenabledhertowalksecurelyamidallperil。Hadshefallenamongthieves，itwouldhavekepthersafe。Itwasreported，andbelievedbymany，thatanIndianhaddrawnhisarrowagainstthebadge，andthatthemissilestruckit，butfellharmlesstotheground。
　　Theeffectofthesymbol—or，rather，ofthepositioninrespecttosocietythatwasindicatedbyit—onthemindofHesterPrynneherself，waspowerfulandpeculiar。Allthelightandgracefulfoliageofhercharacterhadbeenwitheredupbythisred—hotbrand，andhadlongagofallenaway，leavingabareandharshoutline，whichmighthavebeenrepulsive，hadshepossessedfriendsorcompanionstoberepelledbyit。Eventheattractivenessofherpersonhadundergoneasimilarchange。Itmightbepartlyowingtothestudiedausterityofherdress，andpartlytothelackofdemonstrationinhermanners。
　　Itwasasadtransformation，too，thatherrichandluxurianthairhadeitherbeencutoff，orwassocompletelyhiddenbyacap，thatnotashininglockofiteveroncegushedintothesunshine。Itwasdueinparttoallthesecauses，butstillmoretosomethingelse，thatthereseemedtobenolongeranythinginHester’sfaceforLovetodwellupon；nothinginHester’sform，thoughmajesticandstatue—like，thatPassionwouldeverdreamofclaspinginitsembrace；nothinginHester’sbosom，tomakeiteveragainthepillowofAffection。Someattributehaddepartedfromher，thepermanenceofwhichhadbeenessentialtokeepherawoman。Suchisfrequentlythefate，andsuchthesterndevelopment，ofthefemininecharacterandperson，whenthewomanhasencountered，andlivedthrough，anexperienceofpeculiarseverity。Ifshebealltenderness，shewilldie。Ifshesurvive，thetendernesswilleitherbecrushedoutofher，or—andtheoutwardsemblanceisthesame—crushedsodeeplyintoherheartthatitcannevershowitselfmore。Thelatterisperhapsthetruesttheory。Shewhohasoncebeenwoman，andceasedtobeso，mightatanymomentbecomeawomanagain，iftherewereonlythemagictouchtoeffectthetransfiguration。WeshallseewhetherHesterPrynnewereafterwardssotouched，andsotransfigured。
　　MuchofthemarblecoldnessofHester’simpressionwastobeattributedtothecircumstance，thatherlifehadturned，inagreatmeasure，frompassionandfeeling，tothought。Standingaloneintheworld—alone，astoanydependenceonsociety，andwithlittlePearltobeguidedandprotected—alone，andhopelessofretrievingherposition，evenhadshenotscornedtoconsideritdesirable—shecastawaythefragmentsofabrokenchain。Theworld’slawwasnolawforhermind。Itwasanageinwhichthehumanintellect，newlyemancipated，hadtakenamoreactiveandawiderrangethanformanycenturiesbefore。Menoftheswordhadoverthrownnoblesandkings。
　　Menbolderthanthesehadoverthrownandrearranged—notactually，butwithinthesphereoftheory，whichwastheirmostrealabode—thewholesystemofancientprejudice，wherewithwaslinkedmuchofancientprinciple。HesterPrynneimbibedthisspirit。Sheassumedafreedomofspeculation，thencommonenoughontheothersideoftheAtlantic，butwhichourforefathers，hadtheyknownit，wouldhaveheldtobeadeadliercrimethanthatstigmatisedbythescarletletter。Inherlonesomecottagebytheseashore，thoughtsvisitedher，suchasdaredtoenternootherdwellinginNewEngland；shadowyguests，thatwouldhavebeenasperilousasdemonstotheirentertainercouldtheyhavebeenseensomuchasknockingatherdoor。
