Inthelatterpartofthelastcenturytherelivedamanofscience，aneminentproficientineverybranchofnaturalphilosophy，whonotlongbeforeourstoryopenshadmadeexperienceofaspiritualaffinitymoreattractivethananychemicalone。Hehadlefthislaboratorytothecareofanassistant，clearedhisfinecountenancefromthefurnacesmoke，washedthestainofacidsfromhisfingers，andpersuadedabeautifulwomantobecomehiswife。InthosedayswhenthecomparativelyrecentdiscoveryofelectricityandotherkindredmysteriesofNatureseemedtoopenpathsintotheregionofmiracle，itwasnotunusualfortheloveofsciencetorivaltheloveofwomaninitsdepthandabsorbingenergy。Thehigherintellect，theimagination，thespirit，andeventheheartmightallfindtheircongenialalimentinpursuitswhich，assomeoftheirardentvotariesbelieved，wouldascendfromonestepofpowerfulintelligencetoanother，untilthephilosophershouldlayhishandonthesecretofcreativeforceandperhapsmakenewworldsforhimself。WeknownotwhetherAylmerpossessedthisdegreeoffaithinman\'sultimatecontroloverNature。Hehaddevotedhimself，however，toounreservedlytoscientificstudiesevertobeweanedfromthembyanysecondpassion。Hisloveforhisyoungwifemightprovethestrongerofthetwo；butitcouldonlybebyintertwiningitselfwithhisloveofscience，andunitingthestrengthofthelattertohisown。
Suchaunionaccordinglytookplace，andwasattendedwithtrulyremarkableconsequencesandadeeplyimpressivemoral。Oneday，verysoonaftertheirmarriage，Aylmersatgazingathiswifewithatroubleinhiscountenancethatgrewstrongeruntilhespoke。
“Georgiana，“saidhe，“hasitneveroccurredtoyouthatthemarkuponyourcheekmightberemoved？“
“No，indeed，“saidshe，smiling；butperceivingtheseriousnessofhismanner，sheblusheddeeply。“TotellyouthetruthithasbeensooftencalledacharmthatIwassimpleenoughtoimagineitmightbeso。“
“Ah，uponanotherfaceperhapsitmight，“repliedherhusband；
“butneveronyours。No，dearestGeorgiana，youcamesonearlyperfectfromthehandofNaturethatthisslightestpossibledefect，whichwehesitatewhethertotermadefectorabeauty，shocksme，asbeingthevisiblemarkofearthlyimperfection。“
“Shocksyou，myhusband！“criedGeorgiana，deeplyhurt；atfirstreddeningwithmomentaryanger，butthenburstingintotears。
“Thenwhydidyoutakemefrommymother\'sside？Youcannotlovewhatshocksyou！“
ToexplainthisconversationitmustbementionedthatinthecentreofGeorgiana\'sleftcheektherewasasingularmark，deeplyinterwoven，asitwere，withthetextureandsubstanceofherface。Intheusualstateofhercomplexion——ahealthythoughdelicatebloom——themarkworeatintofdeepercrimson，whichimperfectlydefineditsshapeamidthesurroundingrosiness。Whensheblusheditgraduallybecamemoreindistinct，andfinallyvanishedamidthetriumphantrushofbloodthatbathedthewholecheekwithitsbrilliantglow。Butifanyshiftingmotioncausedhertoturnpaletherewasthemarkagain，acrimsonstainuponthesnow，inwhatAylmersometimesdeemedanalmostfearfuldistinctness。Itsshapeborenotalittlesimilaritytothehumanhand，thoughofthesmallestpygmysize。Georgiana\'sloverswerewonttosaythatsomefairyatherbirthhourhadlaidhertinyhandupontheinfant\'scheek，andleftthisimpressthereintokenofthemagicendowmentsthatweretogivehersuchswayoverallhearts。Manyadesperateswainwouldhaveriskedlifefortheprivilegeofpressinghislipstothemysterioushand。Itmustnotbeconcealed，however，thattheimpressionwroughtbythisfairysignmanualvariedexceedingly，accordingtothedifferenceoftemperamentinthebeholders。Somefastidiouspersons——buttheywereexclusivelyofherownsex——affirmedthatthebloodyhand，astheychosetocallit，quitedestroyedtheeffectofGeorgiana\'sbeauty，andrenderedhercountenanceevenhideous。ButitwouldbeasreasonabletosaythatoneofthosesmallbluestainswhichsometimesoccurinthepureststatuarymarblewouldconverttheEveofPowerstoamonster。Masculineobservers，ifthebirthmarkdidnotheightentheiradmiration，contentedthemselveswithwishingitaway，thattheworldmightpossessonelivingspecimenofideallovelinesswithoutthesemblanceofaflaw。Afterhismarriage，——forhethoughtlittleornothingofthematterbefore，——Aylmerdiscoveredthatthiswasthecasewithhimself。
Hadshebeenlessbeautiful，——ifEnvy\'sselfcouldhavefoundaughtelsetosneerat，——hemighthavefelthisaffectionheightenedbytheprettinessofthismimichand，nowvaguelyportrayed，nowlost，nowstealingforthagainandglimmeringtoandfrowitheverypulseofemotionthatthrobbedwithinherheart；butseeingherotherwisesoperfect，hefoundthisonedefectgrowmoreandmoreintolerablewitheverymomentoftheirunitedlives。ItwasthefatalflawofhumanitywhichNature，inoneshapeoranother，stampsineffaceablyonallherproductions，eithertoimplythattheyaretemporaryandfinite，orthattheirperfectionmustbewroughtbytoilandpain。Thecrimsonhandexpressedtheineludiblegripeinwhichmortalityclutchesthehighestandpurestofearthlymould，degradingthemintokindredwiththelowest，andevenwiththeverybrutes，likewhomtheirvisibleframesreturntodust。Inthismanner，selectingitasthesymbolofhiswife\'sliabilitytosin，sorrow，decay，anddeath，Aylmer\'ssombreimaginationwasnotlonginrenderingthebirthmarkafrightfulobject，causinghimmoretroubleandhorrorthaneverGeorgiana\'sbeauty，whetherofsoulorsense，hadgivenhimdelight。
Atalltheseasonswhichshouldhavebeentheirhappiest，heinvariablyandwithoutintendingit，nay，inspiteofapurposetothecontrary，revertedtothisonedisastroustopic。Triflingasitatfirstappeared，itsoconnecteditselfwithinnumerabletrainsofthoughtandmodesoffeelingthatitbecamethecentralpointofall。WiththemorningtwilightAylmeropenedhiseyesuponhiswife\'sfaceandrecognizedthesymbolofimperfection；
andwhentheysattogetherattheeveninghearthhiseyeswanderedstealthilytohercheek，andbeheld，flickeringwiththeblazeofthewoodfire，thespectralhandthatwrotemortalitywherehewouldfainhaveworshipped。Georgianasoonlearnedtoshudderathisgaze。Itneededbutaglancewiththepeculiarexpressionthathisfaceoftenworetochangetherosesofhercheekintoadeathlikepaleness，amidwhichthecrimsonhandwasbroughtstronglyout，likeabass-reliefofrubyonthewhitestmarble。
Lateonenightwhenthelightsweregrowingdim，soashardlytobetraythestainonthepoorwife\'scheek，sheherself，forthefirsttime，voluntarilytookupthesubject。
“Doyouremember，mydearAylmer，“saidshe，withafeebleattemptatasmile，“haveyouanyrecollectionofadreamlastnightaboutthisodioushand？“
“None！nonewhatever！“repliedAylmer，starting；butthenheadded，inadry，coldtone，affectedforthesakeofconcealingtherealdepthofhisemotion，“Imightwelldreamofit；forbeforeIfellasleepithadtakenaprettyfirmholdofmyfancy。“
“Andyoudiddreamofit？“continuedGeorgiana，hastily；forshedreadedlestagushoftearsshouldinterruptwhatshehadtosay。“Aterribledream！Iwonderthatyoucanforgetit。Isitpossibletoforgetthisoneexpression？——\'Itisinherheartnow；
wemusthaveitout！\'Reflect，myhusband；forbyallmeansI
wouldhaveyourecallthatdream。“
ThemindisinasadstatewhenSleep，theall-involving，cannotconfineherspectreswithinthedimregionofhersway，butsuffersthemtobreakforth，affrightingthisactuallifewithsecretsthatperchancebelongtoadeeperone。Aylmernowrememberedhisdream。HehadfanciedhimselfwithhisservantAminadab，attemptinganoperationfortheremovalofthebirthmark；butthedeeperwenttheknife，thedeepersankthehand，untilatlengthitstinygraspappearedtohavecaughtholdofGeorgiana\'sheart；whence，however，herhusbandwasinexorablyresolvedtocutorwrenchitaway。
