第5章

"Yousaytruly，"repliedtheother。"Iamastranger，andhavebeenawanderer，sorelyagainstmywill。Ihavemetwithgrievousmishapsbyseaandland，andhavebeenlongheldinbondsamongtheheathenfolk，tothesouthward；andamnowbroughthitherbythisIndian，toberedeemedoutofmycaptivity。Willitpleaseyou，therefore，totellmeofHesterPrynne’s—haveIhernamerightly？—ofthiswoman’soffences，andwhathasbroughthertoyonderscaffold？"

"Truly，friend；andmethinksitmustgladdenyourheart，afteryourtroublesandsojourninthewilderness，"saidthetownsman，"tofindyourself，atlength，inalandwhereiniquityissearchedout，andpunishedinthesightofrulersandpeople；ashereinourgodlyNewEngland。Yonderwoman，sir，youmustknow，wasthewifeofacertainlearnedman，Englishbybirth，butwhohadlongdweltinAmsterdam，whence，somegoodtimeagone，hewasmindedtocrossoverandcastinhislotwithusoftheMassachusetts。Tothispurpose，hesenthiswifebeforehim，remaininghimselftolookaftersomenecessaryaffairs。Marry，goodsir，insometwoyears，orless，thatthewomanhasbeenadwellerhereinBoston，notidingshavecomeofthislearnedgentleman，MasterPrynne；andhisyoungwife，lookyou，beinglefttoherownmisguidance—"

"Ah！—aha！—Iconceiveyou，"saidthestranger，withabittersmile。

"Solearnedamanasyouspeakofshouldhavelearnedthis，too，inhisbooks。Andwho，byyourfavour，sir，maybethefatherofyonderbabe—itissomethreeorfourmonthsold，Ishouldjudge—whichMistressPrynneisholdinginherarms？"

"Ofatruth，friend，thatmatterremainethariddle；andtheDanielwhoshallexpounditisyeta—wanting，"answeredthetownsman。"MadamHesterabsolutelyrefusethtospeak，andthemagistrateshavelaidtheirheadstogetherinvain。Peradventuretheguiltyonestandslookingonatthissadspectacle，unknownofman，andforgettingthatGodseeshim。"

"Thelearnedman，"observedthestranger，withanothersmile，"shouldcomehimself，tolookintothemystery。"

"Itbehooveshimwell，ifhebestillinlife，"respondedthetownsman。"Now，goodsir，ourMassachusettsmagistracy，bethinkingthemselvesthatthiswomanisyouthfulandfair，anddoubtlesswasstronglytemptedtoherfall—andthat，moreover，asismostlikely，herhusbandmaybeatthebottomofthesea—theyhavenotbeenboldtoputinforcetheextremityofourrighteouslawagainsther。Thepenaltythereofisdeath。Butintheirgreatmercyandtendernessofheart，theyhavedoomedMistressPrynnetostandonlyaspaceofthreehoursontheplatformofthepillory，andthenandthereafter，fortheremainderofhernaturallife，towearamarkofshameuponherbosom。"

"Awisesentence！"remarkedthestranger，gravelybowinghishead。

"Thusshewillbealivingsermonagainstsin，untiltheignominiousletterbeengraveduponhertombstone。Itirksme，nevertheless，thatthepartnerofheriniquityshouldnot，atleast，standonthescaffoldbyherside。Buthewillbeknown！—hewillbeknown！—hewillbeknown！"

Hebowedcourteouslytothecommunicativetownsman，and，whisperingafewwordstohisIndianattendant，theybothmadetheirwaythroughthecrowd。

