HesterPrynnewasnowfullysensibleofthedeepinjuryforwhichshewasresponsibletothisunhappyman，inpermittinghimtolieforsomanyyears，or，indeed，forasinglemoment，atthemercyofonewhosepurposescouldnotbeotherthanmalevolent。Theverycontiguityofhisenemy，beneathwhatevermaskthelattermightconcealhimself，wasenoughtodisturbthemagneticsphereofabeingsosensitiveasArthurDimmesdale。TherehadbeenaperiodwhenHesterwaslessalivetothisconsideration；or，perhaps，inthemisanthropyofherowntrouble，shelefttheministertobearwhatshemightpicturetoherselfasamoretolerabledoom。Butoflate，sincethenightofhisvigil，allhersympathiestowardshimhadbeenbothsoftenedandinvigorated。Shenowreadhisheartmoreaccurately。Shedoubtednot，thatthecontinualpresenceofRogerChillingworththesecretpoisonofhismalignity，infectingalltheairabouthim—andhisauthorisedinterference，asaphysician，withtheminister’sphysicalandspiritualinfirmities—thatthesebadopportunitieshadbeenturnedtoacruelpurpose。Bymeansofthem，thesufferer’sconsciencehadbeenkeptinanirritatedstate，thetendencyofwhichwas，nottocurebywholesomepain，buttodisorganiseandcorrupthisspiritualbeing。Itsresult，onearth，couldhardlyfailtobeinsanity，andhereafter，thateternalalienationfromtheGoodandTrue，ofwhichmadnessisperhapstheearthlytype。
Suchwastheruintowhichshehadbroughttheman，once—nay，whyshouldwenotspeakit？—stillsopassionatelyloved！Hesterfeltthatthesacrificeoftheclergyman’sgoodname，anddeathitself，asshehadalreadytoldRogerChillingworth，wouldhavebeeninfinitelypreferabletothealternativewhichshehadtakenuponherselftochoose。Andnow，ratherthanhavehadthisgrievouswrongtoconfess，shewouldgladlyhavelaindownontheforest—leaves，anddiedthere，atArthurDimmesdale’sfeet。
\"OArthur，\"criedshe，\"forgiveme！Inallthingselse，Ihavestriventobetrue！TruthwastheonevirtuewhichImighthaveheldfast，anddidholdfast，throughallextremity；savewhenthygood—
thylifethyfame—wereputinquestion！ThenIconsentedtoadeception。Butalieisnevergood，eventhoughdeaththreatenontheotherside！DostthounotseewhatIwouldsay？Thatoldman！—thephysician！—hewhomtheycallRogerChillingworth！—hewasmyhusband！\"
Theministerlookedather，foraninstant，withallthatviolenceofpassion，which—intermixed，inmoreshapesthanone，withhishigher，purer，softerqualities—was，infact，theportionofhimwhichtheDevilclaimed，andthroughwhichhesoughttowintherest。NeverwasthereablackerorafiercerfrownthanHesternowencountered。Forthebriefspacethatitlasted，itwasadarktransfiguration。Buthischaracterhadbeensomuchenfeebledbysuffering，thatevenitslowerenergieswereincapableofmorethanatemporarystruggle。Hesankdownontheground，andburiedhisfaceinhishands。
\"Imighthaveknownit，\"murmuredhe。\"Ididknowit！Wasnotthesecrettoldme，inthenaturalrecoilofmyheart，atthefirstsightofhim，andasoftenasIhaveseenhimsince？WhydidInotunderstand？OHesterPrynne，thoulittle，littleknowestallthehorrorofthisthing！Andtheshame！—theindelicacy！—thehorribleuglinessofthisexposureofasickandguiltyhearttotheveryeyethatwouldgloatoverit？Woman，woman，thouareaccountableforthis！
Icannotforgivethee！\"
\"Thoushaltforgiveme！\"criedHester，flingingherselfonthefallenleavesbesidehim。\"LetGodpunish！Thoushaltforgive！\"
Withsuddenanddesperatetenderness，shethrewherarmsaroundhim，andpressedhisheadagainstherbosom；littlecaringthoughhischeekrestedonthescarletletter。Hewouldhavereleasedhimself，butstroveinvaintodoso。Hesterwouldnotsethimfree，lestheshouldlookhersternlyintheface。Alltheworldhadfrownedonher—forsevenlongyearshaditfrowneduponthislonelywoman—andstillsheboreitall，noreveronceturnedawayherfirm，sadeyes。Heaven，likewise，hadfrowneduponher，andshehadnotdied。Butthefrownofthispale，weak，sinful，andsorrow—strickenmanwaswhatHestercouldnotbear，andlive！
