Evenpoliticalpower—asinthecaseofIncreaseMather—waswithinthegraspofasuccessfulpriest。
Itwastheobservationofthosewhobeheldhimnow，thatnever，sinceMr。DimmesdalefirstsethisfootontheNewEnglandshore，hadheexhibitedsuchenergyaswasseeninthegaitandairwithwhichhekepthispaceintheprocession。Therewasnofeeblenessofstep，asatothertimes；hisframewasnotbent；nordidhishandrestominouslyuponhisheart。Yet，iftheclergymanwererightlyviewed，hisstrengthseemednotofthebody。Itmightbespiritual，andimpartedtohimbyangelicministrations。Itmightbetheexhilarationofthatpotentcordial，whichisdistilledonlyinthefurnace—glowofearnestandlong—continuedthought。Or，perchance，hissensitivetemperamentwasinvigoratedbytheloudandpiercingmusic，thatswelledheavenward，andupliftedhimonitsascendingwave。
Nevertheless，soabstractedwashislook，itmightbequestionedwhetherMr。Dimmesdaleevenheardthemusic。Therewashisbody，movingonward，andwithanunaccustomedforce。Butwherewashismind？
Faranddeepinitsownregion，busyingitself，withpreternaturalactivity，tomarshalaprocessionofstatelythoughtsthatweresoontoissuethence；andsohesawnothing，heardnothing，knewnothing，ofwhatwasaroundhim；butthespiritualelementtookupthefeebleframe，andcarrieditalong，unconsciousoftheburden，andconvertingittospiritlikehimself。Menofuncommonintellect，whohavegrownmorbid，possessthisoccasionalpowerofmightyeffort，intowhichtheythrowthelifeofmanydays，andthenarelifelessforasmanymore。
HesterPrynne，gazingsteadfastlyattheclergyman，feltadrearyinfluencecomeoverher，butwhereforeorwhencesheknewnot；
unlessthatheseemedsoremotefromherownsphere，andutterlybeyondherreach。Oneglanceofrecognition，shehadimagined，mustneedspassbetweenthem。Shethoughtofthedimforest，withitslittledellofsolitude，andlove，andanguish，andthemossytree—trunk，where，sittinghandinhand，theyhadmingledtheirsadandpassionatetalkwiththemelancholymurmurofthebrook。Howdeeplyhadtheyknowneachotherthen！Andwasthistheman？Shehardlyknewhimnow！He，movingproudlypast，enveloped，asitwere，intherichmusic，withtheprocessionofmajesticandvenerablefathers；he，sounattainableinhisworldlyposition，andstillmoresointhatfarvistaofhisunsympathisingthoughts，throughwhichshenowbeheldhim！Herspiritsankwiththeideathatallmusthavebeenadelusion，andthat，vividlyasshehaddreamedit，therecouldbenorealbondbetwixttheclergymanandherself。AndthusmuchofwomanwasthereinHester，thatshecouldscarcelyforgivehim—
leastofallnow，whentheheavyfootstepoftheirapproachingFatemightbeheard，nearer，nearer，nearer！—forbeingablesocompletelytowithdrawhimselffromtheirmutualworld；whileshegropeddarkly，andstretchedforthhercoldhands，andfoundhimnot。
Pearleithersawandrespondedtohermother’sfeelings，orherselffelttheremotenessandintangibilitythathadfallenaroundtheminister。Whiletheprocessionpassed，thechildwasuneasy，flutteringupanddown，likeabirdonthepointoftakingflight。
Whenthewholehadgoneby，shelookedupintoHester’sface。
\"Mother，\"saidshe，\"wasthatthesameministerthatkissedmebythebrook？\"
\"Holdthypeace，dearlittlePearl！\"whisperedhermother。\"Wemustnotalwaystalkinthemarket—placeofwhathappenstousintheforest。\"
\"Icouldnotbesurethatitwashe；sostrangehelooked，\"
continuedthechild。\"ElseIwouldhaveruntohim，andbidhimkissmenow，beforeallthepeople；evenashedidyonderamongthedarkoldtrees。Whatwouldtheministerhavesaid，mother？Wouldhehaveclappedhishandoverhisheart，andscowledonme，andbidmebegone？\"