　　Itisremarkable，thatpersonswhospeculatethemostboldlyoftenconformwiththemostperfectquietudetotheexternalregulationsofsociety。Thethoughtsufficesthem，withoutinvestingitselfinthefleshandbloodofaction。SoitseemedtobewithHester。Yet，hadlittlePearlnevercometoherfromthespiritualworld，itmighthavebeenfarotherwise。Then，shemighthavecomedowntousinhistory，handinhandwithAnnHutchinson，asthefoundressofareligioussect。Shemight，inoneofherphases，havebeenaprophetess。Shemight，andnotimprobablywould，havesuffereddeathfromthesterntribunalsoftheperiod，forattemptingtounderminethefoundationsofthePuritanestablishment。But，intheeducationofherchild，themother’senthusiasmofthoughthadsomethingtowreakitselfupon。
　　Providence，inthepersonofthislittlegirl，hadassignedtoHester’schargethegermandblossomofwomanhood，tobecherishedanddevelopedamidahostofdifficulties。Everythingwasagainsther。Theworldwashostile。Thechild’sownnaturehadsomethingwronginit，whichcontinuallybetokenedthatshehadbeenbornamiss—theeffluenceofhermother’slawlesspassion—andoftenimpelledHestertoask，inbitternessofheart，whetheritwereforillorgoodthatthepoorlittlecreaturehadbeenbornatall。
　　Indeed，thesamedarkquestionoftenroseintohermind，withreferencetothewholeraceofwomanhood。Wasexistenceworthaccepting，eventothehappiestamongthem？Asconcernedherownindividualexistence，shehadlongagodecidedinthenegative，anddismissedthepointassettled。Atendencytospeculation，thoughitmaykeepwomanquiet，asitdoesman，yetmakeshersad。Shediscerns，itmaybe，suchahopelesstaskbeforeher。Asafirststep，thewholesystemofsocietyistobetorndown，andbuiltupanew。Then，theverynatureoftheoppositesex，oritslonghereditaryhabit，whichhasbecomelikenature，istobeessentiallymodified，beforewomancanbeallowedtoassumewhatseemsafairandsuitableposition。
　　Finally，allotherdifficultiesbeingobviated，womancannottakeadvantageofthesepreliminaryreforms，untilsheherselfshallhaveundergoneastillmightierchange；inwhich，perhaps，theetherealessence，whereinshehashertruestlife，willbefoundtohaveevaporated。Awomanneverovercomestheseproblemsbyanyexerciseofthought。Theyarenottobesolved，oronlyinoneway。Ifherheartchancetocomeuppermost，theyvanish。Thus，HesterPrynne，whosehearthadlostitsregularandhealthythrob，wanderedwithoutaclewinthedarklabyrinthofmind；nowturnedasidebyaninsurmountableprecipice；nowstartingbackfromadeepchasm。Therewaswildandghastlysceneryallaroundher，andahomeandcomfortnowhere。Attimes，afearfuldoubtstrovetopossesshersoul，whetheritwerenotbettertosendPearlatoncetoheaven，andgoherselftosuchfuturityasEternalJusticeshouldprovide。
　　Thescarletletterhadnotdoneitsoffice。
　　Now，however，herinterviewwiththeReverendMr。Dimmesdale，onthenightofhisvigil，hadgivenheranewthemeofreflection，andhelduptoheranobjectthatappearedworthyofanyexertionandsacrificeforitsattainment。Shehadwitnessedtheintensemiserybeneathwhichtheministerstruggled，or，tospeakmoreaccurately，hadceasedtostruggle。Shesawthathestoodonthevergeoflunacy，ifhehadnotalreadysteppedacrossit。Itwasimpossibletodoubt，that，whateverpainfulefficacytheremightbeinthesecretstingofremorse，adeadliervenomhadbeeninfusedintoitbythehandthatprofferedrelief。Asecretenemyhadbeencontinuallybyhisside，underthesemblanceofafriendandhelper，andhadavailedhimselfoftheopportunitiesthusaffordedfortamperingwiththedelicatespringsofMr。Dimmesdale’snature。Hestercouldnotbutaskherself，whethertherehadnotoriginallybeenadefectoftruth，courage，andloyalty，onherownpart，inallowingtheministertobethrownintoapositionwheresomuchevilwastobeforeboded，andnothingauspicioustobehoped。Heronlyjustificationlayinthefact，thatshehadbeenabletodiscernnomethodofrescuinghimfromablackerruinthanhadoverwhelmedherself，exceptbyacquiescinginRogerChillingworth’sschemeofdisguise。Underthatimpulse，shehadmadeherchoice，andhadchosen，asitnowappeared，themorewretchedalternativeofthetwo。Shedeterminedtoredeemhererror，sofarasitmightyetbepossible。