Whilethispassed，HesterPrynnehadbeenstandingonherpedestal，stillwithafixedgazetowardsthestranger；sofixedagazethat，atmomentsofintenseabsorption，allotherobjectsinthevisibleworldseemedtovanish，leavingonlyhimandher。Suchaninterview，perhaps，wouldhavebeenmoreterriblethaneventomeethimasshenowdid，withthehot，mid—daysunburningdownuponherface，andlightingupitsshame；withthescarlettokenofinfamyonherbreast；withthesin—borninfantinherarms；withawholepeople，drawnforthastoafestival，staringatthefeaturesthatshouldhavebeenseenonlyinthequietgleamofthefireside，inthehappyshadowofahome，orbeneathamatronlyveil，atchurch。Dreadfulasitwas，shewasconsciousofashelterinthepresenceofthesethousandwitnesses。Itwasbettertostandthus，withsomanybetwixthimandher，thantogreethim，facetoface，theytwoalone。Shefledforrefuge，asitwere，tothepublicexposure，anddreadedthemomentwhenitsprotectionshouldbewithdrawnfromher。

Involvedinthesethoughts，shescarcelyheardavoicebehindher，untilithadrepeatedhernamemorethanonce，inaloudandsolemntone，audibletothewholemultitude。

"Hearkenuntome，HesterPrynne！"saidthevoice。

Ithasalreadybeennoticed，thatdirectlyovertheplatformonwhichHesterPrynnestoodwasakindofbalcony，oropengallery，appendedtothemeeting—house。Itwastheplacewhenceproclamationswerewonttobemade，amidstanassemblageofthemagistracy，withalltheceremonialthatattendedsuchpublicobservancesinthosedays。

Here，towitnessthescenewhichwearedescribing，satGovernorBellinghamhimself，withfoursergeantsabouthischair，bearinghalberds，asaguardofhonour。Heworeadarkfeatherinhishat，aborderofembroideryonhiscloak，andablackvelvettunicbeneath；agentlemanadvancedinyears，withahardexperiencewritteninhiswrinkles。Hewasnotillfittedtobetheheadandrepresentativeofacommunity，whichoweditsoriginandprogress，anditspresentstateofdevelopment，nottotheimpulsesofyouth，buttothesternandtemperedenergiesofmanhood，andthesombresagacityofage；

accomplishingsomuch，preciselybecauseitimaginedandhopedsolittle。Theothereminentcharacters，bywhomthechiefrulerwassurrounded，weredistinguishedbyadignityofmien，belongingtoaperiodwhentheformsofauthoritywerefelttopossessthesacrednessofDivineinstitutions。Theywere，doubtless，goodmen，just，andsage。But，outofthewholehumanfamily，itwouldnothavebeeneasytoselectthesamenumberofwiseandvirtuouspersons，whoshouldbelesscapableofsittinginjudgmentonanerringwoman’sheart，anddisentanglingitsmeshofgoodandevil，thanthesagesofrigidaspecttowardswhomHesterPrynnenowturnedherface。Sheseemedconscious，indeed，thatwhateversympathyshemightexpect，layinthelargerandwarmerheartofthemultitude；for，assheliftedhereyestowardsthebalcony，theunhappywomangrewpaleandtrembled。

ThevoicewhichhadcalledherattentionwasthatofthereverendandfamousJohnWilson，theeldestclergymanofBoston，agreatscholar，likemostofhiscontemporariesintheprofession，andwithalamanofkindandgenialspirit。Thislastattribute，however，hadbeenlesscarefullydevelopedthanhisintellectualgifts，andwas，intruth，ratheramatterofshamethanself—congratulationwithhim。

Therehestood，withaborderofgrizzledlocksbeneathhisskull—cap；

whilehisgreyeyes，accustomedtotheshadedlightofhisstudy，werewinking，likethoseofHester’sinfant，intheunadulteratedsunshine。

Helookedlikethedarklyengravedportraitswhichweseeprefixedtooldvolumesofsermons；andhadnomorerightthanoneofthoseportraitswouldhave，tostepforth，ashenowdid，andmeddlewithaquestionofhumanguilt，passion，andanguish。

