Therewasbothtruthanderrorintheimpression；thechildandmotherwereestranged，butthroughHester’sfault，notPearl’s。
Sincethelatterrambledfromherside，anotherinmatehadbeenadmittedwithinthecircleofthemother’sfeelings，andsomodifiedtheaspectofthemall，thatPearl，thereturningwanderer，couldnotfindherwontedplace，andhardlyknewwhereshewas。
\"Ihaveastrangefancy，\"observedthesensitiveminister，\"thatthisbrookistheboundarybetweentwoworlds，andthatthoucanstnevermeetthyPearlagain。Orissheanelfishspirit，who，asthelegendsofourchildhoodtaughtus，isforbiddentocrossarunningstream？Prayhastenher；forthisdelayhasalreadyimpartedatremortomynerves。\"
\"Come，dearestchild！\"saidHesterencouragingly，andstretchingoutbothherarms。\"Howslowthouart！Whenhastthoubeensosluggishbeforenow？Hereisafriendofmine，whomustbethyfriendalso。
Thouwilthavetwiceasmuchlove，henceforward，asthymotheralonecouldgivethee！Leapacrossthebrook，andcometous。Thoucanstleaplikeayoungdeer！\"
Pearl，withoutrespondinginanymannertothesehoney—sweetexpressions，remainedontheothersideofthebrook。Nowshefixedherbright，wildeyesonhermother，nowontheminister，andnowincludedthembothinthesameglance；asiftodetectandexplaintoherselftherelationwhichtheyboretooneanother。Forsomeunaccountablereason，asArthurDimmesdalefeltthechild’seyesuponhimself，hishand—withthatgesturesohabitualastohavebecomeinvoluntary—stoleoverhisheart。Atlength，assumingasingularairofauthority，Pearlstretchedoutherhand，withthesmallforefingerextended，andpointingevidentlytowardshermother’sbreast。Andbeneath，inthemirrorofthebrook，therewastheflower—girdledandsunnyimageoflittlePearl，pointinghersmallforefingertoo。
\"Thoustrangechild，whydostthounotcometome？\"exclaimedHester。
Pearlstillpointedwithherforefinger；andafrowngatheredonherbrow；themoreimpressivefromthechildish，thealmostbaby—likeaspectofthefeaturesthatconveyedit。Ashermotherstillkeptbeckoningtoher，andarrayingherfaceinaholidaysuitofunaccustomedsmiles，thechildstampedherfootwithayetmoreimperiouslookandgesture。Inthebrook，again，wasthefantasticbeautyoftheimage，withitsreflectedfrown，itspointedfinger，andimperiousgesture，givingemphasistotheaspectoflittlePearl。
\"Hasten，Pearl；orIshallbeangrywiththee！\"criedHesterPrynne，who，howeverinuredtosuchbehaviourontheelf—child’spartatotherseasons，wasnaturallyanxiousforamoreseemlydeportmentnow。\"Leapacrossthebrook，naughtychild，andrunhither！ElseImustcometothee！\"
ButPearl，notawhitstartledathermother’sthreats，anymorethanmollifiedbyherentreaties，nowsuddenlyburstintoafitofpassion，gesticulatingviolently，andthrowinghersmallfigureintothemostextravagantcontortions。Sheaccompaniedthiswildoutbreakwithpiercingshrieks，whichthewoodsreverberatedonallsides；sothat，aloneasshewasinherchildishandunreasonablewrath，itseemedasifahiddenmultitudewerelendinghertheirsympathyandencouragement。Seeninthebrook，oncemore，wastheshadowywraithofPearl’simage，crownedandgirdledwithflowers，butstampingitsfoot，wildlygesticulating，and，inthemidstofall，stillpointingitssmallforefingeratHester’sbosom！
\"Iseewhatailsthechild，\"whisperedHestertotheclergyman，andturningpaleinspiteofastrongefforttoconcealhertroubleandannoyance。\"Childrenwillnotabideany，theslightest，changeintheaccustomedaspectofthingsthataredailybeforetheireyes。
Pearlmissessomethingwhichshehasalwaysseenmewear！\"
