Алая буква
The Pastor and His Parishioner
Howdrearylookedtheforest-trackthatledbackwardtothesettlement,whereHesterPrynnemusttakeupagaintheburdenofherignominyandtheministerthehollowmockeryofhisgoodname!Sotheylingeredaninstantlonger.Nogoldenlighthadeverbeensopreciousasthegloomofthisdarkforest.Hereseenonlybyhiseyes,thescarletletterneednotburnintothebosomofthefallenwoman!Hereseenonlybyhereyes,ArthurDimmesdale,falsetoGodandman,mightbe,foronemomenttrue!
Hestartedatathoughtthatsuddenlyoccurredtohim.
"Hester!"criedhe,"hereisanewhorror!RogerChillingworthknowsyourpurposetorevealhistruecharacter.Willhecontinue,then,tokeepoursecret?Whatwillnowbethecourseofhisrevenge?"
"Thereisastrangesecrecyinhisnature,"repliedHester,thoughtfully;"andithasgrownuponhimbythehiddenpracticesofhisrevenge.Ideemitnotlikelythathewillbetraythesecret.Hewilldoubtlessseekothermeansofsatiatinghisdarkpassion."
"AndI!—howamItolivelonger,breathingthesameairwiththisdeadlyenemy?"exclaimedArthurDimmesdale,shrinkingwithinhimself,andpressinghishandnervouslyagainsthisheart—agesturethathadgrowninvoluntarywithhim."Thinkforme,Hester!Thouartstrong.Resolveforme!"
"Thoumustdwellnolongerwiththisman,"saidHester,slowlyandfirmly."Thyheartmustbenolongerunderhisevileye!"
"Itwerefarworsethandeath!"repliedtheminister.