"HesterPrynne，"saidtheclergyman，"Ihavestrivenwithmyyoungbrotherhere，underwhosepreachingoftheWordyouhavebeenprivilegedtosit"—hereMr。Wilsonlaidhishandontheshoulderofapaleyoungmanbesidehim—"Ihavesought，Isay，topersuadethisgodlyyouth，thatheshoulddealwithyou，hereinthefaceofHeaven，andbeforethesewiseanduprightrulers，andinhearingofallthepeople，astouchingthevilenessandblacknessofyoursin。KnowingyournaturaltemperbetterthanI，hecouldthebetterjudgewhatargumentstouse，whetheroftendernessorterror，suchasmightprevailoveryourhardnessandobstinacy；insomuchthatyoushouldnolongerhidethenameofhimwhotemptedyoutothisgrievousfall。Butheopposestome（withayoungman’sover—softness，albeitwisebeyondhisyears）thatitwerewrongingtheverynatureofwomantoforcehertolayopenherheart’ssecretsinsuchbroaddaylight，andinpresenceofsogreatamultitude。Truly，asI

soughttoconvincehim，theshamelayinthecommissionofthesin，andnotintheshowingofitforth。Whatsayyoutoit，onceagain，brotherDimmesdale！Mustitbethou，orI，thatshalldealwiththispoorsinner’ssoul？"

Therewasamurmuramongthedignifiedandreverendoccupantsofthebalcony；andGovernorBellinghamgaveexpressiontoitspurport，speakinginanauthoritativevoice，althoughtemperedwithrespecttowardstheyouthfulclergymanwhomheaddressed。

"GoodMasterDimmesdale，"saidhe，"theresponsibilityofthiswoman’ssoulliesgreatlywithyou。Itbehoovesyou，therefore，toexhorthertorepentance，andtoconfession，asaproofandconsequencethereof。"

ThedirectnessofthisappealdrewtheeyesofthewholecrowdupontheReverendMr。Dimmesdale；ayoungclergyman，whohadcomefromoneofthegreatEnglishuniversities，bringingallthelearningoftheageintoourwildforest—land。Hiseloquenceandreligiousfervourhadalreadygiventheearnestofhigheminenceinhisprofession。Hewasapersonofverystrikingaspect，withawhite，lofty，andimpendingbrow，large，brown，melancholyeyes，andamouthwhich，unlesswhenheforciblycompressedit，wasapttobetremulous，expressingbothnervoussensibilityandavastpowerofself—restraint。Notwithstandinghishighnativegiftsandscholar—likeattainments，therewasanairaboutthisyoungminister—anapprehensive，astartled，ahalf—frightenedlook—asofabeingwhofelthimselfquiteastrayandatalossinthepathwayofhumanexistence，andcouldonlybeateaseinsomeseclusionofhisown。

Therefore，sofarashisdutieswouldpermit，hetrodintheshadowybypaths，andthuskepthimselfsimpleandchildlike；comingforth，whenoccasionwas，withafreshness，andfragrance，anddewypurityofthought，which，asmanypeoplesaid，affectedthemlikethespeechofanangel。

SuchwastheyoungmanwhomtheReverendMr。WilsonandtheGovernorhadintroducedsoopenlytothepublicnotice，biddinghimspeak，inthehearingofallmen，tothatmysteryofawoman’ssoul，sosacredeveninitspollution。Thetryingnatureofhispositiondrovethebloodfromhischeek，andmadehislipstremulous。

"Speaktothewoman，mybrother，"saidMr。Wilson。"Itisofmomenttohersoul，andtherefore，astheworshipfulGovernorsays，momentoustothineown，inwhosechargehersis。Exhorthertoconfessthetruth！"

TheReverendMr。Dimmesdalebenthishead，insilentprayer，asitseemed，andthencameforward。

"HesterPrynne，"saidhe，leaningoverthebalcony，andlookingdownsteadfastlyintohereyes，"thouhearestwhatthisgoodmansays，andseesttheaccountabilityunderwhichIlabour。Ifthoufeelestittobeforthysoul’speace，andthatthyearthlypunishmentwilltherebybemademoreeffectualtosalvation，Ichargetheetospeakoutthenameofthyfellow—sinnerandfellow—sufferer！Benotsilentfromanymistakenpityandtendernessforhim；forbelieveme，Hester，thoughheweretostepdownfromahighplace，andstandtherebesidethee，onthypedestalofshame，yetbetterwereitso，thantohideaguiltyheartthroughlife。Whatcanthysilencedoforhim，exceptittempthim—yea，compelhim，asitwere—toaddhypocrisytosin？Heavenhathgrantedtheeanopenignominy，thattherebythoumayestworkoutanopentriumphovertheevilwithinthee，andthesorrowwithout。Takeheedhowthoudeniesttohim—

who，perchance，hathnotthecouragetograspitforhimself—thebitter，butwholesome，cupthatisnowpresentedtothylips！"

