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。