Алая буква
The Pastor and His Parishioner
"Anenemy!Andundermineownroof!Whatmeanyou?"
HesterPrynnewasnowfullysensibleofthedeepinjuryforwhichshewasresponsibletothisunhappyman,inpermittinghimtolieforsomanyyears,or,indeed,forasinglemoment,atthemercyofonewhosepurposescouldnotbeotherthanmalevolent.Theverycontiguityofhisenemy,beneathwhatevermaskthelattermightconcealhimself,wasenoughtodisturbthemagneticsphereofabeingsosensitiveasArthurDimmesdale.TherehadbeenaperiodwhenHesterwaslessalivetothisconsideration;or,perhaps,inthemisanthropyofherowntrouble,shelefttheministertobearwhatshemightpicturetoherselfasamoretolerabledoom.Butoflate,sincethenightofhisvigil,allhersympathiestowardshimhadbeenbothsoftenedandinvigorated.Shenowreadhisheartmoreaccurately.ShedoubtednotthatthecontinualpresenceofRogerChillingworth—thesecretpoisonofhismalignity,infectingalltheairabouthim—andhisauthorisedinterference,asaphysician,withtheminister’sphysicalandspiritualinfirmities—thatthesebadopportunitieshadbeenturnedtoacruelpurpose.Bymeansofthem,thesufferer’sconsciencehadbeenkeptinanirritatedstate,thetendencyofwhichwas,nottocurebywholesomepain,buttodisorganizeandcorrupthisspiritualbeing.Itsresult,onearth,couldhardlyfailtobeinsanity,andhereafter,thateternalalienationfromtheGoodandTrue,ofwhichmadnessisperhapstheearthlytype.