Theyoungpastor’svoicewastremulouslysweet，rich，deep，andbroken。Thefeelingthatitsoevidentlymanifested，ratherthanthedirectpurportofthewords，causedittovibratewithinallhearts，andbroughtthelistenersintooneaccordofsympathy。Eventhepoorbaby，atHester’sbosom，wasaffectedbythesameinfluence；foritdirecteditshithertovacantgazetowardsMr。Dimmesdale，andheldupitslittlearms，withahalf—pleased，half—plaintivemurmur。Sopowerfulseemedtheminister’sappeal，thatthepeoplecouldnotbelievebutthatHesterPrynnewouldspeakouttheguiltyname；orelsethattheguiltyonehimself，inwhateverhighorlowlyplacehestood，wouldbedrawnforthbyaninwardandinevitablenecessity，andcompelledtoascendthescaffold。

Hestershookherhead。

"Woman，transgressnotbeyondthelimitsofHeaven’smercy！"criedtheReverendMr。Wilson，moreharshlythanbefore。"Thatlittlebabehathbeengiftedwithavoice，tosecondandconfirmthecounselwhichthouhastheard。Speakoutthename！That，andthyrepentance，mayavailtotakethescarletletteroffthybreast。"

"Never！"repliedHesterPrynne，looking，notatMr。Wilson，butintothedeepandtroubledeyesoftheyoungerclergyman。"Itistoodeeplybranded。Yecannottakeitoff。AndwouldthatImightendurehisagony，aswellasmine！"

"Speak，woman！"saidanothervoice，coldlyandsternly，proceedingfromthecrowdaboutthescaffold。"Speak；andgiveyourchildafather！"

"Iwillnotspeak！"answeredHester，turningpaleasdeath，butrespondingtothisvoice，whichshetoosurelyrecognized。"AndmychildmustseekaheavenlyFather；sheshallneverknowanearthlyone！"

"Shewillnotspeak！"murmuredMr。Dimmesdale，who，leaningoverthebalcony，withhishanduponhisheart，hadawaitedtheresultofhisappeal。Henowdrewback，withalongrespiration。"Wondrousstrengthandgenerosityofawoman’sheart！Shewillnotspeak！"

Discerningtheimpractiblestateofthepoorculprit’smind，theelderclergyman，whohadcarefullypreparedhimselffortheoccasion，addressedtothemultitudeadiscourseonsin，inallitsbranches，butwithcontinualreferencetotheignominiousletter。Soforciblydidhedwelluponthissymbol，forthehourormoreduringwhichhisperiodswererollingoverthepeople’sheads，thatitassumednewterrorsintheirimagination，andseemedtoderiveitsscarlethuefromtheflamesoftheinfernalpit。HesterPrynne，meanwhile，keptherplaceuponthepedestalofshame，withglazedeyes，andanairofwearyindifference。Shehadborne，thatmorning，allthatnaturecouldendure；andashertemperamentwasnotoftheorderthatescapesfromtoointensesufferingbyaswoon，herspiritcouldonlyshelteritselfbeneathastonycrustofinsensibility，whilethefacultiesofanimalliferemainedentire。Inthisstate，thevoiceofthepreacherthunderedremorselessly，butunavailingly，uponherears。Theinfant，duringthelatterportionofherordeal，piercedtheairwithitswailingsandscreams；shestrovetohushit，mechanically，butseemedscarcelytosympathisewithitstrouble。Withthesameharddemeanour，shewasledbacktoprison，andvanishedfromthepublicgazewithinitsiron—clampedportal。Itwaswhispered，bythosewhopeeredafterher，thatthescarletletterthrewaluridgleamalongthedarkpassage—wayoftheinterior。