\"Whatshouldhesay，Pearl？\"answeredHester，\"savethatitwasnotimetokiss，andthatkissesarenottobegiveninthemarket—place？
Wellforthee，foolishchild，thatthoudidstnotspeaktohim！\"
Anothershadeofthesamesentiment，inreferencetoMr。Dimmesdale，wasexpressedbyapersonwhoseeccentricities—orinsanity，asweshouldtermit—ledhertodowhatfewofthetownspeoplewouldhaveventuredon；tobeginaconversationwiththewearerofthescarletletter，inpublic。ItwasMistressHibbins，who，arrayedingreatmagnificence，withatripleruff，abroideredstomacher，agownofrichvelvet，andagold—headedcane，hadcomeforthtoseetheprocession。Asthisancientladyhadtherenown（whichsubsequentlycosthernolessapricethanherlife）ofbeingaprincipalactorinalltheworksofnecromancythatwerecontinuallygoingforward，thecrowdgavewaybeforeher，andseemedtofearthetouchofhergarment，asifitcarriedtheplagueamongitsgorgeousfolds。SeeninconjunctionwithHesterPrynne—kindlyassomanynowfelttowardsthelatter—thedreadinspiredbyMistressHibbinswasdoubled，andcausedageneralmovementfromthatpartofthemarket—placeinwhichthetwowomenstood。
\"Now，whatmortalimaginationcouldconceiveit！\"whisperedtheoldlady，confidentially，toHester。\"Yonderdivineman！Thatsaintonearth，asthepeopleupholdhimtobe，andas—Imustneedssay—hereallylooks！Who，now，thatsawhimpassintheprocession，wouldthinkhowlittlewhileitissincehewentforthoutofhisstudy—
chewingaHebrewtextofScriptureinhismouth，Iwarrant—totakeanairingintheforest！Aha！weknowwhatthatmeans，HesterPrynne！
But，truly，forsooth，Ifindithardtobelievehimthesameman。Manyachurch—membersawI，walkingbehindthemusic，thathasdancedinthesamemeasurewithme，whenSomebodywasfiddler，and，itmightbe，anIndianpowwoworaLaplandwizardchanginghandswithus！Thatisbutatrifle，whenawomanknowstheworld。Butthisminister！Couldstthousurelytell，Hester，whetherhewasthesamemanthatencounteredtheeontheforest—path？\"
\"Madam，Iknownotofwhatyouspeak，\"answeredHesterPrynne，feelingMistressHibbinstobeofinfirmmind；yetstrangelystartledandawe—strickenbytheconfidencewithwhichsheaffirmedapersonalconnectionbetweensomanypersons（herselfamongthem）andtheEvilOne。\"ItisnotformetotalklightlyofalearnedandpiousministeroftheWord，liketheReverendMr。Dimmesdale！\"
\"Fie，woman，fie！\"criedtheoldlady，shakingherfingeratHester。
\"DostthouthinkIhavebeentotheforestsomanytimes，andhaveyetnoskilltojudgewhoelsehasbeenthere？Yea；thoughnoleafofthewildgarlands，whichtheyworewhiletheydanced，beleftintheirhair！Iknowthee，Hester；forIbeholdthetoken。Wemayallseeitinthesunshine；anditglowslikearedflameinthedark。Thouwearestitopenly；sothereneedbenoquestionaboutthat。Butthisminister！Letmetellthee，inthineear！WhentheBlackManseesoneofhisownservants，signedandsealed，soshyofowningtothebondasistheReverendMr。Dimmesdale，hehathawayoforderingmatterssothatthemarkshallbedisclosedinopendaylighttotheeyesofalltheworld！Whatisitthattheministerseekstohide，withhishandalwaysoverhisheart？Ha，HesterPrynne！\"
\"Whatisit，goodMistressHibbins？\"eagerlyaskedlittlePearl。
\"Hastthouseenit？\"
\"Nomatter，darling！\"respondedMistressHibbins，makingPearlaprofoundreverence。\"Thouthyselfwiltseeit，onetimeoranother。
Theysay，child，thouartofthelineageofthePrinceoftheAir！
Wiltthouridewithme，somefinenight，toseethyfather？Thenthoushaltknowwhereforetheministerkeepshishandoverhisheart！\"
Laughingsoshrillythatallthemarket—placecouldhearher，theweirdoldgentlewomantookherdeparture。
