第10章

entirelyoutofthesphereofsympathyorhumancontact。Shenowskippedirreverentlyfromonegravetoanother；until，comingtothebroad，flat，armorialtombstoneofadepartedworthy—perhapsofIsaacJohnsonhimself—shebegantodanceuponit。Inreplytohermother’scommandandentreatythatshewouldbehavemoredecorously，littlePearlpausedtogatherthepricklyburrsfromatallburdockwhichgrewbesidethetomb。Takingahandfulofthese，shearrangedthemalongthelinesofthescarletletterthatdecoratedthematernalbosom，towhichtheburrs，astheirnaturewas，tenaciouslyadhered。

Hesterdidnotpluckthemoff。

RogerChillingworthhadbythistimeapproachedthewindow，andsmiledgrimlydown。

"Thereisnolaw，norreverenceforauthority，noregardforhumanordinancesoropinions，rightorwrong，mixedupwiththatchild’scomposition，"remarkedher，asmuchtohimselfastohiscompanion。"I

sawher，theotherday，bespattertheGovernorhimselfwithwater，atthecattle—troughinSpringLane。What，inHeaven’sname，isshe？

Istheimpaltogetherevil？Hathsheaffections？Hathsheanydiscoverableprincipleofbeing？"

"None—savethefreedomofabrokenlaw，"answeredMr。Dimmesdale，inaquietway，asifhehadbeendiscussingthepointwithinhimself。

"WhethercapableofgoodIknownot。"

Thechildprobablyoverheardtheirvoices；for，lookinguptothewindow，withabright，butnaughtysmileofmirthandintelligence，shethrewoneofthepricklyburrsattheReverendMr。Dimmesdale。Thesensitiveclergymanshrunk，withnervousdread，fromthelightmissile。Detectinghisemotion，Pearlclappedherlittlehands，inthemostextravagantecstasy。HesterPrynne，likewise，hadinvoluntarilylookedup；andallthesefourpersons，oldandyoung，regardedoneanotherinsilence，tillthechildlaughedaloud，andshouted，"Comeaway，mother！Comeaway，oryonderoldBlackManwillcatchyou！Hehathgotholdoftheministeralready。Comeaway，mother，orhewillcatchyou！ButhecannotcatchlittlePearl！"

Soshedrewhermotheraway，skipping，dancing，andfriskingfantastically，amongthehillocksofthedeadpeople，likeacreaturethathadnothingincommonwithabygoneandburiedgeneration，norownedherselfakintoit。Itwasasifshehadbeenmadeafresh，outofnewelements，andmustperforcebepermittedtoliveherownlife，andbealawuntoherself，withouthereccentricitiesbeingreckonedtoherforacrime。

"Theregoesawoman，"resumedRogerChillingworth，afterapause，"who，beherdemeritswhattheymay，hathnoneofthatmysteryofhiddensinfulnesswhichyoudeemsogrievoustobeborne。IsHesterPrynnethelessmiserable，thinkyou，forthatscarletletteronherbreast？"

"Idoverilybelieveit，"answeredtheclergyman。"Nevertheless，I

cannotanswerforher。Therewasalookofpaininherface，whichI

wouldgladlyhavebeensparedthesightof。Butstill，methinks，itmustneedsbebetterforthesufferertobefreetoshowhispain，asthispoorwomanHesteris，thantocoveritallupinhisheart。"

Therewasanotherpause；andthephysicianbegananewtoexamineandarrangetheplantswhichhehadgathered。

"Youinquiredofme，alittletimeagone，"saidhe，atlength，"myjudgmentastouchingyourhealth。"

"Idid，"answeredtheclergyman，"andwouldgladlylearnit。Speakfrankly，Iprayyou，beitforlifeordeath。"

"Freely，then，andplainly，"saidthephysician，stillbusywithhisplants，butkeepingawaryeyeonMr。Dimmesdale，"thedisorderisastrangeone；notsomuchinitself，norasoutwardlymanifested—insofar，atleast，asthesymptomshavebeenlaidopentomyobservation。Lookingdallyatyou，mygoodsir，andwatchingthetokensofyouraspect，nowformonthsgoneby，Ishoulddeemyouamansoresick，itmaybe，yetnotsosickbutthataninstructedandwatchfulphysicianmightwellhopetocureyou。But—Iknownotwhattosay—thediseaseiswhatIseemtoknow，yetknowitnot。"