IV。

THEINTERVIEW。

AFTERherreturntotheprison，HesterPrynnewasfoundtobeinastateofnervousexcitementthatdemandedconstantwatchfulness，lestsheshouldperpetrateviolenceonherself，ordosomehalf—frenziedmischieftothepoorbabe。Asnightapproached，itprovingimpossibletoquellherinsubordinationbyrebukeorthreatsofpunishment，MasterBrackett，thejailer，thoughtfittointroduceaphysician。HedescribedhimasamanofskillinallChristianmodesofphysicalscience，andlikewisefamiliarwithwhateverthesavagepeoplecouldteach，inrespecttomedicinalherbsandrootsthatgrewintheforest。Tosaythetruth，therewasmuchneedofprofessionalassistance，notmerelyforHesterherself，butstillmoreurgentlyforthechild；who，drawingitssustenancefromthematernalbosom，seemedtohavedrankinwithitalltheturmoil，theanguishanddespair，whichpervadedthemother’ssystem。Itnowwrithedinconvulsionsofpain，andwasaforcibletype，initslittleframe，ofthemoralagonywhichHesterPrynnehadbornethroughouttheday。

Closelyfollowingthejailerintothedismalapartment，appearedthatindividualofsingularaspect，whosepresenceinthecrowdhadbeenofsuchdeepinteresttothewearerofthescarletletter。Hewaslodgedintheprison，notassuspectedofanyoffence，butasthemostconvenientandsuitablemodeofdisposingofhim，untilthemagistratesshouldhaveconferredwiththeIndiansagamoresrespectinghisransom。HisnamewasannouncedasRogerChillingworth。Thejailer，afterusheringhimintotheroom，remainedamoment，marvellingatthecomparativequietthatfollowedhisentrance；forHesterPrynnehadimmediatelybecomeasstillasdeath，althoughthechildcontinuedtomoan。

"Prithee，friend，leavemealonewithmypatient，"saidthepractitioner。"Trustme，goodjailer，youshallbrieflyhavepeaceinyourhouse；and，Ipromiseyou，MistressPrynneshallhereafterbemoreamenabletojustauthoritythanyoumayhavefoundherheretofore。"

"Nay，ifyourworshipcanaccomplishthat，"answeredMasterBrackett，"Ishallownyouforamanofskillindeed！Verily，thewomanhathbeenlikeapossessedone；andtherelackslittle，thatI

shouldtakeinhandtodriveSatanoutofherwithstripes。"

Thestrangerhadenteredtheroomwiththecharacteristicquietudeoftheprofessiontowhichheannouncedhimselfasbelonging。Nordidhisdemeanourchange，whenthewithdrawaloftheprisonkeeperlefthimfacetofacewiththewoman，whoseabsorbednoticeofhim，inthecrowd，hadintimatedsoclosearelationbetweenhimselfandher。Hisfirstcarewasgiventothechild；whosecries，indeed，asshelaywrithingonthetrundle—bed，madeitofperemptorynecessitytopostponeallotherbusinesstothetaskofsoothingher。Heexaminedtheinfantcarefully，andthenproceededtounclaspaleatherncase，whichhetookfrombeneathhisdress。Itappearedtocontainmedicalpreparations，oneofwhichhemingledwithacupofwater。

"Myoldstudiesinalchemy，"observedhe，"andmysojourn，foraboveayearpast，amongapeoplewellversedinthekindlypropertiesofsimples，havemadeabetterphysicianofmethanmanythatclaimthemedicaldegree。Here，woman！Thechildisyours—sheisnoneofmine—neitherwillsherecognisemyvoiceoraspectasafather’s。

Administerthisdraught，therefore，withthineownhand。"

Hesterrepelledtheofferedmedicine，atthesametimegazingwithstronglymarkedapprehensionintohisface。