Bythistimethepreliminaryprayerhadbeenofferedinthemeeting—house，andtheaccentsoftheReverendMr。Dimmesdalewereheardcommencinghisdiscourse。AnirresistiblefeelingkeptHesternearthespot。Asthesacrededificewastoomuchthrongedtoadmitanotherauditor，shetookupherpositionclosebesidethescaffoldofthepillory。Itwasinsufficientproximitytobringthewholesermontoherears，intheshapeofanindistinct，butvaried，murmurandflowoftheminister’sverypeculiarvoice。
Thevocalorganwasinitselfarichendowment；insomuchthatalistener，comprehendingnothingofthelanguageinwhichthepreacherspoke，mightstillhavebeenswayedtoandfrobythemeretoneandcadence。Likeallothermusic，itbreathedpassionandpathos，andemotionshighortender，inatonguenativetothehumanheart，wherevereducated。Muffledasthesoundwasbyitspassagethroughthechurchwalls，HesterPrynnelistenedwithsuchintentness，andsympathisedsointimately，thatthesermonhadthroughoutameaningforher，entirelyapartfromitsindistinguishablewords。
These，perhaps，ifmoredistinctlyheard，mighthavebeenonlyagrossermedium，andhavecloggedthespiritualsense。Nowshecaughtthelowundertone，asofthewindsinkingdowntoreposeitself；
thenascendedwithit，asitrosethroughprogressivegradationsofsweetnessandpower，untilitsvolumeseemedtoenvelopherwithanatmosphereofaweandsolemngrandeur。Andyet，majesticasthevoicesometimesbecame，therewasforeverinitanessentialcharacterofplaintiveness；aloudorlowexpressionofanguish—thewhisper，ortheshriek，asitmightbeconceived，ofsufferinghumanity，thattouchedasensibilityineverybosom！Attimesthisdeepstrainofpathoswasallthatcouldbeheard，andscarcelyheard，sighingamidadesolatesilence。Butevenwhentheminister’svoicegrewhighandcommanding—whenitgushedirrepressiblyupward—whenitassumeditsutmostbreadthandpower，sooverfillingthechurchastoburstitswaythroughthesolidwalls，anddiffuseitselfintheopenair—still，iftheauditorlistenedintently，andforthepurpose，hecoulddetectthesamecryofpain。Whatwasit？Thecomplaintofahumanheart，sorrow—laden，perchanceguilty，tellingitssecret，whetherofguiltorsorrow，tothegreatheartofmankind；
beseechingitssympathyorforgiveness—ateverymoment—ineachaccent—andneverinvain！Itwasthisprofoundandcontinualundertonethatgavetheclergymanhismostappropriatepower。
Duringallthistime，Hesterstood，statue—like，atthefootofthescaffold。Iftheminister’svoicehadnotkeptherthere，therewouldneverthelesshavebeenaninevitablemagnetisminthatspot，whenceshedatedthefirsthourofherlifeofignominy。Therewasasensewithinher—toill—definedtobemadeathought，butweighingheavilyonhermind—thatherwholeorboflife，bothbeforeandafter，wasconnectedwiththisspot，aswiththeonepointthatgaveitunity。
LittlePearl，meanwhile，hadquittedhermother’sside，andwasplayingatherownwillaboutthemarket—place。Shemadethesombrecrowdcheerfulbyhererraticandglisteningray；evenasabirdofbrightplumageilluminatesawholetreeofdustyfoliage，bydartingtoandfro，halfseenandhalfconcealedamidthetwilightoftheclusteringleaves。Shehadanundulating，but，oftentimes，asharpandirregularmovement。Itindicatedtherestlessvivacityofherspirit，whichto—daywasdoublyindefatigableinitstiptoedance，becauseitwasplayeduponandvibratedwithhermother’sdisquietude。