"Youspeakinriddles，learnedsir，"saidthepaleminister，glancingasideoutofthewindow。

"Then，tospeakmoreplainly，"continuedthephysician，"andIcravepardon，sir—shoulditseemtorequirepardon—forthisneedfulplainnessofmyspeech。Letmeask，asyourfriend—asonehavingcharge，underProvidence，ofyourlifeandphysicalwell—being—hathalltheoperationofthisdisorderbeenfairlylaidopenandrecountedtome？"

"Howcanyouquestionit？"askedtheminister。"Surely，itwerechild’splay，tocallinaphysician，andthenhidethesore！"

"Youwouldtellme，then，thatIknowall？"saidRogerChillingworthdeliberately，andfixinganeye，brightwithintenseandconcentratedintelligence，ontheminister’sface。"Beitso！But，again！Hetowhomonlytheoutwardandphysicalevilislaidopen，knoweth，oftentimes，buthalftheevilwhichbeiscalledupontocure。Abodilydisease，whichwelookuponaswholeandentirewithinitself，may，afterall，bebutasymptomofsomeailmentinthespiritualpart。Yourpardon，onceagain，goodsir，ifmyspeechgivetheshadowofoffence。You，sir，ofallmenwhomIhaveknown，arehewhosebodyistheclosestconjoined，andimbued，andidentified，sotospeak，withthespiritwhereofitistheinstrument。"

"ThenIneedasknofurther，"saidtheclergyman，somewhathastilyrisingfromhischair。"Youdealnot，Itakeit，inmedicineforthesoul！"

"Thus，asickness，"continuedRogerChillingworthgoingon，inanunalteredtone，withoutheedingtheinterruption，butstandingupandconfrontingtheemaciatedandwhite—cheekedminister，withhislow，dark，andmisshapenfigure—"asickness，asoreplace，ifwemaysocallit，inyourspirit，hathimmediatelyitsappropriatemanifestationinyourbodilyframe。Wouldyou，therefore，thatyourphysicianhealthebodilyevil？Howmaythisbe，unlessyoufirstlayopentohimthewoundortroubleinyoursoul？"

"No！—nottothee！—nottoanearthlyphysician！"criedMr。

Dimmesdalepassionately，andturninghiseyes，fullandbright，andwithakindoffierceness，onoldRogerChillingworth。"Nottothee！

But，ifitbethesoul’sdisease，thendoIcommitmyselftotheonePhysicianofthesoul！He，ifitstandwithHisgoodpleasure，cancure；orHecankill！LetHimdowithmeas，inHisjusticeandwisdom，Heshallseegood。Butwhoartthou，thatmeddlestinthismatter？—thatdaresthrusthimselfbetweenthesuffererandhisGod？"

Withafranticgesture，herushedoutoftheroom。

"Itisaswelltohavemadethisstep，"saidRogerChillingworthtohimself，lookingaftertheminister，withagravesmile。"Thereisnothinglost。Weshallbefriendsagainanon。Butsee，now，howpassiontakesholduponthisman，andhurriethhimoutofhimself！

Aswithonepassion，sowithanother！Hehathdoneawildthingerenow，thispiousMasterDimmesdale，inthehotpassionofhisheart！"

Itprovednotdifficulttore—establishtheintimacyofthetwocompanions，onthesamefootingandinthesamedegreeasheretofore。Theyoungclergyman，afterafewhoursofprivacy，wassensiblethatthedisorderofhisnerveshadhurriedhimintoanunseemlyoutbreakoftemper，whichtherehadbeennothinginthephysician’swordstoexcuseorpalliate。Hemarvelled，indeed，attheviolencewithwhichhehadthrustbackthekindoldman，whenmerelyprofferingtheadvicewhichitwashisdutytobestow，andwhichtheministerhimselfhadexpresslysought。Withtheseremorsefulfeelings，helostnotimeinmakingtheamplestapologies，andbesoughthisfriendstilltocontinuethecare，which，ifnotsuccessfulinrestoringhimtohealth，had，inallprobability，beenthemeansofprolonginghisfeebleexistencetothathour。RogerChillingworthreadilyassented，andwentonwithhismedicalsupervisionoftheminister；doinghisbestforhim，inallgoodfaith，butalwaysquittingthepatient’sapartment，atthecloseofaprofessionalinterview，withamysteriousandpuzzledsmileuponhislips。ThisexpressionwasinvisibleinMr。Dimmesdale’spresence，butgrewstronglyevidentasthephysiciancrossedthethreshold。