　　Strengthenedbyyearsofhardandsolemntrial，shefeltherselfnolongersoinadequatetocopewithRogerChillingworthasonthatnight，abasedbysin，andhalfmaddenedbytheignominythatwasstillnew，whentheyhadtalkedtogetherintheprison—chamber。Shehadclimbedherway，sincethen，toahigherpoint。Theoldman，ontheotherhand，hadbroughthimselfnearertoherlevel，orperhapsbelowit，bytherevengewhichhehadstoopedfor。
　　Infine，HesterPrynneresolvedtomeetherformerhusband，anddowhatmightbeinherpowerfortherescueofthevictimonwhomhehadsoevidentlysethisgripe。Theoccasionwasnotlongtoseek。Oneafternoon，walkingwithPearlinaretiredpartofthepeninsula，shebeheldtheoldphysician，withabasketononearm，andastaffintheotherhand，stoopingalongtheground，inquestofrootsandherbstoconcocthismedicineswithal。
　　XIV。
　　HESTERANDTHEPHYSICIAN。
　　HESTERbadelittlePearlrundowntothemarginofthewater，andplaywiththeshellsandtangledseaweed，untilsheshouldhavetalkedawhilewithyondergathererofherbs。Sothechildflewawaylikeabird，and，makingbarehersmallwhitefeet，wentpatteringalongthemoistmarginofthesea。Hereandthereshecametoafullstop，andpeepedcuriouslyintoapool，leftbytheretiringtideasamirrorforPearltoseeherfacein。Forthpeepedather，outofthepool，withdark，glisteningcurlsaroundherhead，andanelf—smileinhereyes，theimageofalittlemaid，whomPearl，havingnootherplaymate，invitedtotakeherhand，andrunaracewithher。Butthevisionarylittlemaid，onherpart，beckonedlikewise，asiftosay，"Thisisabetterplace！Comethouintothepool！"AndPearl，steppingin，mid—legdeep，beheldherownwhitefeetatthebottom；while，outofastilllowerdepth，camethegleamofakindoffragmentarysmile，floatingtoandfrointheagitatedwater。
　　Meanwhile，hermotherhadaccostedthephysician。
　　"Iwouldspeakawordwithyou，"saidshe—"awordthatconcernsusmuch。"
　　"Aha！andisitMistressHesterthathasawordforoldRogerChillingworth？"answeredhe，raisinghimselffromhisstoopingposture。"Withallmyheart！Why，mistress，Iheargoodtidingsofyou，onallhands！Nolongeragothanyester—eve，amagistrate，awiseandgodlyman，wasdiscoursingofyouraffairs，MistressHester，andwhisperedmethattherehadbeenquestionconcerningyouinthecouncil。Itwasdebatedwhetherorno，withsafetytothecommonweal，yonderscarletlettermightbetakenoffyourbosom。Onmylife，Hester，Imademyentreatytotheworshipfulmagistratethatitmightbedoneforthwith！"
　　"Itliesnotinthepleasureofthemagistratestotakeoffthisbadge。"calmlyrepliedHester。"WereIworthytobequitofit，itwouldfallawayofitsownnature，orbetransformedintosomethingthatshouldspeakadifferentpurport。"
　　"Nay，then，wearit，ifitsuityoubetter，"rejoinedhe。"Awomanmustneedsfollowherownfancytouchingtheadornmentofherperson。Theletterisgailyembroidered，andshowsrightbravelyonyourbosom！"
