Алая буква
A Flood of Sunshine
Butnow—sinceIamirrevocablydoomed—whereforeshouldInotsnatchthesolaceallowedtothecondemnedculpritbeforehisexecution?Or,ifthisbethepathtoabetterlife,asHesterwouldpersuademe,Isurelygiveupnofairerprospectbypursuingit!NeithercanIanylongerlivewithouthercompanionship;sopowerfulisshetosustain—sotendertosoothe!OThoutowhomIdarenotliftmineeyes,wiltThouyetpardonme?"
"Thouwiltgo!"saidHestercalmly,ashemetherglance.
Thedecisiononcemade,aglowofstrangeenjoymentthrewitsflickeringbrightnessoverthetroubleofhisbreast.Itwastheexhilaratingeffect—uponaprisonerjustescapedfromthedungeonofhisownheart—ofbreathingthewild,freeatmosphereofanunredeemed,unchristianised,lawlessregionHisspiritrose,asitwere,withabound,andattainedanearerprospectofthesky,thanthroughoutallthemiserywhichhadkepthimgrovellingontheearth.Ofadeeplyreligioustemperament,therewasinevitablyatingeofthedevotionalinhismood.
"DoIfeeljoyagain?"criedhe,wonderingathimself."Methoughtthegermofitwasdeadinme!Oh,Hester,thouartmybetterangel!Iseemtohaveflungmyself—sick,sin-stained,andsorrow-blackened—downupontheseforestleaves,andtohaverisenupallmadeanew,andwithnewpowerstoglorifyHimthathathbeenmerciful!Thisisalreadythebetterlife!Whydidwenotfinditsooner?"
"Letusnotlookback,"answeredHesterPrynne.