"Ararecase！"hemuttered。"Imustneedslookdeeperintoit。A

strangesympathybetwixtsoulandbody！Wereitonlyfortheart’ssake，Imustsearchthismattertothebottom！"

Itcametopass，notlongafterthesceneaboverecorded，thattheReverendMr。Dimmesdale，atnoon—day，andentirelyunawares，fellintoadeep，deepslumber，sittinginhischair，withalargeblack—lettervolumeopenbeforehimonthetable。Itmusthavebeenaworkofvastabilityinthesomniferousschoolofliterature。Theprofounddepthoftheminister’sreposewasthemoreremarkable，inasmuchashewasoneofthosepersonswhosesleep，ordinarily，isaslight，asfitful，andaseasilyscaredaway，asasmallbirdhoppingonatwig。Tosuchanunwontedremoteness，however，hadhisspiritnowwithdrawnintoitself，thathestirrednotinhischair，whenoldRogerChillingworth，withoutanyextraordinaryprecaution，cameintotheroom。Thephysicianadvanceddirectlyinfrontofhispatient，laidhishanduponhisbosom，andthrustasidethevestment，that，hitherto，hadalwayscovereditevenfromtheprofessionaleye。

Then，indeed，Mr。Dimmesdaleshuddered，andslightlystirred。

Afterabriefpause，thephysicianturnedaway。

But，withwhatawildlookofwonder，joy，andhorror！Withwhataghastlyrapture，asitwere，toomightytobeexpressedonlybytheeyeandfeatures，andthereforeburstingforththroughthewholeuglinessofhisfigure，andmakingitselfevenriotouslymanifestbytheextravagantgestureswithwhichhethrewuphisarmstowardstheceiling，andstampedhisfootuponthefloor！HadamanseenoldRogerChillingworth，atthatmomentofhisecstasy，hewouldhavehadnoneedtoaskhowSatancomportshimself，whenaprecioushumansoulislosttoheaven，andwonintohiskingdom。

Butwhatdistinguishedthephysician’secstasyfromSatan’swasthetraitofwonderinit！

XI。

THEINTERIOROFAHEART。

AFTERtheincidentlastdescribed，theintercoursebetweentheclergymanandthephysician，thoughexternallythesame，wasreallyofanothercharacterthanithadpreviouslybeen。TheintellectofRogerChillingworthhadnowasufficientlyplainpathbeforeit。Itwasnot，indeed，preciselythatwhichhehadlaidoutforhimselftoread。Calm，gentle，passionless，asheappeared，therewasyet，wefear，aquietdepthofmalice，hithertolatent，butactivenow，inthisunfortunateoldman，whichledhimtoimagineamoreintimaterevengethananymortalhadeverwreakeduponanenemy。Tomakehimselftheonetrustedfriend，towhomshouldbeconfidedallthefear，theremorse，theagony，theineffectualrepentance，thebackwardrushofsinfulthoughts，expelledinvain！Allthatguiltysorrow，hiddenfromtheworld，whosegreatheartwouldhavepitiedandforgiven，toberevealedtohim，thePitiless，tohim，theUnforgiving！Allthatdarktreasuretobelavishedontheveryman，towhomnothingelsecouldsoadequatelypaythedebtofvengeance。