　　Allthiswhile，Hesterhadbeenlookingsteadilyattheoldman，andwasshocked，aswellaswonder—smitten，todiscernwhatachangehadbeenwroughtuponhimwithinthepastsevenyears。Itwasnotsomuchthathehadgrownolder；forthoughthetracesofadvancinglifewerevisible，heborehisagewell，andseemedtoretainawiryvigourandalertness。Buttheformeraspectofanintellectualandstudiousman，calmandquiet，whichwaswhatshebestrememberedinhim，hadaltogethervanished，andbeensucceededbyaneager，searching，almostfierce，yetcarefullyguardedlook。Itseemedtobehiswishandpurposetomaskthisexpressionwithasmile；butthelatterplayedhimfalse，andflickeredoverhisvisagesoderisively，thatthespectatorcouldseehisblacknessallthebetterforit。Everandanon，too，therecameaglareofredlightoutofhiseyes；asiftheoldman’ssoulwereonfire，andkeptonsmoulderingduskilywithinhisbreast，until，bysomecasualpuffofpassion，itwasblownintoamomentaryflame。Thisherepressed，asspeedilyaspossible，andstrovetolookasifnothingofthekindhadhappened。
　　Inaword，oldRogerChillingworthwasastrikingevidenceofman’sfacultyoftransforminghimselfintoadevil，ifhewillonly，forareasonablespaceoftime，undertakeadevil’soffice。Thisunhappypersonhadeffectedsuchatransformation，bydevotinghimself，forsevenyears，totheconstantanalysisofaheartfulloftorture，andderivinghisenjoymentthence，andaddingfueltothosefierytortureswhichheanalysedandgloatedover。
　　ThescarletletterburnedonHesterPrynne’sbosom。Herewasanotherruin，theresponsibilityofwhichcamepartlyhometoher。
　　"Whatseeyouinmyface，"askedthephysician，"thatyoulookatitsoearnestly？"
　　"Somethingthatwouldmakemeweep，iftherewereanytearsbitterenoughforit，"answeredshe。"Butletitpass！ItisofyondermiserablemanthatIwouldspeak。"
　　"Andwhatofhim？"criedRogerChillingwortheagerly，asifhelovedthetopic，andweregladofanopportunitytodiscussitwiththeonlypersonofwhomhecouldmakeaconfidant。"Nottohidethetruth，MistressHester，mythoughtshappenjustnowtobebusywiththegentleman。Sospeakfreely；andIwillmakeanswer。"
　　"Whenwelastspaketogether，"saidHester，"nowsevenyearsago，itwasyourpleasuretoextortapromiseofsecrecy，astouchingtheformerrelationbetwixtyourselfandme。Asthelifeandgoodfameofyondermanwereinyourhands，thereseemednochoicetome，savetobesilent，inaccordancewithyourbehest。YetitwasnotwithoutheavymisgivingsthatIthusboundmyself；for，havingcastoffalldutytowardsotherhumanbeings，thereremainedadutytowardshim；
　　andsomethingwhisperedmethatIwasbetrayingit，inpledgingmyselftokeepyourcounsel。Sincethatday，nomanissoneartohimasyou。
　　Youtreadbehindhiseveryfootstep。Youarebesidehim，sleepingandwaking。Yousearchhisthoughts。Youburrowandrankleinhisheart！Yourclutchisonhislife，andyoucausehimtodiedailyalivingdeath；andstillheknowsyounot。Inpermittingthis，Ihavesurelyactedafalsepartbytheonlymantowhomthepowerwasleftmetobetrue！"
　　"Whatchoicehadyou？"askedRogerChillingworth。"Myfinger，pointedatthisman，wouldhavehurledhimfromhispulpitintoadungeon—thence，peradventure，tothegallows！"
　　"Ithadbeenbetterso！"saidHesterPrynne。
　　"WhatevilhaveIdonetheman？"askedRogerChillingworthagain。"I
　　tellthee，HesterPrynne，therichestfeethateverphysicianearnedfrommonarchcouldnothaveboughtsuchcareasIhavewastedonthismiserablepriest！Butformyaid，hislifewouldhaveburnedawayintorments，withinthefirsttwoyearsaftertheperpetrationofhiscrimeandthine。For，Hester，hisspiritlackedthestrengththatcouldhaveborneup，asthinehas，beneathaburdenlikethyscarletletter。Oh，Icouldrevealagoodlysecret！Butenough！Whatartcando，Ihaveexhaustedonhim。Thathenowbreathes，andcreepsuponearth，isowingalltome！"
　　"Betterhehaddiedatonce！"saidHesterPrynne。