\"Iprayyou，\"answeredtheminister，\"ifthouhastanymeansofpacifyingthechild，doitforthwith！Saveitwerethecankeredwrathofanoldwitch，likeMistressHibbins，\"addedhe，attemptingtosmile，\"IknownothingthatIwouldnotsoonerencounterthanthispassioninachild。InPearl’syoungbeauty，asinthewrinkledwitch，ithasapreternaturaleffect。Pacifyher，ifthoulovestme！\"
HesterturnedagaintowardsPearl，withacrimsonblushuponhercheek，aconsciousglanceasideattheclergyman，andthenaheavysigh；while，evenbeforeshehadtimetospeak，theblushyieldedtoadeadlypallor。
\"Pearl，\"saidshesadly，\"lookdownatthyfeet！There—beforethee！—thehithersideofthebrook！\"
Thechildturnedhereyestothepointindicated；andtherelaythescarletletter，socloseuponthemarginofthestream，thatthegoldembroiderywasreflectedinit。
\"Bringithither！\"saidHester。
\"Comethouandtakeitup！\"answeredPearl。
\"Waseversuchachild！\"observedHester，asidetotheminister。
\"Oh，Ihavemuchtotelltheeabouther！But，inverytruth，sheisrightasregardsthishatefultoken。Imustbearitstortureyetalittlelonger—onlyafewdayslonger—untilweshallhaveleftthisregion，andlookbackhitherastoalandwhichwehavedreamedof。
Theforestcannothideit！Themid—oceanshalltakeitfrommyhand，andswallowitupforever！\"
Withthesewords，sheadvancedtothemarginofthebrook，tookupthescarletletter，andfasteneditagainintoherbosom。Hopefully，butamomentago，asHesterhadspokenofdrowningitinthedeepsea，therewasasenseofinevitabledoomuponher，asshethusreceivedbackthisdeadlysymbolfromthehandoffate。Shehadflungitintoinfinitespace！—shehaddrawnanhour’sfreebreath！—andhereagainwasthescarletmisery，glitteringontheoldspot！Soiteveris，whetherthustypifiedorno，thatanevildeedinvestsitselfwiththecharacterofdoom。Hesternextgathereduptheheavytressesofherhair，andconfinedthembeneathhercap。Asiftherewereawitheringspellinthesadletter，herbeauty，thewarmthandrichnessofherwomanhood，departed，likefadingsunshine；andagreyshadowseemedtofallacrossher。
Whenthedrearychangewaswrought，sheextendedherhandtoPearl。
\"Dostthouknowthymothernow，child？\"askedshereproachfully，butwithasubduedtone。\"Wiltthoucomeacrossthebrook，andownthymother，nowthatshehashershameuponher—nowthatsheissad？\"
\"Yes；nowIwill！\"answeredthechild，boundingacrossthebrook，andclaspingHesterinherarms。\"Nowthouartmymotherindeed！AndI
amthylittlePearl！\"
Inamoodoftendernessthatwasnotusualwithher，shedrewdownhermother’shead，andkissedherbrowandbothhercheeks。Butthen—byakindofnecessitythatalwaysimpelledthischildtoalloywhatevercomfortshemightchancetogivewithathrobofanguish—Pearlputuphermouth，andkissedthescarletlettertoo！
\"Thatwasnotkind！\"saidHester。\"Whenthouhastshownmealittlelove，thoumockestme！\"
\"Whydoththeministersityonder？\"askedPearl。
\"Hewaitstowelcomethee，\"repliedhermother。\"Comethou，andentreathisblessing！Helovesthee，mylittlePearl，andlovesthymothertoo。Wiltthounotlovehim？Come！helongstogreetthee！\"
\"Dothheloveus？\"saidPearl，lookingup，withacuteintelligence，intohermother’sface。\"Willhegobackwithus，handinhand，wethreetogetherintothetown？\"
\"Notnow，dearchild，\"answeredHester。\"Butindaystocomehewillwalkhandinhandwithus。Wewillhaveahomeandfiresideofourown；andthoushaltsituponhisknee；andhewillteachtheemanythings，andlovetheedearly。Thouwiltlovehim；wiltthounot？\"
\"Andwillhealwayskeephishandoverhisheart？\"inquiredPearl。
\"Foolishchild，whataquestionisthat！\"exclaimedhermother。
\"Comeandaskhisblessing！\"