Theclergyman’sshyandsensitivereservehadbalkedthisscheme。

RogerChillingworth，however，wasinclinedtobehardly，ifatall，lesssatisfiedwiththeaspectofaffairs，whichProvidence—usingtheavengerandhisvictimforitsownpurposes，and，perchance，pardoning，whereitseemedmosttopunish—hadsubstitutedforhisblackdevices。Arevelation，hecouldalmostsay，hadbeengrantedtohim。Itmatteredlittle，forhisobject，whethercelestial，orfromwhatotherregion。Byitsaid，inallthesubsequentrelationsbetwixthimandMr。Dimmesdale，notmerelytheexternalpresence，buttheveryinmostsoul，ofthelatterseemedtobebroughtoutbeforehiseyes，sothathecouldseeandcomprehenditseverymovement。Hebecame，thenceforth，notaspectatoronly，butachiefactor，inthepoorminister’sinteriorworld。Hecouldplayuponhimashechose。Wouldhearousehimwithathrobofagony？Thevictimwasforeverontherack；itneededonlytoknowthespringthatcontrolledtheengine—

andthephysicianknewitwell！Wouldbestartlehimwithsuddenfear？

Asatthewavingofamagician’swand，uproseagrislyphantom—uproseathousandphantoms—inmanyshapes，ofdeath，ormoreawfulshame，allflockingroundabouttieclergyman，andpointingwiththeirfingersathisbreast！

Allthiswasaccomplishedwithasubtletysoperfect，thattheminister，thoughhehadconstantlyadimperceptionofsomeevilinfluencewatchingoverhim，couldnevergainaknowledgeofitsactualnature。True，helookeddoubtfully，fearfully—even，attimes，withhorrorandthebitternessofhatred—atthedeformedfigureoftheoldphysician。Hisgestures，hisgait，hisgrizzledbeard，hisslightestandmostindifferentacts，theveryfashionofhisgarments，wereodiousintheclergyman’ssight；atokenimplicitlytobereliedon，ofadeeperantipathyinthebreastofthelatterthanhewaswillingtoacknowledgetohimself。For，asitwasimpossibletoassignareasonforsuchdistrustandabhorrence，soMr。

Dimmesdale，consciousthatthepoisonofonemorbidspotwasinfectinghisheart’sentiresubstance，attributedallhispresentimentstonoothercause。HetookhimselftotaskforhisbadsympathiesinreferencetoRogerChillingworth，disregardedthelessonthatheshouldhavedrawnfromthem，anddidhisbesttorootthemout。Unabletoaccomplishthis，henevertheless，asamatterofprinciple，continuedhishabitsofsocialfamiliaritywiththeoldman，andthusgavehimconstantopportunitiesforperfectingthepurposetowhich—poor，forlorncreaturethathewas，andmorewretchedthanhisvictim—theavengerhaddevotedhimself。

Whilethussufferingunderbodilydisease，andgnawedandtorturedbysomeblacktroubleofthesoul，andgivenovertothemachinationsofhisdeadliestenemy，theReverendMr。Dimmesdalehadachievedabrilliantpopularityinhissacredoffice。Hewonit，indeed，ingreatpart，byhissorrows。Hisintellectualgifts，hismoralperceptions，hispowerofexperiencingandcommunicatingemotion，werekeptinastateofpreternaturalactivitybytheprickandanguishofhisdailylife。Hisfame，thoughstillonitsupwardslope，alreadyovershadowedthesobererreputationsofhisfellow—clergymen，eminentasseveralofthemwere。Therewerescholarsamongthem，whohadspentmoreyearsinacquiringabstruselore，connectedwiththedivineprofession，thanMr。Dimmesdalehadlived；

andwhomightwell，therefore，bemoreprofoundlyversedinsuchsolidandvaluableattainmentsthantheiryouthfulbrother。Thereweremen，too，ofasturdiertextureofmindthanhis，andendowedwithafargreatershareofshrewd，hard，iron，orgraniteunderstanding；