Whenthedreamhadshapeditselfperfectlyinhismemory，Aylmersatinhiswife\'spresencewithaguiltyfeeling。Truthoftenfindsitswaytothemindclosemuffledinrobesofsleep，andthenspeakswithuncompromisingdirectnessofmattersinregardtowhichwepractiseanunconsciousself-deceptionduringourwakingmoments。Untilnowhehadnotbeenawareofthetyrannizinginfluenceacquiredbyoneideaoverhismind，andofthelengthswhichhemightfindinhishearttogoforthesakeofgivinghimselfpeace。
“Aylmer，“resumedGeorgiana，solemnly，“Iknownotwhatmaybethecosttobothofustoridmeofthisfatalbirthmark。Perhapsitsremovalmaycausecurelessdeformity；oritmaybethestaingoesasdeepaslifeitself。Again:doweknowthatthereisapossibility，onanyterms，ofunclaspingthefirmgripeofthislittlehandwhichwaslaiduponmebeforeIcameintotheworld？“
“DearestGeorgiana，Ihavespentmuchthoughtuponthesubject，“
hastilyinterruptedAylmer。“Iamconvincedoftheperfectpracticabilityofitsremoval。“
“Iftherebetheremotestpossibilityofit，“continuedGeorgiana，“lettheattemptbemadeatwhateverrisk。Dangerisnothingtome；forlife，whilethishatefulmarkmakesmetheobjectofyourhorroranddisgust，——lifeisaburdenwhichI
wouldflingdownwithjoy。Eitherremovethisdreadfulhand，ortakemywretchedlife！Youhavedeepscience。Alltheworldbearswitnessofit。Youhaveachievedgreatwonders。Cannotyouremovethislittle，littlemark，whichIcoverwiththetipsoftwosmallfingers？Isthisbeyondyourpower，forthesakeofyourownpeace，andtosaveyourpoorwifefrommadness？“
“Noblest，dearest，tenderestwife，“criedAylmer，rapturously，“doubtnotmypower。Ihavealreadygiventhismatterthedeepestthought——thoughtwhichmightalmosthaveenlightenedmetocreateabeinglessperfectthanyourself。Georgiana，youhaveledmedeeperthaneverintotheheartofscience。Ifeelmyselffullycompetenttorenderthisdearcheekasfaultlessasitsfellow；
andthen，mostbeloved，whatwillbemytriumphwhenIshallhavecorrectedwhatNatureleftimperfectinherfairestwork！EvenPygmalion，whenhissculpturedwomanassumedlife，feltnotgreaterecstasythanminewillbe。“
“Itisresolved，then，“saidGeorgiana，faintlysmiling。“And，Aylmer，sparemenot，thoughyoushouldfindthebirthmarktakerefugeinmyheartatlast。“
Herhusbandtenderlykissedhercheek——herrightcheek——notthatwhichboretheimpressofthecrimsonhand。
ThenextdayAylmerapprisedhiswifeofaplanthathehadformedwherebyhemighthaveopportunityfortheintensethoughtandconstantwatchfulnesswhichtheproposedoperationwouldrequire；whileGeorgiana，likewise，wouldenjoytheperfectreposeessentialtoitssuccess。TheyweretosecludethemselvesintheextensiveapartmentsoccupiedbyAylmerasalaboratory，andwhere，duringhistoilsomeyouth，hehadmadediscoveriesintheelementalpowersofNaturethathadrousedtheadmirationofallthelearnedsocietiesinEurope。Seatedcalmlyinthislaboratory，thepalephilosopherhadinvestigatedthesecretsofthehighestcloudregionandoftheprofoundestmines；hehadsatisfiedhimselfofthecausesthatkindledandkeptalivethefiresofthevolcano；andhadexplainedthemysteryoffountains，andhowitisthattheygushforth，somesobrightandpure，andotherswithsuchrichmedicinalvirtues，fromthedarkbosomoftheearth。Here，too，atanearlierperiod，hehadstudiedthewondersofthehumanframe，andattemptedtofathomtheveryprocessbywhichNatureassimilatesallherpreciousinfluencesfromearthandair，andfromthespiritualworld，tocreateandfosterman，hermasterpiece。Thelatterpursuit，however，Aylmerhadlonglaidasideinunwillingrecognitionofthetruth——againstwhichallseekerssoonerorlaterstumble——thatourgreatcreativeMother，whilesheamusesuswithapparentlyworkinginthebroadestsunshine，isyetseverelycarefultokeepherownsecrets，and，inspiteofherpretendedopenness，showsusnothingbutresults。Shepermitsus，indeed，tomar，butseldomtomend，and，likeajealouspatentee，onnoaccounttomake。Now，however，Aylmerresumedthesehalf-forgotteninvestigations；not，ofcourse，withsuchhopesorwishesasfirstsuggestedthem；butbecausetheyinvolvedmuchphysiologicaltruthandlayinthepathofhisproposedschemeforthetreatmentofGeorgiana。
Asheledheroverthethresholdofthelaboratory，Georgianawascoldandtremulous。Aylmerlookedcheerfullyintoherface，withintenttoreassureher，butwassostartledwiththeintenseglowofthebirthmarkuponthewhitenessofhercheekthathecouldnotrestrainastrongconvulsiveshudder。Hiswifefainted。
“Aminadab！Aminadab！“shoutedAylmer，stampingviolentlyonthefloor。
Forthwiththereissuedfromaninnerapartmentamanoflowstature，butbulkyframe，withshaggyhairhangingabouthisvisage，whichwasgrimedwiththevaporsofthefurnace。ThispersonagehadbeenAylmer\'sunderworkerduringhiswholescientificcareer，andwasadmirablyfittedforthatofficebyhisgreatmechanicalreadiness，andtheskillwithwhich，whileincapableofcomprehendingasingleprinciple，heexecutedallthedetailsofhismaster\'sexperiments。Withhisvaststrength，hisshaggyhair，hissmokyaspect，andtheindescribableearthinessthatincrustedhim，heseemedtorepresentman\'sphysicalnature；whileAylmer\'sslenderfigure，andpale，intellectualface，werenolessaptatypeofthespiritualelement。
“Throwopenthedooroftheboudoir，Aminadab，“saidAylmer，“andburnapastil。“
“Yes，master，“answeredAminadab，lookingintentlyatthelifelessformofGeorgiana；andthenhemutteredtohimself，“Ifsheweremywife，I\'dneverpartwiththatbirthmark。“
WhenGeorgianarecoveredconsciousnessshefoundherselfbreathinganatmosphereofpenetratingfragrance，thegentlepotencyofwhichhadrecalledherfromherdeathlikefaintness。
Thescenearoundherlookedlikeenchantment。Aylmerhadconvertedthosesmoky，dingy，sombrerooms，wherehehadspenthisbrightestyearsinreconditepursuits，intoaseriesofbeautifulapartmentsnotunfittobethesecludedabodeofalovelywoman。Thewallswerehungwithgorgeouscurtains，whichimpartedthecombinationofgrandeurandgracethatnootherspeciesofadornmentcanachieve；andastheyfellfromtheceilingtothefloor，theirrichandponderousfolds，concealingallanglesandstraightlines，appearedtoshutinthescenefrominfinitespace。ForaughtGeorgianaknew，itmightbeapavilionamongtheclouds。AndAylmer，excludingthesunshine，whichwouldhaveinterferedwithhischemicalprocesses，hadsupplieditsplacewithperfumedlamps，emittingflamesofvarioushue，butallunitinginasoft，impurpledradiance。Henowkneltbyhiswife\'sside，watchingherearnestly，butwithoutalarm；forhewasconfidentinhisscience，andfeltthathecoulddrawamagiccircleroundherwithinwhichnoevilmightintrude。
“WhereamI？Ah，Iremember，“saidGeorgiana，faintly；andsheplacedherhandoverhercheektohidetheterriblemarkfromherhusband\'seyes。
“Fearnot，dearest！“exclaimedhe。“Donotshrinkfromme！
Believeme，Georgiana，Ievenrejoiceinthissingleimperfection，sinceitwillbesucharapturetoremoveit。“
“Oh，spareme！“sadlyrepliedhiswife。“Praydonotlookatitagain。Inevercanforgetthatconvulsiveshudder。“
InordertosootheGeorgiana，and，asitwere，toreleasehermindfromtheburdenofactualthings，Aylmernowputinpracticesomeofthelightandplayfulsecretswhichsciencehadtaughthimamongitsprofounderlore。Airyfigures，absolutelybodilessideas，andformsofunsubstantialbeautycameanddancedbeforeher，imprintingtheirmomentaryfootstepsonbeamsoflight。