But，whetherinfluencedbythejealousythatseemsinstinctivewitheverypettedchildtowardsadangerousrival，orfromwhatevercapriceofherfreakishnature，Pearlwouldshownofavourtotheclergyman。Itwasonlybyanexertionofforcethathermotherbroughtheruptohim，hangingback，andmanifestingherreluctancebyoddgrimaces；ofwhich，eversinceherbabyhood，shehadpossessedasingularvariety，andcouldtransformhermobilephysiognomyintoaseriesofdifferentaspects，withanewmischiefinthem，eachandall。Theminister—painfullyembarrassed，buthopingthatakissmightproveatalismantoadmithimintothechild’skindlierregards—
bentforward，andimpressedoneonherbrow。Hereupon，Pearlbrokeawayfromhermother，and，runningtothebrook，stoopedoverit，andbathedherforehead，untiltheunwelcomekisswasquitewashedoff，anddiffusedthroughalonglapseoftheglidingwater。Shethenremainedapart，silentlywatchingHesterandtheclergyman：whiletheytalkedtogether，andmadesucharrangementsasweresuggestedbytheirnewposition，andthepurposessoontobefulfilled。
Andnowthisfatefulinterviewhadcometoaclose。Thedellwastobeleftasolitudeamongitsdark，oldtrees，which，withtheirmultitudinoustongues，wouldwhisperlongofwhathadpassedthere，andnomortalbethewiser。Andthemelancholybrookwouldaddthisothertaletothemysterywithwhichitslittleheartwasalreadyoverburdened，andwhereofitstillkeptupamurmuringbabble，withnotawhitmorecheerfulnessoftonethanforagesheretofore。
XX。
THEMINISTERINAMAZE。
AStheministerdeparted，inadvanceofHesterPrynneandlittlePearl，hethrewabackwardglance；halfexpectingthatheshoulddiscoveronlysomefaintlytracedfeaturesoroutlineofthemotherandthechild，slowlyfadingintothetwilightofthewoods。Sogreatavicissitudeinhislifecouldnotatoncebereceivedasreal。
ButtherewasHester，cladinhergreyrobe，stillstandingbesidethetree—trunk，whichsomeblasthadoverthrownalongantiquityago，andwhichtimehadeversincebeencoveringwithmoss，sothatthesetwofatedones，withearth’sheaviestburdenonthem，mighttheresitdowntogether，andfindasinglehour’srestandsolace。AndtherewasPearl，too，lightlydancingfromthemarginofthebrook—nowthattheintrusivethirdpersonwasgone—andtakingheroldplacebyhermother’sside。Sotheministerhadnotfallenasleep，anddreamed！
Inordertofreehismindfromthisindistinctnessandduplicityofimpression，whichvexeditwithastrangedisquietude，herecalledandmorethoroughlydefinedtheplanswhichHesterandhimselfhadsketchedfortheirdeparture。Ithadbeendeterminedbetweenthem，thattheOldWorld，withitscrowdsandcities，offeredthemamoreeligibleshelterandconcealmentthanthewildsofNewEngland，orallAmerica，withitsalternativesofanIndianwigwam，orthefewsettlementsofEuropeans，scatteredthinlyalongtheseaboard。Nottospeakoftheclergyman’shealth，soinadequatetosustainthehardshipsofaforestlife，hisnativegifts，hisculture，andhisentiredevelopment，wouldsecurehimahomeonlyinthemidstofcivilisationandrefinement；thehigherthestate，themoredelicatelyadaptedtoittheman。Infurtheranceofthischoice，itsohappenedthatashiplayintheharbour；oneofthosequestionablecruisers，frequentatthatday，which，withoutbeingabsolutelyoutlawsofthedeep，yetroamedoveritssurfacewitharemarkableirresponsibilityofcharacter。ThisvesselhadrecentlyarrivedfromtheSpanishMain，and，withinthreedays’time，wouldsailforBristol。HesterPrynne—whosevocation，asaself—enlistedSisterofCharity，hadbroughtheracquaintedwiththecaptainandcrew—couldtakeuponherselftosecurethepassageoftwoindividualsandachild，withallthesecrecywhichcircumstancesrenderedmorethandesirable。