　　"Yea，woman，thousayesttruly！"criedoldRogerChillingworth，lettingtheluridfireofhisheartblazeoutbeforehereyes。"Betterhadhediedatonce！Neverdidmortalsufferwhatthismanhassuffered。Andall，all，inthesightofhisworstenemy！Hehasbeenconsciousofme。Hehasfeltaninfluencedwellingalwaysuponhimlikeacurse。Heknew，bysomespiritualsense—fortheCreatornevermadeanotherbeingsosensitiveasthis—heknewthatnofriendlyhandwaspullingathisheart—strings，andthataneyewaslookingcuriouslyintohim，whichsoughtonlyevil，andfoundit。Butheknewnotthattheeyeandhandweremine！Withthesuperstitioncommontohisbrotherhood，hefanciedhimselfgivenovertoafiend，tobetorturedwithfrightfuldreams，anddesperatethoughts，thestingofremorse，anddespairofpardon；asaforetasteofwhatawaitshimbeyondthegrave。Butitwastheconstantshadowofmypresence！—
　　theclosestpropinquityofthemanwhomhehadmostvilelywronged！—
　　andwhohadgrowntoexistonlybythisperpetualpoisonofthedirestrevenge！Yea，indeed！—hedidnoterr！—therewasafiendathiselbow！Amortalman，withonceahumanheart，hasbecomeafiendforhisespecialtorment！"
　　Theunfortunatephysician，whileutteringthesewords，liftedhishandswithalookofhorror，asifhehadbeheldsomefrightfulshape，whichhecouldnotrecognise，usurpingtheplaceofhisownimageinaglass。Itwasoneofthosemoments—whichsometimesoccuronlyattheintervalofyears—whenaman’smoralaspectisfaithfullyrevealedtohismind’seye。Notimprobably，hehadneverbeforeviewedhimselfashedidnow。
　　"Hastthounottorturedhimenough？"saidHester，noticingtheoldman’slook。"Hashenotpaidtheeall？"
　　"No！—no！—hehasbutincreasedthedebt！"answeredthephysician；
　　andasheproceeded，hismannerlostitsfiercercharacteristics，andsubsidedintogloom。"Dostthourememberme，Hester，asIwasnineyearsagone？Eventhen，Iwasintheautumnofmydays，norwasittheearlyautumn。Butallmylifehadbeenmadeupofearnest，studious，thoughtful，quietyears，bestowedfaithfullyfortheincreaseofmineownknowledge，andfaithfully，too，thoughthislatterobjectwasbutcasualtotheother—faithfullyfortheadvancementofhumanwelfare。Nolifehadbeenmorepeacefulandinnocentthanmine；fewlivessorichwithbenefitsconferred。Dostthourememberme？WasI
　　not，thoughyoumightdeemmecold，neverthelessamanthoughtfulforothers，cravinglittleforhimself—kind，true，just，andofconstant，ifnotwarmaffections？WasInotallthis？"
　　"Allthis，andmore，"saidHester。
　　"AndwhatamInow？"demandedhe，lookingintoherface，andpermittingthewholeevilwithinhimtobewrittenonhisfeatures。"I
　　havealreadytoldtheewhatIam！Afiend！Whomademeso？"
　　"Itwasmyself！"criedHester，shuddering。"ItwasI，notlessthanhe。Whyhastthounotavengedthyselfonme？"
　　"Ihavelefttheetothescarletletter，"repliedRogerChillingworth。"Ifthathavenotavengedme，Icandonomore！"
　　Helaidhisfingeronit，withasmile。
　　"Ithasavengedthee！"answeredHesterPrynne。
　　"Ijudgednoless，"saidthephysician。"Andnow，whatwouldstthouwithmetouchingthisman？"
　　"Imustrevealthesecret，"answeredHesterfirmly。"Hemustdiscerntheeinthytruecharacter。Whatmaybetheresult，Iknownot。Butthislongdebtofconfidence，duefrommetohim，whosebaneandruinIhavebeen，shallatlengthbepaid。Sofarasconcernstheoverthroworpreservationofhisfairfameandhisearthlystate，andperchancehislife，heisinthyhands。NordoI—whomthescarletletterhasdisciplinedtotruth，thoughitbethetruthofred—hotiron，enteringintothesoul—nordoIperceivesuchadvantageinhislivinganylongeralifeofghastlyemptiness，thatIshallstooptoimplorethymercy。Dowithhimasthouwilt！Thereisnogoodforhim—nogoodforme—nogoodforthee！ThereisnogoodforlittlePearl！Thereisnopathtoguideusoutofthisdismalmaze。"