which，dulymingledwithafairproportionofdoctrinalingredient，constitutesahighlyrespectable，efficacious，andunamiablevarietyoftheclericalspecies。Therewereothers，again，truesaintlyfathers，whosefacultieshadbeenelaboratedbywearytoilamongtheirbooks，andbypatientthought，andetherealised，moreover，byspiritualcommunicationswiththebetterworld，intowhichtheirpurityoflifehadalmostintroducedtheseholypersonages，withtheirgarmentsofmortalitystillclingingtothem。AllthattheylackedwasthegiftthatdescendeduponthechosendisciplesatPentecost，intonguesofflame；symbolising，itwouldseem，notthepowerofspeechinforeignandunknownlanguages，butthatofaddressingthewholehumanbrotherhoodintheheart’snativelanguage。Thesefathers，otherwisesoapostolic，lackedHeaven’slastandrarestattestationoftheiroffice，theTongueofFlame。Theywouldhavevainlysought—

hadtheyeverdreamedofseeking—toexpressthehighesttruthsthroughthehumblestmediumoffamiliarwordsandimages。Theirvoicescamedown，afarandindistinctly，fromtheupperheightswheretheyhabituallydwelt。

Notimprobably，itwastothislatterclassofmenthatMr。

Dimmesdale，bymanyofhistraitsofcharacter，naturallybelonged。Tothehighmountain—peaksoffaithandsanctityhewouldhaveclimbed，hadnotthetendencybeenthwartedbytheburden，whateveritmightbe，ofcrimeoranguish，beneathwhichitwashisdoomtototter。Itkepthimdown，onalevelwiththelowest；him，themanofetherealattributes，whosevoicetheangelsmightelsehavelistenedtoandanswered！Butthisveryburdenitwas，thatgavehimsympathiessointimatewiththesinfulbrotherhoodofmankind；sothathisheartvibratedinunisonwiththeirs，andreceivedtheirpainintoitself，andsentitsownthrobofpainthroughathousandotherhearts，ingushesofsad，persuasiveeloquence。Oftenestpersuasive，butsometimesterrible！Thepeopleknewnotthepowerthatmovedthemthus。Theydeemedtheyoungclergymanamiracleofholiness。TheyfanciedhimthemouthpieceofHeaven’smessagesofwisdom，andrebuke，andlove。Intheireyes，theverygroundonwhichhetrodwassanctified。Thevirginsofhischurchgrewpalearoundhim，victimsofapassionsoimbuedwithreligioussentimentthattheyimaginedittobeallreligion，andbroughtitopenly，intheirwhitebosoms，astheirmostacceptablesacrificebeforethealtar。Theagedmembersofhisflock，beholdingMr。Dimmesdale’sframesofeeble，whiletheywerethemselvessoruggedintheirinfirmity，believedthathewouldgoheavenwardbeforethem，andenjoineditupontheirchildren，thattheiroldbonesshouldbeburiedclosetotheiryoungpastor’sholygrave。And，allthistime，perchance，whenpoorMr。Dimmesdalewasthinkingofhisgrave，hequestionedwithhimselfwhetherthegrasswouldevergrowonit，becauseanaccursedthingmusttherebeburied！

Itisinconceivable，theagonywithwhichthispublicvenerationtorturedhim！Itwashisgenuineimpulsetoadorethetruth，andtoreckonallthingsshadow—like，andutterlydevoidofweightorvalue，thathadnotitsdivineessenceasthelifewithintheirlife。Then，whatwashe？—asubstance？—orthedimmestofallshadows？

Helongedtospeakout，fromhisownpulpit，atthefullheightofhisvoice，andtellthepeoplewhathewas。"I，whomyoubeholdintheseblackgarmentsofthepriesthood—I，whoascendthesacreddesk，andturnmypalefaceheavenward，takinguponmyselftoholdcommunion，inyourbehalf，withtheMostHighOmniscience—I，inwhosedailylifeyoudiscernthesanctityofEnoch—I，whosefootsteps，asyousuppose，leaveagleamalongmyearthlytrack，wherebythepilgrimsthatshallcomeaftermemaybeguidedtotheregionsoftheblest—I，whohavelaidthehandofbaptismuponyourchildren—I，whohavebreathedthepartingprayeroveryourdyingfriends，towhomtheAmensoundedfaintlyfromaworldwhichtheyhadquitted—I，yourpastor，whomyousoreverenceandtrust，amutterlyapollutionandalie！"