TheministerhadinquiredofHester，withnolittleinterest，theprecisetimeatwhichthevesselmightbeexpectedtodepart。Itwouldprobablybeonthefourthdayfromthepresent。\"Thatismostfortunate！\"hehadthensaidtohimself。Now，whytheReverendMr。
Dimmesdaleconsidereditsoveryfortunate，wehesitatetoreveal。
Nevertheless—toholdnothingbackfromthereader—itwasbecause，onthethirddayfromthepresent，hewastopreachtheElectionSermon；and，assuchanoccasionformedanhonourableepochinthelifeofaNewEnglandclergyman，hecouldnothavechanceduponamoresuitablemodeandtimeofterminatinghisprofessionalcareer。\"Atleast，theyshallsayofme，\"thoughtthisexemplaryman，\"thatI
leavenopublicdutyunperformed，norillperformed！\"Sad，indeed，thatanintrospectionsoprofoundandacuteasthispoorminister’sshouldbesomiserablydeceived！Wehavehad，andmaystillhave，worsethingstotellofhim；butnone，weapprehend，sopitiablyweak；
noevidence，atoncesoslightandirrefragable，ofasubtledisease，thathadlongsincebeguntoeatintotherealsubstanceofhischaracter。Noman，foranyconsiderableperiod，canwearonefacetohimselfandanothertothemultitude，withoutfinallygettingbewilderedastowhichmaybethetrue。
TheexcitementofMr。Dimmesdale’sfeelings，ashereturnedfromhisinterviewwithHester，lenthimunaccustomedphysicalenergy，andhurriedhimtownwardatarapidpace。Thepathwayamongthewoodsseemedwilder，moreuncouthwithitsrudenaturalobstaclesandlesstroddenbythefootofmanthanheremembereditonhisoutwardjourney。Butheleapedacrosstheplashyplaces，thrusthimselfthroughtheclingingunderbrush，climbedtheascent，plungedintothehollow，andovercame，inshort，allthedifficultiesofthetrack，withanunweariableactivitythatastonishedhim。Hecouldnotbutrecallhowfeebly，andwithwhatfrequentpausesforbreath，hehadtoiledoverthesameground，onlytwodaysbefore。Ashedrewnearthetown，hetookanimpressionofchangefromtheseriesoffamiliarobjectsthatpresentedthemselves。Itseemednotyesterday，notone，nortwo，butmanydays，orevenyearsago，sincehehadquittedthem。There，indeed，waseachformertraceofthestreet，asherememberedit，andallthepeculiaritiesofthehouses，withtheduemultitudeofgable—peaks，andaweather—cockateverypointwherehismemorysuggestedone。Nottheless，however，camethisimportunatelyobtrusivesenseofchange。Thesamewastrueasregardedtheacquaintanceswhomhemet，andallthewell—knownshapesofhumanlife，aboutthelittletown。Theylookedneitheroldernoryoungernow；thebeardsoftheagedwerenowhiter，norcouldthecreepingbabeofyesterdaywalkonhisfeetto—day；itwasimpossibletodescribeinwhatrespecttheydifferedfromtheindividualsonwhomhehadsorecentlybestowedapartingglance；
andyettheminister’sdeepestsenseseemedtoinformhimoftheirmutability。Asimilarimpressionstruckhimmostremarkably，ashepassedunderthewallsofhisownchurch。Theedificehadsoverystrange，andyetsofamiliar，anaspect，thatMr。Dimmesdale’smindvibratedbetweentwoideas；eitherthathehadseenitonlyinadreamhitherto，orthathewasmerelydreamingaboutitnow。
Thisphenomenon，inthevariousshapeswhichitassumed，indicatednoexternalchange，butsosuddenandimportantachangeinthespectatorofthefamiliarscene，thattheinterveningspaceofasingledayhadoperatedonhisconsciousnesslikethelapseofyears。Theminister’sownwill，andHester’swill，andthefatethatgrewbetweenthem，hadwroughtthistransformation。Itwasthesametownasheretofore；butthesameministerreturnednotfromtheforest。Hemighthavesaidtothefriendswhogreetedhim，\"Iamnotthemanforwhomyoutakeme！Ilefthimyonderintheforest，withdrawnintoasecretdell，byamossytree—trunk，andnearamelancholybrook！Go，seekyourminister，andseeifhisemaciatedfigure，histhincheek，hiswhite，heavy，pain—wrinkledbrow，benotflungdownthere，likeacast—offgarment！\"Hisfriends，nodoubt，wouldstillhaveinsistedwithhim—\"Thouartthyselftheman！\"—buttheerrorwouldhavebeentheirown，nothis。