WheneverPearlsawanythingtoexcitehereveractiveandwanderingcuriosity，sheflewthitherward，and，aswemightsay，seizeduponthatmanorthingasherownproperty，sofarasshedesiredit；butwithoutyieldingtheminutestdegreeofcontroloverhermotionsinrequital。ThePuritanslookedon，and，iftheysmiled，werenonethelessinclinedtopronouncethechildademonoffspring，fromtheindescribablecharmofbeautyandeccentricitythatshonethroughherlittlefigure，andsparkledwithitsactivity。SheranandlookedthewildIndianintheface；andhegrewconsciousofanaturewilderthanhisown。Thence，withnativeaudacity，butstillwithareserveascharacteristic，sheflewintothemidstofagroupofmariners，theswarthy—cheekedwildmenoftheocean，astheIndianswereoftheland；andtheygazedwonderinglyandadmiringlyatPearl，asifaflakeofthesea—foamhadtakentheshapeofalittlemaid，andweregiftedwithasoulofthesea—fire，thatflashesbeneaththeprowinthenight—time。
Oneoftheseseafaringmen—theshipmaster，indeed，whohadspokentoHesterPrynne—wassosmittenwithPearl’saspect，thatheattemptedtolayhandsuponher，withpurposetosnatchakiss。
Findingitasimpossibletotouchherastocatchahumming—birdintheair，hetookfromhishatthegoldchainthatwastwistedaboutit，andthrewittothechild。Pearlimmediatelytwineditaroundherneckandwaist，withsuchhappyskill，that，onceseenthere，itbecameapartofher，anditwasdifficulttoimagineherwithoutit。
\"Thymotherisyonderwomanwiththescarletletter，\"saidtheseaman。\"Wiltthoucarryheramessagefromme？\"
\"Ifthemessagepleasesme，Iwill，\"answeredPearl。
\"Thentellher，\"rejoinedhe，\"thatIspakeagainwiththeblack—a—visaged，hump—shoulderedolddoctor，andheengagestobringhisfriend，thegentlemanshewotsof，aboardwithhim。Soletthymothertakenothought，saveforherselfandthee。Wiltthoutellherthis，thouwitch—baby？\"
\"MistressHibbinssaysmyfatheristhePrinceoftheAir！\"criedPearl，withanaughtysmile。\"Ifthoucallestmethatillname，I
shalltellhimofthee；andhewillchasethyshipwithatempest！\"
Pursuingazigzagcourseacrossthemarket—place，thechildreturnedtohermother，andcommunicatedwhatthemarinerhadsaid。Hester’sstrong，calm，steadfastlyenduringspiritalmostsank，atlast，onbeholdingthisdarkandgrimcountenanceofaninevitabledoom，which—
atthemomentwhenapassageseemedtoopenfortheministerandherselfoutoftheirlabyrinthofmisery—showeditself，withanunrelentingsmile，rightinthemidstoftheirpath。
Withhermindharassedbytheterribleperplexityinwhichtheshipmaster’sintelligenceinvolvedher，shewasalsosubjectedtoanothertrial。Thereweremanypeoplepresent，fromthecountryroundabout，whohadoftenheardscarletletter，andtowhomithadbeenmadeterrificbyahundredfalseorexaggeratedrumours，butwhohadneverbehelditwiththeirownbodilyeyes。These，afterexhaustingothermodesofamusement，nowthrongedaboutHesterPrynnewithrudeandboorishintrusiveness。Unscrupulousasitwas，however，itcouldnotbringthemnearerthanacircuitofseveralyards。Atthatdistancetheyaccordinglystood，fixedtherebythecentrifugalforceoftherepugnancewhichthemysticsymbolinspired。Thewholegangofsailors，likewise，observingthepressofspectators，andlearningthepurportofthescarletletter，cameandthrusttheirsunburntanddesperado—lookingfacesintothering。
EventheIndianswereaffectedbyasortofcoldshadowofthewhiteman’scuriosity，and，glidingthroughthecrowd，fastenedtheirsnake—likeblackeyesonHester’sbosom；conceiving，perhaps，thatthewearerofthisbrilliantlyembroideredbadgemustneedsbeapersonageofhighdignityamongherpeople。Lastlytheinhabitantsofthetown（theirowninterestinthisworn—outsubjectlanguidlyrevivingitself，bysympathywithwhattheysawothersfeel）loungedidlytothesamequarter，andtormentedHesterPrynne，perhapsmorethanalltherest，withtheircool，well—acquaintedgazeatherfamiliarshame。