\"Wiltthouyetforgiveme？\"sherepeated，overandoveragain。\"Wiltthounotfrown？Wiltthouforgive？\"
\"Idoforgiveyou，Hester，\"repliedtheminister，atlength，withadeeputterance，outofanabyssofsadness，butnoanger。\"I
freelyforgiveyounow。MayGodforgiveusboth！Wearenot，Hester，theworstsinnersintheworld。Thereisoneworsethaneventhepollutedpriest！Thatoldman’srevengehasbeenblackerthanmysin。Hehasviolated，incoldblood，thesanctityofahumanheart。
ThouandI，Hester，neverdidso！\"
\"Never，never！\"whisperedshe。\"Whatwedidhadaconsecrationofitsown。Wefeltitso！Wesaidsotoeachother！Hastthouforgottenit？\"
\"Hush，Hester！\"saidArthurDimmesdale，risingfromtheground。\"No；
Ihavenotforgotten！\"
Theysatdownagain，sidebyside，andhandclaspedinhand，onthemossytrunkofthefallentree。Lifehadneverbroughtthemagloomierhour；itwasthepointwhithertheirpathwayhadsolongbeentending，anddarkeningever，asitstolealong；andyetitenclosedacharmthatmadethemlingeruponit，andclaimanother，andanother，and，afterall，anothermoment。Theforestwasobscurearoundthem，andcreakedwithablastthatwaspassingthroughit。Theboughsweretossingheavilyabovetheirheads；whileonesolemnoldtreegroaneddolefullytoanother，asiftellingthesadstoryofthepairthatsatbeneath，orconstrainedtoforbodeeviltocome。
Andyettheylingered。Howdrearylookedtheforest—trackthatledbackwardtothesettlement，whereHesterPrynnemusttakeupagaintheburdenofherignominy，andtheministerthehollowmockeryofhisgoodname！Sotheylingeredaninstantlonger。Nogoldenlighthadeverbeensopreciousasthegloomofthisdarkforest。Here，seenonlybyhiseyes，thescarletletterneednotburnintothebosomofthefallenwoman！Here，seenonlybyhereyes，ArthurDimmesdale，falsetoGodandman，mightbeforonemomenttrue！
Hestartedatathoughtthatsuddenlyoccurredtohim。
\"Hester，\"criedhe，\"hereisanewhorror！RogerChillingworthknowsyourpurposetorevealhistruecharacter。Willhecontinue，then，tokeepoursecret？Whatwillnowbethecourseofhisrevenge？\"
\"Thereisastrangesecrecyinhisnature，\"repliedHesterthoughtfully；\"andithasgrownuponhimbythehiddenpracticesofhisrevenge。Ideemitnotlikelythathewillbetraythesecret。Hewilldoubtlessseekothermeansofsatiatinghisdarkpassion。\"
\"AndI！—howamItolivelonger，breathingthesameairwiththisdeadlyenemy？\"exclaimedArthurDimmesdale，shrinkingwithinhimself，andpressinghishandnervouslyagainsthisheart—agesturethathadgrowninvoluntarywithhim。\"Thinkforme，Hester！
Thouartstrong。Resolveforme！\"
\"Thoumustdwellnolongerwiththisman，\"saidHester，slowlyandfirmly。\"Thyheartmustbenolongerunderhisevileye！\"
\"Itwerefarworsethandeath！\"repliedtheminister。\"Buthowtoavoidit？Whatchoiceremainstome？ShallIliedownagainonthesewitheredleaves，whereIcastmyselfwhenthoudidsttellmewhathewas？MustIsinkdownthere，anddieatonce？\"
\"Alas，whataruinhasbefallenthee！\"saidHester，withthetears，gushingintohereyes。\"Wiltthoudieforveryweakness？
Thereisnoothercause！\"
\"ThejudgmentofGodisonme，\"answeredtheconscience—strickenpriest。\"Itistoomightyformetostrugglewith！\"
\"Heavenwouldshowmercy，\"rejoinedHester，\"hadstthoubutthestrengthtotakeadvantageofit。\"
\"Bethoustrongforme！\"answeredhe。\"Advisemewhattodo。\"
