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           Why,then,hadhecomehither?Wasitbutthemockeryofpenitence?Amockery,indeed,butinwhichhissoultrifledwithitself!Amockeryatwhichangelsblushedandwept,whilefiendsrejoicedwithjeeringlaughter!HehadbeendrivenhitherbytheimpulseofthatRemorsewhichdoggedhimeverywhere,andwhoseownsisterandcloselylinkedcompanionwasthatCowardicewhichinvariablydrewhimback,withhertremulousgripe,justwhentheotherimpulsehadhurriedhimtothevergeofadisclosure.Poor,miserableman!whatrighthadinfirmitylikehistoburdenitselfwithcrime?Crimeisfortheiron-nerved,whohavetheirchoiceeithertoendureit,or,ifitpresstoohard,toexerttheirfierceandsavagestrengthforagoodpurpose,andflingitoffatonce!Thisfeebleandmostsensitiveofspiritscoulddoneither,yetcontinuallydidonethingoranother,whichintertwined,inthesameinextricableknot,theagonyofheaven-defyingguiltandvainrepentance.

           Andthus,whilestandingonthescaffold,inthisvainshowofexpiation,Mr.Dimmesdalewasovercomewithagreathorrorofmind,asiftheuniverseweregazingatascarlettokenonhisnakedbreast,rightoverhisheart.Onthatspot,inverytruth,therewas,andtherehadlongbeen,thegnawingandpoisonoustoothofbodilypain.