Morethanonce，Mr。Dimmesdalehadgoneintothepulpit，withapurposenevertocomedownitssteps，untilheshouldhavespokenwordsliketheabove。Morethanonce，hehadclearedhisthroat，anddrawninthelong，deep，andtremulousbreath，which，whensentforthagain，wouldcomeburdenedwiththeblacksecretofhissoul。

Morethanonce—nay，morethanahundredtimes—hehadactuallyspoken！Spoken！Buthow？Hehadtoldhishearersthathewasaltogethervile，avilercompanionofthevilest，theworstofsinners，anabomination，athingofunimaginableiniquity；andthattheonlywonderwas，thattheydidnotseehiswretchedbodyshrivelledupbeforetheireyes，bytheburningwrathoftheAlmighty！

Couldtherebeplainerspeechthanthis？Wouldnotthepeoplestartupintheirseats，byasimultaneousimpulse，andtearhimdownoutofthepulpitwhichhedefiled？Notso，indeed！Theyhearditall，anddidbutreverencehimthemore。Theylittleguessedwhatdeadlypurportlurkedinthoseself—condemningwords。"Thegodlyyouth！"saidtheyamongthemselves。"Thesaintonearth！Alas，ifhediscernsuchsinfulnessinhisownwhitesoul，whathorridspectaclewouldhebeholdinthineormine！"Theministerwellknew—subtle，butremorselesshypocritethathewas！—thelightinwhichhisvagueconfessionwouldbeviewed。Hehadstriventoputacheatuponhimselfbymakingtheavowalofaguiltyconscience，buthadgainedonlyoneothersin，andaself—acknowledgedshame，withoutthemomentaryreliefofbeingself—deceived。Hehadspokentheverytruth，andtransformeditintotheveriestfalsehood。Andyet，bytheconstitutionofhisnature，helovedthetruth，andloathedthelie，asfewmeneverdid。Therefore，aboveallthingselse，heloathedhismiserableself！

Hisinwardtroubledrovehimtopracticesmoreinaccordancewiththeold，corruptedfaithofRome，thanwiththebetterlightoftheChurchinwhichhehadbeenbornandbred。InMr。Dimmesdale’ssecretcloset，underlockandkey，therewasabloodyscourge。

Oftentimes，thisProtestantandPuritandivinehadplieditonhisownshoulders；laughingbitterlyathimselfthewhile，andsmitingsomuchthemorepitilesslybecauseofthatbitterlaugh。Itwashiscustom，too，asithasbeenthatofmanyotherpiousPuritans，tofast—not，however，likethem，inordertopurifythebodyandrenderitthefittermediumofcelestialillumination，butrigorously，anduntilhiskneestrembledbeneathhim，asanactofpenance。Hekeptvigils，likewise，nightafternight，sometimesinutterdarkness；sometimeswithaglimmeringlamp；andsometimes，viewinghisownfaceinalooking—glass，bythemostpowerfullightwhichhecouldthrowuponit。Hethustypifiedtheconstantintrospectionwherewithhetortured，butcouldnotpurify，himself。Intheselengthenedvigils，hisbrainoftenreeled，andvisionsseemedtoflitbeforehim；perhapsseendoubtfully，andbyafaintlightoftheirown，intheremotedimnessofthechamber，ormorevividly，andclosebesidehim，withinthelooking—glass。Nowitwasaherdofdiabolicshapes，thatgrinnedandmockedatthepaleminister，andbeckonedhimawaywiththem；

nowagroupofshiningangels，whoflewupwardheavily，assorrow—laden，butgrewmoreetherealastheyrose。Nowcamethedeadfriendsofhisyouth，andhiswhite—beardedfather，withasaint—likefrown，andhismother，turningherfaceawayasshepassedby。Ghostofamother—thinnestfantasyofamother—methinksshemightyethavethrownapityingglancetowardsherson！Andnow，throughthechamberwhichthesespectralthoughtshadmadesoghastly，glidedHesterPrynne，leadingalonglittlePearl，inherscarletgarb，andpointingherforefinger，firstatthescarletletteronherbosom，andthenattheclergyman’sownbreast。