\"Istheworld，then，sonarrow？\"exclaimedHesterPrynne，fixingherdeepeyesontheminister’s，andinstinctivelyexercisingamagneticpoweroveraspiritsoshatteredandsubduedthatitcouldhardlyholditselferect。\"Doththeuniverseliewithinthecompassofyondertown，whichonlyalittletimeagowasbutaleaf—strewndesert，aslonelyasthisaroundus？Whitherleadsyonderforest—track？
Backwardtothesettlement，thousayest！Yes；butonward，too！
Deeperitgoes，anddeeper，intothewilderness，lessplainlytobeseenateverystep；until，somefewmileshence，theyellowleaveswillshownovestigeofthewhiteman’stread。Therethouartfree！Sobriefajourneywouldbringtheefromaworldwherethouhastbeenmostwretched，toonewherethoumayeststillbehappy！IstherenotshadeenoughinallthisboundlessforesttohidethyheartfromthegazeofRogerChillingworth？\"
\"Yes，Hester；butonlyunderthefallenleaves！\"repliedtheminister，withasadsmile。
\"Thenthereisthebroadpathwayofthesea！\"continuedHester。
\"Itbroughttheehither。Ifthousochoose，itwillbeartheebackagain。Inournativeland，whetherinsomeremoteruralvillageorinvastLondon—or，surely，inGermany，inFrance，inpleasantItaly—thouwouldstbebeyondhispowerandknowledge！Andwhathastthoutodowithalltheseironmen，andtheiropinions？Theyhavekeptthybetterpartinbondagetoolongalready！\"
\"Itcannotbe！\"answeredtheminister，listeningasifhewerecalledupontorealiseadream。\"Iampowerlesstogo！WretchedandsinfulasIam，IhavehadnootherthoughtthantodragonmyearthlyexistenceinthespherewhereProvidencehathplacedme。Lostasmyownsoulis，IwouldstilldowhatImayforotherhumansouls！Idarenotquitmypost，thoughanunfaithfulsentinel，whosesurerewardisdeathanddishonour，whenhisdrearywatchshallcometoanend！\"
\"Thouartcrushedunderthissevenyears’weightofmisery，\"repliedHester，ferventlyresolvedtobuoyhimupwithherownenergy。\"Butthoushaltleaveitallbehindthee！Itshallnotcumberthysteps，asthoutreadestalongtheforest—path；neithershaltthoufreighttheshipwithit，ifthouprefertocrossthesea。Leavethiswreckandruinherewhereithathhappened。Meddlenomorewithit！Beginallanew！Hastthouexhaustedpossibilityinthefailureofthisonetrial？Notso！Thefutureisyetfulloftrialandsuccess。Thereishappinesstobeenjoyed！Thereisgoodtobedone！Exchangethisfalselifeofthineforatrueone。Be，ifthyspiritsummontheetosuchamission，theteacherandapostleoftheredmen。Or—asismorethynature—beascholarandasageamongthewisestandthemostrenownedofthecultivatedworld。Preach！Write！Act！Doanything，savetoliedownanddie！GiveupthisnameofArthurDimmesdale，andmakethyselfanother，andahighone，suchasthoucanstwearwithoutfearorshame。Whywouldstthoutarrysomuchasoneotherdayinthetormentsthathavesognawedintothylife！—thathavemadetheefeebletowillandtodo！—thatwillleavetheepowerlesseventorepent！Up，andaway！\"
\"OHester！\"criedArthurDimmesdale，inwhoseeyesafitfullight，kindledbyherenthusiasm，flashedupanddiedaway，\"thoutellestofrunningaracetoamanwhosekneesaretotteringbeneathhim！I
mustdiehere！Thereisnotthestrengthorcourageleftmetoventureintothewide，strange，difficultworld，alone！\"
Itwasthelastexpressionofthedespondencyofabrokenspirit。Helackedenergytograspthebetterfortunethatseemedwithinhisreach。
Herepeatedtheword。
\"Alone，Hester！\"
\"Thoushaltnotgoalone！\"answeredshe，inadeepwhisper。
Then，allwasspoken！
XVIII。
AFLOODOFSUNSHINE。
ARTHURDIMMESDALEgazedintoHester’sfacewithalookinwhichhopeandjoyshoneout，indeed，butwithfearbetwixtthem，andakindofhorroratherboldness，whohadspokenwhathevaguelyhintedat，butdarednotspeak。