　　"Woman，Icouldwell—nighpitythee！"saidRogerChillingworth，unabletorestrainathrillofadmirationtoo；fortherewasaqualityalmostmajesticinthedespairwhichsheexpressed。"Thouhadstgreatelements。Peradventure，hadstthoumetearlierwithabetterlovethanmine，thisevilhadnotbeen。Ipitythee，forthegoodthathasbeenwastedinthynature！"
　　"AndIthee，"answeredHesterPrynne，"forthehatredthathastransformedawiseandjustmantoafiend！Wiltthouyetpurgeitoutofthee，andbeoncemorehuman？Ifnotforhissake，thendoublyforthineown！Forgive，andleavehisfurtherretributiontothePowerthatclaimsit！Isaid，butnow，thattherecouldbenogoodeventforhim，orthee，orme，whoareherewanderingtogetherinthisgloomymazeofevil，andstumbling，ateverystep，overtheguiltwherewithwehavestrewnourpath。Itisnotso！Theremightbegoodforthee，andtheealone，sincethouhastbeendeeplywronged，andhastitatthywilltopardon。Wiltthougiveupthatonlyprivilege？Wiltthourejectthatpricelessbenefit？"
　　"Peace，Hester，peace！"repliedtheoldman，withgloomysternness。"Itisnotgrantedmetopardon。Ihavenosuchpowerasthoutellestmeof。Myoldfaith，longforgotten，comesbacktome，andexplainsallthatwedo，andallwesuffer。Bythyfirststepawry，thoudidstplantthegermofevil；butsincethatmoment，ithasallbeenadarknecessity。Yethathavewrongedmearenotsinful，saveinakindoftypicalillusion；neitheramIfiend—like，whohavesnatchedafiend’sofficefromhishands。Itisourfate。Lettheblackflowerblossomasitmay！Nowgothyways，anddealasthouwiltwithyonderman。"
　　Hewavedhishandandbetookhimselfagaintohisemploymentofgatheringherbs。
　　XV。
　　HESTERANDPEARL。
　　SORogerChillingworth—adeformedoldfigure，withafacethathauntedmen’smemorieslongerthantheyliked—tookleaveofHesterPrynne，andwentstoopingawayalongtheearth。Hegatheredhereandthereanherb，orgrubbeduparoot，andputitintothebasketonhisarm。Hisgreybeardalmosttouchedtheground，ashecreptonward。
　　Hestergazedafterhimalittlewhile，lookingwithahalffantasticcuriositytoseewhetherthetendergrassofearlyspringwouldnotbeblightedbeneathhim，andshowthewaveringtrackofhisfootsteps，sereandbrown，acrossitscheerfulverdure。Shewonderedwhatsortofherbstheywere，whichtheoldmanwassoseduloustogather。Wouldnottheearth，quickenedtoanevilpurposebythesympathyofhiseye，greethimwithpoisonousshrubs，ofspecieshithertounknown，thatwouldstartupunderhisfingers？Ormightitsufficehim，thateverywholesomegrowthshouldbeconvertedintosomethingdeleteriousandmalignantathistouch？Didthesun，whichshonesobrightlyeverywhereelse，reallyfalluponhim？Orwasthere，asitratherseemed，acircleofominousshadowmovingalongwithhisdeformity，whicheverwayheturnedhimself？Andwhitherwashenowgoing？Wouldhenotsuddenlysinkintotheearth，leavingabarrenandblastedspot，where，induecourseoftime，wouldbeseendeadlynightshade，dogwood，henbane，andwhateverelseofvegetablewickednesstheclimatecouldproduce，allflourishingwithhideousluxuriance？Orwouldhespreadbat’swingsandfleeaway，lookingsomuchtheuglier，thehigherherosetowardsheaven？
　　"Beitsinorno，"saidHesterPrynnebitterly，asshestillgazedafterhim，"Ihatetheman！"
