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The Minister’s Vigil
TherewasasingularcircumstancethatcharacterisedMr.Dimmesdale’spsychologicalstateatthismoment.Allthetimethathegazedupwardtothezenith,hewas,nevertheless,perfectlyawarethatlittlePearlwashintingherfingertowardsoldRogerChillingworth,whostoodatnogreatdistancefromthescaffold.Theministerappearedtoseehim,withthesameglancethatdiscernedthemiraculousletter.Tohisfeatureastoallotherobjects,themeteoriclightimpartedanewexpression;oritmightwellbethatthephysicianwasnotcarefulthen,asatallothertimes,tohidethemalevolencewithwhichhelookeduponhisvictim.Certainly,ifthemeteorkindledupthesky,anddisclosedtheearth,withanawfulnessthatadmonishedHesterPrynneandtheclergymanofthedayofjudgment,thenmightRogerChillingworthhavepassedwiththemforthearch-fiend,standingtherewithasmileandscowl,toclaimhisown.Sovividwastheexpression,orsointensetheminister’sperceptionofit,thatitseemedstilltoremainpaintedonthedarknessafterthemeteorhadvanished,withaneffectasifthestreetandallthingselsewereatonceannihilated.
"Whoisthatman,Hester?"gaspedMr.Dimmesdale,overcomewithterror."Ishiverathim!Dostthouknowtheman?Ihatehim,Hester!"
Sherememberedheroath,andwassilent.
"Itellthee,mysoulshiversathim!"mutteredtheministeragain.