Thoughshehadsomeindistinctideaofthemethodoftheseopticalphenomena，stilltheillusionwasalmostperfectenoughtowarrantthebeliefthatherhusbandpossessedswayoverthespiritualworld。Thenagain，whenshefeltawishtolookforthfromherseclusion，immediately，asifherthoughtswereanswered，theprocessionofexternalexistenceflittedacrossascreen。Thesceneryandthefiguresofactuallifewereperfectlyrepresented，butwiththatbewitching，yetindescribabledifferencewhichalwaysmakesapicture，animage，orashadowsomuchmoreattractivethantheoriginal。Whenweariedofthis，Aylmerbadehercasthereyesuponavesselcontainingaquantityofearth。Shedidso，withlittleinterestatfirst；butwassoonstartledtoperceivethegermofaplantshootingupwardfromthesoil。Thencametheslenderstalk；theleavesgraduallyunfoldedthemselves；andamidthemwasaperfectandlovelyflower。
“Itismagical！“criedGeorgiana。“Idarenottouchit。“
“Nay，pluckit，“answeredAylmer，——“pluckit，andinhaleitsbriefperfumewhileyoumay。Theflowerwillwitherinafewmomentsandleavenothingsaveitsbrownseedvessels；butthencemaybeperpetuatedaraceasephemeralasitself。“
ButGeorgianahadnosoonertouchedtheflowerthanthewholeplantsufferedablight，itsleavesturningcoal-blackasifbytheagencyoffire。
“Therewastoopowerfulastimulus，“saidAylmer，thoughtfully。
Tomakeupforthisabortiveexperiment，heproposedtotakeherportraitbyascientificprocessofhisowninvention。Itwastobeeffectedbyraysoflightstrikinguponapolishedplateofmetal。Georgianaassented；but，onlookingattheresult，wasaffrightedtofindthefeaturesoftheportraitblurredandindefinable；whiletheminutefigureofahandappearedwherethecheekshouldhavebeen。Aylmersnatchedthemetallicplateandthrewitintoajarofcorrosiveacid。
Soon，however，heforgotthesemortifyingfailures。Intheintervalsofstudyandchemicalexperimenthecametoherflushedandexhausted，butseemedinvigoratedbyherpresence，andspokeinglowinglanguageoftheresourcesofhisart。Hegaveahistoryofthelongdynastyofthealchemists，whospentsomanyagesinquestoftheuniversalsolventbywhichthegoldenprinciplemightbeelicitedfromallthingsvileandbase。Aylmerappearedtobelievethat，bytheplainestscientificlogic，itwasaltogetherwithinthelimitsofpossibilitytodiscoverthislong-soughtmedium；“but，“headded，“aphilosopherwhoshouldgodeepenoughtoacquirethepowerwouldattaintooloftyawisdomtostooptotheexerciseofit。“Notlesssingularwerehisopinionsinregardtotheelixirvitae。Hemorethanintimatedthatitwasathisoptiontoconcoctaliquidthatshouldprolonglifeforyears，perhapsinterminably；butthatitwouldproduceadiscordinNaturewhichalltheworld，andchieflythequafferoftheimmortalnostrum，wouldfindcausetocurse。
“Aylmer，areyouinearnest？“askedGeorgiana，lookingathimwithamazementandfear。“Itisterribletopossesssuchpower，oreventodreamofpossessingit。“
“Oh，donottremble，mylove，“saidherhusband。“Iwouldnotwrongeitheryouormyselfbyworkingsuchinharmoniouseffectsuponourlives；butIwouldhaveyouconsiderhowtrifling，incomparison，istheskillrequisitetoremovethislittlehand。“
Atthementionofthebirthmark，Georgiana，asusual，shrankasifaredhotironhadtouchedhercheek。
AgainAylmerappliedhimselftohislabors。ShecouldhearhisvoiceinthedistantfurnaceroomgivingdirectionstoAminadab，whoseharsh，uncouth，misshapentoneswereaudibleinresponse，morelikethegruntorgrowlofabrutethanhumanspeech。Afterhoursofabsence，Aylmerreappearedandproposedthatsheshouldnowexaminehiscabinetofchemicalproductsandnaturaltreasuresoftheearth。Amongtheformerheshowedherasmallvial，inwhich，heremarked，wascontainedagentleyetmostpowerfulfragrance，capableofimpregnatingallthebreezesthatblowacrossakingdom。Theywereofinestimablevalue，thecontentsofthatlittlevial；and，ashesaidso，hethrewsomeoftheperfumeintotheairandfilledtheroomwithpiercingandinvigoratingdelight。
“Andwhatisthis？“askedGeorgiana，pointingtoasmallcrystalglobecontainingagold-coloredliquid。“ItissobeautifultotheeyethatIcouldimagineittheelixiroflife。“
“Inonesenseitis，“repliedAylmer；“or，rather，theelixirofimmortality。Itisthemostpreciouspoisonthateverwasconcoctedinthisworld。ByitsaidIcouldapportionthelifetimeofanymortalatwhomyoumightpointyourfinger。Thestrengthofthedosewoulddeterminewhetherheweretolingeroutyears，ordropdeadinthemidstofabreath。NokingonhisguardedthronecouldkeephislifeifI，inmyprivatestation，shoulddeemthatthewelfareofmillionsjustifiedmeindeprivinghimofit。“
“Whydoyoukeepsuchaterrificdrug？“inquiredGeorgianainhorror。
“Donotmistrustme，dearest，“saidherhusband，smiling；“itsvirtuouspotencyisyetgreaterthanitsharmfulone。Butsee！
hereisapowerfulcosmetic。Withafewdropsofthisinavaseofwater，frecklesmaybewashedawayaseasilyasthehandsarecleansed。Astrongerinfusionwouldtakethebloodoutofthecheek，andleavetherosiestbeautyapaleghost。“
“Isitwiththislotionthatyouintendtobathemycheek？“askedGeorgiana，anxiously。
“Oh，no，“hastilyrepliedherhusband；“thisismerelysuperficial。Yourcasedemandsaremedythatshallgodeeper。“
InhisinterviewswithGeorgiana，Aylmergenerallymademinuteinquiriesastohersensationsandwhethertheconfinementoftheroomsandthetemperatureoftheatmosphereagreedwithher。
ThesequestionshadsuchaparticulardriftthatGeorgianabegantoconjecturethatshewasalreadysubjectedtocertainphysicalinfluences，eitherbreathedinwiththefragrantairortakenwithherfood。Shefanciedlikewise，butitmightbealtogetherfancy，thattherewasastirringupofhersystem——astrange，indefinitesensationcreepingthroughherveins，andtingling，halfpainfully，halfpleasurably，atherheart。Still，whenevershedaredtolookintothemirror，thereshebeheldherselfpaleasawhiteroseandwiththecrimsonbirthmarkstampeduponhercheek。NotevenAylmernowhateditsomuchasshe。
Todispelthetediumofthehourswhichherhusbandfounditnecessarytodevotetotheprocessesofcombinationandanalysis，Georgianaturnedoverthevolumesofhisscientificlibrary。Inmanydarkoldtomesshemetwithchaptersfullofromanceandpoetry。Theyweretheworksofphilosophersofthemiddleages，suchasAlbertusMagnus，CorneliusAgrippa，Paracelsus，andthefamousfriarwhocreatedthepropheticBrazenHead。Alltheseantiquenaturalistsstoodinadvanceoftheircenturies，yetwereimbuedwithsomeoftheircredulity，andthereforewerebelieved，andperhapsimaginedthemselvestohaveacquiredfromtheinvestigationofNatureapoweraboveNature，andfromphysicsaswayoverthespiritualworld。HardlylesscuriousandimaginativeweretheearlyvolumesoftheTransactionsoftheRoyalSociety，inwhichthemembers，knowinglittleofthelimitsofnaturalpossibility，werecontinuallyrecordingwondersorproposingmethodswherebywondersmightbewrought。
ButtoGeorgianathemostengrossingvolumewasalargefoliofromherhusband\'sownhand，inwhichhehadrecordedeveryexperimentofhisscientificcareer，itsoriginalaim，themethodsadoptedforitsdevelopment，anditsfinalsuccessorfailure，withthecircumstancestowhicheithereventwasattributable。Thebook，intruth，wasboththehistoryandemblemofhisardent，ambitious，imaginative，yetpracticalandlaboriouslife。Hehandledphysicaldetailsasiftherewerenothingbeyondthem；yetspiritualizedthemall，andredeemedhimselffrommaterialismbyhisstrongandeageraspirationtowardstheinfinite。Inhisgrasptheveriestclodofearthassumedasoul。Georgiana，assheread，reverencedAylmerandlovedhimmoreprofoundlythanever，butwithalessentiredependenceonhisjudgmentthanheretofore。Muchashehadaccomplished，shecouldnotbutobservethathismostsplendidsuccesseswerealmostinvariablyfailures，ifcomparedwiththeidealatwhichheaimed。Hisbrightestdiamondswerethemerestpebbles，andfelttobesobyhimself，incomparisonwiththeinestimablegemswhichlayhiddenbeyondhisreach。Thevolume，richwithachievementsthathadwonrenownforitsauthor，wasyetasmelancholyarecordasevermortalhandhadpenned。Itwasthesadconfessionandcontinualexemplificationoftheshortcomingsofthecompositeman，thespiritburdenedwithclayandworkinginmatter，andofthedespairthatassailsthehighernatureatfindingitselfsomiserablythwartedbytheearthlypart。PerhapseverymanofgeniusinwhateverspheremightrecognizetheimageofhisownexperienceinAylmer\'sjournal。