ButHesterPrynne，withamindofnativecourageandactivity，andforsolongaperiodnotmerelyestranged，butoutlawed，fromsociety，hadhabituatedherselftosuchlatitudeofspeculationaswasaltogetherforeigntotheclergyman。Shehadwandered，withoutruleorguidance，inamoralwilderness；asvast，asintricateandshadowy，astheuntamedforest，amidthegloomofwhichtheywerenowholdingacolloquythatwastodecidetheirfate。Herintellectandhearthadtheirhome，asitwere，indesertplaces，wheresheroamedasfreelyasthewildIndianinhiswoods。Foryearspastshehadlookedfromthisestrangedpointofviewathumaninstitutions，andwhateverpriestsorlegislatorshadestablished；criticisingallwithhardlymorereverencethantheIndianwouldfeelfortheclericalband，thejudicialrobe，thepillory，thegallows，thefireside，orthechurch。Thetendencyofherfateandfortuneshadbeentosetherfree。Thescarletletterwasherpassportintoregionswhereotherwomendarednottread。Shame，Despair，Solitude！Thesehadbeenherteachers—sternandwildones—andtheyhadmadeherstrong，buttaughthermuchamiss。
Theminister，ontheotherhand，hadnevergonethroughanexperiencecalculatedtoleadhimbeyondthescopeofgenerallyreceivedlaws；although，inasingleinstance，hehadsofearfullytransgressedoneofthemostsacredofthem。Butthishadbeenasinofpassion，notofprinciple，norevenpurpose。Sincethatwretchedepoch，hehadwatched，withmorbidzealandminuteness，nothisacts—forthoseitwaseasytoarrange—buteachbreathofemotion，andhiseverythought。Attheheadofthesocialsystem，astheclergymanofthatdaystood，hewasonlythemoretrammelledbyitsregulations，itsprinciples，andevenitsprejudices。Asapriest，theframeworkofhisorderinevitablyhemmedhimin。Asamanwhohadoncesinned，butwhokepthisconscienceallaliveandpainfullysensitivebythefrettingofanunhealedwound，hemighthavebeensupposedsaferwithinthelineofvirtuethanifhehadneversinnedatall。
Thus，weseemtoseethat，asregardedHesterPrynne，thewholesevenyearsofoutlawandignominyhadbeenlittleotherthanapreparationforthisveryhour。ButArthurDimmesdale！Weresuchamanoncemoretofall，whatpleacouldbeurgedinextenuationofhiscrime？None；unlessitavailhimsomewhat，thathewasbrokendownbylongandexquisitesuffering；thathismindwasdarkenedandconfusedbytheveryremorsewhichharrowedit；that，betweenfleeingasanavowedcriminal，andremainingasahypocrite，consciencemightfindithardtostrikethebalance；thatitwashumantoavoidtheperilofdeathandinfamy，andtheinscrutablemachinationsofanenemy；that，finally，tothispoorpilgrim，onhisdrearyanddesertpath，faint，sick，miserable，thereappearedaglimpseofhumanaffectionandsympathy，anewlife，andatrueone，inexchangefortheheavydoomwhichhewasnowexpiating。Andbethesternandsadtruthspoken，thatthebreachwhichguilthasoncemadeintothehumansoulisnever，inthismortalstate，repaired。
Itmaybewatchedandguarded；sothattheenemyshallnotforcehiswayagainintothecitadel，andmighteven，inhissubsequentassaults，selectsomeotheravenue，inpreferencetothatwherehehadformerlysucceeded。Butthereisstilltheruinedwall，and，nearit，thestealthytreadofthefoethatwouldwinoveragainhisunforgottentriumph。
Thestruggle，iftherewereone，neednotbedescribed。Letitsuffice，thattheclergymanresolvedtoflee，andnotalone。
\"If，inallthesepastsevenyears，\"thoughthe，\"Icouldrecalloneinstantofpeaceorhope，Iwouldyetendure，forthesakeofthatearnestofHeaven’smercy。Butnow—sinceIamirrevocablydoomed—
whereforeshouldInotsnatchthesolaceallowedtothecondemnedculpritbeforehisexecution？Or，ifthisbethepathtoabetterlife，asHesterwouldpersuademe，Isurelygiveupnofairerprospectbypursuingit！NeithercanIanylongerlivewithouthercompanionship；sopowerfulisshetosustain—sotendertosoothe！O