"Wouldstthouavengethyselfontheinnocentbabe？"whisperedshe。

"Foolishwoman！"respondedthephysician，halfcoldly，halfsoothingly。"Whatshouldailme，toharmthismisbegottenandmiserablebabe？Themedicineispotentforgood；andwereitmychild—

yea，mineown，aswellasthine！—Icoulddonobetterforit。"

Asshestillhesitated，being，infact，innoreasonablestateofmind，hetooktheinfantinhisarms，andhimselfadministeredthedraught。Itsoonproveditsefficacy，andredeemedtheleech’spledge。

Themoansofthelittlepatientsubsided；itsconvulsivetossingsgraduallyceased；and，inafewmoments，asisthecustomofyoungchildrenafterrelieffrompain，itsankintoaprofoundanddewyslumber。Thephysician，ashehadafairrighttobetermed，nextbestowedhisattentiononthemother。Withcalmandintentscrutiny，hefeltherpulse，lookedintohereyes—agazethatmadeherheartshrinkandshudder，becausesofamiliar，andyetsostrangeandcold—and，finally，satisfiedwithhisinvestigation，proceededtomingleanotherdraught。

"IknownotLethenorNepenthe，"remarkedhe；"butIhavelearnedmanynewsecretsinthewilderness，andhereisoneofthem—arecipethatanIndiantaughtme，inrequitalofsomelessonsofmyown，thatwereasoldasParacelsus。Drinkit！Itmaybelesssoothingthanasinlessconscience。ThatIcannotgivethee。Butitwillcalmtheswellandheavingofthypassion，likeoilthrownonthewavesofatempestuoussea。"

HepresentedthecuptoHester，whoreceiveditwithaslow，earnestlookintohisface；notpreciselyalookoffear，yetfullofdoubtandquestioning，astowhathispurposesmightbe。Shelookedalsoatherslumberingchild。

"Ihavethoughtofdeath，"saidshe—"havewishedforit—wouldevenhaveprayedforit，wereitfitthatsuchasIshouldprayforanything。Yet，ifdeathbeinthiscup，Ibidtheethinkagain，erethoubeholdestmequaffit。See！Itisevennowatmylips。"

"Drink，then，"repliedhe，stillwiththesamecoldcomposure。"Dostthouknowmesolittle，HesterPrynne？Aremypurposeswonttobesoshallow？EvenifIimagineaschemeofvengeance，whatcouldIdobetterformyobjectthantolettheelive—thantogivetheemedicinesagainstallharmandperiloflife—sothatthisburningshamemaystillblazeuponthybosom！"Ashespoke，helaidhislongforefingeronthescarletletter，whichforthwithseemedtoscorchintoHester’sbreast，asifithadbeenred—hot。Henoticedherinvoluntarygesture，andsmiled。"Live，therefore，andbearaboutthydoomwiththee，intheeyesofmenandwomen—intheeyesofhimwhomthoudidstcallthyhusband—intheeyesofyonderchild！And，thatthoumayestlive，takeoffthisdraught。"

Withoutfurtherexpostulationordelay，HesterPrynnedrainedthecup，and，atthemotionofthemanofskill，seatedherselfonthebedwherethechildwassleeping；whilehedrewtheonlychairwhichtheroomafforded，andtookhisownseatbesideher。Shecouldnotbuttrembleatthesepreparations；forshefeltthat—havingnowdoneallthathumanity，orprinciple，or，ifsoitwere，arefinedcruelty，impelledhimtodo，forthereliefofphysicalsuffering—hewasnexttotreatwithherasthemanwhomshehadmostdeeplyandirreparablyinjured。

"Hester，"saidhe，"Iasknotwherefore，norhow，thouhastfallenintothepit，orsay，rather，thouhastascendedtothepedestalofinfamy，onwhichIfoundthee。Thereasonisnotfartoseek。Itwasmyfolly，andthyweakness。I—amanofthought—thebookwormofgreatlibraries—amanalreadyindecay，havinggivenmybestyearstofeedthehungrydreamofknowledge—whathadItodowithyouthandbeautylikethineown！Misshapenfrommybirth—hour，howcouldI

deludemyselfwiththeideathatintellectualgiftsmightveilphysicaldeformityinayounggirl’sfantasy！Mencallmewise。Ifsageswereeverwiseintheirownbehoof，Imighthaveforeseenallthis。Imighthaveknownthat，asIcameoutofthevastanddismalforest，andenteredthissettlementofChristianmen，theveryfirstobjecttomeetmyeyeswouldbethyself，HesterPrynne，standingup，astatueofignominy，beforethepeople。Nay，fromthemomentwhenwecamedowntheoldchurchstepstogether，amarriedpair，Imighthavebeheldthebale—fireofthatscarletletterblazingattheendofourpath！"