SodeeplydidthesereflectionsaffectGeorgianathatshelaidherfaceupontheopenvolumeandburstintotears。Inthissituationshewasfoundbyherhusband。
“Itisdangeroustoreadinasorcerer\'sbooks，“saidhewithasmile，thoughhiscountenancewasuneasyanddispleased。
“Georgiana，therearepagesinthatvolumewhichIcanscarcelyglanceoverandkeepmysenses。Takeheedlestitproveasdetrimentaltoyou。“
“Ithasmademeworshipyoumorethanever，“saidshe。
“Ah，waitforthisonesuccess，“rejoinedhe，“thenworshipmeifyouwill。Ishalldeemmyselfhardlyunworthyofit。Butcome，I
havesoughtyoufortheluxuryofyourvoice。Singtome，dearest。“
Soshepouredouttheliquidmusicofhervoicetoquenchthethirstofhisspirit。Hethentookhisleavewithaboyishexuberanceofgayety，assuringherthatherseclusionwouldendurebutalittlelonger，andthattheresultwasalreadycertain。ScarcelyhadhedepartedwhenGeorgianafeltirresistiblyimpelledtofollowhim。ShehadforgottentoinformAylmerofasymptomwhichfortwoorthreehourspasthadbeguntoexciteherattention。Itwasasensationinthefatalbirthmark，notpainful，butwhichinducedarestlessnessthroughouthersystem。Hasteningafterherhusband，sheintrudedforthefirsttimeintothelaboratory。
Thefirstthingthatstruckhereyewasthefurnace，thathotandfeverishworker，withtheintenseglowofitsfire，whichbythequantitiesofsootclusteredaboveitseemedtohavebeenburningforages。Therewasadistillingapparatusinfulloperation。
Aroundtheroomwereretorts，tubes，cylinders，crucibles，andotherapparatusofchemicalresearch。Anelectricalmachinestoodreadyforimmediateuse。Theatmospherefeltoppressivelyclose，andwastaintedwithgaseousodorswhichhadbeentormentedforthbytheprocessesofscience。Thesevereandhomelysimplicityoftheapartment，withitsnakedwallsandbrickpavement，lookedstrange，accustomedasGeorgianahadbecometothefantasticeleganceofherboudoir。Butwhatchiefly，indeedalmostsolely，drewherattention，wastheaspectofAylmerhimself。
Hewaspaleasdeath，anxiousandabsorbed，andhungoverthefurnaceasifitdependeduponhisutmostwatchfulnesswhethertheliquidwhichitwasdistillingshouldbethedraughtofimmortalhappinessormisery。HowdifferentfromthesanguineandjoyousmienthathehadassumedforGeorgiana\'sencouragement！
“Carefullynow，Aminadab；carefully，thouhumanmachine；
carefully，thoumanofclay！“mutteredAylmer，moretohimselfthanhisassistant。“Now，iftherebeathoughttoomuchortoolittle，itisallover。“
“Ho！ho！“mumbledAminadab。“Look，master！look！“
Aylmerraisedhiseyeshastily，andatfirstreddened，thengrewpalerthanever，onbeholdingGeorgiana。Herushedtowardsherandseizedherarmwithagripethatlefttheprintofhisfingersuponit。
“Whydoyoucomehither？Haveyounotrustinyourhusband？“
criedhe，impetuously。“Wouldyouthrowtheblightofthatfatalbirthmarkovermylabors？Itisnotwelldone。Go，pryingwoman，go！“
“Nay，Aylmer，“saidGeorgianawiththefirmnessofwhichshepossessednostintedendowment，“itisnotyouthathavearighttocomplain。Youmistrustyourwife；youhaveconcealedtheanxietywithwhichyouwatchthedevelopmentofthisexperiment。
Thinknotsounworthilyofme，myhusband。Tellmealltheriskwerun，andfearnotthatIshallshrink；formyshareinitisfarlessthanyourown。“
“No，no，Georgiana！“saidAylmer，impatiently；“itmustnotbe。“
“Isubmit，“repliedshecalmly。“And，Aylmer，Ishallquaffwhateverdraughtyoubringme；butitwillbeonthesameprinciplethatwouldinducemetotakeadoseofpoisonifofferedbyyourhand。“
“Mynoblewife，“saidAylmer，deeplymoved，“Iknewnottheheightanddepthofyournatureuntilnow。Nothingshallbeconcealed。Know，then，thatthiscrimsonhand，superficialasitseems，hasclutcheditsgraspintoyourbeingwithastrengthofwhichIhadnopreviousconception。Ihavealreadyadministeredagentspowerfulenoughtodoaughtexcepttochangeyourentirephysicalsystem。Onlyonethingremainstobetried。Ifthatfailusweareruined。“
“Whydidyouhesitatetotellmethis？“askedshe。
“Because，Georgiana，“saidAylmer，inalowvoice，“thereisdanger。“
“Danger？Thereisbutonedanger——thatthishorriblestigmashallbeleftuponmycheek！“criedGeorgiana。“Removeit，removeit，whateverbethecost，orweshallbothgomad！“
“Heavenknowsyourwordsaretootrue，“saidAylmer，sadly。“Andnow，dearest，returntoyourboudoir。Inalittlewhileallwillbetested。“
Heconductedherbackandtookleaveofherwithasolemntendernesswhichspokefarmorethanhiswordshowmuchwasnowatstake。AfterhisdepartureGeorgianabecameraptinmusings。
SheconsideredthecharacterofAylmer，anddiditcompleterjusticethanatanypreviousmoment。Herheartexulted，whileittrembled，athishonorablelove——sopureandloftythatitwouldacceptnothinglessthanperfectionnormiserablymakeitselfcontentedwithanearthliernaturethanhehaddreamedof。Shefelthowmuchmorepreciouswassuchasentimentthanthatmeanerkindwhichwouldhavebornewiththeimperfectionforhersake，andhavebeenguiltyoftreasontoholylovebydegradingitsperfectideatotheleveloftheactual；andwithherwholespiritsheprayedthat，forasinglemoment，shemightsatisfyhishighestanddeepestconception。Longerthanonemomentshewellknewitcouldnotbe；forhisspiritwaseveronthemarch，everascending，andeachinstantrequiredsomethingthatwasbeyondthescopeoftheinstantbefore。
Thesoundofherhusband\'sfootstepsarousedher。Heboreacrystalgobletcontainingaliquorcolorlessaswater，butbrightenoughtobethedraughtofimmortality。Aylmerwaspale；butitseemedrathertheconsequenceofahighly-wroughtstateofmindandtensionofspiritthanoffearordoubt。
“Theconcoctionofthedraughthasbeenperfect，“saidhe，inanswertoGeorgiana\'slook。“Unlessallmysciencehavedeceivedme，itcannotfail。“
“Saveonyouraccount，mydearestAylmer，“observedhiswife，“I
mightwishtoputoffthisbirthmarkofmortalitybyrelinquishingmortalityitselfinpreferencetoanyothermode。
LifeisbutasadpossessiontothosewhohaveattainedpreciselythedegreeofmoraladvancementatwhichIstand。WereIweakerandblinderitmightbehappiness。WereIstronger，itmightbeenduredhopefully。But，beingwhatIfindmyself，methinksIamofallmortalsthemostfittodie。“
“Youarefitforheavenwithouttastingdeath！“repliedherhusband“Butwhydowespeakofdying？Thedraughtcannotfail。
Beholditseffectuponthisplant。“
Onthewindowseattherestoodageraniumdiseasedwithyellowblotches，whichhadoverspreadallitsleaves。Aylmerpouredasmallquantityoftheliquiduponthesoilinwhichitgrew。Inalittletime，whentherootsoftheplanthadtakenupthemoisture，theunsightlyblotchesbegantobeextinguishedinalivingverdure。
“Thereneedednoproof，“saidGeorgiana，quietly。“GivemethegobletIjoyfullystakealluponyourword。“
“Drink，then，thouloftycreature！“exclaimedAylmer，withfervidadmiration。“Thereisnotaintofimperfectiononthyspirit。Thysensibleframe，too，shallsoonbeallperfect。“
Shequaffedtheliquidandreturnedthegoblettohishand。
“Itisgrateful，“saidshewithaplacidsmile。“Methinksitislikewaterfromaheavenlyfountain；foritcontainsIknownotwhatofunobtrusivefragranceanddeliciousness。Itallaysafeverishthirstthathadparchedmeformanydays。Now，dearest，letmesleep。Myearthlysensesareclosingovermyspiritliketheleavesaroundtheheartofaroseatsunset。“