ThoutowhomIdarenotliftmineeyes，wiltThouyetpardonme！\"
\"Thouwiltgo！\"saidHestercalmly，ashemetherglance。
Thedecisiononcemade，aglowofstrangeenjoymentthrewitsflickeringbrightnessoverthetroubleofhisbreast。Itwastheexhilaratingeffect—uponaprisonerjustescapedfromthedungeonofhisownheart—ofbreathingthewild，freeatmosphereofanunredeemed，unchristianised，lawlessregion。Hisspiritrose，asitwere，withabound，andattainedanearerprospectofthesky，thanthroughoutallthemiserywhichhadkepthimgrovellingontheearth。Ofadeeplyreligioustemperament，therewasinevitablyatingeofthedevotionalinhismind。
\"DoIfeeljoyagain？\"criedhe，wonderingathimself。\"Methoughtthegermofitwasdeadinme！OHester，thouartmybetterangel！I
seemtohaveflungmyself—sick，sin—stained，andsorrow—blackened—
downupontheseforest—leaves，andtohaverisenupallmadeanew，andwithnewpowerstoglorifyHimthathathbeenmerciful！Thisisalreadythebetterlife！Whydidwenotfinditsooner？\"
\"Letusnotlookback，\"answeredHesterPrynne。\"thepastisgone！
Whereforeshouldwelingeruponitnow？See！Withthissymbol，I
undoitall，andmakeitasithadneverbeen！\"
Sospeaking，sheundidtheclaspthatfastenedthescarletletter，and，takingitfromherbosom，threwittoadistanceamongthewitheredleaves。Themystictokenalightedonthehithervergeofthestream。Withahand’sbreadthfartherflightitwouldhavefallenintothewater，andhavegiventhelittlebrookanotherwoetocarryonward，besidestheunintelligibletalewhichitstillkeptmurmuringabout。Buttherelaytheembroideredletter，glitteringlikealostjewel，whichsomeill—fatedwanderermightpickup，andthenceforthbehauntedbystrangephantomsofguilt，sinkingsoftheheart，andunaccountablemisfortune。
Thestigmagone，Hesterheavedalong，deepsigh，inwhichtheburdenofshameandanguishdepartedfromherspirit。Oh，exquisiterelief！Shehadnotknowntheweight，untilshefeltthefreedom！Byanotherimpulse，shetookofftheformalcapthatconfinedherhair；
anddownitfelluponhershoulders，darkandrich，withatonceashadowandalightinitsabundance，andimpartingthecharmofsoftnesstoherfeatures。Thereplayedaroundhermouth，andbeamedoutofhereyes，aradiantandtendersmile，thatseemedgushingfromtheveryheartofwomanhood。Acrimsonflushwasglowingonhercheek，thathadbeenlongsopale。Hersex，heryouth，andthewholerichnessofthebeauty，camebackfromwhatmencalltheirrevocablepast，andclusteredthemselves，withhermaidenhope，andahappinessbeforeunknown，withinthemagiccircleofthishour。And，asifthegloomoftheearthandskyhadbeenbuttheeffluenceofthesetwomortalhearts，itvanishedwiththeirsorrow。Allatonce，aswithasuddensmileofheaven，forthburstthesunshine，pouringaveryfloodintotheobscureforest，gladdeningeachgreenleaf，transmutingtheyellowfallenonestogold，andgleamingadownthegreytrunksofthesolemntrees。Theobjectsthathadmadeashadowhitherto，embodiedthebrightnessnow。Thecourseofthelittlebrookmightbetracedbyitsmerrygleamafarintothewood’sheartofmystery，whichhadbecomeamysteryofjoy。
SuchwasthesympathyofNature—thatwild，heathenNatureoftheforest，neversubjugatedbyhumanlaw，norilluminedbyhighertruth—withtheblissofthesetwospirits！Love，whethernewlyborn，orarousedfromadeath—likeslumber，mustalwayscreateasunshine，fillingtheheartsofullofradiance，thatitoverflowsupontheoutwardworld。Hadtheforeststillkeptitsgloom，itwouldhavebeenbrightinHester’seyes，andbrightinArthurDimmesdale’s！
Hesterlookedathimwiththethrillofanotherjoy。