Hestersawandrecognisedtheself—samefacesofthatgroupofmatrons，whohadawaitedherforthcomingfromtheprison—door，sevenyearsago；allsaveone，theyoungestandonlycompassionateamongthem，whoseburial—robeshehadsincemade。Atthefinalhour，whenshewassosoontoflingasidetheburningletter，ithadstrangelybecomethecentreofmoreremarkandexcitement，andwasthusmadetosearherbreastmorepainfully，thanatanytimesincethefirstdaysheputiton。
WhileHesterstoodinthatmagiccircleofignominy，wherethecunningcrueltyofhersentenceseemedtohavefixedherforever，theadmirablepreacherwaslookingdownfromthesacredpulpituponanaudience，whoseveryinmostspiritshadyieldedtohiscontrol。Thesaintedministerinthechurch！Thewomanofthescarletletterinthemarket—place！Whatimaginationwouldhavebeenirreverentenoughtosurmisethatthesamescorchingstigmawasonthemboth！
XXIII。
THEREVELATIONOFTHESCARLETLETTER。
THEeloquentvoice，onwhichthesoulsofthelisteningaudiencehadbeenbornealoftasontheswellingwavesofthesea，atlengthcametoapause。Therewasamomentarysilence，profoundaswhatshouldfollowtheutteranceoforacles。Thenensuedamurmurandhalf—hushedtumult；asiftheauditors，releasedfromthehighspellthathadtransportedthemintotheregionofanother’smind，werereturningintothemselves，withalltheiraweandwonderstillheavyonthem。Inamomentmore，thecrowdbegantogushforthfromthedoorsofthechurch。Nowthattherewasanend，theyneededotherbreath，morefittosupportthegrossandearthlylifeintowhichtheyrelapsed，thanthatatmospherewhichthepreacherhadconvertedintowordsofflame，andhadburdenedwiththerichfragranceofhisthought。
Intheopenairtheirrapturebrokeintospeech。Thestreetandthemarket—placeabsolutelybabbled，fromsidetoside，withapplausesoftheminister。Hishearerscouldnotrestuntiltheyhadtoldoneanotherofwhateachknewbetterthanhecouldtellorhear。Accordingtotheirunitedtestimony，neverhadmanspokeninsowise，sohigh，andsoholyaspirit，ashethatspakethisday；norhadinspirationeverbreathedthroughmortallipsmoreevidentlythanitdidthroughhis。Itsinfluencecouldbeseen，asitwere，descendinguponhim，andpossessinghim，andcontinuallyliftinghimoutofthewrittendiscoursethatlaybeforehim，andfillinghimwithideasthatmusthavebeenasmarvelloustohimselfastohisaudience。Hissubject，itappeared，hadbeentherelationbetweentheDeityandthecommunitiesofmankind，withaspecialreferencetotheNewEnglandwhichtheywerehereplantinginthewilderness。And，ashedrewtowardstheclose，aspiritasofprophecyhadcomeuponhim，constraininghimtoitspurposeasmightilyastheoldprophetsofIsraelwereconstrained；onlywiththisdifference，that，whereastheJewishseershaddenouncedjudgmentsandruinontheircountry，itwashismissiontoforetellahighandgloriousdestinyforthenewlygatheredpeopleoftheLord。But，throughoutitall，andthroughthewholediscourse，therehadbeenacertaindeep，sadundertoneofpathos，whichcouldnotbeinterpretedotherwisethanasthenaturalregretofonesoontopassaway。Yes；theirministerwhomtheysoloved—andwhosolovedthemall，thathecouldnotdepartheavenwardwithoutasigh—hadtheforebodingofuntimelydeathuponhim，andwouldsoonleavethemintheirtears！Thisideaofhistransitorystayonearthgavethelastemphasistotheeffectwhichthepreacherhadproduced；itwasasifanangel，inhispassagetotheskies，hadshakenhisbrightwingsoverthepeopleforaninstant—
atonceashadowandasplendour—andhadsheddownashowerofgoldentruthsuponthem。