BeforeMr。Dimmesdalereachedhome，hisinnermangavehimotherevidencesofarevolutioninthesphereofthoughtandfeeling。Intruth，nothingshortofatotalchangeofdynastyandmoralcode，inthatinteriorkingdom，wasadequatetoaccountfortheimpulsesnowcommunicatedtotheunfortunateandstartledminister。Ateverystephewasincitedtodosomestrange，wild，wickedthingorother，withasensethatitwouldbeatonceinvoluntaryandintentional；inspiteofhimself，yetgrowingoutofaprofounderselfthanthatwhichopposedtheimpulse。Forinstance，hemetoneofhisowndeacons。
Thegoodoldmanaddressedhimwiththepaternalaffectionandpatriarchalprivilege，whichhisvenerableage，hisuprightandholycharacter，andhisstationintheChurch，entitledhimtouse；and，conjoinedwiththis，thedeep，almostworshippingrespect，whichtheminister’sprofessionalandprivateclaimsalikedemanded。Neverwasthereamorebeautifulexampleofhowthemajestyofageandwisdommaycomportwiththeobeisanceandrespectenjoineduponit，asfromalowersocialrank，andinferiororderofendowment，towardsahigher。Now，duringaconversationofsometwoorthreemomentsbetweentheReverendMr。Dimmesdaleandthisexcellentandhoary—beardeddeacon，itwasonlybythemostcarefulself—controlthattheformercouldrefrainfromutteringcertainblasphemoussuggestionsthatroseintohismind，respectingthecommunion—supper。Heabsolutelytrembledandturnedpaleasashes，lesthistongueshouldwagitself，inutteranceofthesehorriblematters，andpleadhisownconsentforsodoing，withouthishavingfairlygivenit。And，evenwiththisterrorinhisheart，hecouldhardlyavoidlaughing，toimaginehowthesanctifiedoldpatriarchaldeaconwouldhavebeenpetrifiedbyhisminister’simpiety。
Again，anotherincidentofthesamenature。Hurryingalongthestreet，theReverendMr。Dimmesdaleencounteredtheeldestfemalememberofhischurch；amostpiousandexemplaryolddame；poor，widowed，lonely，andwithaheartasfullofreminiscencesaboutherdeadhusbandandchildren，andherdeadfriendsoflongago，asaburial—groundisfullofstoriedgravestones。Yetallthis，whichwouldelsehavebeensuchheavysorrow，wasmadealmostasolemnjoytoherdevoutoldsoul，byreligiousconsolationsandthetruthsofScripture，wherewithshehadfedherselfcontinuallyformorethanthirtyyears。And，sinceMr。Dimmesdalehadtakenherincharge，thegoodgrandam’schiefearthlycomfort—which，unlessithadbeenlikewiseaheavenlycomfort，couldhavebeennoneatall—wastomeetherpastor，whethercasually，orofsetpurpose，andberefreshedwithawordofwarm，fragrant，heaven—breathingGospeltruth，fromhisbelovedlips，intoherdulled，butrapturouslyattentiveear。But，onthisoccasion，uptothemomentofputtinghislipstotheoldwoman’sear，Mr。Dimmesdale，asthegreatenemyofsoulswouldhaveit，couldrecallnotextofScripture，noraughtelse，exceptabrief，pithy，and，asitthenappearedtohim，unanswerableargumentagainsttheimmortalityofthehumansoul。Theinstilmentthereofintohermindwouldprobablyhavecausedthisagedsistertodropdowndead，atonce，asbytheeffectofanintenselypoisonousinfusion。