Shespokethelastwordswithagentlereluctance，asifitrequiredalmostmoreenergythanshecouldcommandtopronouncethefaintandlingeringsyllables。Scarcelyhadtheyloiteredthroughherlipsereshewaslostinslumber。Aylmersatbyherside，watchingheraspectwiththeemotionspropertoamanthewholevalueofwhoseexistencewasinvolvedintheprocessnowtobetested。Mingledwiththismood，however，wasthephilosophicinvestigationcharacteristicofthemanofscience。Nottheminutestsymptomescapedhim。Aheightenedflushofthecheek，aslightirregularityofbreath，aquiveroftheeyelid，ahardlyperceptibletremorthroughtheframe，——suchwerethedetailswhich，asthemomentspassed，hewrotedowninhisfoliovolume。
Intensethoughthadsetitsstampuponeverypreviouspageofthatvolume，butthethoughtsofyearswereallconcentrateduponthelast。
Whilethusemployed，hefailednottogazeoftenatthefatalhand，andnotwithoutashudder。Yetonce，byastrangeandunaccountableimpulsehepresseditwithhislips。Hisspiritrecoiled，however，intheveryact，andGeorgiana，outofthemidstofherdeepsleep，moveduneasilyandmurmuredasifinremonstrance。AgainAylmerresumedhiswatch。Norwasitwithoutavail。Thecrimsonhand，whichatfirsthadbeenstronglyvisibleuponthemarblepalenessofGeorgiana\'scheek，nowgrewmorefaintlyoutlined。Sheremainednotlesspalethanever；butthebirthmarkwitheverybreaththatcameandwent，lostsomewhatofitsformerdistinctness。Itspresencehadbeenawful；itsdeparturewasmoreawfulstill。Watchthestainoftherainbowfadingoutthesky，andyouwillknowhowthatmysterioussymbolpassedaway。
“ByHeaven！itiswell-nighgone！“saidAylmertohimself，inalmostirrepressibleecstasy。“Icanscarcelytraceitnow。
Success！success！Andnowitislikethefaintestrosecolor。Thelightestflushofbloodacrosshercheekwouldovercomeit。Butsheissopale！“
Hedrewasidethewindowcurtainandsufferedthelightofnaturaldaytofallintotheroomandrestuponhercheek。Atthesametimeheheardagross，hoarsechuckle，whichhehadlongknownashisservantAminadab\'sexpressionofdelight。
“Ah，clod！ah，earthlymass！“criedAylmer，laughinginasortoffrenzy，“youhaveservedmewell！Matterandspirit——earthandheaven——havebothdonetheirpartinthis！Laugh，thingofthesenses！Youhaveearnedtherighttolaugh。“
TheseexclamationsbrokeGeorgiana\'ssleep。Sheslowlyunclosedhereyesandgazedintothemirrorwhichherhusbandhadarrangedforthatpurpose。Afaintsmileflittedoverherlipswhensherecognizedhowbarelyperceptiblewasnowthatcrimsonhandwhichhadonceblazedforthwithsuchdisastrousbrilliancyastoscareawayalltheirhappiness。ButthenhereyessoughtAylmer\'sfacewithatroubleandanxietythathecouldbynomeansaccountfor。
“MypoorAylmer！“murmuredshe。
“Poor？Nay，richest，happiest，mostfavored！“exclaimedhe。“Mypeerlessbride，itissuccessful！Youareperfect！“
“MypoorAylmer，“sherepeated，withamorethanhumantenderness，“youhaveaimedloftily；youhavedonenobly。Donotrepentthatwithsohighandpureafeeling，youhaverejectedthebesttheearthcouldoffer。Aylmer，dearestAylmer，Iamdying！“
Alas！itwastootrue！Thefatalhandhadgrappledwiththemysteryoflife，andwasthebondbywhichanangelicspiritkeptitselfinunionwithamortalframe。Asthelastcrimsontintofthebirthmark——thatsoletokenofhumanimperfection——fadedfromhercheek，thepartingbreathofthenowperfectwomanpassedintotheatmosphere，andhersoul，lingeringamomentnearherhusband，tookitsheavenwardflight。Thenahoarse，chucklinglaughwasheardagain！Thuseverdoesthegrossfatalityofearthexultinitsinvariabletriumphovertheimmortalessencewhich，inthisdimsphereofhalfdevelopment，demandsthecompletenessofahigherstate。Yet，hadAlymerreachedaprofounderwisdom，heneednotthushaveflungawaythehappinesswhichwouldhavewovenhismortallifeoftheselfsametexturewiththecelestial。
Themomentarycircumstancewastoostrongforhim；hefailedtolookbeyondtheshadowyscopeoftime，and，livingonceforallineternity，tofindtheperfectfutureinthepresent。
YOUNGGOODMANBROWN
YoungGoodmanBrowncameforthatsunsetintothestreetatSalemvillage；butputhisheadback，aftercrossingthethreshold，toexchangeapartingkisswithhisyoungwife。AndFaith，asthewifewasaptlynamed，thrustherownprettyheadintothestreet，lettingthewindplaywiththepinkribbonsofhercapwhileshecalledtoGoodmanBrown。
“Dearestheart，“whisperedshe，softlyandrathersadly，whenherlipswereclosetohisear，“pritheeputoffyourjourneyuntilsunriseandsleepinyourownbedto-night。Alonewomanistroubledwithsuchdreamsandsuchthoughtsthatshe\'safeardofherselfsometimes。Praytarrywithmethisnight，dearhusband，ofallnightsintheyear。“
“MyloveandmyFaith，“repliedyoungGoodmanBrown，“ofallnightsintheyear，thisonenightmustItarryawayfromthee。
Myjourney，asthoucallestit，forthandbackagain，mustneedsbedone\'twixtnowandsunrise。What，mysweet，prettywife，dostthoudoubtmealready，andwebutthreemonthsmarried？“
“ThenGodblessyoue！“saidFaith，withthepinkribbons；“andmayyoufindallwellwhnyoucomeback。“
“Amen！“criedGoodmanBrown。“Saythyprayers，dearFaith，andgotobedatdusk，andnoharmwillcometothee。“
Sotheyparted；andtheyoungmanpursuedhiswayuntil，beingabouttoturnthecornerbythemeeting-house，helookedbackandsawtheheadofFaithstillpeepingafterhimwithamelancholyair，inspiteofherpinkribbons。
“PoorlittleFaith！“thoughthe，forhisheartsmotehim。“WhatawretchamItoleaveheronsuchanerrand！Shetalksofdreams，too。Methoughtasshespoketherewastroubleinherface，asifadreamhadwarnedherwhatworkistobedonetonight。Butno，no；\'twouldkillhertothinkit。Well，she\'sablessedangelonearth；andafterthisonenightI\'llclingtoherskirtsandfollowhertoheaven。“
Withthisexcellentresolveforthefuture，GoodmanBrownfelthimselfjustifiedinmakingmorehasteonhispresentevilpurpose。Hehadtakenadrearyroad，darkenedbyallthegloomiesttreesoftheforest，whichbarelystoodasidetoletthenarrowpathcreepthrough，andclosedimmediatelybehind。Itwasallaslonelyascouldbe；andthereisthispeculiarityinsuchasolitude，thatthetravellerknowsnotwhomaybeconcealedbytheinnumerabletrunksandthethickboughsoverhead；sothatwithlonelyfootstepshemayyetbepassingthroughanunseenmultitude。
“TheremaybeadevilishIndianbehindeverytree，“saidGoodmanBrowntohimself；andheglancedfearfullybehindhimasheadded，“Whatifthedevilhimselfshouldbeatmyveryelbow！“
Hisheadbeingturnedback，hepassedacrookoftheroad，and，lookingforwardagain，beheldthefigureofaman，ingraveanddecentattire，seatedatthefootofanoldtree。HearoseatGoodmanBrown\'sapproachandwalkedonwardsidebysidewithhim。
“Youarelate，GoodmanBrown，“saidhe。“TheclockoftheOldSouthwasstrikingasIcamethroughBoston，andthatisfullfifteenminutesagone。“
“Faithkeptmebackawhile，“repliedtheyoungman，withatremorinhisvoice，causedbythesuddenappearanceofhiscompanion，thoughnotwhollyunexpected。
Itwasnowdeepduskintheforest，anddeepestinthatpartofitwherethesetwowerejourneying。Asnearlyascouldbediscerned，thesecondtravellerwasaboutfiftyyearsold，apparentlyinthesamerankoflifeasGoodmanBrown，andbearingaconsiderableresemblancetohim，thoughperhapsmoreinexpressionthanfeatures。Stilltheymighthavebeentakenforfatherandson。Andyet，thoughtheelderpersonwasassimplycladastheyounger，andassimpleinmannertoo，hehadanindescribableairofonewhoknewtheworld，andwhowouldnothavefeltabashedatthegovernor\'sdinnertableorinKingWilliam\'scourt，wereitpossiblethathisaffairsshouldcallhimthither。Buttheonlythingabouthimthatcouldbefixeduponasremarkablewashisstaff，whichborethelikenessofagreatblacksnake，socuriouslywroughtthatitmightalmostbeseentotwistandwriggleitselflikealivingserpent。This，ofcourse，musthavebeenanoculardeception，assistedbytheuncertainlight。