Thus，therehadcometotheReverendMr。Dimmesdale—astomostmen，intheirvariousspheres，thoughseldomrecogniseduntiltheyseeitfarbehindthem—anepochoflifemorebrilliantandfulloftriumphthananypreviousone，orthatanywhichcouldhereafterbe。Hestood，atthismoment，ontheveryproudesteminenceofsuperiority，towhichthegiftsofintellect，richlore，prevailingeloquence，andareputationofwhitestsanctity，couldexaltaclergymaninNewEngland’searliestdays，whentheprofessionalcharacterwasofitselfaloftypedestal。Suchwasthepositionwhichtheministeroccupied，ashebowedhisheadforwardonthecushionsofthepulpit，atthecloseofhisElectionSermon。MeanwhileHesterPrynnewasstandingbesidethescaffoldofthepillory，withthescarletletterstillburningonherbreast！
Nowwasheardagaintheclangourofthemusic，andthemeasuredtrampofthemilitaryescort，issuingfromthechurch—door。Theprocessionwastobemarshalledthencetothetown—hall，whereasolemnbanquetwouldcompletetheceremoniesoftheday。
Oncemore，therefore，thetrainofvenerableandmajesticfatherswasseenmovingthroughabroadpathwayofthepeople，whodrewbackreverently，oneitherside，astheGovernorandmagistrates，theoldandwisemen，theholyministers，andallthatwereeminentandrenowned，advancedintothemidstofthem。Whentheywerefairlyinthemarket—place，theirpresencewasgreetedbyashout。This—
thoughdoubtlessitmightacquireadditionalforceandvolumefromthechild—likeloyaltywhichtheageawardedtoitsrulers—wasfelttobeanirrepressibleoutburstofenthusiasmkindledintheauditorsbythathighstrainofeloquencewhichwasyetreverberatingintheirears。Eachfelttheimpulseinhimself，and，inthesamebreath，caughtitfromhisneighbour。Withinthechurch，ithadhardlybeenkeptdown；beneaththesky，itpealedupwardtothezenith。Therewerehumanbeingsenough，andenoughofhighlywroughtandsymphoniousfeeling，toproducethatmoreimpressivesoundthantheorgantonesoftheblast，orthethunder，ortheroarofthesea，eventhatmightyswellofmanyvoices，blendedintoonegreatvoicebytheuniversalimpulsewhichmakeslikewiseonevastheartoutofthemany。Never，fromthesoilofNewEngland，hadgoneupsuchashout！Never，onNewEnglandsoil，hadstoodthemansohonouredbyhismortalbrethrenasthepreacher！
Howfareditwithhimthen？Weretherenotthebrilliantparticlesofahalointheairabouthishead！Soetherealisedbyspiritashewas，andsoapotheosisedbyworshippingadmirers，didhisfootsteps，intheprocession，reallytreaduponthedustofearth？
Astheranksofmilitarymenandcivilfathersmovedonward，alleyeswereturnedtowardsthepointwheretheministerwasseentoapproachamongthem。Theshoutdiedintoamurmur，asoneportionofthecrowdafteranotherobtainedaglimpseofhim。Howfeebleandpalehelooked，amidallhistriumph！Theenergy—orsay，rather，theinspirationwhichhadheldhimup，untilheshouldhavedeliveredthesacredmessagethatbroughtitsownstrengthalongwithitfromheaven—waswithdrawn，nowthatithadsofaithfullyperformeditsoffice。Theglow，whichtheyhadjustbeforebeheldburningonhischeek，wasextinguished，likeaflamethatsinksdownhopelesslyamongthelate—decayingembers。Itseemedhardlythefaceofamanalive，withsuchadeathlikehue；itwashardlyamanwithlifeinhim，thattotteredonhispathsonervelessly，yettottered，anddidnotfall！
Oneofhisclericalbrethren—itwasthevenerableJohnWilson—
observingthestateinwhichMr。Dimmesdalewasleftbytheretiringwaveofintellectandsensibility，steppedforwardhastilytoofferhissupport。Theministertremulously，butdecidedly，repelledtheoldman’sarm。Hestillwalkedonward，ifthatmovementcouldbesodescribed，whichratherresembledthewaveringeffortofaninfant，withitsmother’sarmsinview，outstretchedtotempthimforward。Andnow，almostimperceptibleaswerethelatterstepsofhisprogress，hehadcomeoppositethewell—rememberedandweather—darkenedscaffold，where，longsince，withallthatdrearylapseoftimebetween，HesterPrynnehadencounteredtheworld’signominiousstare。TherestoodHester，holdinglittlePearlbythehand！Andtherewasthescarletletteronherbreast！Theministerheremadeapause；althoughthemusicstillplayedthestatelyandrejoicingmarchtowhichtheprocessionmoved。Itsummonedhimonward—onwardtothefestival！—butherehemadeapause。