Whathereallydidwhisper，theministercouldneverafterwardsrecollect。Therewas，perhaps，afortunatedisorderinhisutterance，whichfailedtoimpartanydistinctideatothegoodwidow’scomprehension，orwhichProvidenceinterpretedafteramethodofitsown。Assuredly，astheministerlookedback，hebeheldanexpressionofdivinegratitudeandecstasythatseemedliketheshineofthecelestialcityonherface，sowrinkledandashypale。
Again，athirdinstance。Afterpartingfromtheoldchurch—member，hemettheyoungestsisterofthemall。Itwasamaidennewlywon—andwonbytheReverendMr。Dimmesdale’sownsermon，ontheSabbathafterhisvigil，tobarterthetransitorypleasuresoftheworldfortheheavenlyhope，thatwastoassumebrightersubstanceaslifegrewdarkaroundher，andwhichwouldgildtheuttergloomwithfinalglory。ShewasfairandpureasalilythathadbloomedinParadise。Theministerknewwellthathewashimselfenshrinedwithinthestainlesssanctityofherheart，whichhungitssnowycurtainsabouthisimage，impartingtoreligionthewarmthoflove，andtoloveareligiouspurity。Satan，thatafternoon，hadsurelyledthepooryounggirlawayfromhermother’sside，andthrownherintothepathwayofthissorelytempted，or—shallwenotrathersay？—
thislostanddesperateman。Asshedrewnigh，thearch—fiendwhisperedhimtocondenseintosmallcompassanddropintohertenderbosomagermofevilthatwouldbesuretoblossomdarklysoon，andbearblackfruitbetimes。Suchwashissenseofpoweroverthisvirginsoul，trustinghimasshedid，thattheministerfeltpotenttoblightallthefieldofinnocencewithbutonewickedlook，anddevelopallitsoppositewithbutaword。So—withamightierstrugglethanhehadyetsustained—heheldhisGenevacloakbeforehisface，andhurriedonward，makingnosignofrecognition，andleavingtheyoungsistertodigesthisrudenessasshemight。Sheransackedherconscience—whichwasfullofharmlesslittlematters，likeherpocket，orherworkbag—andtookherselftotask，poorthing！forathousandimaginaryfaults；andwentaboutherhouseholddutieswithswolleneyelidsthenextmorning。
Beforetheministerhadtimetocelebratehisvictoryoverthislasttemptation，hewasconsciousofanotherimpulse，moreludicrous，andalmostashorrible。Itwas—weblushtotellit—itwastostopshortintheroad，andteachsomeverywickedwordstoaknotoflittlePuritanchildrenwhowereplayingthere，andhadbutjustbeguntotalk。Denyinghimselfthisfreak，asunworthyofhiscloth，hemetadrunkenseaman，oneoftheship’screwfromtheSpanishMain。
Andhere，sincehehadsovaliantlyforborneallotherwickedness，poorMr。Dimmesdalelonged，atleasttoshakehandswiththetarryblackguard，andrecreatehimselfwithafewimproperjests，suchasdissolutesailorssoaboundwith，andavolleyofgood，round，solid，satisfactory，andheaven—defyingoaths！Itwasnotsomuchabetterprinciple，aspartlyhisnaturalgoodtaste，andstillmorehisbuckramedhabitofclericaldecorum，thatcarriedhimsafelythroughthelattercrisis。
\"Whatisitthathauntsandtemptsmethus？\"criedtheministertohimself，atlength，pausinginthestreet，andstrikinghishandagainsthisforehead。\"AmImad？oramIgivenoverutterlytothefiend？DidImakeacontractwithhimintheforest，andsignitwithmyblood？Anddoeshenowsummonmetoitsfulfilment，bysuggestingtheperformanceofeverywickednesswhichhismostfoulimaginationcanconceive？\"
AtthemomentwhentheReverendMr。Dimmesdalethuscommunedwithhimself，andstruckhisforeheadwithhishand，oldMistressHibbins，thereputedwitch—lady，issaidtohavebeenpassingby。
Shemadeaverygrandappearance；havingonahighhead—dress，arichgownofvelvet，andaruffdoneupwiththefamousyellowstarch，ofwhichAnnTurner，herespecialfriend，hadtaughtherthesecret，beforethislastgoodladyhadbeenhangedforSirThomasOverbury’smurder。Whetherthewitchhadreadtheminister’sthoughts，orno，shecametoafullstop，lookedshrewdlyintohisface，smiledcraftily，and—thoughlittlegiventoconversewithclergymen—beganaconversation。