“Come，GoodmanBrown，“criedhisfellow-traveller，“thisisadullpaceforthebeginningofajourney。Takemystaff，ifyouaresosoonweary。“
“Friend，“saidtheother，exchanginghisslowpaceforafullstop，“havingkeptcovenantbymeetingtheehere，itismypurposenowtoreturnwhenceIcame。Ihavescruplestouchingthematterthouwot\'stof。“
“Sayestthouso？“repliedheoftheserpent，smilingapart。“Letuswalkon，nevertheless，reasoningaswego；andifIconvincetheenotthoushaltturnback。Wearebutalittlewayintheforestyet。“
“Toofar！toofar！“exclaimedthegoodman，unconsciouslyresuminghiswalk。“Myfatherneverwentintothewoodsonsuchanerrand，norhisfatherbeforehim。WehavebeenaraceofhonestmenandgoodChristianssincethedaysofthemartyrs；andshallIbethefirstofthenameofBrownthatevertookthispathandkept“
“Suchcompany，thouwouldstsay，“observedtheelderperson，interpretinghispause。“Wellsaid，GoodmanBrown！IhavebeenaswellacquaintedwithyourfamilyaswitheveraoneamongthePuritans；andthat\'snotrifletosay。Ihelpedyourgrandfather，theconstable，whenhelashedtheQuakerwomansosmartlythroughthestreetsofSalem；anditwasIthatbroughtyourfatherapitch-pineknot，kindledatmyownhearth，tosetfiretoanIndianvillage，inKingPhilip\'swar。Theyweremygoodfriends，both；andmanyapleasantwalkhavewehadalongthispath，andreturnedmerrilyaftermidnight。Iwouldfainbefriendswithyoufortheirsake。“
“Ifitbeasthousayest，“repliedGoodmanBrown，“Imarveltheyneverspokeofthesematters；or，verily，Imarvelnot，seeingthattheleastrumorofthesortwouldhavedriventhemfromNewEngland。Weareapeopleofprayer，andgoodworkstoboot，andabidenosuchwickedness。“
“Wickednessornot，“saidthetravellerwiththetwistedstaff，“IhaveaverygeneralacquaintancehereinNewEngland。Thedeaconsofmanyachurchhavedrunkthecommunionwinewithme；
theselectmenofdiverstownsmakemetheirchairman；andamajorityoftheGreatandGeneralCourtarefirmsupportersofmyinterest。ThegovernorandI，too——Butthesearestatesecrets。“
“Canthisbeso？“criedGoodmanBrown，withastareofamazementathisundisturbedcompanion。“Howbeit，Ihavenothingtodowiththegovernorandcouncil；theyhavetheirownways，andarenoruleforasimplehusbandmanlikeme。But，wereItogoonwiththee，howshouldImeettheeyeofthatgoodoldman，ourminister，atSalemvillage？Oh，hisvoicewouldmakemetremblebothSabbathdayandlectureday。“
Thusfartheeldertravellerhadlistenedwithduegravity；butnowburstintoafitofirrepressiblemirth，shakinghimselfsoviolentlythathissnake-likestaffactuallyseemedtowriggleinsympathy。
“Ha！ha！ha！“shoutedheagainandagain；thencomposinghimself，“Well，goon，GoodmanBrown，goon；but，prithee，don\'tkillmewithlaughing。“
“Well，then，toendthematteratonce，“saidGoodmanBrown，considerablynettled，“thereismywife，Faith。Itwouldbreakherdearlittleheart；andI\'dratherbreakmyown。“
“Nay，ifthatbethecase，“answeredtheother，“e\'engothyways，GoodmanBrown。IwouldnotfortwentyoldwomenliketheonehobblingbeforeusthatFaithshouldcometoanyharm。“
Ashespokehepointedhisstaffatafemalefigureonthepath，inwhomGoodmanBrownrecognizedaverypiousandexemplarydame，whohadtaughthimhiscatechisminyouth，andwasstillhismoralandspiritualadviser，jointlywiththeministerandDeaconGookin。
“Amarvel，truly，thatGoodyCloyseshouldbesofarinthewildernessatnightfall，“saidhe。“Butwithyourleave，friend，IshalltakeacutthroughthewoodsuntilwehaveleftthisChristianwomanbehind。Beingastrangertoyou，shemightaskwhomIwasconsortingwithandwhitherIwasgoing。“
“Beitso，“saidhisfellow-traveller。“Betakeyoutothewoods，andletmekeepthepath。“
Accordinglytheyoungmanturnedaside，buttookcaretowatchhiscompanion，whoadvancedsoftlyalongtheroaduntilhehadcomewithinastaff\'slengthoftheolddame。She，meanwhile，wasmakingthebestofherway，withsingularspeedforsoagedawoman，andmumblingsomeindistinctwords——aprayer，doubtless——asshewent。Thetravellerputforthhisstaffandtouchedherwitheredneckwithwhatseemedtheserpent\'stail。
“Thedevil！“screamedthepiousoldlady。
“ThenGoodyCloyseknowsheroldfriend？“observedthetraveller，confrontingherandleaningonhiswrithingstick。
“Ah，forsooth，andisityourworshipindeed？“criedthegooddame。“Yea，trulyisit，andintheveryimageofmyoldgossip，GoodmanBrown，thegrandfatherofthesillyfellowthatnowis。
But——wouldyourworshipbelieveit？——mybroomstickhathstrangelydisappeared，stolen，asIsuspect，bythatunhangedwitch，GoodyCory，andthat，too，whenIwasallanointedwiththejuiceofsmallage，andcinquefoil，andwolf\'sbane“
“Mingledwithfinewheatandthefatofanew-bornbabe，“saidtheshapeofoldGoodmanBrown。
“Ah，yourworshipknowstherecipe，“criedtheoldlady，cacklingaloud。“So，asIwassaying，beingallreadyforthemeeting，andnohorsetorideon，Imadeupmymindtofootit；fortheytellmethereisaniceyoungmantobetakenintocommunionto-night。
Butnowyourgoodworshipwilllendmeyourarm，andweshallbethereinatwinkling。“
“Thatcanhardlybe，“answeredherfriend。“Imaynotspareyoumyarm，GoodyCloyse；buthereismystaff，ifyouwill。“
Sosaying，hethrewitdownatherfeet，where，perhaps，itassumedlife，beingoneoftherodswhichitsownerhadformerlylenttotheEgyptianmagi。Ofthisfact，however，GoodmanBrowncouldnottakecognizance。Hehadcastuphiseyesinastonishment，and，lookingdownagain，beheldneitherGoodyCloysenortheserpentinestaff，buthisfellow-travelleralone，whowaitedforhimascalmlyasifnothinghadhappened。
“Thatoldwomantaughtmemycatechism，“saidtheyoungman；andtherewasaworldofmeaninginthissimplecomment。
Theycontinuedtowalkonward，whiletheeldertravellerexhortedhiscompaniontomakegoodspeedandpersevereinthepath，discoursingsoaptlythathisargumentsseemedrathertospringupinthebosomofhisauditorthantobesuggestedbyhimself。
Astheywent，hepluckedabranchofmapletoserveforawalkingstick，andbegantostripitofthetwigsandlittleboughs，whichwerewetwitheveningdew。Themomenthisfingerstouchedthemtheybecamestrangelywitheredanddriedupaswithaweek\'ssunshine。Thusthepairproceeded，atagoodfreepace，untilsuddenly，inagloomyhollowoftheroad，GoodmanBrownsathimselfdownonthestumpofatreeandrefusedtogoanyfarther。
“Friend，“saidhe，stubbornly，“mymindismadeup。NotanotherstepwillIbudgeonthiserrand。WhatifawretchedoldwomandochoosetogotothedevilwhenIthoughtshewasgoingtoheaven:
isthatanyreasonwhyIshouldquitmydearFaithandgoafterher？“
“Youwillthinkbetterofthisbyandby，“saidhisacquaintance，composedly。“Sithereandrestyourselfawhile；andwhenyoufeellikemovingagain，thereismystafftohelpyoualong。“
Withoutmorewords，hethrewhiscompanionthemaplestick，andwasasspeedilyoutofsightasifhehadvanishedintothedeepeninggloom。Theyoungmansatafewmomentsbytheroadside，applaudinghimselfgreatly，andthinkingwithhowclearaconscienceheshouldmeettheministerinhismorningwalk，norshrinkfromtheeyeofgoodoldDeaconGookin。Andwhatcalmsleepwouldbehisthatverynight，whichwastohavebeenspentsowickedly，butsopurelyandsweetlynow，inthearmsofFaith！
Amidstthesepleasantandpraiseworthymeditations，GoodmanBrownheardthetrampofhorsesalongtheroad，anddeemeditadvisabletoconcealhimselfwithinthevergeoftheforest，consciousoftheguiltypurposethathadbroughthimthither，thoughnowsohappilyturnedfromit。