Bellingham，forthelastfewmoments，hadkeptananxiouseyeuponhim。Henowlefthisownplaceintheprocession，andadvancedtogiveassistance；judging，fromMr。Dimmesdale’saspect，thathemustotherwiseinevitablyfall。Buttherewassomethinginthelatter’sexpressionthatwarnedbackthemagistrate，althoughamannotreadilyobeyingthevagueintimationsthatpassfromonespirittoanother。
Thecrowd，meanwhile，lookedonwithaweandwonder。Thisearthlyfaintnesswas，intheirview，onlyanotherphaseoftheministers’
celestialstrength；norwouldithaveseemedamiracletoohightobewroughtforonesoholy，hadheascendedbeforetheireyes，waxingdimmerandbrighter，andfadingatlastintothelightofheaven！
Heturnedtowardsthescaffold，andstretchedforthhisarms。
\"Hester，\"saidhe，\"comehither！Come，mylittlePearl！\"
Itwasaghastlylookwithwhichheregardedthem；buttherewassomethingatoncetenderandstrangelytriumphantinit。Thechild，withthebird—likemotionwhichwasoneofhercharacteristics，flewtohim，andclaspedherarmsabouthisknees。HesterPrynne—slowly，asifimpelledbyinevitablefate，andagainstherstrongestwill—
likewisedrewnear，butpausedbeforeshereachedhim。Atthisinstant，oldRogerChillingworththrusthimselfthroughthecrowd—or，perhaps，sodark，disturbed，andevilwashislook，heroseupoutofsomenetherregion—tosnatchbackhisvictimfromwhathesoughttodo！Bethatasitmight，theoldmanrushedforward，andcaughttheministerbythearm。
\"Madman，hold！whatisyourpurpose？\"whisperedhe。\"Wavebackthatwoman！Castoffthischild！Allshallbewell！Donotblackenyourfame，andperishindishonour。Icanyetsaveyou！Wouldyoubringinfamyonyoursacredprofession？\"
\"Ha，tempter！Methinksthouarttoolate！\"answeredtheminister，encounteringhiseye，fearfully，butfirmly。\"Thypowerisnotwhatitwas！WithGod’shelp，Ishallescapetheenow！\"
Heagainextendedhishandtothewomanofthescarletletter。
\"HesterPrynne，\"criedhe，withapiercingearnestness，\"inthenameofHim，soterribleandsomerciful，whogivesmegrace，atthislastmoment，todowhat—formyownheavysinandmiserableagony—I
withheldmyselffromdoingsevenyearsago，comehithernow，andtwinethystrengthaboutme！Thystrength，Hester；butletitbeguidedbythewillwhichGodhathgrantedme！Thiswretchedandwrongedoldmanisopposingitwithallhismight！—withallhisownmight，andthefiend’s！Come，Hester，come！Supportmeupyonderscaffold！\"
Thecrowdwasinatumult。Themenofrankanddignity，whostoodmoreimmediatelyaroundtheclergyman，weresotakenbysurprise，andsoperplexedastothepurportofwhattheysaw—unabletoreceivetheexplanationwhichmostreadilypresenteditself，ortoimagineanyother—thattheyremainedsilentandinactivespectatorsofthejudgmentwhichProvidenceseemedabouttowork。Theybeheldtheminister，leaningonHester’sshoulder，andsupportedbyherarmaroundhim，approachthescaffold，andascenditssteps；whilestillthelittlehandofthesin—bornchildwasclaspedinhis。OldRogerChillingworthfollowed，asoneintimatelyconnectedwiththedramaofguiltandsorrowinwhichtheyhadallbeenactors，andwellentitled，therefore，tobepresentatitsclosingscene。
\"Hadstthousoughtthewholeearthover，\"saidhe，lookingdarklyattheclergyman，\"therewasnooneplacesosecret—nohighplacenorlowlyplace，wherethoucouldsthaveescapedme—saveonthisveryscaffold！\"
\"ThanksbetoHimwhohathledmehither\"answeredtheminister。