"Thouknowest，"saidHester—for，depressedasshewas，shecouldnotendurethislastquietstabatthetokenofhershame—"thouknowestthatIwasfrankwiththee。Ifeltnolove，norfeignedany。"

"True，"repliedhe。"Itwasmyfolly！Ihavesaidit。But，uptothatepochofmylife，Ihadlivedinvain。Theworldhadbeensocheerless！Myheartwasahabitationlargeenoughformanyguests，butlonelyandchill，andwithoutahouseholdfire。Ilongedtokindleone！Itseemednotsowildadream—oldasIwas，andsombreasIwas，andmisshapenasIwas—thatthesimplebliss，whichisscatteredfarandwide，forallmankindtogatherup，mightyetbemine。Andso，Hester，Idrewtheeintomyheart，intoitsinnermostchamber，andsoughttowarmtheebythewarmthwhichthypresencemadethere！"

"Ihavegreatlywrongedthee，"murmuredHester。

"Wehavewrongedeachother，"answeredhe。"Minewasthefirstwrong，whenIbetrayedthybuddingyouthintoafalseandunnaturalrelationwithmydecay。Therefore，asamanwhohasnotthoughtandphilosophisedinvain，Iseeknovengeance，plotnoevilagainstthee。

Betweentheeandmethescalehangsfairlybalanced。But，Hester，themanliveswhohaswrongedusboth！Whoishe？"

"Askmenot！"repliedHesterPrynne，lookingfirmlyintohisface。

"Thatthoushaltneverknow！"

"Never，sayestthou？"rejoinedhe，withasmileofdarkandself—relyingintelligence。"Neverknowhim！Believeme，Hester，therearefewthings—whetherintheoutwardworld，or，toacertaindepth，intheinvisiblesphereofthought—fewthingshiddenfromthemanwhodevoteshimselfearnestlyandunreservedlytothesolutionofamystery。Thoumayestcoverupthysecretfromthepryingmultitude。Thoumayestconcealit，too，fromtheministersandmagistrates，evenasthoudidstthisday，whentheysoughttowrenchthenameoutofthyheart，andgivetheeapartneronthypedestal。

But，asforme，Icometotheinquestwithothersensesthantheypossess。Ishallseekthisman，asIhavesoughttruthinbooks；asIhavesoughtgoldinalchemy。Thereisasympathythatwillmakemeconsciousofhim。Ishallseehimtremble。Ishallfeelmyselfshudder，suddenlyandunawares。Soonerorlater，hemustneedsbemine！"

Theeyesofthewrinkledscholarglowedsointenselyuponher，thatHesterPrynneclaspedherhandsoverherheart，dreadinglestheshouldreadthesecretthereatonce。

"Thouwiltnotrevealhisname？Notthelessheismine，"resumedhe，withalookofconfidence，asifdestinywereatonewithhim。"Hebearsnoletterofinfamywroughtintohisgarment，asthoudost；

butIshallreaditonhisheart。Yetfearnotforhim！ThinknotthatIshallinterferewithHeaven’sownmethodofretribution，or，tomyownloss，betrayhimtothegripeofhumanlaw。NeitherdothouimaginethatIshallcontriveaughtagainsthislife；no，noragainsthisfame，if，asIjudge，hebeamanoffairrepute。Lethimlive！Lethimhidehimselfinoutwardhonour，ifhemay！Notthelessheshallbemine！"

"Thyactsarelikemercy，"saidHester，bewilderedandappalled。

"Butthywordsinterprettheeasaterror！"