Noneofthesevisionseverquitedeludedhim。Atanymoment，byaneffortofhiswill，hecoulddiscernsubstancesthroughtheirmistylackofsubstance，andconvincehimselfthattheywerenotsolidintheirnature，likeyondertableofcarvedoak，orthatbig，square，leathern—boundandbrazen—claspedvolumeofdivinity。But，forallthat，theywere，inonesense，thetruestandmostsubstantialthingswhichthepoorministernowdealtwith。Itistheunspeakablemiseryofalifesofalseashis，thatitstealsthepithandsubstanceoutofwhateverrealitiestherearearoundus，andwhichweremeantbyHeaventobethespirit’sjoyandnutriment。Totheuntrueman，thewholeuniverseisfalse—itisimpalpable—itshrinkstonothingwithinhisgrasp。Andhehimself，insofarasheshowshimselfinafalselight，becomesashadow，or，indeed，ceasestoexist。TheonlytruththatcontinuedtogiveMr。Dimmesdalearealexistenceonthisearth，wastheanguishinhisinmostsoul，andtheundissembledexpressionofitinhisaspect。Hadheoncefoundpowertosmile，andwearafaceofgaiety，therewouldhavebeennosuchman！

Ononeofthoseuglynights，whichwehavefaintlyhintedat，butforbornetopictureforth，theministerstartedfromhischair。A

newthoughthadstruckhim。Theremightbeamoment’speaceinit。

Attiringhimselfwithasmuchcareasifithadbeenforpublicworship，andpreciselyinthesamemanner，hestolesoftlydownthestaircase，undidthedoor，andissuedforth。

XII。

THEMINISTER’SVIGIL。

WALKINGintheshadowofadream，asitwere，andperhapsactuallyundertheinfluenceofaspeciesofsomnambulism，MrDimmesdalereachedthespot，where，nowsolongsince，HesterPrynnehadlivedthroughherfirsthoursofpublicignominy。Thesameplatformorscaffold，blackandweather—stainedwiththestormorsunshineofsevenlongyears，andfoot—worn，too，withthetreadofmanyculpritswhohadsinceascendedit，remainedstandingbeneaththebalconyofthemeeting—house。Theministerwentupthesteps。

ItwasanobscurenightofearlyMay。Anunvariedpallofcloudmuffledthewholeexpanseofskyfromzenithtohorizon。Ifthesamemultitudewhichhadstoodaseye—witnesseswhileHesterPrynnesustainedherpunishmentcouldnowhavebeensummonedforth，theywouldhavediscernednofaceabovetheplatform，norhardlytheoutlineofahumanshape，inthedarkgreyofthemidnight。Butthetownwasallasleep。Therewasnoperilofdiscovery。Theministermightstandthere，ifitsopleasedhim，untilmorningshouldreddenintheeast，withoutotherriskthanthatthedankandchillnight—airwouldcreepintohisframe，andstiffenhisjointswithrheumatism，andcloghisthroatwithcatarrhandcough；therebydefraudingtheexpectantaudienceofto—morrow’sprayerandsermon。Noeyecouldseehim，savethatever—wakefulonewhichhadseenhiminhiscloset，wieldingthebloodyscourge。Why，then，hadhecomehither？

Wasitbutthemockeryofpenitence？Amockery，indeed，butinwhichhissoultrifledwithitself！Amockeryatwhichangelsblushedandwept，whilefiendsrejoiced，withjeeringlaughter！HehadbeendrivenhitherbytheimpulseofthatRemorsewhichdoggedhimeverywhere，andwhoseownsisterandcloselylinkedcompanionwasthatCowardicewhichinvariablydrewhimback，withhertremulousgripe，justwhentheotherimpulsehadhurriedhimtothevergeofadisclosure。Poor，miserableman！whatrighthadinfirmitylikehistoburdenitselfwithcrime？Crimeisfortheiron—nerved，whohavetheirchoiceeithertoendureit，or，ifitpresstoohard，toexerttheirfierceandsavagestrengthforagoodpurpose，andflingitoffatonce！Thisfeebleandmostsensitiveofspiritscoulddoneither，yetcontinuallydidonethingoranother，whichintertwined，inthesameinextricableknot，theagonyofheaven—defyingguiltandvainrepentance。