\"ThoumustknowPearl！\"saidshe。\"OurlittlePearl！Thouhastseenher—yes，Iknowit！—butthouwiltseehernowwithothereyes。Sheisastrangechild！Ihardlycomprehendher！Butthouwiltloveherdearly，asIdo，andwiltadvisemehowtodealwithher。\"
\"Dostthouthinkthechildwillbegladtoknowme？\"askedtheminister，somewhatuneasily。\"Ihavelongshrunkfromchildren，becausetheyoftenshowadistrust—abackwardnesstobefamiliarwithme。IhaveevenbeenafraidoflittlePearl！\"
\"Ah，thatwassad！\"answeredthemother。\"Butshewilllovetheedearly，andthouher。Sheisnotfaroff。Iwillcallher！Pearl！
Pearl！\"
\"Iseethechild，\"observedtheminister。\"Yondersheis，standinginastreakofsunshine，agoodwayoff，ontheothersideofthebrook，Sothouthinkestthechildwillloveme？\"
Hestersmiled，andagaincalledtoPearl，whowasvisible，atsomedistance，astheministerhaddescribedher，likeabright—apparelledvision，inasunbeam，whichfelldownuponherthroughanarchofboughs。Therayquiveredtoandfro，makingherfiguredimordistinct—nowlikearealchild，nowlikeachild’sspirit—asthesplendourwentandcameagain。Sheheardhermother’svoice，andapproachedslowlythroughtheforest。
Pearlhadnotfoundthehourpasswearisomely，whilehermothersattalkingwiththeclergyman。Thegreatblackforest—sternasitshoweditselftothosewhobroughttheguiltandtroublesoftheworldintoitsbosom—becametheplaymateofthelonelyinfant，aswellasitknewhow。Sombreasitwas，itputonthekindestofitsmoodstowelcomeher。Itofferedherthepartridge—berries，thegrowthoftheprecedingautumn，butripeningonlyinthespring，andnowredasdropsofblooduponthewitheredleaves。ThesePearlgathered，andwaspleasedwiththeirwildflavour。Thesmalldenizensofthewildernesshardlytookpainstomoveoutofherpath。Apartridge，indeed，withabroodoftenbehindher，ranforwardthreatingly，butsoonrepentedofherfierceness，andcluckedtoheryoungonesnottobeafraid。Apigeon，aloneonalowbranch，allowedPearltocomebeneath，andutteredasoundasmuchofgreetingasalarm。Asquirrel，fromtheloftydepthsofhisdomestictree，chatteredeitherinangerormerriment—forasquirrelissuchacholericandhumorouslittlepersonage，thatitishardtodistinguishbetweenhismoods—sohechatteredatthechild，andflungdownanutuponherhead。Itwasalastyear’snut，andalreadygnawedbyhissharptooth。Afox，startledfromhissleepbyherlightfootstepontheleaves，lookedinquisitivelyatPearl，asdoubtingwhetheritwerebettertostealoff，orrenewhisnaponthesamespot。Awolf，itissaid—butherethetalehassurelylapsedintotheimprobable—cameup，andsmeltofPearl’srobe，andofferedhissavageheadtobepattedbyherhand。
Thetruthseemstobe，however，thatthemother—forest，andthesewildthingswhichitnourished，allrecognisedakindredwildnessinthehumanchild。
Andshewasgentlerherethaninthegrassy—marginedstreetsofthesettlement，orinhermother’scottage。Theflowersappearedtoknowit；andoneandanotherwhisperedasshepassed，\"Adornthyselfwithme，thoubeautifulchild，adornthyselfwithme！\"—and，topleasethem，Pearlgatheredtheviolets，andanemones，andcolumbines，andsometwigsofthefreshestgreen，whichtheoldtreeshelddownbeforehereyes。Withtheseshedecoratedherhair，andheryoungwaist，andbecameanymph—child，oraninfantdryad，orwhateverelsewasinclosestsympathywiththeantiquewood。InsuchguisehadPearladornedherself，whensheheardhermother’svoice，andcameslowlyback。
Slowly；forshesawtheclergyman！
XIX。
THECHILDATTHEBROOK—SIDE。
\"THOUwiltloveherdearly，\"repeatedHesterPrynne，assheandtheministersatwatchinglittlePearl。\"Dostthounotthinkherbeautiful？Andseewithwhatnaturalskillshehasmadethosesimpleflowersadornher！Hadshegatheredpearls，anddiamonds，andrubies，inthewood，theycouldnothavebecomeherbetter。Sheisasplendidchild！ButIknowwhosebrowshehas！\"