Oncamethehooftrampsandthevoicesoftheriders，twograveoldvoices，conversingsoberlyastheydrewnear。Thesemingledsoundsappearedtopassalongtheroad，withinafewyardsoftheyoungman\'shiding-place；but，owingdoubtlesstothedepthofthegloomatthatparticularspot，neitherthetravellersnortheirsteedswerevisible。Thoughtheirfiguresbrushedthesmallboughsbythewayside，itcouldnotbeseenthattheyintercepted，evenforamoment，thefaintgleamfromthestripofbrightskyathwartwhichtheymusthavepassed。GoodmanBrownalternatelycrouchedandstoodontiptoe，pullingasidethebranchesandthrustingforthhisheadasfarashedurstwithoutdiscerningsomuchasashadow。Itvexedhimthemore，becausehecouldhavesworn，weresuchathingpossible，thatherecognizedthevoicesoftheministerandDeaconGookin，joggingalongquietly，astheywerewonttodo，whenboundtosomeordinationorecclesiasticalcouncil。Whileyetwithinhearing，oneoftheridersstoppedtopluckaswitch。
“Ofthetwo，reverendsir，“saidthevoicelikethedeacon\'s，“I
hadrathermissanordinationdinnerthanto-night\'smeeting。
TheytellmethatsomeofourcommunityaretobeherefromFalmouthandbeyond，andothersfromConnecticutandRhodeIsland，besidesseveraloftheIndianpowwows，who，aftertheirfashion，knowalmostasmuchdeviltryasthebestofus。
Moreover，thereisagoodlyyoungwomantobetakenintocommunion。“
“Mightywell，DeaconGookin！“repliedthesolemnoldtonesoftheminister。“Spurup，orweshallbelate。Nothingcanbedone，youknow，untilIgetontheground。“
Thehoofsclatteredagain；andthevoices，talkingsostrangelyintheemptyair，passedonthroughtheforest，wherenochurchhadeverbeengatheredorsolitaryChristianprayed。Whither，then，couldtheseholymenbejourneyingsodeepintotheheathenwilderness？YoungGoodmanBrowncaughtholdofatreeforsupport，beingreadytosinkdownontheground，faintandoverburdenedwiththeheavysicknessofhisheart。Helookeduptothesky，doubtingwhethertherereallywasaheavenabovehim。
Yettherewasthebluearch，andthestarsbrighteninginit。
“WithheavenaboveandFaithbelow，Iwillyetstandfirmagainstthedevil！“criedGoodmanBrown。
Whilehestillgazedupwardintothedeeparchofthefirmamentandhadliftedhishandstopray，acloud，thoughnowindwasstirring，hurriedacrossthezenithandhidthebrighteningstars。Theblueskywasstillvisible，exceptdirectlyoverhead，wherethisblackmassofcloudwassweepingswiftlynorthward。
Aloftintheair，asiffromthedepthsofthecloud，cameaconfusedanddoubtfulsoundofvoices。Oncethelistenerfanciedthathecoulddistinguishtheaccentsoftowns-peopleofhisown，menandwomen，bothpiousandungodly，manyofwhomhehadmetatthecommuniontable，andhadseenothersriotingatthetavern。
Thenextmoment，soindistinctwerethesounds，hedoubtedwhetherhehadheardaughtbutthemurmuroftheoldforest，whisperingwithoutawind。Thencameastrongerswellofthosefamiliartones，hearddailyinthesunshineatSalemvillage，butneveruntilnowfromacloudofnightTherewasonevoiceofayoungwoman，utteringlamentations，yetwithanuncertainsorrow，andentreatingforsomefavor，which，perhaps，itwouldgrievehertoobtain；andalltheunseenmultitude，bothsaintsandsinners，seemedtoencourageheronward。
“Faith！“shoutedGoodmanBrown，inavoiceofagonyanddesperation；andtheechoesoftheforestmockedhim，crying，“Faith！Faith！“asifbewilderedwretcheswereseekingherallthroughthewilderness。
Thecryofgrief，rage，andterrorwasyetpiercingthenight，whentheunhappyhusbandheldhisbreathforaresponse。Therewasascream，drownedimmediatelyinaloudermurmurofvoices，fadingintofar-offlaughter，asthedarkcloudsweptaway，leavingtheclearandsilentskyaboveGoodmanBrown。Butsomethingflutteredlightlydownthroughtheairandcaughtonthebranchofatree。Theyoungmanseizedit，andbeheldapinkribbon。
“MyFaithisgone！“criedhe，afteronestupefiedmoment。“Thereisnogoodonearth；andsinisbutaname。Come，devil；fortotheeisthisworldgiven。“
And，maddenedwithdespair，sothathelaughedloudandlong，didGoodmanBrowngrasphisstaffandsetforthagain，atsucharatethatheseemedtoflyalongtheforestpathratherthantowalkorrun。Theroadgrewwilderanddrearierandmorefaintlytraced，andvanishedatlength，leavinghimintheheartofthedarkwilderness，stillrushingonwardwiththeinstinctthatguidesmortalmantoevil。Thewholeforestwaspeopledwithfrightfulsounds——thecreakingofthetrees，thehowlingofwildbeasts，andtheyellofIndians；whilesometimesthewindtolledlikeadistantchurchbell，andsometimesgaveabroadroararoundthetraveller，asifallNaturewerelaughinghimtoscorn。Buthewashimselfthechiefhorrorofthescene，andshranknotfromitsotherhorrors。
“Ha！ha！ha！“roaredGoodmanBrownwhenthewindlaughedathim。
“Letushearwhichwilllaughloudest。Thinknottofrightenmewithyourdeviltry。Comewitch，comewizard，comeIndianpowwow，comedevilhimself，andherecomesGoodmanBrown。Youmayaswellfearhimashefearyou。“
Intruth，allthroughthehauntedforesttherecouldbenothingmorefrightfulthanthefigureofGoodmanBrown。Onheflewamongtheblackpines，brandishinghisstaffwithfrenziedgestures，nowgivingventtoaninspirationofhorridblasphemy，andnowshoutingforthsuchlaughterassetalltheechoesoftheforestlaughinglikedemonsaroundhim。Thefiendinhisownshapeislesshideousthanwhenheragesinthebreastofman。Thusspedthedemoniaconhiscourse，until，quiveringamongthetrees，hesawaredlightbeforehim，aswhenthefelledtrunksandbranchesofaclearinghavebeensetonfire，andthrowuptheirluridblazeagainstthesky，atthehourofmidnight。Hepaused，inalullofthetempestthathaddrivenhimonward，andheardtheswellofwhatseemedahymn，rollingsolemnlyfromadistancewiththeweightofmanyvoices。Heknewthetune；itwasafamiliaroneinthechoirofthevillagemeeting-house。Theversediedheavilyaway，andwaslengthenedbyachorus，notofhumanvoices，butofallthesoundsofthebenightedwildernesspealinginawfulharmonytogether。GoodmanBrowncriedout，andhiscrywaslosttohisownearbyitsunisonwiththecryofthedesert。
Intheintervalofsilencehestoleforwarduntilthelightglaredfulluponhiseyes。Atoneextremityofanopenspace，hemmedinbythedarkwalloftheforest，arosearock，bearingsomerude，naturalresemblanceeithertoanalterorapulpit，andsurroundedbyfourblazingpines，theirtopsaflame，theirstemsuntouched，likecandlesataneveningmeeting。Themassoffoliagethathadovergrownthesummitoftherockwasallonfire，blazinghighintothenightandfitfullyilluminatingthewholefield。Eachpendenttwigandleafyfestoonwasinablaze。
Astheredlightaroseandfell，anumerouscongregationalternatelyshoneforth，thendisappearedinshadow，andagaingrew，asitwere，outofthedarkness，peoplingtheheartofthesolitarywoodsatonce。
“Agraveanddark-cladcompany，“quothGoodmanBrown。
Intruththeyweresuch。Amongthem，quiveringtoandfrobetweengloomandsplendor，appearedfacesthatwouldbeseennextdayatthecouncilboardoftheprovince，andotherswhich，SabbathafterSabbath，lookeddevoutlyheavenward，andbenignantlyoverthecrowdedpews，fromtheholiestpulpitsintheland。Someaffirmthattheladyofthegovernorwasthere。Atleasttherewerehighdameswellknowntoher，andwivesofhonoredhusbands，andwidows，agreatmultitude，andancientmaidens，allofexcellentrepute，andfairyounggirls，whotrembledlesttheirmothersshouldespythem。EitherthesuddengleamsoflightflashingovertheobscurefieldbedazzledGoodmanBrown，orherecognizedascoreofthechurchmembersofSalemvillagefamousfortheirespecialsanctity。GoodoldDeaconGookinhadarrived，andwaitedattheskirtsofthatvenerablesaint，hisreveredpastor。But，irreverentlyconsortingwiththesegrave，reputable，andpiouspeople，theseeldersofthechurch，thesechastedamesanddewyvirgins，thereweremenofdissolutelivesandwomenofspottedfame，wretchesgivenovertoallmeanandfilthyvice，andsuspectedevenofhorridcrimes。Itwasstrangetoseethatthegoodshranknotfromthewicked，norwerethesinnersabashedbythesaints。Scatteredalsoamongtheirpale-facedenemiesweretheIndianpriests，orpowwows，whohadoftenscaredtheirnativeforestwithmorehideousincantationsthananyknowntoEnglishwitchcraft。