　　Sheupbraidedherselfforthesentiment，butcouldnotovercomeorlessenit。Attemptingtodoso，shethoughtofthoselong—pastdays，inadistantland，whenheusedtoemergeateventidefromtheseclusionofhisstudy，andsitdowninthefirelightoftheirhome，andinthelightofhernuptialsmile。Heneededtobaskhimselfinthatsmile，hesaid，inorderthatthechillofsomanylonelyhoursamonghisbooksmightbetakenoffthescholar’sheart。Suchsceneshadonceappearednototherwisethanhappy，butnow，asviewedthroughthedismalmediumofhersubsequentlife，theyclassedthemselvesamongherugliestremembrances。Shemarvelledhowsuchscenescouldhavebeen！Shemarvelledhowshecouldeverhavebeenwroughtupontomarryhim！Shedeemedithercrimemosttoberepentedof，thatshehadeverendured，andreciprocated，thelukewarmgraspofhishand，andhadsufferedthesmileofherlipsandeyestomingleandmeltintohisown。AnditseemedafouleroffencecommittedbyRogerChillingworth，thananywhichhadsincebeendonehim，that，inthetimewhenherheartknewnobetter，hehadpersuadedhertofancyherselfhappybyhisside。
　　"Yes，Ihatehim！"repeatedHester，morebitterlythanbefore。"Hebetrayedme！HehasdonemeworsewrongthanIdidhim！"
　　Letmentrembletowinthehandofwoman，unlesstheywinalongwithittheutmostpassionofherheart！Elseitmaybetheirmiserablefortune，asitwasRogerChillingworth’s，whensomemightiertouchthantheirownmayhaveawakenedallhersensibilities，tobereproachedevenforthecalmcontent，themarbleimageofhappiness，whichtheywillhaveimposeduponherasthewarmreality。ButHesteroughtlongagotohavedonewiththisinjustice。Whatdiditbetoken？Hadsevenlongyears，underthetortureofthescarletletter，inflictedsomuchofmisery，andwroughtoutnorepentance？
　　Theemotionsofthatbriefspace，whileshestoodgazingafterthecrookedfigureofoldRogerChillingworth，threwadarklightonHester’sstateofmind，revealingmuchthatshemightnototherwisehaveacknowledgedtoherself。
　　Hebeinggone，shesummonedbackherchild。
　　"Pearl！LittlePearl！Whereareyou？"
　　Pearl，whoseactivityofspiritneverflagged，hadbeenatnolossforamusementwhilehermothertalkedwiththeoldgathererofherbs。Atfirst，asalreadytold，shehadflirtedfancifullywithherownimageinapoolofwater，beckoningthephantomforth，and—asitdeclinedtoventure—seekingapassageforherselfintoitssphereofimpalpableearthandunattainablesky。Soonfinding，however，thateithersheortheimagewasunreal，sheturnedelsewhereforbetterpastime。Shemadelittleboatsoutofbirch—bark，andfreightedthemwithsnail—shells，andsentoutmoreventuresonthemightydeepthananymerchantinNewEngland；butthelargerpartofthemfounderedneartheshore。Sheseizedalivehorse—shoebythetail，andmadeprizeofseveralfive—fingers，andlaidoutajelly—fishtomeltinthewarmsun。Thenshetookupthewhitefoam，thatstreakedthelineoftheadvancingtide，andthrewituponthebreeze，scamperingafterit，withwingedfootsteps，tocatchthegreatsnowflakeseretheyfell。Perceivingaflockofbeach—birds，thatfedandflutteredalongtheshore，thenaughtychildpickedupherapronfullofpebbles，and，creepingfromrocktorockafterthesesmallsea—fowl，displayedremarkabledexterityinpeltingthem。Onelittlegreybird，withawhitebreast，Pearlwasalmostsure，hadbeenhitbyapebble，andflutteredawaywithabrokenwing。Butthentheelf—childsighed，andgaveuphersport；becauseitgrievedhertohavedoneharmtoalittlebeingthatwasaswildasthesea—breeze，oraswildasPearlherself。
　　Herfinalemploymentwastogathersea—weed，ofvariouskinds，andmakeherselfascarf，ormantle，andahead—dress，andthusassumetheaspectofalittlemermaid。Sheinheritedhermother’sgiftfordevisingdraperyandcostume。Asthelasttouchtohermermaidgarb，Pearltooksomeeel—grass，andimitated，asbestshecould，onherownbosom，thedecorationwithwhichshewassofamiliaronhermother’s。Aletter—theletterA—butfreshlygreen，insteadofscarlet！Thechildbentherchinuponherbreast，andcontemplatedthisdevicewithstrangeinterest；evenasiftheoneonlythingforwhichshehadbeensentintotheworldwastomakeoutitshiddenimport。