Алая буква
The Leech and His Patient
Theprofounddepthoftheminister’sreposewasthemoreremarkable,inasmuchashewasoneofthosepersonswhosesleepordinarilyisaslightasfitful,andaseasilyscaredaway,asasmallbirdhoppingonatwig.Tosuchanunwontedremoteness,however,hadhisspiritnowwithdrawnintoitselfthathestirrednotinhischairwhenoldRogerChillingworth,withoutanyextraordinaryprecaution,cameintotheroom.Thephysicianadvanceddirectlyinfrontofhispatient,laidhishanduponhisbosom,andthrustasidethevestment,thathithertohadalwayscovereditevenfromtheprofessionaleye.
Then,indeed,Mr.Dimmesdaleshuddered,andslightlystirred.
Afterabriefpause,thephysicianturnedaway.
Butwithwhatawildlookofwonder,joy,andhonor!Withwhataghastlyrapture,asitwere,toomightytobeexpressedonlybytheeyeandfeatures,andthereforeburstingforththroughthewholeuglinessofhisfigure,andmakingitselfevenriotouslymanifestbytheextravagantgestureswithwhichhethrewuphisarmstowardstheceiling,andstampedhisfootuponthefloor!HadamanseenoldRogerChillingworth,atthatmomentofhisecstasy,hewouldhavehadnoneedtoaskhowSatancomportshimselfwhenaprecioushumansoulislosttoheaven,andwonintohiskingdom.
Butwhatdistinguishedthephysician’secstasyfromSatan’swasthetraitofwonderinit!