“ButwhereisFaith？“thoughtGoodmanBrown；and，ashopecameintohisheart，hetrembled。
Anotherverseofthehymnarose，aslowandmournfulstrain，suchasthepiouslove，butjoinedtowordswhichexpressedallthatournaturecanconceiveofsin，anddarklyhintedatfarmore。
Unfathomabletomeremortalsistheloreoffiends。Verseafterversewassung；andstillthechorusofthedesertswelledbetweenlikethedeepesttoneofamightyorgan；andwiththefinalpealofthatdreadfulanthemtherecameasound，asiftheroaringwind，therushingstreams，thehowlingbeasts，andeveryothervoiceoftheunconcertedwildernesswereminglingandaccordingwiththevoiceofguiltymaninhomagetotheprinceofall。Thefourblazingpinesthrewupaloftierflame，andobscurelydiscoveredshapesandvisagesofhorroronthesmokewreathsabovetheimpiousassembly。Atthesamemomentthefireontherockshotredlyforthandformedaglowingarchaboveitsbase，wherenowappearedafigure。Withreverencebeitspoken，thefigureborenoslightsimilitude，bothingarbandmanner，tosomegravedivineoftheNewEnglandchurches。
“Bringforththeconverts！“criedavoicethatechoedthroughthefieldandrolledintotheforest。
Attheword，GoodmanBrownsteppedforthfromtheshadowofthetreesandapproachedthecongregation，withwhomhefeltaloathfulbrotherhoodbythesympathyofallthatwaswickedinhisheart。Hecouldhavewell-nighswornthattheshapeofhisowndeadfatherbeckonedhimtoadvance，lookingdownwardfromasmokewreath，whileawoman，withdimfeaturesofdespair，threwoutherhandtowarnhimback。Wasithismother？Buthehadnopowertoretreatonestep，nortoresist，eveninthought，whentheministerandgoodoldDeaconGookinseizedhisarmsandledhimtotheblazingrock。Thithercamealsotheslenderformofaveiledfemale，ledbetweenGoodyCloyse，thatpiousteacherofthecatechism，andMarthaCarrier，whohadreceivedthedevil\'spromisetobequeenofhell。Arampanthagwasshe。Andtherestoodtheproselytesbeneaththecanopyoffire。
“Welcome，mychildren，“saidthedarkfigure，“tothecommunionofyourrace。Yehavefoundthusyoungyournatureandyourdestiny。Mychildren，lookbehindyou！“
Theyturned；andflashingforth，asitwere，inasheetofflame，thefiendworshipperswereseen；thesmileofwelcomegleameddarklyoneveryvisage。
“There，“resumedthesableform，“areallwhomyehavereverencedfromyouth。Yedeemedthemholierthanyourselves，andshrankfromyourownsin，contrastingitwiththeirlivesofrighteousnessandprayerfulaspirationsheavenward。Yetherearetheyallinmyworshippingassembly。Thisnightitshallbegrantedyoutoknowtheirsecretdeeds:howhoary-beardedeldersofthechurchhavewhisperedwantonwordstotheyoungmaidsoftheirhouseholds；howmanyawoman，eagerforwidows\'weeds，hasgivenherhusbandadrinkatbedtimeandlethimsleephislastsleepinherbosom；howbeardlessyouthshavemadehastetoinherittheirfathers\'wealth；andhowfairdamsels——blushnot，sweetones——haveduglittlegravesinthegarden，andbiddenme，thesoleguesttoaninfant\'sfuneral。Bythesympathyofyourhumanheartsforsinyeshallscentoutalltheplaces——whetherinchurch，bedchamber，street，field，orforest——wherecrimehasbeencommitted，andshallexulttobeholdthewholeearthonestainofguilt，onemightybloodspot。Farmorethanthis。Itshallbeyourstopenetrate，ineverybosom，thedeepmysteryofsin，thefountainofallwickedarts，andwhichinexhaustiblysuppliesmoreevilimpulsesthanhumanpower——thanmypoweratitsutmost——canmakemanifestindeeds。Andnow，mychildren，lookuponeachother。“
Theydidso；and，bytheblazeofthehell-kindledtorches，thewretchedmanbeheldhisFaith，andthewifeherhusband，tremblingbeforethatunhallowedaltar。
“Lo，thereyestand，mychildren，“saidthefigure，inadeepandsolemntone，almostsadwithitsdespairingawfulness，asifhisonceangelicnaturecouldyetmournforourmiserablerace。
“Dependingupononeanother\'shearts，yehadstillhopedthatvirtuewerenotalladream。Nowareyeundeceived。Evilisthenatureofmankind。Evilmustbeyouronlyhappiness。Welcomeagain，mychildren，tothecommunionofyourrace。“
“Welcome，“repeatedthefiendworshippers，inonecryofdespairandtriumph。
Andtheretheystood，theonlypair，asitseemed，whowereyethesitatingonthevergeofwickednessinthisdarkworld。Abasinwashollowed，naturally，intherock。Diditcontainwater，reddenedbytheluridlight？orwasitblood？or，perchance，aliquidflame？Hereindidtheshapeofevildiphishandandpreparetolaythemarkofbaptismupontheirforeheads，thattheymightbepartakersofthemysteryofsin，moreconsciousofthesecretguiltofothers，bothindeedandthought，thantheycouldnowbeoftheirown。Thehusbandcastonelookathispalewife，andFaithathim。Whatpollutedwretcheswouldthenextglanceshowthemtoeachother，shudderingalikeatwhattheydisclosedandwhattheysaw！
“Faith！Faith！“criedthehusband，“lookuptoheaven，andresistthewickedone。“
WhetherFaithobeyedheknewnot。Hardlyhadhespokenwhenhefoundhimselfamidcalmnightandsolitude，listeningtoaroarofthewindwhichdiedheavilyawaythroughtheforest。Hestaggeredagainsttherock，andfeltitchillanddamp；whileahangingtwig，thathadbeenallonfire，besprinkledhischeekwiththecoldestdew。
ThenextmorningyoungGoodmanBrowncameslowlyintothestreetofSalemvillage，staringaroundhimlikeabewilderedman。Thegoodoldministerwastakingawalkalongthegraveyardtogetanappetiteforbreakfastandmeditatehissermon，andbestowedablessing，ashepassed，onGoodmanBrown。Heshrankfromthevenerablesaintasiftoavoidananathema。OldDeaconGookinwasatdomesticworship，andtheholywordsofhisprayerwereheardthroughtheopenwindow。“WhatGoddoththewizardprayto？“
quothGoodmanBrown。GoodyCloyse，thatexcellentoldChristian，stoodintheearlysunshineatherownlattice，catechizingalittlegirlwhohadbroughtherapintofmorning\'smilk。GoodmanBrownsnatchedawaythechildasfromthegraspofthefiendhimself。Turningthecornerbythemeeting-house，hespiedtheheadofFaith，withthepinkribbons，gazinganxiouslyforth，andburstingintosuchjoyatsightofhimthatsheskippedalongthestreetandalmostkissedherhusbandbeforethewholevillage。
ButGoodmanBrownlookedsternlyandsadlyintoherface，andpassedonwithoutagreeting。
HadGoodmanBrownfallenasleepintheforestandonlydreamedawilddreamofawitch-meeting？
Beitsoifyouwill；but，alas！itwasadreamofevilomenforyoungGoodmanBrown。Astern，asad，adarklymeditative，adistrustful，ifnotadesperatemandidhebecomefromthenightofthatfearfuldream。OntheSabbathday，whenthecongregationweresingingaholypsalm，hecouldnotlistenbecauseananthemofsinrushedloudlyuponhisearanddrownedalltheblessedstrain。Whentheministerspokefromthepulpitwithpowerandfervideloquence，and，withhishandontheopenBible，ofthesacredtruthsofourreligion，andofsaint-likelivesandtriumphantdeaths，andoffutureblissormiseryunutterable，thendidGoodmanBrownturnpale，dreadinglesttheroofshouldthunderdownuponthegrayblasphemerandhishearers。Often，wakingsuddenlyatmidnight，heshrankfromthebosomofFaith；
andatmorningoreventide，whenthefamilykneltdownatprayer，hescowledandmutteredtohimself，andgazedsternlyathiswife，andturnedaway。Andwhenhehadlivedlong，andwasbornetohisgraveahoarycorpse，followedbyFaith，anagedwoman，andchildrenandgrandchildren，agoodlyprocession，besidesneighborsnotafew，theycarvednohopefulverseuponhistombstone，forhisdyinghourwasgloom。