\"So，reverendsir，youhavemadeavisitintotheforest，\"
observedthewitch—lady，noddingherhighhead—dressathim。\"Thenexttime，Iprayyoutoallowmeonlyafairwarning，andIshallbeproudtobearyoucompany。Withouttakingovermuchuponmyself，mygoodwordwillgofartowardsgaininganystrangegentlemanafairreceptionfromyonderpotentateyouwotof！\"
\"Iprofess，madam，\"answeredtheclergyman，withagraveobeisance，suchasthelady’srankdemanded，andhisowngood—breedingmadeimperative—\"Iprofess，onmyconscienceandcharacter，thatI
amutterlybewilderedastouchingthepurportofyourwords！Iwentnotintotheforesttoseekapotentate；neitherdoI，atanyfuturetime，designavisitthither，withaviewtogainingthefavourofsuchpersonage。Myonesufficientobjectwastogreetthatpiousfriendofmine，theApostleEliot，andrejoicewithhimoverthemanyprecioussoulshehathwonfromheathendom！\"
\"Ha，ha，ha！\"cackledtheoldwitch—lady，stillnoddingherhighhead—dressattheminister。\"Well，well，wemustneedstalkthusinthedaytime！Youcarryitofflikeanoldhand！Butatmidnight，andintheforest，weshallhaveothertalktogether！\"
Shepassedonwithheragedstateliness，butoftenturningbackherheadandsmilingathim，likeonewillingtorecogniseasecretintimacyofconnection。
\"HaveIthensoldmyself，\"thoughttheminister，\"tothefiendwhom，ifmensaytrue，thisyellow—starchedandvelvetedoldhaghaschosenforherprinceandmaster！\"
Thewretchedminister！Hehadmadeabargainverylikeit！Temptedbyadreamofhappiness，hehadyieldedhimself，withdeliberatechoice，ashehadneverdonebefore，towhatheknewwasdeadlysin。
Andtheinfectiouspoisonofthatsinhadbeenthusrapidlydiffusedthroughouthismoralsystem。Ithadstupefiedallblessedimpulses，andawakenedintovividlifethewholebrotherhoodofbadones。Scorn，bitterness，unprovokedmalignity，gratuitousdesireofill，ridiculeofwhateverwasgoodandholy，allawoke，totempt，evenwhiletheyfrightenedhim。AndhisencounterwitholdMistressHibbins，ifitwerearealincident，didbutshowhissympathyandfellowshipwithwickedmortals，andtheworldofpervertedspirits。
Hehad，bythistime，reachedhisdwelling，ontheedgeoftheburial—ground，and，hasteningupthestairs，tookrefugeinhisstudy。
Theministerwasgladtohavereachedthisshelter，withoutfirstbetrayinghimselftotheworldbyanyofthosestrangeandwickedeccentricitiestowhichhehadbeencontinuallyimpelledwhilepassingthroughthestreets。Heenteredtheaccustomedroom，andlookedaroundhimonitsbooks，itswindows，itsfireplace，andthetapestriedcomfortofthewalls，withthesameperceptionofstrangenessthathadhauntedhimthroughouthiswalkfromtheforest—dellintothetown，andthitherward。Herehehadstudiedandwritten；here，gonethroughfastandvigil，andcomeforthhalfalive；herestriventopray；here，borneahundredthousandagonies！TherewastheBible，initsricholdHebrew，withMosesandtheProphetsspeakingtohim，andGod’svoicethroughall！There，onthetable，withtheinkypenbesideit，wasanunfinishedsermon，withasentencebrokeninthemidst，wherehisthoughtshadceasedtogushoutuponthepage，twodaysbefore。Heknewthatitwashimself，thethinandwhite—cheekedminister，whohaddoneandsufferedthesethings，andwrittenthusfarintotheElectionSermon！Butheseemedtostandapart，andeyethisformerselfwithscornful，pitying，buthalf—enviouscuriosity。Thatselfwasgone。
Anothermanhadreturnedoutoftheforest；awiserone；withaknowledgeofhiddenmysterieswhichthesimplicityoftheformernevercouldhavereached。Abitterkindofknowledgethat！