\"Dostthouknow，Hester，\"saidArthurDimmesdale，withanunquietsmile，\"thatthisdearchild，trippingaboutalwaysatthyside，hathcausedmemanyanalarm？Methought—OHester，whatathoughtisthat，andhowterribletodreadit！—thatmyownfeatureswerepartlyrepeatedinherface，andsostrikinglythattheworldmightseethem！Butsheismostlythine！\"
\"No，no！Notmostly！\"answeredthemother，withatendersmile。\"A
littlelongerandthouneedestnotbeafraidtotracewhosechildsheis。Buthowstrangelybeautifulshelooks，withthosewildflowersinherhair！Itisasifoneofthefairies，whomweleftinourdearoldEngland，haddeckedherouttomeetus。\"
Itwaswithafeelingwhichneitherofthemhadeverbeforeexperienced，thattheysatandwatchedPearl’sslowadvance。Inherwasvisiblethetiethatunitedthem。Shehadbeenofferedtotheworld，thesesevenyearspast，asthelivinghieroglyphic，inwhichwasrevealedthesecrettheysodarklysoughttohide—allwritteninthissymbol—allplainlymanifest—hadtherebeenaprophetormagicianskilledtoreadthecharacterofflame！AndPearlwastheonenessoftheirbeing。Betheforegoneevilwhatitmight，howcouldtheydoubtthattheirearthlylivesandfuturedestinieswereconjoined，whentheybeheldatoncethematerialunion，andthespiritualidea，inwhomtheymet，andweretodwellimmortallytogether？Thoughtslikethese—andperhapsotherthoughts，whichtheydidnotacknowledgeordefine—threwanaweaboutthechild，asshecameonward。
\"Letherseenothingstrange—nopassionnoreagerness—inthywayofaccostingher，\"whisperedHester。\"OurPearlisafitfulandfantasticlittleelf，sometimes。Especially，sheisseldomtolerantofemotion，whenshedoesnotfullycomprehendthewhyandwherefore。Butthechildhathstrongaffections！Shelovesme，andwilllovethee！\"
\"Thoucanstnotthink，\"saidtheminister，glancingasideatHesterPrynne，\"howmyheartdreadsthisinterview，andyearnsforit！
But，intruth，asIalreadytoldthee，childrenarenotreadilywontobefamiliarwithme。Theywillnotclimbmyknee，norprattleinmyear，noranswertomysmile；butstandapart，andeyemestrangely。
Evenlittlebabes，whenItaketheminmyarms，weepbitterly。YetPearl，twiceinherlittlelifetime，hathbeenkindtome！Thefirsttime—thouknowestitwell！ThelastwaswhenthouledstherwiththeetothehouseofyondersternoldGovernor。\"
\"Andthoudidstpleadsobravelyinherbehalfandmine！\"answeredthemother。\"Irememberit；andsoshalllittlePearl。Fearnothing！
Shemaybestrangeandshyatfirst，butwillsoonlearntolovethee！\"
BythistimePearlhadreachedthemarginofthebrook，andstoodonthefartherside，gazingsilentlyatHesterandtheclergyman，whostillsattogetheronthemossytree—trunk，waitingtoreceiveher。
Justwhereshehadpaused，thebrookchancedtoformapool，sosmoothandquietthatitreflectedaperfectimageofherlittlefigure，withallthebrilliantpicturesquenessofherbeauty，initsadornmentofflowersandwreathedfoliage，butmorerefinedandspiritualisedthanthereality。Thisimage，sonearlyidenticalwiththelivingPearl，seemedtocommunicatesomewhatofitsownshadowyandintangiblequalitytothechildherself。Itwasstrange，thewayinwhichPearlstood，lookingsosteadfastlyatthemthroughthedimmediumoftheforest—gloom；herself，meanwhile，allglorifiedwitharayofsunshine，thatwasattractedthitherwardasbyacertainsympathy。Inthebrookbeneathstoodanotherchild—anotherandthesame—withlikewiseitsrayofgoldenlight。Hesterfeltherself，insomeindistinctandtantalisingmanner，estrangedfromPearl；asifthechild，inherlonely，ramblethroughtheforest，hadstrayedoutofthesphereinwhichsheandhermotherdwelttogether，andwasnowvainlyseekingtoreturntoit。