Yethetrembled，andturnedtoHesterwithanexpressionofdoubtandanxietyinhiseyes，notthelessevidentlybetrayed，thattherewasafeeblesmileuponhislips。
\"Isnotthisbetter，\"murmuredhe，\"thanwhatwedreamedofintheforest？\"
\"Iknownot！Iknownot！\"shehurriedlyreplied。\"Better？Yea；sowemaybothdie，andlittlePearldiewithus！\"
\"FortheeandPearl，beitasGodshallorder，\"saidtheminister；
\"andGodismerciful！LetmenowdothewillwhichHehathmadeplainbeforemysight。For，Hester，Iamadyingman。Soletmemakehastetotakemyshameuponme！\"
PartlysupportedbyHesterPrynne，andholdingonehandoflittlePearl’s，theReverendMr。Dimmesdaleturnedtothedignifiedandvenerablerulers；totheholyministers，whowerehisbrethren；tothepeople，whosegreatheartwasthoroughlyappalled，yetoverflowingwithtearfulsympathy，asknowingthatsomedeeplife—matter—which，iffullofsin，wasfullofanguishandrepentancelikewise—wasnowtobelaidopentothem。Thesun，butlittlepastitsmeridian，shonedownupontheclergyman，andgaveadistinctnesstohisfigure，ashestoodoutfromalltheearth，toputinhispleaofguiltyatthebarofEternalJustice。
\"PeopleofNewEngland！\"criedhe，withavoicethatroseoverthem，high，solemn，andmajestic—yethadalwaysatremorthroughit，andsometimesashriek，strugglingupoutofafathomlessdepthofremorseandwoe—\"ye，thathavelovedme！—ye，thathavedeemedmeholy—
beholdmehere，theonesinneroftheworld！Atlast！—atlast！—I
standuponthespotwhere，sevenyearssince，Ishouldhavestood；
here，withthiswoman，whosearm，morethanthelittlestrengthwherewithIhavecrepthitherward，sustainsme，atthisdreadfulmoment，fromgrovellingdownuponmyface！Lo，thescarletletterwhichHesterwears！Yehaveallshudderedatit！Whereverherwalkhathbeen—wherever，somiserablyburdened，shemayhavehopedtofindrepose—ithathcastaluridgleamofaweandhorriblerepugnanceroundabouther。Buttherestoodoneinthemidstofyou，atwhosebrandofsinandinfamyyehavenotshuddered！\"
Itseemed，atthispoint，asiftheministermustleavetheremainderofhissecretundisclosed。Buthefoughtbackthebodilyweakness—and，stillmore，thefaintnessofheart—thatwasstrivingforthemasterywithhim。Hethrewoffallassistance，andsteppedpassionatelyforwardapacebeforethewomanandthechild。
\"Itwasonhim！\"hecontinued，withakindoffierceness；sodeterminedwashetospeakoutthewhole。\"God’seyebeheldit！Theangelswereforeverpointingatit！TheDevilknewitwell，andfretteditcontinuallywiththetouchofhisburningfinger！Buthehiditcunninglyfrommen，andwalkedamongyouwiththemienofaspirit，mournful，becausesopureinasinfulworld！—andsad，becausehemissedhisheavenlykindred！Now，atthedeath—hour，hestandsupbeforeyou！HebidsyoulookagainatHester’sscarletletter！Hetellsyou，that，withallitsmysterioushorror，itisbuttheshadowofwhathebearsonhisownbreast，andthateventhis，hisownredstigma，isnomorethanthetypeofwhathassearedhisinmostheart！StandanyherethatquestionGod’sjudgmentonasinner？
Behold！Beholdadreadfulwitnessofit！\"
Withaconvulsivemotion，hetoreawaytheministerialbandfrombeforehisbreast。Itwasrevealed！Butitwereirreverenttodescribethatrevelation。Foraninstant，thegazeofthehorror—strickenmultitudewasconcentredontheghastlymiracle；whiletheministerstood，withaflushoftriumphinhisface，asonewho，inthecrisisofacutestpain，hadwonavictory。Then，downhesankuponthescaffold！Hesterpartlyraisedhim，andsupportedhisheadagainstherbosom。OldRogerChillingworthkneltdownbesidehim，withablank，dullcountenance，outofwhichthelifeseemedtohavedeparted。
\"Thouhastescapedme！\"herepeatedmorethanonce。\"Thouhastescapedme！\"
\"MayGodforgivethee！\"saidtheminister。\"Thou，too，hastdeeplysinned！\"
End
